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Alan Furst has made a literary career out of dwelling in Europe in the brief period shortly before and during World War II. He vividly imagines (and researches) what life must have been like for people under siege in one way or another, and what inspired ordinary citizens to become clandestine freedom fighters.
That fleeting window of time was one of unprecedented drama, the focus of the world's attention. It's the niche where his 14 best-selling historical espionage thrillers are set, in a series that began in 1989 and has since been translated into 17 languages.
The latest in Furst's "Night Soldiers" series is "A Hero of France," set in Nazi-occupied Paris in 1941 (Random House, $27, 234 pages). The story unfolds as French Resistance leader Mathieu and the six fighters in his cell work an escape line that smuggles downed British aviators out of France and into Spain and, ultimately, back to England, where they resume their aerial war against the Nazis.
To accomplish such risky business – if you're caught, you're killed – the cell members must outsmart a cadre of "spies, collaborators, informers and blackmailers" as they evade the German military police. Finally fed up with the success of the escape lines operating out of Paris, the Third Reich sends a new menace to root out Mathieu and his co-patriots: the dreaded Gestapo.
"My books aren't thrillers, and they're not spy novels; they're sort of a mélange I worked out over time," Furst said. "I've tried to create a fictional universe in Paris, where the same people keep popping up, disappearing and then reappearing. You had six intelligence services fighting each other in 12 countries. If you're going to write a spy novel, what better time?"
"Furst delivers edgy eloquence and menace lurking everywhere in the night and fog," wrote the New York Daily News. The Wall Street Journal calls "Hero" "suspenseful and sophisticated," while the Boston Globe says Furst is "a grandmaster of the historical espionage genre." And the Los Angeles Times said: "Furst's books are like Chopin's nocturnes: timeless, transcendent, universal. One does not so much read them as fall under their spell."
During his career, Furst has been a college professor, a travel writer for national magazines, and a journalist for the International Herald Tribune. He and his wife live in Sag Harbor, N.Y. For more: www.alanfurst.net.
More A-list authors will appear this year for The Bee Book Club:
July 21: Ace Atkins took over the late Robert B. Parker's "Spenser" franchise; his fifth title is "Slow Burn." Also, he writes the "Quinn Colson" series; the sixth title will be "The Innocents."
Aug. 18: Jeffrey Toobin is a New Yorker magazine staff writer and author of "The People vs. O.J." and "The Nine: Inside the Secret World of the Supreme Court." His next book will be "American Heiress: The Wild Saga of the Kidnapping, Crimes and Trial of Patty Hearst."
Oct. 29: T.C. Boyle, who founded the creative writing program at USC, has written 15 novels and 10 volumes of short stories. His next book will be "The Terranauts."
Unlikely suspects
Two new nonfiction titles offer disparate and fascinating characters, in different ways.
Autobiographically, "The View From the Cheap Seats" by Neil Gaiman is a 60-piece collection of the British writer's takes on a variety of topics (William Morrow, $27, 544 pages). Gaiman describes it as "a motley bunch of speeches and articles, introductions and essays. Some are serious, some are frivolous, and some I wrote to try to make people listen."
The multi-award-winning Gaiman is known for his sci-fi and fantasy fiction ("The Sandman" series, "Coraline," "Anansi Boys"). His 2013 novel "The Ocean at the End of the Lane" is on my personal top 100 fiction titles.
As much as Gaiman is an artist with words, Diane Arbus (1923-71) transformed photography from "taking pictures" to a genuine art form in the 20th century. Her timeless portraits of "marginalized people" stand today as revealing and inspirational "photographic sculptures."
In "Diane Arbus: Portrait of a Photographer," Arthur Lubow explores her life in fascinating detail, bringing her spirit, at least, to the pages of this definitive biography (Ecco, $25, 752 pages).
Allen Pierleoni: 916-321-1128, @apierleonisacbe
Details for Bee Book Club
Alan Furst will appear for The Bee Book Club at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 15, in The Hive at The Sacramento Bee, 2100 Q St., Sacramento. Parking is free.
Tickets to the event are $20 for seven-day-a-week subscribers, $30 for general admission. Buy tickets online at www.sacbee.com/beebookclub. Please bring your ticket to the event for entrance.
All proceeds benefit The Bee's News In Education (NIE) program, bringing news and information to more than 20,000 students in the region.
Furst will give a presentation, answer questions and sign books. Barnes & Noble will be on site, selling "A Hero of France" for 30 percent off the list price (Random House, $27, 234 pages), as well as some of the author's backlist and audiobooks at full price.
"A Hero of France" also will be offered for 30 percent off the list price through June 15 at these bookstores: in the Sacramento area at the four Barnes & Nobles, Avid Reader at the Tower, Underground Books, Time Tested Books and Sac State's Hornet Bookstore; in Davis at Avid Reader and UC Davis Bookstore; in El Dorado Hills at Face in a Book; and in Grass Valley at The Bookseller.
Information: 916-321-1128


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Ideal class size: 5 - 30 | Detailed Insight
It's almost impossible to find examples online that go beyond illustrating how to automate a basic login page. The truth is that this only scratches the surface of the duties of an automation engineer. In this hands-on workshop, you'll get a realistic view of a day in the life of an automation engineer. This is a great way to "try on" this role for a full day to determine if it's a good fit for you.
Ideal class size: 5 - 30
In this hands-on workshop, you will build an advanced automation framework capable of keeping up with the demands of agile development. This single framework will be capable of supporting the automation of UI and web services, as well as Behavior-Driven Development (BDD) initiatives.
Ideal class size: 20 - 50 | This workshop is taught in conjunction with Paul Merrill.
In this workshop, you'll be challenged to set up dominoes in a way that solves puzzles. In doing so, you'll learn the basic principles of good test automation: how verification steps affect what we learn from tests; how dependencies affect our testing outcomes; how interactions with third-party systems work with and against our goals; and how time limits us in what we can know about our systems under test.

subset: commoncrawl


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Q&A session on Life, purpose, God and Karma with Agniveer in Delhi!
Sunday 20 January, 2013, 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM at Arya Samaj Patel Nagar with Sanjeev Newar - Founder, Agniveer
Sunday 20 January, 2013, 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM at Arya Samaj Patel Nagar with Sanjeev Newar - Founder, Agniveer
On unfortunate events - Jawan killings, Owaisi speech and Damini issue - Sunday 13 January, 2013, 3:30 PM to 5 PM at Arya Samaj Patel Nagar
Agniveer Bengal participates in Health Camp and Blanket Distribution program in Kolkata. Agniveer vows to continue offering its services to needy and poor.
Your outdated gadget can bring in transformations. And change destiny of India forever!
Insights of Agniveer's Session on 'Science in Vedas' in Delhi.
Theme of the session would be "Vedas- The Foundation of Scientific Thinking".
An excellent documentary by Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas (SSUN), our Educational partner that works towards Educational Reforms and removing distortions from existing syllabus. It sums up our Educational Vision.
Be an expert in less than 20 minutes!! Discover true Hinduism and destroy all misconceptions.
Insights from 'Transform Your Life Through Vedas' Session With Agniveer in Delhi.
Vedic Training for busy people in New Delhi from January 15. Do not miss the chance to unleash the legend within! Register now!


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The Master's programme in Biological Sciences is a two-year programme for students with a Dutch Bachelor of Science degree or its equivalent in Biology. Some of the tracks of this Master's programme may also be of interest to students of biomedical sciences, life sciences, physical geography, earth sciences, chemistry, environmental sciences, physics, mathematics and even econometrics.
Ecology and Evolution
Sustaining natural biodiversity and protecting the environment is impossible without extensive knowledge of ecology and evolution. The Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED) offers a state-of-the-art Master's programme in Ecology and Evolution. The aim of the programme is to promote understanding of:
- the relationships between living organisms
- the extinction and evolution of species
- the functioning of ecosystems
- how organisms live, interact and disperse on earth
General Biology
The Master's programme in General Biology covers everything from the molecular mechanisms of a virus to the population dynamics of African elephants. This programme is designed for students who want to become specialists with a broad orientation who do not restrict their focus to one subject in the field of biology.
The Master's programme in General Biology offers you the opportunity to select one of three specialisations in research, applications in society or teaching and communication. The programme consists primarily of research lab courses in which students work with scientists on their current research in the University's Biology Department or at one of the research institutes associated with the programme, such as the Sanquin Blood Supply Foundation Laboratory, the Netherlands Cancer Institute or the Dutch Institute for Ecological Research.
Integrative Plant Sciences
How can agricultural practice and ecosystem management be improved? How do plants function at the biochemical, genetic and ecological level, and how are these processes regulated? These are just a few of the research areas that are central to the Integrative Plant Sciences programme.
This programme combines training in theoretical and practical aspects of cell biology, genetics, biochemistry and physiology with ecology, systematics and population biology. This enables students to develop an integrated view of how plants function. Understanding biochemical processes as well as evolutionary and ecological issues and their interrelationship is essential for students in this programme.
Limnology and Oceanography
Water covers 70% of the Earth's surface and sets our planet apart from every other planet we know. Water plays an important role in the global climate and is a source of food, minerals, energy and recreation. Aquatic ecosystems teem with organisms, ranging from tiny phytoplankton and zooplankton to coral, fish, and whales. Unfortunately, aquatic ecosystems are also used as 'dumping grounds' for much of society's waste and are profoundly affected by global change.
The Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED) multidisciplinary Master's track in Limnology and Oceanography is devoted to the study of the biology, chemistry and physics of aquatic ecosystems. It is geared towards gaining a better understanding of the world's aquatic resources and working toward their protection. This programme offers an advanced curriculum, with a dual focus on freshwater ecosystems (limnology) and marine ecosystems (oceanography). The Limnology and Oceanography programme provides a challenging educational programme for students interested in the aquatic sciences, and offers career prospects in the scientific arena and social others.


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He's Nashville's most recognized television personality. Maybe it's because he wears earmuffs and a scarf year-round. Or maybe it's because he has webbed feet. Or maybe it's just because WSMV's Snowbird is a personable penguin who has become synonymous with winter school closing reports in the Mid-South.
News 4's Snowbird has been notifying Tennessee and Kentucky children about school closings for over 30 years. He began his television career at WSMV, then WSM-TV, in the form of an inanimate, colorful cut-out that squawked out the phrase, "No school...no school!" From such humble beginnings, the bird took flight. It was in the winter of 1983 that Snowbird took on life.
Guided by his buddy and mentor, Channel 4's Bill Hall, Snowbird has since established himself as an honest-to-goodness News 4 personality. He's witty and fun-loving, but cares about the safety of kids when snow hits the streets.But Snowbird is more than a winter weather presence. During his long career, Snowbird has appeared in a year-long "Word from Snowbird" public service series, starred in three Christmas specials, and hosted children's programs about sportsmanship and self-esteem.
These efforts have earned the Bird numerous awards, including regional Emmy awards. Not many penguins can boast of a past like that.
But News 4's Snowbird refuses to rest on his reputation. As long as there are children and snowfalls, the future is bright for this bird.
Snowbird stays busy throughout the year. He makes appearances at elementary schools, public libraries, county fairs, Christmas parades and other community events.
Fill out the form below if you would like Snowbird to appear at your school or event.
If you would like your school to be on the Snowbird school closing report, please contact Belinda Coffee at 615-353-2401. Please do not email Channel 4 or Snowbird if your school is closed.
Copyright WSMV (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.


text: Blog Posts in September, 2013 Posted By Law Offices of Joshua S. Davidson PLC 25-Sep-2013 Do You Know How to Use Your Right to Remain Silent? It is not as straightforward as you would think, at least not anymore. This past summer, on June 17, the Supreme Court made a 5-4 ruling that affects your Fifth Amendment rights. The decision was based out of a murder case. The police had been ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Offices of Joshua S. Davidson, PLC 18-Sep-2013 Sentencing Reform Ahead? Under mandatory minimum sentences, nonviolent, low-level drug offenders can receive the exact same sentences as drug traffickers who are part of a cartel. Because they are mandatory, it does not allow a judge to take the whole context into account in ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Offices of Joshua S. Davidson, PLC 4-Sep-2013 Risk Assessment Test - Abel Assessment As we've discussed elsewhere. One of the methods used to negotiate a settlement with the prosecution is to have the accused undergo a professional "risk assessment" evaluation in order to show the prosecution that the accused is a low ... Continue Reading


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|Message view
|« Date » · « Thread »
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|Michael Stack <st...@duboce.net>
|Re: [jira] Created: (HADOOP-1384) HBase code update 0.0.0-4
|Fri, 18 May 2007 17:20:50 GMT
May I be added to the list of developers so I can be assigned hbase JIRA issues (I just faxed in a Contributor License Agreement). Thanks, St.Ack Doug Cutting wrote: > Jim Kellerman wrote: >> So if you're trying out HBase, please feel free to enter Jira issues for >> the component contrib/hbase if you find something that needs attention. >> >> Also if you're working on one of the to do items listed on the Wiki, >> please enter a Jira and assign it to yourself so we can keep track of >> who's working on what. > > Yes, please! However folks can't be assigned issues in Jira until > they've been added to the Hadoop developers list, which I can do. So, > if you want to be able to assign issues to yourself, please ask. > > Doug
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Hello. It's been a while. In fact, it's been too long. I really haven't been blogging much because I have another business that I started late last year. Some of you might know and for most, you didn't know because I haven't really talked about it much. It's something I have been doing quietly on the side I suppose. Though I have been loving the process of starting another business, I have missed photography. Tremendously. Everyday life and business responsibilities have taken over and blogging seems like million miles away at the end of my day. Therefore, my blogging responsibilities have fallen behind and I'm sorry I am only sharing my thoughts now.
Over the last five years, I have encountered some of the nicest clients here in Austin. They have shown love and support for my art and I miss everything about photography. However, I have to be completely honest with myself and share some news with you. I am taking a break for a while in order to feel more balanced again. This year has been a year of tough journey in many ways. Self discovery has been a huge part. Perhaps because I am approaching 40 next year. Perhaps it's just the daily grind. Who knows. What I cannot deny what I am learning along the way, what I am feeling, what I need to do in order to be a better mom, artist, wife, daughter, friend, entrepreneur… I need to give myself a break in order to feel… grounded. This break will allow me to re-focus and figure out where I want to take my photography. I think I have an idea and I've been working that. Slowly.
This summer I took an online course called, 'Documentary Family Photography' with Kirsten Bethmann to help me redefine what I truly want out of my photography business. I have always liked doing portraits, lifestyle sessions, boudoir, etc., but I always LOVED documentary style which has led me to take a new direction – visual storytelling. I have offered this type of sessions with my clients in the past during my lifestyle sessions and the best photo, or the ones that really stood out to me were the ones where everyone was NOT just looking pretty, but rather images that spoke 'real' life moments. I know it's not for everyone, but that's what I am truly drawn to and that's where my energy will go. Birth and lifestyle will be phased out and I'll only keep shooting boudoir and documentary family photography.
I will be working on my new website. It's going to take a while I think. For a starter, I'm taking a lot of photos of my family because that's where my love for photography began. Here's a quick peek at our recent family outing to see the Trail of Lights for the first time at Zilker Park. It's something we can finally cross of the list from our bucket list living in Austin.
I just want to say THANK YOU for supporting me and my art. I hope to come back with more passion, more love for what I love to do – capture life's little moments that can be cherished forever by you, my clients. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
Happy holidays to you and your beautiful family!


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Summer is ending but we still have lots of ice cream!
Join us this Sunday the 13th 1-4pm for a pint sale. We'll have pints only but they'll be discounted from our normal prices to only $5 each!
The sale will take place at our kitchen in Kirkland: 723 9th Ave. It is the same building as the Deru Market. We'll be set up out front and Deru is closed that day so parking is abundant!
Check out our list of flavors that we will have available! 🙂


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SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) — Financial stocks closed lower Tuesday after earlier support from the regional bank and money-manager subsectors eroded.
Shares of Invesco Ltd. IVZ, +0.84% which earlier traded up more than 4%, closed up 2% after the money manager reported a higher second-quarter profit on higher fees and increased assets under management. More on Invesco earnings.
• The Tell: Market news and analysis
• | Canada section
• Columns: Stocks | Oil | Gold | Bonds | Dollar
• My Portfolio: Know where your funds are?
• Real-time currency exchange rates
• After-hours stock screener
Trailing Invesco, shares of Morgan Stanley MS, -0.16% Goldman Sachs Group Inc. GS, +1.01% and Ameriprise Financial Inc. AMP, +1.32% closed higher although considerably lower than earlier levels.
In other money-manager news, George Soros reportedly will shut down his hedge fund and return about $1 billion in funds to outside investors. More on Soros.
The Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF XLF, +0.35% which tracks the financial stocks in the S&P 500 Index SPX, +0.30% fell 0.1% and the KBW Bank Index BKX, +0.39% which tracks the leading 24 banks, also fell by 0.4%.
Leading regional banks was Regions Financial Corp. RF, -0.21% Shares closed up 3.4% after the bank swung to a second-quarter profit as loan-loss provision declined. Read more on Regions Financial.
Other gainers included Huntington Bancshares Inc. HBAN, +0.16% and BB&T Corp. BBT, -0.37% and Wells Fargo & Co. WFC, +0.42%
Shares of Zions Bancorp ZION, +0.41% shed 2%, and shares of M&T Bank Corp. MTB, -0.56% and Citigroup Inc. C, +1.38% closed lower.
In the Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA, +0.41% financial stocks American Express Co. AXP, +0.83% J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. JPM, -0.19% Bank of America Corp. BAC, +0.33% declined. Insurer Travelers Cos. TRV, +0.76% was the only financial Dow component to advance.
Other insurance companies also saw gains with American International Group Inc. AIG, +0.96% and XL Group PLC XL, +0.04% closing higher.
Providing critical information for the U.S. trading day. Subscribe to MarketWatch's free Need to Know newsletter. Sign up here.


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The former president and chief executive of Gateway Bank in Oakland, Calif., has been accused of orchestrating a fraud scheme to disguise the bank's crumbling financial condition.
Poppi Metaxas is charged with bank fraud, bank fraud conspiracy and perjury, according to a Wednesday press release from the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program. The Inspector General is involved in the case because the $212 million-asset Gateway applied to receive funding from the Tarp program. Metaxas was arraigned in a San Francisco federal court on Wednesday.
In 2009, Metaxas allegedly spearheaded a scheme to receive Tarp funds by convincing the bank's regulators that it had sold toxic mortgage loans to outside investors for $15 million. In fact, prosecutors say that Gateway self-funded the sale by making a sham loan to a now-defunct mortgage lending client: Ideal Mortgage Bankers, which did business as Lend America. Lend America then passed the money on to three investors purporting to purchase the troubled mortgage loans, which in turn gave the money back to Gateway as a $3.64 million down payment on the sale.
"To conceal the fraudulent 'round trip' of the loan funds, in October 2009, Metaxas provided false testimony to the Office of Thrift Supervision when she was asked about the source of the down payment," the release says.
Metaxas' trial date has not yet been set. She will be tried in the Brooklyn U.S. District Court.


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Freephone: 0800 13 23 23
Price Match
Quick Quote
Electricity can be a serious hazard to health; even when all possible precautions are taken to ensure safety, accidents can still happen. Trailing leads can create trip hazards or can become damaged; wandering fingers can cause unpredictable situations to arise; water can find its way into work areas and cause havoc in seconds; appliances can simply fail and become extremely dangerous in the blink of an eye. For these and many other reasons, it is required by law that all leads and other portable equipment, such as the ever popular Henry and Hetty Vacuum Cleaners, used in public places are protected by a residual current device (RCD).
This handy little adaptor is just the device you need to ensure you comply with all regulations and remain safe while you go about the task at hand. Every tradesman working with the general public should carry one of these for peace of mind.
An RCD works by measuring the amount of current that flows out and back through a circuit, detecting any tiny discrepancies and instantly cutting the power of both poles before anything approaching a dangerous current is leaked. Simply plug the RCD adaptor into any standard UK 13 amp BS1363 socket before plugging your device or lead into the socket on the adaptor.
In the event of a power cut, the RCD adaptor will trip, meaning that any tools or other pieces of equipment won't dangerously fire up when the power is restored.
These tough and sturdy extension reels are the perfect addition to this ultra safe RCD adaptor.
Request yours today
Environmentally friendly and always at your fingertips
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- Social enterprise should be made central to higher education strategy
- Social Enterprises in Thailand Receive SEC Support
- Social impact Bonds: Goldman to Invest in City Jail Program, Profiting if Recidivism Falls Sharply
- African Agricultural Capital Fund [Case Study]
- The Governance of Social Enterprises / Managing Your Organization for Success
Help & Where to Connect:
- Net Impact : "Net Impact inspires a new generation to use their careers to tackle the world's toughest social and environmental problems. We empower student and professional leaders to act locally though our vibrant chapter network and connect globally online and through our flagship conference. "
- Social Enterprise Alliance (SEA) : "is the champion for social enterprise in the United States. Our aim is for social enterprise to reach its full potential as a force for positive social change, in service to the common good. To achieve this purpose, we provide social enterprises with the tools and resources they need to succeed, and work on building an optimal environment in which they can thrive. "
- East Africa Social Enterprise Network : EASEN brings together social entrepreneurs and social enterprises in East Africa. The network is geared towards making the sector speak with one voice and work with other networks pursuing similar goals.
- African Social Entrepreneurs Network : ASEN " is a growing community of social entrepreneurs, people who are passionate about addressing social and environmental challenges and those inspired by them. With us you'll find inspiring role models, powerful mentors, exciting new partners, social innovators, thought leaders, forward thinking investors and new friends in South Africa, Africa and the rest of the world."


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Engraved signs
We can offer engraved signs in a range of substrates such as engraving laminate, stainless steel, brass and aluminium. Engraved signs can be used for an array of purposes such as valve tags, door signs and presentation plaques.
Banners & flags
We produce banners in solid and mesh PVC. These are hemmed and eyeleted as standard. We have custom banner and flag options in our online shop or get in touch with us to discuss your requirements.
We can produce custom stencils from robust Duraplastic. Simply use masking tape to attach the stencil to a surface and then spray or roller using a suitable paint.
Duraplastic signs
Duraplastic signs are a hard wearing, shatter resistant signage solution. They are ideal for locations such as school and site boundaries where vandalism may be a problem.
Magnetic signs
We supply vehicle grade magnetic signs for a wide variety of applications such as hazard labels, temporary chapter 8 chevrons and adding company logos to hired vehicles and plant.


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Previous Episode | Next Episode
Babysitting MaggieBabysitting Maggie (1987) Season 1 Episode MG04- The Simpsons Cartoon Episode Guide by Dave Koch
This page has been viewed 6 times this month, and 1784 times total.
- The Simpsons Cartoon Episode GuideEpisode GuideTelevisionSeriesCartoon
- Klasky-Csupo
- Cartoon Characters: Bart Simpson, Mom, Lisa, Maggie.
- Voice Actors: Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith.
- Directed By Gabor Csupo.
- Animated By Wesley Archer, Bill Kopp, David Silverman.
- Written By Matt Groening.
- First Aired on May 31, 1987.
- Originally Aired on FOX TV (USA).
- Running Time: 1:27 minute.
- Episode Number: MG04
- Season: 1
- Color
Cartoon Summary:
Marge tells Bart and Lisa to look after Maggie, the youngest child in the Simpson family. (First time we see Maggie cry.)
Cartoon Production Information:
Short originally broadcast on The Tracey Ullman Show.
Watch Cartoon Video:
You can watch this episode today on your computer. Just click below to start viewing "Babysitting Maggie" online now.
Submit Additional Information:
Do you have anything to add to this page? Have we made any mistakes... or do you have any additional information about Babysitting Maggie? If so, we would love to hear from you. Please send us a quick note with your additions or corrections to this page, and we will make the corrections as soon as possible!
Cartoon Comments:
Do you love Babysitting Maggie, or do you think it is the worst cartoon ever? Let us know what you think! Surely you have an opinion... so share what you think. Take a minute and post your own comments about this cartoon here.


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Sandra L.
Lesson Details
Sandra teaches
- Teaches students:
- Ages 5+
- Teaching since:
- 2016
Crochet is a fun and portable craft that keeps your mind and hands busy. Since the early 80's, I have been crocheting and knitting although I am much more proficient in crochet.
I feel like I am a successful teacher since I have an easy going, friendly manner that helps take the stress away from learning a new skill. I like to meet my students in person in the safety of a public place like a coffee shop or library near their home.
I think it helps to be present and able to see how the student is holding the hook and yarn and help them make any adjustments if needed. It's also nice to be able to give encouragement and any suggestions when I'm sitting right next to a student.
I will bring extra hooks and yarn for you to practice with, plus written tips and cheat sheets. All you have to do is show up and have fun learning to crochet!
CrochetJan 1980 - Present
I have over 35 years experience in Crochet. I also have two crochet e-books on Amazon.
Photos & Videos
9 ReviewsWrite a Review
Very friendly and knowledgeable. Looking forward to my next lesson!
Really enjoyed the lesson! Thanks!
Very helpful, patient and flexible. Can't wait for next week!
This lesson was everything I hoped it would be and I am learning other things that I didn't realize I needed to know that will be helpful long term. Sandra is a great teacher and was very much prepared. Can't wait for my next lesson.
Sandra is very knowledgeable and pleasant. She is easy to follow and understand. Very enjoyable lessons.
Sandra was incredible. Patient, encouraging and a total crocheting maniac. I am hopeful that I can create a scarf tomorrow from our session. I would highly recommend Sandra. She has a great spirit.
Sandra is an excellent teacher!! Very patient and kind!
I met with Sandra at a coffee shop near my house. She was very knowledgeable about crochet and taught me the basics. I tried teaching myself online but it was so much easier with her sitting right there next to me showing me how to hold the hook and what to do with the yarn.
I will definitely get more instructions from Sandra when I get stuck on a project. I highly recommend her to anyone wanting to learn crochet.
As I have gotten older I needed something to occupy my free time. I decided I wanted to learn to crochet and knit so I could make stuff for my grand babies. I found Sandra' information online and I couldn't be more satisfied with her teaching abilities. I learned basic crochet techniques and when I feel more comfortable I will definitely be giving her a call.+ Read More


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Yep – I'm writing a blog post on periods.
… with good reason – promise. You see, I noticed a pattern in my monthly cycle before I went on insulin, and there's an even stronger pattern now I'm on insulin – and I don't quite know why us girlies aren't told about this when we're handed the insulin in the first place.
For some women, I know it literally takes *years* to figure out the connection – and for others, well, they think they can spot a patten – but ask their DSN/Endo/Helpful Diabetes Specialist – only to be told they've never heard of a connection between menstruation and blood sugars.
Not confusing for peeps at all. It's not like we're already trying to juggle a mathematical feat worthy of Einstein each time we inject insulin anyway; knowing there's (for many women) a monthly pattern wouldn't be helpful to know in advance at all…. {sarcastic, moi?}.


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Hey, I don't see YOU updating. ;o)
Kidding. I think I was just reluctant to bump the post about my Mom down the page, but it's stood there now for two months and I realize that I can't really keep it forever, even though I might like to.
http://www.ericandjamie.com/, Powered by Joomla! and designed by SiteGround web hosting


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Shekhar Mullatti
EVP, Head – Banking
Shekhar Mullatti oversees sales, operations, and delivery across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa. Shekhar is a versatile Banking & Technology Professional with 25 years of experience in large, multinational corporations including Citibank, ANZ, BNP Paribas, Bank of America and Dell. Based in Singapore, Shekhar holds an Engineering degree from IIT Bombay and a Management degree from IIM Calcutta.
Nisha Sidhwani
As a Sr. Vice President, Nisha heads the overall operations for Customer Communication product portfolio across USA, UK, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa. Nisha Sidhwani was the founder of SEEinfobiz Pvt. Ltd. a global software Product & Services Company, which is now a division of Aurionpro. An acknowledged management visionary and a radical thinker, Nisha has successfully led the business transformation for the Company and has been instrumental in establishing transparency and accountability within the organization and encouraging a value-driven culture since its inception.
Nisha has Masters degree in MIS from Long Island University, New York and is a seasoned technology executive with over 15 years of experience in Data Warehousing, Business Intelligence, Customer Communication, Customer Self Service and Web based software applications. Her extensive business & technical consulting expertise and experience across BFSI and Telecom sectors has not only helped in shaping the company's growth, but has also positioned her as a veteran in the IT industry with the ability to build and grow new business offerings and nurture long-term relationships. In her previous roles, Nisha has worked with two start-up operations namely SAS Institute and HDFC Bank.
Raj Biyani
VP Products, Digital & Payments.
Raj Biyani with over 15 years of experience across Payments, Banking and Insurance verticals is leading the digital transformation of Aurionpro payments suite to ensure customer centric and future ready products and experience.
Raj is in charge of the product strategy and development of payments and digital solutions at Aurionpro. He comes with a unique blend of functional and technical expertise; having collaborated with leading thought leaders and innovative Silicon Valley payments companies, coupled with expertise in designing and delivering innovative solutions for digital retail and merchant payments industry.
Raj has superior knowledge and proficiency in modern payment systems including Bitcoin & Mobile based wallets and payments. Raj is an expert in enterprise software development life-cycle and having in-depth knowledge and expertise in information systems architecture, software design methodologies, design patterns and object oriented design. Raj has been with Aurionpro since 2006, and has played numerous leadership roles in the banking and payments vertical, spanning Head of Product delivery, Practice Lead, Chief Solution Architect. Raj has a Bachelor's of Engineering in Production stream from University of Mumbai.
Paresh Patel
EVP Products – Customer Experience Solutions
Paresh comes with more than 25 years of rich experience across Product Development, Business Strategy & Operations and Project Management. At Aurionpro, Paresh is responsible for driving business, deploying cutting edge technology solutions to deliver innovative and advanced customer experiences for banks and enterprises across the globe. Over the years Paresh has developed expertise in technology innovation, planning and development along with system designing and analysis. Having spent more than 15 years with Intellvisions (now Aurionpro), Paresh has led diverse portfolios such as Finance, Operations, Compliance and New Product Development. Paresh is a B.E. in Chemical from Mangalore University and has done Masters in Management Studies from NMIMS with a specialization in Finance from Mumbai University.


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The volunteer experience at the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee was AMAZING. To be able to support the work of this special place is something everybody who cares about elephants (or any creatures that are regularly exploited) should experience. It was so special to be able to contribute physically, directly supporting all that is done day in and day out to make these elephant's lives and home a safe and nurturing place. The staff were very friendly, knowledgeable and passionate about their work. The activities were engaging and everything was very well-managed (communication, timing, transportation, etc.). This is a very special place with very dedicated staff, and anybody who has the opportunity to volunteer should do it!
The dedication of this organization is absolutely amazing. I was honored to have the opportunity to participate in one of the volunteer days and can not even begin to describe the depth of consideration that is taken by the staff to care for the elephants who reside here. I was also very impressed by the discovery center and excited for the upcoming expansions. Thanks to the knowledgeable and kind staff, I learned a lot about elephants and the various roles of the sanctuary in their preservation.
So my experience as a volunteer for the sanctuary was wonderful. We spent time cutting the vines on the outside fence, cutting down bamboo leaves and creating treats for the elephants. I thought it was wonderful that one of the caregivers for two of the elephants spent the day with us. We were able to ask questions and hear stories from an inside perspective.
Todd was very informative and guided us safely throughout the day. The day was structured but we were not rushed. We had plenty of time for breaks, lunch and just enjoying the experience and taking it all in.
With or without a chance to see an elephant it was such a rewarding day from beginning to end. I would definitely do it again and highly recommend the experience.
I came upon the Elephant Sanctuary around the time of a great sadness in my life and there on 20/20, a television program, a film of Sissy was being shown, being brutalized. Due to the outrage of the injustice, Sissy was retired to TES. That is when I started to spend time, educating myself with captive elephants. How they behave, show affection and bond with each other or other species, specifically when they are in a habitat that allows them to be their elephant selves. They captivated my imagination and hope for the planet.
So my experience on October 21st this year was extremely meaningful and emotional. I enjoyed cutting the vines on the outside fence, enjoyed creating treats for the African elephants and really enjoyed the stories from the caregivers and staff, but the most awesome experience beyond what I cared to hope for was seeing the elephants themselves. Pure majesty and beauty. The beloved Sissy was out in the field when I first saw her and tears of joy and other unnamable emotions gushed out of me. It felt surreal and real all at once. I loved seeing all the elephants we crossed paths with ...Sissy was beautifully calm.
I can't thank Todd enough for surprising our group with the opportunity of looking out on five elephants within the Q habitat. Todd was very informative and guided us safely to our final destination, creating a memorable day for all involved. I will carry this experience with me for the rest of my life and I am eternally grateful for all who are involved caring for these magnificent animals.
My husband and I had the opportunity to visit the sanctuary as part of a volunteer day. We walked a portion of the people fence line to remove vines, and we made enrichment activities for the elephants in the African barn which was super clean, roomy, seemed to designed to be comfortable for the elephants when they want/need to be inside. We had the opportunity to meet staff and see where some of the elephants live. First, it is obvious that the staff sincerely cares about and for the elephants. Everything we saw inspired confidence that sanctuary staff is doing a wonderful job in taking care of elephants who for the most part had difficult lives prior to coming to the sanctuary. I like that these elephants no longer have to be on public display and that they have choice in how they want to spend their days. I also like the educational mission of the sanctuary and the transparency that the online elecams provide. It is wonderful to be able to see the elephants online dusting themselves, rolling in mud or co-mingling with deer and turkey.
It's amazing how respectful this sanctuary is of their elephants. You can tell they genuinely care about each and every one. Todd, and I'm sure many other workers, can identify any one of the elephants from such a far distance.
As a volunteer for the Elephant Sanctuary, I was overwhelmed by the dedication their staff has to give these elephants the most naturalistic home possible. Their mission is really not in exposing more people to elephants, but in providing elephants with a safe space, and educating people in the proper ways to protect these endangered animals.
I had the most incredible weekend volunteering at the Elephant Sanctuary over my University's fall break. I learned so much about the characteristics, history and behaviors of the elephants and worked hard alongside my peers to help with the upkeep of the sanctuary. We trimmed vines along part of the perimeter of the grounds, made enrichment treats, and cleaned/organized the sanctuary office. THANK YOU to The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee for giving us the chance to help out! I am overjoyed and feel so lucky to be able to volunteer and be able to see in person, how the caregivers take care of the elephants. It was a wonderfully rewarding experience, and something I'll hold close to my heart!
I just volunteered for the second time...the first time was 4 years ago.
It was a very rewarding experience helping TES staff to get some extra things done, being able to talk to them directly about the things they do, seeing a bit of the sanctuary grounds and how the elephants live, and my favorite part is that I got to do something for these wonderful animals.
It was also great to see the progress made in 4 years, the wonderful education/welcome center they are developing, and their dedication to elephant conservation and care.
I hope to volunteer again in the future.
I could not be more thrilled the the opportunities I've had to volunteer with the Elephant Sanctuary. The staff involved are just the best and work hard to provide a unique and fun experience for everybody. Their knowledge and passion for the elephants at the sanctuary and for educating the public on proper treatment of wildlife is incredible. I have learned so much working with them and will continue to advocate on behalf of the sanctuary in every way I can going forward. I can't say enough about how impressed I am with the sanctuary staff and the work they do!
Volunteer day at the elephant sanctuary is an unforgettable experience. We were able to clean up a lot of areas that sanctuary staff would otherwise not have the time to get to, and we were able to learn a lot more about the sanctuary and why it all matters. We were able to catch glimpses of the elephants from afar (though a viewing is not guaranteed), which helped to remind us all why we were there performing manual labor.
TES is truly an amazing place for elephants and humans alike to learn, rest, and be nurtured.
what can be said but it is one of the premier true sanctuaries, if not the oly true sanctuary for eles in the usa and possibly the world. if your an elephant to be sent here is like you went to heaven and they deserve no less. to spend their last day or years here is the greatest.
I had the opportunity to volunteer for a day at The Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, TN this past weekend. The experience was everything I had hoped for and then some. Our leader, Todd, and one of the caregivers who accompanied us for the day, Joseph, were very knowledgeable, patient and enthusiastic about their mission. To see the impressive grounds (and luckily for us all of its 10 residents) in person was nothing short of extraordinary! Our day started with an informative background of the sanctuary and the elephants that have been retired there, as well enlightenment on the plight of these animals both in captivity and the wild. Afterwards, we started on a list of various projects for the day, which included weeding and mulching the garden beds at the education center, clearing the perimeter fence from encroaching honeysuckle vines, picking banana leaves and making treats for the elephants. Todd took the time to explain how each activity contributed to the greater operation of the sanctuary which is indeed awe-inspiring. And hearing about each elephant's personality and behavioral quirks from the caregivers we encountered really showed their respect and dedication to these magnificent animals. I do hope I will one day get the chance to volunteer my time to this wonderful organization again. In short, it's good for the soul!
Molly Shasteen
(Nashville, TN)
My day of volunteering at The Elephant Sanctuary far exceeded any expectations that I'd had. I have been following and financially supporting the sanctuary for close to 20 years, so it was very interesting to see the operation in person. Every person that we encountered who worked at the sanctuary was very positive and clearly loved their jobs. And you can tell that lots and lots of hard work goes into keeping the sanctuary running smoothly.
The volunteer day was clearly planned and structured, but loose enough to easily accommodate bathroom, lunch and rest breaks. None of the tasks that we completed were too strenuous (weeding, making treats for the elephants) and it felt great to be able to make a little difference in the lives of the elephants.
And best of all: we were able to see all 10 resident elephants! I had prepared myself to not see any of them, so I'm still beyond thrilled that we were able to see them (some relatively close and some pretty far away) in such a free environment. It was an amazing, check-it-off-the-bucket-list kind of day!
Volunteering at The Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, TN was nothing short of a spiritual experience for me. I have been a supporter of the Sanctuary for several years, but actually being there and seeing what this organization does is impressive. The facilities are spotless. The grounds are beautifully kept. And all this is accomplished 100% through private donations. The staff we interacted with obviously love their jobs and love the elephants. The elephants look HAPPY and are allowed to just be elephants. The Elephant Sanctuary is a beautiful organization.
We feel so lost in a world that seems to be disappearing...invaluable land being bulldozed away, senseless killings of animals, pollution and poverty overtaking our country...it feels overwhelming. Our world needs people to feel empowered that they can stand up to make a change. One way is supporting the Elephant Sanctuary. As a busy teacher, mom and wife , I don't always know the way to change what I see that is so wrong. Knowing I am helping to change the world for better in such a small way fills my heart with joy. Please consider helping this amazing organization. You will feel connected to these magnificent creatures!
We started our day at the Elephant Sanctuary Discovery Center. We met Todd there and he gave us some background on the elephants and the sanctuary. We then went to the sanctuary where we weeded, made treats and enrichment items for the elephants. We were able to see five of the elephants at various times during the day. The staff was fantastic, they answered all our questions and were very informative. It was very obvious how much they care for these animals. Volunteering was a wonderful experience and I am so glad I was given the opportunity.
My husband and I recently had the incredible opportunity to volunteer for a day at the Elephant Sanctuary. We started off in downtown Hohenwald at the Discovery Center, which is a beautiful facility with lots of fun, educational exhibits. From here we went to the Sanctuary, where we cleaned up brush along some of the fences, and made enrichment devices for the elephants (which we got to see used later in the day!). The day was extremely well organized, and very informative. While it was hard work, we got quite a bit of time for education purposes - learning about the elephants and how the sanctuary is run. You can see that the staff here are very passionate about what they do, and only want the best for these elephants. Overall it was an incredible experience which I would participate in again in a heartbeat.
I was aware of this group since I live in the area, but am also gratified that they have the top rating from Charity Navigator for accountability, transparency, and financial management. They are also accredited by the Global Federatin of Animal Sanctuaries. Their primary mission is providing a caring, free-range environment for elephants who had lived lives of confinement or performing, and as such they are not open for public display or tours. They also perform a valuable educational mission about elephants and the threats to their survival both in captivity and in the wild.
For my Spring Break, a group of my fellow students and I helped out at the Elephant Sanctuary for a week. Every day was such a rewarding experience. The staff set aside time to get to know us and teach us more about elephants and what we can do to help them. Todd Montgomery was a perfect leader and, along with every member, it was evident he truly loved his job and cared about the elephants. So much work goes into creating the best possible home for the elephants. They work hard to keep it clean and in tiptop shape. I have absolutely no complaints!


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text: This series contains a brief overview of the multidisciplinary approach to working with the individuals and their families as well as different teaching techniques and learning styles to enhance the person's growth and development, whether it is in a special education facility, mainstreamed classroom, sheltered workshop, or job-training environment. Finally, the needs of the family, including parents and siblings, are addressed as is the concept of respite care. These three programs are comprehensive and can be used by nurses; physicians; educators; counselors; speech, physical, and occupational therapists; and anyone else dealing withindividuals with mental retardation or their families.


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Today was the beginning of the actual body cleanse. So far we have just been getting our bodies ready for this point in the program. The good thing about the next three days is that the food is very easy to prepare. The bad thing is the food is actually a drink mixture, which includes: Freshly squeezed lemon juice and real (no sugar added) maple syrup mixed with distilled water… It sounds very refreshing and satisfying doesn't it?
I had a very good day overall. I was a little sluggish this morning, but by this afternoon I had a lot of energy (amazing that you can feel this way drinking only the homemade lemonade concoction). I know this generally happens during the cleanse, but I was surprised it seems to have happened so quickly for me—makes me afraid of what may lie ahead of my tomorrow. My poor wife was not so lucky today; she got really sick or she is going through a healing crisis, we are not sure which one.
She woke up this morning feeling a little warm, but we couldn't be sure because we didn't take her temperature. She did go to work and then talked about feeling worse throughout the day. After I finally did get her home—which was a chore I'll talk about in a minute—we did take her temperature and it was 101.8! The reason we believe this could be a healing crisis is that about 12 years ago she got ecoli really bad while serving as a missionary in Argentina—which she said made her VERY VERY sick. If it is not a healing crisis it may be the flu; we'll have to wait and see what tomorrow holds.
The ride home was as interesting as a few weeks ago, the roads were really icy and we were trying to make it up the back way—seemed to go fine, we didn't really slip at all, until the main hill before getting to our street. As we climbed we stopped dead in our tracks. I thought it would be a good idea to keep the car in drive to help slow us down as we went down the hill… unfortunately this turned out to be a poor decision and we ended up in a snow-bank and were very very stuck.
I decided to visit a home and ask for a shovel—the home owner seemed happy to help and gave me one. In the mean time another car drove past our van and got stuck; for a minute it looked as if he was about the make the same mistake we had just made. Lucky for us his wife had just done the same thing a little farther down the hill, so he waited there. About 4 guys pushed our van—as I gunned it—out of our predicament. We went the long way around home—similar to a few weeks ago—and then stopped at the top of a little hill right before our home.
I had to move some garbage cans from our driveway so we could get in. As soon as I opened the door and took a step on the road I slid on 2 feet about 30 feet down the hill and then smacked right into the snow bank in our front yard—thank goodness a neighbor helped me clear some of the ice into our driveway and we made it home. My poor wife is now asleep trying to rest. We have heard that hot tubs are good for colds and flus so we are going to pay ours a little visit tomorrow.
Awesome day for me! Even more going on with my sinuses and ears—hopefully relief from the ringing is coming soon!! I can only hope my wife's sickness right now—for her sake—is a healing crisis and not anything more serious (I guess—for selfish reasons—I hope it for my sake as well because I don't want to get sick).


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Bluetooth 5 is out: Now will home IoT take off?
Bluetooth still needs to fill in a few pieces of the puzzle, ABI's Greengart said.
The new, longer range is an improvement, but a mesh would be better, he said. In a mesh configuration, which is available in competing networks like ZigBee and Thread, each device only needs to connect with the one closest to it. That takes less power, and it's better than relying on each device's range to cover a home, because walls and other obstacles can keep signals from reaching their full range, he said. The Bluetooth SIG is at work on a mesh capability now.
Consumers are also waiting for a high-fidelity audio connection to wireless headphones, a need that's getting more urgent as phone makers phase out physical jacks, Greengart said. As with mesh, it's coming from Bluetooth but not here yet.
Although Bluetooth 5 makes strides that could help drive IoT adoption, the field is still open, he said. "There's room for almost any solution to succeed, including Wi-Fi."
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An interview with Nick Weatherill, Executive Director at the International Cocoa Initiative
I spent most of my career in the humanitarian aid sector, working for the British Government, the European Commission and several NGOs. Specializing in food security and public health I lived and worked in Africa for 11 years, including in countries like Sierra Leone, Liberia and Côte d'Ivoire. There I got to discover cocoa and become interested in the sector's dynamics. After so many years in the public sector, I was drawn to ICI because I saw great potential in harnessing the power of the private sector to promote development and tackle poverty.
ICI is an independent non-profit foundation made up of members of civil society and the cocoa and chocolate industry. It was established 12 years ago with the aim of uniting forces between the public and private sectors to tackle child labor in the sector. We work with our members to set up projects in cocoa communities that raise awareness, strengthen child protection, improve access to education, and address the root cause of child labor – namely, poverty. We also work with national governments in origin to support national child labor elimination policies and programs. On the international level, we play an important role in informing stakeholders on how best to accelerate the fight against child labor and fitting the issue into the broader cocoa sustainability agenda.
We put children at the heart of cocoa sustainability. A supply chain that relies on the labour of kids is by definition not sustainable. If kids are not going to school, they won't acquire the skills necessary to be productive, successful cocoa farmers in the future. We simply cannot hinder tomorrow's generation to meet today's needs. Given the growing demand for cocoa, the sector needs the next generation of cocoa farmers to be business-minded and business-equipped to produce higher yields, and for that they need to have gone to school.
Child labor can be defined as any work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity, and that is harmful to their physical and mental development.
It's important to remember that not all child work is unacceptable child labor. There are many ways in which children can and do help out on their family farms. It is fine as long as it involves light tasks, with adult supervision, that are not dangerous and do not get in the way of the child's schooling. Put simply, child labor is unacceptable because it is either dangerous or it is depriving children of their education.
Child labor gets a spotlight in cocoa because chocolate catches the imagination, but the issue is not limited to cocoa. It is common to most smallholder agriculture in poorer regions of the world. It is prevalent in cocoa for several reasons that are all linked to poverty: cocoa is labor intensive and farmers often can't afford to pay for adult labor. Similarly, accessing education often carries costs (for fees, uniforms, school equipment) and even when there is a school available (which is often not the case) cocoa farmers may struggle to afford to send their children to school.
At ICI, we promote the principle of shared responsibility. That means that anyone who derives revenue, profit or pleasure from cocoa or chocolate should be contributing to bettering the livelihood of cocoa farmers and making cocoa sustainable.
Mondelez's role is not only to pay their bit, which it does through initiatives like the ICI. The responsibility goes beyond just money. Manufacturers have a moral responsibility to know what is happening throughout their supply chain all the way down to the farmer, and contributing to solutions for problems that they identify. They need to integrate sustainability and responsible supply-chain management into the core of their business. And Mondelez in particular, as the largest chocolate maker, can also exercise leverage to promote sustainability throughout the sector, guiding its suppliers, collaborating with its competitors, and influencing origin governments.
Cocoa Life is an excellent approach to sustainability. It's holistic and looks at all the pillars of sustainability, beyond a company's traditional comfort zone of cocoa productivity, to social dimensions and beyond. That's very encouraging, especially the strong focus on children and youth as well as the focus on livelihoods and gender. Because the only way to effectively tackle child labor is to address its multiple root causes. The Cocoa Life commitment to partnerships is particularly important. At ICI we've learnt that this is the only way to gather in the many skill-sets required, and to ensure that our work has credibility and integrity.
As the program scales up, Cocoa Life will have a transformative effect on the communities where it's implemented and will have an important impact on a lot of the child labor risk. It will not only have a direct impact through its initiatives focused on kids but also indirectly through its focus on farmer empowerment, gender and livelihoods.
Industry has a big role to play but it shouldn't be expected to have all the answers, and should not go it alone. Manufacturers have expertise in areas like cocoa agronomy and supply chains but they aren't experts in solving human rights issues. This is where civil society comes in with their skill set – community development, human rights, etc. – and their necessary constructive criticism.
Governments in origin countries also have a major role to play. They have the primary responsibility to protect the rights of their citizens. So much of the solution is in their hands. It's about poverty eradication, it's about policy, it's about legal frameworks, it's about land tenure, it's about agrarian transformation… More than any other actor, governments have the power to change things. And one shouldn't forget that origin governments derive large revenues from taxation on cocoa exports. They have a responsibility to invest some of that revenue back into cocoa communities and to making cocoa, and the revenue derived from it, sustainable.
Take the time to understand the issue: it's complex, and no one-page document can capture it. Don't be complacent: keep in mind that child labor is the ultimate proof that a supply chain is not sustainable, and is therefore a threat to your business as well as your reputation. Be sensitive: we can't blame farmers for using their children on their farms when they have no alternative. And be patient, even though we know what needs to be done, it will take time to solve and can't be fixed overnight.
Learn more about ICI


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If A Lover Is Like A Moon Then Frnds R Like Stars. Hav U Noticed That The Sky Can Look Beautiful Without Moon, But Not Without Stars. ∞
With Life As A Centre and Love As A Radius Draw A Circle Of Friendship and Remember Me On It's Circumference… ∞
Friendship Needs No Demands, No Promises And No Expectations, It Needs Just Two People A Fool Like You And A Cool Like Me. ∞
Friends may not be seen together all the time,but in each's heart they truly stay forever. ∞
friends are like balloons, once u let them go, U can nevr bring them back. that's Y i"l tie u tight in my heart.take care. ∞
Love + Care =MOM Love + Fear =FATHER Love + Fight =SISTER Love + Help =BROTHER Love + Life =WIFE Love+Care+Fear+Help+fight+Life =FRIEND. ∞
Seven rules to be happy. Never hate Don't worry Live simple Expect a little Give a lot Always smile Have a friend like me. ∞
I m not be the perfect friend. I also may not be the best of them all. But I am one who wanna see u happy forever"" ∞
Be slow in choosing a friend and slower while loosing them bcoz friendship is not an opportunity its a sweet responsibility. ∞
Frindship opens many doors each with a different view but none could be more beautiful view than the door that leads to you. ∞
Friendship is like a violin.the music may stop now and then,but the strings will last forever. ∞
a person who truly likes u opr knows u,is the one who sees the pain in ur eyeswhile EVERYONE ELSE still believes in the smile on ur face. ∞
i opened a account specially for u at UBF bank………U-Universal B-Bank of F-Friendship Enjoy withdrawing msgs daily. ∞
True friend is better than Girlfriend because you can see his or pocket without his or her permission. ∞
I prayed for you before we met,Not knowing who you d be.I asked the Lord to send a friend.One chosen just for me. ∞


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Category: Funny Games
PLAY Frat Boy Blind Date Horror
Played: 2,292
Category: Funny Games
PLAY Frat Boy Blind Date Horror
Played: 2,292
Description: Unfortunately for Austin, his love life hasn't been going too well lately. His fraternity brothers pitch in to try to help him, but much to Austin's dismay it seems every girl they set him up with turns out to be an absolute horror!
At each date, Austin must evade his blind date but still accomplish certain task. Help him accomplish his task without letting his bad date catch up to him. You will only be caught if she gets to you, but beware that she moves a little faster once you are in her line of sight.. Frat Boy Blind Date Horror is a Funny Games.
Instructions: Use arrow keys to move.
Follow on screen instructions..


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So we have come to the end of this year. I knew the year would pass at a speed I was still trying to put a handle on. It has. Yet looking at the 12 months, it has been a ride. I laughed and cried. I was happy and unhappy. If there was a camera, and I was playing a role in this movie called '2012', I can say I have played an active role.
There are, of course, lessons to be learned. The lessons this year are quite different from the past. My main lesson is fully understanding what it means to do the right thing. It is tougher than one thinks. Yet once you get a grip on it, it becomes a more rational and straight forward thing to do, although it is not any easier and you need to be brave and determined.
Along with this lesson, or related to it, is the discipline to let go when you know, for sure, that something is not right. Holding on is not facing up, not having the courage to accept the kind of change that comes with it. But when you do, it opens up new avenues. New windows and lets in light that illuminates new possibilities.
I will remember 2012 as the year I let go of Homerun Asia. A company I founded after leaving Raintreee Pictures. It is a positive feeling of knowing I have tried and done my best and that it was time to put it down. I could move on, even though I did not have concrete plans of what to do next.
I know myself. I will explore and start new initiatives. And now, armed with the lessons learnt, I will go the distance but will know when to stop, reassess, review and restart. This year there is also a newfound feeling in me. The knowledge that whatever happens, it will be alright. I will be ok. The people I love will be fine.
I am starting anew. The world is starting anew. Obama has a new term, China has a new leader. I have made some new year resolutions. To pay more attention to my personal life. Most importantly, to continue my strive to be kinder and more gracious. Happy New Year!
'There are two mistakes one can make along the road to truth – not going all the way, and not starting.' – Buddha


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There's still time to get in on the Nobody's Property Giveaway. At least once every 14 days through December 29, 2017 (very likely to be extended due to the popularity of the giveaways!), a free print copy of Nobody's Property will be given away to at least one eligible person who can follow simple instructions with no strings attached, no purchase requirements.
Even those who do not win will have the opportunity to obtain a copy of the book at a discounted price upon request.
Current/Future Giveaways
Paperback Twitter Giveaway - Active as of October 22, 2017 at 10:00 AM Eastern U.S. Time and running through October 29, 2017 at 11:59 PM Eastern U.S. Time. 1 entrant will win a free softcover edition of Nobody's Property.
Kindle Edition Twitter Giveaway - beginning October 20 at 6:00 AM Eastern U.S. Time and running through November 2, 2017 at 11:59 PM Eastern U.S. Time. 10 entrants will win a free Kindle edition of Nobody's Property.
Previous Giveaways (closed)
Twitter Giveaway Ending 10/14/2017 12:00 AM - Winner selected by Amazon.


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Black satin floor length dress with pleated bodice and shoulder straps. Criss-cross back and sequin waistband.
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text: Guide to running a grotto isiting Santa at the Christmas fair is an exciting experience for children, so make it truly magical! Once a date has been agreed, start scouting around for a Santa or have several Santas working in shifts. Enlist some volunteers as elves, helping to manage those waiting, and organising presents. Source a Santa outfit - can you borrow one from a local community group or church? Decide what form your grotto will take. With the right decorations and a sprinkle of imagination, you can transform almost anywhere into a grotto! Find examples from PTAs on our PTA+ Pinterest board. Use sheets of fabric to cover the walls, and have tinsel, a Christmas tree, empty boxes wrapped to look like presents, cotton wool and fairy lights. Have a large comfy chair for Santa. Source your gifts, taking into account your costs and potential profit. Aim to pay around £1.50 per child. Gifts might include selection boxes, books, or toys. On average, PTAs charge around £3 to visit Santa, including a gift. Buy toys in bulk - take a look at our online suppliers directory. Have a schedule where children and parents can pre-book slots to visit Santa. Think about how long each child will spend with Santa - will he read a story, ask them what they want for Christmas, or is it just a quick hello? Allocate enough time for each child and ask them to arrive 10-15 minutes before. Will children go in individually or in groups? If in groups, how many can you fit into your grotto? Once your schedule has been drawn up, start selling slots. Promote your grotto schedule as often as possible - on your website, Facebook, noticeboard - to make sure no children miss out. Ask for names and numbers to make sure you can contact people if they are late on the day. Allow plenty of time to set your grotto and have plenty of volunteers to hand. On the day you'll need several volunteers to ensure the grotto runs smoothly. Try to give Santa the name of the child/children before they go in, so he can make his message personal. Give Santa a code word or signal when the time slot is nearing the end, so he can round it up. Keep a few slots for children who haven't pre-booked. Christmas fair grotto tips and advice Finding Santa: If you're finding it hard to get a willing volunteer to don the red suit, try asking the local Rotary, Lions, Scouts, sports clubs or even a local councillor and appeal to dads, grandads and uncles. Failing that, as young children sometimes find a man in a big beard a bit scary, how about having a 'Mrs Christmas' instead? Two Santas: To avoid queues, many PTAs use a two-Santa system. If you plan to do this, make sure parents are made aware beforehand, and be cautious of having them both walk around your fair at the same time! DBS checks: While there is no requirement for Santa to undertake a DBS check, it is best practice to make sure that your volunteer Santa is aware of child protection procedures, and understands how you would like them to interact with the children. Have another person in the grotto when the children are present - that person should be DBS checked. Encourage parents and carers to accompany their children into the grotto, too. Sponsorship: In an ideal world you want your grotto gifts to cost no more than £1.50 per child, but better still, find a sponsor to foot the bill! It's an easy concept to sell to a local business - you can be specific about how the money will be spent (emphasising the joy that these presents will give the children), and the exact amount required. Offer to have a sign saying 'This grotto is sponsored by [xxx] company', giving them recognition. Grotto success story: Tracey Morgan-Willcox, PTA Vice-Chair, Raysfield Infant School (180 pupils) told us: 'We had a grotto a few years ago which was all blacked out with a few fairy lights, but we found some children were scared of the dark and didn't want to come in! Last year we went for a winter wonderland theme: everything was white, silver and blue - it was truly magical. Our decorations were sourced locally in pound shops. We acquired an old wooden fire surround and used this as our focal point. We bought large polystyrene white balls which we made to look like snowballs, and had a large, inflatable snowman. On the walls we used snow scenes and covered the doorway with a silver and white homemade ribbon curtain. Children were far happier to come into a bright white lit-up snow scene than our previous grotto. We also used a 'Santa Stop Here' sign and some Christmas music whilst others were waiting. Each child received a quality book that was age related (this gift went down better with parents), a selection box or sweet tube, as well as a candy cane and a Santa's grotto sticker. We charged £3 per child. We used a time-slot system with parents pre-booking in the month leading up to the fair, but we also had spare slots for those who turned up on the day. We called children in by name and Santa made a fuss of them and told them a short story about himself and how busy he was! We ususally raise around £500 on the grotto alone. My advice is to go for quality and experience rather than letting profit rule this stall.' Download this step-by-step guide to running a grotto as a PDF. Share this page


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The Long Island Alt Rock Five Piece Will Kick Off the New Year with New Tune, Upcoming Show in Patchogue
Jan, 2017 (Huntington, NY) — If you thought 2016 was GNARLY…get prepared for what's to come! Having had an incredible year which included performances at the Sayville NY Seafood Fest, NYC's Legendary Bitter End, The Montauk Music Festival, an Exclusive Premiere of their video for "Grey Street" (Dave Matthews Band Cover) via Elmore Magazine, their TV debut on My Long Island TV and Verizon FiOS1's "Rick's Rising Stars", opening for Robby Krieger of The Doors & Special Guest The Edgar Winter Band, AND been mentioned in a recent New York Times article regarding their studio: Montclair Records – Long Island's own Gnarly Karma is set to release a BRAND NEW SINGLE "Back Around" on Friday, January 6th! And with that, they'll be premiering the tune Thursday, January 5th at 89 North– 89 N Ocean Ave, Patchogue, NY 11772 (where fans will get the exclusive link to the track one day prior to its release)!
LISTEN: Gnarly Karma "Back Around" via SoundCloud
The group consisting of members Mike Renert (Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica), Jarrod Beyer (Drums, Percussion), Ryan McAdam (Bass), Billy Hanley (Alto & Tenor Saxophone, Keyboard, BGV's), and newest member Adam Sklar (Guitar) brings a wide and varied range of influences to the table equating to their unique sound, which is most often associated with that of Dave Matthews Band, Sublime, and Mumford & Sons, but not restricted by genre. Originally starting in 2012 with Renert and Beyer, McAdam and Hanley later came into the mix having gone to school together with Beyer, who'd also performed with McAdam in Alt band "We Love Radio". Sklar joined in mid 2016 bringing a powerful guitar style ranging in influence from RHCP to Eric Clapton and Derek Trucks.
Though the "outer layer" of their music could be most closely associated with the alternative rock elements of bands like DMB, Mumford, or even O.A.R., a more unique style mixing a harder acoustic-punk, post-hardcore edge in many of their songs makes it evident that–like many bands often pigeonholed by genres–there's more to find when you keep peeling. This comes to the forefront on their 2016 debut LP "Classic Breeze", with songs like the acoustic driven "Neptune" evoking Jimmy Eat World'esque or even Taking Back Sunday comparisons, "Directions" could be more closely associated with that of Dave Matthews through not only Hanley's eloquent horn arrangement but Renerts vocals as well. A tune like "Please Come Home" brings these elements full circle with its catchy chorus "Don't ask me where I'm going // Don't ask me where I've been" with overdubbed crowd vocals making the true live band experience unmistakeable.
With their new single "Back Around", the band's more hard-driven edge is illustrated through both their intense mixture of heart pounding instrumentation and lyrics. The song illustrates the story of an unfaithful lover who realizes the error of her ways right before it's too late. In it, Renert belts "Whoa oh, well she came back yea // Whoa oh, well you know he tried // Whoa oh, well she came back before he died, she said "I'm Sorry" with a powerful fury as the song's energy builds, continuing "She came back sooner than later, before I found out // With her tricks and those loose lips she thought she had it figured out // She can't run any faster than I can, don't slow down look back cuz I'm already gone" in a ferocious mix of hard driving guitar, thumping bass and rhythm, and sublime sax work.
With a number of various musical elements making up the true core of Gnarly Karma, the band has said of both past and upcoming performances "We give it our all at every show, and do everything in our power to make sure the people that come to see us feel our energy and contribute to it".
And with their new single "Back Around" there's no shortage of that energy that makes the band seem ready to conquer the New Year as they get ready to give fans an exclusive premiere Thursday, January 5th at 89 North with its official release the following day!
For More Information, Visit: www.GnarlyKarma.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/GnarlyKarmaMusic
Instagram: Instagram.com/GnarlyKarmaMusic
SoundCloud: www.SoundCloud.com/Gnarly-Karma-Music
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Parik Singh arrived alone, and on foot. No back-up. I'd invited the Portland Police officer for a sit down on Monday, corner of SW 5th Ave. and Jefferson.
I wanted to thank him.
"It's my job," he said. "You really don't need to do this."
I told him I did.
Let's back up.
Because in March 2011, Singh responded to a 911 call in the Brooklyn neighborhood along with other officers. When the officers arrived they found a suicidal 62-year old man armed with a hunting rifle. As Singh reached to raise his service weapon Ralph Clyde Turner fired.
At Turner's trial, Singh would testify, "Getting shot is ... almost like holding a jackhammer against your whole body."
The bullet pierced Singh's abdomen. It tore into his colon and one of his kidneys. The bullet left a 3- to 4-inch hole in his back. Singh had a seven-year old son at the time, and I can't imagine what he must have been thinking as he dragged himself behind a tree for cover amid the continuing gunfire.
None of that incident came up in any depth at our meeting. But it's important stuff. Because if any police officer in this city should be leery of a mentally ill man, it should be Parik Singh.
"There's a lot of sad stories out there," he said.
My friend, Fred, is one of them.
Fred is an extended family member on my wife's side. He's not blood related, but years ago he's the man who took my wife to her Little League softball games in Parkrose, watching every pitch but waiting until their walk home to give her constructive criticism.
It was Fred who watched and listened to Trail Blazers games with my then-12-year old wife. They rooted for Clyde Drexler, Buck Williams, Jerome Kersey, Kevin Duckworth and Terry Porter. It was Fred who would talk to her about elementary school work, and sing country-music tunes, and ultimately, make her giggle.
Fred was a copy-machine repairman. For 30 years, he serviced fax machines and replaced toner cartridges. He was never late to work. He never called in sick unless he really was. He was neat and meticulous with an amazing sense of humor, and in that way, Fred was exactly the kind of guy you'd invite to your home for Christmas dinner.
Right up until he lost it.
Six years ago, Fred decided to stop drinking. He cut out alcohol. Also, he'd developed a daily marijuana habit and decided to eliminate that, too. At his 60th birthday party, just about everyone who knew Fred supported him and wished him well.
I'm no medical expert, but Fred was probably self-medicating some form of mental illness all those years. When he stopped medicating, he began acting odd, eccentric, started hoarding, and went on rambling diatribes. He eventually said he heard voices.
I visited the duplex he lived in a few months after his sobriety started and walked past piles of garbage into a kitchen where he'd stacked open containers of rotting food. He barely had enough room to move about. And he babbled about money and sports. My wife and I looked at each other and felt helpless.
A few months later, Fred lost his job. No surprise. He'd blurted out inappropriate things to some of the customers he used to serve so politely. Soon after, because of the piles of garbage, he was evicted from his duplex. And despite passionate attempts by multiple family members to get Fred a psychiatric evaluation, Fred didn't think anything was wrong.
He disappeared not long after that.
One winter he called, freezing cold, crying, and asking for a blanket. We never heard back from him. Fred started collecting social security at 62. He had two pensions from the jobs he'd held. But he was homeless and we were helpless.
During a cold snap a couple of years ago the manager of a highway motel in Troutdale telephoned, explaining that she'd have no choice but to kick Fred out unless someone paid his weekly motel charge. He'd passed along our number. My wife and I drove to Troutdale, wondering if we were doing the right thing, plunked down $185 as Fred assured us he'd make an appointment with a mental-health center.
He never did.
He never took me up on the offer to get him a part-time job, either.
Much later, we learned, Fred lost his driver's license. Unable to cash his social security and pension checks, he was officially adrift.
Fred -- slowly, painfully, agonizingly -- melted into the crowd of homeless people who live on our streets. When I passed homeless people the last few years, sleeping on the streets or panhandling, I sometimes looked at their faces, hoping to see Fred looking back. Worse, my wife braced for the telephone call in the middle of the night from the police informing us that Fred was dead.
A week ago, word came.
A woman who calls herself "Barbie Bible" befriended Fred on the streets. She said he was living in the parking lot of the Albertson's grocery store on NE 181st and Glisan. She sent photographs, and my wife burst into tears as she looked at a picture of a sullen man with no teeth, face chapped by the cold, eyes sunken.
It was Fred, less the 90 pounds he's lost in the last few years.
Days later, I drove to that parking lot. I wondered if Fred would be hostile. I wondered if he'd even remember me. I wondered if time, cruelty and mental illness could harden a person's spirit. I've seen what prison does to people, but what of the streets?
I found Fred sitting in a laundromat in that Albertson's strip mall. He was wearing two pairs of jeans, three shirts, and a beanie cap. He was filthy. He smelled like urine. His hands were infected, swollen and black in spots. When he saw me, he hugged me, sobbing into my shoulder.
"Can we go get a cheeseburger and onion rings?" he asked.
Fred is in a mental-health facility today. He's being medicated, and getting therapy, but remains very sick. I'm hopeful that he'll respond to treatment, stay healthy and maybe one day be able to sit with my wife and root for the Blazers again.
He'll spend Christmas Eve in that facility. They'll bake cookies, he reports. They'll eat three meals. On Christmas, the residents there will open presents.
But the gift that Fred can't stop talking about brings us back to that police officer, the one who had every right to initially view any person with mental illness as a imminent threat.
When I found Fred he told me how degraded he felt sleeping on the streets. He explained that when he was freezing, lying on the pavement of the parking lot, he urinated on himself to keep warm. He told me about being robbed. Someone stole his Bible, even.
He told me about the cruelty of strangers, who said awful things to him. He told me about riding the MAX train for five straight hours in the early morning, Hillsboro to Gresham, just to stay warm. But ultimately, it was feet Fred wanted to talk about.
On them, Fred wore a pair of beautiful black Danner boots.
"Officer Parik Singh gave me his boots," Fred said.
Singh told me the rest of the story on Monday. He'd encountered Fred in front of the Federal Courthouse. Singh observed Fred walking, shoeless, socks soaking wet and his pants falling down. Singh said Fred was funny, polite and talked about having places he needed to be.
"We wear the same size -- 11," Singh said. "He was cold. I offered him a ride, but he wouldn't accept it."
This is how a homeless man with no teeth and no hope ended up wearing the $140 boots of a 41-year old police officer last week. This is how Officer Singh, a man who grew up in Pendleton, ended up sitting with a sports columnist, talking about the epidemic of people in this city sleeping in doorways and under bridges. We spoke, too, about the mistrust nationally of law enforcement officers.
"I've been doing this for 18 years," he said. "How we do police work has changed so much over the years. It's not even the same job."
Singh received the Medal of Valor and the Police Star after being shot in 2011. He got back on the job and now works 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. He serves and protects. Also, as an officer of the Central Precinct he plays the role of law enforcement officer and social worker to the droves of homeless. At the end of his shift, he drives home to his now 10-year old son.
"But I think about those people all the time," he said. "A lot of them can't go home. There are other officers who go to the store on their shift, buy food out of their pockets and feed people."
Christmas feels like the right time to take a moment to thank Officer Parik Singh. Also, a thank you to all of the good men and women who serve this city (and others) not only with their skill and expertise, but with kindness and decency.
We grow up being told that you can trust police officers. We teach our children, "If you ever get lost, find a police officer." And if they do, it's men like Singh we hope they encounter.
I told Singh that I suspected this wasn't the first time he's given away his boots.
His reply: "It felt the compassionate thing to do."
We visited Fred on Tuesday night at the mental-health facility. He's surrounded by some of the best psychiatrists, therapists and social workers in the state. It's a long road back but he's on it.
Fred is focused on getting better. His hands are healing. His brain is still a long way off. But when I told Fred I met up with Parik Singh this week and thanked him, his eyes grew glassy.
"My boots," Fred said. "I love my boots."
Then, he said something else.
"You know... he gave me his socks, too."
--- @JohnCanzanoBFT


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Obituary of Vincent Ferrara
~~Ferrara, Vincent, age 92, of Ridgefield Park, formerly of Union City and North Bergen passed away September 13, 2017. Vincent was born to Giuseppe Ferrara and Dominica Ferrara (nee Ziella). He was a veteran of the United States Navy in World War II, serving in Iran, Europe, and the Pacific. He was employed by Hudson County News Company and the New York Times until his retirement in 1996.
Beloved husband of Geraldine Ferrara (nee DeConto), loving father to Joseph Ferrara and his wife Wendy, James Ferrara and his wife Kathy and John Ferrara. Cherished grandfather of four grandchildren, Victoria, Keith, Jessie, and Christian. A private mass will be held at Saint Francis RC Church on Saturday at 11am. Cremation Private. Visitation Saturday 10am-11am for family only at Vorhees Ingwersen Funeral Home, 59 Main Street, Ridgefield Park NJ 07660.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the Saint Francis Of Assisi Food Pantry, 114 Mount Vernon Street, Ridgefield Park, New Jersey 07660.


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Mark Hanson Biographical Information
Mark's Life's Work
Helping to rear our two daughters, Marta and Johanna, with my wife Greta Pedersen, and being an active citizen and family man have been my most important activities for the past 40 years. Creating music, playing guitar, and teaching others to do the same have been my treasured occupational activities for those same four decades. Hopefully I have succeeded to some degree in these endeavors, and hope to continue for some time to come!
I have been fortunate to have been rewarded in a number of ways for my activities. This includes a Grammy Award in 2005, playing for the President in 2009, and having one of my books included in Shawn Persinger's 50 Greatest Guitar Books.
New Projects
My students continually inspire me to compose and arrange new pieces. My 2015 book/recording Travis Pick the Hits! includes my original fingerstyle solo guitar arrangements of 12 famous tunes, including Sting's "Fields of Gold", Kenny Loggins' "House at Pooh Corner", Maroon 5's "She Will Be Loved" and Coldplay's "Clocks." In late 2016 Greta and I released our duo CD "Then & Now."
Early Influences
After learning piano and clarinet as a youngster, I started guitar by borrowing my sister's Sears Silvertone acoustic and imitating Peter, Paul & Mary, Pete Seeger, and Kingston Trio records. I also played guitars with the kid who lived over the back fence, performing for hospital patients and church groups.
At that point the Beatles arrived, and guitar became my main non-basketball focus. Our duo turned into a junior high rock and roll band, where I learned to play barre chords and keep a steady tempo. (I joke with my adult students who can't play barre chords that they need to join a middle-school rock band for six months. After that they should spend another six months in a marching band to learn to avoid rushing the tempo!)
Acoustic pop players influenced me considerably during the '60s: Paul Simon, Stephen Stills, the Beatles and James Taylor. That led to a study of the British greats John Renbourn and Bert Jansch, and Chicago blues icon Big Bill Broonzy, among others; and eventually a lasting appreciation for jazz virtuoso Joe Pass.
I received my college degree in music from Stanford in the mid-70s, and commenced on my teaching/performing career. I look back at all of this time as my apprenticeship, preparing me to compose, arrange, perform, and teach. Every hour I spent on music, whether it was studying Bach and Beethoven or lifting fingerpicking tunes off records, was educational and worthwhile.
First Book
I wrote my first book, The Art of Contemporary Travis Picking, in 1985. Years of teaching had clearly defined my teaching method for alternating-thumb fingerpicking, so Greta and I started Accent On Music and published our first book. Merle Travis himself graciously consented to us using his name in the title.
Frets Magazine
About this time I began writing for Frets magazine, and eventually was hired as an assistant editor in 1986. My position at Frets trained me to write clearly, provided an insider's view of the publishing business, and gained me a great Rolodex. I interviewed and wrote cover stories on James Taylor, David Crosby and many other luminaries in the acoustic guitar field. I became a monthly columnist at Frets, providing transcriptions and compositions for fingerstyle guitarists.
After Frets
When Frets was terminated in 1989, Greta and I continued with Accent On Music. We had published my follow up Travis Picking book, "The Art of Solo Fingerpicking." In the ensuing years I have authored many books, videos and DVDs. You can see them listed here.
Greta and I started our annual summer seminar in Portland, Oregon in 1998, and are happy to report that it continues with a strong core of supporters. Information on past seminars can be viewed here.
The Grammy Award
A great thing occurred in 2004/2005. I was included in the Grammy winning Henry Mancini - Pink Guitar CD from Solid Air Records in Southern California. The Grammy experience included a trip to the awards ceremony in L.A., and a handshake with Cyndi Lauper, our presenter. I wrote a blow-by-blow article about that amazing journey, which you can read here.
New Projects
I continually develop new material for performance and teaching use. Solid Air Records released two solo CDs of mine in 2009. Some of my best, finger-busting arrangements are on these recordings, including the jazz standards "Take the 'A' Train" and "Angel Eyes", and pop tunes like Tom Petty's "Breakdown" and Norah Jones' "Don't Know Why." A transcription book of the jazz standards is found here. Also, I explain my arranging approach thoroughly in my "Fingerstyle Arranging DVD". Mark's latest project "Travis Pick the Hits!" was released in September 2015.
On the Road
I have presented concerts and workshops around the country for many decades. I have a workshop repertoire of over two dozen topics, which makes it possible for me to visit the same venue numerous times without boring the repeat students! If you want me to come to your area, please contact me and send me an invitation!
Thanks for taking the time to read.
- Mark Hanson (revised December, 2014)


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I have a friend who travels the back roads of rural Missouri. These are the roads crowded narrow by encroaching forests, where one slip of the wheel would send her airborne toward eternity--curvy, twisty roads cut through the Ozark Mountains. Over the years, she's had her share of misadventures, both weather and wildlife varieties, a totaled car or so. Regardless, three times a week she gathers her Bible and calendar and hits the road.
My friend, on the near side of eighty years of age, is a hospice worker. In these times of government cut backs, chronic unemployment and increasing economic isolation, my friend is often the only visitor to these housebound and chronically ill rural dwellers.
On arrival, she settles into the nearest rocker and lets the conversation flow. For an hour or longer she is engrossed in the stories of these forgotten souls near death. She laughs with them. She cries with them. She prays with them. She freely gives hugs of love and friendship and empathy. Then she is off, steering her little Chevy through the mountainous roads to the next house of need.
Life is not one great success after another. Daily existence can be tedious and sometimes depressing. Lives, loves and legacies are buried in the minutia of daily living. Memories authenticate and validate life choices. Life Stories authenticate and validate lives.
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