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So, its taken my all week to get round to posting, but wednesday and thursday I attended Online Information 2007 at Olympia in London. I would have liked to have been there on tuesday for Jimmy Wales packed out Keynote, but had some thing important to do at work :-(
However tuesdays Intranet strand was very interesting, with David Gurteen starting off with 'KM 2.0' and how the social networking tools are going to bring 'real' KM this time around. Look for his video's on "what is knowledge management" by searching under that term on YouTube and Google Video. David has put his slide up on Slideshare.net for us.
Next up was Sam Marshall of Clearbox Consulting. Sam addressed the potential enterprise audiences, categorising them as, 'advocates', 'cautioners' or 'Sceptics'. Sam side he would put his slides up by I don't see them yet (hint hint) but I liked his summary point: "Intranet 2.0 is about getting niche information to niche consumers" {of that information}.
UPDATE: Sam left a comment below with a link to his slides:
Helen Day on behalf of the Intranet Benchmarking Forum and Mark Morrell of BT did a good double act, with Helen presenting on generic findings from IBF studies, and Mark giving specifics on how the technologies are used at BT. Interestingly BT have gone for RSS big style and they are also one of the organisations to have a Wikipedia style online corporate encylopedia. They have 600 authorative articles in the system, so we are right back to David and social KM.......
On wednesday it was enterprise search before taking part in an a panel discussion on Open Source CMS. Boy, did I feel unworthy when compared to the luminaries sat beside me ! The panel was chaired by Theresa Regli of CMS Watch, who set us up with some excellent thought provoking questions. She was followed by John Newton, co-founder of Documentum, and founder of Alfresco. John is always an entertaining presenter and he touched on the fact that UK Government just does not seem to get Open Source (especially compared to other EU countries). Next up was Alex of Alkacon in Germany, the founder of OpenCMS. So why was I there, well the OU is the biggest user in the world of the Moodle open source Virtual Learning Environment (and I believe also currently the biggest Moodle development house !) so we know a thing or two about open source, and of course we used a 'mixed' environment, with closed source software too (we use the first of Mr Newtons products, not the latest.....).
The panel was fun, with some excellent questions from the floor and thus some interesting discussion. Of course no one would go for Theresa's deliberately provocative suggestion that open source CMS would replace proprietary CMS completely and entirely. But John reckons it will be a close thing within ten years, whilst Alex would contend that in the WCMS space, open source will take over as the majority of installations much sooner.


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Traditional project management is most commonly known for using what's called "waterfall" to approach work in phases. It's a pretty common way of working, you start with an ask, then you work from the top phase down to complete the project. This approach works pretty well in a number of different fields where processes are repeated. It's also easy to understand, you start with one step, then you go to the next when you are ready.
We've used waterfall methodologies for decades, because it works, it's not the most adaptable way of working, but when you have a lot of sets to get through with set deadlines it is a manageable way of working for most people.
At the core of the Waterfall methodology is the use of a detailed plan that is scheduled and executed sequentially till you get to your final delivery. Creative executions in traditional media where you worked towards a product launch date and a media plan complemented this way of working. Especially when you have short deadlines, and any missteps mean missing an important media date. The downside of Waterfall, is that if any one step gets held up (i.e. client approval or redo of a creative phase) it would wreck havoc on the big plan, forcing other phases to condense in time.
Waterfall is built on dependencies — step A must be complete before step B can begin, and so on. This worked especially well in top-down cultures, like pharmaceutical advertising, where products had lengthy launch dates and required legal review for compliance.
Waterfall is also easy to teach, if you understand the creative phases of an agency, you can predict what you need to do in order to get to the next stage. In many ways, agency rituals were born out of this phased approach. The agency gets an RFP from a client, an agency response, the agency gets invited to pitch, the agency pitches 3 concepts, the agency wins, a contract gets negotiated, and so on.
As you can see, agency work can be pretty linear. Even digital agency's can work in a linear format.
The problem is, Waterfall has its limitations. The creative process (the way we think, or build on ideas) isn't a very linear process. By default we got a bit lazy with out project management methodology thinking. Our whole way of billing clients became dependent on working in this fashion. Our staffs got a bit bloated in order to "manage the process."
The biggest downside of waterfall came along when clients began to commodify the creative process and we went along for the ride. Client's began to involve their procurement departments when negotiating, and they applied their manufacturing analysis of costs easily to the waterfall agency model.
I'm not saying that switching to agile methods is going to make working with the evils of procurement any easier. What I am saying is that it is any easy way of thinking about and completing a project.
Waterfall is easily scopeable, when a client has a fixed cost and a fixed deliverable, we can work out what its going to cost because we know what resources we need to use and how long things are going to take.
If the client isn't going to change the scope mid-stream, or the changes are manageable through a change request then waterfall is easy. It's also easy to apply metrics to the profitability of the job, and find financial and project management software that is geared towards Waterfall.
The Waterfall methodology is best suited for projects that have a clear picture of the final product. It only works if clients don't expect the opportunity to change the scope of the project after it has commenced and when the definition of the project, that detailed plan, is more important than adjusting a delivery date. Waterfall is also helpful when you have a lot of deliverables that depend on each other for completion (interdependencies).
The Pros of working in Waterfall:
- You can apply traditional project management thinking easily.
- Works well for highly detailed projects.
- When you need a lot of pre-planning to happen.
- Limits client expectations, you get what you pay for.
- Clear internal expectations for the team.
- Set approvals, due-dates to work against.
- Record-keeping and documentation is easy to manage.
The Cons of working in Waterfall:
- Hard to switch what you are doing late in the game.
- Earlier phases taking to much time impact the late phases
- Results happen at the end of the project.
- Testing happens late.
- Very little room to change or address changes in the market.
- Scopes work towards fixed requirements.
On a positive note, Waterfall can be adjusted so that phases work concurrently, and you can set specific deliverables and a way of working that clients get use to, limiting questioning when things go off the rails. The downside, like we said before is that the creative process (the way we think) doesn't really gel with set deadlines.

subset: commoncrawl


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Corporate Partnerships - Solutions for a Better Mongolia
Whether you are a big corporation with thousands of employees or a small company with a big heart, partnering with World Vision can make a difference for your bottom line, engage your employees, and help children in need in Mongolia.
With your cooperation, we can deepen our reach and the impact of our work. When you partner with World Vision, you partner with communities to help them create and sustain a poverty-free future.
Can tailor a partnership plan that reflects your corporate values, commitment, business strategy, and desire to make an impact for children in need.
We can change lives.
1. Strategic Partnerships
2. Employee Engagement
3. Cause Marketing and Retail Partnerships
4. Disaster Relief Support


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Continuing the House of Cards theme today (can you guess that I just finished the third season last night?), I ran across a pretty interesting video about the accent that Kevin Spacey's uses in the show. Spacey's character, Frank Underwood, hails from South Carolina and speaks in a somewhat peculiar way. Personally, as someone who lives in Atlanta and married into an Alabama family, I've become a little sensitive to the way in which southerners are portrayed. Spacey's accent definitely rubbed me the wrong way sometimes, especially when he looks into the camera and dispenses some country wisdom. Some people that I know here think that his accent is little better than a caricature and one friend said that he "sounds like Foghorn Leghorn."
But Spacey is very good with impressions in talk shows and the like, so I have always been sort of skeptical of the notion that his accent is simply not very good. The video explains that his accent is actually native to a very specific part of the south, and that one would be more likely to hear this particular way of speaking in an older or wealthier person. Along the way, the video talks about the different styles of southern speech and how some things that we think of as southern (like "r dropping") actually happen in many different dialects.
It's a few minutes long, but I think it rewards watching. The video can be found here. Enjoy!


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Grand Duke Kirill and his son and successor Grand Duke Wladimir each considered himself to be the Emperor of Russia in exile. It must be noted, however, that this fact indicates nothing about their views of the political structure of a restored monarchy.[1] Both believed it impossible, undesirable and in the highest degree counterproductive to try to "turn back the clock" by restoring the autocratic tsarism that existed before 1917 or, for that matter, 1905.
They both envisaged a constitutional monarchy. They knew that countries evolve and that their monarchies must evolve with them. This was true of countries like Great Britain and must also be true of Russia.
Grand Duke Kirill and his wife Grand Duchess Victoria lived in St. Petersburg until summer 1917 and were able to observe the disintegration of the monarchy from a privileged position. Both were first cousins of Emperor Nicholas II. (All three were grandchildren of Emperor Alexander II, the "Tsar-Liberator.") Grand Duchess Victoria was also a first cousin of Empress Alexandra and had once been her sister-in-law. Both women were grandchildren of Queen Victoria. Grand Duke Kirill and Grand Duchess Victoria understood how various decisions during the last years of the monarchy affected its survival. In late February 1917, when the monarchy was collapsing, Grand Duke Paul, the last surviving brother of Nicholas II's father (and of Kirill's father), drafted a proposed manifesto for the Emperor's signature establishing a constitutional, representative government. Paul's letter of transmittal, asking the Emperor to approve the manifesto, was also signed by Grand Duke Michael (the Emperor's brother) and Grand Duke Kirill. Nicholas II did not receive it, however, before his abdication.[2]
After taking the title of Emperor in 1924, Kirill I issued a number of proclamations and manifestos setting forth the policies he envisioned for a post-communist Russia. They included equality of rights of all peoples within the empire, regardless of social class, "the widest participation of the people in the government and economics of the land," religious tolerance, labor laws protecting the health and safety of workers, and social insurance for the elderly and disabled.[3] His son, Grand Duke Wladimir wrote that "[m]y parents repeatedly asserted that our first and foremost problem was to convince the whole world that a restoration of Russia's rightful monarchy would not mean reaction…"[4]
Grand Duchess Victoria herself was half-Russian (the daughter of a Romanoff mother) and half-English. She was born a Princess of Great Britain and Ireland and was a daughter of Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, second son of Queen Victoria. She had grown up at her grandmother's court and developed a keen understanding of international politics. In the 1920s and 1930s, she was her husband's closest advisor and confidante.
Admiral H.G. Graf, her husband's private secretary for many years, wrote this about Grand Duchess Victoria:
Her views were broad-minded and modern. She was particularly interested in new political phenomena and her analyses were always unbiased…[In the 1930s she] no longer believed that the downfall of the Soviet Power was imminent. Her Majesty[5] could not, of course, predict post-WW II events, but she did foresee the disappearance of the old Occidental European way of life. She expressed the view that we were living in a transitional period. She seemed able to sense the emergence of a new era and the triumph of democratic principles over Communism…She often said, "If we [Russia] are a truly great nation, then we shall rise by ourselves. If we fail, it will not be foreigners who will help us recover. Foreigners will not only fail to help us, they will simply finish us off."… Due to her knowledge of, and access to, political circles of Western Europe and the US, Her Majesty was the most effective advocate for the restoration of the legitimate monarchy in Russia. In meeting statesmen under various circumstances, she would never miss the opportunity to explain to them that the reinstatement of the monarchy in Russia with the Romanov Dynasty should in no way be construed as a reactionary triumph. Quite the contrary, the new form of democratic monarchy would bring the Russian people liberty and the right to participate in the ruling of the country. The new monarchy must be and will be a civilized, democratic regime, which the Soviet regime, especially under the dictatorship of Stalin, certainly is not. To many foreigners Her Majesty's views were a revelation, accustomed as they were to thinking of the tsarist regime as a dictatorship violating democratic principles, such that its reinstatement would be retrogressive. Her Majesty viewed the reinstatement of the monarchy and the transfer of power into the hands of the legitimate monarch as the projected outcome of a national revolution and overthrow of the Soviet Regime by the displeased Russian people…Her Majesty projected world events as a long fight between capitalist democracies, leading the nations along a path of progressive development and improvement of living standards on one hand, and communism, promoting ideas which she considered contrary to basic human concepts, on the other. She viewed communism as an artificial doctrine unable to provide a happy existence to mankind. She felt that even were capitalism to lose this struggle, the defeat would only be temporary because capitalism was not a contrivance of man but was formed by the dictates of life. Therefore it couldn' t perish. On the other hand, communism, which tries to make obedient slaves out of one portion of the population, is bound to disappear because nobody can change human nature as created by God. From these premises, Her Majesty viewed as essential the continuous revitalization of monarchistic ideology to embody new trends. These convictions are reflected in His Majesty's declarations, since they were written almost invariably with Her Majesty's participation. I reiterate here for emphasis that His Majesty and Her Majesty were opposed to any form of foreign intervention in Russia.[6]
Grand Duke Wladimir shared the opposition of his parents to any notion of foreign military intervention in Russia. He believed the Russia could not make progress until the Russian people themselves overthrew Communism. After this happened in the 1990s, Grand Duke Wladimir wrote down his views in what would be his last public speech. It was his first public speech to a Western audience since the fall of the Soviet Union, and he worked on it assiduously for weeks. The Grand Duke was to deliver the speech before an important business group at a breakfast in Miami on April 22, 1992. He died suddenly, however, the day before, during a press conference on April 21, 1992. With her strong sense of duty and knowing that her husband had an important message to deliver in his speech, the Grand Duke's widow, Grand Duchess Leonida, insisted that the speech be read as planned the following morning. Prince Nicolas Ouroussoff, who had accompanied the Grand Duke from Paris to Miami, read the speech to an audience of more than a thousand Miami business leaders. Here are some key excerpts:
…Like many other Russians raised in exile abroad, I have spent most of my life firm in the belief that the best way to help Russia and the Russian people was by opposing communism. This was also the attitude of my late father, who felt that no real political, economic or spiritual progress could take place in Russia as long it was under the Marxist yoke. In the last few months, the communist system that held my country in its grip for 74 tragic years has at last, thank God, been smashed to pieces by the Russian people. And now, for the first time, Russians living in exile like myself can begin to speak realistically about participating with our compatriots in Russia in the effort to rebuild our country…My wife, my daughter, my grandson and I are Russians, and as Russians, we wish to participate and contribute in any way possible, whether official or unofficial, public or private, to the progress of our country. We all thank God that our country has been delivered from communism. We are also most grateful that this long and involuntary exile is finally ending…The problems that Russia faces are so enormous that there is room for all Russians, whether in Russia or abroad, to pitch in and lend a hand, each in his own way and each according to his own possibilities. This of course includes us…Given the continuing fragmentation of what used to be the Soviet Union, it is my belief that a monarchy offers certain definite advantages which no other form of government can provide. In the first place, a democratic and constitutional monarchy can play an enormous role as a stabilizing factor and as a focus for unity within a federal system. In the present period of turbulence and chaos, one cannot overestimate the advantages to the nation of a monarchy, which, as an institution, is totally removed from party politics and whose position remains unaffected by the failures of political leaders. I envision the monarchy as an institution in which one can have absolute trust and whose impartiality and neutrality allow the monarch to serve as a genuine arbiter within a federation or commonwealth. The example that immediately comes to mind is that of my mother's country, Great Britain. Before the creation of the British Commonwealth, the Crown served as the key link and really the last link of an Empire. With the creation of the British Commonwealth, Her Majesty the Queen, as Head of the Commonwealth, has been the one symbol linking so many countries, both monarchies and republics, all over the globe…It seems to me that the peoples of Russia would understand and accept such a political structure. A monarchy in Russia, however, could do more than provide a focus for national or commonwealth unity. It would also provide a symbol of continuity, something that would allow the people to identify with their past and serve as a constant reminder of their history, their patrimony and their roots. For a nation that was nearly robbed of its history and now in many ways is without moorings, this is of extreme importance. I see the role of a Russian monarch as a catalyst for federation, within the framework of a democratic monarchy of which he would be the first servant – a monarch not tied to any ideology and who expresses himself publicly on issues from a strictly non-political point of view. In this sense, a monarchy can serve the people as a democratic bulwark against dictatorship. In addition, a monarchy as an institution can serve very effectively as the focus for the loyalty of the armed forces. Armed forces which are loyal to the symbol of the Crown rather than to the partisan political leaders or parties provide a further protection from military interference in the civil affairs of government, thus strengthening democracy. All these questions must, as I said before, be decided by the Russian people at the appropriate time and under the appropriate circumstances. It is difficult to predict what the ultimate decision might be.[7]
Almost a quarter century has now passed since the fall of the Soviet Union and the succession of the Grand Duchess Maria as Head of the Imperial House in 1992. In this final speech of Grand Duke Wladimir, read in Miami the day after his death, he described his only trip to Russia, in November 1991 for the re-naming of the old imperial capital as St. Peterburg. He then stated, "In this manner the long exile from Russia of the Imperial Family was at last brought to an end." Soon after his death, the Russian citizenship which members of the dynasty had been deprived of by Bolshevik legislation after the revolution was restored to Grand Duchess Maria and her son, Grand Duke George. They now travel frequently to Russia.
Grand Duchess Maria shares the attitudes of her father and grandfather. As she has come to know Russia better over the years, however, her focus has been on the role the Russian Imperial House can play as a cultural and historical institution representing Russia's traditions and cultural patrimony. Her chancellery's website records in great detail the countless demanding trips, ceremonies, and commemorations she has made or attended in the countries that comprise the former territories of the Russian Empire. Nonetheless, she realizes that the Imperial House now unfortunately numbers only two members and that there is a limit to how much two individuals can do, even if they are supported by a highly competent chancellery in Moscow.
She is perfectly aware that, under the succession laws promulgated by her ancestor Emperor Paul I in the 18th century, she is the Head of the Imperial House. She has often stated that the form of Russia's government is a matter for the Russian people to decide. She works closely with the Patriarch and the Russian Orthodox Church and does not allow herself to become involved in political issues of any kind. When a wealthy Russian formed a monarchist political party to advocate a restoration, with her as empress, she rejected his overtures immediately and sent him packing. Her goal has been to establish the Imperial House as an institution that, in close cooperation with the Russian Orthodox Church, can play a constructive role in the civic life of Russia, especially in the realms of charity and the preservation of Russia's cultural, religious, artistic and architectural patrimony.
The Grand Duchess stated as follows in a 2007 interview:[8]
My main role as Head of the Russian Imperial House is to help the people of Russia to restore the nation's spiritual and moral values and its national character, to help them build a civil society based on their ancient traditions, which the Revolution nearly destroyed. In practice, this means our active involvement in charitable, cultural, legal, and other forms of social activities. At the same time, I am categorically against involving the Imperial House in politics. The dynasty, whether it rules or not, should be a source of unity, not division. Ideally, I want each citizen of Russia, regardless of his or her political convictions, social views, or religious affiliation, to know that the Imperial House of Romanov exists and that it belongs to each and every one of them. That is, I want them to know that there exists a living symbol, which is not just an inanimate representation of the state, like a state coat-of-arms, flag, or national anthem, but is something to which the people can turn for moral support and assistance. As far as reestablishing the monarchy is concerned, this is not up to me. Certainly, I believe that the monarchy very much has a future. For the Imperial House to deny this would be as absurd as the Church denying the existence of God…. Legitimate, hereditary monarchy as a national arbiter that stands above party politics and class interests would be the best guarantor of genuine democracy in the modern world. That is, in short, my view on the matter. However, only the people can decide if a monarchy is needed or not. And the House of Romanoff will always serve Russia no matter what its form of government might be.
[1] The response to this "FAQ" is taken almost verbatim from an unpublished research paper written by Brien Purcell Horan and is used here with permission.
[2] The Fall of the Romanovs by Mark D. Steinberg and Vladimir M. Khrustalëv (Yale University Press, 1995), pp. 86-88
[3] My Life in Russia's Service – Then and Now by H.I.H. the Grand Duke Cyril (Selwyn & Blount, London, 1939), pp. 274-279
[4] Ibid., p. 224.
[5] After Grand Duke Kirill decided to use in exile his title of Emperor, his private secretary Admiral Graf referred to him and his consort as "His Majesty" and "Her Majesty."
[6] In the Service of the Imperial House of Russia, 1917-1941: The Memoirs of H.G. Graf, by H.G. Graf, translated from Russian by Vladimir Graf with William L. Dunn (privately published, 1998), pp. 558-560.
[7] In referring to democracy, the Grand Duke meant a structure of government responsible to the elected representatives of the people and ultimately accountable to the people. He would have been profoundly shocked by some of the practices which occurred in the 1990s, including the outright sale of public assets and the creation of a class of billionaire oligarchs. Some Russians now associate the chaos and abuses of this period with democracy. He would not have made this association. His notion of a democratic government was a simple one: a government chosen by voters in elections free from corruption and which enshrined the rule of law.
[8] Agence France-Presse, 19 September 2007.


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Our Members
Massanetta Springs, Inc. is a Virginian non-stock corporation whose eighteen Board members are elected by and represent congregants within the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic. This 501(c)(3) organization trades as "Massanetta Springs Camp and Conference Center."
The Board meets three times annually and provides excellent oversight of the work of the camp and center, guiding and supporting the efforts of the staff to provide a place where all may "experience the grace and hospitality of Christ."
Rev. Dr. Joseph C. McCutchen
President of the Board (Presbytery of the Peaks)
- Farmville, Virginia
- Retired PC (USA) Pastor
- Supply Preacher in the Presbytery of the Peaks
- Former Synod Council Chair (Higher Educ. and Restructuring)
Rev. C. Brandon Brewer
(Presbytery of Baltimore)
- Pasadena, Maryland
- Director of Hospice of the Chesapeake, Baltimore/Maryland Area
- Former member of the Planning Team for MSC at Massanetta Springs
Dr. Ruth H. Burkins
(New Castle Presbytery)
- Newark, Delaware
- Ruling Elder, St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church
- Retired School Superintendent
- Consultant, Public Education
Wendell Hill
(Charlotte Presbytery)
- Charlotte, North Carolina
- Ruling Elder, Memorial PC
- Synod Men's Council, Kenya Mission Leader
- Past Synod Conference Chair at Massanetta
- Mortgage Officer, Bank of America
Rev. Warren J. LeSane, Jr.
- Richmond, Virginia
- South Carolina native and organizing Pastor
- Synod of the Mid-Atlantic Executive and Stated Clerk
- Former Assoc. Staff for both Charlotte Presbytery and James
- Former USAF Chaplain, Lt. Col.
- Former Chaplain & Assoc Prof. Johnson C Smith University
Debbie Reese
(Baltimore Presbytery)
- Hanover, Maryland
- Ruling Elder of First Presbyterian Church of Howard County, Maryland
- Program Director for Data and Informatics at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
- Over 18 years as a Senior High Advisor
- Extensive church experience and trips with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
Sandy Mori
(National Capital Presbytery)
- Falls Church, Virginia
- Ruling Elder, Annandale Presbyterian Church
- Presbyterian Women
Craig Nygard
(Salem Presbytery)
- Greensboro, North Carolina
- Retired from IBM
- Co-Directed the 2006 Youth Conference at Montreat Conference Center
Amy Woynicz
(New Hope Presbytery)
- Raleigh , North Carolina
- Ruling Elder
- Guidance Technician at Wake County Public School System
Rev. Ann Reed Held
Vice-President of the Board (Shenandoah Presbytery)
- Harrisonburg, Virginia
- Retired PC(USA) Pastor, Trinity Harrisonburg
- Author & Spirituality Coach
- Founding Boards of several Harrisonburg Social Service Groups
- Massanetta conferences leader and speaker
Brenda R. Brown
(Presbytery of New Hope)
- Manteo, North Carolina
- Ruling Elder of Outer Banks Presbyterian Church
- Retired Teacher
- Former Moderator of the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic Presbytery Women
Rev. John R. "Skip" Hastings
(Shenandoah Presbytery)
- Pastor, Collierstown Presbyterian Church, Lexington, VA
- Friends of Massanetta Chair
- Met wife at Massanetta
Rev. Charlie Lee
(Coastal Carolina Presbytery)
- Associate Pastor, FPC Wilmington, NC
- Massanetta Middle School and SALT Conference Teams
- Former Retreat Center Program Director
Addie Peterson
(Eastern Virginia Presbytery)
- Norfolk, Virginia
- Pastor of Messiah Presbyterian Church
Randy Smith
(Presbytery of the James)
- Richmond, Virginia
- Ruling Elder of First Presbyterian Church, Richmond
- Retired Human Resource Executive with Dominion Power
- Former President of Synod Man of Church
- Third Term on Board of Trustees
Marion Van Pelt
(Shenandoah Presbytery)
- Keezletown, Virginia
- Member, First Presbyterian Church, Harrisonburg, VA
- Ruling Elder, Augusta Stone Presbyterian
- Living Waters Building Committee
- Associate, Redifer Construction & Restoration, LLC
The Rev. John Weicher
(New Hope Presbytery)
- Raleigh, North Carolina
- Degrees from Princeton University and Columbia Theological Seminary
- Directed the 2004 and 2005 Massanetta Springs Middle School Conference
- Directed the 2007 Youth Conference at Montreat Conference Center
- Interned at National Volunteers Office of the Presbyterian Church (USA)


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Thursday, January 31, 2013
2013 Cardinal Open held in memory of Mike Anders
Michael Anders, 1955-2013
The 36th Cardinal Open held January 25-27 in Columbus, Ohio, was dedicated to a lost friend. Michael R. Anders, associate national tournament director, teacher, bookseller and USCF life member died in a plane crash on his 58th birthday. Mike was a private pilot who often flew between Kentucky and the Caribbean where he once lived and taught. On Friday January 4, 2013, while flying along the coast of Florida, from Fort Pierce, Florida, headed for Knoxville, Tennessee, Mike reported engine trouble and was attempting to make an emergency landing. Sadly, he didn't make it. His plane crashed into a Palm Coast home, killing him and his two passengers, Duane Shaw, 59, a neighbor of Mike's in Albany, KY, and Charisse Peoples, 42, of Indianapolis. Charisse was Shaw's fiancée. Miraculously, the resident of the home, Susan Crockett, escaped with only a minor bruise. The plane was a 1957 Beech Bonanza H-35 and Anders was the registered owner.
Mike's full time job at the time of the crash was Spanish teacher for Clinton County High School in Kentucky. He previously taught school in Cincinnati, and was an active scholastic chess coach and tournament director. Recently he was living in Kentucky, but remained a familiar face at tournaments in Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee. He was the bookseller at the 2009 U.S. Junior Chess Congress, a USCF National event held in Anderson, IN and was the section chief at the K-3 SuperNationals in 2009. His most recent TD assignment was at the 21st Kings Island Open in Cincinnati this past November.
Whether he was directing or selling books and equipment, Mike was energetic, maintained a constant smile, and had jokes and stories to share with everyone. He was a class-B player, with a peak rating of 1774. But, more than playing, Mike always enjoyed conversation with other chess players.
Ohio chess organizer Grant Perks, who served as interim USCF Executive Director in late 2003, recalled that Mike was a teacher at Cincinnati Country Day School. "He ran concurrent scholastic and adult tournaments on a monthly basis during the school year," Perks said. "It was an opportunity for me to bring kids to play in a scholastic event while I played in the open section. Mike organized at least one state scholastic at the school. He also directed the first two Queen City Classics."
For a short time, Mike owned a barbeque restaurant in the Cincinnati area and then moved to the U.S. Virgin Islands before returning to Kentucky near to resume teaching. Mike enjoyed flying any time he could. "When I took the position at the USCF," Perks recalled, "Mike willingly flew me to New Windsor at a moment's notice. I wasn't scheduled to be there until the next week but wanted to reach out to the staff. Flying in for a quick turnaround wasn't feasible with commercial flights." Mike, as always, was right there to help out.
Remembering Mike to the 190 players on hand for the Cardinal Open, tournament director Grant Neilley said, "It is rumored that Mike hadn't yet passed the NTD exam, because he couldn't help answering the questions with a humor the graders apparently didn't share." Neilley is president of the Fellowship of the King Chess Club, the sponsoring affiliate of Cardinal Open, a popular regional event held continuously since 1978. He concluded his customary announcements at the start of the event by asking for a few moments of silence and then declared, with a discernible combination of respect, affection and sadness in his voice, "We dedicate the 2013 Cardinal Open to the memory of our friend Mike Anders."
Grant Neilley, Ohio-based tournament director
This was Neilley's fourth year organizing and directing the Cardinal Open. He was assisted this year by Myron Thomas and Alex Neilley. Grant Neilley organized his first tournament in 2006 after starting a club the year before. "I was asking around to see how we could raise awareness of our club and boost attendance," Neilley recalled, "and someone told me the best way was to organize a tournament. I wondered, Ok. How do I do that? I had never even been to one. If I had known then where it would all lead, I'm not so sure I would have taken the first step, and I'm pretty sure my wife wouldn't have let me. But for some reason, I've come to really enjoy it, so I just keep going."
The original Cardinal Open was initiated by Larry Paxton, who got his start in chess organization as The Ohio State University's chess club tournament director and editor of its weekly Phalanx back in the early 1960s. In 1971, he returned to Ohio and stepped into the presidency of the Ohio Chess Association, floating almost exclusively on the shoulders of David Wolford's Ohio Chess Bulletin and its signature tournament, The Ohio Chess Congress.
According to Larry, "Dick Fuller moved on to Baroque recorder music and I inherited his tournament staff including Susan Boone as O.C.A. treasurer. Susie made the O.C.A. look competent and professional." Later, an outspoken critic from the Cleveland area said the O.C.A. was useless and hadn't done anything new for Ohio Chess in decades. "Susie and I were offended," Fuller said, "and challenged."
"But because of Fischer," he continued, "the chess calendar was crowded, especially during fair weather months. We found a hole in late January, but had already decided that to rise above the routine, to make the O.C.A. 'un-useless', we needed the scale of the Ohio Chess Congress. For a new tournament to break in at that level would require guarantees. We not only wanted a big turnout, we wanted strong players. The risk of such an event in a 'middlin' state in mid-winter seemed huge."
"We called the tournament the Cardinal Open for all its meanings, and held our breath. Although the Columbus Dispatch reported 200 players, we had, I think, 111 and that was enough. The tournament has never looked back. Grant Perks, Randy Ryan and David Hater popularized things like Friday rounds and second chance re-entries in Ohio, and attracted some of the Grandmasters. The Cardinal events have given the U.S.C.F. Grand Prix a strong launch each year."
The entrants to this year's Cardinal Open included Grandmasters Alexander Shabalov, Dmitry Gurevich, Alex Yermolinsky and Andre Diamant as well as International Master Justin Sarker and FIDE Master Atulya Shetty, 2012 Denker Tournament co-champion. The clear winner was Brazilian GM Diamant a member of the Webster University college chess team. Webster University will compete for the first time in the Final Four of College Chess in Rockville, MD, in April.
Diamont defeated Shetty in the final round to finish with a score of 4.5-0.5, his only blemish resulting from his fourth round draw with Dmitry Gurevich. FM Carl Boor defeated Shabalov in round 5 to take a share of second place with Gurevich at 4-1. Boor's only loss was to Diamant in round 3 in what turned out to be the key encounter of the tournament.
John Marcsik of Kentucky and Tom Shutzman of Missouri shared Under-200 honors in the Open section. The Under-2100 section was won by Manis Davidovich of Michigan with 4.5 points, a half point ahead of Awonder Liang, Bill Turner, Chris Bush and John Miller. Tom Rosenbaum of Indiana swept the Under-1800 section with a perfect 5-0 score. Uner-1500 honors went to Matthew Yuan of Ohio (4.5 points). Michael Giglio and Ayush Sunkad, both of Ohio, shared the top prize in the Under-1300 section with 4.5 points each.
Grandmaster Andre Diamant (Brazil and Webster University), winner of the 2013 Cardinal Open
Games from the Cardinal Open will be presented in the next blog entry (February 7, 2013).
Portions of this article will be published in the March 2013 Chess Life magazine and the May 2013 issue of the Ohio Chess Bulletin.
Posted by This Week's Chess Safari at 3:30 AM Links to this post
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Yermo comes to Cornell to meet with Chess Team
GM Alex Yermolinsky met with members of the Cornell University chess team in Ithaca, NY. yesterday. Pictured are Brian Liou, Robert Xue, Udit Gupta, Anna Levina (partially hidden), Tom Riccardi, Avjol Kapaj, Bo Tharma, Vitaliy Ryabinin, Adam Holmes, Alex Yermolinsky and Frank Niro (photo courtesy of Walter DeJong).
Click here to see similar post in Susan Polgar's blog (1/31/13).
Posted by This Week's Chess Safari at 1:31 AM Links to this post
Labels: GM Alex Yermolinsky
Thursday, January 24, 2013
South Dakota to Ohio... via Missouri
We spent Wednesday night in Boonville, MO, where I was disappointed to learn that the poker room at the Isle of Capri casino has been closed down. Today we visited the campus of Webster University in Webster Groves near St. Louis. Alex met with Susan Polgar and some members of the Webster University Chess team.
Pictured above are (l. to r.): Chess Grandmaster Anatoly Bykhovsky (Israel), your friendly neighborhood blogger (US), Grandmaster and former women's World Champion Susan Polgar (Hungary, now US), Grandmaster and former US Champion Alex Yermolinsky (Soviet Union, now US), and Grandmaster Georg Meier (Germany).
Bykhovsky and Meier will play for the Webster University team in the upcoming Final Four of College Chess in Herndon, VA, in April.
Dinner in St. Louis with Meier, Bykhovsky, International Master Vitaly Niemer (Israel), Yermolinsky, and Women's International Master Inna Agrest (Sweden).
Tomorrow we head to Columbus, OH, for the Cardinal Open.
Posted by This Week's Chess Safari at 2:30 AM Links to this post
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
What, no Harleys???
An empty Main Street in Sturgis, SD, bears little resemblance to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally held each year in August. One-eyed Jack's Saloon (pictured below) is open only six weeks of the year. Most people who have been to Sturgis have never seen it looking like the photo below.
Below is a look at Main Street in August!
From here I drove to Rapid City to get my oil changed, and then on to Sioux Falls to meet Alex Yermolinsky, Camilla Baginskaite and Danny Olim for dinner.
Posted by This Week's Chess Safari at 2:03 AM Links to this post
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Lots of snowmobiles
For most of the morning I saw more snowmobiles than cars in western Wyoming (but no buffalo). Rested at Little Big Horn (Montana) for two hours and reached Spearfish before midnight.
Today I will drive about 400 miles to Sioux Falls where I will pick up a passenger, chess Grandmaster Alex Yermolinsky, 1993 and 1996 U.S. Chess Champion, who will join me for the remainder of the trip to NY.
Along the way I expect to stop in Sturgis to check my antifreeze and transmission fluid. Wonder what the town looks like without 500,000 bikers and their wheels...
Yesterday's mileage: 578
Two-day total: 912
ETA Ithaca: Monday evening, January 28
Planned stops en route: Boonville, St. Louis and Columbus (2013 Cardinal Open)
Posted by This Week's Chess Safari at 12:27 PM Links to this post
Monday, January 21, 2013
Day #2, Little Big Horn
Minus 6 degrees with a forecast of "freezing fog" as I head out this morning. God willing, today I will skirt the Tetons, drive past the west entrance to Yellowstone near the spot where Idaho, Wyoming and Montana come together, visit Little Big Horn National Monument (site of Custer's Last Stand) and finish the day in Spearfish, SD, in the shadows of the Black Hills and Mount Rushmore.
Will try to take some photos today along the route.
Yesterday's mileage: 334.2
Today's planned mileage: 578 (longest driving day of the trip)
Posted by This Week's Chess Safari at 10:40 AM Links to this post
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Heading East
The car is packed and the car fluids topped off. I'm leaving today for Cornell University. Should arrive in Ithaca 3 or 4 days before my class begins. Stops along the way in Sioux Falls SD, St. Louis MO and Columbus OH.
I chose a route that doesn't include Salt Lake City or Denver because of weather fears. Just learned that it will be 61 degrees in Denver on Tuesday and 63 on Wednesday. I hope the rest of my choices on this trip will be better. Look here for status reports along the way.
First sleep stop tonight in St. Anthony, Idaho (pictured above).
Posted by This Week's Chess Safari at 1:49 PM Links to this post
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Our Easter Bunny Wish List
Are you ready for a great Easter weekend? Why not grab a few extra things to help decorate your home and fill your family's Easter baskets. We've put together a list of things that we would personally love to get from the Easter Bunny (*hint*hint*) including some great egg-themed centerpieces, floral serving ware, and socks in fun spring patterns. Check out our favorite things below!
Get into the Easter spirit: 1) Levtex Easter Felt Banner 2) EASE Sheer Women's Knee High 20-30 mmHg 3) Easter Blossom Spray 4) Easter Bunny Centerpiece 5) Sockwell Men's Smooth Vibe 20-30 mmHg 6) Easter Serving Platter 7) 50 Ways To Decorate Easter Eggs 8) Rejuva Stripe Compression Socks 15-20 mmHg 9) Sockwell Women's Twister Socks 20-30 mmHg 10) Easter Home Decor 11) Wooden Easter Decorations 12) Rejuva Stripe Compression Socks 15-20 mmHg


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CPAN Ratings: Transform-Canvas reviews http://cpanratings.perl.org/dist/Transform-Canvas CPAN Ratings: Transform-Canvas reviews en-us 2000-08-23T07:00+00:00 firstname.lastname@example.com email@example.com Perl 1901-01-01T00:00+00:00 1 daily Adam Kennedy http://cpanratings.perl.org/dist/Transform-Canvas#1349
Rating: 2 stars

(I have no opinion on the function of the module)

Transform::Canvas appears to have been added to CPAN very (overly) hastily.

Much of the documentation has not been changed from the default hs2xs. "Perl extension to blah blah blah". "It looks like the author of the extension was negligent enough to leave the stub unedited."

In addition, the choice of name is quite poor.

The module name shows both the incorrect order (Verb -> Noun instead of Noun -> Verb) and is in a non-standard unused location (Transform::...) which adds a new root namespace unnecesarily.

Highly recommend not using this module at this point, as it is likely to be moved to a different namespace.

(I'd expect something more like Algorithm:: or SVG::Math:: or something similar).
 Adam Kennedy 2005-02-08T21:00:39


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Medium Access Control Sublayer Test 1 - Online Test
Test Difficulty Level: Medium
Syllabus of Test
The Channel Allocation Problem, Multiple Access Protocols, Etherent, Wireless LAN's, Broadband Wireless, Bluetooth, Data Link Layer Switching.
Sample Question from this online test:
Question: Raj is required to provide information on how many people are using the network at any one time. Which network will enable him to do so ?
Option A: Sever - Based
Option B: Token - Ring
Option C: Eathernet
Option D: Star
To answer, click the "Start This Test" button below.
Start this Test
Related Online Tests:
No comment yet. Be the first to post a comment.


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For those of you having a rough morning, here's pictures of Grumpy Cat hanging out at the Vogue Office doing awesomely grumpy things. You're welcome! [The Luxury Spot]
This necessary read proves that nothing makes a woman more beautiful then owning herself [The Man Repeller]
Addicted to your social media? Here are some awesome tips to keeping your accounts workplace-friendly from the queen of social media herself [Lauren Conrad]
Dove's inspiring new campaign is a great reminder that beauty is a state of mind, nothing more [Beauty High]
Festival season is here! This list is #perf to have on hand while packing so you don't forget the beauty essentials [HonestlyJamie]


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Chihuahuas are the smallest dog breed in the world and one of the oldest breeds in North America. A state in Mexico serves as the breed's namesake.
Chihuahuas are a toy breed, ranging from 2 to 6 pounds when fully grown. The breed has numerous variations and no universally accepted appearance. For instance, some Chihuahuas have furry hair, whereas others have silky hair that lays flat against the body.
The American Kennel Club ranks the Chihuahua as the 13th most popular breed in America. However, the AKC only recognizes two main breed-types, specifically those with smooth or long coats. The AKC officially recognized the first Chihuahua in 1904, making it one of the earliest registered breeds. Smooth- and long-coat Chihuahuas have a close common ancestor, but experts disagree over where it originated.
Some enthusiasts claim that Chihuahuas are descended from an ancient Mesoamerican dog breed called the Techichi, which were revered as spirit guides in the underworld. Other enthusiasts believe that ancient Egyptians developed the breed. Chihuahuas are a very social breed and enjoy spending time with human companions. American tourists introduced the breed to North America after bringing friendly, portable Chihuahuas home as souvenirs in the mid-1800s.
Healthy Chihuahuas can live up to 20 years.


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Dare to Live.
What is the lost opportunity that evokes a deep sadness? What is the regret that you keep quietly hidden away in the quiet of your subconscious? What is it that you say that you would do, if only you had the luxury of repeating your past?
Life is too precious and valuable to subscribe to tribal rules and restrictions. To hell with the temptation of "woulda, shoulda, coulda." It is time to stop procrastinating and start living. Existence is a poor price to pay for a life unlived. There is no time like the present. Today, I invite you to live on the edge. Step out of your comfort zone and do that which you have always wanted, but never dared to do. Feel the fears that rise in your body and the chatter that fills your head? It is an opportunity for you to make a courageous choice.
Live for those who cannot. Live for those who did not. Live for those who will not. Be a hero in the mirror. There is no day like today.
Success or sabotage? Success goes where it is loved. feel what it is to live without limitation.
Is this going to be an incredible day? What are you willing to do to make it so?


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Clients come to me for all kinds of reasons. Many times it's because the debt level has hit the "panic" threshold. Many times it's a general fear of concluding life as a bag lady. Also: General frustration with what their finances allow, or don't allow; wanting to provide a better future for their kids; generalized guilt about not managing money; feeling lack of control; couples who wish they were more connected about money; chronically not earning up to their potential; sensing their spending doesn't match their values; just a Yuck factor about money, period …. it's nearly as varied as the clients themselves.
And I'm no stranger to many of these sensations myself: I'm not a money coach because I'm naturally wonderful with money; I'm a money coach because I'm naturally lousy, and lazy, and I've managed to learn a few things about how to overcome this.
I've also figured out what my real job is both for myself, and for my clients.
It's to remind myself, and my clients at an individual level, of a fundamental truth about money that's all to easy to forget.
Jesus gently pointed it out.
Obama's got it figured out (5th from the top)
and not surprisingly, I now discover Seth Godin's got it all sorted too (best bit comes at the end)
ps: even the Beatles sang about it here.


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what people are saying...
"The editorial team was floored by your work—what a poignant and dreamlike intertwining of visceral grief and spiritual flowering. We would be delighted to publish 'Glass Half Full' in our October cycle of StoryNews." …Jess Millman, Managing Editor, StoryNews.
"Your ketubahs are extraordinary -- the contemporary imagery enfolding thousands of years of tradition..."
...North Shore Magazine Arts Writer Abigail Foerstner
We often refer to our "Ketubah to be" as the highlight of our planning for the wedding. Because it really got us to talk about our stories, and before we knew it, we were reminded what is important to us. Thank you for being a part of this, and for doing it so beautifully. Andrea Rubenstein, San Luis Obispo, California
We received our Ketubah yesterday in the mail. It is absolutely gorgeous. We love it! It is indescribably better in person than online, such vibrant colors, and we adore the way you've woven together all the details we wanted. Thanks so much. Ben Meiches and Bebhinne Hall, Baltimore, Maryland.
My parents love the ketubah... As you know it was a huge hit with them, but I only recently went back to NJ and was finally able to see the finished work in person. It was truly stunning; it's impossible to appreciate the vibrancy of the colors on line. Anyway, just want to let you know how much we all love it. I will be happy to recommend you to anyone looking for a special gift or work of art... It's really been a pleasure. Lisa Slovin, Phoenix, Arizona
The Ketuba looks unbelievable, we are so pleased, once again thank you for all the hard work. Mark Samuel, Beverly Hills, California
Wow, it's absolutely gorgeous. I am so pleased. Thank you so much... I love it! Barbara Fogiel, Houston, Texas
It is gorgeous! I love staring at it up close, at all the beautiful details and little things you can't see from a distance. You did exactly what we were looking for, and more! My whole family loved it too. Thank you many times over – it is wonderful. Lynn Yee, Chicago, Illinois
I came across our ketubah on the (web)site and I just had to write and tell you again just how amazing it is. It really lights up our lives. We are moving into our new condo in a month and B. and I cannot wait to hang it in the most prominent spot! ... I haven't met one person who hasn't loved ours. We will always be grateful for all of your hard work and friendship! Dan Argentar, Chicago, Illinois
David and I took the ketubah to my sister-in-law and brother this past weekend. They absolutely loved it and were so excited... I just wanted you to know. they think your work is beautiful (which it is) and were completely delighted. Thanks again. Donna Kanin, Rockville, Maryland
Jan and I are absolutely speechless and for me that's unusual...I'm usually never at a loss for words. Our ketubah is simply amazing and more than we ever expected; thank you for help make our wedding so much more special. Rachael Darge, Neptune, New Jersey
We just got the ketubah! You did such a fabulous job we cannot wait to display it at the wedding on an easel for all to see! When our friends and family get married we are 110% telling them they have to use you! We couldn't be more excited! I will make sure a few days after the wedding to email a picture to you of Ben and I with the beautiful art. If you would like feedback for customer reviews we would love love to give one! You have made the whole process so easy and are really a great person to work with! Thanks again next time we write to you we will be Mr. And Mrs. Ben Chayon (Hoboken, New Jersey)
(From Ketubah.com): We love and treasure our ketubah... The ketubah is exquisite to behold. Daily I get lost in the complex colors and details of Judith Joseph's Firefly. This beautiful artwork hangs with reverence above our bed. We always talk and hope that our future kids and future grandkids (G-d willing) will be able to understand and appreciate the significance of our ketubah. With heartfelt appreciation and gratitude." Danny & Fara
We received the ketubah and it is perfect, we love it! Stephanie Zweig and Kevin Conroy, Morrisonville, New York.
The artwork is simply spectacular. I cannot stop looking at it. It is powerful, mesmerizing, and so very personal and meaningful. Thank you so very much. You are an exceptionally talented and creative person and I was so very fortunate to have the opportunity to meet you and have a piece of artwork designed by you. Deborah Bernfield, Deerfield, Illinois (Hannah Senesh Poem)
Received the beautiful (invitation) art work today. You are amazing. I can't wait to share it with the committee and all 3,000 or so invitees. Thank you again. Susan Kromelow, Wilmette, Illinois
Thank you for completing this in good time--and also for getting it framed and sent. I am pleased by the work you have done...Prof. Bell was thrilled by the award piece that you prepared. Your service in this has been superb. Prof. Thomas Schattauer, Wartburg Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa (North American Academy of Liturgy Award)
I just wanted to let you know that Steve truly enjoyed your piece. He was so surprised and thought that it was such a wonderful present! We have it hanging in our family room above the fireplace so that we can enjoy it everyday! He is so happy. We both are! Thank you again for capturing our memories! Nicole Bujewski, Oak Park, Illinois (Alaska Vows)
Judith, thank you for creating a masterpiece of color, style an design, that will be admired in our home for a life-time. Not only is it a beautiful work of art, but it is also a constant source of joy and satisfaction. It continually reinforces our appreciation for our loving family history. Barbara and Lester Wolff, Dallas, Texas (Trellis Family Tree)
Jewish Artists Collective of Chicago exhibits at Janice Charach Gallery
North Shore Weekend West, 1-19-14
North Shore Magazine, Group Therapy: A New Show Examines The Relationship Between Art and Healing, 5-09
Chicago Reader, featured exhibit
NY Times: Christians Embrace A Jewish Wedding Tradition (12/12/11)
Christians Embrace Jewish Wedding Contracts, by Ariela Pelaia
The Art Of The Ketubah, by Rikki Ragland
OY! Chicago article about The Owing Project
Artists' Blog by Gina Marie Dunn, interview, 2010
Inhabitat: Rain Barrel Project Raises Water Awareness in Chicago
Art Center Hosts Silent Auction Tonight
See my rain barrel behind Mayor Daley at his press conference 3-11-10
Chicago Jewish News, Tolerance Of Belief Exhibit, May, 2008
A Chicago Torah Visits its Old Home in Europe
Trib Local: Congregation Solel Pays Tribute to the Freedom Riders on the 50th Anniversary of Their Historic Bus Rides (10-10-11)


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Great site wish I had found it before helped with the memories although still very blurred.
My name is MENAL WOOD I lived in Lees St from around 1956 to about 1961, my mom owned the first shop on the left hand side in Lees St from Lodge Road her name was Nelly Wood she was also known as Nelly Perry also she worked in the canteen in All Saint Hospital, she told me many stories about where she worked.
Some names I remember were:-
JEFFERY SMITH his mom and mine were best friends she used to give me my tea when my mom was at work, I laugh when I remember the tin baths on Friday night - was that real??
Mrs Carrol was another of moms best friends, Ann Carrol was always giving me black eyes and on her first night at a disco she came to ask my mom if her new dress was too low (how times have changed) I remember she looked great and when mom said she looked stunning she was so happy, Ann was one of a large family as I remember.
I remember vaguely a Jane Astle and Doreen Tolly. My mother looked after George Batch the old man who lived next door I seem to remember he was quite famous in his day as a escapologist and magician.
Miss Legge was the very respected head of Benson Road School I remember she was there for years the school would not have been so great except for her, she would have been given an OBE for her services in today's society
At Handsworth New Road school Mr Parry was head of the annex, Macfarlane PE teacher, Handle bar Williams was the music teacher, Karata chop Jones was a little welsh man and Mr Huxley was the wood work teacher.
Others I knew were Steven Harper, Graham Clemson ( I still know ), Ray Avery, Jane Astle, Pat Moor (love to meet he again), John Chapman, Robert Martin (my cousin), Jane Astle ( saw her once in Catterick in the forces) and Steven Harper (Harpers coaches)
Finally remembering The REC in Musgrave Road all the pubs the Don, Devonshire, Railway , and The engine, the barbers on the corner of Don St who gave me a Crew Cut I became a hippy through that experience.
If any one remembers me or my mom I would love to hear from them.
Menal Wood firstname.lastname@example.com or by phone on 07807007906
I was wondering if anyone remembers or has heard of my grandfather William Wood, who was born in the workhouse and lived in around Winson Green up to the age of about 14. He then disappears until he is 21 when he marries my grandmother Maud Bishop on Christmas Day 1910.
The searching I have done has shown that the family lived all around the Winson Green Area. I know my grandfather William Wood and his wife Maud Bishop lived in Lees Street, off Lodge road for most of their lives. I was also born there and lived there until I was 5.
William is a bit of a mystery. He was born in the workhouse, Dudley road in 1889. His mother was not married and he grew up believing his grandparents were his parents. in 1901 he was living with his aunt in Eva road, Winson green. His mother Ada has disappeared (presumed dead but may have married and moved away) and his grandfather James was also dead. On Christmas day 1910 he married Maud, they were both then living at the same address in Kent Street North.
My mum remembers her father saying he had lived in London for a while so I presume that was some time between 1901 and 1910.
The other mystery is that his father was never named but the name Tew (not sure of spelling) was always linked to him and he maintained it was his real name. His mother Ada was a domestic servant.
I know none of this is uncommon for this time but if anyone knows anything that might help fit the jigsaw I would be so grateful. Many thanks
Sue Caldicott firstname.lastname@example.com
I wondered if anyone could help me. In 1891, my greatgrand parents, James and Anne Davies, lived at 9 Lees Cottages Lees Street, they had several children, one a fifteen year old girl called Julia Ann.
She married Fredrick Brown, and in 1901 was living at 9 Devonshire Street. In all the diaries ect. you have from relatives, does anyone know of them. I know that it is a long shot, but if anyone has any pictures which may include them, could you email them to me, I am tracing my family history, and to be able to find a picture, to show my mum, it would be fantastic. I hope you can help.
Julia [Mata Hari] firstname.lastname@example.com
I'm trying to contact any ex - Lees St tenants who can remember our family who lived there from 1966-1971, our surname is Carroll, mom and dad were George and Kathleen, sisters Anne, Marten, Eileen Jean and brothers Stephen, Richard and Collin. Thanks Richard Carroll email@example.com
For some time now I have had this niggling thought in my head, a memory about a train crash involving pupils and staff from Benson Rd school. My grandmother was on the train when it crashed and was badly injured along with the two pupils who were killed. Her name was Gladys Cross probably known as Mrs Cross, the head teacher I recall was Miss Legge. Gladys Cross used to live at 33 Lees street and my mother Janet Cross was one of her five children. The name Georgie Bull also rings a bell, any info on the train crash would be appreciated as I would like to research it further. Many thanks Cliff email@example.com
What a fantastic find! I came across this site while mooching, you see my family; mom Sandra Trevis and Baba (Billy) Ali lived on Lees St; 3back a9, although I was born in 1969 I was too young to remember most of the fun, but having 2 older sister, Sharon and Angela, I still to this day love listening to the story's they tell me only now I can put a picture to the park, All saints and other story's thanks to this site.
Kind Regards Jantina Allison
Still popping in now and then for an update! We lived at 3/9 Lees street until the late 70's together with my 2 sisters my Mom Sandra Trevis and my Dad Billy Ali,
Both still around and would love to hear from anyone who remembers them,
Keep up the good work, still a great site !
Jantina Allison email@example.com
Does anyone know about LEES STREET and how it got it's name. I believe it is due to a family I am researching who had 24 children! 12 of these were twins. Mother may have been named sarah, dad worked at Winson Green prison teaching shoe making. Any info would be much appreciated.
Dawn Richy firstname.lastname@example.com
My family lived at 58 Lees Street, Winson Green from 1960 - 1975.
I went to Benson Road school and was in my fourth year in 1970 when the whole school left for a trip to Rhyl in the summer months. On our return, the train derailed and the last three carriages overturned. Two children were killed, Wayne Dandy and Catherine ?. It was mainly the fourth year pupils who suffered the worst casualties as we were in the rear of the train. Wayne Dandy was the only pupil to have passed his 11+ exam. His parents lived in Lees Street, approx 10 doors away from us. The news was broadcast on the television that all parents of pupils from Benson Road school should assemble at the school as there had been a train crash. The badly injured were taken to local hospitals and us lucky ones were brought home by coaches. I read the old newspaper reports recently when I went to the library in Birmingham. (I now live in Essex!). The head teacher at the time was Miss Legge. The pupils I remember from my class were Maxine and Julie Hurmson, Paul Brown and Lyn Bancroft. Our teacher was an American called Dennis Corrigan. His wife Fran taught the younger ones. I remember my childhood days with fondness. The neighbours were different then, in and out of each others homes, Gordon & Peggy Fisher,Mr & Mrs Hill and their brother Len, The Taylors, Brenda & Horace Badger, to name but a few. Elsie Anscombe had the shop at the bottom of Lees Street, and I do remember an outdoor over the road from our house. We used to go to the church at the top of the road for our Sunday school lessons! Our Mom, Kathleen worked as a store detective in town and used to run up Devonshire Street to catch the No96 bus outside the pub!
I hope that others from Lees Street will put on their own memories and trust that my recollection of the train crash helps! Keep up the good work, it is so lovely to read and remember the good old days.
Kind regards, Rosemary.
I read Rosemarie McPhersons recolections of Benson Road School & the train crash. I remember Rosemarie, as I had a crush on her (she never knew). I used to play with Rory Campbell, who lived opposite her. I too was on the train, originally in the last carriage before Mr Corrigan moved us up two carriages so we could get a second free ice cream (Wayne was in one of the last cars when he died). I remember that on our return to Benson Road, we were met with the sight of hundreds of people filling the road, we were ushered into the school while people jostled us about, no doubt desperate to catch a glimps of their own children. I will always be grateful to Mr Corrigan for moving us up, there's no knowing what might have happened if he hadn't.. I don't remember many of the other kids names, except Paul Brown, Martin Faulkner, Mike Bowen, Henry Stone and Rory, (& Rosemarie of course),
I'd love to know what became of them though,
I ended up working in factories before being employed by mecca bin.
Mark Arnold Email: email@example.com
LEES STREET 10/03/05 Wot a great site I was wondering if you know a family called Bull (dad Jim mom Irenereene)? went to Benson Road school and lived in Lees st, I have a large family of seven sisters and two brothers and have fond memory's of Lees St. I remember the train crash my sister lived about four doors from Benson Road school and helped with the flowers and collection for the tragedy. David Bull watchet@hotm We are from Lees St and Devonshire Ave has any one got fond memories of the rec? our last name is Bull larget sharon at the rec we are still going strong I went to Benson Road school I remember Miss Legge because she gave me the cane on many occasions,.good days . Looking to hear from Lees St folk. David Bull & Sharon Conlon firstname.lastname@example.com
Hi again I am looking for any one who knows the Bull family from 22 Lees St also my mate Macca who lived in Benson Road and a girl we called "TEAPOT" also from Benson Rd. Best wishes Dave Bull (Isle of Wight) firstname.lastname@example.com


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From coworking or private office memberships to service packages, WorkSpace can create a custom plan to perfectly fit your needs.
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Rep. Maxine Waters, a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, says the group is "getting tired" of making excuses for President Barack Obama's job creation record.
Speaking at Wayne State Community College in Detroit yesterday along with other members of the caucus, Waters, who is under investigation by the House ethics committee, said "we don't put pressure on the president."
Waters said Obama is not paying enough attention to the problems of some black Americans — with his three-day bus tour not stopping in black communities.
The exchange, transcribed by The Washington Examiner, is below:
"Let me tell you why. We don't put pressure on the president because ya'll love the president. You love the president. You're very proud to have a black man -- first time in the history of the United States of America. If we go after the president too hard, you're going after us."
"The Congressional Black Caucus loves the president too. We're supportive of the president, but we're getting tired, ya'll. We're getting tired. And so, what we want to do is, we want to give the president every opportunity to show what he can do and what he's prepared to lead on. We want to give him every opportunity, but our people are hurting. The unemployment is unconscionable. We don't know what the strategy is. We don't know why on this trip that he's in the United States now, he's not in any black community. We don't know that."
"All I'm saying to you is, we're politicians. We're elected officials. We are trying to do the right thing and the best thing. When you let us know it is time to let go, we'll let go."
Watch the video of the exchange below:


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School year schedules and routines provide us with great opportunities to create foundational habits in our children. But what happens when summer rolls around? Schedules become much looser, therefore less routine is needed and habits begin to fall by the wayside. How are we supposed to get through the summer without losing everything we have built with our child during the school year? My hope is to help you conquer the summer with some healthy habits and tips we have put into practice.
Creating good habits for summer activities is something we have been trying to fine tune this summer and we have now started to see some success! Believe it or not my girlies start back school the 24th of July; that's right my friend, the 24th. Our summer break is almost done! Since we live in Arizona and it's so HOT here in the summers, a lot of the school districts have year round school. Our summers in AZ are like most midwest winters, you can't really be outside too long. And everyone says, "but it's a dry heat!" Let me tell you, 120 degrees regardless of the humidity is no joke, and by July all the pools begin to feel like bath water too. (Don't feel too badly for us though, when the weather is beautiful we have a two and a half week fall break, almost three week Christmas break and a two and a half week spring break.)
Getting back to summers, just because school is out and there's not quite as much to do, doesn't mean good habits should go out the window. So what does it look like to maintain those good habits over the summer months? How much TV do we allow? Does it start first thing in the morning? How many minutes should they read? How much playtime together is expected? Should they review math over the summer? How long should they play outside? (applies only if you don't live in the desert).
Here are a few guiding principles:
1. Expectations. Setting up expectations for your children is probably the most important thing. My girlies do so much better when they know what to expect. It's one way for us as parents to help them succeed. First though, you'll have to establish what priorities and habits you want to lay down for the summer months for your family.
2. Summer Rules. Our summer rules are a combination of things we already had in place and those of others who have gone before us on this journey! They consist of a list of activities that must be done before they get any screen time of any sort. Our girlies didn't initially love the system we put in place but quickly adapted to our rules. So again, it's all about expectations. Our rules are as follows and can be done in any order:
- Read for 30 minutes
- Play piano for 30 minutes
- Make your bed and clean up your room
- Eat breakfast
- Brush your teeth and get dressed
- 20 minutes of writing/coloring
- Make/build something creative
- Clean up one room
- Play for 20 minutes with siblings
- Help someone in the family
Remember every family looks differently so adapt to what activities and habits you want to build and instill into your sweet kiddos.
3. Follow through. Don't lose heart, it might take some time to build those habits but with continued encouragement and dare I say, even a reward system, you can create some great habits. Don't forget, habits also lend a hand in creating character in our sweet littles so keep pressing on!
4. Grace. As with everything in life, when something is being taught, there needs to be room for growth. And with growth come mistakes. So, give your kiddos some grace as you are establishing the habits you want to cultivate over the summer months. One of our points of grace is that Saturday and Sunday they get a break from summer rules. Now this doesn't mean they don't have to do their normal chores such as making bed and cleaning up after themselves, it just means they don't have to check everything off their list for those days.
Blessings as you continue to grow as a parent and find what works best with your sweet littles in this journey of parenting!


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Margins Drag on HCL Shares
HCL Technologies, India's fourth-largest software exporter, continued the trend of strong revenue reports started by Infosys Technologies last week. HCL posted a 22% rise in revenue to 37.08 billion rupees ($838.16 million) in the fiscal first quarter.
That however didn't translate into high profit growth. Its profit edged up only 3.1% to 3.31 billion rupees. Even that rise was largely due to lower foreign exchange losses compared to a year ago. Profits compared to the previous quarter actually slid despite a 7.6% rise in business.
Not surprisingly, the stock fell. In mid-day trading, the stock was down 0.7% at 435.80 rupees, while the 30-stock benchmark Sensex was flat.
"While the results are pretty strong on the revenue front, investors are concerned that the revenue growth is not translating into earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (Ebitda) growth" says Vihang Naik, analyst at MF Global.
Ebitda margins in the just-ended quarter fell to 16.3% from 22.7% a year earlier, and from 18.6% in the fourth quarter of the last fiscal year.
Margins have been hurt partly by wage increases to its staff and also by a smaller number of employees on billable contracts.
"Weak margins, the company's lowest level since 2QFY99, are a cause for concern as it is a reflection of HCL's strategy to trade growth for margins," brokerage CLSA Asia Pacific said in a note.
Later, at a press conference, HCL Technologies said it expects margins in the current October to December quarter to be around the levels of those in the first quarter.
While narrower foreign exchange losses (655 million rupees, compared with 1.51 billion rupees a year earlier and 1.35 billion rupees in the fourth quarter of last fiscal year) helped the company's net profit, the rupee's rise against the U.S. dollar will affect earnings, the company said.
Every one percentage point rise in the rupee against the dollar hurts margins by between 30 and 50 basis points. The rupee has risen about 6% against the greenback since Sept. 1.
CLSA advised investors to "stay away from the stock" as lost margins will remain a challenge for HCL, limiting (its) earnings growth trajectory."


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Pal Joey (1957)
The Movie
Pal Joey the movie, directed by George Sydney, was released 17 years after Pal Joey the musical. It retained about half of the Broadway show's Rogers and Hart tunes and added a few more for good measure. The leading man was changed from a dancer (Gene Kelly) to a crooner (naturally, since that's what Frank Sinatra did) and the Chicago setting became San Francisco, deeming it a candidate for this blog. Hollywood's contribution of luxuriant scenes, costumes and music (arranged by Nelson Riddle) guaranteed the movie a successful reception with critics and at the box office. Several Oscar and Golden Globe nominations followed and Sinatra won the Golden Globe for best actor in a comedy or musical.
(Watch the lighthearted trailer complete with samples of great songs by Sinatra, Rita Hayworth (dubbed by Jo Ann Greer) and Kim Novak (dubbed by Trudy Erwin).
The Story
Joey Evans (Sinatra) was a wise-cracking semi-likeable crooner who women fawned over even as he treated them as chattel. He is thrown out of town by the local police for bedding the mayor's under-age daughter but lands on his feet singing in San Francisco's red light district. He soon meets the older but wealthy Vera Prentice-Simpson (Hayworth, close to 3 years younger than him in real life) and the younger chorus girl Linda English (Novak). They both angle for marriage but he resists until one of them softens his heart.
The Locations
One Way Ticket Spenger's Fish Grotto, 1919 4th Street, Berkeley, California--- Berkeley Train Station, 4th Street at University Avenue, Berkeley, California
West Coast Arrival Oakland Pier, 7th Street, Oakland--- Ferry Building, San Francisco
International Settlement Pacific Avenue between Kearny and Montgomery--- Bella Pacific, 560 Pacific--- Arabian Nights, 592 Pacific--- Barbary Coast, 533 Pacific
Vera Simpson's Mansion - 1 Coit Tower (virtual location), Pioneer Park, Telegraph Hill
Joey Finds A Room 1250 Taylor Street, Nob Hill
Pet Shop 517 Pacific Avenue, Jackson Square
Vera Simpson's Mansion - 2 Coit Tower (virtual location), Pioneer Park, Telegraph Hill
Vera's Yacht Vera West Harbor, Marina Boulevard, the Marina
Club Chez Joey 2080 Washington Street, Pacific Heights
A Happy Ending 2080 Washington Street, Pacific Heights--- Near St Francis Yacht Club, the Marina


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In the wake of the Badaun rape and murder cases, Women and Child Development minister Maneka Gandhi announced that one-stop rape crisis centres will be made functional by the year end in all districts of the country. Maneka said she chose not to visit Badaun as there was nothing she could have achieved by her visit though she is happy that her ministerial colleague Ramvilas Paswan had gone there.
At the rape crisis centres, medical, legal, and police aid will be provided to women who are victims of rape and sexual assault. These will provide short stay for the women in need and will be equipped with ambulance services which will reach women who need help. Funds, Maneka added, have been allocated for the project, partly from the Nirbhaya fund and the centres will be run by the central government.
"These crisis centres are a priority. However, I chose not to visit because there is nothing that can be achieved. I am happy Mr Paswan visited the family. As for the demands for a CBI inquiry, I think CBI is a myth. There is nothing that remains to be done by the CBI. Arrests have been made. Handing it over to the CBI now will dilute the matter," Maneka said.
…By July-end, Orissa govt will set up such centres in state
Amid countrywide outrage over gangrape and alleged hanging of two girls in Badaun, the Orissa government has started measures for having one-stop crisis centres for victims of sexual assault by July-end. The centres, proposed by the Ministry of Women and Child Development last year, are based on the concept of integrated and coordinated teamwork of multi-sectoral and inter-agency network at one place for rehabilitation of survivors of violence with public health system as its focal point.
Though the Centre was supposed to fund it as per a pilot project, no funds have been allocated as yet. Officials of state Women and Child Development department said that four such centres would be set up at the district headquarter hospitals of Sambalpur and Puri, Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar and MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur town. Each of these centres would cost Rs 35 lakh annually.
"The first contact point for the victim can be the on-duty nurse or the doctor. Thereafter, the victim can undergo counselling sessions and simultaneously the statement of the victim can be recorded by lawyers and police personnel at the centre. The period of stay of the victim will depend on the severity of the trauma," said an official.


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Fitness Plateaus are a Myth
We believe that 'Fitness Plateaus' are a myth. At TwinFitness we talk about consistency a lot. Consistency over time is one of the primary keys, we believe, to fitness success. Every time you consume a food, exercise, or take a supplement, something changes in your body. You may not see it, but it is happening. Most of the time you DO see the changes, and that is really exciting! I mean who doesn't want to measure their waist and find it is a half inch smaller than the last time it was measured?! Even if you do not see any changes at all though, things are happening internally all the time – good or bad. People think they have hit a plateau when they don't see external changes for a week or more. Plateaus are a myth. Every day, with every decision you make, your health and fitness either gets better or worse – it never stays the same.
Sometimes clients do not see changes during their weekly check ins with their weight, body fat, or measurements. If they have consistently stayed on their plan, things are still positively changing. These changes are happening internally, with cell regrowth, gut repair, and other internal factors. Even though changes cannot be seen on the outside, they are happening. If clients continue consistently following and trusting their fitness plan, they will eventually start to see changes on the outside as well. Sometimes, when a client thinks nothing is happening, all of a sudden she drops 4 pounds in one week, or loses 2 inches off the hips. She wonders how in the world that happened that particular week when she did the same thing she had been doing the weeks before when she didn't see any external changes. Consistency over time! The outside will manifest what is happening internally and new, healthier cells will create tighter muscles from a metabolism that works more effectively and a body that has organs that are operating efficiently. It is an exciting process, but it is one that takes faith. You have to operate by faith on the weeks where you do not see the changes externally. Know that you ARE changing, whether you can actually see the changes or not.
Now that I have said all of this, please let me tell you that you should be changing your nutrition and workouts on a regular basis. Your body does need the change. You need to be changing your plans regularly, on a schedule. At TwinFitness we change clients' plans monthly. It's not usually a good idea to change a plan because results are not seen for a week or two. This is a temptation a lot of clients struggle with. I hope this blog helps those clients realize that from a good, quality plan, change will happen. Sometimes it happens internally and sometimes you see the external manifestations, but change is happening. Yes, you do have to make sure you are on a good plan. If you are, trust the plan. Know that things are changing, even if you do not see them on the outside! If you work with TwinFitness, I guarantee that any of our qualified trainers will put you on a plan that is custom made for your needs, and it will be a good, quality plan. Trust it – even if you don't see external results all of the time.
Remember, every day – with every decision you make – your health and fitness either gets better or worse. A rockin' body is sculpted from a healthy internal body operating at it's best. Change takes time. Get a plan that is a good, quality plan, and trust the plan. Even if you don't see your body changing on the outside, it is changing on the inside and you WILL, eventually, see the results you desire. Because of the effectiveness of our philosophy and plans at TwinFitness, clients usually see external results quickly and regularly. If you are not sure your plan is a good, quality plan, let us help customize a plan for you that WILL get you results. Email us at firstname.lastname@example.com and give us a chance to help you train smarter instead of harder!
By: Tanya Burk


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To contact us or request a Federal Express Shipping Label call or click the email below.
Toll Free: (888) 943-1449 firstname.lastname@example.com
Old 8mm & 16mm movies to Digital &
DVD Conversions
We can restore, digitize & convert your old 8mm & 16mm home movies & put them on DVD or external hard drive. We can even put your movies into a editable digital format so you can easily edit them on your own home computer. If your movies had sound we will preserve it, if not we can add instrumental background music. We can add titles, chapters, scene selection screens. We offer fast turnaround, most orders in only 5 business days.
Your movies were originally developed in chemical solutions. Our services can include cleaning your old movies to remove the oxidization that comes from the residual chemical build up that develops over the years which can cause an ammonia smell & dulling layer to develop that hides the original vibrancy your old movies had when they were new. Then we digitize your movies & can enhance their color, tone, contrast, clarity to make your old movies look great like they did when they were new. We can repair damage. Most orders take 1-2 weeks.
We have been restoring old movies for over 30 years & do the work for the general public as well as museums and historical societies. Our DVDs are archival quality discs each guaranteed for 100 years. We offer very reasonable prices and quick turnarounds. We can send a prepaid Federal Express label to ship your movies to us. Call Mark for a free quote.
We will send you a self addressed prepaid Federal Express label, you simply place your old movies into a well packed box, put the Federal Express label on the outside, & give the box to Federal Express. Federal Express will then bring it to us. When your project is done we will ship everything back to you via Federal Express. Clients are responsible for shipping costs.
Converting Video Tapes To Hard Drives or DVDs
We transfer and convert your family's video tapes to dvd or external hard drives. We use digital technology for optimum results, we can clean your video tapes. We use archival quality dvds for great long lasting quality. We transfer VHS, VHS-C, 8mm, Hi 8mm, Digitial Hi 8mm, Mini DV, all Beta formats,& ¾" Umatic formats.
We will send you a self addressed prepaid Federal Express label, simply place your old movies into a well packed box, put our Federal Express label on it, & give the box to Federal Express. Federal Express will then bring it to us. When your project is done we will ship everything back to you via Federal Express. Clients are responsible for all shipping costs.
Repairing Damages Video Tapes
We can repair damaged video tapes and then transfer them to dvd or a external drive for you. We will send you a prepaid Federal Express shipping label to then ship to us. Then when were done we ship your original video tapes & your new archival quality dvds or external hard drive back to you by Federal Express as well. Clients are responsible for all shipping costs.
We can put your old photos, slides, diplomas, 3D objects, anything on to a DVD or VHS video. We will create a magnificent show with many types of dissolves, transitions, special effects, and background music or your own narrating.
We enjoy hearing from our clients -- Call with any questions!
Call Us Toll Free: (888) 943-1449
We answer phones 7 days a week 9am – 9pm Central time ask for Mark the owner
We digitally transfer old VHS video, 8mm and 16mm video to DVD for the best quality
How to use our services:
Call us to request our Federal Express Pack. You can use it to send your items to us.
Call us if you have any questions, we're happy to help.
Email us by clicking here
Call us at (888) 943-1449
Ask for Mark the owner.
For clients that decide they are not ready to restore their movies with us,
we will provide a free estimate and answer any questions they may have. All we ask is that you cover our shipping costs.
We accept personal checks & money orders. We do not accept credit cards or PayPal, clients are responsible for all shipping fees.
We repair torn and damaged photos.
We restore damaged documents.
We can add color to faded photos.
We have been restoring old & damaged photos for 30 yrs.
We do work for the general public, many museums, historical societies.
We repair severely damaged pictures, whether faded, stained, torn, missing pieces, bad color, water damaged.
In addition to working on old photographs we also work on Tin Type, Glass Plate images & all sizes of negatives.
We can assemble the pieces and repair the damage.
We can combine two photos, repair damage and colorize.
We can colorize your black and white images.
We can put your photographs on to real painters canvas stretched on high quality wood frame
to make your photograph look more like a painting.
We carry a full line of textured papers to add even more elegance to your photograph.
We can repair severe damage and tint or sepia photos to give them that old fashion look.
We can combine two photos into one and repair the damage.
We can turn black and white photos into color and repair the damage.
For clients who have us restore their photographs or other items, but cannot visit us in person, we can provide a shipping label by prepaid Federal Express shipping label to and from your home to our studios. This includes all photographs, documents, films, or videos. For clients that decide that they are not ready to restore their items or photographs with us, we will provide a free estimate and answer any questions they may have. All we ask is that you cover our shipping costs.
For clients who are only sending us photos have a second option of scanning their photos & e-mailing them to us.
Make sure to follow these guidelines:
1. Scan your photos at a minimum of 300 dpi at 100% (of original Size). Use RGB color mode even if photo is a black & white.
Turn off any photo enhancement features your scanner may have.
2. Then attach the photos to an e-mail to us with a description of what you want done including your name address,
phone number.
We will respond within 24 hours, usually the same day, we can provide a written quote.
Just contact us by clicking on the contact us button at the top of any page and send us an e-mail requesting us to call you or the address of where to send the Federal Express label and a general description of what type of project you have.
We can provide you with an e-mail sample image (after a 50% deposit) of what your restoration will look like before we Federal Express your order back to you.
We accept: PERSONAL CHECKS + MONEY ORDERS. We do not accept credit cards or PayPal. Clients are responsible for all shipping costs.
Faded and damaged
Faded images brought back to life
We repair damaged documents.
We repair damaged video tapes.
We repair damaged old movie film.
We can enhance dark or light video tape or old movies for better quality.
We repair damaged frames.
We will never hurt or damage any of your photos, documents, movie film, videos that you send us and you will receive all your originals back at the end of the project.
Old Movie Conversion
6900 Main St. Suite 140
Downers Grove, IL 60516
To contact us or request a Federal Express Shipping Label call or click the email below.
Toll Free: (888) 943-1449 email@example.com
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A tree Farm in Caroll County Maryland grows it's wares, mainly evergreens like white pines and firs used for landscaping and Christmas trees. There are trees planted neatly in rows for acres and acres but I decided to crop this to include the edges of an old barn and out building. There are also many old farm implements of interest sitting around which I will show in some future posts.
This was processed in Photomatix, then imported into CS5 layered with the 3-bracket set originally shot. I also added in a Wow Landscape layer from onOne's Photo Tools 2.6 and dropped the opacity to 30%.
Camera: Nikon D5000 | Lens: Nikkor 18-200mm | Processing: Photomatix Pro 4 – Photoshop CS5 - Photo Tools 2.6
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Well, this is my very first Skillshare project!!
My name is Ulla and Im a graphic designer - I free lance and a lot of my work is focused on problem solving more so than playing with creativity.
I love listening to all the skillshare classes - but with a busy life, it sometimes seems hard for me to actually do the classes. But this one, Ria Sharon's "Skechbook Magic" has really inspired me to get started. I like that it is hands on - as I sit in front of the computer a lot of my workday.
DAY 1: But I don't have the right art supplies!
I found that the packaging from two picture frames - (styrofone backing and a cardbord corner) - could be quite usefull tools for making calligraphy and drawing.
My materials:
I used guache - and later added black felt pen.
This is one painting:
And this is how I used the painting with added black felt pen. It was a fun project!
DAY 2: But I don't know what to draw!
I did different scribbles with closed eyes - not lifting the pencil. This one I cleaned up on the computer.
This one was with left hand (Im right handed) I liked it and wanted to paint it with water colours and make it sort of like the glaze of porcelain. Well, that didn't quite work out....
But again the main thing: it was fun and I did a piece of hand generated drawing!
– It puts me in a good mood to sit and draw or paint. An activity I used to favour as a child.
.... Still love this class!
Using the magic bowl and rolling a dice (it landed on 1). I first used a watersoluble piece of watercolur crayon. Did the first simple sketch of a bike - it is not interesting - but you can see it is a bike. What really surprised me, was that it actually did not even take 1 min.! It has made me realize how quick drawing and visualizing actually is.
I rolled the dice again and got 6 min and opted for a different bike with the same crayon - and did a bit more details. But as my sketchbook is not very big, the crayon is quite hard to not draw really thick lines.
The second 6 min drawing I decided to try with pen and ink, because I really love the thin and thick lines. I felt the nostalgic line would go well with the antique bike. It was fun - and difficult to draw circles with the pen.
I actually think this drawing took a bit longer than 6 min - my alarm didn't go of - 10 min probably. But I enjoyed doing it and that is the main thing :-)
Well, I don't get to sketch everyday ... but have started to look forward to doing so!
This days challenge was to be able to sketch everywhere - I got my bed - and picking a topich from my magic bowl, I got "things in my junk drawer". In there was my dad's dentures. My dad passed away 5 years ago and I kept his denture. I think because we always used to have a laugh when him would make a funny face after removing the dentures.
It was kind of strange to draw them. I used an ordinary pencil and was looking at the dentures in detail for the first time. I could almost hear his voice talking to me.
So sketching can do many good things for you - even getting in touch with the disseased.
DAY 5 BUT what if it isn't any good!?
Today I got "leaves" from the magic bowl and the number 56 - Ive decided that it represents 56 weeks, as I don't get to sketch every day and Im happy as long as I do it regularly.
I decided to try painting with water colours from an image of leaves I found on google on my phone. It was just lovely to mix the paint - I adore water colours and the intensity of the dyes the liveliness of the water that you can't control.
Afterwards I thought it would be fun to try a more controlled medium - a black thin felt tip.
It was a challenge how to indicate the texture and structure of the leaf with the pen. I found it easier as I went along. Also that you don't have to draw absolutely everything - hinting at something is sometimes better.
On a personal level it is interesting how I don't consider myself a person of detail - and yet I really enjoy detailed work.
Ive really got a lot of fun out of this class - it has gotten "me back to myself" so to speak. When doing these excersizes, time flies - and it feels like Im interacting with my own "core". It is joyfull to explore what is there.
Today on my way to the office I picked many real autumn leaves. I will try to paint them next.
Well...I've completed my first skillshare class! Yeahh!!
Continuing on: Day 6
Still doing leaves. These I found on my way to work and painted with watercolour. I even got a friend to come over and we sat and painted leaves! - What a nice thing to do instead of just meeting up in a cafe or sitting on the couch chatting! Very peacefull activity. Deffinately doing that again.
DAY 7 Nov. 4
Im still continuing sketching and trying out all my colours and paints. I have quite a lot that Ive never really explored - such as guache. I always thught it was too thick and dense - but when mixed with water it gets this lovely smoothe consistency. I also like mixing it with white and painting simple lines on top.
I did some cups from my kitchen collection and also a version of leaves.