text:
'Back Seat'
EVER SINCE we left Yeşilköy, Baba and Murat have been bickering.
'Why complicate things?' Baba asks. 'We want to travel west to east and here's a road that goes west to east.'
'But the other road's better,' Murat says, 'we'll get there quicker.' Baba takes his eyes off the road and jabs at the map, which is spread over the dashboard, half-covering the steering wheel. 'Look… we're here and we want to go there.' He traces the brown line along the coast, almost to the Syrian border. 'We just have to keep driving.'
Murat sighs. 'But look at the map key: your road's a "panoramic route". Mine's a proper highway.'
'But we're already on my road.'
I fold my jacket into a pillow and lie down. My road, your road… they're as obstinate as each other. Like father, like son.
After the cramped bus journey from Izmir, it's good to stretch out on the back seat of Baba's Mercedes and watch the treetops pass in a blur against a clear, cloudless sky. It was raining when I left the city last night and the first pinch of autumn was in the air, but it still feels like summer here in the south. I didn't really want to come, but Rifat persuaded me, reminding me I hadn't seen my family for six months. Besides, he said, Baba and Murat can hardly turn up alone on the doorstep of a widow and her young daughter. Rifat even offered to drive me down, but I knew he had a full schedule the next day and we had tickets for the opera that night, so I said I'd take the night bus so he could get some sleep.
Murat couldn't stop laughing when I mentioned the opera. 'Your poor husband,' he said. 'The things you make him do…'
He's not laughing now, though. Now he's silently seething, because he didn't get his own way about the road. Baba is stroking my face. 'Kızım, wake up.'
I sit up and look around. 'Where are we?'
'Why have we stopped so soon?'
'Murat was hungry.'
And then I notice the sign outside the café: İşkembe Salonu. 'I suppose this was his idea.'
'Would you prefer something else?' Baba asks.
Obviously, I would prefer anything else, but I won't play Murat's game. 'This'll be fine,' I say, following him up the path to the café.
The stink of cheap cigarettes, grease and boiling offal hits me as soon as Baba pushes the door open. Murat is already sitting at a paper-covered table alongside a group of men in overalls – builders perhaps – a waiter hovering at his side.
My brother watches my face as he orders the house special. 'Three bowls of tripe soup.'
'Two will be enough,' I tell the waiter. 'I'll just have a glass of ayran.'
'Not hungry?' Baba asks.
'Not especially.'
'Your mother made excellent tripe soup,' Baba says, when the food arrives. 'Do you remember?'
Murat dips a hunk of bread into the lumpy grey-brown liquid. 'I think Ebru has more refined tastes now.'
'Stop it,' Baba orders. 'Both of you.'
We've barely left Fethiye when we get stuck behind an overladen truck with mattresses piled high in its open back and lashed to its sides. One of them is adrift, slipping slowly from its ropes.
'Overtake,' Murat says.
Baba glares at him. He's tried more than once, edging his way slowly alongside the truck only to be faced with another vehicle careering towards us.
'Just put your foot down.'
'Why don't you keep quiet?' I say. 'You can't see anything from where you're sitting.'
It's not until we descend the hill that the road widens and Baba can accelerate past.
'Allah şukur,' Murat says, 'twenty minutes you were stuck behind that truck.'
'And what of it?' Baba says.
Murat sighs, but the tension in the car has decreased now the obstruction is behind us. He rummages through the glove box and pulls out a Sezen Aksu cassette – an early album, old and familiar – and soon, despite ourselves, we are singing along. When he was a boy, I wonder if Baba ever dreamed that one day he'd have an air-conditioned Mercedes. No-one had a car then, not in Yeşilköy, where even the Mukhtar undertook his official duties on a moped. I remember Baba's first vehicle: a green tractor, bought from Hikmet Bey's widow when I was nine years old. Sometimes, if he was driving out to his sesame fields, he'd give me a ride to school, picking up one or two other children on the way. I remember the mixture of pride and fear I felt, gripping the sides of the trailer while the massive wheels threw up clods of earth.
It's hard to believe there were once sesame fields where Baba's hotel stands, or that cotton grew on the land where he built his villas. Whenever I go back, there's something different, something that didn't exist the year before. It saddens me, but Baba doesn't see it like that. He says the memory of children with no shoes on their feet and people half-starving because floods washed away their crops are what make him sad, not a few new buildings.
Sometimes I contemplate how different my life would have been if I'd grown up as a farmer's daughter. It's a game I play with myself. What if Baba hadn't got rich, what if I'd never gone to university, what if I hadn't married Rifat? What if, what if?
What if I hadn't overheard Rifat's auntie at our wedding? She was in the cloakroom, talking to her sister-in-law, unaware that I was in one of the cubicles trying to untangle the silk and tulle layers of my dress.
'Such a pity,' Auntie Dilek said. 'He's much too good for her.' 'Still, you can't accuse her of gold-digging. Money practically oozes from her father's pores.'
'Oh, yes,' she sniggered, 'the father... That ginger-coloured suit.' 'The white shoes!'
I heard the door close behind them, their voices tailing off. It was weeks before I could bring myself to tell Rifat what I'd overheard.
'Forget it,' he advised. 'Who cares what they think?'
He's right. I should just forget about it. But I can't.
We pass a road sign. One hundred and thirty kilometres to Antalya, where Baba plans to stop for lunch... two hours if we don't get stuck behind another truck.
I dream that my mother and I are making soup in my kitchen in Izmir. Not tripe soup, but ezo gelin. We're laughing as we chop tomatoes and mint, but something's bothering me, some physical discomfort. I'm standing too near the stove and it's burning my arm and face. I step back, but the heat follows me. I wake to discover my cheek being roasted by the sun, its intensity magnified by the glass in the car window. I try to retrieve my dream – to see what we were laughing about – but it's gone. The car is stationary, the air conditioning off, the seat sticky with the heat of my body. I uncurl myself, slide over to the door and step out.
Murat is leaning against the car bonnet, smoking. 'You were fast asleep,' he says. 'We didn't want to wake you.'
'Where's Baba?'
He points into the distance.
'Up there.'
I can just about see him, half-hidden in the shadow of a tree.
'Where are we?' I ask.
'Almost at Kemer.'
I cross the road to look at the view. Murat follows me and together we stare down at the thick forest of pines clinging to the slopes, the turquoise sea dotted with small brown islands.
'So,' Murat says, 'how's city life?'
'It's great.'
'And how's work?' There's a slight sneer in his voice.
'It's good. You should try it.'
'At least I earn my own money.'
'Are you suggesting I don't?'
'You think Baba would employ you if you weren't his son? You don't get out of bed until lunchtime. You think he'd pay anyone else all that money to do what you do?'
'I'm one of the main attractions. Why do you imagine those pallid English women and red-faced Fraus come back every year?' He smiles at me, displaying his straight teeth, green eyes and long eyelashes.
'And that's enough for you? You don't want more out of life?'
He shrugs. 'It'll do for now.'
Baba is making his way slowly back down the hill.
'So,' I say to Murat, 'what's the deal with this trip? Why are we traipsing halfway across the country to visit Ali's widow?'
'Duty, I suppose. Duty and guilt. I think Baba regrets the way their friendship lapsed over the years; perhaps it's his way of making amends. Besides, there are no male relatives; who else will look out for her?'
'Ali was young, wasn't he?'
'What exactly happened? How did he die?'
Murat lets out an exasperated sigh. 'What is he doing?'
Baba is marching towards us, lifting his knees high and swinging his arms. 'You should stretch your legs,' he shouts, 'take some exercise while you have the chance.'
In Antalya we find a fish restaurant in the old harbour. Baba complains about the slow service, but seems reluctant to leave, drawing out the meal with ice creams and coffees, until Murat grows bored and insists we get back on the road. We continue our journey, clinging to the coast road, passing one resort after another.
Baba tells us he came down this way after finishing his military service in nineteen seventy-two. 'There was nothing here then,' he says. 'Nothing at all.'
And then his eye is caught by an enormous billboard advertising a casino. 'You think we'll ever have a casino in Yeşilköy?' he asks, before lapsing into a long silence which is probably being filled with speculation about possible sites and the viability of such a venture.
As the sun fades, Baba pulls over and tells Murat to drive.
'I can take over when you've had enough,' I say to Murat.
'I'll be rested by then,' Baba says.
'I am capable you know.'
'I daresay.'
Night is approaching by the time we reach Anamur and stop for dinner – a simple meal of lahmacun, salad and fruit. Afterwards, Murat climbs into the back to get some sleep and Baba takes the wheel. He drives even more slowly than before, leaning forward, his face almost touching the windscreen, the steering wheel almost grazing his chin. He stares into the darkness with intense concentration and I keep watch with him, not speaking in case I distract him.
It's not until dawn breaks over Mersin that he finally relaxes, leans back in his seat and says, 'Nearly there.' We arrive in Belen just before nine. Baba swings off the road, parking the car on the forecourt of a tea-kiosk tucked below an overhang of rock.
'Aren't we going straight there?' I ask.
'No,' he says. 'I thought we'd have tea and simit first.'
Belen tumbles below us, ramshackle shops lining the edges of its main street, minarets spiking the townscape. We decline the owner's invitation to sit in the cramped, steamy interior, explaining how far we've come, how long we've been cooped up.
While Murat paces about, smoking a cigarette and trying to get a signal on his phone, I sip tea and watch my warm breath merge with the mist that curls down the slopes of the Nur Mountains. Baba chats with the owner. He's collecting facts, starting – as usual – by asking what crops grow locally, and then enquiring about the size of the population and the town's altitude.
'Maşallah!' he says, looking impressed. 'Five hundred metres! No wonder your air is so pure!'
The tea-house owner looks flattered.
'Marvellous,' says Baba, placing a hand on his diaphragm and breathing in deeply. 'Marvellous!'
'So,' I say, after the owner returns to his kiosk, 'why did Ayşe and Yasemin move so far from home?'
'There's a distant aunt here, I believe, and Ayşe wishes to be close to family.'
'Wouldn't they have been better off staying somewhere familiar? I know things won't be easy without Ali, but they still have the olive grove and Yasemin might've found work in Yeşilköy in the summer.'
'It's not that simple…'
'Couldn't you have given her a job?'
Baba's hand shakes slightly as he brings the tea glass up to his mouth. He sees me looking, puts the glass down and thrusts his hands into his pockets.
'Listen, kızım, it's not just financial circumstances that brought them here; if that was the case, I could have helped. They had to leave.'
'Had to?'
'It was the disgrace. Ali's death… well, it was suicide.'
'Suicide?' I turn to Murat, who has just re-joined us. 'Did you know about this?' He stands there, dragging the toe of his trainer from side to side, making an arc in the dirt, not answering.
'Why didn't either of you tell me?'
'I didn't want to give you bad news on the phone,' says Baba.
'We've been in the car for twenty-six hours! Couldn't you find an opportunity then? Is there anything else I should know before we get to their house?'
Baba looks down the hill towards the quiet little town. 'Such an insignificant-looking place,' he says. 'It's hard to believe it's been the main route from Syria for centuries, isn't it? The tea-seller told me that; he said it was crucial to the defence of the Ottoman Empire. Can you imagine how many tens of thousands of lives have been lost defending this pass…'
'Just tell her,' Murat says.
Baba takes my arm and walks me away from the kiosk, as if he doesn't want the owner to overhear. 'There is something else. It's about Yasemin. She's… well, she was injured.'
'Crippled. Ali lost his temper, you see.'
'What do you mean?'
'Yasemin got married five or six months ago. The groom was an older man – forty-five, perhaps fifty – a widower from Köyceğız: rather wealthy by their standards. He owned some land over by Güzelpinar which he'd offered to Ali. Good land. Perfect for cotton. Things hadn't been going so well for Ali…'
'So why is she here? Why isn't she with this new husband of hers?'
'Because… something happened. Yasemin brought dishonour to the family.'
Murat takes up the story. 'The groom returned her the day after the wedding – chucked her off his truck like garbage. All the neighbours saw it. Ali lost his temper with her… got carried away.'
'They sent a boy to fetch me,' Baba says. 'It was clear Yasemin was beyond the help of the clinic, so I drove her up to Muğla, to the hospital. It was almost night by the time I got back. Ali was completely drunk by then. Mustafa Bey said he'd been drinking rakı since morning, raging about shame and dishonour. He was down near the jetty, waving his gun around, threatening anyone who came near. I tried to approach him, but suddenly – with no warning at all – he turned his weapon on himself.' Baba's face is ashen.
'Poor Ali,' Murat shakes his head. 'He was a good man.'
'Poor Ali?' I say. 'What about Yasemin? What about Ayşe?'
Baba wipes his nose with the back of his hand. 'Ali did what he thought was right. Things were bad enough for him already. How could he let Yasemin back into his family with the neighbours laughing at him?' 'They doubted her virginity?'
Baba flinches. 'The groom said no blood was shed. It made him mad. You can't blame him really. It's a matter of honour.'
'You do know that women don't necessarily bleed the first time, don't you?'
'Of course,' he snaps, 'although most do.'
'And you,' I turn to my brother, 'do you really think honour is something kept between the legs of a woman?'
'There's no need to talk like that,' he says.
'And where's the honour in giving a seventeen year old girl to a forty-five year old man in exchange for a bit of land?'
'Please try to calm down. You're becoming shrill.'
'But –'
'Look,' Baba shouts, 'He was under pressure! The groom's family were mocking him. Everybody was talking behind him.'
'Please,' I say, 'don't tell me you think this is right.'
Neither of them speaks.
Ayşe weeps when she sees us at her door, but Yasemin barely acknowledges us. Instead, she remains sitting by the window, staring at a quince tree growing up against the shutters, as if she's never seen one before. A pair of crutches is propped against the wall alongside her.
'Please excuse her,' Ayşe says. 'She doesn't mean to be rude.'
'Fark etmez,' Baba says. 'Leave her be.'
'Oh, Toprak Abi, if I'd known you were coming I would have prepared something. And Ebru… look at you! How many years has it been?' She weeps again when Baba hands over the crate of lemons and oranges he's brought from Yeşilköy, saying how the smell reminds her of home and the little garden they had there, and weeps once more when she says she still feels the loss of my mother, even now, two years after she died. Nobody mentions Ali.
The afternoon is filled with stretches of uncomfortable silence, which Murat and Baba escape by going outside for a cigarette every hour or so, and later, after watching the evening news, they start yawning and talking about bed, claiming exhaustion from the journey. I'm to share the only bedroom with Ayşe and Yasemin, and Baba and Murat will sleep head to toe on the couch in the salon.
After helping Yasemin into her nightclothes, Ayşe leaves the room. I can hear her in the salon, talking to Baba about blankets and pillows. For the first time since we arrived, I am alone with Yasemin.
'Would you like me to brush your hair?' I ask.
She nods.
While I brush, I try to remember when I last saw her and then it comes to me: it was the last day of the season, seven years ago – just before I went to university. It was something of a tradition, once the last tourists had departed, for Baba to open the swimming pool to the staff and their families, to throw a small party before closing for winter. An image of Yasemin flashes into my mind: a little girl – rather small for her age – hurling herself off the side of the pool into the arms of her adoring father, who waits in the water with outstretched arms.
'Are you in pain?' As soon as the words are out of my mouth I want to take them back.
'Only when I walk,' she says finally.
Ayşe pushes the two single beds together and squeezes in between me and Yasemin. I lie awake most of the night listening to their snores and sighs, feeling oppressed by the intimacy and over-burdened by good fortune. I want to go home, to be with Rifat, and feel ashamed for wanting it so badly.
Murat is already outside when I get up the next morning; I can see him through the window, standing alongside the car, smoking a cigarette. I slip on my shoes and join him. I notice his unshaven chin has a sprinkling of white bristles and that the creases around his eyes are deeper than I remember. I push my arm through his and lean into him. 'You look tired.'
'I am. I wanted to sleep in the car last night, but Baba forbade it, gave me a lecture about accepting hospitality graciously. I know he's right, but…'
I squeeze his arm. 'Come inside. I'll make some tea.'
'In a minute,' he says. 'I want to show you something first.' He pulls the car key from his pocket and points it at the Mercedes, unlocking it with a click. He lifts the boot lid and pushes aside an old blanket. Underneath it, folded up, is a wheelchair.
I stare at the steep track that leads from the house to the main road – a lane so steep and narrow that Baba could barely get the car up it yesterday.
I can't help laughing. 'He really doesn't think sometimes…'
'He wants to help. You know how he is.' Murat laughs too, but stops abruptly, slinging the blanket over the wheelchair and slamming the boot. Baba is walking towards us in his pyjamas. His bare feet are shoved into his expensive, leather shoes, his heels treading down their backs. 'What's funny?' he asks.
'Nothing, Baba.'
'Ayşe's making breakfast. You should go and help.'
I hesitate. 'You're not going to give that thing to them, are you?'
He looks down the track and shakes his head. 'What a place. Even a goat would struggle.'
I rest my hand on his arm. It feels thinner and bonier than it used to.
'She's in a bad way, isn't she?' he says. 'Worse than I thought.'
Yasemin is at the table, spooning honey and tahini into small glass bowls and arranging them alongside dishes of white cheese and olives. I sit beside her, trying not to look at the crutches leaning against the stone sink.
'Do you need anything?' I ask. 'Is there anything we can do for you before we go?'
She shakes her head.
'Don't worry about us,' Ayşe says. 'We're managing. Adjusting. Allah has a purpose for everything, even when we don't understand it.'
She fusses around while we eat, boiling eggs, refreshing the teapot, filling carrier bags with jars of pickled aubergines and strings of dried chillies for Baba to take home.
We try to leave straight after breakfast, but Ayşe insists we have a coffee and sit a while longer. When we finish drinking, she turns the cups upside down, lines them up on the table and waits for the grounds to grow cold. She pours the dregs into the saucer and reads the cups, predicting a journey for me and a new business opportunity for Baba. Murat, she says, will marry soon.
She takes Yasemin's cup and cradles it in her palm, points to a fractured brown line clinging to its side. 'Look,' she says, 'a bird.' Her voice is tremulous: 'A sign of happiness ahead.'
Yasemin looks into the cup. 'İnşallah,' she says dully. We leave an hour later, driving cautiously down the lane, the car rocking from side to side, stones hitting its undercarriage. Baba pulls into a petrol station on Belen's main road and gets out of the car. He waits for a boy to fill the tank and stands watching while he cleans the dirt off the Mercedes with a soapy broom. I watch Baba disappear behind the foam, following the tips of the bristles as they work the dirt off the windows, turning the suds grey.
Murat starts talking about what he's going to do when he gets home, the visit to Ayşe and Yasemin already in his past.
'Apparently,' I say, interrupting him, 'the groom was incapable.
'Groom?' Murat asks, vaguely.
'That old man Yasemin was sacrificed to. He couldn't do it.'
'Everyone said his first wife was barren, but it makes you wonder, doesn't it? Maybe he thought a teenage bride would invigorate him.'
Outside, the boy hoses suds off the car and wipes a rubber blade over the glass, making Baba reappear.
'Did she really say that? That he couldn't get it up?'
'Would it make any difference?'
He opens his mouth to speak, then closes it again.
Baba presses a banknote into the boy's hand and walks back to the car. He opens the passenger door and gives me the keys. 'Why don't you drive for a while?' he says.
He passes the map to Murat and gets into the back seat, and as we leave Belen behind and head towards the highway he lies down and closes his eyes.


text:
BURN bites: harvest salad/
Pumpkins here, pumpkins there, pumpkins, pumpkins everywhere! While this gorgeous gourd may be the hot-ticket squash of the season, don't let its overwhelming presence in your local market shy you away from the many other fabulous fall fruits (yes, its a fruit!).
For example, when was the last time you picked up some BUTTERNUT SQUASH? This amazing seasonal squash is readily available this time of year, and packs a serious nutritional punch!
"Low in fat, butternut squash delivers an ample dose of dietary fiber, making it an exceptionally heart-friendly choice. It provides significant amounts of potassium, important for bone health, and vitamin B6, essential for the proper functioning of both the nervous and immune systems. The folate content adds yet another boost to its heart-healthy reputation and helps guard against brain and spinal-cord-related birth defects such as spina bifida.
(The) squash's tangerine hue, however, indicates butternut's most noteworthy health perk. The color signals an abundance of powerhouse nutrients known as carotenoids, shown to protect against heart disease. In particular, the gourd boasts very high levels of beta-carotene (which your body automatically converts to vitamin A), identified as a deterrent against breast cancer and age-related macular degeneration, as well as a supporter of healthy lung development in fetuses and newborns. What's more, with only a 1-cup serving, you get nearly half the recommended daily dose of antioxidant-rich vitamin C.
As if this weren't enough, butternut squash may have anti-inflammatory effects because of its high antioxidant content. Incorporating more of this hearty winter staple into your diet could help reduce risk of inflammation-related disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and asthma." -WholeLiving.com
Ready to get you (BUTTERNUT) squash on? Here's a recipe that combines all the flavors of fall and the benefits of this squash in a simple, satisfying, salad.
What You'll Need:
For the Salad -
4 c. Mixed Baby Greens
2 c. Butternut Squashed, peeled and cubed
1/4 c. Gorgonzola Cheese, crumbled
1/4 c. Dried Cranberries, finely chopped
2 tbs. Pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
1/2 tbs. Olive Oil
1 tsp. Cinnamon
1/2 tsp. Chili Powder
Salt and Pepper to taste
For the Dressing -
2 tbs. Grapeseed Oil
1tbs. Balsamic Vinegar
1/2 tbs. Raw Honey
How to Make It Happen:
To begin, wash, peel and cube the butternut squash into 1 inch pieces (many stores carry pre-cut versions of the squash, but don't worry if your's doesn't! Here is an easy "How To" courtesy of SimplyRecipies.com)
Place cubed squash in a bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Next, sprinkle with cinnamon and chili powder and toss lightly. Transfer to a baking sheet and roast at 400 degrees for about 30 minutes.
While your squash is cooking, prepare your salad.
Fill a large mixing bowl with four cups of mixed baby green. Add crumbled gorgonzola, pepitas, and finely chopped dried cranberries, but wait to combine.
In a smaller bowl, whisk together the grapeseed oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, salt and pepper.
Once the squash if fully cooked, remove from oven and allow to cool (at least 10 minutes).
When you are ready to eat, add the butternut squash to your salad and drizzle with dressing. Serve immediately.
Nutritional Info-
415 calories per serving (serves 2)

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Hello from DelFest in Cumberland, Maryland!
The guys and I have been here the past two days hanging out listening to some great music and sloshing through the muddy fields! We played two sets here this weekend. One yesterday and one today. Yesterday, we made it off the Grandstage just before the rain hit. The Travelin' McCoury's w/ special guest Ronnie Bowman played right after us and put on a really great show, but unfortunately had to cut the set a little short and make a run for it when the rain and lightening came busting in. After the rain had done its do, we pretty much needed a canoe to get back to the van! However, today the sun was beaming down, and the the fans up here definitely aren't afraid of a little dirt, or rain for that matter! :) My boots are terrible looking after this weekend! Check 'em out!! Needless to say, I'm so thrilled we got to be part of this wonderful festival. We love Del and all the McCoury's and hope we can come back again sometime!
Since my last post, I've officially moved from Boston and am about to move into my new place near Nashville after this trip! I'm really pumped. I'm not sure when I'll actually end up having time to do much though! We've got a busy next few weeks ahead of us! I'm flying to London on Friday for about 5 days to do some promo for the new album. I've never been to England, so I'm really looking forward to the trip! I'll try to post more on that soon!
Oh - and before I forget...We went into the studio last week and recorded and filmed 3 songs for a live in the studio video for Rounder and CMT.com. We did two songs from the new album and a cover song by Adele. More details on that to come soon as well!
We head out bright and early for Nashville tomorrow. It'll be a long trip home, but I'm thrilled I'm just able to be part of the road trips these days and I'm not flying EVERY weekend!
Anyways - I hope everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.
Til next time...


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Tales from the Table: Stories from the Indigenous Hospitality House
Tales from the Table: Stories from the Indigenous Hospitality House
Tales from the Table: Stories from the Indigenous Hospitality House makes the rich, big, slippery word of hospitality come alive through poetry, storytelling, reflections and essays. Its various contributors are all current and former residents or partners in the Indigenous Hospitality House (IHH), a Settler/non-Indigenous household in Carlton North that opens its doors to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people visiting Melbourne hospitals.
The project developed in response to calls from health care workers at various Melbourne hospitals for more accommodation options for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people visiting town. Since opening in 2001 the IHH has received over 1750 guests, and has sought to provide a peaceful and homely atmosphere for as long as each guest needs while in Melbourne. While the house serves as a place to stay for guests, its other, equally important purpose is to make space for Settler/non-Indigenous people to explore the issue of identity on stolen land.
The book traverses topics from getting enough personal space in what can be quite a large and changeable household, to reflections on feminism and the didgeridoo. A common thread through the entire book is the way it tackles topics familiar within academic and policy circles in a down to earth and personal manner. This is a key aspiration of the IHH: a place where truth-telling and reconciliation becomes personal.
Tales from the Table is gentle, relaxed and sometimes humorous. The Indigenous Hospitality House hopes that this book will assist people to think about their identity on this land, in this society, and encourage its use not only for personal reflection and entertainment, but also as a starting point for enriching and vital conversations.


text:
Design Meta Data
At the Institute for Research and Innovation of the Pompidou Center, Nicolas Sauret, Vincent Puig and myself founded "Design Metadata" Workshop.
This workshop was born from the need of understanding and methodologies exchange between designer and engineer students. The first edition gather together one design school and one engineering school. After tree editions the tree majors design school of Paris (ENSAD, ENSCI, Strate College) and different engineering school (ESILV,ECP,ETIC) send us some selected students to work on innovation interactive design project.
The subject, change over edition, first was "Video and annotation", "Visualization and journalism" for the second, and the third "Digital Remix and Mashup".During this intense 3 month interdisciplinary workshop the student design, develop, prototype, and present a team project.Then they show it during a real public event in the Pompidou Center.
Now the Workshop is running by Nicolas Sauret, Raphael Velt, Elodie Bongrain.
You would find the incredible work done by the students, on the IRI Youtube channel.
Here the page dedicated to each session :
- Design Metadata 2011
- Design Metadata 2012
- Design Metadata 2013 (in process)


text:
Between July and August each year, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Service conducts surveys to determine the abundance and size distribution of deep-sea scallops in areas between Cape Hatteras, NC, and Georges Bank (a large elevated area of the sea floor that separates the Gulf of Maine from the Atlantic Ocean, situated between Cape Cod, MA, and Cape Sable Island, Nova Scotia, Canada). To do this, sample height measurements from 125,000 scallops are taken from approximately 500 randomly selected locations using an 8-ft scallop dredge towed at 3.5 knots for 15 min. To increase the accuracy and speed of these measurements over current methods, William Kramer, an IT specialist at the NOAA Woods Hole Laboratory on Cape Cod, obtained a Pioneer Funding grant from the Chesapeake Bay Trust to develop a prototype machine-vision system.
System specifications required measuring scallops from 25 to 200 mm at speeds of 1800 scallops per hour (2 s/scallop). The design of the conveyor-based system had to incorporate a washing system to remove much of the debris from the catch before the scallops could be measured. The stand-alone system was also required to log readings to the PC-based vision system and the ship's onboard computer system, which is used to log additional data about the catch.
Depending on their age and environment, scallops may be covered in barnacles or other organic material, making them appear dark in reflected light. Scallops are typically much lighter on the bottom than the top, except for "albino" scallops that are white on both sides. Because the system was required to handle scallops loaded with either side facing up, a backlight system provided a high-contrast silhouette of each scallop regardless of its shell color and texture.
Seeing scallops
Designed and developed by Compass Technical Consulting, the prototype vision system consists of a standard Series 2200 conveyor from Dorner Manufacturing modified to include a stainless-steel idler roller, an electroluminescent backlight, and a translucent belt (see Fig. 1). An aluminum shroud was fabricated over the conveyor to house the camera and laptop PC. To capture images of the scallops as they traverse the conveyor, an IEEE 1394-compatible Lightwise 1.3 monochrome camera from Imaging Solutions Group with an 8-mm-focal-length lens was positioned 35 cm over the conveyor. Running at 30 frames/s at 1280 × 1024, the camera provides 1/4-mm/pixel resolution and is compatible with LabView software from National Instruments.
FIGURE 1. To increase the accuracy and speed of scallop measurements, Compass Technical Consulting built a prototype vision system that uses a conveyor to load scallops under a shrouded imaging system, which determines scallop height based on diameter.
Minimizing lens distortion was critical to ensure consistent readings regardless of a scallop's position on the belt. With a 30-cm field of view (FOV) and a working distance of approximately 35 cm, the 8-mm lens provided the required focal length but resulted in distortion that caused scallop measurements to vary depending on their position. Although correcting the entire image using point-by-point remapping resulted in accurate measurements, it was too time-consuming. Rather, a mathematical correction was implemented that made no correction for scallops in the center of the belt and maximum correction for those located at the edges. This correction algorithm reduced the effect of lens distortion on scallop measurements to an insignificant level.
Soft triggers
One challenge was the range of scallop sizes and geometries that needed to be inspected. Sea scallops, Icelandic scallops, and calico scallops can range from a few millimeters to 200 mm in height. Scallop thickness is also variable, ranging from a few millimeters to more than 50 mm. All three species are loaded in any orientation and located anywhere across the belt. Because of the size, orientation, and thickness variations of the scallops and the presence of debris on the belt, typical camera-triggering techniques such as light or contact switches could not be used. With these external triggering methods, performance could also decrease because of the exposure of the devices to salt air and water.
To solve this problem, a "soft triggering" method was developed using regions of interest (ROIs) in the camera's FOV. As images are captured continuously at 30 frames/s, each image is inspected for the presence of a scallop and the image processed if a scallop is detected. To be effective, each scallop must only trigger the system once, and the algorithm must execute fast enough to avoid a bottleneck in the overall processing time.
FIGURE 2.A soft triggering method was developed using ROIs in the camera's FOV. A series of overlapping ROIs act as the soft triggers. Values taken at each soft trigger determine if a scallop is in the camera's FOV.
A series of overlapping ROIs was created that would act as separate soft triggers. A simple and fast calculation of values taken at each soft trigger determines if a scallop is in the camera's FOV. If the value of any trigger drops below a specified threshold, the image is saved for further processing (see Fig. 2). If no trigger value is below the threshold, the image is discarded and the next image is checked. To avoid double-counting, a flag is set for each ROI when it is triggered, and all subsequent images are ignored until the average value in that ROI is above the threshold and the flag is reset. When a scallop successfully triggers the system, the image is passed to the main processing algorithm that is designed to filter out unwanted debris, select the correct scallop to be processed, and calculate the scallop height in millimeters from a measurement of its area (see Fig. 3).
FIGURE 3. When a scallop successfully triggers the system, an image is passed to the main processing algorithm designed to filter out unwanted debris, select the correct scallop to be processed, and calculate the scallop height in millimeters from a measurement of its area.
Geometric measurement of shell height is problematic because locating the correct flat edge of a scallop is difficult. Height is measured from the bottom of the shell "hinge" to the furthest point perpendicular from the hinge. To design an algorithm that would replicate this measurement method exactly, the flat hinged edge needed to be detected in a repeatable and robust manner. Since shells may be cracked or broken, flat-edge detection was abandoned in favor of a more robust method that calculated the final height from the scallop shell area. Shell area measurements do not rely on the presence of specific physical characteristics in the shell geometry.
Waddel disks
Shell measurement is a simple task using LabView's Vision Development Module, which has functions for detecting, filtering, and analyzing particles. LabView's analysis library calculates the Waddel Disk Diameter (WDD) of the scallop: that is, the diameter of a circle having the same area. Effectively, the shell height was derived by calculating the diameter of a circle having an area equal to the scallop area.
FIGURE 4.Calculation of final height of a scallop shell area was developed to maximize robustness and speed. To adjust the final scallop height measurement a correction equation was implemented as a function of the equivalent diameter.
This calculation was tested on a sample set of scallops to see how it correlated to manual measurements. Data showed that smaller scallops were generally underestimated while larger scallops were overestimated. One explanation is the tendency of scallops to grow wider as they become larger. To adjust the final measurement, a correction equation was implemented as a function of the equivalent diameter (WDD)
Scallop height = a (WDD)2 + b (WDD) + c
The roots a, b, and c were derived empirically and implemented into the height calculation. Samples were rerun through the system and plotted against the known heights (see Fig. 4). Accuracy at the prototype stage was determined to be acceptable, although further testing under more rigorous conditions will be necessary. A custom user interface was developed to allow development and production run modes to be easily monitored, including implementing an audible signal mechanism to indicate a successful read (see Fig. 5).
FIGURE 5. Custom user interface with LabView allows both development and production run modes to be easily monitored.
After the system undergoes testing onboard ship, robustness, repeatability, speed, and ease of use will be evaluated to determine additional requirements and upgrades. The most important change may be replacement of the system's laptop PC with NI's Compact Vision System to ensure more robust performance.
Steve Tomanovich is president of Compass Technical Consulting, Rochester, NY, USA; www.compasstechconsulting.com.


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Engineering Services from Planning to Implementation
Engineering Services for Motion System Solutions requires extensive product, application and engineering expertise. The correct application design is an essential part of ensuring successful system solutions. The Engineering services team are therefore an integral part of providing Motion and Digitization System Solutions.
With continued Research and Development, the Engineering services team stay up to date with latest technologies and industry trends.


text: New Work....The Owl & The Butterfly July 18, 2012 I still have a huge thing for owls. I suppose it is the mystery of them. With all the camping I do, it is pretty surprising I've never seen one out in the wild in real life. Have you? Here's my latest illustration. I was inspired by the Victorian nature photographs and hand painted photos of the colors of Autochromes. Like him? He's available in the shop!


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Christmas at the Homestead: So Far/
The annual Christmas at the Homestead festivities are well under way. We have heard a hand bell choir, a family bluegrass band, and the Suzuki Strings. Pine cone Christmas trees, pipe cleaner angels, hand-dipped candles, and our ever popular Christmas Cord have been made. The festive lights and trees have been aglow and of course Santa has been on hand. If you are down our way, come see us. We are celebrating Christmas at the Homestead until Friday, December 9 at 8pm.


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As a relatively new company in an already crowded and highly competitive market we are committed to developing a solid reputation within the industry for providing excellent service, high quality products, on schedule and at a very attractive price. The strong work ethics, personal dedication and attention to detail that we demonstrate on all of our projects is the basis for the strong foundation from which we plan to grow. Our current, past and upcoming projects are a direct result of this commitment.
Serving customers in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, northwest Indiana and southern Wisconsin, we are specifically structured to perform work on small to medium sized projects which enables our company to operate on a relatively low overhead which in turn is passed on to you in the form of lower competitive bids. As a full service General Contractor and Carpentry Contractor our team members and trade partners are all highly qualified construction professionals with years of combined construction and development experience. We are proud to offer our clientele this dedicated team of professionals that strives for and consistently delivers the best in project development, actual construction and ultimate customer service.
The professional staff employed by ATI is well versed in the construction of a variety of facilities including:
- Commercial, Retail & Industrial Facilities and Build-Outs
- Hospitality & Food Service Facilities
- Office & Professional Buildings
- Hospital & Healthcare Facilities, Renovation & Maintenance
- Governmental & Institutional Facilities
- Automotive Dealerships & Service Centers
- Single & Multi-Family Residential
- General Maintenance & Repair
When engaged as a Carpentry Contractor we employ journeyman tradesmen experienced in a particular area capable of providing high quality workmanship for a variety of tasks including:
- Rough Framing & Finish Carpentry
- Light Gauge Metal Stud Framing
- Structural Metal Framing
- Drywall & Insulation
- Acoustical Ceilings
- Installation of:
- Doors, Frames & Finish Hardware
- Division 10 Specialties
As an Equal Opportunity Employer we have the capability to meet all MBE, WBE and City of Chicago residency requirements with our own forces as well as our trade partners. Fully understanding the benefits and often the need for minority and community involvement we have developed strong relationships with these contractors. The high quality of work and service they provide allows us to continually grow our business in a highly competitive market. It is the goal of ATI Construction to continually raise the bar by providing excellent service, high quality products, on schedule and within budget and keep the competition in pursuit of our efforts.
Whether through companies we have previously owned and operated or while employed by others, ATI's management team has established a reputation among past and current clients, as well as our peers, on our ability to understand a clients requirements and the proven combination of design, construction management and builder skills we bring to the table.


text: Stand-up comic and "Parks and Recreation" star Aziz Ansari (pictured) will host the MTV Movie Awards in June. "It's basically a done deal. They're just finalizing the details before they announce it," a source tells Page Six. Neither MTV nor Ansari's rep would comment. Ansari, who had bit roles in "Observe and Report" and Judd Apatow's "Funny People," is also set to star in the upcoming "Get Him to the Greek" with Jonah Hill and Russell Brand.


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The East Windsor Historical Society will be hosting the Grand Opening of the Osborn House on Saturday, August 12, 2017 from 1-3 pm.
This event will give visitors a chance to see the newly restored Osborn House, originally built in 1785 by Samuel Osborn! There will be hay rides, free ice cream, and plenty of opportunities to snap a "selfie". Listen to a barber shop quartet while playing "Game of Graces", or joining in with the spinners and knitters. Visitors are encouraged to take their time and explore the 5 unique museums including the 200 year old East Windsor Academy! There promises to be something for everyone, This event is free and open to the public. We hope to see you there!
Visit our events page for more detailed information.
For more information about the East Windsor Academy or any of the other museums on site look though our about section.


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Emergency Plumbing Los Angeles
Do you need Emergency Plumbing Los Angeles Services? Here at West Coast Plumbing we are based in The Los Angeles County and services many cities in the San Fernando Valley as well. West Coast with many years of experience with 24 Hour Emergency repair plumbing is ready to aide with both residential and commercial work being done by us. West Coast is able to handle large jobs and basic jobs.
Services For 24 Hour Repair
- Plumbing Repairs
- Drain Cleaning Clean outs
- Water Heater Installation And Repairs
- Tank Less Heaters
- Gas Leak Detection
- Sewer Line Replacement And Repairs
Do not wait to get Emergency Plumbing Los Angeles Services by West Coast, We seek to hold the standard in Plumbing that is industry changing. Our Pride in our work and professionalism is what makes us who we are. When you need assistance please give us a call today so that we can assist you. Do not let unlicensed and unprofessional workers damage your sewer lines by doing less than adequate work.
Why Use West Coast For Plumbing Services In Los Angeles?
- Clean Up After Job
- Step By Step Explained Work
- Licensed Plumbers
- Bonded Plumbers
- Insured Plumbers
- Flexible Hours
- Night Work
- Sunday Work
Our years of experience makes us different from many other fly by nigh start up plumbing companies. We are locally owned plumbing company that can provided around the clock plumbing work for commercial and residential workers. Keep in mind even minor leaks can cost quite a lot and you should not wait for issues to get worse.
Fixing Sewer Problems
Sewer repair can seem scary since most sewer lines are buried under your backyard or sometimes your drive way. Our plumbers at West Coast work hard to make sure your issues are fixed timely and properly.
These Are Signs You Should Look For In Your Sewer Lines
- Toilet Back Ups
- Bathtub Drain Back Ups
- Foul Smells In The Bathroom
- Improper Flushing Toilet
- Discolored Water
Get The Best Sewer Emergency Plumbing Los Angeles
We seek for you to get the best plumbing and sewer line repair services without the headache. When these issues come up as they often do when you least expect call us for a fast plumber local in Los Angeles CA. Our Emergency Plumbing Los Angeles services are here even weekends. Be prepared and do not let someone destroy your property by not doing the job correctly.


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Keep your nails polished, glossy, and shiny with the PedEgg Bare Nails Nail Polisher. This automatic nail polisher gives you a finish that works for up to 2 weeks and is perfect for fingers and toes.
EverSalesSpace is your number one marketplace for online shopping. On eversales.space, we offer a wide variety of products such as tablets, smartphones, cameras, laptops, make-up, perfumes, t-shirts and much more. You will also be able to find hot deals and discounts on products, and prices that are cheaper than the rest of the market.
All required fields are marked with *. If you are not registered, you can register here
Forgot Password?
Please provide your email address with whih you have registered on the site.


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Gospel Community Church
Lead Pastor: Danny Hinton
Meets in the chapel at Heritage Baptist Church 3585 Thruston Dermont Rd. Owensboro, KY 42303
Service Time: Sundays @ 3pm
Email | Facebook | Twitter | Website
Gospel Community Church began meeting with 24 adults on February 1st, 2015. In the United States 750 Deaf individuals die each day without access to the gospel. It is our desire to see the name of Jesus made famous among the unreached and unengaged Deaf population beginning in Owensboro. As a cross-cultural, multi-lingual church, we aim to cross cultural barriers with the gospel of Jesus Christ; making disciples who will in-turn make disciples. We seek to accomplish this by sound biblical preaching, missional community, discipleship, and leadership development. Our prayer is to see both hearing and Deaf populations bow the knee to King Jesus, for his glory!


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Olivo is the oldest commercial olive grove in the Wairarapa producing an award winning extra virgin blend and an innovative range of infused oils including porcini, cumin, lemon, orange, fennel, smoked chilli and smoked paprika.
The Olivo estate covers 16 acres, just outside the wine village of Martinborough and very much on the wine trail.
Tours can be organised around the grove and beautiful gardens.
The purpose built tasting room is open at weekends and public holidays, 10:30am – 5:00pm.
Sensational photos taken by Qing Fan from Qingster Photography.


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First of all, I think it is necessary that you know I am a frequent visitor of IMDb. I enjoy checking out both old and new trailers of movies that I might be interested in. It has been very reliable in providing me with informations about movie titles that I see or hear from someone or somewhere. Several months back, I stumbled upon the trailer of Like Crazy which starred Felicity Jones. Ever since then, I had just been drooling over the movie and couldn't wait to watch it. A few months afterwards, I saw a trailer of another movie called Albatross, which also starred this lovely young lady. Since then on, I've been just in love with Felicity Jones.
She has that lovely innocent feature about her that charms you in a subtle but elegant way. Her look is both victorian and surprisingly down-to-earth. Her performance is also quite magnificent. Yes, I admit, I've only seen two of her movies but in both she has performed quite splendidly. Let me shed some light on the topic to make you see what I mean.
Like Crazy (2011)
|photos: courtesy of IMDb.
Once upon a time, there was Anna, a british girl who went to America to study, and Jacob, an american boy who happened to be in the same school as she was. They somehow spied each other and fell in love. First date, second date, staying overnight. Simple love story. It was quite a peaceful life. Anna was almost finished with her studies though and they dreaded the day they were to be separated. She then decided to overstay her visa and got caught in the airport when she went back from England. After she got deported, it was far harder for them to keep in touch. Anna couldn't enter the States, Jacob felt like an outsider in England. Suddenly they were introduced to a life they didn't know they could have.
Watching this movie, which kind of talked about LDR, while having one of my own, touched me. The trailer itself already moved me and I watched it several times. What more exciting is the fact that it is a Sundance film, which is always to die for. It was a simple concept with rather rocky details and intricate cinematography -- everything seems to speak in symbols. I love how their long distance relationship was portrayed and the soundtracks fit the theme perfectly. One of them being Dead Hearts by Stars -- which later on became one of my most favourite bands.
Albatross (2011)
|photos: courtesy of IMDb.
Albatross, on the other hand, has a more intricate plot. It actually doesn't centre around Felicity's character, Beth, herself but more focused on a girl who worked at her house/hotel, Emelia (Jessica Brown Findlay). According to the trailer, the story began with Emelia's parents' tragic stories, where her father left her family for another woman and her mother killed herself afterwards. But that's not how it begins in the film. Emelia came to Beth's family's hotel on her first day on the job as a chambermaid there. Right from the beginning Beth's mother, Joa (Julia Ormond), didn't like Emelia but Beth liked her a lot. For her, Emelia showed her a side of the world that she was never allowed to venture. Emelia said she wanted to become a writer and Beth's father, Jonathan (Sebastian Koch), was a writer. He offered her a writing course -- which apparently he didn't tell the rest of the family about, which she then accepted. Somehow, during this course, an affair between Jonathan and Emelia broke out. It got really complicated since Emelia and Beth became best friends. They even went to Beth's campus tour.
The plot to this film really interests me. The friendship between Beth and Emelia, who are two very different girls, is very sweet, in a way. What with Beth, who is so naïve with a perfectly happy family -- or so she thinks, and Emelia and her broken home and wild posterior. Felicity's innocent face really works in this story to portray her naïvity. British films always seem somewhat gloomily charming, so humble yet enchanting. I also love that this film includes Thomas Sangster, who is my favourite young actor EVER, and apparently also Harry Treadaway.
|I super envy her for being able to snap this picture with the Treadaway brothers. (photo: Felicity Jones Blog)
Apparently, she also played a main character at a TV series Northanger Abbey -- which is based off Jane Austen's -- and played in Chalet Girl with Ed Westwick and Hysteria, which stars Maggie Gyllenhaal. I will definitely want to see more of her and hope that she will star in more Sundance Films. I think if she were given the chance, she will be able to win an Oscar. Maybe I'll make a feature of a few Sundance Films I've watched in the past. Happy Thursday, everyone! Hope tomorrow'll be an awesome Friday for you all.


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Fifty-seven states
From Conservapedia
The fifty-seven states flap involved a remark Barack Hussein Obama made about how many states he had visited on the campaign trail. Although he may have meant 47, critics noted that there are 57 Islamic states and used the remark or slip as evidence of Obama being secretly Muslim.
Obama may have been confusing the 47 out of 48 states (other than Alaska and Hawaii) in the continental United States of America, though making such an elementary mistake about the country you aspire to lead seems unlikely.


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Less is more ... rather than overwhelming you with volumes of travel tips, here is a specific list of exclusive recommendations with Mr & Mrs Crystal's stamp of approval.
Les Terrasses is a luxurious Ibizan farmhouse on the eastern side of the island near Santa Eulalia. Think deluxe seclusion enveloped by lush green gardens, two hideaway swimming pools and blossoming terraces. The sugar cube buildings of Les Terrasses are blindingly white and there are only a handful of charming bedrooms, decked out with a whitewash theme and mini chandeliers. The hospitable charm of the French owner, Francoise, will entice you with sun-down aperitifs in the den, followed by fabulous home-made cooking for the very lucky guests.


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Meatballs (for bolgenese)
Ground high quality beef, Thyme, Onion, Breadcrumbs, Olive Oil, Garlic, Salt & Pepper, plain guage flour,
Prep. Time → 10 min
Cook Time → 15 min
1. This one is easy fatties, and you can use these meatballs for any recipe really, but I have these with Spaghetti Bolegnese, they also freeze really well!
2. Get yourself a huge (preferably metal) mixing bowl, try & not use plastic, which tends to be pourous, imparts previously mixed contents flavours etc. Add a splash of Olive oil to the bottom of the bowl, some finely chopped garlic, and some finely chopped onion.
3. Break up the minced meat in your hands, and add to the bowl, with this, add a splash more olive oil and using room tempreture hands, mix up the meat, with the onion and garlic.
4. At this stage, you need to help these little bad boys bind, so add some breadcrumbs, and some coarsley chopped Thyme too, mix really well and leave in the fridge to get a bit firmed up ready for moulding.
5. After about fifteen minutes in the fridge, they will be ready to mould. You can choose whatever size you want, and it depends on the quality of ingredients you've used, but I like my balls in 1cm rounds, (I mean, c'mon, who doesnt) and roll these out with your hands, until you've got perfect balls.
6. Put them all on a plate until your ready to use, sprinkle with flour just before cooking as that will help them go crispy on the outside, you want to cook them on medium heat, and depending on size, for about nine minutes. Just brown them off and add them to a pasta sauce for a mean like momma used to make back home spaghetti bolognese recipe,
7. this really is kids stuff.
meatballs March 21, 2012 10:15
Author Mario De'Cristofano
No one has liked this recipe.
No comments yet.


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Janet and Jeff are so sweet. It was so easy to have a good time with this couple because they have such a great time on their own. When talking with brides and grooms about planning their engagement sessions, we really like to incorporate things that are special or important to them. What was special about Janet and Jeff? Well, aside from their charming relationship, Jeff has a really awesome Harley. We had a nice time at the park, but then changed gears and did some really excited images with them and the bike. Check them out for yourself! We think you'll like 'em!
JANET + JEFF - engagement session in Columbia, SC : Columbia, SC wedding photographers
in Engagements


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Letters to Father Christmas!
Away in a Manger
Fun phonics at home with the Alphablocks!
Year 1
Year 1 Trip to Chiltern Open Air Museum
Year 2
Year 3
Money Week: Making Milkshakes
Roald Dahl
Tudor Roses
Science Week
Red Nose Day
World Book Day 2013
World Maths Day 2013
Giving Instructions
Our visit to RAF Hendon
World War II
Animal Hasthas
Year 4
Red Nose Day 2013
Year 4 Ancient Egyptian neck collars
Year trip to Wycombe Museum 11th March 2013
Reading to Nursery
Year 4 Roman Pots
Year 4's science investigation
Year 5
World Book Day 2013
Small can save the mighty
Fungus Blues
My heart goes boom
Come and Play
Change their point of view
My Brother
Give us a story
Old Oak
Mosque Visit
Year 6
Ye-Ha! Friday 19th July
River Dart Monday
Red Nose Day
World Book Day
Community Carol Singing
Reading Museum Visit
Cycling Awareness
Water Polo
Class Pages: 2011-2012
What a great puppet show
Guided Reading Talk for Parents January 2012
Year 1
Walking in the rain May 2012
The Look Out Centre May 2012
Architecure Day
Guided Reading Talk for Parents January 2012
Year 2
Pants Parade
Architecture Workshop
Investigating Ice Environments
Knights and Castles Day
Designing with Electricity
Dan the Skipping Man
World Book Day
Windsor Castle Trip
Chinese New Year
Space Day
Canal Boat Trip
Guided Reading Talk for Parents January 2012
Year 3
Growing Cress
Measuring in Maths
Looking at Plants
Some thoughts from Year 3 about their trip to Hatfield House
Seeing the Queen at Hatfield House (including PICTURES)
Architecture Workshop
Snow Fun!
Hendon Trip
Year 4
Year 4 trip to Hindu Temple
Christmas Thanks
Year 4 Romans
Year 5
Woodrow 2012
Children In Need
Year 6
What A Knight!
River Dart Adventures
What A Knight
The Queen's Reign
Shelter Building
Show Racism The Red Card
Science Week
Snow Challenges
Yo! Sushi
Africa Assembly
Cycling Success
Fancy Dress Teddy!
Reading Museum Visit
Class Pages: 2010-2011
Year 1
Mexican Day
Chiltern Open Air Museum Visit
Year 2
Gym Competition
Windsor Castle Visit
Year 3
RAF Hendon
Delicious Designs!
History Day
Royal Engagement
Our Visit to Tudor Aylesbury
Year 4
Rugby Special
Verulamium Visit
Come And Sing
Gunpowder Plot Assembly
Year 5
Woodrow Week
Year 6
Class Pages: 2009-2010
We've been on a bear hunt!! 18th June 2010
How to make your own volcano
Farm Visit
Butterfly Release
Putting on a Show
Spider Visit
Year R Go On Safari to Woburn
Snake Visit!
International Food Day- Greece
World Book Day
Our first day together!
Year 1
International Food Day- Spain
Year 2
International Food Day- Barbados
Visit from a nurse
Year 3
World Cup Fever
RAF Museum Visit
Year 3 Gym Competition
International Food Day-Italy
World Book Day
The Local Area
Hatfield House Visit
Year 4
Messing About In The River!!
International Food Day- China
World Book Day
The Ashmolean Museum Visit
Year 4 Class Assembly- The Roman Army
Amersham Field Study Centre Visit
Year 5
International Food Day- France
Woodrow 2010
Year 6
Class Pages: 2008-2009
Having Fun in the Snow!
Chinese New Year
Our New Playground
World Book Day Pictures
Red Nose Day Pictures
Red Nose Day Picture
Year R celebrate World Book Week
Our trip to Woburn Safari Park!!
Year 1
Design and technology
Year 2
Gymnastics for Year 2
Famous People
Year 2 Multi-skills festival champions!!!
Florence Nightingale Assembly
Windsor Castle Visit
Year 3
Class Assembly - 5 December 2008
Dental Student Visits Year 3
World War 2 Assembly
Year 4
Verulamium Museum Visit - Tuesday 2nd December
Year 4 Go Crackers!!- Tuesday 16th December
Making Parachutes- Science Investigation
World Book Day- Including Y4 Reading List
Making Pencil Cases - Technology
Environment Centre Exhibition
Tag Rugby Success
African Tales Assembly
Henley River and Rowing Museum
Year 5
Woodrow Residential Trip
Year 6
Secondary School Transfer Process
Rowing challenge
Hazard Alley Visit
Achievement Award
Handwriting Award
Writer's Award
Kids' Zone
Log in
Weekly Update 16th January
Class Pages
Class Pages: 2014-2015
Year 1
Weekly Update 16th January
Dear Parents,
Well it definitely feels like winter now… on the playground this week we've experienced frost, wind, hail, rain and snow! Luckily it's warm and cosy in our classroom to help us all concentrate!
In Literacy this week we have used the story 'We're going on a bear hunt' to help us learn about adjectives. The children have generated their own adjectives to describe the obstacles that the characters faced in the story e.g. tall and spikey grass. They have also created a flowchart of key events in the story and have enjoyed participating in some drama activities. Next week they will be planning and writing their own version of the story ensuring that they use a repeated phrase throughout.
In Maths this week we have been learning about the value of coins as well as completing some money problem solving activities. The children have thought about ways to pay different amounts (e.g. how many different ways can you use the coins to make 12p?) and have used Espresso to complete some money related activities in the ICT room. Problem solving activities included questions like… Sally paid less than 20p for a ride at the fair. She used three coins to pay. Which three coins might she have used? Find all the possibilities.
In our topic this week we have been thinking about the place closest to us… Cedar Park School! The children have been outside (and inside!) with clipboards observing our school environment and making judgements about what they see. Next week they will use their observations to determine which area of the school they feel needs improving. They will complete a group project to design a school improvement plan/idea ready for a Dragon's Den style competition!
May I please take this opportunity to remind parents that children should have a full PE kit in school at all times. This includes house t-shirt, shorts, tracksuit (top and bottoms), plimsolls and trainers. During this term we will be outside for Games (weather permitting) and inside for Dance so children will need a full kit at all times. Thank you for your co-operation with this.
Finally, our home school agreement was sent home in bookbags today. This has been discussed with the children in class. Please ensure that both you and your child sign the final copy and return it to school. Thank you!
Have a lovely weekend,
Miss Freeman
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text:
Urgh.. I hate not being able to make up my mind about what equipment to get, as it is so hard to tell without good experience and field testing, getting to know the kit before you buy it. I'm having this problem with the Samyang Cine Lenses. They look fantastic, well constructed lenses, fully manual in a range of focal lengths and de-clicked apertures from T1.5. This however is the question; would it be better to buy the Samyang Cine Lens kit, or a 24-70, 70-200 f2.8 IS (with the samyang 14mm and 85mm)???
I'm predominantly a videographer, but I enjoy having the flexibility of zoom lenses, especially for ENG style work, live event filming etc, and the fixed aperture and stabilization is key for video. So, a couple of fast zooms seems sensible to keep in the kit bag for everyday use.
However, what about for those sharp, cinematic, shallow depth of field shots that can only be achieved with a cine lens..
Any advice, please share! Ooh and check out the link below for a similar situation if you are stuck like me!


text:
In honor of Halloween, Decoda melds cabaret, burlesque, and the genius of Arnold Schönberg. Featuring guest soprano Mary Bonhag.
Decoda Artists
Catherine Gregory, flute - Paul Cho, clarinet - Anna Elashvili, violin/viola
Hamilton Berry, cello - David Kaplan, piano - *Mary Bonhag, soprano
*guest artist
November 6th, 2016 at 3pm
William Bolcom - Cabaret Songs
Arnold Schönberg - Pierrot Lunaire


text:
The National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development 2014 - 2020 highlights the need to integrate Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in the curriculum from pre-school up to senior cycle. The National Strategy aims to ensure that education contributes to sustainable development by equipping learners with the relevant knowledge (the 'what'), the key dispositions and skills (the 'how') and the values (the 'why') that will motivate and empower them throughout their lives to become informed active citizens who take action for a more sustainable future.
'The National Strategy calls on all of us as citizens, policy makers, academics to non-Governmental organisations, and by inclusive participation of young people, to come together to speak with one voice to build a platform for the future and make sustainable development a reality.' Minister O'Sullivan, 2015.
A national forum on education for sustainable development welcomes many stakeholder representatives to raise awareness, review where we are and inform our future actions in this area. A Facebook group is coming soon where Education for Sustainable Development can be discussed all year round.
Take a look at the presentations from each of the forums held to date.
Teachers can share ESD resources on Scoilnet using their Scoilnet account. When uploading resources to Scoilnet place the word 'ESD' or 'Education for Sustainable Development' in the keywords section of uploading your resource. Resources on Scoilnet can be refined by keyword, curriculum association, contributor, format, best rated and most viewed.
Non - teachers / organisations can share their resources with Scoilnet by contacting Scoilnet directly. If you are interested in sharing ESD resources through the Scoilnet database, contact us here.
Explore resources already shared on Scoilnet by teachers & organisations
ESD Primary ESD Post - Primary
Schools, teachers and students can find out what's coming up in the school calendar by accessing Scoilnet's calendar. Scoilnet promotes and raises awareness about upcoming competitions, key events, commemorations and historical dates through the calendar, news section and newsletter. If you have a competition or event that you would like to add to the Scoilnet calendar, contact us.
Visit the calendar and news section here.
Calendar News Subscribe to the Newsletter
To get the best possible experience using our website we recommend that you upgrade to a newer version or other web browser.
To register for a Scoilnet Account you will need to have a Teaching Council number and a roll number for your school in Ireland.
If you already have a Scoilnet Account then you can sign in here.
A Scoilnet account will allow you to upload your resources or weblinks to Scoilnet as well as enabling you to share and add resources to a favourites listing. Users who have a Scoilnet Account will also be able to fully access Scoilnet Maps and Census@School from home.
You need to login before you can add this resource to a Learning PathLogin


text:
Information for swim lessons after 6:00pm AT ONE FIVE ONE
At 6:00pm the main entry on the corner of Queen St and Wyndham St is automatically locked and entry to the building and up the lifts require a swipe card to get to Level 8, the location of the gym and pool.
Please complete the following
Walk up to the Wilson Car Park on Wyndham Street and follow the foot path entry into the building. This is Level 4 of the SAP Tower.
Walk to the lifts on Level 4 and ring reception at 151 Corporate Health Club
09- 366 3664
Please tell them you are on Level 4 of the car park lifts and are would like assistance to get entry to the gym for your swim lesson.
A gym staff member should then come down to get you.
If reception doesn't answer please contact me directly by TEXT on +6421415787. I am often taking lessons during this time but will do my best to get to you ASAP at the completion of the lesson that I am taking.
Weekend session
Please note on weekend sessions you will need to TEXT Andrew +64 21 415 787 to gain entry to Level 8 and I will be able to do this no earlier than 10min prior to your scheduled appointment. Please enter through the car park on Wyndham St and wait at one of the levels (include what level in your text).
Remember to validate parking at the gym to get the discounted 151 Corporate Health Club rates at Wilson Parking on Wyndham St.
The sneaky dive in the doors as someone exits trick
If you manage to get into the atrium of the SAP tower (by Cafe Melba), you will still need to contact reception to get access to Level 8. Please tell them that you are at ground level of the main tower entrance and ask for them to assist you to get up to the gym. Often people coming out of the lifts will be able to swipe you up to Level 8 - if you want to ask them.


text:
The People's Bank of China (PBOC)'s decision not to release information about outflows of capital in January 2016 highlights concerns about the reliability of China's economic data.
Since The PBOC failed to include data on capital outflows in its regular report on the Sources and Uses of Credit Funds of Financial Institutions. The bank seemingly merged the data for the "position forex reserves" into the "other items" category, and altered another key item – a reading for foreign exchange purchase positions in renminbi for all financial institutions, including the central bank. These alterations seem arcane, but highlights how politics trumps all. This is a problem for investment in China. Capital outflows have proven worrying since mid-2015, as fears of a hard landing have stoked stock market declines and yuan devaluation. Indeed, China's foreign exchange reserves fell about USD500 billion in 2015, slipping USD117 billion in September 2015 alone. The falls have since slowed, but remain high.
The PBOC has every right to change its reports, but the timing is questionable, and it is this that has made investors querulous. They fear the government is seeking to hide the economy's frailties. Such opacity is obviously tempting, but it can just as easily encourage investors to expect the worst – as when the PBOC's decision to change its exchange rate regime in August 2015 without explanation provoked the fears of devaluation that led to recent capital outflows.
END OF PREVIEW | To request a full text version, email us at firstname.lastname@example.com .
Citation: "Trust in China's economic data," Sovereign Data Vol 2. No. 3 (March 2016).
Keywords: CHINA, CHINESE ECONOMY, ECONOMIC DATA, PEOPLE'S BANK OF CHINA


text:
8 Tui Street, Te Puke
8G Cannell Farm Drive
76 Pukehina Parade, Pukehina Beach
95 Pukehina Parade, Pukehina Beach
236 Pukehina Parade, Pukehina Beach
52 Dunlop Road, Te Puke
21 Acornia Grove, Ohauiti
43 Station Road, Te Puke
11 Lee Street, Te Puke
50 Lee Street, Te Puke
54 Lee Street, Te Puke
12 Belvedere Street, Te Puke
33A Boucher Avenue, Te Puke
5A Jellicoe Street, Te Puke
36 Dunlop Road, Te Puke
2 Stapleton Place, Te Puke
18 Seddon Street, Te Puke
"We chose the amazing Samantha Hitchman to sell our house last year and we could not have been happier with our choice! Sam was incredibly professional, very knowledgeable, always fast to reply to messages, always happy to answer questions, and she sold our home in less than one week for a great price! Sam pushed the boundaries to help us when we needed her to. Over all it was stress free and straight forward. Couldn't recommend Sam enough. Thank you so much"
"We are so pleased that we entrusted Samantha to sell our family home in Te Puke. Being an emotional time, Sam was always there for us and went above and beyond to get everything just right. Even when it was discovered that the house had moisture issues, Sam gave us the confidence to proceed and had multiple offers on the table within a week. Sam offers sincerity and integrity to a level often missing with today's customer service. A huge thank you for making the journey as stress-free as possible. If you are looking to sell or buy a home I highly recommend Sam to take good care of you."
"Sam was a great help when we decided to place our house on the market. From appraisal, right through to settlement, Sam guided us with the best advice, making what could be, a very stressful time, relaxed and completely stress-free.
We are more than happy to recommend Sam to anyone wanting an appraisal done or looking at selling their home."
"Samantha achieved and amazing result in the sale of our house. We sold quickly and achieved 90% above our current RV, which was outstanding. Samantha was always pleasant, professional and helpful and this made the process as stress-free as it could have been.
We will definitely use Samantha for the sale of our next home!"
"We decided it was time to sell our rental in Te Puke and as we knew Samantha was offering free appraisals, we decided to see where our property was sitting in the current market.
Deciding to go with a Deadline Sale, Samantha had multiple offers within a week. Samantha was always there for us when we needed her and answered all our questions without hesitating.
Thank you Samantha for making it all stress-free! If you need help in selling your home don't hesitate to call Samantha!"
"I recently sold my first home with Samantha, due to a change of circumstance I had to end up selling my house which I absolutely loved and adored. Sam was so amazing though this whole experience, she explained every step along the way, was more then supportive and made the whole process smooth and effortless from our side. If I ever need to sell or buy again I would no doubt go straight to Samantha for any future real estate needs. I can not thank you enough for your time, effort and help with everything."


text:
With the spring comes many holidays, such as Passover. Wheat being a no-no, one must intake the most wheat he can before being prohibited from eating the holy grain. (Hence long lines at any good bagel institution- but don't skip the lox!) Okay, I'll set aside the drama (even though some do really feel this way), but for real who doesn't want to eat a homemade bagel? I figured it would be a nice treat before eating Matzah while celebrating Passover.
But what can make a bagel even better? Alcohol, of course.
Raisins soaked in flavorful rum give these bagels and extra kick for your weekend mornings. Go grab some shmear and bake these babies up!
Adapted from Food52
Recipe Type
Hannah's Bananas
Prep time:
2 hours 3 mins
Cook time:
25 mins
Total time:
2 hours 28 mins
8 bagels
- 2 ¼ teaspoons of yeast
- 1 tablespoon of molasses
- ½ teaspoon vanilla paste
- 1 ½ cups warm water
- 2 cups white whole wheat flour
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup of raisins
- ¼ cup dark rum or bourbon
- 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- Add the yeast and molasses to the warm water in the bowl of your mixer. Wait until the mixture begins to bubble.
- While the yeast bubbles, combine the raisins and rum. Make sure the raisins soak up most of the alcohol.
- Then add in the vanilla paste and sugar. Next add the flour, salt and cinnamon. (You can sift these together prior to adding them to the mixture).
- Using your dough hook, mix together the ingredients.
- Remove the dough and knead on a flour surface for 1-2 minutes. Then place dough in a oiled bowl. Cover with a dishcloth and let sit in a warm place for 1-2 hours until dough has risen and doubled.
- Once the dough has risen, preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Additionally, bring a large stockpot filed 2/3 of the way with water and the tablespoon of sugar to a boil.
- While your water is boiling, punch out the dough on a floured surface. Diving the dough into 8 balls. Push your thumb through the middle of each dough piece to shape your bagel and reach your desired size.
- Once your water is boiling, using 2-3 pieces of dough at a time, let each side of the bagel for 30 seconds. Once done on each side, place the bagel on a dishtowel to let the excess water drip on to.
- After all the bagels have been boiled, place each on a parchment lined baking sheet. Whisk together the egg white and some extra cinnamon. Brush the wash onto the top of each bagel.
- Bake for about 25 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Enjoy!
Better get crackin to make these for your next brunch! Don't forget the spreads!


text:
BCCC Advisory Board
Robert Chavez
Mr. Chávez is Chief Executive Officer of the Urban Corps of San Diego which is a non-profit conservation corps and charter school responsible for training, employing and providing educational opportunities to over 400 at-risk youths annually. Mr. Chavez brings more than 16 years of experience to the Advisory Board leading community development projects from his previous work with the City of San Diego Redevelopment Agency. He has a wide range of experience managing projects, negotiating contracts, working closely with political and community leaders, and spearheading fundraising and partnership initiatives. Prior to his work with the Redevelopment Agency, Mr. Chavez worked as Associate Management Analyst for the City of San Diego's Development Services Department, where he created and managed complex budgetary and organizational analyses and studies. In addition to his tenure with the City of San Diego, Mr. Chávez previously worked as Community Justice Program Coordinator specializing in Alternative Dispute Resolution for the National Conflict Resolution Center, where he supervised the South Bay San Diego office. Mr. Chavez's affiliations includes: California Association of Local Conservation Corps, the Corps Network, South county Economic Development Corporation, California Redevelopment Association, Urban Land Institute and the Building Industry Association.
Tom Dubose
Mr. Dubose has served as President of Development Design & Engineering, Inc. in El Centro, CA since 1998, which focuses on liaison work with governmental agencies involved with planning regulations and approval of development projects in Imperial County, CA. Mr. Dubose has over 14 years' experience as a construction superintendent and field supervisor. Mr. Dubose is very active in his community, serving as current Board member and President of Brawley Union High School (17 years); current Member and Chairman of the Air Pollution Control Hearing Board (12 years); and Second Vice President on the Executive Committee and Board Member of Building Industry Association, Desert Chapter. He has also formerly served as Board President, Board Member and Trustee of the Brawley Boys and Girls Club; Member and President of the Imperial Valley Community Foundation; Board Member of the Brawley Chamber of Commerce; Board Member of the Economic Development Commission; past Member and Vice-Chairman of the Brawley Planning Commission (8 years); and Founding Member and past President of Imperial Valley Regional Economic Development, Inc.
Joe Fernandez
Mr. Fernandez currently serves as Chairman of the Housing Authority of El Paso, and has served on the El Paso Cable Communications Commission, United Way Board Member, EPISD Fund Board, Kiwanis President, Volunteer Police Association, past president for The Five Points Development Association and Junior Achievement.
Mr. Fernandez has over 40 years of banking experience and begun his banking career with El Paso National Bank. Mr. Fernandez started in the data processing department and in 1973 became National Accounts officer where he managed Accounts for Fortune 500 company accounts. From 1982 through 1988 Mr. Fernandez was the Southwest correspondent banker. Mr. Fernandez served as Branch President at the First State Bank for JP Morgan from 1988 through 1991 as part of commercial lending group and became District Sales Consultant for JP Morgan where he managed and underwrote loans, investments and insurance for Small Business in El Paso, Austin, San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley. From 2000 - 2015 Mr. Fernandez was part of United Bank of El Paso and served on its executive management team.
Mr. Fernandez has a degree in Banking from New School of Banking - University of New Mexico.
Mr. LaVann is Senior Vice President of the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation which contributes to expansion of economic activity within Yuma County, Arizona by attracting commerce and industry to the region and striving to develop the region's existing industry to its fullest potential. Mr. LaVann is active in the community, serving on the Yuma County Workforce Investment Board and as Secretary of Yuma's Young Professional Leadership Council. He is also a member of the Arizona Association of Economic Development Business Retention and Expansion Coalition, the Yuma Chamber of Commerce Legislative Affairs Committee, the Arizona Rural Economic Development Initiative, the Arizona Western College Business Development Committee and Ex-Officio member of The Greater Yuma Port Authority Board. In addition, he is the Administrator of Yuma County Foreign Trade Zone #219 and a member of Arizona Big Brothers/Big Sisters program.
Greg LaVann
Mr. Escobar previously served as Senior Vice President / Regional Manager in charge of the Commercial Banking Dept. of Rabobank, N.A. in El Centro, CA, where he worked in various postions for 17 years from 1997 - 2014. His credentials include a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and a Master's Degree in Business Administration from the University of San Diego. Mr. Escobar is a licensed U.S. Customs Broker, previous Secretary-Treasurer and current Vice-Chairman of Imperial Valley Economic Development Corporation, and past president of both the Calexico Rotary and Calexico Lions Club.
Jesus Eduardo Escobar Moreno
Marco Antonio "Tony" Reyes
Mr. Reyes is Executive Director of Comite de Bienestar, Inc. in San Luis, AZ, which works to empower Mexican-American immigrants who encounter many barriers, including low wages, little access to conventional financing, and limited political representation. Mr. Reyes is a former Mayor of the City of San Luis Arizona, a US-Mexico border city and is currently serving as a member of the Yuma County Board of Supervisors. Mr. Reyes has represented low-income communities for the past 30 years as an elected official and serving as a member of multiple national advisory boards concerned with housing and other economic development issues.
Mr. Santillan previously served as City Manager for the City of Coachella (Riverside County). His responsibilities included oversight of management of the City of Coachella, coordination of all City Departments, the implementation of the budget, keeping the City Council informed of the condition of the City, intergovernmental relations, and public information. Mr. Santillan also served as City Manager for the City.
Jerry Santillan
Ms. Wilson is Chief Executive Officer of Workforce Solutions Borderplex which is a non-profit organization providing employers with skilled workers and helping individuals develop skills and abilities needed to thrive in the workplace. These efforts include going to family crisis centers and helping those individulas find employment and helping migrant seasonal workers find educational and training opportunities and employment.
Ms. Wilson served as City Manager of El Paso from 2004 through 2014 and was the City's first City Manager subsequent to a city charter amendment establishing a council/manager form of government.
Ms. Wilson is a nationally recognized leader with over 25 years of extensive local government management experience at senior management and executive levels. Her experience includes working in demographically diverse areas and bi-national settings including El Paso County, TX and Yuma County, AZ. Specific areas of expertise include: economic development and community revitalization, community capacity building and exemplary fiscal management skills. Ms. Wilson has demonstrated oversight of significant infrastructure investments in rapid growth communities, as well as those experiencing substantial economic decline.
Ms. Wilson has a B.S. in Business and Economics from Virginia Commonwealth University and an MPA from Harvard University's John F Kennedy School of Government. Ms. Wilson is a fellow with the Kellogg Foundation's national fellowship program and active in various community organizations, with a focus on youth and families in crisis. She also is an avid supporter and promoter of the arts and cultural sectors.


text: Want to avoid heinous roaming rates and sky-high mobile bills--the type capable of inducing an early-heart attack--when travelling abroad and using your mobile phone? Here's a useful article in the NYTimes giving step by step advice on how to avoid these noisy bills. The guide runs through popular VOIP services such as Skype, Skype Lite and Fring, and extends its review to lesser-known services such as Truphone. Enjoy.


text:
About the Design
Neon glow party Bat Mitzvah save the date announcement with dark blue background and "glowing" neon pink, yellow, and blue Bat Mitzvah and Star of David. The background of this glow in the dark Bat Mitzvah save the date card is a navy blue gradient. Over this navy blue background, the words Bat Mitzvah and the Star of David appear to be glowing with glowing lights around them. This glow party Bat Mitzvah save the date announcement features glow in the dark colors of neon pink, neon blue, and neon yellow. This design uses a sophisticated modern, sleek font for the wording. This neon glow party save the date card could be a great choice for an 80s themed party (1980s, eighties) as well.
Note that all elements of this design are printed on the paper with ink and are not raised or 3D embellishments.
This neon glow in the dark party Bat Mitzvah save the date announcement design is exclusive to Lemon Leaf Prints.
About the Product
Our professionally printed A2 size flat cards are a great choice for invitations, insert cards or flat cards for a variety of special occasions.
- High quality, full-color, full-bleed printing (on both sides where applicable).
- 7 paper types to choose from (see our paper type descriptions here).
- 10 envelope colors to choose from or you can choose no envelope.
Size: 4.25" x 5.5"
Uses: invitation, RSVP card, thank you card, recipe card, directions card, accommodations card, reception card, save the date invitation
- Save the Date Card
- 4.25"x5.5" (A2)
- Pink
- Yellow
- Teal / Turquoise
- Blue
- Modern/Minimalist
- Lights/Sparklers
- Preppy
- Female
- Neutral
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall / Autumn
- Winter


text:
Inspired by the lack of power wrought by Hurricane Sandy, Instructables user Randy Sarafan began thinking about emergency supplies, and his lack of preparedness should disaster strike. After figuring out that water, food, and a crowbar make his top 3 list of essential emergency supplies, Sarafan realized he would need some kind of long-lasting light solution. He knew that after a few days of powering his lights, all of his batteries would be dead, and he'd need power to charge rechargeable batteries. So rather than buying a bunch of batteries, he opted to buy a bunch of tea candles, and use them to power an electric candle, creating an awesome useless machine if we ever saw one.
The project doesn't actually require too many materials, aside from — as Sarafan puts it — about 1,000,000 tea lights you can buy from Ikea for $1.99. Do-it-yourselfers will simply need an electric candle, at least one candle, four 12″ x 3/16″ aluminum rods, and four 3/16″ shaft collars. You'll also need a Peltier heat sink assembly, which is something of a double heat sink that acts as a heat pump. The assembly consists of a "hot side" and a "cold side," and has an attached insulator that releases heat as the heat sink cools off. Basically, the candle provides heat to the heat sink, which in turn uses said heat to power the electric candle.
Sarafan drilled holes into the four corners of the heat sink, and slotted the 3/16-inch rods into them. He attached the shaft collars onto the rods in order to keep the heat sink in place, and positioned the hot part of the Peltier heat sink on the bottom facing the candle. He then simply connected the heat sink wires to the battery terminals on the electric candle, and wrapped the wires in electrical tape to keep the circuit from shorting. Then, he took a small piece of tissue, and used it to block the light sensor in order to trick the candle into thinking it's always nighttime — a step that isn't necessary if your electric candle doesn't have a sensor.
After the build process, simply light up a candle and place it under the heat sink. More candles helps the electric candle light up faster. Due to the heat sink retaining heat, after the candles are blown out, the electric candle will stay lit until the heat sink cools off.
A fun, seemingly simple project — or you could just use those million candles you bought from Ikea as your light source. Either way.
via Instructables


text:
Shooting Diary - Day 15
Today was an unusual day of shooting. With a last-minute shuffle of the schedule yesterday, we blindly chose our location for today's filming. We had a few outdoor dialogue scenes to knock out along with single sides of a phone conversations. Everything today should have been fairly straight forward and easy stuff, and it was except for the fact that we were outside and in the heart of downtown Manhattan. With the occasional battle of light rain, traffic noise, and pedestrians looking into the lens, we did pretty well.
The main bulk of the day was scheduled for a long scene with very specific dialogue and pacing. I wanted to capture the better part of the scene in one long take, so we had to plan things out a bit. The camera was mounted on a tripod and preset for the actors' ending position. Then, we mapped out the simple blocking pattern and ran the scene. Because the scene has such fast, and sometimes syncopated dialogue, it was important to use the camera as a casual observer of the action as opposed to adding much movement to the scene.
We spent most of the day doing take after take of the 4 page scene. Because we weren't doing any coverage or single shots to edit around to cut up the scene, we had to nail the thing all the way through. If we managed to flawlessly get our way through 3.9 pages but screwed up the last two lines, the take was no good. Whenever one does a shot like this, it's a hunt for perfection. Usually, one can "perfect" the performance of a scene in the edit. In our case today, it was up to the actors.
After countless takes throughout the day, we finally walked away with several good options. I haven't seen everything yet, but I feel good about where we wrapped the day. We stopped a little earlier then I would have liked, but we had little choice as the park manager of where we were shooting was starting to raise his minimum for a "suggested donation".
So that was the bulk of our day. Tonight is some serious prep for tomorrow. With a last-minute swap of a major location for the film, Alex, Marie, Nicole, Pete, and Andrew are all dressing the new location and paint walls. Lots of scrambling fun while I log footage, blog, and go through tomorrow's scenes.
Only a few more days to go before we wrap principal photography. For some reason it still feels like the bulk of the work is ahead of me. I'm sure this time next week it will all be a blur, but like the rest of this process, I can only take it one day at a time, one scene at a time, and one shot at a time.
Tomorrow again.