text:
Title: Heart of Gold
Characters: Luna Lovegood and Rolf Scamander.
Notes: This is how I believe Luna and Rolf met after the ending of Deathly Hallows. Also, Quebec is in Canada. Where I don't live. Just so you know. This has now been appropriately edited - 'bout time, right? - with lines and everything. It's all very exciting. I hope you enjoy!
"And she sings, I want to know what love is, but it seems to come with so much pain. No one wants to show me; it seems easier to just run away. When I am gone, it's just a penny for my soul.
But God, he know, I got a heart of gold." - James Blunt, Heart of Gold.
He meets her on a train to Quebec, of all places.
He's travelling from Halifax, and he helped her carry her odd and extravagant bag onto the train. She sits opposite him now. He's not sure if she's a Muggle or a witch, Canadian or English, but she's pretty.
Some people, like Rolf, look plain and unassuming, and never have great expectations made of them at first glance.
People like the woman on the train; they give out brilliance and beauty and maybe even a sense of insanity.
But as his grandfather once said, "Some people are just unhinged, aren't they? For no apparent reason. Just as some are kind, and some are cruel, and some are perfect beyond belief. Maybe insanity, like these, is just a state of mind. But it's one which I have yet to venture."
He wonders what she is.
She's smiling, laughing even, to herself as she stares down at a letter in her hand. She catches his eye and winks at him, swinging her legs back and forth. There's a pair of reading glasses sitting unexplained on her head, and her long blonde hair is tied into two styled buns at the sides. He thinks she's beautiful.
"Luna Lovegood," she tells him, holding out her hand. "I don't suppose that anyone's told you that you look an awful lot like your grandfather."
He shakes the offered fingers rather dumbly, before blinking at the woman in front of him. She's not a Muggle then, and has an English accent, and obviously knows who he is.
It's oddly comforting on the rather empty train.
"Not particularly," he replies honestly. "Actually, they tell me I look nothing of the sort." She only laughs at this, her voice dreamy and distant. She puts down her letter, and puts on her reading glasses to study him.
"Oh, not on the outside, no. But your eyes are the same; there's that same spark for adventure." Luna tilts her head to the side, and watches him even more intently.
"Oh?" He replies, his voice catching slightly.
"There are a lot of things you can only see if you look hard enough," she says mysteriously. "I don't suppose you have a Miggler net in that bag of yours, do you? Mine's a bit tatty."
He finds that she's travelling to Quebec studying wild and exotic animals... or at least, proving their existence to the lesser public. He knows of her, of course; her father runs the Quibbler, and she's a wizarding naturalist.
Of course he knows of her; but he finds he knows little about the real Luna Lovegood.
"I went to school with Harry Potter, you know," and he expects some story about how he asked for her hand in marriage or something, and she nobly turned it down because her best friend was in love with him, but it doesn't come. He should know better.
"I went to a Slug Club party with him and he helped me find my shoes."
There's never a dull moment with Luna.
"Is that so, Miss Lovegood?" He asks her formally, and she laughs. She fiddles with the radish earrings that hang from her ears.
"You know, I don't think anybody's ever called me that by choice," she muses. "The teachers rarely called on me, and if they did, it always sounded rather exasperated. I think I quite like how you say it, Mr Scamander."
He smiles at her and she smiles dreamily back.
"My grandfather is... a great man. He's difficult, insulting and maybe a little past his time, but a great man."
"I'm afraid that that's true to a lot of people," she replies, looking down at her hands, crossed delicately on her silvery robes. "Heroes never do seem the type to be worshipped, do they?"
"No," he answers, looking at her curiously, wondering just how many heroes she knows. It seems infinite, like a lot of other things about her. "No, I don't suppose they do. But I don't know a lot of heroes personally. Only two, really."
"Oh?" She asks, her wide, unblinking eyes trained on him. They're a little unnerving in the closeness of the carriage.
"Yeah; my grandfather, and you."
"I'm not a hero," she tells him with a wave of her pale hand. "Simply a little bit heroic." He laughs, but her face is almost grave, rivalling her light tone.
"In some ways, aren't we all?" He answers, and this time, she does smile.
"I think I forgot to ask, Rolf," she starts airily, and he marvels at how delicate and beautiful his name sounds on her lips. "Why are you in Quebec?"
"This and that," he tells her. For you. I would go to Ghana and the North Pole and the middle of Atlantis if it meant following you. "My father, mostly, thinks it'll be good work experience. He wants me to be a magizooligist."
"What do you want to do?"
"I've never really thought about it," he replies, thinking. "But I suppose it's a good enough place to start."
"When I was little," Luna says, crossing her legs elegantly. "I used to watch the family in the distance from my bedroom window. The Weasleys. They're so kind." She stares off into space. "Quite a few Nargles around there though," and she giggles.
"Why did you only watch?" He asks, contemplating her. Luna doesn't seem the type to care what others think.
"Some people aren't quite ready for me, I think," Luna tells him, raising a clear, blonde eyebrow. "Ron is still a bit... unnerved. But when we went to Hogwarts, Ginny was my friend. I still watched from a distance, because she was Ginny. Growing up the one girl with six brothers and being special for something she has no control over... that toughened her up, so to speak. She could always handle me, I suppose. Like Harry. But the others weren't quite there yet."
Rolf thinks that it's a very sad thing to know that some people can take to you the wrong way simply because you're yourself.
"Don't you mind?"
"Not really; people are simply using their brains. The majority of people live by their brains and their eyes, whereas others live by their hearts and ears. I'm the latter, you see, and the world needs the former more than me. But to let the heart rule over the brain is to let a Gryffindor, however noble, rule over a Slytherin.
"The mind is a brilliant thing," she tells him, seemingly going off track. But she continues, "Brilliant, but cold. It does not have feelings; much like a Blibbering Humdinger, I suspect. So no, I don't mind."
"When I was young, my grandfather used to read me his book. I grew up on Magical Beasts and Where To Find Them."
"Oh, so did I!" Luna says, and he gives her an odd look. "Not the same way as you, I expect. My father used to read it to me and we'd fill in the gaps, you see. I think that there should be a XXXXXX rating, don't you? For Heliopaths and Umgubular Slashkilters and the like."
"I thought the same." He smiles at her. "Maybe sub-categories as well, for their areas and how common the beasts are to find, maybe how dangerous to the public they are - I mean, as terrible as a Hungarian Horntail is, what percentage of the population has actually seen one?"
"Oh, I'm so glad you agree! We'll make a magizooligist of you yet! What about your grandfather?"
"I think he agrees with the rating. But maybe not about the Heliopaths. I can't say that my grandfather is your father's biggest fan."
"Oh, I don't suspect he's anyone's," Luna tells him. "He has ideas that can look supercilious and controversial. As do I, although I'm not as blinkered as I once was. I've sadly accepted the fact that the Crumple-Horned Snorkack most likely does not exist in the Northern Hemisphere, and I can't expand my search just yet, despite my dad's insistence.
"I want to prove what I can do for the Wizarding World, and I need to start somewhere."
"So, you chose Quebec, of all places?"
"I haven't been there yet."
"We've been on the train five hours, now," Luna comments. "The dark's rolling in."
"That's an odd phrase," he replies, looking out of the window at the dark grassy hillsides moving past the window and out of sight.
The woman looks back at him, and there's a hint of a smile playing on the side of her mouth.
"My mother used to say it. She was an extraordinary witch, and an excellent singer. When she worked, she used to create songs with me, little phrases and tunes to keep us from boredom. The stars are coming out, and the dark is rolling in. Sound the sirens, light the flare; the dark is rolling in..."
"I can't say that my family care for music," Rolf says, turning back to the blonde haired witch. "Or art, for that matter."
"I adore art," Luna says wistfully. "In my old bedroom, in my childhood house, I painted a picture on the ceiling, of my friends. I spent a long while on that, I seem to remember, but never did get the chance to enchant it."
"Why not?"
"Death Eaters," she replies simply. She doesn't expand on her answer, and Rolf doesn't ask her to.
"You have very beautiful eyes," he tells her in a moment of madness. Maybe her spontaneousness is rubbing off on him after six hours with the extraordinary Luna Lovegood.
And they are beautiful. They're a clear grey-blue, so light that, at some angles, they appear simply silver. Her eyelashes are long and there are shadows underneath them and lines at the corners. They are wise eyes.
"Thank you," she replies to him airily, folding the letter in her hand into a little origami phoenix. She picks it up, and studies it, before checking the carriage. It is empty apart from one sleeping Muggle man at the back, turned away from them.
She takes out her wand.
"We learnt to do things like this in our revised sixthy year," she comments, muttering an incantation and turning the phoenix gold.
Performing a few more intricate charms, she raises her origami phoenix up to him, where it sits on the palm of her hand.
Suddenly, it flies into the sky, beats its wings, and promptly bursts into glittering, shimmering flames.
"Oh dear," Luna says dejectedly. "That wasn't meant to happen."
"So why were you in Halifax?" Rolf asks, after three more failed attempts with the little paper phoenixes. One lasted long enough to start singing, before hitting a high note and exploding.
They both eventually gave up on them, and Luna had handed Rolf a special edition Quibbler to keep him entertained.
"I used to come here with my parents, when I was little. My mum's daddy came from Halifax, so she used to visit here when she was a little girl too."
"How long has it been since you were there last?" He persists absent-mindedly flipping carelessly through the edition of the Quibbler Luna had leant to him earlier. At her continued silence, he looks up and sees her staring out of her window.
"The Death Eaters," she says, and he expects her to just leave it there, his only explanation. Again, however, she surprises him by keeping going. "They hunted down, burnt down and destroyed the town my grandparents used to live in about ten years ago. I didn't see the point in coming anymore."
"I'm very sorry to hear that," he says softly.
He asks her about her silver robes. They're unconventional, and look quite cold in the harsh weather of Canada's winter. She merely shrugs.
"It's supposed to interact with the moon's cycle," she says, and motions to the black streak down only one side. "It's almost a full moon, so it's mostly silver at the moment. And don't worry; it has warming charms cast on it and whatnot."
"That's... very clever."
"Thank you," Luna replies, giving him a glowing smile, shimmering more than her robes. "It's from my name. Luna means moon in Latin, did you know?"
"Isn't that where lunacy derives from?" He's relieved when she laughs.
"It is. I had a friend once, named after the two twins of Rome, Romulus and Remus. He was a werewolf. It was all horribly fitting, don't you think? His second name was Lupin, as well. Lupus is wolf, in Latin."
Rolf bows his head.
"All these Latin wizarding names are so hard to keep up with, even if they sound quite pretty. Although, I once knew a boy whose name meant dragon. How horrid," she remarks, fiddling with one of her earrings.
There is silence in the carriage.
"Happy seventh hour!" Luna suddenly exclaims, not even checking her watch. Rolf smiles down at her.
She looks down, an odd expression on her face. "We used to say that, you know. Witching hour, we called it, but it was really just 7 o'clock in the evening. That was when the Carrows lost their power over us; we could plan for Dumbledore's Army in our Houses and our dorms. They never realised that instead of communicating and planning times, it was just one that we all knew. Simple, really."
"I've heard of Dumbledore's Army," Rolf says. "You fought at the Department of Mysteries, didn't you? When You-Know-Who came back?"
"There were only six of us there. Harry, Hermione, Ron, Neville, Ginny and I," Luna tells him, unashamed. "And you can call him Voldemort, you know."
He flinches, and she laughs, rolling her eyes. "Fear of the name only increases fear of the thing itself, to quote a great man."
"Me?" Rolf quips. She laughs with him. "Did you fight in the Battle of Hogwarts?"
"Yes," she tells him. "I did. Poor Neville... Ginny and I basically left him to it, to run the DA those last few weeks. Ginny went home over spring, and I was taken at Christmas." She sighs. "We all fought very hard in that war. I don't suppose you were old enough, were you?"
"My mum and dad joined in," Rolf answers, somewhat ashamed. "We lived in Hogsmeade, you see. I was only eleven."
Rolf finds that neither of them can sit in silence for very long. They spend the next four hours basically telling each other their life stories, all the funny moments and heartbreaking events, and the war that seemed to consume most of their time.
Right now, they're playing a word game. It seems pretty pointless, but it sparks some interesting conversations.
"Christmas," Luna offers, and he smiles.
"Mistletoe," he counters, and Luna laughs, blushing.
"Nargles," she replies, and she laughs harder at his odd look. "They infest mistletoe plants; always be wary that their nests don't fall on you." Their game stops soon after, because they are laughing too hard to properly form a response.
"I think it's snowing outside," Luna says, looking out of the black window.
"How can you tell?" Rolf asks, looking out of the window also. He can't see anything out of it, just the slightly shimmering reflection of himself in the surface of the window.
"The shadows are moving," she tells him, pointing to the glass. "You can tell it's soft, not like rain. We would be able to hear rain." Her fingers trace obscure patterns on the window as her breath fogs the surface.
"It's Christmas Eve now," he says offhandedly, looking at the date atop of the Quibbler issue. She looks at the odd, decorated watch on her right wrist.
"Merry Christmas Eve, then, Rolf," she says, smiling. "To see the dark rolling in, you've got to close your eyes. Don't underestimate the power of lies, as the dark comes rolling in."
"Don't you have a brother?" Luna asks him suddenly, at two o'clock in the morning. They're both still wide awake, willed on by each other's presence.
"I did," he says. "He died, fighting with my parents when the Death Eaters attacked Hogsmeade, then Hogwarts." She doesn't say, I'm sorry, or, I'm sure he's okay.
She only nods, and turns back to the window.
"Loss is a fickle thing," she tells him. "It only takes one moment, one slip up to lose someone... but I always find that there are banana skins all over this floor."
"Banana skins," he repeats, gazing at the woman six years older than him, with a halo of gold for hair and silvery pools of light for eyes. "Yes, I suppose there are. We just have to be very careful where we tread," Rolf says philosophically, but Luna shakes her head.
"Taking risks, fighting when you can run away, making snap decisions, diving into the deep end when you know you can't swim; that's living. And what's the point of saving a life if it's not being lived?"
He says nothing, but she doesn't seem to mind. She gives him a curious smile, and leans back to sleep.
Both have slept for hours, ten in fact, before they are woken by the screeching of the train on the tracks.
"I suppose this is our stop," Luna says, stretching and gesturing to the empty train carriage and the screen on the wall, announcing that they would be stopping in Montreal in five minutes. "It went awfully fast, didn't it?"
"It was a pleasure to meet you, Luna Lovegood," Rolf says, holding out his hand. "You don't look anything like your father."
Luna laughs, still sounding like chiming bells even in the frosty atmosphere and the air of grogginess from lack of sleep around them. "I don't suppose I do, Rolf Scamander. Maybe we'll see each other, if we don't happen to slip up too soon." He laughs along with her.
Rolf stops abruptly.
"I don't suppose..." She waits patiently for him to continue his sentence, and he has a moment to reflect on how beautifully insane this English witch is. "I don't suppose you'd like to come to my hotel, for a cup of coffee, would you?"
She watches him seriously from behind the reading glasses she had put on to sleep. She smiles. "I think I may have time."
He breathes out in relief. "Good. Good. Great, actually. Um... yeah. Should I... should I take your bag, or...?" Luna pats him on the arm, and in a considerable display of strength, she pulls down her bag. "Right. Okay. Good."
She laughs, and takes his hand. Despite the chilly air, her fingers are warm.
Looking out at the frosty banks and then down at her rather heavy bag, Luna looks up at him. Quebec glimmers around them and he smiles.
"I don't suppose you want to be a little heroic, do you?"


text:
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text:
Month: October 2014
Month: October 2014
Since the beginning of the year I have been working at plus size store City Chic, an Australian store that caters to sizes 14-22. At first I didn't want to let everyone know this because there can be lines of opinions that are crossed when one writes and also works, and so I have not written about the clothing I wear at work every day. But when this dress came into work I knew I had to share it. Every inch of it is perfectly me: the fit, the colour, the print and the details are dreamy and I have been loving it so much so that I wanted to share it with you all.
I am wearing the Miss Sweet Dress in a size XS and find the fit to be firm and smooth with the stretch back panel.
It fits my waist and flares over my tummy and the pockets are the perfect place to stash your goodies on a busy day. I know it is going to be a firm favourite of mine and I adore it!
Once you do away with the idea of people as fixed, static entities,
then you see that people can change, and there is hope.
- Bell Hooks
A few months ago I needed a creative outlet. I have been writing here at Closet Confessions for years and over that time my interests and what I love has certainly changed. I have honestly enjoyed writing and sharing my life here, and that isn't going to change. But with life taking control,
I've been quiet and it's only because I have been working on big things. Things that have been keeping me up at night and scaring me to death. Recently I have gone through a number of changes in my life that have greatly inspired me to take a leap of faith. With a push from


text:
1731 - 9 oz Clear Plastic CupDescription:• Clear 9 oz. cups can come in handy for almost any event. • Made from disposable, soft sided polyethylene. Imprinting:• 2" x 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" bwSet-up Charge(s):• 25.• Pad PrintedProduction Time:• 6 work days
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Radical Relations
Book Description
Following on from the first four "Shooting Stars" titles on science, this volume is one of four titles which focus on personal, social and health education. These look at some of the everyday issues children deal with now and in the future. This volume explores relationships and features a selection of facts and stories, with quizzes to reinforce what has been read. It is illustrated throughout wi... More
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Rosie McCormick (Author) : Rosie McCormick is a published author of children's books and young adult books. Some of the published credits of Rosie McCormick include Story of the Seasons: Summer, Story of the Seasons: Spring, St... more
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About Woody (Illustrator) : Woody is a published author and an illustrator of children's books. Some of the published credits of Woody include Wacky World : All About Homes and Habitats (Shooting Stars), Cool Citizens (Shooting ... more
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The past month I've been working with an all-star team on a proposal for the Moogfest Art Installation Competition that is being facilitated by the local organization The Media Arts Project. I'm thrilled by the opportunity to work with this interdisciplinary team of Asheville techies and artists. I recently found out about the capabilities of Augmented Reality, and couldn't be more excited to integrate it into an art project. If selected, Don Bowman, Augmented Reality Specialist at BP Solutions Group, will be an integral part in bring art and technology together for the Moogfest attendees.
I was fortunate to collaborate with Pollinate Collaborations on the design and build out of the marketing website and launch campaign for LoLo. LoLo is the digital loyalty program for locals that works like a credit card rewards program. Membership is free and members earn 5% in rewards on every dollar spent. LoLo essentially turns any account-connected credit or debit card into a rewards card, by tracking spending when those cards are used with Asheville participating businesses.
The original logo design was evolved to create a circular brand that could be stamped and hung on everything. This modification made the brand flexible for web badges and window clings, while also serving as a strong focal point on posters. The circle itself contains the tagline and the call to action. This is critical information for potential users who might encounter the brand on a window cling or bumper sticker.
An image is worth a thousand words. When landing on the LoLo website you see a colorful photograph that is full of personality created by the distressed wood striped table. The photograph is memorable and inline with the locally grown style of LoLo, but what is more important is it communicates that the Loyalty
Program is tech savvy and for mobile devices.
Responsive Website with Parallax Scrolling
The rest of the site uses the latest web trends, including parallax scrolling, and a responsive framework. Designing a responsive website for this tech startup was key.
Backgrounds that are static in position give the words a feeling that they are floating over the imagery. The backgrounds of different sections on the homepage were a great canvas to build in branding and colorful imagery. You might have seen this technology in use on the website for Spotify.
Pollinate Collaborations provided guidance and content for the messaging, and this parallax website is the perfect compliment for bringing the content to life. When one scrolls down the page, the LoLo comes to life with small morsels of information that are attractive and easy to read.
It's official. After multiple visits to the Social Security office and the DMV, an updated passport and business cards, my name has changed to Dena Rutter.
With how connected we are to technology, Millennials face new battles when sticking to the tradition of taking your husbands name. Last August I married Derek Rutter and was excited to take his name. Little did I know all of the challenges you face when taking your husband's name. I decided to change my business name from Dena Snyder Design to Dena Rutter Design. One trip to the register of deeds and some paperwork took care of that.
As a graphic designer, I jumped at the chance to update my business card. A fresh look in print, no problem. The next step was a bit daunting, I needed to get my name changed in cyber space. I needed to have my website show up under my new business name. I didn't want to confuse new clients, so I needed to send them to the new we address: drutterdesign.com. I've been building SEO for a few years with dsnyderdesign.com, and I decided to keep my site on that page so I wouldn't lose my ranking. I set up a few forwarding addresses to this domain, that way when people type in the new address into the browser bar, it sends them to the existing site. I also needed to set up an email alias with gmail, I wanted all of my correspondence to be from firstname.lastname@example.com. I made a few graphic updates to my site and viola, I'm in business.
I think the most effective tool of this rebrand is the graphic email signature pictured below. I decided to use this signature graphic to communicate what was happening with my name, knowing it would be on all of my correspondences.
Keep following the blog as I start to rework my personal branding.
Last month I had the opportunity to work with Asheville photographer Emily Nichols on her brand design. She needed a brand that could mark her work and elevate her business. She has many passions, and she is able to incorporate her photography into many of them. This brand need to reflect her multi faceted talent.
A logo was formed by finding a fluid connecting line between her initials. This creates a dynamic focal point that is reinforced by the bold background. Overlapping circles blend to create a beautiful harmony of colors. Similar to a way that an enveloped would be sealed by way, the mark is reversed out, leaving a playful edge.
This mark's circular shape can be branded in multiple ways. The background can also be removed for a subtle and simplistic mark. Emily is out photographing in the community often, it was crucial that she be able to mark this work to build her brand awareness.
Take a peek at Emily's site to see her branding and photography skills in action.
A few nights ago I partnered up with Big E, a local photographer and GO supporter, to get some shots for the 2013 annual report. We were able to get access to the Reid Center, which was the ideal backdrop for the shoot. Strong vertical exposed beams, distressed background textures, hard hats, topped off with some pretty handsome models. We couldn't ask for more.
Curious about the new green jobs training center coming to Asheville? You can find out more about the restoration of the W.C. Reid Center on the Green Opportunities website.
I started my love affair with Asheville Community Theatre a few years ago when I worked on the redesign of their website. This year, ACT was looking for a new graphic designer for the 2014 season. They had their eye on a few design firms in town and decided to have a design competition. I submitted the poster below for the play Cabaret, a play set in Nazi Germany in a seedy night club. I chose to use a cropped image of a dancers legs and a spotlight to create a subtle visual reference to the Nazi symbol. This striking poster was selected, and will soon be accompanied by six more posters for next season's productions.
Eliada Home will be celebrating their new tennis courts with a ribbon cutting on Friday September 13. We worked together to design this colorful invite that will go out to area supporters. The courts are a beautiful addition to the campus.
This year I have been teaming up with FullSteam Labs' Jason Johnson to create a new brand identity and campaign materials for the initiative launched by the coalition Wise Energy for Virginia (WEFV). WEFV is committed to securing a clean energy future for Virginia and is launching an initiative for clean energy in the state of Virginia later this year.
This coalition consists of several organizations including: Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards, Appalachian Voices, The Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN), Sierra Club, Southern Environmental Law Center, The Natural Resources Defense Council's , and Greater Washington .Interfaith Power and Light (GWIPL).
We were asked to create a striking visual brand and style for the release of this initiative that would be polished yet powerful. Knowing that there were a lot of players in this movement, we took a trip up to Richmond to lead a brainstorming session with workshop activities that were modeled after Smart Meme. We looked to build a story based strategy to tell WEFV's story. Using a strong visual narrative would create a consistent voice while building out their website, brand, interactive presentation and brochure.
Several concepts were brought to the table while designing the brand for the initiative. Starting with the name Blueprint for Virginia and then deciding on New Power for the Old Dominion. Y
I'm excited to bring this design for social change to life. The next steps for Jason, Charles, and I will be to build out the website, brochure, and presentation for the road shows.
I was thrilled to get down and drity with Asheville Greenworks when designing their upcoming event poster. The Root Ball is a fundraising event for Asheville Greenworks. It's being held at the new River Arts District venue, Boat House and will be featuring Live music from Lyric.
This Asheville Affiliates party will be held Thursday August 15, 2013, from 6:30-9:30pm at French Broad River at 318 Riverside Drive.
Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. The entry includes unlimited food and drink: beer from Catawba Brewing, great food and there will be a raffle with great prizes to raise additional money for Greenworks. Tickets available in advance on the Greenworks website.
I've been busy getting crafty and spearheading the design of my very own wedding. I was a bit intimidated when tasked my own wedding invite design, the pressure to have the design stand out, the time spent agonizing over every little detail, but I survived!
I collected buds, ferns and forest flowers from a hike up to Looking Glass one day. I decided to use these found forest objects to create an arrangement for the front of the invite. I've been obsessed with wildflowers and have decided to grow my own for the wedding.
I also created this custom wedding website for the event. I went with a camp theme, and incorporated the look and feel of a field guide.
Green Opportunities is a community-based development organization dedicated to improving lives, communities and the health of the planet through innovative green collar job training and placement programs here in Asheville. They also are spearheading the renovation of the Reid Center in my neighborhood, which will be a green jobs training center for our community. I've been fortunate to enough to work with this great organization and helped them design their postcard for their big 5 year celebration.
Find out more about this in this video.
Attention Asheville creatives, the deadline for entries is June 1st. The Second Annual Costume Drama is coming up on July 8th, 2013. I had a great time designing this poster that showcases a dress that was created for the paper category in last year's fashion show.


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an average person have 200 sexual partners in their life, are you qualified?
Most Helpful Girl
Let's answer this two ways.
1. Literal
- No. I will have one sexual partner in my life.
2. Abstract.
- Let's assume you are talking about how if you sleep with one person, technically you are also sleeping with everyone they've slept with before. In which case my number will only ever be one. My boyfriend and I are planning on getting married. We are waiting for marriage. He is a virgin. I am a virgin. There is no sexual history on either side of the equation. We will be each other's only sexual partners. He has no sexual history. When I sleep with him I will only be sleeping with him and not any other of his past partners because they don't exist. And likewise for him.10|10|0
Most Helpful Guy
According to the Centers for Disease Control, the median lifetime number of sexual partners as of the most recent survey is:
For men 6.6 partners
For women 4.3 partners
You are massively overestimating.
or he's talking about the "indirect sex". The number meant to show how fast STDs spread.
they lies.


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We had some feedback, following our most recent UID Web Seminar that clearly illustrates the importance of tackling UID with a team approach. One attendee wrote, "Please accept our thanks and appreciation to both A2B and David (Collins of Data Capture Institute) for bringing us an informative hour that was well spent. Everyone on our team sat together, property management, purchasing, operations and executive departments, up to and including our president. We heard as one the inevitability of moving ahead with UID."
Time and again we hear from individuals who have been tasked with implementing UID, and inevitably those individuals become frustrated with the internal struggle to involve all business functions that are impacted. Group education is a very effective way to keep everyone aligned with the impact of UID.
To UID champions everywhere we offer this advice: Take a team approach to lighten your burden. Start involving all stakeholders early in the process. Be sure everyone is educated about UID requirements and impact.


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Words formed when one letter is changed in skins
No words found when changing letter 1 (S).
Letter 2 (K) changed: 3 words found:
No words found when changing letter 3 (I).
Letter 4 (N) changed: 5 words found:
Letter 5 (S) changed: 2 words found:
A total of 10 words can be formed from skins by changing one letter.
Some random words: blab boehmite bdellium umlaut hiemal roorbach achalasia
This is not a dictionary, it's a word game wordfinder.
- Help and FAQ - Examples - Home
Privacy and Cookies Policy - Share - © Copyright 2004-2017 Morewords.com - 83.776mS


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New 'naggy' Facebook button lets friends ask why you're single
Most single gals dread the moment they're asked about their relationship status.
And some cheeky so-and-so's go as far as to ask WHY you're single – to which you list work commitment, toxic exes, 'standards' and just generally revelling in your single fabulousness!
Well, now a new Facebook button lets your friends ask you if and WHY you're single, and vice versa!
The 'ask' button appears on the profiles of users who have left their relationship status blank.
Once you're sent an 'ask' request, you'll receive a notification that says: 'Hello! I am wondering about your relationship!'
You can either ignore it or respond, with the option of sending it back to you directly or sharing it with the general public.
While the social media site has had an option to 'ask' for a friend's phone number, address and email for a while now, the relationship status 'ask' button is a new development – and not everyone is happy about it.
One person wrote on Twitter, "If Facebook wasn't already the biggest invasion of privacy, you can now "ask" people about their relationship status."
Others called it 'naggy' with one person writing, "How awkward is that Facebook devoted a single button to ask your friends why they're single?"
Hmmmm…we're not sure how we feel about this ourselves!


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Two Sides of the Coin 2009
- Published in Writing Workshops
- Print, Email
Two Sides of the Coin 2009
Workshop led by Samir Nasr
For the second consecutive year, Beirut DC is organizing "Two Sides of The Coin" workshop; a regional workshop for Arab countries that involves 8 professional filmmakers who have an interesting documentary project to be developed.
This year, a new phase has been added to the workshop, "The production phase" in partnership with Euro Doc.
The chosen projects were:
- "My uncle the terrorist" by Elias Moubarak (Lebanon)
- "Nadi Al Rijal" by Anthony Chidiac (Lebanon)
- "Yatren" by Elias Maalouf (Lebanon)
- "L'oued" by AbdennourZahzah (Algeria)
- "Un Exil Volontaire'' by Karima Zoubir (Morocco)
- "Kytes" by Nidal Hassan (Syria)
- "Beyt el Biniyah" by NagiIsamel (Egypt)
- "The Heart Of Me" by ReemGhazzi (Syria)
The first developing phase took place in Ehden in partnership with "Cinema'iyat" festival.
Mr. Samir Nasr – Egyptian/German filmmaker, producer and editor- was the main tutor of the workshop that lasted 8 days (between the 14th and 23rd of October 2009). The presence of Mr. Nasr was very important and helpful. With his indescribable way of teaching and getting the candidates to ask themselves questions and dig more, he managed to help them doing a very big step forward.
Throughout the 9 days, candidates were sometimes working all together with Samir Nasr and other times working on a one to one level with the guests' tutors.
a- Mr.Bernard Monsigny (trainer at INA France)
b- Ms. ElianeRaheb (Independent filmmaker and documentary teacher)
Beirut DC is currently preparing for the "production workshop" in partnership with Eurodoc, in order to give the candidates and their producers the chance to work more deeply on their file and on their budgets before the pitching that is going to take place during AyyamBeirut al Cinema'iya festival.
The workshop is in partnership with Cinema'iyat, ARTE France,Dubai Film Festival, French Cultural Mission in Lebanon, GoetheInstitute.


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Hello again, Friends. I'm so excited to share these gorgeous images with you today of our popular kids cold shoulder dress, the Cosette! Thank you to blogger Sandy a la Mode for sending these over. I've also got some fun & exciting cuteheads updates… read on!
Shop News
This past weekend, we had a chance to stop by the kidzxplor HTX launch party, which is like ClassPass for kids. Essentially, you can try out anything — music, gymnastics, art — without actually committing to an entire session, which makes total sense for busy moms. Make sure to sign up if you're in Houston!
As for cuteheads, we've got some very exciting updates to share.
On April 22nd, we're sponsoring Opening Day for Evelyn's Park, Picnic in the Park! Evelyn's Park is a beautiful new, net-zero energy park located in Houston, TX (our hometown). We're putting together the most darling photo opp for kids and parents, featuring tutu skirts and capes from cuteheads, and the most gorgeous backdrop by Blome's Paperie. If you're in Houston, stop by and snap a shot. Don't forget to tag @cuteheadskids, @blomespaperie & @evelynspark on Instagram!
People always ask me, "where can I shop for cuteheads in person?!" And although we're in stores across the country, we don't get to meet as many of our customers as we'd like. So I'm excited to let you know that on April 29th, we'll be at Flea Style! If you're in Houston, stop by Silver Street, chat with the cuteheads crew and stock up on gorgeous Spring favorites for your little ones.
And lastly, but most importantly… this is cuteheads FIFTH ANNIVERSARY! Hard to believe, but we've been at this small business thing for 5 whole years. Who would have ever imagined? It's been a wild and amazing ride, and to show our appreciation, we'll be hosting some amazing events over the next few months. Make sure you're signed up for email to be the first to know about them, as well as customer appreciation sales.


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564 Cole Drive, South Elgin IL, 60177
Sold Price:
5 beds , 3 Full baths
2,488 sqft
Status: Sold
Last Updated: 1/23/2018 12:09 AM
Description for 564 Cole Drive South Elgin, IL 60177
Need a first floor bedroom/bath situation? 5 Br/3bath home in desirable Thornwood subdivision offering clubhouse, pool, tennis & more. St Charles schools! Walk out bsmt, 3-car garage, backyard deck and paver patio. Step inside to find hardwood flooring, 9' and vaulted ceilings and tons of room for the entire family. Inviting living room and formal dining room offer detailed trim work. Spacious eat-in kitchen boasting island with bar, bayed breakfast nook, Corian countertops and more. Huge family room with vaulted ceiling, floor-to-ceiling gas log fireplace and glorious backyard views. 1st floor den (could be 5th bedroom), full bath and laundry. Upstairs, bedroom sizes are generous and include the master suite with tray ceiling, walk-in closet and deluxe bath with whirlpool tub and separate shower. The full unfinished walkout basement offers tons of potential and has rough-in for 4th bathroom. This home offers a neutral decor and is in move-in condition
Sold Price:
Sold Date:01/27/2017
3 Full
2,488 (approx)
Listing Information
Concrete Foundation
Public Water Service
Public Sewer
School Information
Room Information
Breakfast Bar
Whirlpool Bath, Dual Sinks
Interior Features
Range-Oven, Microwave, Dishwasher, Refrigerator, Washer, Dryer, Disposal, Humidifier
Hardwood, Vinyl, Carpet
Central Air, Ceiling Fan(s)
Gas Heat, Forced Air
Full, Walkout
1, Gas logs, Gas Starter
Exterior / Lot Features
3 Garage Spaces,
Brick, Vinyl
Pond, Lake, Landscaped Professionally, Asphalt, Pond
Driving Directions
Randall to McDonald to Thornwood Way to Thornwood Dr left to Cole
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South Elgin Real Estate
South Elgin is located in Illinois. South Elgin, Illinois 60177 has a population of 22,365.
The median household income in South Elgin, Illinois 60177 is $86,600. The median household income for the surrounding county is $70,514 compared to the national median of $53,482. The median age of people living in South Elgin 60177 is 35.9 years.
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"Thanks again for a great holiday. Our three days of migration watching at Tarifa were particularly memorable in giving a fascinating insight into the challenge and uncertainties birds
face in crossing the Straits - not to mention the numbers involved. Our first hotel was another memorable experience."...... Mr and Mrs F. September 2011.
''Just as short note to
thank you for an excellent week in
although there were so many highlights I am sure we all have our own 'best bird'. The pace was not too strenuous and the days not too long.....Your good humoured patience is enviable
and I hope we will see you again before too long.....'' Mrs V. September 2013.
click here for a pdf version of this destination write-up - easier to print - no photos
Every autumn huge numbers of soaring birds, principally storks and raptors, cross the Straits of Gibraltar on their southward migration into Africa. The spectacle of thousands of Honey Buzzards, hundreds of Short-toed and Booted Eagles, Black Kites and White Storks and a large assortment of scarcer species is a phenomenon which draws many birdwatchers to the southern tip of Europe. Our visit is timed to coincide with the peak of the autumn migration.
In addition, there are many other interesting species to be found in the mountains, wooded hills, lowlands, marshes and coast.
We will fly to Malaga, spending the first three nights at Los Palacios, and exploring the wetlands on the east bank of the River Guadalquivir. On day four we will move down to Tarifa for a four night stay, before eventually heading back to Malaga for our flight home.
On day one we will fly to Malaga and then drive to Los Palacios, our base for the first three nights.
On the east bank of the famous Guadalquivir River, and adjacent to the Coto Donana, are some areas of preserved habitat where a multitude of wetland birds can be found. Purple Gallinules are common, Collared Pratincoles may still linger at this time of year, and herons, egrets, terns, waders and ducks vie for our attention. Glossy Ibis, formerly a rare bird in this area, is now an increasingly common resident. Marbled Teal is regularly seen.
Close to our hotel there is a tamarisk-fringed lake where Western Olivaceous Warblers linger until late September.
On day three, a short drive south will take us to lakes which hold White-headed Ducks, as well as the commoner Red-crested Pochard and Black-necked Grebe. Hoopoes and Bee-eaters occur throughout. An evening excursion should produce sightings of Red-necked Nightjar.
We will visit the extensive Bonanza saltpans. Off-limits to birdwatchers until recently, much of this is now a reserve. It is attractive to hundreds of Greater Flamingos as well as Slender-billed Gulls, Spoonbills, egrets and herons and abundant passage waders. A recent addition to the local avifauna is the Little Swift, now breeding regularly in small numbers.
On day four we will head south to Tarifa, for a four night stay.
En route to Tarifa we will visit the justly famous town of Ronda, built above a deep gorge. 'More Choughs than the whole of Wales' as someone once said. We can expect Black Wheatear and Rock Bunting, plus the chance of Peregrine. At the spectacular Sierra de las Nieves we will look for Bonelli's Eagle, Spectacled Warbler and Rock Thrush.
Tarifa is ideally placed for visits to adjacent mountains, wooded hills, the coast, grassy plains and saltpans as well as being at the centre of Europe's biggest raptor bottle-neck.
Tarifa Beach was once a magnet for bird trappers. In these enlightened days bird protection laws are enforced and this practise has completely stopped. Migrants are safe to take cover in the beach-side scrub before crossing the straits. On the beach itself Audouin's Gulls join flocks of the commoner species and there is even the chance of migrant Lesser Crested Terns alongside more numerous Sandwich Terns. A creek usually proves attractive to Whimbrel, Dunlin, Ringed and Kentish Plovers and Sanderling.
On one afternoon we can join a whale and dolphin-watching trip in the straits. Exciting possibilities include Bottle-nosed, Striped and Common Dolphins and maybe Long-finned Pilot Whales at close quarters. Larger whales are scarce, although we have seen both Sperm Whale and Killer Whale on past trips. We may also be treated to views of Cory's and Balearic Shearwaters, plus a few Gannets and skuas.
Wooded hills and spectacular rocky outcrops just inland of Tarifa are home to large numbers of raptors. Griffon Vulture is a common resident and these are occasionally joined by Ruppell's Griffon, a recent immigrant from sub-Saharan Africa. The rare White-rumped Swift is still present at this time or year, so we will keep our eyes skywards just in case. On one previous visit a flock of swifts and swallows contained all of White-rumped Swift, Little Swift, Alpine Swift, Pallid Swift and Red-rumped Swallow!
Nearby woodland and open areas hold Cirl Bunting, Sardinian Warbler, Woodchat Shrike, Serin, Spotless Starling, Iberian Chiffchaff, Crested Tit, Firecrest, Short-toed Treecreeper and Blue Rock Thrush.
La Janda was once a huge wetland, a few miles north of Tarifa. It was drained for agriculture in the early 1960s; one of the great ecological crimes of modern times. Today it is a large plain, with abundant Calandra Larks as well as Stone Curlews, Red-legged Partridge, Southern Grey Shrikes, Little Owls and a few Little Bustards. The localised Spanish Imperial Eagle has recently started nesting here. Hydrological studies have been made to see whether the area could be re-flooded. Watch this space ….
And last but not least, of course, is the chance to witness one of Europe's most impressive raptor migrations. Weather is all important, but in the autumn anything but rain should produce birds in good numbers.
Large soaring migrants rely on thermals for lift. They are simply too big to power their own flight for long periods. Thermals are only created over land, so sea crossings become a problem. The Mediterranean is a major obstacle for birds heading south so they choose to cross at the narrowest point. In the western Mediterranean, the narrowest point is the ten miles between Tarifa and the Moroccan coast. The result is a bottle-neck for thousands of birds: Honey Buzzards, Black Kites, Booted Eagles, Short-toed Eagles, Montagu's Harriers, Marsh Harriers, Griffon Vultures, Egyptian Vultures, Sparrowhawks, Common Buzzards, Ospreys, Lesser Kestrels, Common Kestrels, Hobbies, White Storks and Black Storks, plus the chance of rarities. After a productive week's birding we will then head back to Malaga for our flight home.
Breakfast will be taken at about 7.30am most mornings, perhaps later if the previous day has been tiring. Basic fitness is all that is required. Full days will be spent in the field and short and medium length walks on the flat will be undertaken regularly. There are no uphill walks of any significance.
Full-board accommodation is provided, with three nights at the Hotel Manolo Mayo in Los Palacios and four nights at the Hotel Meson de Sancho near Tarifa. All rooms have en suite bathrooms. Packed lunches will be taken some days. On other days we will have lunch at the hotel, followed by a siesta if the weather is hot.
All birdwatching excursions with expert leader, full-board accommodation (starting with dinner on 17th, ending with breakfast on 24th), bottled water throughout, soft drinks at meal times, local transport by mini-bus and international flights.
Travel insurance. Personal items, alcoholic drinks, laundry.
Return flight from Manchester to Malaga using the scheduled services of Jet2. Outbound flight departs early morning, return flight arrives back mid afternoon. Flights also available from London Gatwick, Leeds/Bradford and other regional airports. Please phone for details.
Short-toed Eagles cross in good numbers
Big flocks of Honey Buzzards can be seen.
Griffon Vultures breed near Tarifa.
Black Storks join the raptors to cross at the narrowest point.
On a boat trip we can see Long-finned Pilot Whales and other cetaceans.
Bonanza salt pans hold masses of waterbirds.
This Chough was photographed at Ronda.
Griffon Vulture
Red-necked Nightjar
click here to see the photographs in our Tarifa Album
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Birding Spain, Birdwatching Spain, Spain safari, Spain Bird Tour. Spain birdwatching holiday. Birds of Spain. Spain Bird Holiday. Spain Birding Holiday.
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To think I should sort out old baby clothes before handing them on?(48 Posts)
My BIL & SIL have a DD who is 4-5 months older than ours. We were delighted to receive a bag of handmedowns from them after a couple of months - at first. However when I went through the bag, more than half of the things they had given us were for a new baby so already too small for our DD or not suitable for the cold weather and would also be outgrown by the summer.
There were also a couple of "special" items (knitted by grandparents or bought with particular relevance by my BIL/SIL). I was a bit surprised they hadn't wanted to keep them so I asked if they'd been included accidently. I was told "use them as much as you want but please don't get rid of them". These were just returned immediately so I didn't worry about losing them or them getting damaged.
Although I'm probably being a quite ungrateful, I also feel like we've been used as a bit of a dumping ground for stuff so they don't have to sort out/store it/find another home for it. So now I have to! We don't know anyone else having a baby to pass it onto and even if we did, I think I would sort things out to some degree so they are at the very least age appropriate for the recipient and not give away stuff I knew I would eventually want back. So AIBU or is this just the (admittedly small!) price to pay for receiving handmedowns?
Also, does anyone know any charities etc that would accept donations of clothes? Our local highstreet charity shops aren't interested.
YABU If you don't want stuff don't take it. I take things then sort, pass on, keep or recycle.
You kind of get to know which givers have the best stuff.
I have a friend whom I pass some clothes onto but I do only pass on the better bits....
Anything else that is ok I give to the health visitors when I am passing. They are always grateful as they have plenty of families who have absolutely nothing...
Wishwehad Everything I have is tiny newborn size and white! (Neutral - did not know gender of bump.)That's why I'm looking for a home for it all! My DD now weighs 20lbs. One "send knitting to Africa" charity specifically says they don't want white stuff, it isn't practical.
Miaow Sorry to hear about your bad experience.
One of our local charity shops has done a window display this month of hand knitted cardies in various sizes hanging in the window above baby toys. Damned display makes me bawl my eyes out everytime I go past as in the middle of the newborn and 0-3 stuff is one teeny tiny premature sized cardie that would have fitted DD1 like a glove when she was born.
They think I'm a nutter probably.
Can't bring myself to give our tiny stuff to the local NICU - still feel incredibly angry and bitter about how they treated us and still bear the mental scars of it.
Thanks ebwy, that's really useful to know - will definitely be sending some stuff their way
gail If you have any that would fit a 17lb 6 month baby I would love them!!!
Hand knitted stuff is the best!!
gail are you serious? My dc were knitted some beautiful jumpers, cardigans and hats. Nothing nicer than a hand knitted wooly cardigan surely?! (And they were knitted some not so great things with polyester that made my teeth itch...)
Oh, excellent ebwy. My MIL and her friends are all prolific knitters. I have tons!
preemiesuk take all baby clothes up to 0-3 size (and especially knitted stuff!) and send it to the special care baby units in hospitals, having sorted it out as some hospitals only want certain things and others take everything they can get.
send to
138 Farmers Green
Oh, and like Miaow I have a mountain of tiny, lovingly hand-knitted cardigans. Does anyone know of a charity that would actually want these, beyond just taking them to Oxfam? I just don't think anyone in the UK dresses a baby in hand-knitted stuff any more.
Feel your pain, OP. I have two SILs. One "hands down" beautiful, nearly new, washed and ironed baby clothes which simply have to be laid in a drawer. It's like having a laundry maid when she turns up! Other SIL gives me a giant bin bag containing a mad knot of clothing. I "edit" it and take anything that's too small or done-in to a clothing bank. It's a big job that takes a while! The "don't get rid of it" stuff is just stressful. My second SIL (brothers' wives) has done this with her maternity clothes. She doesn't want them back, but I'm not allowed to get rid of them!!
I totally get it and no you are not being ungrateful. imo
We were offered lots and lots of second hand things when our pfb was born. People offered it in lots of different ways, and I quickly learned that very few people were happy for you to simply have it. For them, they had spent a fortune on it, for me it was unnecessary baby stuff they had no further use for. One person offered me baby stuff, then offered me to buy it from them, then dropped it off at my house.
I knew I had to get a present for these people but my friend, who has two older children, warned me to set it up so that I didn't become a dumping ground for more clothes etc (apparently they become more warn the older the children get) not to be too generous.
Sorry for rambling but absolutely refuse to take the bag unless you are allowed to keep it. If there is precious stuff in the bag that would need returned then sort through it in front of whoever gave it to you.
I wouldn't pass clothes on I had sentimental attachment to and wanted back (trying to sort out the newborn clothes I used for DD1 and 2 at the moment and if I had elastic walls I'd keep ALL of it since I'm just a soppy old sod despite us being completely done with having babies now).
I'm in the middle of sorting out the first batch of clothes I have to get dealt with - plan on pulling out the stuff that might be deemed "mankier" - babygros and vests and chucking them on Freecycle in a "use 'em if you can need 'em" deal and then the good "outfit" stuff will go to be passed on more thoughtfully so to speak.
As for knitted cardies - I have no idea what I'm doing there - I have MOUNTAINS of them as my mum's a really really fast and prolific knitter (to the extent she tends to post me knitting for the girls every couple of weeks) - feel bad passing them on, but we're done with them and have no storage space to keep mountains of chunky double-knitted cardigans here.
I think it would have been polite to sort it out, instead of dumping stuff on you that you clearly won't need or want.
If I give someone a birthday present I don't include this week's recycling in the package.
I would always give it a basic sort first and wouldn't pass on anything that was obviously too small for the recipient. I also weed out anything that is stained or in bad condition as I go - it just goes straight in a bag for a local charity shop that accepts stuff for "rags".
Getting rid of stuff too small/wrong season I'd be fine with. Having to remember which were the special things I wasn't allowed to get rid of would do my head in.
I go through things I'm giving away to sort out misshapen / clothes that have seen better days but don't sort according to size. My friend and her dds love going through the bags together and finding out what's in there (often as soon as I give them the bag whilst I'm still there; they love it). Wish I had someone to donate clothes to me (never had hand me downs as don't know anyone with older dd)!
How long does it take to sift through some clothes?!
Floggingmolly - no, it was just a couple of standout items that they wanted me to not get rid of, stuff the grandmas had knitted and a couple of quite specific in-joke things. If everything had been on loan, I would have likely given the too-small things back already as I'd be worried about keeping track of what belonged to who and what I could do with it!!
I would never give stuff that I want back but I wouldn't spend time sorting it into sizes/seasons although things get passed on in roughly age bags as DS grows to expect someone to sort for seasons is madness!
My sister passes on all of her sons clothes and its great saves me a fortune. Ok some bits may not be quite right but I'm not complaining at free clothes. When DS has outgrown things they go back to her for her youngest along with any bits that I have purchased for Ds.
No pre sorting occurs though!
I think that's what did worry me a bit Patchouli, the fact that most of the stuff we'll get from them we won't be able to use and it would then be up to me to deal with because they cba to sort what they want to keep and the stuff that is unusable. But as the majority of people answering have said, if I want the benefit of even some handmedowns, I need to be prepared to spend the time going through the not-so suitable stuff and find somewhere to pass it on/get rid of it.
I will certainly make sure I double check with them that they haven't given me anything they're not happy for me to get rid of!
Thanks for all the replies everyone.
I'm a bit confused at you looking for some way to pass the clothes on. Didn't she say not to get rid of them, so they're basically on loan?
Don't worry, you won't get much more with that little age gap, they won't grow out of stuff in time to pass it on.
Message withdrawn at poster's request.
MrsDevere my sister gave me some pretty limp summer dressed for my DDs when we went abroad in the winter and she asked for them back when we'd finished...I didn't really want them then as I'd be stressing incase the DDs wrecked them more than they already were!
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Take That, McCain!
Obama MUST outraise McCain
John McCain raised $7M since choosing no-experience-Palin as a running mate. Let's sock it to him and double that amount for Obama!
McCain can use Palin all he wants to try and garner women's votes, raise money, excite the fundamental conservatives....but, he'll never touch Obama's ability to motivate, inspire and fundraise.
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Investing in our Future
Organizations that we support and sponsor, as our contribution back to the greater Chicagoland community. These organizations are committed to promoting Chicagoland as a place to live and work and to recognize and improve the pool of technology talent in the region. Many of these organizations also deliver exciting events available to our membership. SIM Chicago and our members are committed to improving the IT community and Chicago, so we give back in both time and money.
i.c.stars | *
i.c.stars provides opportunities for inner-city young adults to harness the strength of technology for social and economic leadership. By integrating technology training and leadership development, i.c.stars is shaping the next generation of technology leaders. SIM Chicago has worked with i.c.stars since 2001 as a community partner.
We provide sponsorship, volunteers, and employment opportunities for graduates of the i.c.stars program. SIM Chicago encourages our members to attend the i.c. stars 'High Tea', sharing their life stories and paths to success with the i.c.stars interns; participate in numerous i.c.stars events; and volunteer in various ways to support this program. In addition, the SIM Chicago chapter sponsors many events including our annual summer Golf Outing with proceeds benefiting i.c.stars.
CHicago innovation awards
Established in 2002, the Chicago Innovation Awards shine a bright light on the creative spirit of Chicago by focusing attention on the most significant new products and services introduced in the region. The ten winners each year are innovations that uniquely fill unmet needs, spark a competitive response in the marketplace, exceed market expectations, achieve financial success, and improve people's lives. They emerge from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Most importantly, the Chicago Innovation Awards remind us that innovation is thriving in America's heartland.
The Chicago Innovation Awards has grown to be much more than just an award ceremony. Through many events over the course of the year, the Chicago Innovation Awards not only recognize nominees and winners, but also provide valuable connections through business networking and development opportunities, as well as teaching on best innovation practices through mentoring, scholarship, panel discussions, and education courses.
Arts & business council of chicago
The Arts & Business Council of Chicago (A&BC) links the strengths of the cultural and business sectors to promote community growth and vitality through the arts. By enlisting business volunteers to provide essential assessment, training, consulting and board service, A&BC enhances management capacity of arts organizations while promoting a highly engaged form of business participation in the arts.
Each year, A&BC brings more than 300 arts organizations together with dedicated business professionals, ensuring the long-term vitality of metropolitan Chicago and preserving its reputation as a great place to work and live. A&BC was founded in 1985 and is a division of Americans for the Arts, the largest support organization for the arts in the U.S.
SIM RLF Program Scholarship
The SIM Chicago Chapter is committed to developing our next generation of Leaders in IT. This Program has over 4,500 graduates across the world, and we thank the following companies who have so generously provided the funds for our Chapter to Sponsor an IT executive to attend this Program.


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Available in women's sizing - see size chart for correct fit!
- Under Armour apparel
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Having undergone flying proficiency testing at Whitchurch, Bristol, the ATA pilots were ready to go but unfortunately the role d'Erlanger originally envisioned for them didn't appear. There were no communication flights scheduled, meaning the pilots had little to do.
Then in September 1939, their flying skills were tested by the RAF in a Harvard advanced trainer and after successfully demonstrating their abilities, the ATA were attached to RAF Reserve Command. Conflict between the civilians and the RAF personnel soon emerged.
Despite this, d'Erlanger's vision had finally been realised and the ATA formally took on the role of ferrying operational aircraft for the Services.


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The Obama administration has launched a new website to promote Obamacare called Gameplan4Me -- featuring online videos from prominent sports athletes.
But users browsing the site early Monday received an error message when they tried to watch the videos.
"Error 503 — Backend is unhealthy," the site's error message reads, offering a "guru meditation" number for a caching error.
Screen grab here:


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Who's feeling a big case of Spring Fever and over the moon excited for Spring Break? I know we are, and if you are looking for a fabulous adventure to enjoy with the family then head to Stone Mountain Park. Starting April 4th through April 11th, Stone Mountain Park Hosts Its Annual Kid's Festival filled with a variety of family-friendly shows and entertaining attractions. You don't want to miss the Spring FUN Break at Stone Mountain Park this year!
This year one of the coolest new features is a live bird show Extreme Parrots, featuring "America's Got Talent" finalist Clint Carvalho. You won't want to miss the crazy antics of the vibrant array of exotic birds.
One of our favorite attractions at Stone Mountain Park is the 3-D movie theater with 4-D effects. For Spring Break the theater is sharing a new movie – Rio: The 4-D Experience. The 12 minute 3-D movie with 4-D effects, stars the original Blu and Jewel, the last two macaws on earth. I can't wait to see what special effect the Stone Mountain staff will be adding to make it feel like you are really in the jungles of Rio.
Visitors may also witness the April Fool's Magic Show with amazing feats presented by sleight-of-hand expert Matt Baum, and for Easter, things will be hopping at the Character Meet & Greet including the Easter Bunny and Penelope the Parrot, and the soaking suspended rope bridges and net tunnels of Geyser Towers. Plus returning on April 5 is the annual Easter Sunrise Service atop the mountain.
Other new or returning SFB favorites include:
- * Springtime Tales, inviting families to laugh and clap along with the park's master storytellers as they spin tales about spring and their adventures during the season (great for ages 2-7, at the Campfire Corner.
- * May's Great Garden Games, including the SFB character "May" as she leads games for friends to play. All ages are invited to assist May help her garden to grow at the Dogwood Stage.
- * After sunset the park ignites the evening sky with the popular Lasershow Spectacular in Mountainvision®, showing each evening (8:30 p.m.) of Spring FUN Break. State-of-the-art graphics and awe-inspiring effects create multi-dimensional magic on one of the world's largest outdoor screens – the face of Stone Mountain.
Stone Mountain Park's Adventure Pass guarantees a full day of fun with access to all of the Spring FUN Break activities plus all of Stone Mountain Park's attractions such as the all new Rio: The 4-D Experience, Geyser Towers®, SkyHike®, Summit Skyride, Great Locomotive Chase Adventure Golf, The Great Barn®, Scenic Railroad, Antebellum Plantation & Farmyard and Memorial Hall Museum. Families may conclude the day with the Lasershow Spectacular in Mountainvision®. Vehicle entry into the park is $15 for a one-day permit or $40 for an annual permit.
Guests looking for extra value will enjoy two new online ticket options at Stone Mountain Park. Families can either save $5 per ticket when purchased online or pick the "Meal Deal" which includes a free meal and unlimited drink refills with the online purchase of a full price Adventure Pass. Stone Mountain Park offers a variety of value-priced options for families to enjoy the park and the special SFB activities.
Adventure Pass
$29.95 Adults/$24.95 Children 3-11 (tax not included)
Includes all of the SFB activities and other popular attractions such as the all new Rio: The 4-D Experience,
Geyser Towers®, SkyHike®, Summit Skyride, Great Locomotive Chase Adventure Golf, The Great Barn®, Scenic
Railroad, Antebellum Plantation & Farmyard and Memorial Hall Museum.
Mountain Membership Annual Pass
$59 Adults /$49 Children 3-11 (tax not included)
Pays for itself in two visits. An annual pass lets families come again and again throughout the year to take advantage of the park's attractions, special events and exclusive discounts. VisitStoneMountainPark.com for details about Mountain Membership Plus priced at $109.
Families may also enjoy great vacation and staycation accommodations right inside the Park at two Marriott hotels. Family Escape Packages, beginning at $159 a night, include a one-night stay at the Evergreen Marriott Conference Resort or Stone Mountain Inn, 2-day Adventure Passes and breakfast.
How are you celebrating Spring Break this year?
Follow In The Kitchen With KP's board Things to do in Atlanta on Pinterest.


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^is it possible?
Most Helpful Guy
That'd have to be some thick-ass yogurt to pull it off. I just got some yogurt and tried it-- why not.
And the top just got stuck at the top and fell in a bit. The viscocity of yogurt is not enough to create a surface for a top to spin. It's consistency basically grabs on to the top instead of letting it rotate from friction.11|00|0
LOL... glad to see u actually tried... didn't xpect someone would actually do :p
Thanks for MHO. Apparently the waste of yogurt was worth it xD


text: Ed Kellock wrote: > Arrived home tonight at about 7:00 with my "new" '91 Avant. > Silver with black sport, 228k miles. I'm the 3rd owner. Nice colors. And isn't it wonderful that you knew enough not to panic with the fogged windows? Tame that flap. Good luck with the beast. -- Kent McLean '94 100 S Avant, "Moody" '89 200 TQ, "Bad Puppy" up in smoke


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MR. STEPHANOPOULOS: Two debates down, two coming up, and with 30 days of campaigning ahead, this presidential race is entering a fierce new phase. McCain aides told the "Washington Post" they will focus on what they call Obama's liberal record and questionable associations. Exhibit A, William Ayers, a Chicago professor once part of the Weather Underground, the radical group which bombed government buildings during the Vietnam War. In California yesterday, Sarah Palin took off on Obama for his ties to Ayers.
GOV. SARAH PALIN (R-AK): (From tape.) Thank you so much. This is not a man who sees America as you and I see America. Our opponent is someone who sees America as imperfect enough to pal around with terrorists who targeted their own country.
MR. STEPHANOPOULOS: The Obama team hit back fast and hard. In a new ad out this morning, they called the attack a shameless act of desperation from a struggling candidate.
ADVERTISEMENT: (From tape.) Our financial system in turmoil. And John McCain? Erratic in the crisis. Out of touch on the economy. No wonder his campaign wants to change the subject, turn the page on the financial crisis by launching dishonest, dishonorable assaults against Barack Obama. Struggling families can't turn the page on this economy, and we can't afford another president who's this out of touch.
MR. STEPHANOPOULOS: It is getting heated out there, and here to continue the debate, key players from four key battleground states: Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty and Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Mel Martinez of Florida. Gentlemen, welcome to all of you this morning.
GOV. ED RENDELL (D-PA) (?): Good morning.
SEN. MEL MARTINEZ (R-FL) (?): Thank you, George.
GOV. TIM PAWLENTY (R-MN) (?): Good morning.
SEN. SHERROD BROWN (D-OH) (?): Good morning, George.
MR. STEPHANOPOULOS: Senator Martinez, let me begin with you. Florida has one of the highest foreclosure and unemployment rates in the country right now, and four Florida polls since the financial crisis hit all show Barack Obama ahead. So as the Obama campaign charges, is your campaign desperate to change the subject?
SEN. MARTINEZ: Well, look. For sure that the economy hurt the McCain campaign in Florida. Florida has been very hard hit as you just stated. The fact of the matter is that there's much to be done yet. The fact of the matter is that Florida is far from being over. Florida is going to be close all the way to the end. And John McCain has an awful lot of things going for him in the state of Florida, whether it is the fact that the older population really favors him strongly or the fact that the Jewish community does not trust Barack Obama's foreign policy or that the Cuban community is irate and offended by the fact that he would sit down to talk with the Castro brothers. There's any number of things about the population of Florida that all seem to trend in McCain's direction. McCain was well ahead in Florida before the economic crisis hit. I believe once this campaign gets beyond that immediate crisis that Florida is going to come back to the McCain camp.
One thing I will mention too, George, as very important to consider, Barack Obama has spent almost $13 million on television ads in Florida. John McCain has barely spent a couple of million. Once McCain engages in the air in Florida - Florida is a television state - I think that will also turn some numbers.
MR. STEPHANOPOULOS: But do you believe that -
SEN. MARTINEZ: It's amazing, by the way - the other thing that's amazing -
MR. STEPHANOPOULOS: Senator, but do you think that talking about William Ayers is what is going to take to turn it around? Senator Obama has said has deplored what Ayers when he said he was eight-years-old, and he says they're friendly but they have not been especially close.
SEN. MARTINEZ: I think the important part is whether they're truthful charges or not, not about what Barack Obama did when he was eight-years-old, but what occurred when he was 35, 38-years-old and was initiating his political campaign. It's about his judgment and who he associated with during those years and right on into his political campaign. But the bottom line on Florida is that for having spent $13 million in Florida, that race is still within the margin of error in all the polls, and in fact, until a few days ago, McCain was well ahead.
MR. STEPHANOPOULOS: Senator Brown, is this issue going to cut in Ohio?
SEN. BROWN: Well, you've seen a 26-year Senate veteran morph into an angry, desperate candidate in the last few weeks, especially in the last few days. And it just kind of makes me sad, George, that John McCain and Sarah Palin are resorting to these tactics. Look, I've done about more 100 roundtables in Ohio in most of the 88 counties in the last year and a half, and people are talking about the privatization of Social Security, people are talking about trade, what trade has done to Ohio, 200,000 lost manufacturing jobs in the last eight years. People want to go and talk about issues and they want to see the difference between the two candidates, and I think that's why polls in Ohio are showing increased support for Barack Obama because voters are paying attention to the difference on John McCain wanting to privatize Social Security, want to continue these job killing trade agreements, wants to privatize healthcare the same way that he supported the deregulation of the banking system and all these major issues are such a sharp contrast between John McCain, who wants to continue the policies we've seen in the last eight years, and Barack Obama, who has very different ideas of a very different direction.
MR. STEPHANOPOULOS: Governor Pawlenty, it sure does sound, when Governor Palin says of Obama, this is not a man who sees America as you do, it sure does sound like she is questioning Senator Obama's patriotism.
GOV. PAWLENTY: George, I think it goes to the issue of judgment. This individual, Bill Ayers, is an unrepentant domestic terrorist, and as you noted and as other news organizations have noted, he was involved in the bombing of the Pentagon, or attempted bombing of the Pentagon, the Capitol, and plans for other domestic terrorism. Now, Barack Obama at the time was eight or nine-years-old or whatever, but that's not the point.
The point is this same individual, Bill Ayers, hosted some sort of political event at his home for Barack Obama when Barack was running for state legislature in Illinois when he was well into his 30s. So this isn't about Senator Obama being eight-years-old. This is of his judgment when he was starting his political career in Illinois in the mid-1990s. And I think when people realize this is about 10 years ago, 14 years ago, it goes to the issue of what kind of judgment would allow an unrepentat domestic terrorist to host a political event for you in his home, in the terrorist's home.
MR. STEPHANOPOULOS: Governor Rendell, what's your response to that?
GOV. RENDELL: Well, let me say this. It is, as Senator Brown said, very sad. In March, when he became the presumptive nominee, Senator McCain said he would run a decent and honorable campaign. He hasn't, and it's going to get worse. First they lied about Senator Obama's position on taxes, and now they're starting to do the politics of personal destruction. The American people, and here in Pennsylvania, we're not going to buy that. The issues are too important: the economy, healthcare, what's going on abroad, Social Security. The issues are what people are focusing on and that's why this has gone bad for the McCain campaign, and no matter what they talk about, Reverend Wright, Mr. Ayers, you name it, it's not going to wash because when this country is in trouble, people are focusing on who's got the best plans to get us out of it, and that's Barack Obama.
MR. STEPHANOPOULOS: The McCain campaign has not brought up Reverend Wright and so I want to put the question back to Senator Mel Martinez. When the North Carolina Republican Party back in the spring did use Reverend Wright in ads, Senator McCain condemned it. Do you think it's appropriate for Senator McCain's allies now, and there are some ads by independent groups that use Reverent Wright, do you think it's appropriate for his allies to bring Reverend Wright into this conversation?
SEN. MARTINEZ: I believe that it's appropriate to talk about Barack Obama's judgment about how he got to where he is today. The American people are going to have to make a choice about who they trust with the presidency of our country during some of the most difficult times, whether it is internationally or domestically. And you know, for all the talk about the negativity, the ad that you just ran at the top at the show that the Obama campaign is playing on McCain is not a particularly nice ad and it's frankly not true. Governor Rendell, when he mentions about not being true about Barack Obama wanting to raise taxes for families that make $48,000, that's just wrong. He did vote to raise taxes on families that make only $48,000.
GOV. RENDELL: Mel, the Tax Policy Institute, a bipartisan think tank, has made it clear that Senator Obama's plan for 95 percent of the Americans will cut taxes three times more than Senator McCain. That's a fact. You can look it up on their website.
MR. STEPHANOPOULOS: Let me bring - allow me to me to bring the issue -
SEN. MARTINEZ: But the fact is how did he vote? How did he vote when he had the opportunity to raise taxes on families making $48,000? The fact of the matter is that his record may be different than what he's saying today, which is part of the reason why there's a lot of contention now about whether this is getting personal, is because we're talking about judgment, we're talking about character, we're talking about leveling with the American people, telling the American people the truth about his background, about who he is and where he wants to take the country.
(Cross talk.)
MR. STEPHANOPOULOS: Go ahead, Senator Brown.
SEN. BROWN: Mel, you and I serve in the same body in the Senate. And you know how those votes work, and John McCain's voted for increased taxes dozens and dozens and dozens of times and all kinds of different fees and taxes and all that. The fact is look at the plans they have. Barack Obama wants to cut taxes, as Governor Rendell said, for 95 percent of the public - a middle-class working family tax cut. John McCain wants to continue the same George Bush policies and tax cuts for the rich.
I'm looking for one example, one time where John McCain would say, here's where I differ from George Bush - George Bush's economic policies of the last eight years. Here's where I differ from him. In the future, what I propose, there's no major difference between Bush economic policies, deregulation of Wall Street, deregulation of healthcare, privatization of Social Security, tax cuts for the rich, job killing trade agreements on all these issues, John McCain wants to continue - (inaudible).
MR. STEPHANOPOULOS: What's the answer to that, Governor Pawlenty? Go ahead. Governor Pawlenty, go ahead. Respond to that charge.
GOV. PAWLENTY: Well, that's simply not true. Well, to say that Senator McCain's record on economic matters and related issues is the same as President Bush's is simply not accurate. If you look at Senator McCain's record, he differs from President Bush on climate change, on energy policy including, by the way, the 2005 administration's energy bill that Barack Obama voted for and Senator McCain voted against. Senator McCain has had differences with the administration on spending, on earmarks, on importing prescription drugs from Canada, on the conduct and prosecution on the war, on torture, on nuclear arms proliferation, on any other both domestic, economic, and international issues. It is not accurate or fair to say that Senator McCain's record is the same as President Bush's. That is simply not accurate.
MR. STEPHANOPOULOS: I want to bring - excuse me, Senator. I want to bring the argument to healthcare because in that issue, Senator Obama says that Senator McCain's plans - and this is Obama's word - is even more radical than President Bush's. He was campaigning yesterday. I want to show everybody a clip of Senator Obama campaigning yesterday calling Senator McCain's plan the first time ever that health benefits will be taxed.
SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D-IL): (From tape.) He gives you a tax credit with one hand, but he raises your taxes with the other. And recently, after some forceful questioning on TV, he finally admitted that for some Americans, those with the best plans, his tax increase would be higher than his tax credit.
MR. STEPHANOPOULOS: Senator Martinez, I saw you shaking your head.
SEN. MARTINEZ: Well, no, because I think you have to understand that Barack Obama's plan is to turn over the healthcare system to the government. John McCain is trying to find a way to get the healthcare system to cover all Americans, and he does it with a tax credit. The government will give a tax credit to all Americans that cannot afford health insurance so they can then go buy it.
Now, Barack Obama, deceiving the American people, would say the money goes to the insurance companies. Well, hello, when you buy an insurance policy, you pay a premium to the insurance company, and then when you have to go to the doctor, the insurance company pays the doctor. That's how the system works. That is a private healthcare system that is going to try to insure every American because John McCain believes that every American should have access to some health insurance. What Barack Obama doesn't tell you is that his plan is basically to turn it over to the federal government.
(Cross talk.)
MR. STEPHANOPOULOS: Governor Rendell, I want to get you - Governor Rendell, let me bring you in here. I want you to respond to that charge about government run healthcare, but also, the Tax Policy Institute, which you just cited on Senator Obama's tax plan, says that Senator McCain's healthcare plan will provide an average tax benefit of $1,200 to the average taxpayer.
GOV. RENDELL: Right. Well, there are two things wrong with what Mel said: number one, Senator Obama's plan does not turn it over to the government. It keeps the private insurance structure. In fact, if you're happy with the healthcare plan you've got with the private insurance company, you keep it. Senator Obama's cost cutting ideas will reduce your premiums, but you keep with your private insurer.
Now, secondly, he offers a $5,000 tax cut. Now, I don't know what it's like in Florida, but for a family of four in Pennsylvania, you can't buy healthcare worth a damn for $5,000 a year. It's got to be at least $12,000 and that's for a stripped down plan. So this is a farce. This is a charade. This is an attempt to fool the American people.
SEN. MARTINEZ (?): That's not true.
SEN. BROWN: If I could add something, George?
SEN. MARTINEZ: You know, Ed, I propose -
MR. STEPHANOPOULOS: Let Senator Martinez go, then you, Senator Brown.
SEN. MARTINEZ: Yes. I proposed a bill very similar to the McCain proposal and when we did, we had an analysis of it and families can purchase health insurance for $5,000.
GOV. RENDELL: For $5,000?
SEN. MARTINEZ: If you turn it over to the government, if you turn it over to the government -
GOV. RENDELL: Mel, tell us all where.
SEN. MARTINEZ: - then the costs go up.
GOV. RENDELL: Give us the name of one -
SEN. MARTINEZ: As long as you keep it in the private sector -
GOV. RENDELL: Give us the name of one company that will insure a family of four for $5,000. The people out there know that's complete bull.
MR. STEPHANOPOULOS: Senator Brown?
SEN. MARTINEZ (?): That's not true. That's not true.
SEN. BROWN: George, what John McCain doesn't tell you in all his ads and all his speeches about this is that first of all, he's going to tax people's benefits of everybody with an employer-based healthcare plan will get taxed on that plan now based on the worth of the plan. He doesn't tell us that. He doesn't tell you that - (inaudible).
MR. STEPHANOPOULOS: For most taxpayers, the tax credit will offset that tax increase. Isn't that true?
SEN. BROWN: But the tax credit will go direct - hold on.
GOV. PAWLENTY: George, on that point -
SEN. BROWN: Let me finish. That the tax credit will go directly to the insurance company, and then what will happen, what else he doesn't tell you is that people that are healthy and younger will get out of their plan because they will get something less expensive in the private market as a result of this, and all kinds of nonpartisan studies say 20 million people will lose their health insurance because the people left in those private plans in a company, in a business, will see their costs go up because they'll be sicker and older, the ones remaining in those private plans will be canceled.
MR. STEPHANOPOULOS: Governor Pawlenty, get in here.
SEN. BROWN: So 20 million Americans could easily lose their health insurance under John McCain's plan.
MR. STEPHANOPOULOS: Governor Pawlenty?
GOV. PAWLENTY: Thank you, George. Some of this just relates to the confusion between a deduction and a credit, and I know that's a lot to get into on the context of this show, but if you have a, say, even a $10,000 plan, assuming some of what Governor Rendell is saying is true that the plans cost more, if you're taxed on a $10,000 plan and you're in a 10 percent tax bracket, you pick up $1,000 of tax liability. If you're under 20 percent tax bracket, you pick up a 20 percent or $2,000 tax liability and so on. John McCain is offering a tax credit which means your liability not your deductibility, your liability on taxes is eliminated by a dollar for dollar amount. So you'd have to have a very expensive plan to equal the power of this tax credit that Senator McCain is offering. And third-party groups - don't listen to politicians, listen to the third-party groups who've analyzed this plan. Several of them in the last week have said in many instances and perhaps even most instances, Senator McCain's purchasing power or benefit to the people involved would exceed Senator Obama's.
MR. STEPHANOPOULOS: But for the 50 million -
GOV. PAWLENTY: And by the way, Senator Obama's plan -
MR. STEPHANOPOULOS: Go ahead.
GOV. PAWLENTY: Senator Obama's plan, by the way, also has a pay or play feature in it for employers. So he has, first of all, a universal standard that says these are going to be the benefits everybody will get, and if you're an employer and you don't participate, you're going to pay. Now, that puts a new and additional burden on the folks who are providing jobs in our country in terms of small businesses and medium size businesses which are the engine of job growth.
MR. STEPHANOPOULOS: Governor Rendell?
GOV. RENDELL: But for the 50 million Americans who don't have healthcare and people are losing healthcare, as you know, George, literally every month, tens of thousands of people lose their healthcare, the McCain plan offers nothing. A $5,000 tax credit will not get you coverage.
MR. STEPHANOPOULOS: Governor Pawlenty, let me switch the conversation - I want to move on to some politics now, some more of the politics. And there's a new poll out in your hometown paper in Minneapolis this morning, Governor Pawlenty, that shows Senator Obama 18 points ahead, I think. Now, that may be an outlier, but it comes on the heels of another poll showing in double digits. Is Minnesota truly in play? I know he's spent a lot of money there, but is Minnesota truly in play for Senator McCain right now?
GOV. PAWLENTY: Well, there was another poll, the SurveyUSA poll that had Senator McCain up by one point in Minnesota just a few days ago as well, George. And the poll that you cite is notoriously not accurate, but nonetheless, Minnesota is a Democrat leaning state, but not so much that it's implausible for a Republican to win here as witnessed by President Bush coming within a few points the last two cycles. We have a Republican Senator Norm Coleman. I was able to win here a couple of times. So it's entirely plausible for a Republican to win, and particularly the kind of Republican Senator McCain is, a maverick, populist, straight talker. I think those kinds of values and approaches sell well in the upper Midwest. He's going to be here this week. So I'd still say there's an advantage or it leans to the Democrats, but Senator McCain could win here and I think he's going to make great progress in the next month.
MR. STEPHANOPOULOS: And Governor Rendell, you were quoted in the "New York Times" this morning saying that Senator Obama has not, by any means, put Pennsylvania away yet even though it was won by Senator Kerry four years ago. And we keep hearing in a lot - there's been a lot of coverage of this - that race may be something holding Senator Obama back in your state. You even acknowledged earlier in the campaign that it was an issue for a lot of the voters of your state.
GOV. RENDELL: Well, two things: number one, the economic crisis changed everything in Pennsylvania. It started getting people focusing on the issues, and when they focus on the issues here, they conclude that Senator Obama's plans are much better for their family. Number two, on the issue of race, here's the analogy I give, George. If you're drowning in the middle of the river and you see a man on the river bank and he's got a coil of rope in his hand, you don't care whether he's black, white, orange or fuchsia. You don't care whether he's Methodist, Jewish or Unitarian. You just care that he's got a strong right arm that can get that rope out to you in the middle of the river. And Senator Obama has that strong right arm. He's got the policies that can turn this country around. And Pennsylvanians are focusing on that.
I think it's going to be much less of a factor than anybody ever thought because when the country is in trouble, and Americans now know for sure the country's in trouble, they look for the best man with the best ideas, the most poised and calm leader, and that surely has been Barack Obama in the last month.
MR. STEPHANOPOULOS: Senator Brown, the McCain campaign has filed suit in your state with the Ohio Supreme Court because they want there to be a poll watcher at every single polling place in the state. They want that mandated. I know you're a former secretary of state as well. Why shouldn't each party have a poll watcher at every polling station? Why shouldn't that be a rule?
SEN. BROWN: I don't know that it needs to be a rule. I think that under Ohio law, people can have access to the polls, can be outside the polling place and can, in most cases I believe, if the law is still what it was, get inside the polling place.
But I want to take off a second on what Governor Rendell said. What we've seen in the last two weeks when polls - polling numbers in Ohio were even or slightly even leaning towards McCain. As people have seen these economic problems, the race has very much changed. And I think people saw the leadership that Barack Obama showed in Washington during the economic bailout issue. When John McCain suspended his campaign and flew into Washington and tried to have this impact and didn't really have much impact, Barack Obama quietly, steadfastly got on the phone, made phone calls, made a difference, as most media outlets have said, made a difference in what happened in the vote in the House of Representatives. He stood up on the floor and made a 15-minute speech. I sit right behind him and saw that speech. John McCain didn't even bother - in his first vote he cast in six months, didn't even bother making a speech on the most economic crisis we faced. I think that will really show a difference in not just style but in the serious steadfast way that they will bring leadership to this country.
MR. STEPHANOPOULOS: Let me get Senator Martinez to respond to that because it sure does seem, Senator Martinez, like the financial crisis has hurt Senator McCain especially in Florida. You get the last word.
SEN. MARTINEZ: Well, there's no question. The fact is that the economic crisis (unfocused ?) people on the election, on the choice they have to make. They have to make a choice in the next few days about whether they're going to turn this country over to an inexperienced, untested, poor judgment person like Barack Obama, or they're going to trust John McCain, who's a proven leader. John McCain showed up. He stopped his campaign, put country first, came to Washington, and got engaged. I think he made a difference. Sherrod doesn't think so. The fact of the matter is Barack Obama sat back and said, call me if you need me. That is not leading at a time of real difficulty for our nation. The bottom line is John McCain is a man that has led, is ready to lead and can take America forward. I trust him to do that, and I think Floridians will too.
MR. STEPHANOPOULOS: Okay, gentlemen. We're going to have to leave it there this morning. Thank you all very much for your time. We've got 37 days ahead.
Source: http://abcnews.go.com/ThisWeek