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True Secrets: American Teeth/
We're launching Secrets, our 22nd issue, on October 21, 2016. Leading up to the launch, we're publishing a series of poetry & prose pieces that feature unconventional lives and secret histories.
by Kiel Torres
On April 30th, 1789, George Washington took his inaugural oath at the Federal Hall in New York City. With his left hand on the bible and his right hand raised, Washington swore to "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America." During his inaugural address, Washington was almost inaudible, mumbling with a tightly clenched jaw about his conflicting feelings of honor and unease over assuming the presidential role. Washington's discomfort may have been physical as well as emotional. He delivered his speech that day with only one of his original teeth intact.
Washington kept his dental health a state secret. Only in his diaries did he express the pain and discomfort of his lost teeth, inflamed gums, cumbersome dentures, and underground transactions to purchase dental paraphernalia. In his political portraits, Washington's clenched lips could be interpreted as a signal of his dignity and serious demeanor rather than evidence of a cosmetic insecurity.
Poor oral health was a widespread anxiety for the wealthy living ineighteenth and early nineteenth century America. With the candy industry flourishing, sugar was an essential in high society parlours. False sets of teeth were in high demand, birthing economic opportunities for those who still had some to spare. Grave robbers capitalized by looting the mouths of the dead in cemeteries and on battlefields.
I was late to outgrow the folklore of the Tooth Fairy. I lied to my friends and told them that I only kept believing in order to reap the benefits at an age when losing my teeth was my only source of income. In reality, the Tooth Fairy was a comforting lie. She eased the trauma of watching my body disassemble by affixing a value to my detached milk teeth. I liked to believe they took on a second life as fairy currency after they disappeared from under my pillow.
While the Tooth Fairy quelled certain anxieties, she also was the source of others. I would toss and turn with anxious excitement on the nights I expected her visit, nervous that the tooth I slept upon would be rejected or forgotten. Other times I would sleep in fear that I would wake to find myself with completely naked gums because my teeth were unable to sprout. As an adult I face new concerns about missing teeth, and they follow me into my dreams. I will often wake in the night, shaken by the feeling of my teeth irreversibly crumbling under my feet like soft porcelain.
When we were kids, my friends and I devoured boxes of Del Monte fruit popsicles. Our lips would be stained purple, red, and orange for most of the summer. We always joked that we were lucky the grown-ups in our families didn't like them because it kept the popsicle sharing pool small. I felt especially lucky because no one liked the grape flavour but me.
I tried a grape Delmonte popsicle three summers ago and my body seized with discomfort as it melted down my throat. I made it halfway through before admitting that it was too syrupy to enjoy. Cringing, I washed it down the drain.
As I watched the purple crystals dissolve, I wondered what stung more: accepting growth or forcing regress? My mom always said that those popsicles were too sweet for adult mouths.
A 1997 chain email popularized the myth that chewing a handful of mints before performing oral sex enhances pleasure. Soon enough, having a box of Altoids on your desk was a token of membership in the "Secret Blowjob Goddess Society." This news spread across the USA, from corporate cubicles to the Oval Office.
The Kenneth Starr report on the Clinton/Lewinsky White House sex scandal claimed that Lewinsky handed Clinton a printout of the email and informed him that she was chewing an Altoid at the time. Clinton replied that he was expected at a State Dinner and did not have enough time to enjoy the intimacy.
I stopped believing in the Tooth Fairy when I found an Altoids box full of baby teeth in the vacuum cupboard. I had assumed it was full of a mismatched assortment of small fasteners; when I opened the lid and saw what it truly held, my eyelids grew hot with embarrassment. I immediately stormed into the living room to confront my parents.
It's funny how lies are fed from the mouth, but the sting is often soothed through the same cavity. My mom bought me a chocolate chip cookie and an apple juice to apologize for lying to me.
Very little information about George Washington was available to the public prior to his death. When he passed in 1799, his biographer profited from this demand and published The Life and Memorable Actions of George Washington, which included the famous cherry tree myth. Ironically, the story that promoted honor and integrity, and included Washington's famous quote, "I cannot tell a lie," was completely fabricated.
Regardless, the myth has been reproduced in history anthologies and picture books, and is recited to children across America as they are lulled to sleep each evening. In the night, parents secretly replace baby teeth tucked under pillows with green dollar bills. Children wake to discover an image of George Washington, stern and tight-lipped to conceal his missing ivories.
Although I am almost twenty, I still ask my dentist if I can pick a prize from the kid's treasure box. There is a high-five shaped outline on the ceiling above my bed from a sling-shot gummy hand I chose when I was little. My hygienist says that I am sure lucky my wisdom teeth have yet to surface. She fingers the space behind my molars and reassures me that under anesthesia I won't feel a thing when the time comes.
I wonder about the possibility of them never actually appearing. If they have to emerge, I wish they would stay resting below the surface, leaving small ridges in my gums to tease the possibility of growth. Their crowns would protrude just far enough to feel, but be buried deep enough that I could forget their presence completely. My childhood anxiety that my teeth wouldn't come in has been replaced with relief. I now understand it's simply easier this way.
Kiel Torres is pursuing her undergraduate degree in Art History at the University of British Columbia. Alongside her interests in printed matter and guerilla art interventions, she enjoys making zines and dreaming of teeth. You can find more of her work here.


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New Project - Pet Horoscopes/
I was interviewed this morning to write a new humor column for a magazine that goes out to vets. I'll write the back page "Petascopes" column where I inform the vets the horoscope for the animals who fall under each sign they should be examining that day. It's the first project in a long while I've been excited about. It's funny and quirky and my mind is already brimming with a million little odd associations and asides I can make in the column.
The magazine also writes about leadership and better business practices and networking and the editor mentioned possibly even bringing me in to conduct some networking or public speaking training. Great fun!
I'm wrapping up projects for the week. I dub this "Public Speaking Week." I've got a 5-minute speech I'm giving tomorrow in Toastmasters, a 20-minute speech I'm presenting to a Networking group Thursday night, and a 3-hour public speaking class on Saturday. I am the original "yada-yada-yada" woman.
But now I must venture out of the house to the library. I still need to pick up To Kill A Mockingbird.

subset: commoncrawl


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I just found out that the excellent manga Shin Petshop of Horrors (aka Petshop of Horrors: Tokyo) finished its run last year with 12 volumes.
My problem is that I only have 8 of them, as Tokyopop shut down before they could finish translating all of them. Now, I can manage Japanese - if increadibly slowly - so I'd like to buy the final 4 in Japanese.
Problem nr 2: I found them for sale, but only to people in Canda and the USA ;_;
Would anyone be so kind as to help me buy them? I'll of course pay both for the manga, any shipping to your home and shipping to my place. I would be enternally grateful!
Saving the links to the manga-sale-sites so I'll remember them:
Volume 9
Volume 10
Volume 11
Volume 12
EDIT: PROBLEM SOLVED, HUZZAH! (I should read the shipping info more carefully XD)


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When it comes to guilty indulgences, I have more than my fair share. The occasional expensive latte on my afternoon coffee break? Yup. Lying in bed for an extra hour on weekends? Double yup. A great pair of shoes, especially if they're on sale? Absolutely. Gooey sweet desserts? Not so much.
Yup. Despite what you might thing from reading this blog, I don't really have much of a sweet tooth. Honestly, I'd much rather save the calories for savoury treats, like gooey soft cheeses or fresh-baked bread.
I do, however, make an exception for certain things.
As of this week, I'm adding one more dessert to my list of exceptions – this citrusy riff on coeur a la creme, a classic French dessert that takes looks and sounds super-fancy, but actually takes roughly five minutes and four ingredients to prepare.
It's light as air and wonderfully creamy, falling somewhere in the intersection between cheesecake, panna cotta and mousse, and with just barely enough sweetness to keep it firmly planted in dessert territory.
And since citrus season is in full swing, I've topped it off with a brilliantly crimson blood orange compote. Partially because I love me some blood oranges (ding ding… another guilty treat), and partially because I just love that pop of colour against the snowy white of the coeur a la creme.
Not to mention that it's heart-shaped, which is a nice bonus… what with Valentine's Day coming up and all.
Traditionally, coeur a la creme is prepared using a combination of fromage blanc and creme fraiche. But since real fromage blanc can be a little tricky to find here in Canada, I've used a clever alternative.
(And no, it's not cream cheese, which is what most North American versions use.)
So what's my not-so-secret weapon? Nordica Smooth cottage cheese.
Yes, that's right. Cottage cheese. Betcha never thought something as mundane could be transformed into something so sexy, right?
As far as indulgences go, it may not be up there with a cute new pair of boots on clearance, but it's dang close.
Disclosure: I am part of the PTPA Brand Ambassador Program with Gay Lea, and received compensation as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.
- 200g Nordica Smooth lemon-flavoured cottage cheese
- ½ cup Gay Lea sour cream
- 2 tbsp sugar
- ¾ cup heavy cream, whipped to soft peaks
- 4 medium-sized blood oranges
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon orange liqueur (e.g. Grand Marnier or Triple Sec)
- Line 4 individual coeur a la creme molds with cheesecloth.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, beat together the cottage cheese, sour cream and sugar until smooth. Gently fold in the whipped cream.
- Spoon the mixture into the prepared molds. Fold in the edges of the cheesecloth to cover the top, and arrange on a wire rack that's been set over a shallow dish. Transfer to the refrigerator to drain for at least 8 hours (preferably overnight).
- Using a sharp knife, cut away all of the peel and white pith from the oranges. Working over a small bowl, carefully slice away each segment from the membranes. Once the segments have all been cut out, squeeze the membranes into the bowl to extract as much of that precious juice as you can, then discard.
- Measure out the blood orange juice that's accumulated in the bowl - you should have about ¼ cup. (If you're a little short, squeeze in the juice from another orange, or top up with some bottled OJ… trust me, no one will notice.)
- In a small saucepan set over medium heat, stir together the blood orange juice, sugar, water, and lemon juice. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until clear and syrupy, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in the liqueur. Pour over the orange segments, stir well, and set aside to cool completely.
- When ready to serve, unfold the cheesecloth covering the top of dish and invert the molds into four shallow dessert bowls. Gently peel away the rest of the cheesecloth and discard. Spoon orange compote on top, and serve immediately.


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3bed furnished apartment in Zigzag Tower
Mirage Property is pleased to present…
QAR 12,500 / Month
Positioned 13km north of IKEA at junction 20 of the Shamal Road are these stunning furnished 1-bedroom first-floor apartments near Umm Salal Ali. The location is in a very close proximity of the Shamal Road affording easy access to Al Khor, Education City and both Ezdan and Landmark malls.
Units are tastefully decorated with modern contemporary furniture and fixtures with brand new kitchen appliances. Split A/C is utilized throughout and the rental is inclusive of electricity, water and internet service.
Available is on a fully furnished basis.
** Agency Fee Applicable.
*** For More Properties Follow Us On Facebook & Instagram.


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We currently run a squad of 30 boys, training and playing on Sunday's from 10.00 to 12.00 at Eltham College.
We run two or three teams, depending on numbers and ensure that all players get an equal amount of training and playing time throughout the session in game, fixtures and festivals.
For more details email Head Coach Russ Day on email@example.com or call 07711 324332.
Team Manager Lucy Davies can be contacted on firstname.lastname@example.com
Official OE Kit Suppliers for the basics and great waterproofs, fleeces, etc.
Winston Sports
2-4 Bridge Road
Kent BR5 2BH


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Our FTM orders are typically not shipped immediately. We'll explain how this works. Applies to Pack and Play & STP products only.
9-11 weeks
How the process works:
Due to the unusually large number of orders we receive, we had to implement a unique way that orders are processed. As orders are placed, you will be given a processing number. This number will be emailed to you within 24-48 hours after your order is placed, and represents your place in line of the current number of orders. This number will also be an indication of how many orders we currently have in process, and in turn, how long your prosthetic may take to complete. For example:
When your number reaches the current order status (#001), the production process begins for your prosthetic, and you will be notified via email of this status. Average production
times for prosthetics are 14-16 business days from the time you are notified of reaching this status. Please note, that this order number does not directly pertain to your purchase, and should not be used when emailing us regarding your order. Order numbers are reset each week once products are shipped. This order processing change was necessary to insure that our high-quality standards continue.
Please remember...we are a small company and growing, and are doing our best to bring you high quality products. We can only create a certain number of products in a given timeframe while keeping our standards high. Each item is individually hand-created by slowly building up many layers of varying densities of silicone in the mold, and then custom painted for each specific customer's skin tone. We appreciate your patience with us, and will be happy to answer any questions our customers might have before or after they place an order. Thank you.
This is a rough estimate only! Order numbers higher than 360 may take longer than 29 weeks. Contact us before ordering if time is an issue.
▶ Does order processing remain the same if I pay using your payment plan?
Yes, the order process will be the same if you place an order using our payment plan. The only difference is that you must be sure to make full payment of the balance before the product will enter into the production stage. If the balance has not been paid in full by the time your order reaches the production stage, it will not move forward with production. The order will remain in limbo until the balance has been paid in full.
▶ Will I be notified when my product reaches production?
Yes, once your order reaches the production stage, you will receive an email notification stating that your product has entered the production stage. We typically ask that you verify your current delivery address, as some of our customers move before the product ships. Applies to Pack n Play models only.
▶ How do I find out my current order status, my number in line or how much longer I have until my prosthetic is completed?
You can always email or call us to find out your current order status. Typically, we will provide you with your current order number and an estimate of how many weeks you have remaining before your order reaches the production stage.
You can also figure out how much longer you have left based on your original order number using the chart above. Simply locate your original order number above, or take your last known order number and use the estimated timeframe remaining shown next to that order number above. For example:
Original purchase date: October 1st
Original order number: #098
Estimated weeks remaining from chart above: 18-20
Current date: December 25th
Count the number of weeks from October 1st until December 25th: 12 weeks
Subtract 12 weeks from your original estimate (19-12=7)
You have approximately 7 weeks remaining until your order reaches the production stage and is completed.
Frequently asked questions:
24-26 weeks
Stand To Pee Models:
Pack n Play Models:
COPYRIGHT © 2008-2019 REELMAGIK, LLC. All rights reserved.
Order Numbers 001-040: 3-5 weeks
Order Numbers 041-080: 6-8 weeks
Order Numbers 081-120: 9-11 weeks
Order Numbers 121-160: 12-14 weeks
Order Numbers 161-200: 15-17 weeks
Order Numbers 201-240: 18-20 weeks
Order Numbers 241-280: 21-23 weeks
Order Numbers 281-320: 24-26 weeks
Order Numbers 321-360: 27-29 weeks


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Your Own Home Catwalk For Your Little Performer - Ikea Väntad LED Rug/
Michael's big obsession this past year has been discos. He has a mirror ball, disco lights, and all he wants for his seventh birthday is a home smoke machine (really).
We spotted the Väntad rug in Ikea Belfast Kid's department & knew at once it was his sort of thing. It's a black and red runway rug with inbuilt LED lights. They are energy efficient using 85% less power than regular bulbs, so your children can play all afternoon with it and you don't have to worry about electricity bills.
The rug is non-slip, so no matter how energetic their stage show gets, no-one is going to end up slipping. You'll also be pleased to hear there is absolutely no assembly required. In fact Michael unrolled and set it up in his room by myself while I was still unpacking the car.
It costs £35 and would make a really showstopping display should Santa want to pick one up for Christmas morning.


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Some things are harder to get through than others
Here's why.
Absolute is the HEPA filter with no compromises. Anything else would be unthinkable, since its job is to protect people. But it is also responsible for protecting sensitive processes, where dangerous particles cannot be permitted to enter the air.
You can trust Absolute in the most demanding environments: places where products like food and beverages, life science and microelectronics are manufactured. In short, industries where even just a few particles can have very serious consequences. Fortunately, some things are harder to get through than others.
See why Absolute is the most reliable HEPA-filter. >>
Watch a video about the Absolute manufacturing process >>
Each Absolute filter is rigorously tested before it is allowed to leave the factory. Without exception. To make sure there is no leakage, we scan the filter. We also put the filter through smoke and pressure drop tests. We blow particles at the filter, and if too many get through, we take it off the conveyor belt. All tests of course meet the required stringent standards. Once the filter passes inspection, a sticker is applied stating its serial number and pressure drop at test flow, and confirming that it has been tested and approved in accordance with global HEPA filter test standards.
Fitting the filter media into the frame is a process requiring millimetre precision. If the filter is the wrong size, particles can slip through. Of course, it is just as important that the frame is the right size. To make sure both are perfect, we specify the frame size in our mounting frame, which makes it impossible to produce filters of the wrong dimensions.
It doesn't matter how much work we do on the development of the quality if the raw material, or the filter media as we call it, isn't the absolute best. That's why all our filter media is developed and tested in according to our precise specifications. We even do random sampling, and if any problems are detected, we scrap the entire batch.
Anything else would be unthinkable, since its job is to protect people. But it is also responsible for protecting sensitive processes, where dangerous particles cannot be permitted to enter the air. You can trust Absolute in the most demanding environments: places where products like food and beverages, pharmaceuticals and microelectronics are manufactured. In short, industries where even just a few particles, or gas molecules can have very serious consequences. Absolute was developed in our own research lab and every filter is thoroughly tested and inspected before it is delivered to you. Nothing is left to chance. Which is why our filters are harder to get through than others.
Absolute is a top-of-the-line filter for many reasons. An important one is our focus on research and development. In Trosa, a quiet little idyllic community south of Stockholm, Sweden, you'll find one of the worlds most advanced filter research and development labs. In addition to Trosa, we also have R&D facilities in Germany, France and the U.S., Malaysia and China. At these sites, we test Absolute filters under all conceivable conditions to ensure that out end products are the best on the market.
The first step in the manufacturing process is to pleat the filter media. This must be done very precisely, because the pleats are crucial to ensuring optimal airflow with the lowest possible pressure drop. To achieve ultimate precision, we've developed and built our own pleating machines, which use our patented CMS (Control Media Spacing) technology. This ensures a uniform airflow through the entire surface of the filter.
Absolute filter frames can be made of wood, plastic or metal. Gluing the filter to the frame is a sensitive process. To make sure that no particles can slip through, it is essential to have the exact right amount of glue on the frame.
The world leader in air filtration systems, Camfil provides clean air solutions for hospitals, hotels, office buildings, educational institutions, and pharmaceutical and biotech companies. We provide the tools to achieve sustainability, maintain high air quality -all while lowering total cost of ownership. Camfil customers reduce carbon emissions without ever sacrificing performance. For more information, visit us online at www.camfil.co.uk or call 01706 238000.


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Preggisode: Week 11 from Teresa Strasser on Vimeo.
If I'm going to exploit my baby, why not start now, by exploiting my pregnancy-related emotional problems?
In this video, my husband tapes me freaking out during my first trimester. Someone told us to keep a video diary. Self absorption meets hormone surge and they get along great!
The Mr. is just a regular guy who works for a computer company, which is why he adorably, but unknowingly, shoots right into a mirror. Still, he does a decent job tamping down the tears. I'd like to say we're kind of Sonny and Cher, but more like Sonny and Overshare.


text: The gastroenterologist Paulo saw before this rheumatologist did not find that he had unusual levels of animases, enzymes that are found primarily in liver and heart cells. These enzymes are released into the bloodstream if the liver or heart is damaged. Thus, testing aminase levels in the blood allows doctors to analyze how well the liver and heart are functioning: For example, viral hepatitis causes higher levels of aminases.


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The last couple of yarns were sort of cliffhangers, and even the ones about lambing left off before lambing was done. Like so much in life, these stories are not really finished, but at least here's an update.
Lambing: I finished up with 55 lambs out of the 98 I put out with the rams. I lost 15 lambs. A 55% lambing rate is certainly not a statistic to crow about, though it hides some good news, and like all statistics there's a fair bit in the detail. Of the 98 ewes, my best estimate is about 62 actually got pregnant (70 lambs total, but about 8 sets of twins). Whether this is down to joining at the "wrong" time of year for a natural cycle of reproduction (i.e. for an autumn lambing rather than the more natural spring lambing) or the inexperience of all of the ewes and rams, I don't know, and probably won't until the next time I lamb with some experienced ewes and rams!
Another detail is the number of twins, of whom only 3 sets survived, counting my bottle lamb Zac, who was almost certainly a twin. The main cause of death, I'm reasonably sure, was unprotected twins being attacked by predator birds while mama was busy having the second one. Two things no doubt contributed to this high mortality rate in the twins: the inexperience of the ewes (first lambs for all of them) and the ubiquitous presence of the eagles and ravens.
There was a flock of 100 or more ravens on my place for the duration of lambing—far more than I usually see: I have about 10 or so resident ravens and 2 eagles who are somewhere about most days. During lambing ravens from the surrounding region tend to travel in large flocks, moving from one area to another as lambing commences in one and tails off in another. Because nobody else was lambing when I was, ALL the ravens were here, ALL the time.
Some of the hidden good news in lambing is I did not have to intervene in any lambing to save the lamb or the ewe. I'm really pleased about this one, as interventions during lambing are one of my least favourite jobs. One ewe had a malformed uterus, and I could not save her.
So, in the spirit of lies, damn lies and statistics, let's say I had a 90% lambing rate (55 out of 62, rounded up) and no interventions. It's interesting, too, how working to reduce one cause of lamb mortality—exposure to weather—resulted in increasing a different cause—predation.
The mystery ailment (Snakebite, Lightning Strike and Gunshot): the cause of death of the four ewes who died during lambing, but were not pregnant, was not confirmed by the post-mortem to be pulpy kidney (clostridium toxicity). Pulpy kidney was my cause of choice. Phalaris grass at certain growth stages can cause toxicity as well, though that was not confirmed either. I didn't lose any other sheep after the episode, and have had to accept this is one mystery I won't solve.
The fate of our local newspaper and community group (Democracy Dies in Darkness): I'm delighted to report our submission to the elected councillors was successful. We have our funding and our lease will be renewed. It was a fascinating process, and made me realise how critically important it is for ordinary citizens to participate actively in the process of government. The councillors listened to our arguments, and acknowledged they had been making decisions based on incomplete and inaccurate information about our group.
In our submission, we openly challenged the premise put forward by the council's General Manager—that it was acceptable to punish the whole community group for unfavourable articles about council printed in the newspaper we manage. At the end of the session with council, the councillors made a point of saying they did not agree the General Manager's position, and they would not sanction retribution of that sort.
In the weeks since the meeting, two of the councillors have joined the community group as ordinary members, and there is an overall feeling we can now get on with creating the future we've been imagining. In the coming year, I'm changing roles from Treasurer to Chairman of the Advisory Committee for the newspaper—a job I think I'll relish! Among other things, I'm hoping to introduce an "Analysis" section, where we look at contentious issues without being adversarial or partisan. I think this may be a good way to improve the transparency of the council and help people to become more engaged in local government.
On the farm: Winter has been dry, but there is plenty of feed and the water table is holding well, so I have to admit I just haven't been worrying about the weather. We've had lots of frosts, including a couple of -7 C (20 F) resulting in busted pipes. Zac is back in with the flock, and I've been doing a fair bit of shepherding the past couple of weeks—it's a hoot having Zac glued to my side, with Clara and the boys following him, and the rest of the flock following them. Zac still gets a bottle each morning, which means I have to find the flock, call Zac to me, feed him, and then ditch him so I can go home again without him following me! He's getting the idea, now, heading back to the flock when I start up the engine.
Shearing is coming up in early September, and yarn sales are keeping me busy in the meantime. There's an order of boucle being spun and dyed as I write this, and I've asked Chatty at Design Spun not to send it to me til after shearing—I just don't have a place to stash it until shearing is over!


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This update(now posted) contains maintenance fixes for some identified issues, some User Interface improvements and changes to Quick Pole's Data Model to prepare for the future.
Spans of attachments between structures are now available directly in the Analysis Tree and for the viewing of Properties when selected in the Work Plan View. All of the reports were reviewed to ensure consistency in the titles and that the PDF bookmark feature operates properly when generating the "Project Wide Reports".
Additional Screen Real Estate has been achieved by having the Work Plan Palette minimized on the opening of a Design. By moving the mouse over it, it will show all its items, which can then be dragged onto the Work Plan. The "Windows Reset" menu item will fix any inadvertent maximizing or re-positioning of this window, or a restart of Quick Pole.


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Looks like those traumatic pre-Christmas firings at Martha Stewart's struggling media company are finally paying off for the 72-year-old Domestic Diva.
Shares of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia inched up 2.3 percent on Tuesday, to $4.54, after it reported an operating profit of $2.2 million in the second quarter — only its third profitable quarter in the last 10.
A year earlier it had an operating loss of $636,000.
The return to profitability in the quarter came despite revenue tumbling 11 percent, to $37.6 million.
CEO Daniel Dienst, the scrap metal executive brought aboard last October to cut costs, said: "With the business stabilized, our business unit realignments behind us and efficiencies and productivity measures being rigorously monitored, we are now keenly focused on the many growth opportunities ahead of us across all verticals and all geographies."
The profit has come mainly by cuts. Production, distribution and editorial costs were chopped 20 percent, to $15.3 million, while selling and promotional costs dropped 17 percent, to $10.2 million.
The cuts outpaced advertising revenue declines in each segment, which continued apace.
In publishing, revenue dropped 8.1 percent, to $22.2 million, but the operating loss narrowed to $1.8 million, from $5.7 million a year earlier.
Beth Lilly, a small-cap portfolio manager at Gamco, said, Dientz's "goal is to get the publishing business to 5 percent operating margins and if he does that, the stock could really take off.
"To the extent that they generate [future] earnings, they won't have to pay taxes on it," Lilly said, noting the company has a net operating loss carry forward of $130 million.
"I have it rated a 'buy,' " said Michael Kupinski at Noble Financial, which upgraded MSO stock from a hold in February.
"The company management indicates that they are at an inflection point," said Kupinski, although he noted it may not be reflected in third-quarter results.
Kupinski said he expects the company to seek some kind of partnership to leverage its content in the digital realm and is hoping for a bigger international play.
Ken West, the chief financial officer, said the company is "debt free" and ended the quarter with cash equivalents and short-term investments of $61.7 million.
But, he added, "the only thing that we are very, very pleased with is our digital ad sales performance."
Dienst also said he is looking at expanding into the Chinese market for merchandising and the international market for publishing.
"The opportunity for more juice or explosive growth in our merchandise vertical will likely come from the international arena," the CEO said.
MSO is in talks with manufacturing partners, licensing partners and off-line and online retail players in places like the People's Republic of China, Dienst said.
Dienst also said he believes that "there is going to be land grab for branded content over the next 18 months and we fit very well into that potential macro development."
The minions in the empire of chief content officer and non-executive chairman Stewart may breathe a little easier in the next few quarters.
Dienst, in a conference call with Wall Street analysts, said, "I wouldn't expect, as we sit here today, unless the world falls apart, to wield the hatchet aggressively here over the next quarter or two."


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Ciara has a very current sense of style and likes to keep her hair and make-up looks fresh to match. For this years Teen Choice Awards she wanted a bold look. As a presenter along with Cat Deeley and her fellow Red Band Society cast members, I think that was one of her best yet!
Ciara decided on a casual, yet classic up do with braids, and slightly smokey eyes that popped. She was interviewed and photographed on the (not red but) blue carpet, and the fans went nuts!


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As most consumers now know getting car keys made can be a big headache. For years consumers have been taking their cars over to the dealerships and spending hundreds of dollars, if not thousands on some vehicle keys. The majority of car keys now have transponders aka chips that must be programmed with computer scan tools in order for the car to start.
The Sears Key Shop which has been operated by The Keyless Shop for the past three years specializes in automotive key security which includes car key and keyless entry remote programming. Save up to 50% off dealership prices. We are conveniently located right in the heart of downtown Hackensack on Main Street. We are located at 436 Main St, Hackensack, NJ 07601 Monday through Saturday from 10am - 7pm.
The Keyless Shop at Sears is the automotive locksmith that the New Jersey and New York City Metro area trusts. We have customers that drive to our locksmith shop from New York City almost every day, because we save them hundreds from dealership prices on car keys and car remotes. Give us a call today at (201) 633-5275 for a quote on your next car key and keyless entry remote fob.
Locksmith Services and prices:
Most American & Japanese vehicles (Chevy keys, General Motors keys, Dodge keys, Ford Keys, Toyota keys, Honda keys, Lexus keys and Nissan keys) transponder/chip keys are $50 programmed to your car.
Most German and European vehicles (VW keys, Audi keys, Fiat Keys, Volvo Keys) are $75 cut and programmed to your car.
Most American & Japanese vehicles (Chevy remotes, General Motors remotes, Dodge remotes, Ford remotes, Toyota remotes, Honda remotes, Lexus keys and Nissan remotes) remotes are $75 programmed to your car. Some are cheaper like Ford Remotes are only $35 programmed to your car.
Most German and European vehicles (VW remotes, Audi remotes) are $75 programmed to your car.
Car Lockout Service starts at $35.
House Lockout Service starts at $99.
Service Area:
The Keyless Shop at Sears in Hackensack Serves the following areas for Replacement Car Keys in the North New Jersey and New York City Metro Area:
Hackensack, Hasbrouck Heights, Teaneck, Maywood, Englewood, Paramus, Paterson, Bergenfield, Englewood Cliffs, Passaic, Clifton, NJ, Jersey City, Hoboken, Secaucus, Fort Lee, West New York, Newark, Rutherford, Manhattan, New York City, Bronx, Upper Manhattan, Brooklyn, NY,
07601, 07604, 07605, 07607, 07631, 07653, 07055, 07501, 07503, 07410, 07666, 07660, 07093, 07047, 07306, 10031, 10032, 10452, 10456, 10457, 10034, 10463


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Good bang for buck in the $4$5G club. Great performance for a stock-clocked system. Core 2 Extreme power. Relatively quiet (after start-up). 1TB of drive space. TV tuner. Vista-ready.
Plain-Jane chassis. Still expensive. 30-inch LCD panel not available from Gateway.
Bottom Line
The Gateway FX510XT is like an unmarked police car. It looks like a pedestrian tower PC that's nothing special, but once it hits the game grid, it's a force to be reckoned with.
gateway's top-of-the-line gaming/media system, the fx510xt ($3,966 direct, $4,240 with 21-inch widescreen monitor) isn't cheap, but in the high-end luxury desktop space, it's a good example of bang for the buck. it isn't as flashy-looking as the gaming boxes from dell xps, falcon northwest, and voodoo, but what's inside is what counts, and here the fx510xt shines. it offers components quite similar to those in boutique boxes, and it performs accordingly.
the fx510xt boasts a new intel core 2 extreme processor, as well as a pair of ati radeon x1900 xt graphics cards arranged in a crossfire configuration. rounding out the impressive hardware are 4gb of ddr2-667 sdram and a pair of 500gb drives in a raid 0 array. this combination gives the fx510xt some of the fastest benchmark test results i've seen on a system that's not overclocked. you can overclock the fx510xt yourself, but doing it is complicated, so you shouldn't attempt it lightly.
the fx510xt offers a tv tuner (single, standard-definition tv only), and the full terabyte of hard drive space gives you a vast repository for your digital lifephotos, music, video, and downloads. (just make sure to get a backup drive to keep them safe.) since the system is built within gateway's standard btx tower chassis, it's relatively quietafter you start it up. you'd better brace yourself when you first boot the system up; all of the fans turn to full before spooling back to almost silent levels.
the fx510xt is an excellent performer, even when compared with higher-level boutique systems that are faster (and much more expensive). the fx510xt turned in a 501 on bapco's sysmark 2004 se internet content creation test, becoming only the second pc (after the falcon nw core 2 extreme) i've seen score more than 500 points. the fx510xt scorched my adobe photoshop cs2 action set, finishing it in 37 seconds, where previous title holders, such as the gateway fx510xl and voodoo omen a121x, came in at 50 seconds. using our standard 3:15 (minutes:seconds) windows video file, the fx510xt completed the transcoding process in 4:22. the fastest pcs from earlier this year finished the encoder test in 5 to 6 minutes.
as i expected, the fx510xt is a monster gaming system. it runs all of our game tests at 60 frames per second (the benchmark for smooth gameplay) or faster, even at the highest (2,560-by-1,600) resolution. the fx510xt doesn't quite win the frame rate drag race, especially when it's up against overclocked systems, but it comes really close. for example, it's only 3 fps behind the falcon northwest mach v (core 2 extreme) on the splinter cell test at the highest resolution.
the gateway fx510xt isn't cheap, at just under $4,000 without a monitor and just above $4,000 with a 21-inch display. it certainly fakes out the competition, since it looks like a "normal" tower pc before you set it up, turn it on, and experience its awesome power. the only drawback to this setup is the 21-inch monitor: gateway doesn't carry 30-inch displays, and you really need one to show off the capabilities of this monster system. think of the fx510xt as a more reasonable way to join the $5g pc club, since the only way this pc will cost you more than $5g is with a $1,500 30-inch lcd.
see how the gateway fx510xt measures up to similar systems in our desktop comparison chart.
benchmark test results
check out the gateway fx510xt's test results .
more desktop reviews:
NZXT BLD Starter PC Plus
Origin Millennium Hard Line Vice Edition
Zotac ZBox Q Series (QK7P5000)
Raspberry Pi 4
Raspberry Pi 4 Computer Desktop Kit


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This week our guest and co-host is the hilarious Daniel Van Kirk!(Comedy Central Comics to Watch, Dumb People Town with the Sklar bros, Bob's Burgers) DVK is 100% positive he will be surviving the apocalypse so be sure to stick with this guy by following him on social media! This episode we hypothesize about the person we will become after the apocalypse has changed us, a guest submitted "would you rather" and we talk zombies as we delve into Dan's "exiters" theory meaning we dip a toe in the deep end, so be ready to get dark. (Trigger warning: exiters theory includes discussion of mass suicides.)
It's MaxFunDrive! Become a member right now! Don't wait! Visit www.maximumfun.org/donate then tweet at me @TravisAndAndie so I can thank you! Love you guys. Thanks for listening! xx Hope&Cheesecake


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Tag: Bayview
Community Photos 11/19/12
Ipswich Bay Wooden Buoy Co. Bayview Photos by Anthony Marks
Mary Page Submits-
Hi Joey Love GMG thanks for your good work
This morning green buoy 29 was pulled by the coast guard for cleaning. Photo taken from Rust Island. Mary Page
Gail and Mary signing the second turbine arm Saturday.
Purple Heart Highway dedication from Linn Parisi
Gene Ehlert Asks About Old Bayview Postcard
Hi, Joey,
Reading your terrific website from Lancaster, NH, way up near Canada. Have recently bought a small house in Bay View; have to rent it out for now until we can afford to move down. Soon we hope.
Bought an old postcard on ebay with a picture of Albion's of Gloucester, located on Rte 127 in Bay View. Specialized in fried clams it says, and accommodated 150 guests.Our house is on Albion Court, a small dead-end road right next to the Brotherhood. Probably not a coincidence. No sign of the eatery these days, but was wondering if you or someone could remember where it was located. Perhaps where the fire station is today?
Thanks and best regards, Gene Ehlert


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Browsing my Facebook timeline the other morning I came across an article titled "40 Things No Woman over 40 Should Have in Her House", this was followed with the subtitle "But No Judgment".
Which I took to mean the same as Simon Cowell's "I don't meant to be rude, but…" that we know was always followed by an incredibly rude and insensitive comment.
But, judgment aside, I clicked on the link to see what they had to say. I was curious, after all, as a woman past 40, of what things I was no longer allowed to keep in my home.
I'll spare you the details, but needless to say, I still have at least 35 of these things in my home.
And I'll let you in on a little secret…I don't plan on getting rid of any of them.
The article meant well, I think…well, mostly. It was meant to encourage decluttering and minimalism, which, for the record, I'm all about.
However, the approach that there should be an age limit on enjoying certain things? That I can't get on board with.
Look, I get that at a certain point in life we have to "adult" and become responsible citizens of the world.
But why does that mean we should stop having fun, or surrounding ourselves with things that bring us joy?
Why should I feel the need to decorate my home from the "grown up" aisle in the fancy furniture store when the colorful desk I put together myself brings me complete Joy every time I sit at it?
I'm all out of shoulds.
Life is complicated, stressful, frustrating enough, the last thing I'm going to waste my energy on is feeling badly because my home, my sanctuary, my safe space (the one I pay mortgage on BY MYSELF) doesn't meet society's standards of what a 40 year old woman SHOULD be doing.
I'm also completely unconcerned with what society tells me I should or should not be wearing at this age.
What form of entertainment I should be interested in.
What type of man I should or should not fall in love with and what he should be bringing to the table at this point in our lives.
Here's the thing I realized after spending far too much of my early 20's doing what I SHOULD be doing. I was miserable. And when I realized that and took charge, started living MY life, making choices that fill me with Joy? EVERYTHING changed.
So now, those choices sometimes include colorful desks put together haphazardly with two filing cabinets and a piece of wood.
Sometimes they are cartwheels and handstands in public places.
Sometimes it means falling in love with a man from the "wrong" side of the tracks with no fancy car to drive me around in, but a heart that loves me more than I ever imagined possible. A man who will grow WITH ME, not away from me.
The point is, I'm choosing to ignore the shoulds and follow my Joy.
And no, I don't plan to stop.
And I hope you don't either.
I hope you take a look around and find those things that bring you Joy and you embrace them. I hope you allow yourself to act in whatever way you feel is fitting for your "age", not what THEY tell you is.
Run through the sprinklers, bust out a dance move, wear the mini-skirt, hold on to your favorite stuffed animal or buy the fancy grown up desk, and fall in love with whoever you please.
BE YOU. Be young and vibrant and alive. Find your Joy.
And let them keep their shoulds.
If you struggle with this, I would love to chat with you and help you get to a place with no shoulds. Send me a message, let's talk.
Bring your list of "shoulds" over to my Facebook Group Find Your Joy, we're going live tomorrow (Thursday) night at 8PM EST to dig deeper into this.


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I got a phone call in Popasna (the Luhansk region) on Thursday:
- She military you showed in your reportage yesterday has perished.
- Who?
- Goszilla.
You want to scream at such moments.
"Hot" Zaitseve. Interview taken on the day before death on red front line. Part 1
"Why is this one of the hottest spots?"
"It's difficult to say. I haven't been to other places. I have been here for more than a year. Maybe, there are hotter spots, it's hard to say. As far as I can understand the situation, no one needs this village that much.
Maybe, separatists have got a lot of ammunition, maybe they practise shooting using us as targets.
This local "DPR army" has its own system of bonuses. If you have taken part in a battle — you get these bonuses. This is why they are trying to get here all the time or to launch a diversionist operation. I think, they get their money depending on how many hours they spend in the action.
And the Russian are just practising. It's like a shooting range for them and a luxurious one, by the way. You can come, unpack and adjust everything in real combat conditions."
"They never return fire at shooting ranges..."
"They don't, you are right. But we do not return it either. This shell you have just seen, it was fired from a mortar and if is a 120 mm one, than the distance must be at least 6.5 kilometres. I cannot fire back and hit him from a grenade launcher or a machine-gun, even if I wanted to.
This is why they are safe here. The person who adjusts their fire is sitting somewhere and directing them, they shell us from two points, get their bonuses and are absolutely happy.
It is difficult to say why they are here, this direction is interesting by itself. There is a road, Dzerzhynsk is on the right, one may try to break through to Artemivsk as well. If they ever try to break through our defense line, I think it will happen somewhere here if Artemivsk is their target.
They have been thinking about seizing it for a long time, it is a very important town for them. It is a big traffic juncture and there are a lot of plants there. Artemivsk is a necessary town for them."
"Judging by their actions, can you say that they are getting ready for a break through?"
"I am not a tactic and I cannot plan strategically, but they disturb us very often. Small arms are used every day. Maybe, they are just preparing the ground so that we would return fire automatically, without concentration and this will be the moment when they will try to break through. We are ready. Still, you know as they say: a shepherd who used to shout about wolves all the time did not get any help when he was calling for it for the twentieth time. Maybe, they expect us to relax.
There are three houses up there and their observers used to hide in them. You can see the whole village of Zaitseve from those houses. So, we ousted them and seized those houses. I do not consider that to be a ceasefire violation because they were adjusting the snipers' fire, sitting there like hunters and firing at us as if they had been at a rifle range.
We had to do that, everyone wants to live and we wanted to live as well. We could not even walk freely around the village as we are walking with you now. You are walking along the fence and you hear "click-click, click-click" around. Bullets are flying past you. Now this territory is ours and their fire became sporadic.
Heavy artillery is adjusted from Izotova Mine anyway. They have good equipment there and they can see all the territory with it."
"When did you suffer losses for the last time?"
"KIA happened quite long ago, fortunately, 2 servicemen were WIA about four days ago.
Time flies quickly here. We do not have days off, weekends or holidays. If you are on duty somewhere at the motorway, you know that if there are no cars, then it is the weekend. Here we do not have any cars, every day is like the previous one."
"Groundhog day."
"Yes, Groundhog day. It has snowed and this is the only difference now compared to yesterday...
Now there are very few people in the village. There are 350 of them on the list and before the war it used to be a big village with five or six thousand inhabitants.
Actually, only half of Zaitseve is ours. The second half is controlled by separatists.
This village also has some kinds of islands. There is Zaitseve checkpoint in Artemivsk vicinity and it is the same Zaitseve though it is twenty kilometres away from the front line. This is why a lot of people confuse them. They come to another part of Zaitseve and say: Oh, it's quiet here. Of course, it is quiet there, but as for the part where we currently are..."
"How do the locals treat you? "
"The locals do not like us. Propaganda still works. I may be wrong, but in my opinion, there are only 10-20% of good people here who undersnad everything. There are old ones as well and they are wise due to their age. They just want the war to be over. And there are convinced separatists as well, of course.
But what can be said about those people if there are family members who fight on the other side in every house. How will they treat us? Of course, they hate us.
All of them hide the fact that their children fight for separatists from us. They tell us some weird stories.
Yesterday, for example, it happened all of a sudden. We have this very nervous woman here, you know, this one who is always dissatisfied with everything. Whatever happens, she always knows about it and she is always a sibling of a person it happened to.
So, she was screaming again one day and the funniest thing is that Mykolaevych, our political officer, had arrived here and he was trying to explain her everything. And she told him: "No, you must go away from here." He said: "But listen, if we leave, separatists will come here that very moment." And she answered him: "No, they will not. Basurin has promised us personally." Do you understand what it means?"
Oleksiy Bratuschak for "Ukrayinska pravda"
New service "Explain Ukraine". This is a daily mailout of two articles which were written about the situation in the Donbas by Donbas journalists and translated into English. Honest vision of people who work in the field is unbiased and fresh which is crucial in the world which is full of desinformation and propaganda. We try to share this vision in out daily mailout. You can subscribe here.


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Focus talks with Spanish artist Jessica Gonpra who is exhibiting in our #SpringCollection
When did you realise you wanted to be an artist?
Well I think I always knew that I wanted to be an artist, since I was very young I was always in my room drawing and painting; I really liked it and I really felt a need to do it.
Did you study art?
Yes, I studied a fine art BA and a masters last year in Spain in the University of Seville.
What do you think was the biggest lesson from your time in education?
I don't think it was the specific lessons, but more the feeling you got from the place. It was the environment where you were with people who understood your passion; there were several professors that really helped me understand my ideas.
What do you paint and why do you paint it?
Right now my current work is about the environment; I am so committed to this. I consider our effect on nature, something that everyone can see. I feel really bad when I see what humans are doing to the environment and I think that I have something to say about this in my work; I express it in my painting.
Why have you chosen portraiture to express this subject?
I wanted to connect the humans to the environment which they are affecting.
Who are the subjects?
Some are self-portraits, my father, cousins, my nephews, brother-in-law, etc.
And you pour oil on them?
I study how the light is reflected in oil, I don't take my father and pour it on his head. I study the way it moves naturally and then paint it out of my imagination onto the subject.
When did you finish studying?
I finished my degree in 2012 and my masters in 2014,
So since then how have you found surviving as an artist?
Well, today I think it is very difficult to survive as an artist, but I try and this year I have been applying for lots of opportunities and contests. Right now I can't only rely on it, but I hope one day I can do it full time.
What advice would you give to a young artist?
It is not easy; you have to work a lot, I work twelve hours a day more or less and then create the art in my free time. It's not only a talent or a passion, but you have to live and so you need to work hard. Not in a year, but maybe in two years or five you can make it to be a full time artist, or maybe never.
Do you think you will stay with this subject?
I always change what I make, I need to express what I am feeling in that moment; my statement is ever evolving, because you are not the same person now that you were last month or last year. Sometimes your brain makes change and you start feel like producing something different. The art you create is about the feeling you have in that moment.
Jessica Gonpra's work is exhibited in Focus LDN's Spring Collection.


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In line with the requirements of the National Curriculum, Barking Abbey provides a broad and balanced programme of study. Our aim is to enable students to achieve of their best and to allow the widest range of career and further education opportunities to remain open to students up to and beyond the school leaving age.
The school has established both academic and pastoral links with its main primary partner schools. This is greatly enhanced as part of our Education Action Zone and our Specialist Sports College programme. We are also developing extensive links with our partner secondary schools in both Sporting and Performing Arts areas.
In the first two years students study Art, Drama, English, French, Geography, History, Information Technology, Mathematics, Music, Personal and Social Education, Physical Education, Religious Education, Science and Technology.
The school was recently awarded the Basic Skills Agency Charter Mark in recognition of the excellence of our work in basic literacy and numeracy.
In Years 9, 10 and 11 all students study a compulsory core curriculum which consists of English, Mathematics, Science, ICT and Physical Education. In addition, there is a wide range of optional subjects from which students may choose including a Modern Foreign Language (French), History, Geography, Music, Art, Business Studies, Social Science, RE, Drama, Media Studies and Technology. We have pioneered the introduction of vocational GCSEs and will be exploring this further over the next two years.
The Sixth Form provides a wide range of subjects at GCE Advanced Level (up to 25 subjects are offered), and opportunities to study further GCSE courses as well as vocational and pre-vocational courses, including GNVQ at both Intermediate and Advanced Level (Business, ICT, Health and Social Care and Sport Science).


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Door: $6.00
Show starts: 7:00
Betsy Phillips is a singer/songwriter living in Nashville, Tennessee. Soon after moving to Nashville, she began working closely with producer/writer Chase Coy. She released her first EP, entitled "More Like Home", in July of 2013. It quickly rose to #13 as well as being featured as 'New and Noteworthy' on the Singer/Singer iTunes charts. Since the EP release, Betsy's focus has been on writing. She plans to record to new music in 2016.


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Killogy #3 Comic Reviews...
Giant Fire Breathing Robot: "This is a great comic. Alan Robert is one of the fresh voices of comics today… I hold him up with such creator-owned demi-Gods as Mike Mignola, Steve Niles, and Eric Powell." Read Full Review >
Bloody Disgusting: "One of the most original and unique comics you'll ever lay your eyes on." Read Full Review >
Horror Talk 5/5 Stars Review: "Alan Robert comes in with Killogy and breathes new life into the zombie genre… he's created a great story and backed it up with some dynamite art. And he's not done yet!" Read Full Review >
The Lottery Party: "The whole issue is flawless in every way." Read Full Review >
Comic Monsters: Killogy #3 is excellent and full of all the blood and guts and New York style verbal altercations we come to love and expect. Issue #3 is a must read for Killogy fans!" Read Full Review >


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edd leech
Edward Leech is an orchestral freelancer and chamber musician specialising on tuba, and is also a professional pianist and teacher. He studied at the Royal Northern College of Music, where he was awarded a 1st Class Honours degree, and then at the Royal Academy of Music for a Masters degree, achieving a Distinction.
He has performed in a freelance role with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, English National Opera, Gabrielli Consort and Players, the Hyogo Performing Arts Orchestra of Japan and the Britten Sinfonia. Most recently he was appointed to the position of principal tuba with the Chroma Ensemble.
Edward has also performed concertos on tuba with the Newbury Symphony Orchestra, Reading Symphony Orchestra, Windsor and Maidenhead Symphony Orchestra, Penzance Symphony Orchestra, Henley Symphony Orchestra and the European Youth Music Festival Symphony Orchestra. He has also taken part in solo events, winning the Newark Brass Festival Competition and the Windsor and Maidenhead Young Musician's competition. Before this he twice reached the finals of the British Open Solo competition and was the highest placed brass player in the Concerto Competition while at the RNCM.
Edward is a member of the prominent brass quintet Quintabile, whose recent performance successes include: runners-up in the Jan Koetsier International Brass Quintet Competition 2014; winners of the Audience Prize and overall runners-up at the 2014 St. Martin-in-the-Fields Chamber Music Competition; and winners of the 2013/14 Philharmonia-Martin Musical Scholarship Fund Chamber Music Award. The latter led to nomination as Concordia Artists and an opportunity to perform at the Purcell Room. Quintabile have also performed internationally, including by invitation at the 2013 Banff International Music Festival in Alberta, Canada, and also at recitals in France and Germany.
Edward started playing the piano professionally from a young age, becoming resident pianist at a prominent local health club, and then at the South Hill Arts Centre in Bracknell. He also took on engagements at private functions and weddings. He is now a professional accompanist, and recent commissions have included performances on Cunard and P&O cruise ships. His recording debut recently took place following an invitation to perform piano alongside the All Star Brass quintet of America, which will be out on general release later this year.
Edward would like to thank his sponsors for their generous support during his career to date, namely the Musicians' Benevolent fund, the Countess of Munster Musical Trust, the Harold Craxton Memorial Trust, the Martin Musical Scholarship Fund and the Amaryllis Fleming Trust.


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Wednesday, July 29, 2009
EXCLUSIVE First Look!!- 2009 UD Philadelphia Football Video Box Break Highlights
Debuting at this year's National in Cleveland, on August 4th, Philadelphia Football goes live. Upper Deck delivers another in a long line of retro themed products this year. Get all the product details and see the video box break highlights only at Card Corner Club.
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by Charity Preston
1st – 4th Grade
This cute template for a thank you note is perfect for students to say thanks for a guest speaker, a parent volunteer, or for receiving a gift from someone else. It can also be used by the teacher in a pinch if needing a quick thank you for a received gift from a student. Enjoy!
Please be reminded that the files you have are to be used by ONE classroom teacher per copyright law. I really thank you for respecting my time and work.
Want more great teaching tips and classroom organization ideas? Register for one of our FREE Workshops, add our feed to your RSS reader, or visit us on Facebook, Pinterest, my TpT Store, and Instagram!
Join The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs Marketing Cooperative at
and get THOUSANDS OF PAGE VIEWS for your TpT products!
and get THOUSANDS OF PAGE VIEWS for your TpT products!
Go to http://www.pinterest.com/TheBestofTPT/ for even more free products!


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Hi y'all!
I'm so excited to see the entries rolling in for this month's FFFC®! Our Fab Sponsor for this month is a VERY cool company called "Overlays" that creates awesome decorative panels to spice up your otherwise drab furniture (even pieces from IKEA)!
Evey | Scottie | Christie | Jessica
As always, we have some amazingly fab featured hosts for our contest, for this month it's Scottie and Evey. Make sure you visit Scottie's page for the entries as well as to see how she gave this piece a COMPLETELY new life! Seriously, the 'After' is AMAZING!
(Evey will be traveling this month so check her blog later on in the month for the sweet IKEA piece she updated!)
In the meanwhile, here are some of our favorite Overlays pieces from their wonderful blog just full of tips, tricks and Overlays inspiration!
Isn't that anchor just SO SWEET?!
Ummm, DRINK anyone?!
What about this INCREDIBLE space done by Vanessa Antonelli of NessaLee Baby?! She used the panels on some glass doors for a VERY sleek and uniquely modern look!
So many awesome things you can do with these sweet panels and we can't WAIT to see what our participants do for their "Cut & Paste" entries using Overlays' panels!
A huge thank you to our Fab Sponsor Overlays, and to our wonderful participants for their constant creativity!
An InLinkz Link-up


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Arthritis and Joint Replacement
Sometimes called "wear-and-tear" arthritis, osteoarthritis is a common condition that many people develop during middle age or older. It can occur in any joint in the body, but most often develops in weight-bearing joints, such as the hip or knee. Because osteoarthritis gradually worsens over time, the sooner you start treatment, the more likely it is that you can lessen its impact on your life. Below, you'll find common questions and answers about arthritis and the treatment options available:
How do I know if I have arthritis?
If you have osteoarthritis you generally complain of pain related to an activity. As the disease progresses you might feel pain when you are at rest and even while sleeping. Additional symptoms often include joint stiffness and deformity. These often limit your joint function and often results in limitations and challenges in your quality of life. In some individual's osteoarthritis progresses very slowly and can be managed for years with nonsurgical care. In other individuals' osteoarthritis can progress rapidly and cause severe pain, sometimes prompting the need for surgery when other measures fail to control these items.
Are there other forms of arthritis?
Although osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis there are many other forms. Rheumatologists and orthopedic surgeons treat a spectrum of arthritic problems which include osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis results in loss of cartilage due to mechanical overloading or poor underlying cartilage that is not capable of withstanding normal loads and this cartilage wears out prematurely. Rheumatoid arthritis is different. This is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis. In individuals with rheumatoid arthritis the body's own immune system and the joint lining, which is known of this as the synovium, for unclear reasons destroy the joint cartilage. This is an autoimmune reaction. In general, both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are progressive problems that can result in cartilage loss, joint deformity, stiffness and pain.
What causes osteoarthritis?
The cause of osteoarthritis is unclear but there are several factors that often contribute to its development. These include obesity, genetics, trauma, injury, instability and age. Obesity correlates with a significant rise in the frequency of arthritis, particularly in the knee joint. Genetics clearly play a role and these have been correlated with arthritis, especially in the joints of the hand and the wrist. Trauma and injury can result in damage to the cartilage and poor alignment of the bones can contribute to the development of arthritis as well. Instability of the joints related to poor ligaments or weakness can sometimes lead to arthritis as they result in cartilage loss. Age has been associated with arthritis as well although the frequency of arthritis increases with age, it does not occur in all people and should not be considered inevitable.
Is there a cure for osteoarthritis?
There is currently no cure for osteoarthritis and all our non-surgical and non-operative measures are geared toward treating your symptoms. Despite recent claims of injections that can "cure" your arthritis, we currently have no disease-modifying agents for osteoarthritis of the hips and the knees. Even though there is no cure for the disease, we can treat your symptoms if you're experiencing significant pain. And these can provide you with significant pain relief and improvement of your function. It is important to understand the extent of your osteoarthritis and how this relates to your symptoms and your treatment options.
What are the common symptoms of hip osteoarthritis?
The most common symptom of hip osteoarthritis is pain around the hip joint. Usually, the pain develops slowly and worsens over time, although sudden onset is also possible. Pain and stiffness may be worse in the morning, or after sitting or resting for a while. Over time, painful symptoms may occur more frequently, including during rest or at night. Additional symptoms may include:
- Pain in your groin or thigh that radiates to your buttocks or your knee
- Pain that flares up with vigorous activity
- Stiffness in the hip joint that makes it difficult to walk or bend
- "Locking" or "sticking" of the joint, and a grinding noise (crepitus) during movement caused by loose fragments of cartilage and other tissue interfering with the smooth motion of the hip
- Decreased range of motion in the hip that affects the ability to walk and may cause a limp
- Increased joint pain with rainy weather
What surgical options exist for hip arthritis?
When non-surgical treatments for hip arthritis fail, you and your doctor may consider surgery. Learn about which surgical options are optimal for treating osteoarthritis in your hip.
Hip arthroscopy is usually an outpatient procedure to repair torn cartilage and to remove extra bone that occurs in the very earliest stages of osteoarthritis. The surgeon uses small incisions around the hip to allow for insertion of a tiny camera called an arthroscope. For patients over 40 years of age, there are rare circumstances that would require arthroscopy.
Femoral and acetabular osteotomy surgery involves cutting the bone to reorient your hip joint when your hip has structural abnormalities. It is extensive surgery that requires the insertion of plates and screws to fix the bone while it heals. It requires inpatient hospitalization for several days, and recovery usually takes six to twelve weeks.
Hip resurfacing
Hip resurfacing is a type of hip replacement that is usually reserved for young, active males. It is a metal-on-metal device where the hip ball is capped. It usually requires inpatient hospitalization for several days, and recovery usually takes six to twelve weeks. This procedure has recently fallen out of favor, and there are few circumstances where it would be required.
Total hip replacement
Total hip replacement (THR) is the gold standard for treating your disabling hip pain. Circumstances that indicate the necessity of THR occur in individuals of all ages, sexes, and activity levels. It is best to have THR after you turn the age of 60 because of the risk of having to undergo surgery again due to mechanical failure after 15 to 20 years. It can be performed through various approaches (front, back, side) with various implant designs. Currently the most common designs are made of titanium with metal heads against the newest plastics. It can be extensive surgery that may require inpatient hospitalization for one to three days, and recovery usually takes six to twelve weeks. The latest in pain management and minimally invasive surgery have shortened the hospitalization for total hips to as little as 23 hours after surgery in some patients.
If you have additional questions about arthritis or would like more information about treatment options please contact our Joint Replacement Coordinator at 972-403-2843.


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Pledges are payable between now and May 31, 2019 and payments can be made at your convenience. If you wish to pledge and set up a one-time future or recurring payment today, please click here.
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Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Every day, as soon as we wake, we have the opportunity to create something magical. No matter what transpires with outward forces, the only thing that really matters is your attitude toward your own world. You have the power to create or extinguish your own happiness.
It starts with a positive thought that steadily grows to a natural disposition. It will further flourish and breed happiness in others because positivity is highly contagious. Simply choose to be happy, starting today. Here are 13 ways to accomplish this:


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Contemporary classic design with tufted seats and tapered metal legs. Easily suits a number of spaces.
MATERIAL: Tapered metal legs, solid timber, ply, foam, spring, webbing metal, fabric, kiln-dried wood
COLOR: Beige, Lt. Grey, Powder blue
SIZE: 231 X 90 X 84 cm
*Also available as 2-seater sofa.
In stock