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Rupert Grint, also known as Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter series, confirmed some information that would make any wizard wannabe jealous.
During a Q&A for Entertainment Tonight, Emma Watson stated that she still keeps in contacts with Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert in a WhatsApp group chat. During the interview, she explained that she invited the main cast of the movie to her "Beauty and the Beast" screening on this app.
EmmaWatsonBelgium on Twitter
NEW: @EmmaWatson at the #BeautyAndTheBeast New York premiere (from theatermania)
Both Tom Felton and Matthew Lewis, also known as Draco Malfoy and Neville Longbottom, were able to attend the Los Angeles screening of the film. After hearing this information, we thought it must be too good to be true. However, while in a interview with Huffington Post, he confirmed the allegations.
He's a truly good man, some say the purest of us all, and I was really much happier to see him than I like to let on. Superb weekend at @universalorlando seeing old friends at the #HPCelebration.
170.8k Likes, 1,887 Comments - Matthew Lewis (@mattdavelewis) on Instagram: "He's a truly good man, some say the purest of us all, and I was really much happier to see him than..."
Grint states "It's kind of the way we stay in contact. We see each other occasionally, but I haven't seen everyone in a long time. It's quite hard to socially see everyone, so being in the same room with everybody is usually quite surreal and not that easy. We shared such a unique experience and such a strange childhood. We'll always kind of have that together. Again, we're always going to be there for each other, [and] support each other."
lauren on Twitter
the whole harry potter cast
For his new Crackle series, "Snatched" - Rupert starts as Charlie, "one of a group of smalltime hustlers who gets caught up in the world of organized crime." Super elaborated on the character to Huffington Post, "Charlie is quite a unique character. I don't think I've actually met anyone quite like him. There are not many similarities between him and Ron."
While he was practicing for the role, Rupert watched a series of Prince Harry videos. His original royal inspiration "evolved to something different" as time went on.
Hopefully, Rupert is using the group chat in order to get his Harry Potter cast mates to the different premieres. Bonnie Wright, who played Grint's sister Ginny in the series, attended one of the premiers of the show.
cast of harry potter on Twitter
bonnie wright supported rupert grint at the snatch premiere ♥
We are so jealous of the WhatsApp group chat. Now, just to find a way to be added!
Sarah Harley is a Hufflepuff living in the NYC area. When she is not talking to random animals or collecting stickers, she is a comedy writer working in television production. Tweet her at @lumpyspacederp


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Kentucky Truck Accident Attorneys
Kentucky Truck Accident Attorneys
Protecting Victims of Accidents involving 18 Wheelers and other Commercial Vehicles on Kentucky Highways
Speak to a Kentucky Personal Injury Law Firm About Your Truck Accident Case
Protecting Victims of Accidents involving 18 Wheelers and other Commercial Vehicles on Kentucky Highways
Speak to a Kentucky Personal Injury Law Firm About Your Truck Accident Case
Typically, motor vehicle accidents are never something you simply shrug off, but when you have an accident with a truck or tractor-trailer, the consequences can be more severe. Because of their sheer size and weight, when a car and truck are in an accident, chances are the car and its occupants are going to suffer much more damage and there is a higher likelihood of death.
Specializing in Big Rigs Wrecks on the I75 Corridor from Lexington to the Tennessee line
Injuries from a truck accident can result in high medical bills, lost wages, future medical needs, pain and suffering, and more. If your accident was due to someone else's negligence, you are not responsible for these damages. The truck accident attorneys at Copeland & Romines Law Office can help you get the compensation and restitution to which you are entitled. Contact us today to talk about your case.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
In Laurel County and throughout Kentucky, truck accidents happen for a variety of reasons and factors. Sometimes accidents are simply unavoidable. When the truck wreck is not your fault, however, you should contact a personal injury attorney to find out your rights under the law. Following are some of the more common reasons for truck/passenger vehicle accidents:
- Driver fatigue
- Driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Distracted driving
- Faulty maintenance
- Tire blowout
- Truck jack-knife
- Driver error or inexperience
- Truck improperly or over loaded
Your truck accident lawyer will work with you to determine who is liable for your accident — the driver, the trucking company, or another party. We will aggressively pursue compensation for your injuries to ensure you are taken care of and can take the time you need to recover.
Call Our Tractor Trailer Accident and Personal Injury Law Firm Today
If you or a loved one is injured in a Kentucky truck accident, speak to one of the trusted lawyers at Copeland & Romines Law Office. We are sympathetic to your situation and will fight for you to get the compensation you deserve, so you can focus on healing. Call us today at [custom:phone] so we can begin discussing your case and getting your life back on track.


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Have ever had the feeling someone was staring at you? Watching you? Friday I got that very feeling. I was in my office at the back of my home deeply focused in day-one of creating a new business consulting program for one of the niche industries I work in. Was firmly intent on avoiding all distractions. No phones. No doorbells. No text messages. No interruptions of any kind. I isolated myself and completely tuned out everyone and everything.
About noon-ish something caught the corner of my eye out my office window. As I turned I could almost swear someone had ducked away just as I looked up from my screen. All I could possibly make out were eyeballs and forehead.
For a moment I just froze. I imagined if it really was a person, he'd look again and I could make solid eye contact. I waited. And waited. And waited. Nothing.
I tried to tell myself maybe it was a bird flying away after attempting to grab hold of the screen. Maybe that is what I saw. I wasn't 100% convinced though. So I got up and took a look around. No one was to be seen or heard leaving the property.
So after convincing myself I was seeing things I went back to work.
Sadly, about three hours later the house of one of my neighbor's swarmed with vehicles. Her family and friends in the area came rushing to her rescue.
Turns out the wife had just gotten home alone and found someone had broken into their house. The perp stole all their cash and jewelry. Even the stuff they thought they had carefully hidden.
Got in by forcing a lock. They think he first tried at the back of the house. The thief damaged the back door but could not get in. So he then broke in through the front door. He was unseen by anyone. Sort of.
I guess the lesson is if you think you may have cause for suspicion get up immediately. Break out the 'widow maker' or whatever you have to help you feel safe. Call the cops. And most of all trust your instincts. You may never know, if you get the feeling someone is watching you maybe they really are.
Have you already dealt with this type of scenario? If so what steps have you found to decrease the risk of your home or home office being burglarized–whether you are there or away?
Shoot me an email to tell me what you found that works. I'd really like to hear from you.


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Full consultation and physiotherapy assessment
A choice of treatment massages plus electrotherapy
If no treatment massages are indicated, a relaxing massage will be offered instead
Clinic offers additional 10% discount on subsequent treatments
It is easy to tell the difference between mussels and muscles: only one responds well to simmering in white wine, garlic and parsley.
Bivalves need not apply for today's Big Deal but if your musculoskeletal system is making moans then Central Chiropractic and Health Clinic in Glasgow city Centre can lend a helping hand.
Run by Lyn Farnholz B.Sc., M.Sc., the team at the Central Chiropractic and Health Clinic aim to effectively treat lower back pain, slipped discs, sciatica, shoulder pain and frozen shoulder, leg, neck, arm and wrist pain and repetitive strain injury.
Chiropractic therapies work by locating, treating, correcting and preventing nervous system interferences by gently adjusting the spine and joints.
This focused spinal and joint manipulation, restores communication and function to limbs and organs, removes the cause of the pain and helps to restore health.
Treatment is delivered through joint adjustment or spinal manipulation, frequently supplemented by soft tissue work or massage.
Today's Big Deal is for:
A physiotherapy assessment and consultation
Where appropriate, a deep tissue, sports or therapeutic massage plus electrotherapy (ultrasound or interferential)
If not treatment massages are needed then an enjoyable relaxation massage will be included instead.
Treatment takes one hour.
In addition, a 10% reduction will be given to subsequent treatments at our clinic for the voucher holder or to a friend referred by them.
Vouchers are valid Mon-Fri, 9am-7pm until 07/09/11/
No limit to purchases per person: you may buy multiples as gifts.
Booking is required and must be made by emailing firstname.lastname@example.com
Remember to provide your Big Deal code/s and your mobile number, landline and full name.
Please allow five days for response due to high demand.
Clients must be 18 or over.
Offer open to new clients only.
Bookings cannot be cancelled.
Missed appointments will count as used.
Central ChiropracticSuite 46 - Mezzanine Level93 Hope StreetGlasgowG2 6LD
Sign up today for free and be the first to get notified on new deals.
Our customer care team are available to help 7 days a week.
You may find we have answered your query in our frequently asked questions
Contact our team via our Contact Us page or email us on email@example.com
©2018 5pm Ltd, 38 Queen Street, Glasgow, G1 3DX, U.K.
Tel: 0141 204 7841


text: She called and was crying and all upset about some "girl drama" and wanted to come home. It was 1pm and only had a little over two hours left, but I told her to go to the nurses station and I would meet her there. Luckily the nurse had her in a room when I arrived and she had been giving her good advice about ignoring girls who wanted to cause drama. She told difficult child to walk away, and if the girl follows her, then she should find an adult. Supposedly my difficult child was "talking ****" about some other girl. difficult child denies it. I don't have a clue what really happened. I do know that she either "likes" someone, or she can't stand them. New classes started two weeks ago... and today on the way to school, she told me she doesn't like any on the other students in the algebra class, but the teacher is OK. How can you dislike a whole class that you just started? It's math, so it isn't like there would be a lot on interaction in a math class as compared to things like PE or classes that work as a group. She no longer "likes" the kids at church. I think it probably has more to do about not being the center of attention than anything they might say or do towards her. I have a feeling that difficult child wouldn't even have to "talk ****" about another girl - but everyone else would know exactly how she feels about that person - her face can't hide her true feelings. I have had many "looks" that let everyone else know just how she feels about me. Tomorrow is her therapy appointment - and of course she doesn't want to go - but I will make sure she gets there. I haven't even told her about the neuropsychologist appointment in April. I have been reading a book "Damaged Angels" and see so much of my difficult child in the information in the book. Now I am wondering if difficult child's biomom also has difficulties because maybe her mom also used alcohol?? What a vicious cycle. KSM


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Tangy Tortilla Toss
Salsa verde, black beans, and sour cream spice up this one-dish-meal that's a nacho-taco hybrid.
Total Time:
Level: Easy
Yield: 4 servings
Serves: 4
- 8 tortillas
- ¼ c. reduced fat sour cream
- 2 tbsp. salsa verde
- 1 2/3 c. salsa verde
- 1 tbsp. water
- 1 can black beans
- 3 c. shredded cooked chicken
- Cut tortillas into 1/2-inch strips. In batches, place between 2 paper towels on large microwave-safe plate in single layer. Microwave on High 2 minutes or until crisp.
- In small bowl, combine sour cream, 2 tablespoons salsa verde, and water.
- In 12-inch skillet, heat 1 2/3 cup salsa verde to simmering on medium. Add black beans and chicken; heat through.
- Stir in strips. Serve with sauce.
More recipes like this
From: Good Housekeeping
More From Food & Drinks


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Balsamic Roasted Chicken Leg Quarters are inexpensive, humble chicken leg quarters that get a makeover for the BEST juicy roasted chicken I have ever had! Perfect for an easy dinner.
Hey there humble little chicken leg quarters. Yes, they may not sound too exciting and you may have even over looked them in the store as I have done many times. But before you stroll pass them again, you need to trust me and just grab a pack because we need to make Balsamic Roasted Chicken. It will change you forever.
(Don't quote me on that)
All about the chicken leg <-eww
But seriously…if these little leggy guys hadn't had a big ole fat red sale sticker on them I would have missed out on the delicious tender juicy meat that they create! Even without the sale leg quarters are actually very reasonable and pack on way more meat that chicken wings or regular chicken legs.
Roasting your chicken & why you need to try it NOW
As you have probably noticed, we stick to sautéing chicken breasts about 90% of the time and baking our chicken in the casserole form the remaining 10%. Since we were making life adventurous (<-it doesn't take much) by purchasing leg quarters, I figured we might as well be completely wild and roast them. Umm…BEST. CHOICE. EVER.
Roasting allowed me to do everything in my life other than stand by the pan and watch the bird cook. And if the whole idea of your dinner cooking itself isn't enough…roasting created the juiciest most flavorful chicken I have ever had. CHICKEN. We all know we pretty much eat chicken because it is lean, cheap and easy…not really for the flavor bomb in your mouth. But with the hint of balsamic and crispy salty skin, we may ALL be changing our minds about these not-so-photogenic guys.
Get creative and try these with other seasonings as well! Perhaps some Homemade taco seasoning for a Mexican theme or Italian seasoning with a vinaigrette for a flavorful twist!
Try roasting some vegetables towards the end of the cooking time and you wont even need to worry about sides! #winning
If you try this recipe, make sure you post a photo on the socials [Instagram|Twitter|Facebook|Pinterest] and use the hash tag #wordslikehoneycomb so we can see! It's my favorite to see your creations! ?
- 2 chicken leg quarters
- 1 tsp. olive oil
- ⅛ tsp. salt
- ⅛ tsp. pepper
- ⅛ tsp. onion powder
- ⅛ tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Place chicken on a slotted baking sheet and separate the skin from the chicken to create a pocket. (the skin will naturally separate, so this won't be difficult and may not even require a knife)
- Spread half olive oil on each chicken quarter, covering the whole chicken, on top of the skin and under the pocket.
- Repeat process with balsamic vinegar, spreading half of the vinegar on each piece.
- Sprinkle remaining seasonings on each piece and place in the oven for 50 minutes.
- After 50 minutes, raise the heat to 400 degrees and cook for 10-15 minutes more, or until the chicken reaches 150-160 degrees. (keep in mind the chicken will continue to cook a bit after removing from oven)
- All the chicken to set for at least 5 minutes before serving.
*I prepared this for two, however, you can easily double for a family serving of 4.


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Circle William
first edition
by HARLOW, Bill
Scribner, 1999. Fine/Fine. First edition. Fine in fine dustwrapper. This book and dustwrapper are exceptionally clean, a very nice copy. Please Note: This book has been transferred to Between the Covers from another database and might not be described to our usual standards. Please inquire for more detailed condition information. (Inventory #: 164604)


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With Eva, you will probably find arranging fruits in a bowl to be passé. Why? Because Eva allows you to decorate its branches with the fruits of your choice, graciously creating a little tree on your table!
The aluminium fruit holder has notches on its branches to suspend each fruit with its stalk. It has been created as an alternative to fruit bowl, inspired by the thought as to how fruits are produced in nature.
Eva Fruit Tree designed by Simon Colabufalo is a Platinum A' Design Award Winner in Bakeware, Tableware, Drinkware and Cookware Design Category 2012-2013.


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Prompt Number for fic101: #9 Peace
Author's Note: For lj user=anuna_81. Love you my fellow Sparky lover!
"This is so beautiful...," John whispered in her ear, breaking the silence surrounding them. "So peaceful."
Elizabeth just hummed in answer, cuddling further into him, and he tightened his hold on her.
It was late in the afternoon when they arrived in Rovaniemi, and after dinner they had settled in a long chair on their hotel room balcony to watch the Midnight sun.
"You know, I'm really glad that the President asked you to work on your holidays."
"And that he allowed me to take you with me," she added, knowing that was the part he was the most grateful for.
"Do you think he knows about us?"
"I don't think he's that oblivious, John," she replied, putting a hand on her slightly rounded stomach.
"Still, it was nice of him not to say anything."
"He had just begged me to participate in the summit. I don't think he wanted to risk me changing my mind if he said something wrong, even though we were already in flight."
"So you're saying..."
"I'm saying that I wouldn't be surprised if we have a nice chat with him during the flight back to Washington."
"As long as he doesn't ask how it happened..."
"He has two grown children of his own, I'm pretty sure he knows," she said, patting his arm in reassurance.
"Well, General O'Neill has one on the way, and he still asked."
Jack's reaction upon seeing her rounded belly had been fun to watch. He had opened and closed his mouth a couple of times, at loss for words, then pointed towards her belly, finally asking what had happened. She had answered the question, making sure to use simple words, having already gone through that with Rodney when she and John told his team about her pregnancy.
"I'm pretty sure you were ready to tell what was on your mind when President Hayes made his request."
"Well, I've changed my mind about that. And it might have to do with the scenery."
"John... You've watched the Midnight sun in Antarctica, before. It's not any different."
"Yes, it is. Watching it with you makes it different. It's romantic."
Elizabeth couldn't help but smile at that. Since they had begun their relationship, she had found out that he could be quite a romantic guy if he wanted to. He often surprised her with dinners on the balcony, or a single flower waiting for her on her desk when she arrived in the morning.
She would have never imagined that of him, and she was sure no one suspected it, unless they took a close look at them.
She liked that side of him, and she sure hoped that it wouldn't stop anytime soon. She knew that things would change in a few months time, or earlier if the IOA decided otherwise, but she wanted some things to stay the same. Her hand unconsciously started to rub against her belly, and she felt John's hand come to rest on top of hers, their fingers intertwining.
"I can't wait to feel her moving," he whispered.
"You're so sure it's going to be a girl?"
"Call it paternal instinct."
"You won't be disappointed if you're wrong?" she asked, not even calling into question that 'paternal instinct' existed.
"I'll be happy with both, but I'd like this baby to be a girl."
"Usually, fathers root for boys."
"I know. Do you think it's going to be a boy?"
"No, I'm pretty sure you're right and we're having a girl. She's going to have you wrapped around her little finger, isn't she?"
"Yeah, probably."
Elizabeth's smile widened; she could already see him with their daughter, doing her every wish. And she knew he wouldn't be the only one; she already suspected that many people in the City were waiting for the moment they could finally spoil her.
"We'll come back here when she's older," he continued. "I want her to know the place where her father proposed to her mother."
Surprised by his words, she sat up and turned around to face him. He was licking his lips in nervousness and holding a square velvet box in his hand. He opened it for her, and she saw a white gold pear-shaped diamond engagement ring. She gasped at the sight; if she hadn't expected the proposal, she certainly hadn't expected this kind of ring either. It was perfect, and even if she had never thought about it before, she knew she wouldn't have wanted another ring.
"President Hayes will probably have a heart attack when he sees this on your finger tomorrow morning, and it'll probably be reported in every single paper covering the summit, but I frankly don't care. I love you, that's all that matters. So, what do you say?"
"To what?" she asked, rising an eyebrow at him. "I don't think I've heard the question."
"Do you want me to get down on one knee too?" he asked, but she shook her head no. "Elizabeth, would you do me the honour of becoming my wife?"
She wanted to make him wait and sweat over her answer. She wanted to pretend to think about what her answer would be. But in the end, it only took her a second to say:
She watched as he took the ring out of its box, and slipped it onto her finger; she didn't know how he managed it, but it was a perfect fit.
Cupping his face into her hands, she kissed him thoroughly, leaving him in no doubt of what was to come once they were back inside. He replied by pulling her body as close to him as possible, her belly, where their child was growing, pressed gently between them.
"I love you," she whispered against his lips, before settling back against him in their previous position.
"We should probably call your mother tonight. She will kill us if she finds out about our engagement from the newspaper."
"She's probably still on cloud nine from being told she was going to be a grandmother. But we shouldn't risk it, just in case."
They would call her, but for the moment, she wanted to enjoy the time she had with her fiancé. She couldn't help the smile that stretched her lips at that thought: her fiancé. Getting married or having children had never been her priority in life; she had never been that kind of woman who only felt accomplished once they had a family. She had been happy with her life as it was. But the thought of the life she was going to have made her even happier.
The diamond of her engagement ring caught the light of the Midnight sun as she moved her hand to rest it against her swollen stomach. She felt at peace with the changes in her life.


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If you think newborn babies grow fast...have a puppy. In a matter of a few months, a little tiny bundle of mischievous fur becomes a....well LARGE balls of mischievous fur! This session was taken in August of 2016 as the Madden's, Alex and Rebecca celebrated their one year anniversary. You may remember Alex and Rebecca's beautiful engagement session in Ludington, Michigan in 2015, followed by their beautiful August wedding. As they celebrated their one year anniversary they welcomed Whiskey into their lives. These are moments of the first few weeks with their new pup!
The Potter Brother's Circus Presents /
Finn and Sawyer are turning ONE!
Their mama, Brittney, reached out to me to help her with a Circus themed photo session. Her text mentioned "trying to find an elephant"! Well, yeah! I was in! Brittney is super talented and made the kids outfits. We texted back and forth about props and colors and viola! The Potter Brother's Circus was officially open.
Big sister Ember was a sheer bundle of love and joy...as usual. I love this girl. She is not...threeeeeeeeee, she is twooooooooooo...just so you know. When her mama showed her a sneak peek her response was...."THERE WAS AN ELEPHANT THERE?!!"
We love this little family and have loved watching them grow!
Photos edited with the amazing Summeranna Actions and Overlays https://summerana.com/shop/dancing-stripes-zebra-animal-overlay-and-photoshop-action-collection/
Yes, Ember, elephants and zebras!
Mackenzie & Travis /
We are super excited to photograph another Marsh wedding! My family has known their family.. for...well...a very long time!
Mackenzie and Travis have planned their wedding reception in beautiful downtown Holly, Michigan at the Holly Vault owned & Operated by HGTV's Cari Cucksey! (Cash & Cari) which was the location for their engagement photo session. It's a beautiful, vintage place and we cant wait to get some more amazing photos of this special couple.
Read more: http://www.weddingbee.com/wedding-vendor/the-holly-vault#ixzz4n26CHoqY
Mariah & Jeff 6~17~2017 /
Rain, downpours, thunder, lightning, wind gusts, high humidity and bright sunshine. Yes, we experienced it all in just one day during our coverage of the Fredericks/Eckel wedding. But the weather was no obstacle to this amazing firefigher & firefighter/cop duo.
The Beginning....
We started the day at Salon 101 in downtown Lapeer where the stylists did an amazing job! Did I mention WIND GUSTS? They happened to gust their gustiest during our bridal session with the bride and her attendants and with the exception of a few wispy curls needing to be tucked behind the ear, our bridal party stayed salon fresh the entire day! Great job Salon 101!
Next up....the guys!
He or She...What Will Baby Be? /
After learning of their baby's gender from the gals at Sneak a Peek in Davison Mi, Brigette and Wes could have called, emailed, messaged or announced what they had learned on social media in a simple post. But this creative couple wanted to do something special and involve their family in the announcement.
So, on a beautiful Fall, Sunday afternoon, they asked their friends and family to meet them as Wes's parents farm. There four generations gathered together around an old barn door-table that was decorated in baby's breath whites, muted greens and gold accents offering little hint to baby's gender.
The answer to the question of the day, He or She, what would baby be...was hidden inside the large white pumpkin centerpiece that everyone wanted to lift the lid on. The family sat waiting anxiously to learn the gender of their lil' punkin' to be. Burlap and gold dipped wooden tags with the family's guesses written on them, were tied to a wreath that hung on an old vintage door. As near by an old Victrola and sheet music offered subtle clues with titles such as "Will You Be My Daddy", and "Beautiful Girl of Mine" & " You're My Baby".
Then the moment arrived. Wes and Brigette opened the pumpkin top and pulled out a...
Now, you didn't think I was going to give it away did you...
Join in on the fun, take a guess yourself...then scroll through their beautiful reveal to see if you guessed correctly.
Kylee Class of 2017 /
Kylee Class of 2017Read More
Dan & Brooklyn /
Dan and Brooklyn lived just miles away and knew each other casually. However, it was not until they both volunteered as Regular Pioneers that they would get to know each other. If you have ever had the privilege to Regular Pioneer, you know the love, dedication and long hours it involves. Hours in the company of others day. Hours at your best, and hours at your worst. This is how Dan and Brooklyn really got to know each other, and from there fell in love.
Dan's story on their wedding blog is very romantic and touching...just don't tell him I said so, he's kind of a private guy with a terrific sense of humor, who is very comfortable in front of the camera...as long as he's making funny faces at it! :DBrooklyn is a natural in front of the lens, who's beautiful vibrant red hair match her personality. From the moment you meet see them together you know that together is where they belong.
Dan knew that Brooklyn was the one, and wanted to do things right. First, he designed the ring...yep! I'll say that slower. HE. DESIGNED. THE. RING. It is beautiful! Multiple hearts interlocking and topped off with his grandmothers diamond.
Only thing left to do...ask her!
Dan and Brooklyn plan to continue volunteering and one day hope to be caretakers of the Belleville Assembly Hall where they both worked on construction projects. This would be the place Dan would ask Brooklyn to be his wife.
The day finally arrived and both Dan and Brooklyn were scheduled to work at Belleville. The day had finally arrived for Dan to ask her to be his wife. He had the perfect gal, the perfect ring the perfect moment....would she say yes?
Look below to find out!
Waitng for Brooklyn, /
We managed to fit in Brooklyn's maternity session just before her birth. Her parents have always been very open to any ideas Ive had for themes so I knew this was the couple to bring out all my props for. We set up in an open field under a large willow. This location seems to be so calming, and peaceful while shooting. So, under the shade of the big willow, we set up an antique iron bed, a side table, hung a crystal chandelier, and brought some outfits fit for a whimsical summer evening session. While we were there, we thought we HAD to do something to incorporate the moment of change soon to happen to this family of three. Adelyn, then two was soon to become a big sister. Just for her...well maybe her and her dad...we set up a tea party with Batman complete with yellow cupcakes! The session ended with dad and Addie walking hand in hand with her favorite dinosaur and or so we thought.... little Addie had her own ideas on the last shot....look and see how amazing she is!
Alyssa 2016 /
Gals like Alyssa are one of the reasons I LOVE to shoot seniors. She wanted what every senior wants, something fun, and unique, something that defines them. During our texts I learned that she loves Taylor Swift. So I did what any self respecting rock and roll fan would do...research.
Next, we found a blue dress, some front porch steps, and a slammin' screen door. The results were amazing !!!!
The Coulter Family Session /
As families grow up and move away it can become a rarity for everyone to be together all in one place. This past December I was asked to photograph the Coulter family on their beautiful property that has been in the family for over 46 years. We were treated to a tour of the property, as away to scout out the location prior to the session. See, this was not your typical family session of 4 or 5. We would be photographing 22 in all, and as time is precious with so much to do, we had just one hour to do it in. Thankfully the weather cooperated for us and the family since many of them were visiting from Florida, and the session was to be a Winter picnic shot in the great outdoors. It all turned out beautifully, and, as I look back, I am still impressed with the politeness of the children, and kind hospitality of the Coulter family. Now, as the family are all settled back at their homes, we hope to have provided a beautiful reminder of one of the most important things in life...family.


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Gabby Power
I am a sucker for kittens, puppies, rainbows and pretty much anything cute, and on the verge of creepy (like a basket full of puppies and kittens that are zombies). I've always been drawn to anything art related (haha pun), and as far back as I can remember tattooing has persisted to push itself to the forefront of my mind. Proceeding many trials and tribulations I somehow ended up in Montreal attending University for Fine Art. After receiving my degree I moved to Vancouver,... Read More
Andrew Warren
As far back as I can remember I've been surrounded by tattooing. Born in Toronto I was kidnapped by bikers at a very young age and forced to tattoo for baby formula and diapers. At some point in my youth I escaped and not much is known about the next several years. Only that I was later found by a group of traveling carnie gypsy Pygmy monk tattooers who discovered me floating on a raft in the ocean with a tiger and a bunch of tattoo equipment. Inexplicably I had somehow... Read More
Andy Griffin
In 2011, Dave Munro was kind enough to teach me this beautiful craft, after caving to my constant harassment and loitering. For which I'll be forever grateful. I like to work with classic Western and Japanese themes, but, will work with you to get you the tattoo your heart desires. [Show as slideshow] ... Read More
Mike Ledrew
I've been tattooing professionally now for 18 years. My career began in Toronto and allowed me to work at some of the premier shops the city had to offer as well as trips across America, Canada and Europe. In 2006, I relocated to St. John's to work at trouble Bound Studio and have been enjoying the shop a lot. I'm versed in all the varying styles of tattooing but favor bold, solid tattoos. I'd like to take the time to say thanks to all my customers past,... Read More
Dave Munro
In the summer of 1992, I began an apprenticeship at Accents of Skin in Toronto under Toby Martin. Back then, I was 18, naive and not prepared for the bizarre circumstances and situations under which that particular shop was accustomed to operating. After 6 months and a meager 6 tattoos under my belt, I snapped. A vast number of obscure jobs, a stint in the ivory tower of higher learning and 4 years later, I was ready to return to the industry. Once again, luck shone upon... Read More


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Bob was up at 5:30 this morning, as he is every Monday-Wednesday-Friday, to play basketball at Gold's Gym. However, I didn't hear his truck start up. Before long, he was headed back to bed. The truck wouldn't start! We knew it wasn't the batteries because we replaced them in February.
It was too dark for him to check under the hood of his truck, so he figured he might as well get more sleep. Around 7:30 am, he went back out, opened the hood and found a huge nest of leaves on top of his engine. A squirrel skittered out. Wires had been chewed and damaged. Hence, the engine would not start.
|Where the nest was situated before Bob removed it
|Nest of leaves and small branches thrown on the ground
|That squirrel was getting ready to have babies!
Next, he called Grande Ford in San Antonio. We would need a tow and the tow truck driver they contract with was currently towing someone in. As soon as the tow truck returned they would have the driver call us, which he did, and arranged to tow Bob's pick up.
Meanwhile, CPS Energy in San Antonio had cherry picker trucks going through the RV park, stopping at their transformers along the way. Bob found out they were removing squirrel nests! (Note: Every so often in the RV park, there's a loud bang and power will go out in part of the park. That sound is usually a squirrel getting zapped by a transformer!)
Around 9:45 a.m., the tow truck arrived to pick up the pick-up. Bob took my car to work.
Peri and I were going to Volksmarch this morning and take my car to the start point. Thankfully, she drove us there. (I should mention they are six sites from us in the RV park.)
We chose to do the Mission San Juan to Mission Espada Volksmarch that Susan, Darren and I had done a few weeks ago. Peri hadn't been on it yet. Susan and Darren chose not to walk this morning as they are in the midst of putting new flooring in one room of their house.
We had a lovely walk that started out in sunshine, but with a chill breeze. We walked the nature trail at Mission San Juan, then headed over the San Antonio River toward Stinson Field airport. We had some trepidation walking past two stray pitbull mixes, so we crossed to the other side of the street where there was a ruin from years ago that used to be part of a small town. The dogs did not come after us.
|Chapel at Mission San Juan
|An old building lies in ruins.
|Another view of the ruins
|San Antonio River...not sure what kind of ducks
|It's getting colder!
|Espada Aqueduct
|Water flowing off the aqueduct
|Beautifully renovated Mission Espada sanctuary
|Peri in front of the unique keyhole door
at Mission Espada Chapel
As we drove north, our sunny day was invaded by a marine layer of clouds moving in from the Gulf of Mexico. Bye, bye sunshine.
Both of us were hungry so we chose Magnolia Pancake House as the place to go for lunch. Our meals were very enjoyable. As we walked out to the car from the restaurant, we noticed a definite drop in temperature.
We were happy to return to our respective 5th wheels, turn the heat up, and hunker down.
Travel Bug out.


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Sven Rudloff
Psychologist. Renewables communicator. Skepticism tourist. PhD researcher on science podcasts. Secular humanist. Host of the German podcast 'Viva Britannia'. Co...
4 wines • 3 followers • 1 following
Sven had this 4 years ago
Nice earthy, but very drinkable. — 5 years ago
Nice Chardonnay, fresh — 5 years ago
Sven had this 5 years ago


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A gut-bursting, embarrassing, laugh-out loud comedy! If you are in the mood for a fun and entertaining film on Blu-ray, definitely check out "Death at a Funeral"!
Images courtesy of © 2010 Screen Gems, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
TITLE: Death at a Funeral
DURATION: 92 Minutes
BLU-RAY DISC INFORMATION: 1080p High Definition (2:40:1), English, French (Double au Quebec) and Portuguest 5.1 DTS-HD MA, Spanish and English (Description Track) 5.1 Dolby Digital
COMPANY: Screen Gems/Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
RATED: R (For Language, Drug Content and Some Sexual Humor)
RELEASE DATE: August 10, 2010
Directed by Neil LaBute
Written by Dean Craig
Executive Producer: Dean Craig, Glenn S. Gainor, Jim Tauber
Producer: William Horberg, Sidney Kimmel, Laurence Malkin, Chris Rock, Share Stallings
Co-Producer: Josh Kesselman, Nicolas Stern
Associate Producer: Trae Ireland
Music by Christophe Beck
Cinematography by Rogier Stoffers
Edited by Tracey Wadmore-Smith
Casting by Victoria Thomas
Production Design by Jon Gary Steele
Art Direction by Chris Cornwell
Set Decoration by Dena Roth
Costume Design by Maya Lieberman
Chris Rock as Aaron
Martin Lawrence as Ryan
Tracy Morgan as Norman
Regina Hall as Michelle
Luke Wilson as Derek
Zoe Saldana as Elaine
Columbus Short as Jeff
Kevin Hart as Brian
James Marsden as Oscar
Danny Glover as Uncle Russell
Keith David as Reverend Davis
Loretta Devine as Cynthia
Peter Dinklage as Frank
Ron Glass as Duncan
Regine Nehy as Martina
Bob Minor as Edward
Death at a Funeral is a hilarious day in the life of an American family come together to put a beloved husband and father to rest. As mourners gather at the family home, shocking revelations, festering resentments, ugly threats, blackmail and a misdirected corpse unleash lethal and riotous mayhem.
A gut-bursting, laugh-out loud comedy. If you are in the mood for a fun and entertaining film, definitely check out "Death at a Funeral"!
In 2007, director Frank Oz and screenwriter Dean Craig were responsible for the critically acclaimed British black comedy film "Death at a Funeral".
In 2009, producer/actor/comedian Chris Rock along with director Neil LaBute ("The Wicker Man", "Nurse Betty", "Lakeview Terrace") and original screenwriter for the British comedy Dean Craig went to work on an American adaptation of the film. And in 2010, the film was released in theaters and made over $48 million in the box office.
The film revolves around the Barnes family, especially on the eldest son Aaron (played by Chris Rock) who must prepare for his father's eulogy. As the family are coming to pay their respects at Aaron's fathers funeral, things do not go exactly as planned and trouble breaks loose at the funeral.
The film features various storylines which include:
Aaron Barnes (played by Chris Rock) and Michelle Barnes (played by Regina Hall) – Michelle really wants a baby and will do all it takes to get pregnant. Even if that means trying to get some sex from Aaron on the day of her father-in-law's funeral. Aaron is a writer who tries to maintain order at the house and was taking care of things and now he must find a way to deal with the challenges that are taking place at the funeral.
Ryan Barnes (played by Martin Lawrence) – Ryan is the younger brother of Aaron and is a successful writer who is known for his work and gets all the attention from everyone. But behind-the-scenes, he is a man that has lot a lot of money and is broke. So, when he makes his return to the funeral and Aaron is expecting Ryan to take care of the funeral costs, Ryan is expecting his older brother to shoulder the financial responsibility. He also has his eyes on a teenager a the funeral.
Cynthia Barnes (played by Loretta Devine) – The family matriarch who is emotional because of her husband's death and the only way she can be happy is if she has a grandchild and repeatedly emphasizes this to her daughter-in-law Michelle.
Elaine Barnes (played by Zoe Saldana), Oscar (played by James Marsden) and Jeff Barnes (played by Columbus Short) – Elaine is a cousin of Aaron and is dating Oscar, a man that her father dislikes. Oscar wants to make a great impression on Elaine's father but is stressed out. So, Elaine gives him some Valium pills that her brother Jeff had in his apartment. But what Elaine doesn't know is that the pill is actually a hallucinogenic concoction he created at pharmacy school and now Oscar will be literally drugged out for the next eight hours. Elaine and her younger brother Jeff try to make sure Oscar doesn't mess things up in front of her father and also makings sure he doesn't mess up the funeral.
Duncan (played by Ron Glass) – The strict father of Elaine and Jeff who is there for his brother's funeral. He does not like Elaine's current boyfriend Oscar and wishes that she be with her ex-boyfriend Derek.
Norman (played by Tracy Morgan) and Derek (played by Luke Wilson) – Norman is the odd family friend who is worried about the splotchiness that has shown up on his hands and arm and is worried he has a major disease. His friend Derek had a past relationship with Elaine Barnes and is showing up to the funeral under the request of Elaine's father in order to get back with her. The two are responsible in making sure Uncle Russell gets to the funeral.
Uncle Russell (played by Danny Glover) – The crotchety uncle who does nothing but talk smack about the family members.
Frank Lovett (played by Peter Dinklage) – A little person who had a secret sexual relationship with Aaron's father. Because Aaron promised to take care of him, now Frank wants $30,000 and is demanding Aaron to pay him or else he will reveal his sexual photos with his father to Aaron's mother.
Reverend Davis (played by Keith David) – The Reverend who is trying to get the funeral started and is growing frustrated as it keeps getting delayed.
"Death at a Funeral" is presented in 1080p High Definition (2:40:1). Another excellent HD release from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. There is a lot of detail in this film, some details…some people may feel it's a bit too detailed (ie. the poop scene). But there is a lot of detail in this Blu-ray release, from the skin pigments on the actors, the detail on the coffin and overall surroundings, the vibrant colors with the reds/browns indoors to the colors outdoors, blacks are nice and deep, there is a good amount of grain that can be seen in the film and I saw no DNR or compression artifacts.
Picture quality is absolutely solid for this release!
"Death at a Funeral" is featured in English, French and Portuguese 5.1 DTS-HD MA and Spanish/English (Audio Description Track) Dolby Digital 5.1. Aside from the music shown at the opening and ending credits, "Death at a Funeral" is a dialogue-driven film that is mostly front and center channel driven. There really wasn't anything that stood out, audio-wise especially for the surround channels. If anything, it's all about the dialogue and the dialogue on the lossless soundtrack is crystal clear. I detected no hiss or any audio problems while watching the film.
Subtitles are presented in English, English SDH, French, Portuguese and Spanish.
"Death at a Funeral" comes with the following special features (in standard and high definition, English stereo and with English, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles):
- movieIQ™+sync and BD-Live connect you to real-time information on the cast, music, trivia and more while watching the movie!
- Commentary with Director Neil LaBute and Chris Rock – Very informative commentary by Director Neil LaBute and producer/actor Chris Rock. LaBute and Rock break down the scene and gives us detail on the making of the film, working with various talent, Michael Jackson references and more.
- Deleted Scenes – (7:13) Featuring eight deleted scenes from the film.
- Gag Reel – (2:37) The outtakes from the film.
- Death at a Funeral: Last Rites, Dark Secrets – (20:11) The cast and the producers talk about remaking the popular British comedy for an American audience. The cast talk about working with other cast members and working with director Nick LaBute.
- Family Album – (10:59) The cast talk about their characters and their relation to other characters in the film.
- Death For Real – (5:55) The cast of the film talk about funerals and death.
Typically, when a popular foreign film receives its adaptation for the US, there are drastic changes. So, bad are the changes, most of the time we ask why these films bother being remade. But with "Death of a Funeral", it's a remake that works and for some, it may prove to be much better than the original.
Aside from the obvious difference of the film spotlighting a Black family in mourning, the film still manages to capture the essence of the original but also making the humor much more accessible for American audiences. For its main storyline, both director LaBute and Chris Rock has said that they kept true to the original without many storyline changes.
With that being said, it's understandable if people are wondering why there was a remake of a perfectly well-done British film for the US. And the answer is that although there are a good number of us who will seek out films from the UK and also from other countries, the majority of Americans will not. I can easily remember the same argument being made when BBC America's "Coupling" and "The Office" was going to receive its US adaptation and many felt these remakes were pointless. And we are seeing it today with fans wondering why there will be an American remake of the show "The Vicar of Dibley". It's understandable why these passionate fans of the British comedies were crying foul of why the US needed to do in their words "another pointless remake". While the American version of "The Coupling" fizzled, the American version of "The Office" evolved into something different from the original British series and became a highly-rated television hit.
So, here we are with a 2010 remake of the popular 2007 film and yes…the original version is a fantastic film but I've gone past the "Why do we need a remake?" phase after seeing what has happened with American adaptations of Japanese and Korean horror or dramatic films. And I've read enough message postings by fans of the original "Death at the Funeral" panning this American version. But keeping an opening mind and watching this film, I can easily say that I found the 2010 version of "Death at a Funeral" to be a film that is capable of gut-bursting, laugh-out loud moments.
I remember reading Roger Ebert's review of the film and saying that he laughed all the way through the film (and he also enjoyed the original) and I have to agree. I came in to this film with low expectations because I enjoyed the original but while watching the film, I couldn't stop laughing and I had the feeling the American humor and the crazy antics that take place in the film would go well with the audience.
The fact is that many of us have experienced funerals and how tense they are. But when things go wrong, it's like a trainwreck that you just can't keep your eyes off of it. In this case, seeing this family having to go through crazy and embarrassing situations from the moment Aaron (Chris Rock) opens the casket to find a deceased Asian man, you can't help but laugh and know that you are in for a wild ride. But as much as I love Chris Rock's comedy, his character was the most subdued as he is the man who must stay in control. It's the other supporting talent around him who shine on screen and this cast did a pretty good job.
From Aaron's wife Michelle wanting to have sex quickly in order to get pregnant an hour or so before the actual funeral, Aaron's brother Ryan trying to be suave and cool despite having problems in his personal life but then you have the extended family with Elaine and her new boyfriend Oscar. Personally, this is one role in which I never expected James Marsden to play (as the accidentally drugged out boyfriend), let alone be naked in front of so many people (according to Marsden, he was gullible and forgot to ask for a closed set and thus, he was nude in front of hundreds of people during the shooting of his nude scene) and you know when you see Oscar show up onscreen, you know that nothing but trouble will be happening. It's one thing to know that you will be getting laughs from Rock, Lawrence and Morgan but I wasn't expecting to laugh so much during Marsden's appearances in the film.
And then there is Tracy Morgan who improvised a lot of his scenes and the things that come out of his mouth is just crazy and hilarious. Yes, he comes up with crazy, yet stupid dialogue but it works with the character quite effectively. Especially the interaction between Morgan's character Norman and the crotchety Uncle Russell, which Danny Glover does a great job playing that role. And the bathroom scene is just a gross but crazy scene that got me laughing and feeling gross about the scene all at once.
And then you have the appearance of Frank (the gay lover of Aaron's father), played by Peter Dinklage who was in the original film. Who is definitely much more hilarious this time around. Overall, you have a solid cast in the 2010 version of "Death at a Funeral". Everyone played their parts exceptionally well and you can't help but laugh!
One thing where Ebert hit it right square on the nail in his review was his comment, "British actors are rightly known for their skill, and there were some good ones in the 2007 version of the same Dean Craig screenplay. But playing proper upper-crust characters tends to restrain them. The family in "Death at Funeral" is obviously wealthy, but loose–more human. Their emotions are closer to the surface, and these actors work together like a stock company."
I happen to agree. With American audiences, people relate to characters like them and in this case, these are not upper-class characters. You have Aaron worrying about the financial situation of paying for the funeral (which many American families have to face) and each of these talents work quite well with each other and as Chris Rock has mentioned in one of the featurettes, it was important for him to hire a director that he could trust for the film and director Nick Labute did a good job in making a film for the American audience. And the fact that you had the original writer for the British film, Dean Craig, involved is a major plus.
As for the Blu-ray release, "Death at a Funeral" has a pretty solid commentary by director LaBute and Chris Rock and also a good number of short featurettes interviewing the cast about their characters and working with each other. Also, this Blu-ray release is consistent with a lot of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment releases of awesome PQ, solid blacks and no video anomalies. This is a solid film featuring wonderful picture quality, the film is not exactly the kind of film you would be hearing major utilization of the surround channels but dialogue is absolutely clear and understandable.
Overall, "Death at a Funeral" is one of those films that you love for its embarrassing and crude humor but also I can understand if fans of the original have a hard time accepting this new film because of how different it is and the feeling that there is no reason for a audiences to watch a remake. But having said I enjoyed the original a lot, having watched "Death at a Funeral" (201o) was such a fun and entertaining experience, I felt that I was laughing out loud throughout the film and that's a good thing.
A gut-bursting, embarrassing, laugh-out loud comedy. If you are in the mood for a fun and entertaining film, definitely check out "Death at a Funeral"!


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proper diet
The Importance Of Fitness
Fitness is a much talked about topic, only to become confusing in some respects because everyone seems to have their own theory, method and program of achieving a state of fitness.
Tip: Do you not have a lot of time for working out? Break up the workout into two separate routines. You don't have to workout for a longer period of time; just split one workout in half.
However things do not have to get too complicated because if a basic understanding of the human body is obtained, it is readily realized that there are certain rules that work and other practices and habits that go against the grain.
Tip: Keep your knees strong by exercising your thighs. Tearing a ligament that is behind the kneecap is a very common injury to athletes.
A major problem in the modern day world of convenience and time sensitive schedules is that of a proper diet. Advertising and promotion of ìquickly preparedî meals have overwhelmed the marketplace to the point of using processed foods of the type and makeup that are not very nutritional at all.
Tip: You need a strong core. If your core is solid, it will make any exercise you do easier.
So, the first point of attainment of better fitness is to establish and maintain a proper diet. Studies have proven that our bodies need a balanced diet of vegetables, fruits, and lean protein along with minimal dairy and other foods. The real problem is that many people receive little in the way of fruits and vegetables at all, and instead eat the majority of their meals that are high in carbohydrates, little protein and high in sugars and starches.
Tip: Treadmills are something many people enjoy but running outside is actually better for you. Running on the pavement is better in the winter than using an indoor treadmill.
It is no wonder that our society is beset with obesity, heart and circulation disease, and cancer. After a period of time the body gets so clogged up and nutritionally starved that is begins to break down. People wonder why, but they were never properly trained and did not learn any better. It is an interesting fact that people who live to an older age, say into their 80ís and 90ís eat a lot of vegetables.
Tip: You can't develop a six pack doing endless crunches. Abdominal exercises will strengthen your muscles, but they won't burn off your belly fat.
Another secret of good health and fitness is exercise. Today most of our children average 7 hours per day in front of a video screen of some kind. The emphasis for children has come full circle from playing baseball, playing outdoors, running, playing on the playground to spending nearly all of their free time being physically inactive.
Tip: No matter what kind of exercise you're doing, wear the right shoes to do it. If you fail to wear the proper shoes for the type of workout you favor, you are in danger of sustaining an injury.
The human body was designed to be exercised. The muscles are ready for action to run, jog, walk and move. The heart and circulatory system operates more efficiently and gets rid of waste that otherwise accumulates and causes problems. If a person fails to exercise, the muscles will lose tone and not be able to operate as effectively. The heart will be reduced in function over time, and the blood vessels will clog and not be able to operate as well.
Tip: When it comes to weightlifting, doing a number of repetitions using lighter weights serves to give you greater muscle mass than doing fewer repetitions using heavier weights. Endurance is a vital aspect of lifting, which you should not overlook.
The average middle aged person can effectively receive enough exercise by simply walking for a half an hour per day. If an individual has a job where walking is required, such as a postal carrier, that personís exercise is largely accounted for. Exercise that is more intense, such as jogging, will certainly provide more benefit if done in moderation. If jogging is practiced in a more intensive manner, it can cause damage to the knee and ankle cartilage.
When broken down to its basics, fitness is just practicing proper diet and exercise habits. Making sensible decisions in what we eat and how we exercise will pay great dividends. A little study and gaining of practical knowledge in these areas will pay off in the reward of a long and enjoyable life on this earth.
Filed under Fitness Plans by on Aug 23rd, 2013. Comment.


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WASHINGTON, April 29 (Reuters) - U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission member Daniel Gallagher on Tuesday waded into a contentious debate at the agency over how it grants certain regulatory waivers to public companies that break the law.
In a statement, the Republican SEC commissioner sharply criticized some language that was quietly added on April 24 to a policy governing how the SEC doles out waivers to companies with criminal convictions or civil fraud liability.
Such waivers permit companies to retain their regulatory status as a "well-known seasoned issuer", or WKSI - a tag that allows companies to raise money immediately through securities offerings without having to wait for SEC approval first.
The updated policy raises the bar for companies with criminal convictions or intentional fraud liability to demonstrate "good cause" for why the SEC should grant them a waiver to retain their WKSI status.
In his statement, Gallagher called this change "troubling" because it takes a "punishment-based" approach that could strip a company of its WKSI status, even if the underlying bad conduct did not affect the company's financial statements.
"Refusing to grant a waiver is not a step that we should take lightly," he wrote.
The SEC's new policy came about in the wake of a internal dispute among the SEC's five commissioners over whether to grant a special WKSI waiver to the Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc .
On Monday, Gallagher's Democratic colleague, Kara Stein, issued a statement lambasting the SEC for giving the bank the waiver, even though one of its units previously pleaded guilty to charges related to manipulation of the Libor benchmark interest rate.
The waiver was approved in a narrow 3-2 vote, with Stein and SEC Democratic Commissioner Luis Aguilar dissenting.
In her public dissent, Stein said she was dismayed that the SEC routinely grants waivers to big banks that are repeat offenders, issuing at least 30 WKSI waivers since 2010.
"I fear that the Commission's action to waive our own automatic disqualification provisions arising from RBS's criminal misconduct may have enshrined a new policy - that some firms are just too big to bar," Stein wrote on Monday.
Gallagher's statement did not specifically cite her dissent, but its content appeared to counter many of her claims.
In it, he questioned the idea of revoking WKSI waivers to punish bad actors, noting that the criminal and civil enforcement process is meant to address the underlying misconduct.
"The question of whether to grant a WKSI waiver is, or at least used to be, a dispassionate analysis, undertaken by the technical experts in the Division of Corporation Finance, separate and apart from the enforcement process," he said.
He also said it raises constitutional due process concerns because automatically revoking a company's WKSI status would not afford them a chance to contest the decision in the agency's administrative court.
"We must have a robust waiver program to appropriately distinguish between cases when disqualification is and is not justified. Disqualification is justified...in circumstances where the issuer's financial reporting cannot be trusted," he added.
The debate over how the agency should review WKSI waivers is starting to spill over onto Capitol Hill.
Already, Massachusetts Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren has weighed in on the matter, saying in a statement that granting automatic WKSI waivers to lawbreakers "sends a dangerous signal."
"Big corporations should not get special treatment when they break the law, and the SEC needs to learn from its past failures in oversight," Warren added.
In addition, SEC Chair Mary Jo White was questioned about the WKSI waiver spat during a hearing before a U.S. House of Representatives panel on Tuesday.
White declined to specifically comment on the RBS decision, but told lawmakers that the SEC applies policies concerning WKSI waivers "faithfully and vigorously."
SEC spokesman John Nester declined to comment specifically on Gallagher's remarks, which were issued after the hearing concluded. (Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; Editing by Ken Wills)


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Demo: http://codecanyon.net/item/fullwidth-audio-player-wordpress-plugin/1321160
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It's all about the weld by David Benjamin "What a newspaper needs in its news, in its headlines, and on its editorial page is terseness, humor, descriptive power, satire, originality, good literary style, clever condensation and accuracy, accuracy, accuracy." — Joseph Pulitzer MADISON, Wis. — For one sweltering summer in Orlando, I was a cub steelworker.…Read more
Brevity is the soul of politics
Brevity is the soul of politics by David Benjamin "Being president is like being a jackass in a hailstorm. There's nothing to do but stand there and take it." — Lyndon Johnson MADISON, Wis. — Herbert Hoover sealed his political fate when he said, "Prosperity is just around the corner." His problem? Verbosity. In politics you…Read more
Booksellers and booksmellers
Booksellers and booksmellers by David Benjamin "I know every book of mine by its scent, and I have but to put my nose between its pages to be reminded of all sorts of things." — George Gissing MADISON, Wis. — I started smelling books — every serious reader does this — at the Tomah Public Library,…Read more
The Whole Shebang
The Whole Shebang by David Benjamin "We bought the URL gofccyourself.com. If you simply go there, it will land you straight on this [FCC public comment] page, where all you have to do is hit 'Express' and 'Comment,' telling [FCC chief] Ajit Pai that you specifically support net neutrality backed by Title II oversight of…Read more
Breaking good, eventually
Breaking good, eventually by David Benjamin "I was sure I was going to get that scholarship. My dad of course was sure I wasn't. When I didn't, he was real understanding, you know. He loves to do that. He loves to be understanding when I fail." — Cyril, in Breaking Away MADISON, Wis.— Movie scenes haunt…Read more


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Peach Soup
Peach Soup
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2 lbs. Jersey peaches
1/4 cup sugar
Grated peel of 1 lemon
1/2 cup white wine
1 cup water Fresh mint
- Blanch peaches in hot water and remove skins.
- Halve and slice.
- Dissolve the sugar in water, boil for a few minutes, then add peaches and lightly poach.
- Let cool, then puree in a blender.
- Add wine and lemon peel and chill well.
- Serve chilled; garnish with sprigs of mint.
Serves 4. This is an official 5 a Day recipe.


text: MOSCOW, February 21 (Fitch) Fitch Ratings has affirmed Smolensk Region's Long-term foreign and local currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDR) at 'B+', Short-term foreign currency IDR at 'B' and National Long-term rating at 'A-(rus)'. The Outlook is Negative. Fitch has also assigned Smolensk's outstanding senior unsecured domestic bonds (ISIN RU000A0JU6N4) of RUB3bn a Long-term local currency rating of 'B+' and a National Long-term rating of 'A-(rus)'. KEY RATING DRIVERS The ratings reflect the region's rapidly rising debt, which increased 39% in 2013 to about RUB20bn. This was equivalent to 73% of its current revenue. The region's deficit widened to an exceptional 24.7% of total revenue in 2013 from 5.2% in 2012. This was due to lower-than-expected tax proceeds and high expenditure linked to infrastructure modernisation ahead of the 1,150th anniversary of the region's capital, the City of Smolensk. Capex postponed from the previous year also contributed to the worsened budget deficit. Fitch expects the region's deficit to narrow to 8.3% of total revenue in 2014 due to capex cuts and higher tax revenues. This would lead to a slowdown of debt growth and Fitch expects the region's direct risk to not exceed 80% of current revenue between 2014 and 2016. Smolensk has low immediate refinancing risk with only 2.6% of total direct risk maturing in 2014. The region's administration improved its debt profile in 2013 by increasing the share of long-term liabilities. The region contracted a RUB7bn loan from the federal budget with a three-year maturity and issued RUB3bn five-year amortising bonds in 4Q13. This has extended the direct debt maturity profile till 2018. However, the region faces significant refinancing in 2015 and 2016, with 87% or RUB17.5bn of direct risk maturing during this period. Fitch does not expect the region to face difficulties in refinancing, although a weak current balance leaves the region dependent on access to capital markets for refinancing and capex funding in the medium term. Fitch expects the region's operating performance to remain weak in 2014-2016, with a positive, but close to zero, operating balance. According to preliminary data the operating balance turned positive at 0.8% of operating revenue in 2013 (negative 1% in 2012), but the current balance remained in deficit. Historically, the region has suffered from weak budgetary performance with a negative operating balance between 2007 and 2012. The region has a weak tax capacity, with federal transfers constituting a significant proportion of total revenue (about 38% in 2012). It receives transfers for operating and investment spending, which are, to a large extent, earmarked for specific purposes. During 2012-2013 current transfers represented on average 25% of current revenue, while capital transfers covered 49% of capex. However, federal transfers provide some stability during recession, making the region less vulnerable to negative external shocks. RATING SENSITIVITIES The region's high direct risk at above 70% of current revenue, accompanied by an inability to maintain a positive operating balance would lead to a downgrade. Contact: Primary Analyst Vladimir Redkin Director +7 495 956 70 62 Fitch Ratings CIS Ltd 26 Valovaya Street Moscow 115054 Secondary Analyst Behruz Ismailov Associate Director +7 495 956 99 80 Committee Chairperson Raffaele Carnevale Senior Director +39 02 87 90 87 203 Media Relations: Julia Belskaya von Tell, Moscow, Tel: +7 495 956 9908, Email: firstname.lastname@example.com; Peter Fitzpatrick, London, Tel: +44 20 3530 1103, Email: email@example.com. Additional information is available on www.fitchratings.com. Applicable criteria, 'Tax-Supported Rating Criteria', dated 14 August 2012, and 'International Local and Regional Governments Rating Criteria', dated 9 April 2013, are available on www.fitchratings.com. Applicable Criteria andALL FITCH CREDIT RATINGS ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS. PLEASE READ THESE LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS BY FOLLOWING THIS LINK: here. IN ADDITION, RATING DEFINITIONS AND THE TERMS OF USE OF SUCH RATINGS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE AGENCY'S PUBLIC WEBSITE 'WWW.FITCHRATINGS.COM'. PUBLISHED RATINGS, CRITERIA AND METHODOLOGIES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THIS SITE AT ALL TIMES. FITCH'S CODE OF CONDUCT, CONFIDENTIALITY, CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, AFFILIATE FIREWALL, COMPLIANCE AND OTHER RELEVANT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE 'CODE OF CONDUCT' SECTION OF THIS SITE. FITCH MAY HAVE PROVIDED ANOTHER PERMISSIBLE SERVICE TO THE RATED ENTITY OR ITS RELATED THIRD PARTIES. DETAILS OF THIS SERVICE FOR RATINGS FOR WHICH THE LEAD ANALYST IS BASED IN AN EU-REGISTERED ENTITY CAN BE FOUND ON THE ENTITY SUMMARY PAGE FOR THIS ISSUER ON THE FITCH WEBSITE.


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Equity for Early Employees in Early Stage Startups
SoCal CTO
I was asked by a reader how much equity he should give out to early employees and to service providers in a very early stage startup. I'll get to service providers in a later post. Founders vs. Early Employees To help with this discussion, let me start with a definition of "early employee."


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Introduction to Reactions and Mechanisms
Add yours
Key Questions
The common things, if we look without considering properties, are the
#sigma#and #pi#bonds. But the number of each, as well as the bond distance and properties are entirely different.
Alkenes utilize
#sp^2#hybridization (five #sigma#bonds and one #pi#bond on and around the #"C"="C"#bond), whereas alkynes utilize #sp#hybridization (three #sigma#bonds and two #pi#bonds on and around the #"C"-="C"#bond).
Uses of alkenes
1.They are used as starting materials in the syntheses of alcohols, plastics, laquers, detergents, and fuels. The most important alkenes for the chemical industry are ethene ,
propene and 1,3-butadiene.
2.They can be used to make ethanol - alcohol - and polymers - plastics - two crucial products in today's world
3.Alkenes can be used to make polymers. Polymers are very large molecules made when many smaller molecules join together, end-to-end. The smaller molecules are called
Uses of Alkynes
1. Acetylene is used in oxy-acetylene torch. When acetylene is burnt in sufficient oxygen we can get the temperature of around 3000oC which can be used to melt and join the metal parts.
2. Chlorinated acetylene is used as solvent. Similarly acetylene is a starting material in the synthesis of polyvinyl chloride and polyacrylo nitrile which are used as polymers.
3. Alkyne carbanions are very good nucleophiles and can be used to attack carbonyl compounds, alkyl halides to give addition product and thus they are important material in the chain expansion of organic compound.
Let's consider a comparison between the two transition states (alkene vs. alkyne) of a typical electrophilic addition reaction. When you do these, one way to catalyze them is with an acid, so let's look at the first few steps of the acid-catalyzed hydration of an alkene vs. an alkyne:
(form of the transition state from Organic Chemistry, Paula Yurkanis Bruice)
You can see that for the transition state of the alkyne, the hydrogen is not entirely bonded; it is "complexing" with the double bond, forming a
#\mathbfpi#complex; "idle", until something breaks the interaction (the nucleophilic attack of the water) to get the molecule out of its unstable state.
The complex is shaped like a cyclopropane analog, which is highly strained. Also, the high electron density in the double bond makes for some immensely disruptive repulsions that destabilize the transition state.
This combination of a highly-strained ring structure and high electron density in the intermediate (transition state) makes alkynes less reactive than alkenes in electrophilic addition reactions. Pictorially, the energy of the transition state is higher on the reaction coordinate diagram.
Videos on topic View all (2)
Alkene and Alkyne Addition Reactions
1Carbocation & Markovnikov's Rule
4Acid Catalyzed Hydration
5Acid Catalyzed Hydro-alkoxy Addition
6Hydration via Hydroboration-Oxidation
8Osmylation-OsO4 (Osmium Tetroxide)
11Introduction to Reactions and Mechanisms


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Creek Potter
|Muscogee Creek pottery by registered Muscogee Creek artist Scott Roberts. Authentic Native American pottery in the style of the ancient Muscogee tribes of the Late Woodland and Missippian period 600 A.D. - 1650 A.D.
Keepers of the Sacred Tradition of Pipemakers
|formed in 1996 to protect the Pipestone Quarries in Pipestone Minnesota for all Tribal People. dedicated to protecting the Great Pipestone Quarries for all tribal people which covers: Pipestone Pipes, Native American, Pipes, Indian, Dakota, Sioux, Pipestone, Educational program, Native American organization
Native Languages of the Americas
|This site is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of american indian languages.
|Contemporary fine art gallery with locations in the SoHo and Chelsea art districts of New York City. Art consulting services to private and corporate collectors. Exhibiting painting, drawing, sculpture, photography and mixed medias. Artist portfolios are reviewed. Has been sponsoring the SoHo - Chelsea International Art Competition since 1984.
|Wide variety of original fine art for sale. Personalized art consulting services. Mediums include; paintings, sculpture, photography, drawings, mixed media and more. Under the management of Agora Gallery. Established in 1984.
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The Golden Dragonfly
|The Golden Dragonfly specializes in hand made Native American jewelry and art designed by american indians. Celtic artwork, handcrafted original costuming, and wiccan ritual items.


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The dead were mostly migrant workers renting cheap accommodation
read more
BANGKOK (AP) — A six-story building under construction on the outskirts of Thailand's capital collapsed Monday, killing three workers and trapping at least seven others underneath the rubble, police said.
NAIROBI (Reuters) - Rescue workers searched on Saturday for more residents feared trapped in the rubble of a six-story building that collapsed in Nairobi after days of heavy rain, killing at least seven people.
The little girl who survived a building collapse in China in her dead father's arms is a "left-behind" child who had just arrived for a reunion with her migrant worker parents, state media reported Wednesday. China has hundreds of m...
At least six workers were killed when a shoe factory collapsed in eastern China Saturday, according to Chinese state media.
Construction on a Fort Greene townhouse left one worker dead and at least one other critically injured this morning when part of the building collapsed onto the men, the Times reports. According to NBC New York, the workers fell abo...


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Flight over Perth
Perth Travel Blog› entry 1 of 1 › view all entries
November 3rd, 2006 – by: Horus380
The company we went flying with is called Jandakot Helicopters which by coincidence is the same company I had a chopper flight with way out in the bush a few years earlier. We got to the airport and then at Jandakot Helicopters we met the pilot and talked about the Robinson R44 and what we would be flying over.
The brilliant thing about the choppers is that once take off clearance is given the chopper can just go straight up and fly into the direction away from the airport that they want. I have obviously flown myself many times in a fixed wing aircraft and the process is a lot more involved as you need taxi clearance, permission to cross the runways and then you can only take off in a certain direction. Also with the aircraft you need to join a circuit around the airport before heading off in the direction that you want to go, so i was very happy about the way the chopper can go about its business.
We headed straight towards the Swan river and followed it all the way to Perth, we got to fly low over many houses and had an excellent view of the suburbs around the river and Perth. When we got close to Perth I got to see how big Kings Park really is, i mean i always knew it was big but from the air it just looks like a large forest. The best thing about the Robinson R44 is that with the ear muffs on it was quiet and because all i had in front of me was glass (no panels) it felt like i was just sitting on top of the world looking down. The first thing i noticed when we got closer to the CBD is that horrible new convention center that looks like a large shed, i think it is a hideous building and can't believe that ever got approved.
We went around to the right hand side of the CBD and flew over the bell tower on the foreshore and then flew right around the tall towers of Perth.
I would recommend this flight for anyone wanting a different view of a very spread out city and its surroundings, the flight covered a 60km area and went for about 30 minutes.
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Leta Cordes now officially a cold casePOSTED: 02/27/11 9:08 PM
Chief Prosecutor Mos takes on role of press officer
St. Maarten – Come March 9, chief Prosecutor Hans Mos will take over the role of press officer from Rienk Mud who will return to the Netherlands. Before Mos arrived in St. Maarten, his predecessor and Chief Prosecutor Taco Stein took care of all press contacts. Mos asked Mud to take over, "and to do it at least for a certain time." That decision turned into a permanent solution, but now that Mud is leaving, Mos will take over.
The prosecutors used the meeting with the press yesterday to highlight their work methods and the conditions under which they have to do their job.
"Last year the plan of approach for the prosecutor's office was approved. At the time we had eight people working here, and we are still with eight staff members," Mos said. The organization will have to grow to its full strength of 19 staff, and follow the projected growth of the police force to 375 personnel. Currently, the police are operating at 55 personnel under its minimum strength.
Under these conditions, Mos and Mud said, "We simply cannot act on all demands." By the end of this year, the prosecutor's office is projected to have 13 or 14 employees on its payroll.
"It is hard to get people," Mos said, indicating that, though his personnel are certainly not underpaid, pay in the private sector is better. The Dutch are still helping out, also with transferring know-how to local employees. If you look at our office now, it is mainly white, but when you look outside that is not the predominant color. In that sense, our office ought to become a mirror of the society we serve."
Apart from staffing issues pending legislation is a main issue for the prosecutor's office. The new penal code is awaiting approval by the parliament. Included in the new code is a section about juvenile justice and a section about special investigating methods.
"We have cross border crime that involves drugs and criminal organizations. We need legislation that enables us to fight that," Mud said.
The work pressure at the prosecutor's office is high "Last year we had fourteen dead people, including the hit and run in Oyster Pond," Mos said. "We solved five or six of those cases. The last killing on the island was on October 16th."
In spite of their best efforts, not all murder cases are solved. The David Eustace murder for instance, remains open until this day, as does the Eric Yuan Sam's killing that took place on December 30th, 2009.
The Leta Cordes case is now officially a cold case. "It is not solved. We have put maximum effort into it, but now it goes on the shelf," Mos said. "If there is new information, we will reopen the investigation."
Cordes disappeared in January 2008 from her home in Dawn Beach. Initially police treated it as a missing persons case, but later it became a murder investigation. Leta's husband Frank has been detained for the murder in 2009 for quite some time, but in the end he was released for lack of conclusive evidence.
The chief prosecutor said that the expansion of the forensics department at the police station is helping boost solution-percentages. "The department is building a fingerprint database, and we are now able to solve cases based on fingerprints," he said. What also helps is that police officers and prosecutors get trained in crime scene management.
Due to the limited manpower, the prosecutor's office has to choose its priorities. Murders, manslaughter-cases and armed robberies are at the top of the list. Mos said that integrity-investigations (like the vote-selling case and the Maria Buncamper-Molanus scandal), have the full attention of his office.
"But to do these investigations we need the special investigations unit, the landsrecherche. In the past St. Maarten got from the Netherlands Antilles capacity for half a full time investigator for those cases. Now we have our own unit with Ademar Doran at the head and three investigators, so that eight times as much capacity as we had in the past."
To bring the landsrecherche up to its full operational strength, Doran needs to draw on officers that work in the police force. "And the police is working at 55 personnel below its minimum strength," Mos said. According to Chief Commissioner De Witte some officers are working double shifts to get the work done."
The chief prosecutor confirmed that his office needs the approval of attorney general Dick Piar to activate the landsrecherche. "We have approval to investigate the vote-selling case, but we are now waiting for investigative capacity," he said. "There is no approval yet for the Buncamper-Molanus case, because we are still working on the preliminary investigation. We are researching the facts."
Comments (1)
Maximum effort my ass. Still protecting Vanderslooten….


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Uncle Rutherford's Nieces
first edition
by MATHEWS, Joanna H.
PA: McKay, 1888. Very Good. First edition. Very good minus-/Hardcover no dustwrapper Very light browning to pages, hinge cracked. Cover rubbed with light staining, some wear. Please Note: This book has been transferred to Between the Covers from another database and might not be described to our usual standards. Please inquire for more detailed condition information. (Inventory #: 239768)


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Image Number: PLW920937.jpg
Caption: Oldland Windmill is an 18th century post-mill built in 1703 situated to the east of Keymer below the South Downs. The windmill has been restored to full working order.
Location: Keymer West Sussex England
Credit: LOOP IMAGES/Peter Lewis
Model Release: No
Property Release: No
File size: 2.2MB
Other file sizes and formats available.
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Part of the drink-fueled Mercury Movie Megathon, Breakin 2 is a breakin' movie with a message. See Destination Fun pg 15
* Charlotte Sometimes
A psychological romance that isn't delivered in a neat package. A lonely auto-mechanic, Michael, rents an apartment in his inherited house to a pretty actress, Lori. Even though she's screwing another guy, she consistently turns to Michael for companionship. When he meets another woman out at the bar, shit gets all fucked up. (Katie Shimer)
* The China Syndrome
Part of the Bush-Blair Boycott Dog Days of Summer Film Fest, Jane Fonda, Michael Douglas, and Jack Lemmon star in this film about a fictional nuclear incident.
Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star
If Saturday Night Live has taught us anything, it's that there's a fine line between "comedy" and "beating a dead horse into the ground, picking its pulp-like carcass back up, and finely filleting the remains." Wait, did I say fine line? I meant GAPING CANYON. Deeply grating SNL alum David Spade explores this expanse with his latest--a fairly self-explanatory one note, sustained for an hour and a half.
Dirty Pretty Things
An African illegal immigrant works as a cab driver by day and a hotel desk clerk by night, despite his training as a doctor. When he does sleep, it's on the couch of a Turkish illegal immigrant (Tautou from Amelie). He soon discovers an illicit kidney-selling scheme that is praying on fellow immigrants. Frears' London is engaging in that it is a place where corruption is taken for granted, but unfortunately the plot resolves itself mechanically. Tautou, however, remains feisty and adorable throughout. (Andy Spletzer)
* The Good, The Bad & The Ugly See review this issue
I Capture the Castle
Taking back the English period piece from those Merchant-Ivory hacks, this is one girl's coming-of-age film that anyone can enjoy. Two sisters live with their family in a remote castle, and their romantic prospects are severely limited until two American brothers inherit the land they are living on. The star of the movie is good, old-fashioned repression, and it is refreshing to see the more traditional happy ending replaced by unresolved longing. (Andy Spletzer)
Jeepers Creepers 2
The story for Jeepers Creepers 2 goes like this: a high school basketball team on the way home from a big game gets attacked by the monster. Chaos ensues. Director Victor Salva sticks at least 30 kids into team bus, and develops none of them. Some talk is made about how the monster is "choosing people," as if this little factoid might come into play at some point. It doesn't. There are no characters to connect with and no story to follow. There is an utterly un-scary monster killing people on a bus. (Justin Sanders)
Le Divorce
This movie wants Naomi Watts' divorce to change her and her sister's lives forever. It wants Kate Hudson to sleep with everyone under the sun, but then fall in love with an ultra-sleazy, twice-her-age, politician and have her heart broken when he (surprise!) ditches her for a new waify 20-something. It wants to show endless, agonizing amounts of footage of rich, white people eating fancy food and talking about how much money they're going to make off their rare painting. It wants to be a... suspense thriller with a Hitchcockian ending atop the Eiffel Tower!!? It wants to be a lot of things, but what it ends up being is the dullest, most muddled big-budget star vehicle you'll see all year. It does, however, manage to bestow Hudson with the single worst haircut ever, which is entertaining. (Justin Sanders)
The Magdalene Sisters
Serious as a heart attack, this unabashedly enraged lapel-grabber focuses on a trio of young women unjustly confined to an Irish convent/slave labor camp. Director Peter Mullan gives absolutely no quarter, placing shivery moments of genuine power and beauty within long stretches of cranked-to-11, Legion of Doom villainy. Provocative to a fault, helplessly moving, and a definite conversation piece for those with the fortitude to ride it out. Based on true events, and condemned by the Vatican. (Andrew Wright)
* Northfork
In 1955, the small heartland of Northfork is about to disappear, a casualty of a newly constructed hydroelectric dam. In an attempt to move every resident out, an evacuation committee has been assembled. These men make their way through the eerie and near-empty area, trying to coax the few remaining holdouts from their land. Northfork moves at a deliberate pace, holding your attention by only offering explanations when they are absolutely needed. From the opening shot, of a dark lake that is curiously sprouting coffins from beneath its surface, the Polish Brothers have crafted a film that is gorgeous, confusing, and occasionally sad. A film that does what all the best films do: inspire argument. (Bradley Steinbacher)
Open Range
The new Kevin Costner picture is not long enough. Am I high? That depends on just when you're reading this, but as I write this review the answer is no--Kevin Costner's new Western, Open Range, is indeed not long enough. Still, this doesn't mean that the picture is a good one (it's not)--just that one notices while watching it that Costner, after the three-hour debacle that was The Postman, is a little gun-shy when it comes to opus length this time around. Hence Open Range's 110-minute span--a span that is certainly reasonable, but here, given what Costner wishes to show us, comes up rather meager. Part standard Western, part attempted romantic epic, Open Range starts patiently and solidly, but ends up rushing through its climax; the romance, such as it is, takes it in the teeth, and what was meant to be big and important is instead messy and clumsy. Which is too bad, because it has one of the best shootouts in years. (Bradley Steinbacher)
The Order
The Vatican and ritualistic murder. You know, the usual.
* The Rapture See review this issue.
* The Secret Lives of Dentists
The laughing gas gets turned way up when a dentist (Scott) suspects his wife of having an affair and his maniacally misogynist patient (Leary) encourages him to drill down to the root of the problem. Based on Jane Smiley's novella The Age of Grief.
* Step into Liquid
Step into Liquid is directed by Dana Brown, the son of Bruce Brown, who's best known for The Endless Summer. Liquid is a sequel of sorts, focusing on a myriad of obsessive wave-riders and what makes them tick. Brown features a charismatic cast of daredevils and oddballs; though big wave rider Laird Hamilton exhibits steely-eyed nerve while navigating monster-sized swells, Liquid isn't just about tanned surfer gods. There's also an older group of fun-seekers tackling the two-foot waves of Lake Michigan, and a Texas trio who surf the wakes of oil tankers. However, cinematography makes or breaks a surf flick, and Liquid certainly delivers. Shot from inside, overhead, and underneath the waves, viewers get a visceral sense of their thundering power. (Wm. Steven Humphrey)
* Stone Reader
Throughout his wonderful documentary, Stone Reader, filmmaker Mark Moskowitz's camera lingers lovingly over shelves and stacks of books. He carries boxes of books with him everywhere he goes, touching them, flipping through them, and moving them back and forth like a child with his favorite set of Tinker Toys. He is obsessed with books; so much so that when he becomes enamoured with a long out-of-print, tome-like novel called The Stones of Summer, he embarks on a two-year search for its creator, Dow Mossman, who seems to have literally disappeared in the 30 years since its publication. It's a fascinating premise for a documentary, and it pays off probably beyond even Moskowitz's expectations. Mossman turns out to be excruciatingly difficult to track down, and Moskowitz gets to play private investigator, interviewing nearly everyone he can think of who had even a remote chance of coming into contact with the reclusive novelist. (Justin Sanders)
Thirteen See review this issue.
The Trip
In attempting to essentially bottle the entire early gay rights struggle into a single relationship, director Swain both succeeds and fails. The Trip feels authentic, for the most part, even if its characters often reek of glaring fabrication. At least most "types" are avoided, which certainly places it above most queer films. (Bradley Steinbacher)
Under the Skin of the City
A family of four teenage to adult children, a disabled father, and a mother who works in a factory struggle to get ahead socially and economically in contmeporary Tehran, Iran.
* Where Are You?
A smattering of audio video at Pacific Switchboard. See movies, animation, and performance by the likes of Alicia Love McDaid, Amos Lattieir, Charles Salas Humara, Kaetlin Kennedy, Angela Campbell, Tanya Smith, Jeff Gardner, and Zak Margolis. Music by Mathematics.


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Eggnog has been around since at least Elizabethan times, and American colonists continued the tradition thanks to the availability of dairy products and easy access to rum and whiskey. No one knows the exact origins of the word nog. Some historians speculate that it comes from the word noggin, meaning a small wood mug. Others say nog refers to a strong variety of beer, which was used in Old World versions of the beverage. Regardless of the history, eggnog today includes these basic ingredients: milk and/or cream, eggs, sugar, nutmeg, and often a liqueur such as brandy or rum.
Just as there is a dramatic taste difference between homemade ice cream and the purchased variety, there is a difference between homemade eggnog and the stuff sold in cartons. A batch of eggnog takes about 15 minutes to make; it can be prepared a day ahead and chilled. Follow this classic recipe to get you started, or try the lower-fat or alcohol-free versions. One recipe makes seven (4-ounce) glasses of eggnog and is easy to double for entertaining. You can also use eggnog to flavor other foods.
1. How to Make Classic Eggnog
Eggnog is basically a thin custard sauce thickened with egg yolks.
- In a large heavy saucepan stir together 4 beaten egg yolks, 2 cups milk, and 1/3 cup sugar. Cook and stir over medium heat until milk mixture just coats the back of a metal spoon. To test this, dip the metal spoon in the egg mixture and swipe your finger across the back. Your finger will leave a mark when the mixture is done (see photo above). Do not let the egg mixture boil. Remove the pan from the heat.
Tip: If the egg mixture gets too hot or boils during cooking, the eggs can scramble or curdle. If this happens, pour it through a fine-mesh sieve and continue as directed.
- Place the pan in a sink or bowl of ice water, and use a wooden spoon to stir for 2 minutes. Stir in 1 cup whipping cream, 2 tablespoons light rum, 2 tablespoons bourbon, and 1 teaspoon vanilla.
- Cover and chill for 4 to 24 hours. Serve in small glasses. Top with freshly grated or ground nutmeg.
Lower-Fat Eggnog: Prepare as directed above, except omit whipping cream and use 3 cups milk. You can use a lower-fat milk, if desired. Another way to cut the fat is to substitute evaporated skim milk for the whipping cream.
Alcohol-Free Eggnog: Prepare as directed above, except omit the rum and bourbon and increase the milk to 2-1/3 cups.


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A Michigan state trooper stopped 87-year-old Leo Sharp for improper lane usage earlier this week. It seemed to be a routine traffic stop, but when the trooper asked to search the Sharp's vehicle, he refused. Something about Sharp must have seemed suspicious, because the trooper radioed for a drug-sniffing dog. Nothing could have prepared the trooper for what he would find in this elderly grandfather's trunk: 104 bricks of cocaine worth nearly $3 million. Sharp was arrested and is now facing life imprisonment. Worse still, with the cocaine confiscated, Sharp will have to think of whole new list of Christmas gifts for the grandkids.
Meanwhile, isn't it a little hypocritical for the police to employ drug-sniffing dogs? What's next, drug-injecting squirrels? Just sayin'.
Source: Man, 87, Arrested in Michigan with 104 Bricks of Cocaine in Vehicle (WJBK FOX 2, Detroit)


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Eight people arraigned for stealing Pastor's chickens
A 40-year-old woman, Mrs. Regina Philip, and seven others were on Tuesday arraigned before a magistrate's court sitting in Osogbo, Osun State, for allegedly stealing 1,600 chickens, belonging to Pastor Mrs. Titilayo Aluko and valued at N1.5 million.
Other suspects arraigned by the police are: Odebiyi Yinka, Ayoola Samson, Grace Odeh, Elizabeth Ankira, Cecelia Ochili, Hannah Ankira and Oyelami Tajudeen.
The charge read in part, "That you Odebiyi Yinka, and others at large on or before July 5, 2016, at Erin-Osun in the Osogbo Magisterial District did conspire among yourselves to commit felony, to wit: stealing, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol. II, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2003."
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Magistrate, Olusola Aluko, ordered that they be remanded in custody and adjourned the case till November 25, 2016.