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Daniel Boone explored the region in 1767 and then founded Boonesboro in 1775, after cutting a trail through Cumberland Gap, when was known as the Wilderness Trail.
In December 31, 1776, the counties of Virginia beyond the Appalachian Mountains became known as Kentucky County (aka Kentucke County) by dividing Fincastle County. During the 3-1/2 years of Kentucky County's existence, government seat was in Harrodstown also known as Oldtown, and later renamed Harrodsburg.
Kentucky County was abolished on June 30, 1780, when it was divided into Fayette, Jefferson, and Lincoln counties of Virginia. Eventually, the residents of Fayette, Jefferson, and Lincoln counties petitioned for a separation from Virginia. Ten constitutional conventions were held in Danville between 1784 and 1792, in the Constitution Square Courthouse . The final convention, in April 1792, was approved by the Virginia House of Delegates.
The the Kentucky Territory, was organized on May 7, 1800. The State of Kentucky was created as the 15th state on June 1, 1792. It has 120 Counties. The State of Kentucky is bordered by Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. The Kentucky State Capital is in Frankfort and the state government website is kentucky.gov.
Select a Kentucky county to view information & records pertaining to each County
Kentucky Genealogy Record Guides
Getting Started with Kentucky Genealogy and Family Trees
Kentucky Genealogy Tips & Hints – Kentucky genealogy can be traced through cemetery records, court filings such as marriage certificates and even archived newspapers. Browsing through Kentucky records like bibles, birth certificates and letters, if available, is another way to glean missing information. Libraries are a good source to find books, periodicals, magazines and other printed material full of helpful information to help trace genealogy. Unfortunately, some Kentucky counties have kept better records than others. So, you may hit a few roadblocks along the way. However, you shouldn't let that deter you, especially in this digital era.
Finding The Lost Counties
It is also important for you to know that there are two "lost counties" in Kentucky. As the state changed, two counties were eventually done away with entirely. Beckham County was dissolved on 29 Apr 1904, but the state still has some postal records and marriage records on file from that county.
The other "lost county" isn't really lost at all. The name was simply shortened. It went from being called Josh Bell County to simply being called Bell County beginning on January 31, 1873. The county was originally formed just after the Civil War, on February 5, 1867, from portions of Harlan and Knox Counties. So, if you are looking for records from its first 6 years, you should look under the full original name of Josh Bell County.
Paper Trails
It would be fair to say that Kentucky is, in general, a little behind the times when it comes to genealogy. A lot of the Kentucky public records have not been digitized. However, that doesn't mean that they don't exist. You just have to follow the paper trails. Visit Kentucky libraries and historical societies and look for Bibles, Books, Newspaper Articles, Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificates, Death Certificates, Court Documents or Land Deeds.
The DAR (Daughters Of The American Revolution) and the SAR (Sons Of The American Revolution) are huge organizations. They are devoted to helping descendants of those who helped to fight for freedom in America during and around the time of the Revolutionary War. There are both DAR and SAR chapters in Kentucky. So, if your ancestor may have had any connection to our founding fathers or to the military, you should definitely start there.
Kentucky Genealogy Databases and other Helpful Links
There are several websites which contain court records and other data where visitors can trace their Kentucky ancestry for free. The Internet is also a source to find Kentucky ancestry communities where people can perform Kentucky research and potentially create family trees or connect to relatives they didn't know existed.
- Kentucky Genealogy Network
- Encyclopedia of Kentucky – free, online resource on Kentucky history, culture, geography, and natural environment.
- USGenweb – Kentucky Genealogy
- Free GenForum Message Boards – Kentucky
- Free Rootsweb Message Boards – Kentucky


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Stuart Briscoe
Feelings of inadequacy are common in a high expectation world. The results can be devastating. Paul talked about God's high expectations, the inadequate feelings he experienced and what he did about them.
2 Corinthians 2:12 - 3:6
listen now
Let the Briscoes help you experience Life in all its fullness!
© Telling the Truth 2022

subset: commoncrawl


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Electricians in Aquitaine : includes Electricians in Dordogne (24), Electricians in Gironde (33), Electricians in Landes (40), Electricians in Lot et Garonne (47), Electricians in Pyrenees-Atlantiques (64)
Electricians with entries on this site
- Dordogne Renovation: Offer electrical and plumbing service. Click link for more info.
- Solec: From consultation to installation. See link for more details
- Your business could be listed HERE - why not add your page to this site? It's easy to do and it's FREE!
Other Electricians
Daryl Canes: British electrician, Lot et Garonne. Tel: 05 53 40 83 16 / 06 31 62 63 22
John Stacey: English electrician covering Landes and Lot et Garonne. Tel: 05 58 44 36 40
Ken Brown: Located in Limousin but covers Northern Dordogne. Tel: 05 55 08 28 40
Paul Falandysz: English electrician. Located at Eymet, Dordogne. Tel: 05 53 22 64 88
Roderick Lyon: Qualified and experienced electrician based in Lot et Garonne. Also covers Gironde and Landes. Tel: 05 53 20 91 49
Royston Seedwell: British electrician operating in the Lot et Garonne area. Tel: 05 53 89 00 99
Why not visit our Art Wiki? You can read or write about art and artists. And even add a page about yourself…
".. Renoir, Picasso, Cubism, Renaissance art, Georges Seurat, Michael Asher, da Vinci, lautrec, leger, Joan Miro, Impressionism, Edvard Munch, Hans Holbein, Matisse, realism, rococo, baroque, Hieronymous Bosch art, Mark Rothko, orkin, poynter, pollock, Geoff Bunn art, Turner, Sol LeWitt, hirst, emin, Max Ernst, still-life, Richard Serra, landscapes, Primitivism, John Sargent, Madge Gill, pre-raphaelites, Conceptualism, Claude Monet, art brut, art povera, Mel Bochner, bridget riley, LS Lowry, Expressionism, modigliani, Marcel Duchamp, Victor Burgin, dada, surrealism and much more besides…"


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Our Mission
Welcome to the Hampton Roads Catholic Schools website. Our mission is to promote Catholic education across the region by creating a synergy among our schools. By providing an alliance of Catholic Schools, we are able to share resources and ideas, as well as launch successful public relations campaigns.
At Hampton Roads Catholic Schools, our 10 elementary schools and 3 high schools foster spiritual development, academic excellence, personal responsibility and service to others. We are extremely proud of our teachers, staff, parents, students and alumni who join us in celebrating our Catholic identity and making the world a better place.
Our Catholic schools were able to quickly adapt to the March 13th mandated school closures due to COVID 19. We resumed teaching, via virtual learning, as of March 17th. Our teachers were able to adjust their lesson plans and continue academic instruction to keep our students on track through the end of the school year. All assigned class work counted toward final grades. We are very proud of our teachers, students, parents, administration, and staff for embracing the changes we had to make and allowing our students to continue learning.
If you have any questions, please contact Elizabeth Allen at email@example.com. We invite everyone to join us in our charge: to learn well, live well and serve well.
Catholic Education Experience
National Catholic Schools Week
Hampton Roads Catholic Schools proudly celebrate National Catholic Schools Week, which annually begins the last Sunday in January. This week gives parishes, educators and students the opportunity to rejoice in the benefits and rewards of a Catholic education in the United States. Schools typically observe the week with Masses, open houses and other activities for students, families, parishioners and the community. To learn more about the good news of Catholic Schools, visit www.ncea.org.
Learn Well
Challenging academic programs inspire critical thinking and foster creativity.
Live Well
Extra-curricular activities and athletics encourage volunteerism and community involvement.
Serve Well
Faith-based learning inspires students to follow a Christ-centered path celebrating the dignity of all life.


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Ascend is a policy program of the Aspen Institute and the national hub for breakthrough ideas and collaborations that move children and their parents toward educational success and economic security. We take a two-generation approach to our work and embrace commitment to gender and racial equity lenses. Ascend elevates effective policies and solutions that move children and their parents towards educational success and economic security.
We believe that education, economic supports, health and well-being and social capital are the core elements that create an intergenerational cycle of opportunity.
How we make a difference:
- We elevate and invest in two-generation solutions that lead to better outcomes for children and their parents.
- We build leaders and networks.
- We engage the voices of families to inform policies and programs.


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PriceSpotter's teeth tingle at the taste of candy corn. Just sharing. We gave you a property that recently sold, and you tried to give us what you thought the SALE price was. Now the answer to Friday's Flower Garden-y in Pasadena...
Sale Price: $1,550,000
Listing: This home in Pasadena sold for $1.550 million on September 24th. It was built by famed local architect Lawrence Test. Via the listing: "Lawrence Test created this splendid example of Monterey Colonial style in 1937, to take advantage of its lovely setting near the Arroyo Seco. Surrounded by mature landscaping, accented by roses and perennials, the home has been updated and offers a lovely blend of charm and character coupled with modern amenities." If you can believe it, the seller purchased the home in 2006 for $1.850 million. Before that? Yikes, the home sold for $750k in 1999. What will this 4 bed, 3 bath home be worth in a year?
This week commenter Matt Nelson was just $20k below the actual sale price. Nice play, Matt. The lot of you guessed an average of $125,381 below the actual sale price. Prices are dropping, but not that fast.
· Lawrence Test Monterey Colonial [Deasy/Penner]


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B' Ha'Alotekha: Numbers 8:1-12:16
El Na R'fanalah
O God, please heal her, please!
By Rabbi Corinne Copnick
For several years now, I have been receiving daily email content from a website (chofetzchaimusa.org) that faithfully delivers nuggets of Judaic wisdom about how to cope with Lashon Hora in its many forms. Lashon Hora? Hebrew for the "evil tongue." Malicious gossip, slander, spreading rumor or falsehood – these were issues even in biblical times, as illustrated by God's punishment of Moses' sister, Miriam, in Be-ha'alotekha (Numbers 12), our Torah portion for this week. Here Miriam speaks spitefully about her brother's' wife (and her brother as well). This passage seems especially relevant today when evil speech – the coarsening or evil intent of the words that come out of our mouths – is poisoning contemporary American society to the extent that this topic now constitutes "breaking news." As I watched Brian Williams' thoughtful "11th Hour" the other evening, brilliant historian Doris Kearns Goodman eloquently condemned the coarsening of our national political dialogue.
What we are experiencing today is the normalization of coarse behavior, and through the advent of social media, the liberty to lash out at people under the cloak of anonymity. Yes, there is the growing menace of the ugly speech in our society. The evil tongue, however, goes back a long time. It is part of the drama that occurs in Be-ha'alotekha: "When they were in Hazeroth [in the desert], Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman he had married: 'He married a Cushite woman!" (Numbers 12:1). God was furious and punished Miriam with a skin ailment that changed the color of her skin: she was "stricken with snow-white scales."
There has been much commentary (see editor Michael Carasik's extensive discussion in The Commentators Bible: The Rubin JPs Miquraot Gedolot on Numbers 12) over the years about the "why" of this punishment. In fact, some of the illustrious medieval commentators Carasik quotes get downright gossipy themselves (pp. 84-85). Did "the Cushite woman" refer to Zipporah, Moses' wife? Although Zipporah was a Midianite, the priest Jethro's daughter, the dark-complected Midianites were sometimes confused with Cushites, who were ebony black. Had Moses discarded Zipporah? the rabbis ask. There is speculation that his sexual interest had declined once he had come so close to God's presence; now he was more concerned with spiritual matters, Some of the rabbis thought not, however; rather the Cushi woman was a new wife.
Rashi, the famed Jewish scholar who lived in France in medieval times, adds even more interest to this discussion with his declaration that the Hebrew letters of the word "Cushite" have the same numerical equivalent as y'fah mar'eh, the word for "beautiful." Therefore Cushite means both "black" and "beautiful."
My own observation is that, in contemporary times, people from Ethiopia (home of the biblical Queen Sheba, with whom Solomon fell in love) are generally considered to have beautiful features. Or more simply, in today's parlance, black is beautiful.
In his Commentary of the Torah, Richard Elliott Friedman's plain talk explanation of this biblical quandary clarifies all this juicy speculation:
"Cush is generally understood to be Ethiopia. Its people are identified as descendants of Noah's son Ham (Gen. 10: 6-7). On this understanding, Moses has taken an Ethiopian wife in addition to his first wife, Zipporah. This has been confused somewhat by the fact that the prophet Habbakuk refers to a place called Cushan in parallel with Midian (Hab. 3:7). Some scholars, therefore, have concluded that the Cushite wife is Zipporah herself (so Ibn Ezra). But this latter view does not explain why the text should suddenly refer to her as a Cushite. Also, the words 'because he had taken a Cushite wife' certainly appear to be here in the verse in order to inform us of an essential new fact, but we already knew that he was married to Zipporah (so Rashbam). This story, therefore, is about a second, probably Ethiopian wife" [italics mine] (Friedman, Harper Collins, 2003, p. 465).
It has been a popular theory for many years that all human beings derive from a common African ancestor (this idea fits in well with the biblical Adam story), and that about 100,000 years ago, skin color began to vary as people began to migrate to different latitudes. Apparently we basically began with the same skin color, but we developed different amounts of melanin (which gives our skin its pigmentation) in accordance with the angle of the sun (and how much ultra-violet radiation we received) in the places where we lived and how long we lived there. The amount of melanin is further controlled by at least six identified genes and by Darwinian natural sexual selection and reproduction. So each of us has a skin color that is influenced by all these things. That's what we call our genetic makeup! (See http://sciabc.us/C.WFr and many other websites.) And the genetic makeup of Ethiopians was dark.
What was Miriam's genetic makeup, we wonder, if her skin could be instantly rendered as leprous as snow? Surely she had to be a woman of some color in order for the Torah to portray such a dramatic contrast? As a woman of what we now call the Middle East (actually located in Western Asia) who had lived her early life in Egypt (located in North Africa), where did Miriam rank on the ascending/descending color chart? Coffee complexion? Olive?
However, when Miriam's leprous skin appears white as snow, she is actually devoid of pigmentation, Friedman suggests. "If we understand correctly that the Cushite wife is Ethiopian," he claims, "this is a provocative case of punishment to suit the crime and a powerful biblical statement regarding racism. It is as if God says to Miriam: 'You don't like a woman with dark pigmentation? Then you don't have to have any pigmentation!' Or: 'You don't like a woman who is black? Try being completely white!' " (Friedman, Ibid., p. 468).
A little plain talk to combat the evil tongue, one might say. O God, please heal us, please.
Here's some talk that is a little more complex: In celebrated Japanese physicist Michio Kaku's jaw-dropping book, The Future of Humanity: Terraforming Mars, Interstellar Travel, Immortality, and Our Destiny Beyond Earth (Kindle edition, 2018), he predicts that by the end of this century or the next one, we may be able to project a human being's consciousness, already mapped on a super-computer, and project it on laser beams the speed of light in a few seconds to another planet or the Moon. Furthermore, we will be able to connect that consciousness to a robotic body already on that planet — part of the effort to terraform it so that people in human (not robotic) bodies can eventually live there to develop resources for Planet Earth. Will the color of our bodies change when we live in such a radically different environment? Our current preoccupation with skin color may become laughable, a relic from a simplistic past.
Jon Meacham is more sympathetic to our human condition in his wonderful, recent book, The Soul of America:The Battle for our Better Angels (Kindle edition, 2018). "One point of this book," he begins, "is to remind us that imperfection is the rule, not the exception" (p.5). And then he concludes his argument with this reminder: "For all the dreams denied and deferred, the experiment begun so long ago, carried out so imperfectly, is worth the fight. There is, in fact, no struggle more important, and none nobler, than the one we wage in the service of those better angels, who, however besieged, are always ready for battle" (p. 272)
©Corinne Copnick. Los Angeles, 2018. All rights reserved.


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Will, there be a 3rd season of the Krypton series, and if so, when will it be released and what will its story be about? The finale of the second season of Krypton is dedicated to the end of the civil war between General Zod (Colin Salmon) and the rebels. If the prequel of Superman gets the third season, he will most likely focus on finding Jor-El, who was kidnapped in the 7th episode.
The series "Krypton" began with a story about Superman's grandfather – Seg-Ele (Cameron Kuff) and time-traveler Adam Strange (Sean Sipos), who confronts Brainiac (Blake Ritson) in his quest to destroy Man from Steel, remove him from their timeline.
During the 1st season of Krypton, the second time traveler, General Zod, turned out to be an ally in the fight against Brainiac, whose goal was to kidnap Kandor and make him part of his collection of worlds. As it turned out, the real threat to Superman's legacy was from the very beginning Zod, not Brainiac.
After the defeat of Brainiac, Zod changed the fate of Krypton, turning it into a militaristic state. Zod set a goal for Krypton – to explore the universe and conquer other civilizations.
During the second season of the Krypton series, Seg, Adam, and others tried to put an end to Zod's tyrannical rule. Helping the rebels, Seg had to face other classic Superman opponents, such as Lobo, Doomsday, and Brainiac, who continue to pose a threat to Seg and his family.
Zod's biggest weapon against the rebels, Doomsday, was eliminated in the penultimate episode, which set the stage for the dramatic final duel between Zod and Seg. And now its outcome will be the theme of the 3rd season of Krypton.
Syfy has not yet officially ordered the 3rd season of Krypton. Last year, the announcement that Krypton was extended for season 2 came the day before the finale of season one, so confirmation of the cancellation or extension of the show should appear shortly.
Nevertheless, the ratings of the series decreased significantly: each episode of the first season attracted about 400 thousand viewers. " The 9th episode was watched only by 290 thousand. The first season attracted about 600 thousand spectators. Although these statistics are not a good indicator for the appearance of the 3rd season of "Krypton", this does not mean that the show will be canceled. Syfy is already developing a series about Lobo, it will be a Krypton spin-off. Perhaps Syfy's interest in creating the DC Universe show series suggests that they are not yet ready to cancel the Krypton series.
Both seasons of Krypton were broadcast in the summer, so it is fair to assume that the 3rd season of the series will follow the same pattern. The first and second seasons contained 10 episodes each, so this number of episodes may persist in the 3rd season. If the series is extended, fans should expect the premiere of the 3rd season of "Krypton" somewhere in May-June 2020.
Possible Spoilers for 3rd season of the "Krypton"
According to the events of the 7th episode of the 2nd season of Krypton, Brainiac is the main candidate for the role of the main villain of the 3rd season of Krypton, although he played the same role in the 1st season. After using the Fortress of Solitude to gain a new body, Brainiac left Krypton with his son Sega and Nyssa, and they could not do anything about it.
Since they could not find Brainiac, and Zod was a more significant threat at that time, the search for Jor-El was put on the back burner. At the end of the war, Seg and Nissa will be able to focus on finding Brainiac and saving their son.


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AFC Wimbledon winger George Francomb is known for his free-kicks but can still only dream of one day bending it like Beckham.
The Manchester United and England legend was known across the globe for his ability to find the top corner from dead-ball situation.
Francomb grew up watching the icon as a youngster and his love for the beautiful game is deeply-rooted in those days watching Becks hit the back of the net.
The Dons midfielder has two goals to his name so far this term, half of the number he managed in the whole of last season, and would like to step nearer to matching that total at Notts County on Saturday.
And should Wimbledon be presented with a dangerous set-piece at County, Francomb will be sticking to the Beckham approach rather than Cristiano Ronaldo's dipping drive.
Man United legend David Beckham through the years in pictures:
Francomb said: "The best in the business was David Beckham but I'd never compare myself to him! You've got to aspire to that but I'd never mention my name in the same sentence as his.
"I've been watching him since I was a kid and I definitely prefer the Beckham whip to the Ronaldo technique.
"I've got to try and emulate the number of assists I got last season and try and improve on my goals tally of four from the last two seasons.
"I need to try and improve that more than the assists really because those numbers were quite high anyway. It'd be nice to get a few more goals."
Wimbledon lie one point and one place outside the League Two play-off positions heading into this weekend's trip to Notts County, with their opponents down in 16th in the standings.
Take our David Beckham tattoo quiz and see how well you know old Golden Balls...


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Keele Research Repository
Explore the Repository
Hamilton, LA and McCabe, D (2015) The Kill Programme: an ethnographic study of the Dirty Work of meat inspectors in a slaughterhouse. New Technology, Work and Employment, 30 (2). pp. 95-108. ISSN 1468-005X
mccabe_hamilton_wes_2015.pdf - Accepted Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.
Download (200kB) | Preview
It has been argued that 'dirty work' is characterised by strong occupational and workgroup cultures. This literature has mainly focused on direct workers, but this article largely attends to indirect 'dirty' workers, specifically meat inspectors, through ethnographic research conducted in a UK slaughterhouse. Four arguments are developed; the first is that 'dirty workers' may not all display group cohesiveness; indeed, individualisation may be more evident depending upon the technology used, internationalisation and employment conditions. Second, there is complexity and diversity within 'dirty work' and even single occupations can contain considerable variety, rendering generalisations problematic. Third, we argue that much greater attention needs to be given to the wider contextual issues affecting 'dirty work', specifically changing labour markets, itinerant labour, economic conditions and technologies. Finally, we argue that stigmatised work may become more so if it is equated with the low wage economy and/or undercutting conditions of employment through exploiting migrant labour.
|Item Type:
|Uncontrolled Keywords:
|culture, dirty work, economics, ethnography, group cohesion, identity, migrant Labour, technology
|H Social Sciences > HC Economic History and Conditions
H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor
|Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences > Keele Management School
|Depositing User:
|Date Deposited:
|04 Nov 2015 12:20
|Last Modified:
|24 Apr 2019 14:46


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Finding "Unicorns:" Questions to Ask Before You Invest in a Startup
Many people ask me about startup investing and how to get started.
This post — while for informational purposes only and not investment advice — is intended to show you how one successful investor approached the early-stage game.
Jason Calacanis (@jason) has made 125 early-stage startup investments and picked 6 "unicorns" (startups to exceed $1B in valuation) — one out of every 21. Based on his AngelList profile, Calacanis' investments includes: Tumblr, Cozy, Thumbtack, Rapportive, Uber, Chartbeat, Groundcrew, Evernote, Pen.io, Nimble, Crossfader, Signpost, Calm, many many more. He's accelerating his deployment of capital and plans to invest in an additional 150 startups over the next 30 months.
The following guest post is an exclusive excerpt from his new book, Angel: How to Invest in Technology Startups—Timeless Advice from an Angel Investor Who Turned $100,000 into $100,000,000. Using stories from his own angel investing career, Jason wrote this book as a playbook for aspiring angel investors.
In particular, this post focuses on questions to ask founders before you invest, but it also serves as a tutorial on how to ask better questions in life and in business.
Enter Jason
The life of an angel is all about managing a deal funnel, which includes three distinct steps: sourcing deals, evaluating deals, and, finally, picking which founders you're going to fund.
Meeting with founders for an hour is the most frequent technique for angels to decide who to invest in, but certainly not the only one. There are some angels whose primary technique for selecting investments is to follow other smart investors, drafting off of their meetings and deal flow.
Another technique is simply to review the core metrics and decide based on those. This can be done by reviewing a deck or by checking public information sources, like the App Store rankings, and traffic monitoring services, like Alexa and Quantcast.
Some investors have a huge Rolodex and simply invest in the founders they already know, a technique that worked extremely well for investors who knew Elon Musk (Zip2 and PayPal before Tesla and SpaceX), Evan Williams (Blogger before Twitter), and Mark Pincus (Freeloader and Tribe before Zynga).
Of course, the "invest in who you know" approach would mean you missed the biggest startups in history: Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Evan Spiegel, and Larry Page, who all hit the ball out of the park on their first try—at the ages of nineteen, twenty, twenty-one, and twenty-five, respectively.
Meetings are important and free. You should take a lot of them. Ten one-hour meetings a week is a good target for a professional angel. Half that if you're doing this part-time.
My best advice to you as you start dating is to be promiscuous with meetings—but a prude when it comes to writing checks. Don't be a tramp like I was.
I'm going to take you through the four most important questions I ask all founders. The goal of asking these questions is not just for you to understand the business but also so you yourself can answer four critical investor questions:
- Why has this founder chosen this business?
- How committed is this founder?
- What are this founder's chances of succeeding in this business—and in life?
- What does winning look like in terms of revenue and my return?
Your job in these meetings is to play Columbo, the unassuming and always underestimated detective from the classic TV show that started in the '70s and ran for more than three decades. Your job is not to show off or demonstrate how smart you are by explaining to the founder what they're doing wrong or by bragging about your heroics as an investor or, even worse, as a founder yourself.
You want to have big ears and a small mouth in these meetings. You want to ask concise questions that take no more than a couple of seconds and then listen deeply to the answers, considering them with every fiber of your consciousness as you write your notes on paper—just like Columbo.
Listening like this will serve two virtuous goals, the first being that the founder will feel heard and understood by you.
If people believe they are being deeply listened to, they will talk more.
This is why, when you talk to your therapist about your mom, they say "hmm…" while tilting their head and looking at you with sympathy. Then they add, "Tell me more about your mother," or "Unpack that some more," or simply "Your mother…"
There are six words, four words, and two words in those responses. The last one is the most powerful because it just hangs there, inviting you to build on the topic.
You want to be Dr. Melfi, Tony Soprano's therapist, sitting patiently while the passion and pain pour out from the boss you're meeting with. If you're a great listener, you will be a great investor, as well as a great friend, a great parent, and a great human being.
Second, if you are hyper-present in the meeting, thinking deeply about the founder and why they are taking on the irrational pursuit of starting a company, which comes with a greater than 80 percent chance of failure and a 100 percent chance of suffering, then you will be able to make a better decision on whom to invest in.
Basically, if you shut your trap and listen like a detective or a therapist, you'll be able to uncover the answers to those four questions better than other angel investors.
You'll have more hits and fewer misses.
When you are starting a founder meeting, ask one icebreaker question to get your subject warmed up.
How do you know Jane?
If you were introduced to this founder by a mutual connection, you can quickly establish common ground by asking these five simple words. Listen to the answer you are given and construct a follow-up question based on their answer. So, if the founder said that they worked with Jane, your next move is to say, "You worked with Jane? What was that like?"
I have a game where I try to say things with as few words as possible because it reminds me that this meeting is not about me, it's about them. It also makes me sound wise, like Obi-Wan or a Toshiro Mifune character.
These are the exact four questions I ask every founder. The answers to these questions will give you most of what you need to make your investment decision. We spend the first half of our hour-long meeting exclusively on them. Then we go deeper.
1. What are you working on?
The reason I phrase this question as "What are you working on?," versus something more company-specific, like "What does Google do?" or "Why should I invest in Google?" or the supremely horrible "Why do you think Google is going to succeed after eleven search engines have already failed?," is that it celebrates the founder (the "you") and what founders do (the "work"). It shows that you have deep empathy and you recognize that this isn't about what the thing does (Google helps you find stuff), but rather it's about people (Larry and Sergey write software that helps people find information faster).
2. Why are you doing this?
Again, five simple words that are focused on the founder. When I ask these first two questions, I almost universally see founders melt into their chairs. They relax, let their guard down, and feel like I care about them, which I do. Just like Columbo cares deeply about the suspects he's interviewing when he asks, "So, what do you do here?" when he walks into their office, as opposed to leading with "Where were you on the night of the murder?"
Just like Columbo, I'm looking for killers and I'm trying to eliminate suspects.
There are some really, really bad answers to the question "Why are you doing this?" The worst two answers, which you'll hear often, are "To make money" and "Because INSERT-SUCCESSFUL-COMPANY-NAME-HERE doesn't do it." If folks are building a startup for money, they will eventually quit when they realize there are many better ways to make money faster and with more certainty. If you want to make a lot of money, you're better off being a world-class programmer on a very esoteric and in-demand vertical and getting Google or Facebook to give you $1 million-plus a year in stock and cash for ten years in a row. You have no downside, you can work a couple of hours a day, and you get unlimited free food.
If you're building something because another hugely successful company doesn't already have that feature, well, you're wildly naive or, more often than not, plain old stupid. For years people pitched me on startups that were supposedly going to be Google search for news, Google search for video, and Google search for books and magazines. We all know how that turned out.
More recently I've been pitched hard on "Uber for food," "Uber for helicopters," and "Uber for shopping."
While there have been some successful startups built by running ahead of market leaders, in general, those kinds of startups get crushed or bought for small dollar amounts. Summize was a search engine for Twitter, back when Twitter was so technologically incompetent that they could barely keep the service online. They bought Summize to catch up, as well as TweetDeck, a more advanced client for reading multiple feeds at once, but the return to the investors in Summize and TweetDeck for these acquisitions were minor when compared to the returns of the company that bought them.
The big problem with "founders" who build a feature that a market leader will inevitably get to—and I use quotes here for a reason—is that they lack vision. The act of selecting a feature as their life's work, as opposed to a full-blown product or a mission, disqualifies them from being a true founder.
Elon Musk didn't build a battery pack: he built a car and eventually an energy solution that included solar, home batteries, and, perhaps when you read this, a ride-sharing service like Uber.
It's okay to start small, but it's not okay to be a small thinker.
The right answers to "Why are you building this?" tend to be personal. Travis Kalanick and Garrett Camp built Uber because they couldn't get a cab in Paris at a technology conference. Elon Musk built SpaceX because he wanted a backup plan for humanity. Elon's earlier idea, that no one knows about, was to put a series of greenhouses in space to back up the biosphere— just like the Bruce Dern movie Silent Running—which, as an interesting aside, came out five years before Star Wars and featured drones that were an inspiration for R2-D2.
Zuckerberg was awkward with the ladies, so he built a social network that would show him their relationship statuses.
Think about that for a second: Is there anything more important than procreation? Not according to Darwin or Freud, so Zuck's lack of game led to the fastest-growing consumer product in the history of humanity, largely based on people needing to find a mate or to connect with previous lovers (as demonstrated by the number of divorces that mention Facebook in their filings).
3. Why now?
This question has been floating around the Valley for a while, and the first time I heard it was from my friend, Sequoia Capital's Roelof Botha—the venture capitalist who convinced me to become a "Scout" for their firm, which led to my two greatest investments to date: Uber and Thumbtack.
If you unpack this question, you're really asking, "Why will this idea succeed now?"
For Uber it was simple: mobile phones were becoming ubiquitous and they had GPS. In fact, another company had already tried to help you order a cab via SMS messages a year before Uber came on the scene. Their "why now" was simply "text messaging," but that, frankly, wasn't enough. Without advanced mobile CPUs (central processing units) to power big beautiful touch screens with military precision GPS (global positioning system), there would be no Uber.
For YouTube, which had Roelof Botha as its first investor, the "Why now?" was a confluence of factors and breakout successes that tend to be born during these perfect storms. First, bandwidth costs plummeted after the dot-com crash. Second, storage costs were dropping due to this new thing called cloud computing. Third, blogging was taking off. Millions of folks were writing tens of millions of posts every week and YouTube offered a clever way to embed their videos on other people's sites—reaching a massive audience for free.
There were dozens of video companies before YouTube, but they all charged people for bandwidth and storage, which meant that if you wanted to post a video on the internet, your reward for going viral was a ten-thousand-dollar server bill. Instead, YouTube sends you a thousand-dollar check from the ads they run on your hit video.
Dropbox, which launched onstage at the first year of my LAUNCH Festival and was also funded by Sequoia Capital, had the same "Why now?" as YouTube: plummeting bandwidth and storage costs.
Founders tend to have these "Why now?" insights without recognizing how profound they are. When I started my blogging company, Weblogs, Inc., in 2004, I had a very simple thesis: I believed that great new writers publishing five short, unfiltered posts a day would get more readers than established journalists writing one story, edited by a half dozen people, once a week.
When I had this realization, it was perfectly clear to me, but even the New York Times journalists didn't see it. I remember running into legendary tech journalist John Markoff at the Consumer Electronics Show in Vegas when our blog Engadget was covering it for the first time. He asked me how many people we had at the show and I said fifteen. His jaw dropped and he asked me how often they were filing, and I said four times.
He replied, "You're going to do sixty stories at CES?"
I said, "Actually they're posting four times a day. So sixty stories . . . per day. How often is your team filing?"
He said they had three journalists at the show and they would do two or three pieces each over the next month. So, they were doing six stories and we were doing sixty a day for five days— three hundred total.
In some ways, "Why now?" is the most important question about the business you can ask because there are so many folks constantly trying the same ideas over and over again in our business.
Google was the twelfth search engine. Facebook was the tenth social network. iPad was the twentieth tablet. It's not who gets there first. It's who gets there first when the market's ready.
4. What's your unfair advantage?
Founders with breakout startups often have an unfair advantage. Google had their Stanford connections, filled with talented algorithm-writing engineering geniuses. Facebook launched while Zuckerberg was still a student at Harvard, and they used their understanding of campus culture and directories to figure out the dynamics of building online social networks that scale. Mark Pincus launched Zynga with a multi-year cross-promotion deal with Facebook, which allowed Zynga to tag along with Facebook as it grew at an astounding rate. Mary Gates was on the board of United Way with the CEO of IBM, which led directly to IBM hiring her son Bill's new company, Microsoft, to build the operating system for their first personal computer.
Said another way, this question is asking, in just four words, "What makes you uniquely qualified to pursue this business? What secrets do you know that will help you beat both the incumbents and your fast followers?"
Sometimes, founders will not have an answer for this question. And that's okay. This is one you often end up answering while looking in the rearview mirror.
After asking these four founder questions, which in total are sixteen words, you should have an excellent idea of what this person is building and why.
These four founder questions give you a great starting point for answering the four investor questions every angel needs to ask themselves before investing. Remember, we want to figure out:
- Why has this founder chosen this business?
- How committed is this founder?
- What are this founder's chances of succeeding in this business—and in life?
- What does winning look like in terms of revenue and my return?
After thirty minutes and four questions, you're going to have a strong sense of why the founder picked this business, why it might work right now, and, of course, what they are building.
What you probably won't know are the tactical details of how they plan on executing on their vision, including their go-to-market strategy, what kind of team they have, the competitive landscape, and the nuances of their business model.
You are going to find out the answers to those questions in the second half of your meeting. But this is the foundation.
To learn more about Jason's approach to investing, and the stories behind his greatest wins, check out Angel: How to Invest in Technology Startups—Timeless Advice from an Angel Investor Who Turned $100,000 into $100,000,000.
Related and Recommended
The Tim Ferriss Show is one of the most popular podcasts in the world with more than 700 million downloads. It has been selected for "Best of Apple Podcasts" three times, it is often the #1 interview podcast across all of Apple Podcasts, and it's been ranked #1 out of 400,000+ podcasts on many occasions. To listen to any of the past episodes for free, check out this page.


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Reconciling contemporary furnishing and quality design with the highly specific technical requirements of hotels and other public spaces is the shared objective of the Ligne Roset Contract teams – whether in the R&D department or on the factory floor, in the quality control or planning departments, in Paris or London, New York or Briord.
A few key words, then, which also form the basic of our work ethos: listen, adaptation, personalisation, implementation. And one translation, 'sur-mesure' or 'custom-made', which can apply just as much to small production runs as to large. None of the designers who have chosen to put their trust in us will tell you otherwise: in Chicago as in Hamburg, in Barcelona as in Monte Carlo, the furniture they designed and which Roset has produced very precisely respects their qualitative, aesthetic, budgetary and functional criteria.
And because each project is first and foremost a story of encounters, feel free to visit us in our factories and discover all the solutions offered by our industrial base. Visit the hotels on which we have already worked and evaluate our savoir-faire for yourself. Come to our offices, tell us about your projects and make your ideas reality!Go to contract
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Technology integrates so well into our daily lives that it's easy to place perhaps too much trust in it.
That's what happened to approximately 100 drivers in California. They trusted Google Maps to find their way out of a traffic jam but ended up stuck in a muddy field.
That level of trust can create issues for businesses, too. Here are three recent instances of violated trust.
Tech Trust Issue #1: Android Phones
One new threat allows Android apps to capture loudspeaker data using a smartphone's accelerometer. From Hacker News:
Since the built-in loudspeaker of a smartphone is placed on the same surface as the embedded motion sensors, it produces surface-borne and aerial speech reverberations in the body of the smartphone when loudspeaker mode is enabled. …
Researchers say the remote attacker could then examine the captured readings, in an offline manner, using signal processing along with "off-the-shelf" machine learning techniques to reconstruct spoken words and extract relevant information about the intended victim.
While this hack isn't as potentially damaging as our next two, it helps underscore the novel ways bad actors can acquire your company's vital information.
Tech Trust Issue #2: Macs with Zoom
Another vulnerability afflicted Macs with Zoom's video conference application installed. Hackers could leverage common website technology to open a video call on those Macs without users' permission or knowledge.
This was possible because the hackers exploited a web server that Zoom installed on users' computers — often without their explicit permission or knowledge.
Through the Zoom-installed web server, hackers could force the targeted computer to accept requests that regular web browsers would not accept. Then, a website could activate the user's webcam for a video call that the user neither initiated or is even aware of.
In response, Apple issued a software update that removed the clandestinely-installed web server. Zoom issued an explanation and promised to take security more seriously in the future.
For a company that proudly touts users' trust on its home page, however, it's clear this issue left a bad impression on Mac users everywhere.
Speaking of misplaced trust …
Tech Trust Issue #3: Browser Extensions
Security researchers discovered that a collection of eight browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox browsers collected private information on 45 companies and millions of individuals.
From Lifehacker: "Each of these extensions tracked data differently and used sneaky tactics — such as waiting until 24 days after installation to begin tracking — to obfuscate the data collection process. The collected data was then sold to any interested buyers …."
The extensions captured personal and corporate data. Accessible corporate data included:
- Company memos and proprietary secrets (such as source code)
- Firewall access codes
- LAN environment data
… and more.
Ensure that users on your network immediately uninstall:
- Chome: Branded Surveys, HoverZoom, Panel Community Surveys, PanelMeasurement, SpeakIt!
- Chrome and Firefox: FairShare Unlock, SuperZoom
- Firefox: SaveFrom.net Helper
Chrome and Mozilla disabled the extensions and removed them from their respective marketplaces. However, but security research shows the extensions remain active on computers in which they were installed. The only safe way to address the issue is to uninstall them completely.
There's No Substitute for Awareness and the Right Support
It's easy to trust the technology we use every day — even if it occasionally directs us to a muddy field. But the duties and responsibilities of enterprises to associates, clients, and investors require unceasing vigilance.
Solutions such as those provided by Cisco AMP, Palo Alto Traps, Symantec, and others can help your team maintain that vigilance through features such as artificial intelligence.
CTC Technologies provides support for these and other safeguards for everything from startups to large, multi-national corporations. We're ready today to help your company stay ahead of threats, whether they spring forth from mobile devices, laptops, or any other network-connected devices. Contact us today to learn more.


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Saturday morning looked like it was going to be beautiful so once again we high-tailed it out to go, see, do: Flossenbürg or bust!
Much of the damage to the castle came as a result of the Thirty Years War.
The site has a small, well-done museum. This picture in the museum shows all the concentration camps and sub-camps that were set up by the Nazis.
This was known as the "Valley of the Dead" because it was the killing grounds and the location of the crematorium. Today, a monument set up like a Christian "Stations of the Cross" path winds down into the valley.
A humbling morning for sure also filled with beauty and love.


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Why would I sit and read individually with kids who already read?
There are numerous reasons, from helping with interpretation and larger vocabulary, to increasing comprehension through the right emphasis and inflection of voice, to monitoring pace and making sure the books are read, not skimmed through. However, the real reason that, after 7 years of homeschooling, I still spend time reading with each child in addition to reading to them as a group is simple: it is the one academic time period spent one-on-one with each child doing something very non-academic—curling up with a good book and giving each one undivided attention.
After lunch, everyone gathers together for Bible study and a group read-aloud. My preference would be that this happened first thing in the morning, but the afternoon accommodates for everyone's internal clock and associated time it takes to get to the table awake and alert. We've wrapped up the book of Proverbs, and the kids are developing their own books of wisdom, based upon an idea in our youngest daughter's Bible. I can't wait to see what they'll come up with by next week.
Our group read-aloud is The Fellowship of the Rings, the last of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. We are almost finished with this series, and I am very glad we read the books rather than relying solely on the movies to educate us. In fact, our kids stated very plainly that they much preferred the books over the movie. Our son has taken a real interest in author Rick Riordan (of Percy Jackson and the Olympians fame), even reading the books that Riordan listed as his boyhood favorites. So it's been a real treat to introduce him to the origins of many of the modern fantastical writers that he enjoys. I have to say, though, that unless there's going to be an unexpected surprise at the end of this tale, Tolkien could have stopped at the destruction of the ring for me (although the marriages were romantic). I can't figure out what purpose will be served by all of the restoration to be done to the Shire, but with 20 pages left, I guess we'll know by next week's end. "Learning through History" magazine has a nice tie-in to Tolkien's work and medieval history that I look forward to sharing with the oldest once we've finished. From here, we'll make a somewhat stark transition to Don Quixote and Sancho Panza.
The oldest finished Emma recently (a bit out of time sync with medieval history, I know), and we had fun watching "Clueless" and drawing the connection from a 15th century classic to the quirky Alicia Silverstone version we enjoyed. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight was a great story, and a quick read for both of us. As it was my first time reading this one, I stayed curious regarding the end all the way through, but I'm thinking I'll go with The Once and Future King (or maybe use both titles) when our son covers this same period of history. My plan was to spend our next time together reading novels about Japan and China, but our daughter lost two books!! Once I could breathe again, we had to make adjustments, and since she and our son had a project associated with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, they'll head there instead.
Again, our son is doing a lot of reading on his own, following the path of one of his favorite authors. The Flames of Rome moved past the heathenish nature of ancient Rome and into the persecution of Christians—still graphic, but a different eye-gate. We're using a "No Fear Shakespeare" version of Twelfth Night, and will wrap up with a project similar to the oldest's classic vs. modern themes. Amanda Bynes' "She's the Man" is based upon Twelfth Night, including the names of the main stars and the setting. The advantage of this is that it is easy for him to do most of the comparison and contrast; the disadvantage of this is that it is easy for him to do most of the comparison and contrast. He tried to argue his way out of writing his own one-act play—the harder, more creative side of the assignment. What is this noise about shying away from hard work? Does he not know that dog won't hunt in this house?
The youngest and I are falling in love with Old Yeller. Yeah, I know that for a kid who barely survived parts of Bambi, this probably wasn't a good move. Yet, I wanted her– and the others—to hear this moving tale, and as I often say to them, there are so many references to this classic in the stories they watch every day until they needed to be acquainted with the original sources. In fact, when our son began to argue that he couldn't possibly come up with an alternate setting for Illyria, we talked about how many renditions of The Prince and the Pauper, or A Christmas Carol, or Cinderella he's seen on all of those silly sitcoms he likes to watch. It was a nice try, though. Because she didn't get to read through the Chronicles of Narnia with the older two, I had a great idea to begin reading through them with her. I have not done justice to these great books, skipping days between reading. I sometimes wonder if she has been able to follow along with the plot of The Horse and His Boy at all. I'd almost abandon this project until she's older, but I keep recommitting to daily reading, thinking that she'll pick it up if I just stay consistent. Of course, I say that, and I missed reading it today as we quickly approached the time to head to dance practices. Ugh.
Our time with books isn't all fun and games. I'm constantly after the older two to express themselves more fully through the characters. I'll stop them in the middle of their reading with an obnoxiously loud yawn and say, "I'm sooooooo boooooorrrrrrred! Read it again, and this time, entertain me." They're no actors—this I know for sure. The youngest, a very expressive reader who is a joy to listen to, jumps up from the table quickly. She knows that once she completes math and reads with me, then there's a break. I worry that she's way too young to have such a negative attitude about school. But, as I was reading some old notes from a homeschool conference, I came across some notes I took from a Sally Clarkson conference. She talked about family ways, and how, as mothers, we can show our kids how to respond to life by our own responses. I later reflected on an older post by Linda Fay, when she talked about why her children read Plutarch, and giving their minds something noble and courageous to feast upon. This is what I hope the kids will realize in time, and while I wait, I enjoy a smile, a laugh, and even an occasional cry while we uncover increasingly more stories.


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With the August 6 production debut of the Android 9 Pie mobile OS, Google has released an Android SDK with special capabilities for development with the Kotlin language.
The SDK has nullability annotations for frequently used APIs, preserving null-safety guarantees when Kotlin code is calling into annotated APIs in the SDK. To ensure that newly annotated APIs are compatible with existing code, an internal mechanism provided by the Kotlin compiler team marks APIs as recently annotated. These APIs result in warnings instead of errors from the Kotlin compiler. Developers need to use Kotlin 1.2.60 or later.
The intention is for newly added nullability annotations to only produce warnings, with the severity level increased to errors starting in a subsequent SDK. Google wants to give developers time to update their code by this stepped error messaging.
Google has endorsed Kotlin for use in building Android applications. But nullability annotations also can benefit developers using Java, the traditional language of Android development, if they use the Android Studio IDE to find nullability contract violations. Plans call for adding more nullability annotations to existing Android APIs in future versions of the SDK as well as ensuring new APIs are annotated.
Where to download the Kotlin-friendly Android SDK
You can download the Android SDK by choosing Tools > SDK Manager in Android Studio and selecting Android SDK on the left menu. The SDK Platforms tab must be open. Check Android 8.+ and click OK to install Android SDK Platform 28 revision 6. Then, set a project's compile SDK version to API 28. You can download Android Studio from the project website.


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NEWS: Cheese Unites Lovers—But No Cheesecake Wedding Cake!
You can see more of Sarah Kaufmann's work at SarahCheeseLady.com.
|They say that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. In some cases, specifically, it's cheese. Sarah "The Cheese Lady" Kaufmann, a nationally-recognized cheese sculptor, has carved hundreds of commissions from cheese, including several dozen wedding requests. But she was always the sculptor and never the bride, until she met Bill Parry, a retired U.S. Naval officer, while traveling to San Diego to present a 600 pound, six-foot-long cheese carving of the USS Ronald Reagan at the home-porting ceremony.
On July 4, Sarah and Bill will host a pirate-themed wedding, in Manitowoc, Wisconsin near the banks of Lake Michigan. There will be a 32-foot long ship (wood, not cheese) christened the MV (Matrimonial Vessel). Guests received their invitations, illustrated with a special cheese carving done by the bride-to-be, inside glass bottles and have been instructed to attend in full pirate costume. On the wedding day, yellow flags with blue anchors announcing "Love Anchored in Cheese" will fly from the ship's yardarm and decorate the tents. Even the wedding rings are designed to look like cheese—bands of gold with cheese dimples and holes.
|Will there be cheese at the wedding dinner? You don't have to ask! Sarah will create a Jolly Roger cheese carving for the appetizer table; Bill will cut out cheese hearts of Pepper Jack (his favorite) and gold "dubloon coin" circles of yellow cheddar. There will also be a Wisconsin artisan cheese tray, made by Sara Hill of the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board.
In what might be the first cheese-meets-pirates culinary evening, the "Supper for the Crew" menu will consist of whole turkey legs roasted pirate style, roast pork with sauerkraut, corn on the cob, summertime garden fresh salad, chunky fruit salad, carrot cake with Jolly Roger flag art and Cedar Crest ice cream with Wisconsin summer berries and chocolate fudge sauce. Beverages will include lemonade (with or without grog), Wisconsin microbrews, Wisconsin old-fashioneds, Captain Morgan spiced rum and other assorted spirits. And plenty of limes to ward off scurvy…but no cheesecake! (Could it be that the bride and groom don't flip for cheesecake like the rest of us?)
When the photographer tells everyone to "Say cheese!" he may get peals of laughter instead of mere smiles.


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The month of December has been very good to me this year!
A quick update before I get into upcoming shows and appearances….
On the 7th, I was on The Playboy Morning Show with Andrea and Kevin (which aired on Playboy TV and also Playboy Radio)! Playboy held its first-ever contest for the BEST Marilyn Monroe impersonator, and I won! You can see the pictures from the exciting day in my Marilyn-personator photo album in the Gallery, on My Impersonator Facebook Page, or on the Playboy Morning Show's blog (you can find the link on my Resume page)!
John Clark and I had another AMAZiNG show at Osaka Joe's Sushi in Morro Bay on Dec 14th and 15th, with Kris Rubio and headliner Steve Zorbalas! I am constantly humbled by the amazing friends, fans and family who come out and show their support at these shows. I am so very lucky to know all of you, and to get to see you at such wonderful and uplifting events!
While I was up in the San Luis Obispo area, I was asked to pose as Marilyn for the February – March cover of a local magazine (more details coming soon!) at the Estrella Warbirds Museum in Paso Robles! There are a few film festivals happening in SLO soon, and Marilyn certainly ties right in, doesn't she? You can BET I'll be updating this website as the newsstand release date draws closer – Extra! Extra!
I also had a fun set at a comedy show at the Tap House in Huntington Beach, CA on Tuesday, December 18th (I apologize for all of the retro-active updates this month, but December has been a whirlwind of activity and I am still catching up with myself)!
And now for the UPCOMING EVENTS:
On SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29th at noon (PST), I will be appearing on LA Talk Live for LA LA Land with Brett Chapin! If you'd like to call into the show and talk with us on the air, please do! The number to call is (323) 247-7443. I can't wait for this show, and I hope to get to talk with LOTS of you! This show is going to be so much fun!
Looking forward to 2013…!
I will be on stage for the Crispy Comedy Show at the Universal Bar & Grill (near Universal Studios) on
THURSDAY, JANUARY 3rd at 9:30pm! This show is FREE, and parking is also FREE!
The Chinese New Year (the year of the Water Snake) is approaching in February! The Chinese take this time to forgive grudges, reconcile, and sincerely wish peace and happiness for everyone… Pass it on!!!
Thank you again for your love and support, and thank you for continuing to follow my journey!


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Presented by Allied Solutions
The Stratford Songbook Series
2016 Songbook Academy Finals
July 23 at 7 p.m. | The Palladium
High school vocalists from around the nation auditioned to attend the weeklong Songbook Academy™, where they learn from world-class mentors Grammy winner Janis Siegel, Grammy winner Sylvia McNair, and five-time Grammy nominee and founder of the Great American Songbook Foundation, Michael Feinstein, to discover the enduring beauty of the Great American Songbook. Listen to these aspiring stars compete for the title of Songbook Youth Ambassador.
Drewry Simmons Vornehm Pop/Blues/Folk Performances
The Official Blues Brothers Revue
Aug. 27 at 8 p.m. | The Palladium
This live concert show combines the comedy and hits from the original movie and pays homage to Chicago's rich history of blues, gospel and soul music. Hear all of the Blues Brothers classics such as "Soul Man," "Rubber Biscuit," "Sweet Home Chicago," "Rawhide" and "Gimme Some Lovin'." Jake, Elwood and the band hit the right balance of humor, music and mayhem.
Country Series
Scotty McCreery
Sept. 9 at 8 p.m. | The Palladium
Scotty McCreery burst onto the national music scene in 2011 at age 17, after winning Season 10 of "American Idol" and capturing the hearts of millions of television viewers nationwide. He quickly established himself as one of country music's hottest new stars with his deep voice and irresistible sound that creates the perfect blend of contemporary and traditional country. With more than 300 live shows under his belt across the U.S., Canada, the Philippines and the Caribbean, McCreery has quickly become a crowd favorite appealing to all ages.
Drewry Simmons Vornehm Pop/Blues/Folk Performances
George Thorogood
Sept. 17 at 8 p.m. | The Palladium
In 1973, a barely-out-of-his-teens Wilmington guitarist piled his gear into the drummer's Chevy van to play their very first gig at a University of Delaware dorm. More than four decades, over 8,000 live shows and some 15 million albums sold worldwide later, that same maverick guitar-slinger is still making electrifying music, still thrilling audiences and still the most bad-to-the-bone performer in rock.
Dance Series
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
Sept. 23 & 24 at 8 p.m. | The Tarkington
Celebrating 39 years as one of the most original forces in contemporary dance, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago has long been known for its exceptionally talented, versatile and virtuosic performers, as well as for an adventurous repertoire of works by diverse choreographers. Under the artistic direction of Glenn Edgerton, this all-star ensemble is arguably at the top of its game, and will "take your breath away," said "The Washington Post."
The Stratford Songbook Series
Up, Up, & Away: Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. and The Next Dimension
Fri., Sept. 23 at 8 p.m. | The Palladium
"Up, Up & Away!" is the tale of two aspiring stars who met, fell in love and endured a lifetime of challenges together. Starring Grammy Award-winners Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. and the new musical group, The Next Dimension, the story is told through pop classics including "Up, Up and Away," "Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In," and "Worst That Could Happen." It also pays tribute to fellow music legends, including The 5th Dimension and The Beatles.
CNO Financial Indiana Music Series
Purdue Glee Club & Purduettes
Sat., Sept. 24 at 8 p.m. | The Palladium
With integrity, passion, unparalleled showmanship and attention to detail, the men of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club have proudly served as ambassadors of the university for more than 115 years. This dynamic musical troupe employs a versatile repertoire including gospel, vocal jazz, swing, contemporary hits, romantic ballads, classical choral selections, barbershop, folk melodies and more!
World Stage Series
Ballet Folklorico "Quetzalli" de Veracruz
Sun., Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. | The Palladium
Considered one of Mexico's great cultural treasures, the internationally touring dance company, which is based in Xalapa in the State of Veracruz, was founded in 1985 and is dedicated to illustrating the region's signature dance styles. The company takes its name from Veracruz's vibrantly plumed native quetzal bird, and it's no coincidence that the dancers perform in vibrant, bright costumes as they faithfully recreate the dances one would see at regional festivals. Join the Center in celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month with this colorful and joyous fiesta!
Printing Partners Classical Series
Lang Lang
Tue., Sept. 27 at 7:30 p.m. | The Palladium
If one word applies to Lang Lang, to the musician, to the man, to his worldview, to those who come into contact with him, it is "inspiration." He inspires millions with his open-hearted, emotive playing, whether it be in intimate recitals or on the grandest of stages.
Jazz Series
Arturo Sandoval
Fri. Sept. 30 at 8 p.m. | The Palladium
A protégé of the legendary jazz master Dizzy Gillespie, Sandoval was born in Artemisa, a small town in the outskirts of Havana, Cuba, on Nov. 6, 1949, just two years after Gillespie became the first musician to bring Latin influences into American Jazz. Sandoval began studying classical trumpet at the age of twelve, but it didn't take him long to catch the excitement of the jazz world. As a 10-time Grammy winner, six-time Billboard award winner, Emmy winner and Recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, he has evolved into one of the world's most acknowledged guardians of jazz trumpet and flugelhorn, as well as a renowned classical artist, pianist and composer.
University of Indianapolis Spotlight Performances
Reduced Shakespeare Co.
"The Complete History of America (abridged): Election Edition"
Fri., Sept. 30 at 8 p.m. | The Tarkington
Just in time for the 2016 Presidential Election, the Reduced Shakespeare Company recaps 600 Years of History in 6000 seconds! The "bad boys of abridgment" go from Christopher Columbus to Neil Armstrong, from George Washington to Barack Obama, yea verily from the Bering Strait to Baghdad, from the New World to New World Order. It's a 90-minute roller coaster ride through the glorious quagmire that is American History.
Performance contains some occasional bawdy language and mild innuendo, we've chosen to rate our shows PG-13: Pretty Good If You're Thirteen.
Family Performance
Leela – "The Divine Play"
Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. | The Tarkington
Leela is a ballet supported by a team of professional musicians and performers from the Indian classical lineage. As a collection of short Kathas (stories) this production was made with more than visuals and sound in mind. The evening will honor & celebrate Indian mythology and culture with conviction and pride.
Country Series
LeAnn Rimes
Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. | The Palladium
LeAnn Rimes is one of the most successful entertainers with a career spanning more than two decades. With 44 million albums sold, two Grammy Awards, three Academy of Country Music Awards and 12 Billboard Music Awards, she has made her mark in the world of music. Unstoppable from the age of 11, LeAnn was the youngest person ever to win a Grammy Award and was the first country artist to win a Grammy for Best New Artist.
2016 Songbook Celebration Gala presented by Krieg DeVault
Oct. 15 | The Palladium
Celebrating Hoagy Carmichael featuring
Michael Feinstein & Cheyenne Jackson in concert!
Full Tables and individual tickets on sale now–
sure to sell out!
For more information call 317-819-3520.
All proceeds benefit the community engagement
programs at the Center.
Drewry Simmons Vornehm Pop/Blues/Folk Performances
An Evening with Joan Baez
Oct. 20 at 7:30 p.m. | The Palladium
A central figure in the nation's cultural and political life for over 50 years, folk music luminary Joan Baez stirred the masses during the American roots revival of the early 1960s. She remains a musical force of nature whose influence is incalculable. A Grammy nominee and recipient of the Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award, Baez brings her signature energy and passion to the Palladium stage for one night only.
Printing Partners Classical Series
Russian String Orchestra
Oct. 29 at 8 p.m. | The Palladium
Founded in 1991, the orchestra, comprising of some of Russia's finest young string players, has carved a niche for itself under the creative baton of its founder and music director Misha Rachlevsky. The Russian String Orchestra's warmth and high energy create addictive performances that stay with listeners long after the last note has been played.
Rossini; Sonata for Strings; Sergei Prokofiev; Visions Fugitives, Op. 22; Tchaikovsky; Serenade for Strings, Op. 48
World Stage Series
Havana Cuba All-Stars
Nov. 4 at 8 p.m. | The Palladium
Drawing their inspiration from traditional Cuban Song, Cuba's greatest musicians have created and maintained the songs and music of the rich culture of the Cuban people in the program, "Cuban Nights." Staying true to an acoustic base, they have developed a fresh sound with inventive songwriting, and have preserved the traditions of the Cuban musical art form. The Cuban Nights program is representative of the extraordinary musical legacy of this wonderful country. This is the debut tour in the United States and Canada for the Havana Cuba All-Stars.
Drewry Simmons Vornehm Pop/Blues/Folk Performances
R.E.M.'s Mike Mills' Concerto
for Violin, Rock Band and Orchestra
Nov. 5 at 8 p.m. | The Palladium
Don't miss a high-energy, amplified, rock-n-roll experience with string orchestra! This one-of-a-kind evening features icons from both the rock and classical worlds.
University of Indianapolis Spotlight Performance
Jake Shimabukuro
Nov. 7 at 7:30 p.m. | The Palladium
Jake Shimabukuro has combined the qualities of a long line of virtuoso ukulele players with modern rock musicians to create a sound that's uniquely his own.
Dance Series
Koresh Dance Company
25th Anniversary Celebration
Nov. 11 & 12 at 8 p.m. | The Tarkington
In its 25th year, Koresh Dance Company presents "Classic KORESH," a selection of favorites drawn from the company's quarter century of innovative work. These classics include interpretations of Classical compositions by Bach, Beethoven, and Ravel, from the rolling strains of "Moonlight Sonata" to the trumpeting processions of "Bolero," brought back to the Tarkington by popular demand. The program will feature "23: Deconstructing Mozart," a collaborative initiative driven by Ronen Koresh and multi-media artist Paul Miller, a.k.a. DJ Spooky, to Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 23. As the acclaimed Koresh dancers move through this timeless allegro, the stunning athleticism and compelling choreography you have come to expect over the past 25 years will appear front and center in works both old and new.
Jazz Series
Dr. John "The Spirit of Satch"
with Nicholas Payton
Nov. 19 at 8 p.m. | The Palladium
The legendary Dr. John is a six-time Grammy Award-winning musician and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee. Known throughout the world as the embodiment of New Orleans' musical legacy, Dr. John is a true icon in American culture. After a half century of creating music with his blend of voodoo mysticism, funk, rhythm & blues and psychedelic rock mingled with his New Orleans roots, Dr. John continues to write, arrange, produce and interpret with a passion that has yet to wane.
Holiday Performance
Sandi Patty Christmas
Dec. 2 at 8 p.m. | The Palladium
As one of the most highly acclaimed performers of our time with five Grammy awards, four Billboard Music Awards, three platinum records, five gold records, and 11 million units sold, Sandi Patty is simply known as The Voice.
The Stratford Songbook Series
Alan Cumming
Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. | The Palladium
Alan Cumming is an actor and activist beyond eclectic and according to the "New York Times" "a bawdy countercultural sprite." "Time Magazine" named him "one of the most fun people in show business." He plays political maverick Eli Gold on CBS's "The Good Wife," for which he received Golden Globe, Emmy, SAG and Satellite award nominations and, earlier this year, finished his Tony Award-winning role as the Emcee in the Broadway musical "Cabaret."
Jazz Series
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis
Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. | The Palladium
Hailed as "an extraordinarily versatile orchestra" by "The Los Angeles Times," the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra is composed of 15 of jazz music's leading soloists under the leadership of musical director Wynton Marsalis. Drawing from an extensive repertoire that includes original compositions by Mr. Marsalis, Ted Nash, and other members of the orchestra, as well as the masterworks of Ellington, Mingus, Coltrane, and other great jazz composers, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis concerts are internationally critically-acclaimed.
Holiday Performance
Dave Koz & Friends Holiday
Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. | The Palladium
Multi-Grammy nominee and saxophonist extraordinaire Dave Koz returns to the Palladium for a holiday tradition! Each year, Koz re-imagines the holiday tour, earning rave reviews. The uplifting, high energy show will feature fresh takes on holiday classics as well as other selections that beautifully capture the spirit of the season.
Printing Partners Classical Series
Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center
Dec. 9 at 8 p.m. | The Palladium
As the nation's premier repertory company for chamber music, CMS is committed to bringing audiences the finest performances of an extraordinary body of repertoire. Under the artistic direction of David Finckel and Wu Han, the CMS brings its trademarks to every touring performance: consistent extraordinary quality and beautifully crafted programs. This concert will feature a performance of Bach's complete Brandenburg Concertos, which stand at the pinnacle of Baroque musical art. j.s. bach
complete brandenburg concertos, bwv 1046 – 1051 (1720)
Holiday Performance
Home Free Holiday
Dec. 15 at 7:30 p.m. | The Palladium
The a cappella band was crowned Season Four Champions of NBC's "The Sing-Off," and they continue to entertain audiences with their high-energy show peppered with quick-witted humor that meshes Nashville standards with pop hits dipped in country flavor. Home Free returns to the Palladium for an unforgettable holiday performance.
New Years' Eve Extravaganza
Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. | The Palladium
Join the Center for the second New Year's Eve celebration! The evening will be filled with entertainment, dancing, cocktails, and friends–
you won't want to miss it.
Ring in the New Year in the Palladium! Stay tuned for musical guest and ticket announcements.
Dance Series
Russian National Ballet Theatre
Jan. 13 & 14 at 8 p.m. | The Tarkington
This ballet double bill represents some of the very best of classical ballet with all of the beauty, grace and passion that defines the grand Russian ballet tradition. Growing out of Chopin's Seventh Waltz, "Chopiniana," also known as "Les Sylphodes," does not follow a traditional plot but rather it is a poetic portrayal of romance and grace as represented by ballerinas and a young man or poet. "Carmen" is based on the iconic opera and includes Georges Bizet's acclaimed score, which was adapted by Rodion Shchedrin in what he called "a creative meeting of the minds." The ballet tells of Carmen, the fiery, free-spirited gypsy, and the love triangle between her, the soldier and the toreador. Upholding the national tradition of classical ballet, Russian National Ballet Theatre brings these ballets to life with impressive technique and artful poise, extravagant sets and gorgeous, colorful costumes. The whole family will enjoy the pageantry and elegance of this magnificent performance.
Printing Partners Classical Series
Prague Philharmonia Orchestra
Jan. 20 at 8 p.m. | The Palladium
The Prague Philharmonia was founded in 1994 by the world-famous conductor Jirí Belohlávek to bring a breath of fresh air to the Czech and the global music scene in the form of a contagious élan and a drive to achieve superior performance of every detail of the score.
The Moldau (Vltava)
Violin Concerto, op.53, B96, A minor
Symphony No. 8, op. 88, B163, G major
The Stratford Songbook Series
Neil Berg's "101 Years of Broadway"
Jan. 21 at 8 p.m. | The Palladium
Following fantastic audience response to 100 Years of Broadway, creator Neil Berg returns to the Palladium with an all new show celebrating 101 Years of Broadway. It's a sprawling revue of American musical treasures from Irving Berlin to Andrew Lloyd Webber – including dazzling tributes to Rodgers and Hart, Kander and Ebb, Lerner and Lowe, George Gershwin, Stephen Sondheim, Stephen Schwartz, and Oscar Hammerstein. "101 Years of Broadway" is an unforgettable evening of music that "will keep Broadway buffs in a state of bliss for weeks to come."
Country Series
Sara Evans
Feb. 3 at 8 p.m. | The Palladium
Multi-platinum selling country singer and songwriter, Sara Evans has been called "one of the most compelling vocalists of her generation." Since emerging in the late 1990s, Evans has had a prolific recording career that has seen the sale of more than six million albums. She's had five No. 1 songs, four others appearing in the Top 10, two No. 1 Billboard Country Albums, five appearing on Billboard's Top 200 all-genre chart and four consecutive RIAA certified Gold, Platinum or Multi-Platinum albums. She's received awards from the Country Music Association, Academy of Country Music, Billboard Music Award and has garnered nominations for Grammy Awards (2), American Country Awards (10) and CMT Music Awards (5).
University of Indianapolis Spotlight performance
Five Irish Tenors
Feb. 4 at 8 p.m. | The Palladium
Following in the footsteps of Irish Tenor John McCormack, "The Five Irish Tenors" fuses Irish with and boisterous charm, with lyricism, dramatic flair and operatic style to bring you a unique Irish tenor concert experience.
Drewry Simmons Vornehm Pop/Blues/Folk Performances
"1964 the Tribute" – Celebrating the Beatles
Feb. 17 at 8 p.m. | The Palladium
Over twenty years of researching and performing have made "1964" masters of their craft. They are hailed by critics and fans alike as the most authentic and endearing Beatles tribute … which has earned them the distinction from "Rolling Stone" magazine as the "Best Beatles Tribute on Earth."
Printing Partners Classical Series
Venice Baroque Orchestra with Nicola Benedetti, Violin
Feb. 18 at 8 p.m. | The Palladium
Founded in 1997 by Baroque scholar and harpsichordist Andrea Marcon, the Venice Baroque Orchestra is recognized as one of the very finest period instrument ensembles. The Orchestra receives wide critical acclaim for its concert and opera performances throughout the world as they showcase their commitment to the rediscovery of 17th and 18th-century masterpieces.
This concert will feature Nicola Benedetti, one of the most sought after violinists of her generation, performing Antonio Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons."
Concerto a quattro n.2 in G major
Concerto grosso n.8 in E minor, after D. Scarlatti
Concerto grosso for strings in
D minor, "La Follia"
Concerto in D major for violin, strings and basso continuo
Jazz Series
The Yellowjackets
Feb. 24 at 8 p.m. | The Palladium
Throughout their storied 35-year history, the Yellowjackets have recorded 22 albums, received 17 Grammy nominations – won two – performed countless sold-out tours, and enjoyed worldwide critical acclaim and commercial success. Recently recording their 23rd album last summer, they have gained and maintained prominence as one of jazz's most influential and most loved jazz groups.
Printing Partners Classical Series
Direct from Kiev, National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine
March 3 at 8 p.m. | The Palladium
Formed by the Council of Ministers of Ukraine in November of 1918, the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine is considered to be one of the finest symphony orchestras in Eastern Europe. The Orchestra has gained international recognition over a remarkably short period of time.
Suite from the Ballet The Night Before Christmas
Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54
From the New World Symphony No.9 in E Minor, Op.95
University of Indianapolis Spotlight performance
Vienna Boys Choir
March 4 at 8 p.m. | The Palladium
The famed Vienna Boys Choir have delighted music-lovers across the globe with their purity of tone, distinctive charm, and a diverse repertoire encompassing Austrian folk songs and waltzes, classical masterpieces, medieval chant, and popular music.
World Stage Series
Danú: An Evening of Celtic Music
March 10 at 8 p.m. | The Tarkington
For over two decades Danú's virtuosi players on flute, tin whistle, fiddle, button accordion, bouzouki, and vocals (Irish and English) have delighted audiences worldwide. Winners of numerous awards from the BBC and "Irish Music Magazine," Danú takes its audiences on a musical journey to their native Ireland, offering a moving and memorable concert experience.
Dance Series
Ballet Hispanico
March 17 & 18 at 8 p.m. | The Tarkington
From its grassroots origins as a dance school and community-based performing arts troupe, Ballet Hispanico has grown into a world class institution. Now under the artistic direction of Eduardo Vilaro, the Company performs a diverse repertoire by the foremost choreographers of our time as well as emerging artists. The works fuse Latin dance with classical and contemporary techniques to create a new style of concert dance in which theatricality and passion propel every move.
University of Indianapolis Spotlight performance
Shaolin Warriors
March 18 at 8 p.m. | The Palladium
In this fully choreographed theatrical production, Shaolin Warriors brings the remarkable skill, stunning movement and death-defying martial-arts prowess to the Palladium stage. These Kung Fu masters have trained from a very young age, perfecting the art of hand-to-hand and weapons combat, which allow them to perform feats one thought only possible in the movies.
World Stage Series
Anoushka Shankar
March 24 at 8 p.m. | The Tarkington
Four-time Grammy-nominated Anoushka Shankar, "one of the greatest sitar players in the world" ("Rolling Stone"), presents "Home:" a pure Indian classical album and program that showcases the meditative and virtuosic qualities of the Indian raga. Indian classical music is not written down, but has been improvised and passed down through an oral tradition for centuries. "Home" is a paradigm of this genre, exemplifying the unique dichotomy between the ancient structure and in-the-moment improvisations.
Jazz Series
Joey Alexander Trio
March 25 at 8 p.m. | The Tarkington
Wynton Marsalis calls Joey Alexander "my hero" and at age 12, this young Indonesian piano genius is fearless at the keyboard. Following the release of his debut album with a highly anticipated performance at the Newport Jazz Festival, Alexander won the admiration of audiences by doing anything but playing it safe. A special segment featured on "60 Minutes" inspired thousands throughout the nation to follow his career. The technique, feeling and authority that comes naturally to Alexander puts him in a prodigy class all his own. Joey Alexander performs a range of classic songs by Rodgers & Hammerstein, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane and Billy Strayhorn with a deft touch, adventurous spirit and improvisatory verve.
The Stratford Songbook Series
Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra:
"By George! The Pops Play Gershwin"
April 2 at 7 p.m. | The Palladium
Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra brings its own unique swagger to the rarely-performed original Paul Whiteman Orchestra version of "Rhapsody in Blue" and a world-premiere reconstruction of Whiteman's tight and jazzy arrangement of "An American in Paris." Hear this music as Gershwin first heard it in the 1920s! Then go right to the heart of the Great American Songbook with classics like "The Man I Love," "They Can't Take That Away From Me" and "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off."
World Stage Series
Simon Shaheen
April 8 at 8 p.m. | The Tarkington
Simon Shaheen dazzles his listeners as he deftly leaps from traditional Arabic sounds to jazz and Western classical styles. His soaring technique, melodic ingenuity, and unparalleled grace have earned him international acclaim as a virtuoso on the 'oud and violin. Shaheen is one of the most significant Arab musicians, performers, and composers of his generation. His work incorporates and reflects a legacy of Arabic music, while it forges ahead to new frontiers, embracing many different styles in the process.
Jazz Series
Charles Lloyd & The Marvels Featuring Bill Frisell
with Reuben Rogers, Eric Harland & Greg Leisz
April 20 at 7:30 p.m. | The Palladium
The critical consensus is that the iconic saxophonist Charles Lloyd has never sounded better. The depth of his expression reflects a lifetime of experience. Lloyd has a legendary history in the music world, and could certainly be in a position to slow down and rest on his laurels. But looking back has never been of great interest to this tender warrior; this seeker of beauty and truth. "Go forward," is his motto, as he keeps shifting to a higher, well calibrated gear.
Family Performance
Erth's Dinosaur Zoo LIVE!
April 23 at 1 p.m. & 4 p.m. | The Palladium
Get ready for the ultimate playdate – 65 million years in the making – as Erth's Dinosaur Zoo LIVE! leads you on a breathtaking tour of pre-historic Australia. Meet and interact with an eye-popping collection of life-like dinosaur puppets presented in an entertaining and educational live theatrical performance created by Erth Visual & Physical of Sydney, Australia.
Country Series
The Time Jumpers featuring Vince Gill, Kenny Sears, and "Ranger Doug" Green
April 28 at 8 p.m. | The Palladium
Multi-Grammy nominated band, The Time Jumpers was established in Nashville in 1998 by an assemblage of high-dollar studio musicians who wanted to spend some spare time jamming with their sonically gifted buddies. The notion of building a rabidly devoted following was the last thing on their minds. But that's what happened.
The current edition of The Time Jumpers includes 10 members, each a master of his instrument. They are Vince Gill, "Ranger Doug" Green, Paul Franklin, Brad Albin, Larry Franklin, Andy Reiss, Kenny Sears, Joe Spivey, Jeff Taylor and Billy Thomas.
The Stratford Songbook Series
Michael Feinstein with Special Guest
April 29 at 8 p.m. | The Palladium
Whether it be swinging renditions of deep-rooted and familiar tunes, upbeat showstoppers, or elegant crooning ballads – not to mention his signature clever commentary and storytelling – audiences continue to delight in the serenade of the Songbook performed by the true music revivalist that is Michael Feinstein. The Great American Songbook Ambassador and five-time Grammy nominee will share the stage this season with a special guest to be announced.


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Why I Am (Still) Not a Very Good Player
LAS VEGAS–Three weeks or so ago, I found myself going bust in a $2/$5 NL game at the WSOP, and it all hinged on a single hand. I had called a small raise with 8-9s and the flop came 9-9-10. As the hand progressed, I began duking it out with the big stack at the table … and ultimately, even after putting more than $250 in the pot, I woulda/coulda/shoulda been able to get away — thereby saving $320 in my stack. (And leaving me $20 up for the session.) I did not do that, however, and sure enough … he had flopped a boat with 9-10s. Of course he did.
A "very good" player knows how to flop trips and get away from them.
About three hours ago, something similar but different happened while playing $1/$2 at the MGM. The MGM is packed with Party players still, so the low-stakes tables are juicy to say the least. I had to wait about a half-hour for my seat, but that was fine … I passed the time playing blackjack, and cashed out of that +$205. So basically I was freerolling.
That mentality had me very up and down — mostly down — for the first several orbits. I wasn't playing bad-bad. I just would build my stacks up playing a combination of straight forward and "clever" … and then wouldn't trust my instincts and would get myself in trouble. I blew $125, for example, when making a bad call on the flop, catching a higher pair on the turn, and then not folding when it became CLEAR CLEAR CLEAR the other dude had flopped a set.
My stacks got as low as $30 … but I rebounded nicely (just as I knew I would) by catching a couple rivers. Before you knew it, I had plenty of chips and was (seriously) playing good poker. There was another solid player at our table — very much of my ilk — who had $700 in front of him … until I called an all-in on his bluff and doubled up. From that point, I have never seen someone go on such serious tilt. I mean the dude still had $500 in front him, but that didn't stop him from playing every pot. I began chatting with the solid player to my left about how unbelievable it was. This was the same guy joking a half-hour earlier with his (sexy) girlfriend about how he was going to punish the table, and then punish her. It was all good fun. Now it was just a matter of time before he lost every last chip, and I was fortunate to take the last of them by rivering a boat.
So in a matter of a couple orbits, I had turned my $30 into more than $500. Sweet. The good player to my left had about $600. And then came the hand where I had pocket Aces … and he had 10s. I raised to $10, he re-raised to $25, and I then made it $60 to go. "Oh really?" he said. "You got a real hand this time,huh?"
"Better than the 5-7," I respond. (Inside table humor.)
We both smile … "Ok, be careful, I've got a big pocket pair," he says … as he calls.
The flop: Qc-Tc-7h.
I fire out $75 … he says let's make it $150, at which point I ask him, "did you flop a set?" He totally freezes. Oh man, he totally has pocket Queens, I think … and think …
"Call and find out," he says nervously … which gives me even more confirmation that something's screaming "monster!" before I decide to, in fact, call.
The turn is a blank — and eliminates the possibility of my hitting any sorta nut-flush draw. I check and he pushes all-in. "Damnit, I say. You totally flopped a set." I knew it. I had been victim to it (from a different player) earlier in the night … but for less money … didn't trust my instincts and fold … Again, this time, 70-30 sure I am behind … but wait a minute … maybe he doesn't have Queens, I think. Yeah, he's scared … he's got Kings. Yes, Kings, that would be best … Yeah, he doesn't have Queens, at least I hope not … "OK, I call."
Forget the fact that I still woulda been up had I passed. If I was wrong about what I thought to be true … I'd be back in the black for the whole trip! Ahh, right … 10s. Of course, why else would he have said "I 've got a big pocket pair" with anything but 10s … or maybe Jacks (which he woulda played way differently after the flop)?
But that's the thing …
Very good players know how to fold pocket Aces (or any overpair, for that matter) and still win.
Buy-in: $200
Cash out: $0
Same-session blackjack: +$205
Net: +$5
Overall record in 4-figure poker pots: 2/7
2 Comments to "Why I Am (Still) Not a Very Good Player"
Uncle Ray says:
August 4th, 2006 at 7:58am
You just HAD to see what the guy had. And you paid dearly for it…again!!
Even though you sort of "knew" what he had, you had to pay. Then you could later say "I knew he had a set".
The key to the game is that after you decide he's got you beat, you should fold and then NOT CARE WHAT HE HAD! Just believe you made the right decision. Even if he then shows you a bluff, ignore it.
It's better to fold too many than play too many.
jen says:
August 4th, 2006 at 7:13pm
Uncle Ray…good advice…now only if I can learn to follow it as well.


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Importance of Digital Marketing on Business Startups
With the establishment of information technology, each and every activity of our daily life in personal and professional aspects has seen a massive change and the role of digital media is simply spectacular. Many people operate businesses worldwide on small scale and large scales. However, when running a business offline, you can experience only moderate success. When it comes to online, you can find it expanding largely in quick time. And, for this digital marketing is the key.
Digital Marketing Helps You Reach People
Any business can reach to millions of people through digital media. An optimized website along with marketing activities can target the customers and rive in more traffic to the website. You can attract more customers who are interested in your products or services through marketing. The key facts to start up and expand your business are as follows:
- Target your customers
- Engage yourselves in online communities
- Converse with audience
- Educate customers about products
- Open up new ways to expand business
Tips and Strategies for Business
A powerful marketing strategy is crucial for any business. When it comes to setting up an online business, you obviously face huge competition. When you wish to enjoy the privileges and success your competitors enjoy, you need to have a well organized business plan and marketing strategy. You need to develop a good website, have a marketing and advertising campaign and popularize your brand. The key elements for any digital marketing strategy are,
- Website design
- Functionality of the website
- PPC campaigns
- Social media advertising
- Video marketing
- Search engine optimization
- Social media marketing
- Email marketing
Website is the basic thing to have a good start up. Design your website in an attractive and informative way such that any visitor who views your website gets to know what your business is about. The website content and functionality also should be user friendly. Marketing campaigns are smarter ways of attracting target customers. Increase the brand awareness and increase the online visibility of your website.
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Online business has become highly competitive with people opening up businesses in all industry verticals. To gain online presence and increase brand awareness digital marketing is mandatory. It is hard to imagine a successful business without digital marketing today. Be it any industry vertical, small or large scale business, the website has to be designed in the right way and marketing activities should be powerful to target online audience. With regular monitoring and updating of essential activities your business can win millions in quick time!