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Additional Information
** Delightful Detached 4 Bedroom Bungalow
** Extensively Refurbished
** Generous Secluded Site
** Superb Views over the Surrounding Countryside
** Attached Garage
** Most Convenient Location Mid Way Between Dungannon and Castlecaulfield
A rare opportunity to acquire a beautifully presented bungalow in a convenient yet rural location between Dungannon and Castlecaulfield. Extensively refurbished with modern fitted kitchen, double glazing, high efficiency condensing oil boiler and seamless aluminium fascias and soffits.
Situated on an attractive generous site of approximately ¾ of an acre with extensive views over the countryside. All the solitude of country living with all the benefits of provincial town services only two miles distant. This property also offers the opportunity of a potential site to the rear STPP which will be highly desirable. We recommended viewing to appreciate the genuine quality on offer.
Accommodation In Brief:
Entrance Hall: 1.76m x 4.42m PVC Front Door with Glazed Side Panels, Solid Oak Flooring, Ceiling Centre Piece. Hot Press & Cloaks Off , Phone Point
Living Room: 4.57m x 4.56m Marble & Cast Iron Surround to Open Fire, Solid Oak Flooring, Front & Side Windows for an Abundance of Natural Light, Coving & Centre Piece, TV Point
Kitchen/Dinette: 7.71m x 3.38m Modern White Oak High & Low Level Units with Granite Work Surface and Recessed Pelmet Lighting, Integrated with Ceramic Touch Hob, Eye Level Double Oven & Dishwasher. Splash Back Tiling, Space for American Fridge Freezer, Space for Dishwasher, 1 ½ Bowl Stainless Steel Sink Unit., Tiled Floor to Kitchen, Oak Floor to Dining Area, Tile Floor to Kitchen, Pine Ceiling with Recessed Spot Lighting, Patio Doors to Rear, TV Point
Bedroom 1: 3.97m x 3.20m Laminate Floor, Double Built in Wardrobe
Bedroom 2: 3.57m x 3.20m Laminate Floor, Build in Wardrobe
Bedroom 3: 2.47m x 4.37m Laminate Floor
Bedroom 4: 2.46m x 3.28m Laminate Floor
Bathroom: 1.76m x 3.27m Four Piece Suite comprising Low Flush WC, Pedestal Wash Hand Basin, Thermostatic Corner Shower, Panel Bath. Splash Back Tiling & Tiled Floor
Double entranced tarmac driveway with wrought iron gates. Mature large garden areas with front, rear & side lawns, shrub beds and trees. Ample parking to frnont and side. Secluded patio area. Detached office / living space..
Attached Garage: 3.75m x 7.80m Roller Door Access, Utility Area to the Rear.
Office / Living Space:
Main Room: 2.94m x 3.46m Carpet, Built in Shelving, Phone Point
Kitchen: 1.82m x 1.72m Lino Floor, Wooden Low Level Units, Stainless Steel Single Sink Unit
WC: 1.01m x 1.72m Two piece consisting of WC & Sink, Lino Floor
Hall: 2.93m x 1.73m Lino Floor
Thank You
We will be in touch with you as soon as we can.


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Pyaaz ki kadhi|Punjabi kadhi
For pakoda
3/4 cup gram flour/ besan
2 big onion
½ tsp dry coriander powder
½ tsp red chilly powder
½ tsp turmeric
2 green chilly
water as required
½ tsp salt
Oil for fry
For Kadhi:
3 cup buttermilk
2 tbsp gram flour/ besan
1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
1 onion (paste)
½ tsp turmeric
½ tsp cumin seeds
1 tbsp oil
Salt to taste
For temper:
1 tsp black mustard seeds
Some curry leave
2 red chilly whole
1 tsp kashmiri red chilly powder
1 tsp oil
For Onion Pakoda:
1.Peel,wash and sliced the onion.
2.Heat the oil in the pan .
3.In a bowl, Add sliced onion, besan, red chilly powder, dry coriander powder, chopped green chilly, turmeric powder and salt and mix it.
4.Add some water and make a thick batter. So that all mixture properly coat on onion.
5.When the oil become hot , make a lemon size balls of mixture and deep fry them.
6.Deep Fry till golden color.
7.Strain on a paper napkin and keep it aside .
For kadhi:
1.Heat the oil in the pan.
2.Add ginger-Garlic paste and sauté it.
3.Add onion paste and stir it.
4.In a bowl, Add gram flour and ¼ cup buttermilk and it well .
5.Now add all buttermilk in the gram flour batter and make a nice thin batter.
6.Add cumin seeds and turmeric powder in onion paste and mix it well.
7.Now pour the buttermilk in the pan and cook for 10 mins .
8.Add onion pakoda and salt and cook for another 5-7 mins.
9. pour the kadhi in serving dish.
1.Heat the oil in the pan.
2. When oil become hot,Add mustard seeds , curry leave and red chilly,red chilly powder and when mustard seeds crack , turn off the flame and pour the temper over the kadhi .
Serve hot with Jeera rice.
More similar recipes:
1.Shahi Matar Mushroom
2.Matar-Methi Korma
3.Cabbage Curry Kofta
4.Palak Paneer
5.Panjabi chole
6.Corn-Capsicum Curry
7.Paneer Pudina Kalimirch
8.Butter Paneer / Restaurant Style Butter Paneer
9.Dum Paneer kalMirch

subset: commoncrawl


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"Holiday Wishes" Contest for Schools
As part of its ongoing effort to support technology initiatives in schools, CDI Computer Dealers is launching a "Holiday Wishes" contest starting Dec. 5, 2017 and running through Dec. 24, 2017. Schools can share their technology wishes with CDI by filling out an online form at https://goo.gl/18GaXg. The contest is open to schools in the United States and Canada. CDI will select three schools in Canada and three schools in the U.S. to grant their technology wishes. Awarded prizes will be valued at up to $1,000 each. The deadline to enter is Dec. 24, 2017. Winners will be notified by December 30, 2017.
"CDI has partnered with school districts throughout North America to provide technology solutions that fit their needs and their budgets," said Saar Pikar, CEO. "This holiday season we wanted to give back to the education industry by offering a fun contest to provide needed products and resources to three schools, to help them fulfill their technology wishes. Whether they want to acquire devices or charging carts to support their 1:1 initiatives, need to update their network or servers, or are seeking new accessories to use in the classroom, we want to help them reach their technology goals."
To apply, school or district employees should go to https://goo.gl/18GaXg and fill out the online form. They will be asked to describe their technology wishes in 250-words or less. CDI will then review the submissions and select three schools in the U.S. and three schools in Canada as winners. Each winner will receive one CDI prize valued at no more than $1,000.. The contest is limited to one entry per person.
CDI has deployed devices to more than 10,000 schools serving 2.6 million students. CDI offers new and recertified equipment, mobile charging carts and cabinets, classroom accessories, and server and networking solutions. CDI is a Google Education Partner. It supports schools with Chromebook installations and app bundles, needs assessments, RFP assistance, and professional development.


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« 06/21/2014 Weezer, DIIV (Rochester, NY @ Main Street Armory) | Home | 07/27/2014 Nine Inch Nails, Soundgarden (Toronto, ONT @ Molson Ampitheatre) »
06/27/2014 Sevendust (Niagara Falls, NY @ Rapids Theatre)
By Eric | June 30, 2014 10:36 am
Sevendust show #17! (This puts them in the lead, they were tied with OLP at 16 apiece). The second to last show of the 2nd leg of the Time Travelers & Bonfires acoustic tour. Admittedly, after Southside Double-Wide and being lucky enough to see that show in Rochester, I didn't think I'd ever see Sevendust play acoustically again, so this was a major treat. I sprung for VIP, which ended up being worth it for the early entry. Strolled up to the barrier, and while we waited a bit, I had people to chat with. Finally, SEVENDUST HAD ARRIVED. The set was a good mix of stuff we'd heard on SSDW, plus the newer tunes, plus some older stuff they'd re-worked acoustically. It's Sevendust, so musically they never disappoint, LJ was in full throat, and the full house in the crowd was with the band every step of the way. Much like the Rochester acoustic show, it's the heaviest, loudest acoustic show you'll ever see. You can't not bounce during Rumble Fish, no matter how they arrange it. Same thing with Black, for that matter. I was camped out right in front of John Connolly, and LJ wandered over in front of us quite a bit as well. Just a fantastic night. And then, to cap it all off, the meet and greet after the show was awesome as well. I'd met the guys at various times over the years, but to get to chit-chat for a little bit was very cool. Wearing the Doubledrive shirt as a conversation starter didn't hurt any!
Rumble Fish
Xmas Day
Under It All
Skeleton Song
The Wait
Rumble Fish
Come Down
Got A Feeling
Angel's Son
Topics: Concerts | Tags: 2014, Niagara Falls, Rapids Theater, Sevendust | Comments Off on 06/27/2014 Sevendust (Niagara Falls, NY @ Rapids Theatre)
Comments are closed.


text: When I read the news about Canonical's decision to change the way Ubuntu Developer Summit (original announcement here) I was totally astonished. I expected this change will cause a lot of buzz within the community, especially given the fact that all recent Canonical decisions are considered very controversial. This surprises me heavily, as I can spot a big number of problems that this decision may cause, as well as problems with the way this decision itself was handled. Jono Bacon's article explaining the decision did not satisfy me either. It explains the general reasoning behind this idea, but it does not clarify everything.


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Tricksters! Retreaters! Take heed! Come hither! SpookMasterFlex is here!!
Introducing: Black Betty! Only 250 have been made of this maiden (bam-ba-lam!) and the damn thing's gone wild (bam-ba-lam!)
She's going to be creeping around on our website for one week only, and then meet her doom next Wednesday, October 31st. Getchu some of that special sauce, while supplies last!
Happy Halloween, little spiders!


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When Theresa May declared in her landmark Brexit speech this week that it was her fervent wish that Europe should succeed with the European Union (EU) project, it struck me how strange it was that she was talking about Europe as an entity utterly separate from Britain.
Yet this is undoubtedly how a large proportion of the British population – certainly those who voted for Brexit – see their country, as near Europe but not part of Europe.
As someone who lived for a long time in Europe, but whose home is in Australia, it had always been a wonder to me that so many British people declined to regard themselves as European as well as British.
As a citizen of a country geographically isolated at the bottom end of Asia and truly isolated from its region in its heritage, language, culture, political system and alliances, it seemed to me that the British did not know how lucky they were.
Now, as Britain rushes for the European "exit" door to float alone in an increasingly uncertain and, arguably, more dangerous world with its cap in hard in search of much more difficult-to-achieve trading partnerships than the bountiful one it had as a member of the European Single Market, my sense is this is extraordinary folly.
And all because – essentially – a vote by a majority of Britons (or at least those who voted) have rejected being forced to share Britain with their fellow European Union citizens. (Or, to be fair, feel that their already overcrowded country has become more overcrowded by having an open border with Europe.)
There seems increasingly to be a chorus in the Anglosphere willing the European Union project to fail because it is a bad idea.
In fact, as I see it, the division between the British and the Europeans runs much deeper than that. It runs to a fundamentally different way of seeing the world.
And here is a critical point: it is often said that people who speak different languages see the world differently.
Having lived in Europe and having had to learn a European language (German) to be able to live and work, I came to a very personal understanding of this truth. When you describe what you see and feel in another language, you do have a different understanding of yourself and the world around you.
You certainly can never get beyond a superficial understanding of the people among whom you live if you cannot communicate with them in the language of their everyday lives.
After living in Germany, and then living in London, the reality of the gulf between British perceptions and German perceptions was starkly apparent.
In Germany, the ideals of a Europe united with its neighbours in a grand bargain for the purpose of avoiding a repeat of the horrendous history of the first half of the twentieth century had deep appeal. Even having to give up the beloved deutschmark (symbol of Germany's post-war success) for the euro was a price sadly but readily paid. For many Germans, the acceptance of the euro underlined their country's emergence as a transformed nation, finally separated from its terrible recent history.
It was impossible to imagine the British so easily dumping the pound, even had the case for it been overwhelming.
Setting aside the economic arguments for why it was reasonable for Britain not to join the Eurozone, the fact that Europe and Britain continued to have separate currencies after the introduction of the euro bound the core of Europe more closely together. And it not only maintained but deepened the gulf with the UK.
… The fact that the Anglosphere nations have never experienced invasion, occupation, mass-slaughter and starvation of the kind much of Europe experienced means it is harder to understand the world as Europeans understand it.
But there is a wider point, an important point, to this and it helps explain why what has been called "the Anglosphere" (the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK) has failed to "get" Europe and still does not comprehend the determination of Europeans to make the European Union a success.
Much of what people in the Anglophere understand about the EU and European affairs comes from British sources, or from media correspondents based in Britain.
But these are essentially "outsider" views. These perceptions are seen through the prism of British separation from Europe, of antipathy towards Europe, of the ideas of free market economics and libertarianism and, now, of the rising power of nationalism, patriotism and nostalgia.
There seems increasingly to be a chorus in the Anglosphere willing the European Union project to fail because it is a bad idea.
This seemed to be Donald Trump's mindset in his recent interviews with British and German media in which he applauded Brexit and welcomed the possible collapse of the EU.
Trump may have had a German grandfather, but his strident antipathy towards the EU, Germany and chancellor Angela Merkel suggest he feels no European blood in his veins.
Some analysts argue that the fact that the Anglosphere nations have never experienced invasion, occupation, mass-slaughter and starvation of the kind much of Europe experienced means it is harder to understand the world as Europeans understand it.
The European ideals of shared sovereignty, of social democracy, of cross-border laws and international courts and of state action are reactions to that history. It seems not to matter to most of the current leadership of Europe that outside of Europe these ideas are seen as out-dated or wrong-headed or bound to fail.
Recognising that a deeply rooted determination to make the European project work and avoid a repeat of Europe's recent bloody history is critical to understanding "Europeanism".
To see Britain's decision to withdraw from the project and go its own way as the beginning of the end of Europe's dream of shared peace and prosperity in the form of a union and maybe a federated state is a fundamental failure to understand Europe and Europeans.
by Geoff Kitney


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By: Director of Athletic Communications & Public Relations, Kevin Ruple
BEREA, Ohio -- He's always the happiest man on the baseball diamond with a big beaming smiling and loud, healthy laugh. He strides from the Yellow Jacket third base dugout to home plate or the pitching mound like jolly old St. Nick at Christmas time. It's Brian Harrison, by golly, the extremely successful eighth-year Head Baseball Coach at Baldwin Wallace University.
"I love coaching baseball and I love coaching baseball at Baldwin Wallace University," said Harrison, who won his 200th career game this spring and led the Yellow Jackets to the 2014 Division III World Series for the first time in school history. "Other than being with my family, I can't imagine being happier anywhere else but on the baseball field."
This spring brought more happiness to Harrison, his family and the Yellow Jacket baseball program as his team compiled a school single-season record 33 victories, a 33-14 overall record, the 2018 Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament title and a berth in the NCAA Division III National Tournament.
"I am extremely proud of this team in particular," said Harrison with a big grin. "We played our best baseball at the end of the season to get into the OAC Tournament and then hit the cover off the ball at the OAC tourney and earned the NCAA Tournament berth. Our guys were very resilient and I was proud of their never-give-up attitude."
The Eyes Have It
When Brian Harrison laughs, and smiles at a student-athlete, potential recruit, assistant coach or even a colleague on campus, he has a gleam in his eyes. That's just how Harrison is. He makes you feel at ease because he's at ease in the sanctuary of Fisher Field.
"This is my home-away-from-home," says a laughing Harrison. "I don't get to see my family as much as I would like this time of year due to practices, games and recruiting, so my wife, Tracey, tries to bring the boys (Braden and Luke) and my daughter (Harper) to as many games as she can and when they aren't playing their own games too!"
When Tracey and the kids are at the game, they are usually being chased by Tracey and Harrison's good friend, BW's own OAC Wrestling Coach of the Year Jamie Gibbs and his wife Jana. The two young and extremely successful coaches and their families have formed a familial Yellow Jacket bond.
"It's really cool," said Harrison. "I get to support Jamie during the winter and during wrestling season, and he's usually here supporting me at the baseball field in the spring. I don't get to see the kids running around a lot, but you can bet I hear about it!"
The Lineage of Success
At each of Harrison's four coaching stops, he's brought success to the program he's led or helped to lead, including at Cuyahoga Community College West and, then Urbana as a head coach and at the University of Dayton as the hitting coach prior to coming to BW. The graduate and former standout at St. Edward High School in Lakewood felt that by taking the BW job was like "coming back home".
"I am absolutely blessed to have this opportunity at this school, at a place that values the student-athlete and teaching kids how to win and be successful not only in baseball but in life," said Harrison. "And then, when you add the component of a great tradition of baseball success under Lars Wagner and Bob Fisher for more than 60 years, you have a winning combination."
On the field, Harrison has won 351 career games and owns a 210-126 mark at BW. Not only did BW advance to the College World Series in 2014, he led the team to the NCAA Div. III Regional Tournament a year later and his team played in the 2016 Ohio Athletic Conference Championship Game.
"We have had some success, but not as much as I would of liked by now," said Harrison, who is always striving to make himself, his coaching staff and his student-athletes better. This season was special. The way the kids played hard and didn't give up, and the way our seniors led. That's really what its all about for me -- the kids. Watching them grow, improve, mature and be successful."
The Former Hitter Was a Happy Camper in 2018
Harrison, who coaches and teaches hitting, was an outstanding hitter himself as a collegian. He is especially proud of this year's team. Harrison's team also set school records for runs scored (392), runs batted-in (358), home runs (43), stolen bases (111) and opposing batter strikeouts (349). at the 2018 OAC Tournament, his team had its pinnacle of success as it registered a .421 team batting average and outscored its three opponents by a combined score of 56-19.
"Man, that was fun to watch," said Harrison, his head bobbing up-and-down like a bobblehead. "The more I think about it, the more I get excited for our kids. They came to play and definitely made a statement."
And Harrison's Success Doesn't Stop on the Field
Harrison demands excellence both on and off the field of play. It is evident as his team has a 3.266 team grade average, including a perfect 4.0 by two-time Academic All-American and 2018 Google Cloud Division III Academic All-America of the Year Spencer Badia (Bellaire). He also is this year's BW Clyde Lamb Award winner. Nine of his student-athletes, who are sophomores or higher, have a 3.5 grade point average and will earn Academic All-OAC accolades this spring and six, including three others, are nominees for CoSIDA Academic All-District 7.
"We tell our young men and their families that their education comes first. It's that simple," said Harrison. "We tell them that if you are disciplined and work hard in the classroom, it makes it easier to be successful on the baseball field and with your teammates. That is our culture. It's what we believe, and we feel like we've been extremely successful in this endeavor."
May 25, 2018 Taw Named ABCA/Rawlings All-American
May 22, 2018 Four Baseball Players Earn All-Mideast Region Honors
May 22, 2018 Nine Baseball Players Earn Academic All-OAC Honors
May 14, 2018 Six Baseball Players Named to All-OAC Team
April 23, 2018 Marcum Earns Third Career OAC Hitter of the Week Honor
April 18, 2018 Baseball Notches Second Straight OAC Sweep
April 13, 2018 Baseball Sweeps Muskingum in Marathon OAC Doubleheader
April 10, 2018 Baseball Falls Twice to Ohio Northern
April 6, 2018 Bats Boom in No. 25 Baseball's OAC Sweep of Wilmington
March 31, 2018 No. 18 Baseball Drops OAC Doubleheader with Mount Union
March 27, 2018 Baseball Ranked in Both D3baseball and ABCA Polls
March 24, 2018 No. 15 Baseball Splits OAC Doubleheader with #21 Marietta
March 20, 2018 Baseball Climbs to No. 15 in D3baseball/NCWBA Polls
March 19, 2018 Cody Earns First OAC Pitcher of the Week Honor
March 18, 2018 Baseball Splits Non-Conference Doubleheader with Thiel (Pa.)
March 17, 2018 Pitchers Dominate in Baseball's Sweep of Wittenberg
March 15, 2018 Baseball's Version of Rudy is Alive and Well and in Berea
March 13, 2018 Baseball Flies into Latest D3baseball/NCBWA Poll
March 12, 2018 Knodle Garners First OAC Hitter of the Week Honor
March 7, 2018 Baseball Bests Moravian (Pa.) for Second Time
March 5, 2018 Baseball Walks Off in Wild Game with Bluffton
March 4, 2018 Baseball Splits a Pair of Snowbird Classic Games
February 26, 2018 Lovick Earns Third Career OAC Pitcher of the Week Accolade
February 25, 2018 Offense Explodes in Baseball's Sweep of Oberlin
February 18, 2018 Baseball Sweeps Anderson (Ind.) in Season-Opening Doubleheader
February 16, 2018 Baseball Seeks Return to Top of OAC in 2018
February 5, 2018 Baseball Releases 2018 Schedule
February 2, 2018 Baseball Teams up with My Inner Warrior Foundation


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A Nazarene church plant in Latacunga, Ecuador, led a seminar on addiction for a group of more than 200 Ecuadorian Air Force students 16 March.
Led by Marcelo and Viviana Fretes, the session included a testimony from Christian Diaz, a member of the church, who shared how God rescued him from alcoholism and drug abuse. The church members also performed a theatrical piece for the students. To conclude the event, the church members talked with students who desired counseling.
"It is a blessing to see how God is opening doors for the church, making it possible for different sectors of society to be impacted and transformed by the message of Christ," Marcelo said. "We pray that the fruit we see here continues and that others are able to hear the testimonies of the amazing work the Lord has done in their lives."


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Sweet Pepper Riggies
This recipe originally appeared on the Rachael Ray Show. For more recipes and videos from the show visit RachaelRayShow.com.
- 4 red mild frying or bell peppers
- 2 mild-heat chilies, such as Fresno or Hungarian Wax
- 4 large ripe heirloom tomatoes or 3 cups passata (tomato purée or crushed tomatoes)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 4 large cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable stock
- A handful of basil leaves, torn
- 1/4 to 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 1 pound mezze rigatoni or short-cut pasta
- Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
- undefined
Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta.
Roast all the peppers over the flame on a gas stove or under a broiler on high with the door ajar until skins are charred. Place peppers in a bowl and cover until cool. Once cool peel and seed peppers, and chop.
If using fresh tomatoes, score the skins with an X on bottom and core them. Place the tomatoes in boiling water for 1 minute then dunk them in an ice bath and peel. Using a food mill, purée the tomatoes–you should yield about 3-4 cups of passata. You can also substitute about the same amount of store bought passata or crushed tomatoes.
Heat a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat with olive oil, 3 turns of the pan. Add chopped onions, sliced garlic, season with salt and pepper and cook partially covered to soften, stirring occasionally. Add tomatoes and stock, and simmer uncovered over medium-low heat to thicken a bit and allow the flavors to combine. Wilt in basil. When you drop the pasta, stir in about 1/3 cup cream to sauce, about 2 slow turns of pan in light stream, and reduce heat to low.
Cook pasta in salted water to al dente. Add a ladle of starchy water to sauce just before draining then toss "riggies" with creamy sweet pepper sauce. Adjust salt and pepper, and serve in shallow bowls topped with freshly cheese.


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Everyone knows that a full cookie jar is the sign of a happy home. But not all cookies are appropriate to keep in a cookie jar! Cookie jar cookies must be sturdy, usually unfrosted, but still delicious and munchable.
These cookies are perfect to ship to loved ones too. Just think how much your college student would love to get a box of these cookies! Just pack them in tightly sealed plastic bags, then put the bags into a sealed plastic box.
When you're making cookies, it's important to measure correctly. Measuring flour is most critical. Enjoy making these cookies and fill up your cookie jar!
Cookie Jar Cookies
- The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
Yes, these really are the best. Ground oatmeal and ground white chocolate add fabulous texture. And they ship well too; be sure to read the review by Deanna456.
- M&M Cookies
Chocolate chip cookies are usually my cookie of choice, but these run a very close second. And they're so pretty! You can style them according to the occasion by using different colored candies.
- Grandma's Sugar Cookies
This is my Grandmother Matha's recipe for sugar cookies. They are so tender with a fabulous slightly chewy texture. I love to frost them (but then they don't do as well in the cookie jar!).
- Snickerdoodles
A version of this cookie has been around for decades. Cream of tartar makes them slightly crisp. They're rolled in cinnamon sugar before baking for the perfect finishing touch.
- Walnut Oatmeal Cookies
These old-fashioned cookies are so good and easy. They can be formed into balls and baked, or increase the milk a bit and make them drop cookies. Either way, they're perfect for the cookie jar!
- White Chocolate Cashew Cookies
What could be better than white chocolate and cashews in a tender brown sugar cookie? Nothing!
- Ginger Cookies
Crystallized ginger and ground ginger add fabulous flavor to these chewy and tender cookies. Omit the frosting to put these cookies into the cookie jar.
- Monster Cookies
These large cookies are filled with crushed pretzels, corn flakes cereal, and four kinds of chocolate chips. Yum.
- Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies
This cookie really is delicious. Omit the chocolate and peanut butter filling to make double the number of cookies and fill up two cookie jars!
- Oatmeal Butter Cookies
Okay, so there is another oatmeal cookie I make: this recipe, from my Grandmother Clara. It's a simpler cookie with a rich butter and brown sugar flavor.
- Peanut Butter Cookies From a Mix
My Homemade Cookie Mix is perfect for making lots of cookie jar cookies. These peanut butter cookies are my fav.
- M&M Brownie Cookies
A combination of brownies and M&M candies makes these cookies simply spectacular.


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I would like to wish all my readers best wishes for the holidays. Keep warm. By the way, if you would like to get that wallpaper, you can download the Windows 7 theme from Microsoft Personalization Gallery here, its called 'Holiday Lights' 🙂
Tag Archives: Season Greetings
Season Greetings
Filed under Health and wellness


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When they first moved to Pittsfield seven years ago, who knew their brand of theatre was just what people were hungry for. Managing to purchase their main stage facility on Union Street, they renovated it even as they rented a smaller facility to present smaller plays, often brand new, and use as a musical theatre lab. That space, in the VFW Building on Linden Street came to be known as Stage 2 and performances there almost always sold out. Drawing audiences from all over the Berkshires, and one might say, the world – their productions regularly garner rave reviews from the national press – they still sold more than 25% of their tickets to ticket buyers in their home community of Pittsfield. Their ties to the city and its people are strong, and getting stronger with each passing season.
So when Barrington Stage Company (BSC), under the leadership of Julianne Boyd, Artistic Director, and Tristan Wilson, Managing Director, announced the purchase of the Pittsfield V.F.W. at 36 Linden Street thanks to a generous gift from long-time BSC supporters Sydelle and Lee Blatt we have to offer our congratulations. As a company, you've come a long way in a short time.
Our real estate sources tell us the building itself had been listed for some time at $400,000, and rumor has it that the theatre company has been negotiating with the owners for more than six months. The final purchase price was just shy of $350,000. At one point the space that Barrington Stage occupied at the VFW was being touted as a possible condominium conversion. Things turned out ok with the support of the Blatt's who made it possible to make the commitment to buy.
Built in 1972 as Local V.F.W. Post 448, the 40-year-old building, which BSC has been leasing as Stage 2 since 2008, will now serve as its permanent home for new plays and musicals and an all-new cabaret space.
Completes Downtown Campus
Julianne Boyd is, of course, ecstatic at the possibilities that ownership opens to the company. "With the purchase of the VFW building, which allows us a permanent cabaret space as well as an intimate 110-seat theatre space, we have completed the Barrington Stage campus in downtown Pittsfield," she said. "Moving the Youth Theatre to the Berkshire Museum and all rehearsal spaces within the new Upstreet Cultural District will add new vitality to an already burgeoning theatre scene."
New Facility Will Be Open to Local Arts Rentals
"The Sydelle and Lee Blatt Performing Arts Center on Linden Street will allow us to create a true community arts center," she enthused. "Not only will we be producing new plays, musicals and cabarets but also we will have spaces for local arts organizations to rent. We want the artistic community in Pittsfield to feel BSC is their home." The facility was recently made available to the long established Town Players of Pittsfield for a local production, and other Berkshire Companies have used it for their performances. It is also the showcase for the Playwright's Mentoring Project, an ongoing community program that reaches high school students at risk.
Sydelle and Lee Blatt Make Visions Become Reality
Supporters of Barrington Stage since its early years, Sydelle and Lee Blatt were also instrumental in BSC's move from Sheffield to Pittsfield in 2005. The Blatts sponsored last season's acclaimed world premiere production of Mark St. Germain's The Best of Enemies and were honored at last season's annual Gala for their continued support. Sydelle has been a member of the BSC Board of Trustees since 2002.
The building, known as Lt. John L. Truden V.F.W. Post, will be renamed the Sydelle and Lee Blatt Performing Arts Center and dedicated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, May 26 at 2pm.
The Physical Plant Itself
The 12,602 square-foot air-conditioned building has two levels. The upper level houses a café and the 110-seat Stage 2 theatre, which will be named the St. Germain Stage after BSC Associate Artist and resident playwright Mark St. Germain, acclaimed author of Freud's Last Session and The Best of Enemies. The lower level houses rehearsal space, offices and a 50-seat cabaret space with a bar, which will be named Mr. Finn's Cabaret after Tony-winner William Finn, Artistic Producer of BSC's Musical Theatre Lab.
As you can see from the photo, there is considerable space in the basement for both a rehearsal room and modest cabaret. The exact configuration is yet to be determined, but if it follow current trends it will be a flex space that can expand either the rehearsal area, or the capacity of the cabaret should its popularity take off. With some clever programming it could become an alternative to Rumpy's as the after-show place for actors and audiences to meet up. With all the summer shows up and down Route 7, it has the advantage of being central enough so that folks from Williamstown and Stockbridge could all meet "in the middle."
Since Barrington Stage began leasing the space in 2008 it has been the home of popular Stage 2 productions such as Freud's Last Session, My Name Is Asher Lev, the 10X10 On North Play Festival and new musicals from the acclaimed BSC Musical Theatre Lab.
Programming at the St. Germain Stage begins May 23 with the New England premiere of Duncan Macmillan's intimate drama Lungs. Mr. Finn's Cabaret kicks off Memorial Day weekend with the rock 'n' roll cabaret Joe Iconis & Family on May 25 and 26. For more information on programming at the Sydelle and Lee Blatt Performing Arts Center, visit barringtonstageco.org.
About Barrington Stage Company
Barrington Stage Company, a professional award-winning Equity regional theatre located in the heart of the Berkshires, in Pittsfield, MA, was co-founded in 1995 by Artistic Director Julianne Boyd. Barrington Stage's mission is three-fold: to present top-notch, compelling work; to develop new plays and musicals; and to find fresh, bold ways to bringing new audiences into the theatre—especially young people. Barrington Stage garnered national attention in 2004 when it workshopped, and premiered William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin's musical hit The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, which later transferred to Broadway's Circle-in-the-Square Theatre where it won two Tony Awards and played more than 1,000 performances. In 2009/2010 Barrington Stage produced the world premiere of Mark St. Germain's Freud's Last Session, which later moved Off-Broadway to the Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater and then to New World Stages and has played more than 600 performances. Barrington Stage was voted "Best Live Theatre" by The Berkshire Eagle readers in 2011 and was named "Best Theatre Company" in Metroland's Best of the Capital Region 2009-2011.


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Hybrid catalysts A and B have recently been found to efficiently transfer electrons from a metal catalyst to molecular oxygen in biomimetic oxidations. In the present work hybrid catalysts A and B were synthesized in high yield from inexpensive starting materials. The key step is an efficient Suzuki cross-coupling, which allows the use of unprotected aldehyde 5. The new synthesis of the title hybrid catalysts is easy to carry out and can be scaled up.
This thesis deals mainly with two oxidation reactions: water oxidation and aerobic oxidation, both of which have been applied in a biomimetic fashion. In the former reaction molecular oxygen is generated whereas in the latter it was used as terminal oxidant in oxidation reactions.
The first part of this thesis describes the synthesis of different ruthenium and manganese complexes that could potentially act as catalysts for water oxidation. This part includes a discussion of the stability and reactivity of a new manganese(III) amide-type complex, that has been used as a catalyst for both epoxidation of stilbene and alcohol oxidation.
The second part of this thesis discusses the synthesis of two new hybrid catalysts consisting of hydroquinone linked cobalt(II) salophen and cobalt(II) salmdpt, which have been used as oxygen-activating catalysts in aerobic oxidation reactions. The former catalyst was applied to the Pd-catalyzed reactions such as 1,4-diacetoxylation of cyclohexadiene whereas the latter was applied to the Ru-catalyzed oxidation of secondary alcohols to ketones. Moreover, these two hybrid catalysts could be used in the Pd-catalyzed carbocyclization of enallenes. In all cases molecular oxygen was used as the stoichiometric oxidant.
This thesis describes the development and study of catalysts for redox reactions, which either utilize oxygen or hydrogen peroxide for the purpose of selectively oxidizing organic substrates, or produce oxygen as the necessary byproduct in the production of hydrogen by artificial photosynthesis.
The first chapter gives a general introduction about the use of environmentally friendly oxidants in the field of organic synthesis, and about the field of artificial photosynthesis. The second chapter describes a computational study of the mechanism of palladium-catalyzed oxidative carbohydroxylation of allene-substituted conjugated dienes. The proposed mechanism, which was supported by DFT calculations, involves an unusual water attack on a (π-allyl)palladium complex. The third chapter describes a computational study of the oxidation of unfunctionalized hydrocarbons, ethers and alcohols with hydrogen peroxide, catalyzed by methyltrioxorhenium (MTO). The mechanism was found to proceed via rate-limiting hydride abstraction followed by hydroxide transfer in a single concerted, but highly asynchronous, step as shown by intrinsic reaction coordinate (IRC) scans. The fourth chapter describes the use of a new hybrid (hydroquinone-Schiff base)cobalt catalyst as electron transfer mediator (ETM) in the palladium-catalyzed aerobic carbocyclization of enallenes. Covalently linking the two ETMs gave a fivefold rate increase compared to the use of separate components. The fifth chapter describes an improved synthetic route to the (hydroquinone-Schiff base)cobalt catalysts. Preparation of the key intermediate 5-(2,5-hydroxyphenyl)salicylaldehyde was improved by optimization of the key Suzuki coupling and change of protecting groups from methyl ethers to easily cleaved THP groups. The catalysts could thus be prepared in good overall yield from inexpensive starting materials.
Finally, the sixth chapter describes the preparation and study of two catalysts for water oxidation, both based on ligands containing imidazole groups, analogous to the histidine residues present in the oxygen evolving complex (OEC) and in many other metalloenzymes. The first, ruthenium-based, catalyst was found to catalyze highly efficient water oxidation induced by visible light. The second catalyst is, to the best of our knowledge, the first homogeneous manganese complex to catalyze light-driven water oxidation.
At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 5: Accepted. Paper 6: Submitted.
The first part of this thesis describes an improved synthetic route to hybrid (hydroquinone-Schiff base)cobalt catalysts. Preparation of the 5-(2,5-hydroxyphenyl)salicylaldehyde building block was improved by altering the protective groups of the hydroquinone (HQ) starting material. Both protection and deprotection could be carried out under mild conditions, resulting in high yields. By optimizing the reaction conditions of the Suzuki cross-coupling, an efficient and inexpensive synthetic route with a good overall yield was developed.
The second part describes the use of the hybrid catalyst as an electron transfer mediator (ETM) in the palladium-catalyzed aerobic carbocyclization of enallenes. By covalently linking the HQ to the cobalt Schiff-base complex the reaction proceeded at lower temperatures with a five-fold increase of the reaction rate compared to the previously reported system.
The third part describes the application of the hybrid catalyst in the biomimetic aerobic oxidation of secondary alcohols. Due to the efficiency of the intramolecular electron transfer, the hybrid catalyst allowed for a lower catalytic loading and milder reaction conditions compared to the previous separate-component system. Benzylic alcohols as well as aliphatic alcohols were oxidized to the corresponding ketones in excellent yield and selectivity using this methodology.
The fourth part describes the synthesis and characterization of highly dispersed palladium nanoparticles supported on aminopropyl-modified siliceous mesocellular foam. The Pd nanocatalyst showed excellent activity for the aerobic oxidation of a wide variety of alcohols under air atmosphere. Moreover, the catalyst can be recycled several times without any decrease in activity or leaching of the metal into solution.
Finally, the fifth part describes the application of the Pd nanocatalyst in transfer hydrogenations and Suzuki coupling reactions. The catalyst was found to be highly efficient for both transformations, resulting in chemoselective reduction of various alkenes as well as coupling of a variety of aryl halides with various boronic acids in excellent yields. Performing the latter reaction under microwave irradiation significantly increased the reaction rate, compared to conventional heating. However, no significant increase in reaction rate was observed for the transfer hydrogenations, under microwave heating.
At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 4: Submitted. Paper 5: Manuscript.


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By Parvathi Ramkumar
An unforgotten old romance is rekindled and fading dreams are revived in Ramapada Chowdhury's novella Second Encounter. Originally published in Bengali as Je Jekhane Danriye, and translated into English by Swapna Dutta, the slim book follows Anupam, a professor, and his sudden, unexpected encounter with his old flame, Anjali. There are feelings between them that have remained unresolved, but in the two decades since their last encounter, families, spouses and children have all changed their lives.
When the novella opens, Anupam is on a holiday in Musabani, a mining town. Far removed from the cares of bustling Calcutta, Anupam finds Musabani idyllic, but is soon confused when he meets a woman at the weekly market. The woman in question is Anjali, someone he'd known as a teenager, a woman he'd been besotted with. A misunderstanding, it is given to understand, led Anupam and Anjali to go their separate ways… but whatever feelings they'd shared have remained, as they discover. Many of the characters in Second Encounter are quickly introduced right at the beginning of the book. Read more
Source: Deccan Herald


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No Limits: One of America's Hottest Live Bands
Once No Limits takes the stage it'll become instantly clear why they are one of the premier cover bands in the United States today, and why, when the rich and famous are looking for a premier band to play alongside Goo Goo Dolls, it's the No Limits Band they bring in. There is NO LIMIT to the amount of fun guests will experience when this high energy band is included on the guest list.
"WOW!!!!! Amazing!!!! Unreal in every way!!! Everyone in the wedding business around here is asking for the band information. Getting the word out there! Seriously – Evan and H had a blast and can't stop talking about the band!!!!! They are in flight but as soon as we can – we will give props to the band on social media!! I was going to say – the wedding is the talk of the town but it's the TALK OF THE SOUTH!!! I see many Seaside returns on their future!!! Thanks for everything!!" – Willie Harrell, Mother of the Bride, Seaside Beach, FL
"They absolutely crushed it! Was the most fun night of our lives. The dance floor was packed after the first song and stayed that way all night. Could not have asked for a better performance!!" – Andrew Peeples, Groom, Sun Valley, ID
High Energy Fun for Special Events
"No Limits is by far the BEST corporate cover band in America. EVERY time they perform for one of my major corporate events, the guests are chanting their names, stomping for more songs and refuse to leave the dance floor until they do an encore. Some clients tell me that their male demographic guests 'don't dance;' well let me tell you, they ABSOLUTELY do when No Limits plays. Not only are these band members extremely talented, they are the sweetest, most passionate and professional performers you will ever meet. Their stage energy, amazing vocals and incredible musicianship is truly a blessing to experience. I book them every chance I get, and trust me, you won't be disappointed if you do." – Brian Hodge, Senior Event Producer, Special Events, George P. Johnson Experience Marketing, Las Vegas, NV
"OMG…They were amazing! Our group loved them!!!! They had such great, high energy and played for 3 hours straight! Their song list was super fun, engaging and great to dance to. Rachel was great to work with and they said they had fun with our crowd. Thanks for getting them booked for us!" – Marnie L. Andrews, CHG Healthcare, Salt Lake City, UT
"They were awesome!! They had everyone moving and grooving from the moment they hit the stage until the very end. Thanks so much for sending them along. Incredible vocalists and musicians. Please pass along our accolades to the band." – Mistine Boren, Event Producer, Napa Valley, CA
"The band was beyond fabulous – the client and guests were 'over the moon' with joy. Please let the band know how happy we all were and that they hit it out of the park !! WOW!!" – Alisa Zapiler, CEO, Creative Events & Occasions, Denver, CO
"Hands down, the best band I have ever seen!!!" – Liza Kehoe, Bride, Jackson, Wyoming
"They absolutely crushed it. The dance floor was packed the entire time and we couldn't have been happier. So many compliments for Rachel and her crew. People were saying they want to come back here and jointly throw a big party as an excuse to hear No Limits again, and my brother vowed to hire them for his future wedding (he's single…)." – Nick Parker, Groom, Wilson, WY
"WOW – what a killer event at the Montage. They are so happy with their celebration, they're on their honeymoon still posting about the wedding and what a spectacular time they had. Thank you for all you and No Limits did to make their big day so awesome. Many thanks, and cheers until the next one!" – Mara Marian, Wedding Planner, Montage, Park City, UT
"YOU guys blew it out of the park!! We had incredible feedback from so many guests that you were the best wedding band they had ever seen. Laura and Jason were equally ecstatic as were we!! Could not have been better! I will be mailing you an additional gratuity this week. Take care and we hope to see you again!" – Nancy Downey, Mother of the Bride, Chicago, IL
"You guys simply tore up the Marriott at the private gig for AlphaGraphics Saturday night! An absolutely electrifying performance. High energy talent at its best! I'm a senior citizen, and I STILL loved you! Question: do you keep Rachel in a cage between performances? Does your guitarist have more than the usual ten fingers? Does your bassist really know how good he is? If anyone asks me, I'll be delighted to recommend you. Just amazing!" – Steve Dawson, AlphaGraphics
"I wanted to extend our deep gratitude in creating a "Dream Come True" wedding for Daniel and Jacqi. The music at both the ceremony and reception was amazing. You rock! We have had the top band from Minneapolis and the top band from Chicago for our previous two children's weddings and we thought they were great. But there is no comparison to No Limits. Believe me, if we had a fourth child, we would be flying you all to Minneapolis! Thank you for choosing a great variety of music that touched everyone from my 87 year old mother to our three year old grandson. Our friends and family cannot rave enough about dancing under a full moon with you. The energy and love put into your performance was apparent. Finally, thank you for putting up with my sister for crashing the band. You were very professional about this annoyance. Please pass on our appreciation to the entire band and crew." – Susan and Michael Tewksbury, Parents of the Groom, Kamas, Utah
"A-MAZING!!! They killed it!!! The feedback from last night was so good!!! The dance floor was packed all night and the crowd was chanting and screaming for them!! Their video does not do them justice. We were all blown away. They were so much better than we thought they were going to be. And a fantastic group of people!!!" – Jasmine Evans, Account Executive/Talent Buyer, G7 Entertainment Marketing, Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas, NV
"No Limits absolutely CRUSHED IT. We have had a non-stop stream of communication from wedding guests who have told us it was the best wedding band they've ever heard and who have asked for the band's name/contact info in follow-up. There were several parents in the crowd who have children with weddings coming up in the next few years who said they would like to fly the band to NYC, California, and beyond. Rachel and team go beyond being talented musicians – although they clearly are VERY TALENTED. They are incredibly professional and were wonderful to work with every step of the way. They read the room and amplified the love and enthusiasm of the crowd on the actual day. The dance floor was packed the entire time; we all had a blast. So, thanks again for pouring your hearts into our celebration. It was fabulous and beyond what we could have imagined." – Chloe Lewis, Bride, Jackson, WY
This powerhouse band is one of the go-to groups for the nation's biggest events. They received rave reviews for performing at Mardi Gras' biggest and most spectacular party, "The Orpheuscapade," alongside country music sensation Dierks Bentley and American Idol's Harry Connick, Jr. The No Limits Band was also booked for the Baton Rouge Mardi Gras Ball the weekend before the main event, where they received more rave reviews. They are extremely versatile, playing some of the best dance music you've ever heard – from the most popular songs of the 60s to today's Top 40 hits.
Photo Slide Show: No Limits Cover Band
Lead singer Rachel is guaranteed to be the most energetic and versatile vocalist you've ever seen. Male lead vocalist Harrell makes the women swoon with his Justin Timberlake-style vocals and Michael Jackson-esque dance moves. Mike is a fan favorite with his fiery lead guitar and smooth vocals and Chris is one of the most incredible drummers on the planet. Add in some high-stepping dance routines, dazzling costumes, flashy lights, rich background vocals, and the most charming horn section (optional) you've ever seen and you've got one of the most exciting bands anywhere.
"WOW! Seriously, you guys were the best band I have ever seen and I have done this since 2004! Thank you for everything." – Heather Allen, Event Planner, Vail, CO
"Thank you for such an amazing job. I was super impressed. The energy and vocals were great. And thank you for having the timeline printed out and actually knowing what was going on. I can't even tell you how many bands are coming to events without timelines and without knowing any of the details. They just completely rely on me to tell them everything. And it's so refreshing to actually have a band know what's going on before they get there and not need tons of hand holding. Thank you! Thank you!" – Kristin Spear, Event Planner, Soirée Productions, Park City, UT
"OMG…it was the best band I have ever had at a wedding! Really outstanding and so professional and so GOOD. One of the guests said when their daughter is engaged (which has not happened yet) the first call I am to make is to book you!! Thank you thank you!!" – Alisa Zapiler, Event Planner, Denver, Colorado
"As always, they were amazing! The party never stopped until the lights came on." – Gerald Everett, Krewe of Neptune, Biloxi, Mississippi
"I have heard soooo much positive feedback from our employees and our board was so ecstatic about their performance. They are such a high energy group and really got our employees excited and dancing/singing along! We loved getting to have them at our event, they made it extra special!" – Jennifer Lee, Federated Insurance, Owatonna, MN
"The band was AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!! They seriously made our wedding! Everyone had the best time! I have already passed your information along to many people as they were eager for more details." – Jillian Welker, Bride, Truckee, CA
"I cannot tell you how much we LOVED the band!!! They were absolutely incredible!! I have had so many people tell me this was the best band they had ever seen. We all felt as though we were at a private concert.
The energy and talent that each member had was amazing. Not only were they superlative singers, but the dancing and fast paced entertainment was amazing. They literally kept the dance floor packed the entire night. And they never took a break for 3 hours!!
The band was totally professional in every way. They made our daughter's wedding a complete success! When we checked out of the hotel, the checkout girl said everyone at the hotel was talking about how great the wedding was!
I am so thrilled we had "No Limits" as our wedding band. It was a treat that each and every guest will remember for a long, long time!
Thank you so much for everything and please tell each member of the band that we LOVED THEM!!!" – Jeanette Davis, Mother of the Bride, Vail, CO
"No Limits was hands down the most talked about part of our wedding. They are the type of band where nobody wants to eat dinner or visit the bar because they don't want to leave the dance floor. I saw them in August of 2014 and they have only gotten better since then. Rachel is so great to work with and they NAILED our first dance, father-daughter, and mother-son dance songs! Afterwards everyone wanted to know where I found them and how to get them at their next event." – Alexis Janes, Bride, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
"Best band yet! No one wanted to stop dancing!" – Traci Sterba, Baton Rouge Mardi Gras Ball
"People are STILL talking about how amazing the band was. Thank you so much for such a wonderful experience." – Lauren Brown, Bride, Sun Valley, Idaho
Incredible Band Breathes Life and Energy Into Events
"A BIG THANK YOU!!! Your band is incredible. I can't tell you how many phone calls, emails and text messages we have received about "our band." I can't thank you enough for your powerful performance. You made my dreams come true for my daughter's wedding." – Emily, Mother of Bride, Wyoming
Hire a Premier Party Entertainment Band
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Our bands are well-known for being the life of the party, the ultimate party entertainers that add extreme amounts of energy and fun to wedding receptions, corporate parties, Christmas parties, charity parties, and dance parties. Our exclusive bands are beyond good, they're out of this world.
If you're planning a wedding and want to ensure it's the most unforgettable day imaginable, know that it's the wedding party music that will usually determine how memorable your special day turns out to be. Perfect weddings need the perfect entertainment. Our wedding music bands provide music that can't be beat. They are experienced and professional; delivering music that perfectly compliments the desires of the wedding couple.
Whether you're looking for bands to provide ceremony music, dinner music, or lively wedding reception music, or you want to find a band for an important corporate event, gala, charity fundraiser, or private celebration, our exclusive band options will not disappoint. Green Light is one of the top band booking agencies for good reason; we provide the best dance bands that can't be found anywhere else at any price; bands that over-deliver day in and day out. When you want party dance music that'll keep everyone on their feet, our exceptional groups rock it non-stop until the lights go out.


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The Perfect Educational Computer Lab
I had the following question via Twitter the other day "Hey Alfred. We got permission to overhaul our computer lab, Have you seen any innovative strategies or configurations?" Now this is a question that comes up pretty regularly among computer science teachers. Or teachers who teach computer applications for that matter. Every time the subject comes up there are a lot of different opinions. These opinions cover things like types of computers, arraignment of desks and computer tables, assorted "must have" teaching aides and more. As far as I can tell there really is no one size fits all answer. I did decide to spend some time thinking about it this week though. As I thought, one conclusion I came to is that the most important item in an educational computer lab is the teacher. A good knowledgeable teacher who cares about the subject and the students and has good classroom management skills can overcome a lot of computer lab design deficiencies. A bad teacher cannot be compensated for by computer lab design though. That being said, a few thoughts to start a discussion (I hope) going.
If you are teaching computer science a lab should have solid, modern high performance computers. Laptop or desktop they should have enough memory (a moving target), good graphics cards and good CPUs. I've seen schools where administrators get top of the line computers and computer labs get the hand me downs. Totally bas ackwards. Most administrators spend their time doing Office apps and email with some web browsing mixed in. They don't need the latest and greatest computers. Students who are using the latest software development tools (MSDN AA can help here BTW) are going to be compiling and doing other things that work better on a computer with some energy. You don't want them frustrated by old hardware with crappy graphics cards and sound cards removed. What leave the sound cards in? Why yes! How else are you going to have them create real multimedia applications? A lot of people are looking at game development as a "hook" that builds interest among students and allows for teaching of some serious CS concepts. You need good computers to do that right. Oh and hopefully you are all buying LCD monitors these days. Less power usage and heat generation plus they take up less valuable desktop space.
Please have a good reliable network with all student work saved in a network location. The last thing you want is students having work spread out over a half a dozen computers and not being able to get to them because a computer is down or occupied or "borrowed" by someone. This will also let you backup everyone's work which you really want to do. This is a general thing these days and, hopefully, not just a computer lab deal. A good network is essential in a 21st century school. Some people like to be able to cut off the Internet to the lab at various times. This is not usually that hard to do but I tend to see some good to letting students do research on the Internet even while I am lecturing. Let them "fact check" me if they way. Having students do things "bad" on the Internet is a classroom management issue just like them reading a novel under the desk is. My opinion – your mileage may vary.
Room Layout
One of the few things that most people seem to agree on is that you want a good, ceiling mounted LCD projector. Get a good one with as high a resolution as you can afford. If you can get a network (wi-fi) enabled projector so much the better. That will allow you to set up the demo system anywhere in the room and even switch systems as needed. Maybe a good way to get students to show their work without a lot of reconfiguration fuss.
How do you layout the computers? For many this depends completely on the room available and how many computers you have to stick in it. I've worked in some really weird configurations. If you have space though I have seen three main organizations – all with pros and cons.
Rows and rows
The traditional classroom but with computers on the desks. Variations include monitors under a glass desktop and desks with power and network connection for students to plug in their own laptops. The monitors under a glass desktop seem like a great idea but as with so many things the practice does not live up to the theory from what people tell me. This sort of arrangement is beloved by people who like neat rows and order. It can maximize the available space. I've taught in a number of rooms like this but it has some disadvantages. One is that you can't see what students are doing very easily. Oh sure you can set up monitoring software and keep an eye out this way but I find that less appealing because it means you can look at their screens or their body language but generally not both. It also means that while you are talking and not able to look at a monitor they can be doing anything. You can teach from the back of the room and see what they are doing but then you can't see faces and I like faces. Also with setups like this it can be very hard to get to students to help them out when they run into the inevitable problems.
Up against the wall
The other common arraignment is to set up the computers around the outside of the room facing the walls. Advantages are several. One is that you can have the students turn around (i.e. away from the computer) while you are talking. It also means the center of the room is free for group work which can be really handy. And of course while students are working you can keep an eye on screens. Also you can get to students easily if they are having issues. I haven't taught using this configuration much myself but I know a number of teachers who I respect who seem to be using it to good effect. The one down side is that you may not have room for all the computers you want/need unless you have a big room. A big room is a good thing though.
I've worked in a number of labs with a bunch of round tables with computers set up on them. These sorts of labs are better for students to work on projects than for teaching. As a teacher you can see some faces and some screens but not all. Some students are going to be quite hidden in fact. But you can move around to help pretty easily assuming someone did a good job wiring and you are not always tripping on wires. These labs seem to lend themselves towards pair programming BTW. Placing books and papers can be an issue but that is true of most cases where the computer takes up most of the desk surface. The circles make it worse though in my observations.
What else?
My very first computer lab had 12 Apple IIe computers in carrels – yeah that was a while ago. I set them up in staggered lines sort of like \/ \/ \/ It let everyone see me and I could see them and their computers. It was pretty easy to get to students to help out as well. Felt weird though. I'm sure there are other innovative setups but I can't think of any off hand. Suggestions of things that work for you?
Other Resources
Do you need a printer in the room? I'm old school and I like to look at listings for sticky problems. So I vote yes. Put it out of the way so it is not everyone's first choice but still easy to get to. If you are one of those people who has people hand things in on paper make sure you get a fast reliable printer. There are few things worse than waiting 10 minutes after class for all the last minute printouts to show up.
How about a scanner or two? We used to set those up as a station with a dedicated computer. This is hard to justify these days with limited budgets though. I have two printer/scanner/fax systems at home that are network enabled. Setting one of those up so students can use them from any computer in the lab may be an option to try.
Miscellaneous small stuff? Xbox controllers for creating games using XNA or teaching using Kodu. Headphones for use in multimedia applications. Speaking of headphones. I'm ok with students listening to music while programming as long as they use headphones and I can't hear it. I know an awful lot of professional programmers who program to music. Your school's rules may or may not allow it of course. Robots? Use them if you have them. Kinect? If you have room for one they are not that expensive and you may be amazed by what students create if you have one available. The Kinect for Windows SDK is a free download. (BTW Check out the XNA, Kodu and Kinect keywords for other resources on those items that I have blogged about )
What else? Let's get some ideas out here. What works for you? What doesn't work for you? What would your ideal teaching/learning computer lab look like?
Post by Alfred Thompson with additional profile information at Google+


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A driver is a program that is designed to tell your operating system the best way to communicate with a particular device. A number of crucial drivers are required on virtually every system, including the video driver, the audio driver, the network card driver and the USB driver. If you need to reinstall your USB driver after a system restore or other event, there are a few easy steps you can take to locate it.
1. Find the make and model number of your motherboard--the guts of your computer. Locate this by looking through your computer operating manual or contacting your PC manufacturer. Write down the exact number, as USB drivers will be exclusive to your particular motherboard.
2. Go online to the home page for your motherboard manufacturer (e.g., ASUS, Abit, Intel) and head to the support page. The support page will contain all of the documentation that should have shipped with your PC along with all of the necessary files to utilize the hardware.
3. Go to the downloads page, and input your motherboard's model number to find the particular USB driver that will work with your computer. Download and save the file to disk or USB drive for safekeeping.Tags: your computer, model number, support page, with your, your motherboard


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ch-ch-ch-changes part 1: the tattoo
February 17, 2016
1) my beamish boy, 8 years ago when we were good friends
2) spot the tattoo
3) no mas!
Last night as I pulled in the driveway I felt a pang in my heart when I noticed the white Christmas lights on in my son's upstairs bedroom window. I turned the lights on when he went back to school so his room didn't look so cold and empty. I really miss him. And I don't. We are both happy, doing good work where we are; me in Ann Arbor and he in Chicago. But still there is a pull on my heart.
My son started his freshman year at DePaul University in Chicago. He lives on the Lincoln Park campus but takes the El to take classes downtown (13 floors above the Barnes and Noble on the Loop) a couple of days per week. On those days he says he eats breakfast overlooking Chicago as the sun rises. It makes him happy.
The summer before he left was neither fun nor pretty for us. So many fights. Go ahead, join the other hundreds of friends who told me not to take it personally, that he's just separating, that he will come back. I know all of this. But it still hurt. Deeply.
And when he turned 18 at the end of July he announced he was going to get a skull tattooed on his bicep.
I said, not a skull.
I said, not yet.
I said, wait until you're 26 and your frontal lobe is fully developed.
I said, wait until you've made friends at college.
I said, a skull on your bicep says, f-you! I'm a tough guy and I want to fight you!
I said, okay, get a tattoo but not something that is so negative and scary and visible.
He said, yes a skull, yes on my bicep.
I said, NO.
He said, you have no say, I'm eighteen and can do what I want.
I said, I'm paying for you to go to college so I think I do get a say.
My husband said, don't tell him we're not going to pay for him to go to college.
I said, that's not what I said.
My son got his badass tattoo the week before he left for college.
I didn't speak to him until two days before he left when he came up to me and hugged me and said, I love you mom.
I said, I love you too, dummy.
He said, whose the dummy who wouldn't talk to her son the week before he leaves for college?
I said, whose the dummy who got a skull tattoo the week before he left for college?
He said, my skull tattoo is amazing.
So he got a tattoo. No one died. But as a friend noted, after having had the same experience with his daughter, something shifted. Something broke.
Looking back, I think it's okay. I likely did something that broke my childhood relationship with my own mother at some point. Like when I would blare Elton John's "The Bitch Is Back" when she intruded on my teenage life. Or any of the millions of other transgressions I made against her.
Now, I have a wonderful adult relationship with my mom. I hope I will be able to have a similar relationship with my son one day. In the meantime, I am getting better at not taking his transgressions so personally.
His first week of college my skull-tattooed son had a Discover Chicago immersion class where they visited different neighborhoods, learned about their histories, ethnicities, etc. He texted me one day and said, three of my four professors have tattoos, I don't feel so special.
When he was home for break he was talking about getting another tattoo. I said, well I would be okay with that one, pointing to our refrigerator where I had posted a paper heart with a banner baring the word "MOM". My daughter had made as a label for a gift for me.
He said, that's actually one I was thinking of getting.
Oh my beamish boy. I hope no more tattoos, but I'm keeping my mouth shut this time.
1) loving my chocolate milk
2) surfer, pacific ocean, golden gate park near sutro bathes
3) yellow mushrooms, noe valley farmer's market
4) gold fish and yellow boots, japanese tea garden in golden gate park
5) my new skirt
We have had some hard weeks this month. We are still missing our puppy. My mother-in-law is in her final days. And we are dealing with some hard, worldly, issues with one of our children. It is a situation that has grown from a place of goodness and caring, but has put our child in a potentially dangerous and situation. It is a situation that makes me long for normal teenage issues like drinking, sex or breaking curfew. We have been up late many nights lately having long and intense family talks. But at least we are talking. (My advice to you as a parent is to not raise caring and sensitive kids who want to save the world.)
When I am tired at the beginning of a swim workout and have a wave of dread wash over me thinking about how many more hundreds of yards I have left to swim, I tell myself to focus on the 50 yards I am currently on: to concentrate on form; to concentrate on the pleasure of moving through the water; and to just take one lap at a time. It always gets me through the workout.
I am trying to apply the same focus to each day of this hard time: focus on what I can do today; try to set a goal and try to break the problem down to get to that goal; focus on efficiency rather than wasting so much energy on anxiety and worry; and make sure I exercise and laugh, because endorphins always help. As I tell my children, we will get through this. All will be well.
I cannot say that I am happy this week, but there have been things that have lifted my spirits. The top three have to do with chocolate…for its medicinal qualities?
1. Almond Joy ice-cream. Coconut ice-cream infused with almonds and big chunks of chocolate, now available and our neighborhood Washtenaw Dairy ice cream store, an all too convenient 10 minute walk from my house. I'm not a huge ice cream fan, but I find myself with a specific craving this ice cream. No, I'm not pregnant.
2. Small, portable cartons of chocolate milk. They don't require refrigeration, though they are best cold. I love them after exercising…and with my lunch…and as a late night snack and…No, I'm not pregnant.
3. Dark Chocolate with Sea Salt and Almonds. I have a Ghiradelli bar right next to me as I type. I have never liked dark chocolate, though I know it's much better for me than milk chocolate. It turns out if you add a heavy does of salt and almonds to dark chocolate, it's not only palatable, it's wonderful. (I also like the dark chocolate and sea salt Kind bars.) No, I'm still not pregnant.
4. My kitchen floor is almost done and looking great. My husband has been working his *** off sanding, staining and finishing this ancient pine floor. The project started last November when we bought a new dishwasher that would not fit under the counter, even though it was the same dimensions as the old one. We ended up ripping up the flooring, which needed replacing anyway, and found 3 layers of linoleum on subfloor. Then there was black paper and goo that had to be scraped off of the floor. We discovered not so bad pine flooring that we thought we might paint. Once my husband had it sanded we decided to stain and polyurethane. Now about that harvest gold counter top…
5. Being outside always makes me feel better. My daughter and I took a long bike ride together this week, I swam outdoors at least once, I walked to and from work on some days. This Atlantic article on brain function and exercise, and being outside says being outside and exercising (and the big O for ladies) also increases brain function:
Gym workouts and sunbathing do more for your brain than crosswords and Mozart
6. My first trip ever to San Francisco was great. We packed a lot in in the few days we were there. Including my friend's participation in the Escape from the Rock duathlon. The food, the shops, the nature, the culture, the easy transportation…I can't wait to return.
7. The Google Maps App and the Uber Cars App. Both Apps made getting around San Francisco easy and stress free. Uber cars are controversial in some cities because they compete with cab drivers who say Uber drivers are unqualified. Uber drivers have to pass some driving and written tests, so I'm not sure if the cabbies' claims are founded. I like Uber cars because I don't feel like I'm getting overcharged because I'm a tourist. You can get a fare quote ahead of time, they let you know ahead of time if it is a high traffic time when fares are sometimes increased, and by how much they are increased. There is no tipping (tip is included), the cars arrive quickly, it is automatically charged to your credit card and they have lots of special offers—first ride was free for us.
Google Maps gives great and specific information for using public transportation and walking.
8. Boden's printed cotton skirt in Papaya Geo that arrived this week (see above)
9. The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, by Daniel James Brown
I'm almost finished with this book, but don't want it to end! There is a movie being made of this. It's being touted as the Chariots of Fire of rowing. Here is a book trailer I found (have never heard of a book trailer before).
10. My husband showed me THIS amazing kickstarter invention. I made a small donation to the campaign so I can receive 100 of these next July. Just in time for my son's 18th birthday.
Hope you have a good week: 50 yards at a time my friends.
1) i love the glass doorknobs in our house and won't let my husband replace them, even though some work poorly
2) the ceiling of the lobby of the university of michigan's museum of natural history where we had an after hours event
3) a late lunch of jap che and bi him bap with my daughter at bell's diner. you can see us in the mirror and a sign of spring hanging above. i have one just like it at home.
4) i love my pug's shadow. i wish i could get it without the sidewalk cracks so you can really see his curly tail
5) my daughter was in my office and arranged my fruit to let me know how she felt about her organic chemistry exam
6) my daughter came downstairs to excitedly explain an organic chemistry eureka moment to me using her whiteboard, which really just confused me and lulled me to sleep. you can see my pug is alarmed that she is invading our space
7) old iron fence shadows
8) lunch at the lunchroom in kerrytown, loved our bahn mi sandwiches
Walking back from lunch this week I overheard someone say to another person, "We're lucky it's so warm out today!" Moments later someone else smiled at me and said, "Nice day!" The same day my outdoor running buddy, whom I have not run with since October, texted me, "Want to run tomorrow morning?"
So by now you have deduced the weather here in Michigan has changed. It's sunny and…30 degrees outside! No NOT Celsius. That's good old American 30 degrees Fahrenheit.
You may think we are a sad and uncivilized lot here in the mid western United States. Uncivilized? Yes. Sad? No. We are HAPPY. It's balmy! The snow is melting! We are on the other side!
Also making me happy this week:
1. The Detroit Tiger's Baseball home opener is March 31, a week from tomorrow. Ernie Harwell announcing Tiger's games on WJR radio was the background to my childhood summers. And even though Ernie Harwell is no longer announcing, listening to a Tiger's game on the radio while making dinner is better than a glass of wine (and even better WITH a glass of wine). Winter is over friends: the boys of summer are back.
2. Kumail Nanjiani. I was thinking of this episode of Portlandia when I was looking into our cell phone plan this week…Anyone who has a cell phone plan will be able to relate, but may not find it funny.
3. I loved, LOVED, Adam Savage's (of MythBusters fame) story on the Moth podcast about talking to his kids about online pornography. I was a little worried at first…but he nailed it. No pun intended. (Naughty!)
4. What made me happy about these rejection letters to famous people published by Mental Floss (by the way, greatest magazine, a subscription is a great gift for any nerdy person) is that in fact I found most of them to be very kind. May we all be so kind in our rejections.
5. Finally saw the movie, The Desendants. I loved it, despite the fact that I watched it with my mother who made a disapproving noise whenever anyone dropped an f-bomb, and there were about 3,456 f-bombs dropped throughout the film.
I love movies and books that begin with characters you really don't like at all, and then slowly their humanity and vulnerability are revealed as you watch them evolve into better people.
6. It makes me happy that I finally finished Donna Tartt's, The Goldfinch. Emphasis on FINISHED. Powered through nearly 800 pages waiting for someone in this book to redeem him or herself. Waited to care about someone. Still waiting.
Yes, I know. I read Stephen's King's review in the New York Times where he states, "The Goldfinch" is a rarity that comes along perhaps half a dozen times per decade, a smartly written literary novel that connects with the heart as well as the mind."
And yes, I also heard NPR's Maureen Corrigan's review. "The Goldfinch far exceeds the expectations of those of us who've been waiting on Tartt to do something extraordinary again, ever since her debut novel, The Secret History, came out in 1992. Hell, I feel like I've been waiting for a novel like this to appear not only since I read The Secret History, but also since I first read David Copperfield."
Wish I would have read Brit Peter Kemp's review in the Sunday Times before being seduced by Corrigan and King. "Outdoing even The Little Friend, famously a decade in the writing, The Goldfinch has taken 11 years to appear. These epic gestations are attributed by awed Tartt admirers and devotees of websites such as Donna Tartt Shrine to uncompromising perfectionism. "It's because of perfectionism that man walked on the moon and painted the Sistine Chapel, OK? Perfectionism is good," she has stressed. But it's hard to spot much of it in this ineptly put-together book….Melodrama and sentimentality abound (Pippa, "like a fairy" in a gauzy green dress, is a particularly fey fabrication). Similar-seeming formulations recur. One character is "like an elegant weasel", another like "an elegant…polar bear", a third has an "elegant black-clad body like a python".
For me, alarms went off early on when Tartt uses the phrase, "tugged on his sleeve". Any respectable high school English teacher would justifiably CHOKE a student who used that cliché in her writing.
7. Feeling happy that I got my irritation with The Goldfinch off my chest. Thank you. And consider yourself warned.
Happy, happy week to you!
what's making me happy this week 11.18.14: what we have in our pockets, a new spell and quiet time
January 18, 2014
1) a gift of daffodils in january
2) my new sweater
3) writer etgar keret, illusration by erhan cihangiroğlu from the etgar keret facebook page
(can you tell i'm lacking photos this week?)
Two cold nights ago I was leaving the grocery store, after a frenetic day of work. I saw a man sitting alone in his car, talking on his phone, in a vacant part of the shopping center parking lot. I instantly thought, "I wish that was me."
The thought seemed at once weird and kind of startling to me, especially since the man did not look particularly comfortable. He seemed too large for his overcoat, and for his car. But his car looked warm and he wasn't rushing around in the dark. He was just sitting, doing one thing. Talking on the phone.
I'm in a bit of a funk. I can't get on top of life. I'm usually pretty good at shaking off such a mood, but not so much the past couple of weeks. Maybe reviewing the bright spots in the week will help.
So here's what made me happy this week.
1. The short story, "What Do We Have in our Pockets?" by Etgar Keret
This is a quick read, and even quicker listen (less than 7 minutes).
I heard it on the Selected Shorts podcast read, perfectly, by the late David Rakoff. You can listen here. It starts at the very end of the podcast, around -06:43
You can also read it here or see a short film based on this story and entered into 2013 Sundance film festival here.
But please listen to David Rakoff first. He's better. The best.
2. Music from the film Walking and Talking. (I liked, but did not love this Nicole Holofcener film, maybe because I had just watched Frances Ha the day before. Basically the same film. Also liked, but did not love Frances Ha.)
Anyway, the music made me happy particularly the opening song, Billy Bragg's She's Got a New Spell.
3. Meloncholy music…it makes me happy to have such unhappy music when I need it. Two songs I heard for the first time this week, and really like, are Låpsley's, "Station", btw she is both the high and low voices and Iron & Wine – The Trapeze Swinger. (NPR's music editor Stephen Thompson has mentioned this song over and over on the Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast. He weeps every time he hears it. So finally I looked it up. No weeping for me, but I do love it.)
4. My new Air-o-Swiss humidifier. (I'm not getting compensated to advertise for this or any product). I love it for it's clean lines and functional design and because, now that I have it running in my office, I no longer feel like I'm turing to dust.
5. A pot of daffodils I received on a gloomy day. Sitting in my office window, still in bloom. If you are living in a cold grey climate, please go get yourself or someone else a pot of daffodils. They make me hopeful, and happy, every time I see them.
6. My daughter was giddy on her first day of her cadaver dissection class this week. I talked to her after class and asked her how it went. She gushed, "It was amazing! I was up to my elbow in leg!" Yesterday I picked her up on campus after a study session for another class. She sat down in the car with a blissfull look on her face, leaned her head against the window and sighed, "I'm in love." I said, "With?" She sighed again, "Organic chemistry." It's a pretty amazing to see your kid find a passion. I don't think it happens to everyone. I'm still working out mine…
7. This sweater, in emerald green, I bought on sale from Boden. (Though it is already pilling which makes me unhappy.)
8. Getting up on this Saturday morning before everyone else. I suspect it is better than sitting in a car, in the dark, by myself in a grocery store parking lot. A cup of coffee, melancholy music and a quiet house all to myself to plan out my busy day: it may be all I need to hit the reset button on this mood.
Hoping you have found some happiness and a quiet place to think this week.
New Year BWA bwa
January 5, 2014
1) a tray of santa cookies, a tradition in my husband's family
2) driving by the university of michigan stadium (the big house) on a wet winter night. they were getting it ready for the holiday classic hockey game. 100,000 people came into to town on new year's day to watch the detroit red wings play the toronto maple leafs.
3) spingerle cookies setting overnight before they are baked, my husband made these and they are my favorite holiday cookie
4) the women's locker room at the ymca in rochester where my mother lives. i know it is creepy to take a photo in a locker room, but i liked the color and the repetition of the mirrors and i was discreet…which probably makes it creepier
5) downtown ann arbor on new year's eve, the night before the big hockey game. we walked downtown because we were curious about this pre-hockey game new year's eve party, and we were up for a nighttime walk. smelled like cigarettes, cigars with a twinge of pot. it was like being in a college bar, but outside, in 16 degree weather (-8 canadian) …and college bars no longer smell like this since smoking is illegal in public places
so many leafs fans!
6) we did enjoy our nerdy new year's eve of a board game, pandemic, along with chocolate fondu….
7) my daughter, ridiculous new slippers and mindy kaling…a well suited trio. i loved mindy kaling's book by the way. she is a smart, funny and powerful woman in a field dominated by males. and its a very fast read.
8) shadows from our night time walk on new year's eve. the white streaks are snow flakes falling in front of my lens.
What breaks my heart about a new year is the very clear demarcation of the passing of a significant amount of time. A whole year. We all have a finite time on this earth: a finite amount of time to learn, to love, to laugh, to become better people, to make the world a better place, to find peace, to show gratitude for all that we have…Did I spend my year wisely?
I don't want to even think about the time I wasted on Netflix, Buzzfeed, Youtube and the raunchy entertainment section of Huffington Post.
(Do you see why my daughter often teases me by calling me Debbie Downer, and sings this song from Rachel Dratsh's Debbie Downer skit from Saturday Night Live? Or she sometimes does the shorthand two-toned, horn sound, BWA bwa, just to let me know I'm being a downer.)
So I'm trying focus on this shiny, new year. A new year provides an opportunity to be reflective, to bring into focus what is really important or what most needs attention in our lives. A new year provides an opportunity to hit the reset button and to tweak our course in life.
I haven't quite pulled my priorities together for 2014, as I have been too busy panicking about 2013 being over. Forever. Never to return again. (BWA bwa)
I have some ideas; I'd like to participate in a triathalon, and/or a long distance cycling trip. I also want to get on top of our personal finances. My husband has always taken care of this and I've had so many other things to do, that that was fine with me. Now that I have a little more time, I'd like to be more on top of things.
Instead of making a list of things that are rattling around in my brain at the moment, I would like to find a more comprehensive way to think about how to plan a year's goals so that when it ends, I feel satisfied and at peace.
That may require a personality transplant, or me quitting my job, which is to say, it may be impossible. (BWA bwa)
I will let you know if I find a good framework for this planning process—let me know if you find one first.
I wish you a peaceful, satisfying, love-filled, sometimes raucous, sometimes surprising, sometimes challenging, new year.
greetings from seattle
October 1, 2013
1) homemade birthday crowns
2) tiny tap and ballet shoes…i love that little tummy
3) my nephew's room…i miss this
4) nutcase (bike helmet) in the evening sun
5) the pink and purple trappings of a three year old pwincess
Guess what…It's raining in Seattle.
I'm here visiting my little sister and her family. I adore my 3 year old niece and 5 year old nephew. (I adore my sister too!) They are such amazingly capable little people. I spent some time building with Lego with my nephew, and we looked at all of his pokemon cards—things I used to do for hours and hours when my son was his age.
This morning I drove my niece to pre-school and felt so privileged to be doing so. In the car my niece gave me the run down of the instructions of tasks to complete upon arrival: coat and backpack in her cubby, then I sign her in, then she washes her hands and uses the potty, then she gets her name card and puts it on Ms. Judith's chair, then I read the board to her, then she follows the instructions on the board.
So much to remember! But she helped me through it all. Did I mention she is three?!
My sister told me one day my neice came home and said, "MOM! Do you know we have taste bugs in our mouths?!" My sister asked, "Taste bugs, or taste BUDS?" My niece replied, "Taste BUGS!"
There is so much I miss about my kids being little, the funny stories, the Lego building, reading to my kids at bedtime, problems that can be fixed with a band-aid or hug or book.
But there is a lot I forgot about that I don't miss…the lack of sleep, (I heard my sister up at 2am this morning, and then again at 6am when she got up for the day), the relentless Saturday schedule of extracurricular activities (though in truth I love going to my niece and nephew's activities, but I did skip the soccer games in the pouring rain).
I don't miss the whole process of packing lunches, getting backpacks ready, making sure kids have used the bathroom, have their gym shoes packed, are buckled into their car seats. I don't miss the evening schedule of making dinner, cleaning up after dinner, getting the kids bathed, in their pajamas, read to, in bed on time, doing the laundry, feeling badly that I didn't have enough one on one time with each kid and then starting it all over the next day. I forgot how hard and exhausting it all was.
The great thing about being an aunt, is that you get the good parts, without the exhausting parts! I will so miss my sister, and these two little people when I leave. I still have a hard time thinking that it will always be this way…only seeing them once or twice a year. Likely not seeing them again until summer, or maybe next year. The thought of it pulls on my heart strings.
Also pulling on my heart strings… I miss my own big kids! My son just got his license before I left and my daughter was just finishing her transfer application to the University of Michigan. I miss their faces and their own funny stories from the day, though my daughter is still making me laugh every day through texts and emails.


text:
Robert L. Caret served as the 26th president of the University of Massachusetts from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2015.
Prior to assuming the leadership of the University of Massachusetts, Dr. Caret, a native New Englander, was the president of Towson University in Maryland from 2003 to 2011 and gained national acclaim for eliminating race-based graduation disparities. He also served as a faculty member, dean, executive vice president and provost during his more than 25-year tenure there.
At Towson, President Caret created partnerships with regional business, non-profit and civic organizations, raised student graduation rates, and undertook a capital fundraising and building campaign to support campus infrastructure improvements and the construction of numerous academic and student life facilities. Between 1995 and 2003, Dr. Caret served as president of San Jose State University, where he championed a joint city/university effort to build the Martin Luther King, Jr. Library in San Jose.
As president of the University of Massachusetts, Dr. Caret established himself as a major spokesperson on the pressing issues of college affordability and student debt, calling for Massachusetts and states across the nation to rededicate themselves to their public universities and provide appropriate levels of funding. In Massachusetts, President Caret successfully pursued a 50-50 funding formula for UMass, with the state and students contributing equally to the University's general education program. His success in securing additional state funding from the Legislature allowed UMass to freeze tuition and mandatory fees for in-state undergraduate students for two consecutive years.
Under President Caret's leadership, research expenditures topped the $600 million mark and UMass became a national leader in patents and licensing income. Enrollment rose, the endowment grew to more than $757 million and private donations to the university increased significantly. The university made dramatic gains on prominent college ranking lists and was named the No. 1 public university in New England and among the top 100 universities in the world by The Times Higher Education World University Rankings, considered the most rigorous and influential comparisons of universities internationally.
President Caret also emphasized efficiency and transparency, rolling out a number of cost-saving initiatives as part of his focus on both administrative and academic efficiencies. In addition, President Caret created a new accountability report, UMass Performance: Accountable and on the Move, that lays out the University's goals as they relate to six focal areas: Student Experience & Success; Producing an Educated Workforce and Engaged Citizenry; World Class Research & Development Enterprise; Enhancing the Social Well Being; Good Stewards of Resources; and Telling and Selling the UMass Story. A system-wide "Here for a Reason" advertising campaign that strengthened the UMass brand and reminded citizens of its land grant mission won national awards.
Born in Biddeford, Maine to a restaurant owner, President Caret was the first in his family to attend college. He received his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of New Hampshire in 1974 and his bachelor's degree in chemistry and mathematics from Suffolk University in 1969. His honorary degrees include a Doctor of Humane Letters from Saint Joseph's College of Maine and Westfield State University (2012) San Jose University (2004) and National Hispanic University (1997) and a Doctor of Science degree from Suffolk University (1996).


text:
midChicago necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 50 diseños de 24 diseñadores freelance.
Website Summary:
GiveOne is a 100% volunteer sponsor and co-sponsor based system where groups of people unite to support (and advocate support for) individuals in need through their own personal, professional and social networks.
The main benefit of Give one is that 100% of all proceeds are given to the person in need vs. traditional charities where only 70% or so of the funds go to those in need with the remainder going to staff and other overhead costs.
Social workers, K-12 teachers, charities, community organizations, NGOs, foundations, casual donors
We need a new logo and brand for a web 2.0 social giving site 'GiveOne'.
The logo should involve an icon and the name 'GiveOne'. The site is similar to kiva.org and donorschoose.org, except with product sourcing components similar to ebay.com (see Website Summary below)
We are looking for a clean, professional style. This should not be cartoony or ornate, it should be iconic and simple yet creative, with a humanistic touch. As much as I hate to say it, the design should be 'Apple-ish', perhaps with rounded corners / soft edges.
See this link: http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/200…y-website/
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


text:
When a baby with Down syndrome is born, parents need accurate and current information about Down syndrome.
Down Syndrome Australia's 'A guide for new parents booklet' is a national resource that explores the feelings experienced by many parents, answers common questions and concerns and provides practical tips on feeding and development. Our new parent packs contains relevant content including:
Ideally we would like to personally deliver the pack to all new families, have a chat and answer questions for families but packs can be posted as an alternative.
Click on the above image for a downloadable booklet.
or EMAIL us
to receive your copy
We have information available for culturally and linguistically diverse families in a variety of different languages.
Most hospitals should have a copy of the Guide for New Parents booklet available to view; ask your hospital for a loan while you are there.
New parents can request a personal copy from us by EMAIL, phone 1300 658 873 or use the referral button on this page.
If you or you know of a family who would like support and information from Down
Syndrome Victoria we'd love to hear from you. Complete a referral form, save and return by email.