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Alchemy Digital Media first opened it's doors to the public in December 2007, so, in fact, we have just celebrated our 10th birthday – and what a ride it has been! After starting as a two-man company that focused only on website design we slowly increased our portfolio of services and the team that we need to provide them to our customers in the United States, Australia, United Kingdom, Canada, and Germany.
As we continue our journey, we have gone from a company that really spread its net far and wide when it came to servicing different kinds of companies, to one that is fully focused on real-estate marketing.
In 2018 we have gone one step further in being able to provide high-quality real estate photography and videography. We even offer 3D Virtual Tours and have received many compliments from real estate agents and homeowners after they've seen the quality of work that we provide.
If you are a real estate agent or broker and would like to know more about our services and what we can offer then we'd love to hear from you. We can be reached by calling us at (239) 214-2614, or alternatively complete the form on our Contact Us page, and a member of staff will get back in touch upon receipt of your contact information.
Our Vision
To deliver leading-edge concepts that allow our users to achieve high end results.
Our Mission
We will never stand still! There is always room for improvement and we will always strive to become the very best that we can be!
Company Management
Earl Gardner
Originally from the United Kingdom, Earl started his working life in the British Royal Air Force (RAF) and after serving for 10-years, Earl moved on and began his career in sales and marketing. Earl worked for high profile medical companies such as Medtronic, Draeger and others. After emigrating to the United States in 2001, Earl set up Alchemy Digital Media in 2007 with his business partner, Keshav Basnet, and together they've transitioned the company to where it is today.
Our Values
Respect for the individual
Through learning, educating, and innovation
Act with the best interest of client and company
Create remarkable experiences
Our story
Located in sunny Fort Myers in Southwest Florida, Alchemy Digita Media opened its doors for business in 2007, and since then we have literally created thousands of websites for local businesses and e-commerce clients. Our experienced and innovative team utilizes the latest technologies, combined with well developed strategies to provide our customers with high-quality online marketing services and communications products that are both accomplishing and affordable.


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Our support for GM used engines is continuing this year with the offerings of 5.3, 5.7 and 6.0 Vortec family technologies to build a respected inventory for purchasers of auto parts.
Ann Arbor, MI (PRWEB) June 30, 2014
The General Motors small-block engine development has helped build a reputation in the motor vehicle industry since the 1950s. The Got Engines company is now positioning sale prices for its Chevy 5.3 engine inventory in used condition to help GM motor purchasers at http://gotengines.com.
The 5300 base is part of the 5.3 offerings that are currently available for purchase this year among other RPO code motors from GM. These motors are available in V8 size and include a special sale price to assist purchasers with a viable way to save money when changing out a small-block defective motor.
"Our support for GM used engines is continuing this year with the offerings of 5.3, 5.7 and 6.0 Vortec family technologies to build a respected inventory for purchasers of auto parts," said a GotEngines.com rep.
The insertion of the 5.3 base V8 motors in the used GM inventory this year should attract current owners of sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks that use the entry-level V8 technologies. Because used motors are acquired through different companies, a revised level of warranty coverage is now included with each purchase.
"The used Vortec 5.3 motors that our company is selling this year is included in the 3-year warranties that we're now making available at the point of sale for buyers," said the rep.
The Got Engines website and toll-free number are two marketing tools used this year to provide alternative sources for consumers to perform price research. The front page of the website now gives access to sale and other price data through the computer program linked to the warehouse.
About GotEngines.com
The GotEngines.com company has included Vortec motors as part of its used condition inventory offerings this year from GM. These changes to supply have increased demand from consumers who are seeking out the best deals for motors on the Internet. The GotEngines.com company is focusing its distribution efforts to provide same day order processing and three-day business delivery for its orders this year. Motors from Ford, Chevy, Honda and Toyota now makeup a larger section of inventory for sale.

subset: commoncrawl


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New Delhi -°C
Friday, Aug 23, 2019
New mom Lara Dutta sizzles in an LBD
Actor Lara Dutta Bhupathi, who was recently in the Capital to receive the Young Women Achiever Awards 2012, stunned all by turning up in a chic little black dress (LBD).fashion-and-trends Updated: Apr 16, 2012 12:29 IST
Hindustan Times
The 34-year-old, who turned mommy in January this year and seemed to have lost kilos in just two months post pregnancy, said it's her hubby, tennis ace Mahesh Bhupathi, who has given her the confidence to make public appearances in such a short period, after motherhood.
"I give all the credit to my husband for giving me the confidence to walk out in public just two months after delivering my daughter Saira," said the actor, adding that it was Mahesh, who like a doting husband came to drop her at the award ceremony too. "He (Mahesh) came to drop me but he sneaked away to play tennis once he saw so many pretty ladies," she said.
The actor, who was honoured for her contribution to cinema, was also quite excited about getting the award. "The last one and a half year has been the most exciting phase of my life - both personally and professionally. From getting married last February, to turning producer with
Chalo Dilli and of course, becoming mother - the phase has been great. Looking forward, I promise that I will continue to do good work and produce great films," said the actor.
First Published: Apr 15, 2012 15:52 IST
more from fashion and trends


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Gaming in the Emerald City: PAX Prime 2013
written by Justin Prince (@justin_prince)
A new generation of gaming consoles means a whole slew of new announcements, this Penny Arcade Expo is especially special. When the last generation hit, Microsoft got there first with their Xbox 360 releasing in November 2005, about another year would have to pass until Sony dropped their HD console, the PlayStation 3 launched November of 2006. In anticipation of the forthcoming 8th generation of home consoles, Microsoft's road to PAX hasn't been the smoothest, after a very lackluster reveal at their Xbox One event, the E3 smack down, the whole Major Nelson "we can't just flip a switch" debacle, oh and we can't forget the very public Adam Orth comments on Twitter. The Internet isn't the most forgiving of battlegrounds, and this is a road that Microsoft has had to walk. It seemed that PlayStation was literally "winning" every conference they attended, with Microsoft "flipping" on many of their policies they were so adamant about during the Xbox One announcement, suffice it to say... It's been hard fought.
On the show floor, none if this was present, Xbox One and PlayStation 4 held a fairly equal footing. Located right next to each other, both areas had a consistently long line to play games and droves of fervent fans singing the praises of their console of choice. It was nice to see, personally I had wished that Microsoft stuck to their guns and didn't flip flop on their policies, but that's a chat for another day. The two console kings were very well represented, but lets not forget the Big N and the company that got many of us started in gaming, Nintendo held a very strong yet more subdued presence. Nintendo struck first in the 8th generation, with their WiiU console. The WiiU was out in full force showcasing many games like Bayonetta 2, Super Mario 3D World, and The Wonderful 101 to name a few. The longest Nintendo line has to be the line for The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD, while I can see why this would be such an anticipated release, it wasn't really a selling point for me, the next generation of Pokémon games and the forthcoming Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (a true sequel to my favorite Zelda game, A Link to the Past) rounded out some of their showcased games for their 3DS handheld. All three of the big players in home consoles were in attendance, right on the cusp of a new generation of gaming, this make for such an exciting PAX.
But what would this be without the games? Lets talk games. My most anticipated game of the forthcoming generation is inFamous: Second Son, not only because I cosplayed the main character, but also because the game looks beautiful and takes place right in my (proverbial) backyard. Sucker Punch being a PNW Developer, their faithful recreation of places like Seattle Center, the Crocodile, Pike Place Market, and Post Alley (called Port Alley in initial preview footage) looks amazing. The sad part? There was no playable demo, I was able to get into the "viewing room" to see the footage without waiting in line, they seemed to dig my costume! Behind the closed off viewing room, a developer was playing a build of the game, the same build featured at E3 where Delsin takes down enemy soldiers at the Seattle Center/Pacific Science Center. Still, wish I played that build!
The only panel I was able to hit was the only panel I actually cared to see, Greg Miller of IGN hosted a panel with some of the minds behind the development of inFamous: Second Son, along with voice talent Troy Baker (Delsin Rowe), Travis Willingham (Reggie Rowe, Delsin's older brother), and Laura Bailey (Abigail "Fetch" Walker). Interestingly enough, these three are all interconnected in the voice acting world, Troy and Travis are good friends which helps build on the "brotherly" dynamic they needed to portray (something the casting directors claims they didn't know about the two), Laura is married to Travis and had recently played a small role in BioShock Infinite, another game where Troy Baker voiced a lead character. The panel talked about the development of the game while Greg Miller (in true Greg Miller fashion… BEYOND!) ribbed the developers a bit, especially about this not being a launch day game. Personally, I just want this game to be good. I'm a huge fan of the inFamous series, having playing the shit out of both the first game and the eventual sequel. I could have had time to hit other panels, but honestly… that would get in the way of all the gaming.
I played a lot of games this weekend, though only a few really stuck out to me. Titanfall was arguably one of the biggest lines at the show. I waited and played it and was very impressed. My initial impression is very positive, the combination of shooting, free running, and mech piloting make for a satisfying initial experience. I enjoyed it and would buy it, the thing is I didn't order an Xbox One for launch and while I will eventually get the console, perhaps for Fable Legends or whatever new Halo game, I don't see Titanfall as a system seller in my eyes. It is a great game however and if the forthcoming Dance Central game is a Xbox One exclusive (which I doubt) then I may have to get one, I love me some DC!
To be honest I had a lot of fun with some of the current generation games, much like how the PS2 continued to thrive in the wake of the PS3, I see the PS3 still holding a strong foothold even after the next generation goes into full swing. One of my most anticipated games of the current gen (and one that worried me) was Batman: Arkham Origins, set in the same universe as the current Arkham series of games, this prequel chronicles a young Bruce Wayne as he first dons the cowl and takes to the streets as the vigilante Batman. I was worried because Rocksteady games, the developer behind Arkham Asylum and Arkham City, was not behind the development, instead outsourcing their engine to WB Games. While this shouldn't worry some, it has been shown in the past when another developer takes over a project with the original developer's assets, results have proven to not be as stellar as the initial outing, notably Fall Out New Vegas and Knights of the Old Republic II. I was pleased to see that this games plays exactly like Arkham City with a few enhancements. The new crime scene recreation mode makes for an interesting gameplay mechanic to showcase Batman's keen mind, the battle system made popular by the first Arkham game was largely intact, I felt right at home pummeling goons on the Gotham streets. The best part of the demo though? The Joker, Mark Hamill... My Joker... The people's Joker... The Joker from the Bruce Timm/Paul Dini animated series and the voice behind the Clown Prince of crime, was not returning for this game, in fact neither was Kevin Conroy (as Batman), but hearing Troy Baker do his "Joker" was such a treat, he sounds like he could be a younger Hamill-Joker. Troy Baker is the Daniel-Day Lewis of voice acting, having played roles like Joel from The Last of Us, Booker in BioShock Infinite and the lead in the forthcoming inFamous: Second Son, Delsin Rowe. I'm pleased that WB Games recruited such a great voice actor to bring this incarnation of the Joker to life.
Speaking of more Batman, I took some time to play the side-scrolling 2D (2.5D) handheld companion game to Arkham Origins, Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate. I played it on both the PSVita and the 3DS. Both games looked impressive though the 3DS version did suffer from lower graphical fidelity. The game plays almost identical to the PS3/Xbox 360 counterpart, with the exception of this being a sidescroller. Very reminiscent of one of my favorite games from the Sega Genesis era, the Batman: Returns movie tie in game. Like a souped up/glossy classic beat em up with a shiny new battle system, attacking follows the same flow mechanics as its big brother and countering is done in a similar fashion. From the demo at least, platforming was very light but the game did make use of the grappling hook. I enjoyed it and will most likely be picking it up for my PSVita, I don't own a 3DS (yet) but the 3D effects were more so throwaway and I found myself mostly playing the 3DS demo with the 3D effect turned off.
Beyond: Two Souls, the hotly anticipated new game from Heavy Rain developers Quantic Dream, drew quite the crowd of its own. The line was long but nowhere near as long as say Titanfall, I was told this was mostly because of how long the demo was. I didn't have to press X to "Jason" nor did Michael Cera get me pregnant... Though I did wonder when I'd see a hamburger phone. Seriously, the game is gorgeous but I wouldn't call it a game, more so an interactive story. If you've ever played Heavy Rain you'll immediately notice something familiar about the gameplay. The story is about a young girl with some sort of paranormal ability, she can manipulate objects in her surroundings and even control would be captors all with the help of Aiden, I assume to be the other "soul" (hence the title). If you didn't care much for it... I doubt Beyond: Two Souls will change your opinion. I got a chance to try out Diablo III on the PS3, I may have to get into this series again because the main reasons I originally boycotted the game are moot points on the PS3, since there is no real money auction house nor is there an always on requirement.
Nintendo was my first gaming love, and my favorite gaming franchise of all time is The Legend of Zelda series, primarily A Link to the Past (still my favorite game of all time). So you know I had to be all over the true sequel to this game, the forthcoming Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds. Taking place directly after the end A Link to the Past (LttP going forward), this game felt right at home, even with not having played LttP for a good while, I still recognized the map and the dungeon that was present in the demo, a new gameplay mechanic that allows Link to turn into a living painting and walk along walls makes for an interesting addition to this classic game, this is my reason to get a 3DS and I know I'm most likely going to have to grab one the day this games launches. I look forward to seeing just how similar the new game is to LttP. Pokémon is still pretty relevant, and the demo they were showcasing showed off the new games with a peek at the brand new Mega-Evolutions, it was cool but I haven't really cared much about Pokémon since the first generation. The line for Wind Waker HD was so damn long I didn't even bother with it, though I may give it a shot... That is if I ever buy a WiiU.
Speaking of the WiiU, I felt they had a pretty strong showing. My top pick was The Wonderful 101, a beat em up game with such a unique gameplay mechanic. You're a super hero with a whole troop of heroes at your side; you use the touch pad (or right analog stick) to draw shapes. Draw a line and get a sword, draw an "L" and get a gun. Mario and Co. is back again with new suits and new powers, the game has a heavy emphasis on co-op gameplay to reach objectives. I played a bit of it and had a blast, while this isn't as much of a system seller to get me on the WiiU bandwagon, I'm compelled more and more to finally get one... Just need one more price drop.
Continuing with my next gen banter, I mentioned the Xbox One briefly but honestly that was the only game I played, I did get to take some time with the PS4 and some of their games. Being a fan of DC Universe Online, I was jazzed to see that they had it available to demo. The game looks gorgeous on the PS4 hardware; definitely one of my day one games. Play style is pretty much exactly like the PS3 counterpart, just with prettier visuals. Killzone Shadow Fall was pure FPS bliss! The new analog sticks for the PS4 felt great! I felt a better sense of precision and control over my character… very similar to what it's like playing shooters on an Xbox 360 controller. Blacklight: Retribution was decent but the demo bored me, don't know if this should be indicative of the final product. The visuals were stunning and I'm interested enough to perhaps give it another go come launch day.
Not just limiting myself to console games, I did delve into the indie game section and played some truly innovative games, touched base with Cassie of Michael Todd Games to see how everything has been since the final build of Electronic Super Joy was released on Steam. Check out our interview with her at SGC this past summer. Over at the Nexon booth, I checked out this co-op squad based shooter Extraction. The game reminded me of 2 parts Team Fortress with one part Call of Duty. A grittier, realistic shooter with clearly defined character classes and an emphasis on teamwork. I had a blast playing and I plan to get in on the beta.
I spent a lot of my time in the Sony area, I'll admit I am a bit of a PlayStation fan boy, even with the enormous initial price and the memory allocation issues, I stuck by their side. I still always had my Microsoft consoles as well as my Nintendo consoles. I had an Xbox and currently have an Xbox 360, had a GameCube and currently own a Wii (eventually I'll get on that WiiU). From a gamer's perspective, this was a great show and I had a blast playing games and checking out all this convention had to offer. Check out our cosplay roundup article for more coverage. We'll be back again next year, makes me excited to see what the next generation has in store!


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Flat to Fabulous in 2 Hours: Mastopexy (Breast Lift) With Implants
One day you wake up and realize your breasts look like they belong on someone else's body—someone like your elderly aunt. And as we say in the office, that's not the look you were going for. When breasts lose volume and sag, it may seem like a lost cause, but it's not. There's hope.
Dr. Kinsley's Advice
After kids, and with normal aging, breasts lose volume. Ordinarily, the volume can be replaced with implants alone. If the tissues drop or sag, however, an implant alone may not provide enough lift, and a breast lift or mastopexy is needed. A word of caution—over the years, I have seen many patients opt for a large(r) implant instead of a lift with a small implant to avoid the scars associated with a breast lift. What frequently results in these cases is a larger, saggy breast, like a grapefruit in a sock. My advice is to do what's needed or do nothing at all.
In the past, some surgeons were reluctant to perform both of these procedures at the same time, opting to do a breast lift then come back a few months later and place implants. In my practice, I routinely perform these procedures together with proper patient selection.
During the Procedure
The surgery is done as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia, and it usually takes less than two hours. While the patient is awake, I mark them while they are in the sitting position. Then, the surgery begins by placing the implant. To me, this is like pouring the foundation of a house. I place the implant, and then with the patient in a semi-sitting position, I tailor tack the skin around the implant to get the perfect shape and lift. Tailor tacking means stapling the skin without cutting it so that the incision lines can be fine-tuned. Once this is done, the skin is marked again, and then the breast lift is done. The few extra minutes it takes to "tailor" the breast make a huge difference in results, in my opinion.
After the Procedure
The patient wakes up in recovery in a bra after the procedure. As far as discomfort, a breast lift with implants is comparable to a breast augmentation. For the first two weeks, restrictions will be in place for high impact sports and activities, as well as heavy lifting.
For before and after photos of my work, view previous breast augmentations. If you're interested in setting up an appointment, fill out the contact form.


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Please click anywhere to continue browsing our site.
Fred's Tire Man—open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM and Saturday from 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM—is located at 545 N. Ventura Avenue in Oak view, CA. Fred's Tire Man also serves customers from Oak view, and surrounding cities including Ventura and Santa Barbra. At Fred's Tire Man, a BBB accredited automotive repair center, we specialize in auto repair, tires and wheels. Through the years, we have developed a very loyal customer base through our accurate auto repair services and customer service standards. Whether you have drivability issues or are in the market for a new set of tires, Fred's Tire Man invites you to visit our Oak view, CA location today.
Trust our tire sales professionals with all your tire needs. If you're unsure what kind of tire you want or need, take some time and visit us online at www.fredstireman.com and use our Tire Size Finder from home. Browse through tires from some of the industry's leading manufacturers like MICHELIN®, BFGoodrich® and Uniroyal®. Our wide selection of tires includes commercial tires, OTR tires, and farm tires. Our professional mechanics are trained to quickly and accurately perform tire services that will keep your tires in peak conditions well throughout the tread life of the tire. Some tire services offered at Fred's Tire Man include nitrogen inflation services, Tire Pressure Monitoring System repairs and installations, computer spin balancing services, flat repairs, and tire rotations. Why trust just any man with tire repairs when you can trust Fred's Tire Man?
At Fred's Tire Man, our highly trained technicians can even work you into the repair schedule without an appointment. We will restore the drivability to your vehicle with services like differential repair, four-wheel drive system repair, and steering and suspension repairs. To ensure your vehicle always runs smoothly, our mechanics will also perform preventive maintenance services that include wheel alignments and lube and oil changes. Stop in and see us Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM and Saturday from 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM in Oak view, CA or schedule an appointment online today.


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In focus
Slovenia Development Strategy 2030
Government of Slovenia adopted Slovenia Development Strategy 2030, that presents a new long-term national development framework. Its central goal is titled The Quality of Life for All. With five strategic orientations and twelve interlinked development goals it sets a new foundation for future development of Slovenia. By including Sustainable Development Goals and 2030 Agenda adopted by the United Nations, Slovenia is recognizing the importance of a sustainable, inclusive and more conscious future where society as a whole can flourish. ►More
►Slovenian Development Strategy 2030 in brief
Useful information
25 years of independence of the Republic of Slovenia
Position of the Commission Services on the development of Partnership Agreement and programmes in SLOVENIA for the period 2014-2020
PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT between Slovenia and the European Commission for the period 2014–2020
Operational Programme for the Implementation of the European Cohesion Policy in the 2014-2020 period
Slovenia's Smart Specialisation Strategy (S4)
Cohesion policy
Smart specialisation strategy
Other financial mechanisms


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Hi readers,
You may have noticed that I haven't posted here in a while. For the last few years, I've been feeling a little bit like the pressure to write up a big review for every book I read was sapping some of the pleasure out of reading. But then again, I also feel that writing about what I read helps me remember the books, and I've heard from some of you that you like getting recommendations for what to read. So I'm trying something new. I've started a new account on Instagram. Follow @shelahbooksit for bite-size book reviews. I'll give you my honest feedback on every book I read, in just a sentence or two. This might feel less overwhelming for me, and since it's on Instagram, a format many people use anyway, it may be easier for you, too. If you'd like me to post the reviews to Facebook as well (which I can to do with the click of a button) then let me know and I will set that up as well.
I may decide that I like the longer format of the blog better, and I may decide to use this blog to get back to writing (like I did back in the days when blogging was young and so was I) but for now, follow me on Instagram.


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Review the kinds of problems that appear on the WorkKeys math test, and take a WorkKeys practice math test. Use test-taking strategies that apply to any math test, such as doing easier problems first, limiting time spent on difficult problems and scribbling key formulas on the actual test.
The American College Testing WorkKeys math test has five levels, numbered three to seven. The difficulty of items appearing on the test and the skills necessary to solve them increases with each level. Level three tests consist of simple verbal math questions that require single operations, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
Level four involves multiplying integers, mixed numbers and adding fractions. Questions may contain information presented out of order or accompanying charts, graphs and extra, unnecessary details. Level five questions concern basic concepts of geometry, as well as complex problems with multiple operations and negative integers.
Some of the questions at the sixth and seventh levels are incorrect math problems similar to those found in lower levels, and the solution entails correcting the errors. Overall descriptions of test content at each level are available at ACT.org, as are sample questions and practice tests for roughly $5, as of 2015.
There are general techniques to improve the chances of passing a math test. If the exam proctor allows crib sheets, prepare one in advance. Check each problem by plugging the answer into the equation and solving. Express the answer in whatever terms the question asks.


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DVD Release Date: May 2, 2006 (Disney DVD)
Number of Discs: 4
Number of Episodes: 29
Running Time: approx. 672 minutes
Total Run Time of Special Features: approx. 18 minutes
(not counting Easter Eggs)
Languages, Subtitles, Closed Captioning: English;
English subtitles; Closed Captioned.
Special Features:
* Pre-Hysterical Times: The Making of Dinosaurs
* Creating Dinosaurs: The Sketches That Started It All
* Dino-Eggs Hidden Easter Eggs
"Honey, I'm Home!" Join the Sinclair family again and
relive the comedy Dinosaurs on DVD for the first time
with the first two seasons. Walt Disney Home
Entertainment releases the 1991-94 ABC series with the
first two seasons inspired by the mind of the late
great Jim Henson. We head back to sixty million three
B.C. with the Sinclair family—Daddy Earl, his wife
Fran, their kids Robbie, Charlene and the Baby, and
feisty Grandma Ethyl bring a hilarious Jurassic twist
to daily life as they eat, drink, make merry and get
their kicks watching cavemen rub rocks together. The
award winning series features state-of-the-art
puppetry and audio-animatronics. So as the Baby would
say, "gotta love me," well not me, but you gotta love
this series and the first two seasons are yours to own
on DVD!
Starring the voices of Stuart Pankin as Earl Sinclair,
Jessica Walter as Fran Sinclair, Jason Willinger as
Robbie Sinclair, Sally Struthers as Charlene Sinclair,
Kevin "Elmo" Clash as the Baby, Florence Stanley as
Grandma Ethyl and Sherman Hemsley as B.P. Richfield.
Memorable Episodes / Notable Guest Stars:
I am sure many of you have not seen this series in
such a long time. It was briefly syndicated in the
mid to late '90s on local stations and the Disney
Channel. With only 65 episodes total, it was hard to
air it for a long period of time. We get 29 of those
episodes in this set. All of them are very good. But
I'll break the down the best of them as best as I
could. The first three episodes are a must watch—"A
Mighty Megalosaurus" where the baby is born, "The
Mating Dance" where Fran is depressed as the Baby
won't sleep, and "Hurling Day" is where Earl heaves
her mother-in-law into the tar pits. Other greats:
"The Golden Child" is the second season premiere where
the Baby goes wild; "The Family Challenge" is the one
where they go on a game show; "Endangered Species" is
the one where Earl & Fran celebrate their anniversary;
"Switched at Birth" is the one where the family thinks
Baby is not their real baby; "Refrigerator Day" is the
one where they celebrate the gift of cold storage; and
"And The Winner Is…" is the one where Earl and his
boss battle for chief.
Famous voices include Jason Alexander, David Leisure,
Tony Shalhoub, Edie McClurg, Tom Vernon, Buddy Hacket,
George Gaynes, Tim Curry, and Michael Richards.
The packaging is very creative. The box cover has a
shot of the cracked egg with the Baby's eyes visible.
The logo is also on the egg and the label of the
complete first and season seasons, 4-disc set. The
back of the box has a few photos, synopsis of the show
and the set, with bonus features info. You remove the
box from the top, and 1/4 of the box comes out. Then
you see the Baby come out--very nicely done. Then you
can pull the case out, so the other part of the box is
removed (the large 3/4 part). The case's cover has the
full photo of the Baby out of the egg, with the show
logo and the label of the complete first and season
seasons. The back of the case has a long message from
Brian Henson, Michael Jacobs and Bob Young. Then it
has breakdowns of what episodes and bonus features are
on each disc. There is a message saying you can
excavate hidden Dino-Egg bonus features on every disc!
When you open the case, you get two sides, the left
side has discs one and two, and the ride side has
discs three and four. But they are overlapping. I
hate that!
Each disc is green and seems holographic. Disc one has
a picture of the Baby and episodes 1-5 & the extras,
disc two has a picture of Fran and episodes 6-13, disc
three has a picture of Robbie and episodes 14-21, and
disc four has a picture of Earl and episodes 22-29.
Menu Design and Navigation:
Now to the menu navigation--it is very simple and easy
to use. But first, disc one starts off with auto
previews of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
trailer, Scrubs season three DVD, Golden Girls season
five DVD, and The Muppet Show DVD. Then we get to the
animated opening! You see fire. Then it zooms to the
main menu. The end theme song is playing in the
background. Disc one has a photo of Earl on the main
menu, disc two has Fran, disc three has Robbie &
Charlene, and disc four has the Baby. The options are:
Play All, Episode Selection, Bonus Features, Set-Up,
and Sneak Peaks. Bonus Features and Sneak Peeks are
just one disc one. Sneak Peeks has the same previews
as the auto-previews and also Leroy & Stitch, Shadows
in the Sun Everything You Want, Muppets Wizard of Oz,
and Kermit's 50th Anniversary. The Set-Up option lets
you turn on subtitles in English for the hearing
impaired. Bonus Features is only on disc one and we
will detail them in the bonus features section later
on. Episode Selection has the episodes on each disc.
The opening theme plays in the background on this menu
screen. It has fossil rocks with a snapshot from the
episode along with the episode title. Each submenu has
a different audio track from the show. It is very
well done.
Video and Audio Quality:
The video and audio quality is very good. The show
never looked and sounded better. I found no problems
whatsoever. The episodes run usually between 23-24
minutes or so, all uncut! There is however one episode
that runs 21:35, "Endangered Species." Maybe that
episode just ran short originally. I can't prove if
it is edited or not. Maybe someone who has an
original ABC copy can. Chapter stops are available for
each episode. There are about four stops. Some
interesting notes: the in loving memory of Jim Henson
tribute is intact before the credits on episode one
and the two-part "Nuts to War" episode has previously
on Dinosaurs recap on part two. It is so cool that
they call ABC, the Antediluvian Broadcasting Company.
Two of the greatest pre-historic series of all time
aired on ABC, The Flintstones and Dinosaurs.
Special Features:
The extras are pretty good! Two featurettes and
Easter Eggs are on this set. The featurettes are all
one disc one. The first one is the best extra,
"Pre-Hysterical Times: The Making of Dinosaurs" runs
13:25 and has interviews with Kirk Thatcher (Character
Designer), Brian Henson (Executive Producer), Bob
Young (Creator), Michael Jacobs (Creator), Peter
Brooke (Suit Designer), Bill Barretta (Suit
Performer), John Criswell (Machinist), and Allan
Trautman (Puppeteer). We learn a lot about the series
and how it was made. They give props to Jim Henson,
who died before this series aired. It was his
inspiration that created this series. They talk about
bringing Michael Jacobs, to make this a sitcom style
of a show. And the main thing talked about is how the
dinosaurs were done and moved on the set. Sorry
Sherman Hemsley was NOT actually inside the body of
B.P. Richfield. He was just the voice. All of the
voices were not inside the bodies. They had suit
performers and voice performers for each character.
The next extra is titled, "Creating Dinosaurs: The
Sketches That Started It All." It runs 4:01 and has
Kirk Thatcher explain each character. He shows
designs of all of the character's original drawings
and how much was changed from what we saw. Finally, on
every disc we have Easter Eggs. "Dino-Eggs Hidden
Easter Eggs" is what they call them. Basically there
are about 7 of them. They are easy to find, so happy
hunting. I will not spoil it for you, but I'll tell
you they are just video clips from the creators and
Final Comments:
What a nice set and what a great show! This for sure
was an underrated show. I watched it originally when
it aired on ABC and loved it then, too. It brought
back a lot of memories. The family looks so much like
other sitcom characters to me. Earl looks a lot like
Carl Winslow from Family Matters. Fran looks a lot
like his wife on Family Matters. Robbie looks a lot
like Wally Cleaver from Leave it to Beaver. Charlene
looks like Dee from What's Happening Now!! The grandma
looks like Grandma Winslow from Family Matters (that
show was on ABC at the same time, too). And the Baby
well looks like a cross between Elmo and Steve Urkel.
I say Elmo maybe because the voice of Elmo voices the
Baby. The extras on this set are good. I wish they
would get some of the voice actors to do commentary on
future sets. Hemsley, Struthers, Walter, and Elmo
would be nice to hear. We have two more sets to go.
Hopefully Walt Disney DVD releases them at a fast
pace. I think this set will sell very well. So, hurry
on up to your local store or online store and buy this
DVD. It was featured on DNN, I'm sure. Buy it now,
and you'll be screaming "not the momma!"
Final Numbers (out of 5 stars - How our point system works)
Video Quality: 4.5/5
Audio Quality: 4.5/5
Special Features: 2/5
Menu Navigation/Design: 5/5
Overall: 4.5/5
-- Reviewed by pavanbadal on 05/05/06
To purchase the DVD, click below and help support SitcomsOnline.com:
Questions or comments about this set? Post on our message board:
Please e-mail me with your sitcom related questions, sitcoms to add, and suggestions for additional links.


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The Coming of WW3!
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US threatens Iran again with 'all option' scenario
" ... because Israel told us to get up off our asses and quit wasting time. There are other Arab nations that have to be destroyed and we can;t keep them waiting!" WRH
November10, 2009 09:34:06 GMT
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has once again threatened Iran, warning that Washington has kept every option on the table when it comes to halting Tehran's nuclear program.
"We've always said that every option is on the table. Our goal is to prevent or dissuade Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons," Clinton who is in Germany said in a late Monday interview with PBS's Charlie Rose.
The former first lady added that the US could not accept an arms race in the Middle East which could be triggered by what she claimed was Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons.
"It is not in Iran's interest to have a nuclear arms race in the (Persian) Gulf, where they would be less secure than they are today. It is not in Iran's interest, to the Iranian people's interest, to be subjected to very onerous sanctions."
Clinton added that US President Barack Obama was still seeking a "civil, diplomatic relationship" with Tehran but raised the alarm that Washington may resort to other options in connection with Iran's nuclear case in order to best save its 'interests'.
Iran rejects the allegation that its nuclear work has a military agenda and defends its nuclear program as solely peaceful and within the framework of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT), to which it is a signatory.
Clinton's remarks come as the US has been piling up pressure on Iran to accept an IAEA-backed nuclear draft deal that wants Iran to send its enriched uranium to Russia and from there to France for further enrichment. The deal is to provide Iran with 20 percent enriched uranium for the Tehran research reactor, which produces radioisotopes for medical purposes.
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki has expressed his country's 'economic and technical' reservations over the proposal.
Tehran does not agree to sending that much of its uranium abroad in one go. The Islamic Republic says it has concerns over the return of the nuclear fuel back into the country as the potential suppliers, including France and Russia, had in the past violated their agreements with Iran.
Sources close to the Iranian nuclear negotiating team say Tehran wants a two-staged and simultaneous exchange of uranium with potential suppliers.
Tehran needs some 120 kilos of uranium enriched to 20 percent to fuel its research reactor in Tehran. In the first stage, Iran wants to exchange 400 kilos of low-enriched uranium for some 60 kilos of 20-percent enriched uranium. After a while, it would be then ready to carry out a second, identical exchange.
The US says no alteration will be made to the draft deal, insisting that Iran should accept the deal as proposed.
Posted by atheo at 3:25 PM
Labels: Militarism, Supremacism
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- Thu, 14:58: Take a good look at this Victorian dress: http://t.co/3e5Qmsppt6
White Star Line
( 1 comment — Leave a comment )
rowanf April 6th, 2013
There used to be a whole group of camo Victorians at BayCon. Great fun. Not that I've been to BayCon in years, they may still attend.


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CISCO Cisco Catalyst 5000 24-Port 10/100 Autosensing Backbone Switching Module RJ, CISCO WS-X5224.
* We have limited quantity of WS-X5224 in stock. Our inventory changes constantly and quantities listed are based on available stock. This item comes with our 100% Money-Back Guarantee.
I purchased a battery for my Gateway cx2610 laptop from Code Micro. I was very happy with the produ...
Jason G.
Great NorthWeb
Our department needed two discontinued drive modules for our servers. Code Micro delivered on time. ...
Mark E.
Citi Corp


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We would like to make Crystal Palace F.C. supporters aware of the following information regarding the CPFC v Brighton game at 3pm on Saturday 1st December.
As agreed at a meeting held last night between Crystal Palace F.C. and Croydon Police Football Unit the following details have been announced re Palace supporters exiting the stadium on Saturday.
After listening to CPFC fans and wishing to provide further clarity, there are no plans at this current time, to hold back CPFC fans after the game.
To assist you in planning your journey home and to facilitate a safe and speedy egress of supporters away from the ground, CPFC fans exiting from Holmesdale Road will not be able to turn left into Park Road at the end of the game. Similarly, CPFC fans will not be able to access Park Road from Whitehorse Lane. CPFC fans with seats in the Arthur Wait Stand will be able to leave the ground through exit 4 (E4) in Park road and gain access into Holmesdale Road.
This measure will be for the minimum amount of time as is required to police the crowds effectively.
Any further updates may be provided on match day via Twitter @MPSCroydon.
Thank you in anticipation of your support and understanding.
Please keep checking for updates on this through the week.
Croydon Football Unit.


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My Fabulous Ford Focus
The Fabulous Ford Focus
How much do you love the smell of a new car? It is such a defining smell. My week started perfectly as a brand new snazzy Cherry Red Ford Focus was delivered to the SheSaid office for me to drive for the week. Sydney weather co-operated brilliantly with bright blue sky days and spring deciding to make an early entry with the temperature in the 20's, so I could have the rather large sunroof open practically all week. That plus the awesome stereo had me grooving around town all week almost looking for jobs to do across town so I could zip around in the Ford Focus a little more. Ok, so I like my Michael Buble tunes loud! And if you have the music up loud enough no one can hear how off-key I sing. Perfect for me!
I hadn't even got in the car from the SheSaid office when a nice man asked me "is that the new Ford Focus?" and I said "yep brand new!". And then a couple at the supermarket carpark asked me the same thing on Monday afternoon and I had a chat with them about how much I was loving my new car. They didn't need to know it was only mine for a week did they? The extra large boot was very helpful for all my groceries, yes way more than a family needs for a week but I can't help be tempted by all the new products out there! My kids' school bags and scooters also easily fitted and the kids impressed their friends with "mum's new car" stories all week. They think it sounds and feels like a racing car so keep egging me on to go faster and faster, but I of course resist the temptation to suddenly turn into Mark Webber (although it did take considerable restraint on my part). The Ford Focus is such fun to drive that it does make you want to nip around the streets, and driving seems a fun thing to do rather the boring, mundane task it can be the rest of the time.
The all-new Focus Titanium comes with a nifty device called Active Park Assist which is my new best friend, as I have to admit I am rubbish at parallel parking (the big scratches on the wheels of my 4-wheel drive are there to prove it!) But with the Active Park Assist on the Ford Focus you basically push the button, it scans for a park, then finds one and you just take your hands off the wheel and use the break and it does the rest! It parks the car perfectly every time. Ridiculously easy but kind of spooky the first time you do it. The sensors all round the car also help with general manoeuvring and I love the way the Ford Focus automatically turns the music down so you can hear the sensors beeping at you and then once you are clear it turns the music back to the original level.
I also love all the gadgets in the Ford Focus: the engineering and tech departments at Ford must have been working overtime on this project. The sensory locking and unlocking is really cool; if the keys are in your hand as you walk towards the car it just unlocks itself so you can just jump in which was especially useful when I had my hands full of flowers from the market in the middle of the week. I also love the Bluetooth option so I could chat away as I run my errands and connecting my iPhone to the Bluetooth was so easy even one of my kids could have done it!
But it is not just a fun car – it is also super safe with a 5-star ANCAP safety rating, and designed and engineered using high-strength steel. Plus in the unfortunate event that you are involved in an accident, my kids and I will be safer than ever thanks to six airbags, rigid cabin structure and side intrusion bars. So super safe, sleek and super fast? What more could a girl want? Now all I have to do is try and work out a way for me to keep the car a little longer…..hmm.
Want to road test a Ford Focus for a week and be in with a chance of guest blogging for SheSaid AND win a $500 Westfield gift voucher? Enter here!


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New manager Derek Bryant inherits this mess. He is not entirely without talented players. 1B Michel Abreu (.292/17/71) was the only player to hit more than six homers, OF Tike Redman (.355/4/41) did well in 62 games and journeyman OF Lorenzo Buelna (.294/5/50) is a career .300 hitter in nine Liga seasons, but the Olmecas lineup is not going to frighten anyone beyond their own fans.
Of those 68 players last year, 39 were hurlers who combined for a 5.16 ERA. Only William Vizcarra (9-3/4.63) had more than five wins and Francisco Villegas (2-1/2.98/24 saves) was an effective closer, but the well starts running dry. Juan Pena (5-5/3.83) and Gerardo Esparza (5-6/4.98) will battle for the number two starter's job, which is kind of like being first mate on the Titanic: Someone has to do it.
Under a proven skipper like Bryant, the Olmecas WILL show up for games…but that's about it.
-Copyright 2011


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Customer Care – Treat Your Team Like Gold Dust
Many companies invest heavily into marketing their business and implementing a dynamic customer care service, but what many business professionals often forget is that it's their own employees that can make all difference.
Your team can become brand ambassadors for your company and give your customers an insight into the way the business works and the philosophy of the business.
It' about empowering them to be the best that they can be at their role, and in return they will sing your praises without even realising it.
A happy team can make for happy customers. So here's a few tips on how you should invest your time to creating your most powerful marketing tool.
Educate & Invest
As a customer there is simply nothing more frustrating than being spoken to by a representative who cannot answer your questions and queries.
Your team should be a resource of all knowledge about the company, its competitors and the trends within the industry. If they're unable to perform at the most basic level, the responsibility falls to you, as you've essentially failed your customers.
Invest in your team by dedicating training to them in a chosen area that they desire. Have they got a role that they would really like to take on? Or is there something they feel they would like to improve on?
Ask them first and treat your team like the gold dust that they are.
If you feel confident, rather than outsource work such as social media management or content creation, can you educate your own team to do this rather than an outside agency?
The costs of bespoke courses are considerably cheaper than the outsource cost, and you will empower your team to want to stay with the company as they will feel accepted and inspired to do well.
Create a Culture
Every job role has its benefits but you shouldn't forget to create benefits for the team as a whole to encourage team work and a positive working environment. We all spend more time at work than we do at home, so it's essential that your team are happy.
Create benefits that will make your team brag about it to their friends, whether it's small perks like a chocolate egg at Easter or bigger benefits like days out paid for by the company.
Give them a reason to boast about the business and you'll get a reputation as a great place to work.
Make Them Social
Get them involved in twitter and encourage them to share the fun and interact with customers in a purely professional manner.
Showcasing the environment and the activities that your business promotes will market your business as people friendly and open to communication.
Set some rules of course, as it can always go badly if the appropriate procedures aren't put in place, but creating conversations and getting your team involved will make your company feel more like a community.
It will encourage your customers to interact socially and be more inclined to contact you should they have any future issues.
As documented in this report by Forbes, thought leadership methods such as these will take your marketing to new levels as your employees will feel that they're the best at what they do and be confident enough to lead the way as the face in customer care.


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SUMMARY: Kara watches Cat's son Carter while Lucy tries to rekindle her romance with James. Then it turns out that Maxwell Lord was really Lex Luthor the whole time.
Superman Counter: 6
Lois Lane Counter: 5
Syd: Welcome to week 5 of Tales from the Krypton, where I haven't given up on this Supergirl series, but it sure as hell has given up on me.
Margaret: Maybe it's because they switched the episodes? I've got nothing. At least the Superman references seem to be exponentially decreasing.
Syd: But our readers will notice that we've added a Lois Lane reference counter for this episode. This is important because the Superman references, while annoying, usually had some relevance to the show's story or its setting. Lois Lane has fuck all to do with this episode, but they repeatedly go out of their way to introduce Lucy Lane as Lois' sister. The first time, maybe it's a cute Easter egg for the fans but after that, you're obligated to let the people who are new to D.C. know who Lois is and what she has to do with the story we are watching right now.
Margaret: That's true. I did like the line when Cat wins the writing award and says, "And as much as I would like to rub it in her adorably freckled button nose, I don't have anyone to watch Carter." That was kind of funny. But it was mostly just because I was sick of hearing about Lois Lane.
Continue reading "Superman's Girlfriend Lois Lane's Sister"


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At the kitchen table: on hope/
What's the use
of something
as unstable
and diffuse as hope-
the almost-twin
of making do,
the isotope
of going on:
what isn't in
the envelope
just before
it isn't:
the always tabled
Righting of the present.
—Kay Ryan*
In bereaved parent circles around the world, "finding hope again" seems to be a rallying force, a beacon of light in the darkness, an all but necessity to learning to live on after unthinkable tragedy. Memorial fundraisers and charity walks are built around the concept of hope. One of every two bereaved parent support groups seems to include the word "hope" in the name. For many, hope resonates; over time, they latch on intuitively. Others find hope, in some way or another, repelling.
We want to explore how each of us perceives and feels about hope, in the context of our loss(es). We would love for you to join us in our reflection on hope by adding your responses in the comments or by linking to your blog.
* With gratitude to poet Kay Ryan for allowing us to highlight a beautiful piece of her poetry.
1. What does 'hope' mean to you?
Gretchen: For me, there are two channels of hope. In terms of my earthly existence, I think of hope as something desired and feasibly attainable, something we may or may not be able to influence, which we ache to make reality. That kind of hope means nothing to me now that Zachary has died. I have been humiliated by it one too many times. If there is hope that exists in me at all, and there do seem to be a few strands of it hanging limp between the monstrous gaps of disillusionment, it's the hope of heaven. I worry those strands of hope may be clinging only for selfish reasons, only because I want to believe I will exist there with my two dead sons someday.
Mrittika: Inasmuch as I have lived and still live in abstraction, with only the death of my daughter as concrete as a plaster cast around me, the concept of hope these days is too abstract for me. I don't know what it means, I cannot imagine it. Is it optimism? Is it faith? Is it purpose? If it is any of or all of these three, I have none of it. Raahi's death was the ultimate blow in a very difficult life for me, the grand finale of a Sophoclean tragedy. I try to live more concretely now. Wake up. See husband and son off. Eat. Medicines. Bathroom. Brush teeth. Sit. Stare. Read. No. Really. Read. Eat. Sit. Stare. Read. Smile for Aahir. Catch up with them. Eat. Medicines. Sleep. There is not much room for hope in this. Can I hope I get better used to this pattern? Maybe. Can I hope I don't need to someday remind myself to eat or read? Maybe. I hope to find purpose someday. Just a little direction, a little more matter, a ground to stand on tiptoe. Where I don't have to remind myself to stand.
Burning Eye: Hope is something I want, something that lies just out of reach yet I yearn for. In Spanish, the word "esperar" means "to hope" as well as "to wait for." As in, "I'm waiting for the bus." That used to bother me, being a language nerd, because those meanings in English seemed so far apart. I didn't "hope" for the bus. But then, after Joseph died, something clicked, and it started to make a bit of sense. What I hope for is what I wait for. Sometimes passive waiting, sometimes actively working towards something.
Merry: Hope—if applied to life passively—seems a rather irritating concept to me and particularly since Freddie died has irked me in the same way that religion and belief does. I didn't want to sit around and 'hope' to feel better, get pregnant again, learn to live with grief or come to terms with anything. I didn't want to passively allow life to continue happening to me and blasting me from wall to wall with me a helpless passenger in my own life. I could 'hope' for a good day or I could immerse myself in 'hope' that I would never find my actions had killed my son. I could 'hope' for answers or 'hope' for acceptance to come to me. Perhaps hope was something I saw as part of acceptance or finding meaning in his death and I railed against it.
I'm a do-er and a maker of my fate—or I like to think I am—and I think that is epitomised in a quote I chose for a gift I received in the time between Freddie's death and my subsequent child being born. "When the world says, 'Give up,' Hope whispers, 'Try it one more time.'" I look back now and think I grabbed hope by the neck and tried to harness it. I'm not entirely sure it was helpful but it was how I managed.
2. What hopes did you have for your baby(ies) who died?
Gretchen: B.W. was our first child and so, I hoped he would be healthy and that he would change us. I hoped to know him intimately, in a way my parents never got to know me. I hoped I could help him through life. I never knew to hope that he would live. When I was pregnant with Zachary, I hoped he lived. Period. And then, he was born and he did live. He was expected to continue doing so. At that point, my hopes for him caught and spread like wildfire. I can't think of a parental hope that didn't register, deeply and fully, on my radar during the two weeks of his life. I think my hopes for Zachary were as close to expectations as hopes get, for an already untrusting bereaved parent.
Mrittika: I have been hoping for and dreaming of Raahi from the time I fully realized I was a woman, and could give birth. It was very biological, very organic for me. Not a live doll, but I was aware, as aware as I was of my body, that it could give rise to another individual. And that individual, in my burning hopes, actually burning faith, was a girl. Back in those days I wanted her to be ferocious, brave, spontaneous, warm, balanced. I had very specific hopes for her, very specific adjectives.
After a very difficult time with having a family, just conceiving, carrying, delivering, and staying together through it all, I started hoping for our family through Raahi. She was my symbol of perfection, she completed us, she made my dream come true, she was the restoration of my faith. I knew when she made her arrival, that my dreams for her would be pale compared to her personality, that she was bigger than my hopes, my dreams. I now believed she would carry our family forward. High hopes for a tiny girl, right? I knew she would rise high, I believed she would be resilient and strong. I wanted her to flaunt the deep cut on her belly. I hoped she would be tall, dusky, like her Dad. I believed she would ground us all. I believed she would be the backbone of our family. High hopes for a tiny girl.
Burning Eye: This is a hard question for me to answer, because Joseph was our first child, and we didn't know he was a boy. All our hopes were those grand, nebulous hopes that I imagine all parents have for their firstborn. I think, like Gretchen said, I was waiting for our baby's birth to change me, to change my life. I was so ready for that. And then he died, and nothing changed, and that outward sameness was excruciating. It's been over two years now and it's hard to remember if there was anything I hoped for Joseph specifically. Mostly, I remember the wind-knocked-out-of-me feeling of all those hopes for Joseph crushed. I had hopes for myself, too, as a mother, that have been crushed. I was going to be a really relaxed mother to my children. I was going to raise my children to have a deep spiritual connection to the world and God. I probably would have raised my children to relish little superstitions and believe in signs. Joseph's death robbed me of these little aspects of motherhood I thought, and hoped, I'd have.
Merry: Freddie was the first child we struggled to conceive and so he was quite a turning point in my life after 4 quick and easy previous conceptions. So some of my pregnancy with him was dotted with an understanding that part of my life was coming to a close and my baby making days were almost over. That said, he was a huge hope in his own right; we had almost separated as a result of a terrible error of judgement we made and had really been through the mill, including marriage counselling. Freddie was the result of a lot of forgiveness and new understanding. He was supposed to be our happy ending, a rainbow baby in his own right, a new start and something to draw a line and make a new beginning. Beyond that, I had barely really thought about him as a person I suppose; life was busy and full and a 5th pregnancy goes fast and I already knew that children are who they are, regardless of parental dreams.
3. How has hope changed for you since your loss(es)?
Gretchen: After B.W., over a period of years, my hopes for my family were renewed but humbled. Any hope which materialized into reality was relished with immense gratitude, with recognition that I was not necessarily worthy of it. At the moment we learned Zachary would die, on his eleventh day of life, my hope for anything (beyond mere existence) died. It was obliterated, right along with his health and his previously perfect brain. At sixteen months from Zachary's death, there hasn't been even a flicker of renewal or recalibration of that hope.
Mrittika: There's no hope, really. I'm bitter, jaded, hopeless. Earlier, hope was intricately woven with faith. If I hoped for somehing, I also believed it would happen. Now I'm paranoid. Some people get their wishes fulfilled. I get my premonitions and fears fulfilled. I now hope for survival. Of us. Of Aahir. All the while fearing that I just jinxed it by hoping for it.
Burning Eye: I've been having trouble with the concept of faith since Joseph died, but for some reason "hope" seems its more accessible sister. More kindly, less demanding. To me, having hope gives me hope. Maybe that's a catch-22. But even in the darkest days of my grief, I had hope that I would have another baby. But still, I know regardless of what I hope for, I might not get it, and the outcome isn't dependent on how hard I've wished for it. I think that's why I've had such a hard time praying since Joseph died. Because I've lost that personification of hope, some divine agent that I am dependent on to fulfill my hopes. It all just feels like chance to me now, and luck.
Merry: I don't assume anything. I caveat EVERYTHING with 'if' and 'assuming xy and z goes okay' and 'so long as'. I never assume all my other children will live. I never assume we will make it to tomorrow unscathed. I default to disaster in all circumstances because I expect to be the one to lose everything. I have no sense of comfort in the future other than the now and I know better than to hope things will turn out okay or that life will go right for us. You cannot watch an 11 day old baby die for no known reason and believe in the safety of anything ever again.
4. What do you hope for now?
Gretchen: "Making do" as Kay Ryan writes, and foolishly readying for the next unknown tragedy, is all that is left in me now, after losing Zachary on top of having lost B.W. I hope my living son does not die. I know that sounds quite depressing but it is real to me. Two of my three children have already died. I also have a nagging sense that I better really think about the eternal hope thing, rather than endlessly ruminating on how I feel.
Mrittika: I hope I can still look for a meaning and a purpose in why I was made, and why I lived (the guilt of outliving Raahi all but kills me sometimes). I hope I find it in me to give to others. I hope I can bring Aahir up well and be a part of his life. I hope he outlives me and is healthy and happy. I hope he can have a sibling someday who will not come home and leave forever.
Burning Eye: I hope that I will not always be actively ancipating death. I hope that I will have a living sibling for M. someday. And that M. will outlive me, and not die in the hundreds of little accidents I imagine daily, and that the someday-future-sibling will outlive me, too.
Merry: I have 'hopes' and they are that I never have to watch anyone I love die again and that whatever our future holds, that I die first and without putting anyone I love through the same experience. Occasionally it occurs to me how very abnormal that it. My only other hope is that none of my children will ever experience this type of loss. Perhaps more positively and practically it has been a freeing experience in a sense; I'm very content to let my children find their own path to happiness and fulfillment without feeling I have to approve. I can't live through my children and I don't want them to hope for far off goals either. Life is too short.
5. What do you hope people remember about your baby(ies)?
Gretchen: I want the world to know that B.W. and Zachary are loved as intensely and as unconditionally as their living brother, C.T. That Zachary was the strongest-willed of my sons, that just his gaze could penetrate the sickest soul. It also matters to me that people know and remember how senselessly Zachary was struck ill and suffered; how hard he fought to live despite the unforgivably delayed care he received.
Mrittika: That Raahi's life, and our love for her, mean and matter more, than her death. As Aahir said on her second birthday, "Love does not go away even when life goes away."
Burning Eye: That he was. Period.
Merry: I'm not one for the dramatic charity fundraisers and 'making him count' to change the future. I would like to think that Freddie is remembered as a boy who was loved so deeply that he gave me words I had no idea I could write. I would like to think that people see a daffodil and remember the boy who just would not stay but will never be forgotten. I would like to think that our love for him will let people know that everyone is remembered and has an impact, even if it is the softest thought on the edge of candle flame in a quiet evening moment. I hope people will read about him and understand it is possible to survive the unthinkable and that surviving loss does not reduce the love.
Share your responses to the questions here, or write on your blog and link it in the comments.


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Are you here? Pictures!
We had such a great time at our 2016 Celebrity Chefs Farm to Table... and here are some of the pictures to prove it.
This is what was for dinner in 2016.
Doylestown Food Market Celebrity Chef Farm To Table Dinner Menu for August 13, 2016 Chefs: Keith Blalock, PA Soup and Seafood, Penn Taproom Kevin Blalock, Lookaway Golf Club Continue reading
Video for This Year's Farm to Table Dinner
Here is a short video showing a little of the Farm To Table dinner that we held last year. Don't miss out on our dinner this year! Please join us! Continue reading
Twice as Good: The Blalock Brothers Make Farm to Table Magic
While Kevin Blalock loves to tease the natural flavors out of a fresh striped bass for the diners at Lookaway Golf Club, Keith Blalock is taking pub food from classic to au courant at the Penn Taproom. Different approaches? Yes. Same passion? Absolutely. The brothers' lifelong love of food has taken them on a culinary journey where they sometimes cross paths and always leave customers hungry for more. Continue reading
Looking back on 2015 while we prep for 2016
While we work on preparing this year's event with chefs Keith Blalock of PA Soup and Seafood and Penn Taproom, and Kevin Blalock of Lookaway Golf Club, we are thinking about the tremendous success of our 2015 dinner. Continue reading


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East side plating is dedicated to providing the highest quality powder coating finishes utilizing two automated powder coating lines and four batch booths for smaller runs and critical parts. We can handle any size project and specialize in class-a medical equipment coatings and offer pre-treatment options not found in most powder coating operations. Pre-treatment options include zinc plating, zinc phosphate, nickel, yellow and clear chromate conversion coatings including chrome free RoHS processes. Our large inventory of in-stock colors and relationships with suppliers allows quick access to any color and quick turns on custom colors.
Powder Coating Processes
Powder Coating Pre-Treatment


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This special report will help HR pros like you create a battle plan to win the recruiting war. From communicating the employer brand to utilizing the latest technology trends, this download has you covered. As a bonus, we've included handy checklists as well.
FREE RESOURCE: Win the Recruiting War
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Fun French holidays for the family
French Travel Connection (FTC), Australia's leading travel specialist to France, is pleased to announce a range of packages focused on providing fun and educational activities the whole family can enjoy.
FTC's family-oriented tours have experienced guides handpicked to accommodate children aged 6 to 15. A surprise gift also awaits kids after every tour, such as models, puzzles and books. Our expert staff can also assist in confirming family-friendly hotel rooms, arranging child-friendly transfer services including baby seats, and booking babysitters who can look after children at a hotel or escort them on a tour to give parents some free time. These packages are available in Paris, Nice, Marseille, Monaco, Arles, Avignon, Aix and Loire Valley.
See below for a selection of family fun packages:
Discover why Paris is always a good idea on this 5-night package! Climb up the Eiffel Tower and listen to fascinating secrets and stories about the Iron Lady, join an exciting treasure hunt at the Louvre, and learn how to bake delightful croissants, French-style.
Witness the beauty and historical highlights of the French Riviera on this fantastic 4-night package! Wander the alleys of Nice's old town, follow the footsteps of royalty in Monaco, and learn how to make delicious Southern French dishes on a private cooking class.
For more information contact French Travel Connection on 1300 858 304, email firstname.lastname@example.com or visit www.frenchtravel.com.au


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24/7 Availability Call Today for a Free Consultation
Police officers will often rely on field sobriety tests to determine whether or not someone is driving under the influence. The problem with these tests is that there is such a large margin of error, and there are many other factors that can negatively impact the outcome of the tests. If you have been arrested, put our RI DUI lawyers on your case.
The Law Office of Thomas C. Thomasian, Esq. is led by an award-winning lawyer who is committed to protecting your legal rights. Do not wait to seek counsel after being arrested!
Field sobriety tests (FST's) are a set of exercises that were supposedly created to determine whether or not someone is intoxicated. They test many functions, including one's balance, ability to follow an object with your eyes, and whether or not you can walk in a straight line.
These are the three that are currently approved and standardized, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. However, police officers might use other tests or other tactics that may not be lawful to arrest someone. If that is the case, then you may have a valid defense for your case. You must seek counsel as soon as possible from a Rhode Island DUI attorney.
You are under no obligation to submit to a field sobriety test. If ever you are stopped for driving under the influence, you should decline the officer politely, and exercise your right to hire a Rhode Island DUI lawyer. The Law Office of Thomas C. Thomasian, Esq. has handled numerous DUI cases in Rhode Island for several years, and we know what to expect when it comes to forming a defense. We urge you to contact the firm right away to fight your charges and protect your legal rights.
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Spinal cord stimulation
Spinal cord stimulation is a treatment for chronic pain involving the insertion of electrodes into the epidural space near the spinal cord that are connected to an internal or external electrical pulse generator
Not Covered
Related information on coverage and treatment
- Coverage decision: Spinal cord stimulation.
Related rules
- Medical coverage decisions. WAC 296-20-02700-02850.


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Something New.../
On any given day, there are a thousand stories in our city, and when it comes to artistic endeavors, there are even more. So, we have decided to use our blog space to share some of those stories. Some are from our team members, some from our friends and customers (one and the same group) and some are things we discover in the byways of our marvelous city. So we'll be sharing those tales here, from now on. We hope you will let us know how you like them by commenting. Also, if you have any interesting tales of your own to share, we hope you will let us know by leaving us note at the store. In the meantime, first up, is a little story we like to think of as "A Tale of Two Scarves."
It began, when Jane Martin, a Knitty City Staff person, gifted teacher, designer, and artist, fell in love with a scarf project that Diane Scheinman, a colleague and fellow artist, walked into the store with one day. Here's Jane's reflection:
"As soon as I saw Diane's swatch for the Zick Zack ("Missoni") scarf using Lang Mille Colori Baby, I couldn't wait to make one. I put aside the 5 million other projects I was working on and immediately started and finished the scarf. It seems to make no difference what colorways are used or even what yarns are used; this pattern works with everything!"
"I wanted to make the scarf for my daughter-in-law, but ran into a major problem: she's allergic to wool. One Monday I arrived at Knitty City and on the shelf was a new Berroco yarn, Folio Color. The colorways are beautiful and the hand is amazing. What happily surprised me was that the yarn was 65% alpaca and 35% rayon. No wool. The only hesitation I had about using it is that the colors are muted and I was pretty sure I wouldn't get the same effect as with the Lang. I then discovered that Folio also came in solids. Jenny had the color card and I asked her to order some solids that we thought would pair well with the Colors. My son selected the Folio Color and, when the solids arrived, Jenny helped me select the perfect match."
"The stitch definition is lovely and the scarf is looking just as I hoped it would. It is very light and will be perfect in San Jose. The yarn is slippery and the only thing I would do differently the next time would be to use bamboo or wooden needles."
Thank you, Diane, for unleashing this pattern on so many of us. My niece is asking about a skirt that might also be used as a cowl and she loves the Missoni look. Okay, Diane, when are you available for consultations?
Jane Martin
Here is a picture of the finished project that Jane sent along with her story.
We will post Diane's version here, as soon as we can get some pictures from her. If you have made (or are making) this scarf we would love to see your version. Please send us a picture and we will put it up on our Facebook page.


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Aviation visionary, Sir George White, remembered 100 years on
Martha Lewington
It is thanks to Sir George White that Bristol has such a rich aviation heritage and an aerospace industry that continues to this day. His initial interest in flight may have been kindled as early as February 1904 when the Bristol Daily Mercury printed an image captioned "The Aerostat in mid-air".
Later, Sir George witnessed the Wright Brothers flying and in August 1909 he was said to have attended the Rheims Air Meet. On February 19th 1910, when all his plans were in place, Sir George announced the formation of his aviation company: the British & Colonial Aeroplane Company (later the Bristol Aeroplane Company), setting up a production line in two bus sheds in Filton. Within a few months, the factory was building the Bristol biplane known as the Boxkite. Sir George continued to expand the business and, since then, there has been over 100 years of continuous aerospace production in Filton.
While he could not claim to have been an early pioneer of flight in Great Britain, Sir George did pioneer the aircraft industry, being the first to set up a large-scale manufactory with a substantial financial base.
Born and raised in Bristol, Sir George made his money through sheer determination and hard work, but returned much of it to the city through an admirable range of philanthropic activities, including support of Bristol Royal Infirmary.
Sir George's life will be celebrated by Aerospace Bristol, the new industrial heritage museum due to open in Filton in summer 2017. Aerospace Bristol will mark the occasion by welcoming Sir George's great grandson, also named Sir George White, who has recently accepted the chairman's and trustees' invitation to be a Vice Patron of the museum. Together with Aerospace Bristol's young volunteers, who are currently restoring a wing for exhibition, they will explore the early records of Bristol's world-class aerospace industry and look ahead to the next 100 years of aerospace engineering.
Sir George will travel to St Mary Magdalene Church in Stoke Bishop, driving a 1903 Panhard-Levassor that has been passed down through the family since 1903, and lay a wreath in memory of his great grandfather. Meanwhile, a procession of vintage Bristol buses will make their way through the city as a tribute to the Bristol Tramways and Carriage Company chairman.


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One of the nice things about the TGO Challenge is that it is (nicely) old fashioned. After the event we even get a final report. The report came through the post yesterday and was interesting reading. But I was very surprised to read:
This was not a Challenge for the ultra-lightweight brigade: May in Scotland is now very unpredictable and you do need really good gear to help you through as well as a strong attitude.
I've temped to reply, "rubbish". I spent time with most of the lightweight Challengers this year. All of those I met had a great time, finished and were having a great time in Montrose when I last saw them. Maybe there was someone who had a bad experience but in general the lighter-weight approach seemed to prove itself again.
The TGO Challenge does offer an interesting insight into the kind of gear that mainstream backpackers are using in the UK. After each Challenge so far I've written a piece on this and this quote prompted me to do the same.
Role Models
There's no doubt that Colin Ibbotson has caught the attention of many and the imagination of more than a few. Colin is now well known by Challengers who gather round his tarp and campsites in wonderment! There's also some fun around this. Gordon Green and his rather irreverential mates had a great gag going through the latter stages of the challenge, producing a tiny stuff sack and claiming they'd got Colin beat! Colin takes this all in good spirits!
Few of us are going to read Colin's stuff and head out to the Scottish Highlands in a tarp, although a few first timers did just that this year. But there's no doubt that folks like Colin make us think and reassess our gear.
I saw some terrible blisters on this year's Challenge, and heard about many more. I've no doubt that many of problems would have been avoided or far less painful if people had made sensible decisions about kit. However, it is not my job to preach. The Challenge is a personal event and part of that Challenge is choosing your gear. However, these are some of my observations from this year.
Tents and Shelters
I missed that Challenge last year. During that time there has been a definite move towards lighter shelters.
On my first Challenge the Hilleberg Akto was king. On my second I began to see a few more Laser Competition tents, which are half a kilogram lighter. This year I reckon the Laser was pushing ahead. It now seems to be the tent of choice for new, solo, Challengers. And when the time comes to replace the Akto it's clear that the Competition is the main choice. The Akto may be more reliable up high in strong winds but on the other hand Competition is cheaper than the Akto.
John Manning started out with a Laser Photon which is even lighter than the Competition. He switched for last week to his Henry Shires tarp tent, a single skin tent. Alan Slowman was using his Stephenson Warmlite tent which is also single skin but a monster size for one and still lighter than the Akto. Also using a Henry Shire tent was Chris Townsend who was using the Scarp, a similar tent to the Akto but one which is more roomy and lighter. Phil Turner was using a Golite Hex tarp tent.
US backpacker couples Rob and Lisa Hausam and Nigel Ellis and Lyn Paquette both opted for the same arrangement, a Lunar Duo tent from Six Moon Designs. At just over 1 kilogram the Lunar Duo is half of the weight of a Hilleberg Nallo of a Terra Nova Super Solar 2.2. The Lunar Duo is a very roomy tent and apparently coped very well with wind. As Stirling begins to climb against the Dollar I wonder if we'll see more of these in future years.
And there a few other tarps.
Alistair Hunt was using a large two person tarp. He'd had little time to practice configuring the tent but found that he had so much room to play with that it was easy to keep dry without any difficulty.
Jon Hancock was using a Golite Tarp. I liked Jon's attitude. He was using lightweight gear but gear that didn't cost a fortune. Much of his gear had been collected over the years but selected for lightness, comfort and effectiveness.
Tarps in Bramaer belonging to Colin Ibbotson (left) and Jon Hancock (right)
And, of course, we had Weird Darren who used his tarp occasionally!
To be honest, I can only see this trend continuing. I think we will see more tarp tents and yet more Competitions on future Challenges.
There has also been a move in this department as well. The Golite Pinnacle is now quite a popular pack on the Challenge. Although this is a 'backless' tent it is cavernous, indeed, I sometimes think it is too big. With that much space you're going to be tempted to fill it up. I reckon the Golite Jam is capable of a Challenge crossing and I noticed more that one or two of these as well.
Kate and I both use ULA packs and as usual there were a sprinkling of these around the trails. But I noticed this year that those I saw were the Circuit and the Ohm, lighter than the Catalyst than I used on my first Challenge.
To this we've also got to add a few Gossamer Gear Mariposa packs and a few OMM packs.
I think there's change in the mainstream department as well with Osprey's lighter packs being particularly popular, especially the Exos range which are reputed to be more comfortable than the Atmos range. These packs still seem to me to be heavier than they need to be but I guess that they are more than half the weight of what you would have used ten years ago.
You can only use a smaller pack if you've begun to get your gear list down. Most problems I reckon are caused by just carrying too many things. The use of down gear and a determination not to take three pairs of everything will help a lot. I noticed — with my cunning powers of observation — that even some of the cynics are carrying suspiciously small packs. They've been cutting down their loads 🙂
I didn't really get a chance to go into this is any depth, but from chats I reckon there are more and more lightweight meths stoves being used these days.
Boots and Shoes
Back to those blisters. This was a very wet Challenge. The people I met all got their blisters the same way; water got into their boots and they became impossible to dry out.
However, I think more and more people are using lighter, boots that are more breathable — especially those without Gore Tex linings.
Of course, I use Inov-8 shoes. Quite a number of the first timers were using them this year, indeed, for a few days we walked in groups where everyone was wearing the Inov-8s. We splashed through streams and bogs happy in the knowledge that the shoes would dry out quickly.
Inov-8's are not everyone's cup of tea. But other brands of trail shoes were well represented on the Challenge.
It would seem that more and more people are trying out lighter footwear and that once they do the boots stay in that cupboard under the stairs.
I've no doubt that there is a clear trend towards lighter gear. I do believe that this makes hiking more pleasant and leads to fewer foot problems and injuries.
I'm sorry that the TGO organisers feel the need to have a pop at lightweight hikers. They did this after the last Challenge I was on. It seems unnecessarily provocative to me. Light hikers crossed Scotland as well as the others, high or low. They all professed themselves to be happy with their kit and most chatted openly about how they could go even lighter.
If you are worried about the comments quoted above and are thinking twice, remember. These comments are nearly always made by people who have never, ever, walked for any length of time with modern, lightweight, gear!


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As a music listener, something you might have noticed when you are listening to lyrics, is that specific lyrics have a tendency to catch your attention a lot more than obscure lyrics. Occasionally as songwriters, we are inclined to shy away from becoming too special, because we believe it will begin to become unrelatable.
We begin to believe that we will need to keep things obscure, so that anybody can know what we're saying. It is counterintuitive to understand that writing really particular lyrics is much more relatable than composing lyrics that are generic. When it comes to writing whether it's a song, an essay or any formal and informal document writing, they would still need proofreading service to make the writing look and sound perfect when reading.
Engage the Senses
It is not a bad first line. Anytime we participate the five senses for our listeners to link to, we're probably doing an adequate job with our lyrics. Our minds have a tendency to recall sense-bound memories quite well. So the very first line is not bad, but she'd have given us an actual smell we could relate to. Maybe the smell of his cologne?
Something such as:"The herbal smell of the cologne lingers on me today." that might not match the songs, but it's just throwing out a concept for one to find out what it is about. Something describing the odor may have been a little stronger in engaging our perceptions and pulling us to the tune. But what's there isn't a poor opener. It talks about his smell, so a great deal of women listening to the song can insert their own man's smell there to make it more expressive.
To make the point that had the line been"The herbal smell of the cologne lingers on me today," it would be something we can ALL relate to. We would not need to know a man's odor to be able to earn this line calculate. We'd just insert what we understand to become an"herbal scented cologne" and bam.
Stay Particular
It looks like the lineup was left vague so that it might be relatable. However, counterintuitively, it isn't relatable since it is vague. Alright, perhaps that is not a Grammy winning lineup , but it places us someplace and participates our senses in this instance, sight. Plus we have all seen images of New York, therefore at least we've got a picture to fit into our heads.


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DLTK's Crafts for Kids
Paul Bunyan Day
Paul Bunyan Day is celebrated on June 28th each year.
Paul Bunyan was a giant lumberjack from American folktales (he wasn't a real person). His best friend was a blue ox named Babe. According to the folktales told by American pioneers, they wandered around the American wilderness cheerfully and naively performing superhuman feats.
Babe, the Blue Ox, Paper Craft
preschoolers and up
Babe, the Blue Ox, Toilet Paper Roll Craft
preschool and kindergarten
Paul Bunyan Toilet Paper Roll Craft
preschool and kindergarten
Try making up some of your own "Tall Tales" about Paul Bunyan. Here are some traditional ones that Carol sent in to us.
The Tall Tales of Paul Bunyan
When Paul Bunyan was born, he was so large that it took five giant storks working overtime just to deliver him to his mother and father. Paul's parents had to have fourteen cows to supply milk for their gigantic new baby.
Paul's parents were a bit worried about what the townspeople would think of their huge son. So they built a huge cradle and floated it in the ocean off the coast of Maine. The waves rocked him to sleep each night. One day Paul started to bounce up and down in his cradle. His bouncing started a seventy-foot tidal wave that washed away towns and villages. After that Paul's parents moved into the woods of Maine where everyone would be safer.
Paul spent his boyhood in the woods helping his father cut down trees. Even as a boy he had the strength of a dozen men. One day the man at the sawmill refused to buy the Bunyan's logs because they were too large for his saws. Paul chained them together and pulled them upstream back to camp.
Once when plowing the fields, Paul came to the end and there wasn't any room to turn around. Paul solved the problem by simply picking up the plow and the two oxen. He turned them right around to start the other way.
When Paul was just a boy he was as fast as lightning. He could blow out the candle at night and hop into bed before it was dark. One time Paul's quickness got him into trouble, he shot a bear and was so anxious to see if he'd hit it that he ran as fast as he could up to the bear--only to get there before the bullet did. The result was that Paul got hit in the seat of his pants with his own buckshot.
Paul found Babe during the winter of the blue snow. When bringing firewood to his cabin, Paul saw two ears sticking out of the snow. Paul dug out the animal and noticed it was a baby ox. Paul put the ox in his pocket and carried him back to the cabin. Since the ox was a baby, Paul decided to call him Babe. Even after Babe thawed out, he kept his blue color.
Babe grew very fast. One night Paul put him into a barn because it looked like it might rain. The next morning the barn was gone and so was Babe. Paul finally found Babe in a valley eating hay with the barn sitting on his back.
Babe was very useful in many ways. For instance, Paul had a logging road that was very crooked and twisted. Paul finally tied one end of the road to a large stump and hitched Babe to the other end with a logging chain. Babe dug his hoofs into the ground and tugged and strained until he had pulled the entire road out straight.
When winter came, Babe had trouble finding enough to eat because the snow covered everything. Babe began to lose weight and became sick with a severe fever. Big Ole, the blacksmith, solved the problem by making Babe a huge pair of green sunglasses. With the sunglasses on, Babe thought the snow was grass. It wasn't long before Babe was strong and healthy again.
Print friendly version of these tales


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This is my 14th year of teaching in the Waynesboro Area School District. I have had the pleasure of spending all thirteen years at Mowrey Elementary School. I grew up in Chambersburg where I graduated from Chambersburg Area Senior High School. I went onto the University of Pittsburgh, and I earned my Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and a minor in Neuroscience, and my Master's Degree in Mental and Physical Disabilities. Go Pitt!
My family and I currently reside in Chambersburg. My wonderful husband, Mike, have been blessed with two beautiful children. Landon is 9, and Finley is 7. We enjoy spending time with family and friends, being outdoors, traveling, and watching all sports.


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About McKellar Ridge
McKellar Ridge is a 5-star boutique winery producing award-winning handcrafted wines. Carefully nurtured from grape to glass, our wines exhibit the unique characteristics of the Canberra cool-climate region:
fresh fruit flavours, distinctive spiciness, crisp acidity.
McKellar Ridge Wines is owned and operated by John and Marina Sekoranja. The winery was established in 2005 by Brian and Janet Johnston and quickly became highly regarded in the Canberra region. Brian continues to provide expert assistance as winemaking consultant during vintage. McKellar Ridge was rated as a 5-Star winery by James Halliday in August 2017.
John & Marina
John and Marina have always shared a passion for wine. However, it was while visiting relatives in Slovenia that John had a life-changing epiphany. While admiring the family vineyard, John's father lamented how he was forced to abandon the business due to the outbreak of World War II.
At that moment John realised his destiny:
to re-establish the family tradition of wine production.
In 2016 John and Marina embarked on turning the dream into reality. On the day John retired from corporate life, the couple coincidentally met the founders of McKellar Ridge, Brian and Janet Johnston, marking the start of a significant friendship. Before long Marina stepped back from her own profession as a nutrition and dietetic clinician so the pair could assist in making the 2017 vintage. John and Marina bought the business in June 2017, and they are dedicated to elevating the award-winning winery to ever greater heights.
Our Wines
Our wines are made from low yielding mature vines, carefully chosen from premium quality vineyards and handpicked to select the best fruit at optimal ripeness.
The white wines are lightly pressed and cool-fermented in stainless steel vats, the reds open-fermented with gentle hand plunging and basket pressing then transferred to quality French Oak barrels.
Our philosophy is simple: let the grapes tell their story.
As winemakers, our role is to apply best practice standards with minimal intervention. This ensures wines maintain varietal integrity and good aging structure. The quality of McKellar Ridge wines is reflected in the multiple medals awarded and consistently high-scoring reviews.
Cherie d'Amour
Our famous "sweet heart" wine, Cherie d Amour has wonderfully fruity off-dry finish. The wine is made from the same grapes as our traditional sauvignon blanc, however, fermentation was halted early to create the off -dry style. It has a rich middle palate which partners perfectly with spicy Asian dishes.
Bronze medal 2016 NSW Small Winemakers Show
Our Rose is made in the light French style, dry with a fruity middle palate and spicy finish. A blend of merlot and sometimes shiraz grapes creates a crisp, refreshing style of Rosé with an intense plummy middle palate and a light, spicy finish. Deliciously refreshing for long summer days.
Silver Medal 2016 Canberra and Region Wine Show
Pinot Noir
Hand-picked from two small vineyards near Murrumbateman, open-fermented in small batches, hand-plunged, matured in French oak for 9 months. Bright, light crimson, it has very attractive juicy red cherry and strawberry fruit, good balance and good length. A consistently high scoring wine.
Silver medal, Canberra and Region Wine Show.
Pinot Noir – Tumbarumba (2017)
An elegant and earthy Pinot using exceptional fruit from Mount Tumbarumba vineyard. 9 months in French oak, a mix of old and new with attention to the toasting strengths. The alluring aromatics are full of forest spice, cherry and toffee apple; however, it is the exceptional length that catches you by surprise.
94 Points, James Halliday Wine Companion 2019 (Top Silver, Highly Recommended)
Sauvignon Blanc
McKellar Ridge Sauvignon Blanc is a traditional Australian dry style of sauvignon blanc exhibiting fine floral notes, with ripe fruit salad on the middle palate balanced with cool climate citrus and tangy flavours to ensure it finishes refreshingly crisp and dry.
Gold Medal 2016 Canberra and Region Wine Show
Our Riesling is made in the dry but floral Alsace style. The fruit is hand-picked, destemmed and basket pressed before fermentation in stainless steel vats. The wine has good varietal expression, floral, fresh and crisp on the palate with good citrus intensity and length.
Trophy, NSW Small Wine Makers Show 2015
Shiraz Viognier
Made with high quality French oak, this wine is based on the northern Rhone style, with 4% Viognier co-fermented with Shiraz. It is full of dark cherry and raspberry flavours, complex oak flavours and fine tannins. It has real depth and intensity. This is our most awarded wine.
95 Point James Halliday Wine Companion 2018
Hand-picked from a single vineyard on the winery block, basket-pressed, matured for 9 months in French oak barrels. This wine is deep crimson, a medium to full-bodied shiraz with all the hallmarks of cool-climate shiraz, black cherry, licorice and pepper.
Silver, 2017 Australian National Single Vineyard Wine Show
Merlot Cabernet
This Saint Emilion blend has a fragrant nose of red berries and hints of vanillin oak. The palate is deep, exhibiting cherry flavours, a deep back palate and a long spicy finish. 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc. This wine will age well, cellar to 2025.
Silver 2016 Canberra and Region Wine Show
Made as a true Bordeaux blend with the three major Bordeaux grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon is dominant providing deep fruit flavours of blackberry and black currant, long dry tannins, complimented by the plum and cherry flavours of the Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
92 Points James Halliday Wine Companion 2018
Sparkling Red
Exhibits an attractive red berry fruit aroma, and fills the mouth with dark cherry flavours. The mousse is fine and the light tannins provide an attractive crisp and long finish to this sparkling wine which was produced in the Méthode Traditionale.
A great celebration wine.