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- We have engaged a full partnership model with the Sheriff's Office: Financial Assistance Fraud Investigator / Embedded Detective in Child Protection / most recently The Yellow Line Project.
- It is definitely about mutuality and partnership with Law Enforcement/clean hand-offs for access to direct services, case tracking, and follow-up on goals/we are consciously engaging the complexity of diversion for acute and chronic individuals (chemical dependency/mental health).
- YLP is based on the premise of trying to screen 100% of individuals (for primary chemical dependency and mental health concerns) who could be incarcerated.
- During the Pilot we have used the pre-booking area to centralize the screening whenever possible.
- We want to make the screening as streamlined as possible for Law Enforcement Officers and offer more upstream choices to law enforcement beyond Emergency Rooms, Detox, or Jail.
- We hope to standardize training and practices over time to increase reliability of decision-making and reduce inequities of access to services (this may include issues of race, poverty, etc.)
- Late in 2015, conversations between Human Services leadership and the Sheriff's Office leadership began. Human Services asserted that we had something to offer to the legally-involved population, as a way to get further upstream on issues surrounding detox, mental health hospitalizations, and treatment of various forms. We had a very small planning group – three each from Human Services and the Sheriff's Office. The six of us spent months on root cause analysis of the trends we were seeing related to the individuals in jail. We also did research nationally and, at the time, there wasn't a model that fit our vision. This has since changed, as the world of pre-arrest diversion and deflection has increased exponentially – which is really exciting. But, at the time, we were planning in the dark. The "Yellow Line" really came from a discussion we were having about the most critical time of intervention. We believe a yellow marker happened to be involved, and some of us really thought there was a yellow caution tape on the floor (there wasn't, but we've since put a YLP logo tape on the floor) at the door of the jail. We kept saying "what else can we do ahead of the yellow line to prevent incarceration?" The name stuck.
- The goals of the project have never changed. Once we developed our charge, we held fast to it. And, it was not easy. There were other programs operating nationally that occur just after the yellow line (like pretrial) or upon release from the jail (reentry programs). These are very good, evidence-based programs. We received a grant from the Department of Human Services to do design in this specific space, and so that really helped us continue the design – and hold to our mission. It would have been very, very easy for us just to say "let's do this other thing that we KNOW works." We're proud that we didn't. We're very happy that we kept our eye on prevention at the highest degree. While we had many specific goals surrounding policy, practice, and finance, the main goal was simply to strategically place human services at a point in the law enforcement process that would cause the individual and the law enforcement officer to consider treatment options instead of just incarceration, and to link people to those services.
- No, we haven't deviated from these goals. We have gotten significantly more sophisticated with it. We have four pathways now where we can intervene on a situation. We started out focusing on the pre-arrest diversion route. Since then, we have expanded to providing services to the exception population that is incarcerated (these are individuals that we specifically want to follow closely in jail, and facilitate transitions to treatment or home once released), and we are now working on the design for street-level deflections and those individuals that are in jail for up to three days. We also have numerous operational goals that we've set up under a project management structure. So, while the goals sounds succinct and simple, it is very complex and detailed. Currently, we are really focusing on bringing our data platform up in a way that is accessible to all of the leadership team, real-time, and able to manipulate for our individual needs. This is a HUGE goal, which is taking us much longer than we anticipated.
- The Hub is our 10 County Psychiatric clinic that is in full operation (not changed). We also have a vendor-based contract within the jail for health services. In the next chapter of development we will continue to look for ways to streamline direct care and improve access to services using both diversion methods and in-jail services.
- We do have protocols for the YLP. Everyone is screened (typically) prior to being booked into jail. Our project has moved away from holding charges in abeyance to completion of the YLP plan. We have found that this made very little impact on the success of their 'My Yellow Line Plan' and it was causing unintended hiccups with records and the county attorney's office. We are focusing on linkage to service, as data showed that the sooner they link to services, the more successful they are. The findings were drastic, and they were not linked to types of charges, either. So, we simplified, and made it all about linking to services, regardless of charges. We ask the officer to decide on charges right away. Some decide not to charge and they link to services instead, and some still charge and link to services, too. We are now moving to a street level referral process, where the person doesn't have to be transported to jail. We do the screening by phone, and this works well for situations where the person wouldn't be brought to jail anyway. For our process and protocol, view our "Operational Toolkit". Most all of our forms and workflows are on this page. Focus on Initial Screening form and the Results and Referral form (that is the step by step document), as well as the Street Level Referral Workflow. Additionally, the Pathways page will give a good overview of the workflows.
Roles and Funding
- Human Services and the Sheriff's Office began a partnership to do work that the agencies could not do without each other. The Mankato Police Department joined the partnership this year as well. Human Services has taken on the leadership roles for both the design and operational levels of this project. Specifically, in operational terms, Human Services has dedicated a social worker to the project (two as of 1/1/18), been the linkage to our mobile crisis team, and handled the administrative aspects of the one-time grant received from the Minnesota Department of Human Services. We have also, with board support, indicated that systemic savings from detox and hospitalizations will be reinvested in diversion work.
- The Sheriff's office was the first. A year ago, we added the Mankato Police Department and then Horizon Homes (our mobile crisis and residential crisis provider). Just recently, we added Mayo Clinic Health System and Corrections to our Operations team.
- Our utilization of our Mobile Team was very low prior to the Yellow Line Project as Law Enforcement seldom if ever used the resource.
- Since 24/7 implementation that included the Mobile Team and our Crisis Center as primary partners, utilization is dramatically higher
- The Mobile Team is currently helping to cover 24/7 access for screenings yet they still hand off screenings to our Community Based Coordinator (provided through Human Services) who follows up with treatment planning and tracks progress on goals.
- We had a one time grant from Minnesota Department of Human Services for the design and pilot phases. We now use a reinvestment of systemic cost savings to fund the project moving forward. We were successful in the legislative session in creating a MA (Medical Assistance) billable service for the care coordination associated with all contacts following a diversion. This has been submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and is awaiting approval.
- We started our project with funding from DHS, and it was approved with the intention that we would create a model that is replicable beyond Blue Earth County. That funding ended, so we needed to make it sustainable. We are redirecting hospital and detox cost savings to support operations. Additionally, the Minnesota legislature approved adding the care coordination done by Community Based Coordinators to the MA benefit set. We are currently working with the state and the feds to get all of the billing details ironed out. We would expect this to be ready to go in the coming months. Services will be billable in 15-minute increments.
- The job description for the Community-Based Coordinator is published under the job descriptions section of the Blue Earth County website.
Human services and law enforcement, specifically the Blue Earth County Sheriff's Office have a history of working together. A few years back we redesigned our welfare fraud investigator position and had a Sheriff's Office deputy in our building doing this work. This was groundbreaking in terms of how our agencies work together. This hadn't been done before. Since then, we've done the same thing with Child Protection with a co-located deputy. This has improved our work in these areas in more ways than we anticipated. So, coming together wasn't difficult. Deciding on how big of a bite from the apple we were going to collectively take – that was the challenge. We kept our planning group small – contrary to what one often reads about inclusive planning and community engagement. We wanted to have something to look at and think about before we incorporated the engagement of others. We're glad we did, but it is counter to what is often expected. The Mankato Police Department and a private Mental Health provider, Horizon Homes, were the first to be added. They have both indicated that they came on board at the right time.
While leadership is fully aligned, we are still managing day-to-day instances of misalignment within our systems. This was a full-system change effort which takes time. We clearly saw there were early adopters in our agencies – people who wanted to try the new thing and believed in it. We had some more that began to use the process over time, and others that just weren't as interested. After a while, it became clear that in order to be equitable in how we delivered service, we had to screen 100% of the people who came into the booking area of the jail. That closed the gap on choice, and we think the system was ready for that. Now, it is common practice that YLP screenings are initiated – no questions asked.Seeing law enforcement and Human Services staff work together in ways we couldn't dream possible before this project is some of the best stuff. Of course, the personal life stories of the people we impact are the best, but the staff integration is a very close second.
Our process of development and how we rolled out the screening expectations helped. We also have a debrief meeting twice per month where all agencies discuss situations. This has helped build relationships and trust between agencies. Others participate in that meeting, including probation, the crisis center, and the hospital.
We've had our share of obstacles with the project. The people impacted motivate us to continue to overcome obstacles we encounter. And, every obstacle has created a better outcome. It may not feel like it in the middle of the conflict, but in the end, it has been worth it.
- Yes both short term and long term housing options are clearly critical components.
- Sometimes it is the primary presenting need (chemical dependency and mental health can be secondary interventions in theses cases)
- Case level successes (always first and foremost)
- Great improvement of mutuality with Law Enforcement (philosophically, practically with clean hand-offs, and systemically 1+1= 2½)
- Financially with treatment center and detox cost reductions, as well as reductions in jail bed days, and ancillary costs savings in court time and corrections, etc.
It is a good question. There is no doubt it has made a positive impact. To assess the depth of that impact is the much more difficult part.
To measure individually, we have worked with participants:
- to prevent or end homelessness by securing stable housing
- to obtain gainful employment
- to restore driving privileges so participants can keep appointments and maintain employment
Systemically, the measurement is more easily seen in interest and motivation. Attending our regular Yellow Line Project meetings, we have representatives from the following agencies/organizations:
- The Mankato Police Department
- The Sheriff's Office (patrol and jail)
- Mayo Clinic Health Systems
- Human Services and the Mental Health Center
- Horizon Homes
- The Brown County Detox Center
- Crisis Center and Mobile Team
- Other agencies and organizations depending on our topics of discussion
We also have organizations reach out to learn more about the Yellow Line Project and discuss ways we can collaborate. For example, we met with a very large church in the area. They are part of a homeless shelter network and we were planning on ways that their church and network could interface with Yellow Line Project.
The community interest has grown and we receive inquiries regularly.
From a systemic view, the greatest community impact that has been made are the professional relationships that have been formed. People are working together that would not normally interface. We are thinking about other ways we can work together as well, in other business areas (child protection, housing, data sharing, technology, etc). This kind of collaboration and genuine relational investments do not usually happen without rallying around a common mission.


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Sharks and Mermaids
My work for the past three years has been rooted in the narratives, symbolism, and illustrations of Fairy Tale literature. My Deepest Seas series of sharks and mermaids is a continuation of my Beauty and the Beast exploration. The mermaids in my paintings are majestic, beautiful and enchanting heroines; the beasts are their aggressive, carnal, sexual counterparts. It is only through accepting each other's differences, that they can fall in love and fully enjoy their sexuality.

subset: commoncrawl


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External Research Fellow
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Daniel Parent
Daniel Parent received his PhD in economics from the University of Montreal in 1995. He is Associate Professor and William Dawson Scholar in the Department of Economics at McGill University. He is also a Fellow at the Inter-university Center on Risk, Economic Policies and Employment (CIRPEE) and a Research Fellow at the Centre interuniversitaire en analyse des organisations (CIRANO). In addition he also serves as a member of Statistics Canada's Advisory Committee on Labour and Income Statistics, and is a member of the editorial board of the Canadian Journal of Economics. He was a Visiting Fellow at Princeton University in 1995 as well as Visiting Faculty at the University of California at Berkeley in 2004-2005.
His research interests are in labour economics, the economics of education, and immigration. His recent research has focused on the short and long-term impacts of working while enrolled in high school, U.S.-Canada comparisons of the determinants of worker training , the long-term impact of ethnically concentrated immigration on the descendants of immigrants, as well as the impact of performance pay on expanding U.S. earnings inequalities. He has published in leading economics journals, as well as in books and conference proceedings. His Ph.D. dissertation received a prize from the Société canadienne de sciences économiques in 1996 for the best paper published out of a recently awarded dissertation.
Daniel Parent joined CReAM as an external fellow in April 2006.


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Environmental Concepts Landscape Management, Inc. goes beyond landscape maintenance by combining experience, training, and strong customer service to provide a quality landscape management experience - all with an environmentally-friendly approach. As a company, we combine long-term knowledge with cutting edge technology. By using this philosophy we strive to achieve excellence in Landscape Management, Water Management, Landscape Construction, and Tree Services.
With extensive knowledge of water conservation and a highly qualified trained staff, we assist our customers in managing their landscape irrigation water needs with effectiveness and efficiently. We focus on water conservation, covering all aspects of the industry, including water auditing, system efficiency, and water budget analysis. Through application of our knowledge and expertise, we have established ourselves as a leader in the water management industry, having saved our customers tens of thousands of water units, thus reducing their overall water budgets.


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Rain In Yosemite
My first day in the Yosemite Valley was rainy. The weather conditions made for some great photos.
It was less great for hiking, unless you like being soggy.
I have a longer post on the Yosemite trip coming soon. I think I'll write it up as a story. First I need to cull and process a few more photos from the trip!
Technical Details
- Nikon D7000 w/ Nikkor 18-200mm @ 55mm
- Single exposure at f/8 for 1/125 sec
- Processed in Aperture and Perfect Photo Suite 9


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Sexual dysfunction is the regular inability to obtain sexual desire and/or orgasm, or recurring pain during sex. Sexual dysfunction is common and occur at any age, though risk increases with age. If you are concerned about sexual dysfunction, or if it is causing issues with your relationship, it may be time to make an appointment.
If you think you may be experiencing sexual dysfunction or have any questions, please contact us today.


text: Happy Birthday, friend! Tim and I hosted two awesome ladies this weekend for a special NYC birthday. We couldn't have picked a more beautiful weekend to show our friends around the city, especially considering most New Yorkers seem to be out of town. Nellie's favorite cake is carrot cake, so I gave this recipe a spin. All in all it was a great cake, but I would definitely leave the molasses and nutmeg out of the icing next time. Instead of the broiled coconut I melted 1/2 tablespoon of butter in a pan and added 1/3 cup of grated carrots, 1/3 a cup of unsweetened coconut, and 2 tb brown sugar. I cooked on medium heat until sugar had carmelized and coconut began to toast. I allowed it to cool for about 10 minutes, and then crumbled it over the top of the cake. It was so good that next time I'm going to cover the whole cake with this topping.


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GALAXY wines combine the winemaking expertise of the Terlato family with the camaraderie of top California winemakers Marisa Taylor, Bryan Parker, Steve Fennell and Elizabeth Vianna. Each brings his or her signature grapes to the blending table, grown in some of California's best winegrowing regions.
In GALAXY Red, Marisa offers her lush Merlot from Napa Valley, Bryan brings his gorgeous Syrah from Dry Creek Valley and Elizabeth contributes her elegant, structured Cabernet Sauvignon from Stags Leap District.
GALAXY White is a blend of Steve's aromatic Viognier from the Sta. Rita Hills, Bryan's rich Chardonnay from the Russian River Valley and Elizabeth's bright, crisp Sauvignon Blanc from Napa Valley.


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Picture: Peaches Geldof - Celebrities attend MINI Launch Party at The Old Sorting Office - London, United Kingdom - Monday 18th November 2013
British socialite Peaches Geldof is facing a possible police probe after allegedly naming the two women facing sentencing on child sex offences alongside disgraced rocker Ian Watkins.
The Lostprophets frontman appeared in court on Tuesday (26Nov13) and pleaded guilty to a string of sickening acts, including two charges of attempting to rape a baby.
He was in the dock alongside two unnamed women, aged 21 and 24, who also admitted a number of offences, including abusing their own children and offering them to Watkins for sex.
Following their pleas, Geldof took to Twitter.com to demand that they are publicly shamed in the press, before reportedly posting their names to her 165,000 followers after discovering them on U.S. site.
She subsequently removed the message, but wrote, "The papers Must name 'woman A & B' who offered up their own babies to this monster in the hopes of being close to their (majorly talentless) musical hero without a backward glance, as they are equal in their monstrosity.
"It sickens me to see just how far the cult of celebrity and super fandom (sic) has come when grown women are passing their own kids round. I hate the world sometimes."
The Attorney General's office has now released a statement to warn that revealing the names online is a criminal offence, leaving Geldof at risk of a police investigation.
The message reads, "We understand that the names of the co-defendants in the Ian Watkins case were posted online but have now been removed.
"As has been previously reported, the co-defendants were the mothers of the victims. Victims of sexual offences have automatic lifetime anonymity and the publication of names or information which can lead to their being identified is a criminal offence. This is a police matter."
Watkins and his co-defendants will be sentenced on 18 December (13).


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Genealogy research by Mark Humphrys,
Home Blog Surnames Ancestors Contact
Anthony Stoughton (see here),
mar 1stly to
Mary Mainwaringe [dau of Henry Mainwaringe of Kilkenny,
or Mainwaring],
she died 3 Jan 1631,
bur with infant in St.Canice's Cathedral, Kilkenny, with epitaph,
he was MP for Ardfert 1639-49,
mar 2ndly to Honora O'Brien
[descendant of Kings of Thomond
and of Edward III],
his will dated at Cork, 30 Aug 1644,
he died 2 Sept 1667, age 66 yrs,
bur 7 Sept 1667 at St. John's church (now gone), Fishamble St, Dublin,
had issue by 2nd wife:
Anthony Stoughton and his brother Arthur in [TCD Alumni].
Grave of Mary Mainwaringe (died 1631), NW wall, St.Canice's Cathedral, Kilkenny.
Photo 2004. See full size.
Detail of grave of Mary Mainwaringe.
Ballyhorgan House, Rattoo, Co.Kerry, on 1829 to 1842 map.
I have spent a great deal of time and money on this research. Research involves travel and many expenses.
Some research "things to do" are not done for years, because I do not have the money to do them.
Please Donate Here to support the ongoing research and to keep this website free.


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A project to harvest local fruit like apples, pear and plums left because people do not notice them, or cannot harvest them, mainly between August and October. Abundance is a team of volunteers who help to gather city fruit and redistribute on a non-profit basis to community cafes, nurseries, Surestarts and individuals. They also make juice, jams, chutneys and preserves. If you have a fruit tree and want help, get in touch, you will get the first share. Harvester volunteers, processors and distributors also welcome.
Julian Brandram offers talks, fruit growing courses, pruning, planting and selling fruit trees and soft fruit bushes. Specialising in traditional varieties, he also re-propagates, re-plants and advises. There is an extensive list of fruit trees at low prices, for sale from autumn to spring.
Aspire is a Hillsborough based charity and social enterprise which provides stable supportive work for vulnerable or marginalised people. Supported in part by funders and volunteers it aims to become self supporting through business activities. The range of activities includes recycling and re-selling donated items, and a pack-and-post service. Contributions of items are welcome, and if you're looking out for computer or something, check them out.
Bag It Don't Bin It
Organic Fair Trade cotton bags, made in Sheffield including designs like I Love Sheffield
Barnsley Freegle
Freegle means Free Giving, Locally, Easily. It's an online re-use network, an alternative to Freecycle, for people to keep stuff out of landfill by giving away things they don't want, to people who can use them. Joining involves having a Yahoo account, which is free and easy. Most towns have a group, and Barnsley's was started in 2010.
Bio UK Fuels
Fuel suitable for diesel engines, made from locally sourced cooking oil. Save money, cut pollution, new supplies of cooking oil also wanted. Available Mon. to Sat. 7.30am to 6.00pm at Unit 17, Newhall Road Industrial Estate, Sheffield S9 2TW
Books for a Better Future reading group
A reading group based in Sheffield Central Library, started in 2010. They read books that they hope will inspire a better future: green politics, etc. Meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 6pm in the library.
Chesterfield Freegle
Please do not throw your old stuff away. Someone, somewhere may still find it useful. Freegle means Free Giving, Locally, Easily. It's an online re-use network, an alternative to Freecycle, for people to keep stuff out of landfill by giving away things they don't want, to people who can use them. Joining involves having a Yahoo account, which is free and easy. Most towns have a group, and this is Chesterfield's.
City Car Club
Sheffield's pay-as-you-go alternative to owning your own car. Car clubs (used with other sustainable travel modes) can limit the dependency on car ownership, use and side-effects. Established in 1999, City Car Club is a commercial company, operating at a variety of locations across Britain.
Climate Action Network Yorkshire & Humber
This network raises the profile of climate change in our region, not by running events or campaigns but by publicising what is already happening. See their newsletters web page above, and also click their home page tab for more details.
Common Ground Centre
Common Ground is based around the old St Peters Hall, Machon Bank S7 (next to Abbeydale Road). The project has meeting rooms and a large hall available for hire inexpensively. They also work on a community garden outside, on Saturday mornings, and new members are welcome. Contact via Grow Sheffield or email email@example.com
Community Composting Network
National organisation, based in Sheffield, promoting at a national level community management and use of bio- degradable waste. A network of around 200 members, it produces guides, newsletters, and holds an annual conference
Campaign to Protect Rural England: CPRE South Yorkshire promotes the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of the South Yorkshire countryside, encouraging the sustainable use of land and other natural resources in town and country. An independent charity (the local branch of the national CPRE network), membership is open to all. It welcomes help by donating or volunteering.
Cycle Penistone
Cycling project supported by local volunteers to promote cycling for all, by bike hire as well as technical maintenance. Penistone is the highest market town in the county, at the foot of the Pennines. It has reservoirs, woodland, spectacular views, several village centres and areas like the moors at Langsett where you can walk for hours and not meet anyone.
The FREE three-part cycling support service for residents and employees in Sheffield. Loan a bike, learn how to ride confidently, and learn how to fix your bike. CycleBoost is delivered on behalf of Sheffield City Council. The help even covers help with route planning. (and note also the Sheffield Cycle Map).
CycleSheffield is THE force for cycle promotion in Sheffield. Anyone who cycles should join CycleSheffield (from just £4 per year) and walkers should belong too, because a cycle-friendly environment is also a walking-friendly environment. They run socials, rides, fun and campaigning as a key part of the coalition that aims to bring a sea-change to attitudes to sustainable transport in our city.
CycleSheffield is part of the national federation of cycle promotion groups in the UK, Cyclenation and they also have a lively Sheffield cycling news and views website at www.scoop.it/t/cyclesheffield
East End Quality of Life Initiative
Air quality in the east of Sheffield is at shockingly poor levels. The East End Quality of Life Initiative (EEQOL) is a community led project campaigning about this and other issues.
Ecclesall Woods Craft Courses
Craft courses with expert tuition, ranging from green wood skills to kids courses, coracle-making, besom broom-making and bronze casting. It all takes place in the beautiful Ecclesall Woods at J G Graves Woodland Discovery Centre (off Abbey Lane, S7 2QZ) which is a unique exhibition space for people using sustainable local timber, part of the sustainable tree cycle through community initiatives and businesses.
Eco Eco
Organic and ethical clothes shop for men, women and children. Open Tues.-Sun. 10am-4.30pm (The Courtyard, 10 Castleton Road, Hope. Tel. 01433 623113).
They also run a home shop (Bank House, Market Place, Hope. Tel. 01433 621280) for eco-friendly paints, organic bedlinen and towelling, non-toxic bodycare and cleaning products, gifts and accessories for the sustainable home.
(Hope is in Derbyshire - just outside Sheffield on the Sheffield-Manchester trainline)
Ediculture Network
Growing plants to eat is the basis of "Ediculture". This Sheffield-based network is linked with regular courses and activities based on long-established and wide-ranging expertise in organic food growing.
Environmental Learning Centre
Established in 2010 in a beautiful oak-framed building on Fulwood Road, this centre offers a service for school children and the wider community. It provides outdoor-based environmental education sessions and activities, relating to the local and global environment. It is also a venue for hire, with an area of semi-ancient woodland, pond and wildlife garden, and also a range of new technology installed including laptops, data projection, hand-held devices, data-recording equipment, video editing software and fieldwork equipment. The website even has bird-box webcams running!
Ethics Trading
An eco-friendly and fair trade business, committed to causing no harm to the earth, its ecosystem or its varied peoples and cultures - based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, also selling over the internet.
Home and garden products, skincare etc.
Frack Free South Yorkshire
Fracking threatens toxic and radioactive water contamination, air pollution, lorries, noise and light pollution, wells and pipelines blighting communities, and accelerates climate change. The fightback in South Yorkshire is here. (See also Sheffield Against Fracking.)
Friends of the Earth
Making life better for people by inspiring solutions to environmental problems. The Sheffield group is very active and meets in the city centre
Golden Harvest
Books, magazines, herbs and seed suppliers, a great head shop established since 1998. Bong! Happy birthday! Now in bigger premises with a coffee lounge at 74 Cambridge Street S1 4HP. Tel. Sheff. 2491311
Green City Action
Committed to raising awareness of environmental issues in the multicultural community around north Sheffield, and working together to improve the environment for all. Their website (www.gca.burngreave.net) may not be updated but their Facebook page is worth a look.
Green Homes Sheffield
Setting up in 2014, Green Homes Sheffield aims to give householders ideas and confidence on making their homes more energy efficient. A range of homes across the city can show features like insulation, draught-proofing, solar panels, heat pumps, energy-efficient windows and extensions, and different levels of carbon saving, linked with trained volunteers, people who have already made the first moves, and trusted suppliers. The initiative is part of national network www.greenopenhomes.net
Green House Sheffield
Reducing energy use in the home, is it tricky? This group is doing it, blogging it, and providing a load of excellent useful information for the rest of us
Green Left
This is an anti-capitalist network within the Green Party looking towards an eco-socialist future, based on the assumption that capitalism is a system that wrecks the planet and promotes war. It's a national thing and they don't have Sheffield meetings, but a few local people are members and there's a lot of intelligent online discussion here
Green Party Trade Union Group
This is a grouping within the Green Party which aims to provide a discussion forum and support for Green Party members who sometimes find themselves in a minority in their trade unions. It aims to further good relations between the Green Party and trade unions, and the labour movement generally
Green Roof Centre
An independent research and publicity organisation, promoting green roofs. Not a lot of people know that there are benefits to having plants all over your roof. Sheffield has a national demonstration site to show how it works
Green Scene
The Sheffield Star (newspaper) collects together green-themed news and blogs for an online environment section. Hardly 'alternative' but it's useful to see what's going on and what people are discussing
Green Spirit Hydroponics
Growing plants without soil can be highly productive, conserving water and land, and protecting the environment. This Sheffield city centre equipment supplier offers a large shop and advice from qualified staff.
Environmental activism big time. The link above is the UK Greenpeace website, for local activities call 01226 248702 or see Greenpeace South Yorkshire web-page
Groundwork Sheffield
If you want to get your hands dirty with a broad range of environmental projects look into this large organisation.
Grow Sheffield
Working for a vision of urban food growing landscapes. Events and activities, exchange ideas and get involved
Guat Shoes (vegan shoes)
Guat is a long-established Sheffield company that makes shoes including vegan ones (non-leather). They are really solid quality and last for years, unlike the cheap rubbish in high street shops.
Guerrilla Gardening
Direct Action against the visual pollution of neglected land. Get in and get planting. Guerrilla Gardening has taken off around the world; the link above is the Sheffield and Rotherham part of a large discussion forum and website, guerrillagardening.org
Handspring Design
A multidisciplinary practice doing ecologically-focused timber structures, shelters, seats and stuff with features like alternative roofing materials and solar powered lighting. They've worked for several years, for public, private and community organisations. One of several eco-businesses based at Ecclesall Woods Sawmill, Abbey Lane, Sheffield.
Hector and Cedric
Long established builders of low-impact, sustainable, timber-framed buildings, using locally produced hardwood. One of several eco-businesses based at Ecclesall Woods Sawmill, Abbey Lane, Sheffield.
Heeley City Farm
Community-based farm centre which leads the way on environmental good stuff, all free, great for a visit, specially with kids. Also has offshoots like South Yorkshire Energy Centre, community cafe and garden centre.
About 2km from city centre. Open 10am-4pm most days.
Iconic Eco Smart Solutions
A Green Network for South Yorkshire? Or just a good idea that became a dead website? Not much happening at last glance (2010)
Low Carbon Network
The Low Carbon Network hosted by the Business Environment Centre [BEC] of British Trust for Conservation Volunteers [BTCV]. The aim of this Network is to bring together VCF sector organisations with an interest in city-wide carbon reduction. Network activities have included; influencing the City Council's Low Carbon Strategy, and pulling together information about how the VCF sector contributes Carbon Reduction. Future plans include taking forward the development of a Steering Group for the network and having an electronic presence on the 'Sheffield is My Planet Website' [SIMP] website. Membership is open to all VCF organisations / individuals with an interest in carbon reduction for the city.
BTCV Business Environment Centre [BEC]: Sheff 2901255 Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Low-Impact Living Initiative (LILI)
A non-profit organisation helping people to reduce their consumption, and gain quality of life and new skills, with fun courses at various Sheffield venues. Their website is really useful as well
Manor Castle Green Party
The Green Party blog for Manor Castle.
Well worth a look, frequently updated, it covers environmental issues both locally and more generally.
Natural Building Specialists
Specialists in construction with respect for the environment, no job too small, unusual, or natural. Materials used based on their ecological performance and levels of embodied energy, Forest Stewardship Council certified timber, reclaimed and reused where possible. Expert guidance, skilled labour, and sensitive leadership to guide volunteers and involve local communities.
One Step group
This group meets about once a month in the Upperthorpe/Walkley area of Sheffield for mutual help taking one practical step at a time to leave the world a better place. It covers a variety of topics, from local issues of home energy usage, gardening and food growing to international issues of human rights, trade justice and economics.
Oughtibridge Woods Access Campaign
Because a footpath across the railway line at Station Lane, Oughtibridge, has been blocked up, the only access to Wharncliffe Woods is via the railway bridge on Oughtibridge Lane. The bridge is dangerous and narrow, the approaches from both sides have blind corners, and cars drive too quickly. There is an un-extinguished right of way at the location of the old crossing and this campaign is fighting for a new crossing across the railway.
Peace Funerals
Award-winning and long established, Peace Funerals are pioneers in environmentally-friendly funerals and woodland burial grounds. A Fair Trade organisation and member of The Natural Death Society, they can advise on choices outside of the mainstream, as well as traditional funerals.
Re-Made in Sheffield
A website to showcase Sheffield projects using recycled materials to serve another purpose. It offers information about 'up-cycling' second-hand materials, in an easily accessible website aimed at the public, organisations, architects and students.
Re-Open the Woodhead Line
The re-branded Save the Woodhead Tunnel has become Re-Open the Woodhead Line as they believe re-instating the trans-pennine route is now a real possibility. Campaign demanding the Government hold to their promises on sustainable transport and re-open this rail line between Manchester and Sheffield, including the Woodhead Tunnel near Glossop in the High Peak. Read more details on Indymedia - Woodhead Tunnel articles
Recovery Insulation
A Sheffield-based social enterprise recycling denim jeans waste into high performance thermal and acoustic insulation! This uses some of the thousands of tonnes per year of textile waste that may otherwise go into landfill. They have fitted out buildings like the new Anns Grove School, and Inspire Bradford Business Park. What's more, some of the profits are donated to the Schools and Homes Energy Education Project, a Sheffield charity.
ReCycleBikes is run by an enthusistic and friendly group of volunteers and full timers. It does service and repairs, refurbished second hand bikes and new stuff, cycle spares and accessories, green oil (!), training, maintenance courses, and it even runs free rides for children and young people.
Recycling Revolution
Recycling Revolution is a local not-for-profit social enterprise which collects waste from businesses in Sheffield. All money goes back into the business to provide growth, employment of vulnerable people and donations to local charities.
Rotherham Freegle
Freegle means Free Giving, Locally, Easily. It's a new online re-use network, an alternative to Freecycle, for people to keep stuff out of landfill by giving away things they don't want, to people who can use them. Joining involves having a Yahoo account, which is free and easy. Because the Yahoo Group interface isn't totally easy to understand, there's a useful Rotherham Freegle Message Maker, so make a note of this web page if you sign up. Each Freegle group is a grassroots co-operative run by and for local people. Rotherham's also has a Freegle Café Group for members to chat about anything and to promote local businesses.
Schools and Homes Energy Education Project
Schools and Homes Energy Education Project has developed an approach to assist people to make informed decisions about their energy use. It works mainly with educational institutions and community groups, in particular but not exclusively in the use of sustainable and renewable energy technologies. It is linked with Solar-Active and has operated since 1993.
See Green
See Green is a new environmental education project which offers eco-friendly, alternative birthday parties including a birthday gift, green goody bags for all party guests, and environmental games, crafts and activities. Environmental education sessions are also offered for nurseries, schools and children's centres, even cool stuff like paper making. Contact 07811 807164 or email firstname.lastname@example.com
Sharrow Vale Hardware
As well as being a long-established local hardware shop with proper service, this may be the only "green" one in the city. Eco-paints, gardening, teapots and much much more!
370-372 Sharrow Vale Road, S11 8ZP. Tel Sheff 2686427. Open Mon-Sat 9-5.
Sheepless Knitter
If you knit, or love woolly clothes, there are lots of alternatives to wool. If you think wool is a harmless product taken without killing sheep, or that sheep farming is a natural environment-friendly part of the British landscape, you need to see this Sheffield-based website.
Shef Food
The food partnership for Sheffield, developing a vision and strategic commitment to resilient and sustainable food chains, including local production and food waste systems. Individuals and organisations can join. It is based at Regather, and is a member of the Sustainable Food Cities partnership program.
Sheff Uni SusTrans
Sheffield University group helping the students of the city into more sustainable lifestyles. They run group cycle rides, events like repair workshops, partying, loads of stuff, even an annual charity cycle ride in other cities.
Sheffield Against Fracking
The local group fighting the ridiculous climate-destroying expansion of fracking in this area.
Sheffield Campaign Against Climate Change (SCACC)
A friendly local group campaigning to avert catastrophic climate change. Actions, demonstrations, film shows and talks for local groups. They meet monthly in Sheffield City Centre, generally on the 2nd Tuesday of the month
Sheffield City Centre Residents Action Group
A group for anyone who has an interest in Sheffield city centre, aiming to foster a sense of community and provide a forum for people who live, work and play in the city, raising issues affecting life here.
Sheffield City Freecycle
Freecycle enables people to keep household goods out of landfill by giving away things they don't want, to people who can use them. Joining involves having a Yahoo account, which is free and easy. Each group is part of The Freecycle Network, an international and UK charity aiming to keep good stuff out of landfills. Sheffield City Freecycle also has a "Café Group" for members to discuss issues of recycling, the environment and so on.
Sheffield Climate Alliance
An alliance of organisations and individuals urging effective action on climate change. It is pressing Sheffield Council to engage with the issue. Through the alliance, groups not specifically set up to campaign around climate change can still voice their concerns on this urgent issue. Add your organisation or yourself to the petition.
Sheffield Conservation Volunteers
Constantly working on practical conservation projects like cleaning out ponds, tree planting, stonewalling and path laying. Meet every Sunday 9.30am on City Hall steps (opposite John Lewis store). Bring packed lunch and working clothes. Hot drinks and transport provided
Sheffield Cycle Map
Sheffield City Council Cycle Map, with loads of information about recommended cycle routes and other related transport information like bus lanes, tram routes, traffic calmed roads, cycle parking and cycle shops. Copies available at places like the Tourist Information office and Central Library, or click this link for online versions.
Sheffield Cycle Routes
A website guide to short and long journeys by bike in Sheffield and South Yorkshire. Each route has map and description with a lot of useful detail. If you know of a great cycle route this can also be added.
Sheffield District CTC
A friendly non-competitive cycling club, part of Cycling UK, which encourages all forms of cycling and promotes better cycling conditions. In Sheffield it has various projects, rides and social activities. Rides are graded from 'beginner' (up to 15 miles) through to 'hard' (60+ miles). They usually start from a café in areas such as Hillsborough, Millhouses and Dronfield, and include at least one café stop. No one gets left behind on their rides.
Sheffield Freegle
Freegle means Free Giving, Locally, Easily. It's a new online re-use network, an alternative to Freecycle. It enables people to keep household goods out of landfill by giving away things they don't want, to people who can use them. Joining involves having a Yahoo account, which is free and easy. Each Freegle group is a grassroots co-operative run by and for local people. Sheffield's also has a "Freegle Café Group" for members to chat about anything and to promote local businesses.
Sheffield Green Party
Sheffield Green Party is part of the national Green Party, It aims to work for social justice, equitable and sustainable communities, community-based politics, and non-violence. Jillian Creasy was the first Green Party councillor on Sheffield City Council. As well as campaigning it can be a great help for contacts, and also has a really useful website
Sheffield Green Spaces Forum
A volunteer-run network that brings together as equals the groups with an interest in the parks, playgrounds and other open and green spaces of Sheffield. SGSF shares events, ideas and knowledge, and is a voice for the good of the communities served.
Sheffield is my Planet
Sheffield is my Planet asks people to look at their own life and make promises to take action to prevent destructive climate change. Of course such individual actions aren't going solve things overnight, but they're trying... There is advice and news of other eco-initiatives in Sheffield.
Sheffield Organic Growers
Based in the beautiful Moss Valley on the edge of Sheffield, this cluster of independent organic growers sells a range of produce, vegetables, fruit and herbs, through local shops. They are also the home of Hazelhurst Community Supported Agriculture Co-op, Moss Valley Market Garden, Hazelhurst Fruitery, and the veg box growing for Beanies Wholefoods co-operative.
Sheffield Renewables
Community-owned project working to actually build local renewable power supplies in the city, at Kelham Island and Jordan's Dam. Profit generated will be re-invested in other projects which benefit the community.
Sheffield Tree Action Groups (STAG)
STAG is an umbrella group to represent all tree groups throughout Sheffield. Its purpose is to lead a city-wide campaign to encourage the local authority to adopt a responsible, sustainable approach to management of the city-wide tree population – the urban forest. During the City Council/AMEY roads improvement contract there have been many protests about tree removals.
Sheffield Wildlife Trust
Get involved with the city's largest environmental conservation charity, lots going on
Sheffield Zeitgeist Movement
The Zeitgeist Movement is the activist arm of the Venus Project, based on the ideas of Jacque Fresco and Roxanne Meadows. This non-static grassroots movement of around 300,000 people aims to investigate how technology, through the use of a resource-based economy, to free humanity from the crippling forces of fiat currency (paper/digital money), global debt and slave labour.
Sheffield contact: click to email
This long-established Sheffield organisation offers unique educational resources, workshops and courses in sustainable development, energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies.
South Yorkshire Against Incineration
Doesn't seem to have a website, probably too busy fighting powerful Veolia's application to enlarge its Bernard Road incinerator (oooops, "Energy Recovery Plant") to allow waste to be collected from Barnsley, Doncaster and Chesterfield, sort of in conflict with the general idea of more recycling. There's a UK website UKWIN (UK Without Incineration Network)
South Yorkshire Badger Group
The South Yorkshire Badger Group is a charitable organisation with loads of information, a programme of illustrated talks and film shows, and advice on badgers and their conservation. They record sightings, and even have a hotline number.
South Yorkshire Energy Centre
Since 2006 South Yorkshire Energy Centre has offered advice and information on energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable building and affordable warmth. Its eco-refurbished house with interactive displays at Heeley City Farm (25 Alexandra Road, S2 3EE) is open to visitors, schools and groups.
South Yorkshire Permaculture Advisory Group
A wide range of free advice available on this sustainable, easy form of gardening and food production. Simon Piper Tel. 01909-561348
Stop HS2 (opposed to the High Speed Rail link)
This new pressure group opposes the HS2 High Speed Rail link, because the business case is based on unrealistic assumptions, the environmental impact has not been assessed, it is not green, the strategic benefits are questionable, and the money could be better spent on other things. They are campaigning through letter writing and have been touring the country on the ´Great White Elephant Hunt´, with Ellie, a huge inflatable white elephant!
The Bare Alternative
A shop on Abbeydale Road, The Bare Alternative zero waste shop offers affordable, package-free shopping. It sells a variety of whole food alongside products to help you reduce waste.
The Hazards Campaign
The Hazards Campaign, which has a strong base in Sheffield, is a network of resource centres and campaigners on health and safety at work. It is a vital source of useful information when you need to fight dodgy employers or dangerous working conditions.
Totally Eco 8
Sheffield based Totally Eco 8 design and produce insulation and other stuff for ecologically & socially sustainable construction, which exceed building regulations and the Code for Sustainable Buildings.
Transition Porter Valley
A group in the S10/S11/Porter Valley area of Sheffield, getting local transition going. This will cover stuff from growing fruit and vegetables locally, to awareness raising of the problems with fossil fuels and climate change.
Transition Sheffield.
A new addition to the growing Transition Town movement in the UK, raising awareness about climate change, peak oil, and Transition Towns. Events are open to everyone
Unity Edible Gardens
A Sheffield-based company specialising in edible and wildlife-friendly gardens, started by James Adams. Whether you have a small balcony or a large community space, they can help you create a beautiful, productive space beneficial to people and wildlife, based on organic and permaculture principles.
University of Sheffield Green Party Society
This group invites students studying anywhere to join via Facebook or contact 07837 521226
Unwrapped Shop
Unwrapped is a zero waste grocery shop based in Crookes, Sheffield. Customers can fill their own containers with a huge variety of food and non-food products to reduce waste, because being environmentally friendly is often very difficult or expensive. It caters to lots of budgets, and is fully vegetarian including a wide range of vegan products.
A Community Interest Company, Wildscapes offers services in land management, ecology and landscape design (from habitat and protected species surveys to storm water, river and moorland management. You name it, they do it!) They work to support the environment and biodiversity, and also involve volunteers and encourage a sense of ownership towards green spaces and the natural world.


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Support Billings Forge Community Works and the transformation occurring in their community. Taste the spectacular food and wine, network with friends, and give back locally. Food for Good!
Early Bird Ticket Offer
70 tickets available now until sold.
Reserve Your Ticket Today!
They have expanded their seating so that more people can join them. Today, they are releasing a limited number of tickets available on a first-come first-serve basis.
Be a Table Host!
Coming with your friends, colleagues, or family?
Reserve a table of 10 so that you can sit together and catch up.
Be their Table Host.
In 2015 they needed at least $160,000 to continue to transform the lives of Hartford residents. Theye did…with your support, change is happening every day. Please join them again.
For more info or to purchase a ticket(s) or table(s) directly, please contact Beverly Herbert at (860) 548-9877 or email@example.com.


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Founded by Siobhan Chrétien, a travel and tourism industry expert and influencer, she aligns passion with purpose. She is a global strategist, branding expert, taste maker, featured speaker, marketing guru, innovator and published content creator.
Unique to the consultancy is the world wide experience. She has worked with and within destinations all over the world, leading strategies in 20 of the most populous and affluent international cities of the world. Her unique expertise and network are unparalleled. It's a partnership that is smart, grounded and results based, bringing deep subject matter expertise to organizations to keep their brand vibrant, creative and vital.


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We are so excited to announce that we've partnered with Constellation & Co. to offer a series of Hand Lettering workshops!
Our Hand Lettering 101 workshop will kick things off followed by a Holiday Envelope Lettering workshop.
Join us from 6-9 p.m. at Constellation & Co. located at the Seattle Fishermen's Terminal near the Magnolia neighborhood for wine and treats while you learn how to maximize your own handwriting to create fun and beautiful works of art and learn creative ways to jazz up your snail mail this holiday season.
Hand Lettering 101:
Thursday, October 19th - SOLD OUT!
Sunday, October 29th - SOLD OUT!
This foundational workshop will show you how to identify a unique style and build upon your own handwriting. Learn different fonts, simple layouts and the coveted faux-ligraphy!
At the end of class, you will take home your own "print" along with some goodies to set you up for your next hand lettering project.
Holiday Envelope Addressing:
Thursday, November 9th - Newly added date!
Every student will leave with 5+ new envelope addressing styles, and a set of our favorite pens to write on envelopes, including dark-colored envelopes!
Constellation & Co. is an amazing letterpress stationery company and gift shop that recently started selling a line of luxe pens for all your handwriting needs! Follow them on Instagram @constellationco!
Limited spots are available, so register now!
Can't wait to see you there!


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Here We Are
Using discarded cardboard, paint, warm lights, a hot glue gun, video projector, cell phones and a lot of tape, I took over the 17 x 19 foot Wurdemann gallery at Gallery 825 in Los Angeles. The three-dimensional video installation is an investigation into the natural world that envelops us on a daily basis, depicting an exaggerated world where bugs are king. Discarded and donated cardboard was used to magnify dandelions and bugs; beer tabs, cigarette butts, grass, and rocks, to create an environment where often overlooked elements are both exaggerated and celebrated.
Lights were used to cast warm shadows and illuminate the installation. Cell phones were also placed in the bugs and viewers were encouraged to call numbers that would cause those phones to ring, creating an interactive bug opera. Artist-pulled, limited-edition screen prints were also available at the show. Only 50 prints were created, signed and numbered, and printed on archival paper (22 x 30 inches).
Mixed media: cut cardboard, 3 video projectors, green lights and speakers.
This is an ongoing series of photos with a cardboard bug in various landscapes.


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Spending late nights in the garage can garner up all sorts of curiosity. Inevitably, we always stumble upon a part or component and have no clue what it is, where it goes or even what it does. After a while, parts and components can begin to look the same.
Either way, as luck would have it, we were stumped when it came to the part we've featured here – we're in need of your help. That's right, we're calling all you gearheads, grey-beards and hoons to help us figure out what this is!
Q: Do you know what this part is for?


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FirstClass Foods Inc a full line of quality meat products for the Food Service. We offer Custom Processing, packaging and shipping to your specification with the most stringent requirements and controls. If Quality is what you are looking for, FirstClass is the company to know.
FirstClass Foods only carries the finest in Beef products, USDA inspected and approved. We produce a wide range of premium cuts covering all quality grades to meet any customer needs.
FirstClass Foods supplies a vast variety of Quality Veal products from the Midwest.
FirstClass Foods carries a full line of Lamb products, from full muscles to portion control Lamb. Domestic, Australian and New Zealand Lamb gives FirstClass an edge for consumer preference and price level. We pride ourselves of supplying the best quality Lamb available.
FirstClass Foods provides the highest quality Pork products. We guarantee the freshest, leanest, best-tasting pork available.
FirstClass Foods offers a large variety of Poultry products, providing only the freshest and highest quality poultry.
FirstClass Foods delivers a widespread selection of superior seafood and shellfish to our customers. We take pride in providing you high quality seafood guaranteed to be safe.
FirstClass Foods supply a large variety of Game products available in the US. From Imported to Domestic Buffalo, Venison, Elk, Wild Boar, Rabbit, Ostrich, Suckling Pigs, Pheasant, Quails, and many more…
Prepared Meat
The finest line of quality processed meats, Cured and Smoked Products. Corned Beef, Pastrami, Roast Beef, Natural Cured Beef, Cured Kobe Beef, Kurobuta Ham, Prime Rib Seasoned, Bacon, Sausage, Franks and many more specialty and unique prepared meats.
Organic Meats, Halal Meats, Wagyu Beef Australian and Domestic, Grass Fed Beef and Veal, Natural Products, Vegetarian Products, Japanese, Korean and Pilipino Products.


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Hebrews 11:24,25 (NIV) And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another…
- Under the Overpass by Mike Yankoski
Serve God, Save the Planet: A Christian Call to Action by Dr. J. Matthew Sleeth
Safely Home by Randy C. Alcorn
and those from the following authors: Karen Kingsbury, Ted Dekker, Francine Rivers, and Brock and Bodie Thoene
the album, Legacy…Hymns and Faith by Amy Grant, which includes "My Father's World" and "What a Friend We Have In Jesus"
many of the old hymns, including "It Is Well With My Soul", "Be Thou My Vision", "In the Garden", and "Because He Lives"
"Say the Name" by Margaret Becker
- "Hold Me Jesus" by Rich Mullins
- Sorry, I could not find a couple of the recommendations (that were suggested by Mary and Lynn), but I did find an album from The White Sisters, Bonnie! – click here
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!


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Hansen twin-fin shortboard (1968-69)
*SOLD, Request to be notified when similar board available | Board Location: Alabama *Worldwide Shipping Available*
Hansen 5'3 twin-fin from the transition era of surfboard history (late 1960s). This vintage surfboard is in all original condition with several repaired dings and minor damage to tail which could be repaired.
If you have any questions or need a shipping quote please leave a comment below and/or visit our Contact Page
Dan Hansen: Surfboard shaper and manufacturer from San Diego County, California; founder of Hansen Surfboards (https://www.hansensurf.com), and a leader of the signature model era in the mid-1960s. Hansen was born (1937) and raised in South Dakota, lettered in boxing, track, and football, and earned up to $600 a week as a mink trapper. He began surfing at age 18, after graduating high school and hitchhiking to San Diego.
In 1958, while stationed at Fort Ord army base, Hansen began shaping boards in nearby Santa Cruz, at Jack O'Neill's shop. In 1961, after short stints with Southern California boardmakers Hobie and Jacobs, Hansen moved to the Oahu, where he made and sold boards under his own label. The following year he moved back to San Diego and opened Hansen Surfboards in the beachside town of Cardiff; four years later the company was grossing more than $500,000 a year. "I've always felt like I've had an advantage over a lot of the guys I knew in the surfing industry," Hansen later said. "I always thought I could outwork 'em. I'd grew up on a farm. I knew what it was like to work all day in the field under a hot sun."
Hansen Surfboards sponsored some of California's hottest riders, including Mike Doyle, Rusty Miller, Linda Benson, and Margo Godfrey, and offered some of the most popular surfboard models, like the Master, the Hustler, the Powerflex, and the 50/50. Hansen was also good with the media: his advertisements were well-designed and clever, Hansen himself made the cover of Surfer in 1962, and he was one of 10 board manufacturers featured on a 1965 Surfing portrait cover. Hansen continued to surf often, and in 1967, he and Diane Bolton won the tandem event at the United States Surfing Championships. In the early '70s, Hansen was an early investor in Ocean Pacific beachwear.
But Hansen Surfboards, along with the rest of the old guard surf retailers, fell into decline during the late-'60s shortboard revolution, when faster-moving backyard boardmakers were better able to respond to a whipsawing market. Hansen meanwhile seemed uncomfortable with the era's cultural changes. "More than a year has passed since surfdom was hit by a psychedelic tidal wave," he wrote in a 1969 surf magazine article. "There is certainly nothing wrong with this, [but] the last thing a kid needs are six strings of beads to weigh him down as he tries to catch a wave."
Hansen moved back to the midwest, but kept the shop, which rebounded in the decades to come, and remains in the family.
In 2011, the California Surf Museum in Oceanside staged ""Don Hansen—a 50-year Restrospective."


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Important Halloween Information
October 18, 2017
Dear Parents,
On Tuesday, October 31, 2017 Newell Elementary School will hold various festivities in celebration of Halloween. Please read this notice carefully, as some grades will be participating in a parade and class party, while other grade levels will be participating in a class party only. Also included in this letter are guidelines to use/follow when putting together your child's costume. Please review the guidelines in our Managing Life-Threatening Food Allergies Policy, which encourages parents to refrain from sending in any form of peanut product for snack, lunch and special class parties/activities. This policy can be found on our school website. Please keep in mind that we want this day to be enjoyable and safe for everyone. Lastly, October 31st is an early dismissal day. Full day Pre-K, complement kindergarten, and grades 1-4 are dismissed at 1:20 PM. AM kindergarten dismiss at 10:40 AM.
Schedule of Events/Festivities
Full Day Pre-K, AM Kindergarten, Kindergarten Complement, 1st and 2nd grades will be participating in our Halloween Parade – Start Time 9:45 A.M
We are asking parents to abide by the schedule below in order to view the student parade. Please also take time to review the parade route below. Please remember that videos and pictures can only be used for home viewing purposes and may not be placed on the internet for any reason. Following the parade, grade levels will begin to have their class parties. For safety reasons, only parent volunteers who have been notified by the classroom teacher as assisting with the class party on that day will be the only adults permitted in the building. All Parent Volunteers must report to the Main Office Foyer to sign in and receive a party pass. Please remember that all class parties are limited to parent volunteers only and we ask that siblings not attend.
Parade Route – Playground Blacktop Area
We will use the playground blacktop area for our students to safely parade around the entire square of blacktop.
We ask parents to stand in our playground field only. Please do not stand along the sidewalk and/or the blacktop as these two areas need to be clear and visible for our students to safely move about. Our parade will begin with our Pre-K classes leading the way and ending with our 2nd grade classes.
****Parade will be cancelled in the event of inclement weather.*****
Classroom Party—For 3rd and 4th Grade
3rd and 4th grade will be participating in classroom parties at various times throughout the day. For safety reasons, only parent volunteers who have been notified by the classroom teacher as assisting with the class party on that day will be the only adults permitted in the building. All Parent Volunteers must report to the Main Office Foyer to sign in and receive a "Volunteer" pass. Please remember that all class parties are limited to parent volunteers only and ask that siblings not attend.
Halloween Costume Guidelines
We ask for your cooperation regarding the following costume guidelines that will be worn on Tuesday, October 31st.
Avoid violent or bloody images. It is okay to look "scary," but there is a difference between frightening and gruesome.
Please be sure that all costumes are appropriate for school, especially any emoji themed costumes.
Eye and face masks are acceptable (make sure that vision is not impaired). Makeup should be minimal and applied at home.
Please make sure that your child's costume has nothing hanging below the wrist or ankle. Tripping and/or getting materials caught is a major concern.
Please send costume props, all accessories, and cape-like parts to a costume in a bag labeled with your child's name. Props (if any) must be manageable, particularly if students ride a bus.
Weapons of any kind are not permitted.
We look forward to a fun-filled day! Thank you for your help with making certain the day is safe for all of our students.


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Once you have completed Setting Up Twitter Integration, you will be able to configure Top Producer CRM to receive Twitter updates for a contact. This feature allows you to stay up to date on the recent events happening in the life of a contact – helping you to better communicate with them, and direct your marketing and services effectively.
In a contact record, click the Summary tab. On the right hand side is the Social Media Activity section.
Note: Since Twitter feeds are made public by default, you can access any Twitter feed without special permission.
Click the Twitter tab, then click the Search & Link icon.
A popup will appear allowing you to search Twitter. By default, Top Producer CRM will attempt to search by the Primary Name provided in the contact record. If necessary, you can always perform a different search by Name or by the Social Media UserID or Profile Link.
The list of search results will display the Profile Picture and Name. Once you have located the correct person, click Link to Contact.
Tip: Clicking View Full Profile will open the full-page profile of this person. This is useful if there are multiple search results and you cannot determine which one is correct based upon the information in the list.
You will now receive post updates for this contact under the Twitter tab. By default only the three most recent posts made to Twitter are displayed, to change the amount of posts to display see, Setting up Twitter Integration.
In addition, their profile image will be displayed in the contact record header, and will be updated if the contact changes the image in their Twitter profile. If you have the contact record linked both to Facebook and Twitter, it will pull in the Facebook profile photo by default.
Unlinking Social Media
If you no longer wish to receive Social Media updates for a contact, click the Twitter tab, and then select Unlink link.
Login to received Twitter updates in a contact record.
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Windows 7 Games | Hidden Object Games | A Vampire Romance: Paris Stories
A Vampire Romance: Paris Stories Game
One hour or 60 minutes free trial demo version of the game is provided above. There are some games with more than 1 hour (80 minutes) time limit. Windows7Games.com provides virus free games setup files which are placed on secure server. Downloading time of game setup files varies depending up on size and your internet connection speed. Before buy your full version legal copy with various available payment methods you can play free demo of downloadable casual game. You have to purchase activation code or serial key for full version of the game by credit card, Visa Card, Master Card, American Express Card, Discover Card or Via PayPal.
Read A Vampire Romance: Paris Stories Game Features
- Incredible gameplay
- Fantastic storyline
- Survive a Vampire Romance!
- Buy full version of this game for PC!
Minimum System Requirements for Playing Game
- Operating System: Windows XP/Vista/8
- Processor: 1.0 GHz
- RAM (Memory): 512
- DirectX Version: 8.1
- Free Space on Hard Disk: 88 MB
More Information About This PC Game
- Game Size: 71.57 MB
- Date of Release:
- Game Category: Hidden Object Games


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5. Because everyone else is having a better time than you are
The home feed is a constant source of depression. Everyone else is going to more exotic places than you are, getting haircuts that are better than yours and of course, partying. There are DJs, there are shiny dance floors, multicolored drinks, hazy pictures of too much fun had and of course, that invisible, but strong reminder that the last "party" I went to involved a 6 year old cutting cake and Winnie the Pooh. On the bright side, I did get a picture with Winnie the Pooh.
4. Because Facebook knows all the people you never liked in School and wants you to be friends with them.
For the last time, I don't want to add R.Srivatsan who was my bench-partner in V-B for 4 days as a friend. Especially because he changed schools right after stealing my brand new Hero pen. That pretty much sealed the end of our friendship right there. Also.
3. Because Facebook is not a pleasant place when you're academically incompetent (Like me)
Just when you come on to Facebook to get your mind off your exam results, the first story on your feed is some moron with an AATHA! NA PASS AAYITEN!* status. There is obviously something wrong with the system.
2. Because Facebook loves to remind you that you're not getting any younger
If your friends aren't getting married, they're probably having babies, that kid who used to take "how to play with Barbie" lessons from you is celebrating the 6 month anniversary with her second boyfriend and apparently, 18 'til I die is just a song.
1. Because Facebook is the new TamilMatrimony
The other day, my mother was on the phone with an aunt, and the subject of discussion was the ongoing "looking" process for a cousin. Apparently the Aunt had mentioned something about how they had got a "good match" but had no clue about how said match looked like, for which my mother immediately remarked – "Pera sollungo! Facebook-la paakalaam!" (Just say the name! We'll find him on Facebook!).
Deactivate button, anyone?
[Based on conversation with the erstwhile @idlingintopgear]
* – Roughly translates to "MOMMY! I HAVE BECOME PASS!"


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PART 1 of 2
Featured Content
Assembly productivity is vitally important to car companies, although its relative importance in the total car cost picture is declining, as factories become more efficient worldwide, and as outsourcing of more parts and assemblies to suppliers continues. Nevertheless, factory productivity remains a key competitive metric for all car producers.
There is general agreement that some variant of "lean production" or the Toyota Production System (TPS) is the way to go in terms of overall manufacturing strategy, but implementations of TPS vary widely, by country, by company, and even by plant. There is significant difference in basic productivity measures (e.g., hours of labor required to build a car) even across various plants that were each considered leaders in the industry, despite adjusting for vertical integration differences, model complexity, etc.
Here we'll share some of the general sound practices that cut across most plants, based on numerous interactions with assembly plants in recent years and in many countries. Our focus is on factors plant managers can work on, such as process parameters and operational decisions—and less on "upstream" decisions such as plant or product design, which, of course, also have major impact, but which cannot be altered in the short term. (Consequently, for example, we'll omit a discussion of line-side parts delivery—as good an idea as it is—because it involves strategic decisions about sourcing well above the plant manager level.)
In this article we'll provide an overview of recommended practices at the total plant level. In Part II (AD&P, September 1998) there will be examples of good management at the plant sector or "shop" level (including stamping, welding, painting, and assembly shops), with some final comments on the support services that serve all the shops. We'll avoid using too many specific numbers, as these can be easily taken out of context (for example, hours per car can be much higher in a low-wage-environment country, without any economic penalty).
Two general caveats about our observations: first, any quantitative measures we discuss are based on a "standard car," essentially a mid-sized four-door sedan as is sold in the European C range. Without such a standard, comparison across factories become meaningless, as one would not expect the same amount of labor to go into a luxury four-door sedan as into a two-door "econobox." Adjustments must therefore be made to the numbers if the reader wishes to draw conclusions about a car significantly different from this standard. Our qualitative recommendations, such as about the use of teams, apply to any type of car.
Secondly, we omit in our discussion any radical new manufacturing systems such as ultra-modular plants like the one used for the Smart car. By definition, optimized but still traditional "lean" approaches may not apply to these plants. Our work focuses on how an assembler might reach world-class levels within the mainstream manufacturing paradigm, not on how one might invent a new paradigm.
Overall Good Practices at the Plant Level
Successful plants distinguish themselves at the overall factory level along seven key dimensions: team structure, cross-functional empowerment, employee motivation, workforce competence, services outsourcing, short-term production management, and long-term production planning. Taking each in turn, we find the following characteristics:
•Teams. Car plants really can't run without teams, due both to the complexity of the work and, ironically, its monotony, which demands job rotation during the day. Thus, a team must be formed to work on some part of the line. It needs to be sized in order to comprehend some significant potion of the work, and to maintain rotation and learning opportunities. Yet it can't be so large as to lose "team spirit." Varying with the work organization, we found effective teams of 10 to 25 people. The team leader job is the most pivotal in the whole plant, and thus demands the most careful attention. We found team leaders most productive when they were fully plugged into the team rather than riding above it. This means each team leader needs to know every team member's job, be able to competently carry it out and teach it, and be well connected with the leadership of adjacent teams. Good team leaders are actually working on the line at least half of the time. This gives them great task insight and builds their credibility with the team members. Finally, it is critical that the team leader receive regular performance reviews that include target-setting discussions specifically focusing on continuous improvement in line balancing, defect reduction, and downtime minimization.
•Cross-functional empowerment. No team can function effectively without having at its disposal all the tools it needs to correct problems on the line. After all, a plant has two roles: efficient production of the current model, and continuous improvement of the process. The key factor for success here is to ensure that line workers are not only trained to do their specific jobs, but that they also have both the training and the authority to perform minor maintenance and QC associated with their job. Otherwise, it is very hard for the factory to improve. This requires flexible job designations (so that the maintenance function doesn't become an unresponsive "empire"), supportive incentive schemes, and extensive line worker training in both repair and quality control techniques. The ideal, of course, is to enlist workers in continuous job redesign and improvement as is done at Toyota and other companies.
•Worker motivation. The car assembly task is so complex that no manager can possibly handle all the direct commands that would be necessary to build a car with a hostile or ill-prepared workforce. Beyond just good "team spirit" and cross-functional task empowerment, there are myriads of routes to high worker motivation—none especially easy—but we find the best plants both instill motivation, and capture its best effects, by running very comprehensive and effective suggestion systems. Honda of America Manufacturing's system is one of the very best. A significant majority of the workforce should be contributing to the system each year, and each worker contributing should produce a high number of suggestions. This is both to encourage continuous improvement and to stimulate creativity. To avoid demoralizing the workers, a very large percentage of submitted suggestions should be implemented: many plants aim for 80% or more. In terms of measuring motivation, the one most vital statistic in this area is unexcused absenteeism, held to no more than 2% if at all possible (recognizing there are cultural variations). Not only is very low unplanned absenteeism destructive to lean production (which by definition runs with no surplus workers standing around ready to take up the slack), but many plant managers have found a worker's attitude toward absenteeism to be the single best predictor of that worker's long-term potential and motivation. That is, a willingness to show up predictably and put in a good day's work seems to be more important than previous work experience, training or skills. (One can conclude that one reason the Japanese transplants in North America chose rural sites was to tap into the agricultural work force, which is well-used to good attendance, as the crops wait for no one!)
•Workforce skill. Of course, a solid level of workforce competence is necessary as well as motivation and attitude—though perhaps not as important: tasks can be learned, enthusiasm cannot. Skill building begins with recruitment screening, which seems most effective when everyone gets into the assessment process: management, the union, team members, and the assessment center staff themselves. Commitment to finding the best candidates grows when more parties have a stake in the outcome. Once hired, integration into the team-based working environment and job training become the next critical steps. The most effective training is split in its delivery mode: technical job training must be delivered on the line by a respected and competent operator (not a trainer) whileenabling training—such as quality control techniques and people skills development—can be provided offline, typically at the company's training center.
•Plant services. Any services that don't directly add value to the car should be outsourced, plain and simple. This allows the teams to focus on the key tasks of building the car, and learning to build the car better. From the local college students who give the plant tours to the suppliers performing the material handling on their own deliveries, all non-production tasks should be ruthlessly peeled away and given to someone else. The rationale for this is manifold, from issues of morale (no regular employees should be saddled with "second class" work, nor allowed to hide out in easy support functions), to reasons of efficiency (workers are freed of any burdens save the need to do their specific tasks well, and then to strive to improve them).
•Production management. In the area of short-term production operations, perhaps the key lessons are to plan extensively and to build up flexibility. In terms of planning, the focus is on line balancing and re-balancing, aiming for zero balance loss. This goal is certainly unobtainable, as it is a moving target, but the point is to pursue continuous improvement. No modern plant should ever consider its lines "done" in terms of balance, but rather should expect a myriad of micro-adjustments in the line, even from week to week. Such fine-tuning is, perhaps, unrealistic, especially in modern low-inventory systems, as it assumes a constant high level of resource availability, and "no mistakes." Both of these assumptions are unreasonable, and so an advanced car assembly plant has to build in enough flexibility to handle disruptions and shortfalls. The two key practices in terms of flexibility are delegation of process time fine-tuning to the teams on the line (requiring sound communication between the teams and the production engineers, who must let go of some of their prerogatives), and daily floating overtime availability. The latter is tough to put in place in certain national work environments, but is critical to success. It also leads to more secure long-term employment, even if at the expense of short-term employee stress. Many advanced plants (especially in Japan), in effect, deliberately under-staff by 5% or so, preferring periodic bursts of overtime for the core of the workforce to periodic layoffs of "peripheral" workers.
•Production planning. Finally, the best plants are distinctive in terms of longer-term production planning. The objective is to provide as much stability in the mid-term as possible, so that the short-term flexibility just discussed is not overloaded. Practices vary somewhat, but two are quite common. First, there must be an absolute insistence on production process stability. Each new process must be thoroughly debugged and brought under tight statistical process control before being released to the plant floor. We do not mean to imply that there is no room for subsequent process improvement: the reverse is in fact true. But no plant should have to deal with process "debugging" during production runs. Second, production schedule freeze points should be set as far in advance as is feasible, working in close cooperation with the sales forecast and order departments. The goal is to reduce the level of fluctuations within daily production: the plant is a production process, not a buffer for sales forecast errors! We recommend a several-weeks-in-advance freeze point for at least the major volume and mix fluctuations, including both body styles and basic option levels. Many minor options, such as radio installations, can be changed a few days before production with minimal implications for production smoothness. In some cases, this discipline is enforced by sanctions: some plants actually pay fines to their upstream suppliers if they deviate from announced schedules by more than a given percent.
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China's Reform Efforts: Two (Small) Steps Forward and One (Large) Step Back
Experts have avidly discussed the new reform plans announced by the Communist Party since the conclusion of China's Third Plenum Meeting. Along with projected economic changes that may further liberalize the Chinese market, the most notable reforms include promises to end the notorious "re-education through labor system" (RTL) (laodong gaizao 劳动改造) and modify China's infamous one-child policy (jihua shengyu计划生育).
These are important promises that should be welcomed by all human rights advocates, though they are, as yet, very small steps. Overshadowing the Third Plenum reforms, however, is a more ominous directive issued by President Xi Jinping last April. In it, the Party stated its resolve to fight against the growth of Western values and the political ideals of individual freedom, 'universal' human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. Any optimism about China's commitment to political reform must be weighed against this directive, entitled Document 9.
The issuance of Document 9 is another dark moment for China's advocates of freedom and reform. It also challenges the United States to regain its footing as an undiluted champion of human rights and democracy in Asia.
The Chinese Communist Party explicitly states within the text of Document 9 that it will remain firmly in control of Chinese society, culture, and politics. This commitment is demonstrated even in light of the heralded reforms of the Third Plenum.
For example, China's one-child policy was not ended, only expanded to allow couples to have a second child if one of the parents is from single-child families themselves. Make no mistake, this reform will allow millions of couples a chance to have another child, and it was something the majority of the Chinese people wanted. Despite the change, however, the basic assumptions behind the one-child policy remain. The Party will "persist in the basic national policy of birth planning," allowing government bureaucrats the ability to remain deeply involved in the reproductive choices made by couples. Moreover, questions regarding whether the Ministry of Health will continue to enforce birth quotas by requiring women to take regular gynecological exams, apply for permits before giving birth, agree to sterilization after reaching their birth quota, or force abortions to carry out birth quotas failing voluntary action by women and their partners remain unanswered.
Additionally, promising to abolish the RTL is an important part of several other legal reforms occurring in China—including limiting the number of crimes subject to the death penalty and restricting the use of forced confessions as evidence of guilt at trial. The end of RTL detention has been a top priority of human rights advocates for decades; it was for too long used as a repository for most of China's petty criminals and to silence political dissent. The problem is, however, that RTL is part of a system of arbitrary detention that also now includes "transformation centers" and "black jails" where the government detains political dissidents, disfavored religious practitioners, including the Falun Gong, and petitioners against political corruption. These individuals are detained for years without trial, and incidents of torture, abuse, and forced labor are often reported.
While promises to dismantle the RTL are an important step, it is unclear whether any real progress is being made in ending a system of arbitrary detention. The main reform here may be that petty criminals will now have regularized trials, sentencing, and detention procedures put in place. While this may be a good thing for China's pickpockets, it does little to protect China's dissidents and peaceful advocates of reform. Given that the Communist Party feels threatened by a growing list of individuals, groups, movements, and media critical of Party policies and corruption, it is likely that the Chinese government will continue to find ways to silence and punish dissidents.
Document 9 itself warns that the Party risks losing authority unless it addresses "subversive currents coursing through Chinese society." These include "Western constitutional democracy," proponents of 'universal values,' media independence, civil society development, pro-market "neo-liberalism," critics of government policies and history, and those who "use religion to divide the country."
Such fears are not new in China's recent history. The fight to curtail Western influence—often called "peaceful evolution"—was evident from the early years of Mao Zedong's rule. Since the break-up of the Soviet bloc in the early 1990s, and the advance of what the document calls the "color revolutions" of the past decade, the Party's fear of internal critics appears to have grown faster even than its own economic growth rate.
This fear is the reason Nobel Prize laureate Liu Xiabao, Gao Zhisheng, Yang Maodong, Wang Gongquan, and over 200 other human rights, free speech, and democracy advocates have been arrested and detained since 2011. Document 9 is a clear marker that President Xi Jinping will not tolerate dissent or criticism of the Party's leadership.
The United States has clear interests in a China committed to the rule of law, human rights, and political transparency, just as it has interests in building and supporting democratic institutions in East Asia able to resist China's growing power. Unfortunately, the Obama Administration's vaunted 'Asia Pivot' does not truly emphasize these interests, as the policy was primarily introduced to expand U.S. regional military presence and expand a trade zone that will exclude China.
While the Asia Pivot's priorities are surely perceived as threats in Beijing, it is the "war of ideas" that the Party is most concerned about. Even so, the "war of ideas" is where the Obama administration's foreign policy approach is most unclear, and this weakness will not change soon, given President Obama's recent statement that human rights and democracy are no longer "core" U.S. foreign policy interests.
In effect, the Obama administration's policy does not prioritize support for those in China advocating for greater freedoms and political reforms. Hopefully, it will expand its current vision of the 'Asia Pivot' policy soon if it seeks to encourage the types of reforms in China that both serve U.S. interests and reflect the desires of the Chinese people for freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.


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Prescott Municipal Airport has an extremely high volume of traffic. There is a unique mix of operations, which includes flight training, aerial firefighting, and scores of private aircraft. Together these operations place Prescott Municipal Airport well within the top ten airports in the nation for general aviation operations.
The following are documents assembled and provided for local and transient pilots to become more familiar with Prescott Municipal Airport. Please take the time to examine some of the documents to increase you understanding of unique conditions in order to increase operational safety.


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Las Vegas may have the greatest concentration of top pastry talent anywhere in America. So many tourists and so many hot restaurants have created a cream-filled environment where Megan Romano (Aureole/Charlie Palmer Steak), Vita Shanley (Scarpetta/D.O.C.G.) and Dyan Ng (Restaurant Guy Savoy) can perform their magic on a nightly basis, turning sugar, flour, butter, cream, fruits and chocolate into combinations that leave us swooning. Romano has long been considered the grande dame of Vegas' pastry chefs, while newbies Shanley and Ng create nouvelle wonders that put your grandmother's crème brûlée to shame. In a profession once dominated by men (and a certain by-the-numbers, drill-sergeant mentality), their impact upon creative desserts in Vegas, and the sweet, feminine way those sweets are created, is undeniable. Rising to the top of their profession is all the more remarkable when you consider only one of them (Romano) is over 40 (barely, and she looks 10 years younger), while the other two could pass for teenagers.
"There are lots of unconventional ways people get into this profession," Romano tells me as the four of us taste spoonfuls of baked apple tart at Le Cirque. At 22, fresh off a communications degree at Northwestern—and never having worked in a restaurant kitchen—she literally walked in the back door of Charlie Trotter's in Chicago and "dared to stage" (see: worked for free) on weekends. From there, her passion and talent must have been evident, because within two years, she landed a job with another Charlie (Palmer), at Aureole in New York, before doing a two-year stint with Gray Kunz at the four-star Lespinasse when it was considered one of the top restaurants in the city. "I never wanted to do pastry, because it was expected ... [because] I was female." But five years at the stoves doing everything from poissonier (fish cook) to saucier (sauce cook) taught her the discipline she still applies today when she crafts treats like her legendary chocolates and definitive blueberry-linzer tart.
Shanley, 29, followed a slightly more conventional path. After discovering her love of food and restaurants while babysitting for a catering chef as a teenager in Oceanside, Long Island, she completed a two-year course at the Culinary Institute of America that helped her land an externship with Michael Mina at Aqua in San Francisco. "I started out doing anything but baking and pastries," she, like Romano, proudly explains, "but I got so grossed out from butchering meat I became a vegetarian for four years." Meat's loss was our gain, as she soon fell in love with all things pastry. Aqua was her baptism by fire ("I've never seen so many guys cry"), and soon thereafter she was heading up pastry kitchens in New York and Las Vegas, most notably at SW Steakhouse at Wynn Las Vegas, before über-Italian chef Scott Conant recruited her to create sweets and breads for his Cosmopolitan opening (her signature dish: salted caramel pudding). When I ask if pastry chefs deserve their reputations as the temperamental prima donnas of the kitchen, she agrees with me ... sort of. "The job lends itself to those who are the most precise and exact," she says, flashing her Irish/Italian smile, "and you can tell right away who isn't organized, and who won't be able to handle the pressure."
"Exacting" and "pressure-filled" might be exact descriptions of what it means to work for three of the top toques in the business. Born in the Philippines, Ng, 26, was raised in Arcadia, California, and was considering Le Cordon Bleu before a chef talked her out of it. Instead, he introduced her to Eric Klein, then making a name for himself at Maple Drive in Los Angeles. Like Romano and Shanley, she wanted to work on the savory side of the kitchen, but, "[I] was put in pastries and immediately fell in love." From there her meteoric rise brought her to Vegas, where she was taken under the wing of pastry chef extraordinaire Gregory Gorreau—first at Mix, then Payard Bistro and Patisserie—before impressing Guy Savoy with her blood orange supreme with layers of cream, lime curd and lime gelee. She can still relate her nervousness during her tasting audition for the 3-star Michelin giant, but, "I knew he didn't like things that are overly sweet or heavy, and neither do I. So I think that really helped in landing the job." Which is a little like saying, "I ripped through a Mozart violin solo and the New York Philharmonic hired me."
Some would say a great meal is like a symphony, building to a crescendo at the end, and one false note can ruin everything. In that sense, pastry chefs have the most pressure. Theirs is the last thing you remember of the meal, a fact not lost on any of these three. Romano sums it up best: "You give up a lot to be in this profession—weekends and holidays—but desserts represent one of the greatest pleasures in the food world. They are the culmination of a great performance, the grand finale, and that's why we love to make them."