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A Straight-Up Gas
Some Vettes Are Mild; Some Are Wild. This '57 Is...
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It was supposed to be a day off. No photos to take, no articles to write, no phone calls to answer--just a relaxing Saturday, taking in the great weather at the Del Mar Goodguys show, checking out some cool cars, having a few cold ones, and enjoying the company of friends. And that's just how things went, until we walked through the show's main hall.
It stood out like a sore thumb among the down-in-the-weeds rods and customs, all sky-high stance, Hillborn stacks, and killer flames. A closer examination revealed an immaculately detailed ride, a fat-tired Gasser-style dragster and spit-and-polish showcar, all wrapped up into one '57 Corvette. It was time to go to work, 'cause I had a photo shoot to set up.
Lasting Impressions
Pat D'Ambrosio of Bothall, Washington, was born into a Chevy family. He was reading every car magazine he could get his hands on by the time he was 16, and also spending time at the dragstrip at nearby Seattle International Raceway. There were a multitude of musclecars to check out and admire, but it was the "Gassers," those solid front-axled, high-standing, mondo-motored doorslammers that left an impression on young D'Ambrosio. And as for a particular marque among these quarter-mile warriors...
"Corvettes always spoke to me," he told us, and it's no wonder. His first car was a '63 split-window coupe, a car D'Ambrosio says was "dangerous to own," but also served as a "great equalizer" when it came to the high school dating scene. It also gave the young Corvette fan a chance to discover his talents at tinkering, a habit he continued into the '70s, owning '67 and '68 big-block Vettes. Then, as it usually does, "real life" intervened, and the Corvetting went on hold for awhile.
Cut to a year-and-a-half ago. D'Ambrosio found himself in between projects, and felt that the time was right to get back into Corvettes. He found a starting point in Las Vegas, struck a deal, and brought the well-worn '57 home to Washington. At this point, the problem was, "What do I do with this thing?" The old Vette, which had a 30-year racing history in the Vegas area (campaigned by Don's Chassis Shop), had a decent interior, but also had a straight front axle, a rollbar, and a big-block powerplant fed by dual four-barrels in the engine bay.
More importantly, the stock frame had been chopped off at the firewall, and a box-section frame welded in to accommodate the solid front axle. The rear frame section had also been modified and strengthened, from under the driver's door back. "It sat too high," D'Ambrosio recalls. "It was too extreme." As for the quality of the modifications made to this old warrior, D'Ambrosio was less than impressed. "The car was done in a rough way, by amateurs," he bluntly states. The extreme frame alterations made a traditional restoration impractical, so an entirely different approach would be needed. In Pat D'Ambrosio's words, it was time to go "all the way."
One of the first alternatives D'Ambrosio considered was the now-popular "hybrid" approach, incorporating late-model Corvette running gear into the old solid-axle's chassis to create a sexy vintage Vette with modern performance. In this particular hot rodder's mind, however, it had been done--D'Ambrosio wanted something that really "spoke" to him. That voice was found in the past. "In looking at some old photographs, I was reminded of many of these cars were turned into Gasser-style drag cars," D'Ambrosio told us. "Specifically, my photos from 1969-72, which showed some very nice examples of '57s. The majority of these cars were owned by a group of Japanese racers at Seattle International Raceway. So, a combination of it being the right candidate, and a strong passion for the past and all the emotion that it brings, made it easy to build the car into what it really should be."
The key partner in this endeavor was Jory Brender of Classic Car Service in Snohomish, Washington. D'Ambrosio discussed his goals with Brender, who quickly developed a great deal of enthusiasm for the idea of creating a Gasser Vette. Brender's paint and fabrication shop disassembled the entire car, repaired the fiberglass, and began the engine work.
The challenges were certainly numerous. The car had been stripped of all street legal and "comfort" items; companies such as Corvette Central, Paragon, and Zip provided new glass, wiring, weatherstripping, door and window hardware, and countless other components. All the chrome and bright work was also refinished or replaced, as was the replacement hardtop, purchased from Crane Corvette in California. Finding new parts wasn't the only tough task; refurbishing those that were still intact was also problematic. "Where do you go to get an old Borg-Warner transmission rebuilt?" D'Ambrosio wondered. (The answer was Classic Car Serivce). It was a challenge, but one that both owner and builder were up to.
It's evident that a great deal of detail work went into creating this Vette, a running, driving, immaculate street car with the soul of a old-time drag car. Things like creating inner fender panels that show off the custom headers, and matching the rest of the interior to the vintage-style seats. But one thing that D'Ambrosio considered essential to the Gasser look was the Hilborn injection stacks sticking through the hood. Bob Beam of Imagine Injection in Phoenix provided a computer-controlled engine management system and a Hilborn unit converted to electronic fuel injection. Once the new system was dialed in, the 427 big-block provided plenty of go for the chow, churning out 560 horsepower at 6,200 and 480 lb-ft of torque at 4,600 rpm.
Another thing that had to be just right was the stance. The rough-done race car needed help, and that's where Brender's fabrication skills came in handy. The frame was adjusted until the '57 had just the right look. Along with the 15-inch American Racing wheels, fat rear rubber, modern Wilwood binders up front, and the peek-a-boo headers on display, it's safe to say that this thing sits just right.
And then there was the flame job. D'Ambrosio traveled to Northern California to meet with noted flame designer Art Himsel, who provided insight into creating a period-correct flame job. He also looked through many more photos and old flame books for inspiration. D'Ambrosio also commissioned several renderings by automotive artist Jason Rushforth, all in an effort to nail down the right look. Ultimately, Rich Thayer of R&J Customs was brought in. "He really helped interpret what I wanted," D'Ambrosio comments. "It is, to me, a dramatic use of color that really adds to the car." We agree.
The Vette was finished just in time for the Del Mar Goodguys show, with D'Ambrosio working overtime on the final reassembly. Now that his modern Gasser is finished, D'Ambrosio says he's "Just gonna enjoy it." Vacations are being planned around various car shows so that he car get out with family and friends and enjoy his creation. Not that this Vette is just a piece of art. "It drives pretty well, even with the straight front axle," D'Ambrosio declares. And, true to his roots, he plans to take his Gasser out to the track, attending various nostalgia drag events in the Northwest.
Of course, this reborn '57 is a piece of automotive art. "It's American culture...an art form," D'Ambrosio reflects. "And Corvettes are an icon of American culture." Pat D'Ambrosio grew up on Gassers and Vettes, and those youthful influences led to his own interpretation of auto as work of art. Aesthetics aside, we just know a rad, bitchin', cool--and unique--Corvette when we see it. We hope you enjoy checking it out as much as we did.
|Bothall, Washington
|1957 Corvette
|modified stock
|box-section front half, reinforced rear half, driveshaft loop, new crossmembers and motor mounts
|Rearend / Ratio
|narrowed Dana 44, 3.70:1
|Rear suspension
|Rear brakes
|Front suspension
|custom solid front axle w/ '48 {{{Ford}}} spindles and leaf springs
|Front brakes
|Master cylinder
|Steering box
|Front wheel make, size
|American Torq-Thrust D, 15x7
|Rear wheel make, size
|American Torq-Thrust D, 15x10
|Front tire make, size
|Mickey Thompson Sportsman, 26x7.50x15
|Rear tire make, size
|Mickey Thompson Sportsman, 26x12.50x15
|Gas tank
|Chassis resto/mod
|Classic Car Service, Snohomish, WA,
(360) 668-8220
|Machining / Assembly
|Jory Brender, Classic Car Service
|Crankshaft / Rods
|Chevy, 10.5:1 compression
|Crane Power Max
|Water pump
|Cooling fan / Radiator
|Edelbrock rectangle-port, aluminum
|Valves / Springs
|Comp Cams
|Comp Cams
|Valve covers
|Mickey Thompson
|Manifold / Induction
|Hilborn fuel injection, converted to EFI by Imagine Injection, Phoenix
|Ignition / Wires
|custom fenderwell units by Randy's Custom Exhaust, Marysville, WA
|Exhaust / Mufflers
|custom 2-1/2-inch pipes by Randy's Custom Exhaust, Dynomax Super Turbo mufflers
|Other engine facts
|560 hp @ 6,200, 480 lb-ft @ 4,600 rpm
|Borg Warner four-speed
|Hurst shifter w/modified Hurst linkage
|Body mods
|custom inner fender panels, slightly radiused rear wheel openings, side chrome removed, hood modified for Hillborn stacks
|Classic Car Service
|Paint type / Color
|House of Color / black
|Rich Thayer, R & J Customs, Buckley, WA
|yellow and orange pearl flames, also by Rich Thayer
|Other body items
|chrome by show Quality Metal Finishing, Seattle
|stock, flamed by Rich Thayer
|stock speedometer rebuilt by United Speedometer, Riverside, CA; all others by Stewart Warner
|Stereo / Speakers
|Classic Car Service
|Steering wheel / column
|waffle-pattern black
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Polarcus presents at the Pareto Securities' Oil & Offshore Conference
Polarcus Limited ("Polarcus" or the "Company") (OSE: PLCS) announce that Chief Executive Officer, Duncan Eley will present at the Pareto Securities' Oil & Offshore Conference on 13 September 2017 in Oslo, Norway.
A copy of the presentation is attached and is also available for download from the Polarcus website under Investor Relations.
Duncan Eley, CEO
+971 50 553 2198
Hans-Peter Burlid, CFO
+971 50 559 8175
About Polarcus
Polarcus (OSE: PLCS) is an innovative marine geophysical company with a pioneering environmental agenda, delivering high-end towed streamer data acquisition and imaging services from Pole to Pole. Polarcus operates a fleet of high performance 3D seismic vessels incorporating leading-edge maritime technologies for improved safety and efficiency. Polarcus offers contract seismic surveys and multi-client projects with advanced onboard processing solutions and employs over 400 professionals worldwide. The Company's principal office is in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. For more information, visit www.polarcus.com
The information included herein may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts, including but not limited to statements expressing or implying the Company's intent, belief or current expectations with respect to, among other things, forecasts, estimates, and predictions. Such forward-looking statements necessarily involve risks and uncertainties and are dependent on assumptions, information, data or methods that may be incorrect or imprecise. Actual results could differ materially from expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements if one or more of the underlying assumptions or expectations proves to be inaccurate or is unrealized. Some factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, developments in the oil and gas industry, the demand for seismic services, the demand for data from the Company's multi-client library, currency risks, political risks, regulatory risks, and unexpected operational setbacks. For a further description of other relevant risk factors we refer to our 2016 Annual Report. The reservation is also made that inaccuracies or mistakes may occur in the information given above concerning the current status of the Company or its business. Any reliance on the information given above is at the risk of the reader, and Polarcus disclaims any and all liability in this respect.
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subset: commoncrawl


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EW34125 Ellie Wilde
Regular price$763.00
If you have to add any special requirements like size, color, etc., please go to the cart page. There is a box below where you can type whatever you want. thank you!
- In stock, ready to ship
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- Thousands of happy customers since 2011!!!
Regular shipping if in stock 2-4 weeks.
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In two posts at Animalarium, Laura turned me on to Illustrarium, a website for Lithuanian children's book illustrators (Lithuania was the 2011 Guest of Honour at the Bologna Children's Book Fair).
Rooting around on Illustrarium, I found the page for Mikalojus Vilutis (born 1944) and asked him if I could feature his work.
The illustrations in this post come from Fables by Vytautas Landsbergis (Kronta, Vilnius 2011) and A Cake. For many years before illustrating books and working digitally, Vilutis worked in silkscreen/serigraphy and he's known as a master of the method (he's taught at Vilnius Academy of Arts since 1989). I will soon feature some of those earlier works.
(This post went live well before it was supposed too...some of you may have seen it in embryonic form —oh blogger, how I (didn't f*cking) miss thee. Part 2 coming soon.)
(A search reveals that Monster Brains linked to a Russian page on Vilutis way back in 2007.)


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# of watchers: 14
|Wiki-page rating
2007-10-05 [Jitter]: I'd say do whatever floats your boat :) Even in single tubes they're helpful :3
2007-10-05 [Artsieladie]: Oh, they say this in Greece, too? *laughs* Maybe I'll do some now as singles & then later 'try' to make multiples. :)
2007-10-05 [Jitter]: No we don't say it x) I'm just way too used into English phrases, proverbs and slang so I use them accordingly ;p
2007-10-05 [Artsieladie]: Ah, I see! So, what are some Greek phrases? I like to learn about other cultures & customs. :)
2007-10-06 [Jitter]: Hmmm something like "Whatever your heart pulls" word-by-word translation :P Means "whatever your heart desires" :)
2007-10-06 [windowframe]: Whatever flows your boat. :P
2007-10-06 [Jitter]: Oh shuddup xD
2007-10-06 [Artsieladie]: *chuckles* Oh, similar in meaning, though. Cool! :D
2007-10-06 [Jitter]: Nah she's mocking me because I mixed the words before when using this phrase :P
2007-10-06 [Artsieladie]: he he I didn't notice, b/c I say, "Whatever floats your boat", too. >..<
2007-10-06 [Jitter]: No, no! "Floats" is the proper one :P
2007-10-06 [Artsieladie]: Oh, I must have missed a change, then. >..< Typical! I'm always a day late & a dollar short! lol
2007-10-06 [Jitter]: Actually the convo took place on one of my tutorials so don't fret xP
2007-10-06 [Artsieladie]: :) I still am a day late & a dollar short, though. >..<
2007-10-06 [Jitter]: *comforts*
2007-10-06 [windowframe]: *gives Artsie a dollar*
2007-10-06 [Artsieladie]: *huggles* It's ok. I'm used to it. A person has to know their limitations & recognize their idiosyncrasies
2007-11-01 [Janouk]: I marked this as an official Elftown page (even though there's no banner). If I'm wrong, please let me know! ;-)
2007-11-01 [Hedda]: It's not official. It's just informative. It has nothing to do with Elftown policies or so. It's just tips on how to do stuff.
2007-11-01 [Janouk]: I placed it on True's Page Directory though, should I remove it?
2007-11-02 [Hedda]: Yes.
Number of comments: 42
|Show these comments on your site


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Big Boss Man
"He scared me straight!"
The Big Boss Man was a professional wrestler from Cobb County, Georgia. Previous to this, he was a corrections officer at a large jail in Cobb County'. This gave him extreme proficiency in the use of a nightstick (not to be confused with a night club). He often brought this weapon to the ring with him for his matches. The Big Boss Man was a very logical man. Unfortunately, it was this logic, that turned him into a cold, calculated killer.
Early Life[edit]
The Big Boss Man was born Ray Traylor, on May the 2nd, 1962 in Marietta, Georgia. He was a strong, healthy (and exceptionally handsome) child, and this continued on into his school career. He excelled in many sports, including football, basketball, soccer and crochet. He showed a fine ability inside the school building also, subjects such as maths and science being his forte. His looks, too, seemed to mature from overtly cute to pleasing, and could be called almost handsome if seen in the moon light, in the back seat of a Camaro while making out. He was spotted playing high school football, by a talent scout from the local prison service. The scout saw Ray was athletic young cub, and discussed him with the local community. These reports confirmed that Ray was not only brain and brawn, but also had they manners and elecution of a true southern gentleman. The Boss Man required the money, to help his dear mother, and so sacrificed a college scholarship to begin working in at the Cobb County Jail.
The Big Boss Man looked after prisoners with care and respect, and noted that they treated him in a similar manner. This a far cry from his contemporaries, who believed that a nightstick was merely a device for battery. It was this show of mutual respect that he derived his motto from:
- "Treat people the way you would want to be treated yourself."
It worked. Everyone respected and revered the Boss Man. this motto fitted in with his very logical mindset (something which he received many good reports on since his school days) The Big Boss Man lead a happy and fulfilling life... until his mother's deteriorating health required that he earn more money. It was this that made him move into professional wrestling.
Early Wrestling Career[edit]
The Big Boss Man made his WWF debut in 1988. He carried with him his motto, and his correctional facilities nightstick, with him at all times.
Yes, he did beat people up, but only because they wanted to beat him up. This was a logical extension of his motto:
- "Treat people the way you would want to be treated yourself.
- Therefore, people must treat you the way they would want to be treated".
So people beat the Boss Man up, and he beat them up back. The knocks and bruises admittedly hurt, but the Boss Man was blissfully happy, as his world fit his very logical way of thinking. He was popular with men, children, and particularly women. He even had a catchphrase: "You'll be serving nothing but hard times".
The crowds pulled for him, and so the Boss Man would pull for the crowd. He came close to winning on many occasions. He loved his motto so much, that it was ingrained into his theme music. Then something happened.
Knee Injury, and Subsequent Madness[edit]
The Big Bossman fell victim to a knee injury. He was sidelined from active competition. The fans forgot about him. Boss Man loved his fans, but knew that:
- "Treat people the way you would want to be treated yourself.
- Therefore, people must treat you the way they would want to be treated.
- 'The fans have forgotten about me, therefore I must forget about the fans."
The Boss Man left the company, forgot about wrestling, just as it had forgotten about him. He fell in to a dark mood, desperation and bankruptcy. While at home, the Boss Man cursed his injured knee. It hurt him, so he decided that he must hurt it. He trained it, and it began as strong as an iron girder (but obviously one that can bend in the middle). He watched a lot of television. It entertained him, so he tried to entertain it. He didn't get much response, and he began to feel unfulfilled. He began to get more severely depressed, he thought:
- The world hates me, therefore I must hate the world
He knew the people of the world respected him, but no longer loved him. His logic showed that to retain the worlds respect, the world must fear him. He began planning The Hard Times.
The Hard Times[edit]
The Boss Man gave his plan to scare seven shades out of the world the title "The Hard Times", because it had that delicious touch of irony, and he was a fan of Charles Dickens. The Hard Times officially began in 1993. His plan had seven areas of focus.
The Video Game Industry[edit]
The Boss Man knew he would scare millions of children, by appearing in video games. During the nineties, he beat up Mario, Luigi, Solid Snake, and many other video game characters. He put such a hurting on Sonic the Hedgehog, that by the time he had recovered, Sega had been forced to close.
The Catering Industry[edit]
The Boss Man traveled the World, clobbering every celebrity chef he could find. Ainsley Harriott, Jamie Oliver, and Gary Rhodes all felt the wrath of his nightstick. Martha Stewart tried to pay him off, but he clobbered her too. Gordon Ramsey felt Hard Times, and the Boss Man clobbered him once more for swearing.
The Music Industry[edit]
Boss Man inspired fear by killing James Brown, clobbering Bono and giving Robbie Williams a nipple twist. The rest of Take That were so badly injured that Robbie was forced to go solo. After recovering form their injuries, they resumed their uncompleted tour in 2006, regardless of Howard and Jason's horrendous facial scarring. He also gave Michael Jackson that back injury that prevented him form attending his trial.
At this point, the Boss Man realized that his standard, Cobb County prisoners uniform was associated with his previous life, when he lived and acted for the people. He changed into a black uniform, as black as his heart had become...
The Time Industry[edit]
The Boss Man knew the best way to disorientate people was to to take away their perception of time. He strived to clobber every timepiece he could get his hands on, not unlike Dustin Hoffman in Hook. He clobbered clocks, watches, swatches and even took to scaling London's Big Ben.
The Sex Industry[edit]
Although the Boss Man enjoyed sex (human killing machines are indeed, still human), he knew that this was pivotal in his domination of the world. He knew that sex provided endless joy (for men at least), which he must stamp out. He clobbered Jenna Jameson, served Hard Times to Ron Jeremy, and shoved his nightstick up Hugh Heffner's ass. He cut Jordan, and cut her bad. He made home-movies of his beatings of Paris Hilton, Pamela Anderson and Tonya Harding for the delicious irony, for which he was developing quite a taste.
The Movie Industry[edit]
The Boss Man went to Hollywood, to get his message on the big screen, to the world. His plan was simple, he would clobber some movie stars, and take their place, showing the world that the Boss Man was ever present. He sawed Cary Elwes legs off and maimed Dennis Hopper with a chainsaw - twice. He cut 8mm off each of Nicholas Cage's fingers, and tied Sandra Bullock up in a net. He also gave a pounding to Patrick Stewart, Luke Wilson, and Shirley McClaine. He tracked down Anthony Hopkins, and handcuffed him to a small goat. He hunted down Charlie Sheen and Emilio Estevez and banged their heads together real hard. He also danced a little jig on Charlie Chaplin's grave. He would then grab back his nightstick and hit Danny Devito over the head with it more than a million times turning him into a skeleton and hanging him over his wall like it was a piece of art. But he wasn't done yet, the Boss Man would than go up against the best of the best Bruce Willis and fight him in Russian Roulette. When it looked like the Boss Man was going to participate he tricked Bruce and grabbed him by the neck killing him with a full nelson rock bottom suplex.
The Boss Man's journey was almost at an end, he had the world at his feet, and its people tucked up in the palm of his hand. He had one target left, a special target, that he had been working for, training for, dreaming of. He was jacked, the leanest and meanest he had ever been. The time was perfect to do what he wanted to do. He was about to do what any homicidal maniac with a sudden access to vast amounts of power would do...
Return to the WWF[edit]
Well, perhaps it isn't something that every homicidal maniac with sudden access of power would do. But exacting revenge is...
The WWF was the seventh, and the biggest target of the Hard Times, and the time was right for the Boss Man to injure the Wrestling Industry, just as it had injured him. Going undercover, he joined Vince McMahon's evil Corporation. They would never suspect...
The Big Boss Man made quick progress in the WWF, winning various titles along the way. He was more successful than he had ever been in the business. He was almost happy again...
- If wrestling makes me happy, maybe I should make wrestling... FUCK THAT...
- They'll be serving some Hard Times, boy!'
His logical side thrown completely out of the window, the Boss Man went on a hell blazing path of destruction, showing wrestlers the same merciless aggression that he had shown the world. He cooked Al Snow's dog and fed it to him. He broke Steve Blackman's ankle (a very impressive feat, as Steve Blackman's only known equals are Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris and the magic bearded guy. He showed Hard Times to anyone that stood in his way...
He was nearly there, close to the top. All he had left to do was take down the champion, and he had won. The six, long hard years of crushing the world would finally be worth it. Finally...
The World Title[edit]
Boss Man knew he had to be more ruthless than he had ever been before. This wasn't about some pansy strap of gold. It was personal. It was all he had left to show the business and the planet they had wronged him. That he deserved to be top of the world.
The Big Show[edit]
Although the Boss Man knew the Big Show had a considerable weight and height advantage on him, this would only further prove his superiority. It did mean however, that he would have to reach to the very depths of his icy dark soul to bring the big man down.
The Boss Man hired an actor to tell the Big Show his critically ill father had died. This infuriated the beast, but that beast was no match for the Boss Man. When the Champ's father died, the Boss Man showed up to his funeral and stole the corpse. The Boss Man then went so far as to prove to the World that the Big Show was a bastard child on live television...
Hard work, but he was nearly there. He was ready for the title, and ready to laugh at the world, and everyone in it...
Armageddon, 1999 - The World Title Match[edit]
The less said about this the better really...
Boss Man definitely got the moral victory, OK?!
After the Boss Man got the moral victory against the WWF (even invoking a lawsuit from a spurious charity to have the name changed to WWE), continues to dominate the world through fear, even in death.
Prison Guard. What do you expect?


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Utilities Wildland Fire Team leader wins AthenaMay 01, 2013 (The Gazette (Colorado Springs – McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) — Sandi Yukman, who is chief coordinator of the Wildland Fire Team for Colorado Springs Utilities and served on the front lines during the fight against last summer's devastating Waldo Canyon fire, received the Athena Award on Tuesday from the Colorado Springs Regional Business Alliance.
Yukman has served since 2005 on the Wildland Fire Team, which was formed to protect reservoirs and other utility property in forested areas and nearby urban areas from wildfires. She oversees many aspects of the team's physical training and was on the front lines at the onset of the Waldo fire. She helped battle the blaze as it burned into the Mountain Shadows neighborhood June 26, where it destroyed 347 homes and killed two people. Her actions are credited with helping save 16 homes on Hearthstone Lane near Chipeta Elementary School.
"I've never been on anything like the Waldo Canyon fire," Yukman said. "We got to go out and do structure protection and it was terrifying and scary, but so personal since I knew some of the people who lived right in that area. It changed my life forever." Yukman said she was shocked to receive the Athena Award. "I didn't prepare a speech because I have looked up to so many of the other people on the list" of nominees, she said.
Yukman also heads the Catamount Wildland Fire Team, one of several wildland teams at Utilities. She began her career with Colorado Interstate Gas, which is now part of Kinder Morgan, and joined Utilities in 1990 as a programmer analyst. Yukman was promoted several times to analyst, customer services manager, customer services director, chief integrated resources officer and human resource general manager, a job she currently has in addition to her wildland fire team duties.
Her volunteer efforts are extensive, including serving as executive sponsor of the diversity team at Utilities.
She also is vice president of Incline Friends and has served as a board member of the Pikes Peak Therapeutic Riding Center, the Child Nursery Centers, Girl Scouts of the Pikes Peak Region, Red Cross of the Pikes Peak Region, American Heart Association and Inroads of Southern Colorado.
"Happiness doesn't make us grateful, but gratefulness makes us happy, and I am so grateful. I am honored to be in the company of so many amazing women," Yukman said.
"My advice to other women is to put your mouth where your passion is. Find something that you are passionate about and go for it. It doesn't take much to have an effect." Yukman was a finalist for the Athena Award in 2010 and a finalist for the Woman of Distinction Award from the Girl Scouts of Colorado in 2004.
She received the Community Trustee Award from Leadership Pikes Peak in 2003.
The Athena Award recognizes individuals who have mentored women and helped them reach their potential in business, and who have achieved business success and performed superior community service.
The other finalists for this year's award were Vicki Dimond of Springs Style Magazine, Stephannie Finley of the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, City Councilwoman Jan Martin and Alicia McConnell of the U.S. Olympic Committee.
Renee Zentz, CEO of the Housing and Building Association of Colorado Springs, received the award last year.
___ (c)2013 The Gazette (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Visit The Gazette (Colorado Springs, Colo.) at www.gazette.com Distributed by MCT Information Services


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Mike Ramos - The Accessory Guru
An Old Car Parts Pro That Knows His Stuff.
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The Accessory GuruIn today's era of custom car building there are many avenues to visit when finding the right car or parts to complete your dream car, if it's a restoration or a tricked out low-low. Nowadays you have the internet, text messaging, next-day delivery service, cell phone cameras and other tools to help you track down the rarest of goods. Not too long ago, even as recent as 10 years back, people had to hoof it; using word-of-mouth, scribbling down secret directions to locations where rare parts could be found, scanning local newspapers, making phones calls and plain old driving out to wherever you needed to go to get the part. There was always that one guy that would know what was up, that gave you an answer like, "I know where there's one, how much are you willing to get the part for?" One of those "someones" is Michael aka "Accessory Mike" Ramos of Whittier, California. We've known about Mike since the mid 90s, but he's been doing his job since his teenage years.
"I started out in this business back in 1977 when I used to draw cars in high school. I always new that I wanted a bomb. I bought my first car when I was fresh out of high school in 1979," Mike states proudly. His love affair with cars even led to finding his dream girl. "I met my wife at a grad night party, courted her, and the day after I got out of high school, I was working at a place called Chief Auto Parts. Ironically, she lived around the block from the store I worked at and she used to parade herself near the shop," he recalls. "As for my first car, it was a '73 Chevy Impala. I bought it but didn't bring it out until it was all done. I was 17-years-old, but I wanted to move up so I bought a Porsche. This was the time when there was lowriders in Montebello Park during the heyday," says Mike. "Back at that time everyone in the scene was doing the transition to disco music, TR7s, TR6s, Spitfires and Porsches. Lowriders were still in, Whittier Blvd and Montebello Park where it was happening, so I wanted a sports car, a 914, a poor man's Porsche which was my second car out of high school," remembers Mike.
Fresh out of school, working, and having fun, Mike was living the good life. He had his car, a job, and his lady, but life would soon bring him an unexpected surprise; his lady became pregnant with a baby girl. Due to responsibility, Mike knew he had to go out and sell his prized Porsche to facilitate his new duties both as a man and an expecting father.
"So I sold the Porsche to pay for the hospital bill for my new daughter and then got myself a little go-getter, a '67 RS Chevy Camaro convertible. I found that car for $500; drove it for a while, but my lady hated it," he says. At that time the now deceased Ricardo Montalban was pushing on TV the new Chrysler Cordova with rich Corinthian leather, so as luck would have it, that would eventually be their first family car. "I put an ad in the Recycler newspaper, which was `the Craig's List' of its time back in the day, and a guy saw my ad in the paper. He called me and said that he'd trade me a Cordova for my car plus $500," he recalls. Mike knew it was best for his family, so he got the car for his baby doll, but he still wanted a nice car for himself. Mike starting driving around, hustling again which he had already begun prior to getting rid of his Porsche, searching for ways to make money and hook up his own car. At that time there weren't too many places locally where he could just go for parts and accessories, Mike's resources were limited to four options. "There was only this one place in Montebello, or you had to go to the dealer, or guys would steal stuff and you'd get it off the street but that was kind of hard. So you had to go to this place out in Pomona, California," he says. Knowing he had responsibilities to his family, he chose the legal route.
Known as "The West Coast's Largest Antique Auto, Corvette, Porsche, Street Rod and Volkswagen Swap Meet & Car Show", the Pomona Swap Meet is a one stop shop, where if you're lucky enough, you can find that certain part or dream car that you've been searching for. "Back in the days, the Pomona Swap Meet was held on White Street and all it was then was classic cars and Corvettes, and that's where I'd get parts for my Porsche," Mike fondly remembers. "That's where I learned how the parts were available and found out ways to turn around and sell them to make money. So I did just that, sold my then-current car and bought my first bomb, a 1948 Chevrolet Coupe," he says. "My dad thought I was nuts; I had paid $1,800.00 for the car which was all the money I had back then. I started looking for parts at the swap meets which at the time was really hard. I used to go with a guy named Jay Bell I used to help him load and unload his vehicles and sell them," Mike states. "He kind of got me into selling parts but (he) got tired of doing it so he decided to sell off his inventory to me, I bought it and that's where it (the business) really started. I began going out of state because the product wasn't here, this is prior to the Internet, prior to eBay; you had to make long distance phone calls, you had to deal with snail mail and hope they wrote or called you back, sometimes you'd wait three weeks, and just hoped that the part was correct," adds Mike. "The only source most dealers used was the Hemmings Motor News and not too many young Chicanos even heard of it or knew what it was about. I opened up a store in the 80s, bought it from another man; it was then called Don's Obsolete. He thought he wanted to retire, but he wasn't too sure about it, so we worked out a deal where I gave him the business back and he gave me inventory so I opened up a store in Buena Park, California. That was late 80s, early 90s, it was called the Old Car Parts Store," Mike reminisces.
Once the store opened, things started to get bigger for Mike Ramos, his reputation in the community was growing. "I was the guy, so when people wanted a part they called The Old Car Parts Store. It wasn't just Chevy stuff, I knew cars, I've been studying cars ever since I was a kid in the back seat of my pop's car," Mike says looking back. While riding around in the back seat with his father, Mike had made it a little game for himself: "That's a '55 Buick and that's a '61 Bel Air and that's a 1967 Cadillac; I was always identifying cars, learning about them. It was in my blood, that's why I named it The Old Car Parts Store," he says proudly. "When somebody called, I went to the junkyards with a Polaroid camera and my own knowledge, and was able to build a little index of the stuff. That way, when a guy came in and asked what I had for a '66 Lincoln I knew what he needed," boasts Mike. "A lot of the time it was phone calls coming in, and since I had access to the wrecking yards that were out in the Dakotas and the mid-west I was able to say `yeah I can get you that. '" Mike had it down to a science, so once he had his "order," he'd call up whatever wrecking yard he found that had the part he needed and had it shipped to him, in order to sell it to that particular customer as fast as possible.
Business was booming, it got to the point where customers were amazed that Mike could find the items, let alone so quickly, and the UPS drivers were equally as amazed and even more curious to find out what products were behind the huge cash on delivery amounts the Old Car Parts Store was paying. Receiving $200, $500, and even greater amounts, the drivers literally stood to see what was in those boxes of merchandise. Taking time off their delivery routes, they had to see for themselves just what Mike was working with and exactly what he was buying!
"So I'd get it and I'd put it in the store, but unfortunately the store was more of a museum; I wasn't getting paid," he says in spite of his heavy UPS trafficking. "People would just come in and see what I had, what I was selling, comparing prices, so eventually it worked against me to having that store open," he says jokingly. "So I got a little smarter and got rid of the store, bought a property that was big enough that I could put 12 cars into the building and have five different garages, all while working out of my home. "It allowed me to go out and shop for product so that I wouldn't be confined to a store seven days a week. So that worked out pretty good for a while but then economics changed with everything else," he laments. Mike was again going to have to adjust his business to keep up with the times.
The age of technology had caught up and surpassed many who were used to doing business with no more than a handshake, and Mike was no exception to these repercussions. "The internet was good and bad, it worked for me and it worked against me. Initially it went against me, due to the fact I was one of the pioneers in the field I'm in and as far as I know, the only young Latino lowrider at the time having a retail store other than Orlie's Hydraulics in Paramount, Steve's Obsolete in Gardena, Bob's Antiques of El Segundo and the Car Shop in Orange, California. There were people back in the day that had stores, but not to the caliber of products I had my store," says Mike. "It was filled with NOS (new old stock) parts and the knowledge that I have of the inventory," he adds. "So it was pretty ballsy (back then) to open up a store and do what I did." As technology changed, so did product availability, people were relying on computers, not parts shops to find what they needed, and undeterred, Mike weathered the storm. "Some others came and went, but I'm still here in the game," he says with confidence. "Since the event of 9/11 to the current day, until the latest venture I'm in with Fargo Automotive, I had been living off my savings and that's hard. It takes its toll on the family. Fortunately, I've been smart enough not to get rid of prized possessions and some of the cars, but now I'm working 16 hours a day at times," he sighs.
The junkyards weren't as fruitful as they once were, internet sites were popping up like crazy, competition was at an all-time high, bringing several newbie's into the game trying to make a name for themselves. Mike had an upper hand that trumped all of those obstacles; his brain. Under all that stiff hair lies a super-computer, a well of knowledge that has yet to be dried up and an uncanny ability to remember parts and places as well as contacts. Remaining confident in himself, Mike realized that he still needed to use these new tools of technology to reeducate himself of what is currently happening in today's world of classic car goods. "Ebay came in and now you have email, you can now use the technology to your advantage. I can take work to a swap meet, take a photo of a part, email it to a guy, get his approval and consummate the deal instead of buying dead inventory." he explains. He also flipped his product theory. "Instead of selling parts I started selling cars, which became good because not too many people tried to turn around and sell cars, there was less competition. Being true to my roots of selling vintage parts with the knowledge that was already in my head, I still knew what parts were worth, what people needed and had a good customer base with people who trusted me. I've had some good customers who have been with me for over 20 years," he states. "Recently with Fargo Automotive, I'm at a point where I'm helping and assisting on actually making parts for the bombs and the Impalas as well as other vehicles, providing what's necessary to complete someone's project," he explains. Parts ranging from mechanical to trims, emblems and other accessories are things that Mike knows will keep the customers happy and these classic cars rolling. "It's like baking cookies, when you run out of cookie dough you go out and make some more, but the main focus here is to make a great product that will be competitive with the other manufacturers."
Though his work days are long and the road to success has been full of obstacles, Mike has remained a well- connected man, counting family and friends as his main influences and sources of inspiration. Remembering times without pancake breakfasts, menudo mornings with his family, the stress of having to be away for days, sometimes weeks, just to get a part for a customer, Mike Ramos truly appreciates his family's patience. "That's the breaks of the game," states Mike. Without their constant help & support, he wouldn't be who he is today, both personally and professionally. Down since '77, he and his wife Touch'e saw daughter Denisha his first born and son Michael Jr. come into the world, through those experiences he remained focused and never once stopped chasing his dream. Fast forward to the present day and Lil' Mike and Mike Sr. cruise the scene with their classics, so it's still a family thing.
He comes from the old school, a handshake is his word, he even offers layaway on parts and cars to help people achieve their automotive dreams, remembering what it was like for him during the times he struggled. To this day Mike still talks to Don from Don's Obsolete, the two remain good friends and business associates, and Ramos remains very grateful for his help & support. This long lasting friendship and business relationship is the testament of the number one rule of good business; never burn bridges because you never know when you may need to cross them again.
In closing, he shares his belief of the benefits and advantages of being involved in car collecting. "You need to educate the next generation and show them how to carry the torch, so to speak," he says. "Invest in an old car, it gets the family closer and creates fond memories. It's a good investment, you'll be amazed to see how much of a small world it is! Cruise nights and family events are great for meeting people & creating new friendships. It's a good thing and cheap entertainment for all, you don't even need a chrome/tricked out show car," Mike says beaming with pride. He suggests to start with what he calls a "starter kit" and grow. If it's not your thing, then sell it, most of the time you even make a profit! Now how safe is that? Money you can drive & enjoy rather than just leaving it in a bank or lending and spending it. Seeing the smile on Mike's face as he professes his love for this game, it sounds like pretty good advice to me.
Future projects for Mike Ramos include Classic Car Financing, Low Rider apparel, making new and old Pickel posters, helping folks find those much needed NOS parts, and even publishing a book about lows and customs!
For those interested in Mike Ramos' services you can contact him at firstname.lastname@example.com or call him at (562) 716-2977.
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I learned the definition of a sheaf from Hartshorne—that is, as a (co-)functor from the category of open sets of a topological space (with morphisms given by inclusions) to, say, the category of sets. While fairly abstract at the outset, this seems to be (to me) an intuitive view; in particular, all of the manipulations and constructions with sheaves fit nicely into this schema.
I know that the older view of a sheaf on $X$ was to consider it as a triple $$ (E, X, \pi) $$ where $\pi : E \to X$ is a local homeomorphism, and so that the "sheaf of sections" of this map $\pi$ is the sheaf in the functorial sense described above.
This view makes much less sense to me, but I have to wonder if that is simply due to my having learned it second. However, it also makes me wonder if I am missing something, and so my question is as follows.
What are some (edit:) specific benefits of viewing a sheaf in this sense? What is gained by considering a sheaf as the espace étalé over $X$?


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Monday, June 18, 2012
Folsom Fights On
click here for more Folsom photos
Packed extra tight into a street narrowed by massive construction plywood, bodies pushed and jostled in the beer-soaked scrum, but the energy was joyful. It felt like everyone was keyed up in defiance of the recent anti-Folsom sentiment.
Some of that sentiment was expressed by anti-sex, anti-gay Christians waving a banner on the High Line that said "Jesus Saves from Hell."
Down below, a kinky couple held up their own sign in response, saying only "LOVE."
There never used to be Christian protesters here--but now the High Line is bringing the mainstream in to what was once a relatively protected, unknown piece of New York City. Folsom is suddenly very visible.
Up above, groups of High Line tourists crammed the stairwell (many more than last year), staring down and taking pictures of the scene below, some of them smiling, but most of them looking very serious. They were not amused, but couldn't look away.
When one of the event organizers took the stage, he psyched up the revelers, shouting into the microphone, "Some people are saying we are inappropriate...but New York City is not a sanitized place to go mall-shopping with your children!"
He waved to the gawking High Line tourists and thanked the Folsom crowd for "coming out on the streets of New York City, in the daylight, and saying: We are here, we are queer, we are straight, we are kinky--we're gonna be here as long as you are, so put down your 50 Shades of Gray and get your fuck on!"
And they did get their fuck on. While the +Art condo dwellers were given a barricaded corridor for entering and exiting their building, the spankings and whippings went on just as they do every year. The leathermen and women continued to pour in and out of the Eagle. Adults of all ages strutted their stuff without shame. It felt like "New York Fucking City" for once, after all.
Of course, next year will be another story. Current complaints are coming from the +Art condo building, the only condo on West 28th. It brought 91 residential units to a block that used to have practically zero. But soon those 91 won't be alone here anymore. The massive Avalon West Chelsea is rising fast, bringing another 700 units. And a third giant tower at the eastern end of the block will bring an additional 312 units.
That's going to be a lot of new whiners and complainers.
Folsom East and The Eagle
Folsom East Responds
Folsom Under High Line
Eagle Under Siege
See all my Folsom East photos here
26 comments:
I am glad everyone had a good time. These people are survivors.
- June 18, 2012 at 8:02 AM
Congrats to everyone who participated - and thank you. I feel like in light of all the damage the forced re-shaping of the city's culture and demographics has done, this particular battle is extremely important in attempting to prevent the avalanche from whitewashing the town completely. Nothing caretaker Bloomy and the administration would love more than to face no resistance in Chelsea, and this is one of those rare occasions where a line in the sand was drawn, and the mallification boulder was pushed back.
Like Mingusal said in the previous Folsom comment section, why can't there be parts of the city that aren't family friendly and G rated? The next good answer I hear to this question will be the first.
- June 18, 2012 at 9:18 AM
- Filmatix said...
WTF! Jeremiah, the second you mentioned the "Christian" (aka Christian Fascist) protestors, my blood started boiling. You see fuckers like this so rarely--even staunchly religious NY Christians have had too much civic pride to go and try to shame their fellow NY'ers (correct me if I'm wrong). What a disgrace, and congrats to Bloomberg for the city he hath wrought.
On a positive note, bless the Folsom attendees and supporters, and the rest of our LGBT friends. Keep it real. Why not at least a weekly outing in skimpy gear this summer? Keep the tourists and the touristy condo-buyers inside in their own uptight, lace-curtain prison.
- June 18, 2012 at 9:55 AM
- marjorie said...
For whatever it's worth, I was on the High Line yesterday with my daughters (7 and 10) and family members -- including a toddler -- visiting from CA. All of us (except the kids) have lived in SF. When we saw the Jesus Saves guy, my 10-year-old asked what he was doing. I said, "There are gay people having a party down there, and this guy wants everyone to know that he thinks gay people are bad and everybody should be straight." The 7-year-old said, "That's stupid" and the 10-year-old rolled her eyes (in training for teenagerdom) and the 2-year-old ignored him -- all of which are fine responses. These are kids with gay uncles, kids who have a far more diverse and world-view-expanding experience of childhood and school than we who grew up outside of NYC did. Not all families here want to stamp out the quirk and individualism of the city.
- June 18, 2012 at 10:02 AM
- Yuppers said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- June 18, 2012 at 10:06 AM
- thwany said...
Looks like a good time to me,
- June 18, 2012 at 10:33 AM
- Nathan said...
I did not make it to this year's Folsom, but I am glad that it was a success.
I can understand both sides of this debate to a degree. The high line becoming a major attraction, and the general gentrifying of Chelsea create challenges like this. In a way, it is kind of ironic that the gays moving into the relatively dangerous area of Chelsea many years ago and slowly cleaning it up is ultimately leading to the same being kicked out as straight families move in, and it is happening around the country (and probably world).
That all said, I too am bothered by the Disneyfication™ of New York. Even as a relatively newer New Yorker, I miss a little grittiness to the city.
I'll just ask the same thing that the late Rodney King asked. "Can't we all just get along?"
- June 18, 2012 at 10:37 AM
Ahahaha I'm gonna be famous =PPP
I'm the guy holding the LOVE sign. The psycho Christians drive me just as crazy as we do them. They clearly never read the Book. And honestly, who has the time and energy to waste and ruin their entire day trying to hate on people? Especially in NYC!
I think they had the exact opposite effect - their stupidity only fired up our passions even more.
I had an **amazing** time yesterday as a volunteer - the crowd looks burly and perhaps intimidating... but when you see a leather-daddy smile, you can start to see what great people we are! Honestly, some of the nicest people you will ever meet. I didn't hear a single complaint, and everybody was thoroughly enjoying themselves. Definitely nicer people than the ones staring at us like a freak show and trying to tell us how to live our lives.
This was my 3rd year volunteering... my boyfriend and I met as volunteers last year - and we celebrate our 1 year anniversary tomorrow the 19th of June! We did the pie eating contest together yesterday =D
If you have any doubts, please, PLEASE come check out the fair! We honestly are great people!
- June 18, 2012 at 10:52 AM
Thanks, Marjorie, for your common sense. I'm a former NYC parent (now in SF) who agrees with you, as do pretty much all the other NYC parents (quite a few) I know well. I think some people are using "the chillllldren") as an unfortunate red herring. Families are not the problem here.
- June 18, 2012 at 11:51 AM
- esquared™ said...
Will somebody please think of the children?
- June 18, 2012 at 12:13 PM
- Claribel said...
The Folsom festival is ironically podunk in today's NYC in the sense that it doesn't try to be anything more than what it is and so is authentic and has integrity. It's run by a nonprofit supported by volunteers, with the proceeds going to good causes. And it's a cliquish but welcoming community celebrating their lifestyle choice, while not imposing it on anyone else. It was the High Line that brought the gawking and the anti-Folsom new residents could learn a thing or two unless they actually plan on teaching intolerance to their kids. But instead of being the major metropolitan and cosmopolitan destination for anyone to get lost in and find extended family, the city is now for sale at a luxury price and the anti-Folsom residents who can afford to pay are buying the NYC brand in order to delude themselves into believing that they're sophisticated and not mainstream at all. It's kind of sad, really.
But Folsom too is thinking too small. If they gave all of their funds to the High Line and got corporate sponsorship from the Standard Hotel, sold t-shirts, had artisanal fetish food trucks, and could justify how their festival increases sales at the local boutique shops and mega chains in the neighborhood today, then they'd have a more permanent footing in Chelsea and could cash in like everyone else is doing. In other words, they should sell out and need to rebrand because they need the right stamp of approval and the herd will follow (being cynical here, of course).
And I agree with Marjorie and Andrew. Congrats to Folsom on another year and wishing you many more! All you need is love. Duh.
- June 18, 2012 at 12:44 PM
- Laura Goggin Photography said...
I'm so glad I went. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly, I wish the rest of the city would take a page from the Folsom folks and be as expressive, tolerant and FUN.
- June 18, 2012 at 1:37 PM
- marjorie said...
Tangentially now...I'm thinking about the Christian protesters and reflecting that most important Christian in the world right now is Stephen Colbert. He is a religious, devout person who knows scripture backwards and forwards and can go head-to-head with any fuckwit hater who uses theology to justify intolerance and bias. He's like a perfect cultural counterpoint to the awfulness so often associated with people of faith.
- June 18, 2012 at 2:01 PM
- Jeremiah Moss said...
it was definitely weird to see the Christians there. the only place i ever saw them in NYC was in Times Square, back when there was sex in Times Square. but this made me think: where are we, Oklahoma?
and i also agree there are plenty of parents who teach their children to be open and accepting of diversity. we just don't often hear from them these days.
- June 18, 2012 at 2:11 PM
- Jeremiah Moss said...
so, thank you Marjorie for being a cool parent with your kids. i wish i had grown up witnessing sexual diversity. i might be better off today.
- June 18, 2012 at 2:14 PM
I don't see why Folsom is any more objectionable than Santacon or No Pants Subway ride, for chrissake. At least this is an organized event that charges admission and is not imposed on defenseless New Yorkers who are trying to mind their own business, like the aforementioned idiocies are.
- June 18, 2012 at 2:22 PM
With the economy in the basement, who is buying all the condos that are being thrown up? Wait until Ground Zero is finished; it will be the mother lode of theme parks! They will come from all over for a slice of WTC pizza, a T-shirt, a souvenir.
- June 18, 2012 at 2:32 PM
1)in the beginning i wish "J" had posted a page of the condos web-sight. i had no idea they were using chelsea's rep as a sales pitch. that being said, the owners paid their $ & took their chances. unless they were lied too. i would love to also see a photo of that glass plate engraving which says "transgender". post it, its priceless. lets move on: 2) whats up w/the partition they built for the owners to be shielded from the fair? i think thats ok, why is that a problem for people? its called free choice. either look, dont look, & dont be "forced" to look. its democratic. 3 choices. dont forget JMVN regulars, demoncracy means options for ALL. as for the christian demonstrators, no ones forcing them to stand on the highline. they have a choice, & that is to turn the other way & walk.
- June 18, 2012 at 5:23 PM
MickeyMouse, I LOVE this photo of you with the sign - its message, and the smile on your face, are the perfect antidotes to the hatred and ignorance of such people. Reminds me of the time I participated in a counter-protest against the Westboro Baptist Church - across the street from their "God Hates Fags" posters were myself and about a hundred other folks, singing, laughing and showing support for the folks that WBC was there to offend. It was love vs. hate, divided by a street - much like the message of acceptance that Folsom promotes. I love you all for participating, and also helping to keep NYC's character intact. I wish I could have been there to cheer you all on!
- June 18, 2012 at 7:03 PM
They should have pulled a Bruno and have a pretend Christian protester come down from the Highline to confront one of the revelers. They then have a face-to-face heated argument where they start ripping each other clothes off and then start making out. That'll show those bible and Fifty Shades of Gray thumpers.
When down in the mouth, remember Jonah, he came out all right.
- June 18, 2012 at 8:53 PM
- Bart said...
I went to Folsom for the first time this year and honestly while I appreciated the sentiment and that it went to good causes, it was just way too crowded. It made the protests seem all the more ridiculous, since it was too crowded for me to see anything but the back of the guy's head in front of me. It took forever to get from 10th Ave to 11th Ave and it was too packed for me to get a good look at the booths (esp. since most of them were on the south side and people were walking from 10th to 11th on the north side) so my boyfriend and I just walked out. I hope they can extend it passed 11th Ave next year (there was no traffic around there!) or just find a bigger area.
- June 18, 2012 at 9:36 PM
"J" i wonder what was going in the 1950s 1960s 1970s w/christopher street. there were families who lived near by (w/in 1/2 block of the non stop gay lifestyle, leather & otherwize). bedsides free thinkers, the village had a large italian population. i wonder what they told the children? that leather scene has been going on for decades. as i recall there was a small street called weehaken pl. one thing for sure, as i always said: those days people knew their place. no one was THAT interested to look @ these things. tourists would go to washington square on weekends, walk thru see the beatniks or the men w/boyfriends. other than that location everything was separate. everyone had their privacy. if a family was really conservative, they would not move where the word "transsexual" was engraved. those days we didnt have these words. the word would have been "homosexual". i went to fire island when i was around 10 yrs old w/my parents, cherry grove or pines. they decided against renting a house there. way over the top for them. those days if you told a child too much they had no idea what you even meant.
- June 18, 2012 at 9:46 PM
wait a minute. i thought i read in one of the comments, that the fair was only FIVE hours. people are demonstrating for that short space of time? even if it i one day, so what? i am not clear. how long does this gay sex fair last? & gee, if i was a a gay man wearing s&m underwear, i would feel violated. id say..."mind your own straight business" !!! i guess nothings sacred anymore.
- June 18, 2012 at 9:58 PM
Jeremiah, was there an ass eating contest this year? Please say yes. Inquiring minds want to know.
- June 19, 2012 at 2:07 PM
Eddie - sure there was. I was in it :-)
- June 19, 2012 at 2:26 PM
@MickeyMouse-Thanks. I hope the rubes on the High Line got a good look.
- June 19, 2012 at 5:46 PM


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Finnish born Björn Weckström is a recognized jewelry artist and sculptor who began his unique designs in the early 1960's. He was the forerunner in designing sculpture-like jewelry for Lapponia Jewelry, drawing his inspiration from abstract shapes and the frozen winter landscapes of Finnish Lapland. Weckström's main mission has always been to turn jewelry design into a small-scale art form and raise its profile on a par with that of modern sculpting. In his words: "A piece of jewelry is a miniature sculpture with the human body in the background". Weckström's abstract designs are both unique and eye-catching, making them perfect statement pieces for the fashion-forward woman.
This unusual ring is a fantastic example of Björn Weckström's talent! An innovative and creative design, the sterling silver ring is a Vintage piece from the 1970's. The ring's sculptural design sits high above the finger but wears very comfortably. It has a 3-dimensional look and resembles a square that has been folded inwards on itself. The sterling silver has a subtle texture that gives the metal a semi-matte finish, one of the trademarks of the artist's works. On the inside of the ring are several markings: "925M", "STERLING", "FINLAND", "LAPPONIA" and Björn Weckström's signature hallmark. It's a very funky and fun ring with a bold look and a must-have for any modernist collection!Measurements: The ring has a finger size 5 but could be re-sized. When worn, the ring sits 1/2" atop the finger and is approximately 3/4" wide.Condition: The overall condition of the ring is excellent. Besides normal surface wear, there is no serious damage to the sterling silver.


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Bill Hayden to spearhead business development effort
BERKELEY, CA; MONTREAL, CANADA December 3, 2012
IO Informatics announced today IO Healthcare, an extension of the company's award winning life sciences platform, Sentient, into precision medicine applications including biomarker discovery, clinical trial optimization and decision support. By adding clinical, genomic, metabolic and proteomic information to the platform's existing repository of public resources, IO Healthcare enables the earlier application of clinical information to enhance research and development.
"Since 2003, IO has been addressing research informatics needs at pharmaceutical and biotech companies with our semantic technology platform," says Robert Stanley, IO Informatics President and Chief Executive Officer. "Now, with IO Healthcare, we directly address the challenges of taking molecular data into clinical applications to realize the promise of precision medicine. Stanley added, "With the growing availability and decreasing cost to integrate and query data from genomics and other molecular biology and clinical applications, IO Healthcare is a natural extension for both our Sentient platform and our customers, who have been using IO in their research for many years."
The Companys semantic framework makes it possible to apply patterns including content from patient records and phenotypic information such as gene, protein and metabolic variables relevant across all stages of research, from early stage experimentation to precision medicine.
Stanley went on to say, We are also very happy to have Bill Hayden join us to spearhead our Healthcare effort. Bill was previously with IO from 2007-2009, where he was instrumental in creating collaborations between IO and worldwide centers of excellence.
"I am happy to work with IO at a very exciting time for both the company and the healthcare industry. It is a time where promise becomes practice. We have heard a lot over the years of the hope of true precision medicine. With advances in science and technology, that dream is now becoming a reality. IO sits on the crest of what I believe will be a new way and approach of delivering focused treatments and cures for a variety of diseases, said Hayden.
Hayden went on to say, IO recently announced details of its partnership with the PROOF Centre of Excellence (Vancouver, BC) where they have successfully married the identification of relevant biomarkers and related data from PROOF Centre with Sentient to produce valuable Applied Semantic Knowledgebases (ASK) that will be used in the clinic to help identify and segment patients affected by major organ failure. Dr. Bruce McManus, Director of the PROOF Centre stated, This collaborative project represents a major step forward to realizing the promise of biomarker-based screening for precision medicine and better healthcare at lower cost. The resulting application from the IO - PROOF Centre collaboration is scheduled to be launched in the clinic in 2013. (http://www.io-informatics.com/news/press-releases/pr_12_09_11.html)
In addition, pharmaceutical & biotech companies can use the IO Healthcare platform to accelerate drug discovery by applying human biology earlier in the discovery process, to discover and develop predictive biomarkers, and to optimize clinical trial design and patient selection to reduce development timelines and increase the chance of successful approval for new therapies.
IO is at the forefront of the semantic technology wave. The Company provides software and services for uniquely efficient data integration and transformative knowledge applications in life sciences, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and medical environments.
For more information visit: http://www.io-informatics.com
Bill Hayden
IO Informatics HealthCare
E firstname.lastname@example.com


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Sunday, May 30, 2010
Five Spaces Left on "American High Style" Tour and Lunch!
7 comments:
- HarrietMay 30, 2010 at 3:31 PM
I just sent you an email.ReplyDelete
Wish I could go! I can't wait to see pictures!ReplyDelete
- JBJ2110May 30, 2010 at 7:13 PM
From Jessica in Chicago:ReplyDelete
I STRONGLY encourage you to sign up and go. I went when I was in New York last month (right after it opened), and it was WONDERFUL. If you can go with fellow sewers, you will be able to have wonderful dialogue about construction.
I'll be there in spirit... from across the seas... from the land Down Under. Have fun! I am soooo jealous! PS: I'll be in NY for my honeymoon in October. Can you do it all again? :) Monique xxReplyDelete
UUgh, I am now totally bummed that I have plans with friends who I (normally) love seeing.ReplyDelete
That dress is simply stunning!ReplyDelete
I saw the Butterfly dress at the Chic Chicago exhibit a year or two ago, and it truly is amazing. They had a miniature version of it as well, that you could use to study the construction. I am still in awe of that dress.ReplyDelete


text: Takeo Godau is a giant guy with a giant heart. Too bad the girls don't want him! (They always go for his good-looking best friend, Makoto Sunakawa.) Used to being on the sidelines, Takeo simply stands tall and accepts his fate. But one day when he saves a girl named Rinko Yamato from a harasser on the train, his (love!) life suddenly takes an incredible turn! Takeo can hardly believe it when he crosses paths with Rinko again, and he finds himself falling in love with her... But with handsome Suna around, does Takeo even stand a chance?


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Rosenberg Sons Revisit Secretive Past
Fiction and fact intersected dramatically when the real-life sons of Ethel and Julius Rosenberg made a rare joint public appearance for a screening and discussion of "Daniel," a movie inspired by their parents' infamous trial on conspiracy to commit espionage charges.
During their 1951 trial, Ethel and Julius Rosenberg, Jewish New Yorkers and Communists, were charged with leaking secrets about the atomic bomb to the Soviet Union during World War II. They were convicted and became the first and only American civilians to be executed for espionage conspiracy. The trial is often cited as a blemish on American legal history and an example of what hysteria (in this case, the Red Scare) can compel a country to do unjustly.
The Rosenbergs left behind two children, Robert and Michael, who were 6 and 10 years old, respectively, at the time their parents died in the electric chair, in 1953. They were later adopted by Anne and Abel Meeropol, and both boys took Meeropol as a surname.
Though "Daniel," the 1983 film by Sidney Lumet, is a work of fiction and is based on E.L. Doctorow's novel, "The Book of Daniel," it follows the same basic premise as the Rosenberg trial.
Robert Meeropol had seen the movie twice before, but said he still found himself agitated by it during a communal viewing on October 15 that was sponsored by Fordham University Law School's Forum on Law, Culture & Society.
"It was harder to watch than I thought it would be. The longer I watched, the madder I got," Meeropol said in the post-screening discussion. His anger, he surmised, came from "the feeling that an entire generation of people seeing this film are going to think this is who we are."
The movie follows two characters, Rochelle and Paul Isaacson, a married couple who have two children — though in the movie the children are Daniel and Susan, not two brothers. The Isaacson parents, who are depicted throughout the movie as committed Communists, are accused of leaking state secrets to the Russians. (Whether they are guilty remains unclear.)
The movie culminates in back-to-back scenes of Paul and Rochelle's executions in the electric chair. Michael Meeropol, who had not seen the movie before, said he had been forewarned and left the auditorium from his seat in the back row shortly before the executions were shown on screen.
Watching the film in the same audience as the Meeropol brothers was an unusually emotional environment for a film screening. "I felt a very palpable sense of discomfort," said Thane Rosenbaum, a professor at Fordham University's law school and a friend of the Meeropols.
Immediately following the screening, Rosenbaum moderated a discussion with the two brothers and New York Times columnist Clyde Haberman.
"People were emotionally connected to the [movie's] story, and then the actual facts of the story materialized when the lights came on," Rosenbaum said.
The fictional Isaacson children are not, it should be clearly stated, one and the same as the Meeropols. In fact, the Meeropol brothers today bear little resemblance in age or in temperament to the Isaacson siblings in the film, who are shown as small, traumatized children and damaged young adults.
In contrast, the Meeropol brothers, who are both well into their 60s, are accomplished and articulate. Michael, a retired professor of economics at Western New England College, is a monthly commentator for Albany's NPR affiliate station.
Robert is an attorney who left private practice to found the Rosenberg Fund for Children, which provides for the educational and emotional needs of activist youth and the children of activists.
Robert noted that his work with the Rosenberg Fund helped him stay positive in the face of the trauma of his early childhood. He said people often ask him if he's angry or bitter at the government.
"My attitude is, once I found a positive outlet for what happened back then, it's not that I forgave, it's just that all of that became irrelevant, because I had something good to do," he said.
Throughout the panel discussion, the Meeropols were good-humored and seemed to have no trouble speaking candidly about the circumstances of their parents' deaths. (Both brothers have also written extensively about the case and have fought legal battles in an effort to clear the historical record.)
At their parents' trial, the key witness was Ethel's own brother, David Greenglass, who admitted in 2001 to lying on the witness stand to protect his own wife and children. Today, after the release of the intercepted Venona cables from the Soviet consulate to the KGB, it is widely accepted that Julius Rosenberg was, indeed, a spy who passed along information, but nothing of nearly as much value as atomic bomb secrets. Those same cables contain information confirming what the Meeropols have long believed — that their mother was innocent.
Michael Meeropol said he wasn't as angered by the movie's fictional liberties as his brother had been, but he admitted that having works of fiction based on his real-life family did have its downsides.
"There's no question that it does get confusing," he said. "And people are wondering, 'How much of this is the real Rosenberg case?'"
As such, much of the panelists' discussion focused on delineating what actually happened during the Rosenbergs' trial. The panelists also debated what, if any, obligations artists have when they base fictional works on real people.
Later in the conversation, Haberman brought up another aspect of the Rosenberg trial, one only briefly touched upon in the film: the fact that many players in the case, including the Rosenbergs, their judge, the prosecutors and the defense lawyers, were Jewish.
"New York in that era was very much a Jewish city, much more than it is now," Haberman said. "You couldn't get away from the fact that everyone involved with this case was Jewish."
Haberman, who was raised as an Orthodox Jew, said he was particularly disturbed to have learned that the Rosenbergs' execution times, which were originally scheduled after sundown on a Friday, were expedited — rather than delayed — so that they wouldn't fall during the Sabbath.
The forum represented an unusual collaboration between the brothers, who rarely, if ever, speak together publicly about their parents. "We never do this," Michael said in an interview following the forum.
The brothers, do, however, have their own strongly held opinions about the art inspired by their parents' trial.
Michael Meeropol professed that he is a fan of Doctorow's "The Book of Daniel."
"I found it an excellent work of fiction, an interesting political take," he said. It was, in his opinion, "much richer than the film."
He added that since he knew the real Ethel and Julius Rosenberg, he "never got confused" about what was fact and what was fiction.
Robert, on the other hand, admitted that his feelings about Doctorow's book were much more negative than his brother's. "There's no accounting for taste," he said, with a laugh.
Contact Gianna Palmer at [email protected]


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Genre: Arcade Racing
The next installment in the Need for Speed Underground series takes you to a free-roaming city comprised of five neighborhoods. As you explore the city, you'll encounter rival racers who will show you all the hot spots in underground racing. After each race, you can improve your car's performance with various upgrades, ranging from the gear ratio to the suspension. The game includes more than 30 tuner cars from a variety of manufacturers, such as Mitsubishi, Nissan, Toyota, and more. You can even challenge racers from around the world in the game's online mode.
French manual only. No English manual.


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Axl Rose pens letter to Rock Hall: won't attend, declines induction
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
This post has been updated. See below for details.
Early this morning, Pop & Hiss received a letter from Guns N' Roses co-founder Axl Rose, through his publicist, announcing his decision to not attend the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday in Cleveland. Written under the greeting, 'To The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, Guns N' Roses Fans and Whom It May Concern,' Rose explained specifically why he was declining his induction into the Cleveland music institution.
The band, born in Los Angeles in 1985, was announced as an inductee in February alongside the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Beastie Boys and Donovan, among others, leading to instant speculation whether the five core members of Guns N' Roses circa 'Appetite for Destruction' would appear together for the first time since 1993. Guitarist Slash officially departed the band in 1996, followed soon thereafter by other members Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum (original drummer Steven Adler had left a few years earlier, as had Izzy Stradlin).
Rose retained the rights to the band's name, and over the next decade devoted his time to creating the album 'Chinese Democracy,' touring with a revived Guns N' Roses, and defiantly dismissing any suggestion of a reunion with the original members of the band.
PHOTOS: Axl Rose's famous feuds
Since February, Rose has remained mum on his plans, even as guitarist Slash has spoken out in favor of a Rock Hall reunion -- and acknowledging Rose's antipathy. 'He hates my guts,' Slash told Rolling Stone in early April. 'It's over a lot of different stuff; I don't even know. There's just no communication between us. I talk to Duff and Steven, but when it comes to old Guns N' Roses, there really isn't anybody that makes decisions.'
In the letter below, Rose specifically criticizes comments by Adler, who speculated to Billboard magazine in 2007 that the band might reunite. Those comments were given by Adler while promoting his own Adler's Appetite tour, which was timed to support his book, 'My Appetite for Destruction.' 'I want to finish what we started,' Adler told Billboard then (parentheses and elipses theirs), 'and ... with the love and support I got from those guys, I think we can (reunite). I'm gonna leave it up to Axl. That's gonna be Axl's call, and I love Axl and I know he'll make the right call.' Below, Rose calls Adler's comments 'reunion lies.' Continuing attempts to reach Adler have not been successful.
During a December 2011 sit-down interview with Rose after a Guns N' Roses concert in Seattle, the singer had yet to decide his plans, but was uninterested in making a scene at the induction ceremony if he did decide to attend. 'I think about it in terms of Marlon Brando getting up at the Academy Awards and talking about Indians ... or when Michael Moore got up at the Academy Awards and said whatever about George Bush. People don't want that associated with their awards shows, even if you have a big audience. In one way it might be right, but it usually backfires on whoever does it. So I really don't want to spoil it for everybody else -- and take the beating.'
Notably, Rose then laughed and cursed Jann Wenner, the founder, publisher and executive editor of Rolling Stone magazine -- who also co-founded the Hall of Fame in 1983.
Rose's open letter is printed in its entirety below.
To: The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, Guns N' Roses Fans and Whom It May Concern, When the nominations for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame were first announced I had mixed emotions but, in an effort to be positive, wanting to make the most of things for the fans and with their enthusiasm, I was honored, excited and hoped that somehow this would be a good thing. Of course I realized as things stood, if Guns N' Roses were to be inducted it'd be somewhat of a complicated or awkward situation. Since then we've listened to fans, talked with members of the board of the Hall Of Fame, communicated with and read various public comments and jabs from former members of Guns N' Roses, had discussions with the president of the Hall Of Fame, read various press (some legit, some contrived) and read other artists' comments weighing in publicly on Guns and the Hall with their thoughts. Under the circumstances I feel we've been polite, courteous, and open to an amicable solution in our efforts to work something out. Taking into consideration the history of Guns N' Roses, those who plan to attend along with those the Hall for reasons of their own, have chosen to include in 'our' induction (that for the record are decisions I don't agree with, support or feel the Hall has any right to make), and how (albeit no easy task) those involved with the Hall have handled things... no offense meant to anyone but the Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony doesn't appear to be somewhere I'm actually wanted or respected. For the record, I would not begrudge anyone from Guns their accomplishments or recognition for such. Neither I or anyone in my camp has made any requests or demands of the Hall Of Fame. It's their show not mine. That said, I won't be attending The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction 2012 Ceremony and I respectfully decline my induction as a member of Guns N' Roses to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. I strongly request that I not be inducted in absentia and please know that no one is authorized nor may anyone be permitted to accept any induction for me or speak on my behalf. Neither former members, label representatives nor the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame should imply whether directly, indirectly or by omission that I am included in any purported induction of 'Guns N' Roses'. This decision is personal. This letter is to help clarify things from my and my camp's perspective. Neither is meant to offend, attack or condemn. Though unfortunately I'm sure there will be those who take offense (God knows how long I'll have to contend with the fallout), I certainly don't intend to disappoint anyone, especially the fans, with this decision. Since the announcement of the nomination we've actively sought out a solution to what, with all things considered, appears to be a no win, at least for me, 'damned if I do, damned if I don't' scenario all the way around. In regard to a reunion of any kind of either the Appetite or Illusion lineups, I've publicly made myself more than clear. Nothing's changed. The only reason, at this point, under the circumstances, in my opinion whether under the guise of 'for the fans' or whatever justification of the moment, for anyone to continue to ask, suggest or demand a reunion are misguided attempts to distract from our efforts with our current lineup of myself, Dizzy Reed, Tommy Stinson, Frank Ferrer, Richard Fortus, Chris Pitman, Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal and DJ Ashba. Izzy came out with us a few times back in '06 and I invited him to join us at our LA Forum show last year. Steven was at our show at the Hard Rock, later in '06 in Las Vegas, where I invited him to our after-party and was rewarded with his subsequent interviews filled with reunion lies. Lesson learned. Duff joined us in 2010 and again in '11 along with his band, Loaded, opening in Seattle and Vancouver. For me, with the exception of Izzy or Duff joining us on stage if they were so inclined somewhere in the future for a song or two, that's enough. There's a seemingly endless amount of revisionism and fantasies out there for the sake of self-promotion and business opportunities masking the actual realities. Until every single one of those generating from or originating with the earlier lineups has been brought out in the light, there isn't room to consider a conversation let alone a reunion. Maybe if it were you it'd be different. Maybe you'd do it for this reason or that. Peace, whatever. I love our band now. We're there for each other when the going get's rough. We love our fans and work to give them every ounce of energy and heart we can. So let sleeping dogs lie or lying dogs sleep or whatever. Time to move on. People get divorced. Life doesn't owe you your own personal happy ending especially at another's, or in this case several others', expense. But hey if ya gotta then maybe we can get the 'no show, grandstanding, publicity stunt, disrespectful, he doesn't care about the fans' crap out of the way as quickly as we can and let's move on. No one's taking the ball and going home. Don't get it twisted. For more than a decade and a half we've endured the double standards, the greed of this industry and the ever present seemingly limitless supply of wannabes and unscrupulous, irresponsible media types. Not to imply anything in this particular circumstance, but from my perspective in regard to both the Hall and a reunion, the ball's never been in our court. In closing, regardless of this decision and as hard to believe or as ironic as it may seem, I'd like to sincerely thank the board for their nomination and their votes for Guns' induction. More importantly I'd like to thank the fans for being there over the years, making any success we've had possible and for enjoying and supporting Guns N' Roses music. I wish the Hall a great show, congratulations to all the other artists being inducted and to our fans we look forward to seeing you on tour!! Sincerely, Axl Rose P.S. RIP Armand, Long Live ABC III
Guns N' Roses fans take offense
PHOTOS: Axl Rose's famous feuds
Ronnie Montrose death a suicide, coroner reports
Axl Rose talks playing the Forum, Hall of Fame gig, reunion
-- Randall Roberts @liledit
Updated: The original version of this post wrongly stated when guitarist Izzy Stradlin left Guns N' Roses. He left in 1991, not, as originally written, after Slash had departed in 1996.


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Car bombs ripped through busy streets and markets in Iraq on Monday, killing at least 60 people in predominantly Shi'ite areas in some of the deadliest violence since Sunni insurgents stepped up attacks this year.
The 17 blasts, which appeared to be coordinated, were concentrated on towns and cities in Iraq's mainly Shi'ite south, and districts of the capital where Shi'ites live.
Militant groups including al Qaeda have increased attacks in recent months in an insurgency against the Shi'ite-led government as a civil war in neighboring Syria heightens sectarian tensions.
The violence has raised fears of a return to full-blown intercommunal conflict in a country where ethnic Kurds, majority Shi'ites and Sunni Muslims have yet to find a stable way of sharing power.
In Baghdad's Shi'ite stronghold of Sadr city, police and witnesses said a minivan drew up to a group of men waiting by the side of the road for day work, and the driver told them to get in before detonating an explosive device in the vehicle.
"The driver asked laborers to get into the van, then he disappeared and minutes later the truck exploded, flinging the laborers' bodies back," said Yahya Ali, a worker who was standing nearby.
"Somebody tell me please why poor laborers are targeted? They want only to take food to their families!"
Monday's attacks underscore deteriorating security in Iraq, where nearly 4,000 people have been killed since the start of the year, said violence monitoring group Iraq Body Count. In July, more than 810 people were killed in militant attacks.
"I am deeply concerned about the heightened level of violence which carries the danger that the country falls back into sectarian strife," said acting United Nations envoy to Iraq, Gyorgy Busztin.
"Iraq is bleeding from random violence, which sadly reached record heights during the holy month of Ramadan."
At least 10 people were killed when two car bombs blew up near a bus station in the city of Kut, 150 km (95 miles) southeast of the capital, police said.
Four more were killed in a blast in the town of Mahmoudiya, about 30 km (20 miles) south of Baghdad, and two bombs in Samawa, further south, killed two.
The rest of the bombings took place across Baghdad, in the districts of Habibiya, Hurriya, Bayaa, Ur, Shurta, Kadhimiya, Risala, Tobchi and Abu Dsheer.
An assault on Abu Ghraib prison last week raised questions about the ability of Iraq's security services to combat al Qaeda, which has been regrouping and striking with a ferocity not seen in years.
"Today's attacks are closely linked with the Taji and Abu Ghraib prison breaks, which have encouraged terrorist groups to launch further attacks in areas of a specific sect to put more pressure on the government and undermine security force morale", Hakim Al-Zamili, a senior member of the security and defense committee in parliament, told Reuters.
Insurgents have been recruiting from the country's Sunni minority, which increasingly resents Shi'ite domination since the U.S.-led invasion toppled Saddam Hussein, a Sunni, in 2003.
The Syrian conflict has drawn Shi'ites and Sunnis from Iraq and beyond into battle against each other.
On Monday, a roadside bomb killed a senior police officer, his aide and two guards when it hit their convoy near Baiji, 180 km (112 miles) north of the capital, and five roadside bombs targeted a police patrol in Baghdad's Palestine Street.


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I Kuthumi greet you once more. I come in request to answer the question "Do animals have multiple lives as humans do?"
This is an interesting question and will be of interest to many. First I must tell you that all animals contain a consciousness.
Some species contain a more developed consciousness than others. Yet all behavior patterns stem from DNA and consciousness. Man has often thought of the elemental, plant, mineral and animal kingdoms as lower than himself. Yet all are part of creation and all contain consciousness.
All forms of life in God's eyes are precious.
The answer to the question asked is yes, they do. The most familiar example I can give you is the dog, often known as your faithful companion. The soul of a dog evolves with each life time of experience. As the dog evolves in each lifetime, it usually forms a close bond with a human being, often more than one. As the dog cannot speak your language, it will communicate through energy and facial expressions.
Please remember I use the dog as a example. You often feel a dogs energy. One who is evolved will provide a peaceful energy as you rub your hand through it's fur. Older people often receive great healing on an energetic level from an animal, they feel calm, peaceful in an evolved animal's presence. Those who are unwell will often heal more quickly with the intermittent presence of a dog.
The dog has a very faithful nature to those whom it considers it's family. Many times the dog will energetically take negative energy from your energy field. Of course if there is a lot of negative energy the dog can and will become ill, and sometimes even cross due to the great amount of negative energy it has "taken" from you. Many animals work on an energetic level, particularly the domestic dog and cat.
Those animals who remain in their native state, what you would term wild animals, do evolve, yet at a slower rate. Their consciousness is not as developed, so their focus is on survival and caring for their young.
Now the subject of incarnation. Let me continue with the example of the dog.
The more evolved the consciousness of the animal, the more they are able to communicate their feelings.
By this I mean of course the feelings of the emotional body. Feelings of love, grief, happiness, questioning - "why, why are you going away," for example. Also feelings of great sadness. All of this the dog is able to communicate to you through your physical eyes and your own intuitive field of energy. So when a close relationship between a dog and a human is close, a bond is formed. This is similar to what you would experience with another human. You refer to these as "soul mates." So you can have a dog, cat or horse as a soul mate also. Remember please that this occurs only in a close relationship with an animal of evolved consciousness.
Further, just as humans decide prior to incarnation to play a part in each others lives in the coming incarnation, so can animals with a human. The animal may not look the same as in it's previous life. The fur may be a different color for example. It may be a different breed of dog. Yet they meet and the bond between dog and human is strengthened. Both are aware of a strong feeling of "knowing" the other. This is on the soul level, which is consciously felt as a "knowing." Both have chosen this.
This is a higher level of consciousness for the dog. The dog incarnates through choice. At this level the life path is also known before incarnating. Life situations and circumstances will place the dog and human together at the correct time in both lives. The soul growth and purpose will flow as it is meant to.
Any karma owed is also experienced and we would hope, healed. So you see there are similar soul growth experiences for both human and dog.
Often an animal will reincarnate in one humans lifetime. You may recognize previous behavior patterns of a dog you thought had left you (died).
Yet the dog remembers on all planes, just as humans remember when they cross over. Just as you carry a soul imprint, including certain character traits, so does a dog. A cat is also capable of this. I tell you as I watch this one, Lynette, conducting a reading, I see pet animals coming forward to acknowledge the person along with loved ones crossed over. When they cross they all reside on the same plane you see.
Perhaps this is a timely reminder for mankind to respect all life forms. All play a part in the consciousness evolution of man and the planet. As you prepare to enter a year of Unity, of stepping forward in respect of one another, I ask you remember the many kingdoms who also share the planet- the elemental, plant, mineral and animal. I ask you develop a new awareness for these. It is not all about you - the human. No it is not. You must now begin to awaken your consciousness to sharing - with all. For all is part of God's great creation.
Copyright © 2017 Rev, Lynette Leckie-Clark - All rights reserved. You are welcome to share with a friend but Not for sale in any form.


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Professional 75 litre wet/dry vacuum cleaner with high suction power
Model comparison
The VIPER LSU 275 is a wet/dry professional vacuum cleaner. It is easy to use, robust and has optimal suction power.
LSU product family has a modular design with different tank capacities and motor quantities.Tank capacity for LSU 275 is 75 litres and it has two motors. You can choose stainless steel tank or red plastic tank. It has a drain hose mounted and you can easily empty the tank without taking off the motor.It has large rear wheels and rotating front wheels, make it light and easy to maneuver.As standard the machine is delivered with the following accessories: crevice tool, round dusting brush, wet pick-up tool and dry pick-up tool.
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