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The Tennessee Mafia Jug Band performed with Roland White, another honoree for the award. The Tennessee Mafia Jug Band was one of the headlining performers Friday night at this year's Uncle Dave Macon Days festival.
From the pastoral hills, hollers, shopping malls and interstate highways of Goodlettsville Tennessee, home of Bill Monroe, Bashful Brother Oswald, Stringbean, Grandpa Jones, Keith Whitley and some living country music performers, comes the most entertaining "blast from the past" since Lester Moran and the Cadillac Cowboys. They're the Tennessee Mafia Jug Band– five guys and a scrubboard, with roots like wisdom teeth.
The Tennessee Mafia Jug Band have shamelessly stolen a feature of the old Roy Acuff Show – a bit known as "Pap & the Jug Band". There's only so many graveyard numbers or raunchy love songs that even the most rabid country audience can sit through without some kind of relief. This frolicking fivesome brightens up the stage with rib-tickling old time tunes. Even better, they have an utter lack of self-consciousness (and some might say any sense of decorum). The Tennessee Mafia Jug Band not only know the music, they wear the costumes, tell corny jokes and even do slapstick gags that throw a cable-tv-numbed audience into hysterics. Grown women have lost control of internal organs when the Jug Band entertains … tears a' runnin' down both legs!
Leroy Troy was another of the headlining performers Friday at this year's Uncle Dave Macon Days festival.
To begin, Banjoist & Songster Leroy Troy is a true good ol' boy from Goodlettsville Tennessee, which is now a northern suburb of metro Nashville. But long ago, in a galaxy far, far away, it was out-in-the-country home to a great number of Grand Ole Opry performers. Back then you couldn't help but be a neighbor to Stringbean, Bashful Brother Oswald, Bill Monroe, Grandpa Jones, the Carlisles and many others of the first generation of country music. Leroy isn't quite that old, but he is definitely SOAKED in that old time country entertainment spirit. He knew a number of these folks as neighbors when he was a boy.
'Troy has been playing the old time banjo since he was a very young lad. His dad used to take him to musical "gatherings" at a local grocery store in Goodlettsville. 13 year old Leroy was taken by the fiddling, but his dad bought him a banjo. One of the participants in this weekly jam was none other than Roy Acuff, the King of Country Music. Acuff took a shine to young Leroy and filled his head full of stories about Uncle Dave Macon – the Dixie Dewdrop, the first true "star" of the WSM Grand Ole Opry. Young Leroy began playing the banjo in Grandpa Jones' style, and then "graduated" to the more complex mix of entertainment skills that Uncle Dave was known for. Along the way he was taught the 19th century skills of a banjo man. These are the circus and vaudeville routines with clever, comical lyrics, and "monkeyshines" like twirling the instrument in time to the music. Leroy was fortunate to have been taught "how to cut a shine" by old Cordell Kemp of Defeated Tennessee. Cordell learned directly from Uncle Dave Macon. Uncle Dave himself learned from circus and vaudeville performers before 1900.
Just think for a minute how "dull" high school must have seemed when you're palling around with old time entertainers like Roy Acuff and Cordell Kemp thinking about Uncle Dave Macon
Bluegrass mandolin master and recipient of this year's Trailblazer Award, Roland White was also one of the headlining performers Friday at this year's Uncle Dave Macon Days festival.
Roland White has played in some of the most influential and popular groups in the music's history, and has played a notable part in creating that history. Springing from a large family of musicians, Roland and his younger brothers Eric and Clarence first played together as youngsters in their native Maine. Moving to southern California in 1955, The Country Boys (later to become The Kentucky Colonels) won talent contests, appeared on local television shows and even landed appearances on The Andy Griffith Show. They toured the country during the folk music boom of the early 60's, creating a sensation among coffeehouse, festival and college audiences with their instrumental virtuosity, traditional brother vocal harmonies and rhythmic innovations. The Kentucky Colonels' influence far exceeded the band's short tenure as an active band. Their "Appalachian Swing" album remains one of the most important albums of that era, a landmark in the history of bluegrass.
Moving from The Kentucky Colonels into a position as guitarist for Bill Monroe in the late 60's, Roland absorbed the traditional feel and repertoire from his mentor, the Father Of Bluegrass, which remains a strong element in his music today. From Monroe's band, Roland joined that of another bluegrass pioneer, Lester Flatt, playing mandolin and recording several albums as a member of The Nashville Grass from 1969-1973. In 1973 a short-lived reunion of The White Brothers was brought to an untimely end due to Clarence White's tragic death. Of this brief reunion came two concert recordings that capture the excitement of the White Brothers' sound fully matured, after Clarence's excursions in country rock with the Byrds and Roland's studies with the Monroe and Flatt.
After Clarence's death Roland began a thirteen-year tenure with the progressive west coast group Country Gazette, first playing guitar and then mandolin, with such bluegrass luminaries as Byron Berline, Alan Munde, Joe Carr, and Roger Bush. In 1989 Roland joined Nashville Bluegrass Band, who distinguished themselves as the premier bluegrass band of their generation, winning two Grammy Awards and Grammy nominations on all of their albums. In 2000 Roland formed The Roland White Band, and they earned a Grammy nomination for their first recording, "Jelly On My Tofu". The band, consisting of Roland on mandolin, Diane Bouska on guitar, Richard Bailey, banjo, Brian Christianson, fiddle and Jon Weisberger, bass, has just recorded a new album entitled "Straight-Ahead Bluegrass". Roland has been honored by SPBGMA and IBMA for his achievements and contributions to bluegrass music, but he has no plans to retire–Roland and his band continue to perform and teach around the world.
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Click Here to get started with your own anonymous and confidential critique page.
|Frequently Asked Questions
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Tell Me Straightis like "1-800-How's-My-Driving" or a suggestion-box at your local restaurant. But
Tell Me Straightis better than the old fashioned comments-box, because it has the convenience of email-like correspondence. Like email, the system allows people to send messages back and forth multiple times. But unlike traditional email or online discussion boards, messages from the commenter remain completely anonymous and confidential (there is no security-defying feature like "caller-id").
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Anyone who wants feedback on a product or service will find
Tell Me Straightuseful. The most traditional example may be a business owner who wants comments from customers. Listed below are just a few more examples of feedback pairs:
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Tell Me Straightsends email messages to the "boss" WITHOUT any identifying information. A second web page is created that allows the employee to privately read any response from the boss.
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If you want to get critiques:
Click on the link below to set up your own anonymous and confidential critique page. The tool uses Google accounts to sign in. You can customize your page to explain who you are and what type of feedback is invited. After clicking Submit, you will be redirected to your new critique page. Note down or bookmark the address, because you will need to give this to the employees you want feedback from.
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subset: commoncrawl


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Payday 2: On Joker Cops
There are a couple reasons I frequently finding myself grabbing Joker skills in my Payday 2 builds; firstly, they're under the Mastermind skill tree, which also comes with all the medic skills. The top joker skill, Hostage Taker, lets you regenerate health every five seconds if you have a converted cop. This works great with most of my favorite perk decks, especially my current love Stoic, which has phenomenal tanking potential but no innate way to regenerate the slivers of damage that will slowly wear you down throughout a heist. But even when I don't spec all the way into… [Continue Reading]Read more


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One of the most read posts so far was on the Church Information Division. Well, the church does more research other than the phone calls I described. They also do basic surveys, just like ones you might see from major companies (about product satisfaction). No, you probably won't be asked to fill out a survey about how satisfied you are with how your tithing money is spent, but there are survey's being done about a variety of topics. I recently received an email about "Improving Family History Consultant E-mail Messages" (the link takes you to the survey). The survey is just a single page with a question about how much the emails help you, what content you would like in the emails, and a comments field. In this case, the survey is run by Inquisite Inc.
In the past, I've also done a survey (by following a link at another site) about handheld content (files for your PDA).
If you ever get an email like this, I'd suggest that you complete the survey. Who knows how much they listen, but it is a chance to make your voice heard on these sorts of simple topics.


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Anyone have photographs of their magnetometer installations? I am getting ready to finish the final hardware installation and would like to see how others have done it.
Specifically, I am looking for the mounting bracket and where/how the bracket was mounted. I am considering mounting it on one of the vertical bulkheads aft of the baggage compartment in my RV6A.
One of the issues I am facing is the alignment between the selected bulkhead and the instrument panel. The instructions say the magnetometer and main (display) box should be installed aligned to each other within 2/10ths of a degree. This means making a mounting bracket with a six degree angle to accomodate the instrument panel.
Any guidance is welcome,
Ralph Capen


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Yes, it's another old Honda! This one is a 1978 XL250S. It has just short of 2400 miles indicated that I'm told are original and from the looks of the bike I believe it. It's in outstanding condition. It starts on the first kick and runs great. It's all there including a clean title plus we got a bunch of spares with it.
To top all this off my dear wife is the one that saw it and told me about it. She saw it earlier in the week about 1 mile west of us and she reminded me about it a few days later. What a wife! : )


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More than 670 hunting and fishing organizations are calling on Congress to pass cap-and-trade legislation to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 percent by 2050. They write:
We who hunt and fish believe we have a moral responsibility to confront climate change in order to protect our outdoor heritage and our children's future. Accordingly, we ask you to cosponsor legislation that reduced greenhouse gas pollution 2% annually through a cap and trade program and provides wildlife conservative funding to help wildlife survive climate change.
For more on how cap-and-trade would work, click here.


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Wednesday, July 31, 2013
It Has Been A Long Time....
For my post I created a card for this week's Going Grey with Scrap-Creations Challenge. This week is special because we have a wonderful sponsor I Brake For Stamps. They were wonderful enough to let us play with the fabulous creations of Rick St. Dennis. The theme this challenge is Anything Goes, I chose this cute image because of our own cute bunny Bandit. I am giving this card to one of the kiddos at school that also has a bunny and I made it so she could use it as a small plaque afterward. The blue panel is the card part and after she can glue it down and hang it from some pretty pink polka dot ribbon that I will include with it. I don't know if you can tell from the pic but the middle bunny is on a wobble so it wiggles when you move the card.
Be sure to come play along with us, you could win a great prize and we would love to see what you create!
Here are some other fantastic challenges that I am entering my card in
Chocolate, Coffee and Cards Challenge # 44-Animals
CMC Copic Challenge #73-Anything Goes
Crafting By Design Challenge-Anything Goes
Crafts 4 Eternity Challenge #143-Anything Goes
Crafts and Me Challenge #139-Anything Goes
Crafty Boots Challenge-Animals
Creatalicious Challenge #53-I love my pet!
Die Cuttin Divas Challenge #126-Anything Goes
Divas By Design Challenge-Favorite Colour Combination, blue and pink
Eureka Stamps Challenge #44-Anything Goes
Great Impressions July Challenge-Anything Goes
Kaboodle Doodles Challenge #182-Anything with ink or paint
Lady Anne's Stamp Challenge #10-Anything Goes
Lady Bug Crafts July Challenge-Use your favorite embellishment, pearls and flowers
Marianne's Design Divas Challenge-Layer It Up
Oldie But A Goodie Challenge-Best Dressed, My DP is years old and just found and opened to create this card
One Stitch At A time Challenge #174-Anything Goes
Oozak Challenge #18-Anything Goes with Texture
Paper Crafting Journey Challenge-Punches and/ or Die Cuts
Paper Playtime Challenge #15-Patterned Paper
Patty's Creations Design Challenge #72-Recipe, I used 3 flowers, 4 pearls/ 3 gems and a sentiment
Pile It On Challenge #30-Anything Goes
Scrapbook Stamp Society Challenge #12-Anything Goes
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge-Anything Goes
Sister Act Challenge #17-Anything Goes
Songbird Challenge-My Favorite Things, Copics, rabbits, pearls, flowers
Southern Girls Challenge #74-Animal Antics
The Cutie pie Challenge #49-Pretty in Pink
The Paper Shelter Challenge-Anything Goes
Through The Classroom Door Challenge-Anything Goes
Use It Tuesday Challenge #60-What was I thinking!?! This DP came from a 12x12 paper pack that I bought years ago and I just opened it to make this creation(found it in a misc box that hasn't been opened so long ago I forgot about it, YIKES!)
These are all fabulous challenges so be sure to stop by and play along with them. Thank for all your wonderful comments, they are very much appreciated.
Happy Crafting,
28 comments:
- Samantha Casey said...
Amazing job! Thank you for joining us for the Oozak Challenge!
- July 31, 2013 at 9:25 PM
- Dawn said...
First off, congratulations on all your hard work & success!! It must have felt great to see such drastic improvements to your health in such a short period.
Your card is really cute and sweet - I love the sentiment and the clever design. Thanks so much for sharing it & your story at Creatalicious.
Hugs, Dawn
- July 31, 2013 at 11:46 PM
- Laine said...
Wow, what a fabulous post. So many congratulations on achieving your targets. Well done and every Good Wish.
Wonderful card. Thank you so much for sharing with us at PCJ.
Laine - DT
- August 1, 2013 at 4:45 AM
- Dee's Craft Room said...
Wow, that is amazing, congratulations on turning your life around.
Lovely card, these whimsical bunnies make me smile. Thank you for sharing your work with all of us at Crafty Boots Challenges.
- August 1, 2013 at 8:01 AM
- Hazel said...
A lovely card, I love that image. It's brilliant news about your change of lifestyle and health improvement. All the best for the future. Thank you for joining us at OSAAT. Hazel x
- August 1, 2013 at 8:57 AM
- Angeline Choo said...
Oh what cute bunnies!
Thanks for joining us this week at Sister Act Card challenge
Angeline DT
- August 1, 2013 at 9:16 AM
- Sandra DeFalco said...
Thanks for playing in our "Recipe" Challenge #72!
Sandi ♥
DT Coordinator for Pattie's Creations Challenge!
and Pattie's shop
Home of Pattieboop and Allie!
- August 1, 2013 at 11:16 AM
- michele said...
Gorgeous card, thanks for sharing your creation with us at Crafts 4 eternity hugs x
- August 1, 2013 at 1:09 PM
- susiestacey said...
Lovely card. Thank you for joining the Cutie pies Pretty on Pink challenge and good luck x Susan x
- August 1, 2013 at 1:58 PM
- Chris said...
Great card! love the bunnies! And well done you for achieving a healthier lifestyle! It's not easy to change the way you live and eat but you did it!!
Thanks for joining us at Southern Girls Challenge
- August 1, 2013 at 5:35 PM
- cotnob said...
Wow! What a fantastic achievement - it must have been such hard work but the brilliant results must have made you really proud of yourself.
I love your card, such fun images.
- August 1, 2013 at 6:12 PM
- Jennie - The Crafty Wife said...
Well done, you, on your change of lifestyle and well done on such a super card and a great idea too. Thank you for joining us at OSAAT. Jennie x
- August 1, 2013 at 6:33 PM
- Unknown said...
Great card! Congrats on yiur 67 pounds! Thank you for playing along with us at Use it Tuesday
- August 1, 2013 at 7:01 PM
- snappy scrappy said...
Adorable!!.... thanks for playing along with us at DCD!! Lee-Ann :)
- August 1, 2013 at 7:41 PM
- Payne Holler Cards said...
This is adorable! And super congrats on life change! Very encouraging....so glad you joined us at the CMC Copic challenge (-:
- August 1, 2013 at 7:46 PM
- KarinsArtScrap said...
it's a gorgeous card Mary.
Thanks for join us at ScrapbookStampSociety Challenge.
Greetings Karin DT Member
- August 2, 2013 at 3:14 AM
- Janice said...
Well done you in sorting out your health issues and in bringing your weight down. Keep up the good work. Love your card this week in Diva's - very cure indeed, Jx
- August 2, 2013 at 6:16 AM
- Basement Stamper said...
And you look amazing with all that hard work you have done!!! So happy for you and your accomplishment.
- August 2, 2013 at 11:08 AM
- Nicole said...
Congratulations! What a success story. Your post sure brightened my day, both your road towards health and this card. thank you so much for linking up with us at Use it Tuesday.
- August 2, 2013 at 2:59 PM
- Jingle said...
Very cute card! Great colors! Thanks for playing along in the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge!
- August 2, 2013 at 3:28 PM
- Nikki Byrne said...
Fabulous card and great image!! Thank you for sharing with us at OSAAT this week and good luck. Hugs, Nikki DT
- August 3, 2013 at 2:55 PM
- Ali said...
Love your card - such a great image and the sentiment is fab.
Congratulations on your weight loss to - that is incredible. You should be justifiably proud of yourself.
Thanks for joining in our Anything Goes challenge at OSAAT this week. :)
- August 3, 2013 at 7:16 PM
- kingsharon1967 said...
Great creation thank you for joining in the Kaboodle Doodles challenge and good luck-Sharon DT
- August 4, 2013 at 2:35 AM
- abusybee - DoubleClick Connections said...
Your card is super, but a bigger congrats on your weight loss! Yah for you! I'm a crafter and runner and it is so hard to squeeze everything in!
Here is my running blog:
and my crafty one:
- August 4, 2013 at 5:41 PM
- Sher said...
Congratulations Mary! You are truly an inspiration to all.
Your card is adorable. Love those bunnies! Thanks for joining us at Crafting By Designs this week!
- August 4, 2013 at 7:35 PM
- Karen said...
Congratulations on your weight loss and for changing how and what you eat - that is one heck of an awesome outcome.
Gorgeous card - love the colouring and such a super cute image. Thank you so much for joining us at PCJ for our Punches/Dies challenge Karen P, Paper Crafting Journey Design Team http://stampinginpink.blogspot.co.uk/
- August 5, 2013 at 9:26 AM
- Dips said...
Gosh, what a super card, I love the repetition of the main image in different colours. Thank you so much for taking part in my challenge on an Oldie But A Goodie. Don't forget to pop by on Tuesday to see our new challenge. Keep using up all that old stash! And keep up with the weight loss, I'm 50lbs lighter than a year ago too and feel so much better for it!
- August 5, 2013 at 11:47 AM
- Jayne A said...
Fabulous card.
Thanks for joining us at Diva's
- August 5, 2013 at 2:47 PM


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Find out what the research shows about running mechanics and running related injuries during this FREE WORKSHOP happening at Elite Health Services with Matt Silvaggio, MSPT, CFMT Wednesday, June 19th at 7pm.
Bring a friend along with your questions. Wine and cheese will be served.
Elite Health Services
Wednesday, June 19th
7:00PM to 8:00PM
Wine and Cheese will be served
The workshop is free, but registration is requested.


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I love ice cream. My boyfriend and I used to go to Cold Stone a lot and eat so much that we'd swear off ice cream. It was all fun and games, except one time he actually meant it. Every time after this fateful day when I'd ask, "Cold Stone?" he'd reply, "I don't eat ice cream, remember?" He actually hasn't eaten ice cream in like two years. It makes me sad because now I have to get ice cream alone and no one likes going to get ice cream alone.
Fortunately, I just found out how to make my own two ingredient ice cream so I can have delicious ice cream whenever I want. Bonus? It's super easy. Double bonus? I added coffee and vanilla to make vanilla latte ice cream. Yeah, this is probably the best thing ever and you need to try it immediately. The only reason to not eat this is if you're my boyfriend and swore off ice cream.
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1-14 oz sweetened condensed milk
- 1 pack instant coffee (I used Via from Starbucks)
- 1 tsp vanilla flavoring
- Whip the cream until it reaches stiff peaks.
- Mix the coffee and vanilla flavoring into the sweetened condensed milk.
- Gently fold the sweetened condensed milk mixture into the whipped cream.
- Place in an airtight container and freeze.
- Eat any time after it's frozen solid (I left mine overnight).


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|Image search
The Elusive Planet Mercury
Astronomik 642nm red filter
This image by Martin represents the best output of several attempts at imaging Mercury in full daylight. The elongation was favourable, with Mercury culminating before the sun and at a good altitude. Several techniques had been used to find the planet in a bright sky, without any GoTo. - using my 222mm Dobsonian on a home-built equatorial platform with Argo Navis digital setting circles and using the sun for error correction. An improvised moveable sun screen held in a parasol base stopped slanting sunlight warming the inside of the tube. The image represents the output of the best 0.75% of 334k frames, joined in Pipp then processed in AS3.0.11 and Registax using gamma and very light wavelets then finished using Astra Image deconvolution in PaintShop Pro.


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Moons and Junes is a Copenhagen-based lingerie brand devoted to providing an everyday luxury to women. They celebrate uniqueness through a devotion to help women feel beautiful and confident in their own skin.
Coco is your new favourite thong. The string is two CMs longer than standard thongs, so you'll avoid the wedgie-effect. The two angled seams at the front have been placed to emphasise the length of your legs, and of course; the crotch is provided with a breathable cotton patch.
This design is named after Coco Chanel
89% Polyamide, 11% Elastane
ISLA GmbH
Inselstraße 13
10179 Berlin
+49 162 9741809
Monday 12pm-8pm
Tuesday to Friday 10am-8pm
Saturday 10am-7pm


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Biography of Buster Keaton (October 4, 1895 – February 1, 1966)
(courtesy of wikipedia.com's biography of Buster Keaton)
Joseph Frank Keaton Jr. (October 4, 1895 - February 1, 1966), always known as Buster Keaton, was a popular and influential American silent-film comic actor and filmmaker. His trademark was physical comedy with a stoic, deadpan expression on his face, earning him the nickname "The Great Stone Face". His work as a performer and director is widely regarded to be some of the most innovative and important work in the history of cinema.
A 2002 world-wide poll by Sight and Sound ranked Keatonâs The General as the 15th best film of all time. Three other Keaton films received votes in the survey: Our Hospitality, Sherlock, Jr., and The Navigator.
Buster Keaton's Early life in vaudeville
Buster Keaton was born into the world of vaudeville. His father, Joseph Hallie Keaton, a native of Vigo County, Indiana known in the show business world as Joe Keaton, and Harry Houdini owned a traveling show called the Mohawk Indian Medicine Company, which performed on stage and sold patent medicine on the side. Keaton was born in Piqua (PICK-way), Kansas, the small town where his mother, Myra Edith Cutler, happened to go into labor.
At the age of three, he began performing with his parents as The Three Keatons; the storyline of the act was how to raise a small child. Myra played the saxophone to one side while Joe and Buster performed on center stage. Buster would goad Joe by disobeying him, and Joe would respond by throwing Buster against the scenery, into the orchestra pit, or even into the audience. The act evolved as Buster learned to take trick falls safely. He was rarely injured or bruised on stage. Nevertheless, this knockabout style of comedy led to accusations of child abuse. Decades later, Keaton said that he was never abused by his father and that the falls and physical comedy were a matter of proper technical execution. In fact, Buster would have so much fun, he would begin laughing as his father threw him across the stage. This drew fewer laughs from the audience, so Buster adopted his famous dead-pan expression whenever he was working.
The act ran up against laws banning child performers in vaudeville. When one official saw Buster in full costume and make-up, he asked a stage-hand how old that performer was. The stage-hand shrugged and pointed to Buster's mother. "I don't know," he said, "ask his wife!" Despite tangles with the law and a disastrous tour of the English Music Halls, Buster was a rising star in the theater, so much so that even when Myra and Joe tried to introduce Buster's siblings into the act, Buster remained the central attraction.
By the time Buster was 21, Joe's alcoholism threatened the reputation of the family act, so Buster and Myra left Joe in Los Angeles. Myra returned to their summer home in Muskegon, Michigan, while Buster traveled to New York, where his performing career moved from vaudeville to film.
Buster Keaton in the Silent film era
In February 1917 Keaton met Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle at the Talmadge Studios in New York City, where Arbuckle was under contract to Joseph M. Schenck. He was hired as a co-star and gag-man. Keaton later claimed that he was soon Arbuckle's second director and his entire gag department. Keaton and Arbuckle became close friends, a bond that would never break, even after Arbuckle was embroiled in the scandal that cost him his career and his personal life.
After Keaton's successful work with Arbuckle, Schenck gave him his own production unit, The Keaton Studio. He made a series of two-reel comedies, including One Week (1920), Cops (1922), The Electric House (1922), and The Playhouse (1921). Based on the success of these shorts, he graduated to full-length features. These films made Keaton one of the most famous comedians in the world. At the time, he was perhaps the third most popular comedian in America behind Charlie Chaplin and Harold Lloyd.
His most enduring feature-length films include Our Hospitality (1923), The Navigator (1924), Sherlock Jr. (1924), The Cameraman (1928), Steamboat Bill Jr. (1928), and The General (1927). The last film, set during the American Civil War, is considered his masterpiece, combining physical comedy with Keaton's love for trains. Unfortunately, many of his most acclaimed films performed poorly at the box office due to their sophistication — audiences had a difficult time seeing Buster as a cinematic artist of considerable ambition.
In addition, the technical side of filmmaking fascinated him and he was forward thinking enough to want to produce sound films when they began to become technically practical and popular. The fact that he had a good voice and years of stage experience promised an easier adjustment than Chaplin's silent Tramp character, who could not survive sound. Sadly, Keaton's loss of independence as a filmmaker coincided with the coming of sound films and his mounting personal problems, and his full potential in the early sound era was never realized.
Buster Keaton's Marriages
In 1921, he married Natalie Talmadge, sister-in-law of his boss, Joe Schenck, and sister of actresses Norma Talmadge and Constance Talmadge. The couple had two sons, James and Robert, during the first three years of the marriage, but after the birth of Robert, the relationship began to suffer.
According to Keaton in his autobiography, Natalie turned him out of their bedroom and sent detectives to follow him to see who he was dating behind her back. She also spent enormous sums of money. During the 1920s, as per his autobiography, he dated actress Kathleen Key, and upon ending the affair, Key flew into a rage tearing up his dressing room. In 1932, Natalie bitterly divorced Keaton, taking his entire fortune and refusing to allow any contact between Keaton and his sons. Keaton was reunited with them about a decade later. The traumatic failure of his marriage, along with the loss of his independence as a filmmaker, led Keaton into a period of alcoholism.
In 1933, Buster married Mae Scriven – his nurse, during an alcoholic binge that he claimed to remember nothing about afterwards (Keaton himself later called that period an "alcoholic blackout"). When they divorced in 1936, she took half of everything they owned — half of their dining-room set, half of each table and chair set, half of their books – and Buster's favorite St. Bernard, Elmer.
In 1940, Buster married Eleanor Norris, who was 23 years his junior. She saved his life and helped to salvage his career. All of their friends advised them against marrying, but the marriage lasted until his death. Between 1947 and 1954, Buster and Eleanor appeared regularly in the Cirque Medrano in Paris, in a highly-regarded doubles act. Eleanor died in 1998.
Buster Keaton in the Sound era and television
Keaton's filmmaking unit was acquired by MGM in 1928, a business decision that Keaton regretted ever afterwards. He was forced to enter the ranks of the studio system, working at the MGM studios in a more restrictive environment that he had previously worked in. He stopped directing, but continued to perform and made some of his most financially successful films for the studio, including Parlor, Bedroom and Bath (1931), and Speak Easily (1932). After his MGM star contract was terminated he was re-employed as a gag writer for various MGM films, particularly those of the Marx Brothers — including A Night at the Opera (1935), At the Circus (1939), and Go West (1940); and various films of Red Skelton.
During this period Buster Keaton also starred in two series of short films made for Educational Pictures and Columbia Pictures (the latter were directed and written by Del Lord), which received little attention at the time, and made a film in Paris entitled Le Roi des Champs-Ãlyses (1934).
He guest-starred in such films as Sunset Boulevard (1950), It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World (1963), and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1966), and appeared in Charlie Chaplin's Limelight (1952), recalling the vaudeville of The Playhouse.
He had two back-to-back television series, The Buster Keaton Show (1950) and Life With Buster Keaton (1951). (Despite their popularity, he canceled the programs because he was unable to create enough material to produce a new show each week). He also found steady work as an actor in TV commercials. His classic silent films saw a revival in the late 1950s and early 1960s. In 1961 he starred in The Twilight Zone episode Once Upon a Time, which had both silent and sound scenes. Keaton starred in a wonderful, short SILENT film, ( His last ) called The Railrodder (1965) for the National Film Board of Canada. Wearing his traditional porkpie hat, he travelled from one end of Canada to the other on a motorised "hand-car", performing gags similar to those in films he made 50 years before. The Railrodder was made in tandem with a documentary about Keaton's life, cinema style and the creation of The Railrodder called Buster Keaton Rides Again – also made for the National Film Board. He played the central role in Samuel Beckett's Film (1965), directed by Alan Schneider.
Keaton lived to see the rediscovery of his great silent films in his later years, and his recognition as one of the great geniuses of cinema.
Buster Keaton's Legacy and contribution
Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, and Harold Lloyd are remembered as the great comic innovators of the silent era. Keaton was undoubtedly the most innovative filmmaker of the three, although Keaton never made such comparisons. He enjoyed Lloyd's films highly and often praised Chaplin for his genius.
Keaton has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame: 6619 Hollywood Boulevard (for motion pictures); and 6321 Hollywood Boulevard (for television). In 1994, he appeared on a United States postage stamp designed by caricaturist Al Hirschfeld.
Many actors and filmmakers were influenced by Keaton, including Alec Guinness, Peter Sellers, Blake Edwards, Jackie Chan and Stephen Chow.
Tom Green credited Keaton for the inspiration for the "Falling House" scene in Freddy got Fingered.
Trivia about Buster Keaton
- During the railroad water tank scene in Sherlock Jr. Keaton broke his neck and did not realize it until years afterward.
Filmography of Buster Keaton
- The Butcher Boy (1917)
- The Rough House (1917)
- His Wedding Night (1917)
- Oh Doctor! (1917)
- Coney Island (1917)
- A Country Hero (1917)
- Out West (1918)
- The Bell Boy (1918)
- Moonshine (1918)
- Good Night, Nurse! (1918)
- The Cook (1918)
- Back Stage (1919)
- The Hayseed (1919)
- The Garage (1919)
- One Week (1920)
- The Round-Up (1920) (uncredited)
- The Saphead (1920)
- Convict 13 (1920)
- The Scarecrow (1920)
- Neighbors (1920)
- The Boat 1921
- The Haunted House (1921)
- Hard Luck (1921) …. Suicidal Boy
- The Playhouse (1921)
- The Paleface (1922)
- The Frozen North (1922)
- The Electric House (1922)
- Cops (1922)
- Daydreams (1922)
- The Balloonatic (1923)
- The Love Nest (1923)
- Three Ages (1923)
- Our Hospitality (1923)
- Sherlock Jr. (1924)
- The Navigator (1924)
- Seven Chances (1925)
- The Iron Mule (1925) (uncredited)
- Go West (1925)
- Battling Butler (1926)
- The General (1927)
- College (1927)
- Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928)
- The Cameraman (1928)
- Spite Marriage (1929)
- Free and Easy (1929)
- Doughboys (1930)
- The Slippery Pearls (1931)
- Parlor, Bedroom and Bath (1931)
- The Sidewalks of New York (1931)
- Casanova wider Willen (1931)
- Plombier amoureux, Le (1932)
- The Passionate Plumber (1932)
- Speak Easily (1932)
- What! No Beer? (1933)
- The Gold Ghost (1934)
- Allez Oop (1934)
- Le Roi des Champs-Ãlysées (1934)
- The Invader (1935)
- One Run Elmer (1935)
- Hayseed Romance (1935)
- Tars and Stripes (1935)
- The E-Flat Man (1935)
- The Timid Young Man (1935)
- Three on a Limb (1936)
- Grand Slam Opera (1936)
- Blue Blazes (1936)
- The Chemist (1936)
- Mixed Magic (1936)
- Jail Bait (1937)
- Ditto (1937)
- Love Nest on Wheels (1937)
- Pest from the West (1939)
- Mooching Through Georgia (1939)
- Nothing But Pleasure (1940)
- Pardon My Berth Marks (1940)
- The Taming of the Snood (1940)
- New Moon (1940) (uncredited)
- The Spook Speaks (1940)
- The Villain Still Pursued Her (1940)
- Li'l Abner (1940)
- His Ex Marks the Spot (1940)
- So You Won't Squawk (1941)
- General Nuisance (1941)
- She's Oil Mine (1941)
- Forever and a Day (1943)
- San Diego I Love You (1944)
- That's the Spirit (1945)
- That Night with You (1945)
- She Went to the Races (1945) (uncredited)
- God's Country (1946)
- Easy to Wed (1946)
- Moderno Barba Azul, El (1946)
- Colmillo de Buda, El (1949)
- The Lovable Cheat (1949)
- You're My Everything (1949)
- In the Good Old Summertime (1949)
- Sunset Boulevard (1950)
- Excuse My Dust (1951) (uncredited)
- Paradise for Buster (1952)
- The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1960)
- Limelight (1952)
- It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World (1963)
- Pajama Party (1964)
- The Railrodder (1965)
- How to Stuff a Wild Bikini (1965)
- Sergeant Dead Head (1965)
- Film (1965)
- A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1966)
Buster Keaton Books
- Blesh, Rudi (1966). Keaton. The Macmillan Company.
- Keaton, Buster; Samuels, Charles (1982). My Wonderful World Of Slapstick. Da Capo Press.
- Keaton, Eleanor (2001). Buster Keaton Remembered. Harry N. Abrams, Inc.. ISBN 0810942275.
- McPherson, Edward (2005). Buster Keaton: Tempest in a Flat Hat. Newmarket Press. ISBN 1-55704-6654


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Hollywood actor Mel Gibson's cameo in "The Hangover" sequel has been axed amid reports that the movie's cast angrily objected to it.
Director Todd Phillips has confirmed he was forced to scrap Gibson's cameo following tensions on-set, reports imdb.com.
"I thought Mel would have been great in the movie and I had the full backing of (Warner Brothers boss) Jeff Robinov and his team. But I realise filmmaking is a collaborative effort, and this decision ultimately did not have the full support of my entire cast and crew," said Phillips.
The "Braveheart" star has had a tough 2010 following his nasty split from ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva, who has accused the actor of beating her in a violent altercation in January.


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Parents and Guardians
INSPIRE Sheboygan County helps you support your students in exploring their career options.
The Mission of INSPIRE Sheboygan County is to connect students to meaningful career experiences in the Sheboygan County Area.
Our Vision is that all students graduate with an inspiring and realistic academic and career plan informed by connections and experiences provided through INSPIRE Sheboygan County.
Learn more
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Learn about and connect with
employers to help plan your career!
Engage your students in building
and developing their career plans!
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Get involved in your student's
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Relying solely on DLSR camera is not yet ample or satisfied that makes you feel impressed once shooting video on the DSLR camera. In term of video quality, it is superior that every professional accepts, yet it is so poor and needed improvement regard of sound quality. Thus you may need help from some accessories that are qualified and compatible with your DSLR camera. To make ease for you, we would like to DSLR's companion called DSLR audio recorder that comes with set or bundle to enhance your video's sound quality into superior one that you will be genuinely impressed. And, you will take it along with your DSLR camera whenever you tend to shoot video with no doubt.
That leads us to do some reviews some newly released DSLR audio recorders that are certainly best companions for every powerful DSLR camera that you don't have to worry about compatibility at all. Besides, some come with bundles which include every needed equipment for you to use with no barrier. In case being curious, you can find out more details of those recommended and must-have DLSR audio recorders below during your spare-time with pleasure.
- 1. Tascam DR-60DmkII 4-Channel Portable Recorder Bundle
- 2. Tascam DR-60DmkII 4-Channel Portable Audio Recorder
- 3. Saramonic SR-PAX1 Two-Channel Portable Audio Recorder
- 4. Rode Videomic Pro-R+ On-Camera Shotgun Condenser Microphone
- 5. Tascam DR-40 4-Track Handheld Digital Audio Recorder Bundle
- 6. Zoom H4nPro Four-Channel Handy Audio Recorder
- 7. Movo Audio Recorder Kit
1. Tascam DR-60DmkII 4-Channel Portable Recorder Bundle
This bundle has all you needed to enhance sound quality once shooting your handy and functional DSLR camera. Besides, it provides cleaning kit to guarantee long term use as well. In term of audio recorder, it has 4 channels to ensure your convenient use, and they are ample for convenient use all the time. More importantly, it is capable of recording 24bit audio which is simply called Hi-Res audio, and this feature is also impressive and awesome. Plus, it still has other useful accessories that you will be astonished.
2. Tascam DR-60DmkII 4-Channel Portable Audio Recorder
If you merely need portable audio recorder with no accessories, this one is absolutely recommended with no second thought. In term of performance, it is incredibly awesome with ability of recording up to 24bit audio quality that is genuinely impressive. More than that, it has four microphone inputs to assure a convenient use that you have ever had, too. To ensure superior quality of audio, it also has low cut filter as well as limiter to get rid of noisy sound effectively. Having this one with your premium DSLR camera, you are set to shoot a superior quality video that you have ever experienced for sure.
3. Saramonic SR-PAX1 Two-Channel Portable Audio Recorder
If you do need only 2 channels portable audio recorder, this one might be the best for you. It is also reliable audio recorder that is the best companion for your DSLR camera all the time. It is capable of producing either mono sound or stereo sound quality that you will be impressed. More than that, its price tag is quite affordable with decent quality that you can purchase with no hesitation. What's a plus, it provides you 1-year warranty for the sake of you as well. With presence of this one, it is so ample that doesn't require other accessories besides it and your handy DSLR camera, and then you are set to shoot like a pro with no barrier.
4. Rode Videomic Pro-R+ On-Camera Shotgun Condenser Microphone
Rode Videomic Pro-R+ On-Camera Shotgun Condenser Microphone
You may see presence of this one on most DSLR camera on TV shows and so on and so forth. It is equipped with plug-in power that provides ease in mounting with your DSLR camera. More than that, it has high quality windshield to absorb clear and superior and get rid of unwanted noisy noise effectively. Besides, it comes with other useful accessories for you to use conveniently as well. Having this one will enhance your video's sound quality that you have ever experienced. Thus it is time to give it a try to prove us wrong.
5. Tascam DR-40 4-Track Handheld Digital Audio Recorder Bundle
This is another recommended audio recorder of Tascam, and it might be your best choice as well. It includes every handy accessory that you may need or need the most, so that all you need to do is to shoot video like a pro that you have never imagined. In term of setup, it has shock mount that provides ease in equipping with DSLR camera with no difficulty at all. In term of price tag, it is quite affordable than those recommended two above of the same manufacturer. Owning this bundle will make you feel sufficient.
6. Zoom H4nPro Four-Channel Handy Audio Recorder
This bundle or kit is somehow considerable, for it has all you need to shoot like a pro like others in the list, and its price tag is so competitive with others, too. Its audio recorder is easy to mount with most DSLR cameras that are available on the market. More than that, it has micro SD card, cleaning cloth, tripod and other useful stuffs to serve with no disappointment. Carrying the kit along whenever you shoot video on DSLR camera, you will realize how convenient and use it is. Thus let's find out, shall we?
7. Movo Audio Recorder Kit
Having this kit will enhance your shooting experience for sure, particularly in shooting video by using your hand DSLR camera. The kit includes everything you need namely transmitter, receiver, and other stuffs to ensure you superior sound quality that will make you astonished once listening to. Like other kits, its audio recorder can be mounted with DSLR camera easily with no difficulty, we assured you. Using this one lets you adjust either mono sound quality or stereo sound quality as you prefer without any concern at all. Thus it is time to be its owner straight away.


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The Science Forum 2019
In 2019, the Science Forum is organised on 9th–13th of January. The main location of the event is the main building of the Helsinki University. The urban events of the Science Forum such as the Night of Science (10th of Jan) and Science in the city (9th–11th of Jan) will take over various other venues. The program of the Science Forum can be found here.
Photo: Jari Loisa, Science Forum 2015


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The Couple Who Travelled The World on a 16 Month Honeymoon
At Workaway we absolutely love getting to know you all whether it be meeting on the road, hearing stories through emails or by actually going on a Workaway trip ourselves. We couldn't be prouder to be involved in such an inspiring community of travellers!
You would have seen our 'Workaway Host of the Month' feature we recently started which introduces you to some of our amazing hosts, but you didn't think we would ignore the ones that are actually going out there and helping make a difference did you?
This month we received an email from a newly-wed couple who have just completed the trip of a lifetime; a 16 month honeymoon around the world! Through Workaway and a passion for travel they seem to have had the most incredible time. We wanted to find out more…
Hey Mark and Camille! First of all, congratulations on your marriage, your honeymoon sounds like one cool trip! Are you currently doing a Workaway project?
We've just actually finished a 16-month backpacking honeymoon around some of the world. Now we're in the Philippines catching up with some family and friends before we venture off to Bali for a meditation retreat and another workaway opportunity. On our year-long (longer) honeymoon we started in the USA, went to Tanzania and Kenya, then came back to the Americas, backpacking from Guatemala down to Panama and then flew into Colombia and "finished" up in Ecuador. We discovered Workaway through a common friend and we were encouraged enough to try it to save some money and prolong our travels.
Wow, that sounds like it could be made into a film! What an adventure! What Workaways did you do along the way?
We've done a few Workaways mainly in Central America and South America during the past year. We started in Costa Rica workawaying at a bed and breakfast catering to hikers going up the nation's highest peak, Mt. Chirripo. The work exchange was incredible. It was a pretty relaxed environment, our hosts were very helpful and gave us a very informative orientation about the do's and dont's of the place. We originally signed up for 2 weeks, but the owners were set to leave for vacation for a week and we happily agreed to stay until they came back. During our time there we hiked in our free time, worked on our blog, learned tons of Spanish, met people from around the world, and got into birding.
What was it that made you choose Workaway?
Originally we had a plan of picking up ESL jobs on the road to help fund and sustain our travels. While we were in Central America the "backpack trail" was pretty active with long-term travelers, many of them using Workaway as a sustainable means of travel. We heard tons of stories and found out there were lots of opportunities to travel longer, slower, and more local. Once we got closer to Costa Rica we started looking for a Workaway. We knew the costs in Costa Rica would be way more than Nicaragua and Guatemala but still wanted to get a feel of what it was like. Fortunately for us we found a Workaway that fit our needs.
How do you feel travelling through Workaway is different from other kinds of travel?
Camille and I have always tried to move slow and local. We found that by staying in one place longer rather than rushing through a place checking off all the tourist activities was a way to travel deeper. We're able to have neighbours, interact with locals more, create relationships, break bread together, and share more life. Most people travel to get away from work to vacation. This is their time to disconnect from the world. For us, it's completely different. The reason we travel is to shatter our assumptions of this world, to break down our prejudices and biases based on mass media. We seek to connect with others and understand the culture. Even if the exchange you're doing is at a hostel there are locals you end up working with each day and a deeper sense of connection to a particular place.
Amazing answer! It is so refreshing to hear that you guys didn't travel to escape, but to discover! What is the most valuable lesson you have learned through cultural exchange?
Love's always been in the center of our movement. We came up with a motto of travel in love, love in travel. We came out of this trip unlearning tons of our formal education. We tore down some of our incorrect assumptions and biases. What came out was an increased understanding of who we are in this world. We've moved even further and come to realize that culture from different countries is always misunderstood and assumed through a perspective of media. People aren't always meant to be understood but should always be loved. From understanding to compassion to true love. We can truly say we feel more love in this world through cultural exchanges!
'All you need is love' we couldn't agree more! What is the funniest thing that has happened to you while on a Workaway experience?
The funniest experience would probably be the free walking tour we had in Medellin, Colombia on our day off. Our tour guides brought us to areas that felt a little bit sketchy while making us understand the culture. He explained how most people in the country are very welcoming to tourists and are mostly just curious. Right as he mentioned for us to not be scared or intimidated of locals peeking in, an old Colombian guy peeked through our group. Everyone laughed and was entertained as this happened multiple times during the tour. Another vendor passing by even approached our guide and insisted on having our guide tell us that we are very welcome to Colombia and they were happy to have us. We ended up having a really cool tour understanding both the culture and people around us. It's amazing how learning and understanding your surroundings can help diminish fear when traveling.
Colombia is definitely one of our favourite countries to be, and it's so misunderstood… what a great story!
Have you had to overcome any obstacles while on Workaway? How did you overcome them?
The idea of workaway exchange and going on the road on a long-term sustainable trip is very unconventional. While a common theme on the road, it's very misunderstood once you get home. Our main obstacle is being misunderstood about the way we've created our lifestyle. People look at what we do and can't believe we've traded our masters degree for reception jobs in hostels. These days we've been holding workshops in the Philippines trying to educate and empower people on how to long-term travel sustainability (I guess this is a way to respond to this "obstacle").
Is there anything you wish you'd brought along with on your travels that you didn't?
There really wasn't much we wish we brought along that we didn't. We felt like we had all that we need in our bags and the small things we might need we could always find on the road. We have our basics covered for the most part and never thought I wish I had brought this or that. Often times it was the other way around– I wish I hadn't brought this many clothes or this item or that. When preparing for a long trip most people pack more than they need and end up giving stuff away or leaving things behind. We came into this trip knowing that there will be a lot of unknowns, but the one thing we are happy to bring is the ability to have an open heart and soul to different opportunities. Because being open to learning and trying new things doesn't only help you grow but it helps you discover a million other things you never knew you could do.
Do you have plans to do another Workaway? What kind of work exchange would you be interested in doing?
These days we're starting to settle into the idea of living and working in the Philippines but are already feeling our itchy feet. We're currently playing with the idea of going to Bali or some other location in Southeast Asia to write an ebook of our year-long honeymoon. We'd love to find something that could help us stay for a long period of time and are open to different types of workaway opportunities.
Now, that's a book we would read! If you could give any advice to new Workawayers what'd it be?
Try new things. There's a huge process of elimination in finding out what you're passionate about. You never know what your likes and dislikes are until you try things, even if it's completely and utterly terrifying. There are tons of travel volunteering opportunities to feed various types of people, so be open to what the world is willing to throw at you. Even if you get into something that isn't for you there are still tons of learning opportunities and too many things you could be doing! So stop dreaming and start living.
Camille and Mark, it has been so great talking to you! We have no doubt you are going to have an incredible future together travelling the world and spreading your positivity! What's your next plan?
We were originally planning to head to Austria to work there but plans have changed and we'll be in the Philippines indefinitely. We will be heading to Bali for a month or two or a few depending on what opportunities come up. We're also playing with the idea of starting up a hotel and getting Workawayers to come over and help out. We're looking at expanding our online presence and/or starting a new blog. After honeymooning for the past 16 months, we've found that there are an infinite amount of possibilities in the world and sometimes all you need to do is ask.
Thanks so much to Mark and Camille for sharing her experiences with us, we really love learning about fellow Workawayers. 🙂 Do you want to be featured as our next WAyer of the month? Email us over at firstname.lastname@example.com!
Happy Travels!


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So Monster dislikes getting his hair cut. Dislikes it. I think Tuesday was his fifth time getting a haircut at the same salon to no avail. See, we need to keep him on our laps while poor Isabel (the only hairdresser I trust with my fringe) tries to cut his hair. If it's Byren holding him, he sort of tries to worm off his lap to run around & play. If it's me, then Monster literally pushes Isabel away from me as if protecting me. By all means, I'm flattered that my little warrior wants to protect his Mama. But this Mama would love the idea of her little warrior's hair being cut without any hassles. We almost always leave the hairdresser with one side of hair shorter than the other – that's if Monster let her cut anything to begin with.
Last week Tuesday, I went to dye my roots PURPLE! Yay!! [Happy Dance].
But before that could be done, parts of my hair {that were going to be dyed} had to first be bleached. While that was happening, Isabel colored my roots & then only we got to the purple. After that was done, I still needed to get a haircut. Due to two public holidays happening in one week, Monster's school, as I'm sure many other schools, is close for the week. So poor Monster had to sit through all of this while Mama got her hair done. Luckily, he's not a naughty kiddo {in public} so while he waited, he played with the colorful rollers. His patience actually stretched out to over two hours. I was impressed. It took a lot of stress of Isabel as well to not need to rush with my hair.
Then we tried to cut Monster's hair. With no luck. Isabel got a few snips off the one side of his head & that was it – Monster was done with his haircut.
So the next day I thought I'd try to cut his hair myself. I don't have any experience with cutting hair. My dolls all had funky {or no} hair. In grade three, I decided to cut my fringe but lets just say I never did it again.
So I put on Monster's favorite cartoon, Monsters University, gave him a bottle of milk & proceeded to get his hair. I cut it quite short. Well, very VERY short. So he ended up looking like this:
As I said, it's very short. There are a few places I cut too short so it looks like he doesn't have hair growing on those places.
What I learned: Don't try to cut your kids hair unless you know what you're doing.
Positive side: Hair grows back 🙂


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Firefighting crews started Wednesday to gain control of a wind-fueled blaze that has raged unchecked across parched Central Texas for days, leaving a trail of charred properties in its wake and causing thousands of people to flee.
At least two people have died in the wildfire, which has destroyed more than 600 homes and blackened about 45 square miles in and around Bastrop, a city near Austin.
Texas Task Force 1, an elite search team that was sent to New York following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and to New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, will be assisting in Bastrop.
The latest news from around North Texas.
The team has dogs that can help look for people trapped in debris, Chief Bob McKee told The Associated Press. "We also have human remains canines that would scent on deceased persons or animals," McKee said.
Crews finally got a reprieve Tuesday from winds pushed in by Tropical Storm Lee that whipped the blaze into an inferno over the weekend. Texas Forest Service spokeswoman April Saginor said the Bastrop fire was 30 percent contained early Wednesday, and that the lighter winds were assisting firefighters in their efforts.
"Even though the fuels are critically dry, the grass is dry and the relative humidity is still pretty low, they were able to take advantage of lower winds," Saginor said.
The blaze in Bastrop is the most catastrophic of the more than 180 fires that have erupted in the past week across Texas, marking one of the most devastating wildfire outbreaks in state history. The fires have destroyed more than 1,000 homes, caused four deaths and pulled the state's firefighting ranks to the limit.
In a housing development near Bastrop, Willie Clements' two-story colonial home was reduced to a heap of metal roofing and ash. A picket fence was melted. Some goats and turkeys survived, but about 20 chickens and ducks died in a coop that went up in flames.
"We lost everything," said Clements, who with his family took a picture of themselves in front of a windmill adorned with a charred red, white and blue sign that proclaimed, "United We Stand."
"This is the beginning of our new family album," the 51-year-old said.
Texas Gov. Rick Perry cut short a presidential campaign trip to South Carolina to deal with the crisis, and on Tuesday toured a blackened area near Bastrop.
"Pretty powerful visuals of individuals who lost everything," Perry said after the tour. "The magnitude of these losses are pretty stunning."
The conservative Republican said he expects federal assistance with the wildfires but complained that red tape was keeping available bulldozers and other heavy equipment at the Army's Fort Hood, about 75 miles from Bastrop. The post was fighting its own 3,700-acre blaze.
White House spokesman Jay Carney said the Obama administration has approved seven federal grants to help Texas with the latest wildfires.
About 1,200 firefighters battled the blazes, including crews from as far away as California and Oregon. Five heavy tanker planes, some from the federal government, and three aircraft capable of scooping 1,500 gallons of lake water at a time also helped.
The disaster is blamed largely on Texas' yearlong drought, one of the most severe dry spells the state has ever seen. The fire in Bastrop County is the most devastating wildfire in Texas in more than a decade, eclipsing a blaze that destroyed 168 homes in North Texas in April.
At least 11 other fires exceeded 1,000 acres Tuesday, including a 7,000-acre blaze that has destroyed at least 60 homes and threatened hundreds more about 40 miles northwest of Houston. An 8,000-acre fire has destroyed at least six homes in Caldwell County, next to Bastrop County. In far northeast Texas' Cass County, a 7,000-acre fire burned in heavy timberland.
About 40 people who fled their homes in a Bastrop neighborhood were staying at a community center in the town of Paige. A volunteer, Debbie Barrington, said some people have been sleeping outside on picnic tables under a pavilion, eating food and using toiletries donated by folks not hurt by the fires.
"The first night, we had a child 17 months old," she said. "We didn't have milk. The next morning, I think we had eight gallons. People heard what we needed and brought it in. The response has been unreal."
Michael Graczyk reported from Houston. Also contributing to this story were Associated Press reporters Jamie Stengle, Danny Robbins and Schuyler Dixon in Dallas, Betsy Blaney in Lubbock, Will Weissert in Austin, Paul Weber in San Antonio, and AP Photographer Eric Gay in Bastrop.


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7th March 2018
Notice of Temporary Closure of: Newtown (Part), Bradford on Avon (18/04/2018 one night)
From Wiltshire Council
Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984
Temporary Closure of: Newtown (Part), Bradford on Avon (Ref: TTRO 5264)
Notice is hereby given that Wiltshire Council has made an Order to close temporarily to all traffic:
Newtown (Part), Bradford on Avon; from its junction with Wine Street for a distance of approximately 100m in a north-easterly direction.
To enable: BT Openreach to undertake works to install new fibre cable to existing BT Chambers.
Alternative route: via Newtown (unaffected length) – A363 Masons Lane – B3108 Winsley Road – C391 Winsley Road / Bradford Road – C230 Turleigh Hill / Turleigh – C230 Belcombe Road and vice versa.
The closure and diversion route will be clearly indicated by traffic signs.
This Order will come into operation on 18 April 2018 and it is anticipated that the closure will be required for one night between the hours of 21.00 and 06.00. It is anticipated that the works will take the stated duration to complete depending upon weather conditions. Access will be maintained for residents and businesses where possible, although delays are likely due to the nature of the works. The Order will have a maximum duration of 18 months.
For further information please contact A-Plant Lux (on behalf of BT Openreach) on 03700500792.
Sustainable Transport Group, County Hall, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge BA14 8JN 13 April 2018


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In December 2013, two decades after its inauguration—and 150 years after the birth of Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Games—the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland, reopened to the world. Home to the Olympic fire between Games, the renovated museum on the shores of Lake Geneva has increased its exhibition space by 50 percent. "We were determined to make the museum informative, thought-provoking, exciting, and inspirational," says museum director Francis Gabet.
A permanent exhibition now spans three floors and examines the influence of the Games and their spirit throughout the world. The collection features 100 years of memorabilia, including the first Olympic flag (from the 1914 Games), the equipment of such illustrious athletes as three-time Alpine gold medalist Jean-Claude Killy, and costumes from the breathtaking opening ceremonies of the Beijing Games of 2008.
The museum is also celebrating the XXII Olympic Winter Games in Sochi with an exhibition called "Sochi Live" until March 9. A concurrent exhibit examines how sports became a source of inspiration for avant-garde artists in Russia during the 1920s and '30s.
Swiss architects Ueli Brauen and Doris Wälchli and the firm Tekhne SA designed the expansion, the most striking feature of which is a roof composed of grids of concrete-fiber beams. "They are both massive and lightweight, transparent and opaque," says project architect Patrizio Longo. "The new structure is a huge transformation that has made the museum safer, stronger, and taller—reflecting de Coubertin's motto 'faster, higher, stronger,' which is quite fitting."
Quai d'Ouchy 1, 1006 Lausanne, Switzerland; 011-41-21-621-65-11; olympic.org/museum
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Sooner Sports Properties, LLC, is the multimedia rights holder for athletics at the University of Oklahoma. This responsive website template is greatest suited to Sport, Transportation, Travel and Maintenance Services websites.
You can also see your opponent's prowess or tweet fixtures and results instantly and you've got entry to features such because the Fixture Request module, which is great for filling gaps in your sports calendar, in addition to Team Kit Builder to indicate off your staff's latest equipment and faculty colours.
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These are the Team Sheet Builder, Team Training Planner, Big Screen and Competition Builder modules.
There are a variety of different sports online registration websites on the market, (trust me, I even have regarded into and/or used them) but the factor that separates Sports Illustrated Play from the remainder is the customer/technical support and the love for his or her product.


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CARLSBAD – Pacific Ridge School welcomes the community to its campus for an Open House event on Saturday, October 29, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Interested families are encouraged to learn about the independent school's programs, meet faculty and talk to current students and parents about their experience.
The event will start with a presentation led by Head of School Dr. Bob Ogle, who will share the school's mission and philosophy. Pacific Ridge is known for its mission, which includes a focus on academic excellence, ethical responsibility and global engagement.
Academic programs at the school are delivered in seminar-style classrooms, in which fifteen students and a teacher sit together around an oval table, known as a "Harkness table." In this setting, students engage with course material by sharing their ideas and hearing the perspectives of others. Teachers work to integrate academic content across disciplines so that students can make connections and broaden the context of their learning. The school offers a wide range of arts, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math) and elective classes in addition to honors and AP courses.
A year-long service learning program is built into the curriculum, giving students a weekly class period to develop service projects and travel off campus to assist in the community. Over 40 student-led and school-led service groups address needs as diverse as ocean pollution, quality of life among the elderly and education for girls in India. Grade-level projects also encourage students to view themselves as active and ethical problem-solvers in the local community and the larger world. All students in grades 7-10 participate in service learning and over 70% of juniors and seniors continue with service work until they graduate.
Global history and current issues are woven into the curriculum and the last two weeks of the school year are reserved for global trips. Over 95% of students participate in the global travel program, which includes school-led programs for grades 7-10 and a broad range of options for juniors and seniors.
Seventh grade students explore nature and team-building in Big Bear, while 8th graders cap their American Studies curriculum with a trip to Washington, D.C. The 9th-grade class travels to China, where students explore Beijing, volunteer in rural schools and have the option for a homestay in Shanghai. Sophomores challenge themselves with backpacking and camping in an outdoor leadership trip to the Northern Sierras.
Eleventh and twelfth graders can choose from among more than a dozen school-designed trips, or develop one of their own. Examples of recent trips include studying social justice in Cambodia, food insecurity in Nicaragua, Post-Colonial Studies in South Africa and Wilderness First Responder training in New Mexico. Since the school's founding in 2007, students have traveled to 38 countries on six continents.
For more information about Pacific Ridge School, and to RSVP for the Fall Open House, go to pacificridge.org.


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Fitness Myth! "Toning Workouts"
We talk a lot about FITNESS MYTHS on the blog, and what not to believe when it comes to your health. Here's another one of my personal favorites….. TONING WORKOUTS!
FITNESS MYTH: "Toning" workouts are done by lifting lighter weights for many reps and are best for women who are looking to gain definition.
TRUTH: Put the three pound weights DOWN. You need to lift heavier to see results. According to the American Council on Exercise (ACE), lifting lighter weights (less than 70 percent of your maximum effort) for 12 reps or more is simply going to produce muscular endurance withouth much muscle growth. Meaning you'll be able to lift for a higher amount of reps but you WONT see much of a physical difference. What looks "toned" is more developed muscles and a low level of body fat. This is better achieved by lifting heavier weights (70-80 percent of maximum effort) for eight to 12 repetitions per set to fatigue or near fatigue.
Dont be fooled by the workouts that wave wimpy weights around all hour long in the promise that you'll be "lean and long". Sorry to break it to you, but "toning workouts" are one of the worst fitness myths out there. Those defined triceps you've always wanted? Find them through strength training. Step out of your comfort zone and into the weight room – your toned arms are waiting for you 😉
For more fun tips and information on strength training, check out these posts!


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Confession: There was a day I was the worst mom ever.
At least that's what I told myself. It all started with an unmatched pair of socks. For whatever reason, I couldn't find a pair of socks that matched for the kids. (This was before I bought the mega size packages of plain white socks. Or several packages. All white. You get the picture.) I had little white socks with pink hearts, or little pink socks with white hearts. There were rainbow socks and lace socks, but NONE of them had a match. Yes… I was THAT behind on laundry. All the matched socks were dirty. (This was also before any of my kids had ever re-worn a pair socks.) In a moment of frustration, I told myself what a horrible mom I was. "Bad Mom" is all I could think. In everything I tried to do, I found something negative about myself. The mantra in my head became "You are the worst mom ever!"
The negativity spiraled into a vortex of one angry mom quickly loosing her patience with the kids. The kids would then loose their patience with each other and everyone would walk around grumpy. For days, all I did was focus on what a failure I was. I spent so much time brooding, I didn't get other important things done. The list of my faults and failures was really adding up.
Knowing my life at that time, the list probably included items such as:
- forgetting to sweep
- not picking up cherrios off the unswept floor before my husband got home and realized the kids were eating them
- forgetting to switch the clothes to the dryer and having to rewash them- again
- burning toast
- forgetting an ingredient for dinner
- yelling at the kids until someone cried
- speaking mean words to my husband
All, in all, the list is not ideal, but also not worthy of total failure. It was a sad, negative cycle that left me feeling like the worst mom ever. That phrase is exactly what I spoke over myself until I believed it, and in believing it I lived it.
One day I decided the only way to stop living like that was to – just stop. Start speaking words of truth – even if I didn't believe it. So where do you find that truth? When your mantra is negative and thoughts of yourself are lower than low, where do you find the encouraging, positive words? The Creator of all the positive words. The Creator of You.
Psalm 139:12-14
12 Even the darkness is not dark to You,
And the night is as bright as the day.
Darkness and light are alike to You.
13 For You formed my inward parts;
You wove me in my mother's womb.
14 I will give thanks to You, for
I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.
I didn't stop thinking those thoughts overnight, it took years before I actually believed I wasn't a failure. (I can be stubborn that way!) But it happened. I woke up one day and the thought of me being the worst mom ever made me laugh. I realize it was easier to stay stuck in "I'm the worst" so I didn't have to strive to be the best. I could be lazy because that's what bad moms did. Once I started to believe I was WORTH being the best mom, I started to live it. Laziness and mistakes did not equal unworthiness. I began to look at the things I messed up as just that – mess ups. Now, instead of brooding over mess ups, I put them behind me and allow them to teach me how to improve.
What about you? What is YOUR mantra?


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From the misty distance of zero years, it's time for us to revisit, once more, the Iraq war era.
Battlestar Galactica: your ending disappointed me. I mean, you were no Lost. But you were pretty much like Lost.
Still, your attempts to treat science fiction like the provocative genre it should be—your realization that stories about the future (or the past) are always about now, and that now is pretty interesting—and your respectable effort to spread the beefcake around (but, come on) have led me to rewatch you like you're Star Trek, or something.


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Residency in Radiation Oncology
Message from the Residency Program Director
Hello, welcome and thank you for your interest in the Radiation Oncology Residency Program at the University of Louisville School of Medicine's James Graham Brown Cancer Center. We are a modern and dynamic department, highly focused on multi-disciplinary and holistic patient care. Our faculty is diverse and highly sub-specialized. We offer training on the most technologically-advanced Radiation Oncology equipment, a dedicated Brachytherapy program, and access to many national and institutional clinical trials.
Our vibrant residents are vital to the clinical operations of our department and this residency program is certainly not an observational experience. Residents gain a high degree of confidence along a highly complicated disease spectrum, unique to our urban setting and our regional underserved geographic location. As a result, our residents do extraordinarily well on the American Board of Radiology examinations and are well prepared for either private practice or academic pursuits.
We believe you will find our department friendly, compassionate, rigorous and stimulating. Louisville offers a high quality of life, an exciting cultural and restaurant scene, and world-class events like the Kentucky Derby and PGA Championship.
We hope you find this website informative and encourage you to apply to our program and become part of our team.
Thank you,
Neal E. Dunlap, M.D.
Associate Professor and Residency Program Director
Department of Radiation Oncology
James Graham Brown Cancer Center
University of Louisville School of Medicine


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TheBallerLife.com has learned that the Obamas have reportedly signed a 60 million dollar blockbuster book deal with Penguin Random House, according to a report from The New York Times.
Penguin Random House will publish coming books by former President Barack Obama and the former first lady Michelle Obama, the publishing company announced Tuesday night, concluding a heated auction among multiple publishers.
Penguin Random House acquired world rights to the books, and worldwide sales could be substantial. Mr. Obama's previous books were published by Crown, which also published Mrs. Obama's book "American Grown," about the White House garden.A spokeswoman for Penguin Random House would not say whether the books would be memoirs and referred questions to representatives of the Obamas.
Watch the video below for more details….


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We produce iron ore for steel, aluminium for cars and smart phones, copper for wind turbines, diamonds that set the standard for "responsible", titanium for household products and borates for crops that feed the world.
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We work hard to leave a lasting, positive legacy everywhere we work.
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We aim to deliver superior returns to our shareholders while safeguarding the environment and meeting our obligations to wider society.
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Get the latest news, stories and updates.
Sharing country and culture.
Discover more about life at Rio Tinto.
From underground miners to data scientists, we want your hard work, dedication and outside-the-box thinking.


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Forget MySpace and check out MyFace, or, rather, the art that gifted face paint artist/illusionist James Kuhn does, displayed on both his Flickr page and his Face Paint In Motion YouTube channel. The self-described "Artist, Face paint illusionist, Drag Queen, Performance Artist, and full time Christian" has been uploading videos of his face paint art, such as the Rocky Horror "Sweet Transvestite" themed clip above which he posted two days ago, or the brilliant Golden Girls clip (below) that he produced and uploaded six months ago.
Ever the perfectionist, Kuhn said of the Golden Girls piece at the time, "I planned on painting Sophia on my forehead! but ran out of room... I need a bigger head! I am not too happy with this one, I should have searched for better pics to use as my models. The ones I pulled up were too small and Bea was in black and white. I should not try such a big project on a weeknight! Better for Saturdays when I can play all day long and am usually more rested. I gotta get some new glasses too."
On the Three Oaks, Michigan artist's YouTube channel, which is subtitled BibleArtWork, Kuhn has an impressive 234 different videos of various face paint illusions uploaded, usually with a cool accompanying soundtrack, ranging from Bettie Page Pin Up Girl to Miss Piggy & Kermit to Dracula and many, many more.
Of course, this being Halloween, Kuhn's work seems to get even more attention than usual -- something he doesn't mind. The special Halloween face he did in honor of today's holiday was originally done last Halloween but with the greeting text added this week. However, though it was once the artist's favorite holiday of the year, Kuhn says he no longer loves Halloween like he used to. Yesterday I caught up with the profilic Michigan artist to discuss Halloween, his art, his inspiration, his religious beliefs, and his experience trying out for America's Got Talent. That Amoeblog interview follows below.
Amoeblog: How do you get most of your ideas for face art subjects?
James Kuhn: Everything inspires me! Popular culture and television, icons, art history, nostalgia. My imagination knows no bounds!
Amoeblog: How long have you been doing your art and how did you get started doing it?
James Kuhn: I started body painting when I attended Burning Man in Nevada, mostly painting other people, and discovered how fun the face paint makeup is to work with. It goes on just like paint, with an artist's brush and water. I was bored one day when I got snowed in with 12 inches of snow and started playing with my makeup kit to amuse myself. I ended up doing a project where I painted my face every day for a year -- 365 face paint transformations -- and posted them on my flickr website. I accidentally discovered that the face paintings made great videos when I had my camera set on the wrong setting and made a video.
Amoeblog: It seems like you spend a lot of time on your art. How long do you typically spend on your face art and do you always do it solo?
James Kuhn: I spend around 3 to 5 hours a day doing my faces and videos. I do everything myself. No help at all. I handhold the camera for all my shots. If you are an artist you view the world differently than a non-artist. I spend my day looking and gathering ideas. I get inspired at the grocery store or Walmart! Basically I am thinking about art 24/7.
Amoeblog: What kind of reactions have you gotten from your work?
James Kuhn: My fans kept me going with their support and wonderful comments. I have gotten worldwide press and so many opportunities for travel with my faces.
Amoeblog: How much of a struggle (if at all) has it been in getting people to "get" what you do?
James Kuhn: Many people do not 'get' me at all and never will! Other people seem to get more out of what I do than I even intend. Mostly I play and amuse myself. I want people to enjoy and expand their idea of what art is. I believe for something to be art it must create in the viewer a form of passion, whether it be joy or anger, even the creeps! Or perhaps it can inspire. My experience at Burning Man changed the reasons that I as an artist make art. Too many artists today are motivated by selling instead of making art for the creation experience.
Amoeblog: You describe yourself in part as "Performance artist." Exactly what does that entail?
James Kuhn: I like to take my art out into the streets and interact with people. I love to walk in parades and go to street festivals with my paint on. When I make my videos I try to get my head into whatever character I am painting and make it into a total transformation.
Amoeblog: You also describe yourself as both "Drag Queen" and a "full time Christian," which to some might seem like conflicting identities. And your YouTube channel is subtitled "BibleArtWork." So how would you describe your religious beliefs and how central are they to your life?
James Kuhn: I believe that any talent that I possess comes directly from God. God created me to be an artist and art is sacred to me. When I use my gifts I truly believe that I honor God by not wasting them. I do paint biblical and Christian art (www.bibleartwork.com) and my paintings are in the collections of quite a few churches. But I say that whatever theme I choose for my art, it is "Christian art" because I am a Christian. I did drag for many years in Chicago and found it to be a very creative way to combine my talents and I love to entertain. I have always put on shows of one sort or another. When I was a child I had a puppet theatre in the basement. My YouTube channel is my stage right now.
Amoeblog: How was the experience of trying out for the TV show America's Got Talent?
James Kuhn: I got quite far with that show. I auditioned in Chicago and got through two bunches of producers. I was flown out to L.A. and I did my thing in front of the celebrity judges and a huge audience. They did not understand what I was trying to do there; I guess I was a mere speck in that big venue. I really was surprised when they did not air the footage they shot of me on the show. Oh well.
Amoeblog: What do you think of Halloween?
James Kuhn: As a child it was always my very favorite day. I would dream about it all year. I used to enter lots of big contests every year and win cash when I lived in Chicago after college. But it really takes the joy out of the day when you have to get competitive with everyone. It brought out a dark side of me that I don't like. I don't get dressed up for Halloween anymore. It really is amateur night. In the old days people worked hard on their outfits and really got into it. Very few people make their own costumes anymore. Store bought costumes and rentals bore me.
Amoeblog: What is your ultimate life goal with your art?
James Kuhn: I would like to establish myself as not just a face painter or novelty act but as a true creative force and breath of fresh air in the legitimate art world.


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At Willow Cottage Food Matters
Our "Three Week Rolling Menu" is available to view on the nursery notice board in reception. If you would like a printed copy please ask at the nursery office; it is available along with all our nursery Policies and Parent Information.
Using our recipes at home: Over the years many parents have asked us (normally following a request from their child!) for a copy of one or more of our nursery recipes. An individual recipe can be requested from the nursery office however we are delighted to say that we have now compiled and published an electronic recipe book with a full collection (all 180 pages of them!) of our award winning children's recipes. You will be no doubt delighted that the recipes are "downsized" so as to be suitable for a small family.
'Mr. Willow's ABC of Cooking for Babies and Children' (Family Sized) is available from www.nurseryfood.co.uk as a DOWNLOAD.
Our electronic recipe books comes with an "active index" for ease of use, colourful photographs and step by step cooking instructions. There are also helpful suggestions for special diets, nutritional guidance and cooking advice.
The recipes have all been tried and tested by the children themselves over many years.
N.B. If you are a Nursery School and wish to use our award winning recipes you can now DOWNLOAD electronic copies of Mr. Willow's Essential Recipes for Nurseries from www.nurseryfood.co.uk.
Other Early Learning Resources
As part of our Leading Aspect Award and the dissemination and sharing of our cutting edge practice we have now published some of the resources we use at Willow Cottage.
Mr.Willow's Children's Books (for an adult and child to share) follow a number of educational themes; all encourage healthy eating and have a healthy recipe to make with your child.
Mr.Willow's Children's Books are available as paperbacks and eBooks from online book sellers (Amazon, Apple iStore, WH Smiths, Waterstones etc).
At Willow Cottage we have a longstanding reputation for high standards, a string of national food awards, and have recently received a Leading Aspect in Education Award for our cutting-edge performance and practice within early year's education. This is a new level of excellence in the way we deliver healthy high quality food and integrate Fun Food education within the Early Years Foundation Stage and out into the wider community. We now work in partnership with our parents, staff and other early years settings in an innovative way with our "Fun Food Family Packs" which allow our resources to go home with the children to share with their families.
Working in Partnership with Nursery Food Matters to help fight childhood obesity and its related diseases and to raise standards in Early Years Nutrition we have created our own HEALTHY FOOD HERO to help us in our quest. Mr.Willow (The Bear Chef) helps us make it all fun for the children!