text: The Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission (CAIC) has awarded grants to the following organizations across the state in three categories. The grants were awarded through the Strategic Investment and Arts Integration programs, as well as the Creative Economy Project Support program. KCAIC programs are designed to promote partnerships, enhance community and economic development, encourage risk and innovation, maximize statewide impact and highlight the role the arts play in all areas of community life. Grantees are selected by the KCAICthrough an application and review process. The Strategic Investment Program (SIP) recognizes the important role individual artists and creative organizations play in building and sustaining cultural and economic vibrancy in Kansas. By funding a variety of professional and organizational development opportunities that impact cultural programming, these grants support initiatives that use the arts to enhance community vitality, revitalize neighborhoods, generate local business, create and preserve job opportunities and impact tourism The Arts Integration Program (AIP) grants support the role the arts play in all levels of education, community service and workforce development. This program provides funding for educational institutions, arts organizations and community service non-profits to use the arts to increase student success, foster creative thinking, develop critical job skills and enhance community development. Strategic Investment Program Arts Connect, Topeka, $5,000 ArtsConnect will expand the Topeka Mural Project to include the creation of a mural on a wall adjacent to the Brown V Board National Historic Site. This is the largest and most significant of all the projects undertaken by the Topeka Mural Project and will be a regionally and nationally significant piece of public art that will enhance the daily life of the residents in the underserved neighborhood where the mural is located and contribute to the narrative of the Brown V Board National Historic Site for thousands of visitors each year. Arts Council of Johnson County, Lenexa, $3,400 The Arts Council of Johnson County will expand its internship program to include a summer intern, two fall interns, and a spring intern. The goal of the program is to provide year-round hands on learning experiences for participating upper college students, assist students in building their professional networks by connecting them with area arts professionals, program partners, and community leaders through projects, one on one meetings and networking, and helping students achieve a self-determined learning objective i.e. develop a marketing campaign or manage a public program. Arts Partners, Wichita, $2,775 Baker Arts Center, Liberal, $1,631 The Baker Center Arts Center will acquire a kiln and related accessories to increase the center's ability to offer classes in 3D arts for both children and adults and train new artists in the Liberal area community. Ballet Wichita, Wichita, $10,000 $5,000 Ballet Wichita will purchase sound system upgrades increase the performance quality experience for audience members during the annual Ballet in the Park concerts and in the studio where the company rehearses. $5,000 Ballet Wichita will make functional upgrades to its website that will also better align with a new branding and marketing strategy that includes a new focus on an education model based on the Dance Theatre of Harlem. The project will include the addition of online forms for students as well as secure sections of the site for student communication. The project also includes dedicated outreach to low-income populations. Busker Festivals, Lawrence, $3,231 Busker Festivals, an annual outdoor event, will purchase banner frames and street lamp banners that can be reused from year to year. The equipment will help provide event information to patrons throughout downtown and delineate temporary stage locations. The project will also enhance the overall level of production and professionalism of the event. Chamber Music at the Barn, Maize, $10,000 $5,000 Chamber Music at the Barn will produce a new work featuring the New Harrington String Quartet and develop a new program, "Afternoon Delight" that offers matinees for seniors in both independent and assisted living facilities. $5,000 Chamber Music at the Barn will host guest musician Jherek Bischoff in residence for a five day period in conjunction with the "Vibrant-ICT" initiative,. Bischoff will workshop, rehearse, and perform with up to 14 Kansas musicians; we will invite dialog and interaction through open rehearsals in downtown spaces and present at least 2 concerts with new or improvised compositions by Bischoff with the local musicians performing for all ages. The Culture House, Olathe, $5,000 Great Plains Theatre, Abilene, $5,000 Great Plains Theatre will purchase camera and related equipment to start a film department that will allow students of all ages to learn the art of film making through the production of original projects. Historic Jayhawk Theatre, Topeka, $6,751 $5,000 The Historic Jayhawk Theatre will purchase video projection and sound system equipment for use in the in the auditorium and gallery, as well as a screen for rear-screen projection in the auditorium. The project will allow the theatre to provide live performances, films and educational events in the twin venues at the Jayhawk Theatre during its renovation. $1,751 The Historic Jayhawk Theatre will send its executive director and board chair to attend the 2017 Arts Midwest Conference in Columbus, Ohio. The conference will provide professional development sessions on all issues facing the theatre including ticketing systems, seat company selection, booking acts, concession organization, recruiting and managing volunteers, best practices, future trends etc. InterUrban ArtHouse, Overland Park, $5,000 InterUrban ArtHouse will purchase equipment to bring the studio equipment (including 2 kilns, 2 pottery wheels, 1 clay extruder, and 1 slab roller) of world celebrated ceramic artist and Kansan, Erik Abraham, to the ArtHouse Ceramic Cooperative, a program providing studio space, equipment, and community for ceramic artists. These artists also participate in community-based programming that serves the NE Kansas Area. Junction City Arts Council, Junction City, $5,000 The Junction City Arts Council will expand The Hands and Hearts for Art program, which provides art classes for K-5 students in the area (including Fort Riley) throughout the year and during the summer, to increase the frequency of offerings and number of students affected. The project will also allow for additional classes in underserved sections of the city. Lawrence Arts Center, Lawrence, $5,000 The Lawrence Arts Center will engage strategic planning consultant Mary Kennedy Associates to assist in the development of a 10-year vision and 3-year strategic plan that will enable the Arts Center to clarify its vision and direction as it undergoes a change in leadership. Lawrence Public Library Foundation, Lawrence, $5,000 Lawrence Public Library Foundation requests a Strategic Investment Programs New and Expanded Work Grant in the amount of $5,000 to support the production of Lawrence Songbook Volume 1. The project will assemble and feature songs written by local songwriters into a songbook designed to showcase the vibrant local music culture of Lawrence. The Songbook will also bring together diverse partners in live performances and online platforms and serve as a legacy project, immortalizing local songs by documenting them and distributing them through the library, schools and other community organizations in Lawrence. The project will culminate in a public launch performance featuring the publication's songs interpreted and performed by individuals and groups other than the song creators. Lucas Area Community Theatre, Lucas, $3,000 Lucas Area Community Theatre will complete phase two of the World's Largest Lucas Souvenir Plate Update and Repair Project through the creation of a limestone easel for the souvenir plate and provide an informational kiosk about the mural on the souvenir plate for the public. Lucas Arts & Humanities Council, Lucas, $5,000 Lucas Arts & Humanities Council will complete phase two of the Lucas Main Street Initiative that will create thematic art sculptures on the 16 wooden street signage / light posts that line the two blocks of Main Street. Manhattan Arts Center, Manhattan, $4,500 Manhattan Arts Center will purchase iPads to expand film making classes and enhance art classes. The project will expand class offerings in film making to take advantage of capabilities via this equipment. Art classes will use the equipment to explore and study art, as well as to create new art using digital media as the canvas. McPherson Museum & Arts Foundation, McPherson, $5,000 The McPherson Museum & Arts Foundation will purchase three new computers and one network drive to allow staff greater efficiency for exhibits, data, and constituent interaction, as well as maintaining best practices in financial reporting. Music Theatre Wichita, Wichita, $4,063 Music Theatre Wichita will digitize more than twenty-five years of archival video footage. This project will create a more permanent and organized historical archive library and will help publicize successes and explain the quality and consistency of summer productions. Olathe Civic Theatre Association, Olathe, $1,519 Olathe Civic Theatre Association will add a retractable screen and projector to the historic civic theatre, improving audience's visual experience and enabling an increase in the number of performances with video projections. Opera Kansas, Wichita, $2,200 Opera Kansas will purchase equipment to record and disseminate images in hi-definition still and video formats of performances and rehearsals. This capability will enhance promotion of program offerings, expand advertising through social media, and reach new constituencies within the community. Orpheum Performing Arts Center, Wichita, $6,323 $1,697 Orpheum Performing Arts Center will purchase a digital messaging sign for the theatre lobby to enhance promotion of upcoming shows and performances as well as sponsors. $2,265 Orpheum Performing Arts Center will send their president and marketing manager to the League of Historic American Theatres annual conference for professional development training specific to historic theatre activity including fundraising, operations, renovation, technical equipment, ticketing, and more. $2,361 Orpheum Performing Arts Center will purchase two (2) complete new desktop systems, and one (1) laptop to be used by the theatre's house manager. The project will increase efficiencies for the house manager, marketing manager, and marketing/development assistant positions. OZ Museum/Columbian Theatre, Wamego, $5,000 The Columbian Theatre will expand their popular Summer Theatre Academy to include a Winter Theatre Academy as a new after-school program. Post Rock Opportunities Foundation, Wilson, $5,000 Post Rock Opportunities Foundation will host A Celebration of George Eschbaugh and Post Rock Opportunities Foundation Artists. The event will take place in the former studio of George Eschbaugh and feature his original paintings, works of other local artists, a Czech egg painting class, and live music. Spencer Museum of Art, Lawrence, $2,847 The Spencer Museum of Art will purchase a portable audio looping system, which will significantly enhance how visitors with hearing loss experience performances, films, and presentations at the Museum. Sustainability Action Network, Lawrence, $5,000 The Sustainability Action Network will conduct the Wak'ó Mujeres Phụ nữ Women Mural project which will collect stories of the community and translate them into a public mural by women of color artists. The mural will be painted on the exterior walls of the parking garage located next to the Lawrence Public Library. The written, audio and video stories collected for the mural will also be presented on the project's website. Tallgrass Film Association, Wichita, $5,000 Tallgrass Film Association will hire a consultant with both nonprofit and film festival experience to help them re-organize for the future as they search nationwide for a new executive director. The consultant will assist the board in reviewing and establishing processes and job descriptions. Theatre Atchison, Atchison, $3,776 Theatre Atchison will purchase equipment necessary for digitizing its box office and point of sales capabilities. The project will provide streamlined box office sales both on and off-line, customer data collection for future marketing, streamlined social media outlets for one point management, paperless box office that will save the company money and the environment unnecessary ticketing wastes, and an easy to use platform for creating and hosting our website. Theatre for Young America, Mission, $5,000 Theatre for Young America will expand their 'The Toughest Kid in the World' program include a larger group of students in the Kansas City, KS school districts and give touring performances of in area schools. Topeka Civic Theatre, Topeka, $5,000 Topeka Civic Theatre will hire MB Piland Advertising and Marketing to develop a Marketing Study Plan with measurable goals and performance standards, address approaches to enhance marketing, grow community partnerships and collaborative opportunities, as well as volunteer and staff professional development. Topeka Community Foundation - Holton Community Theatre, Holton, $5,000 Topeka Community Foundation will expand and enhance the programming and reach of the newly formed Holton Community Theatre through increased productions and marketing, particularly to underserved communities including senior centers and Hispanic populations. Valeo Behavioral Health Care, Topeka, $4,912 Valeo Behavioral Health Care will develop and establish ongoing gallery practices at the new Creations of Hope Gallery that focus on educating the public on mental health as well as increasing the number of artists participating in the gallery mission. The project will also expand education efforts by exhibiting artwork and first person narratives by artists who have experienced mental illness, presenting historical information about artists who have experienced mental illness or mental health concerns (e.g. Elizabeth "Grandma" Layton), and organizing presentations by professionals in the fields of art therapy, music therapy, or mental health. Vernon Filley Art Museum, Pratt, $3,135 Vernon Filley Art Museum will produce marketing materials for its first invitational art exhibit featuring 35 artists from across the country. The caliber of the event will increase audience and financial security for the museum. Wichita Children's Theatre, Wichita, $10,000 $5,000 Wichita Children's Theatre will work with local author, Andrea Cassell, to adapt her children's book, Kibby The Space Dog, into a children's musical to be performed in their Once Upon A Time series. Composers from NYC, one of which is a former student, will be hired to write the music and lyrics. $5,000 Wichita Children's Theatre will purchase equipment to upgrade outdated copiers and printers. Wichita Festivals, Wichita, $5,000 Wichita Festivals will produce a performance of John Luther Adams' 40 minute composition entitled Inuksuit with a full ensemble of 99 percussionists from across the state of Kansas in conjunction with Autumn and Art, a fine arts show that takes place outdoors adjacent to a small pond for a complete immersive experience. Wichita Grand Opera, Wichita, $5,000 Wichita Grand Opera will undertake needed technological upgrades to improve processes for ticket sales, patron relations, marketing, and fundraising that include a redesigned website, new ticketing system, and mobile payment devices. Wichita Symphony Society, Wichita, $5,000 Wichita Symphony Orchestra will expanded their existing YPC program to present "The Legend of the Northern Lights," in a collaborative production with KV265, a non-profit organization whose mission is the communication of science through art with communities worldwide, with music by award-winning composer Christopher Theofanidis. Educational outreach at these events will be facilitated by Dr. Jose Francisco Salgado and co-founder of KV265. The concert provides students, teachers and family members with a multimedia film, which instructs students and audiences about the science and art behind the music. William Inge Festival Foundation, Independence, $2,806 William Inge Festival Foundation staff will attend the Theatre Communications Group annual conference to attain professional development in fund raising, marketing, and educational outreach, as well as foster connections within the national theater industry. World's Largest Things Incorporated, Lucas, $4,150 World's Largest Things Incorporated will purchase theme-appropriate exhibit lighting for a new Museum Space - 660 feet of commercial grade outdoor suspended bulb LED lights, re-creating a circus-like atmosphere illuminating the new exhibit space, while reducing energy consumption. Arts Integration Program Baker Arts Center, Liberal, $5,000 Baker Arts Center will bring "Sea Lion Splash", a program involving live sea lions, to Liberal in conjunction with a "Creatures of Land and Sea" art competition that will include schools in a 150 miles radius. The project will educate the public about wildlife. Brown Grand Opera House, Concordia, $5,000 Brown Grand Opera House will bring touring artists Trout Fishing in America to perform an educational program for students and a public family concert. Chamber Music at the Barn, Maize, $13,600 Partners: Presbyterian Manor of Wichita, Larksfield Place, Oxford Grand Senior Living Chamber Music at the Barn will partner with eight residential senior living facilities to produce up to three concerts at each facility for their residents. To fully realize this partnership, the musicians and project director will work closely with each senior living center's activity director to identify and meet mutual goals. Cheyenne Center for Creativity, St. Francis, $5,000 Cheyenne Center for Creativity , working in conjunction with the St. Francis Recreation Commission, will engage three visiting artists to hold a Film Camp for area youth. The primary target audience for the camp will be high school students ages 12 to 17 with a complementary Red Carpet Screening event open to the public. City of Maize, Maize, $5,000 City of Maize will return Kansas native Glenn Alexander to his hometown for a concert with six band members that form Shadowland and a day of master classes and workshops to students in cooperation with Maize USD 266. The Culture House, Olathe, $5,000 The Culture House will launch an inter-generational choir with a focus on serving the needs of the senior community. The project will bring grandparents of Culture House students and residents of a senior living facility together to form a choir with one of their established youth choirs. The project will also involve a volunteer program for both homeschool students and senior residents. Great Plains Theatre, Abilene, $5,000 Great Plains Theatre will expand its Live-Literature series so that it tours to underserved communities and include history as well as literature. A writing component will be included that will encourage kids to adapt a piece of Kansas history for the stage. Griots Storytelling Institute, Wichita, $3,000 Griots Storytelling Institute will expand its Cultural Arts Summer Enrichment Camp to include ipad access and provide transportation to increase underserved enrollment. Hays Arts Council, Hays, $4,575 Hays Arts Council will bring in three Kansas Touring Roster artists (Thad Beach, Laughing Matters, and Wichita Children's Theatre) to provide public performances for the community and educational programs for area schools. Hesston College, Hesston, $5,000 Hesston College will bring Mirari Brass will present a concert, visits to three underserved local elementary schools, and a masterclass for students of Bethel College, Hesston College and local high schools. InterUrban ArtHouse, Overland Park, $15,000 Partners: Downtown Overland Park Partnership, KC Black Artists Network, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, MidWest Jewish Artists Laboratory, Johnson County Developmental Supports, Deaf Cultural Center, Shawnee Mission School District, Johnson County Public Libraries, Kansas City Art Institute, TEDX Overland Park InterUrban ArtHouse and partners will expand the "ArtsConnect - Community Development through Creative Placemaking" program that focuses on inclusive community development through regional partnerships, exhibitions and performances. The project will increase the frequency, scope, and visibility of programming in a new permanent location. Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City, Overland Park, $9,540 Partners: InterUrban ArtHouse, Kansas City Indian Center, Metro Organization for Racial and Economic Equity, American Jazz Museum, Mattie Rhodes Center, Liberty Arts Commission, ArtsKC, Jewish Voices United, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City and partners will create a unique installation celebrating the cultural contributions to Kansas City made by Native American, Jewish, African American, Latino and Asian communities fashioned after The Wall of Respect created in Chicago in 1967. The project will also digitally document personal stories told by members of the five featured communities and create guides targeted to preschool, elementary, teen and adult audiences. The installation will remain at a fixed location for eight weeks before touring the metro are for an indefinite period of time. Johnson County Library Foundation, Shawnee Mission, $15,000 Partners: Johnson County Juvenile Detention Center, Olathe School District Johnson County Library Foundation and partners will expand the Read to Succeed and Courtroom Assisted Reading Encouragement programs. These programs connect Detention Center residents with literature and with positive adult role models, and give them the opportunity to discuss issues facing them in their life outside the facility through poetry writing workshops, stop-motion animation workshops, book clubs and author visits. Johnson County Developmental Services, Lenexa, $11,149 Partners: Johnson County Park and Recreation, Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, University of Kansas Johnson County Developmental Services will develop an arts-focused social enterprise concept to benefit disabled individuals with significant barriers to community based employment that would ultimately generate a profit and create opportunities for more connections with the local community. Under guidance of JCDS staff, individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities will be employed on a part-time basis to design and construct artistic benches that will be placed throughout the Johnson County Parks system. Kansas Academy of Theatrical Arts, Kansas City, $5,000 Kansas Academy of Theatrical Arts will expand its six-week Summer Theatre Workshops to integrate theatrical skills with reading, writing, and arithmetic outcomes that align with Kansas College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards for Reading, Math, Speaking and Listening. Kansas Art Therapy Association, Emporia, $2,425 Kansas Art Therapy Association will host Dancer, visual artist and art therapist Christine Lummis to provide an experiential workshop entitled "Addressing Trauma and Abuse through Art" that will combine spontaneous creative expression and directed activities. The project will also provide a lecture-format presentation which documents case study material and art images corresponding to various therapeutic issues as well as an overview of how art therapy can be used to address clinical issues. Finally, an interactive "Art as Healing" piece will be installed in a gallery space and will allow participants the opportunity to meet the artist and interact in a social and creative atmosphere. Kansas Ballet Company, Topeka, $5,000 Kansas Ballet Company will host visiting guest artists from the world of professional ballet to participate in Kansas Ballet Company's fifth annual Summer Showcase at Topeka Performing Arts Center and a special one act presentation just for children: "Aurora's Wedding". The artists will also lead master classes and coaching sessions for local students. Additionally, in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Topeka, Kansas Ballet will offer free summer ballet classes for local children who would otherwise not have access to the art form. Students participating in these classes will enjoy a lecture/demonstration with the visiting guest artists. Kinsley Public Library, Kinsley, $3,557 Kinsley Public Library will host Kansas Touring Roster artist Thad Beach for a performance of collection of songs written during his past songwriting residencies by students in elementary, middle and high schools around the country. The artist will also conduct an artist-in-residency workshop to facilitate youth in writing original songs to be performed by the Kinsley Library summer reading participants in an original musical "Hands Up! It's a Robbery" which tells the story of Fleagle Gang's robbery of the National Bank of Kinsley on June 27, 1927. Lawrence Busker Festival, Lawrence, $5,000 Lawrence Busker Festival will host three visiting performance artists for public performances and professional development workshops during the annual festival. Lied Center of Kansas, Lawrence, $15,000 Partners: The Life Span Institute, Kansas Center for Autism and Research Training, Autism Society of the Heartland, USD 497 $10,000 Lied Center of Kansas will develop a new program that we can provide the arts to people with disabilities, and also educate the public about these disabilities and open up community dialogue. The project will involve a new performance by Chicago Children's Theatre as part of their Red Kite series for children on the spectrum. Parent and children are given resources and pre-performance activities to help familiarize them with the surroundings and performers. Pre-performance activities gradually transition into the performance in which the children are welcome to participate in whatever way is comfortable to them. The project will also provide a seminar for educators, artists, and caregivers with the Chicago Children's Theatre artistic director and a series of dance workshops for dance students and people with varying abilities with Luca "Lazy Legz" Patuelli, a speaker, dancer and founding member of ILL-Abilities, an International Breakdance Crew comprised of five dancers who have claimed their disabilities as part of who they are and how they dance. $5,000 Lied Center of Kansas will host four visiting artist groups as part of their School Performance Series. Visiting artists will provide performances for both the public and students in USD 497 followed by Q&A sessions and a showing of a documentary. Little House on the Prairie Museum, Independence, $4,000 Little House on the Prairie Museum will host US National Champion master carver Steven Higgens to create two sculptures, one unit, from two 5-foot Elm trees acquired from the Little House on the Prairie Museum lands over a 12-hour period. The statues will be permanently located at the Little House on the Prairie Museum grounds. The artist will speak to art students at Independence Community College and Independence High School then create the statutes in a master-arts-class for students and the general public through his visual art performance that will include live blue-grass music. Marshall County Arts Cooperative, Marysville, $5,000 Marshall County Arts Cooperative will host Presidio Brass for a four-day residency in Marshall County that will include a two-act concert, "Road Trip," featuring the Marshall County Honor Band and outstanding band students from Axtell High School, Frankfort High School, Marysville High School, and Valley Heights High School. Presidio Brass will spend a half-day in each high school working with the school band. These workshops will focus on posture, breathing, techniques for practicing, sound production, and musical expression. Opera Kansas, Wichita, $8,000 Partners: Wichita Public Library, Ballet Wichita Opera Kansas and partners will produce the modern opera, Fantastic Mr. Fox, to be staged in the auditorium of the new Central Branch library for its grand opening. Opera Kansas will provide other performance opportunities throughout the opening day including story telling through music in both the children's library area as well as reaching out to older audiences through short aria recitals in the outdoor reading terrace to demonstrate the many different opportunities the library space can provide. The project will make opera relevant to the lives of modern Kansans by producing shows that involve modern literature or contemporary settings in English and establish the library as a central hub of experiences and learning across all socio-economic lines, ages and educational levels. The Seed House - La Casa de la Semilla, Wichita, $5,000 The Seed House, in partnership with Harvester Arts, will host five visiting artists, all contributors to Sharon Louden's book The Artist as Cultural Producer: Living and Sustaining a Creative Life, for Living and Sustaining a Creative Life in Kansas panel discussion and community conversation. In addition to the primary panel discussion event, the following day the project will host three complementary workshops to tap into the visiting artists' expertise to reflect and organize for the Wichita community. Storytime Village, Wichita, $14,750 Partners: SocialPreneur Lab, KPTS, Mennonite Press, Urban Prep Academy, African American Male Empowerment Institute, Gordon Parks Academy Storytime Village and partners will develop Book Boss: A Youth Literary Arts and Entrepreneurship Incubator to help youth, mainly from low-income and underserved neighborhoods within Wichita, write and sell their own original 12-page children's book by providing a unique opportunity to practice and improve their writing and literacy skills while learning the business of bookselling and self-publishing. The project will offer a series of 12 workshops that will guide youth through all phases of book development: writing, illustration, publishing, marketing, and selling. In each workshop, youth will learn how to create a literary work. Youth will receive one-on-one mentorship from volunteer writers and illustrators from local universities. Additionally, students will receive the opportunity to take field trips to Mennonite Press, Inc. in Newton, Kansas and local independent bookstores. Topeka Art Guild and Gallery, Topeka, $5,000 Topeka Art Guild and Gallery will host four artists for a one to two-day workshop per quarter allowing local artists to learn new styles. Each event would coincide with a first Friday weekend in Topeka with the visiting artist's work featured at the Topeka Art Guild's Gallery and NOTO visitor center. USD 259 - Caldwell Elementary, Wichita, $4,500 Caldwell Elementary will conduct the Learners to Leaders project which will develop curriculum and provide a 10 week innovative educational program for K-5th grade students focused on arts integration, social emotional learning, job training and academic improvement that aligns with National and State standards in Social, Emotional and Character Development and Visual Arts. It will also provide professional development for teachers and school administrators for developing lesson plans to integrate the arts and social emotional learning into non-arts curriculum. The project will be planned, organized, and implemented by teachers, teaching artists, the school counselor, an art therapist, administrators, students, parents, and community members. The project will produce a 3,000 sq. foot mural for the exterior façade of the school building that embodies the school motto, "Learners Today, Leaders Tomorrow." USD 430 – Horton High School, Horton, $850 Horton High School will engage visiting artist April Lemon to conduct a 6 to 7 hour small group glass blowing workshop, designed to give beginner students an overview of basic glassblowing techniques. The workshop will cover glass blowing, glass sculpture, glass fusion and glass' enabling materials that impact other fields. The project explain the chemical/scientific profess of glass blowing and glass fusion and explore artistic and contemporary production/industrial applications of glass and its enabling materials that impact other fields (electrical, casting, insulation in electronics, communications, sensing, medicine, nuclear waste storage, etc.) Van Go, Lawrence, $15,000 Partners: Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Douglas County Health Department, Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center, Lawrence Public Schools, University of Kansas Van Go and partners will expand Go Healthy, Van Go's year-round food, nutrition, and healthy lifestyle program that is integrated into arts-based job training programs. The project will include one-on-one plans that personalize health strategies and tackle the underlying causes of poor health. Integral to this approach will be creative expression and art making. Western Plains Arts Association, Colby, $3,775 $2,725 Western Plains Arts Association will host Kansas Tour Roster artists Wichita Children's Theatre for a performance of "The Mark Twain Show: Stories of His Writings", a fast-paced comedy featuring an artful array of some of Twain's most humorous writings, wittiest quotes and most gripping drama. The artists will also present "The Three Little Pigs" in 5 northwest Kansas schools (Quinter, Hoxie, Colby, Rawlins County Schools and Tri-Plains Winona) and "Cavity Crisis in Cowtown" in the Oakley Schools. $1,050 Western Plains Arts Association will host Kansas Tour Roster artist Jeff Davidson for a public performance and presentation on the history of the West through song, power point pictures, story and verse with a special emphasis on the Chisholm Trail. The artist will also do a shorter version of the presentation for students in Wallace County Schools and the Tri-Plains Winona School. William Allen White Foundation, Emporia, $15,000 Partners: ESU Department of English, Modern Languages, and Journalism, Red Rocks, Center for Great Plains Studies at Emporia State University, Kansas Historical Society, KU Endowment for Journalism William Allen White Foundation and partners will produce a 50-minute PBS quality digital film about Emporia's most famous citizen, William Allen White and his legacy as a champion and activist of free speech, freedom of the press, racial tolerance, and civil and constructive discourse. The project will also create an 8-10 minute short video for use in middle, secondary, and college classrooms, and will be distributed free of charge to every school district in Kansas.


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Travel recap Oh, take a hike
Well we had survived our first night without any unauthorized bumps in the night. We had stopped for a couple days of down time to unwind from our vacation in NYC. So my husband had found an old hotel that had been refurbished into a very nice looking Bed & Breakfast Inn. The only thing that wasn't advertised was the fact that it had a reputation of being haunted! There was even a review on one of the rating websites telling of all kinds of noises and other unpleasant experiences. If that reviewer was to be believed it was so bad they had to pack up and leave at 3AM! The heck with that! I needed my beauty sleep, ghost or not! As it turns out we had no nighttime visitors, at least that we were aware of. That writer did say they were the only ones in the hotel at the time and when we stayed the place was actually pretty full. As it happened there was a local high school reunion going on and a lot of the alumni were staying at the Union Hotel. Maybe the ones doing the haunting didn't like crowds but whatever the reason, we were not complaining! So after one night, the Bed part of the B & B was a success. Now it was time for the Breakfast. Not bad at all. Eggs, bacon, toast, juice and coffee, all cooked to order and fresh. Now that we were rested and fed it was time to explore.
We had seen that there was a weekly farmer's market just a couple blocks away so we wanted to check that out. That's one of the things I really miss about the small town we used to live in. I loved going to our local farmer's market to get fresh fruits and veggies and do some local people watching. Even though our old town was quite small the market had a pretty large turnout of both sellers and buyers. There would be probably thirty or more tents with food, crafts, music, dancing and other cool things. This town was about the same size so we were looking forward to a similar experience. We knew our estimate might be a bit off when we went around the corner and saw the tents. All 4 of them! Really? That's the best you could do? Well on the plus side it wouldn't take too much time away from our nature walk. We looked around and chatted with the sellers. They even laughed too at the small size but said they were hoping it would grow. We bought a couple cucumbers to snack on for our walk and were about ready to leave when we noticed one of the tents was selling Meade. If you don't know, this is a sort of wine but made with honey; and it'd delicious! And he was giving out free taste samples! SCORE! We bought a couple bottles to take home and went back to our room to get ready for the day. We had been doing a lot of walking while in Manhattan but that was all on hard city concrete. We wanted a bit of fresh air and nature so we headed out for one of the local state parks. The hotel lobby had a few brochures for nearby attractions and one talked about a couple parks in the county. One was near a lake and the walking was pretty flat and smooth. Or boring as my husband the hiker said. So we opted for the other choice. This one was called Blue Knob State Park and was quite hilly and wooded. It was also the further of the two but my dear husband had been following me around most of the week so I gave in and we hopped in the car and headed out.
I'd been to a couple state parks in Michigan and one thing I noticed was how crowded they were. When we pulled through the gate to Blue Knob we didn't see anyone. We drove up, up and up the hills until we came to the hiking trail starting point. There was not another human in sight. No cars. No people. Oh, and no cell phone signal. Hmmm. Maybe the haunting wasn't over after all. My husband had downloaded a trail map onto his iPhone so we grabbed some water bottles and headed out. And up. It seemed we climbed up hill for about an hour. This part of Pennsylvania is pretty mountainous. Not like the Rockies or the Alps but a LOT more than we were used to. And Mr. Trailmaster was sweating and gasping for air all the way. But the trail was pretty well marked and the weather continued to be perfect so we walked on. Finally we got to an open area at the top of Blue Knob Mountain where we could see for miles. To me the name of the place kind of sounded like a bad medical condition but the sign there said it was actually named after the kind of rock that it was made of. Huh. Well that is a better reason to name a mountain I guess. By now we had been hiking for almost 3 hours and I was getting hungry. The bad news was we had a pretty long walk still to get back to our car. The good news was that it was almost all downhill. On our way down the mountain we finally saw another person. I was wondering if we had the whole county to ourselves until that happened. Anyway we got back and headed into another little town and had a great meal. Then back to our hotel to relax for our last night of vacation. At least we hoped we'd relax. I guess the 5 hour mountain walk may have helped but whatever it was we slept right through the night without a single boo! Sunday morning brought another tasty breakfast. Then it was time to pack up, check out and hit the road. What a great vacation! The weather had been absolutely perfect and we'd had a wonderful time. But there really is no place like home and we were happy to be heading there!
| Today's link up party |

subset: commoncrawl


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- Description
The Marshall MS-2 Microamp Electric Guitar Amplifier is the ultimate in portable battery/main operated micro amps, packing full Marshall tone into a tiny case that measures just 140 x 110 x 60 mm. Perfect for travel or even busking, the MS-2 Mini Amp is portable and practical enough to take with you anywhere you go. Not only that, but it sports the classic Marshall finish in distinctive black with instantly recognisable white logo and gold panel.
Mighty Micro Power
The Marshall MS-2 mighty micro is equipped with a single instrument input for your electric guitar, and as soon as you plug in and play you'll instantly fall in love with the sublime clean tonal offering. With a single master volume pot, and a single master tone pot, shaping your signal to meet your desires couldn't be easier. Whether you want to play some clean Jazz or Blues phrases with the volume rolled back, or switch it up to give it a bit of a more aggressive push, crank it up and let her rip.
However, when you really want to crank out some power, the switchable overdrive (OD) is available to give your tone that searing Marshall energy. For such a tiny amp, you'll be blown away by the sonic assault it can summon up, and the astonishing clarity of tone with which it projects that power. If you're looking for a solid little partner to practise with at home, warm up before gigs on, busk with, or simply use the attached belt clip and wander the globe serenading people, the MS-2 is packed with the ability to ensure you'll be heard loud and clear.
For times when you want to practise but need to keep things quiet and personal, the Marshall MS-2 Micro Amp also has a headphone output. This cuts out the speaker and allows you to practise scales, licks, and perfect for tips and tricks alone.
When it comes to power, there is an optional 9V power supply available to give you enough juice to play night and day. However, when a mains socket isn't available, all you need to do is throw in a single 9V battery and you are good to go. Lightweight, portable, easy to control, simple to power, and supplying sublime Marshall' tones – what more could you possibly ask for?
If you need further convincing, the MS-2 has been employed with producing epic rock tones in studios around the world – slotted into a shoebox with a hole cut in for a microphone!
- Specification
Manufacturer Marshall Model MS-2 Microamp Dimensions (H x W x D) 140 x 110 x 60 mm Weight 0.340kg Amplifier Type Solid State Controls Volume, Tone, OD (On/Off) Effects Overdrive Wattage 2 Watts Inputs One x Instrument Channels 1 Speaker 1 x Speaker
- Reviews
Would recommend this to players of all skill levels.
Write Your Own Review


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Welcome to the library at the Royal Institute of Art! Here you will find a rich assortment of literature that relates to topics that are discussed in the school. The library is situated in the main building, floor 5. Return your books in the library or in the return box at the reception, ground floor.
To be able to use our services you need a library account. Apply for library account via this link!
Search for books, periodicals or in databases via this link!
Opening hours
To be sure to meet staff working at the library:
Tuesdays 10-16
Wednesdays 13-19
Thursdays 10-16
Student and staff have access to the library Monday to Sunday between 07:00 and 22:00, with their keycard and can check out books through the lending machine.
For external visitors, please email before visiting: email@example.com
For information, loans and other questions, please contact:
Databases at KKH
KKH has subscriptions for a number of databases where students can search for images, articles in full text or as …
Search for books and journals in our local catalogue. Publications from The Royal Institute of Art are found in the …
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Who can borrow? Everyone is welcome to borrow circulating material from the library. What can I borrow? Everything except current …
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Do you have reading or writing disabilities? Students at the Royal Institute of Art have the right to borrow, free …
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The service Book a Librarian is available to students and staff of the Royal Institute of Art. For one hour …
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The library welcomes suggestions for purchases. Submit your suggestion for purchase by email, email@example.com, and include as much information about …


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Dominion presents high-quality footage from hundreds of recent investigations into animal use across Australia, captured by drones, hidden & handheld cameras over a seven year period, and explores six primary facets of our interaction with animals: companions, wildlife, scientific research, entertainment, clothing and food. Written, produced, and directed by Aussie Farms founder Chris Delforce, this revelatory film gives viewers a deep insight into some of the norms of animals industries, and removes the veil of secrecy surrounding them. With narration by celebrity voices including Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara, and co-produced by director of 'Earthlings' Shaun Monson, Dominion exposes the dark underbelly of our use of animals and questions the morality and validity of our dominion over Read more →
7:00pm Tuesday 28 May 2019
Sydney Mechanics School of Arts, Sydney NSW (map)


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Designer Contracts, the UK's largest flooring contractor, is to open three new regional facilities across the country and announced two senior promotions within the business.
Opening to meet increased demand for its services, the new facilities in Yorkshire, Kent and East Anglia, will be operational by Spring and represent a significant milestone for the company in its 25th year of business.
To support the expansion, the company has promoted Louise Walters, who has worked with the company for 14 years, to merchandise and marketing director and Gary Tynan to divisional director.
Gary will continue to oversee the smooth running of the Southern, Thames Medway, Thames Valley and South East and will also look after the new Kent and East Anglia regions.
Louise will continue to head up the company's buying team as well as handle all marketing.
Said Designer Contracts md, Peter Kelsey:
"As we celebrate the company's 25th year, it's a significant achievement to be opening a further three regions and promoting two incredibly loyal members of the team.
"The new regions will take our number of divisional centres to 15, in locations that best serve the demand from our customer."
Designer Contracts operates across 15 UK regional facilities. As well as curtain and blind packs, the company provides furniture and lighting packs and operates a showhome design division. The company is also the UK's largest provider of floorcoverings to the new build sector.
Follow us on Twitter: @DesignerContrac or Facebook: Designer Contracts


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I am a faith healer. I never used to be but I cracked it at the weekend.
I'd been told I would be one day by my grandfather. He was a faith healer with a crucifix on his palm and many successful healings of scattered folk with moderate to mild illnesses. When I was a teenager I had my spirit liver removed and bathed in blue liquid by my grandfathers' spirit guide and I had had my kneecap rinsed in the same blue liquid. I can't speak for my liver but my knee issues never went away.
I did wonder why, if this blue liquid of the Gods was so good, we weren't all bathed every night by our spirit friends? Given heaven is infinite surely this blue balm wasn't in short supply?
My grandfather told me that once I learnt to love unconditionally I would be a great healer, greater even then him. At the time I was a teen so preferred the idea of loving Linda Hamilton from The Terminator and loving her quite specifically rather than unconditionally.
It did occur to me that healing powers would be akin to super powers. I could help the flat chested, the bad haired, the non Nine Inch Nails fans, basically the females.
But that unconditional love thing…it was just too much commitment so I forgot all about it beyond the occasional drunk pub boasts "one of these days mate, I'll be Captain Healer and you'll still be ugly."
Later in life when my daughter had her accident the idea bubbled up at 2am. Ideas that come at that time are always ridiculous. It absolutely is a burglar you can hear, that is a lump you can feel and you are financially fucked. So at 2am when it struck me that maybe there was something to this healing power I wandered through to my daughters cot and held her bandaged hand through the bars and thought "I do love her unconditionally."
I pictured a waterfall in Cambodia I had fond memories of, pictured the blue waters running over her burnt skin and the damage falling away. I held her hand for a while and hoped, loved and wished.
Nothing changed, we still have 2 years of treatments and pain and the nurses, doctors and my wifes' tenacity did her way more good than my holding her hand at 2am.
Can't say I didn't try.
Then this last weekend I had my road to Damascus moment.
My epiphany.
My awakening.
My powers came to life and I healed.
Can I get a Hallelujah?
We were at a party. A huge bacchanalian celebration of celebration. Friends who'd been together for 20 years and 3 children had finally decided to marry and they'd erected 3 marquees, gathered countless musicians, spit roasted pork, pumped barrels of local brewed beer and laid out local wines. We drank, the kids ricocheted around a bouncy castle and the various bands strummed Lou Reed, Pulp, The White Stripes and The Rolling Stones.
Around half eight my daughter wanted to go to bed. My wife was in a swirl of cigarette smoke and red wine so I took my six year old back to the house and lay with her as she fell asleep. When she was down I wandered back, found my son still bouncing inside the castle and my wife smiling. We danced some more and my son appeared grinning and asking for juice. I carried him over my shoulder and we wrestled over orange juice and made animal sounds, him drunk on sugar and me on my ninth beer and fourteenth wine.
At around midnight he came back, finally tired and asked for bed. I walked him back and lay with him as I had done with his sister. He was hiccoughing and each time he tried to doze off he would shudder and snap awake. This started to distress him given he was hugely over tired.
"Unconditional love" boomed the voice of my grandfather (played tonight by James Earl Jones).
"Dad I can't sleep" my son hiccoughed.
"Don't worry mate, we're going to get rid of those hiccoughs."
"How?" he asked and hiccoughed again and James Earl Jones boomed again.
"With unconditional love."
My son couldn't hear him and I didn't think he'd appreciate Darth Vader offering him love so I pulled him to me.
I was supremely confident that this would work, and I was drunk. So I guess in truth I was drunk therefore I was confident that I could do anything.
"I'm going to put my hand on your tummy mate and you're going to stop hiccoughing and fall asleep."
He hiccoughed again and became agitated. I shushed him and held my hand there and thought quite simply "I love you unconditionally" and my hand grew warm and his hiccoughing stopped.
He instantly fell asleep, I hiccoughed once and thought "Well fuck, that was unexpected."
I went back to the party pretty chuffed. I'd woken some dormant X Man power.
I found my wife and told her about it. She gently indicated that I was a little drunk and perhaps we
should go and get a little drunker together and maybe have one or two more cigarettes and pretend we were in our twenties.
Later, dancing to a punk version of Common People, it struck me that the ability to faith heal hiccoughs was useless. It was the dumbest power I could possibly have, akin to being able to always make bread land butter side up when dropped or know how many times the guy next to me at work will go to the bathroom each day. It was pointless.
I remembered the time I had had an out of body experience. I'd looked down on myself sleeping and then drifted up to the ceiling where I had had a really good look at the light fixture and the cobwebs and then just hung there. I got bored. I was just floating on the ceiling. So I drifted back to my body and thought "well that was pointless."
So if you have a child hiccoughing and I am drunk I'll try and help, or if you want your ceiling assessed, again I'll try and help. I have to say though for hiccoughs counting bald people in your head (honestly it works) or sipping water from the other side of the cup may work better. And when it comes to ceilings maybe trust a building inspector ahead of sleeping me.
In fact skip the faith healing, just go to the doctors or rub some natural goats yogurt on it and hope it doesn't ooze.
I do love my kids unconditionally, so for that at least can I get a hallelujah?


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The Everglades Foundation is proud to announce that Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band will headline its ForEverglades Annual Benefit on Saturday, February 17, 2018, at The Breakers in Palm Beach.
This year's event will celebrate the Foundation's 25th Anniversary. It is especially appropriate that Buffett will headline this year's celebration, having been one of the Foundation's supporters from the beginning with founders Paul Jones and the late George Barley.
Singer/songwriter/author Jimmy Buffett has become a legend of popular culture as the composer of such classic songs as "Margaritaville," "Come Monday" and "Cheeseburger In Paradise." He has recorded over fifty albums, most of which have gone gold, platinum or multi-platinum. His sold-out concert tours are an annual rite of summer for his legions of fans, affectionately known as Parrotheads, many of whom are professionals by day and who dress in spectacular and outrageous tropical outfits and headwear when Jimmy comes to town.
Born in the Gulf Coast town of Pascagoula, Mississippi, he was raised in Mobile, Alabama. He is a fourth-generation sailor and fisherman, a pilot, a surfer, and a frequent traveler to remote and exotic places of the world.
"Jimmy Buffett is a longtime friend and tireless advocate for America's Everglades. We couldn't be more excited to welcome him to the stage to help raise awareness for Everglades restoration," said Eric Eikenberg, Everglades Foundation Chief Executive Officer.
Other notable leadership of the benefit include: Honorary Benefit Chair Johnny Morris, Founder of Bass Pro Shops; 25th Anniversary Benefit Chairs Mary Barley; Lia and Tony Bohannon; Claudia and Carlos de la Cruz Jr.; Jamee and Marshall Field V; Regina and Mario Gabelli; Brooke and Ed Garden; Ellin Goetz; Fenia and Carl Hiaasen; Molly and Hunt James; Sonia and Paul Tudor Jones II; Elaine and Ken Langone; Kathy and Paul Leone; Michelle Henry and Garrison duP Lickle; Mary Macmillan Morse; Barbara and Jack Nicklaus; Ashley and Mike Ramos; Alita and Nathaniel Reed; Bill Davenport and Bruce Wiltsie.
Proceeds from the evening will support the science, education and advocacy of Everglades restoration.
To purchase tables and tickets online please visit www.forevergladespalmbeach.org; or call Debbie Fife or Katie Lesser, 212-245-6570, email: firstname.lastname@example.com.
The Everglades Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to leading efforts to restore and protect the greater Everglades ecosystem. Since its founding in 1993 by a group of local outdoor enthusiasts, the Foundation has become a respected and important advocate for the sustainability of one of the world's most unique ecosystems.
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pop ups and the
Добавил: Июль - 31 - 2013
So what accounts for the sharp contrast between the artful pop ups and the eyesores? It's not a difference in regulation; as Roberts likes to say, "Zoning doesn't address ugly." Instead, it's a question of taste and money. The attractive pop ups, Roberts points out, are the ones that cost an arm and a leg. Contractor I spoke with, for a rowhouse with a 1,000 square foot base, a vinyl sided pop up might cost around $200,000, while a brick, stucco, or stone pop up would run somewhere in the range of $300,000. Looking to buy a new phone and plan for either an iPhone 7 or Samsung Galaxy S7. I use about 450 minutes a month, send about 300 text messages and need enough data to check my email
wholesale jerseys and social media throughout the day. So I also make a couple long distance calls a month.
That might not fit the Nova Scotia way of doing things. We are more along the lines of how much do you tax it, user fees involved, and whose relative even wants to do that. It is replacing dirty, dangerous, expensive coal and nuclear plants. Sen. Jim Denning, R Overland Park, said he was convinced Brownback wouldn't veto legislation repealing the business tax break largely exploited by farmers, physicians, lawyers and others operating limited liability companies. Polling in Kansas and outcome of the 2016 election suggests Kansas voters don't think the LLC exemption wholesae jerseys to be fair or to have significantly boosted the economy..
Another option is to crash at either the VENTANA INN or the POST RANCH INN the Post Ranch being oceanside and full of outstanding architecture and spa treatments; the Ventana a bit more rustic but cheap china jerseys still full of delicious pleasures, such as clothing optional Japanese baths and in room couple''s massages. Both offer local''s specials in the off wholesale nfl jerseys season, allowing us a night to pretend that we too are accustomed to in room fireplaces, and private hot tubs on our own deck cheap jerseys overlooking the ocean. Or, rather, to get accustomed to such things..
The civil antitrust investigation by the Justice Department appears to focus on whether airlines illegally signaled to each other how quickly they would add new flights, routes and extra seats. Carriers demands copies of all communications the airlines had with each other, Wall Street analysts and major shareholders about their plans for passenger carrying capacity, or undesirability of your company or any other airline increasing capacity. Airlines plunged 3 to 5 percent in the minutes following news of the investigation.


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Board #152 | Blushing Beach
Can you tell that I've had it up to here with winter? Megan from the fabulous blog Beach Bungalow 8 sent me a photo of her dream cake, and it inspired this beach wedding board. I love the barely-there blush color. It reminds me of the inside of a conch shell, and it helped me to pull this inspiration board together.
Mood: intimate, warm
Palette: blush, ecru
{click image to enlarge}
Top row from left: photo from Beth Helmstetter, invitation by East Six, cake by The Cake Girls, flowers from Victoria Pearson
Row 2: flowers by Petal's Edge, Sarah Arnett dress from Brides UK, starfish seating cards from Beth Helmstetter, photo by Elizabeth Messina
Row 3: dresses by Thread, peach rose-champagne sorbet from Martha Stewart Weddings, amaryllis arrangement by Ariella Chezar, dress via {frolic}, bouquet from Martha Stewart Weddings


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Google Continues to Encourage Site Owners to Think Beyond PageRank
The latest blog post from Google Webmaster Central remind site owners what many of us have been saying for years: The Google Toolbar PageRank number is a terrible SEO metric (I may be paraphrasing a bit). Webmaster Trends Analysis (and knitter extraordinaire) Susan Moskwa, who wrote the post, says: "I posit that none of us truly care […]
The latest blog post from Google Webmaster Central remind site owners what many of us have been saying for years: The Google Toolbar PageRank number is a terrible SEO metric (I may be paraphrasing a bit). Webmaster Trends Analysis (and knitter extraordinaire) Susan Moskwa, who wrote the post, says:
"I posit that none of us truly care about PageRank as an end goal. PageRank is just a stand-in for what we really want: for our websites to make more money, attract more readers, generate more leads, more newsletter sign-ups, etc. The focus on PageRank as a success metric only works if you assume that a higher PageRank results in better ranking, then assume that that will drive more traffic to your site, then assume that that will lead to more people doing-whatever-you-want-them-to-do on your site."
Susan suggests instead tracking:
- conversion rate (how many visitors who land on your site from search results are performing the action you want them to)
- bounce rate (how many visitors who land your site from search abandon it as soon as they get there)
- clickthrough rate (how many searchers who see your listing in search results click on it?)
The post points out that not only is PageRank not a real indicator of the results your site is getting from search but in fact "the PR you see publicly is different from the number our algorithm actually uses for ranking".
Susan points to her own forum post in 2009 when the PageRank number was removed from webmaster tools where she wrote "We've been telling people for a long time that they shouldn't focus on PageRank so much; many site owners seem to think it's the most important metric for them to track, which is simply not true. We removed it because we felt it was silly to tell people not to think about it, but then to show them the data, implying that they should look at it."
(Edited to add: To be clear, what Google is saying is that site owners should use metrics that tell them how well their sites are performing. And the toolbar PageRank doesn't do that. This post does not say that Google uses conversion rate, bounce rate, or clickthrough rate as ranking factors and no one should read that into the post as implied. This post isn't about ranking factors at all. It's about the best ways to measure your online efforts.)
With this latest blog post, some are wondering why the number still exists on the Google Toolbar, and of course, the answer is simply that a different (non-search) team manages the Google Toolbar product and what features it includes. (And in fact, the PageRank number displayed in the toolbar wasn't originally intended for site owners in any case. It was intended to be a very approximate guide for consumers who were looking at web sites.)
Opinions expressed in this article are those of the guest author and not necessarily Search Engine Land. Staff authors are listed here.
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Consensus-driven, decentralized ledgers a.k.a blockchians are here!
Confused about blockchains and their utility? Our mission is to explain and demystify blockchains.
We create useful tools and professinoal contents to educate the masses about blockchains, especially, the EOS ecosystem.
We want to demystify blockchain for the masses, business executives, local and national government decision makers.
We want to help everyone discover and engage the best of class dApps on the EOSIO based blockchains such as EOS or TLOS.
We develop tools such as dashboards, notification tools, bots, etc. to integrate blockchains into user's daily lives.


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It is said that in the anthropocene humans are increasingly altering the geological evolution of the planet, an enormous task that would seem impossible for humans to perform by themselves, like physically moving a celestial body. However, it is not a faulty claim if we consider how, for instance, human waste has gradually altered climate cycle trapping heat energy in the atmosphere. This entrapped heat introduces disequilibrium to a closed system like the planet, thereby making it more susceptible to chaos. The geological effects of these patterns will have enormous impact on the way we view the fate of humanity in the decades to come.
If this effect eventually impacts on the heart of eating, of food availability, the nerve center of everyday existence, certainly the terms of eating will be drastically altered. The goal would be less of maintaining the collective integrity of the species in light of entropy or end times and will be more of sustaining the 'who' of the species. It becomes then the task of biopolitics which must cut up the subject in the way of choosing the fit, those fit to eat the last food available. In a situation like this, a revelation of last things becomes a critical barometer of freedom, or how freedom must not be put to waste, hence, the mantra of the urgency of conserving supplies, by cutting up freedom, by grafting it, to use Derrida's words, to a desirable post-human end where the goal of a new philosophy of the subject is one of—"[Deciding] birth or death, including what is presupposed in the treatment of sperm or ovule, pregnant mothers, genetic genes, so-called bioethics or biopolitics … organ transplant, and tissue grafting."[1]
In Derridean terms, this entails the problem of how to cut up the human subject. And yet, even technoscience, which assumes the new philosophy of the subject in the era of 'last things', is at a loss where precisely to cut up, perhaps, because there are too many flesh to cut up. Derrida says: "In spite of appearances, I am speaking here of very concrete and very current problems: the ethics and politics of the living. We know less than ever where to cut—either at birth or at death. And this also means that we never know, and never have known, how to cut up a subject."[2]
Yet, it doesn't discount the fact that the origin of humanity can be traced to the crime of cutting up, or cannibalism, if you will. The sub-ject , which formally introduced humanity into the scheme of things, began as a cut of meat, cut up from the abundance of nature, carved out from the physical void of the universe. Sub-jects cut themselves and others up, and in so doing consume energy. The entire process has been sub-jected to an economy, a colossal and now aggressively accelerating machine, a cutting industry, so that energy can be efficiently utilized until cutting goes all the way to the heart of things. It wants to cut the core, cutting to the chase. It wants to prove the wonders of cutting, that humanity, after all, is a cannibal to the last man.


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It's a Calling
Clip: Episode 9 | 3m 1s Video has closed captioning.
Jessi Alexander discusses the true story of a father's loss and how it inspired the song, "I Drive Your Truck," written with Connie Harrington and Jimmy Yeary and recorded by Lee Brice.
Aired: 08/13/19
Problems Playing Video? | Closed Captioning


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Ramen is becoming ever more popular, it is a real foodie trend at the moment and showing no signs of slowing down. The rise of this Japanese street food and favorite of late night Tokyo office workers, is evident with the dedicated ramen restaurants that you can see opening around London and worldwide.
In the last couple of years, I have been involved in helping Japanese restaurants with a menu based around ramen in some way, get off the ground and with menu development in London, Portugal and Belgium. I have also been teaching ramen classes for 3 years now, and it remains the most popular class. I would never would have thought about teaching ramen 10 years ago.
Of course, the real Japanese staple food is rice, but noodles are a vital part of the diet for Japanese people. They are a perfect fit when looking for a quick and light lunch. Japan has many different types of noodles, that vary according to region, available ingredients or the chefs that specialise in making them.
I grew up in Yamanashi and the prefecture is renowned for its Soba (Buckwheat) noodles. When visiting Tokyo, I'd enjoy the amazing flavours of Shoyu ramen (soy sauced based), Miso ramen and Tan Tan men, all of which I now teach at my ramen class.
So what is ramen?
First and foremost, I would say it is all about creating a rich, flavoursome broth.
You'll no doubt have heard much about umami recently. It can take days and days to create the powerful, depth of flavour found in a well made ramen broth. You might have already heard about Ivan Ramen or Ivan Chef. If you haven't watched the Netflix documentary about him, I highly recommend it, and you can enjoy his dedication and Otaku approach to the world of ramen.
Students who have been to a ramen class with me, will remember that I talk about how important the use of umami ingredients is in inducing depth of flavour. Of course it is important to have a good quality ramen noodles as well, but there is no need to hand-make them, as with udon or soba.
If you are looking for hand-made noodles, then come along to an udon noodle making class, where you'll make the dough from scratch. Making soba noodles is a really, high skill and best left to the Master chefs who have years of training.
For ramen, I normally suggest to students that the focus is on making the broth and buying in the best noodles available.
Which noodles are best for making ramen?" What type of noodles should you buy?
Ramen noodles are normally wheat flour based "Kansui Noodles", made using a type of alkaline mineral water which contains sodium carbonate and usually potassium carbonate, as well as sometimes a small amount of phosphoric acid.
This mix makes noodles with a strong texture, that are far less soggy when the noodles are mixed with the broth. Lots of people think they are egg noodles.
It is good to have kansui noodles when you make ramen, if at all possible. You can find these in good Japanese food stores such as the Japan Centre and some oriental grocery shops like SeeWoo or Wing Yip. all of which sell authentic kansui noodles. However, if you are not able to get hold of these, then egg noodles from the local supermarket are a good substitute.
Here is my Otaku research, in the hunt for the best egg noodles:
Best Fresh Noodles
Fresh Egg Noodles from M&S : I find these are so much stronger than other supermarket's fresh versions, they also have a much better taste.
You can use these noodles for making Yakisoba ( pan-fried noodles). They will not fall apart and become soggy. They're are a great option if you've had a busy day and are available in several different flavours.
Best Dried Noodles
Dried Egg Noodles : M&S and Waitrose – You can use any Egg noodles from Waitrose and M&S, stock up as they are great to keep in the cupboard.
Gluten Free and Healthy Noodles
Of course you can use rice noodles or buckwheat noodles if you are looking for a gluten free option. Some buckwheat (Soba) has got some gluten so please be careful! The Clearspring range will also be great quality, as they are dedicated to using the best ingredients
M&S Fresh Rice Noodles
Clearspring 100% Dried Buckwheat Soba Noodles
Best Kansui Noodles
If you can find kansui noodles, they are the best choice for home-made ramen! Kindly, my brother sends me these by the box load and I use them for my classes. They are also available from some on-line shops:
Japan centre
Hakubaku Japanese Ramen Noodles Organic 270 g (Pack of 4)
Try the suggestions for yourself and please report back if you find any not mentioned,
Enjoy Japanese Cooking!


text:
Where are you looking for answers?
Changing Curriculum will not change student engagement, student knowledge, student success.
TEACHER Knowing.
That is what will change results for students.
Teachers who teach students how to think, reason, remember and recall.
Teachers who teach students how to communicate, connect and critically think.
Teachers who "know" mathematics as a way of thinking, reasoning and explaining the world, not as a set of "rules" to memorize or "answers to try to remember.
Teachers who continue to study and evaluate their own practise. Teachers who understand the human brain seeks always to understand.
This Summer… Join the Evolution!!!
University of Lethbridge: K to 3 July, 2017
Hilltop School, Whitecourt: K to 6 July, 2017
WECA, Edmonton: K to 3 only August, 2017


text:
Shelagh T. Deliberto is a Wildlife Biologist with the USDA APHIS Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, CO. Her areas of expertise includes avian conservation and ecology, and wildlife damage management. Her primary focus has been on evaluating the efficacy of repellents and other non-lethal methods to reduce bird damage to agricultural crops. She has also conducted research related to avian use of utility structures and avian perch deterrents. Currently her research focuses on repellent application strategies and novel applications of current technology to existing human-wildlife conflicts.
Current Research
Identifying dairy total mixed ration formulations resistant to European starling depredation
Evaluating bird-repellent surface applications
Research Project: Development of Repellent Applications for the Protection of Plant and Animal Agriculture
Contact Information
Carlson, J.C., R.S. Stahl, S.T. Deliberto, J.J. Wagner, T.E. Engle, R.M. Engeman, C.S. Olson, J.W. Ellis, and S.J. Werner. 2017. Nutritional depletion of total mixed rations by European starlings: Projected effects on dairy cow performance and potential intervention strategies to mitigate damage. Journal of Dairy Science 101:1777-1784. doi: 10.3168/jds.2017-12858
Werner, S.J., S.T. DeLiberto, R.A. Baldwin, and G.W Witmer. 2016. Repellent application strategy for wild rodents and cottontail rabbits. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 185:95-102.
DeLiberto, S.T. and S.J. Werner. 2016. Review of anthraquinone applications for pest management and agricultural crop protection. Pest Management Science 72:1813-1825.
Werner, S.J., S.T. DeLiberto, A.M. Mangan, S.E. Pettit, J.W. Ellis, and J.C. Carlson. 2015. Anthraquinone-based repellent for horned larks, great-tailed grackles, American crows and the protection of California's specialty crops. Crop Protection 72:158-162. doi: 10.1016/j.cropro.2015.03.020
Werner, S.J., S.T. DeLiberto, S.E. Pettit, and A.M. Mangan. 2014. Synergistic effect of an ultraviolet feeding cue for an avian repellent and protection of agricultural crops. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 159:107-113. doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2014.06.012.
Tupper, S.K., S.J. Werner, J.C. Carlson, S.E. Petit, J.C. Wise, C.A. Lindell, and G.M. Linz. 2014. European starling feeding activity on repellent treated crops and pellets. Crop Protection 63:76-82. doi: 10.1016/j.cropro.2014.05.001.
Werner, S.J., R. Buchholz, S.K. Tupper, S.E. Pettit, and J.W. Ellis. 2014. Functional significance of ultraviolet feeding cues in wild turkeys.Physiology and Behavior 123: 162-167. doi 10.1016/j.physbeh.2013.10.010.
Werner, S.J., S.K. Tupper, S.E. Pettit, J.W. Ellis, J.C. Carlson, D.A. Goldade, N.M. Hofmann, H.J. Homan, and G.M. Linz. 2014. Application strategies for an anthraquinone-based repellent to protect oilseed sunflower crops from pest blackbirds. Crop Protection 59: 63-70.
Carlson, J. C., S. K. Tupper, S. J. Werner, S. E. Pettit, M. M. Santer, and G. M. Linz. 2013. Laboratory efficacy of an anthraquinone-based repellent for reducing bird damage to ripening corn. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 145:26-31.
Werner, S.J., S.K., Tupper, J.C. Carlson, S.E. Pettit, J.W. Ellis, and G.M. Linz. 2012. The role of a generalized ultraviolet cue for blackbird food selection. Physiology & Behavior 106:597-601.
Werner, S.J., S.K., Tupper, S.E. Pettit, J.C. Carlson, and G.M. Linz. 2011. Anthraquinone repellent to reduce take of non-target birds from zinc phosphide rodenticide applications. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 135:146-153.
Tupper, S.K., J.L. Cummings, W.F. Andelt, S.J. Werner, and R.E. Harness. 2011. Evaluation of Sonic Dissuader® to reduce damage by pileated woodpeckers. Wildlife Society Bulletin 35: 40-44.
Werner, S.J., G.M. Linz, J.C. Carlson, S.E. Pettit, S.K. Tupper, M.M. Santer. 2011. Anthraquinone-based bird repellent for sunflower crops. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 129: 162-169.
Tupper, S.K., W.F. Andelt, J.L. Cummings, C. Weisner, R.E. Harness. 2010. Polyurea elastomer protects utility pole crossarms from damage by pileated woodpeckers. Journal of Wildlife Management 74: 605-608.
Werner, S.J., G.M. Linz, S.K. Tupper, and J.C. Carlson. 2010. Laboratory efficacy of chemical repellents for reducing blackbird damage in rice and sunflower crops. Journal of Wildlife Management 74: 1400-1404.
Werner, S.J., J.C. Carlson, S.K. Tupper, M.M. Santer, and G.M. Linz. 2009. Threshold concentrations of an anthraquinone-based repellent for Canada geese, red-winged blackbirds, and ring-necked pheasants. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 121: 190-196.
Tupper, S.K., J.L. Cummings, and R.M. Engeman. 2009. Longevity of Dayglo Fluorescent Particle Marker Used to Mark Birds in Flight Pen and Field. Wildlife Research 319-323.
Cummings, J.L., L.W. Handley, B. MacBryde, S.K. Tupper, S.J. Werner, and Z.J. Byram. 2008. Dispersal of viable row-crop seeds of commercial agriculture by farmland birds: implication for genetically modified crops. Environmental Biosafety Research 7: 241-252.
Werner, S.J., J.L. Cummings, P.A. Pipas, S.K. Tupper, and R.W. Byrd. 2008. Registered pesticides and citrus terpenes as blackbird repellents for rice. Journal of Wildlife Management 72: 1863-1868.
Werner, S.J., J.L. Cummings, S.K. Tupper, D.A. Goldade, D. Beighley. 2008. Blackbird repellency of selected registered pesticides. Journal of Wildlife Management 72: 1007-1011.
Werner, S.J., B.A. Kimball, and F.D. Provenza. 2008. Food color, flavor, and conditioned avoidance among red-winged blackbirds. Physiology & Behavior 93: 110-117.


text:
While tens of thousands of California criminals are being directed from state prisons to county jails to alleviate overcrowding in the former, a Los Angeles County Probation Department report says 25% of the GPS units used to track its growing number of felons who are out and about don't work and the company running the program is screwing up.
In a letter to Sentinel Offender Services, LLC, the department accused the company of failing in five critical areas of service: equipment failed; monitoring was sketchy; cases were prematurely deemed inactive; equipment hookups were slow to happen; and case files lacked basic information. Among those tracked by GPS, according to the Los Angeles Times, are "repeat sex offenders, domestic abusers who had violated restraining orders and violent gang members."
Sentinel responded in a letter that said it had been thwarted in attempts to discuss many of these issues with the county and blamed a lack of direction by the department and poor training of its employees for the situation. Sentinel has contracted with the county for 21 years, and the company's chief business development officer, Mark Contestabile, said the "Contract Discrepancy Report" was the first it had ever received.
The county was inspired to break tradition by a 25% failure rate of GPS hardware attached to probationers. Devices for 51 of 196 "clients" had to be replaced between August 1 and September 11, and one of the probationers said he has experienced 11 failures over the past year.
The department said that when the devices did work, they often weren't monitored properly. GPS signals that were lost did not trigger alerts and in one instance (of nine catalogued in the report) a device went unmonitored for five days.
On some occasions, Sentinel incorrectly moved a case file from active status to "archive" or "inactive," effectively ending monitoring. The report noted three such instances, with one lasting 11 days. On three occasions, Sentinel reportedly ran out of GPS units, delaying new issues or replacement of equipment.
In preparing this report of a company they've done business with for 21 years, the county found "all cases that were reviewed . . . generally have no case notes or very limited notes" although "the contract calls for documentation of Sentinel's work on each case." The county said Sentinel indicated some of the missing information was in other files, but the county hadn't seen them.
The county is required to review Sentinel's activities monthly and file yearly reports, but does not, the Times said.
Los Angeles County, like many counties, is struggling with the state's response to court edicts that it reduce the prison population. New guidelines are expanding the number of county jail inmates and probationers that must be overseen at the local level.
–Ken Broder
To Learn More:
One in Four GPS Devices on Criminals in L.A. County Were Faulty (by Paige St. John, Los Angeles Times)
Electronic Monitoring via Global Positioning Satellite (County of Los Angeles Probation Department)
State Quietly Replaced Thousands of Vulnerable Parolee GPS Trackers (by Ken Broder, AllGov California)


text:
Pastel Painting of Roses, Original Art, Framed behind Glass
$39.99Or Best Offer
Quantity available: 1
Beautiful Pastel Painting of Big Roses. It is unsigned but I have not had it out of the frame to see if there is a signature just out of view. The painting is 9.5" x 7.5". The frame is 11.5" x 14.5". The frame is a silver colored metal.
The mat has some crinkle on the one side and there is some smudging on the top . I don't know if it under the glass or on the mat itself.
The painting is excellent.
Seattle, Washington
Dealer accepts: Check, PayPal, Cash
Shipping: USPS Priority Mail


text: This Is Not a Manifesto, It's Just My Opinion By Crash It's almost as if tattooers are evolving, finally able to set aside trivialities in order to agree upon the more important issues. All this TLC outrage is kind of encouraging. Not simply because people are pissed, but because pissed people can affect change. It reminds me of the "alien invasion" metaphor which, in movie scripts, successfully manages to unite all mankind against the invading forces that threaten humanity's very existence! A sleepy community wakes up and starts fighting back. The parallels are amusing... This is going to be difficult for many to ponder, but maybe we've been wrong about something all along. We've sat around these last six years doing nothing but complaining and look where that's gotten us. Maybe instead of complaining we should start thinking and acting together, with purpose? Maybe it's time to wake up a little bit and recognize that it's all up to us. Problem #1: Apathy There's a common misconception in our community that if nobody does anything with the media, it'll all just go away and tattooing will be okay. I hate to point out the obvious, but most tattooers are doing nothing already and tattooing is definitely not okay. I humbly submit that what tattooing desperately needs is more people willing to do something rather than nothing. We need courageous and creative tattooers to step forward now like never before. All this Internet outrage could be symptomatic of a much deeper and more challenging tendency within our larger community, apathy. We like to pretend that complaining contributes something of importance to a situation. But it doesn't. Complaining does not alter a situation, not unless it leads to creative thought and creative action. And the sad reality is that the master complainers, those who really make an art of it, are often the subtle leaders of our community. I love a good yarn as much as the next guy, but it's like the official language of tattooing sometimes. We all know how it goes and I'm guilty of it too! But we could be so much more productive with our time and that energy. Problem #2: Limited Perspectives There are primarily two stances that an average tattooer might take on the subject of the media and tattooing, the choice being essentially black or white. Either we embrace all of it or we refuse to embrace any of it. There's nothing possible other than two opposing views. This is a dualistic dilemma and it presents a paradox. Well, there's a third option available, but it requires a lot more thought, a larger perspective and an intelligent search for positive shades of grey. One Possible Solution: I suggest that we stop pretending tattooing will ever return to the way it was before and we begin thinking proactively for our future. We need to start creating our own media. It might be the only choice we really have. If we don't care or participate in how tattooing is represented in the media, (or create that media ourselves), then the corporations and the advertisers will! Their one and only concern is the bottom line; tattooing is nothing but a temporary revenue stream to them and nothing more. Here's the good news… Even though the media and pop-culture have irreparably altered tattooing we are capable of adapting to change and consciously participating in further evolution. We need to unite together as a group in support of those people and organizations who are actively trying to do something positive in/with our community. Tattoo Times: Ed Hardy's monumental self-publishing accomplishments paved the way for all of us. Under the Hardy Marks imprint he contributed more than most of us could even dream. Tattoo Artist Magazine: TAM began eight years ago as a direct challenge to the media-dominance of magazine publishers at that time. I had an idea, a backpack, a video camera, a part-time graphic designer and a few tattooers who believed in it. Tattooers had virtually no choice and no voice in how they were being represented in print. TAM changed that, and professional tattooers now have a choice and a voice, at least within our own community. What frustrates me about the armchair critics over the years is that they forget TAM's most important contribution. You do not have to agree with everything we print in the magazine, but at least the opportunity exists for those voices to be heard. We proved that tattooers working together could create something authentic and beneficial for the community. I am proud to say that hundreds of respected, creative and proactive tattooers have given their time and energy to participate in this project. And that's what makes TAM special! My new mantra these days is "Where's our maximum potential?" How can TAM be used for maximum potential? Not just for us but for our friends, partners and supporters? These questions can lead to some very interesting conversations. I highly recommend the exercise. TAM Blog: I've been involved in some really good conversations over the last few years with tattooers who are no longer content with apathy. Here are three repeated themes that came up: People actually care about where tattooing is, (not just how it got here) They would like to be able to do something about it But there's really no way for their efforts to be effective We have spent a lot of time thinking and talking about these reoccurring themes. The primary question has always been, "How do we compete with the media corporations?" We already have a print project but it's limited to only tattooers. We need something with a louder voice, and our voices together are louder than our voices are apart. We created the TAM Blog so proactive tattooers could participate in small ways for a bigger goal. Truly, the TAM Blog is nothing but a place where tattooers can play with these ideas and share them, with tattooers and the world. "An object at rest tends to stay at rest and an object in motion tends to stay in motion" -Sir Isaac Newton, Newton's first law of motion. Simple physics. Here are few more examples of things that are in motion: The Gypsy Gentleman: Marcus Kuhn's video magazine is the most ambitious attempt I've seen for trying to find a way to use media as a tool for sharing the great things about tattooing. It features great tattooers. It showcases a city and its culture, including art and tattooing- in every episode. Marcus Kuhn has been tattooing more than 23 years and he's tattooed all over the world. In short, Marcus's project reveals his particular love and fascination with this world of tattooing, and he's enthusiastic about sharing it. This is a BIG dream and a BIG project, with lots of potential. Where's the support? Last Sparrow Tattoo: Legendary San Francisco tattooer Scott Sylvia recently launched the Last Sparrow forum site and it features plenty of pro chitchat as well as extended video interviews between Scott and assorted great artists. (Tim Hendricks, Kore Flatmo, Juan Puente and Brian Burk, just to name a few that I've seen.) Tattoo Conventions: This is probably one of the most overlooked contributions anymore since we have so many conventions every single month. But there are some really good tattooers either putting on quality conventions or partnering with good people to pull them off. There's too many to list. Blogs: There are many poignant blogs on the web being produced by tattooers. Unfortunately most are not connected in the most effective ways, but imagine if the were! Other Publications: Sang Bleu : With contributions from Thomas Hooper Blood & Guts: Fanzine by Rob Benavides State of Grace Publishing Non-Tattooer Offerings: Vice Magazine: VBS.TV series on tattooers Tattoo Age looks to be very well done and they are featuring some of the best. Tattoo Snob Needles and Sins Tattoo NOW Conclusion: In spite of any shortcomings, these are all very real efforts by tattooers and those respectful of tattooing to create something of quality and to make a difference... to contribute to the tattoo dialog that's going on out there. We have a very short window of time in which to say anything of value and have it be heard. Right now people are interested in the world of tattooing like never before. They will listen to us if we take the time to speak to them and contribute to the ongoing dialog. Let's sign petitions and boycott TLC for their grievous lack of respect. But don't allow it to end there. Let's all get off our asses and get into the fray! Many people are already on the frontlines… If you won't join them in the battle, at least support their efforts with your money and your voice! It's the least you can do, after complaining, of course.


text:
Type: Posts; User: jeffingoff
Sweet wheels, Martin!
That's wonderful! I thought Full Dark, No Stars was fantastic. I loved every story.
OOOOOO Congrats! I wish I was following Cemetery Dance back then!
Well, there's one less after reading this thread and seeing those pics and visiting the PS site!
goddamnit I missed this book. Why couldn't I have continued to miss this book?
Nice! it's a great set. Love Daniele Serra's art. Mine should get here soon.
That's a fantastic addition! I only recently learned about this edition and it's a really great one to pull in.
I had the same reaction to The Chalk Man. I was not a hater by any means but I had no idea why that book was hyped the way it was. That's why I was foolish enough to get The Hiding Place and match my...
I don't remember it being that bad while reading The Chalk Man. But it was unbearable reading The Hiding Place. The way she writes is annoying. Irritating. Infuriating. It burns my eyes with burning...
Heres a pic of that tweet. 21993
I actually don't have a problem with his style. He's a good writer and easy to read. There's just no point to his stories. A writer who's style I can't STAND is CJ Tudor. She recently posted a teaser...
That actually makes me feel better about coming across Bentley Little in my house. I may actually read it!
I appreciate it, Dan! I knew the risks when I signed up. And it is a beautiful book.
Finished reading this one and loved it. Turned the pages so fast I got blood everywhere. Gruesome fun. And very well done.
That's a gem!!!
Got my copy today!
Now available for purchase. The book inspired by Kealan Patrick Burke's amazing throwback cover idea. I bought mine. Buy yours. See you outback!
Fantastic additions! I like printed boards on less expensive editions, so I agree with you with your hesitation for having it that way for the lettered editions. But those lettered editions look...
Glad to hear that. I'll have to give it a read. I really liked Those Who Wish Me Dead.
Reviving this old thread to wish the same old things:
Merry Christmas for those who swing that way!
Happy Hanukkah for those who are in that club!
And whatever else for whoever else however else...
Reviving this old thread to wish the same old things:
Merry Christmas for those who swing that way!
Happy Hanukkah for those who are in that club!
And whatever else for whoever else however else...
I would be up for that as well. I have Finch but I haven't read it yet. I'll probably read Dead Astronauts before any of his other stuff. Because it's sitting there. Teasing me. Of course, I'll also...
Nice additions! I'm anxiously awaiting Devil's Rock and Blood in the Gears from SST. Both en route.


text:
Landscape with Figures on a Stile
John Martin
- Art Funded
- 1976
- Dimensions
- 25 x 33 cm
- Vendor
- Charlotte Frank
Charlotte Frank who, together with her husband Robert Frank, did much to encourage the revival of interest in John Martin in the 1970s. The artist was born near Hexham and the eight paintings by him have been chosen to augment the collection of his work already in the Laing Art Gallery.
Mrs Charlotte Frank.
Laing Art Gallery
New Bridge Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne And Wear, NE1 8AG
0191 278 1611
Opening times
Mon – Sat, 10am – 4.30pm Sun, closed Closed bank holidays


text:
Soy niña, soy importante (SNSI), or "I'm a Girl, I'm Important", is a summer day-camp in the Dominican Republic that serves girls ages 9-12 years old and provides a safe, nurturing environment where girls can simply be girls. The camp, an initiative of Fundación Tropicalia, gives young girls the guidance and tools they need to be self-reflective, critical thinkers and make timely life choices. The curriculum includes: Education in Values; Artistic Expression & Development; Development of Interpersonal Relationships, Self-Esteem and Self-Awareness; Sex-Ed and STD Prevention; Gender & Violence; Nutrition and Sports.
SNSI addresses several socioeconomic issues affecting girls and women in the Dominican Republic:
- Latin America and the Caribbean is the only region in the world with an upward trend in teenage pregnancies under 15 years of age. Of every 1,000 teens between 15 and 19 years old nearly 100 have been mothers.
- Teen mothers are at a significantly higher risk of dropping out of school.
- Girls between the ages of 5 and 14 spend 40% more time doing housework than boys their same age.
- Education, access to sexual health and protection of the rights of girls are key to stopping and reversing these trends.
These national and international statistics show that adolescent girls are at special risk in developing rural communities. Young women face other challenges, including domestic violence and job inequality. Every summer, SNSI seeks to serve the most impoverished girls in Miches and provide a transformative experience. Through SNSI, a girl learns about her value in society, and is given the tools necessary to dream up a different kind of future.
The SNSI program was founded in 2013, and during this pilot phase of our camp we targeted 100 girls aged 10 to 15. We soon realized that 15% of our registered campers were already married, divorced, had been pregnant, or were mothers. It became evident that we had to start with a younger age group for our programs to have more impact. In 2014 we adjusted the camper age range to 9-12 year old girls and also increased the number of participants to 250. With this increase came additional funding, as we introduced a company-wide fundraiser and matching-gift program in the United States, working with fiscal sponsors Friends of Educa and Dominican Foundation.
In 2015 we launched our SNSI website and partnered with The Ocean Foundation as our fiscal sponsor which allowed us to fundraise via digital means. By 2016 we launched SNSI's social media accounts and attracted new funding partners, raising international profile.
Our volunteer program has also seen an evolution. During the first year of camp we worked with local volunteers and schoolteachers. As the camp grew, and to widen the girls' interaction with outside resources, we began recruiting volunteers from Santo Domingo--mostly professional Dominican women who take personal vacation time to be with us and the girls from Miches. Their participation adds unexpected and tremendous value to SNSI.
In 2017, we reached a record of more than 300 girls in three camp sessions. In addition, we launched our Ambassador's Network to support fundraising and awareness efforts. In November of the same year, and in commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, we organized the conference, Gender Equality in Dominican Republic: Rights and Opportunities, which received support from UN Women and the Dominican Ministry of Women.
Dollars Raised
Honors & Awards
- Ethical Corporation. Soy niña, soy importante was shortlisted in 2013 as a finalist in the category "Most Effective Domestic Community Investment" among more than 400 candidates from all over the world.
- REDUCA. In 2016, Soy niña, soy importante is recognized by the Latin American Network for Education (REDUCA) as "Best Innovative Practice in Inclusive Education".
"The girls of Miches today are the young women, mothers, business owners and community leaders of tomorrow. They will play a fundamental role in breaking generational poverty cycles, and forging a new path toward prosperity in our community."
About Fundación Tropicalia
Established in 2008 by Tropicalia, a sustainable tourism and real estate development of Cisneros Real Estate, Fundacion Tropicalia drives sustainable, socioeconomic development in the town of Miches by implementing programs for the local community in four key areas: the environment, education, productivity, and socio-cultural advocacy. The foundation works with the community and establishes multi-sector partnerships allowing for innovative, high-impact programs and the efficient use of resources.
SNSI has enriched the lives of hundreds of girls and their families, many of whom face limited economic opportunities, teen pregnancy and unemployment. All told, SNSI has sponsored nearly 1,000 enrollments, which includes many girls who participate over successive years. The foundation holds yearly fundraising campaigns for SNSI, and recruits volunteers to help organize the camp, expand and refine programs, and engage families throughout the region.
Since its inception, Fundación Tropicalia's programs have directly and indirectly influenced the lives of more than 8,000 people in the Miches community, benefiting hundreds of girls and families, many of whom face limited economic opportunities, teenage pregnancy and unemployment.
The Fundación Tropicalia team relies on years of direct experience to advance sustainable development through high-impact initiatives, local stakeholder engagement, and shared-value opportunities to drive business solutions to the most pressing social problems in the region.


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You know, I've stayed out of the presidential race so far, but I have to say that I'd be really pleased if Edwards was able to upset Kerry for the nomination. I don't know how the Conventional Wisdom became certain he was the most electable, but I know Edwards is a better speaker and has more potential to win against Bush than Kerry does.
Is an upset possible at this late date? Maybe...it's been a strange year. Who knew Dean would self-destruct so completely?
I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
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