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Walt Bettinger, the 47-year-old president and COO of Charles Schwab Corp., will succeed the company's founder and chairman, Charles R. Schwab, as CEO of the company effective Oct. 1. Bettinger had been seen as the likely successor to Charles Schwab, 70, since he was named to his current position in February 2007.
Bettinger joined Charles Schwab after the company acquired in 1995 the retirement plan services firm he founded, The Hampton Company. In a statement announcing the promotion, Charles Schwab, who will retain the position of chairman, pledged that "I will continue to serve as a very active chairman and look forward to continuing the strong partnership that Walt and I have developed."
As president and COO, Bettinger oversaw Schwab Institutional, the largest custodian for RIAs, which as of June 30 counted $575.3 billion in RIA assets–a 3% increase from the same period in 2007. While net new assets were up 20% year over year, they slowed in the second quarter to $14.5 billion from the $19.9 billion posted in the first quarter.
On July 16, the company announced net income of $295 million, a 1% increase from 2007′s first quarter, on $1.30 billion in net revenues, up from $1.20 billion in 2007. However, income from continuing operations (which excludes U.S. Trust, which was sold by Schwab on July 1, 2007) was up 22% for the quarter.


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When asked what they want more of, most people say time and money. Last month, we talked about time, so this month, it's about money. There is a great song from the show Mama Mia called "Money, Money, Money" and the lyrics go like this:
"I work all night; I work all day, to pay the bills I have to pay.
Aint it sad?
And still there never seems to be, a single penny left for me.
That's too bad.
In my dreams I have a plan; if I got me a wealthy man, I wouldn't have to work at all; I'd fool around and have a ball!"
Haha! Well, for most women...that's not necessarily a great plan or a realistic one. And, so many women I meet are sick and tired of being sick and tired. They have been affected by the economy by tit downsizing their income, savings or retirement. So how do they even think about more income...where do they begin?
You know, somewhere along the way the American Dream has shifted from working hard and creating financial security to overspending and creating massive amounts of debt. That's the number one reason why people claim they need more money…to pay off debt. Dave Ramsey writes in his book, The Total Money Makeover, "there are only two ways to become financially stable: earn more or spend less." Imagine what can happen when you do both. Without debt you can save more for retirement, pay cash for the family extras, and use your money to make a difference for others. Without debt, you can sleep better, worry less and have greater hope for your future.
Financial experts such as Ramsey, Suze Orman, David Bach, and Jean Chatzy can provide the tools and teach you how to manage your money resulting in having more by spending less. Women Changing Lives and our partner company can help you add to your income even alongside what you are currently doing.
That's why we love what we do! We have the vehicle to earn more money. We get to help people pay the bills at the end of the paycheck, create their Plan B for retirement, college funds, vacations; become stay at home parents; and yes, get out of debt. We have a proven business model that works.
We can say this with conviction, since the company we work with is debt free, GREW by $94 million dollars in 2012, bringing them to over $1.13 billion in annual sales. So if you are one of the many that need more money, call Karen today for your appointment.
Karen's journey includes climbing the corporate ladder for over 15 years, over 120 hours of graduate studies, owning and operating franchise restaurants, and having her own successful business working from home for the last 13 years. She is an entrepreneur focused on having a positive impact on everyone she meets. Contact Karen Caprino-Burg at 317-828-3061 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
Visit Women Changing Lives at www.womenchanginglives.net.

subset: commoncrawl


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Several vendor spaces are available for a juried craft show hosted by Friends of the Conant Public Library on Saturday, November 17, at the First Church auditorium, 6 Meetinghouse Hill Road, Sterling. E-mail Julie Flannery at friendsof conant@gmail. com, or call the Sterling Library (978) 422-6409.
The craft show runs 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and costs $1 for admission. All proceeds benefit children's programs. Light lunch and baked goods will be offered. Many varied items will be for sale including hand-woven textiles, silhouettes and hand-crafted shaker boxes.


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Lisbon's spots, live weather forecast here - complete gallery here
Also known as the city of light, LISBON is the capital of Portugal, a multicultural metropolis that´s bursting with culture, architecture, charm, great food and a fantastic atmosphere.
The almost constant presence of sunlight and Tejo river transforms the Portuguese capital into a mirror of a thousand colors, highlighting the city's unique architecture and beauty.
As WERIDE through LISBON - whose history spans back thousands of years – WE find streets filled with heritage and characteristic neighborhoods where the city first developed, which can still be experienced at its most genuine level.
Influenced by many different remote cultures over time, there is still a village-like feeling in every historical neighborhood, and Fado - awarded World Heritage status - is the most significant expression of what it is to be Portuguese.
LISBON's historic streets are perfect for urban night riding, with lots of stairs and alleyways that will allow you to feel and live the city in a different perspective. Ride in a castle, stop to eat and drink at all the hot spots, meet fantastic locals.
The capital also has a great local trail network. The "backyard" as WE call it, is a great little forest park named MONSANTO that is made up of fast flowing single tracks with root sections, drops and fun features like small jumps and berms. It´s a place for all levels of riding and packs lots of fun.
10km out from Lisbon the UNESCO World Heritage town of SINTRA is the Mecca of Mountain Biking in the Greater Lisbon area. SINTRA has a North Shore style vibe to it, but with a Mediterranean twist. Here you can find trails for all levels and tastes. From fast flowy single tracks to technical steep trails, long winding berms, dense oak forests and granite rock gardens. And to top it all off, you can end your ride right on the beach and go for a swim in the Atlantic Ocean.


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Update 5:25 p.m. PT with other sync tools.
Online calendars are great but the problem is you tend to have one at work and a separate personal one. Now you can see events in both calendars at once, at least if you are using Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook.
Google released Google Calendar Sync on Wednesday, which allows you to sync up those two calendars.
The tool gives you control over which direction you want the synchronization to go as well as how often you want it to happen.
The software was easy to install, and I was able to see the Outlook items in my Google Calendar but not the other way around for some reason. Oh well. Once I get this figured out it sure will be useful.
There are other Outlook calendar sync tools, but most aren't free. Jotlet announced two-synchronization with Outlook and its calendar last year. Another interesting one is Calgoo, a Java-based app that syncs online and offline calendars, including Google and Microsoft.


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Construction has begun on the Soldier Ridge Trail, a single track, publicly accessible non-motorized trail just west of Sheridan City limits. A crew with the Montana Conservation Corps has completed 1.2 miles of the 4.5 mile trail.
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - Gov. Matt Mead returned from China this week confident that Wyoming should continue exploring how to export coal to meet that nation's growing demand.
Sheridan mayor, Dave Kinskey, appeared on Public Pulse with Kim Love on Newstalk 930 Thursday and sang praises to the city utilities staff who have recently outsourced the utility billing process.
At last Monday's Johnson County School Board meeting, each administrator present gave updates and reports to the board.
Wyoming's top regulator of oil and gas development is quitting after he remarked that greed motivates people who assert that hydraulic fracturing contaminated their groundwater.


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Welcome To The journey
Life is a journey. It is filled with joys and sorrows. The Journey is a resource for life-drawing truth for life from God's Word. For over twenty years Pastor Steve DeWitt has taught God's Word with clarity and passion. The immediate context for his ministry is Bethel Church in NW Indiana. The impact of his teaching and writing to a broader audience birthed The Journey. We hope it becomes a trusted source of help to you as you sojourn on your journey of life.
Thank you for your support of The Journey with Pastor Steve DeWitt. Your generosity continues the ministry of God's Word through radio, internet, and media. It is our privilege to partner with you!
The Journey is heard through various media outlets. This teaching ministry is heard on Moody Radio FM Chicago (90.1) with a half-hour program each weekday at 9:30pm and Sunday mornings at 11:00am. Broadcasts and other resources are available here at thejourney.fm.
- our mission -
to inspire change through the word of christ
about Steve
It has been Pastor Steve's joy to serve as Bethel Church's (NW Indiana) senior pastor since 1997. His primary responsibilities are teaching at our weekend services, shepherding the people, leading the staff, serving as an Elder, and providing overall vision for the church.
Steve's sermons at Bethel Church
Pastor Steve regularly speaks at Bethel Church. His sermons later appear in the radio broadcasts. You can watch, listen, or podcast Bethel Church sermons.


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Too often we look outside of ourselves for proof of our value or worth. Do you look to others to offer you the appreciation for a job well done? Do you dissect the words offered or sometimes withheld as evidence to whether you are good enough? Do you constantly look to others to make you feel good about yourself? And are you disappointed or outraged when they do not? You may demand that others recognize your value or…..
SELF-TRUST is the knowing that no matter what your head is saying your heart will always choose love. There can be no self-trust without a solid foundation of SELF-LOVE. SELF-LOVE reveals the love that is always available within. SELF-TRUST is the belief that the love within will always guide you towards your greatest potential. It is impossible to trust yourself when you don't love yourself. Heal your heart so it can be the compass of love…..
To move into SELF-LOVE, you must let go of all old anger and hatreds. To continue carrying around anger and hatred is the ultimate act of self-sabotage. Just like an electrical storm, nothing will shorten out the hearts' ability to love and receive love quicker than holding onto these destructive energies. Instead of being satisfied with a momentary sense of power that anger can produce, take your full power back from these toxic energies by healing those old wounds. Be…..
Would you like more information about this book?
Please fill out the form below so that I can add you to my email distribution list.
I thank you in advance for your interest!
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When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder—much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing—not even a smear of blood—to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?
This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . . .
Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare's ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end.
There are times when we just want to hang with our friends and have a good time to make the stress of the past days, weeks, or even months get away from us. We want to be able to vent, to cry, to scream about everything that is going wrong, or even rejoice in everything that is going right. Clary wants to do that with her best friend Simon, going to a club to go dancing and let loose and have a good time.
But alas, it is not written in the stars that way for Clary to do.
Clary's world is rocked by viewing the murder of someone she had seen acting suspiciously all night, by a group of people who just look suspicious as well. She is at a loss of knowing what she is able to do, of how to do the right thing, but before she can decide what her next move is, she is whisked away and having decisions made for her.
She is taken from place to place by people she barely knows, and has to deal with after having arrived home to find her mother missing. Desperate for answers, she agrees to go along, as she herself would like to know what is going on that is changing her life forever. But changes that are found to be life-changing are just beginning to pile up at her feet.
This book is a thrill ride, taking you from place and place and never knowing where you are going to end up. It takes you back to that romance you knew was a bad idea from the start, but you just couldn't help yourself diving head first into it. To the moment when you suddenly learn why you shouldn't be in this relationship in the first place, though I doubt that twist was as big as this one was. Cassandra Clare provides you with characters that remind you of yourself: innocent, curious, and ready to take on the world. You have a best friend that is willing to do anything for you, though they may have different reasons than you realize. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I cannot wait until I tackle the next book in the series.
Reviewed by Mercedes Olivas
Book Information
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Publication date: 2/19/2008
Pages: 512


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What service is right for you?
Editing is a multistep process, and until you've written at least your first million words, you're not even close to being able to skip steps. The most common issue editors face is being handed a manuscript to copyedit or proofread only to discover there are massive inconsistencies in character and plot that haven't been addressed in a developmental edit. And the most common issue authors face is figuring out what the f*** each editing phase is called and what it includes. It's true; there are so many different terms thrown around with no clear definition that even editors get confused sometimes. Okay, a lot.
So here are the services I offer. Read through to figure out where your manuscript falls (be honest!) and learn more about the service.
"I've written my beats, but I want to make sure they're solid before writing the first draft."
Beats are a way of outlining your story that doesn't make you want to figure out where to procure a lethal dose of hemlock nowadays. The can look a lot of ways, but mostly it's a series of paragraphs that describe the action and purpose of each scene in your story. They're descriptive enough so that someone else could look at them and write a book pretty similar to the one you're imagining. If you're not writing beats for your story, oh my god, you should. Makes it so much easier. Read more about beats here.
This package includes an in-depth review of your beats, in-text comments on them, and a summary of my main suggestions for meeting reader expectations for the genre and generally taking your story to the next level. Optional add-on: Skype call with me to discuss feedback and brainstorm solutions.
Price: $ (see pricing)
Story development
"I've written my first draft, but I want feedback on where to add, remove, or tweak before I head into revisions and cleaning it up."
The story is clear in your mind, and the characters are all properly motivated, and the plot makes perfect sense, right? Sure. To you. But every writer forgets to mention important information that readers might like or need to know. Or maybe you just screw up and forget that the character was wearing a dress three seconds ago, but now she's dusting off her jeans. Or maybe your story feels boring in a couple places and you don't know why or how to change it. That happens. No biggie. But you need a developmental edit before you can even start to worry about grammar, punctuation, and sentence flow.
This package includes an in-depth review of your story with an eye for consistency of plot, characters, and details; suggestions for issues that arise; and a summary of main areas to focus on in revisions. It does not focus on grammar, punctuation, or sentence flow. The human brain can't effectively focus on all of that at once.
Price: $$$ (see pricing)
"I've handled all the holes in my plot and my development of conflict is solid. I need someone to help my sentences flow better and correct my grammatical errors."
The story is airtight, but maybe you didn't study English in college, or you did and weren't paying attention, but either way, grammar, spelling, and sentence flow aren't your forté. You need someone who knows the Chicago Manual of Style better than you know your own family, who can swoop in, whip all your dialogue into shape and make sure you don't echo yourself over and over and over... Sounds like you're ready for a copyedit.
This package includes a full edit of your manuscript according to the Chicago Manual of Style, in-line grammar and spelling changes (where it's a clear call) and suggestions for increasing sentence-level clarity and flow. It does not include any developmental suggestions whatsoever. Because this package includes a single pass of your manuscript, the cleaner the manuscript is upon submitting, the fewer mistakes will go unnoticed. This is not a proofread. Once you receive feedback and accept or ignore the suggestions, only then are you ready for a proofread.
Price: $$-$$$ (see pricing)
"My manuscript is polished and ready to go!"
Hold up there. No, it's not. If you haven't had someone give it a final pass after you've made changes post-copyedit, then you're about to publish it with mistakes. Maybe even lots of them. A proofread doesn't make suggestions, but rather fixes the things that are definitely incorrect.
I don't offer proofreads because I don't like doing them. Sorry?


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When is a yoghurt not a yoghurt? When it's a Marks and Spencer's yogurt. When it's a Greco-Roman Mega-Posset raddled by citrus blossom, tempered with essential oils and studded with the crystalized remains of sixty-seven sun-blushed Mediterranean Lemons. An M&S yogurt is more that a yogurt, is better than a yoghurt, is somehow more desirable and damn sight more appetising than a plain old "yogurt" because it conjures up images in our minds and tastes on our tongues; it is an altogether more acceptable and convincing proposition. Bottom line: I believe in it and, I'm guessing, given our mutual fondness for Musical Theatre, you believe in it too. M&S knows a thing or six about gentle persuasion; St Michael wields the power of verisimilitude.
Drama is a bunch of ugly lies dressed up pretty to look like the truth. How convincing any piece of drama is depends upon the performance of the actors, the insight of the directors, the budget, the subject, the venue, and (of course) the wit and wisdom of the writing team. As a humble writer (and I use the word "humble" quite wrongly), I am in control only of the very first sheen of truth applied to the myriad fibs of a brand new story. I do the words but, although they come out of my head, they're destined to reach the audience from the mouths of other people entirely. I therefore have my work cut out for me to convince anyone at all that I mean what I say. Fortunately for me (and others like me [there are no others like me]), there are little tricks I can use to add verisimilitude, the illusion of truth and reality, to my work. Which is to say, things I can do to help you believe in the unutterably illusory world that I'm creating.
Names are important. Shakespeare said, something along the lines of, "a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." But would it? Really? Even if it was called a Bum Flower or a Rotten-Guts Weed? Far be it from me to disagree with the Bard of Avon, but I ain't convinced. A name should fit the character, because that just makes life easier for everyone. A bouncer outside a nightclub should be called Massive Craig, say, and not Lionel St John Ffolkes-Coupling. Unless the whole point of the character was that he was playing against type, in which case, I can't think of a better name for him. ("You can't come in with those shoes, sir. No trainers, no sandals, no Giuseppe Zanotti.") More importantly, a name should sound like it was given to the character by her or his parents at her or his birth. A forename should fit with a surname, and both should be relatively interesting in their own right (and, as far as my particular job is concerned, both should rhyme with practically anything I want them to).
Proper nouns are the liar's best friend. (A liar is also chummy with verbs, participles, prepositions and conjunctions, but they're more like Facebook Friends than bosom buddies.) Using brand names, nicknames, obscure county towns, trademarks etc. all help to convince the listener that you know what you're talking about. In drama, the prodigious use of proper nouns (real or imaginary) can be the difference between a clichéd line of dialogue, muttered by a character in a third-rate soap, and a quotable sound-bite of gospel truth, delivered by a three-dimensional human being, standing under a proscenium arch but living and breathing in the fragile frame of a two-hour window on the world. Here's a little something from Doctor Who (just because, and also because if anything is a difficult sell, it's the wacky work of the good Doctor)…
An evil scientist from the 51st Century has travelled back to the 19th to escape justice. His method of transport: a rickety time machine based on a dangerously unstable technology. The Doctor explains how the experiments which led its construction were (or rather, will be) an abject failure, and he does so with a lot of proper nouns:
"[correcting his friend] Unsuccessful time travel, Professor. Findecker's discovery of the double nexus particle sent human science up a technological cul-de-sac."
(from The Talons of Weng-Chiang, 1977)
He goes on to identify the scientist as one Magnus Greel, "the infamous Minister of Justice, the Butcher of Brisbane," a Mengele-type figure from a future World War, forced to flee after the "Filipino Army" made its "final advance on Reykjavik." Sure, it's all nonsense, but it's richly textured and well-written nonsense, peppered with proper nouns all of which serve to conjure up in our minds images of exotic locations, horrific atrocities, and infinite scientific possibilities. These words have nothing whatsoever to do with the story, or even the plot. Both of which can roughly be summed up by: evil bloke with a laser gun wreaks havoc in Victorian London until someone with the balls and the brawn steps up to stop him. The words are there only to make this ludicrous story more palatable, in much the same way as M&S might advertise their pots of rotten cow's milk with a list of romantic ingredients similar to those spelled out at the top of this article. The proper nouns somehow make the lies more believable. And, I would argue, that nobody knew this better than one of my favourite writers of the last 100 years, Robert Holmes (author of a number of Doctor Who stories and a plethora of other television show in the 1960s, 70s and 80s) –more about him another time. For now, back to product placement…
People don't eat "chocolate bars" they might, "go for a Snickers" or "fancy a Mars Bar." People don't run out of "bubble bath", they run out of Radox (or, in this house: Matey.) Proper nouns, when it comes to comestibles and consumables, lend not only verisimilitude to dialogue, but they tell us about the character, her or his likes and prejudices. Last year, Ben and I put together a rehearsed reading of one of out shows at the Dominion Theatre. The biggest laugh came not from any of my carefully wrought gags, or any one of Ben's many musical flourishes, but from a proper noun. It's unlikely to work out of context, but I'm getting to the end of this article, I've got to stop somewhere, and I'm off to Fitness First in a minute. So, picture the scene, an old woman, matriarch of a decaying household has struck the gong for dinner. Tonight, a young man is in attendance, a very special guest. Grandma has this to say to him:
GRANDMA: Dinner is served! In fifteen minutes. I suggest, Mr Austin, that you go and wash your hands. Straight down the hall, second on your left.
Somewhat taken aback, SAM squares his shoulders and makes for the exit.
SAM: Right, yeah. OK. Thanks.
GRANDMA stops him at the door.
GRANDMA: Was my daughter telling you about her "shotgun wedding"?
SAM: Yes. Well, almost-wedding. There wasn't a ceremony.
GRANDMA: But there was a shotgun... Feel free to use the Molton Brown.
[Cue Riotous Laughter!]
SAM: Thanks.
SAM, unnerved, wanders off to find the loo.
NB: If any of the manufacturers of any of the products mentioned in this article want to give me free stuff, I can be contacted at the usual address, or emailed on the link above. Thank you kindly in advance.
Rich Hough
Follow Frost & Hough on Twitter: @frostandhough


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Propagating some propaganda...
We're going to be spreading the AWG love and propagating some propaganda in the next 6 weeks or so.
Here's what we have going on.
Patagonia Austin
Sunday Sept 14th
A few of us have charmed our way into positions of Patagonia pro staff-ness, we will be joining Adam and his crew for a viewing of "low and clear" and after the show were going to hang out, Lie about fishing and drink all there free beer. Free beer should be just about all that needs to be said on this one but its not. If you haven't seen "low and Clear" this is a great opportunity to do so.
Sportsman' Finest
Saturday Sept 20th
Rumor is that poor ole Alvin and JT may be off to La La land to get punished by them big reds, in their absence Shea and Winston will be out at Sportsman's Finest talking up all things on the fly, answering questions (hopefully) and most likely lying a little (we're talking fishing here). No free beer but this will be a fun event nonetheless. Please come say hello. We'll have our boats out and will do a little casting and demonstrations on what we've learned guiding clients over the years.
Orvis Austin
Saturday Oct 4th
Orvis Fall Days,
Absolutely no story telling! Jef runs a tight ship out their and shenanigans will not be tolerated, that said. We will be there sucking the class out of the joint like a black hole…or something. In all seriousness the Orvis Austin Folks always put on a good event (free beer in the past) with some pretty interesting speakers speaking about interesting things.
Saturday Oct 8th
Orvis Fall days
AWG has been invited up to Plano, we're really not sure what this event will be like but we're going to be there with bells and whistles. If you're in the Plano area pay us a visit. We will be doing a demonstration much like the one at Sportsman's finest for the Dallas area folks.
See ya on the water or at one of these events.


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Fathers' Opinions on Shared Parental Leave
31. March 2015
by ParentalChoice
in Working Mum, Working Dad, Career
0 comments
View image | gettyimages.com The world in which we work has changed a lot in the last fifty years since our fathers were first embarking on being working parents. 2 out of 3 couples now work full time. Of those couples, 50% of women now earn the same if not more than their partners. ...


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The Columbia River Gorge is an incredibly dynamic landscape. Over time, the river carved through the entire cascade mountain range becoming the interface between temperate rainforest and desert, running from sea level to alpine peaks. With the greatest concentration of waterfalls in the U.S., it's a waterfall lover's paradise.
Winter has become my new favorite time to visit waterfalls in the gorge. Ice and snow transform the landscape, creating a new world to explore with solitude and the added challenge of navigating steep icy trails. The conditions are always changing this time of year so you never know what to expect — a familiar place you've visited many times can look strikingly different encased in ice with a blanket of snow. One of my favorite hikes in this area is Oneonta Gorge. If started from Horsetail falls, the hike passes four incredibly scenic waterfalls. The fourth, and perhaps most unique, is Triple Falls, the equivalent of a "double rainbow" for waterfall enthusiasts.
My brother and I hit the trail shortly after a recent cold snap. It began with a short section of switchbacks and we quickly reached Ponytail Falls where the path goes behind the cascading water and passes under an overhang of columnar basalt. We were greeted with massive icicles hanging from the ceiling like stalactites. The mist from the waterfalls formed a thick layer of ice on the surrounding rocks around the pool below. Continuing on, the trail became increasingly slippery with packed snow and ice from previous hikers. We took our time and enjoyed the challenge of the terrain and numerous views into the gorge. After passing Upper Oneonta Falls and several more sketchy switchbacks, we reached Triple Falls with its frosty winter coat. Each cascade had become an ice encrusted chute leading to an ice palace of fallen logs and rock. We lingered for a while, sharing a great moment in such a special place.
Brendon Eisenbart grew up in the foothills of the Tualatin Mountains outside Portland, Ore. In addition to chasing waterfalls and capturing pictures, he is an active hiker, kayaker, and graphic designer who is always curious where the next trail will lead. You can see more of his photography on Instagram @brendon.eisenbart


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Welcome to Parenting/
Whether this is your first week with your first child at home or whether your sixth grandchild just graced this earth, you can relate. The work of parenting is all-consuming, sacrificial, and sanctifying to the core.Read More
Whether this is your first week with your first child at home or whether your sixth grandchild just graced this earth, you can relate. The work of parenting is all-consuming, sacrificial, and sanctifying to the core.Read More
Foster care is a complex ministry. We entered this new season with the intention to keep children safe. We now realize Jesus had an even broader brushstroke in mind. Certainly, our primary responsibility is to open our lives to a child from traumatic experiences. But we never considered the abundance of new people our lives would intersect—therapists, case managers, attorneys, CASA volunteers, WIC office employees, biological family members. At every turn there seems to be someone in need of the hope of Jesus. These new rhythms in our lives have jolted us out of our comfort and into a reality that our culture is far more broken than we ever imagined. Yet it's given us a chance to share about Jesus more boldly than before this journey began...Read More
The process of adopting our daughter went very smoothly and every step of the way the Lord continued to reveal His heart to us. Adoption is the perfect example of how God's Love works. When our daughter came to us she was so frail. At 1 year old she weighed just 14 pounds. She was dirty, undernourished, and terrified. She did not understand who we were or that we already Loved her deeply. As she grew she became stronger. Her fears gave way to joy and seeing her begin to smile at us as we talked to her filled our family with some much elation that we could not imagine how we had ever lived without her...Read More
My daughter completed her treatment and returned home to begin rebuilding our family's relationship, but the road to restoration was a complicated one and shortly after she returned home, we found ourselves at odds again. I was determined to make our relationship work but all my best efforts continued to fail. Months later, sitting in a church service, I found myself once again unable to communicate what was happening in my heart. But this time it was not because of my battered relationship with my daughter; it was because I was suffering a stroke...Read More
After mourning this loss for a short time, we mustered all the resolve we could find and began our fertility treatments again. But this time our hearts were simply too broken to endure the rollercoaster process any longer. We discontinued the treatments and tried to come to terms with the idea that we would never have a child of our own. During this extended season a number of friends had suggested the idea of adopting a child. This was something that we believed in but the Hope of having our own biological child had always been our focus...Read More
Sunday, August 30 was the most emotionally taxing sermon I have ever prepared for and preached. I dealt with the issue of abortion, delivering a polemical and pastoral message on the moral wrong of abortion. I looked at the question, "what is the unborn?" and answered that question from Scripture, Science, and Common Sense...Read More


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Youth M.O.V.E. Oregon (YMO) staff consult and provide training and technical assistance for youth-serving groups, organizations, and agencies across the country. Our staff have extensive experience building, improving, and running youth/young adult programs and services, making them invaluable resources for new and evolving youth/young adult service providers.
YMO provides technical assistance to state agencies, nonprofits, and communities seeking information about and support in designing programs for young adults who may have experience with mental health, addictions/recovery, foster care, juvenile justice, LGBTQQI2S, and/or other youth serving systems. We can provide technical assistance via on-site and/or virtual training, regular dialogue, and/or providing quick correspondence to answer any questions you may have.
The following are some examples of the type of professional assistance we can provide:
- Program development for the amplification of youth/young adult voice in your community
- Program development and service expansion for transition-aged youth/young adults
- Crisis response for critical incidents such as; suicide, school violence, community violence
- Remodel/redesign existing locations to encourage youth engagement
- Development, training, and supervision of peer support providers in your community
- Incorporation of youth/young adult-driven support services into existing systems of care
- Building the capacity of states,regional and local programs to improve services to transitional aged youth.
- Assessment of current program and services
- Marketing strategies for transition aged youth
If you don't see what you need, no problem! We can meet with you to discuss your needs and design an assistance plan specially suited to fit your needs.
Click here to see some of the work that we have done in the past.


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Everything you need to know about modern Point of Sale systems
Nowadays we swipe and tap our credit and debit cards at checkouts without a second thought, and increasing numbers of shoppers do the same with mobile phones and wearable payment devices.
So it's hard to believe that the first point of sale machinery, the mechanical cash register, isn't even 150 years old.
A saloon owner in the US named James Ritty invented the cash register in 1879, in an attempt to stop employees pilfering all his profits from the cash drawer. Every purchase had to be manually rung up and, when the total button was pressed, a bell would ring to alert the manager to the fact that the cash drawer was open.
Ritty's patented machine was named the 'Incorruptible Cashier' and the rights to his invention were bought just five years later and put into production by a newly formed company, National Cash Register or NCR.
Transforming Retail Spaces
By 1915, after aggressive development and expansion by NCR, there was a cash register in most retail establishments across the US, and NCR salesmen were active in fifty other countries. Business owners were able to control theft and keep track of inventory more accurately than ever before, making the cash register one of the transforming mechanisations of the industrial age.
Point of sale machinery was electrified in 1906 when an NCR employee designed the first cash register with an electric motor, but it was the 1970s before the next big change to point of sale hardware arrived, with the advent of micro processing.
Data Processing Arrives
Two types of cash register developed: the basic electronic cash register or ECR and the more sophisticated POS or point of sale terminal with its complex data processing functions.
Paying by plastic took off in the 1980s, making mechanical imprinters and then card swipe readers an integral part of the payment process. These are still popular in the US but are all but obsolete in the UK where EMV chip card technology has become the standard.
Chip and PIN
The introduction of chip and PIN technology added the electronic card reader and PIN pad to the POS hardware needed at the checkout. The first contactless cards were issued in 2007 and by 2011 the first mobile phones with payment certification technology reached the market.
To manage all these new payment devices, most modern day POS systems include:
A computer that runs POS software to manage sales, reports and inventory control, as well as capturing customers' purchasing history
A POS monitor and keyboard or a POS touch screen. iPads and other point of sale tablets are becoming increasingly popular
A secure cash drawer for storing money and credit card receipts. Divided in much the same way as they've always been, nowadays the cash drawer receives a signal from the computer or receipt printer to prompt it to open
A handheld scanner or an embedded scanner, for reading the barcodes on products. The scanner deciphers the barcode information and sends it to the POS computer
A card reader for customers to swipe, dip or tap their credit or debit card or their mobile phone
A secure stand to hold the card reader and protect it from theft, criminal tampering and general wear and tear
A receipt printer
With so much hardware and software involved in the payment process, it's no longer just employees with access to the cash drawer who pose a threat to profits. Business owners need to protect POS iPads and tablets, card readers and PIN pads from tampering and theft by using good quality, secure stands, and also keep their networks and software secure from hackers.
Contactless Payments
As the number of contactless payments continue to rise, we may soon be saying goodbye to the cash drawer and the receipt printer, replaced by tablet-based terminals linked to contactless readers, with e-receipts sent directly to phones.
Which is all a far cry from the simplicity of Ritty's original 'Incorruptible Cashier'!
Check out Tailwind's products designed to keep your POS hardware secure.


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Country Ski Chic
Now that mid-winter break is approaching, its time to start planning your winter vacation! This year, we're definitely into the idea of hitting the slopes. Whether you're into skiing, snowboarding or just sipping a whiskey sour, make sure you're beautifully bundled up. Our must-have item to pack is definitely this super chic southwestern coat by
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What some of Nour's clients had to say about their experience
"Nour is incredibly detailed oriented, authentic, and driven. What you see is what you get; her work speaks for itself and so do her clients. She has worked with top celebrities, socialites, political figures, and more. Over the years, Nour has proven that she can maintain a business and remain level headed and professional in highly stressful situations, putting the needs of others ahead of her own. She is very humble and candid and above all else, has high levels of integrity."
- John Paul Hamilton / Image Consultant
"Many people claim to be make-up artists, but very few can live up to that title. After working with Nour and her team as a model on TWO different projects to create TWO very different looks for me, I can confidently say that Nour is not only well-deserving of this title but also exceeds all expectations when it comes to artistry and professionalism. Nour and I first met backstage at a runway show where she had to create an avant-garde, ethereal look for all the models. Then, we worked together again at a print shoot, where she had to make me up in an all-natural, warm, and friendly look for a commercial campaign. Both times, she nailed it.
It's hard to find someone who can deliver one look, but she truly is an artist where she can create any look you need, be it runway, commercial, fashion editorial, or simply your own special event. If that weren't enough, her professionalism was consummate; she worked within the time constraints, never going over time and never fretting once. It's nearly impossible to find that exclusive yet all important combination of talent and professionalism.
I whole-heartedly recommend Nour to ANYONE in need of a make-up artist, and I also recommend her to any model needing to test and update his or her own book. She can create ANY look for you."
-Danielle Davy / Actor, Model
"Nour's dedication to her art and craft is second to none. She's an incredibly talented make-up artist, making every single bride for our common weddings look her absolute best. You would be hard pressed to find someone more versatile and artful."
-Bill Holland / Customer Experience Consultant with The Art of Delight
"Nour's work is unbelievable and exceptional. She is the Queen of makeup artistry and every client has loved her work."
-Poopak P Golesorkhi / Owner, Exclusively Events Wedding Planner and Couture Sofreh Aghd Designer
"I have worked with Nour on several projects and have always been amazed with her work. For me she ranks as one of the top five of the many make up professionals that I have worked with. She possesses incredible creativity, works tirelessly to reach perfection, and achieves it every time."
-Michael A. Gambol / PMP, PMI-ACP
"Nour is THE most talented make up artist! She is truly an expert at what she does. Not only can she make you look and feel fabulous, but she is reliable and so easy to work with. I highly recommend Nour to anyone."
-Terri Eaves / Owner at Bash
"Nour is a visionary make up artist. She has been the make up artist on numerous events and editorials. She is creative, fun and has demonstrated the ability to connect with her clients to allow the artistry of her work and the beauty of her subjects to produce stunning looks."
-Michele Tureaud / Behavior Specialist
"Nour is professional and meticulous about her work. She regularly checks with her client to ensure complete satisfaction and she strives to exceed expectations. She is responsive, dependable, and extremely detailed-oriented. She cares deeply about the outcome and works diligently to please her client."
-Miriam Liggett / Owner/President at Soliloquy Bridal Couture, LLC
"I've worked with Nour for several weddings and she's very talented at what she does. Brides rave about her work and she's a pleasure to be around."
-Tom Bowen / Owner at Bowen Films
"I've hired Nour to apply my makeup on two occasions, one being for my sisters entire bridal party, a total of 6. I can't speak highly enough about her level of skill and technique. As a former makeup artist myself, I would (and have) recommend her to anyone looking for the absolute BEST makeup artist in the area. Not only is she professional and extremely talented, she is very warm and makes you feel at ease. As a licensed artist myself, hygiene is very important to me, and Nour meets my expectations and uses the highest quality products.
The end results have been phenomenal, all of us looked stunning, and the makeup lasted the entire day & night."
-Sarah Compson / Altiris Authorized Consultant
"Nour was AMAZING on my big day.My bridesmaids and I felt so beautiful and looked even better! I would highly recommend her for any and every makeup need - she is a master of transformation and I wish I could have her around everyday!"
- Hallie / Former bride
"Thank you so much for being my makeup artist! Not only did you do a superb job and made me feel gorgeous on my big day, but you were wonderful to have around! Definitely 5 Stars service!!!!!"
- Carolina / Former bride
"Nour did my wedding makeup last year. I went back to her this time as I was attending a family wedding. As usual, she did a phenomenal job! I think I look better than the bride. ;) I kept looking at the mirror admiring her work & I wish I could have worn my makeup all night. Nour is just a rare talent. I will definitely keep coming back to her for any special occasions. Nour is the sweetest & a fantastic person! I LOVE LOVE LOVE her work & her!"
- Lorraine / Former bride
"I'll start off by saying I'm a very picky person! For my wedding I was looking for something that would look good in pictures but not overdone in real life. I asked around and was told who the best make-up artists were in the DC area and I just had to go with Nour. And I'm so glad I did. She not only did a fantastic job but she's also such a pleasure to work with. So much so, that my cousin had to have her for her engagement party. Oh and she also shaped my eyebrows. Again I couldn't be happier with the results. The pictures look great and I felt like a princess!"
- Ziena / Former bride
"After hours of searching on the Internet, I knew I wanted to book Nour as my makeup artist for my wedding. She is an artist in the truest sense of the word. I was fortunate enough to be able to book her to take care of my matron-of-honor, mom & mother-of-the-groom, in addition to myself. Nour & I had a makeup trial approximately 6 weeks before my wedding and she spent a considerable amount of time getting to know me and creating the perfect look for my big day. On my wedding day, she arrived on time and totally prepared. Nour had us all looking beyond beautiful and our makeup lasted the entire day...even after dancing at the reception. She is very conscientious and truly cares that each client is happy and comfortable with their makeup before she considers her job done. Our photographer said that every time Nour does the makeup for his brides, he is able to spend less time retouching photos, which was an unexpected bonus. For those who think her rates are high, please understand Nour's talent is worth every penny."
-Heather / Former bride


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How to donate
Thanks so much for wanting to partner financially! Cru is supported by people like you who want to teenagers grow in their love for God and love for others. There are two ways to give financially and both are entirely tax-deductible.
To Give Online:
Click the button below to contribute toward our everyday ministry expenses and scholarships for students to attend conferences and retreats. You will be redirected to Cru's national secure giving website.
To Donate by Check:
Send a check made out to "Cru" to:
Cru Attn : Moses Sanchez, 1732
c/o Nyack College, 2oth Floor
2 Washington Street New York, NY 10004
Remember: All donations are tax-deductible. Cru is a 501(c)(3) organization. To learn more about Cru's promise of financial integrity please visit the following link: give.cru.org


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Rushdie rings freedom alarm – Concern at 'can't rock boat' ideaNew York, May 7 (PTI): Salman Rushdie has voiced concern at what he calls the growing intolerance of freedom of expression in India, saying the country of his birth has become "very prone" to the idea that "you should not rock the boat". Creative works are increasingly becoming the subject of assault by religious groups, the author said. "India was a society in which, for a long time, ideas of free expression were very entrenched. When Independence came, there was an atmosphere of openness. I have the terrible feeling that things are going the other way (now)," Rushdie said during a question-and-answer session at the PEN World Voices Festival of International Literature here. The atmosphere of openness in the country is now being replaced "to some degree by the rise of religious sectarianism and by the craven response of the authorities" to protests by certain religious groups, he said. Rushdie, who is the chair of the festival, delivered the Freedom to Write lecture at the annual closing day yesterday where he spoke about the faces of censorship in contemporary society and authors' role within a climate of forced silence and intolerance. The Booker Prize-winning novelist cited the example of Rohinton Mistry's novel Such a Long Journey and scholar A.K. Ramanujan's essay Three Hundred Ramayanas being removed from the syllabus by Indian universities after political and religious groups found them offensive. Painter M.F. Husain was "hounded out of India" as his paintings of the Hindu goddess Saraswati in the nude were considered "pornographic", he said. "This is happening more and more and more (in India). Works of scholarship are being assaulted by this or that religious group and are immediately banned and the onus of the blame falls on the artists. India has become very prone to the idea that you should not rock the boat," Rushdie said. In January this year, Rushdie was forced to cancel his appearance at the Jaipur Literature Festival after protests broke out against his controversial 1988 book The Satanic Verses. He was even warned of a threat from paid assassins from the Mumbai underworld if he visited India. Rushdie, who later visited India in March for the India Today conclave, said he had no immediate plans of coming to India but would visit the country later this year when his memoirs are published and the Deepa Mehta-directed movie on his novel Midnight's Children is released. "Midnight's Children has been freely available in India for more than 30 years and as far as I know, it is pretty well liked. I don't see why the movie would have any different response to that. As far as the memoirs are concerned, make what you want of my life but it is my life and I think there might be a few people interested to read about it." Earlier in his lecture, peppered with witty comments, the author said censorship was not good for art and was even worse for artists. "No writer ever really wants to talk about censorship. Writers want to talk about creation, and censorship is anti-creation, negative energy, uncreation," he said. "If the creative artist worries whether he will still be free tomorrow, then he will not be free today. If he is afraid of the consequences of his choice of subject or of his manner of treatment of it, then his choices will not entirely be determined by his talent but at least in part by fear," he said. "Great art or original art is never created in the safe middle ground but always at the edge.… Liberty is the air we breathe." Courtesy: The Telegraph, May 8 , 2012
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3 Responses to "Rushdie rings freedom alarm – Concern at 'can't rock boat' idea"
Good Post.Thanks to Telegraph & SRAI.
I think India had always been like this. And its just that now the world famous painters and authors who are in limelight have faced the bitter truth. As long as any obscenity doesnt disturb the convention, it is fine but unconventional voice is butchered down! Had this not been the case, there would have been no POTA or AFSPA, no fake encounters & no arrest of people like vinayak sen.
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Under den linden (2016)
"Five men strong Jaerv is a good example of the urge for Swedish folk music abroad. The group has recently returned from their third successful US tour, has toured Europe and has just finished their third album "Under den linden". Which becomes a powerful listening, with almost epic breadth of moods and expressions. Yes, the sense of musical drama, a coherent story that looks to both the old Swedish folk music as well as Finnish tradition and self-composed.
There are suggestive archaic song parts, for example in a polonaise from Småland, an intimate ballad with finely arranged acoustic guitars, Celtic sounding flute and compelling bowing. And the playing sometimes pulls on an exciting way to jazz and improvisation. All the time carefully and never too much. Jaerv stands out as a rare full-fledged folk group."
Uppsala Nya Tidning October 2016
"One of Sweden's most inventive folk bands."
Nordstjernan September 2016
"Jaerv is a fantastic group from western Sweden who constantly develops and broadens its musical base. The vocal takes more and more space, and there is also a choir singing on a few tracks. It is neat, skillfully arranged, elegant and resilient with a cool version of the ballad Silibrand."
Spelmannen October 2016
"The West-Swedish quintet Jaerv has grown from Swedish and Finnish roots, a complex tree that stretches towards the sky embraced by jazz and improvisation. Under den Linden is energetic, extroverted and epic."
Folkworld.de #6 2016
The talented Swedish group, always attached to its Swedish and Finnish roots, also brilliantly composed, to the point that some of these compositions are hardly distinguishable from traditional tunes. It must be said that Jaerv creates arrangements that are both modern and harmonious, with very beautiful passages with several singing voices, an Irish flute and pretty percussions. We go from the simplest ballad to the folk-pop worthy of the great scenes, passing by some jazz improvisations, reveries, polskas, waltzes ... This very well-cared universe is undeniably endearing!
Le Canard Folk February 2017
Listen to all tracks at CD Baby.


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22,000 mile road trip unveils never seen before images of Europe's forgotten places
Nikon has partnered with urban-exploration photographer David de Rueda to capture abandoned places in Europe that have rarely or never been photographed before. From the wreck of a Douglas DC-3 aircraft to two long-forgotten Soviet spacecraft, these images form part of Nikon's Project Spotlight: Abandoned Places. David's six week road trip covered nine countries in pursuit of these relics of Europe's recent past – with a particular focus on the Cold War Era and exploring the former Soviet Union heartland.
In total, David travelled for 44 days, with the ambition to photograph these locations in a way that had never been done before. Particular highlights include the photography of:
Two prototype Soviet Buran spacecraft, rarely pictured together in an abandoned warehouse hundreds of kilometres deep in the Kazakhstan desert
The exploration of Chernobyl and the ghost town of Pripyat – from its highest building, to the remains of Pripyat hospital, to the inside of a nuclear power plant cooling tower
The long-forgotten wreck of a Douglas DC-3 aircraft, surrounded by the Polar Lights, on Iceland's south coast
An abandoned radar station in the mountains of Italy, located after three hours of walking through snow over 50cm deep
"Nikon challenged me to create and complete my dream photography project, with my own imagination being the only restriction," says David de Rueda. "This was an opportunity to challenge myself and push my urban exploration photography to another level. For me, the abandoned places of Europe's recent past were an obvious choice. I see discovering the hidden side of such locations as a kind of modern archaeology that, when coupled with the artistry a photographer can bring, should capture the imaginations of many."
Project Spotlight is an initiative from Nikon designed to shine a light on those photographers who are pushing the boundaries of photography in some way. It focuses on individuals that bring a singular perspective to their work and aim to capture images that haven't been taken before, working with them to turn their dream photography project into a reality. David was chosen for his unique ability to capture the aesthetic beauty of derelict buildings. He has ventured into impenetrable environments, laden with mystery, with the aim of photographing them and making them visible. A recent trip to the heart of abandoned America saw him take striking photographs illustrating the hidden life of the unusual places he visited.
The route
Paris – Milan – Kiev – Pripyat (Chernobyl) – Moscow – St. Petersburg – Tallinn – Budapest – Sofia – Reykjavik – Kyzylorda (Kazakhstan) – Larnaca (Cyprus) – Paris
The kit
During the project, David using the following equipment:
Nikon D810
AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED
AF-S NIKKOR 50mm F1.8G
AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II
About David de Rueda
David de Rueda was born in Poitiers in 1987. From a family of artists, the Franco-German photographer and director has practiced urban exploration since his teenage years. He is a self-taught photographer and, at the end of 2013, his work was shown at La Samaritaine for a contest organised by LVMH. In 2014 he released his first movie, Urban Escape. He has also collaborated on the direction of music videos for Kery James, Maître Gims and other artists.


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The river of lava we are out for is part of the island's northernmost lava formation. Even during the day, this area is dark. This comes as a plus when you're searching for skyshards.
Head south from the northernmost area of interest. Soon enough, you'll spot the river of lava and a couple of small islands on it. One of them is home to the skyshard. But try not to show your enthusiasm by jumping into the lava and swimming toward the main rock. I can confirm, thanks to events that transpired only to prove this point, that it will most likely cause death. Although it doesn't look like it, I've been able to climb this rock on one side only – the west. Be sure not to repeat my mistake, and save one soul gem.
Swimming time!


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Sunday, 27 October 2013
Spooky half-term spectacular!
As the toddler groups are closed at the community centre for half-term, Bristol Scream will be running a one-off Halloween themed Children's activity at the community centre on Thursday 31st. Come along for some naughty nibbles, spooky stories, goulish crafts, music and more!
£3 for 1 child
£5 for 2 children
£5.50 for larger families
Get in touch through facebook for more info https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bristol-Scream/519244568164956
Posted by St George Community Centre at 13:37
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Despite how populated the world is, it is not easy to make lives at all. For some couples, it may take months to
years for a successful pregnancy due to various reasons. Comper Smart Fertility Tracker combines all the best
technology to help woman understand her ovulation cycle for better success at pregnancy.
The Tracker is designed to be small, efficient, and accurate. It is basically a basal body temperature thermometer and uses the data it receives to calculate a woman's ovulation cycle. With its amazing technology both software and hardware, women can track and manage their reproductive health easier than ever.
It comes in a convenient charging box that doubles as a UV disinfecting device. The tracker itself is wrapped in
silicone rubber with a detector at the end. It is connected to your phone's app so it only needs 1 minute to
generate a reading.
Because of its impressive algorithm, the tracker can provide stable reading using its 3 salient points on the extra
layer. No slippage or moving of the tongue during measurement will affect the readings. Tracking your
reproductive has never been easier without going to the gynecologist every week.
You can keep using the tracker alone as it can store up to 64 readings. Then, it automatically syncs with your
phone when you open the companion Comper Woman App. Therefore, you don't need to use both together. Just
use Comper throughout the day to get a more detailed reading without troubling yourself over the phone
Since you need to put the sensor in your mouth, would it be unhygienic? They thought of that and designed the
storage box with a UV light disinfection system. It activates whenever the device returns to the box. It kills almost
all bacteria and virus not immune to UV light. You can still wash it in water because the tracker is water resistant.
All is done to a medical grade safety so you can use it without worrying.
Comper Smart Fertility Tracker is easy to bring around for easy intake of data. This tiny gadget is more than just
a body temperature thermometer, it tells women when they are most easily fertilized for those who wish to
become parents. For them, this tracker can be a blessing. Get this gift today for you or friends and family on its
official Kickstarter page, it only costs USD76 per one! Ready to be shipped in December, it can be a thoughtful
and much-needed gift.
Monitor your health more closely with this amazing A.I. powered scale named Adore!
Video Credit: Comper Healthcare
Stay ahead of the world's latest lifestyle/tech products! Follow Whoopzz Facebook page


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It's tough at the moment. It's not summer. It felt like Spring last week but this week it's reverted back to late winter.
Tonight the wind was a cool stiff WNW on Ryton pool with 9C on the dial upon arrival and 5C upon departure. It also rained on and off for the duration.
I was targeting both Tench and Pike from Ryton. Having had one of those days - you know the ones - I had driven off from work leaving my maggot tub in my parking space (where it had sat under my car during the day). Thankfully my fishing pal and colleague Pete was on hand to rescue the grubs before security blew them up or evacuated the surrounding area.
Once at Ryton I elected to fish 'Roger's' peg. I call it Roger's for no other reason than Ryton regular Roger Booth built by hand it last year. In fact I did so well off it with the Tench last year I took it's photo.
I took another photo tonight for prosperity and you can compare the two below.
Last year;
It's funny isn't it, although my gear looks similar there are some big differences in the set-ups used. I always get that feeling when looking at old fishing photos - 'how little did I know back then!'. I suppose the day I stop getting that feeling is the day my fishing stops progressing.
Going back through my photo records it seems I also caught a Tench from the peg about this time last year.
Last year;
I had a two Tench tonight. The first was 3lb 12oz and the second weighed 5lbs 7oz and so gets me a bronze in the fishing challenge. I had it on bread flake under a lift method waggler. However, I think the five pounder is the same fish as the one I caught last year!! Check out the photos and look at the tail.
That's only my third Tench from Ryton this year and already I'm amongst the five pounders, I hope the reports of 9lb+ Tench from the pool carry some weight, we'll see.
One thing's for sure, once the clocks go forward next week these fishing reports will be appearing on the Wednesday rather than a Tuesday evening.
Finally, the bronze Tench brings me level with Pete in our challenge.
Suffice to say the Pike rod didn't twitch at all this evening. When I brought it in the bait was well weeded. Next week I'll have to either suspend the bait under a float or pop it up off the bottom and hope for a take. All of a sudden I need that 10lb Pike!!!!


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This recipe is taken from my most recently published cookbook "Un Mundo de Comida con Los Ingredientes del Ecuador."
Many, many years ago I created a recipe that won the first prize in a cook-off contest. In fact, the recipe for quinoa patties became so famous that these delicious morsels appeared in many cocktails parties. They come out so wonderfully crunchy and brown that they even look like meat. But of course they have the advantage of being chocked full of many vegetables and thus multiple vitamins.
The recipe I now give you is an innovation; the patties are made of double quinoa – using the cooked grain as well as quinoa flakes. In case you can´t find quinoa flakes, you can always use raw oatmeal.
I prefer not to call these veggie burgers so no one is tempted to put them inside buns. They are really so good in their pure state, perhaps with your favorite toppings, but with no bread.
Gently processing the carrots, onion and eggs to leave them with some texture produces a less damp dough than when you blend them in a blender. If you should be using a blender, use the lowest speed and pulse it on and off.
2/3 cup quinoa
4 cups water
3 organic eggs
2 carrots, in pieces
1 red onion, in pieces
1 cup quinoa flakes (or substitute oatmeal)
2 garlic cloves, pressed
½ cup green pepper, minced
½ cup red pepper, minced
2/3 cup parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons Worchester sauce
½ teaspoon dried leaf oregano
½ teaspoon thyme
salt, pepper
2 tablespoons oil for browning
Rinse the quinoa; add it to the water; bring it to a boil and simmer it for 10 minutes. Drain off the cooking water, leaving the quinoa in the sieve so that the heat will continue to cook the grains. That way the quinoa does not get mushy or absorb too much water.
Gently process the carrots and onion with the eggs, leaving some texture still in the vegetables.
Mix with all of the other ingredients.
Form patties of 3 inches (8 cm.) in diameter. Heat a small amount of oil and brown the patties until they become a dark brown color and very crunchy on each side. If they look almost burned, that way they are the most delicious.
Makes 12 patties


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"It will be a jam-packed day of entertainment and activities not to be missed."
That is the message from South Kirkby Reds Football Club, which will host a spring country fair at the Common Road playing fields this Sunday.
Dance performances, cookery shows and acrobatic displays will be among entertainment for visitors.
There will also be a series of straw-stuffed creations on show as part of a scarecrow competition.
Other attractions include pony rides, a bouncy castle, go karts, welly wanging, a hands-on farmyard and family games.
Craft and gift stalls will line the field, and a raffle will also be drawn.
The event, which will take place from 10am until 4pm, is being staged with the help of cash from the Big Lottery Fund.


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You know it's time to vote for a new president when Facebook is overrun with political banter. Statuses, pictures, posts, articles, videos, and other forms of cyber-soapboxing flood my newsfeed, stretching from the left to right. Pro-life, pro-choice, homophobes, gay rights, small government, big government, healthcare this, healthcare that, tax the rich, lockup the poor…oh, and yes, guns, guns, guns. Many Americans, especially Southerners, love their Second Amendment Right to Bear arms, and some take it very seriously.
Growing up in the American South I was exposed to my fair share of guns as a kid. Back then I thought they were cool. My neighbor and I were always building forts in the backyard and shooting imaginary enemies with plastic guns. My Great Uncle was an FBI agent so he would bring special edition, FBI issued guns on family vacation and let me shoot them; couldn't get much cooler to a kid like me. My grandpa had an old GMC Jimmy that he would drive out to his "Lake Land", and he velcroed a sawed-off shotgun to the dashboard. Talk about Southern swag.
As a teenager one of my good friends had a bunch of guns, and we would always go out and shoot them. We also made homemade bombs, but that's another story for another day. Around that same time my fourteen-year-old neighbor took his own life with a shotgun. It was devastating for this small town, to say the least. To this very day my eyes get teary if I think about it for too long. At the time I didn't blame the presence of a legally owned gun. I blamed Kurt Cobain.
It's easy to shift the blame, to avoid painful feelings, when someone's life is taken by a gun that was meant to protect the family, most especially if it is a young person's life; Kurt Cobain, video games, Slipknot, rap music, movies, anything that takes away from the fact that the gun was readily there and available for use. However, no matter how we spin it, guns are used to take life; that is their sole purpose. The National Center for Health Statistics reported that The majority of gun-related deaths in the United States are suicides, with 17,352 (55.6%) of the total 31,224 firearm-related deaths in 2007 due to suicide. That's sobering.
Of course, nonfatal gun accidents also happen. According to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, there were 52,447 deliberate and 23,237 accidental non-fatal gunshot injuries in the United States during 2000. Also pretty crazy. Tons of Americans get maimed and killed by guns every year. But the Second Amendment supporters adamantly swear that guns are not only a right, but a necessity; mostly for three things: hunting, to protect the family, and to be ready to rise up against the government.
Ok, I get the hunting one. Now, with all the guns I've fired, the only things I've ever shot were tin cans and impromptu targets. I've never been hunting. The only thing I've done that's even close to hunting was when I was about eleven. I got a new BB Gun, and I decided I was going to go out and "hunt me a squirrel". I stalked the neighborhood varmints, and eventually got one in my sight. I carefully aimed and fired my weapon. The little BB went flying through the air and BOOM! My first shot connected with the squirrel's skull.
My squirrel victim immediately began convulsing and jumped from the telephone pole it was on to the electrical wires. It twitched, and flipped, and freaked out as it tried to run across the wire, until it jumped to a tree, bounced off, and fell to the ground. It laid there for a few seconds, twitched some more, convulsed a lot more, and then jumped up, running off in a twitchy manner. I felt so bad, and so guilty. If I'm honest, I almost cried. So, yep! That was the end of my hunting career. But I know that many people love hunting, and like I said, I get it. I'm not against it. It's just not for me.
That brings me to the "protecting the family" argument. Valuing family as I do, I also "get" this one. I don't necessarily agree with the argument though. Many illegally-owned guns are guns that were stolen from legal gun-owners' homes. I'm not saying that's right, or ok, but it's true. Also, in my life, I have heard far more stories of people (and their family members) being injured or killed by their own guns, than I have about people who have been able to protect their families with them. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, I'm just saying I haven't heard many, if any, of those stories.
Living in South Africa for ten years, especially doing the work I did (working with youth at risk), I was confronted with violence of different forms on a daily basis. Guns were one of those forms. I've had guns held to my head. I've driven through gunfire. I've heard gunshots from my home. I've taken a gun out of a cop's hand when he was misusing it, abusing a child. I've seen gangsters joke around and play with loaded guns. I've also lost a great deal of people who I cared a great deal about to gun violence, and the vast majority of them were kids. And all of those deaths were brought by illegally owned guns; illegally owned guns that were meant to be in the hands of a legal gun owner. For a Second Amendment advocate, this may be even more evidence as to why they need a gun to protect their family. But for me, the more guns that are out there, the more people die, period.
Then we have the "we need guns to protect ourselves from the government or rise up against it" argument. Ok, this is the one I get the least. It made sense when America was first colonized, and the average man wore a wig; when the biggest weapon was a cannon, and bullets were little balls and it took a couple of minutes to reload a gun. But, in these modern-day times, with all due respect, do people really and truly believe they are going to be able to rise up against the government with handguns, and/or even legally owned automatic weapons? The government has tanks, and planes, and helicopters, and missiles, and nuclear weapons. So yeah, even with a barn full of guns, unfortunately, if we were to have to protect ourselves from the government, I'm pretty sure we'd be screwed…like, overwhelmingly so.
I know those people disagree with me. That's ok. My main point is this, I hate guns. I really, really do. And these are all just my views. I don't expect you to believe them with me, and I'm not trying to convince you to either. I'm just sharing them. The amendment I value more than the Second Amendment is the First Amendment: the freedom of speech. I think words are much more powerful than guns. Because when all is said in done, it is words that start wars and bring peace. Some of the most revolutionary people of our time used non-violence and words to combat violence they were confronted with; ironically, many of those very people's lives were taken by guns.
But what is more powerful? The fact that someone, arrogant enough to believe that they have the right to take life they cannot create nor give back, is able to pull a trigger, from a distance, and kill a person? Or the fact that the words of that murdered person will forever live on, beyond their grave, and continue to speak powerfully and bring life, even after death? I would go with the latter of the two. Sure, guns have been used to protect life, but they cannot bring it, or give it back. And although misused words can bring death, words used in the right way, for the good, can literally shape, form and bring life into any situation, even if the person who speak's them is killed by a bullet to the head. So yeah, paper beats rock, rock beats scissors, word beats gun.
"I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality." – Martin Luther King, Jr.


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Valley Country Club
Meet our Administrative Staff
Club Manager: Melodi Caruso
Melodi Caruso came to Valley as Club Manager in January 2009 with 12 years experience in the country club and events industry. As manager of Valley, she is responsible for the entire food and beverage operation including the restaurant, sales & production of events, and membership services.
A graduate of the University of Rhode Island, and member of the Rhode Island Wedding Group, Melodi prides herself on customer service and works aggressively to ensure that quality and value always exceed the client's expectations. After executing over 1000 weddings and countless events, she is considered an expert in the industry.
Melodi resides in Cranston.
Business Manager: Lea Furia
Lea Furia joined us at Valley Country Club in October of 2016 as our new Business Manager. Prior to joining Valley, Lea was the Financial Assistant at another private club in the area. Lea handles all financial duties of the club, including member billing, accounts payable and accounts receivable.
She has a degree in General Business and years of experience in accounting, bookkeeping and management. Lea has also been in the wedding industry for 16 years as a hair stylist, but cannot resist her love for numbers.
Lea resides in Coventry with her husband Erik, two children Lexi and Joey and two bulldogs named Penelope and Giovanni
Executive Chef/Assistant Manager:
Terry Saccomagno
Terry Saccomagno is the Executive Chef and Assistant Manager at Valley Country Club. Terry joined his long time colleague Melodi Caruso, and came to Valley in 2009 from Alpine Country Club where he held the same position for 24 years. Terry leads his culinary team in the daily operation of the kitchen and banquets, as well as manages the restaurant staff.
He was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY and graduated from Johnson & Wales University. Terry has been in the food service industry for nearly 35 years with the majority of those years spent in the country club environment. His specialties are dominated by Italian cuisine, with his first passion being to cater weddings and large events.
Terry resides in North Providence with his wife Lynne and three children Lauren, AJ, and Santino.
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251 New London Ave
Warwick, RI 02886
Phone: 401-821-1115
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From Our Editors
Crazy golf is a fun game for all the family. It is not difficult, there are no complicated rules and, best of all, a family ticket gives great entertainment and excellent value for money. Broomfield Adventure Golf is open from 11.00 until 17.00 on Saturdays, Sundays and any day when the children are not at school, all through the year in Broomfield Park (near New Southgate and Palmers Green). There is no need to book and all the relevant equipment is provided: clubs, balls, scorecards and a pencil. Children also get a free bag of sweeties. Although there is some element of skill involved, the large part of Broomfield Adventure Golf is luck, which means that a six year old is just as likely to win a hole as an adult who spends every waking hour glued to the sports coverage. There are nine different holes on the course, each of which has dastardly hazards, but the aim is simple: get the little ball into the little holes with as few shots as possible. Navigate around the zig zags, judge the slopes and avoid the obstacles to be in with the chance of being crowned the family's champion mini golfer. Whenever somebody picks up a putter, the element of competition comes to the fore. Mini golf brings out a competitive streak in everybody. A round of mini golf in London is a simple pleasure that will create enduring, happy memories.


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Arizona ski resort becomes the first in the world to make artificial snow out of sewage. Unfortunately, this "green" snow has come out looking yellowish.
Arizona Snowbowl, in northern Arizona, wanted to make snow using reclaimed wastewater to save energy and ease water shortages.
J. R. Murray, Snowbowl's manager, said the problem was likely from the rust residue in the snow-making equipment that carries wastewater from Flagstaff to the sewage treatment plant. However, Taylor McKinnon of the Center for Biological Diversity, a conservation group, says something doesn't sound right. McKinnon told The New York Times:
"I question whether that explanation is based on tests of the water or conjecture. Something's awry, and the onus is on the Forest Service and ADEQ (Arizona Department of Environmental Quality) to protect the public and determine the cause."
Some places do use treated wastewater. In California, both Los Angeles and Orange County use treated wastewater in additional to groundwater. Even though people don't necessarily like the idea that their water is coming from wastewater, psychologists say it is largely coming from an emotional place. Magical contagion is a concept that leads people to believe that, when two objects come into contact, they continue to affect each other even when there is no real contagion, according to Live Science.
In 2011, a study was conducted asking participants if they would willingly drink recycled wastewater. Carol Nemeroff, professor of social and behavioral sciences at the University of Southern Maine, who led the study said, "Some people just want [their water] to be certified safe; they don't want to know the details," according to Live Science.
Back at the yellow tinted Snowbowl ski slopes, Kaelan Monroe, 11, told The New York Times he went skiing on New Year's Day and that the conditions were "kind of disgusting." He added, "The snow is crusty and icy and doesn't look very clean." But he isn't too concerned. "I'm not too worried about face-planting in the snow and getting sick."


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#FridayStudioVisit [is back!]
Brendan McCarthy was a fellow resident with me at the Wassaic Project last month. He is a super nice, funny and smart guy (important combination) and his practice reflects that.
I had the chance to sit down with him before the Holidays and am so glad I did!
His site is worth the look, and this Lifeguard project (top photo) has been open in my tabs for weeks now. Make sure to read the wall labels. So good.
There is a lot more that I could say about Brendan's work but I'm still trying to find the best format for this series and trying to keep it short.
Oh, on a side note, he wears purple really well.
To see other posts from this series, check out the tag Friday Studio Visit. More to come soon! xx