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Title: Exit, Pursued by a Bear
Author: E.K. Johnston
Genre: Realistic Contemporary
Publication Date: March 15 2016
Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers
Pages: 248
My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
"Of course, if I were dead, they could just bury me, and move on. Broken is harder to deal with."
Veronica Mars meets William Shakespeare in E.K. Johnston's latest brave and unforgettable heroine. Hermione Winters is captain of her cheerleading team, and in tiny Palermo Heights, this doesn't mean what you think it means. At PHHS, the cheerleaders don't cheer for the sports teams; they are the sports team—the pride and joy of a tiny town. The team's summer training camp is Hermione's last and marks the beginning of the end of…she's not sure what. She does know this season could make her a legend. But during a camp party, someone slips something in her drink. And it all goes black. In every class, there's a star cheerleader and a pariah pregnant girl. They're never supposed to be the same person. Hermione struggles to regain the control she's always had and faces a wrenching decision about how to move on. The assault wasn't the beginning of Hermione Winter's story and she's not going to let it be the end. She won't be anyone's cautionary tale. – Excerpt from Goodreads.
Wow, I didn't expect this book to have a ton going for it. I have to admit that I bought it based on the title – how cool is it? Nope, not a cover buy! A title buy! Is that even thing? Now it is!
I read this a few days ago and I still don't know how I feel about everything. The book was very good and had a mystery that I didn't figure out – I was suspicious of everyone. I won't say who the culprit is because I don't want to ruin things and this isn't the main focus of the book and I loved that.
Exit, Pursued by a Bear really focuses on the survivor and the aftermath of the rape. I was happy to see a book not just focusing on who did it and why since at the end of the day, the survivor matters and the offender does not. Our lead female protagonist is named Hermione- yes her parents were Potter fans! Already a check for this character. How can I not love someone named after one of my favorite Potter characters? Impossible. This might not be the kind of girl that you would at first root for. She's popular, ambitious and a cheerleader to top it off! So, yeah – this might have been a girl you went to school with and possibly resented. However, the author manages to make this girl relatable to the average person. She's just a girl who is working very hard at cheerleading. She is pretty and popular but that she's an all-around nice person. She has a boyfriend that she is only slightly interested in and far from boy-crazy. I really dug this character a lot.
Her best friend, Polly is also very ambitious but she is more a smart-ass and has a tougher exterior. However, she is a fierce friend and any of us could only be so lucky as to have someone like her in our lives. Just love her! I liked that she didn't sugarcoat everything but she was never mean – just honest, but always 100% supportive.
As the book synopsis says, Hermione is sexually assaulted at a party and left for dead. She lives through the ordeal but can't remember anything about the rape, and she isn't really sure she wants to remember. The sexual assault doesn't go into really graphic details, since she can't really remember the crime. However, there is certainly enough there for someone to be triggered so read with caution. Hermione finds out she is pregnant shortly after and is devastated. She explores her options and I won't say what decision she ends up coming to. You have to read the book for that!
I will say that I thought everything was handled realistically and well. I am not a religious person myself but I have to say that I loved the Priest she goes and sees about the issue. We normally see very judgemental and harsh people when it comes to religious people in literature. I liked that he was kind and understanding, while not being unrealistic. I thought it was a nice change and at no time was it even remotely preachy. It felt honest to me.
I also though the topic of abortion was very well handled and I respected the author a great deal for how she wrote about it. I honestly felt like I was right there with Hermione and nervous about her decision for herself.
Last thing I want to note is that this book is Canadian! Being a Canadian myself, I'm always excited to support Canadian authors. Go Canada! It's fun seeing places names that you recognize.
Overall, a great book if you enjoy realistic contemporary reads. The title alone is worth the buy lol!


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Japanese glory vine
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This section contains 966 words
(approx. 3 pages at 400 words per page)
Emily is filled with dread as she walks toward the pool, praying that her secret wouldn't be revealed. Mandy sneers at her, calling her fish girl and trying to intimidate her further. Bob sees Emily and remembering the last episode, he tells her to take her time, but before she can do anything, Mandy pushes her hard enough that she trips and goes into the pool.
Emily swims to the surface, and trying to fight the feeling of her legs joining she struggles to the edge. She manages to drag herself out of the pool just in time and Bob comes to her side immediately. Seizing on an idea, Emily grabs her ankle saying it might be sprained.
Bob asks Emily how she hurt herself, and she almost tells him that she just fell, but decides at the last minute not to...
(read more from the Chapter Eight Summary)
This section contains 966 words
(approx. 3 pages at 400 words per page)


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Defendants Added In Cash Sweep Suit
The plaintiffs filed their second amended complaint in the case on Monday against a slew of brokerage houses and their affiliated banks, including Merrill Lynch & Co., Citibank NA, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc., Wachovia Corp. and...
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Director, Corporate Communications
Mesa Airlines, Inc.
Marcia Scott joined Mesa as Director of Corporate Communications in March 2014 and has nearly 20 years of in-house corporate communications, public relations agency and communications consulting experience.
Since 2008, Scott served as Public Relations Account Supervisor at The Lavidge Company in Phoenix. Her previous positions include Vice President of Corporate Communications and Investor Relations for Atlanta-based PGi, Inc. and Director of Corporate Communications and Investor Relations for both AirTran Airways and ValuJet Airlines.
Scott's experience includes local, national and international media relations, investor relations, employee communications, crisis management, public affairs and community relations. She earned a bachelor's degree in Journalism/Public Relations from The University of Florida.


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Internal gang strife, police say, led to a late Wednesday night shooting in Round Lake Beach in which officers arrested four suspects in the firing of shots at a fellow gang member.
Authorities said Thursday the incident occurred around 11 p.m. Wednesday when the suspects paged the 18-year-old local victim, luring him to the area of Rollins Road and Grove Drive. The suspects first jumped the teen, intending to beat him up, and when he broke free, chased him by car, according to police. Daniel Borke, 19, of 59 S. Mariner Ln., Fox Lake, then is alleged to have fired five rounds at the victim from the vehicle.


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Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
In a mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Using your hands work in the lard until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the water, 1 tablespoon at a time. Work the dough until you have a smooth ball. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Remove from the refrigerator and place on a lightly floured surface. Cut the dough in half and roll each ball into a circle about 14 inches in diameter and 1/8-inch thick. Gently fold the circle of dough in half and then in half again so that you can lift it without tearing the dough, and unfold into a 9-inch pie pan. Reserve the other circles for the top of the pie.
In a large saute pan, heat the butter. When the butter is melted, add the onions, peppers, celery, shallots, garlic, salt, cayenne, and black pepper. Saute for 8 minutes, or until the vegetables are golden and wilted. Add the tomatoes and cook for 6 minutes. Add the crawfish tails and parsley. Stirring occasionally, cook for about 4 minutes. Dissolve the flour in the water and add to the pan. Stir for about 2 minutes, or until the mixture thickens. Remove from the heat. Cool for at least 30 minutes.
Pour the cooled filling into the piecrust. Top the filling with the remaining crust and crimp the edges. Place the pie in the center of a cookie sheet and brush with an egg wash. Bake for 45 minutes, or until the edges of the piecrust are golden. Cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Place a slice of the pie in the center of a plate. Garnish with chives, red peppers, and cheese.
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Mixtape review: Jeremih, 'Late Nights'
August 16, 2012
By Ernest Wilkins and RedEye Sound Board
**1/2 (out of 4) You can download the tape for free here. R&B albums are always a treat, aren't they? There's the song about sex, the one about making love, the one about being in love ... you get the gist. The new tape from Chicago artist Jeremih (remember "Birthday Sex"?) isn't breaking that mold, but it sure does try. See, the formula that's applied to modern rap mixtapes (frequently unneccesary DJ drops/banter, mostly) doesn't fit exactly with the style of records included on the tape.
Video: Corey Crawford on his rough night against L.A.
May 21, 2014
"That's too many. " Corey Crawford offers no excuses for the L.A. Kings getting the best of the Blackhawks in Game 2 at the United Center.
Things I Learned from 1.5 Nights in Reykjavik
June 6, 2012
Stephen Markley
Jesus. I totally understand why the city of Reykjavik shuts down all the bars at 1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday. Normally, I'm against outlandish blue laws that prevent me from having more fun. "More fun" being the explicit goal of any traveling band of twentysomething guys. In the 'Javik, however, I get it. One night out here on a Tuesday and I can understand the kind of evil that probably goes down on a Friday night. Some quick lessons learned: 1) There is a bar here called "Lebowski" that is explicitly themed after the Jeff Bridges/ Coen brothers cult masterpiece "The Big Lebowski.
Crow no! Long night for the Blackhawks goaltender
May 21, 2014
By Chris Sosa,
Quietly - and to the surprise of some - Corey Crawford is becoming one of the NHL's best goaltenders. "As a team we want to keep raising our level of play as the stage gets bigger and bigger, but I think if there's anyone that's doing that, it's Crow," Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews said after Crawford made 25 saves in Game 1. Entering Wednesday, he led all net minders in the 2014 postseason with a 1.90 goals-against average and his save...
Chicago man accused of charging two nights in hotel with fake card
January 21, 2014
By Rachel Cromidas,
A Chicago man checked out of a Loop hotel Monday morning, and checked into police custody, after he was accused of using a fake credit card to pay for his stay. Bryant Larkin, 25, was arrested Monday morning on charges of aggravated identity theft after he allegedly used a fake card with stolen information to pay for two separate nights at the Hyatt Regency hotel on East Wacker Drive on Jan. 13 and 19. Larkin, of the 9700 block of South Yates Boulevard in Jeffrey Manor, was also charged with three counts of unlawful possession of a credit card after officers...
Five on Five: Thursday's questions for you
November 15, 2011
Leave your answer in the comments box, and you might find yourself in a future issue of RedEye. 1. A Blackhawks-Vancouver matchup is like … 2. Why did the NFL start playing games on Thursday nights? 3. NBA games through Dec. 15 have been canceled. Your reaction? 4. How can Carlos Zambrano earn his way back as a Cub, as Theo Epstein said he could? 5. What's more impressive than 902 college basketball wins? Follow @redeyesportsguy for daily details...
The night before Bullsmas
December 21, 2011
By Scott Bolohan, For RedEye
'Twas the night before tip-off, when all through Chi, Fans waited for basketball, other than the Sky. The banners were hung by the rafters with care, In celebration of the end to the labor nightmare. The fans were nestled all snug in their beds, With phrases of Stacey King stuck in their heads. And I in my replica jersey of Taj Gibson, Had just lied down to sleep at a quarter to one. When out on the street arose such a noise, Although not too unusual for this part of Illinois.
Sunday night lights
February 2, 2012
By Leonor Vivanco, RedEye
Get ready to fill up on wings, guzzle some beers and slap a few high-fives. Super Bowl Sunday is approaching. It's undoubtedly the biggest TV event of the year - the 2011 game set a record for the most-watched U.S. program of all time, according to The Nielsen Company - but not everyone will be on the couch for the showdown between the New England Patriots and New York Giants on Sunday afternoon. Consider the plight of restaurant workers, airline travelers and football followers otherwise unable to watch it as it unfolds.
Fashion's Night Out extravaganza
September 6, 2012
Leonor Vivanco,
and For RedEye
Calling all Chicago fashionistas! Interested in checking out fashion shows, getting makeovers, and sipping bubbly? Then, you'll enjoy Thursday's Fashion's Night Out in Chicago, which coincides with the start of New York Fashion Week. It also marks the finale of the Magnificent Mile Shopping Festival presented by Mastercard. "Fashion's Night Out has really become a fun celebration of fall fashion and shopping," said Erica Strama, festival chair and senior manager of marketing for The Shops at North Bridge.
A night for 'Love'
January 26, 2014
By Matt Pais,
At some point Macklemore and Ryan Lewis went from breakout independent rap stars to a duo it was uncool to like. Is it theoretically surprising to see them take down Kanye, Jay Z, Drake and Kendrick all at once? Yes. But you know what? "The Heist" is a good album. It's fun. It has something to say. Let's turn the backlash backwards. Besides, there's nothing you can do about it. M+RL were big winners during Sunday's Grammys, taking home best new artist, best rap album and, more significantly, setting the scene for a mass wedding (officiated by Queen Latifah and...
What really went down between Jay Z and Solange? We've got the story
May 13, 2014
The juiciest celebrity gossip machine of 2014 just keeps getting juicier. Following the release Monday of security camera footage that allegedly shows Solange Knowles attacking brother-in-law Jay Z in an elevator, Jay and wife Beyonce appeared courtside at a Brooklyn Nets game. The New York Daily News is reporting that Solange blew up after Jay decided to ditch Beyonce to attend Rihanna's Met Ball after-party. Yeah, we'd be pissed too. Since all parties are keeping their lips tightly zipped, we can only speculate about what went down here.
'Moms' Night Out' needs ear plugs
May 8, 2014
Matt Pais, @mattpais and RedEye movie critic
* (out of four) If you still want to see the PG-rated "Moms' Night Out" after learning that it includes a tattoo parlor manager named Bones (played by country singer Trace Adkins) offering God-focused parenting advice in a prison waiting area, please go for it. You probably will love the movie. Me, I almost slid off my seat. Not from laughter - from being pummeled with so much manic noise that it felt like being trapped in a shrillness simulator. "Moms' Night Out" tries to have fun with three women's attempt to give themselves a break...
Chi-Fi Con relaunches as One Night-All Night event
March 5, 2014
By Elliott Serrano,
and For RedEye
Like any good story, the one surrounding the Chi-Fi Con has been full of twists and turns. After a well-publicized falling out with the Westin River North , the newly-created event for Chicago's geek and nerd community has found a welcome home in the Palmer House Hilton . And to kick off what they hope will be a long-lasting tradition, they've changed it from a weekend event to an all-night celebration of all things geeky! Here are the deets as I got them from the good folks at Chi-Fi.org : Mid-Flight Correction...
Kanye West performs, talks fatherhood on 'Late Night with Seth Meyers'
February 26, 2014
By Ernest Wilkins
RedEye Sound Board
West joined Seth Meyers on his second night at the desk and gave a fairly entertaining interview, touching on topics ranging to the mask he wears during his "Yeezus" shows, fatherhood, Quentin Tarantino, a weird point about nudity on European TV and an old SNL sketch in which Kanye crashes the awards presentation at a weird place. Watch the whole thing below 214226571 by YardieGoals Then, he returned later in the show to perform a medley of hits, ranging from "Touch The...
'About Last Night' review: Get with the program
February 13, 2014
Matt Pais, @mattpais and RedEye movie critic
** (out of four) In the diverting, minimally insightful remake of "About Last Night," Dan (Michael Ealy of "Almost Human") and Debbie (Joy Bryant of "Parenthood") watch and express their love for the 1986 film - which starred Rob Lowe and Demi Moore, and was set in Chicago and adapted from David Mamet's play "Sexual Perversity in Chicago." It's a funny moment; movie characters rarely exist in a world that allows them to see real media. The scene also reinforces how much more romantically advanced...
Seth Meyers 'Late Night' first-week guest list includes Kanye West
February 12, 2014
By Curt Wagner,
and RedEye
Kanye West will help Seth Meyers kick off his first week as host of "Late Night. " The Chicago rapper will be a guest on the show's second night, Feb. 25, NBC announced in a press release Wednesday. The announcement follows news that Fred Armisen will lead the new "Late Night" band, called The 8G Band. Meyers takes over hosting duties Feb. 24 from Jimmy Fallon, who has moved to an hour earlier as host of "The Tonight Show. " Fallon's debut is set for Feb. 17. Meyers will welcome the following first-week guests to...
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February 17, 2012
Ernest Wilkins and RedEye Sound Board
***1/2 (out of 4) Having limited exposure to previous work from Fun (an indie super-group comprising members of the Format, Anathallo and Steel Train), I showed up to the New York outfit's sophomore full-length merely expecting some fun indie pop. Receiving stadium-ready songs like "We Are Young" (featuring Janelle Monae) and "One Foot," both songs either currently or soon to be invading every commercial in the known universe, was a kick to the gut I didn't mind one bit. The title track has lush vocals from Nate Ruess and guitar play that recalls Paul Simon circa "Graceland." The...
Sweet 'Revenge' occupies Wednesday nights
November 16, 2011
By Curt Wagner and RedEye
"Revenge" producer Mike Kelley is kind of a genius. I try not to throw that word around lightly, but the Winnetka native earns the praise for creating a must-see, damn-it's-not-on-this-week drama at 9 p.m. Wednesdays on ABC. I'd call it a guilty pleasure, but I feel no guilt at all enjoying it. Kelley's real genius - and I'm an idiot for not seeing this earlier but I was too preoccupied with all its soapy goodness - is that he's...
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When David Mamet's play "Sexual Perversity in Chicago" hit the big screen with Rob Lowe and Demi Moore in 1986's "About Last Night," dating and relationships were tough. Nearly three decades later, that stuff is a piece of cake. Just kidding. In the new "About Last Night" (opening Friday), the story moves from Chicago to L.A., and now Bernie (Kevin Hart) and Joan (Regina Hall of "Law and Order: LA") are one-night standers whose volatile dynamic doesn't dampen their sexual chemistry.
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Home > Programs for Teachers & School Employees > NJ Project WET Teacher Training > WOW! The Wonders of Wetlands Workshop
Course Code: EW0504CC
Last Held: May 13, 2006
Download a DEP flyer to see upcoming offerings sponsored by other course providers.
WOW! The Wonders of Wetlands features 70 pages of background material followed by more than 40 cross-referenced lessons. Lessons focus on wetlands definitions, wetlands plants and animals, water quality and supply issues, soils, and people.
Facilitator: Jenny Gaus
Grant Funded - no cost to registrant but seats are limited - must register to attend
The WOW! Educator's Guide will be provided.
Substitutions are permitted. View cancellation policy.
Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided to you at no additional cost.
NOTE: If you have any dietary restrictions or food allergies, please alert us at least one (1) week in advance of the course start date so that we can make reasonable accommodations. We cannot guarantee accommodations for special requests made after that time.
We strongly recommend that you use the directions we provide.
Pyramid Mountain - Natural Historic Area
Boonton, NJ
Sorry! Registration is not currently available.
Would you like to be notified when the next offering is scheduled?
Here are 3 convenient ways to be added to our mailing list:
1. Click here to join our mailing list (please reference "WOW! The Wonders of Wetlands" or Course Code EW0504CC)
2. Call us at 848-932-9271, select option 3
3. E-mail us at firstname.lastname@example.com
Program Coordinator: Pamela Springard-Mayer, 848-932-7463
All of the courses offered by the Rutgers Office of Continuing Professional Education are approved by the New Jersey State Approving Agency for Veterans Training for educational benefits through the GI Bill. For more information about the GI Bill, click here.


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Rumours are going around dat posh an michael jackson is having an affair
michael jackson denies this because he was in brooklyn at the time
Michael Jackson, Bill Clinton and Nelson Mandela are in an airplane with
20 kids. The airplane gets a failure and is doomed to crash. The plane has
only 20 parachutes. Nelson Mandela, as a great humanitarian says that
children should have them. Bill Clinton gets panicky and shouts, "SCREW
THE CHILDREN!!" Michael Jackson's face lights up and he shouts, "YES,
YES!! But do we have enough time?"
Pope Benedict 16th, Osama Bin Laden, & Michael Jacskon Are On A Small Plane With 3 Boy Scouts And A Single Pilot.
a Huge Problem Occured When The Pilot Died Of A Sudden Heart Attack, And The Plane Spun Out Of Control. Even Worse, It Emerged That There Were Only 3 Parachuctes To Go Between 6 People. The Pope Spoke First. "i Think We Should Give Them To The Boy Scouts"
bin Laden Said "what! - No Way, Screw The Boy Scouts!" - Michael Jackson's Face Lit Up Immediately - "is There Time For That?......."
Q. What did the man on the beach say to Michael Jackson?
A. Get out of my sun!
what times bed time in michael jacksons never, never land ranch? when the big hand touches the little hand-0+


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Verse (Click for Chapter)
New International Version
my heart grew hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:
New Living Translation
The more I thought about it, the hotter I got, igniting a fire of words:
English Standard Version
My heart became hot within me. As I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:
Berean Study Bible
My heart grew hot within me; as I mused, the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue:
New American Standard Bible
My heart was hot within me, While I was musing the fire burned; Then I spoke with my tongue:
King James Bible
My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,
Christian Standard Bible
My heart grew hot within me; as I mused, a fire burned. I spoke with my tongue:
Contemporary English Version
I felt a fire burning inside, and the more I thought, the more it burned, until at last I said:
Good News Translation
and I was overcome with anxiety. The more I thought, the more troubled I became; I could not keep from asking:
Holman Christian Standard Bible
My heart grew hot within me; as I mused, a fire burned. I spoke with my tongue:"
International Standard Version
My heart within me became incensed; as I thought about it, the fire burned. Then I spoke out:
NET Bible
my anxiety intensified. As I thought about it, I became impatient. Finally I spoke these words:
New Heart English Bible
My heart was hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned: I spoke with my tongue:
Aramaic Bible in Plain English
My heart is hot within me and fire is renewed in my body; I meditated with my tongue.
GOD'S WORD® Translation
My heart burned like a fire flaring up within me. Then I spoke with my tongue:
JPS Tanakh 1917
My heart waxed hot within me; While I was musing, the fire kindled; Then spoke I with my tongue:
New American Standard 1977
My heart was hot within me; While I was musing the fire burned; Then I spoke with my tongue:
Jubilee Bible 2000
My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue,
King James 2000 Bible
My heart was hot within me, while I was meditating the fire burned: then spoke I with my tongue,
American King James Version
My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spoke I with my tongue,
American Standard Version
My heart was hot within me; While I was musing the fire burned: Then'spake I with my tongue:
Douay-Rheims Bible
My heart grew hot within me : and in my meditation a fire shall flame out.
Darby Bible Translation
My heart burned within me; the fire was kindled in my musing: I spoke with my tongue,
English Revised Version
My heart was hot within me; while I was musing the fire kindled: then spake I with my tongue:
Webster's Bible Translation
My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then I spoke with my tongue.
World English Bible
My heart was hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned: I spoke with my tongue:
Young's Literal Translation
Hot is my heart within me, In my meditating doth the fire burn, I have spoken with my tongue.
Study BibleI Will Watch My Ways
…2I was speechless and still; I held my peace, even from good, and my sorrow was stirred. 3My heart grew hot within me; as I mused, the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue: 4"Show me, O LORD, my end and the measure of my days. Let me know how fleeting my life is.…
Cross References
Luke 24:32
They asked one another, "Were not our hearts burning within us as He spoke with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"
Psalm 32:3
When I kept silent, my bones became brittle from my groaning all day long.
Psalm 32:4
For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was drained as in the summer heat. Selah
Jeremiah 20:9
If I say, "I will not mention Him or speak any more in His name," His message becomes a fire burning in my heart, shut up in my bones, and I become weary of holding it in, and I cannot prevail.
Treasury of Scripture
My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spoke I with my tongue,
Jeremiah 20:9 Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name…
Ezekiel 3:14 So the spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, …
Luke 24:32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while …
The fire burned.--The attempt at repression only makes the inward flame of feeling burn the more fiercely, till at last it is too much for the resolution that has been formed, and the passion of the heart breaks out in words. Like the modern poet, the Hebrew bard had felt
"Twere better not to breathe or speak
Than cry for strength, remaining weak,
And seem to find, but still to seek."
"But thought is too much for him, and he breaks into speech, not, however, fretfully, still less with bitter invective against others. It is a dialogue with the ruler of destiny, in which frail man wants to face his condition, and know the worst.Verse 3. - My heart was hot within me; or, grew hot (Kay). And while I was musing the fire burned; or, kindled (Revised Version). Then spake I with my tongue; i.e. aloud, articulately. I could not - at any rate, I did not - refrain myself. I burst out in speech, and made my moan to God
while I was musing the fire burned; not the fire of the divine word, while he was meditating upon it, which caused his heart to burn within him; nor the fire of divine love, the coals whereof give a most vehement flame, when the love of God is shed abroad in the heart, and the thoughts of it are directed by the Spirit of God to dwell in meditation on it; but the fire of passion, anger, and resentment, while meditating on his own adversity, and the prosperity of others;
then spake I with my tongue; and so broke the resolution he had made, Psalm 39:1; he spoke not for God, though to him; not by way of thankfulness for his grace and goodness to him, in supporting him under his exercises; but in a way of complaint, because of his afflictions; it was in prayer he spoke to God with his tongue, and it was unadvisedly with his lips, as follows.
4 Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail Iam.
5 Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.
6 Surely every man walketh in a vain shew; surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.
Psalm 39:3
"My heart was hot within me." The friction of inward thoughts produced an intense mental heat. The door of his heart was shut, and with the fire of sorrow burning within, the chamber of his soul soon grew unbearable with heat. Silence is an awful thing for a sufferer, it is the surest method to produce madness. Mourner, tell your sorrow; do it first and most fully to God, but even to pour it out before some wise and godly friend is far from being wasted breath. "While I was musing the fire burned." As he thought upon the ease of the wicked and his own daily affliction, he could not unravel the mystery of providence, and therefore he became greatly agitated. While his heart was musing it was fusing, for the subject was confusing. It became harder every moment to be quiet; his volcanic soul was tossed with an inward ocean of fire, and heaved to and fro with a mental earthquake; an eruption was imminent, the burning lava must pour forth in a fiery stream. "Then spake I with my tongue." The original is grandly laconic. "I spake." The muzzled tongue burst all its bonds. The gag was hurled away. Misery, like murder, will out. You can silence praise, but anguish is clamorous. Resolve or no resolve, heed or no heed, sin or no sin, the impetuous torrent forced for itself a channel and swept away every restraint.
Psalm 39:4
"Lord." It is well that the vent of his soul was Godward and not towards man. Oh! if my swelling heart must speak, Lord let it speak with thee; even if there be too much of natural heat in what I say, thou wilt be more patient with me than man, and upon thy purity it can cast not stain; whereas if I speak to my fellows, they may harshly rebuke me or else learn evil from my petulance. "Make me to know my end." Did he mean the same as Elias in his agony, "Let me die, I am no better than my fathers?" Perhaps so. At any rate, he rashly and petulantly desired to know the end of his wretched life, that he might begin to reckon the days till death should put a finis to his woe. Impatience would pry between the folded leaves. As if there were no other comfort to be had, unbelief would fain hide itself in the grave and sleep itself into oblivion. David was neither the first nor the last who had spoken unadvisedly in prayer. Yet, there is a better meaning: the Psalmist would know more of the shortness of life, that he might better bear its transient ills, and herein we may safely kneel with him, uttering the same petition. That there is no end to its misery is the hell of hell; that there is an end to life's sorrow is the hope of all who have a hope beyond the grave. God is the best teacher of the divine philosophy which looks for an expected end. They who see death through the Lord's glass, see a fair sight, which makes them forget the evil of life in foreseeing the end of life. "And the measure of my days." David would fain be assured that his days would be soon over and his trials with them; he would be taught anew that life is measured out to us by wisdom, and is not a matter of chance. As the trader measures his cloth by inches, and ells, and yards, so with scrupulous accuracy is life measured out to man. "That I may know how frail I am," or when I shall cease to be. Alas! poor human nature, dear as life is, man quarrels with God at such a rate that he would sooner cease to be than bear the Lord's appointment. Such pettishness in a saint! Let us wait till we are in a like position, and we shall do no better. The ship on the stocks wonders that the barque springs a leak, but when it has tried the high seas, it marvels that its timbers hold together in such storms. David's case is not recorded for our imitation, but for our learning.
Psalm 39:5
"Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth." Upon consideration, the Psalmist finds little room to bewail the length of life, but rather to bemoan its shortness. What changeful creatures we are! One moment we cry to be rid of existence, and the next instant beg to have it prolonged! A handbreadth is one of the shortest natural measures, being the breadth of four fingers; such is the brevity of life, by divine appointment; God has made it so, fixing the period in wisdom. The "behold" calls us to attention; to some the thought of life's hastiness will bring the acutest pain, to others the most solemn earnestness. How well should those live who are to live so little! Is my earthly pilgrimage so brief? then let me watch every step of it, that in the little of time there may be much of grace. "And mine age is as nothing before thee." So short as not to amount to an entity. Think of eternity, and an angel is as a new-born babe, the world a fresh blown bubble, the sun a spark just fallen from the fire, and man a nullity. Before the Eternal, all the age of frail man is less than one ticking of a clock. "Verily, every man at his best state is altogether vanity." This is the surest truth, that nothing about man is either sure or true. Take man at his best, he is but a man, and man is a mere breath, unsubstantial as the wind. Man is settled, as the margin has it, and by divine decree it is settled that he shall not be settled. He is constant only in inconstancy. His vanity is his only verity; his best, of which he is vain, is but vain; and this is verily true of every man, that everything about him is every way fleeting. This is sad news for those whose treasures are beneath the moon; those whose glorying is in themselves may well hang the flag half-mast; but those whose best estate is settled upon them in Christ Jesus in the land of unfading flowers, may rejoice that it is no vain thing in which they trust.
Psalm 39:6
"Surely every man walketh in a vain shew." Life is but a passing pageant. This alone is sure, that nothing is sure. All around us shadows mock us; we walk among them, and too many live for them as if the mocking images were substantial; acting their borrowed parts with zeal fit only to be spent on realities, and lost upon the phantoms of this passing scene. Worldly men walk like travellers in a mirage, deluded, duped, deceived, soon to be filled with disappointment and despair. "Surely they are disquieted in vain." Men fret, and fume, and worry, and all for mere nothing. They are shadows pursuing shadows, while death pursues them. He who toils and contrives, and wearies himself for gold, for fame, for rank, even if he wins his desire, finds at the end his labour lost; for like the treasure of the miser's dream, it all vanishes when the man awakes in the world of reality. Read change, the din of the city streets, and remember that all this noise (for so the word means), this breach of quiet, is made about unsubstantial, fleeting vanities. Broken rest, anxious fear, over-worked brain, failing mind, lunacy, these are steps in the process of disquieting with many, and all to be rich, or, in other words, to load one's self with the thick clay; clay, too, which a man must leave so soon. "He heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them." He misses often the result of his ventures, for there are many slips between the cup and the lips. His wheat is sheaved, but an interloping robber bears it away - as often happens with the poor Eastern husbandman; or, the wheat is even stored, but the invader feasts thereon. Many work for others all unknown to them. Especially does this verse refer to those all-gathering muckrakes, who in due time are succeeded by all-scattering forks, which scatter riches as profusely as their sires gathered them parsimoniously. We know not our heirs, for our children die, and strangers fill the old ancestral halls; estates change hands, and entail, though riveted with a thousand bonds, yields to the corroding power of time. Men rise up early and sit up late to build a house, and then the stranger tramps along its passages, laughs in its chambers, and forgetful of its first builder, calls it all his own. Here is one of the evils under the sun for which no remedy can be prescribed.
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About Us
We have a skilled team of practitioners who use their different skill sets and experiences to deliver a project in the most efficient and cost effective manner for our clients.
We choose the best team for each project utilizing different skill sets and experiences to deliver a project in the most efficient and cost effective manner for our clients.
Paul Kyprianou MA CQSW FAETC (Director, Praxis)
Paul has over 40 years of working with diverse communities. He has spent the last 15 years as a researcher and facilitator.
Philosophy 'We need to empower those who are disadvantaged and discriminated and work with them to create a fairer and more equal society'
Most rewarding project – Getting By?
Leo Kyprianou MA (Director, Praxis)
Leo has over 8 years experience working in research and evaluation, developing research projects, data analysis and training and supporting fieldwork teams.
Philosophy – 'Delivering social change through empowering communities and individuals'
Most rewarding project – Working with a Somali mental health charity
Kate Rodenhurst MA BA (Hons)
Experience – Kate has over 10 years in the arts sector, working on learning and community programmes
Philosophy – 'Arts and culture are essential to create cities and communities that are great to live in
Most rewarding project' – Leading a project which supported refugees and asylum seekers through participation in cultural activities
Experience – Eric has over 30 years in market and social research.
Philosophy – 'Decisions involving people, businesses, communities should be underpinned with timely, relevant and accurate intelligence'
Most rewarding project – Managing a project looking at the needs of disabled people living at home and their carers.
Maria McCann, MA
Maria spent over 30 years in outreach work setting up/managing community projects both in England and in the developing world. She worked in the statutory, voluntary and community sectors and developed partnerships across Merseyside and beyond. Her first degree was in languages and her MA was in Ethnic Studies and Race Relations Her thesis was on Racist Stereotyping of Irish People in Merseyside.
David Warnock, BA (Hons) Social Sciences, CQSW
Experience – David has 25 years as a social worker, and over 5 years working in housing, health and social care designing and executing consultation and research with tenants and service users.
Philosophy – 'Working with residents, tenants and services users to help create and develop independent groups and strengthen their roles'
Most Rewarding Project – Working for ten years as a CAB advice team trustee.
Rachael Treacher MSc BA (Hons)
Experience – Rachael has worked in the arts and cultural sector for over ten years in evaluation and project management positions. She has worked on a number of large and small scale events in the North West including two community engagement projects with BBC North.
Philosophy ' It is vital to document evaluate and use qualitative data in the right way to shape, inform and influence future policy decision making locally and nationally '
We also recognise there are times we need to supplement our resources with acknowledged experts in specialist fields of knowledge and expertise. We have an extensive list of associates and links to universities across the region.


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Chrissy Amphlett — the sultry lead singer of Australian rockers Divinyls, who released four albums in the '80s before hitting it big with their risque smash single "I Touch Myself" — died in New York on Sunday following a long battle with cancer, according to Australian media reports.
Amphlett, 53, who lived with her husband in New York, announced in 2010 that she was fighting breast cancer and also had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
At the time, she told The Age that her battle with cancer was "shit and unfair." She added: "But life is not fair — even rock stars get breast cancer. But there's been many girls before me that have dealt with it successfully. It's easy to feel sorry for me but I feel sorry for people who are suffering it alone."
According to Faster Louder, Amphlett's husband, Divinyls drummer Charley Drayton, issued this statement:
Our beloved Chrissy peacefully passed this afternoon. Christine Joy Amphlett succumbed to the effects of breast cancer and multiple sclerosis, diseases she vigorously fought with exceptional bravery and dignity. She passed gently, in her sleep, surrounded by close friends and family, including husband of fourteen years, musician Charley Drayton; her sister, Leigh; nephew, Matt; and cousin Patricia Amphlett ("Little Pattie").
Chrissy's light burns so very brightly. Hers was a life of passion and creativity; she always lived it to the fullest. With her force of character and vocal strength she paved the way for strong, sexy, outspoken women. Best remembered as the lead singer of the ARIA Hall of Fame inductee, Divinyls; last month she was named one of Australia's top ten singers of all time. Chrissy expressed hope that her worldwide hit 'I Touch Myself' would be utilized to remind all women to perform annual breast examinations. Chrissy was a true pioneer and a treasure to all whose lives her music and spirit touched.
Amphlett and former Air Supply members Mark McEntee and Jeremy Paul formed the Divinyls in 1980, and proceeded to score hits in Australia throughout the '80s, including "Boys in Town," "Science Fiction," "Good Die Young" and "Pleasure and Pain."
But it wasn't until 1990's "I Touch Myself," which capitalized on Amphlett's highly sexualized stage act, that the band broke through in America and elsewhere around the world. By that point, the group was down to just Amphlett and McEntee, who broke up in the mid-'90s and reunited in 2006 when they were inducted into Australia's ARIA Hall of Fame.
Below, check out some of Divinyls' key '80s singles.
UPDATE: We've added some statements below from the Hoodoo Gurus and Icehouse
Hoodoo Gurus:
We are very sad to announce the passing of Chrissie Amphlett today (a few hours ago) after a long illness.
Chrissie has left an enormous musical and personal legacy and she will be greatly missed around the world, but personally by Rick Grossman who has always been close to Chrissie, beginning with their musical collaboration in The Divinyls. That working partnership grew into an even stronger friendship that has only deepened over the years and Rick has been in constant contact with Chrissie and her devoted partner Charlie throughout their terrible ordeal.
As for myself, I was lucky to get to work with Chrissie briefly when she sang lead vocals on a song that I helped write for the Antenna album. It is a source of great pride to me that Chrissie would often sing our song many times over the years whenever she performed solo. Chrissie also joined us onstage on a couple of memorable occasions for an off-the-cuff version of The Easybeats classic 'I'll Make You Happy', a song that she put her own unique stamp on when she recorded it with The Divinyls.
Singer, actor, friend, Chrissie's larger than life personality could never be constrained by the professional limitations other people may have tried to put on her. She was sassy, funny, gorgeous, brilliant and mercurial but always endearing and one of the most compelling performers Australia has ever produced.
I think I speak for everyone when I say we will always love her.
Our thoughts are for the many friends and family struggling with the reality of Chrissie's passing, particularly for Charlie who has lost his soul mate and the love of his life. Chrissie's painful struggle is over but Charlie's continues. We wish him love.
Dave Faulkner
It is with great sadness that we have received the news of the passing of Chrissy. Chrissy and the Divinyls played with us on scores and scores of occasions and I was always a great admirer of her as both a writer and a performer. Chrissy did me the great honour of recording her version of one of my songs, "Love in motion", in the early nineties. She made the song distinctively hers, with her own smoking, seductive and unmistakable style. I was recently asked by The Age to nominate my choice of the Top 10 Australian singers of all time. Chrissy was among my choices, of course. She was a pioneer, and a great spirit. I.D
Divinyls, "Boys in Town"
Divinyls, "Science Fiction"
Divinyls, "Pleasure and Pain"


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55 Queenston Road
Hamilton, ON L8K 1E8
Be the first Weblocal.ca user to add photos or videos of City Motor Hotel
This Motel/Hotel can go both ways?? Some nights its quite here and some nights its a fun party then some nights we might need ambulance police and witness? Don't think a Limosean has ever pulled in...maybe to buy dope?? Not that I've seen or heard of?? The rooms are Very plain..well decorated...up to date...Cable..A/C..did I say the Vending machined WORK!!... more
The place is disgusting and has continually gone downhill for decades. There are local rumours that the place is to be closed down by the city because the excessive drug addicts and dealers that frequent the hotel. The restaurant has been closed down for years and I don't think the pool has had clean water in it since the 80's.... more
City Motor Hotel offers these services: motel, hotel, lodging.


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Every Friday morning all children participate in a Spanish lesson and a Creative Dance class.
Polyglot Tots language school, http://pollyglottots.com provides a weekly Spanish lesson to all children.
Each instructor uses the communicative approach with lots of gestures, so everyone participates in the fun. Immersed in Spanish, students engage in games and activities, and learn through music, movement, drama and art. The children will learn useful everyday vocabulary and functional language such as describing actions and expressing likes.
Creative Dance teacher, Jessica Gleason has been dancing and performing since the age of four. She received her Bachelor of Arts in dance at the University of Washington (2001.) After university Jessica performed professionally with various modern dance companies around Western Washington. In 2005 she found her passion for teaching while attending the Summer Dance Institute for Teachers at the Creative Dance Center in Seattle. The Creative Dance Center is the birthplace of Anne Green Gilbert's BrainDance, a series of exercises that are used to help integrate the mind and body. In addition to teaching at many local dance studios in the Seattle area Jessica joined the faculty of the Creative Dance Center in 2006. She has taught a large age range of students but particularly enjoys teaching children 5 and under. Jessica feels very passionate about the importance of movement in early life. She is known for her high energy, laughter, and extremely creative and joyful approach to teaching.
Children are playfully engaged to move using fun concepts, such as size and level that research has shown to enhance brain development. The children will learn new skills while enjoying a wide variety of music, props, rhythm instruments, BrainDance rhymes, and an obstacle course.


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The latest and greatest on CNN iReport, brought to you by Team iReport.
From commemorating the summer solstice with grand celebrations in some parts of the world to protests igniting in Egypt, we recap the best of iReport this week.
Radiohead postponed a part of their upcoming European tour after a stage collapsed in Toronto last Saturday, killing the band's drum technician. The area was guarded by police, but iReporter Gary Jones' wife was able to capture images of the scene. "Amazingly, one of the guards let my wife snap photos... no one else was allowed," Jones said.
Solstice sun salutations take over
For the celebration of the summer solstice on Wednesday, thousands of yoga enthusiasts took to Times Square. The all-day yoga fest transformed one of the world's busiest cities into a wellspring for mind, body and spirit. "It was amazing to see all these people doing yoga. I might want to try it myself," said Rachel Cauvin.
While Croatia is largely a conservative society, according to iReporter Ivan Klindic, the turn out for the pride parade this year was huge. This year around 4,000 people streamed into Zagreb for the parade – a marked increase as compared to last year's 1,500.
Protesters contest military rule in Egypt
After a court verdict dissolved the Egyptian parliament, security forces were deployed around the parliament building as thousands of demonstrators gathered on Tuesday in uproar. Ahmed Raafat was in the middle of it all as people chanted slogans like "down with military rule." They were protesting the decision of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces taking over legislative power.
Fire topples San Francisco pier
Chris Bright saw black smoke rising from San Francisco's Pier 29 and rushed to see what was going on. He captured this video of the four-alarm fire from across the street. "The fire department got there pretty quickly with about five to six trucks. They seemed to be doing a good job of handling it," he said. Authorities say the warehouse fire caused substantial damage to the pier.
Is news happening where you are, or do you have an opinion you'd like to share? You could be part of next week's Best of iReport. Share your story here.
From efforts to quell the Colorado blaze to Mother Nature's barrage of baseball-size hail, your stories were exceptional this week. Check out the best and the undiscovered below.
Heroic efforts take flight in Fort Collins, Colorado
Wildlife photographer Victor Schendel documented a helicopter crew scrambling to contain the High Park fire on Monday as it engulfed tens of thousands of acres in northern Colorado. He describes the pilots' efforts to safeguard residential communities as "absolutely heroic."
This week, we welcomed former "America's Next Top Model" contestant Hannah Jones to the iReport community. Her first iReport was this video of a hailstorm that pummeled Dallas, Texas, on Wednesday and created a flooded chaos around her swimming pool.
Flooding in Pensacola, Florida
As waters rose on the streets of Pensacola, Florida, iReporter Randy Hamilton photographed stranded drivers trying to rescue their flooded vehicles. The flooding resulted from a torrential downpour of rain on June 9.
Film director Joe Vogt photographed thousands of high-spirited Polish fans in Warsaw supporting their country in the opening match of the Euro 2012 soccer championship. Poland and Greece tied 1-1.
Mongolia commemorates Gautama Buddha
Lanterns took flight in Ulaanbaatar City, Mongolia, for Vesak, an annual Buddhist festival commemorating the birthday, enlightenment and death of Gautama Buddha. iReporter Onon Batchuluun documented the floating lanterns after a gathering of storytelling, prayer and meditation.
Is news happening where you are, or do you have an opinion you'd like to share? You could be part of next week's Best of iReport. Share your story here.
Tears, cheers and a transit to remember: Check out the best of iReport this week!
'I just kept thinking about the people'
Photographer Femi Green-Adebo lives a few blocks from the Nigerian plane crash that killed 153 people on board and at least 10 on the ground. "It was so hot, we couldn't get close because of the fire," he said. "I just kept thinking about the people, if there was anyone in there."
Wisconsin's unions began Tuesday evening with hope and energy about the promise of a governor recall. They ended the night "sullen, quiet and deflated," said iReporter Jim Jorstad, who spent more than a year covering the recall movement in pictures.
"It is unbelievable how everyone across the world can be looking at the same thing at the same time," Katie Sykes thought, as she watched Venus pass in front of the setting sun from a rooftop in Wichita, Kansas. She snapped this photo as countless of sky-watchers across the globe did the same.
Straight Mormons draw tears, cheers
Hundreds of straight Mormons marched in the annual Salt Lake City, Utah, gay pride parade to show their love for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Photographer Katrina Anderson brought her five children with her and said, "Just because you're Mormon doesn't mean you hate gays."
Syrian-American boy rallies for dying
Basil Harris Chaballout, a Syrian-American boy (second from right in the photo) from Homs, felt heartbroken about the violence there and wanted his classmates to understand the situation. "Not NEARLY ENOUGH people in the U.S. know anything about what is going on," he wrote in an email to CNN iReport. "To see children with open wounds, people on the street with split open heads, and families upon families crying and suffering just makes me want to cry when I think about it."
Is news happening where you are, or do you have an opinion you'd like to share? You could be part of next week's Best of iReport. Share your story here.
Every week iReporters from across the world upload amazing stories onto the site, and every Friday the iReport Team tries to highlight the stories that make us say "wow" or "have you seen this iReport?" From a tropical storm edging up the eastern coast of the United States, to a story that starts in a chicken factory and goes straight to Buckingham Palace, the stories this week took some interesting turns:
Satin dresses and lace veils thrashed frantically in the wind as Tropical Storm Beryl started to make landfall during a Jacksonville, Florida, wedding. Scott Thornton captured a video of his friends, Ryan and Amanda, tying the knot, despite gusts of wind and the ominously darkening sky.
"Nobody got rained on," Thornton said. "It was like perfect timing. They said I do, there was the kiss, and then, 'Whoo!' and we ran. The house for the reception was right behind it."
Thornton decided to upload the video as a wedding present to the bride and groom. "I actually didn't get them a wedding gift, so I felt bad. I wanted to send an iReport," he said.
Stormy weather continued throughout the week as a massive hail storm swept through Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Jeremy Battle started filming the hail storm outside his home, expecting the pieces to be the size of golf balls.
"As the hail intensified to three inches, near baseball size hail, I begin shouting 'Oh my goodness' in the video because I have never seen hail hit that size firsthand. I had to keep my back against my front door to prevent any hail from hitting me directly. It was an experience I will never forget."
As the 2012 Olympics heads underway in London, Harry Hayfield captured the "kiss" of the Olympic flame. The "kiss" is when the Olympic flame is passed from torchbearer to torchbearer.
Hayfield added that the tradition of passing the torch for the Olympics, otherwise known as the Olympic Torch Relay, was established during the 1930s as a way of connecting the ideals of Nazi Germany to Ancient Greeks.
"The fact that the 1948 London Olympics took the idea and turned it into a message of peace between nations shows that peace will always overcome war," he said.
James Mills sent in an iReport about how he not only met Queen Elizabeth II, but also worked for her. Mills was working at a chicken factory in Glasgow, Scotland, when he applied for a "trainee butler," he told CNN's Barry Neild.
When Buckingham Palace called to offer him a job, his mother thought it was a crank call. "It's one of those jobs you never expect to hear back from, so when they called my house my mother thought it was one of my friends having a wind up. So for three days she kept telling them to piss off."
Eventually, Mills called the number back himself and accepted the job, and he worked for the Queen from 2002 until 2006 as a footman.
"The footman -- that was me -- would either walk alongside the carriage in which the queen, or visiting head of state rides, or depending on the style of carriage, the footman may ride on the back. It is my job to protect the persons inside, and also to get the carriage door open when it stops to assist the passengers in or out."
Across America, people celebrated Memorial Day on Monday by remembering those who served the country. But Eric Raum was not in the U.S. on Memorial Day, he was in Buehring, Kuwait.
In Buehring, Kuwait, the United Service Organization, a nonprofit group, put together a 5k run/walk in remembrance of fallen soldiers. The run ended with 6,431 luminaries glowing softly in a vast field. Raum said it was truly a humbling and incredibly moving sight.
"It was a very powerful and emotional reminder of the human impact these last 12 years have had, as well as the meaning behind the day," he said. "Many soldiers taking part are on their second, third, or more deployment, and many know first hand the faces behind those lights."
Is news happening where you are, or do you have an opinion you'd like to share? You could be part of next week's Best of iReport. Share your story here.
Every week, hundreds of iReports are uploaded onto the site, and each week the iReport Team highlights stories that are exceptional, undiscovered or simply the best. From naming streets after icons to walking suspects off runways, this week, the site was filled with breaking news, momentous moves and messages of hope:
As May 22 approached, Grant Deardorff drove around Joplin, Missouri, snapping pictures of the town that one year ago was decimated by a devastating tornado. He photographed local schools, businesses and homes and says the landscape has totally transformed.
"I would never show up and take pictures of the back of a Walmart, but Walmart had been gone and it had been destroyed," he said. "The most mundane place in your entire world can become the most significant."
A woman in handcuffs was led away by police after a security scare on Flight 787 from Paris to Charlotte, North Carolina, on Wednesday. John O'Connor and his wife were onboard when they noticed some commotion on the plane. The woman claimed to have a device implanted in her body. "It was just so low key. The announcement came on board that they were looking for an emergency medical person, then 'was there a doctor on board?'" he said.
"The suspect was seated diagonally to me. At some point during the flight she came up and sat. I thought she was the one doing the helping rather than the one in trouble," he said.
The NATO Summit in Chicago generated more than just ideas, it stirred up emotions of anger, frustration and passion. People from all over the U.S. came to the Windy City to protest the summit, marching through the streets of downtown, chanting for the end of military occupation in Afghanistan.
Tom Jozefowicz documented the marches, which he described as chaotic. "There [were] thousands and thousands of people, and hundreds of police officers on both sides of the streets," he said.
Sky-watchers in some parts of the world were treated to a rare event over the weekend: An annular solar eclipse. The "ring of fire" -- termed becaused the sun appears as a thin ring behind the moon -- was visible in Western parts of the U.S. and Asia. Howard Bruensteiner photographed the solar eclipse over the sandy dunes of Roswell, New Mexico.
He describes the eclipse as something that reminded him of infinity. "At mid-eclipse, looking into the blackness in the center of the sun was like looking into forever ... like a worm hole, if that could be imagined," he said.
San Diego's Blaine Avenue was christened Harvey Milk Street on Tuesday, the 82nd anniversary of the slain gay rights leader. Milk was the first openly gay man to be elected for public office in California. Anthony Antoine McWilliams shot a video of the street sign's unveiling and said it shows that Milk should be honored for his leadership.
"The climate is now to see the dreams of Harvey Milk fulfilled. It's the same year that our first sitting President of the United States has publicly shifted his position to support gay marriage,' he said.
Is news happening where you are, or do you have an opinion you'd like to share? You could be part of next week's Best of iReport. Share your story here.
Here at Team iReport, it's always tough to boil down the best iReports in any given week to five high-quality gems you see in these roundup blog posts. We watch the site like a mother hawk tending to her nest, so we get to see all of the awesome photos, videos and stories that iReporters regularly send our way. But picking out the best ones? It's like asking that mother hawk to pick her favorite hatchling.
From a rave on the beaches of Tel Aviv and majestic herons fishing in the waters of Alberta, Canada, to the wildfires raging in the U.S. Southwest – Dear Reader, this is the week in iReport.
Domenico Giannantonio lives in the small, northern Italian town of Reggio Emilia. Last year, during his travels throughout the town and to the metropolitan centers Venice and Milan, he was struck by scores of homeless and impoverished he saw in the streets. He took these photos as a way of humanizing what he sees as an underrepresented group in Italian society.
"We really could not solve the problem of poverty in our society, but we can do one thing: to speak and listen to [them]. Hear their story of life, gather their evidence," he said. "In short, consider them persons and not objects."
Herons: Kings of the fishermen!
Professional photographer Eric Rossicci was traveling the waterways of Surrey, British Columbia, when he came across a group of herons feasting on fresh fish. He knew he had to get the moment on camera, and these stunning HDR-enhanced pictures were the result.
"There is a rookery nearby and at this time of year the Herons are busy building their nests and fishing," he said. "The inevitable fight for fishing territory follows as can be expected, so it's always fun to watch them and capture them doing what they do best. They are so engrossed in fishing that they don't mind people getting close to them which makes it easy for me to get their pictures."
Arizona wildfires 'bleeding' into Phoenix
Andrew Pielage of Phoenix, Arizona, shot these photos of nearby wildfires on May 15. Firefighters are trying to contain major blazes fueled by strong winds in the region. "We figured the best way to get some quality images would be to go with the birds-eye-view," he said. "Once up on our perch we knew right away this wildfire is not going away anytime soon"
The 'right side of history' on same-sex marriage
Cartoonist Brixton Doyle regularly submits his doodles to iReport, which he uses to sound off on current events, and offer a humorous look at the top headlines of the moment. He penned this comic in reaction to North Carolina's May 7 statewide vote to approve an amendment that bans same-sex marriage, and Obama's announcement a day later of personal support for LGBT partnerships.
"We might not have had a country, let alone a Constitution, if not for a gay man, [Frederich Wilhelm] von Steuben – the tactician Washington (well-aware of his homosexuality) employed to get his army in shape at Valley Forge," he wrote, citing a popular but still-unproven view among some historians. "I think states that are foolish enough to outlaw gay marriage will quickly reverse course."
The topic has stirred up plenty of debate on iReport, both for and against same-sex marriage. See more of the conversation here.
Silent rave-goers get down on Tel Aviv beach
Journalism student Erik Sahlin shot this video of a 'silent rave' on the beaches of Tel Aviv, Israel, on May 4 where partiers donned noise-canceling headphones and danced the day away. The fad began in Europe, but has quickly spread to all corners of the world as a fun, unique way to get a party going at any hour, in any locale.
"[Party-goers] rent headphones that are connected wirelessly to the DJ who is sending out the music," he said. "People were loving it, and it created a bond between those who were attending it. I also tried it out myself and it felt like being in your own world together with others."
Are interesting stories going down where you are, or do you have an opinion you're dying to share? You could be a selection in next week's Best of iReport roundup: Share your story.
It was a busy week at the iReport desk, from the same-sex marriage debate to recall primaries in Wisconsin and the death of a beloved children's author.
Here are five stand-outs you shouldn't miss:
Wisconsin recall moves forward
It's been the year of the recall for Wisconsin, and iReporter Mediaman has been documenting every step of the campaign to oust GOP Gov. Scott Walker that began when he curtailed the collective bargaining rights of state employees. The iReporter was in Madison on Tuesday for the state's recall primaries and shot photos of the candidates and imagery from the campaign. Voters will return to the polls in June for the general election pitting Walker against Democratic challenger Tom Barrett in a re-match from last year. "Seeing the climatic conclusion in June will be one for the record books, and the textbooks," Mediaman said.
After North Carolina voters passed an amendment on Tuesday defining marriage as solely between a man and a woman, iReporters across the U.S. got on camera to share their reactions. Anne Yates and her wife, Claire, said they moved with their two boys to Calgary, Alberta, four years ago because of the discrimination they felt in New Hampshire. They argue that the passage of the same-sex marriage ban teaches people that "it's OK to hate gays and lesbians," Yates said. "I swear, all people from North Carolina should just move to Canada."
Go here to see other perspectives on the debate and reaction to President Obama's declaration of support for same-sex marriage this week.
Prescott, Arizona's historic Whiskey Row caught fire again on Tuesday, more than a century after the street was destroyed in a 1900 blaze. Videographer Deborah Gallegos was at the scene Tuesday night while flames engulfed three businesses on Montezuma Street -- known as Whiskey Row for the saloons that once lined the block. Crowds gathered across the street on the courthouse square watching plumes of smoke and fire rise from the buildings with "sadness to lose this bit of history."
During a March visit to Germany, videographer Tracy Bymoen got a private view inside a Pottsdam prison used by the Soviet Military Counterintelligence after World War II to hold thousands of people. She got a tour of Memorial Leistikowstraße as the director prepared for the permanent exhibition's April opening, and said she "felt chills down my spine seeing the isolation and standing rooms."
Childhood fans of the classic story "Where the Wild Things Are" mourned author Maurice Sendak's passing this week. Matty Horn, in Pomona, New York, still believes "deep down that I am Max, ruler of the 'Wild Things,'" and credits the story with helping him become a confident leader in adulthood. He was one of several people we heard from who loved the the book so much they tattooed scenes from it on their bodies. He made this diptych of his forearm, which he initially shared with iReport via Instagram.
Is news happening where you are, or do you have an opinion you'd like to share? You could be part of next week's Best of iReport. Share your story here.
From Fort Stewart, Georgia, to Dagupan City, Philippines, we received dozens of interesting stories from iReporters around the world this week. Here are five standout iReports you may have missed.
There are two things that we can all agree on here at team iReport: Animal videos are pretty great, and underwater animal videos are even better. So you can imagine how thrilled we all were when we spotted this video from Robert A.S. Suntay of an octopus creating a makeshift home out of a tin can. He spotted the resourceful creature in Anilao, a popular diving location in the Philippines.
"Octopi are very smart but shy critters," explained Suntay. "That's why I had to be really patient just waiting for it to see me, get used to me, and then react by dragging its home around. After trying to move away from me a couple of times, at the end of the video, you can see that it finally decides to just enter its can and cover itself with a shell. Brilliant move!"
Obamas visit Fort Stewart, Georgia
iReporter Amy Proctor stood in 90-degree heat for four long hours last Friday waiting to see the President and first lady at Fort Stewart, Georgia. Fortunately, she says the wait was worth it. Proctor, who got a ticket to the event through her husband's unit, captured some fantastic photos as President Obama spoke out against deceptive practices by "diploma mills" -- for-profit colleges that lure military personnel and veterans. Despite the fact that she's not an Obama supporter, she said "it was a great experience."
Another iReport from the Philippines made our list this week. Christopher Domingo shared photos from Dagupan City's traditional Bangus Festival, which features grilling thousands of bangus, or milkfish, in the city streets. "It is a celebration of the fruits of hard work and sacrifice of all of the people who were involved in the industry, leading to a rich and bountiful harvest," Domingo said.
We received dozens of iReports from May Day celebrations and protests around the world, but this video from Paris, France, stood out from the rest. Adrian Westbrook shot fantastic footage of the crowds filling the Boulevard Saint Germain Tuesday afternoon with his Canon 7D. While Westbrook, a self-described "casual observer," said there were many different groups and perspectives represented in the march, "the dominant theme appeared to be an all-encompassing disdain for the incumbent president and a proprietary reclamation of the May Day festival itself."
And a different type of procession took place in Kyoto, Japan, on Thursday as hundreds of people dressed up as samurais for the city's annual Akechi Mitshuide Festival, which celebrates the famous samurai and his lasting legacy. "Hundreds of samurai-costumed people marched around the old city," said iReporter Chieko Ohkuma, who shared photos of volunteers in elaborate handmade costumes.
Thanks to the above iReporters and everyone who shared original stories this week – it's always fascinating to see what's happening around the world.
Is news happening where you are, or do you have an opinion you'd like to share? You could be part of next week's Best of iReport. Share your story here.
Come gather 'round! It was a protest-heavy and celebration-filled week on iReport. There were protests in Lithuania, Sudan and the Netherlands, see-sawing celebrations for Earth Day, the Chumash Festival and Rome's birthday.
Amidst all the chaos, we selected five of our favorite iReports this week you might have missed.
Stylish Sikhs celebrate Vaisakhi
The Sikh Sabha of New Jersey held their annual parade for Vaisakhi, an ancient Punjabi harvest festival celebrated in northern India, on Saturday, April 21. iReporter Rachel Cauvin, who enjoys taking pictures of cultural events, said thousands lined up on Madison Avenue in New York City "to see the floats, marching bands, sword fighting and wheel spinning."
"This was my first time going and I loved the bright orange colors and the beautiful, colorful sarees," she said.
Cairo's "Friday of Determination"
With hotly-contested elections looming in Egypt, thousands gathered in Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt, last Friday for what they called the "Friday of Determination." Ahmed Raafat Amin said people from a variety of political backgrounds were present to protest against having the country's constitution written by the transitional military government.
"People are excited about the upcoming elections since it's the first post-Mubarak presidential elections, but there are fears of fraud as the military rulers that are still in power are people who are considered to be Mubarak's men," he said. "Many people fear that the military could interfere in the electoral process and change the results of the elections."
President Obama visited colleges across the country this week to deliver campaign speeches on student loans. His trip to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was well-received by iReporter Trevor Dougherty and his peers.
Although Dougherty currently doesn't have loans, student debt still worries him. "There are plans for tuition increases at UNC, so my friends and the general college community are definitely worried about student loans and increasing interest rates," the 19-year-old said.
"Obama won over the crowd at first with some references to UNC basketball, but his call for affordable higher education was what really resonated with all of us," he said.
Rappers Chuck D of Public Enemy and M-1 of Dead Prez attended an "Occupy" protest for Mumia Abu-Jamal at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, April 24. Rene Carson attended to document the event and learn more about it.
"For me, it was really a learning experience, because I know very little about these subjects, so hearing people speak about different truths and statistics helped me understand things a little better," Carson said.
Carson supports many of the issues that were scheduled to be discussed at the rally, such as prison and immigration reform.
Our last gathering: man and ape come together. James Amerson was invited to the Center of Great Apes in Wauchula, Florida, where he was able to see apes in an almost-natural habitat.
"It is totally different from a zoo," Amerson said. "A zoo is there to educate people about animals, and this sanctuary was created to rehabilitate and give back to creatures that had unfortunate beginnings."
He explained that many of the apes were captured in the wild and sold as pets, while some were bred for Hollywood entertainment or the circus. Apes raised this way end up being too comfortable with humans, and lack survival skills.
"Primates are very social and territorial, these apes might be killed by their own species for being an outsider," he said. "This is for the sake of these creatures, and for them to live their lives as close to apes as possible." He said standing so close to the apes was an incredible experience.
Is news happening where you are, or do you have an opinion you'd like to share? You could be part of next week's Best of iReport. Share your story here.
iReporters across the U.S. looked to the skies this week to catch a glimpse of the space shuttle Discovery's final voyage.
Back on the ground, festivals and parades celebrating diverse cultures popped up all over iReport, with the stunningly beautiful Aliwan festival in the Philippines, and the Tartan Parade in New York City.
Check out the awesome submissions from iReport this week!
More than 100 tornadoes were reported throughout the Midwest on Saturday, April 14. Stormchasers Dustin Mazzio and Ben Tracy courageously tracked one while driving through Kansas, and managed to capture this incredible video of the tornado beginning to form. Mazzio says he has been chasing storms for three years, and that "this was by far the most amazing storm have witnessed. I had encountered potential funnel clouds before, but none ever transformed into tornadoes, so this was my first."
Discovery cruises over the U.S. Capitol
iReporters' eyes were on the skies and their fingers were at the ready to snap photographs of the space shuttle Discovery's final voyage. We asked iReporters to document its journey aboard a modified 747 jet from Kennedy Space Center in Florida to the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum near Washington D.C. Andrew Brisker snapped this picture as it flew over the U.S. Capitol. "It was bittersweet watching Discovery soar over the Capitol, but it was thrilling to witness its final ride into retirement," he said. "The crowd was ecstatic. I got goosebumps."
Aliwan festival dazzles the Philippines
The streets of Manila were awash with vibrant hues of gold, purple, and red as Filipinos celebrated the annual Aliwan festival on April 14. This festival began in 2003 and is a celebration of the diverse and rich heritages of the Philippines. Roland Roldan captured breathtaking photos of the various events, including street dancing and parade floats.
Bagpipes sounded in the streets of the Big Apple at the 10th annual Tartan Parade on April 14. Frequent iReporter Rachel Cauvin loves documenting the sundry parades New York City has to offer, and she shared her photographs of music performances and other events held to celebrate Scottish culture. She says the crowd fell in love with the adorable Scottish terriers that walked down the parade route.
We asked iReporters to share their memories of Dick Clark, and Paul Revere offered the heartwarming story of his close relationship with the broadcast legend. Clark helped Revere's band, "Paul Revere and the Raiders", acquire fame, and the two ended up becoming life-long friends in the process. "I owe everything to Dick Clark," Revere wrote in his iReport. "And I am SO thankful that I got to tell him so, six weeks ago, at his house in Los Angeles."
Is news happening where you are, or do you have an opinion you'd like to share? You could be part of next week's Best of iReport. Share your story here.
The theme of change seemed to seep into many iReports this week. From the changing tides of the Travyon Martin case to the shifting skies of Portland, Oregon, check out some of the best iReports from the site.
Zimmerman's arrest and iReporters reactions
The case of Trayvon Martin took a turn this week with the arrest of George Zimmerman, who was charged with second-degree murder of the teenage boy in Sanford, Florida. iReporters, like Norma Valdez, sent in their reactions to Zimmerman's arrest. Valdez said that although she thinks the prosecution made the right call, she said it was made far too late. "I feel we have an uphill battle because justice is in the eye of the juror and if you get one that doesn't see it like the rest, you will get a hung jury and then what, he goes free," she said.
Across the world, tectonic plates were shifting. After an 8.5 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia, some residents and tourists in Phuket, Thailand, took precautions. Isaac Kawar shot a video of people being evacuated from Thailand's Patong Beach to higher ground.
The tech world was in a tailspin with the recent Facebook buyout of the photo sharing site Instagram. Diehard Instagram fans were up-in-arms and iReporters sent in their reactions to the one-billion-dollar deal. Donnol Hem and his daughter Mikaela posed with stunned faces after hearing the news. "I'm not shocked by the purchase just surprised at how much Facebook paid for it. So far I can only think of it as a good thing because Facebook, like it or not, is a huge success," he said.
Do backyard chickens really taste better? Residents from Winter Park, Florida, seem to think so. Kayla O'Brien, a journalism student at the University of Central Florida, documented the town's urban farmers petitioning to raise chickens with The Backyard Yard Chicken Initiative. The practice of raising chickens is currently illegal in that area. O'Brien said she reached out to Winter Park, and the town said it was not against changing the law on raising chickens, but no one presented the desire to change it.
Portland, how beautiful you are
The bustling lights from cars zipping by and a rainbow of colorful pastels from the sky were captured by photographer John Eklund. Eklund created a picturesque time-lapse video of Portland, Oregon. "I thought doing a time-lapse would be a unique way to show my beautiful city," he said.
Is news happening where you are, or do you have an opinion you'd like to share? You could be part of next week's Best of iReport. Share your story here.
Lights dimmed around the world, tornadoes ripped through Texas and palm leaves fluttered at the hands of religious tradition. Check out the best of iReport this week:
Storms ripped through several parts of Texas this week, and Kelly Carrasco had her camera out as a tornado touched down in Forney, Texas. "As we looked right down the street, the funnel cloud started to spin and just dropped to the earth. We didn't know if it was headed our way or not," she said. Air traveler Eric Gould also captured a video of hail pinging his plane like popcorn as the storm passed over the Dallas-Fort Worth airport. "The noise of ice cubes hitting the aluminum exterior of a 757 was as deafening as it was frightening," he said.
Does racism still exist in America? Against the backdrop of Trayvon Martin's death and Anderson Cooper 360's year-long study on kids and race, iReporters pondered where racism starts and what can be done about it. Frequent commentator Omekongo Dibinga said America must engage in a "nationwide dialogue" if it wants to overcome racism.
April 2 was World Autism Awareness Day, and we asked families to share what it's like to live with the disorder. We received more than 250 submissions, including inspiring testimonials from high-functioning adults and heart-breaking footage from families who say there's nothing positive about this disease. Samantha Cotterill, from Niskayuna, New York, has autism, and her son has Asperger's Syndrome. She explains that sometimes she finds herself wearing two different hats when it comes to being a person with autism and also being a mother to a son with the disorder. "Sometimes the marriage of the two works beautifully, and at other times one hat can be forgotten for the other," she said.
For 60 minutes, lights across the world went dim in celebration of Earth Hour, a movement to raise awareness about the environment and climate change. Chris De Bruyn celebrated Earth Hour with other Iraqis in Sulaimani, Iraq. "I am very pleased to see Iraqis take part in such an important issue as protecting the environment," he said.
Decorative leaves were adorned with ribbons and flowers for Palm Sunday, a religious tradition that commemorates Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem, and is celebrated worldwide. Ronald Roldan shared photos from the Philippines, where he says people buy palm or coconut leaves to be blessed by the priest.
Is news happening where you are, or do you have an opinion you'd like to share? You could be part of next week's Best of iReport. Share your story here.
This week had iReporters grappling with some big questions: What's the meaning of the Trayvon Martin case? Should the Supreme Court overturn the national health care law? How would you spend $500 million?
But that doesn't mean they didn't have time for some lighter human interest stories, too. Read on to see iReporters take on the big issues - and meet a few fun characters.
iReporters from all walks of life weighed in on the Trayvon Martin case, discussing its implications for racial profiling and self-defense laws. Many, like Kevin Alexander, pictured here, shot self-portraits wearing hoodies to indicate their viewpoints. "I felt it was important for me to take this photo due to the racial profiling I have received during my lifetime," said Alexander.
Supreme Court considers health care law
This week, the Supreme Court heard arguments about the sweeping health care law championed by President Obama. Many Americans, including several iReporters, attended rallies to support or criticize the law and try to influence the court's decision about its constitutionality. Michael Kandel, who says that, overall, he thinks the health care law is "a good thing," went to this rally to hear its opponents' side of the story. While there, he captured images of Congresswoman Michele Bachmann and Senator Rand Paul speaking out against the law.
What would you do with $500 million?
Matt Sky used iReport as a platform to ask a provocative, open-ended question: What would you do with $500 million? The regular iReport contributor pegged his question to the Mega Millions jackpot of $540 million - a world-record amount that will be given away Friday night. His video garnered nearly 400 responses, with iReporters saying they'd do everything from pay off student loans to travel the world to give it all to charity.
Meet Henry Linder. He's 92 years old, and he's a cobbler in Landrum, South Carolina. He's been fixing shoes since he was a teenager the 1930s, and has the passion and people skills that go along with spending 76 years in the business. iReporter Erik Olsen gives us a glimpse into a day in Linder's life in this brilliant example of video storytelling.
The master chefs of MasterChef
How did foul-mouthed chef Gordon Ramsay get into cooking? What about his fellow MasterChef judges, Joe Bastianich and Graham Elliot? Regular iReporter Chris Morrow caught up with the trio to find out. She got three very different answers -- and a little dig at CNN's own Piers Morgan (from Ramsay, of course).
Is news happening where you are, or do you have an opinion you'd like to share? You could be part of next week's Best of iReport. Share your story here.
It was tough to narrow down this week's iReports to five favorites. From passionate discussions about the Trayvon Martin shooting, to gorgeous photos of cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C., to messages of hope for escaped slaves in Mauritania, our community was full of life.
These are our top picks for the week:
New York photographer Joel Graham stood in the crowd on Wednesday when hundreds gathered to demand justice for the killing of Trayvon Martin, the unarmed teenager shot by a neighborhood watch volunteer in Central Florida last month. Marchers at Manhattan's Union Square wore hooded black sweatshirts in honor of the teen's style of dress. While he went as a journalist, Graham says it was difficult not to feel emotionally connected to the crowd.
Thousands gather for almsgiving
Anita Amy Kittiudom shared some stunning images and video of tens of thousands of Buddhist monks gathering in the streets of Bangkok, Thailand, on Sunday for an almsgiving ceremony to raise money for victims of last year's flooding. The scene, she said, was "magical." "Everyone that came out that day was amazed at the beauty and at the kindness that was taking place."
Stephen P. Nichols Jr., a newspaper reporter in Mexico City, Mexico, was in his office on Tuesday when a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Southern Mexico. Workers in the country's capital evacuated to the streets, where he said there were "hundreds, if not thousands of people, crowding the streets and sidewalks waiting for instructions on what to do." Pablo-Jorge Velandia also shot footage of the evacuations and said people are still waiting for another earthquake: "As we say in Mexico, 'Earthquakes never come alone.'"
Begorrah! It took two weeks of preparation for Kumaran Alagesan to shoot a time-lapse video of the Chicago River turning emerald green for St. Patrick's Day. He stitched it all together from a sequence of 900 images shot from the bridge overlooking the river. Alagesan, a 28-year-old information technology consultant, says photography is his passion.
Photographer Shameel Arafin has been covering the Occupy Wall Street protests since they began last fall. He was at the six-month anniversary rally on Saturday, when protesters tried to re-occupy Zuccotti Park. Arafin said police moved in and began arresting people, and in response, the protesters linked arms and sat on the ground, resulting in dozens of arrests.
Is news happening where you are, or do you have an opinion you'd like to share? You could be part of next week's Best of iReport. Share your story here.
A range of emotions lit up our site as iReporters celebrated, traveled and reflected on some big events that happened this past week. We're highlighting this week's interesting iReports, so check them out!
South by Southwest (SXSW) – an annual music, film and technology conference – was in full swing this week. Many of us weren't lucky enough to experience the interactive booths and impromptu music concerts firsthand, so we lived vicariously through our iReporters who sent in an array of photos and videos of SXSW through their eyes. First-time iReporter Chris Janka sent in an image of himself standing in the Canon screening room, where he was surrounded by more than 95,000 photographs from a documentary project by Ron Howard. The photo gallery was composed entirely of user-generated photographs. The Santa Monica native said he felt amazed and overwhelmed to be surrounded by all the images and their stories: "It just seems with technology being at the state it's in it is really empowering people, young and old, to capture moments in their life."
Occupy protests shut down D.C.'s K Street
The Occupy movement is still alive across the U.S., as Michael Kandel documented through a photo earlier this week. As a freelance photographer in Washington, D.C., Kandel said he keeps his ear close to the ground to see where Occupy demonstrations will take place around the D.C. area. On this particular night he followed a group of Occupy protesters from the White House to K Street, where the group ended up lying down in the middle of the road, blocking traffic. "I think if you can stop people on the street, then you are drawing attention to your message, I mean it got my interest piqued," he said.
The mood was somber as people across the world reflected on the earthquake and tsunami disasters that hit Japan one year ago. Cristian Williams captured images from Hibiya Park in Tokyo where people gathered to remember those they lost. "There was also a mutual feeling of respect among the audience. Respect towards those affected, and respect towards those who weren't directly affected, but still attended the ceremony," he said. Williams was one of the dozens of iReporters who sent us their thoughts, images and stories on the anniversary of the disaster; you can see it all woven together into the CNN piece "Lost and found: Japan One Year Later."
iReporters celebrated math with dessert by sending in pictures and recipes of their favorite pie dishes for March 14th. Michele Hays sent in a delicious photograph of her pie, ingeniously dubbed (Pi)neapple and rhubarb pie. For the past few years, Hays has been baking up pi-inspired pies, and considers herself a math appreciator. "I'm not particularly good at math. However, I do love to cook, and I'm learning that cooking is really a system of applied mathematics."
The routine runway taxiing of American Airlines flight 2332 came to an halt as the screams of one flight attendant poured out of the aircraft's intercom system. Passenger Laurie Grabe captured the chilling screams of the flight attendant as she demanded passengers get off the plane. The flight attendant said the plane was likely to crash, which many saw as an allusion to September 11th. Grabe's iReport became one of the most popular videos on our site that day and was featured on CNN television as well. OutFront's Erin Burnett interviewed Grabe on television, where they talked about the incident and the passengers' reactions.
Is news happening where you are, or do you have an opinion you'd like to share? You could be part of next week's Best of iReport: Share your story now.


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NEW ORLEANS, June 29 (UPI) -- Nine people were injured Sunday after shots rang out on iconic Bourbon Street in New Orleans, police said.
The shooting happened around 2:45 a.m., two blocks from Jackson Square around the corner from Pat O'Brien's.
Witnesses at the scene early Sunday said an angry-sounding man opened fire on one man then continued shooting into the crowd on the street.
"Just turned around and he started shooting at the crowd. He seemed pissed off at some dude, pulled the gun out and started shooting at the guy then turned around on the crowd and started shooting at us," one witness, whose name wasn't reported, told WWL-TV.
The most seriously injured of those shot was a woman who was in critical condition.
"These kinds of incidents will not go unanswered," New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu said. "NOPD was in the immediate vicinity at the time of the incident, and I am confident that between video evidence and eyewitness accounts, we will bring the perpetrators to justice. Our crime fighting efforts have brought murders in the city of New Orleans to a historic nearly 30-year low. But on days like today, the statistics don't matter because every life is precious -- from the 9th Ward to the French Quarter. We will not rest until every corner of this city is safe."


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Trade Waste: "Trade waste" or "waste" shall means: (1) all putrescible and non-putrescible materials or substances, except as described in paragraph (2) of this subdivision, that are discarded or rejected by a commercial establishment required to provide for the removal ofits waste pursuant to section 16-116 of the Code asbeing spent, useless, worthless or in excess tothe owners at the time of such discard or rejection, including but not limited to garbage, refuse, street sweepings, rubbish, tires , ashes, contained gaseous material, incinerator residue,construction and demolition debris, medical waste, offal and any other offensive or noxious material. Such term shall also include recyclable materials as defined in subdivision i of section16-303 of the Code that are generated by such commercial establishments. (2) The following are not "trade waste" or "waste" for purposes of this chapter: sewage; industrial wastewater discharges; irrigation return flows; radioactive materials that are source, special nuclear or by-product material as defined by the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, 41 U.S.C. § 2011 et seq.; materials subject to in-situ mining techniques which are not removed from the ground as part of the extraction process; and hazardous waste as defined in section 27-0901 of the Environmental Conservation Law.
Licensees: A business that collects, removes, or disposes of trade waste from commercial establishments must first obtain a license from BIC before engaging in such business or activity. Upon grant of a license, the business is legally permitted to collect, remove, and dispose of all types of waste.
Registrations for the Removal of Construction and Demolition Debris: A business solely engaged in the removal of waste materials resulting from building demolition, construction, alteration, or excavation is required to obtain a construction and demolition registration from BIC before engaging in the waste removal activity. This also applies to construction and demolition companies who remove their own waste materials resulting from building demolition, construction, alteration, or excavation. This registration is known as a C & D registration.
Self-Hauler Registrations: A business that removes waste generated in the course of its own business must obtain a self-hauler registration from BIC.
Trade Waste Broker Registrations: A trade waste broker who brokers agreements between business customers and private carters for waste removal services or conducts evaluations or analyses of waste generated by the customers to recommend cost efficient means for the customers must first be registered with BIC.