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Following the arrival of Mazda earlier this year the GT4 class of the Avon Tyres British GT Championship could feature another Japanese manufacturer in 2013 following the announcement of a GT4-spec Toyota GT86.
The news comes less than a month after the UK racing debut of the new coupe at the Britcar 24 Hours. The Team Toyota GB squad finished eighth overall and third in class, running faultlessly throughout the race.
Like the Britcar example the GT4 variant will be built by GPR Motorsport – the same firm who put Toyota's Avensis model on the BTCC grid for 2011.
"We always had a GT4 spec in mind while building the car for the Britcar24." explains GPRM's Gary Blackham. "It has a full FIA approved roll cage, ATL competition fuel cell, air jacks and more. The car has excellent handling, the drivers able to hustle even the top class cars through the corners. The only disadvantage was power as we ran a production standard engine (197bhp) and gearbox because that is what Toyota GB wanted. The car ran flawlessly, but we were at least 150bhp down on the class leaders. The turbo on the GT4 car will give the chassis the power to be fully competitive."
The uprated four cylinder engine generates around 350bhp with GPRM directors Blackham and Roger King aiming to deliver the car for £100,000, prompting British GT championship manager Benjamin Franassovici to enthuse that the car could prove strong opposition to the established brands in the class.
"With our continued commitment to growing the class, having a cost-effective, competitive alternative to Aston Martin, Ginetta and Lotus, the brands that have largely figured in GT4, is a huge positive for us," he said. "Racing in GT4 is often close, and for the right team using the new GT86 could be a title winning opportunity next season."
Though blessed by the manufacturer no works team ins planned. However, Blackham and King assure there has already been interest from international teams, but are hopeful of at least two cars competing in UK series next year.


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Football Garbage Time NFL Podcast – Week 9 Review!
By Ha Kung Wong and Ryan Whitfield NFL Week 8Check out the Football Garbage Time NFL Podcast as Ha Kung Wong and Ryan Whitfield discuss:
- Our takeaways from Week 9 of NFL games, including:
- Jacksonville Jaguars @ Kansas City Chiefs and Travis Kelce's ejection
- Carolina Panthers @ Los Angeles Rams
- Indianapolis Colts @ Green Bay Packers
- Philadelphia Eagles @ New York Giants
- Detroit Lions @ Minnesota Vikings
- Which NFL teams and players are "2 Legit 2 Quit" and which are "Can't Touch This"!
Have 30 minutes? We'll get you caught up on the NFL!
Or check it out on Blog Talk Radio, iTunes, Stitcher Radio and TuneIn Radio!
We'd also like to give a shout out to Wally and Ray at Urban Sports Scene out of the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia). Check out their Podcast at waleo.podbean.com, which has awesome fresh insight into all sports!

subset: commoncrawl


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The 2009 G20 London Summit
The 2009 G20 London Summit was the second meeting of the G20 heads of government / heads of state, which was held in London on 2 April 2009 at the ExCel Exhibition Centre to discuss financial markets and the world economy.
It followed the first G20 Leaders' Summit on Financial Markets and the World Economy, which was held in Washington D.C. in November 2008. Heads of government and heads of state from the G20 attended, with some regional and international organisations also represented. Due to the extended membership, it has been referred to as the London Summit.
Key features:
- A total of 45 interpretation booths and 4000 receivers across 9 rooms
- We also provided delegate push-to-talk microphones in 5 meeting rooms and 60 separate sound-proof booths
- 4000 + delegates
- 200 DC10 Delegate microphones
- 45 interpreter's booths (ISO 4043)
- 15 channel Digital interpretation system in 3 separate rooms
- 6 additional press rooms with 2 channel interpretation
- Press feeds to broadcasters
- 60 sound-proof booths for radio broadcast companies
need to know more? call 01223 411601 or email firstname.lastname@example.com


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With Supergirl moving to The CW this fall, fans can expect a lot of crossover between The Flash and Supergirl, as confirmed by CW President Mark Pedowitz at the 2016 upfronts. But will there be a romance between Kara Danvers and Barry Allen?
Melissa Benoist, who plays the female superhero, spoke about the crossovers and addressed the romance rumours between Barry and Kara. Speaking about a crossover with The Flash, she told DC All Access [via ComicBook] that it's "the logical thing to do".
Benoist, however, is not a fan of Barry and Kara romance and added: "I don't know if they'd ever get together. I think they're too similar. I think they're pals, pigging out on ice cream.... and donuts. All the donuts. "
The Flash paid a visit to the Supergirl universe in episode 18 of the then CBS series, where the Girl of Steel teamed up with the Speedster to defeat Silver Banshee and Livewire. In the special mash-up episode, Barry and Kara had an ice-cream together, including some heart-to-heart discussion about relationships and love.
Previously, Grant Gustin also teased an "undeniable chemistry" between Kara and Barry. He told Entertainment Weekly: "We tease it a little bit. He's in town for a day so there's not really time for anything to actually develop, but there's undeniable chemistry, and they have a lot of things in common that they'll never have in common with anybody else, obviously. This is the first person with powers Barry [has met] who's using them for good. It happens to be somebody that he is attracted to, so it's cool."
Supergirl season 2 will air on Monday nights on The CW. The Flash will return with season 3 this October on The CW. No premiere date is announced yet.


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Home Remodels and Renovations in Kona, Kohala and Waimea, Hawaii
Time for that new addition or converting a space to a new use? Does your kitchen need new counter tops or cabinetry? Time to enclose a space to add value and function to your home? Custom Carpentry by CPT is here to help!
Our experienced team will help plan, design and complete your home remodeling project. From expanding spaces to converting unused space to usable and function spaces, we can help you make the home of your dreams.
Major home renovations can be a stressful time; let Custom Carpentry by CPT hammer that stress away! Your home is your most valued possession, why not secure its value through renovations and general maintenance. Additions, renovations, remodeling, or just general maintenance; Custom Carpentry by CPT is your Big Island grown Renovation Expert!
Call us at 808-333-5044 today!


text: 07/07/13 – Seneca County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a property damage motor vehicle accident on West River Road in the Town of Fayette, NY. A vehicle owned and operated by David W. Ostroski, age 64 of 8 1/2 Troy Street, Seneca Falls was observed crashed in a drainage ditch with front end damage. An investigation determined that Ostroski was operating the motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and arrested for Driving while intoxicated, aggravated driving while intoxicated and moving from lane unsafely. Ostroski was arraigned in Town of Fayette Court and released to reappear on 08/07/13 at 7:00 PM


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Contently is proud to present the Freelance Rates Calculator—a new tool that uses real market data to help writers.
The calculator combines data from our Freelance Rates Database with the latest payouts freelancers received from Contently clients. The goal is to provide a baseline so freelancers can advocate for themselves and receive better compensation as they pursue new projects. Do away with blind pitching and get clarity on which projects offer the right price for your time.
Our calculator is always evolving—the more real-world rates you submit to our database, the more accurate your calculated rate will be. So, please, take a moment to report your latest rates in our database.
Help us make the calculator even more accurate. Submit your recent project rates here.
*Please note, estimates are based on various market factors. They are not intended to be exact or specific to any one publication or brand.


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Katherine Heigl is reportedly facing heat on the set of her latest flick Five Killers for throwing diva tantrums. The 27 Dresses star was allegedly being "extremely unprofessional", chipping appointments and making outlandish demands. Heigl was said to have been insisting that she be jetted in a private plane to reach the movie's international destinations, along with demanding "crazy amounts of security".
"Heigl reportedly refused to film any scenes until her pregnant assistant ran around and got her a Coke Zero," Fox News quoted a source as saying. "She refused to eat lunch next to anyone or have anyone speak to her once the cameras stopped rolling. No one on the crew likes her," the source added.


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I have to say, after reading a lot of new domestic dramas, it was nice to see one presented in a new way, one dealing with a step-parent trying to find her footing in her family after the sudden death of her husband.
Untethered tells the story of Char, a professor whose husband, Bradley, suddenly dies, leaving her a widow and his daughter, Allie, a high school student, alone in their Michigan home. Allie's biological mother Lindy is a wedding planner in California and can't make the time to be there for her daughter. However, she sure likes to make her opinion known and to tell Char how Allie is her child, not Char's.
After Bradley's death, Char begins to question herself as a mother, since she's only mothered Allie with her husband at her side. Allie is struggling to remain stable amongst a group of friends but she does have one constant in her life, her relationship with Morgan, a young girl who she tutors.
The drama of this book really starts to pick up in the second half. With Morgan and her family dealing with a crisis of their own, you'll be turning the pages eagerly, hoping it all comes to a solid and safe resolution.
If you are really looking for Julie Lawson Timmer at her best, I strongly urge you to read her first novel, Five Days Left. Either of these choices would be good picks for a book club, as they both pose lots of discussion-worthy subject matter. The characters' motivation and decisions will be highly debated amongst members.
Thank you to BookSparks and their #BestSummerEver campaign for a copy in exchange for an honest review.


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Editor's note: We continue to pray as a CatholicMom.com family for the recuperation of precious little Fulton Poppe, for Cassandra, and for the entire Poppe family. LMH
Palm Sunday Mass was packed. My 11 year old son and I sat in the last two folding chairs in the back, and my 4 year old son sat in his stroller. It had been a particularly difficult week, full of disappointments and tears, and I desperately needed this Mass. I was exhausted, and while I carried the cross I had been given faithfully, I had stumbled and felt as though I was failing to carry it as I should. My eyes were moist through most of the Mass, desperate for some relief. But since I knew no one in the parish, I truly felt abandoned.
The moment I received His True Presence within me and carried my son back to our seats, the tears flowed more freely. I knew I had not been abandoned – I was simply being asked to love a little more than I had been loving before. But how, Lord? How?
If you hadn't already heard, my 4 year old son Fulton was severely burned in a homesteading accident on January 8. From the moment we were airlifted from our local schoolyard, I had prayed the Sorrowful Mysteries and had received such an overabundance of graces, I couldn't even begin to describe them all.
"Thy will be done" was the constant underlying prayer of that rosary, and by the time we landed in Tulsa, I actually believed that I could accept His will, no matter what the outcome was. Having no experience in this level of tragedy before, and having no medical background to give me an inkling as to what might lay ahead for us, "Thy will be done" was the only answer I could give to everything that presented itself to me. I peacefully accepted this cross and prayed I carried it worthily.
"We're having trouble securing his airway."
"Thy will be done."
"We can't handle this level of trauma here. We're sending you to Texas."
"Thy will be done."
"You could be in Galveston for as long as 6 months."
"Thy will be done."
Each day was filled with all sorts of bad news. The accident, this cross, challenged me in ways I had never even dreamed possible, and yet Fulton and I both survived. In fact, in many ways I thrived spiritually during those darkest of hours in the beginning. The real challenges began as Fulton began to heal and more of his care was turned over to me. Hospital vigils and watching helplessly as nurses and doctors rushed around his bed toughened me up emotionally. And meditating on Our Lord's suffering, especially as He carried His Cross, prepared me spiritually. But even with all the preparations, I still staggered mightily under its weight.
Indeed, I have learned much about accepting God's will and carrying a difficult cross. I now know it is not the actual carrying of it that matters so much as the manner in which it is carried that seems to matter to Our Lord. Simply accepting God's will in life does not mean saying, "OK, here is my cross. I'll just scoop this up and be on my way." That is not what Jesus meant when he told us to pick up our crosses and follow Him, for we can very well carry a cross given to us by God and gain no merit in it at all. See how Scripture makes this clear:
Matthew 27:32 "And going out, they found a man of Cyrene, named Simon: him they forced to take up his cross."
Luke 23:26 "And as they led him away, they laid hold of one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country; and they laid the cross on him to carry after Jesus."
Mark 15:21 "And they forced one Simon a Cyrenian who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and of Rufus, to take up his cross."
Not one of these accounts remotely implies that Simon eventually had a change of heart and gladly carried the cross forced upon him. There was no love to motivate him to carry it well. Only the temporal punishment from the soldiers if he refused, and perhaps even an anger and resentment toward Our Lord spurred him on to begrudgingly shoulder the burden thrust upon him. What an unimaginable loss for Simon, to be so close to Our Lord's suffering, yet unwilling to accept the salvation that came with it! I cannot help but think Simon's 'assistance' made Our Lord's burden even heavier as He struggled under the weight.
Compare this type of help to the loving caress of Veronica as she rushed to Our Lord to wipe His gentle face. The loving warmth of her hands as she pressed the veil upon his brow seeped into Him and consoled Him in ways Simon never would. While she did not shoulder an actual cross as Simon did, her cross came to her through the pain and suffering she experienced because of her all-consuming love of Our Lord, taking on His suffering and responding to it by offering what consolations she could.
I returned to my seat and held Fulton on my lap as I closed my eyes and prayed, meditating on the cross we shared. I prayed I never become a Simon to him. I never want him to feel as though his care is somehow a burden to me that I despise, for that will only drive a wedge between us and will slow the flow of love. But how, my Lord, shall I do this? How do I keep my love for You before me, reminding me to carry this burden with love, when at times I feel as though it will crush me?
Tears fell from my eyes, and I felt my son draw nearer to my own. I felt the gentle bump-bump-bump of his little nose on the tip of mine and I opened my eyes. There he was, my little man, two days post-surgery, still swollen and bruised, with bloodied stitches around his mouth and eyes, and deep scarring everywhere else.
The face of Our Suffering Lord. Right before my eyes.
He smiled at me, and bumped my nose again, our silent way of telling each other, "I love you."
What a sight we must have been, in the back of that church! Two Veronicas, ministering to each other as they carried their crosses! But just as Veronica did not care about the crowds that pressed around her as they watched her console Him and lighten His load, I cried as I caressed Fulton's disfigured little face, and embraced all the suffering that I could, as best I could.
As I stepped out into the bright Texas sunshine, I dusted off my knees, shifted the weight a bit, and renewed my willingness to continue to take up this cross and follow Him each day.
Thy will be done, Lord. With love.
Copyright 2013 Cassandra Poppe


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Episode 272: Chapter 11, verses 18, 19 and 20
February 24, 2018
Bhagavad Gita Ch. 11 "Yoga of the Vision of the Universal Form" Verses 18 through 20
Lecture discusses Arjuna's vision of terrifying and fearsome aspect of the supreme-being. He sees that not only he is terrified, but all three worlds are trembling with fear.Share | Download(Loading)


text: On Friday 18th November, Year 6 and 7 attended a talk by Jennifer Pickering, a former student at ESB, who now works at the European Commission in Brussels as a Lawyer Linguist. Jennifer gave an interesting presentation on the History of the EU and took questions from the students on her career and the future of Europe. Topics that were discussed included how to become a lawyer, working for the Commission, going to University in London, the future of Europe, Brexit, the Erasmus scheme and being a former ESB student in the world of work. We thank Jennifer for taking the time to visit her old school.


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Water, water, every where, Nor any drop to drink.
We're all familiar with the quote from English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and its reference to undrinkable water (namely, sea water). But, perhaps in the twenty-first century, this can be applied further...
We're obsessed with clean, pure water. But are we just letting it flow through out hands without a thought about being a limited resource?
Can we still say "Water, water, everywhere?"
If you live on the West Coast you might be singing a different tune. With the relentless droughts and increasing water restrictions residents are becoming more and more aware of how much water they use. We could all learn a thing or two from them...
Contrary to popular belief, water does not come on tap - and by that I mean there is not an endless supply. With climate change and other global issues, water, especially clean, drinkable water, is becoming scarcer and more precious. We can do our bit at home AND at work.
- Don't let water down the drain when there may be another use for it such as watering a plant or garden, or cleaning
- Repair or report leaky plumbing
- Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily - such as disposing tissues - use a trash can
- Take shorter showers and use less water when you bath/help a patient
- Don't let water run while brushing your teeth or washing your face
- Don't run the dishwasher or washing machine with half empty loads
- Water your lawn when its cool - early morning or evening.
Each decision saves water. Each gallon of water saved can be used elsewhere, where its needed more. Allow others to have access to clean water too.
Something to ponder:
According to the IBWA, some 71% of bottled waters users cite quality as the reason for buying. Quite simply, they say it's better than what's coming out of their tap. But water safety experts say that, except in isolated situations, this simply isn't true.
... with the exception of a few isolated pockets of truly bad drinking water, most municipal systems and most bottled water sources are fairly equal in terms of contaminants and other health and safety issues.
Source: http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/is-bottled-water-better
Makes you think, doesn't it?
Bottled water might not be better or worse that tap water - just a little more convenient. Imagine all the plastic not thrown into the environment if people went back to simple tap water.
Take Action
Tip: Get a water filter and drink tap water. Even at work.


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We're sorry, there are not any obtainable rooms for this property on TripAdvisor. Located on the beach in the Barra de Tijuca region, Canada Paralympic House can be a house away from residence for Canadian Paralympic family members. Trying to match the Olympic houses is impossible as a result of their intent varies so extensively.
After refurbishment, the skylights became characteristic parts that delivered considerable daylight to Canada House's inside. While artwork is a characteristic of diplomatic buildings, none rival the collection on view in Canada House, which is the biggest and most public. Because of skyrocketing home costs, an rising number of Canadians have no choice but to rent. Canada's Parliament consists of three parts: the Queen, the Senate and the House of Commons. In Canada, members have the precise to talk freely — without being liable to prosecution in the courts — in proceedings of the House and its committees. Nationwide house costs are expected to proceed rising this year, following a powerful start led by British Columbia and Ontario. The COC offers food and drink, and an opportunity to look at live CBC and Radio Canada feeds. House prices in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Nova Scotia are anticipated remain largely regular this yr.
It is our hope that every one Canadian households and friends will be part of us as we create a Canadian out-of-Village hub for all Team Canada-related activities and the first assembly place for Canadians in Rio. Working with Team Canada's corporate partners including Canadian Tire and Sport Check, YP was able to remodel a part of an outdated aquatic centre in Rio de Janeiro's Ipanema district into a snug place for Canadians. Other local authorities require a security deposit which is just refunded after the home is accomplished to their satisfaction.
Vancouver's home prices recorded the biggest rise of 25.seventy five{cbf2048d7faf0e8db9bb549dea1ca1b71dcc8a9e89c74fec0a122ae9ce029a1a}, adopted by Victoria (17.fifty five{cbf2048d7faf0e8db9bb549dea1ca1b71dcc8a9e89c74fec0a122ae9ce029a1a}), Toronto (14.59{cbf2048d7faf0e8db9bb549dea1ca1b71dcc8a9e89c74fec0a122ae9ce029a1a}), and Hamilton (12.96{cbf2048d7faf0e8db9bb549dea1ca1b71dcc8a9e89c74fec0a122ae9ce029a1a}). In the occasion that you don't discover your dream property in Canada, you'll be able to directly contact any of our member property agents who promote on property in Canada. Nova Scotia had the very best hire enhance, up by 4.1{cbf2048d7faf0e8db9bb549dea1ca1b71dcc8a9e89c74fec0a122ae9ce029a1a}, adopted by Manitoba (3.8{cbf2048d7faf0e8db9bb549dea1ca1b71dcc8a9e89c74fec0a122ae9ce029a1a}) and British Columbia (3.7{cbf2048d7faf0e8db9bb549dea1ca1b71dcc8a9e89c74fec0a122ae9ce029a1a}). That means now that some persons are having their house jacked up and moved to at least one facet of their land.
The decision of the House to publish its debates within the form of a bilingual Hansard and, extra not too long ago, to permit steady tv protection when the House is in session (on the publicly supported Cable Public Affairs Channel, or CPAC) were prompted partly by dissatisfaction with the information media.


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Rosa Farrell (Amano/ds/sprite RETIRED ) - Final Fantasy 4
|2ND October 2010 -
Photoshoot with Amy Leech
cream and white cape edged with purple and pink feathers with gold detail and daisy's,rose's and lilly's sewn onto the outer layer of the cape
Ivory dress embroidered with pink and purple thread with an array of beadding work and rose details
white and purple leggings with beading and embroidery on the knee's
white pxix boots with pink and black detail with beads on the edges
arrow holder drecorated with beads, blue handmade lace and embroidery with gold tipped rose arrow's
small white clip bag with pink possies and leave details ontop of a lace background
bronze hedpeace with beading and gold covered daisy's and lilly's
was worn in my 1st masqurade entry
"A girl who conceals her emotions but harbors fires within her heart."
Rosa Joanna Farrell is a playable character in Final Fantasy IV. She hails from Baron, and is a skilled Archer and White Mage. Rosa is Cecil Harvey and Kain Highwind's childhood friend, and harbors romantic feelings for Cecil. She is gentle and kind by nature and is said to be the most beautiful woman in Baron. Though Cecil is reluctant to let her follow him into danger at first, she does accompany him and stays by his side for a great deal of the game.
now im finished with my cosplay's from May 09 expo i can start on this baby as ill need the whole year for what i have planned for this baby !!
LOL!! I'm doing Cecil for May 2010!! We need photos together, oh yes! X3 Looking forward to this!
Ooohh coolies !! my friend Coral will be doing Rhydia !! woo hoo a group is beginging to form hehe ^_^
Really looking forward to seeing progress of this! The cape especially is just beautiful!
thanks im going to be using the material of a wedding dress that i bought for my wedding but decded not to use for the main parts of the costume, and i have found the perfect material for the cape at my local fabric shop i cant wait to get started on it roll on the summer xx
Such a beautiful cosplay. i love the jewellry work you've done and can't wait to see the rest.
thanks im working on her crown/tiara at the moment xx
Oh wow! This is really amazing, she's my fave too ^^ Just wondering what materials have you used for the shoulder armour, I want to make orignal Aeris' armoury parts and have no clue what to use lol XD
awww ty so much ummm u can use alot of things for the armour i used silver material and metal buttons when i did my Aerith i used craft foam for the tiara but im going to use either plastizote or wonderflex for the shoulder pads so you may want to try those good luck with it let me know how you get on! xx
Thanks so much xxx
any time x keep watching over the summer as ill have more progress photos up
wow, this will turn out beautifully your so talented!
thanks so much xx
Rosa is so gorgeous!! You'll pull this off amazingly, and the progress is looking fab already *_* Can't wait to see more photos of this <3
thanks so much! ^_^ im realy looking forward to wearing this its gonna be epic lol more progress shots next month i think im waiting for materials to arrive xx
Oh it's looking so pretty so far! Great detail on the cloak, it looks stunning, all of a sudden I really want to see this finished!!
thanks so much !! still got more to do on it as its only 10% done the now eeeek id love it to be finished but its gonna take all summer at least to get it the way i want it ................... well i did the cloak today but nope ill have more progress for you soon xx
Looking very good so far m'dear :D This might sound daft, but how did you manage to add a curve to your craft foam? And what thickness is it? Im after building some armor soon and Im not sure how thick the foam should be o.o
aww ty muchley xx it was normal thickness craft foam just 2 peices stuck together then heated with the heat off the cooker ring then when soft i put it over a empty 2ltr juice bottle and left next to a open window and left it over night to harden. hope it helps xx
wow all the detail is looking awsome and very pretty, can't wait to see this finished!
thanks ^_^ its a long prosess but its well worth all the time put in the cape is only 3 days in and thats what i have managed so its got a bit longer to go. I cant wait to see it finished either lol xx
great choice and its looking pretty sweet
aww thanks alot ! xx
Wow! The cloak is looking fantastic, so detailed and well made. Progress is looking great! ^__^ Good luck with the rest, can't wait to see it finished. (:
thanks alot x i was worried it wouldnt look good but im gettting alot of wonderfull feedback so i must be doing something right!! im glad i went with the purple tho as i was looking about and most people use pink ! so phew purple wins again lol (its my favourite colour ) xx
Final Fantasy 4, one of the best FFs ever! Your cloak is amazing. I'll have my Rubicante done by then so may bring him down to the expo for some posing?
@ AmethystEyes wow cool well we r sorting out a huge photoshoot both days in may so bring Rubicante ! aww thanks xx
That bow is looking fantastic so far huns! Love the Feathery add on XD Looking forward to the rest of this finished~~
aww ty hun xx i dont think the cat liked me stealing her feathery toy lol in the middle of painting it gold the now and have added a second string as id have ended up tripping over the feathery bit XD x
This is very pretty - look forward to seeing it =^_^=
thanks very much xx
Progress is looking pretty damn good! Keep it up! :)
thanks ill try to :)
Damn you and your sexy progress! The bow is looking fantastic! I may have to rummage for stuff I can use to upstage ya XD I mean... Catch up with my pretty Rosa~~
your gonna upstage me !! the most beautifull woman in the whole of Barron !! thanks i never knew progress was sexy b4!! xx
It's the curves of the bow that make it sexy 8D I'm the most beautiful man! With my powdered blue lips and wavy white hair. *Shines in the sun*
Oh my!!! I'm so loving the bow right now. You've done such an excelent job.
@ Demented Kid ~ ahhh yes how could i forget about those lips and flowing locks of hair Ahhhhhhhhh how i love my Cecil :D XX @ Sephirayne ~ aww thanks so much not bad for 3-4 hours work today !! xx
Absolutely Gorgeous~~ Have to ask where ya got the white rose from since I need two for my Maxi XD
aww thanks ill have more cape photos done on monday its about 70% done now lol umm the rose ........it was an old hair bobble that i got from Claires! you can get them from almost any craft store but if your stuck ill get you them and send them to you x
I cant wait for more Cape photos~~ I should be starting Cecil sometime this week XD Oooh~ Thank ya hun~ I shall do some more searching and look in Claires also XD Aahaha
im going to have to go out and get some more supplys as i have used nearly all the ones i had stashed away for rainy day projects lol XD yay i cant wait to see Cecil xx
You look Gorgeous!! X3 I cant wait to see this altogether~ Should do the wedding scenes >D
awwwww ty *hug* ( my lipstic rubed off lol need lipstain !) i had to take my beloved cape to bits but im making it better !hence why the photos are gone :( yay wedding scenes ^_^ (shhhhh i havent finished the game yet =0 )
I havent finished it either, I only found out yesterday when looking for Reference! O-O Oooh, that sounds rough about the cape D: Hopefully it's coming together again?
we should make it a task to finish the game b4 May !! xx yeah i was alomost in tears taking ti to bits my bf was like "woooo ure realy taking it to bits! but all your hard work !" its looking alot better now but still needs about 10 hours work on it to get it back to what i wanted it to look like ^_^
after all the work i did today on the cape i dont like it anymore ! so im going to leave it for a few days before i go back to it x
I dunno what you on about hun, it's looking gorgeous! I seriously cant wait to see it on ya with the whole thing X3
well i have takent it apart again to add some more layers in white and cream so ill work on it a bit more till i love it as much as her dress witch im so in love with even tho i broke my sewing machine making it XD
I'm loving what you've done so far ^^
Thanks so much xx
Progress it looking amazing :D
thanks muchley xx
Oooh it's really coming along! @3@ Dress is so pretty~~
awww thanks hun, its coming along slowly but i should have the cape almost finished (and photo's up of it)by the end of next weekend (hopefully) and the dress is coming along well alot more detail to add but im in love with it so far lol x
Looking Brilliant so far, keep up the good hard work sweetie, really looking foward to seeing this on you!
aww thanks so much im working on adding more layers to the bottom of the dress @ the moment and finishing of the extra layers i added to the cape but its coming along nicely! more photos up soon xx
Looking great so far. Looking forward to seeing this in person. FFIV and amano FTW.
thanks so much xx
Looking so gorgeous!
thanks i stil need to get the armour done and finish the beading and the belt & arrow holder and arrows and i can say its finished !!
Fabulous progress on Rosa, all that detail must be hard work >__< I can't wait to see it all finished ^_^
thanks very much the detail is taking its time but the more work i do on it the better it begins to look, cant wait to have it ready to wear ^_^
This looks so pretty! The detail is amazinggg I can't wait to see it done~ =D
awwww thankies so much xx
hey am looking forward to seeing you too - was hoping to find a ff group will be awesome if we have a ff4 group!! Who else do you have? I was also making Kain for my boyfriend
we have a Cecil,Kain and another Rosa i was hoping to make an Edge for my Boyfriend but he might not be able to get to the expo
you look beautiful hun =D This is amazing Can't wait to see the full thing at expo =D
thanks hun almost there xx
great to see some progress on this again ^___^ you look so lovely!
awww thakies hun i will be working my but off to finish the rest of it its all the fiddley bits to go now lol xxxx
You looked beautiful hun, seriously...fantastic work!
This was absolutely amazing, I was really impressed by it!
This was stunning! <3 So much detail D8 arghhhh >< (Im the tiny Hope from the FF photoshoot you orginized btw! >D)
This was soo pretty! Your feathers left a trail all over Expo XD
This was absolutely stunning when I saw it! You did a very good job!
Kain from Expo here. ^_^ You looked absolutley amazing. FANTASTIC cosplay, no other way to describe it. :D
I loved this costume it was bloody amazing and so pretty! You did her so well hun. Was glad to have actually met you and got to take a picture of you as her. If you give me your email or whatever I can send it over so you can add it to here.
this was beautiful hun, you made such an amazing rosa ^_^
This was absolutely beautiful, I love Amano variations. Well done.
thanks so much ^_^ i loved this costume so much and am glad thant it was well receved xx
This is a beautiful Cosplay and it was so awesome! LOL I bet there are still lil pink feathers floating about the excel centre leaving a trace of where you'd been LMAO! Twas awesome meeting y'all and hanging out with the FF Heroines group! I hope to see everyone again in their awesome Cosplays in October!
thanks for all the lovely comments i loved this cosplay so much it was a shame to take it off and pack it away lolz will have to wear it again one day xx
omg... all the details... just wow =O
thanks so much xx
I remember seeing you in this when I was Hrist in May. Loved it! So much detail.
thankies so much it was worth every minute of stabbing myself hand sewing it all together for the responce it got xx
I love the new photo!
thanks hun its was all goldienekochan's good work xx
Sorry I haven't commented sooner. I had an awesome time in the group and I just love all the detailing on this costume!
Hay dont worry about it thanks so much for being in the group =] thanks for the nice comment xx
You did a wonderful job with this ^_^ It must have been so intricate to do! I just finished my Rinoa cosplay hand stitching hurts! My Fina cosplay for October is probably going to be intricate due to the gold lines - fun to come! Look forward to seeing more of your work!
Thanks so much ^__^ it was a task and a half as it was all hand sewn but was so worth it xx
You make a really beautiful Rosa! The costume is fantastic! :3 You did a wonderful job!
thankyou hun xxx
big love to Acoustica for the amazing photos xxx
beautiful new photos hun :) xxx
thanks hunni i love how they turned out xx
Looks beautiful! ^_^
thanks so much x
Wow. This is a really intricate costume and you look fantastic in it. Lovely job.
The detail has started
Dress - well the basic shape was worked out and i have begun to add the detail and loats of beads and now my fingers hurt as i keep stabbing myself! lolz (i have sat for 4 weeks solid just beading the dress and it is about 70% finished with the beads and the enbridery is finaly done) Armour - well the armour has been sealed and awaiting painting but it wasnt as solid as i would have liked so i have added a few more coats of glue and left it to dry out fully and will check back on its progress in a weeks time. Cape - well i have had huge problems with my cape but i have decided to go with that i have and work with it ^_^ i will be adding a collor to the cape along with a longer shimmery fabric layer with a feather trim at the bottom.
The Armour process
well today i started on my shoulder armour for Rosa its starting life as paper mache on a balloon sized to fit my shoulder so one layer down several more to go xx now (7 layers later ) im making paper mache pulp to thicken and add detail to the shoulder armour after this stage comes the finishing paper mache which is made from tissue paper pulp which will leave a smooth finish and i will use this stage to make the horns and raised detail on the armour design then i will seal the armour with several coats of glue then white paint, once they have dryed i will do a final 2 coats of white gloss paint and begin the beading and painting the detail designs i have been using this tutorial http://papiermache.co.uk/tutorials/some-advanced-papier-mache-recipes/ for my paper mache recipes which has made so much difference to the way i used to paper mache :}
The end is near !
well i have been working on this cosplay for about 6 months now and learned alot of new tricks as this has been the most chalenginc cosplay i have done! Never ending cape saga well i have now made 3 different capes and each of them have been a pain in the butt at some point lolz, im now settled on a final simple design and its begining to take shape just to add the detail and flowers to the bottom and it will be done :) the dress i decided to make a dress instead of a corset and sash and it has take some time to get it to come together the way i wanted it to look but it has gotten easyer since i got help from my mum who makes wedding dresses to help me out and now im adding the embroidery and beads Arm warmers the material i have used for them came from my first cape and as i spent 2 weeks enbroidering it i had to savage it and they make the cutest arm warmers ever Boots started as white boring pixi boots so i beaded them and enbroidered designs from the dress on them along with adding a painted design on the heals and toes with pink paint Bow and Rose arrows well i had some fun with my first bow untill it got damaged as my friends dog decided to use it as i chew toy ! D8 so now i have made a new one and its a bit bigger than the last one and is till in the early stages the rose arrows are made from fake white roses slid inside a straw and the arrow tip is made from clay then i added a few white feathers and ribbons to them to finish off the detail i will also be working on a holder for them to sit in attached to my belt


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Introduction to Twitter Data
9:00AM to noon
Looking for a hands-on start to collecting, exploring, and understanding Twitter data? The Collaboratory is here to help!
Shari Laster, Data Services Librarian, will lead a three-hour, hands-on workshop introducing attendees to twarc, an open source Python tool for collecting Twitter data in JSON format, and JQ, a command-line tool for analyzing JSON. The group will also discuss the Documenting the Now project and its implications for the ethical collection and use of Twitter data.
No prior experience needed. Register here: https://goo.gl/bG655g
For more information on the Collaboratory's support for research with Twitter data, check out our Digital Scholarship blog post.
Questions? collaboratory [at] library [dot] ucsb [dot] edu


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Member Blogs > Books Tell You WhyA Twentieth Century Literary "It" Couple: Charles and Kathleen Norris
Fri, 13 Jan 2017 08:00:00 Permalink
The 1900s was a golden era for literature. Hemmingway, Cummings, and Fitzgerald are just a few of the household names that might have found themselves socializing at the same bar on any given weekend (geographical inconvenience aside). It was a time of artistic exploration and social transitions that would change the course of history and produce works that would be well-loved for years to come. While many of these 20th century writers are easily recalled by anyone who has graced a middle-school English classroom, there are others who softly faded out of memory. Though their names may not be as popular, their works are no less brilliant. Two such writers are husband and wife Kathleen Thompson Norris and Charles Gilman Norris.


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July 2018
Confucius Institutes Bring China, U.S. Closer Together
By Tom Michael
Cover Story
The Other 'No-Nonsense' President
People of World Influence
Former Ambassador McFaul Talks
Michael McFaul, the former U.S. ambassador to Moscow, spearheaded President Obama's famed (and failed) reset with Russia, only to encounter the full brunt of the Kremlin's wrath. While he does not foresee a return to the Cold War, McFaul warns that we're entering into a new hot war with Russia. Read More
The Transatlantic Rupture
Trump's Transactional Realpolitik
'Transactional Conflict'
Op-Ed: U.S.-China Rivalry Could
When a Child Is Taken
Consular Corps Holds Mock Trail
Nordic Vantage Point
Op-Ed: Public, Private Sectors Must
Rising Rates of Young Americans
Former Ambassador McFaul Talks U.S.-Russia Relations and 'Hot Peace'
By Aileen Torres-Bennett
Trump's Transactional Realpolitik Alienates America's European Allies
By Aileen Torres-Bennett and Anna Gawel
Op-Ed: U.S.-China Rivalry Could Shape New Sino-American Cold War
By by Minxin Pei
Consular Corps of D.C. Holds Mock Trial to Shed Light on International Child Abductions
By Karin Zeitvogel
The Other 'No-Nonsense' President in Philippines Stirs Up Outrage, Praise
By Larry Luxner
Sidebar: New Philippine Rare Disease Act Could Serve as Model for Asia
By Larry Luxner
Op-Ed: Public, Private Sectors Must Work Together to Manage Next Pandemic
By Norwegian Ambassador Kåre R. Aas
As More Young Americans Diagnosed with Colon Cancer, New Guidelines Lower Screening Age to 45
By Amy Norton
Imbibe in Style with an Array of Drink Options in D.C. Hotel Bars
By Stephanie Kanowitz
By The People Pursues Ideals, Innovations in New Citywide Festival
By Mackenzie Weinger
Indonesian Wife, a Career Diplomat, Talks Tolerance, Raising Son and Rock Music
By Gail Scott
From Bread to Fire, 2018 Folklife Festival Offers Taste of Armenia and Catalonia
By Mackenzie Weinger
At Argentine Embassy, Photographer and Painter Collaborate to Create New Vision
By Nicole Schaller
'Dave' at Arena Stage Shows a More Genteel, Feel-Good Side of Politics
By Lisa Troshinsky
'Constructing MEXICO68' Reflects on Lasting Legacy of 1968 Olympics
By Kate Oczypok
Films - July 2018
By Cari
Colour of the Game
Directed by Kam Ka-wai
(Hong Kong, 2017, 104 min.)
Simon Yam stars in this underworld drama as Wallace, a veteran gang member given the job of bumping off the spoiled son of a mob patriarch. When Wallace and his gang are ambushed during the job, he realizes that the whole thing was a setup and sets out to find the mole who betrayed him.
Freer Gallery of Art
Sun., July 15, 2 p.m.
Concerto of the Butterfly
Directed by Fung Chih-Chiang
(Hong Kong, 2017, 95 min.)
A street punk kidnaps the girlfriend of a rising pop star — only to discover that she is the one and only Hit Girl, an internet singing sensation. Captive on a remote fishing boat, she tries to pass the time and calm her captor through music lessons.
Freer Gallery of Art
Sun., July 22, 2 p.m.
Our Time Will Come
Directed by Ann Hui
(China/Hong Kong, 2017, 130 min.)
One of "China's cinematic treasures" (The New York Times), this award-winning film brings to life the resistance movement that arose when Japan occupied the island during World War II. Its story centers on legendary revolutionary Fang Lan, as she changes from humble schoolteacher to a leader in the movement (Cantonese and Japanese).
Freer Gallery of Art
Sun., July 29, 2 p.m.
Directed by Wilson Yip
(Hong Kong/China, 2017, 99 min.)
Louis Koo plays a widower battling his way through the Thai underworld to find his kidnapped daughter. His ferocious fight scenes take full advantage of the film's seedy seaside locale (Cantonese, English and Thai).
Freer Gallery of Art
Fri., July 20, 7 p.m.
Shock Wave
Directed by Herman Yau
(Hong Kong/China, 2017, 118 min.)
In one of 2017's biggest hits in Hong Kong, Andy Lau stars as JS Cheung, a bomb disposal expert who is thrown into the biggest job of his career when a maniac wires the city's massive Cross-Harbour Tunnel to explode — an attempt to avenge his brother's imprisonment at JS's hands years before.
Freer Gallery of Art
Fri., July 13, 7 p.m.
Zombiology: Enjoy Yourself Tonight
Directed by Alan Lo
(Hong Kong, 2017, 107 min.)
Inspired by a cult novel, this film sets a pack of ne'er-do-wells and slackers against hordes of hungry undead, created by a giant stuffed chicken whose eggs cause people's head to explode.
Freer Gallery of Art
Fri., July 27, 7 p.m.
American Animals
Directed by Bart Layton
(U.K./U.S., 2018, 116 min.)
"American Animals" is the unbelievable but entirely true story of four young men who attempt to execute one of the most audacious art heists in U.S. history.
Landmark's Bethesda Row Cinema
Landmark's E Street Cinema
Book Club
Directed by Bill Holderman
(U.S., 2018, 104 min.)
Four lifelong friends have their lives forever changed after reading "50 Shades of Grey" in their monthly book club.
Landmark's Bethesda Row Cinema
Directed by David and Nathan Zeller
(U.S., 2018, 113 min.)
In the Wild West, an affluent pioneer ventures across the American frontier to marry the love of his life. As his group traverses the west, the once-simple journey grows treacherous, blurring the lines between hero, villain and damsel.
Landmark's E Street Cinema
Dark Money
Directed by Kimberly Reed
(U.S., 2018, 99 min.)
This political thriller examines one of the greatest present threats to American democracy: the influence of untraceable corporate money on our elections and elected officials. The film takes viewers to Montana — a frontline in the fight to preserve fair elections nationwide — to follow an intrepid local journalist working to expose the real-life impacts of the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision.
Landmark's Theatres
Opens Fri., July 20
The Death of Stalin
Directed by Armando Iannucci
(U.K./Canada/France/Belgium, 2018, 107 min.)
Moscow, 1953: when tyrannical dictator Joseph Stalin drops dead, his parasitic cronies square off in a frantic power struggle to be the next Soviet leader in this uproarious, wickedly irreverent satire.
West End Cinema
Eating Animals
Directed by Christopher Dillon Quinn
(U.K./India/Germany/China/U.S., 2018, 94 min.)
How much do you know about the food that's on your plate? Based on the bestselling book by Jonathan Safran Foer and narrated by co-producer Natalie Portman, "Eating Animals" is an urgent, eye-opening look at the environmental, economic and public health consequences of factory farming.
Landmark's Bethesda Row Cinema
Landmark's E Street Cinema
First Reformed
Directed by Paul Schrader
(U.S., 2018, 108 min.)
Reverend Ernst Toller is a solitary, middle-aged parish pastor at a small Dutch Reform church in upstate New York on the cusp of celebrating its 250th anniversary. When a pregnant parishioner asks him to counsel her husband, a radical environmentalist, the clergyman finds himself plunged into his own tormented past, and equally despairing future, until he finds redemption in an act of grandiose violence.
Landmark's Bethesda Row Cinema
Landmark's E Street Cinema
Generation Wealth
Directed by Lauren Greenfield
(U.S., 2018, 106 min.)
Acclaimed photographer and filmmaker Lauren Greenfield puts the pieces of her life's work together for in an incendiary investigation into the pathologies that have created the richest society the world has ever seen.
Landmark's Cinema
Opens Fri., July 27
Isle of Dogs
Directed by Wes Anderson
(U.S./Germany, 2018, 101 min.)
This animated adventure follows Atari Kobayashi, a 12-year-old ward to corrupt Mayor Kobayashi. When, by executive decree, all the canine pets of Megasaki City are exiled to a vast garbage-dump called Trash Island, Atari sets off alone in a miniature Junior-Turbo Prop and flies across the river in search of his bodyguard-dog.
West End Cinema
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
Directed by J.A. Bayona
(Spain/U.S., 2018, 128 min.)
It's been three years since theme park and luxury resort Jurassic World was destroyed by dinosaurs out of containment. When the island's dormant volcano begins roaring to life, Owen and Claire reunite to mount a campaign to rescue the remaining dinosaurs from this extinction-level event.
Angelika Mosaic
Angelika Pop-U
Atlantic Plumbing Cinema
Leave No Trace
Directed by Debra Granik
(U.S., 2018, 109 min.)
A father and his 13-year-old daughter are living in an ideal existence in a vast urban park in Portland, Oregon, when a small mistake derails their lives forever.
Angelika Mosaic
Opens Fri., July 6
Directed by Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui
(U.K., 2018, 111 min.)
Alexander McQueen's rags-to-riches story is a modern-day fairy tale, laced with the gothic. Mirroring the savage beauty, boldness and vivacity of his design, this documentary is an intimate revelation of his McQueen's own world, both tortured and inspired.
Angelika Mosaic
Opens Fri., July 27
Directed by Christina Choe
(U.S., 2018, 87 min.)
A lonely 35-year-old becomes increasingly convinced she was kidnapped as a child. When she meets a couple whose daughter went missing 30 years ago, reasonable doubts give way to willful belief.
Landmark's E Street Cinema
Ocean's 8
Directed by Gary Ross
(U.S., 2018, 105 min.)
Every con has its pros. Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock) gathers a crew of eight women to attempt an impossible heist at New York City's yearly Met Gala in this suspenseful and humorous criminal adventure.
Angelika Mosaic
Angelika Pop-U
Atlantic Plumbing Cinema
Landmark's Bethesda Row Cinema
Directed by Julie Cohen and Betsy West
(U.S., 2018, 97 min.)
At the age of 84, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has developed a breathtaking legal legacy while becoming an unexpected pop culture icon. But without a definitive Ginsburg biography, the unique personal journey of this diminutive, quiet warrior's rise to the nation's highest court has been largely unknown, even to some of her biggest fans—until now.
Angelika Mosaic
Landmark's Bethesda Row Cinem
Landmark's E Street Cinema
Sicario: Day of the Soldado
Directed by Stefano Sollima
(U.S./Italy, 2018, 122 min.)
In the drug war, there are no rules — and as the cartels have begun trafficking terrorists across the U.S. border, federal agent Matt Graver calls on the mysterious Alejandro, whose family was murdered by a cartel kingpin, to escalate the war in nefarious ways.
Angelika Mosaic
Atlantic Plumbing Cinema
Westwood: Punk, Icon, Activist
Directed by Lorna Tucker
(U.K., 2018, 83 min.)
This intimate and inspiring portrait showcases Dame Vivienne Westwood — punk rock's Grande Dame, agent provocateur, doyenne of British fashion, eco-activist and one of the most influential cultural originators in recent history.
Landmark's E Street Cinema
Won't You Be My Neighbor?
Directed by Morgan Neville
(U.S., 2018, 94 min.)
For over 30 years, Fred Rogers, an unassuming minister, puppeteer, writer and producer, was beamed daily into homes across America. In his beloved television program, "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," Fred and his cast of puppets and friends spoke directly to young children about some of life's weightiest issues, in a simple, direct fashion.
AFI Silver Theatre
Angelika Mosaic
Landmark's Bethesda Row Cinema
Landmark's E Street Cinema
The Worker's Cup
Directed by Adam Sobel
(Qatar, 2018, 92 min.)
Inside Qatar's labor camps, African and Asian migrant workers building the facilities of the 2022 World Cup compete in a football tournament of their own.
Angelika Pop-Up
The Yakuza
Directed by Sydney Pollack
(U.S./Japan, 1974, 112 min.)
Former private-eye Harry Kilmer (Robert Mitchum) knows a lot about Japan — and the gangsters who keep an iron grip on its gambling, prostitution and protection rackets. And he knows there's one thing powerful mobsters respect: greater power.
AFI Silver Theatre
Tue., July 3, 4:45 p.m.,
Wed., July 4, 4:45 p.m.
Le Cercle Rouge
(The Red Circle)
Directed by Jean-Pierre Melville
(France/Italy, 1970, 140 min.)
The random trajectories of three men takes on the weight of existential fate as Alain Delon, just out of the slammer, starts settling scores; prisoner Gian Maria Volontè escapes custody of a police officer and makes a daring escape from a moving train; and alcoholic ex-cop Yves Montand momentarily regains his pride and sobriety when called upon to perform as a professional, even if this time it's in a criminal enterprise.
AFI Silver Theatre
Mon., July 2, 2 p.m.,
Tue., July 3, 2 p.m.
Un Flic
(A Cop)
Directed by Jean-Pierre Melville
(France/Italy, 1972, 98 min.)
Richard Crenna is a Parisian nightclub proprietor with a booming sideline in robbery and gangsterism. Alain Delon is a police detective who frequents Crenna's night spot, to keep tabs on the suspicious coming and goings, and to make time with Crenna's alluring mistress, Catherine Deneuve.
AFI Silver Theatre
Mon., July 2, 7 p.m.,
Thu., July 5, 7 p.m.
The Guardians
Directed by Xavier Beauvois
(Switzerland/France, 2018, 138 min.)
An affecting human drama of love, loss and resilience unfolds against the backdrop of World War I as the women of the Paridier farm, under the deft hand of Hortense, the family's matriarch, must grapple with the workload while the men, including two sons, are off at the front.
West End Cinema
A German Youth
(Une Jeunesse Allemande)
Directed by Jean-Gabriel Périot
(France/Switzerland/Germany, 2015, 93 min.)
In the 1960s, the conflict between the state and the Red Army Faction caused major turmoil in Germany. It not only led to an increase of violence in the population, but also to a war in media coverage. In his first feature-length film, the French director Jean-Gabriel Périot shows the different perspectives of the film scene of the era by placing archival material in a cinematic montage alongside clips from movies and documentaries (German, French and English).
Wed., July 11, 6:30 p.m.
My Name Is Victoria
Directed by Sebastian Schipper
(Germany, 2014-15, 140 min.)
"My Name Is Victoria" pulls viewers into a unique adventure. In a single take, a group of would-be tough guys and a young Spanish woman wind their way through a long Berlin night.
Fri., July 27, 6:30 p.m.
The Cakemaker
Directed by Ofir Raul Graizer
(Israel/Germany, 2017, 104 min.)
Thomas, a young and talented German baker, is having an affair with Oren, an Israeli married man who dies in a car crash. Thomas travels to Jerusalem seeking answers. Keeping his secret for himself, he starts working for Anat, his lover's widow, who owns a small café. Although not fully kosher and despised by the religious, his delicious cakes turn the place into a city attraction (Hebrew, German and English).
Landmark's Theatres
Opens Fri., July 6
Under the Tree
Directed by Hafsteinn Gunnar Sigurðsson
(Iceland/France, 2018, 89 min.)
A man accused of adultery and forced to move in with his parents. While he fights for custody of his 4-year-old daughter, he is gradually sucked into a dispute between his parents and their neighbors over an old and beautiful tree. What starts as a typical spat between suburban neighbors unexpectedly and violently reaches a boiling point, soon spiraling out of control.
West End Cinema
Opens Fri., July 13
Sansho the Bailiff
Directed by Kenji Mizoguchi
(Japan, 1954, 124 min.)
When an idealistic governor disobeys the reigning feudal lord, he is cast into exile, and his wife and children are left to fend for themselves in this monumental, empathetic expression of human resilience in the face of evil.
Freer Gallery of Art
Wed., July 11, 2 p.m.
Directed by Ingmar Bergman
(Sweden, 1945, 93 min.)
A small-town piano teacher is shocked by the arrival of her foster daughter's real mother, whose young lover soon follows and causes further disruption.
National Gallery of Art
Sat., July 7, 2:30 p.m.
Frenzy (Torment)
Directed by Alf Sjöberg
(Sweden, 1944, 101 min.)
This film charts the ill-fated romance between painfully adolescent Jan-Erik and older, alcoholic widow-turned-hooker Bertha, whose lover is Jan-Erik's sadistic Latin teacher "Caligula" (Swedish and Latin).
National Gallery of Art
Sat., July 7, 12:30 p.m.
To Joy
Directed by Ingmar Bergman
(Sweden, 1950, 98 min.)
Two violinists playing in the same orchestra fall in love and get married, but they fail to synchronize in real life.
National Gallery of Art
Sat., July 28, 2 p.m.
Music in Darkness
Directed by Ingmar Bergman
(Sweden, 1963, 87 min.)
When aspiring pianist Bengt is blinded in an accident, he loses the familiar comforts of his life. Despite his anguish, music restores him, bringing him closer to the lower-class Ingrid.
National Gallery of Art
Sat., July 14, 4 p.m.
Port of Call
Directed by Ingmar Bergman
(Sweden, 1963, 100 min.)
A suicidal factory girl out of reformatory school, anxious to escape her overbearing mother, falls in love with a sailor who can't forgive her past (Swedish and German).
National Gallery of Art
Sun., July 15, 4 p.m.
Directed by Ingmar Bergman
(Sweden, 1949, 79 min.)
A movie director is approached by his old math teacher with a great movie idea: the Devil declares that the Earth is hell. The director rejects the idea, but subsequent events in the life of a writer and a young prostitute he loves seem to prove the math teacher's idea (screens with "Thirst").
National Gallery of Art
Sun., July 22, 4 p.m.
It Rains on Our Love
Directed by Ingmar Bergman
(Sweden, 1946, 95 min.)
Two strangers with troubled pasts meet in a train station, spend a night together, and decide to start a new life, but their idyll is interrupted when they are forced to confront the coldly repressive society around them.
National Gallery of Art
Sat., July 7, 4:30 p.m.
Secrets of Women (Waiting Women)
Directed by Ingmar Bergman
(Sweden, 1961, 107 min.)
n a summer house in the Stockholm archipelago, three wives recount an adventure from their marriages while awaiting their husbands' return (Swedish and French).
National Gallery of Art
Sun., July 29, 4 p.m.
A Ship to India
Directed by Ingmar Bergman
(Sweden, 1949, 98 min.)
Sailor Johannes Blom returns to his homeport, after seven years at sea, to find that Sally, the girl he has been thinking of while away, is completely despondent in this fractured ménage à quatre.
National Gallery of Art
Sat., July 14, 2 p.m.
Summer Interlude
Directed by Ingmar Bergman
(Sweden, 1954, 96 min.)
A ballet dancer recalls a relationship she once had during an idyllic Swedish summer and the poignant aftermath of her loss of this love.
National Gallery of Art
Sat., July 28, 4 p.m.
Thirst (Three Strange Loves)
Directed by Ingmar Bergman
(Sweden, 1949, 88 min.)
The rarely screened "Thirst," an early Bergman milestone, was one of the first works to demonstrate his trademark delving into the human spirit. Adapted from short stories by actress Birgit Tengroth, the plot follows a failing marriage but focuses principally on the inner torments of a trio of female characters damaged by past liaisons (screens with "Prison").
National Gallery of Art
Sun., July 22, 4 p.m.
Events - July 2018
July 1 to Nov. 25
Water, Wind, and Waves: Marine Paintings from the Dutch Golden Age
The Dutch rose to greatness from the riches of the sea. During the 17th century, water was central to their economic and naval successes, but was also a source of pleasure and enjoyment. This exhibition explores the deep, multifaceted relationship the Dutch had with the water, including their gratitude for the sea's bounty and their fear of its sometimes destructive power.
National Gallery of Art
July 6 to 30
City, Unfamiliar Landscape: Works by Three Korean Contemporary Artists
This group exhibition showcases painting and mixed media works that reexamine the evolving, complex urban spaces that are home to an increasing number of people worldwide, by three contemporary Korean artists. Presenting about 30 works of unique technique and visual expression, these three artists share a common theme of the city as a communally owned space that is also a haven for individual lives.
Korean Cultural Center
Through July 8
Hung Liu in Print
This spotlight exhibition features 16 prints and a tapestry by painter and printmaker Hung Liu that invites viewers to explore the relationship between Liu's multi-layered paintings and the palpable, physical qualities of her works on paper. Her multifaceted body of work probes the human condition and confronts issues of culture, identity and personal and national history.
National Museum of Women in the Arts
Through July 8
Cézanne Portraits
Bringing together some 60 examples drawn from collections around the world, this is the first exhibition devoted to the famed post-impressionist's portraits. The revelatory exhibition provides the first full visual account of Paul Cézanne's portrait practice, exploring the pictorial and thematic characteristics of his works in the genre, the chronological development of his style and method, and the range and influence of his sitters.
National Gallery of Art
Through July 8
Transformers: New Contemporary Latin American Sculpture by Darío Escobar and Patrick Hamilton
The conceptual sculptures on display in this exhibition explore similar themes through each artist's distinct aesthetic and thought process. Separately and together, Darío Escobar of Guatemala and Patrick Hamilton of Chile share a penchant for using common materials such as rubber tires, metal fencing, spackling knives and soccer balls. Lightly treated and often simply rearranged or reordered, Escobar and Hamilton's found objects are transformed from commercial products into newly aestheticized artworks that also provide ideological critiques of globalization and its effects.
OAS Art Museum of the Americas
Through July 9
Vanishing Traditions: Textiles and Treasures from Southwest China
For centuries, minority cultures in southwest China have donned elaborate textiles, jewelry, and accessories for community celebrations. Dazzling festival costumes new to the museum's collections explore traditions now endangered by modernization.
The George Washington University Textile Museum
Through July 13
Franco Lippi and Luis Falduti use photography to temporally expose the enigmatic layers of Lippi's paintings to disclose its hidden messages. The aim of these two artists is to re-enact the complete chain of events in which a painter and a photographer collaborate, creating two separate bodies of work, each from his own point of view, that still allows both to reveal the essence of the other.
Embassy of Argentina
July 15 to Jan. 6, 2019
Sense of Humor
Humor may be fundamental to human experience, but its expression in painting and sculpture has been limited. Instead, prints, as the most widely distributed medium, and drawings, as the most private, have been the natural vehicles for comic content. Drawn from the National Gallery of Art's collection, this exhibition celebrates this incredibly rich though easily overlooked tradition through works including Renaissance caricatures, biting English satires, and 20th-century comics.
National Gallery of Art
July 20 to Nov. 25
Bound to Amaze: Inside a Book-Collecting Career
Curator Emerita Krystyna Wasserman assembled NMWA's collection of more than 1,000 artists' books over a 30-year period. This focus exhibition celebrates her vision and features 20 notable artists' books from the museum's expansive collection.
National Museum of Women in the Arts
Through July 29
40th Anniversary Exhibition of the Washington Calligraphers Guild
Visitors encouraged to mine ideas expressed through surrealism and the work of surrealist poets as inspiration. This is a complement to "Visions" on the second floor, in which four artists blend realistic components with fantastical elements and imagery, creating distinct and dream-like environments.
Music Center at Strathmore
Through July 29
To Dye for: Ikats from Central Asia
With their brilliant designs, ikats are among the most distinct fabrics produced in Central Asia. Not surprisingly, ikats caught the attention of contemporary designers, most notably Oscar de la Renta. This exhibition brings together about 30 of the finest historical Central Asian ikat hangings and coats from the Freer|Sackler collections, as well as seven of Oscar de la Renta's iconic creations, to explore the original use and function of these dazzling fabrics and the enduring appeal of their extraordinary designs.
Freer Gallery of Art
Through Aug. 5
Do Ho Suh: Almost Home
Korean-born Do Ho Suh (b. 1962) is internationally renowned for his immersive, architectural fabric sculptures that explore the global nature of contemporary identity. "Do Ho Suh: Almost Home" will transform the museum's galleries through Suh's captivating installations, which recreate to scale several of his former homes from around the world. Through these works, Suh investigates the nature of home and memory and the impact of migration and displacement on an individual's sense of self.
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Through Aug. 5
The Prince and the Shah: Royal Portraits from Qajar Iran
In our age of social media and selfies, it may be difficult to grasp the importance of painted portraits and studio photographs in 19th-century Iran. During this time, known as the Qajar era, rulers such as Fath-Ali Shah, a contemporary of Napoleon, and Nasir al-Din Shah, a contemporary of Queen Victoria, used portraiture to convey monarchical power and dynastic grandeur. Through a selection of about thirty works from the Freer and Sackler collections, this exhibition explores how Persian artists transformed modes of representing royalty and nobility.
Freer Gallery of Art
Through Aug. 5
Sharing Images: Renaissance Prints into Maiolica and Bronze
Inspired by the acquisition of the important William A. Clark maiolica (glazed Italian ceramics) collection from the Corcoran Gallery of Art, this exhibition brings together some 90 objects to highlight the impact of Renaissance prints on maiolica and bronze plaquettes, the two media most dramatically influenced by the new technology of image replication.
National Gallery of Art
Through Aug. 10
Intimate Cartographies: An Approach to Interpersonal Relationships
This contemporary photography features outstanding artists from OAS member states Argentina, Chile, Mexico and Venezuela, as well as OAS permanent observer states Italy and Spain. Cartography and photography are similar in that they both originate from a natural reality. But this representation is not exact; it is subjective. The images in this exhibition hold a subtle informative quality, closely connected with the lyrical documentation of Walker Evans, "where many of his landscapes were not documented but created by him."
Art Museum of the Americas F Street Gallery
Through Aug. 10
A New League: Shared Pastimes and the Story of U.S.-Japan Baseball
To celebrate the 2018 Major League Baseball All-Star Game coming to D.C. this summer, the Japanese Embassy presents an exhibit that celebrates the bonds between the U.S. and Japan forged through the game of baseball. Featuring baseball-related historical objects and artifacts from Japan, the exhibition will trace the history of the sport in Japan, from its introduction and rapid transformation into Japan's national sport, as well as explore the fascinating history of sports exchange and "baseball diplomacy" between Japan and the U.S. — avenues of contact that have fostered friendship, goodwill, and reconciliation between the two nations.
Japan Information & Culture Center
Through Aug. 12
Does the Body Rule the Mind, or Does the Mind Rule the Body?
"Does the body" is the museum's first live performance exhibition, introducing the newest generation of American artists who blend the avant-garde legacy of performance art with pop culture, presented together for the first time.
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Through Aug. 12
Ralph Steadman: A Retrospective
Celebrating the career of one of Britain's most important graphic artists of the last 50 years, this collection of more than 100 original artworks will take viewers on a journey through Ralph Steadman's wide-ranging career, from sketches created in the 1950s, to book illustrations, to present-day work. Steadman is famous for his long collaboration with the writer Hunter S. Thompson, most notably providing the illustrations for "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" and helping to create what has since become known as "Gonzo" journalism.
American University Museum
Through Aug. 15
Mayas: Spaces of Memory
Documenting Mayan sites throughout Mexico, photographer Javier Hinojosa clearly and forcefully reflects the intimate relationship that exists between the jungle and the Mayas. Over the centuries the Mayas populated, developed and tamed the jungle, leaving behind a vast visual record of their historical and archeological legacy. In the process, they experienced an enormous amount of change, developing from tiny agricultural communities and the first regional centers of power to eventually becoming masters of politics, war and the jungle
Mexican Cultural Institute
Through Aug. 15
Tomb of Christ
Be virtually transported to Jerusalem and discover the fascinating history of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in an immersive 3-D experience unlike anything you've seen in a museum before. Groups will be able to virtually visit the church and learn about its storied history and enduring mysteries.
National Geographic
Through Aug. 24
1968: A Time of Uproar in Europe and the U.S.
Riots in Washington, D.C., violent protests in Berlin, a national strike in Paris and the brutal end of the Prague Spring: The year of 1968 was shaped by protest movements and an atmosphere of massive change. On the 50th anniversary of the protests, the Goethe-Institut highlights these historic events with a photo exhibition, offering a view into the movements in these four major cities.
Through Aug. 24
In the Library: The Richter Archive at 75
In celebration of the 1943 arrival of the George M. Richter Archive of Illustrations on Art — the founding collection of 60,000 photographs that formed the nucleus of the department of image collections — this installation presents the history and development of the photographic archives of the National Gallery of Art.
National Gallery of Art
Through Aug. 31
Constructing Mexico68
To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the first Latin American Olympic games, this exhibit takes audiences through a simple and concrete exploration of the sporting venues built for the 1968 Mexico City Summer Olympics and their constant connection to design and urban art. The development of competition sites for the Olympics' diverse sporting disciplines required not only the adaptation of existing structures, but also the rapid construction of new, modern and functional facilities. In these new spaces, it was possible to implement the use of an applied architecture that met both the needs of the audience and the functional requirements of each sporting event that occupied it.
Mexican Cultural Institute
Through Sept. 3
World on the Horizon: Swahili Arts Across the Indian Ocean
The first major traveling exhibition dedicated to the arts of the Swahili coast reveals the diverse interchanges that break down barriers between Africa and Asia in a space that physically connects the Smithsonian's African and Asian art museums. The Swahili coast, where East Africa meets the Indian Ocean, has long been a significant cultural, diplomatic and commercial intersection for Africa, Asia and Europe for millennia. "World on the Horizon" offers audiences an unprecedented opportunity to view over 160 artworks brought together from public and private collections from four continents.
National Museum of African Art
Through Sept. 9
Marking the Infinite: Contemporary Women Artists from Aboriginal Australia
Approximately 60 works, drawn from the collection of Miami-based collectors and philanthropists Debra and Dennis Scholl, spotlight nine leading Aboriginal Australian women artists. The artists are from remote Aboriginal communities across Australia, and the subjects of their art are broad, yet each work is an attempt to grapple with fundamental questions of existence, asking us to slow down and pay attention to the natural world.
The Phillips Collection
Through Sept. 16
Baselitz: Six Decades
The first major U.S. retrospective in more than 20 years of Georg Baselitz, one of Germany's greatest living artists, marks the artist's 80th birthday. With more than 100 works, including iconic paintings, works on paper, and wood and bronze sculptures, highlighting every phase of Baselitz's six-decade career from the 1950s to today, this milestone exhibition features work never before seen in the U.S. and cements Baselitz's reputation as one of the most original and inventive figurative artists of his generation.
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Through Sept. 16
Heavy Metal – Women to Watch 2018
Over 50 works made from silver, copper, bronze, pewter, aluminum and more highlight contemporary women artists working with a variety of metals and techniques to create pieces such as wall-size installations, exquisite jewelry and reinventions of familiar objects.
National Museum of Women in the Arts
Through Sept. 23
Form and Function: The Genius of the Book
Dive deep into one of the world's greatest technologies: the book. Discover a history beyond what's printed on the page, seen in the structure, craftsmanship and beauty of this often-overlooked marvel.
Folger Shakespeare Library
Through Nov. 12
Mark Bradford: Pickett's Charge
For his first solo exhibition in D.C., acclaimed artist Mark Bradford debuts a monumental site-specific commission inspired by Paul Philippoteaux's 1883 cyclorama depicting the Battle of Gettysburg. Covering the curved walls of the Hirshhorn's Third Level Inner Circle, "Pickett's Charge" presents 360 degrees of abstracted historical narrative.
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Through Dec. 25
Visionary: Viewpoints on Africa's Arts
More than 300 works of art from the museum's permanent collection are on view within this exhibition. Working in media as diverse as wood, ceramics, drawing, jewelry, mixed media, sculpture, painting, photography, printmaking, and video, these works of art reflect the visionary ideas and styles developed by men and women from more than half of Africa's 55 nations. The installation is organized around seven viewpoints, each of which serve to frame and affect the manner in which African art is experienced.
National Museum of African Art
Through Jan. 6, 2019
Trevor Paglen: Sites Unseen
Trevor Paglen is an award-winning artist whose work blurs the lines between art, science and investigative journalism to construct unfamiliar and at times unsettling ways to see and interpret the world. This is the first exhibition to present Paglen's early photographic series alongside his recent sculptural objects and new work with artificial intelligence.
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Through Jan. 13, 2019
Fabergé Rediscovered
Designed to delight and surprise, the treasures created by the firm of Carl Fabergé have inspired admiration and intrigue for over a century, both for their remarkable craftsmanship and the captivating stories that surround them. The fascination with Fabergé continues to uncover new discoveries about the storied jeweler to the tsars and his remarkable creations. This exhibit unveils recent research and explore how the 2014 discovery of a long-lost imperial Easter egg prompted new findings about Hillwood's own collection.
Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens
Through Jan. 21, 2019
No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man
Each year in Nevada's Black Rock Desert, a city of more than 70,000 people rises out of the dust for a single week. During that time, enormous experimental art installations are erected and many are ritually burned to the ground. Cutting-edge artwork created at Burning Man, the annual desert gathering that is one of the most influential events in contemporary art and culture, will be exhibited in the nation's capital for the first time this spring.
Renwick Gallery
Mon., July 16, 6:45 p.m.
Making Sense of Climate Change
Meet the first discoverers of human-induced climate change and understand how greenhouse gases cause temperature changes around the globe. Explore why Americans are so divided in their views on climate change as scientist Bert Drake follows the path from climate-change skepticism in the 20th century to denial in the 21st (session one of a three-session evening course). Tickets are $45; for information, visit www.smithsonianassociates.org.
S. Dillon Ripley Center
Mon., July 23, 6:45 p.m.
Tesla: The Man, the Mystery and the Inventor of the Modern
Nikola Tesla (1856-1943) was a magnificently bizarre genius. He was strikingly handsome and impeccably dressed; he was germophobic and never shook hands. In his later years, he only ate white food and conversed with pigeons. Tesla, a Serbian immigrant, invented the radio, the induction motor, the neon lamp and the remote control. But his strange persona kept getting in his way. Drawing on his new book, Richard Munson shines a light on the man behind the legend. Tickets are $30; for information, visit www.smithsonianassociates.org.
S. Dillon Ripley Center
Thu., July 26, 6:45 p.m.
World Without Mind: The Existential Threat of Big Tech
Franklin Foer, national correspondent at The Atlantic, sits down with Melissa Chiu, director of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, for a discussion about the vexing issues posed by the growing power of "big technology." Together they explore the tension between technology and privacy with which everyone who has a digital life has to deal. Tickets are $30; for information, visit www.smithsonianassociates.org.
S. Dillon Ripley Center
Fri., July 6, 6 p.m.
Winners of the 2016 City of Barcelona Award, vocalist Maria Arnal and guitarist Marcel Bagés beautifully blend old and new sounds together.
Kennedy Center Millennium Stage
Sun., July 8, 5 to 8 p.m.
An Evening with Gourmet Symphony: Musical World's Fare at the Arts and Industries Building
Enjoy a night of fine cuisine, wine and music with Gourmet Symphony in the historic Arts and Industries Building. After the Centennial Exposition of 1876 in Philadelphia — the first World's Fair held in America — many of its displays were donated to the Smithsonian, and some of the proceeds from the exposition were used to build the structure. Inspired by that historic connection, both the menu and the program celebrate the intersection of ethnic backgrounds. Tickets are $225; for information, visit www.smithsonianassociates.org.
Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building
Fri., July 18, 8 p.m.
Hailing from Colombia, this Latin superstar leaves audiences roaring with praise night after night with hits like "Me Enamora," "La Camisa Negra," and "Fuego." Tickets are $40 to $80.
Wolf Trap
Sat., July 28, 8:15 p.m.
National Symphony Orchestra: The Best of Wagner's Ring
A quartet of internationally renowned Wolf Trap Opera alumni join with the NSO to perform memorable and exhilarating moments from Wagner's epic "Ring Cycle." Tickets are $25 to $60.
Wolf Trap
Sun., July 29, 8 p.m.
A musical phenomenon, Yanni is a rare artist whose music transcends geographical borders and touches people of all races and nations. Tickets are $35 to $85.
Wolf Trap
Tue., July 31, 10:30 a.m.
Semilla Cultural Bomba! Afro-Puerto Rican Music and Dance
Join Semilla Cultural for traditional Bomba and Plena music, and learn the history that shaped Puerto Rico's rich musical culture. Tickets are $8; all ages welcome.
Wolf Trap
Through July 7
Other Life Forms
Roommates Ben and Jeff couldn't be more different. Ben is a struggling journalist who can't get anything to go his way. Jeff is a successful researcher who glides through life with little resistance. At Jeff's insistence, they both give online dating a try. Ben meets Molly and the results are volatile, while Jeff meets Leslie and they make a connection. Over the course of the evening, a truth is revealed that sets in motion a series of hysterical and illuminating events. Tickets are $45.
Andrew Keegan Theatre
Through July 8
Lerner & Loewe's Camelot
Amid mystical forests and grand castles, "Camelot" tells a strikingly familiar tale of a leader's integrity, courage and empathy — a chronicle of the struggle for civilization and goodness in a world accustomed to violence and hate. Please call for ticket information.
Shakespeare Theatre Company
July 11 to Aug. 12
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
A wizard stuck in a land far away from home; a Scarecrow tied to a pole; a Tinman rusted in a forest; and a Lion afraid of his own shadow. Join Synetic Theater's brand new adaptation of one of the most important cultural texts of the 20th century, L. Frank Baum's American masterpiece "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." Tickets start at $35.
Synetic Theater
July 13 to Aug. 19
From a Tony and Pulitzer Prize Award-winning creative team and adapted from the Oscar-nominated film, "Dave" tells the story of high school teacher (and presidential lookalike) Dave Kovic, who is hired by the Secret Service as a stand-in for the commander-in-chief. Tickets are $40 to $90.
Arena Stage
July 15 to 21
Gounod: Roméo et Juliette
Two young lovers decide to take fate into their own hands after feuding families, bad timing and fatal mistakes tear them apart. Gounod's music soars in this French Romantic twist on Shakespeare's most celebrated love story. Tickets are $36 to $92.
Wolf Trap
Through July 22
Ain't Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations
Don't miss this electrifying new musical about "the greatest R&B group of all time." With their signature dance moves and harmonies, they rose to the top of the charts, and their moving story still resonates five decades later. Tickets are $59 to $159.
Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater
July 31 to Aug. 26
The Color Purple
With a soul-raising score of jazz, gospel, ragtime, and blues, this joyous American classic has conquered Broadway in an all-new "ravishingly reconceived production that is a glory to behold" (The New York Times). Tickets are $69 to $149.
Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater
Classifieds - July 2018
Real Estate Classifieds - July 2018


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This week we've seen the first truly viable Siri alternative, while Sky has overhauled its Sky Sports News app for iPad. Plus, we've got new reviews for iPhone, iPad and Windows Phone apps
iPad App News: Sky Sports News gets refresh
Sky is throwing more weight behind Apple's iPad with a renewed Sky Sports News application. The new app, which remains free to Sky subscribers, brings a dedicated editorial team and a host of exclusive written and video content. If you're not a Sky Sports subscriber then the app is a quite costly with a £4.99 a month in-app subscription.
Windows Phone App News: Ask Ziggy is the WP answer to Siri
Ever since the iPhone 4S launched with Siri in October, we've seen a number of copycat voice assistant apps, but this might be the most impressive yet. Ask Ziggy for Windows Phone is a free app which includes speech to text transcription and in-depth answers to your questions, be they mathematical, fact-based or theological like "was Darth Vader a good guy?"
iPhone App News: Sirin doubles data usage for 4S users
Speaking of Siri, it appears your personal assistant is a little bit of a data hog. Network experts have claimed that iPhone 4S users are consuming twice the mobile data of those using regular old iPhone 4 devices. If you're not on an unlimited data plan, it might be an idea to keep an eye on your most recent bills.
Angry Birds App News: Game downloaded 6.5m times on Christmas Day
It appears there's no stopping the Angry Birds juggernaught. The bird-slinging game, in its various guises on various platforms was downloaded an astonishing 6.5m times on Christmas Day thanks to all those new smartphone owners. That'll likely summount to a hefty chunk of change for Rovio.
iPad App News: CloudOn brings Microsoft Office to iPad
Rumour would have it that Microsoft is preparing to bring its fleet of Office applications to the iPad, but before that happens CloudOn for iPad has given us a taster. The app features bespoke software that allows you to edit Word, Powerpoint and Excel documents over the cloud before placing them back in your Dropbox folders.
iPad App Review: Worms Crazy Golf HD
Worms? Crazy golf? What next, Angry Birds rugby? Regardless, EA has given this legendary franchise a sporty makeover, giving the Worms a break from blowing each other up with various artillary. Here, they have a limited amount of shots to get the ball to the hole, while aiming at various floating islands on many Worms-esque landscapes.
iPhone App Review: Attic
Attic is a neat idea, in theory, reminding you of the music stored on your iPhone that you haven't listened to in a while. It's a nicely designed app, which we'd love to be able to use to control our entire music collection. Read our Attic for iPhone review.
Windows Phone App Review: Penguin
"The premise is simple," says our reviewer. "Pressing the screen makes the penguin fall to the ground, and you use that momentum to fling him up across mountains. The longer he's in the air, the better, and the longer you keep it going the more points. Simple." Another pleasing, simple time-killer. Check out our Penguin for Windows Phone review


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Amplify People's Voices
Empatika is an independent international organisation specializing in people-centred research and training. We are passionate about providing in-depth insights and fresh views on development aid and programmes.
We believe that this requires empathetic research approaches which enable people to share their own perspectives and their experiences. The inclusion of people's voices in programme design and policy making is a means for empowerment and ensuring that a multitude of perspectives contribute to the generation of knowledge.
Keeping programmers and policymakers up-to-date and in-touch through quality field research
Our Values
We work with like-minded partners including funders and commissioners to adopt and promote people-centred approaches to research in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.


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A little over a month ago, I spent time with 800 women in Texas exploring how we can "inspire the woman, impact the world." Over the extended weekend that we were convened, we had the opportunity to be educated by experts on growing relationships, supporting people and organizations through crisis, achieving excellence, succeeding through conflict, improving ourselves personally and professionally, delegating, coaching others, and how to engage other volunteers. Do you think this is something that would interest your day to day and the work you are doing?
What brought these hundreds of women together was a shared experience in our Alpha Gamma Delta sorority – from friendships, a shared purpose, and how our lives have been transformed by this organization over the years. However, some of what impacted me the most from Convention are seven takeaways that can help ANYONE, ANYWHERE who seeks to create positive impact for themselves and the world around them, ranging through career, family, and community.
Here are my seven lessons I learned to create positive impact confidently from my time in Texas – and you don't have to be an Alpha Gam to benefit!
- A small group of people can make a difference. A group of 20 women volunteered at Meals on Wheels San Antonio to help make breakfast packs, and over 1,700 meals were produced in a short window of time. That meant on average, each person produced over 90 meals each. Our ability to create these meals allowed the kitchen team to focus on their responsibilities like keeping the space sanitary for code requirements and remain open to serve those in need. In a city with a population of almost 1.5M, Meals on Wheels has a large audience and 1,700 meals only lasts 2.5 days. This underscored the importance of being involved locally and regularly. Additionally, it showed the power of compound impact of small groups and small donations of time. Showing up when you are able and giving as you can provides immense impact to. Almost 100 people would eat breakfast per person with this effort. Isn't that incredibly powerful for showing up for only a couple hours? Bringing friends or doing work in a group very quickly multiplies that effort. And, it is more fun!
- We need to seek out others unlike us for both mentoring and to be mentored. We were enthralled by the keynote speaker Chef Jeff. Now a celebrity chef, he is a former drug dealer who turned his life around while in prison and after, especially with the support of his now wife. He also credited mentorship, opportunities that encouraged him how to learn, and that there was more to life than being in the streets – a world beyond. Chef Jeff sought advice from others who had achieved monetary success prior to their imprisonment. What Chef Jeff learned, he applied. It took a jail mentor telling Chef Jeff that he was smart and talented for him to believe it, something he hadn't heard much of during a difficult upbringing. The primary point Chef Jeff encouraged us to remember was to go out and mentor someone in the world who didn't share our opportunities and experiences. This person should be someone from a different socio-economic sphere, someone with a different skin color or culture than our own. We forget how lucky we are when we surround ourselves with similar people, and that we can offer the same hand up and help others create opportunities with our time, shared knowledge, and belief in someone else. In my own experience, it can be difficult to find a mentor. It can be powerful change when you become that person for someone else, even if you never had it yourself.
- The importance of recognizing people who give. The Fraternity (though we are widely recognized as a sorority) rewarded members for years, and in some cases decades, of service to the organization with varying magnitude of recognition. For women who receive these honors, it is incredibly memorable and special. In a professional setting, this may be recognized with promotions, raises, opportunity for special projects, or awards unique to the company or industry. Recognizing people who give in any setting is important because it validates the efforts as being valuable, meaningful, and having had an impact on others. Extraordinary contributions require dedication and time that are finite resources when people balance other commitments and priorities in their life. Whether it is a certificate, trophy, or an update to the business card, honoring a person with appropriate recognition matters. The way someone is recognized should also matter. Recognizing others in front of both peers and superiors, in other words, publicly, makes a case study of what qualifies as exceptional and also expands those who are aware of what is given for incredible efforts and overcoming obstacles to succeed. While not everyone appreciates public attention, it is the surest way to let people know that they are appreciated and what they do matters.
- Why it is important to strive for achievement. Achievement should measure the impact that someone or some organization has in what is does for itself and for others. When awards were presented from the Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation for fundraising and in support of fighting hunger initiatives and supporting scholarship and educational endeavors, the room was energized and the cheers thunderous, along with the jingle of the light-up tambourines. Chapters who blew us away in previous conventions continued to take it to the next level, while some new chapters set a strong foundation in what will be a major impact on community for years to come. It doesn't always matter how you get there, but that you journey toward the destination. Focusing on achievement also guides what efforts are taken, as it defines goals and ideal outcomes. Perfection doesn't matter, but that we go through the process with our best heart and best efforts forward. Without something to strive for, we lack direction. With something to strive for, we can continue to make positive impact and change.
- Make the best of situations with who and what you have. During the first breakout sessions when it appeared a scheduling conflict made one session less useful than its intent, the presenters were able to create bonds and learn from key attendee they had been hoping to meet about transformative efforts. At the same time, we were able to collect most of the International Philanthropy Committee together for an impromptu, in-person meeting. It allowed us to set goals, build the bonds more deeply than over the phone, share ideas, and ask questions. When we do our phone calls over the next few months, we will have understanding about our team members and easily put faces and names together. This helps me personally to add context to tone of voice or how to interpret questions and comments better. When the session didn't go as planned, it could have been viewed as a lost cause. But in small groups with a change of plans and altered execution, we made positive progress toward goals anyhow!
- The connections we make with others are what make life meaningful. Relationships are at the heart of what makes life so enjoyable. No matter what form they come in – friendship, professional, romantic – we are provided with a person who brings joy, offers encouragement, lifts us, and teaches us. For Alpha Gam, the 800 women in the room already shared the same Purpose to define our public values. The Purpose guides us and binds us already, so even as we make new friends, we start at an elevated level. When I think of this in a professional context, we are very much on the same team as colleagues – the more success we contribute to and create as an organization, the greater the opportunities are for all of us, and the more fun it is to work together. What I remember most fondly are not the breakout or business sessions, but the time having lunch together, sharing conversation and coffee, and catching up with my roommate, to name just a few examples.
- Organic change is not enough. Isaac Newton, the eminent British physicist, declared in his first law of motion what we commonly hear as an object at rest will stay at rest, and an object in motion will stay in motion, unless an outside force acts upon the object. As time passes, adoption of standards, philosophies, and technologies naturally come into our life. However, in organizations and for moving society forward, it takes thought, vision, risk, and courage to change programs, norms, and behaviors from what was to what will carry us forward, and it is better to carry forward than be left in the dust. With new generations rising, we need to adjust to make sorority meaningful and valuable – our grandmothers and Founders would have desired a different experience, whether a suffragette or accepting of status quo. Advancement as a sorority, corporations, and nations require that we act swiftly yet thoughtfully, always looking ahead and continuing to move, rather than standing safely in our place. We cannot rely on the change by others to guide us, but must steer our ship through storms of change to get to our destination of becoming better and doing better.
So for me, and for you if you joined an organization that extends beyond the college years, Alpha Gamma Delta is for life. Those vows we made as collegiate women were bigger than we realized at the time, creating foundations and opportunities for friendship and bold influence on the world around us. The lessons I learned as a collegian ten years ago and what I learned at convention a month ago stay with me and are my inspiration to continue to strive to do better for myself, those around me at home and in career, and my community at large.
But, even if you are not a member of an organization like Alpha Gam, these are lessons that apply to work, home, the community, and life generally. The lessons outlined represent what can make an influence in our corporations, non-profits, and families. They are also effective inter-personally.
Which of the seven lessons resonates the most with you? How do you apply it, or hope to apply it, in your life?