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The amazing Jennifer Stevens answered 10 of the most common questions that she receives while organizing Mack, Jack and McConaughey, the giant benefit from buddies Mack Brown, Jack Ingram and Matthew McConaughey, teamed up with spouses Sally Brown, Amy Ingram and Camila Alves McConaughey.
The event returns April 19-21, much of it at ACL Live.
RELATED: Mack, Jack and McConaughey takes a bow.
Whose idea was it to start MJ&M?
Jennifer Stevens: Jack! Jack recalled attending the Ben-Willie-Darrell event as a kid and texted Mack in the middle of the night to see if he was interested in trying to do something similar. Mack responded immediately (to Jack's surprise) and said yes and then said 'I'll text Matthew'.
How much has it raised and what is the impact beyond the dollars raised?
Over $5 million has been given to children's education, health and wellness charities over the last four years. More than that, the impact of MJ&M is also seen through the partnerships being created between our beneficiaries and the heightened public awareness of the mission of these incredible organizations.
RELATED: Bring back Mack, Jack and McConaughey.
How many events are there for MJ&M?
MJ&M is actually a total of nine events over the course of three days. I tell people it's the most fun you can have while doing good! And, I tell our guests to rest up, hydrate and get ready!
Nine events in three days? How does that work?
The reason MJ&M is successful is because the guys are personally involved in every detail, there are no egos allowed and every decision is made with a 3-0 vote. We want MJ&M to be an experience, not just an "event." MJ&M is fun, interesting and engaging at every turn. We want our sponsors and attendees to have an incredible experience and leave wanting to return for more next year. In fact, we were half sold out for this event the day after last year's!
RELATED: Taking time with lifestyle guide Camila Alves.
Who decides where the funding goes?
The Browns, Ingrams and McConaugheys determine who the beneficiaries will be and how the proceeds of the event will be distributed. I keep record of any organizations interested in being included but the ultimate decision is theirs. They are incredibly involved and invested in the mission and success of the organization. We are not interested in granting dollars to just sit in a bank account — we want to see direct impact on kids' lives with every dollar.
RELATED: Mack, Jack and McConaughey's smashing fashion show.
What has been the impact on Dell Children's Medical Center?
Dell Children's opened a food allergy research center, which is now one of the leading research centers in the country, and because of MJ&M every school in the Austin school district, serving 82,000 students, has at least four epi-pens for children with severe food allergies.
What has been the impact for the Rise School?
The Rise School opened two new classes in Austin, serving an additional 24 students with special needs; they opened a musical therapy room and they provided more than 15,000 hours of much needed therapy for students. 10 children are able to receive financial assistance to the school.
RELATED: Jennifer Stevens: The making of an 'un-lobbyist.'
What has been the impact for CureDuchenne?
Cure Duchenne was able to fund a nationwide research project, leading to the discovery of a new gene. Also, they were able to hire the top researcher in the country, and discovered new groundbreaking therapy for boys who have a Dup 2 mutation on their dystrophin gene, taking us one step closer to a cure for those with Duchenne.
What has been the impact on JK Livin Foundation?
The foundation has served over 1,000 students in Austin, teaching them about health and wellness and building self-confidence. They hired 10 new teachers in Austin and have provided after-school wellness education for children.
RELATED: Jack Ingram seeks the songwriter in the song.
What has been the impact on HeartGift?
HeartGift has been able to perform over 20 life-saving heart surgeries on children from around the world. These children live in developing countries, and HeartGift enables them to come to Austin for the much needed, life-saving surgeries.


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NC STATE university ATHLETICS
murphy football Center LOCKER ROOM - renovation
NC State Athletics wanted to renovate the existing Murphy Football Center locker room with an updated appearance and feel to appeal to the modern day collegiate athlete. The renovation began with a study and visioning, resulting in a computer-generated "fly through" 3D model of the proposed layout. The 3D images helped in NC State's final approval of a design concept.
Renovation included over 4,700 square feet of space. Renovated spaces included new lockers, lighting, finishes, and state of the art audio/visual technology. New "wow-factor" graphics were also developed and installed as part of the project.

subset: commoncrawl


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The official Crosfields ARLFC app
Hood Lane Recreation Ground Hood Lane North Warrington Cheshire WA5 1ET View with Google Maps
This website is part of the Pitchero Rugby League network. Create your own free Rugby League club website with Pitchero.
Digital advertising by Minute Media
© Pitch Hero Ltd 2008-2019
Pitch Hero Ltd Registered in ENGLAND | WF3 1DR | Company Number - 636 1033


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Earlier this summer I had the opportunity to attend the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, CA. The experience was fascinating, and it was something that I have continued to reflect on for the remainder of the summer. However, as I have gone through my studies at Chapman and the Peace Fellowship, I have started to question, "Is tolerance good enough?"
My first day at Chapman University I was asked the question of "What is peace?" I described peace as people being tolerant and coexisting together despite their differences. At that time my professor told me that I was wrong, and that tolerance wasn't good enough, but it has taken me a few years to grasp her meaning.
In a world of global media we hear about genocide, nuclear Armageddon, armed violence, and suicide bombers. Often we may hear pleas about the need for tolerance in our diverse world. I will agree that tolerance is a good first step, but it should not be the end goal.
The dictionary defines tolerance as, "enduring something unpleasant with forbearance." By tolerating we are permitting something unfortunate to happen, despite that we may not like it. I may use the term tolerance by saying, "I can tolerate having onions on my hamburgers." I know this is not what people mean when we send out pleas for tolerance, but we must look beyond tolerance to the next step. Often when talking about toleration of someone we mean putting up with someone we may not agree with. However, toleration does not extend to accepting others for who they are and full-heartedly embracing them. This is not an easy task, but being Christian isn't about living in your comfort zone.
Today I issue a challenge to all of you, and it is not an easy one. It is often easier for us to separate the world into an "us" and a "them." Tolerance is a good first step, but I challenge all of you to look beyond and ask yourself, "Is tolerance good enough?" Last year one of my professors told me, "You can't just talk about how you want to change the world. You must start by living into your vision of the how you want the world to look." I challenge each of you to live into the vision of the world you want to see fifty years from now. It may not be easy, but by everyone making changes in their lives to make the world a better place. We have the power to start a ripple effect and truly change the world.
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Robert Farrar Capon Quotes About JesusQuotes about: Jesus
But all the while, there was one thing we most needed even from the start, and certainly will need from here on out into the New Jerusalem: the ability to take our freedom seriously and act on it, to live not in fear of mistakes but in the knowledge that no mistake can hold a candle to the love that draws us home. My repentance, accordingly, is not so much for my failings but for the two-bit attitude toward them by which I made them more sovereign than grace. Grace - the imperative to hear the music, not just listen for errors - makes all infirmities occasions of glory.
...there is therefore now no condemnation for two reasons: you are dead now; and God, as the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, has been dead all along. The blame game was over before it started. It really was. All Jesus did was announce that truth and tell you it would make you free. It was admittedly a dangerous thing to do. You are a menace. Be he did it; and therefore, menace or not, here you stand: uncondemned, forever, now. What are you going to do with your freedom?
A lost sheep is, for all practical purposes a dead sheep. It is the admission that we are dead in our sins---that we have no power of ourselves either to save ourselves or to convince anyone else that we are worth saving. It is the recognition that our whole life is out of our hands and that if we ever live again, our life will be entirely the gift of some gracious shepherd. God finds us the desert of death (not in the garden of improvement) and in the power of Jesus' resurrection, he puts us on his shoulders rejoicing and brings us home.
Salvation is not some felicitous state to which we can lift ourselves by our own bootstraps after the contemplation of sufficiently good examples. It is an utterly new creation into which we are brought by our death in Jesus' death and our resurrection in his. It comes not out of our own best efforts, however well-inspired or successfully pursued, but out of the shipwreck of all human efforts whatsoever.
Preachers are stewards whom the Lord has 'set over his household servants to provide them with food at the proper time.' After all the years the church has suffered under forceful preachers and winning orators, under compelling pulpiteers and clerical bigmouths with egos to match, how nice to hear that Jesus expects preachers in their congregations to be nothing more than faithful household cooks.
Christianity is NOT a religion; it is the proclamation of the end of religion. Religion is a human activity dedicated to the job of reconciling God to humanity and humanity to itself. The Gospel, however - the Good News of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is the astonishing announcement that God has done the whole work of reconciliation without a scrap of human assistance. It is the bizarre proclamation that religion is over - period.
Robert Farrar Capon
- Born: 1925
- Died: September 5, 2013
- Occupation: Author
- Cite this Page: Citation


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Running Time: 88mins
Genre: Drama
Producers: Amos Adetuyi, Michael Donovan, Mark Gosine, Floyd Kane
Executive Producer: Evander Kane
Director: Director X
Writer: Floyd Kane
Editor: Dev Singh
Director Of Photography: Sam Inayeh
Cast: Stephan James, Sarah Jeffery, Shamier Anderson, Lanette Ware, Steven Love, Denis Theriault, Cara Ricketts
Taking place over a matter of days, Across the Line looks at the deep-rooted racial tensions within North Preston, Nova Scotia, undoing the lives of three students at Cole Harbour high school. When racism begins to tear their school apart from within, the fast-paced narrative follows the trail of devastation left behind.
ACROSS THE LINE will be preceded by the short film WINTER HYMNS.
Running Time: 15mins
Genre: Drama
Producers: Harry Cherniak, Dusty Mancinelli
Director: Dusty Mancinelli
Writer: Dusty Mancinelli
Editor: Dusty Mancinelli
Director Of Photography: Greg Biskup
Cast: Sam Ashe Arnold, Kyle Peacock
Ten-year-old Joshua is spending his winter break at home in the backcountry of Northern Ontario. His dull afternoon is shattered when his volatile older brother Kane shepherds him outside for the day. Killing time before a Christmas party later that night, the boys journey through the countryside looking for adventure and performing reckless antics. While hiking through the woods on their way home, the boys stumble across an empty cottage. Striving to win his older brother's affection, Joshua breaks into the cottage in search of alcohol. But when things go horribly wrong, Kane is left to pick up the pieces.
WINTER HYMS recently won the Grand Jury Award at Slamdance which puts them in the running for an Oscar nomination. Thoroughly deserved.


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Bassists Bond for Nashville Relief Concert
Low Notes For Nashville announced it will host a benefit concert to raise funds for their relief efforts. Iconic bassist Steve Bailey (pictured) will headline the event, which will also include performances by many top bassists from around the world. The concert will take place 8:00 p.m., Thursday, June 17, at Douglas Corner (2106 8th Ave. South).
Created less than three weeks ago by Nashville bassist Sean O'Bryan Smith and his close friend Lane Baldwin (Lane on Bass), Low Notes For Nashville has gathered an amazing team of professional bassists from around the world to offer relief to fellow musicians devastated by the recent Nashville flood. While their web site offers numerous ways for visitors to get involved, the benefit concert is the organization's highest profile event to date.
The show will be hosted by Smith, Baldwin, and Dave Pomeroy, an iconic bassist and writer, now president of the Nashville Musicians Association. All three will perform, and Baldwin will MC the event.
More players are signing up for the concert daily. To date, the concert will feature performances by numerous top bassists, including Vail Johnson, Roy Vogt, Bryan Beller, Adam Nitti, Doug Johns, and the legendary Bob Babbitt.
"You can expect to hear more top bassists on this bill than almost anywhere else," said Smith. "We're reaching out to everyone we know to invite their participation."
Those interested can keep up to date on all Low Notes For Nashville activities by visiting www.LowNotesForNashville.org.


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Cool Collectibles in Orange this weekend Fri Jan 19/Sat Jan 20/
We have a really neat mix of cool collectibles in Orange this week. There's lots of instruments- a violin, cello, bass, gorgeous rca victrola, old photographs, mid century pidgeon trophies, stained glass, pyrex, a FAB Okeefe and Merrit stove that was refurbed in 2005, bicycles, record albums (but not rock and roll so much) 45s, 78s, costume jewelry, an old fire hydrant! A few nice pieces of antique furniture, and the most groovy mid century blue El Camino we have seen in a really long time. Come see us 9-1 on Friday and 8-2 on Saturday.


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The late U.S. Senator Everett Dirksen is reported to have said, "A billion here, a billion there, pretty soon you're talking real money." He was presumably referring to government, but CEOs of small to medium enterprises might think he was talking about their larger corporate cousins. Some large enterprises lose or write off in a quarter amounts that far exceed the wildest revenue dreams of smaller businesses. Small to medium enterprises are different. The executives I've talked to are focused on the bottom line almost on a day-to-day basis. Budgets are tighter. And while they probably became successful by taking calculated risks,calculation is the key consideration.
That certainly applies to IT. IT spending as a percent of revenue for smaller companies runs less than larger enterprises (2 ½ percent on average compared to more than 3). IT staff is smaller, and staff members frequently play several roles—often whatever role needs to be played at the moment. With so much budget pressure, IT managers are always looking for ways to save. The recurring cost of support for their IT systems usually draws a glance. And because HP equipment tends to be highly reliable, it's a tempting place to cut back.
But the calculation says otherwise. Consider the cost of computer downtime. A study by IDC found small-to-medium businesses experienced 15 to 18 hours of network, system, or application downtime per year resulting in revenue losses of up to $75,000 per hour. I'll do the math for you. That means the average SMB loses $1.13 million to 1.35 million in revenue annually due to system outages.
And revenue losses aren't even the whole story. Another study shows 37 percent of employee productivity is lost during downtime. For 500 employees, that's the equivalent of having 185 of them sitting waiting for the system to come back up before they can do whatever you hired them to do. That's another $100,000 to $200,000 in losses due to downtime. Plus, 44 percent of the companies surveyed said employee morale suffered, 35 percent said customer loyalty declined, and half said their business reputation took a hit. A million here, a million there, and pretty soon you're talking real money—certainly for small-to-medium-size businesses.
HP support services from HP or HP ServiceOne partners help reduce that downtime and the losses that result from it. We provide reactive and proactive services with response times you can match to your budget and business needs—from next business day response to four-hour response available 24/7. And when you connect your systems directly to our support centers, our techs can achieve near 100 percent diagnostic accuracy, so our customers are reducing downtime by an additional 55 percent.
We created an infographic summarizing the information I provided above (with source references and everything). Download it and spread it around next time the command to cut back comes down. And in the meantime, check out this information on HP services designed specifically for small and midsize businesses. When you do the math, IT support pays. I know Everett Dirksen would have seen the logic in that.
Tags: downtime| IDC| IT| ServiceONE| SMB| View All (6)
Labels: HP Support Services


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Education Analytics, Planning and Improvement Platform for Administrators
Focus, Align, Improve
Digital tools that simplify and expedite the improvement process. Quickly identify improvement opportunities, decide on priorities and then plan, organize and focus resources on solving problems and reaching your goals.
We Make Data Work for You
Research and experience prove that the use of data leads to higher performance in the classroom, operations efficiency and quality. Unfortunately, most educational organizations don't have the time, training, people or tools to optimize the use of all their data. Enlit changes the game by providing an automated, streamlined and best practice based set of tools and system for data-driven decision making and evidence based management and improvement.
Analytics, Measures, and Benchmark Dashboards
Student Data
Whole Student
Analytics, Measures, and Benchmark Dashboards
Pre-built, ready to use dashboards and scorecards with department specific analytics, measures, and benchmarksLearn More
Strategic Planning Dashboards
Education Strategic Planning Tool
Can include the use of Balanced Scorecard and assistance developing and selecting measures
Strategic Planning Dashboards
Education Strategic Planning Dashboards link themes, goals, measures, and targets. Our online tool assures that everyone is aware of goals and progress.
Improve Communications with staff, the board, and community with attractive infographics and dashboards
Learn More
Instant access to historical information, performance, strategic plan progress, and monthly trends and progress, Enlīt, LLC also offers one-of-a-kind student info-graphic dashboards. Contact us to learn more.
Dashboards for Monitoring and Reporting
Enlīt's platform can be used to store, analyze, and distribute information, key indicators, and analytics to department leaders.
Dashboards for Monitoring and Reporting
Learn More
Give your leaders access to the information and knowledge they need to make day-to-day decisions and reach their goals
"With Data, Areas of Strength and Weakness are More Easily Identified"
Dawn Jacobs, Treasurer
-Huron City School District-
Analytics, digital tools and know-how that help leaders reach their goals, address challenges and improve efficiency and effectiveness
Budgets & Finance
The Enlīt Difference:
Simple to Use – Start using with limited training
Assessment tools for all areas: instruction, operations, finance, and student data
Interpretation and recommendations (optional)
Automates assessment, planning, and reporting process
Real-time, position, and persona monitoring dashboards
Highly effective training, consulting, and professional development
What our District Partners are Saying:
Steve and the ENLIT team did a great job creating and facilitating the Huron Leadership Academy, combining both relationship centered leadership behavior development with theoretical and hands on experiences in the principles of LEAN, resulting in our team's ability to make more strategic, efficient and effective operational decisions.
– Dennis Muratori, Superintendent, Huron City School District
Enlīt's Pathfinder dashboard, KPIS, and deeper measures reduce the amount of time required to understand performance, make data-driven decisions, and identify improvement opportunities. The system has already provided data-driven validation of many of our decisions.
-Greg Thompson, Business Manager, Beavercreek School District
About the Founder – Steven C. Pereus
President and founder of Enlīt, LLC, a K-12 education data analytics, performance improvement software and consulting company that has served approximately 100 clients in 12 states. Steve began his education career when he was recruited by the business community and board of education for the role of Business Manager and the COO of Toledo Public Schools. He was retained as part of a community-wide effort to improve school performance, improve the perception of the school district, and create financial stability. As COO of Toledo Public Schools, Steve led changes that generated $17 mm in school budget savings in three years and solved major labor, financial, operating, and public relations problems.
Contact us to Learn More
Call Us at the Number Below
(419) 794 – 3197
"Enlīt is a game changer." Board Member, Alamogordo Public Schools, Alamogordo, NM


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Having to rectify errors in expense claims can be a costly affair for companies, both in monetary and non-monetary terms. Companies that use inefficient manual processes such as forms and spreadsheets to process business and travel expense claims often encounter missing or faded receipts, or find errors in claim reconciliation figures.
With a Payroll and Expense Claim Management Software, you can eliminate such errors, track and manage employee expense claim with minimal administration and maximum efficiency. Reclaim full control over your expense claim process and save your company time and money.
Our Payroll and Expense Claim Software offers:
- Multi-level claim approval chains that can take place anywhere; web or mobile
- Auto calculations of exchange rates, net amount
- Digital receipt management to allow for the easy digital capture of receipts and automatic parsing of receipts into expense report entries
- Customisable claim form formats to suit your workflow needs
- Integration with your Payroll Software to seamlessly upload expense tabulation reports and streamline reimbursement of claims along with salaries
- Unlimited access to web and mobile-based expense claim management interface
Save time and reduce costs by outsourcing your expense claim management
Expense claim management can be a breeze with our game-changing Payroll and Expense Claim Management Software. Be served by a dedicated Payroll & Expense Claim specialist when you engage our services or software.


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About OTS - the what, where, who & why
In November 2014, 3 senior practitioners - Justin Smith, Michael Soth & Annalisa Caldon invited practitioners of psychological therapies in Oxfordshire to help us form a multi-modality developmental community, with the broad aim of making therapy more accessible. Our plans have progressed across a range of objectives, so here is a summary of our progress, and future plans.
Progress To Date:
Future Plans:
As well as needing to develop our community, we are looking to establish productive links with other low cost services and placements in the area, so as to provide clients with the greatest range of options that can be developed.
The OTS Charity:
We are currently investigating how OTS can set up as a charity, so that as the organisation grows, income can stay within the organisation and can be used towards its main charitable aim, i.e. to support low-cost group therapy in the community. As a charity we will be able to more formally pay people for carrying out the admin functions of the organisation, with the rest of the work involved in running and growing OTS being done for free, as it is now.
Are You Interested?
We are looking for likeminded individuals, who would like to get involved in setting this partially self-funded charity up. We are particularly interested in anyone who has experience and/or enthusiasm to offer as a trustee.
Therapy Group & Facilitation Training:
We are starting to develop a 12-18 month training programme for practitioners wanting to run groups and facilitate workshops for OTS. The programme will be open to all applicants, and we are exploring having it be an accredited course. We will keep you updated on this as it develops. You can sign up for the OTS newsletter on the right hand side of this page to ensure you are kept up to date.
We have many more plans for the future; this is just the beginning. If you would like to know more, please get in touch.
If you are looking for a Counsellor or Psychotherapist...
If you are looking for counselling or psychotherapy in Oxford, we offer assessments in Oxford, and can refer you to one of our practitioners who work at different venues across the region. We also have low-cost practitioners on placement with us, who commonly work in Jericho at the Community Centre, and in Botley at the The Oxford Community Health Hub. From January we will be more concentrated on our new centre!
As well as our new centre in Oxford our current therapy centre is in central Witney, just around the corner from the main bus stops at the top of the High Street. So we are well placed for people travelling from Abingdon, Burford, Bampton, Carterton, Eynsham, Faringdon, Oxford, Wantage and other surrounding towns and villages.
We regularly post interesting articles and events on our Facebook and LinkedIn pages
Click here to like/visit us on Facebook


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Retirement Management
Over the years, our team of CFPs, CPAs, and attorneys has helped hundreds of retirees properly execute IRA rollovers, Roth conversions, and tax-wise retirement distribution strategies. Creating an optimal retirement strategy revolves around prudent investment management, quantified spending habits, reducing debt, and intelligently planning for taxes. We cover all of these areas and more for you with the Align Retirement Income Planning System.
Utilizing our Retirement Income Planning System, we take the specifics of your particular situation (assets, goals, dollars, and deadlines) and run them through a series of stress tests using real long term capital market data. Basically, we're applying the science of probability analysis in order to create your customized retirement income plan. And in doing so, we come up with what we call your Confidence Assessment. This process subjects your goals and investment strategy to a form of 'stress testing' which simulates thousands of different market environments, based on actual capital market data (from really good to really bad). Your resulting Confidence Assessment is the percentage of the thousands of simulations that exceed your goals. This is essentially the same process used by leading pension plans to determine if they are over- or under-funded at any given point in time. And, for you, it's like looking at thousands of possible future lifetimes, based on all known market history, in order to determine the most appropriate investment strategy for your unique set of circumstances.
When you engage in Align's Retirement Income Planning System, you will experience the peace of mind and confidence of knowing that you will enjoy a plentiful retirement income stream without any real concern of ever outliving your money.
Retirement planning is only a portion of the overall Advanced Planning process we execute with each client. To learn more, click here for a sample retirement income plan.


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Hustle. Heart. Hoops.
Triple Threat is a non-profit Youth Basketball Club created to foster our children becoming better players, better teammates and better people through a best-in-class sports program.
TT aims to provide career growth opportunities and an environment in which coaches will feel appreciated and empowered.
As a non-profit organization, Triple Threat directs funds right back into programming – which really enables our mission to give back to the community and to help serve children who might not have the same opportunities as other children.
We strive to teach our athletes the importance of giving back so that they may develop not only athletically, but as contributing members of the community.
Sign up to hear from us about games, tryouts, and special events.
Pacific Palisades, California, United States


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Going Mobile
While traveling, I often work on my laptop in the passenger seat, using my iPhone as a personal hotspot while someone else drives. I do this even though I get so carsick that we need to pull over frequently so I can vomit violently by the roadside. The lingering question I have is, can I bill that time spent vomiting or should it be considered personal time?


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We are a team of seasoned professionals, women & men, seeking a ladies interested in becoming a Vixen or do Runway to market/manage in the Fashion/Music/Film Industry.We have endless connects that will allow you to jump start a successful career.
In becoming a part of our team you, will be entering a whole new stage in your career with almost endless opportunities. We are building your Image from the ground up right here in Detroit.
-Willing to Invest time and money in your career
-Able to speak amongst a crowd
REPLY with Stats (Height, Weight, Bust, Waist, Hips)
Please Send Resume (If any), Head-shot & full body shot, & goals in life
**Acting Skills a big PLUS
Apply now!


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Fun and Wild Color Hair
Changing your look can be fun and refreshing. We all need to try new things and experiment with our looks to gain new perspectives on ourselves. A good way to do this to change our hair color and have fun with it.
Box dyes are the obvious. But these can be harmful and damaging to you hair and scalp. The chemicals needed to let the dye penetrate the hair follicle can produce dry, damaged hair that can take weeks to repair through intensive conditioning treatments. Plus, box dyes should only be used every 6 to 8 weeks at the most. This does not fare well with changing your color often.
A better solution would be to use non-permanent color options. Recently, using color chalk for hair has become popular and affordable. A simple, one day application will allow you to have fun and go back to your original look with just a quick hair wash. These chalks usually come in compact-like containers that you simply slide down your hair, and voila! Instant, bright and fun color.
Another way would be to use cool aide packs. This would yield a longer lasting color. Prepare the drink mix into a bowl large enough for you to dip your hair into. Section off your hair for easier handling. Dip hair and pat dry with paper towels. You may want to wrap your hair in an old towel in order to avoid the dye from ending up on clothes or counter tops.
Have fun with your hair in a safe and easy way.


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About Amma
her holiness sri mata amritanandamayi devi
For me, Amma is an enigma. She is a mystery that our mind can never ever comprehend, because She operates from a reality that our mind cannot know. Yet at the same time, She is the most intimate experience that we could ever experience as human beings. She is our very own Self, so She knows us like no other person can ever know us. It is because of this intimate experience, that we can open up to Her in ways that might never have been possible before.
Her name is Mata Amritanandamayi, and She is an incarnation of the Divine Mother; the source of all physical manifestation in the entire Universe. This is also something that the mind cannot comprehend, so don't even try. Yet for those of us that have experienced Her mystery deeply and have been touched by Her grace, this statement cannot even begin to describe the power of Love She brings into this world.
Amma was born in a small rural fishing village in Kerala, South India. During Her childhood She manifested many signs that revealed Her deep abidance with the Divine. Many of the local villagers believed Amma was crazy, because of how strange She behaved at times. Her family treated Her quite poorly, seeing Her behavior as an abnormality. People simply didn't understand Her. But Amma never tried to dissuade them, She knew deeply that it was all part of God's plan. But over the years, as Amma grew older, Her infinite love and acts of compassion toward those who were suffering made people more aware of her Divine nature. People naturally were attracted to Her, and soon some wanted to stay with Her. The unconditional love and deep wisdom emanating from just a simple, fishing girl was extraordinary and captivating.
Today, Amma is a huge international force. She devotes herself night and day, every day, to the awakening of humanity and the easing of people's suffering. She has manifested (from absolutely nothing) endless humanitarian efforts—projects that are unprecedented in their creative impact to relieve the suffering of all of Her children. Her charitable projects include:
- Award-winning universities
- Her 800-bed, super-specialty hospital that's completely free-of-charge to the poor
- Building tens of thousands of homes for the homeless
- Pensions for widows
- Huge environmental projects
- And the list goes on and on and on—all over the world.
For me and thousands of others, Amma is the Sat-Guru. She is the spiritual master who really sees us. She sees our truest Self, and also sees how that Self is designed to manifest in the world. She sees our potential. The way that Amma operates on us is very deep. She isn't overly concerned about giving us little glimpses, or awakenings; although these glimpses can occur often in Her presence. Amma is going for the root cause of our separation. She is pulling out the "me" from our existence; that center individual that is so absorbed with itself. It is this central "me" that keeps us from knowing and living as the Self, our true essence. Amma knows that spiritual experiences are inspiring, yet she will not give them if she knows the ego will cling to them. She also will not give us big congratulations if we have an awakening, because that would only make the ego feel better about itself. The only time I remember her giving me any sort of approval, was when I have gone through intense and terrifying periods of surrender, when the ego had been let go of. She whispered "good girl" in my ear, and that was it. No big deal.
Amma sees the perfect jewel within us. She sees our potential, and She cuts and shapes us to bring out the brilliance of what She sees. This is not always an easy process. There may be times we feel we want to die, because the ego cannot see its own survival in what it is going through. And that's the good news! There have been many moments when I have seen that my process, the stripping away, is the only thing I truly want. I must live this life authentically to feel deeply connected to the love that is guiding this life.
I have a lot of faith in my relationship with Amma. I have given myself over to that relationship, which is the relationship with the supreme Self, in order that the process can go as deep as it possibly can. Amma tells me that I will always have a Master, and I interpret this in many ways, one of which is that the process will never ever end. We are always being pushed to the edge of what we know. If we can cooperate with that, we will be led to our deepest potential, which is never ever realized, because it is continually deepening as well. Consciousness is not a stagnant experience; it is also expanding, deepening, and exploring its own nature.
The work of a Sat-Guru, a true one, is much different that an ordinary spiritual teacher. Amma works so much deeper than anyone I have ever encountered, and I have sat with enough teachers to know the difference. Most of Amma's teachings are shared in deep silence, as She transmits a powerful force of purifying love into those of us that are open enough to receive it.
Only those that are open and humble can receive this pure, Divine Love. It is the image of a chalice of nectar flowing into an empty cup. We must be empty of what we think we know. This is real spiritual humility. Divine love works on a level that may not be recognizable at first. We might not be seeing any changes in ourselves. We may be in a hurry to awaken, and we may want special spiritual experiences to convince ourselves of our advancement. If none of these experiences happen we may get discouraged, or we may think that we will never be free of our "stuff." We may think that it is all too difficult, and wonder, 'What's the point of all this?'
The Sat-guru knows what She is doing. She is rendering our ego harmless, so that it is out of the way and that it won't corrupt our process. The ego really wants to awaken too, and often times it will hold onto any "advancement" that it feels it is acquiring. This is very dangerous to our journey. Amma makes sure this doesn't happen, and sometimes She is very firm about it. She needs to be. This is why it is so essential to have an extremely strong relationship with the Divine, whether it be in the form of the guru, or spiritual teacher, or the formless presence which is beyond our own experience of our self. Our relationship must endure, so that it can take us beyond what the ego thinks it needs and wants.
My gratitude for Amma is beyond words. I cannot imagine having the courage to go through the level of surrender that has been necessary without her precise guidance and loving support. Each time I am with Amma, She looks at me deeply, letting me know that She knows precisely what is happening. This allows me to recognize that it is exactly what I want, deep down inside my Self. I will always have Amma as my master. She is the Sat-Guru, and She is my Mother. She lives in my heart and breathes me. She is my own True Self, reflecting back radiant Love, and She belongs to us all.
Om Amriteshwaryai Namah!


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Square Enix, developer of video games like the role-playing Final Fantasy game series, will shut down its servers for its online games Final Fantasy XI and Final Fantasy XIV to conserve power following a massive earthquake in Japan.
Square Enix shut down the servers today and did not indicate when the servers will come back up. The online Final Fantasy series is unique in that it meshes Japanese and international players very closely and has in-game translations to help players communicate across language barriers. But an earthquake on Friday did massive damage to the country's wireless and cloud services — which are run on remote servers that store information and handle heavy-duty computing — hampering online services across the country.
While a lot of online services in Japan have backup cloud servers across the world, it looks like the online Final Fantasy games did not merit additional servers. That might be because the game did not have as many players as other online games like World of Warcraft — which now has 12 million active monthly subscribers. The most recent game, Final Fantasy XIV, had a bit of a rough start and was not well received by critics, picking up a score of 49 out of 100 across 25 reviews on review aggregation site Metacritic.
Japan was hit by an 8.9-magnitude earthquake on the Richter scale — which is a logarithmic scale, meaning that an extra 1 point on the scale means the quake is about 32 times more powerful. The earthquake rocked the northeastern portion of the coast and generated a tsunami warning across the country. The quake was the strongest to hit Japan in at least a century and generated a tsunami as high as 33 feet that flooded northern towns.
[Photo: 第③ª类视觉]


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Denim originates from French attempts to duplicate the "jeans" of Genoa, which were actually closer to today's corduroys. Originally, the material is called "serge," but the town of Nîmes, France, is credited as the birthplace, and serge will eventually become known as "denim," or of Nîmes.
American gold miners need clothes that are strong, and that do not tear easily. Jacob Davis has the idea of putting rivets on the stress points of workman's overalls. He contacts Levi Strauss, and together, they receive patent number 139,121 for the "Improvement in Fastening Pocket-Openings." The patent is the birth certificate of modern jeans.
Lee Jeans are the first to use the zip fly instead of the button fly, creating an entirely new way for men to wince in pain.
Cowboys in film (like John Wayne) popularize jeans, leading to a huge increase in people wearing jeans as everyday wear.
Jeans are featured in Vogue for the first time, and they haven't shut up about them since.
American soldiers overseas during World War II introduce jeans to the world by wearing them while off-duty.
Rosie the Riveter, a symbol for female empowerment during World War II, wears a denim shirt and a bandana in the famous "We Can Do It!" poster.
Denim becomes popular with young people as the symbol of teenage rebellion in film and TV. In 1953, Marlon Brando dons them for The Wild One, and two years later, James Dean wears them in the classic film Rebel Without a Cause, marking the beginning of the greaser trend.
Bing Crosby's famous all-denim "Canadian tuxedo" is made for him by Levi Strauss & Co. in reaction to Crosby having been banned from a Vancouver hotel for wearing jeans.
Marilyn Monroe is photographed in the garden of her Palm Springs home looking hot in nothing more than a simple denim tunic. A huge step for denim, moving it in a decidely sexy direction for women.
"Jean Fever" begins in the USSR after Moscow hosts the World Festival of Youth and Students, where foreign students appear in fresh blue denim. The clothing becomes synonymous with the absence of freedom in the USSR leading to a ban on the material.
Mary Quant + denim = the swinging denim mini skirt.
Elvis Presley's denim-clad hipshaking causes the devil to possess the children of the world.
Rokotov and Faibishenko, two profiteers in the USSR, are sentenced to death for charges including "trafficking in jeans."
Bellbottoms on Jimi Hendrix send a message of free love.
Elio Fiorucci introduces the Buffalo 70 jeans, credited with creating the concept of "designer jeans."
In 1976, Indian designer Mohan Murjani's Murjani Corporation introduces a line with Gloria Vanderbilt's name embroidered on the back pocket, as well as her swan logo. Her jeans were more tightly fitted than the other jeans of the time and brought designer jeans into the mainstream.
Clad in Jordache flared jeans, the image of Farrah Fawcett freestyling on a skateboard launched the '70s fitted and flared denim look.
Sid Vicious wrote; "...Please bury me next to my baby. Bury me in my leather jacket, jeans and motorcycle boots. Goodbye."
In a Calvin Klein Jeans ad, a 15-year-old Brooke Shields provocatively declares, "You wanna know what comes between me and my Calvins? Nothing."
Magnum P.I. played by Tom Selleck, flaunts his high-waisted jeans, formidable moustache, and flaming Ferrari to ring in '80s excess.
Ronald Reagan, captured on camera in a full denim get-up at Camp David, John Travolta in Urban Cowboy, and The Dukes of Hazzard bring about a honky tonk, cowboy revival for denim. Also, big hats.
The process of acid washing jeans was first used in 1985 by Rifle Jeans as a marketing tool, removing indigo dyes for a lighter, more worn look. This becomes the final word in denim for much of the American heartland.
For her first cover as editor of Vogue, Anna Wintour outfits model Michaela Bercu in a pair of $50 jeans and a Christian Lacroix top.
Guess Jeans signs Claudia Schiffer for their advertising campaigns, photographed by Ellen Von Unwerth.
Kurt Cobain, Eddie Vedder, and other grunge superstars define the slacker era with their ripped, shredded jeans and questionable hair hygiene.
Hip-Hop artists like Tupac Shakur, LL Cool J, and Method Man popularize sagging.
Alexander McQueen debuts his infamous "bumster" jeans on the runway.
Tom Ford designs a pair of feathered, beaded, and distressed jeans on the Gucci runway. When these "Genius Jeans" hit stores, they sell out instantly at $3,134 (the most expensive pair of contemporary jeans ever sold).
Los Angeles-based brand 7 For All Mankind launches, commencing the premium brand denim trend, while Kate Moss begins the skinny jeans trend.
Lovebirds Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears wear matching denim ensembles to the American Music Awards. Timberlake later regrets this move. We're not sure why.
A pair of 501 jeans manufactured in the 1880s is purchased by a Japanese collector in 2005 for $60,000, the most ever for a pair of jeans.
In protest of the Belarusian president's Soviet-like policies, activist Mikita Sasim raises his denim shirt as a symbol of Western culture, suggesting that it be Belarus' flag instead. The protests are dubbed "The Jeans Revolution."
Katie Holmes wears husband Tom Cruise's PRPS jeans, and the trend for the baggier "boyfriend" style comes back.
Barack Obama wears a pair of ill-fitting "dad jeans" to throw out the first pitch of Major League Baseball's All-Star Game, proving that dad jeans might be worse than mom jeans.
Conan O'Brien wears a pair of Jeggings during the taping of Conan, the night after admitting his love for them to Project Runway's Tim Gunn.
Karl Lagerfeld presents his Chanel resort collection inspired by denim. Lagerfeld's contributions to the denim world began 20 years earlier when he matched the iconic Chanel jacket with a denim miniskirt.
Jeggings are entered into the Concise Oxford English Dictionary, a registered brand name owned by none other than ISKO.
Denim's place in the fashion world is solidified. The raw/dry denim explosion takes off with brands such as G-Star RAW, Nudie Jeans, Evisu, PRPS, Naked & Famous, and A.P.C. Denim dominating the spring runways of Céline, Derek Lam, and Stella McCartney.
Lana Del Rey releases her hit single, "Blue Jeans," which reaffirms denim's place as an icon for a whole new generation of music lovers.
Excessive skinny jean consumption causes US currency to become more expensive, since denim scraps are used for the manufacture of US dollar bills. The popularity of the jeans also leads to a global downturn in lunging exercises.
Kim Kardashian brings back the Canadian Tuxedo, surprising all of us who never thought it left.
June 2015
Peak Skinny Jean: An Australian woman was hospitalized with temporary paralysis after her (very) skinny jeans cut off the flow of blood to her legs. Doctors were required to cut the jeans off the woman. The fate of the denim is unknown. The woman survived.


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Sri Lanka depicts a tiny dot in the map of the world. Three major exporting commodities, Rubber, Tea and Coconut once placed this tiny speck in the world map to earn her foreign exchange and became known among overseas traders and importers. Of late, the English gentleman's game of cricket placed Sri Lanka on the plinth of popularity. The on-going terrorist war has made its name filter through mass media to every nook and corner of the world. Athletes like Susanthika Jayasinghe, followed by various other sports men and women at international level have made the name Sri Lanka reverberate on international billboards and television screens.
Yet, how many are fully knowledgeable about the great treasures buried under this amazing island's own chattels? Although many have been talking about Sri Lankan precious stones on the British Crown, not sparing the late 'Princess Diana's expensive Blue Sapphire from Sri Lanka', yet not many have made any serious attempts, for too long, to explain or educate the international community at large about the prevalent gemming industry in Sri Lanka and the craftsmen's skills available here to cut and polish such regal jewels to radiate majestically.
Leave alone the foreigners and international markets, how many people in Sri Lanka itself are aware that nearly three quarters of our land is blessed with gems buried in 46 proposed identification locations spread right across the country? NGJA's National Gem and Jewellery Authority new schemes include ECommerce facility through its own website - www.srilankagemautho.com enabling traders to transact online. Steps were taken to initiate training programmes in Thailand as per a MoU singed between the NGJA and the Thai Jewellery Manufacturers Association; highest sponsorship package offered towards FACETS in 2007, currently they are in the process of finalizing details with the SLGIA on the proposed Gem Testing Laboratory to be established in collaboration with the private sector; Have initiated steps to establish a 'Gem Museum' at the premises of the National Museum in Colombo; Established a ' Round the Clock' export facilitation unit at the Air Cargo Village at Katunayake.
NGJA policy to relax the stringent restrictions at the airport which virtually throttled all opportunities of importing gems to the country with no more 'leave at Customs and clear later' regulations but with 'immediate clearance' facilities along with a reduction of the 30% import tax to a bare minimum of 3% made the industry boom and bring positive results during the 2nd half of 2007. Further concessions granted to the industry is the exemption of duty and Value Added Tax (VAT) under Sri Lanka regulations on all imports of precious metals and gems including diamonds.
The latest research by the Gem and Jewellery Research and Training Institute show 46 'proposed identified' sites of gem deposits in Sri Lanka. Distribution of gem minerals spread from Mihintale down to Ridiyagama down south embracing Kantale, Lunugala, Getahatta, Eheliyagoda, Kuruwita, Hatton, Maskeliya, Moneragala, Okkampitiya, Kiriella, Bulathsinghala, Ratnapura Pelmadulla, Balangoda, Agalawatta, Akarella, Nivithigala, Rakwana, Kalawana, Deniyaya, Embilipitiya, Kataragama, Elpitiya, Meetiyagoda, Morawaka, Ridiyagama, and Akuressa. Recent gem deposits found by the GJRTI include Naula, Bakamuna, Elahera, Attaragallewa, Kaluganga, Hattota Amuna, Ballapana, Galapitamada and Akarella.
There is a great opportunity for Sri Lanka to prosper in the future if correct polices are revised and continued to utilize gems buried in the above mentioned sites.
It is also stated that around 6000 Sri Lankans working in Thailand in the gem trade at present are using illegal means to smuggle out Sri Lanka's precious stones in most devious means, even under stringent government controls. Should such an environment become inevitable, then it is suggested that gemming should not be restricted to only a chosen few but free to all, while making the NHJA as custodians with certain amount of powers to monitor. In its endeavors to promote the industry, the National Gem and Jewellery Authority "NGJA" has made arrangements to organize "Sri Lanka Pavilion's" at eight major gem and Jewellery shows in 2008.


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News and Announcements
Noosa's seniors get tech savvy with new program
Help is at hand for Noosa seniors keen to learn more about how to use technology.
"If the only tablet you're familiar with is one you take with water, and you think browsing is something done only at the shops, you're not alone, but Noosa Library Service can help you learn the basics with a wide range of free workshops on offer," says Library Literacy and Learning Coordinator Tracey King.
The Library Service has received a $14,775 grant through the Tech Savvy Seniors project to introduce older Queenslanders to technology. This is the fifth year the Library Service has secured Tech Savvy Seniors funding to continue this popular program which has evolved over the years to meet the changing needs of the community.
"Many seniors have embraced new technologies, but some are still overwhelmed or intimidated by the thought of getting online. We make the learning process easier by providing this free guidance in a friendly environment," Ms King says.
"Seniors can book a place in the workshops to learn how to use a tablet device, navigate social media, shop online and access government services. This year we've introduced a new suite of workshops teaching seniors how to design a 3D object and how to print it out on the 3D printer," says Ms King.
She said the training, to begin in February, also aimed to assist seniors to avoid internet scams and the pitfalls of online fraud when conducting business, shopping and banking.
The Tech Savvy Seniors Queensland Program – a partnership between the Queensland Government and Telstra – provides training at selected public libraries across Queensland to encourage more seniors to embrace information technology.
It aims to help seniors get connected and participate in the online world, with the objective of increasing digital inclusion, helping reduce social isolation and increasing access to government services.
The Tech Savvy Seniors Queensland program has been funded by Telstra and the Queensland Government through State Library of Queensland and the Department of Communities, Disability Services and Seniors.
For more information, phone (07) 5329 6555.
2 January 2019


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Tag Archives: Kay
A Chat with Kay
Jay makes Kay spit up her protein drink. Continue reading
Posted in Eli, Jay, Kay, The Family Tagged humor, Jay, Kay, protien 2 Comments
2008 and 2009
I did make a list of goals for 2008. Of the 15-20, I think I accomplished maybe 5. Oh well. I'm taking an idea from my buddy Brantley on this one. I think before I create goals for 2009, maybe … Continue reading
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just exactly where you want to be.. welcome to the Hampton Inn Harrisburg/Grantville/Hershey The Hampton Inn hotel in Harrisburg/Grantville/Hershey occupies one of the most delightful and interesting sections of Pennsylvania. Play some blackjack, roulette or slots, or catch a horse race at the new Hollywood Casino at Penn National, or visit Chocolate World in Hershey and see how Hershey Kisses are made. Then visit Indian Echo Caverns or tour the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg. It's all here near our hotel in Grantville So the next time you find yourself in Pennsylvania, join us here at our hotel. In Grantville, we're just exactly where you want to be-close to shopping, golf, major businesses and the perfect family spots for adventure services & amenitie Even if you're in Grantville to enjoy the great outdoors, we want you to enjoy our great indoors as well. That's why we offer a full range of services and amenities at our hotel to make your stay with us exceptional Are you planning a meeting? Wedding? Family reunion? Little League game? Let us help you with our easy booking and rooming list management tools * Meetings & Event * Local restaurant guide
Prices from £ 75.0 Per Night


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For many workers and families who worked mines and inhabited coal towns, English was a second or third language. As new immigrants recently settled in the United States, they were just learning to speak the language. Many others, who weren't immigrants, were unable to read and write. (more…)
The Elusive Story of Packard, Kentucky
Packard Kentucky was an enigma. A ghost-town long extinct, Packard exists only in the surviving memories of a few former inhabitants, a handful of faded snapshots, and but a smattering of arcane references in yellowed periodicals. (more…)


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This year's Inferno write up will be a "short" one. Everything I learned from the past two years has been well documented in my previous race reports: 2015 & 2016. It's still worth sharing my thoughts on the race so here they are.
There wasn't much excitement around this year's race. There was no "olympic skier" competing, no social fundraising, and no announcement of a prize purse. It was super low-key with just a few announcements during the lead-up. I'm not sure why this was but need to talk to the RDs and see what was up. I ended up fundraising on my own because I really like the work that FOTR has done and is doing.
The lack of excitement and hike in entry fee may have deterred other elite racers from competing this year. It didn't feel like a deep field of competitors and my training over March wasn't Inferno-specific of ramped up like it normally is. There were many evenings where I normally would have gone for an extra run or bike but that drive wasn't there this year.
All that aside, once I started fund raising and organizing my gear for the race I did get more excited about the event. I did get in a good run, bike, skin, and ski day the Monday leading into the race and I knew I was strong but not sharp. Friday evening I picked up my Kayak from a friend, staged it, picked up my bike from Stan & Dan's, then went to registration at 6pm. I decided not to run the river since it was shortened to 3 miles this year (instead of 5) plus I was running late.
At home I quickly assembled my gear and transition bags which seemed way too easy compared to last year. Could I finally have the Inferno dialed? I even had skis, boots, and skins ready to go for Billy Hafferty who was racing for the first time. Unlike last year I wasn't stressed out and was able to sleep relatively well. But I was still up at 4:45 for a 5:15 departure. I was able to handle the kayak transition in 10 minutes and was done with the bike transition by 6:15. This left time for a bathroom break at the Irving and more than enough time to get set up for the start of the race.
Run: I got in my half mile warm up and felt fine. My kit felt warm enough but not like I'd be overheating. This was the first time I wore road flats this year though and that would come back to haunt me at mile 4. The race kicked off at 7am and I wanted to match my pace from last year (~6:15min/mi). I watched as Zach Switaj took out the lead and I pushed early to try and get a gap on the other solo competitors. I was working hard but with the climb in the first two miles you really don't have a choice. By the top of the climb I was alone and just rolled fast on the down. I had another team guy in front of me who was slowly gapping me. By the end of Jericho road I knew my calves might be an issue - first time in racing flats all year and the hill beat up my lower calves. Nothing I could do but grind it out. On the turn to 302 we had a stiff headwind as usual. At this point I really wish I had someone to draft off of. There was a guy in my rearview and he was steadily gaining on me. I settled into my own pace and focused on getting to Thorne Pond. Shout out to my Dad, brother, and Hilary for cheering me on at multiple points along the course. As I dropped down to Attitash a guy came along and passed right by me. I didn't try to hang on as he was another team racer. I made the turn off 302 and ran the quarter mile around the pond in the snow to the kayak transition area - always fun in road flats! Overall it was a good run performance but it dinged me up and I was hoping that my legs would tolerate the crammed kayak albeit a short paddle coming up.
Kayak: The run-to-paddle transition has always killed me. Mostly because there hasn't been anyone to help get the skirt on the boat which is incredibly hard to do mid race. In the past I've seen other racers get assistance but didn't think much of it. I was surprised this year to see Brian McIlvain (past runner up) at my Kayak ready to help me and the other racers. This made for a smooth transition and wasted very little time compared to the usual minute or so it takes or just giving up in general. I had a 14' touring boat that wasn't lightning fast but not too slow either. I was able to push a relatively good split given my ability which is a solid recreational level. I feel comfortable in the water but this is my one and only paddle of the year. The river was low but flowing well enough that I never got hung up on rocks. Water came over the bow in a few sections but I stayed warm and dry with my skirt and mitten shells. I was able to pass a team paddler heading under 302 and made my way to the pull out. This is where things took a slight turn - with no communication with the volunteer - he pulled my bow onto shore but failed to tell me what to do next. I didn't want to waste time so I tried to step out and just fell into the river, completely submerging my left side. This was incredibly frustrating because I had spent the past three miles working on staying dry for the bike and something as simple as exiting the kayak had turned into a potential big mistake. I shuffled up to my bike and threw my gear behind my bike and tried not to throw a fit.
Bike: Although wet, my feet and hands stayed warm in the winter conditions. This was a big concern because the race is infinitely harder if you losing feeling in your extremities and also becomes a big distraction. I doubled up on gloves and had toe caps on my shoes. Coming into Jericho road I passed the 2nd place team and then made the grind over Glen Ledge. After that climb you can relax a little knowing that although there's a lot more climbing left, it's fairly gradual. What you can't predict though is the gusting headwind as you ascend Pinkham Notch. This was no surprise to me but then it started flurrying. There's nothing you can do except embrace it and not fight it. I was by myself for the rest of the climb and kept looking at my computer - single digits on the fairly mellow grade. It was the toughest leg for sure.
Hike: Coming into Pinkham I was psyched to see Brian again ready to help me get set up for a good skin. I was able to get my boots on and even took the time to ditch the bike helmet for my ski helmet plus get rid of a pair of gloves. Another smooth transition and I was out running to the Tuckerman Ravine Trailhead. The skin was painful but I just settled into whatever pace I could hold at that point and didn't let up too much. I fended off some quad cramps and worked hard to HoJos. Racing up the TRT really isn't an enjoyable experience - there aren't many landmarks and it just goes seemingly forever. The hike section ended at HoJos which was a disappointment since they had set gates on Hillman's the night before but the weather was a typical Washington storm bubble - clear in the valley, winter on the Pig. Knowing that all I had left was the Sherbie was a relief though.
Ski: I came into the ski transition area exhausted and didn't say much as I just tried to keep moving. I ripped my skins off, locked in and was gone. Knowing there wasn't anyone in nearby I skied a conservative leg making sure I didn't blow it on the downhill. It was firm and fast but in control. The legs still felt good on the down but I was ready to be done. I crossed the finish line in 3 hours 15 minutes. It was a great win and on par with my previous efforts. Matty B got me a Tuckerman Pale Ale to celebrate.
Post-Race: I caught up with Tristan Williams who had run the hike leg and was ready for a ski. Hilary also joined us as we skinned a "cool down" back up to HoJos. Many might think this is crazy but as tired as I was, it's not that hard just to skin another lap at an easy pace. I learned this from watching athletes like Josh Flanagan (who came in second this year but won in '14) and Brian McIlvain who will add a run on to any backcountry ski if the weather is nice. It helps with your endurance base and is a good way to wind down, even when you feel worked to the core. We headed to Josh's in Jackson to clean up before going to the Island Chef for lunch and back up to Jackson before attending the awards at Wildcat. The dinner is a good time to connect with the Inferno community and recognize those who had done well in various categories. Again, I was surprised to see a check with my name on it since they never teased it leading into the race so thank you Friends of Tuckerman Ravine and I look forward to racing again next year!


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Member Highlight
LP Consulting: Guiding biosolids & residuals use on farms in the Maritimes
September 2014 & September 2018
Lise LeBlanc is an agronomist and the principal at LP Consulting. (She is also a current NEBRA Board member.) She and her colleagues recognize the value in organic residuals. They help farmers choose the right fertilizers and soil amendments to achieve cost-efficient, sustainable fertility on their fields. They recycle wood ash, biosolids products, gypsum, wood waste, compost, whey products, digestate, fish wastes, and more, using careful analyses for agronomic values and site evaluations to match the soil amendments and fertilizers to the needs of the particular soil and crop. They are careful to choose products that have been properly treated and tested to ensure safety for the environment. They are busy throughout Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and occasionally in other provinces.
"We emphasize knowing the agricultural markets where the various residuals are to be used," explained LeBlanc in a presentation to the Compost Council of Canada in September, 2014. For example, the Halifax N-Viro Soil Amendment product - an advanced lime-treated biosolids - is of great benefit as a liming agent in Nova Scotia, where soils are acidic and the pH must be raised if crops are to be successful. But the same product may not be so useful in the higher-pH calcareous soils found in parts of western Canada.
Standard commercial fertilizers are important. But their prices are variable and tend to go up steadily. They require energy and resources to produce and transport. And they don't build organic matter in the soil. "So it's important to access local, renewable nutrient sources for a sustainable future," said LeBlanc. "Residuals improve soil condition - tilth, aeration, drainage, water holding capacity - and reduce hard pan. They add organic matter and stimulate microbial activity."
LP Consulting helps farmers understand the value and applications of various residuals. They conduct soil testing, write nutrient management plans, address regulatory requirements, and help arrange deliveries and applications of residuals.
On a sunny, late-September day in 2014, a group from the annual Canadian Compost Council conference toured a dairy farm north of Halifax. LeBlanc and the farmer explained the long-term soil fertility management practices that have brought the farm higher crop yields with better nutritional value. They demonstrated the process of land applying the Halifax N-Viro Soil Amendment biosolids product.
Using residuals is now a routine part of this farm's operations, and the benefits are numerous. The biosolids, which were first applied in 2010, have increased phosphorus to better levels on 86% of the fields and potassium on 69% of the fields. Meanwhile, soil pH has been elevated to optimum levels for corn and legume forages: 89% of the fields are above 6.0 and 72% are above 6.5.
Halifax N-Viro Soil Amendment is mostly sold by Truro Agromart Group, a standard farm supply and fertilizer dealer. According to the product label provided by Agromart, it contains the following nutrients:
Total N: 0.8%
Available P2O5: 1.0%
Soluble K2O: 0.5%
Calcium: 10%
Organic Matter: 20%
Neutralizing Value (CaCO3 equiv.): 25%
Moisture (maximum): 38%
Fineness Passing #10 Mesh: 65%
Fineness Passing #100 Mesh: 40%
The responsible fertilizer distributor will take soil samples to determine the rate of application. Average application rate: 5 tonnes/hectare annually. N available in year of application: 15 - 20% Ca available in year of application: 6 - 8%.
Compost Pack Bedding Dairy Barn
The 2014 farm tour also showed off another innovative, beneficial practice adopted at this farm: the compost dairy barn system, as described by LP Consulting in a handout provided at the tour....
"Folkerstma Farms Ltd includes 280 dairy cows, 100 heifers and 100 calves. The farm has a total of 900 acres. Crops include: corn, legume and grass forage, and pasture.
"There are several dairy housing systems used in Nova Scotia, with most using Freestall housing. There has been a growing interest in compost dairy barns, which offers loose housing. This system has shown good cow comfort and freedom of movement.
"Freestall System: A Freestall system allows the cows to move freely from their resting and eating areas. The resting areas are comprised of stalls where thy can rest and lie down. The stalls need to allow room to enter and exit, lie down, and stretch. Most stalls have cushioning mats but still require bedding to maintain clean and dry conditions.
"Compost Dairy Barn (CDB): A CDB generally has a center concrete feed alley with a bedding pack on either side of the alley. The cows can stand on the concrete on either side of the feed alley for feeding and then move onto the bedding pack for rest. The pack is aerated twice a day to enhance microbial activity and freshen the pack surface. This is done with a cultivator on the back of a tractor, which incorporates the manure on the surface into the bedding pack material. A CDB may have lower bacteria counts because of the drying and heating of the composting bedding pack. Bedding material is added to the pack when it becomes too moist. The compost pack bedding material is usually removed once per year and applied onto farm fields.
"Compost Pack Nutrient Analysis:
Dry matter (DM): 23.4 kg/tonne
Total N: 3.8 kg/tonne
Ammonium N: 0.4 kg/tonne
P2O5: 3.4 kg/tonne
K2O: 1.95 kg/tonne
"Estimated value (year of application):
Compost Pack: $5.47/tonne
Liquid dairy manure: $3.88/tonne
Liquid heifer manure: $7.41/tonne
2018 Update:
Touring Another Successful Biosolids Farm Operation
The 2018 NEBRA Annual Conference, in collaboration with the 9th Canadian Biosolids and Residuals Conference, was in Halifax. The day-long tour included a visit to another dairy farm that has used biosolids for several years. There, a newly deforested 100-acre field included plots growing with biosolids and plots growing without biosolids, just fertilizer. The difference was remarkable. Here's how the benefits to the farmer add up:


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Thursday, April 23, 2009
Ismailis in the News - Eboo Patel named to Obama Inter Faith Council
His background :
EBOO PATEL, Founder and Executive Director
Eboo Patel is the founder and Executive Director of the Interfaith Youth Core, a Chicago-based international nonprofit working to build mutual respect and pluralism among religiously diverse young people by empowering them to work together to serve others. He is the author of Acts of Faith: The Story of an American Muslim, the Struggle for the Soul of a Generation. Eboo holds a doctorate in the sociology of religion from Oxford University, where he studied on a Rhodes scholarship. He writes "The Faith Divide", a featured blog on religion for The Washington Post and has also written for the Harvard Divinity School Bulletin, the Chicago Tribune, The Clinton Journal, The Review of Faith and International Affairs, The Journal of College and Character and National Public Radio. Eboo serves on the Religious Advisory Committee of the Council on Foreign Relations, the National Committee of the Aga Khan Foundation USA, the Advisory Board of Duke University's Islamic Studies Center, and the National Board of the YMCA.. He has spoken at the TED Conference, the Clinton Global Initiative, the Nobel Peace Prize Forum and at universities around the world. Eboo is an Ashoka Fellow, part of a select group of social entrepreneurs whose ideas are changing the world; was named by Islamica Magazine as one of ten young Muslim visionaries shaping Islam in America; was chosen by Harvard's Kennedy School Review as one of five future policy leaders to watch; and was given an honorary doctorate from Washington and Jefferson College..
He wrote this gem of an editorial in the Washington Post a couple of years ago:
Eboo Patel
Aga Khan a Man of Vision, Inspiration
How do you explain your faith to people who do not share your truth claims and who find your sacred practices foreign?
As a minority within a minority within a minority in the West – a Muslim, a Shia, an Ismaili – I have long struggled with that question.
When I was a child and I had to explain why I was fasting from food and drink on a certain day, or why I wore an Arabic symbol for God on a chain around my neck, I would put my head down and mutter: "My mom makes me do it."
In a world where people from different faith backgrounds are in constant contact with one another, and there are forces who actively seek to sow division between diverse people, we need better ways to build understanding. We need what I call a 'public language' of faith, a language which highlights the history of our traditions, and the good works they are doing for the broader world.
Every tradition has a history, and while yours might be different from mine, I expect that you will have more understanding for who I am and how I practice faith if I tell you a little about where I come from. And every tradition has a core which seeks to serve others. And if I tell you about how the people, institutions and leader of my faith are helping people live more peaceful and prosperous lives, I think that you will have deeper respect – perhaps even admiration – for my tradition.
Today, on one of the holiest days of my life, I want to use this public language of faith, in the hopes that it will provide a window of understanding into my tradition and community.
Today, I celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Imamat of my spiritual leader, the Aga Khan.
I am an Ismaili Muslim, one of 15 million members of a Shia Muslim community spread across 25 countries. Ismailis, like all Muslims, affirm the Shahada – that there is no god but God and Muhammad is God's messenger. Like all Shia, we believe that the Prophet Muhammad appointed his cousin and son-in-law Ali to lead the Muslim community after his death. Ali was known as the first Imam (this is not to be confused with the small 'i' imam, as in the person who leads Muslim congregational prayers), a designation that carried with it the unique ability to interpret the meaning and application of the Holy Qur'an in changing times. The Imam, according to Shia tradition, chooses his successor from within the Ahl al-Bayt, or the family of the Prophet. Over the course of history, disputes arose over the appointment of certain Imams, and the Shia split into multiple communities.
Today, the Ismailis are the only Shia community with a living and present Imam. The current Aga Khan is the 49th in the line of Imams recognized by Ismailis. Previous Imams have played a significant role within the Muslim ummah and the wider world. Ali was not only the first Shia Imam, he was also the fourth Caliph of the entire Muslim community. Ismaili Imams laid the foundation for the modern city of Cairo in the 10th century, and built there one of the world's most ancient universities, Al Azhar. This Imam's immediate predecessor, Sultan Muhammad Shah, served as the President of the League of Nations and was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.
As an Ismaili, I look to the Aga Khan for religious guidance. But one does not need to have a spiritual allegiance to the Aga Khan to admire the work of his institutions. As the Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) - an innovative and highly effective association of health, education, cultural and economic development institutions - he has helped literally millions of people in forgotten parts of the developing world live more peaceful, prosperous and dignified lives.
Consider these concrete examples:
-There are 300 Aga Khan schools in the world, educating 62,000 students and employing nearly 5000 staff.
- There are over 200 Aga Khan health centers in the world, caring for nearly two million and employing nearly 10,000 staff.
- The AKDN is currently building the University of Central Asia, whose purpose is to foster the human and social capital for democracy, pluralism and prosperity in a region that gets far too little attention.
- When a tragic earthquake struck Kashmir in 2005, AKDN helicopters were amongst the first to arrive on the scene.
Two particularly distinctive aspects of the AKDN is its understanding that culture – architecture, poetry, music, calligraphy – is a crucial part of human existence, and its commitment to nurturing effective private enterprise in developing countries. On the culture front, the AKDN built Al Azhar park in Cairo and restored Humayan's Tomb in India. It has supported everything from indigenous music in Tajikistan to Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Project. Regarding effective private enterprise, Roshan, a mobile phone company that the AKDN owns a 51% share in, is the single largest private employer in Afghanistan.
A substantial amount of this work is funded by the private resources of the Aga Khan and the Ismaili community. (I serve on the National Committee of the Aga Khan Foundation in the USA, which raises money and awareness for AKDN programs around the world, especially through the Partnership Walk). But all of it – the hospitals and schools, the private companies and university courses – is non-sectarian. In fact, these programs are specifically designed to nurture pluralism. As the Aga Khan once said, "Tolerance, openness and understanding toward other peoples' cultures, social structures, values and faiths are now essential to the very survival of an interdependent world. Pluralism is no longer simply an asset or a prerequisite for progress and development, it is vital to our existence."
There is a guiding philosophy, an animating ethos, behind the AKDN – Islam. Over and over again, the Aga Khan has emphasized that his work for mercy, compassion and dignity emerge directly from his commitment to Islam.
So while many people call the Aga Khan a leading philanthropist, I believe that term captures neither his inspiration nor his vision.
He is the Imam of the Ismaili community. He is a Muslim.
"On Faith" panelist Eboo Patel is the Executive Director of the Interfaith Youth Core and the author of "Acts of Faith."
Posted by Eboo Patel on July 11, 2007 9:23 AM
4 comments:
- Lori Lippitz said...
Thank you for this posting. Eboo is an inspiration.
- May 30, 2009 10:02 AM
Eboo Patel is a globalist, who has ties to CFR. The CFR wants to create a North American Union, whereby the US, Canada and Mexico will be combined. What does religion have to do with globalization
- August 13, 2009 8:03 PM
- katrin said...
YALI MADAD, Eboo Patel,
my name is Khalil Hussaini and i am a student at Mount Royal Univeristy of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. i am in my 3rd year in law and justice studies Bachlor degree. i have two congratulation to make for you, first, congratulation your position as inter faith council in Obama administration. second, congratulation that your book "Acts of Faith" is taught as an academic text book at Mount Royal University. at the end wish you good health, happy life, and more success in bridging the gap between west and islam, may Mawla give you more strength and courage. YALI MADAD... Khalil hussaini email@example.com
- November 26, 2009 8:14 PM
Brilliant web site, I hadn't noticed morningchai.blogspot.com before during my searches!
Continue the fantastic work!
- August 28, 2010 6:25 AM


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Boddi prays for his mother to get better. She had been in agony for days now. He is so scared. So Boddi prays.
The next day his mother is better. The worst is past. She is still weak, but she is definitively saved. Odin answered his prayers. Praise Odin!
What do you think of people who worship Jupiter, Bacchus, Cupid, Isis, Odin or Rama?
No one believes in the mythological gods anymore. If a strong belief system can go from main stream to being laughed at in mere centuries, how can you be sure that your's won't too, someday soon?
What makes your particular 21st century version worth more than any other version throughout history and across the world?


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8 tips to help you drink more water
We are often told of the benefits of drinking water – yet many of us still don't fully understand the importance of keeping hydrated. On the flip side there are still some people who either still do not like water, or find it difficult to drink water regularly. Water has many functions in the body:
- Water is the primary building block of cells
- Water acts as an insulator it regulates your internal body temperature
- Water is needed to metabolise proteins and carbohydrates used as food
- Water is the primary component of saliva, used to digest carbohydrates and aid in swallowing food
- Water keeps your joints lubricated
- Water insulates your brain, spinal cord and organs it also acts as a shock absorber
- Water is used to flush waste and toxins from the body via urine and sweat
I have often seen participants turn up with a chemically laced beverage loaded with sugar pertaining to be a healthy sports drink. When the drink is discussed they seem adamant in their belief that it is suitable for consumption during exercise – this is simply clever marketing. Some of these drinks can make you more thirsty, dehydrate you and give you and unwanted sugar rush.
Many fitness experts write about the benefits of water demystifying assumptions about sports drinks. Still many people find it difficult to drink the required minimum 2 lts of water a day for the body to function properly.
If you think you need to be drinking more water, here are some tips to help you increase your fluid intake and reap the benefits of water:
1. Taste: If you don't like the taste of water you can add a slice of lemon, lime or orange or a few sprigs of mint or cucumber. You could also infuse the water for a few hours or overnight with fruit/veg or herbs i.e. peaches, mint, apples or watermelon – yummy
2. Fruit and veg: Remember you can get water from food. Eat more vegetables and fruit their high water content will add to your hydration as about 20% of our fluid intake comes from foods i.e. cucumbers and melons have a high water content
3. Drink regularly: Keep a bottle of water with you in your bag, in your car or at your desk
4. Some like it hot: Some people enjoy sipping warm or hot water which is said to have different properties including stopping cravings. A refreshing alternative is water with a slice of lemon or lime
5. Encouragement: Many people prefer to drink little and often this encourages the consumption of water
6. Routine: Some people do 'forget' to drink water for those who do get into a routine ensuring you drink water everyday
7. Bubbles: Sparkling water gives you that extra 'zing' and leaves you feeling refreshed. Like still water you can add fruit or try a cocktail stick with suits such as a pineapple chunk, a slice of lime, a slim of apple and a sprig of mint for a flavour boost – yummy
8. Body composition: We know up to 60% of the human adult body is water but did you know the brain and heart are composed of 73% water, and the lungs are about 83% water, muscles and kidneys are 79%, the skin is 64% and the bones are around 31% water. Overweight men and women have less water as they can often be dehydrated. The percent of water depends on your hydration level. People feel thirsty when they have already lost around 2-3% of their body's water.
So now you have the means and the motivation – pour yourself a glass of water refresh, rejuvenate and revive yourself.


text: The IRS finally handed over the list of organizations targeted for "extra scrutiny," and it is clear that they were going after conservative organizations. It is shameful that the IRS sought to delay or impede legitimate nonprofits due to their ideological stance. You can read more in the Washington Times.


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I was in Paris for the weekend back in 1996 and stumbled across a massive street market. It was full of beautiful furniture: some old, some modern. I've always enjoyed making things and I just thought 'I could make furniture for a living'. Shortly afterwards, I went back to university in London as a 26 year old mature student.
What makes the design of Ercol products unique?
Detail. Every joint, radius and profile of the whole construction is considered. The company has over 100 years experience of working with wood. As a designer, having access to that kind of knowledge allows you to really explore what's possible.
Products here are always designed to look and feel good – touch is an important part of Ercol furniture. They must also work well in daily life, and last for many years.
Products usually start with a period of hand sketching. These begin as very rough scribbles and evolve into more presentable drawings as the details firm up. Computer models and renderings follow – we often make up key joints and details in solid wood at scale to get a hands-on feel for the products. A long process of technical development and prototyping then follows to make a range ready for production.
I always try to look around me at how things are made or assembled – I take photos of everything. It could be something as large as a building, the components in the tube carriage I'm sitting in, or old wooden toys my kids used to play with – anything really.
The Ercol factory also triggers a lot of ideas – seeing how a particular cutter sculpts a piece of wood, or an old mould in the bending workshop. These can all be starting points for products.
I'm very happy with the way the Romana range turned out. The brief was to produce a modern, tactile, and affordable dining range, showcasing Ercol's skill in working solid wood. It received a Design Guild Mark for Excellent in Furniture Design.
If Dylan's description of Ercol's beautiful designs have got you feeling inspired, explore the collection of living, dining and sleeping.
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A few months ago, you met my cousins Jen & Rick, and today you get to meet another cousin of mine, Kim (Rick's sister) and her perfect match, Eddie! Kim has always been the funny, quirky cousin, and I've always looked up to her for her opinions, free spirit and great sense of style (lots of anthropologie influence!) I wasn't sure if there could be a man with just as much spunk and wit as Kim, but lo and behold they found each other, and in a way that only two people with as much character as they have, could have met!
Eddie is from Chicago, but moved out to LA a while back to pursue his acting career. Kim is from LA but had recently moved back from SF, and was exploring a career in pastry and baking. Around the same time, the GLEE phenomenon had just begun to explode, and a few Gleeky Chicago friends living in LA decided to throw a New Year's Eve Glee-themed costume party. Eddie met Kim, and their quirky humor fused into a great big ball of happy energy, bringing us to the present as they plan to forever laugh and grow old together.
These two have brought me so much laughter as I've spent more time with them, and it amazes more and more each time to see how God brought Kim & Eddie together to join in holy hilarious happy matrimony. I'm thrilled to be part of the wedding and look forward to all our family gatherings with these great personalities!
Photos taken by Jason Kim


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In West L.A., A Homeless Man Inspires New Brand
Mr. Jermyn Is Face On Popular $98 'Hoodies'; Sister Fears Exploitation
LOS ANGELES -- The newest sensation at the center of Hollywood's fashion scene isn't a famous designer or starlet. It's a 56-year-old homeless man who spends his days dancing on roller skates.
John Wesley Jermyn has been a fixture in West Los Angeles for more than 20 years. Nicknamed "The Crazy Robertson" and "The Robertson Dancer," he is a constant presence on a stretch of Robertson Boulevard that has become the city's trendiest shopping corridor and a prime strolling spot for tourists and movie stars....


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China Glaze Anchors Away Collection - Part 1 - Swatches and Photos
Sail away, sail away, sail away! I am ready to set sail for spring with China Glaze Anchors Away Collection. This 12 piece collection hosts cruise inspired colors. So let's get ready to get our resort on.
If you want to see the other six colors from the collection, see our Part 2 here.
A mid-toned grass green creme. This was actually one of my favorites from the collection. Worlds apart from Four Leaf Clover from Up and Away collection. This is a Happy St. Patty's green.
FirstmateA middle of the line classic navy blue. Perfect for the seas! A straight creme.
Sea Spray
Sea SprayA soft periwinkle blue with very subtle shimmer. This says spring to me, though in a whisper.
Pelican Grey
Pelican GreyA creamy soft foggy grey with extremely subtle shimmer. This isn't as blue as Sea Spray.
White Cap
White CapA sheer white with yellow gold mini-micro glitter (or really large shimmer, you decide). This is 3 coats. I would like to try this over 1 coat of pure white and see how that comes out.
LighthouseA sheer bright yellow, illuminated with strong gold shimmer. The above is 3 coats. This was a surprise favorite of the collection for me. I never know how yellow is going to play out, but I am loving this.
China Glaze is available at Ulta, Sally Beauty and salons nationwide.
UPDATED: Part 2 is up. Click here.


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Of late, Meander has taken to charging up and down the stairs like her tail's on fire. She races down from her perch on the bed upstairs and nearly bangs the storm door in my office down. I let her out – she patrols – and then back in and upstairs she goes. I expect she's seen that Pete has returned to the pasture hillside after all the wedding mayhem, and she's eager to "greet" him.
Dad, Philip, and I are almost as busy – but with less door pounding most days. We're working on finishing up the chicken coop so that we can bring some new lives here to the farm, and we're well on our way to getting the goat fencing for spring.
To fund all this goodness, we're working on a few things. I'm crocheting my little fingers off so that we can add some great animals to the Etsy shop, and Philip has been carefully perusing the photos of Meander – so many good ones – to include on our inaugural Meander Calendar, which will be available for purchase soon. It's a busy season round these parts.
But even with this activity, we see the farm slowing down. We pulled up the green bean plants last week (thank goodness!), and I think the tomatoes have finally decided to quit trying. The lettuce is still perky, but our expected frost will probably put an end to that, too on Friday. Then, we'll tuck the garden under a cover crop and move to quieter evenings.
And to the chainsaw. Cooler temperatures mean that Philip and I pull out our matching chainsaws and chop up felled limbs and clear trails. Our winter project – I think – will be to clear the meadow up the mountain. We have a plan for a great picnic spot.
So come by in these cooler days. Have a bowl of soup, try your hand at – carefully – wielding a saw, take a hike through crunchy leaves.
Hope to see you soon.


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As we gather for our various seasonal holidays, many ofus will likely bring a bottle of wine or Champagne to share. Thiscan lead eco-folks to ask, "Are there tasty wines that are alsoearth-friendly? And how do we sort out the choices?"
Luckily, I can help. One of the benefits of my years ofeco-writing is that I've been forced—yes, forced I tellyou—to sample our local organic food and wine. Oh, how Isuffer.
Often, the first question is if it really even matters to buy aneco-wine. Absolutely. As with food, growing wine grapesecologically reduces the toxics in both our environment and ourglass. According to David Steinman, author of Diet for aPoisoned Planet, mainstream wine "has too many pesticides toqualify as a top-quality product." Pesticide residues have beenfound in wines at high concentrations, and Steinman observes thatwine drinkers report fewer headaches after going organic. (Ofcourse, moderation still counts.)
Folks also often wonder whether quality eco-friendly winesexist. The answer is an emphatic yes. In fact, winemakers oftenseek ecologically grown grapes for their flavor. Veronique Raskinof the Organic Wine Company, a Marin importer, says, "For me, withorganic wine there is a clear difference. You feel the essence ofthe wine, the terroir. You have a much stronger experience of thecountry and the winemaker with organic wines than you do with otherwines."
OK, so, filled with hope, we're now staring at a store shelf ora menu. How to choose? Understanding some key words can help. Forinstance, what's the difference between "organically grown" and"organic" wines? Both are made with organically grown grapes. Inaddition, "organic wines" are produced according to organicwinemaking standards established by each country.
In a controversial choice, U.S. organic wines aren't permittedto use the pure sulfur dioxide preservative allowedinternationally. Therefore, these wines can be good for folksseeking to avoid added sulfites, but can sometimes have a shortershelf life; ask producers for their storage timing recommendations.I've found enjoyable wines in both categories.
Another delightful option for eco-consumers is biodynamic wine,which often offers richly dimensional flavors. Growing standardsare even higher than for organic, and processing allows modestamounts of sulfur dioxide.
Two eco-wine identifiers to treat with more caution are"sustainable" and "natural," because neither has a legal definitionor regulation. Sometimes such wines are made with less toxicgrowing or processing practices, but the specifics and commitmentvary by producer.
So what are some of my favorite local eco-wines? My first choicefor holiday bubbly is Jeriko Estate's award-winning, organicallygrown sparkling wine, one of the few from California. Handcraftedand estate-grown, it tastes charmingly subtle and inspiring.www.jerikoestate.com.
I've also enjoyed the luscious and complex organically grownwines of Rutherford's Frog's Leap Winery, produced in their 100percent solar-operated facility. www.frogsleap.com.
Another favorite of mine is Napa's Robert Sinskey Vineyards.Using estate-sourced organically grown grapes, their winemaking is,they say, "driven by the fruit, with minimal manipulation." Behindthe scenes of their beautifully dramatic tasting room, solar powerhelps run their winery, biodiesel powers their trucks and tractors,and sheep mow their cover crops. www.robertsinskey.com.
Folks wanting a delicious natural wine, with no manipulation oradditives including sulfites, can sample Coturri Winery'sfull-bodied organically grown selections. All are traditionallyhandcrafted in small lots and bottled by hand in Glen Ellen.www.coturriwinery.com.
These and other luscious eco-wines are available in local storesor by mail order. Or enjoy a holiday tasting room visit, onebenefit of our proximity to wine country.
Reflecting on his journey, vintner Robert Sinskey says, "I usedto think that a clean, manicured vineyard was a thing of beauty,but now I look at a vineyard with a cover crop, a cluster of weeds,an occasional imperfect vine, a gopher hole here and there, insectsbuzzing, birds flying as signs of real beauty, health, even luxury.What's most satisfying is that I can walk through the vineyardswith my two girls and not be concerned about the grapes they put intheir mouth."
Ditto for our holiday cheer.
to theeditor about this story.


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Welcome to Sunflower Gardens Homeowners Association!
Where the Sun is Always Shining
For more information about our friendly community, please contact our board of directors or property management company, Jamar Property Management.
Sunflower Gardens is a lovely neighborhood nestled south of Summitt Elementary School. Amenities include Karst terrain and conservancy areas. Birds and wildlife are mong the friendly neighbors.
A subdivision of 23 buildings, mostly comprised of paired homes, the HOA includes 45 units in all. Developers turned the development over to homeowners on August 3, 2004. The last unit was sold in October, 2013.
The streets are maintained by the City fo Bloomington, as the land is within the city limits. The lawns are taken care of by the HOA's vendor, while owners take care of a 5-foot strip around their buildings and driveways.
Sunflower Gardens school children can walk to Summitt Elementary, attend Batchelor Middle School, and attend Bloomington South High School. Click here for more details about the Monroe County Community School Corporation (MCCSC)