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Hero-U: Rogue to Redemption by the Quest for Glory designers
Thank You! Hero-U Is Funded!
Thank you to all of the generous backers, and to everyone who told their friends about Hero-U. Without you, this literally would have been impossible. Now it's our turn again, to make you the best adventure/RPG we possibly can.
Missed Out on the Kickstarter or Want More Cool Rewards?
It's not too late. We will soon be adding a PayPal option to the Hero-U web site so that you can contribute to the project or upgrade your Kickstarter reward selection. Visit http://www.hero-u.net/KS-store to make PayPal contributions or purchases. This option will be available for a few months, then we will open a regular store for game and accessory purchases.
Stretch Goals - We Can Get There!
Now that Hero-U: Rogue to Redemption has achieved the funding goal, we are working on stretch goals to improve the game. All PayPal sales at http://www.hero-u.net/KS-store as well as our final Kickstarter funding amount will apply towards reaching the stretch goals.
- $500,000 – Companion Meep
- $600,000 – Voice Acting
- $700,000 – FIGS (French/Italian/German/Spanish) Localization
The Companion Meep is a Tamagotchi-like pet that you need to feed, groom, and be nice to. Your Meep will get in your way occasionally, and might even be helpful sometimes.
Project Description
Hero-U: Rogue to Redemption is a classic 2D role-playing adventure for Windows PC, Macintosh, and Linux by award-winning game designers Corey and Lori Cole (Quest for Glory, Castle of Dr. Brain, etc.).
Detailed information about the project is available at http://www.hero-u.net/
Hero-U combines the rich character relationships, story and puzzles of a classic adventure game with the exploration and excitement of a role-playing game. Bringing all these features together makes Hero-U a completely unique game experience.
- Classic adventure game characters, story, and puzzles
- All the exploration, skill development, and choices of a classic RPG
- A rich story that changes based on the way you play
- Tactical turn-based combat
- Characters with unique personalities and their own agendas
- Fun, Funny, and Punny
There is danger and intrigue within the hallowed halls of Hero-U. Danger? Ha! Rogues laugh in the face... well, actually, they sneak up behind danger and bop it in the head, then run really, really fast.
You can be that Rogue!
Keeping You Up To Date With Updates
Hero-U Web Site with More Information and Art: http://www.hero-u.net/
- #27: T Minus 14 and Counting Meep
- #26: What Can We Accomplish in 20 Hours?
- #25: Monday Appearances, New Video, and Risk vs. Reward
- #24: New Add-Ons and How Hero-U Is Different from Other Adventures
- #23: A World Full of Heroes and Message from Katherine Owen
- #22: Newly Updated Web Site, Article About Adventure+RPG
- #21: Stretch Meep, Why A Rogue?, and Fan Art
- #20: Brawsome Talks About Unity and Hero-U Programming
- #19: Fireside Chat and Another Amazing Day
- #18: The Real Heroes of Hero-U
- #17: A Vote of Confidence (and Why Our Games Are Important)
- #16: Funny You Should Ask (Humor in Hero-U)
- #15: Adventure Game Play Example
- #14: Why Your Pledge Matters, New Rewards, Interviews
- #13: How We Role - The RPG Side of Hero-U
- #12: New Art and Video, What Makes Hero-U Different
- #11: Linux Support, Other Great Projects, Artwork
- #10: Add-ons, but please see this main page instead
- (from #10) Check out the Art Lovers video here
- #9: Role-Playing, Conversation, and Adventure
- #8: Adventure Puzzles and Problems, Plus Meeps
- #7: Questions, Answers, and Haunting the Catacombs
- #6: News Post and The Power of Kickstarter
- #5: Story Paths, Relationships, and Testimonials
- #4: Andrew Goulding of Brawsome about Development
- #3: Adventure, Meet RPG - Why We Are Blending Categories
- #2: Word of the Web, and Why Hero-U is not Quest for Glory
- #1: Our Backers Rock, and Concept vs. Final Art
Rewards Change
At the $175 Exchange Student level, you may choose in the after-project questionnaire to receive the game keys to our 8 previous games, or to add your picture (or other suitable image) to the in-game Yearbook. The game keys are available individually as add-ons, or you can purchase them directly from gog or Steam.
We are also adding a $50 "virtual add-on" to add your image to the in-game Digital Yearbook. This cost is necessary because an artist will touch up all images to give them a consistent feel in the Yearbook.
Add-Ons Available At Any Reward Tier
To select any of these add-ons, add the cost of the add-on to your pledge at any tier. When the project closes, we will send you a questionnaire you can use to tell us which additional rewards you have purchased. We will also ask you for additional information, such as a picture, headstone epitaph, biography for the Yearbook, your operating system, and so on.
Important Note on digital keys to our previous games: We are actually buying these keys from the respective sites. Since Kickstarter and Amazon payments take a percentage of our proceeds, and the purpose of selling these add-ons is to raise money for Hero-U development, all of these keys are more expensive than if you buy them directly. If this concerns you , please buy the previous-game keys directly from Steam, gog.com, or another site. We are offering them here solely as a convenience.
Virtual Add-Ons, No Shipping Charge
- $10: NEW - Downloadable game music soundtrack
- $10: NEW - Art book PDF
- $15: Steam game key to Jolly Rover (PC or Mac)
- $15: Steam game key to MacGuffin's Curse (PC or Mac)
- $20: gog.com game key to Quest for Glory 1-5 package (PC only)
- $18: An additional Hero-U: Rogue to Redemption game key for a friend
- $18: Pre-order the second planned Hero-U game featuring a female Wizard main character
- $20: NEW - Set of 4 high-resolution game art images in PDF
- $50: NEW - Your picture or other suitable image in Digital Yearbook
- $100: In-game Head(stone) of the Class. See below for details
- $200: In-game School Spirit. See below for details
Physical Add-Ons Requiring Shipping
Note: There are two changes here since Update #10. Baseball cap price lowered to $30 and Meep added at $35! See below for shipping charges.
- $10: NEW - Meep keychain
- $20: NEW - "Erana's Tribute" poster 11"x17" (art without poem)
- $30: Hero-U logo t-shirt
- $30: Embroidered Hero-U baseball cap
- $35: Your very own Toy Meep!
- $50: Extra standard boxed copy of Hero-U: Rogue to Redemption
- $50: (Extra) copy of the physical yearbook.
- $50: NEW - Set of four 11"x17" poster prints of Hero-U game art
- $100: (Extra) copy of the Kickstarter-only premium boxed game plus Graduate-level inserts (game DVD, manual, music CD, varsity letter, and Hero-U backer's button)
Physical Add-On Shipping Charges
In Update #10, we stated that these items would be shipped separately from the game. Since this greatly drives up the shipping costs, we are changing that decision. If you have not chosen a physical goods tier, you will need to provide your shipping address on the post-Kickstarter questionnaire and add the following to your pledge for custom shipping: $10 U.S., $15 Canada/Mexico, $20 other countries.
Next, whether or not you are paying that extra shipping charge, count the number of add-ons you have selected, and add the following to your pledge:
- 1 item, US/Canada/Mexico $5, Other countries $10
- 2-4 items, US/Canda/Mexico $10, Other countries $15
- Each 5 items, US/Canada/Mexico $15, Other countries $20
- Example: You are pledging a physical tier, and want 8 add-ons. If you live in North or Central America, add $15 + $10 + cost of items. If you live elsewhere in the world, add $20 + $15 + cost of items. We apologize for these charges, but international shipping from the U.S. is very expensive.
Head(stone) of the Class (Add-on $100 to any reward tier): In the catacombs deep beneath the hallowed halls of Hero-U lie the monuments to those who gave their all in the service of heroism. Are you one of those who quested for Good and Glory? Then you too should be honored by all those who come after. Add $100 to your pledge at any reward tier, and our skilled artisans will engrave your name and epitaph on a headstone hidden deep within the catacombs. Those who seek, shall find you. They may regret it.
School Spirit (Add-on $200 to any reward tier): The catacombs are filled with the restless spirits of those who came before. They haunt the passages and guard their secrets. Is your fate yet unfulfilled? Do you belong among the ghosts? Then add $200 to your pledge at any reward tier. Not only will your epitaph grace a headstone in the catacombs, but your restless spirit, ghoul, or revenant will haunt the area to terrify lesser adventurers and guard your hidden treasure.
- Classic adventure game characters, story, and puzzles
Hero-U: Rogue to Redemption combines role-playing, puzzles, an immersive story, and rich character interactions. As in our acclaimed Quest for Glory series, every element works together to create a unique game experience that you will love.
In Hero-U: Rogue to Redemption, you take on the role of Shawn O'Conner, a would-be Thief who has had a rough life. As Shawn, you will attend Hero-U, a school that tries to teach young adventurers to be heroes. Shawn can continue his quest to join the Thieves' Guild, or he can strive to become a Rogue Hero. He has a lot to learn to succeed at either path.
- All the exploration, skill development, and choices of a classic RPG
Hero-U plays like a classic RPG, with turn-based tactical combat and exploration of the environment on top-down, 2D maps. There are traps, obstacles, and enemies for you to overcome as you explore the school and the ancient catacombs beneath it. Key scenes feature beautiful painted backdrops to let you see from Shawn's perspective.
Shawn has skills and attributes that improve through game play. He will also acquire possessions that give you additional options. Your choices determine which skills Shawn learns. He can improve them through study and practice. Explore the school and catacombs as Shawn fights monsters, avoids trap, finds hidden items, and solves mysteries.
- A rich story that changes based on the way you play
Your life has not been an easy one. Caught red-handed during your thief guild initiation, you have a choice - Go to reform school or rot away in prison. The teachers and students are intent on making your life a living hell, while trouble lurks in the catacombs below. It would help if you didn't need to worry about being killed and passing midterms.
In your hands, Shawn has real choices. If he does someone a favor, it is because he figures they will be useful to him later. If he wants to unleash nameless horrors of destruction upon the world, well, hey, that's his business... and yours.
Along the south coast of Marete to the east of Silmaria, there stands a great sprawling castle built in ancient times when demonic creatures sought to dominate Gloriana. Long abandoned, the castle was greatly feared by the people of Silmaria. There were rumors of hauntings, curses, and a great Evil buried within its rocky walls.
Over the years, a few desperate and foolhardy souls dared to explore dark towers and musty hallways in search of forgotten treasures. Even fewer returned; they whispered of eldritch horrors best left buried beneath the ancient stones. The castle's grim silhouette upon the cliffs warns us that there are dangers in this world that mere mortals are not prepared to face.
So what better place than this to build a University for Heroes?
Besides, the rent was cheap.
- Tactical turn-based combat
One doesn't just wander around an ancient, possibly haunted, castle and expect to have an easy time of it. Your hero must learn the cunning, deception, and just plain Rogue skills, then use them to survive. "Hack and Slash" won't cut it for a Rogue. Shawn must outwit and outmaneuver the creatures that lurk within the ancient catacombs beneath Hero-U.
Our turn-based combat system features an action point system that will make you choose between slow, powerful attacks, tactical movement, or a mixture of defense and quick attacks. Shawn will supplement his Roguish skills with clever use of traps and other items. Between battles, you will explore the catacombs, setting and avoiding traps and other challenges.
- Characters with unique personalities and their own agendas
Many of the characters you encounter have their own reason for being there. They aren't there to serve you, only themselves. Shawn will meet with these characters as you choose what he says to them, and how he relates. Conversation is an important part of Hero-U. It is a way for Shawn to gain information, make friends, and try to stay out of trouble.
- Challenging puzzles that are an integral part of the story
We believe that puzzles are an important part of a good adventure game or RPG. Hero-U is filled with challenges that will make you think and that enrich the story. The problems Shawn faces are all closely linked to the story and characters at Hero-U.
- Elective system that lets you customize Shawn's abilities
All rogue candidates study basic techniques such as stealth, picking locks, and setting traps. But Hero-U also offers elective courses that will allow Shawn to customize his to assist his extra-curricular activities. These electives will give you choices on how you like to play.
Lori and Corey Cole have been making and playing games for... let's just say, "forever". At Sierra On-Line, we created one of the first hybrid graphic adventure/role-playing games. Our award-winning Quest for Glory was one of Sierra's most successful game series. Corey's Castle of Dr. Brain puzzle adventure game was another top-selling, critically-acclaimed game that spawned a successful series.
- Game Designers: Lori and Corey Cole, creators of Quest for Glory, Castle of Dr. Brain, Shannara, Mixed-Up Fairy Tales, and Tower of Indomitable Circumstance.
- Programming: Andrew Goulding and the Brawsome team, developers of Jolly Rover, MacGuffin's Curse, and many other games.
- Art and Animation: Eriq Chang and Eric Varnes (Fable Foundry Creative Studio), Paul Bowers, and John Paul Selwood.
- Music and Sound Design: Ryan Grogan, composer of music for film, animation, and games including MacGuffin's Curse.
- Marketing Maven and assistant combat designer: Michael Cole
- YOU! Your support makes this game possible, and your feedback on the Hero-U forums will help us shape and perfect the game.
The Kickstarter revolution has changed all that. Now you, the players, help decide which games get made and which go back to the drawing board. We are very excited about our plans for Hero-U and think you should be too. This game will be the spiritual successor to our Quest for Glory series.
We have a file drawer full of great game proposals that we couldn't convince traditional publishers to support. In one case, the publisher decided instead to design their own game. Millions of dollars later, they created a dismal failure that sold under 1,000 copies. Alas, we didn't get a chance to tell them, "We told you so!" They were out of business after that.
We think you're a lot smarter than most of those publishers. You know the kind of game experiences you want to have – Ones in which substance rules over form. You want well-designed game play that rewards thinking, with an immersive story, meaningful character development, and intelligent puzzles. Killing monsters is fun too, but it all needs to be part of the story.
You can help make Hero-U become a reality. If enough people support our Kickstarter project, we will be able to bring a new type of game to market. But if too many people choose to wait and see what our game looks like, we may never have the opportunity to make it at all. Your support here is important!
We know that you are taking a leap of faith by supporting our new game, and we want to assure you that we will use the money wisely. Our goal is the minimum budget with which we can make a high-quality game. Here's our breakdown based on reaching our minimum goal:
- 65% - Art, programming, music, and design of the game
- 10% - Kickstarter and Amazon Payments fees
- 10% - Reward Premiums and Shipping Costs
- 5% - Repayment of pre-Kickstarter loans and expenses
- 10% - Marketing and Project Overhead
If your generosity helps this project exceed its minimum goal, it is likely that a higher percentage (possibly as much as 20%) of the funding will go into reward premiums, but most of your support will go directly into the game. We will add features such as voice acting, and we will add more content including additional art, music, locations, story, and dialogue.
Kicking It Forward
We support the "Kick It Forward" program. Brian Fargo of InXile, developers of the Kickstarter-funded Wasteland 2 project, started this initiative to ensure the future of gaming on Kickstarter. We wholeheartedly support this initiative, and believe it is the responsibility of successfully-funded games to Kick It Forward.
Your contributions to our campaign will not be used to fund other games. When we complete and ship the game, we will regularly take 5% of the net revenues from game sales and commit them to other Kickstarter projects. Lori and I intend to pick projects that we believe promote heroism and value characters and story over violence and twitch action.
You can learn more about Kicking It Forward and other participating projects at http://kickingitforward.org/.
Friend ($5): Thank you for your support! Your name will be added to the Hero list on www.hero-u.net/leadersroll.php, a small first step towards immortality. Access to project updates.
Freshman ($20): You will receive a DRM-free digital game download, access to discussion forums to help us improve the game, and your name will appear on the Hero list.
Sophomore ($35): Digital Reward 2: Receive everything from the Freshman level, the downloadable Hero-U Soundtrack, and the gorgeous Hero-U Art Book in PDF form. The art book contains production sketches, final art, and insider commentary on the making of Hero-U: Rogue to Redemption.
Junior ($50): Get a head start on your education by playing one of the development team's previous award-winning games. You will receive all of the Sophomore class benefits plus a digital key to your choice of MacGuffin's Curse, Jolly Rover, or the complete five-game Quest for Glory collection.
Beta Tau Initiate ($65): All-Digital reward. Everything in the Junior package, including your choice of one game key. PLUS you get early access to the Hero-U Beta and Combat-Balancing tests. Help us shape and tune the game the way YOU want it!
Senior ($75): Get physical with a high-quality boxed copy of Hero-U: Rogue to Redemption containing the game on DVD and a printed game manual. You will also receive all of the Sophomore benefits (including an additional digital copy of the game). While you wait for your box, enjoy a preview with early access to our Beta and Combat Balancing Tests. All Seniors may add any of the Junior-level previous games at $15 each.
Big Man On Campus ($100): (Super Digital Rewards) You're special, and everyone should know it. Your name (or your favorite character's name) will appear in the in-game DIGITAL YEARBOOK along with a brief statement of your/their accomplishments. We will also email you the Secret Thieves' Guild Password. (Other players will need to discover this in the game.) You will also receive everything from the Sophomore level as well as early access to our Beta and Combat Balance tests. (NOTE: This tier does not include any physical rewards. It's highly International-Supporter-friendly.)
Frat Rat ($125): New Halloween Special Reward! You love Meeps, and that's why you will get your very own Toy Meep along with your boxed copy of Hero-U: Rogue to Redemption. That's on top of all of the Senior-level physical and digital rewards and eligibility for add-ons. You will also receive your own entry in the in-game DIGITAL YEARBOOK.
Graduate Edition ($150): Unique Kickstarter-Graduate-only Collector's Edition Box containing the game DVD, manual, a Music Soundtrack CD, your own Varsity Letter, Hero-U button, and everything in the Big Man On Campus digital reward tier including your very own entry in the in-game DIGITAL YEARBOOK.
Exchange Student($175): NEW! The ultimate all-digital package, perfect for international backers. You will start with everything in the Big Man on Campus edition. Then you will have the chance to follow the development of Hero-U with insider access to developer discussions and Alpha tests. To give you more insight into our games, you will receive digital keys to ALL EIGHT of our currently available previous games (Quest for Glory 1: So You Want to Be a Hero EGA and VGA versions, Quest for Glory 2: Trial by Fire, Quest for Glory 3: Wages of War, Quest for Glory 4: Shadows of Darkness, Quest for Glory 5: Dragon Fire, MacGuffin's Curse, AND Jolly Rover). NOTE: The previous game keys are part of this tier only; we are not adding them to the higher physical tiers.
Research Assistant ($200): You're practically a team member, so you will receive a very-limited-edition Team Meep Hat plus insider access to developer discussions and Alpha tests. You will also receive everything in the Graduate Edition, and your chosen picture (subject to team approval) will appear in the in-game digital yearbook.
Alumnus ($250): As a proud Hero-U Alumnus, your chosen name, preferred photo (or other image of your choice, subject to team approval) will appear in the Very Limited Edition physical Hero-U Yearbook. Of course, alumni like to collect signatures from their University friends, so Lori and Corey Cole will autograph your yearbook and Graduate Edition premium game box. You will also receive Research Assistant privileges and a Team Meep hat.
Master Rogue ($500): The rewards of your advanced education include a limited-edition art print of the school on Canvas, everything in the Alumnus package including the autographed premium game box and autographed yearbook. You will also receive a Limited Edition Kickstarter Superfan T-Shirt, and digital keys to ALL SEVEN previous games – the five-game Quest for Glory Collection, MacGuffin's Curse, and Jolly Rover.
DFA (Doctor of Fine Arts)
DFA (Doctor of Fine Arts) ($1,050): You will be featured on an in-game painting. When players click on it, they will see your chosen name, image (this could be you, a favorite character, pet, or other approved image, converted by our artists to look like other in-game portraits), and humorous description. You also receive all of the benefits of a Master Rogue, You will have a listing including your chosen image in the yearbook, and of course will receive an autographed copy of the physical edition. We will send you a canvas art print of your in-game "portrait" in addition to the school art print, and you will be one of the proud few to complete a graduate school education at Hero-U. We'll also provide you with the secret location and key to the Faculty Lounge. (Other players will be able to break in later in the game.)
Monster Lair ($2,500, limited to 10 backers): You are so diabolical, you are the master of a dungeon den. We will collaborate with you on designing your own custom monster lair, likely including a sculpted image of yourself or a friend. Your lair, complete with the monsters and traps you select, will be placed somewhere in the catacombs. You will also receive all benefits of the PhD reward tier. Free shipping worldwide!
High-Roller ($5,000): You're a serious role-player, or just really want to support our game at a high level. In addition to all of the PhD-level rewards, Corey and/or Lori will run a D&D game for you and friends at a convention anywhere in North America. Or add $1,000 for our additional travel expenses, and we'll join you anywhere in the world. Does not include the Benefactor reward – The school doesn't have enough wings. Instead, you'll have a large statue in the main wing celebrating your or your hero's accomplishments.
Philanthropist (reduced to $7,500!): You really care! And we care about you too! Spend a day visiting Yosemite Park and touring famous Sierra landmarks such as the Talking Bear in Oakhurst with Lori and Corey Cole. We'll share a nice meal (or two) and discuss game design or anything else you want. You'll also receive all the rewards of the PhD level and we'll find a prominent place in-game to thank you for your awesome support. We will cover a one-night hotel stay, but you are responsible for transportation to and from Oakhurst, California.
Risks and challenges
"We choose to go...not because [it is] easy, but because [it is] hard, because that goal will serve to measure and organize the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win." - John F. Kennedy establishing the Apollo space program
Creating a new computer game is hard. Making one up to our standards is harder. Hero-U will require an intensive development schedule that includes game design, writing, programming, creating art, creating music and sound effects, and constant quality assurance. But it's not rocket science.
Fortunately, our team is up to the task. We have created multiple best-selling, award-winning games with budgets ranging from $250,000 to over $4,000,000. In particular, our team members led the development of six acclaimed projects - all comparable in budget to this Kickstarter project - that shipped on time and under budget. We know exactly what we can and can't accomplish at various budget levels and schedules.
I have budgeted out the entire game development with contingencies depending on the amount we raise. As long as we reach our Kickstarter goal, we have a specific plan for making the game - a budget for art, for programming, etc. Most of use are working at "cost-of-living" rates so that we will be sure to finish the game.
We don't just believe we can make this game, and make it great. We know we can! With your support and feedback during development, we will show the world that there is a place for well-written, well-crafted role-playing adventure games. More importantly, we will deliver to you a quality role-playing game that measures up to our standards and yours.Learn about accountability on Kickstarter
Funding period
- (32 days)


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Everlastingparties work with you to made your events a day to remember. All our staff are professional people that have been police checked to work with children.
Gift of the Gab Children's Entertainment has been running since 2007. We entertain all over Sydney and aim to provide experiences which are fun, memorable and affordable. Our PARTY PACKAGES include Face Painting, Balloon Twisting, Magic Shows, Puppets, Games, Prizes, Bubbles, Dancing, Singing & Washable Tattoos! We are proudly run and owned by a Primary School and Early Childhood Teacher. We aim to provide experiences that enrich a child's self-esteem, confidence and well being. Not only do ... Read more we offer children exciting party entertainment but now have introduced Educational Holiday Workshops! Our popular workshops will be based in La Perouse and will run throughout school holidays! We have workshops in ART, SCIENCE, DRAMA, READING, FACE PAINTING & BALLOON TWISTING. We cater for ages 3-7 years. These exciting holiday activities will leave your children wanting to come back again and again. Our enthusiastic teachers allow children to work at their own ability and pace. These school ...
Are you looking for quality, experienced and engaging performers? Creative Fairies Entertainment creates fun, innovative entertainment programs. We are professional performers, with wings, wands, mermaid tails, at the ready. We will delight you with our colourful, stunning costumes prompt and organised presence. Creative Fairies have over 12 years of experience with Early childhood education (Bachelor of Education Early Childhood) Bachelor of Primary school Teaching, drama and NLP. We are award ... Read more winning face painters with MBAC. We will provide you with enchanting parties and everlasting memories for your child. Birthday parties, baby showers, weddings, corporate and company events, some of our talents are amazing face painters, ballooning, cartooning and fun characters and other original activities limited by only your imagination. Our characters are: • Princess Elsa Frozen • Fairy Nova • Rainbow Fairy • Fairy Astrel • Ariella The Mermaid from the Adriatic Sea • Carmela the ...
Face painting party
06-11-2014 by Rathi
Hi Barbara, I just wanted to let you know that my son and his friends thoroughly enjoyed the face painting at his party. Erica was professional and friendly. She was able to gently coax a few shy kids to get some painting too. My son didn't remove his 'tiger' face until bedtime. Thanks, Rathi
creative fairies party
11-01-2014 by kate
Dear Barbara, This is just to thank you for sending Fairy Bubbles to us for Annabel's party today. With her lovely manner and her creative party games, Fairy Bubbles made the day really special and fun for Annabel and very entertaining for Annabel's friends. Fairy Bubbles' face-painting skills are also amazing, and all the little girls ended up with beautiful cheek art and fabulous fairy nails.
Fly By Fun is Australia's most loved children's entertainment company because we're all about making people happy. Fun guaranteed. We have entertained at over 8,300 parties and events with teams of entertainers across Australia in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane and Gold Coast. Our entertainment is of the highest quality, our entertainers are trained and experienced and we are always on time.
Kirsty of 'Fairy Eyes' has been creating art on little ones faces for over 10 years. Combining exquisite designs, lots of glitter, one of a kind beautiful costumes and a wonderful caring nature, Kirsty of 'Fairy Eyes' offers a standout and memorable experience for all events. Holding public liability insurance and having completed all legislative working with childrens checks, Kirsty of 'Fairy Eyes' ensures that all clients, both private and corporate are associated with a reputable professional. Great ... Read more extras to add to your party pack . NOW OFFERING BALLOON SCULPTING AND GLITTER TATTOOS AS WELL!! Let us make your event 'flutter' with colour. Visit our website to learn more!
Mess & Learn Kingdom 15% OFF admission fee in June, July & Aug 2016 Mess and Learn Kingdom is a Arts & Fine motor skills indoor play center for kids 16 mths and up in Maroubra. No booking needed for Daily Play. Just drop in. Open 7 Days 9.30am to 5.30pm (Last Admission at 4pm) Art & Craft workshops available every school holidays. July school holiday Craft workshops available for booking now. Wondering what to do for your child's next birthday? Why not let Mess And Learn Kingdom customize ... Read more it for you or choose from our range of party packages. Party Packages start from only $180 for 8 kids (1.5 hours) on weekday. You can also add fairies, princess or superheros to host the party at a affordable price. Ever felt like you would enjoy a home party but you've never had the right facilities and materials? Mess And Learn Kingdom now has a NEW MOBILE PARTY PACKAGES. Yes, they are coming to your venue with plasters, 'ponies', crazy makeover, balloon twisting, face painting and ...
Mess And Learn Parties
Dates: from 30 Nov -1 to 30 Nov -1
Wondering what to do for your child's next birthday? Why not, let Mess And Learn Kingdom customize it for you or choose from our range of party packages. Party Packages (in the playcentre) start from only $180 for 8 kids (1.5 hours) on weekday. You can also add fairies, princess or superheros to host the party at a affordable price. New MOBILE PARTY PACKAGES have been added. Yes, we are coming to your venue with plasters, 'ponies', crazy makeover ,balloon twisting, face painting and more. FREE Snow fun or FREE Photo Fun with any party in the playcentre (priced over $350) in September and October. FREE Piñata (varies in color & design) with any Mobile Party in September and October. . Need balloon animals? Order 20 pre-made balloon animals for just $50 (*conditions apply)(collect from Maroubra)
Mess and Learn Kingdom Gift Voucher
Dates: from 30 Nov -1 to 30 Nov -1
Looking for gifts for your friends' children. We have the perfect solution to your present dilemna! Mess and Learn Gift Vouchers make an awesome present as they can be redeemed anytime within 6 months, at a time that suits the recipient! $16.95 per gift voucher (admit 1 child) To use within 6 months of issue date.
Mess and Learn Holiday Craft Workshops
Dates: from 30 Nov -1 to 30 Nov -1
Mess and Learn Kingdom is now offering school holiday workshops for children between the age of 5 and 10 years old. We hope to engage your child in daily hands-on, creative craft activities, hours of fun and laughter. These workshops allow children to make new friends and use their imagination and skills to create something special that they can take home to exhibit. Mess and Learn's Holiday Craft Workshops are now available for booking. $35 per workshop (3 Hours) per child Please brings a snack and drink. (Or order from us) Places are limited, bookings are essential! BOOK NOW – email Mess and Learn Join Mess and Learn's Facebook Group for the latest events! $35 per workshop (3 Hours) per child Please brings a snack and drink. (Or order from us) Places are limited, bookings are essential! BOOK NOW – email Mess and Learn and made payment
- Sydney CBD, NSW
- 20-30 km from Merrylands
- Business can travel to you
Unique and hilarious show... as a clown or fairy. ALL AREAS OF SYDNEY AND BLUE MOUNTAINS. Includes mad magic, silly slapstick, playful puppets and lots of audience participation. Can also include face painting and/or balloon sculpting. Has a theme of a kangaroo who has ran off with the jellybeans. Helps hold the kids attention cos they dont want to miss out on getting jellybeans from the kangaroo. Around 20 years experience. Will have you laughing heaps on the day and for years to come. Please ... Read more email me details of the suburb, possible date and approx number of kids so I can give you a quote.
With proven experience and professionalism second-to-none, FACE FICTION is the stress-free, memorable way to add fun and style to any special occasion, from small birthday parties to large corporate events throughout Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Cairns. Check out our website for more information, view our work and media appearances, or call us for a quote.
Face Paint World is an online face and body paint store. We have everything you need for face painting. Whether you want a kit for DIY face painting for your kids party or you're a professional face painter, we can supply it all. We can post orders anywhere in the world. Pick up also available
KidzLounge is an exciting, dynamic and convenient indoor venue, offering a number of services including: custom themed parties – afternoon activities –school holiday workshops – morning toddler classes - venue hire & more!
Award-winning face painting; Fun and fabulous balloon twisting; balloon centrepieces; airbrush tattoos and all-natural henna... enquiries are welcomed for all private parties and appointments, corporate and community events, retail openings and promotions. Based in North West Sydney but travels all over Sydney and surrounds for longer bookings!
We are a magic school teaching children and adults magic skills whether it be for busking or business. We also sell magic props and supplies at the school premises. All classes are small and personal for better learning, and should be booked in advance. Our children's entertainment business offers 250 different playing characters, We come to you create your our party favourites or our shows include all the following: Singing and dancing, Magic show with children & parents participant, balloon shaping, ... Read more novelty helium balloons, pass the parcel, games, face-painting, toys, and lollies for all.
Johns 8th birthday at Barbee barb magic school.
09-11-2015 by Liz
Had magic (lesson party) at the shop, for my sons birthday party, She was brilliant. Easy going and professional. Will recommend to my family & friends.
Great Services.. Highly recommend, so many variety of activities.
23-08-2013 by Kate
Great Services, highly Recommend this company and so many activities..
Magic and clowns
27-07-2012 by Kerry
Fantastic services, great show. Highly recommend this company.
Other related businesses in and around Merrylands (within 50km)
Hi :-) I'm Maria Mitchell your local face painter and I have been fortunate to have had 5 years of painting faces. My biggest joy is to see the reactions on kids faces when they see their face painted as their favourite character. I have been fortunate to be involved in face painting for many events such as kids parties on the northern beaches as well as community events including charity work. All of my paints are FDA approved and 100% safe to use on children's faces, I practice the highest ... Read more of hygiene practices and only use high quality industry standard paints such as TAG, Snazaroo and Wolf. Whether your kids party or event is at your home or at a public park, I come to you equipt with table chairs mirror and everything that I need, which means you don't have to worry about supplying anything. I am happy to answer any questions you may have about my face painting for kids parties entails. Looking forward to painting at your next party!
Very happy!
12-04-2016 by Jodie Clarke
We booked Maria for my daughters 5th birthday party. Her face painting was fantastic, all the mums where commenting on how good she was! Also very friendly, came on time and my daughter loved her! I will definitely be recommending to my friends looking for a local face painter
Thank you for today!
08-04-2016 by Carmen Attard
Hi Maria, I just wanted to thank you for your face painting at Isabellas birthday party today. The kids had a wonderful time and i got many compliments from the other mothers about how great your face painting was - I have a very happy 5 year old! Thanks
Great Face Painter - Happy
07-04-2016 by Emma S
Hi Maria, I just wanted to thank you for your amazing face painting at Bianca's birthday party this Saturday. The children had an absolute ball with all of your hula hoops as they waited to be painted. Also wanted to pass on that I received lots of comments on how amazing your face painting is! Thank you very much, Emma (Newport)
Great party -very happy
06-04-2016 by Emma
Maria was fantastic. I hired Maria to face paint for my daughters 5th birthday and it was a big hit. Thank you!
Entertainment for Anyone...Anytime...Anywhere... Servicing Camden, Picton, Bargo, Thirlmere, Spring Farm, Narellan, Narellan Vale, Mount Annan, Oran Park, Harrington Park, Smeaton Grange, Currans Hill, Gregory Hills, Emerald Hills, Macarthur region as well as Sydney to Wollongong (all other areas considered on request) We come to you. We have many options to choose from like... Jumping castles, face painting, balloonists, party hosts, ball-pits, circus entertainers and more. Call or text ... Read more us for a free quote or Message us on FB at kasperkreations Dont forget to LIKE US ON FB and have a wonderful day.
- newport, Newport, NSW 2106
- 30-40 km from Merrylands
With over 10 years of experience in entertainment and childcare both in Italy and Australia and with my passion for working with children I started PJ's face painting. I offer face painting and balloons sculptures at children's parties.
Partytopia has just what you need to make that special occasion memorable whether it be a birthday, christening, Holy Communion, Christmas party or a corporate event. We have a package to suit everyones needs. We have clowns, pirates, fairies and more. We also provide face painters and Balloon twisting for your special events Partytopia Packages At Partytopia we supply you with a professional Children's Entertainer who provides your children with 2 hours of non stop fun. We bring everything ... Read more we need for your party from music to prizes to presents. Party Package 1 - 1 children's entertainer for 2 hours - Face painting - Games and races according to ages. - Pass the parcel. - Balloon animals & Lollypops - Cutting of the cake Magical Party Package - 1 childrens entertainer for 2 hours - Face painting - Games and races according to ages. - Pass the parcel. - Balloon animals - Cutting of the cake - Plus a 20 minute magic show. We can also customise the ...
Professional face painter/ balloon twister. If you want someone who is fun, great with children and holds a WWC, police check and first aid, contact me. I can do childrens parties, special events, Halloween, Christmas parties, markets, fetes or any other occasion! I like to dress up in costume themes for parties and handmade my own bling. I have public liability insurance. I am a trained early childhood educator with 13 years in the field and I have studied the profession course at the International ... Read more Face School. I only use products which are FDA approved as safe for use on the skin. I am able to paint faces at parties, dress up in many characters and also balloon twist. I also have my own bling available for purchase. I also make my own hair feathers which are on clips so easy to remove from the hair. With me, you are getting someone who is passionate about children and face painting. Berowra/ Hornsby area. 2 weeks notice of a party or event is preferred and I always deal with cash ...

subset: commoncrawl


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Minus The Bear Merchandise
With catchy song titles like "Hey, Wanna Throw Up? Get Me Naked," "Monkey!!! Knife!!! Fight!!!," and "Lemurs, Man, Lemurs," it's hard not to be at least a little bit curious about this Seattle-based quintet. Featuring members of Botch, Kill Sadie, and Sharks Keep Moving, Minus the Bear emerged on Seattle's music scene in 2001 with the release of their six-song EP This Is What I Know About Being Gigantic. The band comprised guitarist Dave Knudson, vocalist/ guitarist Jake Snider, drummer Erin Tate, and bassist Cory Murchy. Though the band entered the studio before they ever played a show, they toured aggressively in support of the EP, then returned to the studio to record 2002's Highly Refined Pirates, their first full-length album. Both the EP and LP were released by Seattle-based Suicide Squeeze Records.
Though the song titles may lead one to believe that they're a novelty act, Minus the Bear provides polished, shrewdly arranged songs. Finger-tapped guitar riffs mixed with catchy melodies and unexpected time changes keep listeners interested and entertained. Minus the Bear issued two EPs in 2004: Bands Like It When You Yell "Yar!" at Them on Suicide Squeeze and They Make Beer Commericals Like This on Arena Rock. Their next full-length, the self-produced Menos el Oso (Spanish for Minus the Bear), appeared in August 2005; the remix album Interpretaciones del Oso followed in early 2007. The band released the full-length Planet of Ice later that year.


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Bee Prepared: How to Treat a Bee Sting
It can happen fast. One minute you're hanging out with friends at a picnic or park on a warm, spring day. The next minute a piercing scream reveals that someone has been stung by a bee. To help alleviate the panic, dermatologists from the American Academy of Dermatology say it's a good idea to know what to do - and not do - to treat a bee sting.
"The first thing to do is to get the stinger out quickly," said board-certified dermatologist Carrie Kovarik, MD, FAAD, an associate professor of dermatology, dermatopathology and infectious diseases at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. "The longer the stinger stays in the skin, the more venom it releases, adding to the person's pain and swelling."
To treat a sting from a bee, wasp or hornet, Dr. Kovarik recommends the following tips:
1. Stay calm. Although most bees usually only sting once, wasps and hornets can sting again. If you are stung, calmly walk away from the area to avoid additional attacks.
2. Remove the stinger. If the stinger remains in your skin, remove it by scraping over it with your fingernail or a piece of gauze. Never use tweezers to remove a stinger, as squeezing it can cause more venom to release into your skin.
3. Wash the sting with soap and water.
4. Apply a cold pack to reduce swelling. However, if the swelling moves to other parts of your body, such as your face or neck, go to the emergency room immediately, as you might be having an allergic reaction. Other signs of an allergic reaction include difficulty breathing, nausea, hives, or dizziness. People with a known allergy to bee stings should talk to their doctor about having an epinephrine injector available.
5. Consider taking over-the-counter pain medication. Bee, wasp, and hornet stings are painful. Painkillers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help relieve the pain. If the sting is itchy, consider taking an over-the-counter antihistamine. Always follow the directions on the label and use the correct dose.
"Although most people do not experience severe reactions to bee stings, it's a good idea to keep an eye on anyone who has been stung in case they develop more serious symptoms," said Dr. Kovarik. "If you notice any signs of an allergic reaction, or if you or someone you know has been stung multiple times - particularly if he or she is a child - seek medical attention immediately."


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Found near the very center of the Florida peninsula, Lake Wales offers a glimpse of Old Florida and a deep dive into the Florida of today and tomorrow. In Lake Wales, tower bells ring from the Historic Bok Sanctuary – a collection of gardens and frequent site of outdoor concerts. Murals enliven the historic downtown, designed by the firm of famed city planner Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. Also, don't miss the Lake Wales Art Center. The church, with its cupolas and bell towers, dates to 1927. Lake Wales: Not Out of the Way, Just Out of the Ordinary.
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- Categories
- Standards
- Publish Year
- Publisher
- Format
- Language
1 Title/current version of COBIT® books
2 The basics of COBIT® books
Originally designed for auditors to audit the IT organization,
COBIT 5 (Control Objectives for Information and Related
Technology) is about linking business goals to IT objectives (note
the linkage here from vision to mission to goals to objectives).
COBIT 5 (launched April 2012) provides metrics and maturity
models to measure whether or not the IT organization has
achieved its objectives. Additionally, COBIT identifies the
associated responsibilities of the business process owners as well
as those of the IT process owners.
3 Summary of COBIT® books
COBIT is owned and supported by ISACA. It was released in
1996; the current Version 5.0 (April 2012) brings together COBIT
4.1, Val IT 2.0 and Risk IT frameworks.
The COBIT 5 principles and enablers are generic and useful for
enterprises of all sizes, whether commercial, not-for -profit or in
the public sector (Figures 1 and 2).
The process reference model defines and describes in detail a number of
governance, and management processes. It represents all the processes
normally found in an organization relating to IT activities, thus providing a
common reference model understandable to operational IT, and business
managers, and their auditors/advisors. The process reference model
divides the processes of organization IT into two domains: governance and
COBIT 5 provides a set of 36 governance and management processes within
the framework.
The governance domain contains five governance processes; within each
process, evaluate, direct, and monitor practices are defined.
• EDM1: set and maintain the governance framework
• EDM2: ensure value optimisation
• EDM3: ensure risk optimisation
• EDM4: ensure resource optimisation
• EDM5: ensure stakeholder transparency
The four management domains, in line with the responsibility areas of plan,
build, run, and monitor (PBRM) provide end-to-end coverage of IT.
• Align, plan, and organize
• Build, acquire, and implement
• Deliver, service, and support
• Monitor, evaluate, and assess
A casual look at the four management domains of COBIT 5 rapidly illustrates
its direct relationship with ITIL.
• The align, plan, and organize domain relates to the service strategy and
design phases
• The build, acquire, and implement domain relates to the service transition
• The deliver, service, and support domain relates to the service operation
• And finally, the monitor, evaluate, and assess domain relates to the
continual service improvement phase
All aspects of COBIT 5 are in line with the responsibility areas of plan, build,
run and monitor. In other words, COBIT 5 follows the PDCA cycle of Plan, Do,
Check, and Act. COBIT has been positioned at a high level, and has
been aligned and harmonized with other, more detailed, IT standards and
proven practices such as COSO, ITIL, ISO 27000, CMMI, TOGAF and PMBOK
Guide. COBIT 5 acts as an integrator of these different guidance materials
summarising key objectives under one umbrella framework that links the
proven practice models with governance and business requirements.
4 Target audience of COBIT® Books
Senior business management, senior IT management and auditors.
5 Scope and constraints of COBIT® books
COBIT provides an 'umbrella' framework for IT governance
across the whole of an organization. It is mapped to other
frameworks and standards to ensure its completeness of coverage
of the IT management lifecycle and support its use in enterprises
using multiple IT-related frameworks and standards.
Some strong points are:
• Value creation through effective governance, management
enterprise information and technology (IT) assets
• Business user satisfaction with IT engagement and services by
enabling business objectives
• Compliance with relevant laws, regulations and policies
• Treating COBIT as a prescriptive standard when it should be
interpreted as a generic framework to manage IT processes
and internal controls. Key themes from COBIT must be
tailored to the specifi c governance needs of the organization
• Lack of commitment from top management – without their
leadership and support, the IT control framework will suffer
and business alignment of IT risks will not happen
• Underestimating the cultural change – COBIT is not just
about the technical aspects of IT. The organization needs to
have a good understanding of the governance controls for the
IT risks
6 Relevant website of COBIT® Books


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You can also email us your enquiries. We aim to respond to enquiries within 24 hours (excl. weekends). We work hard to make our website perfect, so we always appreciate notifications of broken links etc.


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An "Earl Clark" model three finger glove sold for $460. Wouldn't be surprised if this one is a first one found with this endorser. Possibly made by Goldsmith for the Knights of Columbus. There is a light "K-C" logo in the pocket. Glove looks like it had only light use.
A Dubow/Marathon "Joe Cronin" model glove sold for $108. It's a companion glove to the popular "Johnny Mostil" version with the patent reinforced finger seams.


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If you are looking for a great place to grab a bite to eat, complete with warm atmosphere and eco-conscious practices, look no further than Uncommon Ground, with it's two Chicago locations: 1401 W. Devon Avenue (Edgewater) and 3800 N. Clark St. (Lakeview). In fact, the Edgewater location, the newer of the two locations, was named the "Greenest Restaurant in America" this past December.
Last month Chicago Splash Magazine journalists had the chance to speak with co-owner Helen Cameron about the restaurant. She and her husband, Michael, founded Uncommon Ground in 1991. Read on to find out what she has to say about her experience integrating eco-friendly practices into her business, what others can do if they wish to become more eco-conscious in their business, and much more.
Chicago Splash Magazine (CS): It's popularly believed that it is difficult for businesses to be both environmentally and socially responsible and still remain profitable. Yet, you still seem to have managed this well for the 20 plus years you've been in business in Chicago. What is your take on this? What has your experience been and what is the reality?
Helen Cameron (HC): People's idea is that to go green you have to spend a lot of money, but that's really counterintuitive, because it is really about conservation. You're trying not to waste energy, you're trying not to create garbage, you're trying to find ways to reuse and recycle. It should, by definition, be more economical.
CS: I think you were able to essentially go against the tide when you started.
HC: We've always have that sort of uncommon attitude about things. We don't really run our business based on the sort of conventional wisdom of how to run a restaurant. Our original location is off of the main street, well hidden. We started really small. We don't have an advertising budget. But, we've always focused on community, building it and supporting it, in our business process. We've always had live entertainment and we show art. We bring those communities in. We support them, we give them a place to thrive, and they return the favor. I've always been committed to good food. I came from a background where we grew our own food in our city lot, on the west side of Chicago. I learned to garden with my mom, my dad and my grandma. I just have such fond memories taking care of the plants, nurturing them, and being able to eat the goodies. That was like candy to me. That was one of my favorite things, just eating really good, fresh food that just at the peak of ripeness and nutrition and flavor. It gave me lots of great memories. I became a chef, making things from scratch.
CS: Where did you start?
HC: Well, I was our chef for the first 15 years. Before that I was running a hotel. The last job I had, before opening Uncommon Ground, I was the Executive Chef at the Richmont Hotel on Ontario and St. Clair and my husband was the Food and Beverage Director, so we had good experience working together at that point, and creating a successful business. After a couple of years of doing that, dedicating almost every hour of wakefulness to that job -- we were working like hundred hour weeks. It's a long day. We were open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and you have room service. It starts super early in the morning and ends super late at night.
CS: It sounds like a lot of work.
HC: Yeah, it's a crazy life. I enjoyed it. That experience is what got me to the place of being able to have the confidence at 28 years old to open my own business. It was originally just my husband and I -- just the two of us working here, but as things grew, and as we got more regulars, it got busier and we hired more people. We expanded and then grew again for a while, and expanded again and then grew again for a while. Then we opened another restaurant. It's just always been a sort of slow and steady evolutionary process, always folding in the ideas of reduce, reuse, recycle. I mean I grew up -- my dad would say to me "Turn the lights off!," "Shut the door!," that kind of thing. As we progressed, I was always instilling into my process -- trying to buy from local businesses, keeping my money in my local economy. We were originally buying our coffee from a really great company in Minnesota, but then I realized, why are we getting all of this stuff from Minnesota when there are perfectly good coffee companies in Chicago? Now we work with two, Intelligentsia and Metropolis. Metropolis supplies this restaurant. Coffee is a commodity we can't grow in the U.S., there's still a shipping scenario going on, but when I have to buy in that way, if I can't get something locally, then I do my best to buy the most sustainable product that I can. All of the coffee we buy is organic and it is very high quality. When you start looking at what you're doing, and you consider the carbon footprint, buying anything that we can as close to home as we can is the best thing to do.
CS: It seems that back when you started, there weren't nearly as many businesses that incorporated these sorts of eco-conscious practices or principles, that bought locally produced products whenever possible.
HC: Yeah, there's been a revolution, and what really drove that for us was -- I mean, I worked all the time. it's not like I have the capacity to run out to the country to try to find the farmers supplying my local goods, and the farmers market. Occasionally there would be a local farmer when they had a seasonal product, but very often they would be selling stuff from California that the farmers picked up at the main market. When the Green City Market came on the scene -- I think they're about 12 years old now -- they provided a way of meeting local farmers that were farming at a capacity where a chef could have a connection with them and say "Next week, when you come, bring me a case of this and a case of that." Now we're in a place where all my meats are coming from farmers we know, and they are farming nearby. The fish that we buy is sustainable, on the green list. The majority of my produce is either going to be local or sourced as close to home as we can. We really try to stick with U.S. only, even in the winter, unless it's something like bananas and then we'll try to buy organic bananas. We're always trying to make the best choice with our purchasing power. We're trying to focus our dollars toward the systems that are really working in accordance with our mission.
CS: I think that it's great to do that, because it really does seem to me that there's this misconception that it costs more, or that you're going to create jobs by going about things the "conventional" way. Really, if you are going to do things this way instead, you are reinvesting in the community. You are creating more jobs where you live. If everyone did that, we wouldn't have the shortage of jobs that we have, some of the problems that we do. It seems like you're creating more jobs by operating in an environmentally sustainable manner.
HC: Well, what happens is things kind of redistribute themselves. By doing what we do we're really trying to build local economies. We're trying to provide markets for local farmers that we can fully support, so that they have a livelihood. We co-exist. We help each other. They're bringing me amazing products.
CS: So it's sustainable in both ways, economically and environmentally.
HC: Right. And then my guests, of course, benefit because I'm putting food with integrity on the plate. There's a lot of food out there that, in my mind, is more related to poison than nourishment. We are very conscious of trying to eliminate anything that would not be good for you. One of the more difficult things, and one of our goals this year, is to identify where we might have GMOs in our food stream and then find ways of eliminating those items. It's difficult because the food manufacturers are not required to label whether or not you are eating something that's genetically modified, but I fully feeel as though we should have the right to know, and then we could decide whether that's something that we want to eat or not. Europe doesn't allow it, and it's interesting, because in our country we have all of these crazy allergies and health problems that you don't really see in other cultures. I fully believe that what we're eating as a nation is creating this problem... the Diabetes, the childhood obesity. Much of that is coming from High Fructose Corn Syrup. They are putting all of these additional calories that come from corn into everything, and that corn is genetically modified. What that means is that, typically, when they modify a plant, they're modifying it so that it becomes a pesticide from within, so that the bugs that like to attack it will die if they eat it. Meanwhile, we're eating that stuff. Most of what we buy is whole foods and we buy organic brands, the majority of my food stream is actually very clean, but stuff like canola oil, soybean oil, anything made with corn, any product and the myriad of corn-based ingredients that could go into something. That's the kind of thing we're starting to try to detect in our food steam and to figure out alternatives that will not contain GMOs. For instance, I could be switching -- and we're working on this right now -- my canola oil to sunflower oil. Sunflower is not a plant that's genetically modified.
CS: What about grapeseed or something like that?
HC: Grapeseed is another potential oil. But here's the thing, I try to keep my prices reasonable. I feel like the quality of my food should also be accessible. It should be reasonably priced. So I am kind of restricted as to how much money I could afford to spend for certain things, and I try not to raise my prices. The game that I'm playing now is to find that item that is going to replace whatever I don't like, and still have the quality of flavor and deliciousness and ability to work well with it, so that we get the desired results in our recipes, but to also keep my prices fairly reasonable.
CS: It's a challenge.
HC: It's a big challenge. Now my chefs -- I'm very fortunate in that both of them are committed to this idea as well, and while they are running the kitchen, I'm the one that's kind of out and about. If I see anything -- if I get any information on something that I think would work for us -- I get that to them and I let them decide, because as my chefs I feel like I need to give them that. They're the ones in charge of cooking, it's their reputation as a chef, and it needs to work with what we're doing and with the pricing.
CS: Do you have one [chef] at each [location]?
HC: I have one in each. I have Chris Spears on Devon and Justin Martin is at the Clark Street location. They also work hard in our kitchens. They educate our crew about the better food systems. We have all kinds of green stuff going on in there.
CS: I was very impressed with your oil for your cars. I thought that was pretty neat.
HC: It is, and here's another money-saver. I use my oil for my food. My friends from Loyola University come and pick up all of our used oil. They've developed a biodiesel manufacturing plant there. It started as a teaching program about bio-fuels, but now they're registered with the EPA and they can go into full-scale production. They can sell it as a fuel. The first several years they would come and get our oil, but since they weren't set up legally yet, we didn't take any bio-fuel from them. Now, for about nine months out of the year we run our Jeep on used oil, and I don't pay anything for gas. It cleans out all of the carbon, your engine runs better and cleaner. You're burning all of your fuel. There's no carbon -- it burns off. It's also the cleanest fuel to burn in that kind of a combustion system.
CS: If someone wants to create a more environmentally sustainable business themselves, is there anything you would recommend as a first step, and are there any resources available -- online or in print -- they could use to get started?
HC: Well, for restaurants, in Chicago we have the Green Chicago Restaurant Coalition.
You can go online and see what they have to say, check out the Green Restaurant Association website, or the Green Seal website, to see the listing of things that you can get points for, if you were going to certify. Even if you didn't want to spend the money to certify, lets say -- lets say that you're not in that place yet, because for many years I couldn't afford it -- but to be able to look and see the types of things that they would recommend for you to do. You can look for the list and just target the top five, perhaps. Start with something that you think is something that you can actually achieve. For instance, putting aerators on your faucets. Aerators are very inexpensive little gadgets. What they do is they make the flow of your water lessened, so you're just using less water. It's a very inexpensive solution to that. You can do that in your home. Your can do that in any business that has a sink with running water. Something that had a huge impact on us here was putting in hand dryers instead of paper towels. I realized, after I did this, that I was saving over $1000 at each restaurant on paper towels, not to mention the carbon footprint that is associated with producing the paper towels, transporting them, packaging them.
CS: Even with the recycled paper, there still are some issues.
HC: Yeah. You're still manufacturing. You're still going to be using energy and materials, and not always the best types of things for the environment. To just totally eliminate the need for something like that is amazing. It's amazing. I didn't used to like hand dryers until I realized this, and now I'm amused by that, because before if there was a hand dryer and towels, I would always use the towels. Now I won't do that, because now I know I'm hardly using any energy to dry my hands, and in the meantime I'm saving all of this paper, all of these trees, all of this stuff
that goes into the garbage. That was kind of a big one, and then just buy Energy Star equipment when you can, if you can afford it. Sometimes those items are a little bit more expensive, but then you end up saving.
CS: You end up saving when you use them.
HC: LED lightbulbs. If you take a look at what we have here, these bulbs cost more money. They cost about three times the amount, but last 20 times longer than the halogen bulbs that we had, and they use considerably less energy. When we switched, we switched at the end of a billing cycle, and I save probably $400 a month.
CS: That's substantial.
HC: And I like those better than CFLs, because there's no mercury. As bulbs burn out, we're switching now more and more to the LEDs. In our kitchens we have the fluorescent low-mercury tubes for the lighting, but here we like to use the LEDs. They finally have come in with a quality of dimmable light -- you know golden light that's warm.
CS: And they are like no-maintenance, not even low maintenance, you basically don't have to worry about them at all.
HC: But there are a lot of resources -- to kind of go back to your question again about ways to go green. Depending on where you are, what community you live in, you can look at your governing body. Typically there are going to be some tips.
CS: To me there's a huge gap between the tips and people following through, however.
HC: Well, it's changing habits. People don't like change, you have to do it in ways that -- like the restaurant industry, which is one of the biggest carbon footprint industries out there, and is wasteful beyond belief -- you know, really, we are -- but it's also hard to make ends meet in this business, because it's very low profit margin. If you consider the fact of "How do I eliminate waste?," "How do I become more efficient in my process?," that helps your business succeed. I have solar thermal panels. That saves me somewhere between $6,000 and $8,000 a year in [natural] gas. Then I'm saving $12,000 a year on paper towels. It's substantial over time. There are a few things that I end up paying a little bit more for, like some of my paper goods and cleaning supplies, some of my food items, but it's not so much more that it is substantial enough where I am spending more overall. I am still in the place of saving more overall.
CS: What is your goal of moving this on nationally? I mean you have such a fabulous example.
HC: Well, we'll see. I think something that slowly but surely developing because we don't advertise. We don't have an advertising budget, but we are very good at internal marketing, and we have many ways of getting the word out. I think the thing that's really going to help us is having become the greenest restaurant in the country. That really sets a benchmark for everybody in the restaurant industry that's interested in sustainability as part of their business model.
CS: There are other restaurants out there that claim to be eco-friendly, to have integrated environmentally sustainable practices into their businesses, and yet, upon further examination, they may really not be all that eco-friendly, or there may be nothing behind those claims. What are your feelings on that?
HC: There are many people out there claiming many things. Most disappointing to me is -- I know too much now. When you go to a place like that and you see tomatoes on the menu in winter, that's not right. That's why I was compelled to certify. I felt like I need to put my money where my mouth is. Going through that process actually helped catapult me to the next level, because I really started tuning into the other things that we could do that would elevate us to that next level. I put it into our budget. I made it our goal for the year to get an Energy Star ice machine, an Energy Star dishwasher, switch certain cleaning supplies and paper goods. It helped me to plan ways to keep getting better, to keep evolving. Doing the certification is an incredibly educational process. I'm fortunate that I was actually in a position to do that. But then you can become a member of the Green Chicago Restaurant Coalition and they'll have people to help walk you through it. To me it's like if there's a will, there's a way, and for us there's always been a will to do things better, to keep evolving.
CS: You talked a bit about your background and your husband's as well. You said that he worked in the industry as well, correct?
HC: He came from the west coast. He came from a much more restaurant management, front of the house background. So, his background also was good values, good food. We're a good team. That's priceless. I could not have a better partner. He supports me fully in all of my crazy endeavors, the roof included, because that was a crazy idea. Because the first time we climbed up there and I saw it, I was like "Oh My God. We can grow tomatoes up here!" It was fully sunny up there. It's like the most natural thing in the world, you'd think. You grow food on your roof, you bring it down to your restaurant and you use it. Well, that's all I thought about was that we'll have some good food in the restaurant. What I didn't realize is what an amazing community binder, and how much interest there is for this thing that just seems so obvious to do.
CS: Does it help much in terms of insulating the building as well?
HC: In the summer it really does provide a cooler factor on the roof, and so I don't have to chill the building as much. In the winter it is still cold, and the wind still will hit the roof.
CS: You just said that now people are finally catching on to the green roof thing, but it still doesn't seem as widespread as it ought to be.
HC: You know, I'm working on that too. With our farm plan -- so 50 percent is about production. I have a full-time farm director.
CS: Do you have the same sort of thing on the roof at your other location as well?
HC:No, it's just what's on this property and now it's extending to the other property because I have a sidewalk farm there. We bought the building at the end of 2010. 2011 was the year of rehabbing the building and bringing everything to code. It's been under construction for a long time. Now, moving forward, little by little, we are going to develop a rooftop farm over there as well. It's a bigger roof over there.
CS: Do you sell any of the produce you grow?
HC: No. Everything is used in the restaurant, including the honey.
CS: It's such a great thing. You would think that it really gets people to consider what they could do too.
HC: 50 percent is about production and figuring out how to produce more efficiently. The money that I would spend to produce is the same money that I would spend if I were buying it from someone else. If I can sort out a way, a system of doing this, where what I am producing is at or below what I would spend buying certified organic from someone else, then I have created a winning situation that any restauranteur that would have roof space would hopefully consider implementing. We're working on that. It takes time, because farming is a seasonal thing. Things don't happen overnight. It's an ongoing process. Mother Nature is involved, every year something different is going on. At Clark Street I am probably going to use a variety of rooftop farming methods, because I am trying to show what's possible. Hopefully it inspires others to do it. We give a lot of tours and talks. During the season we have a tour time every Wednesday. You can meet up with Dave. For school classes, we do special tours at a time that works for everybody. We're very committed to the education side of this idea as well. The whole thing about sustainability and going green is that people have to become aware, anything that we can do to help bring that awareness -- and then you can make up your mind as to whether you want to stop using plastic bags, or reuse a bag, or get rid of styrofoam, or whether you want to eat more organic and locally-produced foods. There are a lot of things you can do. There are a lot of choices we make everyday. If you start becoming aware, it is easier to make the change. Right now I am so happy, because I feel like there's so much momentum and potential to just keep improving. I think we're just sort of at the start of all of this, at least for the restaurant industry. I'm really hoping to inspire and spearhead more and more people getting involved. I think we're just slowly but surely sort of slipping in to that getting the word out on a grander and grander scale, because I think that as we continue to succeed it's just going to prove our point more and more. People are going to start looking at us and going "You know, maybe they have something there. Maybe we should take a look."
Interested in learning more about Uncommon Ground? Check out their website at www.uncommonground.com, or stop by their Lakeview location at 3800 N. Clark St. or their Edgewater location at 1401 W. Devon Ave.
Photo Credit: Helen and Michael Cameron, Zoran Orlic and Barbara Keer


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hey BarbiDoll...I'm in the South Bay and can help ya with your game=)
My wife and I will be back in Redondo Beach mid July and you're welcome to join us when I hit drills with her. I can bring the ball machine to groove your strokes, or we can play mixed doubles if you have a partner. We're close to Anderson Park but we can play anywhere in the RB, MB, Torrance area.
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Today's business travelers are closer to technology than ever before. However, more technology doesn't always mean more efficiency. Apart from the main objective of the trip, savvy business travelers look out for future possibilities with contacts in that area.
For them, every moment is precious and cautiously planned out. And that is when portable technology comes into picture. Here is a list of four traveler tips that can help you save enough time that you can effectively utilize to meet your trip's objective.
1) Priority Pass
The airport lounges are not just meant for business and first class travelers anymore. With a particular fee, a person can obtain a day pass, which is available from the airline and costs around $25.00. And if you are a business traveler then priority pass is highly recommended for you as it is more of a membership program that can grant you access to over 600 VIP lounges in over 100 countries. The relaxing environment of the lounges with internet and conference can let you proceed with your job without any disturbance.
2) Hotel Apps
Nowadays, many hotels and resorts have a new app for almost all smart phones and tablets. The app lets you control your stay with a mere touch on your phone. With the help of this app, you can allot preferences for all your amenities and you can also order your meal to arrive in your room at a desired time. You can take appointments for spa, parlors, arrange transportation, find the local attractions and also make housekeeping requests without having to depend on the front desk. You can customize your whole stay even before you arrive.
3) Worldmate
This is a mobile travel app, which can be of great use to frequent business travelers. This app secures and forwards your confirmation emails and is very customizable and automatically synchronized. It can be your assistant to help you with your flight bookings, hotel reservations, car rentals and also your meetings, which is also sharable with your colleagues and assistants.
4) A Trusted Traveler
This is highly recommended for all business travelers. The security check at the airport consumes most of the time and the checks performed by TSA demands a lot of your time. But, if you are a member of Global Online Enrollment System (GOES) Customs and Border Protection Trusted Traveler Program, your security check time is considerably deducted. However, this program requires an application process along with a rigorous background check, long interviews, and a heavy fee. But, once certified into the program, you no longer have to wait in the long lines at security check points.
In this age of instant information, the aforementioned apps and programs can help you save plenty of time.


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40 min by Airport Limousine bus to Tokyo Station
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Ask if incoming callers can dial '1' for voicemail to mobile.
Ask if you can get free calls equal to your connection amount.
Ask if your phone bill is 20% lower than telco rate.


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Losing in the playoffs didn't stop the New York Rangers from celebrating hard over the weekend. On Friday night, after being eliminated by the New Jersey Devils, Henrik Lundqvist, Brandon Dubinsky, Stu Bickel and Mats Zuccarello were spotted partying at 1Oak until late. The following night, Lundqvist and his group joined the rest of their teammates for dinner at Meatpacking District eatery Catch. The crew, which also included Brian Boyle, Brad Richards, Brandon Prust, Michael Del Zotto, Steve Eminger, Ryan McDonagh and Jeff Woywitka, "toasted with beers in hand" and gave each other shout-outs. But it didn't stop there. They then headed to Catch Roof for more drinks, then around the corner to club SL, where they continued partying until the early hours. "It looked as if they'd won the championship," said one witness. Another spy said, "They worked hard and deserve a beer to celebrate their achievement." Fellow clubgoers seemed to agree, with many congratulating the team on their season.
Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/beaten_rangers_live_it_up_ViPwn7OmX337FwAlu3Cw8M#ixzz1wPlbPKiR


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What's the point anyway in putting same type of diodes in series? Does this raise the clipping voltage point?
I've always thought (eg two 1n1418 diodes in series ) would clip as usual on ~0.6V and just by putting two of them on a row has some subtle effect on tone since other diode may clip a few millivolts earlier or later, but nothing more.


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March 19
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To some, it might seem obvious, but perhaps not to all, so I wax today on the subject for the sake of the still un-converted.
Chardonnay, especially Ridge Vineyards Chardonnay, pairs EXTREMELY well with the archetypal Thanksgiving (i.e. Autumnal) table. Or so I believe. Or so I know, as the case may be!
With the arrival of our 2011 Holiday Pack offerings, we technically have 4 different chardonnays available; each with their own personality, and each with their own singular array of culinary companionabilities.
I'll begin with the 2009 Mikulaco Chardonnay. Probably the lightest, highest-tone, and most approachable of the four as far as girth goes, this is actually a great wine to close out a meal with (depending on your approach to dessert!). After a meal heavy on meat, starches, root vegetables, gravy, etc.( if you go the traditional American Thanksgiving route), it can often be rather digestively redeeming to dessert with something fresher, lighter, more acidity-driven, healthy in character, but still in keeping with the opulence of the meal. I suggest poached pears! Bosc are best, and if you use ginger, vanilla beans, and chardonnay in the poaching "broth," you'll end up with an extremely delicious dessert that pairs exceptionally well with the Mikulaco.
Next, our 2009 Estate Chardonnay. While I generally refrain from quoting other's reviews, I have to say that Robert Parker's Wine Advocate got it pretty spot-on when they reviewed this wine (and awarded it 95 points!): "The 2009 Chardonnay Estate is an impeccable, classy wine layered with bright citrus, flowers and just a touch of sweetness from the oak. Crushed rocks and lime peel add complexity on the textured, long finish." I read that, and I'm immediately thinking pie. So again, another great dessert pairing, particularly if you want to go slightly unorthodox; how's about rockin' a Key Lime Pie! The florality matches wonderfully with the bright sweetness of the sugared lime, the oak toast works perfectly with the graham cracker crust, and the citrus-driven acidity is a great cut against the whipped cream. But that's not the only option for this wine, it's also a great pairing option for either a pre-meal "buffet" (bread & crackers, hummus (i.e. Haig's!), dips, spreads, tapenades, etc.), or the earlier part of "the big meal"; think potatoes in all forms, beets, cranberry sauce, stuffing as a side, and gravy, glorious gravy!
And speaking of gravy, here's a killer way to not only liven up your gravy, but link it to the wine. In a skillet, pour a good dose of olive oil, and before you turn on the heat, dice/chop in as many cloves worth of garlic as you can stand. Then, on with the heat. (By allowing the garlic and the oil to heat together, you get a much more intense infusion of garlic flavor into the oil). While you wait for the garlic and oil to get going, dice and slice a small box worth of baby bella mushrooms. When ready, toss these into the skillet, then pour in a big splash of chardonnay. Then, after you've finished drinking, pour in a big splash into the skillet as well! Now, here's the trick, in order to get the mushrooms to release their juice, put the lid on, and keep the heat steady. Then, once the mushrooms have softened and released, take the lid off, up the heat slightly, and let the juice cook down. Next, you'll need your savoriness; drippin's if you're a meat-eater, tamari or soy sauce if vegetarian. Then, your herbs, primarily sage, sage, and sage. As this starts to cook down even more, keep adding chardonnay. When you're ready, toss your flour/grain of choice, and thicken up! Perfect over potatoes, with chardonnay in the glass!
Now, how's about the Jimsomare Chardonnay? It's warm, round, and full, just like you'll be feeling by the time you get to the turkey! Seriously though, this is a good pair for poultry, particularly the iron-rich dark meat. So grab a leg, and grab a Jimsomare! That said, if you really want to rock something special, go for ribs, and do them South Carolina style, with the spicy mustard-based sauce. This is an INCREDIBLE pairing with the Jimsomare Chardonnay, balletic in its perfection, without being overtly pretty. This is a get your fingers dirty and drink straight from the bottle kind of culinary heaven, and if you've got guests coming, encourage them to let their hair down and dig in! And, for a unique little twist, substitute horseradish mustard for the more traditional yellow, and let the spices and fruit go to work on your palate. That'll give everyone something to be thankful for!
Now, lastly, the Monte Bello Chardonnay. This is for big kids. This is the real deal. This is just about one of the very best pairing wines for a traditional Thanksgiving-style meal that I've ever come across. It's got weight, so it will stand up to anything you want to serve. Terducken? Bring it. And it's got acidity, so it will cut through any fat you put in front of it. This will handle BIG gravy. And it's got minerality, so it will work with any grain you get going (though it's OH SO PARTICULARLY GOOD WITH CORN BREAD!), and it's got some sweetness, so go ahead and get a bit spicy if you want to. And most of all, it's got fruit, so serve it with appetizers, serve it with entrees, serve it with dessert; you're good to go wherever you place it. Did I mention dessert? The Monte Bello Chardonnay and Pumpkin Pie? Perfection, though watch out how much of that pumpkin pie spice you lay on; too much cinnamon and nutmeg can throw the whole thing a bit off kilter.
In the end, I heartily recommend including chardonnay at your holiday table. Ridge Vineyards has four choices, and one of them is going to be just right for you. Me, I'm bringing all four!
P.S. If I've done any kind of good job of convincing you, then head to our Facebook page and vote for Chardonnay! Just click here.
Categories: Chardonnay, Food & Wine Pairing


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On hiatus
Thanks for your interest in my blog. I've placed it on hiatus while I clerk for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit.
In the meantime, I am a candidate for the Indiana University Board of Trustees, and you can visit my web site. Thanks.
Steve Sanders


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In response, Tom Pauken, the former chairman of the Texas Workforce Commission and Republican candidate for governor, issued the following statement:
"If the inference here is that the TxDOT commission would shift the financial burdens for SH-130 to people who commute daily to Austin to pay for the tolling failures of SH-130, this is yet another example of how our state government is using crony capitalism to bail out private enterprises.
"It is curious that this proposal follows on the heels of reports last month that the private owners of SH-130 may not be able to make debt payments in 2014 because actual traffic is well below their initial estimates.
"As governor, I would oppose this initiative and all toll-roads that privatize profits and socialize risks onto the backs of Texas taxpayers."


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