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The Quest for the Ring
The caves of Jenolan are strangely sensual, steeped in romance and passion. It's a place that inspires marriage proposals, and it's a popular venue for weddings, honeymoons and romantic escapes.
Last week, a distraught young woman came into the Guides Office at Jenolan Caves and said that she had lost her engagement ring in the Blue Lake. The backpacking couple had only been engaged 2 days! She had been standing, admiring the pure waters of the beautiful Blue Lake, watching for platypus, when she casually swished at a fly. She heard a plop, and realised to her horror that the ring, which was slightly too big, had flown off her finger into the lake.
Several cave guides raced down to the lake and began a lengthy quest for the ring, wading around in the frigid waters that flow from the caves, but without success.
An engagement ring is so much more than just a band of precious metal sporting an expensive jewel. The lost ring had been specially made with love, its design already steeped in family lore. The couple were devastated by the loss.
So the next day they called in a specialist. Tony, from Jewellery Rescue, searched, using a state of the art waterproof metal detector. He said, "That couple was very lucky. It took me longer than usual to find the ring, because I had to search through 200 years of bits and pieces that people have dropped into the Blue Lake – especially ring-pull tabs from aluminium drink cans. The Blue Lake can be deep in places, and metal objects are heavy, so they sink down in the sand and dirt, but luckily I found it only about a foot from the shore and under about 3cm of silt."
So ended the quest. The precious ring was recovered and the young couple went away happy – a great story for their grandchildren.
Tony gets asked to find lost jewellery around 3 times a week. This was his first time retrieving something at Jenolan. Previously, the closest he came to Jenolan Caves was Duckmaloi Road last winter, where a couple were playing in the snow. The cold loosened the engagement ring and as they launched snow balls at each other, it just slipped off and flew through the air. Tony was successful in that instance also.
Tony said, "Sentimental value is the key thing, for everybody that calls me out. It's never about the money. I've discovered that."
When asked if he has ever found other valuable things when he was looking for someone's jewellery, Tony said, "Twice, I've found rings, but not the ones that I was looking for. I just handed them into the police. But over the years I have found thousands of dollars worth of coins."


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Sai v. Smith et al., No. 3:16-cv-01024-JST (N.D. CA.) [SFO], No. 16-16702 (9th Cir.) [re appointment of counsel]
Full case documents: 3:16-cv-1024 N.D. CA. [SFO], 16-16702 (9th Cir.) [counsel] | Evidence | Other TSA litigation
Help wanted! Support me on patreon or with Bitcoin / PayPal. Share (& please email me a link). US citizens, contact your senator/rep and ask them to rein in the TSA. Any potential pro bono counsel and amici, please email me.
Filed Feb. 29, 2016, this case brings civil rights claims against TSA and individual TSA agents stemming from my abuse at SFO airport. See my complaint, TSA's unlawfully delayed response, my appeal, and their response (pending).
I am looking for potential class members. If you have been harmed by TSA's policy saying they can decide what is medical, refuse to screen or allow what they think are not "medical" liquids, and refuse to allow what they think is more than a "necessary amount", please fill out this form.
The court held that TSA "manifestly failed to comply with its obligation" to respond to my SFO grievance, constituting "agency action unlawfully withheld or unreasonably delayed". Opinion, p. 13. "Defendants' 2.75-year delay in responding to [my] SFO complaint is "unreasonable"", and "[i]t is difficult to envision the "rule of reason" that would permit an agency routinely to delay the processing of administrative complaints by a factor of five times the timetable set out in the agency's governing regulations". Id., p. 30.
Therefore, the court in my Rehab Act case ordered them to respond to my complaint… nearly three years after I made it.
They took 1,036 days to respond to my SFO complaint, 764 days to respond to my BOS complaint, & 114 days to respond to the BOS appeal. By law, they have 180 days to respond to a complaint, and 30 days to respond to an appeal.
Their response, tl;dr: TSA admits that it did not follow its own policy as I read it, and "literal language of those documents could be read in that manner", but claims "that it is not an objectively reasonable understanding of TSA's statements".
Why? Because they claim that somehow they are allowed to determine the amount "reasonably limited to the duration of travel" — and that "repacking the liquid, acquiring large bottles of liquid past the checkpoint, checking the liquid" would be reasonable "alternative accommodations".
Presumably, the unavoidable admission of fault is why they fought me in court for two years to not give me this document.
My appeal, tl;dr: My position is that TSA has no authority or capability to determine how much people "need" to bring with them, to limit it to how much is "needed", to require anyone to disclose medical info (such as the simple fact that an item is medical) about liquids that are not WEI, or to stop anyone at all from going through security with juice — even if they have no "medical need" and want to bring 5 gallons of it.
Their appeal response, tl;dr: they're sticking with their previous response.
Status: pending CM/ECF order and other initial filings
Next update: probably mid-March

subset: commoncrawl


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Yesterday, I said I was going to try and finish up Up From Dragons last night. I nearly did but not quite. In fact, I have about 20 pages to go. This turned out to be a lucky break for me. Had I finished the book last night, I would have started reading How the Mind Works by Steven Pinker first thing this morning. And that would have meant a delay of a week or more before I could read William Gibson's Spook Country and Joe Haldeman's The Accidental Time Machine.
When I got home today, those books had arrived and now I am eager to finish the last 20 pages of Dragons so I can start right in on Spook Country. Gibson's last book, Pattern Recognition, was my favorite of all his books that I've read, and so I'm hopeful. I means that I won't get to How the Mind Works for 2 weeks or so, but I can live with that.


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Moving to 55+?
First consider how tough times might affect your decision
With a scary economy and a stagnant real estate market, it seems like an odd time to talk about selling a home and buying a new one. But that doesn't mean that the dream is over for those who have looked forward to the day when the kids are on their own and they can move to a place where there's a brand new kitchen, sidewalks which someone else shovels and garages that you never have to paint again.
Experts in the over-55 housing industry in New England will be the first to admit things are not the same as five, six years ago, when not only could you sell your existing home in a flash, but make a killer profit, too. They are also here to say that all is not bleak and that dream of a pre- or retirement home is still within reach.
Kevin Slattery is the owner of Etchstone Properties in his hometown of Nashua. Etchstone has been around for 25 years, building homes primarily in southern New Hampshire, including eight or more over-55 and over-62 communities, some of which include rentals in addition to purchased homes and apartments.
"The biggest impediment people have when thinking about moving to one of these communities is that they would like to get more money for their existing homes," says Slattery. "They know friends that made a lot of money but those friends sold their homes before 2005. Those days are gone now. That was the height in market values. And now they're down. You have to be open minded and sensitive to getting what your home is worth and judge what you can buy – something brand new in a new community with little maintenance and other people in your position," he notes.
"As they're sitting waiting for the housing market to come back to the levels they once were, which may never happen or take a long, long time, you could forfeit a tremendous increase in lifestyle quality – a care-free environment that you love as you grow older."
Slattery says, while there are all types of communities for pre-retired and retired people, he points out that, according to federal law, over-55 communities have to have at least one resident who is 55 or older and no one under the age of 19 living there, and over-62 communities require every resident of the household to be 62 or older.
But while the federal law mandates those restrictions, individual towns and cities can add other criteria for living and buying into these communities. For example they can say that no one over the age of 21 can live with residents of the 55-plus community.
Slattery says the other terms for 55-plus and 62-plus communities are legal terms defined by the government. But when you're thinking about making this kind of move you're likely to hear the following terms builders and others use for over-55 housing:
Active Adult Community: The term is used to describe a wide range of 55-plus communities where residents live in their own homes in an attached building or an unattached unit or, in more limited cases, units that can be rented. There's usually a monthly condo-like fee for the upkeep of the exterior of the home as well as landscaping, snow removal and in some cases a clubhouse, fitness area, golf courses and common land.
Supportive Retirement Communities: Long-term health care units or nursing homes with 24-hour medical and personal needs assistance.
Continuing Care Retirement Community: This is a large complex that provides a continuum of care, from apartments to assisted living units to skilled nursing care. CCRCs typically require a long-term contract and can provide a range of services that meet the elder's changing needs.
Assisted Living Retirement Community: This is a community that offers help with activities of daily living, which can include help with giving medication. This kind of community is for people who can not live totally alone but don't need round-the-clock care.
Jane O'Connor – former chairwoman and current member of the 50-Plus New England Housing Council for the National Association of Home Builders and owner of 55 Plus, which produces Mature Living Choices, a guide to Active Adult and Lifestyle Communities, and Senior Living Choices, a publication geared toward the care component of assisted living – is quite familiar with this subject.
O'Connor points out that by 2005 the housing market took all it could bear and then there was a downward spiral, and then the sub-prime mortgage rate debacle, all of which contributed to an erosion in consumer confidence. "And when that confidence is eroded," she says, "consumers tend to do nothing. People saw the resale value of their existing home going down and no one has a crystal ball. No one knows how far or how long it will take to rebound. People over 55 who want to make this move and know that the market is probably not coming back any time soon still have to make a decision. Experts are saying it may take five or more years. So people have to do a reality check. They need to look at their portfolio and they need to ask 'What is my home worth now? Can I afford to make this move I planned? I may not be retiring as early as I wanted to but can I still make this move?'"
And just because you might not be able to sell a home now for what it would have sold for 10 years ago doesn't mean a plan to move into an active adult or other over-55 community has to be forfeited.
"The truth is that people who had been in their home prior to 2000 and had their home for 20 or 30 years have equity, even though the market is down," O'Connor says.
"They have to get a reality check of what the house is really worth, and even though they won't make the profit they did in the 14 years when we had unprecedented growth in the housing industry, they will make a profit and they can move into an adult active community" (or other over-55 housing).
Slattery suggests that those wishing to make this move, "need to assess where their interest in a community as a whole is. You shouldn't change your outlook on purchases. It should still meet all your important needs – proximity to family and friends, services and culture. You should know what quality of building you want. Follow your heart."
Jane O'Connor's pointers for people considering a move to an over-55 community.
1. Use an appraiser, not an real estate agent. This is important to ensure no conflict of interest. An independent appraiser is best to use if you're pricing your existing house for resale. They have no agenda and they will tell you what the real value of your home is on the housing market.
2. Do your homework. You should have a total comfort level with the builder and their homes. We've heard the horror stories about people buying a home and ending up in a ghost town with few or no neighbors. Make sure the builders are solid and will have a continuing presence in the community.
3. Shop around. Go see homes in a wide enough area to see the diversity of product line – single-family homes, attached homes.
4. Look at the home you are purchasing as a home that will gain equity over time. You're not going to buy a home and think 'I'll be there two years.' You need to think longer term if looking for an investment toward future also.
5. Ask the builders if they can guarantee the prices you're paying today. Builders of over-55 housing out there recognize that the economy is unstable and some will guarantee today that if you buy your home at $300,000 and you have to sell the house in two years for, let's say, health reasons, they won't lose their investment even if the selling price goes down to $200,000. They will compensate you for the difference.
6. Find a flexible builder and make sure the community feels like the perfect fit for you and your lifestyle. Make sure you buy from someone who is concerned with your needs and offers choices, like different colors, lighting, flooring or appliance packages.
7. It's important to look for a home which will allow you to age in place. It should have details like wider hallways, better lighting and comfortable height of counters. What's in your master bathroom? Bathrooms are not just the place to wash up anymore. They're also retreats for a lot of people. In many cases people in adult communities want a steam shower with no curbs for the master bathroom and a soaking tub for one of the other bedrooms. You don't want to have a home with barriers – not necessarily for you, but often for your aging parents who might be visiting in a wheelchair. NH


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Nigerian Billionaire daughter Florence Otedola Popularly known as Dj cuppy flaunted her new Samsung S10+ worth 700k she acquired recently.
She happily shared a video showing off the new phone saying that she's the first person living in Nigeria to own the expensive device.
She wrote ;
I'm officially the FIRST person in Nigeria to own the Samsung #GalaxyS10 + Thank you @Samsung_Nigeria THIS PHONE IS A GAME CHANGER!


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Engineering & Project Management
Engineering & Project Management
Olson Custom Designs recognizes that project success is dependent on effective planning and communication. By employing dedicated project management staff, the most demanding manufacturing tasks are effectively supported.
With a combined experience of over 50 years, OCD project managers and manufacturing engineers are equipped to deal with a broad array of manufacturing challenges.


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Providing plenty of options for garden entertainment and dining, this Titan teak round outdoor table is sturdy, stylish and practical. Manufactured by experts in genuine A-grade teak Tectona grandis, this large teak round outdoor table has been built to last and can remain outdoors all year round with minimal maintenance, ensuring fruitful use for years to come.
Featuring wide slats with radial edges to allow the table to dry quickly, this Titan teak round outdoor table has been pre-drilled for parasols with diameters of up to 5cm, additionally this teak round outdoor table will be delivered pre-assembled for your convenience.
Diameter: 220cm
Height: 75cm
Pre-drilled parasol hole with flush fitting insert.
Manufactured in durable, sustainable grade-A teak, Tectona grandis.
All our teak furniture is audited and issued with a SVLK certificate certifying that the teak has been legally harvested and that the furniture can be sold and marketed in any EU country.
The EU Timber Regulations (EUTR) 995/2010 prohibit the placing of illegally harvested and produced timber and timber-based products onto the European Markets.
This is a bespoke item that is made to order and is not immediately available from our warehouse. Delivery will be approximately 10 -12 weeks from receipt of order.


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Check Our Available Services & Amenities
Resort Amenities
- Sayan Valley Picnic
Join our chef for a culinary adventure into nature, with a private picnic by the Ayung River. Soak up the ethereal energy and scenery of the Sayan Valley while the chef sets up a camp-style kitchen for cooking your Balinese lunch.Details
- Can you keep a secret?
Bali's most famous temples and historical sites are often crowded, yet the island still harbours many sites that are off-the-beaten-track. Experience a sense of discovery with our knowledgeable guides, who share the village's secrets exclusively with Four Seasons guests.Details
- Dharma Shanti Bale
Our uplifting program of meditation, Life Talks, sacred nap and yoga takes place in this pavilion, nestled within tropical foliage.Details
- Sokasi Cooking School
After picking up produce from the local market with our culinary team, combine the fresh ingredients with spices from our gardens to create delicious local fare.Details
- Sayan Valley Biathlon
Leave your stopwatch behind and take the time to enjoy the scenery of central Bali's rice fields and waterways on bicycle and foot.Details
- Bali Adventures
Embark on an adventure in a tropical enclave of enchanted forest, vibrant paddy fields, winding river paths and gardens... and that's just at the Resort.Details
- Private Rafting Adventure
With three unique river rafting experiences, there's something for everyone to do on Bali's longest river.Details
More amenities
- Riverside pools
- Balinese dance and Gamelan performances
- Sokasi Cooking School
- 24-hour Fitness Centre
- Steam room and sauna
- Whirlpool plunge pools
I always recommend the Village Walk – the morning trek through the picturesque landscape of the Ayung River Valley and back through the village streets of Sayan.Atmawin Adiputra Guest Experience Manager
Our Services
- Chakra Spa Ceremonies
- Private Dining Venues
- Jungle Biathlon and Cycling Tours
- Yoga and Meditation
- Rafting on Bali's Longest River
- Can You Keep A Secret Tour
Families at Sayan
Pici Pici, which means "little snail" in Balinese, offers creative and culturally enriching activities across a range of imaginative play and arts programs.Details
More for kids
- Play area in the Rice Barn Tree House
- Balinese dance classes
- Sports and adventure-based games
- Books, board games, video games and movies
- Balinese art classes
- Off-site attractions, such as Bali Reptile Park and Elephant Safari Park
Complimentary services
- Complimentary yoga and meditation classes
- Extra Bed, Baby Crib and Equipment Per Bedroom
- Village walking tour and Resort garden and temple tours
- Dining for children ages 6 and under at our restaurants
- Premium Resort-wide Wi-Fi
- Daily shuttle bus to and from Ubud Centre


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It's a Girl!
Our tie-breaker baby showed up on her due date and girls now outnumber the boys! Of course we are absolutely in love.
Although I was getting antsy for her arrival once we had a working toilet, everything worked out so perfectly. Just the night before she was born, Neil made more progress on the DIY bathroom project and cleared many of the tools out of the bathroom, our bedroom, and the kitchen counter. The vanity drawers and doors went on, and fixtures including shower head and tub faucets were installed. And probably lots more details that I'm unaware of.
I woke up feeling completely normal the next day, hung out at a friends' house with the kids, and was planning to go to the library for an event my sister-in-law got us tickets too. We were going to go straight there but my daughter soaked her dress playing outside, so we decided to stop home first. As soon as we got there I had a couple early labor symptoms that could mean labor was hours or days away.
I didn't think this was reason to stay home from the library–it takes a lot to keep me away from the place–but right then my daughter somehow fell down the stairs into the basement (it's only 6 stairs) holding a full, open canister of peanuts. By the time I comforted her and we cleaned up, we didn't have time to go to the library.
A little over two hours later I was making dinner and started having contractions. Now, I had experienced weeks of on-and-off early labor contractions, sometimes called prodromal or (inaccurately) "false" labor, which are more intense than the usual pregnancy "practice" contractions, but not as painful like active labor. I had them for up to three hours at a time, and then they would just fizzle out. Considering my first two labors were shorter than average, I was a little nervous that this would make it hard to know when it was the real thing.
But these were different. Not get-me-to-the-hospital-right-now painful, but felt more like I was approaching active labor. I decided to keep cooking because I knew this could go on a while, and they were still five minutes apart. So I can now say I've cooked Indian food while in labor. (Neil was grilling the meat.)
After half an hour, we agreed it was time to call Neil's mom to come be with the kids. As with my last labor, I decided it was not a good idea to eat Indian food, so I stuck with plain rice. I guess turning down Indian food is another sign of labor for me!
It was a little after 5 and she had to come through a congested traffic area on her way to our house. I had two big fears about delivery during the last month: that I would not make it to the hospital in time, or that I would not go into labor on my own and have to be induced at 42 weeks. As we waited for her, I wondered if we called too soon. Obviously we didn't have to go to the hospital immediately but I didn't really want to labor with an audience. The kids kept asking if I was okay, so I decided to go in the basement and wait there.
After a few minutes I had a very intense contraction and thought, if they keep up like this I'm going into transition. We need to leave! I told Neil and he called over a friend who was there in minutes and we left. Neil's mom got there 5 minutes later.
Fortunately we did not hit traffic on the way (we don't live in a high traffic area, but it was rush hour). And fortunately the contractions were not as intense as that rogue one had been. We got to the hospital around 6:20, got through registration and triage, and were admitted into an L&D room around 7. The nurses and midwife all acted like it was probably going to go fast and they were right. She was born less than 40 minutes later.
I have so much to be grateful for–so much that I do not deserve. I got there in plenty of time, while still having a short and uncomplicated labor. She is very healthy, something I don't take for granted after a scare surrounding her 20-week anatomy scan. Neil has the month off and has been a huge help both the with baby and the big kids. The kids are in love with her. And the bathroom is totally functional. Neil's friends came and cleared the tools out of her room, installed the handle on the bathroom door, and mowed the lawn the morning we came home. And left tons of Thai take-out in the fridge. And we've had family and friends bring us dinner every night.
I did get a minor infection (mastitis) on the 4th of July and spent a lot of the day in bed with a fever, aches, and chills. It wasn't fun, but I got into the doctor the next morning, got on antibiotics, and have been feeling fine since.
We're enjoying our new daughter so much, and I keep thanking God for all the answered prayers and for such supportive and helpful friends and family.
What blessings can you count lately?
11 Responses to "It's a Girl!"
Prudence Debtfree says :
Well, I'm weepy with joy for you. Congratulations! 40 minutes is not "plenty of time"! I'm glad you decided to have Neil phone his friend instead of waiting for his mom. Wonderful that the older two are in love with their baby sister! I hope your infection has healed. Take care and all the best 🙂
Tonya says :
Congratulations! She's beautiful! Wow that all happened very quick!
Ms. Steward says :
So beautiful! Congratulations!
Anthony Goff says :
She's so cute! And only 40 minutes of labor?! Congratulations 🙂


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Gotham fans already have been teased about some new villains joining the action for season three of the FOX series, but there are new spoilers now available from the executive producer of the series. John Stephens spoke with TV Line about what's next, and there is a big reveal ahead.
Will fans finally see the arrival of Bruce Wayne's alter ego? TV Line shared the following:
"EP John Stephens teased the reveal of Bruce Wayne's emo doppelgänger as 'a development that is in line with all the other story we've been telling [in Season 2], but one piece that we've kept hidden,' adding that with the release of Strange's bus full of monsters, 'the nature of the city of Gotham will change.'"
There are other new characters set for season three as well. They include a female journalist. Are you a fan of Gotham? Are you excited for season three? Tell us what you think.


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Certified to NSF-61 standards and is designed for use in potable water systems. This stiff, tacky compound has excellent dielectric properties, oxidation resistance and water repellence. It is essentially non-toxic, non-melting and retains its pliability, even after extended service use. Resistant to a variety of chemicals and is compatible with most plastics and rubbers. Extremely water-resistant and withstands water washout and spray-off.
**Please note, with every O-ring purchase silicone grease is included.


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The Federal government is finding new ways to make Federal spending data more transparent to citizens by launching the Treasury Department's Data Lab, and considering a bill that would add open data requirements to Federal grants.
The Treasury Department's Data Lab hosts information on Federal spending accounts, government contractors, budget functions, and Federal employment. The source code for the site is available on GitHub and users can provide feedback to site administrators. The site uses data from USAspending.gov.
Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., also announced Sept. 27 that she would introduce the Grant Reporting Efficiency and Assistance Transparency Act (GREAT Act). The bill requires that the data be searchable and consistent with accounting principles.
"This bill will ensure the modernization of reporting by grant recipients, by mandating a standardized data structure for the information that recipients must report to Federal agencies," Foxx said at the Data Foundation's Data Transparency event.
The Federal government spends about $600 billion in grants. Foxx said that this bill will keep better track of the funds and that duplicative money isn't being spent.
Under the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act (DATA Act) of 2014, Federal agencies were required to begin reporting their spending information to the Department of the Treasury and the Office of Management and Budget by May 9, 2017. These initiatives expand on the already collected data.
Matt Lira, special assistant to the president for innovation policy and initiatives, said that the Trump administration is interested in using the information on Federal government spending that will be made available through the DATA Act to inform decisions on how to reorganize the executive branch.
"If we can work together against different levels of expertise we truly can modernize the Federal government," Lira said in April.


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Find Places of Interest, Hotels, Apartments, Restaurants, Car Rental and Other Services in Greece
Find Places of Interest, Hotels, Apartments, Restaurants, Car Rental and Other Services in Greece
Kos Divers Diving In Kos, Greece
Kos Divers Diving In Kos, Greece, is located in Kipriotis Village at Psalidi area 3 km from Kos town, Greece. We offer different diving courses from bubble maker to dive master. We organize boat dives, shore dives, wreck dives, deep dives and open sea dives. We also offer SASY, the new and exciting way of snorkeling! SASY is Supplied Air Snorkeling for Youth that lets you experience the underwater world the easy way – by snorkeling with scuba equipment instead of a snorkel, and many other programs specially designed for kids from 5 to 10 years old. All our diving programs, excursions and diving courses are supervised by our experienced and certified stuff. All our stuff is friendly and willing to give you all information and guidance you need.
Website: http://www.kosdivers.com
Add / Modify Listing
Add your company on greeceindex.com, or modify your listing. Contact us for details.


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Friday, March 6, 2020
The A in Schneps AM New York stands for amorous
9 comments:
She looks like she's waiting for the cum shot in a porno flick.
- Friday, March 06, 2020
Uh-oh. Will heads be rolling at AM for this graphics gaffe?
- Friday, March 06, 2020
- georgetheatheist said...
For those readers who came in late: the old and now defunct and once-illustrious Queens Tribune was notorious for placing prostitution ads in it's back pages. Queens Crap called them out on this in many postings which you can still find in the QC archives. (NB: "digging" required.) When Nussbaum took over the reins from Schenkler, the former eventually, it has been assumed from online criticism, stopped taking these ads. The Queens Tribune, some say, as a result then went into the toilet and no longer exists. So why is AM Metro NY taking what some might call a "sex" ad?
- Friday, March 06, 2020
'S Wonderful. 'S Marvelous...
You've made my life so glamorous
You can't blame me for feeling amorous.
- Friday, March 06, 2020
Just like the good ol days
- Friday, March 06, 2020
Oh man, those ads were commonplace and mainly from Flushing businesses. Which we always thought was VERY interesting as Nussbaum had an incredibly close connection to the Chinese community there.
- Sunday, March 08, 2020
@ Fritz the Shpritz
Dude you want to kill me? Almost choked on my food!
Very funny!
- Sunday, March 08, 2020
God, what a skank!
- Tuesday, March 10, 2020
- WilliamsDamion said...
It requires the involvement of many people including tenant, landlord, manager, cleaners, tenants, property buyers' agents as well. You might also want to see what the market trends are in the area. Get more interesting details about property management this site.
- Monday, March 16, 2020


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Getting Involved
Why Should I Get Involved?
There are many reasons to get involved during high school. And if you think there won't be anything for you; you will be surprised to find a sport, activity or club you just might enjoy. You can find a list of what we offer here at La Cueva at the end of this explanation of Why You Should Get Involved!
High school is a very important time to get good grades, hang out with friends, and prepare yourself for the next chapter in your life. It is also a time where you really grow up and find out more about yourself and what you want for yourself.
- Friendships: Meeting new people and developing friendships is very important to your happiness when you are a teenager. Meeting people with the same interests as you can help support you and challenge you. Also, meeting different types of people will help you grow too!
- Builds Strong Personal Skills: If you are shy, outgoing, or something in between, working together with others toward a common goal helps you to strengthen your communication, time-management and leaderships skills. It is especially important if you don't have any clue about what you like or don't like, and you have no idea what to do with your future. This is the time to find out! Getting involved in sports, clubs, and/or volunteering are crucial to your growth and finding out who you are. This helps to build a great resume for your future.
- College: Great grades are wonderful, but colleges want to see that you were involved as well. Colleges are looking for students who want to make a difference in their school or community. Colleges are looking for students who have leadership skills, great communication skills, and students who know how to balance the many things they are involved in because they know how to manage their time and keep up their grades. Not to mention how being involved can impact your opportunities for scholarships and everybody needs as much money for college as they can get!
Please click on these links for additional information:


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What if you could get your meals, snacks and appetizers along with your cookware and kitchen appliances online? Ordering from Williams Sonoma seems to let you do just that. Here's the insider's perspective to let you know what you'll gain — or have to give up — by using this meal service.
Williams Sonoma At A Glance
- Best Match For: Those looking for a one-stop-shop for all kitchen essentials like cookware, appliances, and grillware, as well as some delicious foods and pantry staples.
- Commitment Level: No commitments - Order at any time
- Availability: US and Canada
- Value: Prices and shipping fees depend on select items and locations
- Type: Everything for your indoor and outdoor kitchen, including appliances, food, cookware, grillware, bakeware, cutlery, and more.
What Can You Get From Williams Sonoma?
Williams Sonoma has long been a significant player in the culinary world. The company's founder was creatively invigorated by the differences he noticed between European and American consumer cookware of the 1950s.
After coming back to the US, he transformed a Sonoma, California, hardware store into an exclusive shopping stop for people seeking specialty French cookware.
Today, the company still sells the things homemakers need to whip up fantastic cuisine, but it also provides for those who'd rather not slave over a hot stove.
In addition to gourmet ingredients and seasonal treats, it offers prepared entrees, sides, soups and other dishes. We'll be checking out some of these items to see whether they're worthy of your next taste adventure.
What Should I Expect From the Meals?
Williams Sonoma's prepared entrees feature inspired selections and ingredients from Martha Stewart, Bob's Red Mill, Giada de Laurentiis, Tuscan Markets, Elephants Delicatessen and other icons of the culinary world. This means that there's a diversity of meals that you might not expect if you've dealt with other food delivery services.
Prepared Meals
Many of the prepared meal options come in multiple varieties. For instance, vegetarians and Italian food enthusiasts can get multi-entree packs that cater to their innermost gustatory desires in three- or five-day versions.
Even simpler items, such as the tamales, come in a variety of different flavors with unique ingredients as well as party platters designed for those who like to serve.
These meals also give you options for how you prefer to feast.
For instance, while you can try complete pasta dishes like a gnocchi sampler with different filling varieties and sauces, you can also purchase a pasta-only sampler and combine it with a sauce combo.
In other words, it's just as easy to experiment as it is to have your entire meal delivered in one fell swoop.
Meal Kits
Looking for something a bit less ornate? The Williams Sonoma Sun Basket collection features meal kits with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Although you'll have to do the cooking, everything is premeasured, and you can choose from 18 weekly recipes to customize the experience.
Sides and Soups
The sides menu is a perfect example of how Williams Sonoma accommodates any hosting style. From truffle mashed potatoes and gluten-free green bean casseroles to organic stuffing mixes and sauces, it's easy to get a lavish spread together without needing to do absolutely everything by yourself. It also doesn't hurt that you can buy the soups and side dishes in multiple varieties: fully prepared or as convenient Instant Pot starters.
Other Menu Items
The Williams Sonoma online store is also packed with assorted food items that don't constitute meals by themselves yet remain essential for creating well-rounded feasts.
For instance, you might pair your family's favorite main course ingredients with simmering sauces, grab some cake, cupcake and pancake mixes for dessert, or pick up an entire hors d'oeuvres tray to kick off a fancy gala. With a vast selection of infused oils, bread, wines and specialty condiments, you don't have to look far to become an exquisite host.
Where Does Williams Sonoma Deliver Meals To?
Williams Sonoma ships meals to all 50 US states. Unlike many other companies, it also services FPO and APO addresses, although these orders might take longer to arrive. Pay close attention to the specifics of each menu item — some are shipped from vendors, so your mileage may vary.
What Will You Have to Pay?
Williams Sonoma is a premium brand, so many of its items are high-end buys. That being said, the store is huge enough that you can find lots of great deals.
Entree prices vary based on how many people they serve, but considering what you receive, the costs might be worth it. For instance, although the three-day vegetarian entree item is just under $130, it comes with almost seven pounds of food in three dishes fit for two to four people each.
Be careful when shopping for the most popular dessert items, like cakes and pies. Some of these menu selections will set you back more than $100, which is a lot to pay when the same company also provides many of the ingredients and tools you'll need to make your own recipe versions for far less.
Do You Need to Add Extra to Cover the Shipping Costs?
If you live in the lower 48 US states, you'll pay a standard shipping fee based on the total cost of your order. Residents of Alaska, Hawaii and US territories have to add $10 per order.
Can You Have Williams Sonoma Deliver My Holiday Meals?
Williams Sonoma is an excellent choice for a luxurious holiday, but be careful. Each event has its own shipping deadline, so doing everything at the last minute won't work. After all, you wouldn't want to miss out on the complete holiday meals this coming Thanksgiving, Hannukah or Christmas. Be mindful that some side items and sets are only available at certain times.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Williams Sonoma?
Williams Sonoma has an established history of quality, and that makes its food offerings top-notch. On the other hand, you're not going to find super healthy fare unless you stick with options like the Sun Basket kits. If your goal is to entertain, then it's hard to go wrong here.
Williams Sonoma Costs
Since this marketplace has so much to offer, the prices span from a few dollars for some candies to hundreds and thousands of dollars for home appliances. Shipping fees depend on the selected items and your delivery location.
Food for Thought
Most meal services focus on a specific niche, and this company is decidedly upscale. Although the menu can get pricey, everything arrives fresh and takes its inspirations from culinary experts. What's more, you can also pick up the kitchen tools you'll need to go all out and customize your meals.
Williams Sonoma Meals


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As we're now in the holiday blockbuster season, IA entertainment gurus John Turnbull and Dan Jensen team up to preview a dozen of the films competing for your box office dollars over summer.
Jumanji: The Next Level – now showing
Directed by Jake Kasdan
2017's Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle was a surprise smash hit, making almost a billion dollars at the global box office, so it was inevitable that another sequel was on its way. The Next Level takes us back to the video game world, reuniting the original cast of Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Karen Gillan and Kevin Hart, while introducing fresh young talent in Danny DeVito and Danny Glover.
Much like Wreck-it Ralph, it seems all sequels about video games have to be about a glitch in the system, but not one of those real glitches where you get stuck in the floor and have to restart the game yet again. No, this glitch sees the game getting incrementally harder, with unending streams of bad guys spawning and our heroes facing a challenge tougher than they've ever…
Look, to be honest the plot of this movie is almost entirely irrelevant. What made the 2017 version a hit was the interplay between four charismatic actors who genuinely seemed to be having a good time. From that perspective, The Next Level looks pretty good, with the Rock and Kevin Hart getting the chance to break out their DeVito and Glover impersonations.
Jojo Rabbit – now showing
Directed by Taika Waititi
I went into this movie blindly, having avoided seeing a trailer or knowing much about it. I was pleasantly surprised by what was the second-best movie I saw in 2019 and have been back to see it again only two days later. Jojo Rabbit is nothing short of extraordinary and easily New Zealand writer/director Taika Waititi's masterpiece. This is a film that will have you feeling the entire gamut of emotions — it's hilariously funny, inspiring, a little disturbing and both heartwarming and heartbreaking. The subject matter, of a German boy obsessed with joining the Hitler Youth at the end of World War 2, is handled tastefully and gives the Nazis their due disrespect.
Waititi's quirky style and warped sense of humour, along with terrific performances from the likes of Scarlett Johansson, have led to this film receiving acclaim from both critics and audiences as well as a couple of Golden Globe nominations and I cannot recommend it strongly enough. Touted as an "anti-hate satire", Jojo Rabbit is every bit as important as it is entertaining.
Cats – now showing
Directed by Tom Hooper
What can be said about Cats that hasn't already been said? The cast is extensive and diverse, featuring Dame Judi Dench, Idris Elba, Rebel Wilson, noted actor Taylor Swift, Sir Ian McKellen, Jennifer Hudson, Jason Derulo and James Corden. The director once won an Oscar, although for a movie that some decried as being 'historically inaccurate and entirely misleading'. The source material by poet TS Eliot is charming in an old-timey sort of way and the songs composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber are catchy, if almost unbearably twee.
Put all of these things together and what do you get? A nightmare, brought to life. Early reviews for the movie are mixed (at best) and reveal that Taylor Swift sings a newly written song about cats eating the corpse of an old woman who died in her flat. I'm just going to leave it at that.
1917 – opens 9 January
Directed by Sam Mendes
I've been fortunate enough to see this film already and it was a movie I wasn't initially all that interested in. I have this strange mental barrier where my brain tries to tell me that I have no interest in war films, until I see them and they turn out to be excellent. But even then, I keep fooling myself into thinking I don't want to see them. When I first saw the trailer for 1917, I switched off and immediately figured I'd skip it. Then I saw it was directed by Sam Mendes, whose work I quite like. Then I found out it employs the gimmick of appearing as though the whole film was done in one continuous take. Then I read people's early reactions to it and how it was the most intense movie experience of this year and that was enough to pique my curiosity. And I am so glad I overcame that mental block as this is easily in my top ten for 2019. It's extraordinary.
Filmed in one (apparently) continuous shot, this gimmick works brilliantly in immersing the viewer into the story. Sure, there are several moments where you're wondering how they achieved a certain shot or where the hidden edits (which you know are present) could be, but in the end, you are there on this perilous journey with two British soldiers trying to deliver a message across enemy territory in World War 1.
On a technical level, 1917 is a first-class achievement, but it also packs an emotional punch and really does deliver moments that will have you clinging to the cinema armrest or breaking your partner's hand. The only thing that let it down slightly for me was that the one-shot technique meant we lingered on one camera angle during some of the scenes with no action, which did tend to slow the pace down a touch. But it didn't stop it from being a film that lives up to the word "experience" and is an absolute must-see.
Bad Boys for Life – opens 16 January
Directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah
Yet another sequel, this one a full 16 years after the last instalment in the Bad Boys series, Bad Boys for Life is directed not by master of excess Michael Bay but by Dutch indie directing team Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, who you might remember from movies like Black (2015) and Gangsta (2018). The plot (such as it is) sees Martin Lawrence going through a mid-life crisis while Will Smith is a wildly successful and witty detective who needs to bring back the only man he can trust for one last job.
From one perspective, this seems like an attempt by Will Smith to have one last crack at being a big action star, despite the relatively poor reception to recent action flicks like Gemini Man and Bright. One the other hand, Smith might be throwing a bone to his down-on-his-luck buddy Lawrence, who hasn't starred in a hit movie since 2006's cross-dressing comedy Big Momma's House 2. Either way, the trailer pretty much tells you what the movie is going to be about: action, violence, misogyny and oh-so-witty wisecracks.
Bombshell – opens 16 January
Directed by Jay Roach
Sorry, what's that? I need to write more reasons why I want to see this? Fine.
Bombshell features a fantastic ensemble cast including Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron and did I mention Margot Robbie is in this? Based on the true story of a group of female Fox News employees who sought to expose the CEO for sexual harassment in the '80s, this is another film that has picked up Golden Globe nominations for some of its performances.
From what I've seen in the trailer, the 1980s aesthetic is captured beautifully and I'm rather a fan of great production design replicating a certain time period accurately. But aside from the production, the message of female empowerment and the telling of an interesting story, this film has Margot Robbie in it which pretty much guarantees a ticket sale from me.
In part two, we'll be checking out The Grudge, The Gentlemen, Little Women, Dolittle, Sorry We Missed You and A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood — see you back here soon!
Books by John Turnbull are available on Amazon and Kindle, including supernatural thriller Damnation's Flame; action/romance Reaper, black comedy City Boy and travel guidebook Bar Trek: Europe. Damnation's Flame by John Turnbull is also available in paperback in the IA store HERE (free postage).
You can follow digital editor Dan Jensen on Twitter @danjensenmovies or check out his YouTube channel, Movie Talk with Dan Jensen.
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With a wide variety of pieces that showcased the Orchesis Modern Dance Company's style and substance, "Dancevent" did not underperform. Although there were only six pieces that constituted the entire event, each one packed a punch with strong choreography complemented by a harmony of sound and light.
The first piece of the evening was titled "Aloft," choreographed by Director of Dance and associate professor Leah Glenn. The dancers entered the stage in costumes of red and black, with sounds of people talking in the streets, which transitioned to crashing waves, finally ending with instrumentals. Throughout the whole piece, there was a theme of tension that matched with the sounds and choreography. Near the end of the piece, the tension was heightened using imagery of issues that correlated to perception of body image in the choreography.
The first solo of the night was "Oasis," choreographed and performed by Glenn. The piece opened with colors of purple, matching its costumes, which evoked a calming presence. This emotion, paired with Neil Young's "Harvest Moon," lent a natural element to the piece. Glenn's movements were long and fluid, which mimicked plants swaying in the wind. "Oasis" captured the simplistic beauty of dance through a theme of nature.
The next performance, "Phoenix Circles," choreographed by professor of dance Joan Gavaler, was arguably one of the most powerful pieces of the night. Following the life of a phoenix starting from the ashes, the piece started by illuminating the stage in dark colors barely revealing the performers and the dancers huddled together stomping their feet, symbolizing the start of the life cycle. The dancers rose up from the stage floor, like the birth of the phoenix, their strength as a team shining. Dancers were lifted up high, seeming to reach the stage lights; some were lifted and balanced by the feet of their fellow performers. Highlighting their strength not only as a company but as a team, the dancers managed to pull together a piece of sheer beauty and mastery.
The second and final solo of the night, choreographed and performed by Gavaler, used the fairytale character of the witch Baba Yaga to explore themes of beauty. The stage was cast in red lights with a backdrop of leafless trees, setting the scene for Baba Yaga's spell. The choreography before the spell was cast consisted of contortion of the limbs and stark movements, but after the spell was over the lights became softer, with the choreography following suit. The stark contrast of mood in the performance set "Baba Yaga" apart from many other pieces of the evening.
With curtains closed and green lights shining, "Fault Lines," also choreographed by Glenn, presented a theme of nature. With a scene that looked like a forest, the only duet of the night echoed the musical beats of the drum and the green costumes both performers wore. The skills of the duo complimented one another and created a piece that featured the camaraderie that exists between dancers.
The last and most whimsical piece of the night, "Jabberwocky: Back Through the Looking Glass," choreographed by professor of dance Denise Damon Wade, provided a stark contrast to all previously performed pieces of the night. Beginning with the ornate costumes and makeup highlighting the ethereal quality of Alice's Wonderland, the audience is transported into Lewis Carroll's world. Throughout the entire performance, the lighting not only switched colors from green to purple and back to green, but the images projected also changed from hearts to swirls, creating a dream-like fantasy. Intricate and perfectly timed choreography, along with the other components of the performance, made it a climactic way to end the show.
"Dancevent" proved to be a mastery of work on the part of all those involved in the production. The elements of light, sound, costumes and choreography were unique to every piece in the performance, telling their own message and creating a mesmerizing production that resonated with audiences long after the curtains closed.


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🏆 In a hurry? Here's our #1 pick:
What is the best Amish Outdoor Furniture?
If you're looking for the best Amish Outdoor Furniture – here's our top rated pick: Aspen Rocking Chair.
Have you ever visited an Amish community and admired their furniture? The craftsmanship is some of the best in America, and the pieces have a unique, classic design that many designers outside the field often try to imitate.
Amish furniture is frequently in demand, from dining tables to rocking chairs, but what about outdoor options? We recently explored Amish made outdoor furniture options to see if we could find something for the porch and patio with that unique look and feel.
Is Amish furniture good quality?
Like any category of furniture, not all Amish pieces are created equal. Though Amish craftsmen generally take extreme care and pride in their work, not all products labeled "Amish" represent the same standards. It's a good idea to do your research before investing in any furniture.
Try to stick with reputable companies that offer warranties and satisfaction guarantees. You may want to go directly to the source and visit a furniture maker in an Amish community.
Since the woodwork that the Amish community has to offer is so distinctively fine and discreet, it wasn't easy to narrow down the choices, but we whittled down the list to a handful after careful consideration.
What is the best Amish outdoor furniture?
In a rush? We'll tell you that our favorite piece is the Aspen Rocking Chair. This uniquely designed rocking chair is fully customizable. You'll have the option to choose from different designs, apart from that you'll have quite a handful of wood-options as well, depending on your taste you can then choose whichever type of wood you find most desirable.
When it comes to finishes, you'd have the option to choose from the following:
- Burnishing
- Distressing
- Rub-Through
- Low Sheen / Matte Finish
- Glaze
- Paint
With so many customization options at your disposal, getting the desired look should be a piece of cake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions regarding Amish outdoor furniture:
It's tough to narrow the field because so much depends on personal tastes. People who love modern pieces may prefer Brown Jordan or Harmonia Living. On the other hand, if you like classic collections, you may want to go with Polywood or Amish Tables.
Some materials simply hold up better to the elements, like teak and polypropylene. Resin wicker and poly stone furniture also withstand a lot. For upholstery, you want to stick with polyester or acrylic. Even if you choose these durable materials, it's a good idea to cover your pieces when not in use and dry up any puddles or spills.
It depends on the product and manufacturer. Many Amish artisans use wood for all pieces, but some shifted to poly because it's eco-friendly and durable, even when exposed to the elements. Amish poly outdoor furniture seems to be a trend because it blends the classic style and craftsmanship with a more durable, all-weather material.


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What I've discovered is that maybe I'm too old for change. Just figuring out how to answer my new phone took me several tries. I kept poking at the green flashing light, expecting it to pick up, and not realizing I had to swipe it. Somewhere on the phone are pictures from my previous cell phones, but I can't seem to find them anywhere. And while I've downloaded the Blogger app, it doesn't want to give me the option to sign in.
By far, though, the biggest issue is that the new smartphones don't receive a satellite signal as well as our old MIFI card did. Which means a lot of time, at home, I can't get online at all. I have to resort to dragging my laptop into town to check my email (because I'm not crazy about the email app I downloaded - it seems so much easier to do email through my laptop). A lot of adjustments at once, but I'm sure eventually I'll grow to love it.


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LOS ANGELES -- Day two at the American Heart Association meeting featured the latest findings from researchers for the Physicians' Health Study II and promising, but very early results, from a study of an investigational lipid-lowering antibody treatment, a pair of findings highlighted in this exclusive InFocus video report.
Harvard's Elliott Antman, MD, who chaired the scientific program here, said it is not surprising that daily vitamin therapy did not reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in a population of healthy men, who also happen to be physicians. And, he noted, that the same researchers recently reported that the daily vitamins did slightly reduce the risk for developing cancer.
More promising findings came from studies of an investigational antibody treatment for dyslipidemia -- a PCSK9 inhibitor known now as AMG 145 -- that achieved significant reductions in LDL among patients who can't tolerate statin therapy and those with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. The antibody treatment is given subcutaneously and that may present a challenge, Antman told Peggy Peck, MedPage Today Editor-in-Chief.
From the American Heart Association:


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With ten weeks until the European Parliament elections, nerves (and patience?) of a large part of the Croatian electorate seem to be frazzled, worn out and overwhelmed. The growing election fever is becoming more and more swollen by the day in Croatia, and even the diaspora in which Croatian nationals, voters, live are not spared from fretting and nail-biting suspense.
Some people in Croatia who find themselves caught in the eye of this political storm are trying to manage the uncertainty of the outcomes of these upcoming elections so that they come out to the public with almost silly, crazy, wacky ideas. Wacky because personalities rather than election platforms for the betterment of EU, of Croatia, are emerging and the mere step of unification (coalition) is becoming more important than what politicians wishing to unite have to offer to the nation! I know, the official election campaign has not started yet, but according to the events in the public debate of political life in Croatia, election campaigns have well and truly accelerated and penetrated the mind and heart of many. "Killer" sparks on account of unification seem to sow fully undefined fear everywhere in order to gather and secure people-favour for a "united political force". Suddenly, the notion of unification or coalition (anyone, with anyone?) is sold as the only straw for the salvation for Croatia!
Silly! Crazy! Wacky!
And so, Croatia is hit by a storm with a thunder of unification; the thunder that strikes at common sense, which otherwise tells us that political unification or coalition of political parties is never good. It seems, these days, that one who is not wanting to unite for reason of unification needs to pin himself/herself firmly into the ground so as not to lose sight of the real thing that led him/her into political activism, into a political party, way before this thunderstorm.
The so-called "Amsterdam Coalition" (minor parties: HSS [Croatian Peasant Party], GLAS [Voice], IDS [Istrian Democratic Party], PGS [Primorsko goranski Union], HSU [Croatian Pensioners Party], Labor) arrived recently on the Croatian political scene; leftist self-pumped political crumbs that seek to coagulate in some new force aimed at demolishing the HDZ government and regionalising Croatia. On the right side of the political spectrum comes the coalition "Croatian Sovereignists" (minor parties and supporters: HKS [Croatian Conservative Party] plus HKS EU Parliamentary Ruza Tomasic, Hrast party, with the support of the Civic Initiative of Truth about the Istanbul Convention and the Croatian Wall known for its engagement on migrant issues and Pero Kovacevic, former HSP/Croatian Party of Rights). HKS's Marijan Pavlicek, theatrically asserts to the Croatian public that "the unification of all sovereign forces has no alternative!"; and Pero Kovacevic calls "all to abandon their egoism, narcissism and selfishness and to realise that their personal and particular party interests cannot be above the general interest." And, of course, this group of coalition claims to move to change Croatia for the better, to overthrow the HDZ (Croatian Democratic Union) government.
And so, you look to the left, you look to the right, nobody in these whims of this spellbinding unification, apart from sowing "big" declarative phrases, does anything to show the world which of their concrete measures/programs they will pledge and act upon in actually making Croatia better!
They are almost driving people crazy with the word "unification," so it's not difficult to conclude that their act of unification may well be driven by the connotations of glamour and nobleness the concept of unification naturally holds, and, after an electoral victory – what will be, will be!
The truth is one, and it says that in most cases large coalition or unification of various political parties is the death penalty for any viable political party. Only terminally ill political parties are considering the future or prospective coalition or unification with another as the last chance for their survival.
The relatively recent European example illustrates this problem. The big coalition that ruled Greece until January 2015 led to the collapse of the left-center party PASOK. It can be argued that in the Greek case, the desperate state of the economy justified a large coalition, but the voters nevertheless thought differently. In January elections in 2015, the radical left-wing party Siriza replaced PASOK as the main left-wing party.
The idea of unification noticeably present in the public space in Croatia these days is simple. In a grand and magnanimous political gesture, the political parties entering into a coalition would set aside their tribalism and nobly unite the increasingly diverse, restless and grumpy family of Croatian voters. In the meantime, the "noble" parties would be able to sideline the unreasonable voices in their respective party rooms and party headquarters. Everyone would benefit from this centrist arrangement – so the argument for this unification goes.
The problem is that big coalitions or unification for the sake of unification in order to achieve good election results, topple the government, end up more like a Gothic horror story than a Disney fairy tale.
If two, three, four … political parties, who have their own reason (and program) for existence, decide to join forces in a "big" coalition, what is/was the purpose of their individual existence at all? What will happen with their specific programs that individual members of the coalition/ union of political forces will still keep close to their bosoms, and which were not recognized by the people as worth voting for at previous elections? Will these specific and different programs, the reasons for existence of each individual member of a unified political force, actually remain in the fabric of unification or coalition, regardless of the joint front at elections? Certainly, nobody joining these new coalitions/unifications in Croatia has put themselves aside nor given up their own individual stands and political strivings! The voters do not like such kinds of political unification because one never knows who will jump out and break this united front and try to make their own small party bigger or more important than the rest within the coalition! With unification/coalitions of this kind, the purpose of elections is lost. Elections are for voters (people) to have choices, for people to feel secure with the stability and viability of that for which they have voted. Ina Vukic


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Bay Area Mixologists to Face Off in First Competition for Women
On Sunday, February 24, the top female mixologists in the Bay Area will compete in the first nationwide women-only cocktail competition—Speed Rack.
The ladies will compete in heats, making rounds of cocktails from a list of 50 industry standards. They'll be judged on prep time and accuracy by judges Debbie Zachareas (Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant), Jacob Briars (Bacardi) and Charlotte Voisey (William Grant & Sons). The winner of Miss Speed Rack San Francisco will receive a $100 gift certificate to Cocktail Kingdom and $500 towards travel to the National Speed Rack Finals in New York, where the grand prize winner will score an all-inclusive trip for two to France which includes sessions at the Cointreau Bartender Academie.
The contestants:
- Alicia Walton – Elixir, Bloodhound, Momo's
- Allison Kate Webber – Jasper's Corner Tap & Kitchen
- Ashley Curren – Rickhouse
- Claire Sprouse – Tradition
- Danielle Marchant – Monarch
- Jen Ackrill – Rye
- Jennifer Colliau – Slanted Door
- Julie Thompson – Rye
- Kate Bolton – Maven
- Keli Rivers – Hotsy Totsy Club
- Kim Gooden – Tradition
- Kim Rosselle – Flora/ Fauna
- Lauren Steele – Hook & Ladder, Lowbrau
- Leilani Vella – Nopa, Lolinda, Absinthe
- Lucia Gonzales – Prizefighter
- Megan Silsbee – Nopa
- Michaela Leah King – Cantina
- Rhachel Shaw – Tradition, Local Edition
- Victoria George – Rickhouse, AQ Restaurant & Bar
- Vita Simone Strauss – Dogwood, The New Easy
The competition is 3pm to 7pm on February 24 at The Chapel in the Mission. Tickets are $20 in advance and will be sold at the door for $25; tickets include drinks and snacks.
Image courtesy of Amanda Hathaway


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Commander Showdown — Hapatra vs The Scorpion God
V for Venom-Detta
Voilà! In view, the vast valleys of Ixalan! However, now that we've arrived at this vivid, vibrant vista, we must veer our vessel back to Amonkhet! We volunteered to visit two voracious veterans before the Hour of Devastation vanishes, and they would be very vexed and vindictive if we vacated our vow. If you, valuable viewer, would rather vie for a fix of Ixalan (a Fixalan, if you will) please visit our previous Commander Showdown, Tishana vs Zegana. For now, let us voyage away from these vicious velociraptors and vein-drinking vampires and instead investigate a Showdown between two vehemently venomous viziers of vermin: Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons and The Scorpion God!
Verily, I can vouch that the virtuous, voguish victim Hapatra and the vile, visceral visage of the Scorpion God verge on valid and viable versions of violent and vicarious vagrancy, but with varying vices. Now, in case this veritably verbose volley of verbiage makes you vaguely want to vomit, let us get on with the show! I've had more than a few requests for a Showdown between these two -1/-1 counter monsters. Let's see who emerges victorious.
Minus One, Minus One
Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons brought us a ton of fun in Amonkhet. A succinct 2/2 for two mana, she boasts the unique ability to create deathtouching snake tokens every time you place one or more -1/-1 counters on a creature. (Note that this ability is slightly different than Flourishing Defenses or Nest of Scarabs, both of which create a token for each counter placed on a creature, though Nest is limited to counters you place.) Golgari commanders are already fairly diverse, from Meren of Clan Nel Toth's necromancy to Glissa the Traitor's artifice to The Gitrog Monster's land consumption. Hapatra opened up even more new territory for this color combination, providing focus for the -1/-1 counter strategies from both the Amonkhet and Shadowmoor blocks and giving us an excellent go-wide token strategy as a payoff.
Then, along came a spider. Er---I mean Scorpion. The Scorpion God arrived in Hour of Devastation and opened up new territory for its color combination as well, this time the red-black Rakdos. Here was another -1/-1 counter commander, which rewarded us not with Snake tokens, but card advantage. In addition, it promised never to accumulate commander tax. Like The Scarab God and The Locust God (whose Showdowns you can read here and here) this new arachnid returns to the hand when killed, avoiding the extra costs from the command zone, nearly always keeping it a young and healthy 6/5 for five mana. In addition, it came with one extra feature: the ability to place -1/-1 counters on creatures, all by itself.
Sadly, we don't yet have a Jund commander that can fit both Hapatra and the Scorpion into a single red-green-black -1/-1 counter deck. As it stands, we have to make the choice between Scorpion or Snake, stinger or fang, eight legs or none at all. Let's delve into their strategies and see if we can't make that choice a little easier.
V for Venn Diagram
It's been a while since I've been able to do a proper Venn Diagram. The most recent Showdowns have featured commanders from Ixalan and Commander 2017, which were a little too new to have much data here on EDHREC. Thankfully, that's not the case for Hapatra and the Scorpion God. Scorpy (yes, I call him Scorpy, we're on first-name basis) features a respectable 300 decks here on the website, and Hapatra pulls in a whopping 841, the third-highest green-black commander. It's safe to say we have a lot of information about them, so let's put that information to use! Below I've arranged their Top and Signature cards to see which cards overlap. This should give us a sense of where their strategies align, and more importantly, where they differ. Take a look:
There's an obvious observation to make here, one that (hopefully) surprises no one: Hapatra is green, and the Scorpion god is red. As a result, their respective columns contain a lot of cards the other can't access whatsoever, while the "Both" column is stuffed with nearly every thinkable black card that so much as mentions a -1/-1 counter.
Look closer, though. There are a few exceptions, and we can learn a lot from them. True, Hapatra can't touch Kulrath Knight, but she can use Corrosive Mentor, yet it isn't important enough to feature in her Top or Signature cards. There's an additional smattering of other artifacts Hapatra doesn't seem as interested in, such as Solemn Simulacrum and Thought Vessel. Since she's green and has access to hyper-efficient ramp spells, this makes sense. The more important standout is Cauldron of Souls, which can potentially give lots of creatures -1/-1 counters. This sounds like it'd be right in Hapatra's wheelhouse, yet it too sees less play.
These are only a few clues, but we can extrapolate a lot from them. We know from the Beastmaster Ascension in her column that Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons likes token armies, but the cards missing from her column are even more revealing. Cauldron of Souls's absence tells us that her love of tokens is actually very extreme. The Cauldron can't bring back tokens—once they die, they're gone for good—so even though she could Persist herself or her nontoken minions and gain more creatures in the process, that isn't a compelling enough reason to run the card over, say, a spell that could save her entire army, such as Eldrazi Monument or Heroic Intervention.
Not only that, but the lack of Corrosive Mentor shows us that Hapatra's token production is, for lack of a better word, narcissistic. Since her snakes are green, they don't synergize with Corrosive Mentor, but other black creatures would. Even so, the card has lower popularity, signaling that her black creatures will be few in number and largely noncombative. They're utility creatures, too valuable to lose in battle. Her snakes do all the punching.
While interesting, these are really only surface-level understandings of Hapatra, so we should go a bit deeper. We'll get back to Scorpy in a second. For now, I'm interested in finding out a bit more about our green-black-minus-counter-Cleopatra-inspired mistress.
In the Green Corner...
Hapatra's access to green opens up a lot of doors for tokens. Let's take a look at her average decklist and see what we find there.
Average Hapatra DeckView on Archidekt
Cauldron of Souls and Corrosive Mentor did make the final cut, which is good to see, but we know they're not her top picks. I love seeing Vhati il-Dal here, which can turn any creature into a 1/1 just by giving it a stern look. Any creature with one of Hapatra's counters on it is fresh meat for Vhati, making him a pseudo-Bounty Hunter.
The Blood Artist effects are very appealing as well. Hapatra thrives off of death; it's practically in the Code of Honor for a Golgari commander. When compounded, her counters inevitably kill their hosts, which she capitalizes on by enlarging her army. That's not the only thing that makes Blood Artist effects an interesting inclusion, however. Death triggers are actually a very important lens through which to view Hapatra's myriad of -1/-1 counter effects.
For instance, take a look at Soul Snuffers. When this creature enters the battlefield, it puts a -1/-1 counter on every creature. This includes itself. This includes Hapatra. This includes her tokens. Soul Snuffers kills off her entire 1/1 army, but Hapatra doesn't actually care. In fact, she invites it, because every -1/-1 counter that kills off a snake just produces another. Midnight Banshee is similar, and even more devastating, because it kills off her army every turn. The snakes don't even get the chance to attack! In any other deck, such effects might be considered anti-synergy, but Hapatra can turn this perpetual death engine into her gain. Every dead token is just another excellent trigger for Zulaport Cutthroat and friends.
So look carefully at Hapatra's -1/-1 counter effects. They tend to be widespread, to create as many snakes as possible, but they can also be ruthless and reflexive, affecting her own board. After all, if you've already killed off all your opponents' creatures, what better way to make more tokens than by putting counters on your own creatures?
Snakes... Why Did it Have to be Snakes?
Which brings me to combat. Hapatra has an interesting relationship with anthem effects (that is, cards that power up her army). I was surprised to see that her average decklist contains very few cards that buff up her massive army. There are some very respectable effects: Craterhoof Behemoth, Seshiro the Anointed, the aforementioned Beastmaster Ascension, and even Creakwood Liege. In total, though, there are only about six anthems in her deck.
This number strikes me as very low. Token-swarm strategies tend to run this effect in much larger quantities. For example, Rhys the Redeemed is a famous token commander, and in looking over his average decklist I found no less than seventeen cards that boost up power and toughness. Even Nath of the Gilt Leaf's average deck, which divides its attention between discard effects and elf armies, contains ten different cards that can power up creatures. Why does Hapatra run fewer of these effects than other token-makers?
The reason is pretty simple, actually. Hapatra's snakes are unique among tokens because they have deathtouch. They don't need to be powerful, they'll already take enemy creatures down with them. Besides, if Hapatra has done her job correctly, she'll have weakened most of the creatures in her way in the first place. Anthems are therefore less important. While other token decks use powerups to help them win general combat, Hapatra only needs the ones that provide extra-crucial value. Eldrazi Monument grants indestructible, for example, and Triumph of the Hordes and Craterhoof Behemoth are famous for their ability to end the game on the spot. (Trample, by the way, pairs excellently with deathtouching snakes.)
All in all, Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons leaves us with a sense of inexorability. Her deck is aggressive, not because her army is always powerful, but because her army is just plain unstoppable. Deathtouch tokens make her difficult to block, and even more difficult to attack. If you've seen Game Knights episode that features Hapatra, you'll also notice Hapatra's impressive ability to recoup even after multiple board wipes. Noncreature cards like Serrated Arrows, Flourishing Defenses, and Contagion Engine outlive most wrath effects, and can quickly put Hapatra back on the map. Plus, her own repeating cycle of self-inflicted death triggers combines so well with Blood Artist that she can gradually close out the game even without combat.
If you like tokens, Hapatra is the obvious choice for -1/-1 counter commander, but it's important to recognize the deeper strategy at work here. She's not a typical token commander. While most swarm decks fear death, Hapatra embraces it as a potential ally. She can pack a huge punch like the rest of them, but she's also content to whittle away her enemies, bit by bit. Like poison creeping through veins, Hapatra is subtle, but if you let her get too far without treatment, her takeover is inevitable.
In the Red Corner...
Alright, we've ignored The Scorpion God for far too long. How does a -1/-1 counter strategy shift when you replace green with red?
As we saw with the Venn Diagram, there are only a small handful of worthwhile red cards that mention -1/-1 counters. Kulrath Knight, Everlasting Torment, and Hateflayer make a showing for Scorpy, but the list dries up pretty quickly after that. Unfortunately, red only has the Shadowmoor block to draw from, while green has the Shadowmoor, Scars of Mirrodin, and Amonkhet blocks for inspiration. This leaves red with underwhelming spells like Scar and Puncture Blast. We saw with Hapatra's decklist that most of the -1/-1 counter spells were black, but for The Scorpion God, that disparity is even more pronounced.
Let's take a look at Scorpy's average decklist and see what he's up to:
Average Scorpy DeckView on Archidekt
As expected, the list is largely black, with just hint of red for cool spells like Chaos Warp and Rakdos Charm. Stigma Lasher is another solid inclusion, punishing careless opponents and slotting nicely into the -1/-1 counter theme.
In my opinion, the most interesting cards actually lie outside the -1/-1 counter theme. Black Market, Chandra's Ignition, Decree of Pain, and Sudden Spoiling all reveal something pretty important about the way The Scorpion God works. Remember, Scorpy doesn't care how many counters a creature has, just that it has at least one. By spreading counters widely, Scorpy can turn a Damnation into a Decree of Pain.
This kind of plan is pretty familiar to anyone who bought the Vampiric Bloodlust precon for Commander 2017. Tagging creatures with counters and reveling in their death sounds a whole lot like Mathas, the Fiend Seeker. Instead of giving the benefits to multiple players, you get to keep the prizes for yourself. (Unlike Mathas, though, you do have to make sure Scorpy at least sticks around long enough to see the marked creatures die.) This is why cards like Black Market and expensive board wipes like Decree of Pain make sense for a Scorpion God deck. To get the most benefit, you want to see lots of creatures die, which means you want the game to go a little long.
In short, The Scorpion God uses attrition as a resource. Though it boasts an impressive 6/5 body, Scorpy is more suited for Rakdos control than reckless combat. There's a reason Kulrath Knight is Scorpion's #1 Signature Card, and it's not just because it mentions -1/-1 counters—it's because it locks down the board and turns your opponents into marionettes. Where Hapatra uses -1/-1 counters to create an aggressively encroaching army, scuttly little Scorpy actually takes a backseat, to oversee as much death and carnage as possible. Unlike the lore, where the god faces other creatures head-on in combat, in a game of EDH, the Scorpmander is uncharacteristically gradual. In fact, I think it's more useful to think of Scorpy not as a -1/-1 counter commander, but as a cross between Mathas, Fiend Seeker and Olivia Voldaren (the non-vampire-tribal version, I mean.) Inject a little venom here and there, drawing as many cards as possible, until your opponents are left with nothing but a handful of powerless creatures that can't shape up to your impossible-to-keep-dead commander.
Some have criticized The Scorpion God's control strategy as "slow and clunky," so it's important to stay aware of the deck's weaknesses. For example, most control decks run a suite of versatile removal spells for all different types of permanents, but red and black have little ability to remove enchantments. This makes a control strategy tricky for red-black decks. If you're intrigued by the Scorpion's potential at the helm of a control shell, take extra care to shore up those weaknesses whenever possible.
One of Rakdos's specialties, for example, is hand attack. Sire of Insanity, Cabal Conditioning, and other mass-discard spells can eliminate the need for enchantment removal, since you dispose of them before they even get a chance to be cast. Archfiend of Ifnir certainly loves it when you discard cards. Since your commander can draw you a few extra cards anyway, you don't care much about losing your own hand to Sire effects. These effects can put you ahead of your opponents while still maintaining a slight advantage, which sounds perfect for ol' Scorpy here.
Importantly, control is also not The Scorpion God's only option. With all the brutal murder and whatnot, the graveyards are primed for some reanimation strategies. Though we don't see the classic Animate Dead in Scorpy's average list, we do see Grave Upheaval, and it's quite reasonable to throw a bunch more in with it. Killing creatures doesn't just have to give you more cards in hand, it can give you more creatures as well. (If this sounds appealing to you at all, I recommend Grave Betrayal.)
There's also the classic Voltron. A 6/5 for five mana is impressive, especially when it has the ability to weaken any contender that tries to stand in its path. Throw on a couple more enchantments like that Fists of the Demigod (or, heaven forbid, Grafted Exoskeleton) and your opponents are in for some trouble. Rakdos doesn't have much in the way of Voltron commanders; Mogis, God of Slaughter is rarely a creature, Rakdos, Lord of Riots spits out Eldrazi left and right, and Grenzo, Dungeon Warden prefers small creatures to big ones. If you want a big beater that just kills everything in its path, you could do a lot worse.
This is another good takeaway when comparing these -1/-1 commanders. Hapatra is a bit more linear. She's so good at what she does that it would be silly not to make a token deck with her. The Scorpion God has a few more options, from Control to Voltron to Reanimator to to Wither Tribal. It's a 'Jack of All Trades, Master of None' kind of situation.
Of course, there's one more strategy I have to mention for both commanders. Ready yourself, because this one's volcanically vengeful and visibly virulent.
Combo Nation
I'm not doing my job correctly if I don't mention the combos available to these commanders. As many already know, Blowfy Infestation pairs exceptionally well with Nest of Scarabs. Putting a -1/-1 counter on a 1/1 creature triggers both enchantments, letting you place another counter on a creature and creating another 1/1 token. For complicated reasons, you need at least two 1-toughness creatures to get this combo started (state-based effects play a role, but the important part is that Blowfly Infestation requires a target when its trigger is put on the stack, so you can't target the token Nest of Scarabs will create.) If you do meet the requirements, you can make an infinite loop of dying creatures, which synergizes all too well with both commanders.
If you have Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons on the battlefield, you'll be able to make an infinite snake army. That doesn't sound half bad, but Golgari can do you one better: what if you have Obelisk Spider on the battlefield? Or that pesky Blood Artist? That's a lot of death. As long as you're in green, you can also replace Nest of Scarabs with Flourishing Defenses.
When this combo is paired with The Scorpion God, even more zaniness ensues: you draw your entire library. If you have a Purphoros, God of the Forge, you can cause a whole lot of mayhem that way as well.
Crucially, take note of the fact that many of these triggers aren't 'may' abilities. Blowfly Infestation says you must put a -1/-1 counter on a creature, The Scorpion God says you must draw a card. Once you get the loop going, you'll have to end it by eventually placing a counter on a creature with toughness greater than 1.
Hapatra has another famous combo up her sleeve as well: Devoted Druid + Quillspike. By tapping Devoted Druid for mana, untapping it by giving it a -1/-1 counter, then using that mana to eat the counter, you can make Quillspike an infinite/infinite creature in no time.
The Scorpion God isn't done either. We mentioned reanimation effects earlier, and it didn't take competitive players very long to realize that the infamous Animate Dead + Worldgorger Dragon combo fit perfectly into Scorpy's colors. This combo can instantly give you an infinite amount of mana to play with. For players who'd like The Scorpion God to have a little more sting, digging for these nasty combos is certainly a competitive option.
Cards to Consider
As always, I'd like to go through a few cards that I think each commander could stand to play little more often.
- Deathreap Ritual: This lucked into the average Hapatra deck, but it only has 34% popularity according to EDHREC, second to Phyrexian Arena's 41%. I know the Arena is a sexier card with lots of famous history, but Deathreap Ritual has a greater likelihood of drawing you more cards in a multiplayer game, and it's 1/4th the price.
- Viridian Longbow: Okay, this one's silly, but those snakes have deathtouch. Give one of them the ability to ping other creatures and you've just made yourself a DIY Avatar of Woe. Thornbite Staff and Pathway Arrows are other similar options.
- Thunderfoot Baloth: Remember how deathtouch and trample mix really, really well? This is an Overrun that sticks around.
- Golgari Charm: Board wipes suck, and this can save you from several of them. The other modes are useful as well. True, -1/-1 to all your creatures will kill off your tokens, but it still has uses where it'll finally kill off your opponents' weakened creatures. Besides, the option to destroy a Ghostly Prison or save your board from a Blasphemous Act is good enough to justify giving this card a second look.
- Sudden Spoiling: I'm taking a leaf out of The Scorpion God's book here. Quite apart from the fact that this is just an excellent fog variant, turning creatures laden with -1/-1 counters into 0/2 weaklings is sure to wipe out quite a lot of dudes, leaving the coast clear for your slithery companions.
- Forbidden Orchard: This is another silly one, but it's entirely possible that the board will be empty and you'll have nothing to put a counter on. Why not make a creature yourself? You can always cash it in for cards later. In fact, if you're willing to take Scorpy down a political path, there are plenty of ways to hand out 1-toughness creatures. Varchild's War-Riders, Rite of the Raging Storm, and Tempt with Vengeance are perfect fodder for a well-timed Soul Snuffers or Black Sun's Zenith.
- Disrupt Decorum: This is the best red card from Commander 2017, and it's right at home in a deck like this. You don't need to play politics for it to be effective. If you like control, Disrupt Decorum gives you exactly that, and creatures going into combat is a great way to make sure they die and draw you lots of cards.
- Revel in Riches: Speaking of creatures dying, this card is insane. Play it immediately.
- Mikaeus, the Unhallowed: Mike might as well be called Mikaeus the Unreasonably Expensive, but it has neat synergy with Scorpy. Combining Mikaeus's +1/+1 counters with Scorpy's -1/-1 counters negates both, which means they'll constantly have Undying, and become just as tough to keep dead as your commander. This is only really worth it if you have a lot of creatures, and most Scorpion lists aren't running too many, but if you do end up with a high creature density, this is a cool interaction.
- Heartstone: This is an easy one, but it's too good to ignore. Three mana for a single counter isn't very efficient, but two mana looks a lot better. Red and black need to cut corners and find mana wherever they can, so this is at least worth consideration.
Vipers and Vermin
Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons and The Scorpion God both use -1/-1 counters, but to vastly different ends. Hapatra is a token-making machine, while the Scorpion is a gradual commander that requires much more patience than you'd expect a red-black commander to demand. If you're interested in the actual act of applying counters to creatures, I suspect Hapatra has more to offer you. Indeed, since Hapatra has nearly three times as many decks as Scorpy, this seems to be the conclusion many other players have come to as well. The Scorpion God's use of counters is more careful and reserved, generally tagging creatures once instead of piling counters on in droves.
With that said, the takeaway isn't necessarily that Hapatra is flat-out better than Scorpy at -1/-1 counters. Scorpy and other new cards like Mathas, Fiend Seeker represent an interesting turn for red-black-inclusive color combinations in EDH. We're used to these colors providing us with aggressive, combat-centric abilities, but as more of the world starts to pay attention to the Commander format, new designs start to stretch those boundaries. Hapatra's deck builds itself pretty easily, but I think Scorpy has the most potential for growth, as it represents a new and hitherto uncharted territory for its color pair. I'm excited to see what the future holds for alternative Rakdos strategies.
So, do you vote for the vain, valorous, and visionary Hapatra, or do you venerate the vengeful, volatile, vermilion Scorpion? Which vandal has the vitality and veracity to vanquish their opposing villain? The verdict is yours.
For now, I think I need a vacation.
Til next time!


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