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Canadian Children's Opera Company with Music Director Teri Dunn and Soloist Madelaine Ringo-Stauble; Photo credit: Anne Longmore
The TMC mixed a cappella singing with organ and brass accompanied arrangements of mostly familiar Christmas melodies. By contrast, the simple tuneful Good News Carol by the Joannie Ing, winner of the 2017 TMC Choral Composition Competition was a new work with a traditional feel that will no doubt become Christmas repertoire for choirs across the country.
The finest singing of the night belonged to the professional voices of the Elora Singers. I was intrigued by Timothy Corlis' To See the Cherry Hung with Snow, a contemporary setting of the A.E Housman poem. It was followed by a very rhythmical arrangement of Go Tell it on the Mountain by Paul Halley. For these two pieces, Edison placed his chamber choir in the middle of the nave where the aisles between the trancepts meet the centre aisle of the church. Facing one another in a tight circle, the singers really connected.
Review by David Richards
Toronto ON December 6th 2017
The Elora Singers with Choral Director Noel Eddison; Photo credit: Anne Longmore
The biggest moments of the concert were saved for the carols sung by the choirs and audience with accompaniments by the brass band and organ. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing can never miss with its familiar descant in the David Wilcox arrangement. Similarly, The First Nowell arranged by Paul Halley created joyous sounds that filled the hall with brass, timpani, organ and voices. Let the Christmas season begin!
This concert will be repeated tonight, December 6 at 7:30pm at Yorkminster Park Baptist Church and can be heard live on line at www.livestream.com/TMChoir. The livestream wll also be available following the concert.
The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir will combine with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra at Roy Thomson Hall December 18-23 in performances of Handel's Messiah.
For the eighteenth consecutive year, the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir has begun its hectic December schedule of performances with its Festival of Carols. The cathedral-like Yorkminster Park Baptist Church was festooned with twenty-five foot high Christmas trees at either side of the chancel, lit with thousands of sparkling lights. The sounds of the TMC, organist David Briggs, the Canadian Staff Band of the Salvation Army, and the Canadian Children's Opera Company was glorious. This was indeed the beginning of a month of great music, celebration and festivities.
From the opening bars of Bob Chilcott's arrangement of the Sussex Carol, the energy of the choir's rhythmically charged singing was joyfully uplifting. The renowned English organist David Briggs enhanced the singing with richly colourful and rhythmic accompaniments on the magnificent four manual Cassavant organ. It didn't hurt that conductor Noel Edison was wearing a red suit jacket to herald in the spirit of the season. It was clear that this concert was meant to connect with the audience on an emotional level. It was meant to bring back the memories of childhood with familiar melodies and carols.
The jubilant atmosphere continued with the Canadian Staff Band of the Salvation Army led by bandmaster John Lam. With a brass processional followed by an upbeat medley of carols, the band was at its brilliancy best. The smiles on the faces of the choristers sitting and listening behind the band were telling.
We didn't have to wait long for the pure tones of the forty or so children in the Canadian Children's Opera Company to add to the Christmas feeling with several selections sprinkled throughout the program. They were perhaps at their best in the Elmer Iseler arrangement of Away in a Manger. Their unison singing rang out over the beautifully crafted suspension-filled accompaniment. Madelaine Ringo-Stauble, a fine young soprano with the CCOC, sang the second verse of the carol.
Toronto Mendelssohn Choir's 'A Festival of Carols'; Photo credit: Anne Longmore
Toronto Mendelssohn Choir marks the beginning of the holiday season with glorious sounds!
Music reviews of the finest concerts in Toronto and beyond!
- symphonic, choral, opera, chamber, jazz and period music -


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It has been a busy week for professionals involved in additive manufacturing, as well as plastics and polymers. Yours truly visited three events in three days and traveled 1,750 kilometers for this purpose (walking distances at venues not included; my shoemaker will be rubbing his hands…).
AM at TCT and Interplas
Events are a great way to finally meet in person with the people you already 'e-met' with on LinkedIn or via email, as well as for catching up with 'old' friends that you met with at previous events. The yearly TCT show, this year together with Interplas, is one of the 'must attend' events and it's always a treat.
Unfortunately I missed the TCT press conference that Louise Barker so kindly invited me for due to a delayed flight. However, the delay led to interesting conversations at the gate that provided good starting points for later meet-ups since it turned out about half of the travelers was attending at least one of the events at the NEC.
After a long day (getting out of bed at 5 AM will never be fun), I made the mistake to grab a cab to my hotel in Paradise Circus. I again realised why I always prefer staying at a hotel near the venue but everything around the NEC was already fully booked when I was making travel arrangements months ago. The hotel in Paradise Circus was reasonably priced and I booked it because I figured it should take about twenty minutes tops to get there, which is probably correct when you're not caught up in traffic jams, which of course you always are.
After sleeping surprisingly well, I figured I should give public transportation a try. And what do you know, the commute by train was much shorter and with a pricing of less than 10% of what the taxi had cost me, I say I found a winner for upcoming travels.
Meetings and meet-ups
When I attend events I Always like to do a combination of appointments, or meetings and leave some time 'unfilled' for spontaneous meet-ups as a result of strolling the fairgrounds and starting a conversation whenever I spot something interesting.
Julie Reece from Rize was so kind to personally invite me to stop by and we set an appointment. At their stand I got a live demonstration of the ingenious Rize One and lots of information from Eugene Giller, Rize's Founder and President (more info will follow soon).
And when I took a turn to the right after this very nice meeting, I was intrigued by the colourful object at the stand of Produced(in)3D, where Founder and CEO Robert Dekan explained what it was that I was looking at: an additively manufactured personal wind turbine.
"Do you have a garden?" Robert asked. "A balcony then?" he continued when I shook my head. Unfortunately the answer was again negative. We agreed I should really move houses so I can build my personal energy system and he gave me a miniature version of the turbine to put on my desk for the time being.
At Interplas I had a few very interesting conversations and was astouned by the speed of technical developments. Innovation is something the organisers of Interplas also value highly, as demonstrated in the Innovation Award. Entries for the Interplas 2020 Innovation Award are now accepted.
AM at the 'Kunststoffenbeurs' (plastics and polymers event)
This year, right after visiting TCT and Interplas, I attended the Kunststoffenbeurs in Veldhoven, near Eindhoven (The Netherlands) for the first time and I was amazed with the size of it; I had to do some digging to get to the companies that are involved in 3D printing…
Organised yearly by Mikrocentrum in The Netherlands, the 'Kunststoffenbeurs' (plastics and polymers fair) attracts mainly visitors from Belgium, France, Germany, and of course The Netherlands.
I attended since I received a very nice invitation and because I see an increase in 3D companies exhibiting here and at other events for plastics professionals, like at K in Düsseldorf, the world's leading trade fair for plastics and rubber, as well as at interplastica.
At the Kunststoffenbeurs there weren't many companies that use AM but I had very nice conversations with the ones that do and also enjoyed talking to plastics professionals who have chosen not to work with 3D printing (yet). These talks provided me with some insights that I couldn't have gained by only focusing on the benefits of implementing AM.
3D printing plastics and metal
Mike de Winter, Director of RP2 B.V. (Real Parts / Rapid Production) was so kind to patiently explain what it is that they do, which is quite a lot!
Their customers reach out to them for architectural models, functional prototypes, rapid prototyping, 3D printing, and small series production in both plastic and metal.
And the Amitek stand I met with Alex van der Zouw, again a wonderful person to talk to who it seemed could go on for hours talking about additive manufacturing.
In addition to the explanation about how Amitek helps clients in the whole process from design to production, I especially enjoyed the anecdotes about how he already used AM years and years ago for personal use. Unfortunately Alex preferred not to be photographed but maybe you can soon read blog posts about how he used 3D printing to finish a rabbit run in the garden and replace obsolete parts in his camper.
Next week I AM at the office
Next week I will stay in the office – well, mainly – preparing travels I will make later this year, such as to formnext in Frankfurt. And – amongst many other things – for next week I aim at completing the programme for the AM Seminar that 3D fab+print organise at MEDICA / COMPAMED 2017 on Monday, November 13. The speakers will soon be announced; subscribe to the newsletter and stay tuned …

subset: commoncrawl


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It made way more than I needed for this project.
I took some sandpaper and roughed up the edges and the checkerboard to give it an aged look. I then stained it with some old Minwax dark stain I had. After that dried, I used Minwax natural furniture finishing wax. I applied a light coat with a soft stencil brush I had and then buffed it to a nice sheen.
I think it turned out great don't you?


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Greensboro, NCHome Menu
City Calendar
To locate specific events at a specific location,
Count with Me Storytime at McNairy
- Date: 10/01/2019 6:30 PM - 7:00 PM
- Location: Glenn McNairy Branch Library
4860 Lake Jeanette Rd.
Greensboro, North Carolina 27455
- CostFree
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Families are invited to this evening program for simple books, hand rhymes, felt-board stories, and fun-filled learning.
Tonight's theme is numbers and counting.


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Bethel's mission is revival - the personal, regional, and global expansion of God's Kingdom. A career here means playing a part in changing the world. Our culture is one that honors, encourages and believes nothing is impossible. We hire people who embody our values of community, excellence, and service. If this is you, we'd love to hear from you!
Working at Bethel
Bringing Revival
Our global mandate is bringing heaven to earth
Culture of Honor
Cultivate healthy relationships and community
Working from Identity
There's only one you. Do what you're called to.
Hear From Our Amazing Team
Working here definitely has a family feel. We're all in this together to create media that changes the world.
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Creative Director - Bethel Media
It's awesome to be at a place where the admin teams work from the heart instead of duty.
Dave Stevenson
Operations Pastor - BSSM
I love working with such genuine people. This is a culture that is avid about fighting for authenticity.
Christene Rhee
Licensing Administrator - Bethel Music
Bethel Church
We're a local church in Redding, California with global impact as a revival resource and equipping center. We run many departments, ministries, and schools including Bethel Christian School and Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry.View Open Positions
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We are a worship community that is growing rapidly and consists of four divisions that serve our mission: record label, publishing, events, and WorshipU.View Open Positions
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Bethel Media is a full-service production company with more than 80 employees and five departments: Video & Audio, Creative Design, Stories, Web Development, and Administration.View Open Positions


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I have some ideas for new items and so do probably some of you. So let's share our creations here.
Shaman's Masks
These masks are made from wood or bone, but sometimes more exotic materials as well. Most cover only the upper half of the wearers face or leave an open space for the mouth. They are usually painted in stark colors or decrated with feathers or leaves. These masks are used by shamans to help them communicate with spirits, as it makes them appear not quite human and separates them from the mortal world, and allows them to peer into the spiritworld and see things normally hidden from human eyes. Each mask is different in both appearance and specific abilities and the more powerful ones have often been handed down from masters to apprentices for many generations. Common abilities are:
* Infrared Vision (as the spell).
* Detect Magic (a limited number of uses perd day or permanent).
* Surprised by spirits only on a 1 in 6 chance.
* +2 or +4 Willpower bonus on saving throws (replaces and does not add to the modifier from Wisdom).
* Immunity against fear.
* Immunity against mind reading and mind control.
* +2 or +4 bonus on reaction rolls against spirits.
* Observers are unable to identify the wearer of the mask and can only remember his clothing (including the appearance of the mask).
* Wraithshape one or three times per day.
* Permanent charm person.
* Suggestion three times per day.
A "helmet" that can be placed on a medium sized creatures head. An apparatus or two on it then bores into the unfortunates head and extracts a particular portion of the brain which is then distilled into a "Brain Elixir" or "Thought Distillate" which when drunk imparts to the imbiber certain thoughts. Probably favored by Ixian Necromancers.
Agricola wrote:
Probably favored by Ixian Necromancers.
Tagline in the worst advertising campaign ever!
But I like the helmet! I have an artifact-like device kicking around in my head. More details as they form. I also gave out some thongs that loose and bind at command--perfect for the Chewbacca maneuver. And from a one-page dungeon, a cool magic item was a +0 long sword that allowed anyone to wield without a penalty, no matter what class.
Cool about the artifact idea!
Yeah, I remember those items from reading your campaign threads. Good stuff, really like the campaign write ups! I'll post more ideas for magic items, can really let the twisted stuff shine in AS&SH!
Any thoughts to weopons with extended crit ranges? perhaps only effective when weilded by fighters with appropriate weopon mastery? Or are crits something we agree should be kept as rare as possible to stay in line with the feel of assh
RedJowel wrote:
Any thoughts to weopons with extended crit ranges? perhaps only effective when weilded by fighters with appropriate weopon mastery? Or are crits something we agree should be kept as rare as possible to stay in line with the feel of assh
Most magical weapons in my campaign crit on a natural 19 or 20, but on the other hand I don't use +1, +2, etc. to denote a "magic" item, they're almost always artefacts of power with histories, lore and potentially nasty side-effects. The +1, +2, type stuff is all made from superior materials and craftsmanship and they don't have an increased critical hit range.
Last edited by NAJones (5/09/2014 12:47 am)
I havn't been using critical hits at all, so far. Are those even in the rules?
Yora wrote:
I havn't been using critical hits at all, so far. Are those even in the rules?
Yes. They're an optional rule on p.221 of the Players' Manual.
Personally, I wouldn't use any kind of extended crit ranges except maybe as a special ability of a tiny set of unique weapons. I'm not that big of a fan of effects that trigger based on the natural die roll in general (it feels wrong to me that, if your chance to hit sucks, then that increases the proportion of hits which are crits), plus the very phrase "extended crit range" reminds me unpleasantly of 3e...
I think it's more AS&SH style to let the enchantment add to the 1d6 one rolls to see what type of critical hit is scored, increasing the odds of getting X2 or X3 damage.
Handy Haversack wrote:
I think it's more AS&SH style to let the enchantment add to the 1d6 one rolls to see what type of critical hit is scored, increasing the odds of getting X2 or X3 damage.
That would never have occured to me, I like it, as it would still be limited by the individualised charts for the different classes. I'm assuming you would treat rolls greater then a six as a six, or would you follow the pattern and let magic weopons break the crit chart?
I'd probably just treat them as 6, but I could see some items where such a result triggers its special purpose ("I have a special purpose!"). Explosions, witherings, soul stealing, eyebiting, that kind of thing.
Handy Haversack wrote:
Explosions, witherings, soul stealing, eyebiting, that kind of thing.
Oh man, I just might have to put in an (cursed?) item, of what's true purpose is eyebiting
that being said, any interesting cursed items being brought to the table? just knowing they exist gives me fear to be the first to pick up anything that could be magical, but most cursed items become obvious shortly after picking them up. How about something that is almost worth the curse, and simply realised by the weilder to be so only after a while? although, maby this falls under the "sentient" category of magic items
RedJowel wrote:
How about something that is almost worth the curse, and simply realised by the weilder to be so only after a while?
IMO, that's the best kind of cursed item! An item which has a terrible cost associated, yet the player still chooses, of his own free will, to use it despite the cost is awesome. The first example which comes to mind is The One Ring, although that's not really "choosing of your own free will".
The standard D&D "Ha-ha! You have a -2 sword and can't put it down!" type of cursed item is really kinda boring, at best.
I taken to doing this sort of thing lately. A character recently found a ring of warmth the powered itself by draining the characters constitution by one point. He gets the point back after removing the ring, which he can do at will.


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Fridays: Devo – Through Being Cool
A live performance of "Through Being Cool" on ABC's Fridays. It starts with Gerry Casale singing a sunday school tune into a vocoder (with pixellated visuals to match).
Do you want red or blue DEVO shoes?
DEVO has announced a line of shoes. Do we want them, NOOOOOO
Visit the link below to learn more and get a free remix of "Don't Shoot" by the Polsycis.
Shared by Mark
Cool interactive video with DEVO
DEVO has a released a new interactive video for "What We Do". There are some marketing lessonsto be learned by watching DEVO work social media.
Jump over to Mashable to check the video out.
Instructions from their web site:
"SPUDS: The wait is over! Here's DEVO's new "What We Do" video! View it repeatedly, explore by moving your viewpoint, and see something new each time."
DEVO: What We Do – Live
DEVO shifts back to material from the new album, with What We Do. The visuals of their new music are quite nice, and still gobsmacked of brutal honesty. Live @ The Warfield San Francisco Mar 18, 2011
Shared by tschak909
DEVO tour postponed
Just saw on DEVO's blog that DEVO has had to postpone the tour due to the fact that Bob Mothersbuagh is injured. From their site:
DEVO deeply regret that they have had to postpone all of their upcoming live dates for 2010 due to a serious hand injury sustained by guitarist Bob Mothersbaugh. A glass shard sliced Mothersbaugh's right thumb to the bone, severing a tendon. He underwent immediate emergency surgery and is expected to make a full recovery after proper care and therapy. Most of DEVO's upcoming November tour dates, including Solana Beach's Belly Up, , Los Angeles' Club Nokia, and San Francisco's Warfield Theater, will be rescheduled for next spring and the public will be informed once new dates have been confirmed. Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald Casale will still attend Moogfest on October 29th, in Asheville, NC. As previously announced, DEVO have been awarded the first-ever Moog Innovation Award by Moog Music.
Devo's Mark Mothersbaugh interview
Insidetrack Episode 2
Uploaded by insidetrack2010. – Classic TV and last night's shows, online.
Mark discuss circuit bending and gear
Devo at the Moogfest
Moog Music has announced that Devo will be the 2010 recipient of The Moog Innovation Award, to be presented to the band during MoogFest 2010 weekend, October 29-31 in Asheville, NC.
As part of this award, Moog Music will present Devo with a very special synthesizer, details of which will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Past recipients of the previously titled Moog Award include Keith Emerson, Herb Deutsch, Gershon Kingsley, Jan Hammer and Bernie Worrell.
Moog Music had this to say about Devo and the award in a statement:
"MoogFest is about shunning limitations, opening your mind and rejoicing in what's next. MoogFest is about celebrating the marriage of technology and art, fearlessly embracing the future while respecting the genre-definers of the past. That's why we created the Moog Innovation Award, to celebrate artists that helped to catapult pop music into the future and commemorate those artists that boldly burst through established norms to pave the way forward. That's the spirit of Bob Moog and that's the essence of the Moog Innovation Award.
The first recipient of the Moog Innovation Award is DEVO and we feel that they are a perfect representation of innovative sound-sculpting and genre-defying electronic music. Like Bob Moog, DEVO enthusiastically charted their own course and thus dramatically affected pop culture because of it. Not to mention the fact that they used Moog instruments to create their inimitable sound. MoogFest and the Moog Innovation Award is the perfect way to pay homage to Bob Moog and his adopted hometown of Asheville, NC where he raised his kids, gave birth to some of his greatest inventions and where he re-established the company that bears his name and carries on his legacy, Moog Music." – Emmy Parker, Moog Music
Devo will play MoogFest 2010, a three-day festival celebrating the innovative vision of Bob Moog. MoogFest 2010 tickets are on sale now.
Listen to the new Devo album for free, for one week
As I have blogged about already Devo are about to release their first new album in… forever, entitled "Something for Everyone". Starting today, you can stream the album in its entirety on, of all places, ColbertNation.com. Just look for the ad on the right side of the page. The album will be available to stream for a week, to build up hype for the band's appearance on the show on June 16th.
Tell me what you think, is it good enough – worth waiting for…..??
After 20 years electronic pioneers appears in Futurama
With their first album in 20 years "Something for Everybody" set for a June 14th release, Devo have announced that they will appear in the hit animated series Futurama's 100th episode special. The episode will see Devo campaign for mutant rights. Leela's parents are second-class, mutant citizens who live underground in the sewers, the members of Devo have mutated over the years, while vocalist Mark Mothersbaugh helps out with their campaign for equality.
Speaking of nerds – Devo's at it again
Devo is going to release its first all new album in 20 years. The Energy Dome helmet is now blue. The new album titled Something for Everybody will be released June 15, 2010.
Nerds or what, whatch this video


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1. Re: Restful webservice Internal Server Error PUT POST DELETE984550 Jan 15, 2013 8:59 PM (in response to 941738)Oracle Cloud uses Weblogic 10.3.6. Per Weblogic 10.3.6: "JAX-WS implementation, the set of supported HTTP methods is limited to GET and POST. DELETE, PUT, and HEAD are not supported. Any HTTP requests containing these methods will be rejected with a 405 Method Not Allowed error." So you should be able to do GET and POST, but not PUT, DELETE or HEAD.
2. Re: Restful webservice Internal Server Error PUT POST DELETENilesh-Oracle Jan 16, 2013 8:00 PM (in response to 984550)Java Cloud Service does support RESTful WebServices based on JAX-RS 1.1 specification & Jersey 1.9 implementation.
Please follow the documentation for http://docs.oracle.com/cd/E23943_01/web.1111/e13734/rest.htm#CHDCGFCH (Section Using the Jersey JAX-RS Reference Implementation)
The required Jersey 1.9 shared library is pre-deployed in all the Java Cloud Service instances , you only need to add the reference of this shared lib in your weblogic.xml.
The following example shows how to update the weblogic.xml file to use the Jersey JAX-RS RI Version 1.9.


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Berkshire Health Systems is the region's leading provider of comprehensive healthcare services and is the largest employer in Berkshire County.
With award-winning programs, nationally-recognized physicians, world-class technology and a sincere commitment to the community, BHS is delivering the kind of advanced healthcare most commonly found in large metropolitan centers.
BHS serves over 160,000 residents and visitors of Berkshire County and surrounding communities. BHS includes approximately 3,000 highly skilled physicians, nurses, technicians, other caregivers and support staff at:
We believe that the quality of our services relies upon the quality of the individuals who make up our organizations and provide those services.
Berkshire Health Systems seeks professional, caring employees to support our commitment to providing exceptional healthcare services to our community. If you are interested in joining our award-winning team, please use the search below for specific information about employment opportunities within BHS.
We provide outstanding career opportunities with competitive salaries and benefits packages. BHS supports diversity in the workplace and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.


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USA Today editorial smacks down GOP's 'odious campaign to tarnish Mueller and his investigators'
The USA Today newspaper published a powerful new editorial against the "smearing" of special counsel Robert Mueller.
"When Robert Mueller was appointed in May to oversee the investigation into possible Russian interference in the 2016 campaign, he was universally praised as the perfect choice," USA Today reminded. "Amid the contemptible efforts to discredit Mueller's investigation, let's pause for a moment to remember who he is: A Republican. A Marine Corps veteran who earned a Bronze Star for valor and Purple Heart for a gunshot wound to his thigh during combat in Vietnam. A longtime federal prosecutor before President George W. Bush nominated him to direct the FBI in 2001 and the Senate unanimously confirmed him."
"Yet as the Russia investigation gathered steam with charges brought against four former Trump campaign officials in recent months, a coterie of Republican congressmen, joined by commentators on Fox News and other Trump-friendly media outlets, have started calling for Mueller's head," USA Today explained. "Rarely has the American public been suddenly asked to revile a public figure once so widely revered."
The newspaper says Congress needs to pass legislation to protect the investigation.
"The factions calling the special counsel's fairness into question are laying the groundwork for either undermining Mueller's conclusions or firing him. To pre-empt his possible removal, Congress should promptly pass bipartisan legislation to provide greater protections for the special counsel," the editorial urged.
"Where logic falls away amid the odious campaign to tarnish Mueller and his investigators — bolstered Tuesday by Trump's latest 'FBI TAINTED' tweet — is with the prospect that the president might well be innocent of wrongdoing.
"Imagine if that's true. If the Russia story is truly 'fake news' and a 'witch hunt,' as the president and his minions insist, why would they sling mud at the very people and institutions that would place their valuable imprimatur on such a conclusion?" the newspaper asked.
"Why, you have to wonder, are they so worried about what Mueller's investigation might reveal?" USA Today pondered.


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Tansan World Tree
Knot Wrap
Designed by TANSAN Design Studio in Japan, this knot wrap brings nature to life. Knot Wraps were inspired by traditional Japanese furoshiki and can be used in lots of ways. Designed to last and be reused over and over, gift wrap some products as environmentally friendly packaging, use a carry bag or even wear as an accessory.
Related Article


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WASHINGTON, November 20, 2016 — Don't shed any tears for Melania Trump. She will have several dresses for her husband's inauguration and his inaugural balls, and the odds are excellent that if you own dresses, hers will be much nicer than yours.
But no thanks to Sophie Theallet.
Theallet, who's designed clothes for Michelle Obama, announced that she won't do that for Melania. Nor, she hopes, will her fellow designers. If Melania wants a Theallet gown, she'll have to buy it off the rack.
Donald Trump: Bringing back Reagan's 'morning in America' attitude
Designers often provide clothes for high profile figures for free. It's a form of advertising that can pay huge dividends. And just as Abercrombie and Fitch didn't want fat women in their clothes, designers are sensitive about who wears their outfits. They won't give them to just any celebrity.
Theallet couldn't stand the idea of her brand being associated in any way with a Trump.
This isn't just about freebies, though; even if Melania pays, she can only have a Theallet creation off the rack, not a special creation. According to Theallet, "we consider our voice an expression of our artistic and philosophical ideas." She says she "will not participate in dressing or associating in any way with the next first lady."
Theallet's announcement is preemptive; there's no evidence that Melania actually wanted a Theallet gown. Her letter is a political manifesto, and a plea for a general boycott of the new first lady: "I encourage my fellow designers to do the same. Integrity is our only true currency."
Compared to weighty news like the Russian test of powerful new ICBMs and Vice President-elect Mike Pence being booed at "Hamilton," the Theallet-Trump flap seems insignificant and petty, but it raises some questions more important than mere fashion, rising almost to the level of cake.
Wedding cake. If you own a bakery and have cookies and cakes in the display case, almost everyone agrees that you should sell them to anyone who has money (and shirt and shoes) who wants to buy them. If your bakery designs special occasion cakes, many people think you should sell them on the same terms.
But not everyone.
Some people, including some bakers, argue that they should be allowed not to produce wedding cakes for same-sex couples. Those bakers might not object to gays or lesbians going into their bakeries, buying cakes "off-the-rack," so to speak, and dressing them up as they like to do with as they please at events of their choosing. But design and specially produce one for a same-sex wedding? No.
Bakers have suffered for that position. Courts have ruled that bakeries don't have the option to decline to bake cakes for same-sex weddings, and have imposed heavy fines on bakers who trade in that currency.
Does this thinking apply to fashion design?
Freedom of Choice: Bakers, photographers and the NFL are all making choices
There are clear differences between first ladies and gay couples. Political spouses aren't a protected legal class, and while one can choose whether to marry Donald Trump, one can't usually choose to be gay, black or Albanian.
Race, sex, age and nationality are protected classes under Title VII. Sexual orientation is not, though it is protected under a growing number of state and local laws. Not every class protected under Title VII is imposed on people by birth or time. Religion is a protected class.
It would be grotesque to deny Melania a dress just because she was a Muslim or a Baptist. Yet many who would demand that bakers and couturiers not discriminate against gays and Muslims will have no problem with Thiallet's brusque "no dress for you" to a Republican first lady.
The issue here isn't whether gays and first ladies are analogous. This tempest in a tea parlor does ask us to think about freedom of association and the right to refuse service, though. Anyone who can afford them and has the desire to wear them can buy a Theallet costume off the rack at a local shopping mall, but Theallet should have every right to decide who gets one of her custom creations and who will represent her brand to the world.
Should bakers have that right? Some of their creations can cost more than a Dior gown and involve as much labor to create. Not everyone who wants and can afford one can have one. Sometimes they have to say firmly, "no cake for you!" They just can't decide on the basis of race, religion or sexual orientation. But then, how is religion fundamentally different from political ideology?
And what if the baker, like the couturier, bases the decision on his own political philosophy and not on religious conviction?
For some people these questions are easy. You can discriminate on the basis of political philosophy but not religion or sexual orientation. That begs the question, "why?" Or you should be able to discriminate on any basis you please, freedom of association trumping any other consideration.
Or any customer with the cash has a right to the goods, even if those involve artistic creation and an implicit endorsement by the seller.
Neither Theallet nor the baker want their brand associated with certain ideas. Their particular cases seem petty, but the principle is not. Why we should distinguish those ideas in deciding whether to punish the seller is an inconsistency in our ways of viewing the issue. Perhaps inconsistency is the best we can manage.


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Monday, 4 July 2016
One Die Set, Eight Cards & One Set
Well now my lovelies, for those of you who haven't visited here since my return and do not know why I have only managed to post once since then, I will enlighten you.
On top of all the usual things to catch up on (see previous post), and apart from the fact that my 90 year old mother's kitchen ceiling had come down and needed to get sorted out, we are now on VERY limited broadband and no land-line telephone, as, the water-board company cut through the telephone cable when they had to repair a water pipe running underneath our driveway - evidently, they decided not to bother us with such trivialities and therefore didn't inform us!! The telephone company has now said that it could be up to 7-10 days before they dig up the cable and replace it and return us back to 'normal'.
In the meantime I have tried to get around some of your blogs, but it has been very frustrating!
A couple of days ago I received an order from Stampin' Up and one of the things I purchased was a three-part die set called, 'Detailed Floral Thinlits' and I thought it was so beautiful I immediately set out to see how many different ways I could use it - so far I have thought of eight different ways - that's right dear readers eight!! So far I have made two (I didn't want to make up all eight at once as the post would be far too picture heavy). Eventually, I will box all eight as a set to gift to someone.
Here is the first.
Here is the second.
The way I made the second card, it could be used to hold a gift voucher.
Thank you so much for your visit today and especially if you have left a comment. You are all appreciated more than you know!
17 comments:
wonderful cards Hazel - i was without tv, internet & phone for 3 days and thought that was bad!!ReplyDelete
Both of your cards are absolutely stunning, Hazel!! I love how you've used the pretty dies!! I can't wait to see the other six cards!! The background color on the first card is beautiful and I love the pretty flower on the second one!! I hope you are able to get your telephone lines fixed soon, and your Mom's ceiling. Have a great day!! Big hugs :)ReplyDelete
A Mermaid's Crafts
Oh, wow! The first two cards are really pretty! Can't wait to see the others!ReplyDelete
Hope you will be "connected" again soon! So frustrating when these things happen!
Gorgeous, hazel!ReplyDelete
I have this die in my NBUS box! These cards give me some good ideas of what to do with it! Love the pretty background peeking through the first and how the second one makes a pocket! Can't wait to see the rest!ReplyDelete
Oh, my, Hazel, I certainly don't envy you those phone issues. I hope it is sorted sooner, rather than later. Your cards today are wonderful. I'm really looking forward to seeing the other ways you use your new goodies. You're SO creative!!ReplyDelete
Such a beautiful die and you've found two fantastic ways to use it. Can't wait to see the other six! That will definitely keep you out of trouble since you have time on your hands without good internet service. Hope things get fixed faster that expected and you'll be back on-line. In the meantime, keep creating --- we are all looking forward to seeing what you come up with! xxReplyDelete
Oh my gosh, that is so frustrating! I'm also sorry about your mother and her ceiling. Been quite a return for you! But you've made 8 cards with the one die set?? That's amazing! I don't believe I've ever used any of my stash that much. I absolutely love the green card with the die cut cover. That is stunning. Can't wait to see more, when you have the internet back up and running. XxReplyDelete
How frustrating about the land line and limited broadband....Sorry too about your poor Mum's ceiling! The parcel in the post must have cheered you up no end!!! Beautiful cards today. The blending is gorgeous and those die cuts are so pretty. The second one is such a clever idea to use as a gift card/money wallet too. It sounds like it will be awhile before things will get back to 'normal' for you so perhaps you could make more cards and show them to us? lol xxxxxReplyDelete
Bummer about all the catastrophes you have encountered after your holiday - 8 ideas! YOU go girl! Starting out with a bang with these pretty cards!ReplyDelete
Both of these are so pretty I can't wait to see the rest, Hazel!!!! That is such a lovely die!!!! Love the ombre effect of the green bg on the first card and your gift card pocket on the second one is so clever!!!!ReplyDelete
Hope things will all be sorted out very soon, my friend!!!! So nice to have a post from you!!!
Have a great day!!!
Two beautiful and elegant cards Hazel...love that lacy look!ReplyDelete
I was dying to see this die set used and I can't wait to see what your other idea are Hazel. You have blown me out the water already! Love, love, love both cards! Wow, you have had a lot going on. Can't believe they dug and cut the lines like that. Here in the states, you have to have lines marked before any digging can be done or pay the piper! I hope this gets resolved sooner rather than later, but we know how that goes. lol Hang in there my friend, just keep making cards! You will have a lovely set to give as a gift. Hugs, BrendaReplyDelete
Gorgeous die and gorgeous cards Hazel. I think this die is perfect when you need a very pretty but quick card no ? I'm looking foreward to see the others.ReplyDelete
Hope they will work faster and it won't take up to 10 days.
Hugs Veerle xx
Aaah! SU should hire you to demo this fabulously detailed & beautiful die. Love #1 with the ombre colored background under the die, and the way you've done the presentation of the sentiment. Also liked the design of #2, very clever, as well as beautiful. Good luck with the repairs. So aggravating waiting on fixit people, yeah? TFS & HugsReplyDelete
Wow... I can see why you like this die set, Hazel. It suits your style perfectly and you do it such justice. XReplyDelete
Oh my what a terrible time you have been having Hazel!....hope things are all sorted now!! gorgeous cards here too, such pretty dies ;) Viv xxReplyDelete


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The Grouchiest
Kate Beaton draws the brilliant Hark a Vagrant and she has a new comic up: Doctor Sara Josephine Baker Saves the Babies and Does Other Things. The guy who wants her to go after Typhoid Mary ("But she's so grouchy." "She is the grouchiest.") cracks me up. You should be reading Beaton if you're not!


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SoBRO's urban planning initiatives integrate brownfield remediation and redevelopment, waterfront revitalization, green infrastructure and design, and public space planning, to promote healthy, resilient, and equitable communities in the Bronx.
Brownfield Remediation and Redevelopment
Since 2004, SoBRO has been awarded five (5) consecutive New York State Department of State Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) Program grants, community brownfield planning grants in the Port Morris and Eastchester sections of the Bronx. These two areas share a long history of heavy industrial use and the need for planning and revitalization efforts today. Through BOA, SoBRO works closely with property owners, real estate developers, and local community and government stakeholders to identify challenges and opportunities in these areas, develop the communities' visions for revitalization, facilitate the rehabilitation of blighted properties, and achieve important community-economic development goals. These grants provide vital neighborhood improvement and economic development services to the communities they serve.
In addition, as "On-Call" Real Estate Advisory Services consultants to the New York City Mayor's Office of Environmental Remediation (MOER), in 2013, SoBRO produced the BOA Implementation Guide, a comprehensive "best practices" manual for other community-based organizations on how to leverage non-profit status, community support, and Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) Program resources to move catalyst sites in their community forward. SoBRO has since begun Phase II of this contract, direct technical assistance to community-based organizations to assist them with property owner outreach and redevelopment of catalyst sites in their communities. SoBRO is currently working with groups in Brooklyn and Staten Island.
Our brownfield remediation and redevelopment services include:
Waterfront Revitalization
SoBRO works in distressed waterfront communities in the Bronx and citywide to assist with waterfront access and recreational waterfront development opportunities, expansion of water-dependent industry and maritime infrastructure, water quality concerns, and shoreline protection mechanisms.
In SoBRO's eight (8) years of experience implementing the NYS Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) grant program, waterfront revitalization has emerged as an increasingly important focus. All three (3) of our current BOA grants include waterfront components:
Port Morris Lower Concourse BOA:
Phase 1 Visioning Study – November 2014
Port Morris-Harlem River Steering Committee Presentation – November 2014
The second Community Visioning Session for the Port Morris Lower Concourse waterfront took place on Tuesday, May 5, 2015. Presentations, information, and the results of the visioning session can be found in the documents below:
Port Morris Visioning Session Presentation
Community Vision Session 2 – Charrette Responses
Waterfront Visioning Session 2 Flyer – English
Sesion de comunidad 2 acerca de la costa – volante espanol
Waterfront Visioning Session 3 Flyer – English
Sesion de comunidad 3 acerca de la costa – volante espanol
Final Port Morris-Harlem River Reports
Port Morris-Harlem River – Step 2 Nomination Report – Part 1
Port Morris-Harlem River – Step 2 Nomination Report – Part 2
Port Morris-Harlem River – Step 2 Nomination Report – Part 3
Port Morris-Harlem River – Step 2 Nomination Report – Part 4
Port Morris East River Community Listening Session 2 18 2016
Port Morris East River Listening Session Notes 2 2016
Port Morris East River BOA and Eastchester BOA:
Public Space Development
Roberto Clemente Plaza
In partnership with the NYC Department Of Transportation (DOT) and the NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC), SoBRO is developing a 17,000 square foot plaza in the Hub section of the Bronx at 3rd Avenue and 149th Street that will include a kiosk, cafe style seating, planters, benches, public art, and a fountain. Once constructed, this plaza, just outside our offices, will fundamentally transform public space in the Hub by creating a green oasis at one of the busiest intersections in the Bronx. As the Neighborhood Plaza Partner, SoBRO will operate the kiosk concession and be responsible for maintenance and programming in the plaza. The project is breaking ground in spring 2014 and will be complete by fall of 2015.
Roberto Clemente Plaza Meeting Notes, 8/4/2015
Roberto Clemente Presentation, 10/06/2015
BID Merchant Meeting Notes, 10/27/15
BID Roberto Clemente Presentation, 10/27/2015
HUB Town Hall Agenda, 10/27/2015
HUB Town Hall Flyer, 10/27/2015
K2 FAQs, 10/27/2015 (ENG & SPA)
Roberto Clemente Plaza Artist Request Letter, 12/2015
Roberto Clemente Plaza Comptroller and Commissioner Meeting Notes, 02/19/16
Roberto Clemente Plaza One-Sheeter, 2016
Roberto Clemente Plaza Art Timeline, 2016
The New York State Department of State, Office of Planning and Development Brownfield Opportunity Area Program through the New York State Consolidated Funding Application (CFA)
The South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (SoBRO) proposes to submit the 2016 – 2017 REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS #16-BOA-25 to undertake a Brownfield Area Nomination Study. It is expected that Nominations developed through this program will be submitted to the Secretary of State in support of a request for BOA Designation. A BOA Designation conveys certain benefits to the area that promote redevelopment consistent with the vision, goals, and objectives outlined in the BOA Nomination. Through the BOA Program, communities are empowered to:
The proposed project aims to engage in advanced area-wide planning in the Jerome Avenue Corridor, South Bronx Waterfront, Port Morris/East River, and Zerega sections of the Bronx, which will be based on a comprehensive assessment of existing conditions completed under Step 1 of the BOA Program. The core two-fold goal of the proposed BOA project is to identify the community's needs and vision for the Eastchester area and then identify "Strategic Sites" – vacant or underutilized property where revitalization would help realize the community vision. Utilizing BOA resources, SoBRO will help to revive sites and particular sections that currently detract from the area's potential for economic development and contribute to a recurring cycle of egregious activity and environmental degradation.
The application process requires a public meeting to inform the general public regarding the development of the proposed project. The public meeting will be held to give the public an opportunity to become acquainted with the proposed project and to comment on such items as economic and environmental impacts.
The public meeting will take place on March 31, 2017, at 6 pm at 555 Bergen Avenue, 3rd floor Bronx, NY 10455.
The public is open to review the draft application starting March 8, 2017, to April 7, 2017. Interested parties can contact to Jamila Diaz at email@example.com or call at 718-732-7531.
SoBRO's mission is to enhance the quality of life in the South Bronx by strengthening businesses and creating innovative economic, housing, educational, and career development programs for youth and adults.
SoBRO is a registered 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax deductible in full or in part.
Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.


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Page 69 of the Board for Certification of Genealogists' Genealogy Standards defines "independent information items" as "sources or information items that have unrelated origins, thus reinforcing rather than duplicating each other."
I'll put aside my confusion with "sources or information items" (from my viewpoint, "sources" provide "information" so the use of the word "or" here slightly confuses me) and focus on "independent" as needing to have "unrelated origins."
What does "unrelated origins" actually mean and are any pieces of information really independent and of unrelated origin?
My grandmother, Ida (Trautvetter) Neill, was born in 1910 in Hancock County, Illinois. Her mother was there at the time; the doctor probably was there; and I'm guessing her father (and five older siblings) were in the general area as well.
I have quite a few sources that include information on Grandma's birth, but if I group them based upon the likely informant, there's really three groups:
- Grandma's birth certificate--with information provided by the doctor
- Grandma's baptismal record--she was five year of age when baptized, with information provided by Grandma's parents
- Grandma's marriage record, death certificate, obituary, and other records created after Grandma's marriage where Grandma is the informant
Information Grandma provided about her birth is secondary information. She knew it because she was told it. So really there's just two groups sources containing information--the birth certificate with information provided by the doctor being one group and the other group being everything else (where either Grandma's parents provided the information or Grandma did--with all that information actually coming from Grandma's parents).
It is the "independent" and "unrelated origins" that I'm having difficulty wrapping my head around, particularly the "unrelated origins." The doctor and Grandma's mother are independent of each other. Neither one had to tell the other that a baby was born to Ida (Sargent) Trautvetter on 1 September 1910. Ida (the mother) obviously knew it as did the doctor. Their knowledge of the birth is independent of each other.
But is it of unrelated origin?
Wouldn't people's recollections of most events have "related origins," since their knowledge of the event stems from their joint participation in the event? Two scientists working on different continents can have no contact with each other and independently discover the same result. Two people who have first hand knowledge of a baby's birth likely were both there at the time.
I completely understand determining (as best as possible) whether or not pieces of information have the same "points of origin." That's what I did with Grandma--there's her birth certificate with information which came from the doctor and what he remembered and then there's Grandma's christening record and information Grandma eventually provided, all of which likely originated with Grandma's parents (since they told her when she was born).
But the doctor and great-grandma's knowledge of Grandma's birth does have "related origins" (at least to me) as they were at the same event. Their knowledge of her birth is not "unrelated."
Maybe I'll just stick with "independent information items" and leave it at that.


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Food is a touchy subject anywhere, far from being merely a source of energy and nutrients, it is intricately linked to identity, emotions, feelings of well-being. Every country has its staple food; in India it is rice and dahl, in Germany it is bread and cheese, and here it is Gallo Pinto: essentially rice and beans made separately and then friend again together, often with onion and bell pepper. Nicaraguans are very proud of their Gallo Pinto, claiming it to be much superior to the rice and beans from Honduras and the beans and rice from Costa Rica. Just how important it really is became apparent on a recent trip I took with my friends….
"Uhhhh shit….Sarah?"
"The gas just went out."
"You're kidding?"
"Nope, the gas tank is empty, the oven has been off for a while and now the elements aren't working."
"Oh F!@#."
This was quite possible one of the worst things that could happen at this very moment. I was standing in my kitchen, which I had turned into a disaster zone. Flour was everywhere, half cooked empanada fillings on the stove, rolled out lines of pastery on the counter. Two days ago, when we were planning our friends birthday, Annelore and I had offered to make breakfast. The idea was to go to our friends coffee farm about 90 minutes away, party all night and then hike to a waterfall the next morning. For months Annelore and I had been dreaming about having a real European breakfast buffet: homemade yogurt and granola, fresh fruit, sourdough bread, cold cuts, jam, coffee and because we figured we should throw in something slightly more catered to our Nicaraguan friends tastes we decided to make empanadas- a south American type of meat-filled pastry. To make sure they were fresh we decided to make them day of. Retrospectively in a country in which nothing really every works completely on time, it was a bad idea. However we were saved, this time, by sporadic phone-calls, lots of shouting, my host-sisters boyfriend and the fact that we didn't depart on time anyway.
So fast-forward to the next morning. I roll out of my hammock after a very cold night on my friend's absolutely gorgeous coffee farm. The father, that lives in an adjacent building has been up since 5am and has made a huge cauldron of coffee, which sits beside the huge pan of Gallo Pinto – the two things that form the base of breakfast in Nicaragua. I fill up our thermoses for coffee and when I return, Annelore has laid out the table with this huge spread and everyone seems to be happily eating away. However sometime throughout breakfast I become aware of some subtle nudges and looks and one by one, all of my Nicaraguan friends slip out.
"Juan, where is everybody going?" I stop my friend as he is about to go down the stairs
"Oh just..nowehere." He gives me a vague answer and tries to change the subject.
I have a vague inkling and grab one of the coffee thermoses. "I am going to go fill this up," I say, heading towards the fathers kitchen.
"Oh but don't…you see it's just…." I enter into the kitchen to a row of faces, staring back at me over a heaping plate of Gallo Pinto.
I am annoyed for about a grand total of 3 seconds, which slowly changes to amusement. Of course, in a country where people sometimes eat Gallo Pinto up to three times a day, one needs to eat Gallo Pinto, or else one will have not technically eaten. This is more than true after waking up hungry and hung-over. So really at this point there is only one thing you can do.
"How is it?" I ask, taking a spoonful of it into my mouth.
And you know what? As long as I am not eating it 3 meals a day, every day, it's actually pretty good.


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Flambards Theme Park, Helston, Cornwall is a great family fun day out with plenty of great things to do!
Brave the sky high thrill rides, or enjoy the undercover soft play area. Discover dinosaurs in the NEW Jurassic Journey and uncover fossils in the Dino Dig. Step back in time in the life-size Victorian Village and experience Britain in the Blitz in the award winning Indoor Attractions.


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Real Housewives of Atlanta – What were they thinking when they watched last week's episode?
by Veena
Cynthia Bailey has taken a lot of heat this week for her "b!tch in charge" attitude, so she spends most of her Bravo blog explaining herself. I'll give her credit for not mentioning NeNe once. She does discuss Porsha ad nauseum, and lets us know that Porsha is full of crap. But we knew that. It appears as though Cynthia feels that Porsha is making up things for the drama. She especially took offense at Porsha calling her a THOT (that hoe over there) for the Ebony photoshoot. She points out how ludicrous that was – but of course it's Porsha – so who really cares. She then shares these side-by-side photos. Point to Cynthia.
In the end she sums it up by saying that where she went wrong in the episode was allowing Porsha to disrespect her by arriving an hour late. "I feel an ongoing issue in this group of ladies is the blatant disrespect for people's time. It is just rude and inappropriate. It also says a lot about a person to have no regard for another person's time (no call or text) and feel no need to apologize. I find this behavior extremely irritating and actually offensive. Looking back, I never should have allowed my frustration to take me out of character. What could have been a respectful and cordial conversation between two grown women ended up being a pointless waste of time. My mistake was not leaving after the customary 15 minute grace period."
It's great that Kandi is blogging this season, but she's still doing the Q & A thing, which I'm beginning to think is a ploy Bravo is using to get these ladies to blog. Kandi clearly isn't into it, and gives a lot of short answers, but asked what she thought about the Cynthia – Porsha confrontation and whether she was surprised, she says, "Yes. Cynthia is a sweet person, but I think people have called her a follower and have taken her kindness for weakness for so long that she just wants to let everybody know that she's not weak. Therefore every time she feels the slightest bit of disrespect, she goes overboard trying to put that person in check. Now she comes off as this mean girl. It's like she can't win for losing — if she's too nice, she's weak, and if she's too aggressive, she's a bitch."
Phaedra blogged, and I'm shocked that she is so solidly team NeNe/Porsha. She explains it this way, "While our show is about a group of women who socialize together, socializing does not equate to true friendship. True friends delight in the building up of one another rather than bashing each other. Throughout my tumultuous situation it has been Porsha's sweetness,NeNe's constant support and advice, coupled with Kandi's steadfast friendship that has sustained and comforted me."
Phaedra can be friends with whomever she likes, but her next paragraph pissed me off. "The exchange between Porsha and Cynthia during this week's episode was disappointing. I have always thought of Cynthia as a nice person, but her behavior last night was unbecoming. Porsha was late and I understand Cynthia's frustration. However, as Porsha's elder, Cynthia should be setting an example." I'm sorry, but does she think Porsha is a child? This ageism thing is really unbecoming Phaedra. Very unbecoming. I thought you were a respectful southern belle.
Phaedra doesn't mention Kenya or Apollo.
Kenya does bring up Apollo's lies, and basically says that all of the women have treated her poorly because they believed him. I'm not sure about that. Some of the women treated her poorly because of the things she did to them. And she's treated them poorly in return. To prove my point, she takes aim and fires squarely at NeNe. "I have been respectfully employed since the age of 14, managing to stay off a pole and out of jail. Therefore, for 20 plus years I have been around the block working. NeNe cannot say the same. I will no longer tolerate the thinly veiled insults aimed at my virtue as a woman. Several seasons ago, NeNe blatantly flirted with Peter and was greatly criticized. However, no one took her seriously because of the way she looks. Clearly, she's not a threat to anyone's marriage. Lucky for her." Okay. NeNe was not greatly criticized for flirting with Peter. Don't get it twisted Kenya. She was teased about it, threw a hissy fit and claimed she wasn't flirting. Her flirting wasn't taken seriously because Gregg was right there by her side – and it was PETER!!
She gives a shout out to Cynthia, but calls her almost 50. Hello – Cynthia is 47 – that's closer to 40 than 50 in my mind (do not do the math). "I was so proud to see Cynthia's Ebony magazine spread celebrating a woman's beauty that is nearly 50 years old. It's unnerving to hear her tasteful and elegant spread be compared to an Instagram "THOT spread," an acronym meaning "those hos over there." There are also constant jabs about age ("mean old lady" etc.) from people who can't even spell acronym." To be fair, I doubt Porsha can pronounce acronym, much less spell it.
NeNe didn't blog (of course). She's in rehearsals for Cinderella.
Claudia Jordan has officially joined the cast, and has logged her second blog. She dishes a little bit about her goofy side – to deflect from the "loosing her tooth while having sex" story. NeNe made a comment when hearing that Claudia was filming for RHOA, saying, "The Thirst is Real."
Instead of playing the victim and milking it, Claudia pointed out how ludicrous the statement was, saying, "I thought that was an odd reaction. I mean how is it "thirsty" of me to be in a city where I just got hired to work? I didn't understand that comment. As someone that always prides herself for being such a hard worker, a hustler, and a worker bee, I was surprised that NeNe would say something that seemed shady about another fellow hard worker like myself, who is just out here making my own money and pursuing my own dreams. The irony of it all is that our professional paths have crossed in Atlanta before, so why would it be "thirsty" of me to be out here now? I auditioned for the Rickey Smiley show and got the job, signed my contract, and relocated like I'm supposed to. So as far as being "thirsty," I'm actually quite satisfied and whatever thirst I may have had for bookings has clearly been quenched." Of course Claudia isn't allowed to go behind the 4th wall and talk about the reality show she also auditioned for when she relocated to Atlanta, but the point is still the same. She's a hustler and went after a job on the show. She got it. How is that thirsty? Is NeNe thirsty when she goes after a part on Broadway? Is being thirsty a bad thing?
Happy Birthday cdnfillie58


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When it comes to supporting local artists and businesses this holiday season, there are plenty of opportunities in Phoenix to finish your Christmas shopping early this year. These holiday events offer a chance to find the perfect present for everyone on your list, including yourself. From holiday markets set up in town squares to special shopping events and sales across the Valley of the Sun, the options for finding unique gifts are nearly endless in November and December of 2018.
Ornament Marketplace at the Heard Museum
Each year, the Heard Museum in Phoenix celebrates the history of Christmas ornaments and traditions of Native American art with a three-day craft event and sale known as the Ornament Marketplace.
During the event, you can purchase one (or several) of hundreds of hand-crafted Native American-themed ornaments on display, which are available in a variety of styles, media, and colors. 30 limited-edition signature ornaments from featured artist Kee Yazzie, a member of the Navajo Tribe, will also be available for purchase on a first-come basis starting on the first day of the sale.
The Ornament Marketplace will take place at the Heard Museum Shop—located at the entrance to the museum—from November 23 to 25, 2018. Although it's free to visit the Marketplace at the Shop, you'll still need to pay admission if you want to visit the museum itself during the event.
Tempe Fall Festival of the Arts
One of the most acclaimed art festivals in the country, the Tempe Festival of the Arts takes place on the streets of downtown Tempe in the Mill Avenue district on the first Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in December each year.
During the event, you can discover the works of over 250 artists from around the world, including original paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and creations of all mediums, sizes, and price ranges. You'll also have access to two stages of live music, an evening of wine-tasting, and a Kids Block that includes a K-12 exhibit.
In 2018, the Tempe Fall Festival of the Arts will be held on Mill Avenue between Third Street and University Parkway, and on Fifth Street between Myrtle and Ash avenues from November 30 to December 2.
Hello Handmade Market
If you want to shop for locally-made gifts, you can head to Heritage Square in Downtown Phoenix on December 15, 2018, from noon to 4 p.m. for the annual Hello Handmade Market.
Known as one of Arizona's finest vintage and handmade vendors, the Hello Handmade Market invites guests to browse one-of-a-kind creations crafted by local artisans and boutiques across the states, all for free.
There will also be food and drink vendors on site throughout the day as well as workshops on subjects ranging from calligraphy drawing and embroidery hooping to cooking country Christmas cookies and making your own cookies.
Food City's Tamale Festival
To raise money for local organizations each year, Food City—a locally-owned and operated market at Cesar Chavez Plaza in downtown Phoenix—presents a festival celebrating tamales each year during the holiday season.
During the festival, tamale-makers from local faith-based groups sell their best renditions of this savory Mexican treat, and Food City will also be selling tamales, menudo, carne asada burritos, durros, aguas frescas, and champurrado (Mexican hot chocolate). The two-day event will also offer live mariachis, ballet Folklorico dancers, and other musical entertainment as well as arts and crafts vendors and jewelry makers selling their creations. Celebrity judges will name the Best Tamale.
UnCommon Markets
If you're looking for an item unlike any other for that person on your Christmas list who already has everything, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale hosts a two-day event each year where guests can purchase the works of unique artists and makers from around the region.
Featuring odd creations from art that benefits social change to upcycled home furnishings, UnCommon Market serves as an ideal source of custom-made goods you won't find anywhere else in the world. General admission is required to attend, but kids 12 and under get in free, and you can also pay a little more for a VIP package that includes reserved parking, access to a private lounge, and two drink tickets to use at the vendor stands.
Mesa Arts Festival
Another great place to find unique gifts for the holidays, the Mesa Arts Festival at the Mesa Arts Center features a free two-day event showcasing original works of art for sale from local, regional, and national artists.
The Mesa Arts Festival will take place on December 8 and 9, 2018, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and will also feature artist demonstrations, a variety of family activities, and live entertainment on three stages. Entertainers for this year include CHROME, C'est la vie, the Circus Americana Stiltwalkers, Losers Way Home Trio, Devon Bridgewater Nuance Quintet, Boxelder Station, The Blues Review Ban, and Rhythm Edition.
The Ugly Holiday Sweater Chandler Art Walk
On the third Friday of each month, galleries around downtown Chandler invite residents and tourists alike to explore the thriving arts community of the city during an art walk event, but in December, this monthly tradition gets a holiday makeover.
On December 21, 2018, you can head downtown to celebrate the Ugly Holiday Sweater Chandler Art Walk, which encourages guests to wear the most hideous Christmas sweater they can find. During the event, over 35 local artists will display and sell their works in Dr. A.J. Chandler Park West and along North San Marcos Place starting at SanTan Brewing Company and heading south.
Artists will be selling various mediums including jewelry, paintings, drawings, woodworking, and more, with many items priced at $50 or less.
Holiday Bazaar Chandler Farmers Market
If you can't find something for everyone on your holiday shopping list at the Chandler Art Walk, you might have more luck with the Holiday Bazaar at the Chandler Farmer's Market on Saturdays throughout December.
Held on the west side of Chandler Park from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the market features several regular local vendors as well as special holiday craft vendors that change from week to week. Also, Santa will be available for a complimentary photo, and elves will be walking around the market in preparation for the Family Flicks event that happens in the evening after the market closes.


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9 Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Lung Cancer Treatment
The more informed you are, the more confident you'll be about making treatment decisions. Use these questions to start a dialogue with your doctor.
After you've been diagnosed with lung cancer, you'll need to work with your healthcare team to develop a treatment plan. One way to move past the fear and feel empowered is to gain knowledge about the different types of lung cancer treatments and which option may be the best choice for you. To begin, ask these nine key questions to your care team — they'll help ensure that you're well informed and better able to set realistic expectations.
How does my type of lung cancer affect my treatment options?
"Lung cancers are divided into small-cell and non-small cell types, and the treatment is different for each of these," says Heather Mannuel, MD, an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and a medical oncologist at the University of Maryland Medical Center Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center in Baltimore.
Small-cell lung cancer is almost always treated with chemotherapy and sometimes with radiation, says Ziv Gamliel, MD, chief of thoracic surgery at The Angelos Center for Lung Diseases at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center and MedStar Harbor Hospital in Baltimore. Non-small-cell lung cancer can be treated with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapies, and immunotherapies, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). Each treatment can have risks as well as advantages. Ask your doctor to discuss them openly with you so that you can decide on the best path.
What are the goals of treatment?
The right treatment for you also depends on the stage of the cancer (how early it was caught and whether it has spread) as well as your overall health, Dr. Gamliel says. These factors help determine whether the goal of your lung cancer treatment is a cure or palliative care, meaning you'll feel better but not be cured, Gamliel explains. Your general health matters because not everyone is physically strong enough to tolerate surgery or certain other options, he adds.
Who will lead my overall treatment?
You may need to see a number of specialists in addition to your medical oncologist, according to the ACS. This may include healthcare professionals such as:
- Thoracic surgeon
- Radiation oncologist
- Pulmonologist
- Respiration therapist
- Oncology nurse
- Palliative care specialist
- Nutritionist
Typically, your medical oncologist or thoracic surgeon is the leader of your team, Gamliel says. Ask your team leader to explain the role of each medical professional involved in your care, how they will coordinate their efforts, and how they will each communicate with you.
Should I get a second opinion?
Second opinions can help put any doubts you have to bed, Gamliel says. However, he suggests not seeking a second opinion until all the information, such as test results and imaging studies, is available for your first team to make its recommendation. This way, you don't delay getting the treatment you ultimately choose. Also, he adds, "if you have confidence in the specialist you're seeing and the center where you're seeking treatment, you should not feel compelled to seek a second opinion."
Can I add complementary therapies to my treatment?
"Before you start any type of complementary therapy, always talk to your oncologist to make sure it's safe," Dr. Mannuel says. Many patients turn to therapies such as acupuncture and massage to be more relaxed and comfortable during their treatment. "Some vitamins and herbal supplements are safe to combine with chemotherapy," he adds, "but some may cause dangerous side effects." Never take supplements without first checking with your doctor to ensure they won't interfere with treatment.
Are there any clinical trials appropriate for me?
Clinical trials may provide an opportunity for you to be treated with drugs or other therapies that are not yet on the market, but in a best-case scenario, could become standard cancer treatment in the future, Mannuel says. "Most large cancer centers participate in clinical trials or have an association with other hospitals and centers that run trials." In addition to asking your doctor about clinical trials, you can access ClinicalTrials.gov, a registry of available clinical trials across the United States run by the National Institutes of Health.
How will treatment affect my day-to-day life?
Although many potential side effects of lung cancer treatment can be controlled, some therapies require that you be away from work for several weeks at a time. Others may leave you fatigued and unable to maintain a normal work or childcare schedule, Mannuel says. Ask what you might expect from treatment options and whether you can get a referral to a social worker or case manager who can help you find solutions to such issues.
What can I do to ensure my treatment is successful?
Be an active participant in your treatment and ask for specifics on what to do to increase the chances of your desired outcome, Gamliel says. Sticking to your treatment schedule is critical; so are lifestyle choices such as diet and exercise. Know what's expected of you, Gamliel says.
What comes after my cancer treatment?
Find out what follow-up will be required and what long-term effects might result from medication, surgery, radiation, or other treatment options, Gamliel says. If the treatment your doctors suggest doesn't work as well as you had hoped, they might recommend different or additional treatments. Ask how to prepare for this possibility.
The goal of asking these questions, Gamliel says, is to feel as though you have all the information you need to make the best treatment decision best for you.


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An astonishing piece of political journalism appeared in Tuesday's Washington Post. Not astonishing for the scoop or hard work it evinced, although the reporter, Jason Horowitz, is a very good one. Astonishing for how it may have gotten into the paper in the first place. For what it says about the feuds within the Obama administration. And most of all for what it tells us about how wisdom is defined in this town.
Under the headline Hotheaded Emanuel may be White House voice of reason, the article goes on at great length for a newspaper piece – maybe 1,500 words or so – describing the ways in which Emanuel, alone among the top White House brass, has his finger on the pulse of Congress and (by implication) the nation and has tried to steer Obama toward wise action. This comes on the heels of a column by Dana Milbank in the Post about 10 days ago making the same case.
Coincidence? Probably not.
The Milbank column, as I noted at the time, seemed pretty clearly to have been done with Emanuel's cooperation. Milbank has said he didn't speak to Emanuel, but obviously Emanuel's points of view on various matters could have been communicated to him through others.
Substantively, the column made a reasonable case that Emanuel was a positive influence in some ways. The Milbank piece, in its turn, arrived on the heels of Ed Luce's widely read FT article describing the ways in which the high-ranking officials who'd been with Obama since the campaign or longer – David Axelrod, Valerie Jarrett, Robert Gibbs – were maybe too enamored of the bossman to give him the unvarnished truth about some things, and weren't old Washington hands, were too in the bubble. Milbank wrote that they were captives of the "Cult of Obama."
Obviously the Milbank column would have miffed Axelrod et alia. It refers at one point – and this was a mini-scoop that had to come from somewhere inside – to the Jarrett-Gibbs press operation as "dysfunctional" and tosses a few other darts their way. That wouldn't make for a happy workplace. But it's just one column. And if Emanuel honestly believes, and Milbank honestly agrees, that Obama needs to listen more to the non-enamoreds, that's a fair point of view.
But now we have a second entry. I obviously don't know whether Emanuel planted this piece in any way. The article says he didn't comment. But that's a device of journalism. "Didn't comment" means he didn't say anything on the record. It doesn't necessarily mean he didn't speak in any way. It's one of those conventions that helps keep sourcing opaque and preserve relationships, even if it sometimes obfuscates matters from the reader's point of view. For better or worse, I've used it myself.
So I can't say that Emanuel planted it. But like the Milbank column, it has little scoops that seem to come either from Emanuel or people in his corner.
The gist of the piece: Emanuel understands Washington, and the rest of the White House people, including Obama himself, do not. Rahm knew how to deal with Congress. Rahm understood that trying to close Gitmo was lightning in a bottle.
He saw that giving Khalid Sheikh Mohammed a civilian trial would unleash political fury. He wanted a smaller and more passable health bill and urged the ditching of the public option. And – this one is new, as far as I know – he happily chipped the stimulus down by $100 million at Olympia Snowe's insistence.
So here's the real import of all of this. The implicit message of this piece, from the headline on down, is that these Emanuel positions represent reason, common sense, wise judgment. Axelrod and the others are a bunch of lightweight dreamers.
Well, maybe. As I said when I discussed the Milbank piece, I do think that presidents need to surround themselves with people who aren't intensely personally loyal and who can exercise independent judgment.
And yet: you can call trying to close Gitmo and pass a major healthcare overhaul dreaming. But you can also call them fulfilling campaign promises. Trying to keep campaign promises isn't really a bad thing. Isn't it one of the constant complaints about politicians that they promise things and never deliver. Furthermore, substantively, most economists agreed that the stimulus was too small. So why was making it even smaller the better part of wisdom?
I understand political exigencies. Some of my readers here think I'm a sellout and an apologist on, say, the public option, precisely because I do take these exigencies into account.
But the problem with world views like Emanuel's is that they bow to those exigencies too readily without at least trying to create the space to change them. On the civilian trial for KSM, for example, Obama actually seems to have done the right thing: he left the decision to Eric Holder and agreed to take the heat.
Independence for the attorney general is an important principle, one most administrations violate (the last administration mocked the very notion). And, of course, we know that objectively, civilian trials have been far more effective than military tribunals.
Emanuel's playing with fire now. Maybe he wants out anyway and wants his version of the story told. It's hard to see, after these two pieces, how he lasts much longer. Or – if you want to go really meta-hugger-mugger here – it might also be that Emanuel's opponents helped get this story in print, the better to undercut him. We'll never know, although we can be sure these questions are being considered at the White House today.
Finally, we operate now in a roiling cauldron in which an article like this starts a very public conversation. Twenty or 30 years ago, an article like this would still have been interpreted by insiders in the ways I've described above. But we didn't have blogs then that could get into all these details. The broader public would never have been the wiser about what kinds of impulses and conflicts were behind this story. Today, the blogosphere is like a giant decoder ring.
Obama needs an Emanuel-like figure around him. And he needs operate within political limits, at times. But at other times, he needs to do the right thing and not worry about what Lindsey Graham is going to say. Leaks like those in this article establish a narrative in which the right thing is by definition the naïve thing. That may be good for a certain category of Washington conventional-wisdom arbiter, but it isn't good for the country.