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Editor's Note: This article was originally published on Grist, and is re-posted with permission.
By Amanda Little, Grist's former Muckraker columnist
When you think of renewable energy, the image that comes to mind is often a solar array in California, a windmill in Texas, or a cornfield in Iowa. Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle (D) wants you to think of Wisconsin first, which explains why he's one of several governors attending the Copenhagen climate talks. I sat down with him for a brief interview. An edited transcript follows:
Q. Where are the opportunities for job development in the larger effort to achieve climate solutions?
A. Well, for us in a state like Wisconsin where we don't have oil, and we don't have natural gas and we don't have coal, it means every dollar we spend to create energy that comes from one of those fuel sources is a dollar that leaves the state of Wisconsin. So [we win] if we can produce energy from our agricultural fields, our forests, from our ingenuity, from our wind and sun, and if we can build the research capacity around all of that.
We have more people working manufacturing (percentage wise) than any state in the country. It's great capacity. And as we focus that on the production of components for wind turbines, for solar panels, or other very high tech energy … that's all jobs for us. So to me, we have set out as a goal that we really look to have about 10 percent of Wisconsin's economy, if we do this right, 25 years from now, can be based on energy production and that's a huge number of jobs…
…One of the things we have been working really hard on in Wisconsin is biomedical research, and we've spun a lot of businesses out of the stem cell advances that happened in Wisconsin. So there you have creating jobs making people healthier. Here it's the same thing really. We have the opportunity to create a lot of jobs and to do it in a way that makes the world a better place. I believe very strongly that 15-20 years from now the states that have understood this now and have taken that opportunity are going to be moving rapidly and the states that didn't are going to be sitting there wondering how come they didn't get on that train.
Q. And is it mostly wind, or is it solar and wind?
A. For us it is solar and wind but we have a lot of farms and we have also vast forests. And we have huge research capacity. The University of Wisconsin in Madison has a multi-hundred-million-dollar energy industry that is focused on alternative energy sources, but particularly cellulosic [ethanol] that comes out of trees and plants but doesn't compete with the food stream. The other big advantage for jobs, we have big industry, we're the number one paper-making state in the country [and] we're one of the top food processing.
Both of those industries have large waste streams and they spend a lot of money getting rid of them. Those waste streams are loaded with energy. So we're working with them, and if we can help them reduce their operating costs [by channeling that waste to energy production] then they have [can divert the savings to creating] more jobs as well.
Q. The first thing people say when they hear about climate solutions is, "It's going to cost us, it's going to hurt the economy." Why are people focused so much on the economic harm that climate solutions will bring rather than the economic benefits?
A. In some ways I think the environmental community hasn't talked enough about that as this has all developed. But I'll tell you there a lot of businesses, a lot of big businesses, that are very, very much behind this. So just today I met with Johnson Controls, which is our biggest publicly traded corporation in Wisconsin. It obviously makes much of its business helping governments and businesses bring their energy costs down. There's a good example right in Wisconsin. Our biggest company is doing that. And big into battery development I think that the business organizations, particularly the National Association for Manufacturers has taken this head-in-the-sand approach. But I believe there are great businesses out there that are doing this not only because it's the right thing to do, but if they can reduce their energy costs they can be much more profitable.
Q. Did you have a "eureka" moment where you realized when you decided climate and energy was extremely important.
A. I'd like to say there was some big eureka moment, but I just learned about it and studied it and then I talked to a lot of business people that really saw what the advantages were here. So I think anybody who looks at this understands climate change is a really significant issue, and we have to do something about it. So now the choice is do you do something about it in a way that actually grows your economy and creates jobs, or do you do something about it where you just get regulated to death? To me that choice is pretty easy. I was the [Wisconsin] attorney general before and was involved in a lot of environmental issues, but within my first year as governor (seven years ago) we were moving on this.
Q. What do you think is driving the apparent rise of climate skepticism?
A. To me, even if you don't believe in climate change, the job opportunities here, and the American security possibilities, having us less dependent on foreign oil you'd think just those two things would [convince skeptics]. If we can produce our energy in the United States, we can do it in a cleaner way. Even if you don't believe the science (and it's hard not to believe the science) the job opportunities, and the moving us away from dependence on foreign oil that should be enough for you.
Q. Al Gore this week said climate change makes us define who we are, it tests our mettle. Do you feel like this challenge for you as a governor is testing your mettle and making you define who you are?
A. Well it's certainly a real test of all of us and of those of us who are leading— it's a test. But I just don't see it so much as a sort of combat. I think the opportunities here are overwhelming, and so we just have to make sure that those opportunities are available for people. So in Wisconsin, why does a regular person who is working at a job, raising their kids, trying to do the right thing in the world, wanting to be environmentally responsible – Why do they get involved in this? Well, hopefully they get involved because it's the right thing to do. But I think more importantly, they'll get involved in it because the economy will benefit so much from it. And so I just see this really as an opportunity. Now it's not that everybody sees that opportunity and we certainly have our fights over it. But in the long run it seems to me the economics of this are overpowering of what the possibilities are.
Check out our comprehensive coverage of what the føck is going on in Copenhagen, or track the latest from Grist on our Facebook page or the @grist Twitter feed.
Amanda Little, Grist's former Muckraker columnist, is author of Power Trip: From Oil Wells to Solar Cells—Our Ride to the Renewable Future. Her articles on energy and the environment have been published in Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, The New York Times Magazine, Wired, Outside, and New York magazine.
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text: Select an international website Zoover.at Zoover.be Zoover.ch Zoover.co.uk Zoover.com.tr Zoover.com.ua Zoover.cz Zoover.de Zoover.dk Zoover.es Zoover.fr Zoover.gr Zoover.hu Zoover.it Zoover.lt Zoover.nl Zoover.no Zoover.pl Zoover.pt Zoover.ro Zoover.ru Zoover.se Home Destinations Accommodations Add review Add review Add photos Add videos Add new accommodation Add attraction Home Add review Portugal Alentejo Alandroal - Rosario reviews Alandroal - Rosario Reviews (2) Photos & videos (42) Accommodations (4) Weather forecast Map Tips (0) Question and Answer (0) 8.9 51 reviews See all reviews See all reviews Allways feels good to be in this area again Lots to see and to do but never crowded. Locals are always friendly and forthcomming Bert & Janet Schaap, 15 August 2014 View all photos Would you like to know what other people thought of their holiday in Alandroal - Rosario? Then take look on this page at the reviews written by other travelers. Did you spend your holiday in Alandroal - Rosario? Then you can add your review here. Alandroal - Rosario scores a 8.9 out of 10, based on 51 reviews read more Are you curious about what other people thought of their holiday in Alandroal - Rosario? Have a look at the reviews of other travellers about Alandroal - Rosario on this page. Were you on a holiday in Alandroal - Rosario yourself? Make sure to add you review here. - - - - Less text 2 American reviews Alandroal - Rosario 9.4 2 Reviews Appreciation 9.4 Nightlife 7 Culture 9.4 Surroundings 9.4 Atmosphere 9.4 Care for nature 8 Language: American (2) All (51) ------------ Dutch (35) Portoguese (8) English (7) Italian (3) German (1) Spanish (1) French (1) Party types: All (2) ------------ With partner (2) Sort by: Date of visit Contribution date Allways feels good to be in this area again 9 Bert & Janet Schaap, 15 August 2014 Nightlife 7 Culture 9 Surroundings 9 Atmosphere 9 Care for nature 8 Lots to see and to do but never crowded. Locals are always friendly and forthcomming 'Out of Africa' in Europe 10 Nicolette van Duursen, 21 July 2013 Nightlife - Culture 10 Surroundings 10 Atmosphere 10 Care for nature - Beautiful, breath-taking views and legendary towns with great food and wine. Actions for Alandroal - Rosario Add review Add photos Add videos Add new accommodation Add attraction Print reviews Information about Alandroal - Rosario Weather Alandroal - Rosario Map Alandroal - Rosario Photos Alandroal - Rosario Videos Alandroal - Rosario Question and Answer Alandroal - Rosario Nearby destinations Estremoz Borba Elvas Redondo Reguengos de Monsaraz Bencatel / Vila Viçosa Monsaraz Zoover link on your website Click here for all Zoover widget options

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While part of me is wondering why I should be travelling forty miles across the M62 to enjoy an evening of poetry, another part is telling me that, actually, I wouldn't have it any other way. I still maintain there is a dearth of similar events in the Leeds area (unless, of course, you know otherwise) and the poetry scene in Manchester seems to be so much more vibrant.
Chorlton's Lead Poets is the perfect example of what a good poetry night should be, and I was privileged to be there again on 8 October 2012. Lead Poets is friendly and informal, but with structure and planning so effective that the considerable efforts of Sarah L. Dixon in making the event a success almost go unnoticed. Sarah styles herself as The Quiet Compere – aptly so, in that whilst ensuring a smooth-running session, she makes sure the evening belongs to the participating poets, and takes her turn along with everyone else in reading engaging and entertaining poetry to an attentive, appreciative audience.
Lead Poets is not quite open-mic, in that there are a limited number of pre-booked slots to ensure a full ten-minutes for each reader, plus no poet may read at more than two events in succession (which rules me out for the next one – although be sure I'll be there to listen and enjoy!) What I also particularly like is the absence of any hierarchy. There are no headliners or supporting acts; slots are allocated randomly (or to take account of performers' preferences). Lead Poets attracts a range of experience, from seasoned, published poets to nervous first-timers; all are billed equally, and in my opinion the night is all the better for it.
It was lovely to spend time catching up with my wonderful poetic friends – thank you all once again! In the egalitarian spirit that is Lead Poets it would be wrong for me to single out any performance that was more memorable than any other, so I shall simply mention all those who took part in alphabetical order, offering my thanks and appreciation to all for a wonderful evening and celebration of the spoken word:
Annie Clarkson; John Darwin; Jimmy Doxford; Sarah L. Dixon (of course!); Rosie Garland; Rachel McGladdery; Sarah Pritchard; Solomon Scribble; Rachel Sills – and me, Martin Vosper.
See you next time!


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By Peter Podkopaev
The Associated Press has unearthed $24 billion in investments by 100,000 Chinese nationals under "golden visa" programs that offer residency in return for cash. The U.S. alone received $7.7 billion and issued 40,000 visas in the last decade.
As Belinda Li has pointed out, the EB-5 visa investment visa program is fraught with issues—such as inadequate background checks to establish the identity of applicants—and is in need of urgent reform. Despite lacking sufficient protocols and checks to spot and deter abusers, the program was recently renewed.
Chinese nationals can only legally purchase $50,000 worth of foreign currency per year, under increasingly restrictive regulations put in place to stem capital outflows. But under EB-5 visa requirements, the minimum investment amount is $1 million (or $500,000 if the qualifying investment is within a targeted employment area). Of course, there are any number of legitimate ways for Chinese nationals to possess or raise this money, but given the EB-5 regime's lack of oversight it is also conceivable that some of it could derive from the tens of billions of dollars in illicit funds leaving China each year.
Though Chinese banks appear to be clamping down on foreign currency outflows, the continued scale of private investment and sheer volume of visas issued tells a different story, one that arguably even reflects Beijing's broader ambitions.
China has moved on from Deng Xiaoping's policy of maintaining a "low profile" abroad by dramatically expanding its regional and global ambitions. For the time being, Beijing seeks cordial diplomatic and economic relations with the U.S. because it greatly benefits from globalism and capitalism. But as recent escalations in the South China Sea have demonstrated, Beijing is becoming more comfortable in asserting its regional primacy and challenging U.S. hegemony.
If the U.S. is going to provide residency to Chinese nationals who may have moved their wealth here illicitly–and who may either have political ties to Xi Jinping's regime, be on the run from it, or both–then there must be stronger safeguards and oversight to avoid playing into Beijing's wider geo-political strategy. By being lured by short-term investments, the U.S. may be losing track of larger and more worrisome trend.
Peter Podkopaev is a Researcher, Russia & Eurasia at Hudson Institute's Kleptocracy Initiative.


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Medical Schools Are Expanding But Doctors Say Federal Budget Cuts Are Holding Down Number Of Residencies
As educators seek to help fill the large number of physicians needed under the health overhaul, they point out that the number of training programs paid for by the federal government needs to rise too.
The Wall Street Journal: Squeeze Looms For Doctors
U.S. medical schools are expanding to meet an expected need for more doctors due to the federal health law. With at least 12 new schools opening and existing ones growing, enrollment is on track to produce 5,000 more graduates a year by 2019. But medical educators are cautioning that those efforts won't do anything to alleviate a doctor shortage unless the number of medical residency positions rises as well (Beck, 3/14).
The Hill: House Bill Would Create 15K New Residency Positions
A bipartisan House bill reintroduced Thursday would create 15,000 more medical residency positions under Medicare in a move to alleviate the looming U.S. doctor shortage. The measure from Reps. Allyson Schwartz (D-Pa.) and Aaron Schock (R-Ill.) would mandate that 50 percent of the positions train residents in primary care (Viebeck, 3/15).
Meanwhile, other outlets examine some workplace issues for doctors.
Marketplace: From 'God-Like' To Team Huddle: Training Doctors For A New Health Care Future
Later today, 33,000 aspiring doctors will find out where they'll be doing their residencies for the next three to seven years. In medical circles, they call it "Match Day." In the last few years, doctors and hospitals have begun adapting the on-the-job training residents receive, so they can better succeed in today's tumultuous health care world. ... Dr. Bob Wachter at the University of California, San Francisco says doctors can no longer just take care of sick people. "I like to say that the doctor of the future has two sick patients. One is the patient they are taking care of. One is the system they are working in," says Wachter. (Gorenstein, 3/15).
WBUR: Gender Bias In Medicine
Look into any operating room and odds are it'll be a man wielding the scalpel. Women are making great gains in medicine, but many disciplines and many senior management jobs in the medical world are male-dominated. Consider neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons. Fewer than 5 percent of them are female. And it isn't just exclusion. There's a lot of outright hostility. Explicit gender discrimination was alleged in the big $7 million settlement awarded last month to Dr. Carol Warfield against the former chief of surgery at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Then there's money. A study published in 2011 found that women across the entire medical field are paid less and promoted more slowly than their male counterparts. We'll dig into the issues and take a look at changes underway to shift the balance (3/14).


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Christmas Party Datebym_storyman_x©
"Ok, how do you know I think you look sexy?"
"Besides your admitting it just now? Cuz you're getting a hardon again. You're thinking of how hot my pussy looks and you're thinking of how it's going to feel when you crawl up here and push it back into me again. How you want to slide it in and out of my hot little pussy, how you want to feel me climax around your big fat cock."
"If your goal is to get me turned on, it's working."
"Good. Come up here and fuck me with that big hard cock!"
I walked to the edge of the bed and crawled up onto it, leaning my face down to kiss the inside of her calf. Slowly I kissed my way up her legs, each kiss an inch or so higher than the last, followed by a tiny little lick with the tip of my tongue. Inch by inch I worked up her leg, past her knee and along her soft creamy thigh. She struggled to sit still, gasping and sighing as I teased her body. I was almost to her pussy when I detoured past it, drawing a cry of complaint from her.
"Patience, patience." I whispered just loud enough for her to hear before I went back to kissing her body, working my way up over her shaved mound on my way to her heaving chest.
"God what a fucking tease! My pussy is about ready to explode and you haven't touched it or my tits yet!"
"Uh huh." I answered as I gently placed my first kiss between her creamy tits. I kissed my way slowly to her right nipple, kissing and licking my way up her heaving chest.
"OH God! Fuck me! Stop teasing and fuck meeeee!" She begged, ending with a long squeal as I sucked her nipple into my mouth and bit gently on it. "SHIT SHIT! God you're gonna make me cummmmm!" She squealed loudly as her whole body bucked under me. I grinned to myself and released her tit, quickly lifting myself up over her and sliding my hips forward, my hard cock pressing into and then sliding into her convulsing pussy. "OHHHH FUCK!" She screamed as my shaft pushed deep into her. I started pumping in and out of her, banging my hips into her thighs causing a loud slap as I shook the bed and her body with each impact.
"Oh fuck." I grunted as I pounded into her, watching with pleasure as her tits bounced wildly with each stroke.
"Oh God! Oh fuck!" Tina squealed as I continued to fuck her hot pussy, each stroke squishing loudly before being punctuated by the loud slap of our bodies.
I was sweating heavily by the time I felt that familiar feeling growing inside, my orgasm inching its way up toward release. "Damn. Almost there!" I grunted loudly.
"YES YES! Come for me!" Tina squealed, letting go of the pillows she had been holding and grabbing for my body.
"Oh shit, here it comes!" I grunted as my cock started pulsing. My body suddenly jerked, jamming my cock deep into her as the first surge of cum pushed into her pussy. Again and again my body jerked, adding to the cum filling her pussy until I finally collapsed on top of her, my chest heaving with hers, our sweaty bodies sliding against each other.
"God that was good. You fuck like no one else I've ever been with."
"Maybe it's the fact that I haven't had sex in years."
"I have a hunch that you fucked like that in the store room too."
"Well, I'm not gonna even go there," I said as I rolled off of her and lay on my back trying to catch my breath.
"Well, I'll just have to reach my own conclusion then," Tina whispered as she rolled onto her side, snuggling up to me with her head on my chest and one leg crossing over mine. "And my conclusion is that Miss Bently kept coming back because it felt oh so good."
"If you say so," I answered evasively, closing my eyes and just enjoying feeling her snuggled against me. It had been so very long since I felt that.
I don't know how long I had been asleep, but I knew very well what had woken me up. The sensation of a mouth sucking my cock was unmistakable. I decided to close my eyes and just let her have her way, which she seemed more than interested in doing. I stifled a groan as her mouth and hand slid up and down my shaft, her tongue swirling around my head at one end of her stroke and my head pressing into her throat at the other end.
Tina had done a wonderful job getting my cock rock hard and ready to ride, so it wasn't a surprise when she let go of it with her mouth and I could feel her shifting her weight to straddle me.
"Oh fuck yes!" I heard a soft female voice with just a hint of a Mexican accent mutter as a hot wet pussy slid down my shaft.
My eyes flew open...that was not the voice I was expecting...In fact, the voice I heard was a complete and total surprise! "Elena!" I practically shouted, my hands flying from where they had been on the bed to her bare thighs, trying to lift her off of me.
"NOOOOO don't!" She pleaded, leaning forward and putting her hands on my chest to make it harder for me to get her up.
"Elena, what are you doing here?" I asked still in shock.
"Fucking you! I saw you two lying naked on the bed and just couldn't resist. I've been trying to get you to do something with me, anything with me for months! How could I resist this?"
"But this is Tina's house! What are you doing here?"
"It's my house too!"
"It is. Elena is my house mate." Tina said quietly from where she had rolled over, propping her head on her hand.
"You could have told me that!" I practically snapped.
"What, and have you back out of our date? Hell no! Besides what difference does it make who my roommate is. You were here to fuck me."
"Yeah, well it seems like it's a bit of an issue now!" I answered her.
"Doesn't have to be. I mean I don't mind if Elena has some fun too. With as little sex as you've had in the last few years I'm sure you're up to it and to be honest, my pussy is a bit sore right now from what we did earlier."
"So you just lean back and let me make you feel good." Elena said, her face mostly hidden in shadows caused by the light spilling into the room from the hall door.
"I don't know about this. I mean hell, I just got comfortable with the idea of Tina. I don't know how to deal with multiple women."
"Seems like you're dealing with just fine." Tina said as she got up from the bed and walked across the room. She turned on the bedroom light and adjusted the dimmer down until it was a soft glow, allowing me to see that Elena was wearing a short skirt, hiked up around her waist, black thigh high stockings and a gray turtleneck blouse. Tina walked back across to the bed and climbed onto the bed, straddling my legs behind Elena. "You'll probably like this a lot more." She said as she slid her hands down and around Elena's waist, pulling the blouse out of the waist of the skirt and tugging it up and over Elena's huge tits.
"Damn." I muttered as the huge double D or larger tits, supported in large lacy cups of her bra, popped and bounced into view.
"Oh yeah. You do like tits don't you?" Elena asked as she put her hands back down after letting Tina pull her turtleneck up and off. "Donna said you always loved it when she flashed her tits at you, and hers are so much smaller than mine!"
"Yeah, you do have pretty big ones." I answered her as Tina undid the bra from the back and started to slide it off around Elena's body. "Oh shit yes." I muttered as her huge tits were fully exposed, each massive mound of flesh hanging tear drop shaped from her chest out toward me. Her skin was darker than Tina's almost a light coffee color, but equally good looking. Her huge tits each had a large dark brown areola covering a significant part of the front of her breast with a large hard nipple almost as big around as my finger, sticking out almost as far as it was wide.
"You like these?" Tina asked from behind Elena, hefting each one in her hands and letting her thumbs rub across the nipples to make them stand out even harder.
"Ohhh yes he does. I could feel his hard cock jump inside my pussy." Elena cooed.
Elena began to slowly lift herself up and down my cock, riding me slowly and sensuously. Her eyes closed for long minutes as the sensations of her riding me and Tina teasing her nipples flowed over her. I could feel her pussy getting even wetter as her breathing grew more ragged and broken.
"I wanted to rip your clothes off so many times." Elena mumbled as she rode me. "I wanted you to reach out and touch my tits, to play with them and squeeze them." She continued as she rode up and down my shaft, inching me toward an inevitable climax. "So many times I opened my shirt more, hoping you wouldn't be able to resist touching them!" She reached her hands out for mine and pulled them from where they sat on her thighs and up to her massive tits, Tina moving her hands down under more to cup them while mine lay over the front of her tits, her nipples pressed into my palms.
"Yessssssss!" Elena hissed as my hands squeezed her tits and nipples. "Sooooo fucking good!"
"UH shit. You're gonna make me cum!" I grunted as she continued to bounce up and down my cock.
"Uh. Not yet. Wait...Just a little more!" She begged, one of her hands sliding down to her own pussy and frantically frigging her clit. "I want to come with youuuuuu!" She squealed as her body started to tremble. "Ooooooooo fuck!"
"OH God!" I gasped as her pussy convulsed around my cock, her pussy seeming to try to draw me into her farther. The rippling of her vaginal walls teased and pulled on my cock, sending me over the top. My body jerked spasmodically, forcing my cock into her as far as I could go and sending a jet of hot cum up into her pussy.
"YYYEEEESSSSS!" She screamed, her whole body seeming to explode with jerks and shudders as her climax overtook her, her pussy spewing juices over my thighs and stomach as her body jerked and spasmed for nearly a full minute.
"Well, now that you two have completely soaked my bed, I guess we're going to spend the rest of the night in Elena's bed." Tina said as she crawled off the bed and padded naked across the room to grab a towel that was lieing on a chair. "Here, you two can clean up a little bit first so we don't all three wake up sticky in the morning."
Elena took the towel and wiped where she could before lifting herself off of me and wiping her drooling pussy. "Now I'm kind of glad we didn't do this at work. I'd hated to have to run around covered in our cum like this."
"Yeah, he does fill you up, doesn't he?" Tina asked with a giggle as she sat down on the edge of the bed.
I watched Elena climb off of me and the bed and then stand next to it, stripping off her skirt and stockings.
"I take it your date didn't go well?" Tina asked her.
"No, he was being a jerk so I came home." Elena asked as she looked around the floor and bed, picking up her clothes. "Come on David, let's go to my room."
"Really maybe I should go home. We do have to work tomorrow." I answered as I let them pull me up and to the edge of the bed.
"Don't be silly. We can all sleep together." Tina said.
"I promise. I won't try to attack you any more tonight. That was enough to satisfy me for now. Please...stay and sleep with us!" Elena practically begged.
"Okay," I said with a sigh. "But we really do have to get some sleep."
"We promise," Elena said with a grin, pulling me along out of the room to the hall. She pulled me into a similarly furnished room, dropping her clothes on the floor soon after we got into the door, and then pulled me along until the three of us were on the bed, each of the ladies on opposite sides from me, my arms around them and their heads on my chest and legs tangled with mine.
To my surprise the ladies did as they promised, letting me sleep until six thirty in the morning, and then treating me to a very fun shower that included one quickie each so that the three of us wouldn't be late for work, although I don't know exactly why we bothered. It seemed like half the office staff took the day off to get ready for the annual Christmas party that was to take place that night.
"Are you all ready for the party?" Tina asked, sticking her head in the door of my office.
"I guess. I'm just hoping everyone doesn't look at us and see that we're fucking each other."
"Why? Worried about your reputation?" She asked with a grin.
"Something like that."
"Trust me. Getting the reputation of a fun fuck would be a big improvement over sullen depressed guy."
"I don't have that reputation!" I objected.
"Actually you do. Only half a dozen of the girls even think you have a personality and half of those don't much care for what they see. Getting out and having some fun would be a good thing. Let them all see you with me on your arm. That will at least change a few minds. Oh that reminds me. Elena's date is being a piss ant, as she puts it. She doesn't want to take him to the party and doesn't want to go stag. Would you mind horribly if she came along with us? You could chaperone both of us."
"Oy. I agree to take one woman to a party and all of a sudden I have two? What in the world would make me want to do that?"
"Well. I'll tell you a secret. She never wears panties under her dress."
"So wait till you see her outfit!" Tina said with a wide grin and a wink. "Pick us up at six, ok? Thanks sweetie!" she said, darting away before I could object further.
"What the hell have I gotten myself into?" I muttered to myself.
Four-thirty came and I hadn't seen either Elena or Tina in hours, which was a bit of a surprise. I walked by Tina's dark office on the way out and wondered when she had taken off, probably to get ready for the party. I headed home and dug through my closet to find something appropriate to wear. After a bit of flipping past one shirt I hadn't worn in years after another, I decided on a cream colored silk turtleneck, dark brown cargo pocket slacks and my dark brown suede sport coat. It had been a long time since I had gone to any kind of formal party, so I felt kind of out of place as I headed out of town to pick the girls up.
I drove up the long winding drive and stopped in front of their most unusual house. I walked to the door and knocked, the door opening almost as soon as I had knocked. "Wow!" I said, staring as Tina made a slow turn for me in the foyer. She had on a long red dress of some kind of shimmery material that seemed to cling to all her curves, from just below her arm pits to her ankles. She seemed to have red stockings and red high heel shoes on. As she turned I could see that there was a slit up one side of the dress that ran nearly to her waist, giving me a view all the way up her leg, past the lacy top of her stocking and up her creamy hip, broken only by a very tiny string that had to be part of her underwear.
"Glad you approve! You're the first one I've worn this dress for."
"Well, all I can say is wow. You look fantastic!"
"I certainly hope you think the same of my outfit!" Elena said as she walked down the hallway carrying her high heels in one hand and a small handbag in the other. She had on a very short white dress that fit like a glove, up and over her hips and up to her huge chest. The material bulged out over her enormous breasts and then stopped, held up by two tiny little strings that ran up and around her neck. She made a quick turn for me showing that the dress was equally snug over her rounded stick-out butt and half way up her back to where it ended. It was obvious to me that if that tiny little string failed her tits would be well out and exposed before she could even think to catch the top of the dress. I looked down at the skirt and white stockings, the lacy tops of the stockings visible under the hem of the short skirt. I suddenly remembered what Tina had told me and stared as she bent over to put her heels on, the back of the skirt riding up her butt until her pussy was peeking out between her legs at me.
"Oh shit." I mumbled.
"Told you!" Tina whispered with a giggle.
"So you like my leetle dress?" She asked, slipping into a very Spanish accent that she worked hard to keep suppressed at work.
"I have to say I do."
"Thees ees good." Elena answered.
"She's already been hitting the wine. Her accent always slips, along with her dress, when she gets drunk." Tina whispered over her shoulder as she followed Elena out the door toward my car.
"I am not drunk!" Elena protested.
"Not yet," Tina said, rolling her eyes as she looked back at me.
Yeah, I was really wondering what the hell I got myself into as I opened the front door for Tina to slide into the passenger side bucket seat and the back door for Elena to get into the back seat of my crossover.
"If Tina gets the front on the way, does that mean I get the front on the way back?" Elena asked from the back seat.
"I suppose that's fine with me." I answered as Tina shook her head no. I shrugged my best version of "what?" and she just sat and continued to shake her head slowly, as if I had made some horrible mistake that would haunt me forever.
The drive to the party was actually pretty nice. The girls chit-chatted with me all the way, talking about things that I would characterize as guy things instead of girl things, which I am sure was part of their plan to make me relaxed. I parked in the large parking lot outside the country clubs main building and walked around the car to open the door for both of the ladies.
"You know, I could get used to this!" Tina said as she swung her legs out of the car and took my offered hand to pull herself out and up to stand. I opened the back door for Elena and offered her my hand the same way. She pulled a bit harder and almost launched herself against me smashing her big tits into my chest.
"Now I know you're not that drunk." I whispered as she reached down and grabbed at my cock through my pants.
"Not that drunk, but damn horny. You know what?" She whispered.
"I'm not wearing any panties. I never wear any panties when I wear a dress. Did you ever notice how often I wear a skirt to work?" she asked with a little wink.
"I did notice your little show at the house, and yes I have noticed."
"Good," was all she said in response as she stepped clear of the car door.
With the ladies each taking one arm, I led them to the front door of the country club and the doorman opened the door allowing us and another two couples ahead of us in. To my surprise Mister Hanson, the company president, and his wife were there to greet each couple as they entered. I had missed the first one of these when I joined the company, being on a trip for the company at the time. By the time the next one came around my wife was gone and coming to an event like this was the last thing on my mind.
I waited our turn in line with Tina and Elena on each arm.
Tina stepped in line ahead of me and reached out to hug Mister Hanson, who embraced her back warmly. She smiled as she released the embrace and moved on to hug his wife while he stuck his hand out to shake mine.
"So you must be David Carlson. I've seen your work - good stuff. We're all sorry for your loss, but glad to see that you're getting back on your feet."
"Uh, thank you sir," I said in confusion as he released my hand and then reached out to embrace Elena, who was following close behind.
"David!" His wife said warmly, reaching toward me and wrapping her arms around me, pulling me snugly against her. She had on a long gown that fit her trim figure snugly from her breasts to her ankles. I reflexively hugged back, my hands finding her back bare anyplace I touched. "We're truly sorry for your loss. I'm glad that Tina has been able to help you start moving on."
"Yes ma'am, thank you," I answered awkwardly.
His wife laughed as she released me from the embrace. "Please, Debbie to my friends. Even though the company keeps growing we want to keep it as much a family as we can. I hope you enjoy the party, the holidays can be the hardest after losing a loved one."


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- Overall Length:17.50"
- Blade Length:9.00"
- Cutting Edge:8.00"
- Blade Thickness:0.18"
- Blade Material:1070
- Blade Style:Drop Point
- Blade Grind:Hollow
- Finish:Black
- Edge Type:Plain
- Handle Length:8.50"
- Handle Thickness:0.88"
- Handle Material:Rubber
- Color:Black
- Weight:1 lb. 10.80 oz.
- Sheath:Polyester
- Knife Type:Fixed Blade
- Brand:Schrade
- Model:Fronteir
- Model Number:SCHF43
- Designer:Chris Tanner
- Country of Origin:China
- Best Use:Camp/Hike
- Product Type:Knife
The SCHF43 Frontier fixed blade, AKA Jessica X, was designed by Chris Tanner of Preparedmind101. This versatile knife features an over-sized choil for added leverage during precise cuts, and an elongated 3-position handle to assist in tackling a variety of outdoor tasks.Features:
- Durable black coated 1070 full-tang high carbon steel blade for heavy-duty use.
- TPE handle scales and an ergonomic 3-position design offers excellent grip and diverse utility.
- Included polyester belt sheath with removable leg and shoulder straps provides multiple carry options.
Customer ReviewsWrite a review for this item
Jess X
lee d.
Got mine yesterday, so far really enjoy it and those who have played with it along with myself want one as well. Great knife, shaved out of the box BUT out of the box, did the thumbnail test and sure enough there was a small "nick" if you will in the blade (actually 2, one right next to the other). Could feel them right off but only a strong light and with it reflecting back to my eyes could I see them. Figure it was one of those opps things and will "go away" after the first one or two sharperings with the stone. Yes I would indeed get another. Great job schrade.


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- MissDenop
- 4 years ago
- Wedding: August 2015
After being engaged almost 9 months, we set a date and found the venue! – so I finally went dress shopping and found my dress! Below are some pictures (kind of blurry because they are iphone pictures) – I included the picture from the website as well. The belt I have on came separate and I just adore it! I also bought a cap sleeve lace overlay to wear for the ceremony (see below) and I am going to alter the lace piece to remove the current small belt and put my new belt over it instead. I also bought the veil as well. I just LOVE the whole look!
Would love to hear what everyone thinks! 🙂


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gCaptain has long been a proponent of open information and AIS technology (we even built our own iPhone app once) and in sharing maritime information publicly we have received many angry emails. But one proposal that came across my desk I quickly shut down; the idea was to publish live AIS information from piracy areas. The problem was not the technology – from satellites to UAV and long-range VHF antennas, we had a few great ideas for bringing live ship tracking data from the Gulf Of Aden to the public – the problem was security.
Of the nearly quarter of a million unique visitors gCaptain logged last month a full 1% of visitors read gCaptain from the countries surrounding the Gulf Of Aden. That's over 2,000 visitors from the region and while most are welcome – visiting with the simple intent of catching up on industry news – it's likely that a few pirates do read this site. A simple fact we acknowledge when publishing our weekly Maritime Crime and Piracy Update, and a fact we have discussed with Naval Intelligence agencies that monitor gCaptain (among other industry sites). But the information we publish, while accurate, is vetted by gCaptain editors. AIS, on the other hand, is raw data and, for this reason – our lack of control over live data -, gCaptain chooses not to publish live AIS feeds from the Gulf Of Aden.
So it's with concern we bring news of Maritime Traffic's latest coverage of ship traffic in the region. gCaptain forum member DeckApe tells us:
I've been watching marinetraffic.com for some time now. A few weeks ago a station started reporting on ships in the Gulf of Adan. While I'm glad to see the information is available for an otherwise unreported part of the world I am a little uncomfortable to see it.
Piracy off Somalia is now legend. I wonder if this information could aid the pirates. They can now track shipping from their iPhone.
What I find most odd about all this is it seems the reporting station is the MV Kellie Chouest, a ship leased by Military Sealift Command for rescue and salvage ops.
What on Earth is an MSC contract ship doing reporting the movements of major shipping in the Gulf of Aden?
I could be wrong about the Kellie Chouest. But it seems the bubble of visibility follows her back and forth threw the gulf. Is she acting as a pirate lure? Is someone just not thinking?
OpSec may be dead but this is taking it a bit far. Continue Reading…
gCaptain has long been a big proponent of Marine Traffic, we even broadcast their feed in the tools section of out site, but have they gone too far? Does live AIS data from piracy regions put mariners at risk? Visit our forum to answer these questions and share your thoughts on the subject of maritime security in the digital age: >AIS And Piracy, gCaptain Forum.


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The ceremony in the Rose Garden celebrating the return of Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl must be the most misbegotten photo op of all time. In addition to President Obama, both Bergdgahl mère and père spoke. It seemed to me bizarre beyond belief, a photo op gone wrong.
Was Mr. Bergdahl vetted? Did anyone in the White House notice that Mr. Bergdahl seems to have gone over to the other side? As Paul notes, the scene now has the Washington Post working overtime to cover for Obama.
Obama's handlers didn't hold it against Mr. Bergdahl that he was "still working to free all Guantanamo prisoners," in the words of his now deleted tweet. Okay, in that respect, he's just like Obama.
But did anyone around Obama think it problematic when the old man predicted God would "repay the death of every Afghan child, Ameen"? Actually, make that "Ameen!" That appears to be a prayer for the death of Sergeant Bergdahl's fellow soldiers.
Did Team Obama know that Mr. Bergdahl was going to invoke Allah, quoting from the Koran (video below)? You have to wonder what exactly that was all about. The White House wasn't highlighting the five Taliban leaders it was giving up for Sergeant Bergdahl, but did it raise a question in the mind of anyone around Obama that that Mr. Bergdahl seemed to be striving to resemble them?


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Media Relations Contacts
Media Relations staff can assist you with finding information for a story, finding a faculty member who can provide an expert opinion, arranging interviews with university administrators and finding possible story ideas and photo opportunities. The staff also sends out media advisories, press releases and news and feature articles to the media on a daily basis. During a campus emergency or crisis, the Media Relations staff will also be able to provide the media with updated information, official statements and the name and contact information of any university spokespersons. Public records requests to LSU should be addressed to the LSU President, click here for more information.
Media Relations
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Product Description
The reason why we call it Asian style is that it looks like sachet which is widely used in ancient China for a touch of fragrance. Made from textured satin and sheer organza, and tied with tassel string, this favor bag is quite unique and functional. 12 pieces are included in one set.


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Top 5 Winter Squashes and How to Pick the Best Ones
By ALLISON STOWELL
Fall is here, and that means store bins full of winter squash in varying sizes, colors and shapes. While you may recognize some, others might make you wonder, How in the world do you eat that?
Just like ancient grains and heirloom tomatoes are noted for their unique places in our culinary past, winter squash has a long history that should be celebrated. According to the Smithsonian, some varieties of squash were first cultivated 12,000 years ago in Ecuador, while in America they date back to the Iroquois Indians.
Squash are full of nutrients and (believe it or not) easy to work with when you know the best way to use them. They not only bring beautiful color to your plate, but they also provide carbohydrates, fiber and more. Generally speaking, a cup of cooked, cubed winter squash contains about 15 to 20 grams of carbohydrates, two to six grams of fiber, less than 100 calories and a veritable alphabet of vitamins — A, B, C, D, K and more.
While there are nearly a dozen different varieties of winter squash, some are more popular at supermarkets and farm stands. Here are the top five varieties and tips on how to select and prepare them:
1. Hubbard Squash
1 cup (cooked and cubed) = 15.25 grams of carb, 6.8 grams of fiber, 71 calories
Hubbard squash are available in a broad spectrum of colors, ranging from dark green to bright orange. When selecting from a collection of these large, thick-skinned squash, look for one that is firm and blemish-free with a shiny, deep-colored skin. Like other yellow/orange winter squash, Hubbard squash are rich in vitamin A.
2. Butternut Squash
1 cup (cooked and cubed) = 21.5 grams of carb, 6.6 grams of fiber, 82 calories
Like Hubbard squash, butternut squash are large with thick skins and should be free of blemishes with no soft spots. However, unlike other squash, the thick, firm skin is beige. While you may be intimidated by the large size and tempted to purchase it already cubed or pureed, give it a try with this simple trick: Wash and pierce the squash several times and then microwave for two-and-a-half to three minutes. Then simply use a vegetable peeler to easily remove the thick skin and dice the softened flesh to roast, boil or steam -- and then possibly puree it to prepare a dish like Thai Butternut Squash Soup.
3. Sugar Pumpkin
1 cup, mashed = 12 grams of carb, 2.7 grams of fiber, 49 calories
Sugar pumpkins are also called "pie pumpkins." They're usually small with a smooth texture. (They're technically a "gourd," but part of the same family as squash.) These aren't the larger ones that are generally used for carving or decorative purposes, which are edible, but tend to be watery and less sweet.
And don't let the name fool you: Sugar pumpkins are not sweeter or higher in carbohydrate than other winter squash. They are, however, a brilliant source of vitamin A, and a serving (quarter cup) provides a hefty dose of heart healthy fat. Try roasting the seeds to use in salads, trail mixes and more.
4. Acorn Squash
1 cup (mashed) = 21.54 grams of carb, 6 grams of fiber, 83 calories
Easily recognized by its unique acorn shape, this winter squash is delicious when used in a variety of ways. Look for acorn squash that is deep in color (white, green or gold), firm and blemish free. While you don't eat the skin of any winter squash, the skin of acorn squash is a bit thinner and slices easily with the skin on for roasting in halves or wedges.
5. Spaghetti Squash
1 cup (cooked and cubed) = 10 grams of carb, 2.2 grams of fiber, 42 calories
The winter squash lowest in carbohydrates and calories, spaghetti squash has gained popularity for its ability to serve as a substitute for real spaghetti when its flesh is scraped into stringy strands. Short on time? You can also microwave your spaghetti squash:
- Use a knife or fork to poke holes all over the squash.
- Microwave on high for eight minutes.
- Turn it over and continue microwaving until the squash feels tender; about five more minutes.
- Remove and let stand for five minutes.
- Cut the squash in lengthwise sections and remove the seeds.
- Using a fork, scrape the flesh lengthwise to create spaghetti-like strands.
Using spaghetti squash in place of true spaghetti save calories, reduces your carb intake and provides a boost of vitamin A. When topped with a pesto or primavera sauce with plenty of vegetables, you'll have a plate full of fiber-rich nutrients!
Readers -- What are your favorite ways to eat winter squash? Do you have any tips or tricks for cooking with them? Have you tried swapping in spaghetti squash for real spaghetti? Was the taste and texture comparable or better? Leave a comment below and let us know!
Allison Stowell, M.S., RD, CDN, is the registered dietitian for the Guiding Stars Licensing Company, a company devoted to helping you find the good, better and best choices at the supermarket. A working mom of two, Allison enables individuals to make positive, sustainable changes in eating habits by stressing conscious eating, improving relationships with food and offering a non-diet approach for reaching and maintaining an ideal body weight.
Visit her blog to read more, and connect with Allison on Twitter.


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Recent Members
Military Alumni
Honoring Our Heroes
This area is dedicated to our alumni that have served or are serving in our armed forces!
Lost Class Rings
Have you lost your San Lorenzo High School class ring? Have you found someone's class ring? Visit our Rebels lost class ring page to search for your class ring or post information about a found ring.
Honored Military Alumni
Billy Jack Lewis Class of 1955
Army, 20+ Years Billy Jack joined the U.S. Marines in 1955 soon after graduating from San Lorenzo High School in California, served four years (1955-1959) then a short time in the Reserves. Within a few months, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1959 and served in the 101st Airborne Division, the 82nd Airborne; and the 173rd Airborne. He was a proud member of the elite U.S. Army Airborne Ranger Special Forces, the Green Berets. He served two tours in Vietnam and was wounded during battle, suffered a broken neck. He was medivac to Japan, then back to the States. Even after the recuperation process was over, he continued to parachute out of "perfectly good airplanes." Throughout his military career, he was awarded many decorations, medals, badges, commendations, citations, and campaign ribbons. Among them, the Purple Heart; Bronze Star; Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device and First Oak Leaf Cluster; Combat Infantry Badge; Special Forces Tab (Green Beret); Ranger Tab; Master Parachutist Wings; and many others. His last military assignment was at Field 6, Camp Rudder, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida in the 1st Ranger Company 1st Battalion, as a Ranger Instructor. Billy Jack retired from the U.S. Army on 1 August 1977 with over 22 years of military service. Billy Jack Lewis is among the Vietnam Veterans, the heroes, who died as a result of their military service. His name was added to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial during the In Memory Day Ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. on 21 April 2003.
Carl Bledsoe Class of 1970
Air Force, 20+ Years 26 years of service. Inertial and radar navigation systems(Pointy Head) also Tech School Instructor and FTD instructor. Worked SR-71,U2,B-52,KC-135,KC-10. Stationed at Beale AFB,Keesler AFB,Kadena AB,Barksdale AFB, and Griffiss AFB
Catherine Crespo Class of 1971
Army Reserves, 10 Years USAR nursing corp Deployed twice: 1. Landstuhl, Germany support OEF 2004-07 2. Afghanistan (FOB Salerno) (2008-2009)
Craig Friedenthal Class of 1964
Navy, 4 Years Vietnam Veteran
Eric Reid Class of 1965
Army, 20+ Years Enlisted after graduation. Attended OCS. Served two tours in Vietnam, one as an armored cavalry officer and one as a helicopter pilot. Retired in 1985
Gabriela Rice Class of 1994
Navy, 18 Years Joined in 1995 as a Engineman, later converted to Navy Counselor. Deployed USS Shasta 1996, USS Pearl Harbor 2000, VFA-32 2008-2009, SEAL Team One 2011.
Glenn Heywood Class of 1962
Navy, 4 Years Served with Fighter Squadron VF-92 as AQF2. Deployed on CVA 61 Ranger and CVAN 65 Enterprise in the Viet Nam Era.
james Sanos Class of 1964
Army, 2 Years Basic training in Fort Erwin, Ca. with the 2/34th armor battalion. Medical training in San Antonio , TX. Served as a Medic for the 2/34th in Viet Nam from 1966-1967.
Jesse Tamez Class of 1961
Air Force, 20+ Years Air Traffic Controller, Viet Nam Vet 67 - 68
Jesse Tamez Class of 1961
Air Force, 20+ Years Air Traffic Controller, Vietnam Veteran
Joan (KELLY) Reed Class of 1967
Army, 2 Years Women's Army Corps - Fort Knox, Kentucky. Personnel Specialist.
Jonathan Bias Class of 1999
Navy, 17 Years Joined in May of 1999 I went on to become a Heavy Equipment Operator as part of the Seabees. Units NMCB 40 Port Hueneme, Ca. (1999-2004), NFELC Port Hueneme, Ca. (2004-2007), Logistical Support Unit 1 Coronado, Ca. (2007-2011), CSFE Detachment Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. (2011-2014), NMCB 4 Port Hueneme, Ca. (2014-present).
Mitchell Fowler Class of 1964
Marine Corps, 5 Years Served in Vietnam 1966 to 1967 with the 9th Marine Regiment
Ray Emmerich Class of 1985
Marine Corps, 4 Years served overseas,on ship,and in the U.S. good conduct medal,honorable discharge E-4
Robert Harkness Class of 1964
Army, 4 Years After completing Basic Combat Training at Fort Ord, CA, Basic and Advanced Russian Courses at the Defense Language Institute at the Presidio of Monterey, CA, and the Joint Services Security School at San Angelo, TX, served in the Army Security Agency in Germany in military intelligence at Bad Aibling, Rothwesten, and Gartow.
Robert Harkness Class of 1964
Army, 4 Years United States Army Security Agency, 1967-1971, 319th and 320th ASA Battalions
ron gendron Class of 1965
Army, 2 Years drafted into the army and on to vietnam for infantry duty with 196th americal div. I left San Lorenzo after my junior year but call it my school.
Russ Otto Class of 1959
Marine Corps, 4 Years Tank commander 3rd Marine Division 3rd Tank Battalion Okinawa -tank crew and TC 1st Mar Div 1st Tk Btn,and Target tanks Camp Pendleton
Wayne Greer Class of 1962
Army, 3 Years Lineman
William Mertens Class of 1968
Army, 3 Years Medic 173rd Airborne Vietnam Veteran
Classmates Spotlight
Gabriela Palfi
Alumni Stories
Read and submit stories about our classmates from San Lorenzo High School, post achievements and news about our alumni, and post photos of our fellow Rebels.
School News
ALL REBELS ~ Plans have been finalized. DANCE PARTY Part II is here !! Shbooms has raised the rates this year to 39.00 e...


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About six months ago, an anonymous tipster sent The State newspaper in Columbia, S.C., copies of e-mail messages supposedly exchanged between Gov. Mark Sanford and a woman named Maria in Argentina.
Reporters sent e-mail back to the originating e-mail address and to the woman, whose e-mail address was included, in an effort to verify that the messages were genuine. They never heard back, and so the paper did not publish them until Wednesday, after Mr. Sanford admitted having an affair.
"We had not determined they were authentic," Leroy Chapman, the political editor at The State, said of the e-mail. "What it was, was a puzzle piece that was hardly discernible."
It took a second tip — this time that the governor was on an airplane from Argentina — for the paper to put together the story.
Before that, reporters and editors at The State were aware of the possibility that Mr. Sanford was having an affair. But despite the governor's sometimes odd behavior, the whiff of adultery had not followed him, and reporters remained skeptical.Continue reading the main story
"Because he had not had a reputation for being a philanderer, we questioned its authenticity," Mr. Chapman said.
Mike Wukela, the assignment editor at WACH-TV, said, "There have been, over the years, rumors about the closeness of the Sanfords' marriage."
Whispers like that, Mr. Wukela hastened to add, are common about political couples. "You always look at those with a grain of salt," he said. "I never heard anything to give it real credence."
The governor did have a reputation for unexplained absences, so his mysterious disappearance did not initially raise any suspicions in the local news media. "He has a pattern of quirky behavior," said Adam Fogle, the editor of The Palmetto Scoop, a political blog in South Carolina. "He's kind of odd."
Last Thursday, the governor taped an interview with Sean Hannity for Fox News, in which Mr. Sanford criticized the federal stimulus plan and said he had not thought of running for president ("a lot of strange doors open or close in life," he said). Later, he left the Governor's Mansion without security and rumors about his absence "percolated in law enforcement circles," Mr. Chapman said. Other politicians and government officials got wind of his absence and tipped off reporters.
Mr. Sanford, like many politicians, has had an often combative relationship with the local news media. Despite entreaties from editors, he always declined to release a daily schedule, as is customary for many governors.
But his communications office is known for being professional and aggressive at managing news coverage. So the conflicting reports from his staffers about where Mr. Sanford was raised suspicions among reporters.
"His press office is normally on top of their game," Mr. Fogle said. "They are always in front of the story. That's what raised a lot of red flags."
On Tuesday, The State received its second tip, this time from an airline passenger who said, according to Mr. Chapman: "We've seen your governor on an airplane. He's not on the Appalachian Trail." This tipster suggested that the governor would be returning from Argentina.
Mr. Chapman dispatched Gina Smith, a political reporter, to the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Wednesday morning to meet a flight from Buenos Aires. "He definitely was surprised to see me, and I was equally surprised to see him," said Ms. Smith, in an interview on MSNBC. "It was just sort of a hunch that he would show up at the airport in Atlanta."
Late Wednesday, The State posted several of the e-mail messages it received in December on its Web site and was to print more in Thursday's paper. But with one mystery solved, another endures: Mr. Chapman said he still did not know who sent the e-mail to the paper in the first place. "It's kind of a moot point," he said, "but I'm still curious."Continue reading the main story


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Welcome to the Calabogie Peaks Hotel, a four-season country retreat where nature provides a glorious backdrop for unforgetable memories. As the heart of the resort, we proudly feature a full-service boutique hotel of 25 rooms, condo style suites of one to three bedrooms, Canthooks Restaurant and cafe style bar, an indoor pool and outdoor hot tub, and other many on-site facilities to accommodate every guests' needs.
Hotel Rooms | Mountain Lodges
Stay & Play Specials
Freedom Finder Wandering Road Trip
Calabogie Peaks Resort is an experienced venue for conferences, meetings and corporate retreats. From our spacious meeting rooms and wide selection of guestrooms to our numerous outdoor activities perfect for Team Building exercises, we can help you Connect, Create and Exceed.
Group Events Venues | Events Accommodations
Request for More Info | Corporate Events Menu
1-800-669-4861 x ext 1510
Express your love for that special person in your life and surround yourself with the best the world has to offer: family, friends, and beauty. Nature provides a glorious backdrop for unforgettable lifetime memories at Calabogie Peaks Resort, one of Ontario's leading mountain lakeshore resorts. Celebrate your special occasion where country warmth and luxury are combined with culinary perfection and limitless seasonal activities.
Indoor Wedding Venues | Outdoor Wedding Venues |
Wedding Menus | Photo Gallery
Whether staying at our resort or simply stopping in for a meal, Canthooks Restaurant provides a comforting blend of casual fine dining with relaxing country atmosphere for couples, families, and large groups alike. Bon appetit!
Open daily including fully licensed patio.
Breakfast is served Monday thru Sunday 7am to 11am
Lunch is served from 11:00am to 5:00pm
Dinner is served from 5:00pm to Closing
(9pm Sunday to Thursday; 10pm Friday & Saturday)
Reservations are recommended for dinner. Please call 1-613-752-2720 x 1610.
Canthooks Restaurant | Craft Beers
Calabogie Peaks Resort is pleased to provide off-site catering services within our local area.
For menus and information for catering your event please contact our co-ordinator at 1-613-7522720 x 1510.


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COLUMBUS, Miss. – More than 200 Golden Triangle educators will gather to be celebrated, inspired and appreciated at the Elevating and Celebrating Effective Teachers and Teaching Conference (ECET2) on the campus of Mississippi University for Women Sept. 29-30.
"We are excited to offer the teachers in Columbus, Starkville and Columbus the opportunity to interact with each other in the collaborative spirit of true networking," said Melinda Lowe, interim director of the Office of Outreach & Innovation.
ECET2 was created from a desire to provide a forum for exceptional teachers to learn from one another and to celebrate the teaching profession. Each national and regional ECET2 convening is supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. At each ECET2, teachers collaborate with and support one another, improving their ability to support students.
ECET2 Golden Triangle is the second regional ECET2 to be held in the state of Mississippi and first in the region. All speakers and session leaders are products of the Golden Triangle.
Sponsored by the Office of Outreach and Innovation at The W, the event will start on the evening of Friday, Sept. 29, with a celebratory reception with refreshments, entertainment and networking. The following day will begin with four Early Morning Energizers. These energizers will allow educators to choose the option of starting their day with yoga, a morning walk on the Riverwalk, talking over coffee or gaining extra rest. The remainder of the day will feature five Cultivating a Calling speakers and seven breakout session presenters. Among the speakers and presenters are Jay Little, former Golden Triangle student and Gates Millennium Scholar and Lauren Zarandona, Mississippi School for Math and Science teacher and winner of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
Each educator who attends ECET2 will receive numerous gifts valued at $150 per person and will be entered to receive a spa experience during the event. Educators will also be eligible to receive free CEUs for attending. The W's Project Chew will partner to provide healthy snack options for the event.
"The ECET2-GT convening will bring together teachers in the spirit of collaboration and learning. We aim to harness the power of teacher leader networks to deepen learning, as well as to improve the teaching practice to better serve students," said Lowe.
For more information or to register for the event, visit www.muw.edu/outreach
Sept. 25, 2017
Contact: Tyler Wheat
(662) 241-7863


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Ah! It's summer. I can read. It's sounds awful to say (and hear) but I don't read much for pleasure during the school year. It's difficult enough juggling reading for school, teaching, writing curriculum, planning, grading, writing for me, house stuff, family stuff– life. Every once in awhile, I'll indulge myself but only when I know I have a span of time to finish a book. There's nothing more disappointing than getting into a book and running out of time.
So each year, after the school-year begins, I begin a collection, a treasure trove of books to read over the next summer. There is nothing more satisfying than piling the books I've accumulated throughout the year up on the first day of summer to look at what I have in store for me. Faraway lands, worlds unknown to me, people I want to meet and those I never want to see again, a range of emotion, surprising connections, seeds of inspiration, new journeys, insights that cause me to look within and grow. The possibilities can't even be encapsulated in a single thought and that's what I love about my first day of summer: what awaits me.
1984, George Orwell
I read this novel in high school. Now, mind you, it was 1983 and this book seemed completely irrelevant to me. I was "bored to death." I've been teaching British Literature for sixteen years and never even gave it thought to add to my syllabus. Now, thirty-four years after I read it the first time, it skyrockets to the tops of charts. Bookstores are running out of it. I scarily begin to recall something of the details that had long ago been buried somewhere in my subconscious. Suddenly it's relevance calls me to attention. This is a novel I want to teach. It's I novel I must teach.
A Farewell to Arms, Ernest Hemingway
This is also a read again for me. I know I loved it the first time. But I've recently had a reawakening of sorts to Hemingway's work. After reading The Paris Wife, Paula McLain (one I recommend highly), a couple of summers ago, then reading A Moveable Feast upon a colleague's recommendation, I feel a pull toward Hemingway. His writing is so beautiful and crisp, which I'm sure I hadn't consciously realized the first time I read A Farewell to Arms. I want to read this from a new lense.
The Circle, Dave Eggers
Well, because 1984. And because 2016. And because I lead a book group for students with a colleague each year. Because we both teach film, we choose a novel that is also being adapted. Once school begins we get together with our group to talk about the companion texts, comparing and contrasting the mediums. This novel also seems relevant with a very pop-culture twist.
Confederacy of Dunces, John Kennedy Toole
On a girls' weekend at Cape Cod, my friend Diann pulls this book out and begins reading to Amy and I because she wants us to experience the humor of this novel, one her favorites. After all, this is what English teachers do during their crazy fun girl time. Later, Diann gave each of us a copy and inscribed "Enjoy my book– laugh out loud, a lot. Read it alone or to a friend."
Everything I Never Told You, Celeste NG
This novel was recommended to me by two people in my writing group who thought I would love it based on hearing the summary of a book I'm writing. I have already begun it and can't put it down. It's about a dysfunctional family who suffers loss– something we all can relate to in one way or another. It's real and beautifully written. Definitely a comp for my novel to aspire to.
Good Thinking, Eric Palmer
Always on the look for good articles about school and teaching, I came across Eric Palmer's work on how to teach writing an argument. My students are so ingrained with being right that their "arguments" are cliche and virtually unarguable. I know this is something other teachers in my department struggle with too, so I passed the article on. Our department chair bought the book for everyone in our department to read over the summer. I do try to read something on theory or pedagogy to keep myself current. So, check.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, J.K. Rowling
For teaching British Literature, we assign summer reading and annotating, usually a common book with the teachers whom I collaborate (another Brit Lit teacher and the Euro history teacher). In the past, we've assigned David Copperfield, Mrs. Dalloway, portions of The Canterbury Tales and London by Edward Rutherfurd. This year we wanted to spice things up, make a change to keep the course current and fresh. We fixed on looking at polarities as a theme throughout the year, and since I'd already planned to teach 1984, we agreed on that paired with this play. Let me add, I have never read a Harry Potter book. The other two teachers have though neither has read this, yet. I'm curious to see how I read it differently than they do given my lack of HP background (I know, I"m definitely in the minority). Moreover, it's slated to come to NYC/ Broadway in April 2019, so I thought a trip to see it would be a good way to cyclically end the year.
Hemingway in Love, E.A. Hotchner
This book takes me back to my obsession-light over Hadley and Ernest Hemingway since The Paris Wife/ A Moveable Feast quest. I love the way the two interplayed with each other. I'm hoping this will enhance that experience. Not to mention (well, I must) that I bought this at the Shakespeare Bookstore in Paris last year (yes, my book has the stamp to prove it). I had to buy something to make the bookstore/Hemingway connection a tangible part of the experience (p.s. I have a bookmark, too).
Macbeth, William Shakespeare
Yes, I do love the classics. Some of Shakespeare's are among my favorites, but never Macbeth. I read it for the first time in high school. Well, the word "read" might be a stretch. I struggled through it understanding very little. The teacher I had, instead of teaching us HOW to read Shakespeare, assumed we knew, and she talked about it at length the next day so I learned that I didn't have to learn to read Shakespeare. I only had to listen to her summarize it to get enough of the gist to get me by. It wasn't until I became an English major that I had to take a Shakespeare course as a requirement, something I put off until almost the end of my college career. But the next teacher was very different. He assumed none of us knew how to read Shakespeare and that's where my love of his works began. I took a course in the comedies at first, then continued with the tragedies. Now, I love teaching Shakespeare, but I have never taught this play probably because I felt scarred in some way. Given our decision to teach polarities in Brit Lit this year, there really is no reason not to teach this play. I'm going to re-read it. The plan is to make myself love it because if I don't love what I teach neither will my students. As an aside, I do not believe Shakespeare is meant only to be read; I believe it's meant to be performed, so that's what we'll be doing in class this coming year.
My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry, Fredrik Backman
As a writer who is currently querying my work, I'm always looking for comps for the novels I've written. The first novel I ever wrote, and long ago put aside, was loosely based upon my grandmother. If you're a follower of my blog, which I hope you are or will be, you'll realize I write about my grandmother a lot in many different forms. She is part of who I am. So my immediate attraction to this book is my deep connection to her, but I'm hoping in some ways Backman's novel will be a comp of mine because I'm hoping to pick up again one day, retool and publish: the truest form of an homage to the woman whom I revere so deeply.
Thirteen Reasons Why, Jay Asher
Duh! This novel and television series has gotten so much hype this year, that I had to bite the bullet. It's actually been on my to-read list for a long time, now. A former ex-girlfriend of my son recommended it a while back and said I have to read it. I put off watching the show until after I do. So many of my students have read and watched that I think it will also serve as a good talking-point with them especially since the series is going into production of a new season. I like to read at least one YA a summer so I have a basis of dialog about summer reading with the high schoolers I teach. I always want reading to be part of our conversation.
Victoria, Daisy Goodwin
As an anglophile, I love period pieces. It began when I read The Other Boleyn Girl and intensified when I read nearly every other book by Philippa Gregory. And suddenly PBS began airing The Tudors which led to Downton Abbey and Mr. Selfridge and Queen Elizabeth II and, most recently, Victoria. I think Victoria might be my favorite monarch of all. After the season ended, I felt the same way I did when the series of Downton Abbey ended. I wanted more. So I went in search for the perfect read to hold me over until a second season of Victoria. I'm very excited about this one!
What's Your Presentation Persona? Scott Schwertly and Sunday Mancini
It started with a conversation with a teacher friend who also teaches Speech which I do as well. She told me about one of those internet quizzes she took to determine the kind of speaker she was, and as she was talking my mind started spinning. I love quizzes like this. Ones that connect dots for me that I hadn't seen or realized. I started thinking how I could incorporate this into my speech class. And low and behold, there's a book. I'm going into this one very open- minded as half-self and half-teacher. I'm looking to determine the kind of speaker I am and how to improve. Likewise, I'm looking to see what I can pull to enhance my course. Thus, the life of a teacher and a writer, looking to see what I could use and repurpose.
There you have it: my Summer 2017 Reading Treasure. It's easy: make a promise to yourself. What will you be reading this summer?


text: Purina wins ARF Ogilvy prize Published on April 09, 1997. Purina Dog Chow's "Every Day"campaign, from Fallon McElligott, was the trophy winner of the 1997 ARF David Ogilvy Research Awards at the Advertising Research Foundation annual meeting in New York. The award recognizes the effective use of research in developing successful advertising. Gold Medallion award winners were the American Plastics Council's industry management campaign, handled by Wirthlin Worldwide, McLean, Va., and Campbell Soup Co.'s "condensed soup" campaign, handled by BBDO Worldwide, New York, and research firm, ASI, Stamford, Conn.Copyright April 1997, Crain Communications Inc. Most Popular In this article: News


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my Sequined Skirt look by RonnyRULZ featuring Forever21
It's going to be a shiny kind of winter, if the large number of sequin-encrusted items currently starting to fill the stores is anything to go by. Last week we asked what you'd wear with a sequined skirt, and today we bring you part three of your suggested outfits. Enjoy!
Mermaidia by MermaidH2 featuring Roberto Cavalli
sequin skirt by sunnygirl76 featuring Valentino shoes
Sequined skirt by Little K. featuring Miu Miu shoes
She's Got It by JuliettaMaria featuring Monsoon accessories
Commitment to loopiness by momotaro featuring Kurt Geiger shoes
Moonlit Champagne by Riali featuring Chanel jewelry
Shiny Dots by Kmelia019 featuring Aristoc tights


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Elbow joint, Illustration
F012/6834 Royalty Free
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Credit: SEBASTIAN KAULITZKI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
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Keywords: 3 dimensional, 3d, anatomical, anatomy, artwork, biological, biology, biomedical illustration, bones, digitally generated, elbow, health, healthcare, human anatomy, humerus, illustration, joint, no one, no-one, nobody, plain background, radius, skeletal, skeletal structure, skeletal system, skeleton, three dimensional, ulna, white background
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Walkera DEVO F12E 12-Channel 2.4Ghz Digital Radio System w/ FPV Monitor
$ 329.00
High End 12-Channel 2.4Ghz Transmitter with FPV monitor built-in This is the DEVO F12E - an upgrade version of the proven reliable Walkera DEVO 12S RC controller. The appearance is a completely new design, it's a bit bigger than before. The biggest difference is the 5" FPV Monitor, it has a 32-ch 5.8Ghz Video Receiver built-in, so you just turn on the DEVO F12E transmitter and you will get real time video feeds from your 5.8Ghz Video Transmitter right the way, no need to do any cabling or worry about battery, as the DEVO F12E is basically a combination of a 2.4Ghz 12-Channel RC Transmitter and a 5.8Ghz Video Monitor.
* Proven to work with Boscam TS352 Video Transnmitter, you just need to select the correct channel on the DEVO F12E menu, no need to flip any switches.
DEVO F12E Transmitter Specifications (NOT INCLUDE)
- Encoder: 12-channel micro computer system
- Frequency: 2.4GHz DSSS
- Output power: ≤100mW
- Current drain: Close the video ≤300mA (100mW); view the video ≤430mA (100mW)
- Power supply: Li-Po 7.4V / 11.1V 1600 - 3000mAh or 5# battery 8*1.5V or NiMH 8*1.2V 1600 - 3000mAh
- Output pulse: 1000 - 2000us (1500us neutral)
- Radio distance: ≥1km
- 5.8Ghz video distance: 0.5 - 2km (up to transmitter)
- Image frequency: 32 points
- Frequency domain: 5645MHz - 5945MHz
- Stand-by time: 6 - 12 hours


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The Economist Intelligence Unit presents powerful stories of businesses that have committed and contributed to the transition to a low-carbon world.
Supported by:
Moving the Needle: Corporate climate action for a low-carbon world
We explore examples of companies that have navigated through challenges to drive innovation, improve competitiveness, manage risk and deliver business growth using strategies rooted in environmental sustainability. This content has been developed by The Economist Intelligence Unit and is supported by We Mean Business (a global business and climate coalition) and CDP (the global environmental disclosure platform).


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I'll start this off by noting that for practical reasons I am against drug-testing welfare recipients. It has not been shown to be cost-effective.
BUT if we do test them for illegal drugs we should also test them for alcohol. If welfare recipients shouldn't spend taxpayer dollars on drugs they shouldn't spend taxpayer dollars on alcohol either. If they want alcohol they can get a job and pay for it themselves.
Testing only for illegal drugs could actually encourage welfare recipients to become alcoholics. Compared to marijuana alcohol is far more addictive. Any "withdrawal" someone gets from abstaining from marijuana is mild and easy to get through, alcohol withdrawal can be so severe as to cause psychosis or even to cause death.
I don't work 8 hours a day so a group of lazy thugs can get high and drink all day. Most welfare recipients aren't like that but some are. Welfare recipients should be tested for drugs and alcohsl to make sure they they aren't taking advantage of our money. Simple.
Alcohol testing should be added. It is the easiest available drug and legal. I know people that say they work to drink, so if they on that level then people on Welfare is probably worse... However the alcohol industries are huge and a big money bringer for any government. I doubt they will add an alcohol test.
The government gave them money. They met all the regulatory paperwork requirements, now let them spend the money how they please. Many others are given government money, like farmers, artists, bankers, and politicians, yet those receiving welfare are singled out. A better solution is not to give government money away.
The biggest issue I have with people's need to focus on welfare is that welfare isn't anywhere near the waste of money so many other things are. I mean we pay farmers not to farm, we pay to truck in sand for Hampton beaches, we fund all kinds of vanity projects for idiots like Sarah Palin - but the thought of helping out people is apparently painful for some people.
And at least a large of that is racism - as shown by the usage of the new version of n*gga: "thug". Never mind that even a teeny, tiny bit of research puts the lie to that concept. Nope instead we have to make out these struggling individuals as leeches and crackheads and drunkerns.
What I wouldn't give for some compassion. Or at least the decency not to kick in the teeth of someone already on their knees.


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At Redwoods Garden Centre we pride ourselves on our vast wealth of knowledge and experience. Redwoods has been part of the Kerikeri landscape for the best part of seventy years and we are all locals and passionate gardeners.
We understand how important it is to get the right plant to create the look you are after and the right solution to a gardening problem.
The Redwoods Gardening Blog
This site is designed to be a information resource and we hope you find it helpful.
Our Gardening blog is a great online journal packed full of useful information, tips, gardening guides and seasonal specials for gardeners in Northland.
Supporting our community
Here at Redwoods Garden we are proud to be locally owned and operated and we have a long tradition of supporting our local community. We proudly support: The Kerikeri Rotary Garden Safari, The Kerikeri Croquet Club, The Bay of Islands SPCA and the Waimate Show.


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It's a long way from margarine containers to award-winning home design, but that was the trajectory for Ottawa architect Jason Flynn.
"I knew what I wanted to be when I was six years old," says the principal at Jason C. Flynn Architect. "My mom used to keep the margarine containers, and I built houses with them. I'd spend hours doing it."
Thirty-four years later, Flynn, now 40, is designing real-life homes, many of them infills, that are earning him applause as an emerging modernist with a commitment to sustainable design and a flair for integrating new homes into old neighbourhoods such as Westboro and the Glebe.
Flynn is a father of three, age 18 to three, who loves the rush of downhill skiing but speaks in a thoughtful manner with plenty of pauses. He works from a cosy basement office in Old Ottawa South where one wall is white brick, the another an old, exposed stone foundation. Late winter sun streams through a couple of windows, and the ceiling creaks as someone walks through the furniture store above.
A graduate of Carleton University's architecture program, the Toronto-born, Ottawa-raised Flynn has designed some striking homes from this office.
His Elm Street project in Little Italy, a devilishly clever semidetached, four-unit creation that speaks the language of both surrounding residences and an adjoining commercial area, has won recognition at the city and national levels.
Built by Eastern Ontario Construction, it includes ground-level parking, invisible from the street, tucked under the 1,500-to 1,900-square-foot units.
Another project, a dramatic, T-shaped rural home with a woody exterior, echoes the jagged, rocky promontory and surrounding forest where it's built. Decks on three sides of this highly energy-efficient home offer close encounters with the natural environment.
Projects in the works include six townhomes on Avondale Avenue in Westboro. With generous glazing for natural daylight, the 1,950-square-foot units are, in Flynn's renderings, street-friendly thanks to porches, canopies, glass-walled balconies and landscaping meant to encourage interaction between homeowners and the neighbourhood.
These homes are modern - lots of windows and strong horizontal lines reminiscent of the Prairie style typify Flynn's work - but incorporate traditional elements like stone to blend with their surroundings.
"I work on the scale of them," says Flynn.
"When you're designing a building, you have to imagine yourself standing next to it and not being overwhelmed by it. Overhangs, entries - if you emphasize them, they make it accessible to people because they're things we recognize."
Committed to densification, Flynn says that infill design, where hurdles can range from limited space to community opposition, presents major challenges. But the chance to introduce new, revitalizing elements into a neighbourhood is bracing. He's also a proponent of building smaller. Convincing clients to scale back is, he says, a long-term educational process, and designing a home to meet owners' needs while reducing the physical footprint an exacting process.
Doubling-up space usage is one solution. In one home, for example, Flynn has located a compact laundry area off the main hallway. Large pocket doors mean the homeowner can load the washer and dryer from the hall, an area that's for the most part little used.
He's also an advocate of sustainable design and good indoor air quality. Tight building envelopes - including triple-glazed windows and building materials that are mostly locally sourced and meet the strict criteria of the Greenguard Environmental Institute for low chemical emissions - are routine for him.
He's dismissive of the new building code with its upgraded energy-efficiency standard, saying he and other architects have shown how readily it can be surpassed.
Like some others, he's also skeptical that hugely popular open-concept design is necessarily the way to go. He criticizes production builders for making it practically an article of design faith, saying it also happens to keep their building costs down while ignoring the fact that humans actually like a bit of privacy.
Flynn, whose crisp appearance suggests a fondness for precision, has been building his own design credo as a sole practitioner since 2007. Prior to that, he worked with local design and architecture firms. He went solo (he does employ an architectural technologist) when he realized that his design ambitions might be best realized by working for himself.
Along the way to becoming an architect, he studied forestry, planted trees during the summers and spent a lot of time skiing. After graduating from Carleton, he married the girl next door - literally. "We started a family and just stayed here. It wasn't really a strategic decision."
Wouldn't he be better practising somewhere other than Ottawa with its conservative ways?
"I've developed a passion for Ottawa that I never thought I'd have when I was growing up. (The city) has picked up a lot on contemporary design and environmental practises. I wish it would stick its neck out more sometimes, but maybe the projects I do will infiltrate it a bit."
Architects, he says, bear a social responsibility. The homes they design can have a major esthetic impact on the community. As well, architects can help raise the energy performance bar.
The Canadian public, in turn, needs to embrace good design more ardently, he says.
His favourite moment in the design process?
Unveiling the design to the client for the first time. It's nerve-racking for him - how will the client react? - but it's also the moment when "it clicks for them that we've created something new and exciting, that we've designed this for them and their family. To give that to someone, that's really exciting."


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Floricanto presents its tribute to the company's Mexican traditions during the Christmas holidays with "Navided en Whittier" at Whittier College's Ruth B. Shannon Center for the Performing Arts, 6760 Painter Ave.
The event scheduled for 8 p.m. Dec. 18 will consist of dancing, music and song inspired by the rich traditions of the Mexican American community.
The production celebrates the traditional music and dance styles from M xico through the memories of a grandmother who wants to ensure these traditions are passed on to her children.
The selections range from the older dance forms of folklorico to newer contemporary ways of celebrating the holidays such as the tradition of "La Rama" from Veracruz, Mexico.
The La Rama tradition is an amalgam of indigenous, Spanish and African roots that Veracruz is heir to and will be performed as part of "Navidad in Whittier."
The Floricanto musical group will be accompanied by the renowned Cesar Castro, well known "jaranero" from Veracruz and his group Cambalache, to perform their rendition of La Rama.
For the first time the advanced members of the Floricanto Institute will also participate in the program.
Floricanto's longtime musical collaborators, Mariachi Mexicapan, led by Ray Medina, will round out the festivities of "Navided en Whittier."
Gema Sandoval, founder of Danza Floricanto, said, "We are very successful in bringing together the Latino community not only from Whittier, but from surrounding areas and we are very pleased that we are performing at the Ruth B. Shannon Center."
Sandoval said this is the sixth year the company is putting on the production and it is becoming a local tradition.
The production is perfect for families celebrating the community's Mexican heritage during the holidays while exploring the beauty of Mexican traditions.
Tickets are $15 general admission, $10 for seniors and children.
Proceeds will benefit the Floricanto Institute.
The institute is celebrating its 10th year and is partnered with Sunrise Elementary School in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Danza Floricanto was founded in 1975 by Sandoval as a professional dance company with the purpose of preserving Mexican culture.
For information or tickets, call 562-907-4203 or visit www.shannoncenter.org
562-698-0955, ext. 3000


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|Project by Boxguy
|posted 04-26-2012 05:45 AM
|2236 views
|5 times favorited
|12 comments
Story: Have you ever tried doing a woodburning drawing? You plug in this sort of bulky pen and the tip heats up a couple of hundred degrees then you use the tip to burn the surface of the wood and turn it dark. I bought one thinking I would use it to sign my name on the bottom of boxes. I couldn't even write my name and Nancy was doing images of the sun moon and incredibly detailed dragon flies! We thought we could make some marketable boxes by working together and we did. They are good sellers. For her it was a lark to do something besides her paintings for a change. For me it was a chance to work with an amazing artist. I included some of her work in a posting about working with others to make boxes, but having improved a little at using the LJ format I wanted to feature Nancy's woodburning work specifically and in more detail.
Wood: The Sun and Moon box has a White Oak top and splines the tray is White Oak with walnut splines. The American Walnut sides came from a tree near my shop that was blown down by the tailwinds of Hurricane Ike. The dragonfly surrounded by plant panels tea box was made from the same combination of woods. The last box has a dragon fly design too, but it has a maple top with Black Cherry sides and walnut splines.
Techniques: The tea box features two ideas. There is a "chain pocket" on the left side that lets the chain fall into this walled off section so it doesn't get tangled with the teabags as it closes. There is a removable sweetening caddy on the front left side. It came from a local restaurant supply store. The dividers for the tea compartments are made from a recycled wooden Venetian blind. They are half-lapped from the sides and glued into one removable unit.
Critique: Nancy took advantage of both sides of the top and did an image on each side. (One right side up…the other up side down) It adds to the look of the box. She found the maple a little easier to work with since it has less grain and was a bit softer. The walnut frames the burning coloration well. With the rounded corners the matched grain seems to wrap around the corners. Rounded corners also take a lot of daily wear and use without denting or chipping.
As always, thanks for looking and I especially appreciate those of you who take the time to comment and suggest improvements.
-- Big Al in IN
12 comments so far
#1 posted 04-26-2012 07:01 AM
Hi – very nice boxes – great choices in wood – love the design of the boxes and the
-- Sawdust and shavings are therapeutic.... :)
#2 posted 04-26-2012 07:02 AM
somehow the part where I complimented Nancy's nice work got deleted – shoots… Nice work Nancy.
-- Sawdust and shavings are therapeutic.... :)
#3 posted 04-26-2012 12:23 PM
I love the boxes and the burning Al. Burning is a great hobby, but it takes someone with artistic talent to a good job with it. Just like drawing only harder! You and Nancy did some really nice team work there. My favorite was the Dragon fly on the second box, though they all look wonderful.
-- Mike, an American living in Norway.
#4 posted 04-26-2012 01:32 PM
That wood burning looks wonderful on that box. Nice work.
-- helluvawreck aka Charles, http://woodworkingexpo.wordpress.com
#5 posted 04-26-2012 01:46 PM
You are both incredible talented as artisans. Very gr8 as a pair
-- Roger from KY. Work/Play/Travel Safe. Keep your dust collector fed. email@example.com
#6 posted 04-26-2012 02:25 PM
Nice set of Boxes, These are very pleasing to the eye, Traditional style with fine construction makes these all, keepers, Great job Nancy on the burning, I use one myself for dateing projects, but went to a burning iron for my mark because it was dificult for me to make it look clean, Your burning is very superiour, along with Big Al's box making savay makes You guy a winning combo, thanks for sharing
-- It's Mic Keep working and sharing
#7 posted 04-26-2012 03:15 PM
You're both very talented!
-- My dad and I built a 65 chev pick up.I killed trannys in that thing for some reason-Hog
#8 posted 04-26-2012 06:29 PM
You two make a great team, keep up the good work!
-- list your handcrafted treasures @ www.generationwoodworks.com for free!
#9 posted 04-26-2012 07:19 PM
great work
-- Joe, Ga
#10 posted 04-27-2012 02:00 AM
oh yes, these are very good, i love that you both have pooled your talents and do very well in complimenting each others talents, i can very well see how these would be of big interest to buyers…i hope you all continue to do well, i also bought a two pen burning outfit, and it works great, but i have not applied myself well enough to try and include that in my box making…maybe someday…best of luck to you both..
#11 posted 04-28-2012 09:33 PM
Keep the team together you complement each other. Great burning Nancy!
#12 posted 05-01-2012 11:35 AM
Incredible and inspiring!
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