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Membership and Loyalty Program
Reward yourself with CivicPoints! Free
Earn points every time you buy a ticket, gift certificate, or a concession item at The Civic Theatre. For every dollar you spend, you will receive 10 CivicPoints. Redeem for movie tickets, popcorn and fountain drinks! Your points can be easily viewed & managed online. (Terms and Conditions)
Civic Points cards don't receive the Membership discount but do collects points.
Enjoy more as a member...
A one-year membership is only $20 and gives you access to an amplified experience at The Civic Theatre, including:
- A $2 discount on all movie tickets, both in person and online
- Free tickets to special "Member Movie" screenings (once a month)
- Weekly email updates about our upcoming programming
- Great discounts and deals with our local Member Business Partners
- The opportunity to accumulate CivicPoints
- A vote at our Annual General Meeting
Child memberships are also available at $5 each per year.
You can pick up your new Membership card at the theatre next time you visit!
Just let the Box Office person know you need to pick up your new card, give them your name, and your card will be ready for you in our office after the movie!
See Everything
Are you a real movie Buff? Our Civic Patrons Membership may be for you!
For $1,000 per year, pay once and see everything we present as often as you like! A charitable receipt for $640 will be issued with this membership.
Benefits Include:
- Admission to ALL Civic Theatre film screenings, including regular content, Art on Screen, Member Movies*
- Weekly email updates about our upcoming programming
- Great discounts amd deals with our local Member Business Partners
- The opportunity to accumulate CivicPoints
- A vote at our Annual General Meeting
*Events presented at The Civic Theatre by third-party rental clients are not included.
Read Our FAQS
I'm having problems logging into my account with my email? What should I do?
Make sure the email account you signed up with is the same one you're trying to login in with. If it is and you're still having problems, please email firstname.lastname@example.com so we can check that your email is the same as the one we have on file.
Note: You cannot share an email account with another Member, as our system uses the email as the unique identifier between different accounts. You must provide one separate from your spouse's or whomever you may share an account with.
I've signed up for CivicPoints. Now what do I do to earn them?
When you go to civictheatre.ca to buy tickets, log in using your username and password. All your purchases will automatically add to your points balance. When you visit the box office or concession in person, you can give your name, phone number or email address on your CivicPoints account, or swipe your card, and your purchase will also automatically add to your points balance as well.
How can I check my CivicPoints balance?
Every time you log in to civictheatre.ca using your username and password, you will see your balance. You can also ask at the box office or concession when you visit The Civic Theatre in person.
Can I get member pricing online now?
Yes! We are pleased to finally be able to offer member pricing online. To see member pricing, you simply need to login before you purchase your tickets.
Do I need my card with me to get my membership discount or accumulate CivicPoints?
Bringing your card with you is better, as swiping your card will always be faster than looking you up in our system, but if you arrive at the theatre without your card, a piece of ID with your name on it will suffice to prove membership.
What happened to the Family membership?
We have discontinued the Family membership as it presents a logistical challenge in our new membership system. However, we are confident that families will continue to see savings through a combination of the changes to our regular membership prices, deeper discount in member-priced ticket sales, and the availability of member pricing through our online box office.
About Ticket Prices
Members save $2 on every ticket!
The Civic Theatre also charges a $1 per ticket Facility Improvement Fee. This fee supports expenses related to the ongoing maintenance and repair of our venue.


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Category Archives: spinal stenosis
February 5, 2015
Written by Vickie Nguyen (class of 2014-2015)
Since today was a Thursday, I entered the OR just a little bit after 11am as suggested by those who do attend their OREX days on Thursday. By then a lot of the surgeries looked like they were just starting or just being finished up, I ended up choosing Dr. Patel's laminectomy, T3/T4 decompressive transpedicular tumor resection. It was a particularly long surgery, though I spent about 5 hours in the OR, a bulk of it was spent in Dr. Patel's surgery.
His patient was diagnosed with colon cancer, and unfortunately the cancer spread to his bones. The proper term for this is mestastic colorectoral cancer. His backbone, in the T3/T4 region, was affected by tumor growth, and if left alone would eventually leave him paralyzed. A soft white membrane called the dura covers the spinal cord; the spinal cord sits inside of the dura and is surrounded by cerebrospinal fluid. The tumor was in fact squeezing the spinal cord, and began affecting his motor functions. To avoid his eventual paralysis, Dr. Patel, accompanied by another doctor who introduced herself to me as Jennifer (I never got a chance to see her last name, though I really wished I had), worked together to remove the tumor.
Before beginning the surgery, a radiology team came in to perform some x-rays. The entire time, Dr. Patel was the conductor, asking for many different positions in which to examine her spine. Every now and then, Dr. Patel would point to certain parts of the spine using something similar to a peon (like scissors) but with a long and curved end. After about an hour of taking x-rays, the surgery began. An interesting thing to note about this surgeon is that he brought in his own set of CDs and a speaker system to play music throughout this surgery. I didn't know you could do that!
I got a pretty awesome view during this surgery. Jennifer as well as Lydia, the student nurse-anesthetist, suggested I stand at the front of the operating table, where her head was! At first I got to see the top of the spine, it looked a lot smaller than I had imagined, but nonetheless I thought it was quite cool to see it in real life. Next thing you know, Dr. Patel takes a tool, which looks similar to small pliers, and completely removes the top of the spine! It was mind-boggling! I thought to myself "Woah man, this can't be right, don't we need that?"
Later, Jennifer told me that he was suffering from spinal stenosis because of the tumor and this would help relieve his symptoms. With some research, I also found out that the top of the spine that was removed is called a lamina, hence the surgery name 'laminectomy.' A lot of bone was removed, and eventually Jennifer pointed out the dura, it was this off-white looking piece that ran vertically up and down his back. She told me that the spinal cord is supposed to be even in width, but for him this wasn't the case, it looked similar to that of an hour glass, pinched right in the middle and equal in size everywhere else. Their job that day was to remove all the cancerous bone they could, and all that they could not would be removed via chemotherapy.
Standing at the front of the operating table, I was much closer to the anesthetists and was able to see a lot of the tasks that they had to perform. Normally, I always see a lot of tubing everywhere, and they're mostly clear. One of the tubes was red, and I then realized it was blood. A few times, I saw Lydia move towards some of the patient's tubes, and she squeezed in some calcium chloride. Curious, I asked Lydia what the calcium chloride was used for. She said that since he is a very sick patient, he had a low blood count and needed extra blood for this surgery, something that they don't normally like to give patients. The blood that he was given was mixed with something else, and this causes the blood to bind to calcium. Because of the lower concentrations of calcium in his body, they had to supplement it with more calcium. It's a pretty awesome thing to learn outside of a classroom.
After the surgery ended, Jennifer showed me to the PACU to see him. They were still trying to wake him up after the surgery, and with the one that he underwent it was crucial to see if he still had function in his arms and legs. Someone at his bed asked if anyone could speak Chinese, as he could not speak or understand English well. Jennifer asked me if I could, and I told her I spoke Cantonese. It worked out well because his Chinese dialect is Cantonese! She asked me to talk to him and get him to wiggle his toes. I said "Uncle! Uncle! Can you hear me? Do you understand me? Uncle, could you move your feet for me?" I tried my best to get through to him, but he was still too groggy and was not compliant. Jennifer thanked me for trying and asked me to follow her into the waiting room. There, we encountered his wife. I helped translate between her and Jennifer. I'm definitely not a professional translator, and I think I often have difficulty interpreting for people mainly because it feels like I'm having a one-on-one conversation with two people at the same time. I think a huge tip for my fellow bilingual/trilingual/multilingual OREXers is to take a lot of pauses in between the conversation so that both parties are included. This is something that Jennifer expressed to me, and I think it was really great advice. It's a lot easier to talk to someone directly, though having a translator helps with people who speak two different languages, it's still a highly difficult task.
This was quite an interactive OREX day for me. I'm really glad Jennifer was around to show me things inside the OR as well as outside. I give her 5 stars for the stupendous learning experience, and I'm really thankful to have had her guidance that day. I'm kind of falling in love with OREX, is that a weird thing to say?

subset: commoncrawl


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Today the US military announced:
A Multi-National Division -- Baghdad Soldier died of wounds and two Soldiers were wounded in a blast in northern Baghdad Nov. 8. The Soldiers were wounded when the vehicle they were traveling in was struck by an improvised explosive device at approximately noon. The Soldiers were quickly transported to the medical facility; however, one Soldier later succumbed to the wounds. The Soldiers' names are being withheld pending notification of next of kin. The names of the service members are announced through the U.S. Department of Defense Official Website at http://www.defenselink.mil/ . The announcements are made on the Website no earlier than 24 hours after notification of the service member's primary next of kin.
The announcement brings the total number of US service members killed in Iraq since the start of the illegal war to 4193 and to three for the month of November thus far.
And that's the full announcement -- included for the factually challenged who e-mail whenever DoD makes a death announcement (and names the dead) despite M-NF never announcing the death. As outlined above, DoD is supposed to announce the name. The death is supposed to be announced via M-NF.
The treaty masquerading as a Status Of Forces Agreement remains in the news. Liz Sly's "U.S. ultimatum spooks Iraq" (Chicago Tribune) explains:
The Iraqi government is coming around to the view that it would be better to sign a security deal with the Bush administration than to wait to strike a deal with President-elect Barack Obama, spurred in part by fresh U.S. concessions as well as threats by the U.S. to suspend all operations in Iraq if there is no deal by the end of the year, according to Iraqi officials.
The political mood began to shift more than a week ago, before Obama's election victory, after the U.S. delivered a stiff warning that if there is no deal by the end of the year, the U.S. military will be forced to suspend all its operations in Iraq, including the provision of many services such as air-traffic control as well as campaigns against the insurgency.
That appears to have given government officials pause, said Mahmoud Othman, a Kurdish legislator. "The Iraqi government realizes they still need the Americans," he said. "They still cannot survive on their own."
Ken Fireman and Daniel Williams (Bloomberg News) file a report maintaining that Iraq may decide to wait (until after Barack Obama is sworn in?) because al-Maliki's spokesperson Ali al-Dabbagh stated on Iraqi television Friday more meet ups between the US and Iraq were required on the treaty. It is unlikely (though not impossible) that Iraq will wait until after December 31st to enter into some form of agreement.
In the New York Times, Katherine Zoepf's "Followers of Shiite Cleric Reject Iraq Security Pact" also covers the treaty and includes:
In his Friday sermon in Sadr City, Mr. Battat mocked offers by Massoud Barzani, president of the Kurdistan Regional Government, to accept more American troops in Kurdish-controlled northern Iraq if the pact was not signed.
"This isn't constitutional, Mr. Barzani," Mr. Battat said. "You can take the Americans any time if you want them."
The following community sites have updated since Friday morning:
Rebecca's Sex and Politics and Screeds and Attitude;
Betty's Thomas Friedman Is a Great Man;
Cedric's Cedric's Big Mix;
Kat's Kat's Korner;
Mike's Mikey Likes It!;
Elaine's Like Maria Said Paz;
Wally's The Daily Jot;
Trina's Trina's Kitchen;
Ruth's Ruth's Report;
Marcia's SICKOFITRADLZ;
and Stan's Oh Boy It Never Ends
The e-mail address for this site is email@example.com.
liz sly
the new york times
katherine zoepf
bloomberg news
daniel williams
like maria said paz
kats korner
sex and politics and screeds and attitude
thomas friedman is a great man
trinas kitchen
the daily jot
cedrics big mix
mikey likes it
ruths report
oh boy it never ends


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I am an artist and sustainability professional who has a passion for being outdoors and exploring this amazing world we live on. With degrees in graphic design and geography and a masters in sustainability leadership (you could say I like school), I want to help everyone understand how they can each make a difference.
I used to feel discouraged reading and listening to story after story about how C02 is warming our planet, plastics are killing sea life, people are living without access to clean water, etc. I am sure you have seen your fair share of these stories as well. I felt overwhelmed. These are huge problems, how are we supposed to solve them?
But, after working and studying in sustainability I saw that people and organizations are taking big steps to fight these challenges. Now, I feel a sense of hope and empowerment.
I thought to myself "Why aren't these stories better communicated with the public?" Unless you spend hours doing research it is hard to learn about the exciting stories happening all around the world sustainability.
That is why I started Positively Impactful.
I want to make these powerful stories a part of your everyday life and to provide inspiration and hope that we can fight these challenges together each and everyday. My aspiration is that by telling the stories of those working to make a difference, you too will create change, and ultimately, we as a society will begin to think and act in a more sustainable forward-thinking manner.


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I read quite a bit in 2014…During that time I discovered some new authors and genres that I'd like to share with you all. Here are my top 5 books of 2014:
- Saga (Graphic Novel, Volumes 1-4) by Brian K.Vaughn and Fiona Staples – This was the first graphic novel series I've ever read and it is AMAZING! Not only is the storyline intriguing, but the art work is incredible. Simply put, Saga is about a family that is on the run. Alana and Marko come from different sides of warring planets. They decide to abandon the war effort and focus their energies on their child, Hazel. Their daughter, the narrator of the entire series, is considered to be an abomination. Therefore, the entire family is being hunted. Saga is often referred to as a sci-fi Romeo and Juliet sort of story…I know, I know, it sounds crazy but trust me, it is well worth the hype.
- We Were Liars by E. Lockhart – I read this book in a day…Although she is the daughter of a single mother, Cadence Sinclair has everything she could ever want. Every summer she and her mother escape to her grandparents' private island where she spends most of her time with her cousins. She typically looks forward to summers, until something strange happens and changes the way Cadence views herself, her family, and their fortune. I am being a bit ambiguous because anymore information than that will ruin the book for you…Just trust me, it's worth the read.
- Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas – This fast-paced YA thriller is a must read. Basically, it is a story about a group of friends/teens who go on vacation together to Aruba for Spring Break. They are having an amazing time until their friend Elise is murdered. The crazy thing is that the police are convinced that Anna, Elise's best friend, is the murderer although they have very little evidence. Of course, drama ensues as Anna struggles to clear her name, and finds which friends are really on her side.
- Dark Places by Gillian Flynn – This book was crazy! It starts off a little slow, but is amazing nonetheless. The main character, Libby Day, was seven years old when her brother murdered her entire family. The narrative picks up with Libby's life as an adult. Her trust fund is running low, and she needs to find a way to make money. When she is contacted by a group called the Kill Club, a group of people who are obsessed with murders and murderers, she figures out that she can get paid to simply talk about her family's tragedy. However, the Kill Club begins to convince Libby that perhaps her brother didn't actually kill her family. She begins to question what she always thought she knew for certain and begins to do some research. You'd be amazed by what she finds.
- Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng – This was an incredibly endearing story about an interracial Chinese-American family and their struggles with race, acceptance and guilt. Early on in the narrative you find out that the middle daughter (Lydia) is dead, and both her parents and her siblings struggle to deal with such a disastrous reality. Lydia was her parents' pride and joy, she was the child that was supposed to live out the American Dream. Lydia's death pretty much shatters the already teetering family, and many of their secrets quickly rise to the surface. A must read!
I've linked these titles to Amazon, but you can also find them in Target, Barnes & Noble, and Books-a-Million. Please let me know if you decide to read any. Also keep in mind that if you aren't sure you want to commit to buying a particular book, remember that you can download a sample to see if you like it before purchasing.
My goal for this year is to read 75 books…Wish me luck! Lol…I hope you all have a fabulous weekend! xx


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West Ham United football club is up for sale and 4 parties are supposedly interested in buying the club - a deal that is expected to be around £100m overall.
The back page of the Evening Standard newspaper tonight goes into more detail and focuses on the intentions of one of the interested parties - Malaysian businessman and multi-millionaire owner of Air Asia, Tony Fernandes.
However, on closer inspection the Evening Standard reporting about Tony Fernandes seems to be based on one thing, a tweet that Mr. Fernandes posted this morning!
The article reads:
"Fernandes was rumoured to be looking for a 50 percent stake in the club...... but in a Twitter post today, Fernandes said: 'In Luxembourg. Paid Talk. Then to London tonight. Down to 2 bidders for West Ham. New owner needs total control.' Fernandes comments suggests he now wants 100 per cent ownership....."
Here is the @tonyfernandes tweet that the London Evening Standard story is based on:
I don't know what I'm more surprised by, financial journalism based solely on Twitter comments or a global businessman tweeting about a £100m deal that he plans to complete shortly?
More proof that the world has changed...........
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Combining some of my favorite things i.e. poetry, tennis, and tennis players. This Wimbledon promo is simply a fortunate find. Without further ado, I present Roger and Rafa reciting Rudyard Kipling's "IF" which adorns the entrance to center court at Wimbledon. IF by Rudyard Kipling ('Brother Square-Toes'—Rewards and Fairies) If you can keep your… Continue reading Tennis and Poetry: "If" recited by Federer and Nadal
Category: Rafael Nadal
Wimbledon Men's Final Point And Victory
Nadal Wins the 2008 Wimbledon Men's Final:Championship Point This was the greatest tennis match I have ever seen. Rafael Nadal wins his first Wimbledon and Roger is crushed. They played like gladiators and did so for over 4 hrs and 40 mins. Nadal emerged the champion. At 22 he is a tremendous athlete,… Continue reading Wimbledon Men's Final Point And Victory


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Nuestro Equipo
New York, NY 10004-1936
- E-mail:
- email@example.com
- Teléfono:
- +1-212-747-9100
Jessie Munger
Executive Director | Human Resources
As the Executive Director of Human Resources, Jessie Munger is responsible for the development and implementation of GlobeTax's Human Capital strategy. She oversees talent acquisition, employee relations, training and development, and benefit management. Since joining GlobeTax in 2006, Jessie has been instrumental in fostering a corporate culture that places great emphasis on communication, collaboration and quality of life.
- Master of Science in Human Resources Management and Organizational Development from New York University
- Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Washington University in St. Louis


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Flat & Low Slopes Roofs for Your Home
Elite Roofing Solutions is happy to offer a full range of flat and low slope roofing services to enhance the functionality of your home. Flat and low slope roofs are distinct architectural features that requires skill and experience to install, maintain and repair due to the many challenges inherent in this type of design. Traditional pitched residential roofs don't present the same problems as flat or low slope roofs, such as the propensity of pooling water and leaks.
Elite Roofing Solutions can help protect your home and family with a durable, long-lasting low or flat roofing in Texas and surrounding towns. We are experts in installing the best quality flat or low slope roof to protect any residential structure, large or small.
Have you been seeing signs of wear and tear, found leaks or suspect damage to the flashing? Now's the time to call the top roofers in Texas: Elite Roofing Solutions. That's because we have the experience needed to address low slope or flat roofing problems.
Low-slope and flat roofs are among the most challenging types of roofing systems because there is little to no water run-off capabilities, which leads to puddling and roof failure. It's not just the water damage you have to worry about; it's the destructive algae growth that can create tension on the surface and lead to roof deterioration. Unlike steep-slope roofs which use gravity to drain water, low-sloped or flat roofs require a positive slope be designed in to allow for drainage.
Call us for a Free Inspection on Flat or Low Slope Roofing in Texas
Give us a call at 877-ELITE-13 to schedule a free, no-obligation inspection on residential low slope or flat roofing. We are open M-F 8-5 for your convenience, with several local office locations.
Get A Free Consultation
Customer Reviews
© 2019 Elite Roofing Solutions | Powered by Texas National Marketing


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What do YOU think of this: A Deliverer Entering Person's Home OK? Amazon believes many of its customers will love this practice. And that they will pay for it. But, critics say most people won't want a stranger in their home if they are away. We know most shoppers want convenience and speed in having […]Read more
iPhone 7 2017 Prices Around the Globe
To paraphrase our 2016 iPhone pricing post: Do you — or someone you know — own an iPhone 7? If yes, what price did you pay? We know that in the USA, service providers are not providing heavily discounted smartphones the way they used to with the formerly standard two-year contract. Nonetheless, smartphone prices still […]Read more
Are YOU Buying the Right for Gas for Your Vehicle?
What factors do you consider when buying gas for your vehicle? Octane rating, emissions, brand name, price? Do you believe that there are differences in gasoline? The correct answer is yes, but not necessarily in the way that you think. There are actually two points that should be important to you, even if you have […]Read more
What Is the Price of an iPhone 6s Around the World?
Do you — or someone you know — own an iPhone 6s? If yes, what was the price? We know that in the USA, service providers are not providing heavily discounted smartphones the way they used to with the formerly standard two-year contract. Nonetheless, smartphone prices still vary by provider and by deal. With the […]Read more
More Gamesmanship on Retail Prices — Even Online
As we wrote a short time ago, companies are not always transparent or honest when they say an item is 'on sale' when it really is not: "Unfortunately, many retailers misuse the term 'sale.' And shoppers are often persuaded that a product is on sale even when it isn't." According to Evans and Berman's Marketing […]Read more
When Is a "Sale" a Sale?
Unfortunately, many retailers misuse the term "sale". And shoppers are often persuaded that a product is on sale even when it isn't. [For our holiday shopping tips, please click here.] As noted in Evans and Berman's Marketing in the 21st Century: Price advertising guidelines have been set by the FTC and trade associations such as […]Read more
Generating Pricing Power
In this era of cost-cutting and price discounting, it has become harder for many firms to price their products in a profitable manner. Yet, this can be done! As McKinsey's Jay Jubas, Dieter Kiewell, and Georg Winkler report: "Companies often overlook pricing as a driver of earnings growth, instead defaulting to cost cutting and other […]Read more
How Do You Compute Customer Lifetime Value?
Smart companies realize that repeat business (customer loyalty) is one of the most important — if not THE most important — objectives to achieve in both the short and long run. This is a key challenge for marketers. As Bain & Company explains: "Investing to earn the loyalty of your customers often requires trade-offs — […]Read more
Are Firms Now Smarter About the Customers to Target with Discount Offers?
We know that many shoppers regularly look for discounts, and typically won't make many discretionary purchases without them. But, there are also shoppers who often buy without looking for a sale. Through their access to big data, a growing number of firms are learning to better target their discounts. As Shelly Banjo reports for the […]Read more
Amazon Versus Hachette, Amazon Versus Disney, Etc.
As the world's largest book seller and online retailer, Amazon is never afraid to flex its muscles with regard to suppliers. So, these questions come into play: Is Amazon acting as an advocate for lower consumer prices (as the retailer claims)? OR is Amazon an unrestrained bully trying to increase its margins at the expense […]Read more


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Have you been looking for a soft and chewy sugar cookie recipe? These cookies are a flash to make and they require no waiting for the dough to chill!
I can't tell you how many times one of my kids has told me that they need to bring cookies to school the night before. Not to mention, usually after I've cleaned up the kitchen from dinner. Luckily, this recipe freezes well, so I can have a few cookies frozen (already made) or the dough ready to go in the freezer.
These cookies compete with the ones sold at the grocery store. You know, the ones that are in the bakery department with bright artificially colored frosting and sprinkles. Yeah those. I am pretty sure they are made with the equivalent of cat-nip for kids, whatever that is. It never fails that one of my kids always asks for those when I bring them to the store. Somehow, it's always a "holiday".
Anyways, today's recipe is my gluten free version. I stopped making two versions of cookies all the time. When you have an allergy divided household, you tend to pick one and go with it. If you don't need the gluten free version, click here for the classic version. To see how these cookies are made, check out this video.
What I love about these cookies is that there is no need to refrigerate (i.e. "chill") the dough prior to rolling it out. I often save time by using a cookie scoop and making drop circles.
Although, as my daughter likes to remind me "the ones at the grocery are perfectly round." In that case, use your hands to create even "balls" of sorts. Never mind the slight shape difference; if the grocery store can get away with round frosted cookies… so can I.
If you want to use this cookie recipe to roll out and use cookie cutters to cut out shapes, check out the notes in the recipe. You'll need to make a couple of changes. For easy rolling, roll the chilled dough between two pieces of wax paper or parchment paper. Kitchen note: wax paper is not the same as parchment paper. Do not try to bake these on wax paper. There, don't say I didn't warn you.
As far as icing or frosting, feel free to use your favorite recipe. I made a simple cream cheese frosting and blended raspberries in for color. You could use other foods to turn the frosting into whatever color you need.
Have you found yourself baking at the last minute too? Do you have a secret stash of dough in your freezer or do you rush to the store?
Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies – Gluten Free Version
This soft and chewy sugar cookie recipe requires no chilling and can be made gluten-free.
- Yield: 6 dozen 1x
- 2 3/4 cups + 2 tablespoons All-Purpose Gluten Free Flour Blend*
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 1 1/4 cups sugar
- 1/4 cup softened cream cheese
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 large egg
Raspberry Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
- 6 ounces softened cream cheese
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 pint raspberries
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Using a stand mixer, cream butter, sugar and cream cheese until light and fluffy.
- Beat in egg, vanilla and almond extracts.
- Add the flour to the mixture and combine until flour is well incorporated.
- Scoop 1 tablespoon of dough and roll into a ball.
- Place on baking sheet. Using the bottom of a jar or glass flatten ball of dough to 1/4 inch thickness.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until edges of cookie are golden brown.
- Remove from oven and allow to sit for approximately 5 minutes on baking sheet before transferring to cooling rack.
- Frost cookies once completely cooled.
To make frosting:
- In a medium bowl of a stand mixer, cream butter, cream cheese and vanilla.
- Reducing mixer speed, slowly add in powdered sugar and milk.
- If frosting seems too thick add additional teaspoon of milk until frosting reaches desired consistency.
- Frost cookies once they have cooled completely.
- Store any remaining frosting in airtight container in refrigerator.
I tested this with Nanamaste Blend, King Arthur Flour All Purpose Gluten Free flour blend, and Cup4Cup (blue bag). All of these blends have xanthan gum already. You will need this in order to bind your flour mix. All other flour blends at your own risk.


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We have been using Aron with AVO Bookkeeping Services since we started up our business 2 years ago. He has provided our business with expertise in his ability to provide accurate, organized, and trusting professional accounting services in a way that is easy to understand and follow. Aron takes the time to explain the "numbers" of your business allowing us to take our business in the right direction. AVO Bookkeeping Services has been such a valuable service to the bookkeeping and accounting side of our business. I highly recommend AVO Bookkeeping Services!
~ Everett Kraushaar, Owner
STAT Emergency Medical Supplies


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Jemima Kirke's performance on Girls (she plays Jessa) is so constantly funny, heartbreaking, precise, and surprising that it's a bit alarming to learn that acting is not even her main deal. Her first love is painting—you can see some of her work here, and watch a rad video she did about sexism in the art world here.
We weren't the least bit surprised that her High 5 list turned out to be wide-ranging, super specific, and full of surprises, too.
1. Children's T-shirts and antiques from the 1940s–1970s. I don't know what it is about them, but I'm obsessed with all things antique-child-related. Clothes, bedding, furniture, toys—all of it. But the T-shirts are particularly exciting to me, because the image on a T-shirt tells you a lot about what people were thinking about when it was made. Through its holes and general wear and tear, an old T-shirt also tells you about the kid who wore it. And what kid doesn't want to wear a T-shirt? All children love wearing them because not only are they supremely comfortable, they are also an easy and instant vehicle for self-expression, emblazoned as they are with favorite sports teams, cartoons, cities, amusement parks, animals, etc. T-shirts from the '80s and '90s are not loaded with enough nostalgia for my taste.
2. The World of Interiors. One of the most enjoyable magazines out there. Some people mistake it for simply a decorators' journal, but it's so much more than that. Its mission is to take you inside living spaces/homes/buildings and to report on the creation of those spaces, their ambience, the people who made them, and the people who inhabit them. For example: a girls' school outside London, a monastery in Italy, an old couple's house in the hills of Cyprus, a 400-year-old stable in Spain, etc. The articles detailing the histories of different structures are the ones I like best. Each issue also has an piece on an overlooked artist from history or an underappreciated body of work by a famous artist, as well as amazing stories about nonfamous people throughout history (folk artists, housewives, teachers, etc.) with a particular craft. I save every issue and reread them constantly.
3. Recycling. I started getting diligent about recycling after I had my first child and became hyper-aware of the amount of diapers I was throwing out and the amount of stuff I was accumulating (when you're a mom, your world is just overrun with STUFF). I also started to think bigger than just my little life and world. I thought about the state of our earth in 50 to 100 years, and that scared me. The phrase "live gently" suddenly made so much sense to me. Do your part. Keep your side of the street clean and leave this world as close to how it was when you came in as you possibly can. Today, I am religious about recycling: composting, cloth diapers (I now use compostable diapers from Diaperkind), not using plastic bags, refusing plastic utensils and napkins when I order take out. I also take short showers and use electricity only when I need it. It's hard and I'm not perfect at it, but I rest assured that I do the most I can.
4. Shark Tank (Fridays, 9 PM, ABC). This show rules! Aspiring businessmen and inventors appear before a panel of business moguls (the sharks) and present their ideas in the hopes of talking their way to an investment or a partnership. The inventions are sometimes hilariously clueless, and I love hearing how the inventors came up with their ideas. Other times, the ideas are really genius, and those are exciting, but you soon learn that selling a good idea is more complex than just throwing money at it. The "sharks" look at all the numbers, the potential sales, the business models. I'm not business-minded, so it's a fun way to learn. It's also fun to watch people who live and breathe MONEY. All the investors are super smart and intimidating, and I love when they bring their dick-head attitudes to the fore and totally tear someone a new asshole. Here's my rundown on the "sharks": Mark Cuban is sexy, Mr. Wonderful is the biggest asshole on the planet and I love him, Barbara Corcoran manages to be a nice lady while also being critical and discerning (in short, she's a badass bitch), Daymond John is cool as fuck and has a big heart, and it seems that Robert Herjavec doesn't really want to strike a deal with anyone.
5. Pierre Bonnard (1867–1947). I wish I had the balls to play with color the way Pierre Bonnard did, or at least the insight to see those colors in daily life. The shortness and the busy-ness of his brushstrokes in some of his later paintings makes the image fall apart into a party of wild colors. Then you step back and the image comes back together. Not like pointillism—Bonnard's technique is, to me, much more accurate and honest. But what fascinates me the most are his angles. Weird and voyeuristic, they feel very first-person. Like you just walked into the room, and this is what you found. To me, Bonnard is like existentialism without the angst. Looking at his paintings, you feel the beauty he sees and the respect he has for even—especially—the most mundane things. ♦


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Here's an OPMLish podcast for you
Here's an OPMLish podcast for you, recorded tonight with me, Joshua Porter, Adam Green and John Tropea.
It's all about the draft OPML 2.0 spec and a few other things thrown in such as structured blogging, OPML tools, namespaces and microformats.
We had Adam along today as he's been experimenting with OPML in recent months at his Darwinian Web blog. John Tropea also joined us...John runs the Library clips blog where he has been documenting, extensively, the various OPML experiments and tools that have emerged over the last year.
As usual, show notes below. Enjoy!
The podcast (.mp3, 58 min, 13mb) can be downloaded here, show notes below.
OPML 2.0 Podcast - Alex Barnett, Joshua Porter, Adam Green and John Tropea
- Intros
- On the Dave Winer's announcement of the OPML 2.0 Draft - Good? bad? ugly?
- Data types within OPML (08:30)
- Namespaces in OPML (11:30)
- Attention, Attention.xml, namespaces and OPML (13:30)
- David on Adam, Adam on OPML and Annotated Reading Lists (19:45)
- Structured data within OPML, , Grazr, and Microsoft with OPML (24:15)
- OPML Tools: Bitty Browser, Grazr mini, Optimal OPML Browser, OPod and OPML Renderer (30:00)
- My Bio as an Outline, The Software I Use and Declarative Living (34:30)
- OPML, Structured Blogging and Microformats and Namespaces aren't mutually exclusive (36:45)
- What are biggest problems are technologies solving? (42:45)
- Michael Arrington's Edgeio, structured blogging, my data and distributed data (45:00)
- OPML Camp and who's coming (54:30)
Tags: OPML RSS, attention.xml, microformats, Attention, structured blogging, technology, web podcast,


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United States Patent and Trademark Office OG Notices: 11 Dec 2007
37 CFR 1.47 Notice by Publication Notice is hereby given of the filing of an national stage application with a petition under 37 CFR 1.47 requesting acceptance of the application without the signature of all inventors. The petition has been granted. A notice has been sent to the last known address of the non-signing inventor. The inventor whose signature is missing (Hiroshi Kannan) may join in the application by promptly filing an appropriate oath or declaration complying with 37 CFR 1.497. The international application number is PCT/JP04/02243 and was filed on 26 February 2004, in the names of Yasuhiro Oshima, Yasuhiko Kojima, Takashi Shigeoka, Hiroshi Kannan, and Tadahiro Ishizaka for the invention entitled METHOD OF FORMING THIN FILM, THIN FILM FORMING APPARATUS, PROGRAM AND COMPUTER-READABLE INFORMATION RECORDING MEDIUM. The national stage application number is 10/547,748 and has a 35 U.S.C. 371(c) date of 07 May 2007.


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Dental Treatments
Today's advanced dental treatments and materials can give you a healthier, more complete smile that can last you a lifetime. Your Whitehouse Station, NJ dentist, Drs. Wolenski and Verdi, can help revitalize and maintain your teeth and gums, giving you the smile you've always wanted.
Call Hunterdon Dental Esthetics Phone Number 908-534-9113 with any questions or to make an appointment.


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Nicaragua part one
Leon sucks. Its like Antigua Guatemala, only worse.
Leon sucks. Its like Antigua Guatemala, only worse.
I'm not going to lie, I was a little scared driving south from the Copper Canyon.
Mexico might not be on top of your travel destination list right now, but for me it is.
I'm writing this with a belly full of canned salmon and tortillas, and my van parked in Big Bend National Park, paying 40$ for one night of camping.
I fit more into one day recently than I probably have into most weeks.
Colourful Colorado is a great state; they've got 14,000 footers, legalized marijuana, tons of ski towns, and miles of mountain bike trails.


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I have to be honest. I have always struggled with prayer.
Maybe my struggle has been with the way in which our culture has always portrayed prayer, as this redundant and repetitive exercise before meals and before bed, in which we ask God for things and then thank God for what we have.
I am not pointing fingers here.
In many ways, my wife and I have this regular, repetitive rhythm with our kids when we pray with one another each day.
And insofar as it goes, there is really nothing wrong with offering our petitions and thanksgiving to God in a regular daily rhythm, as we will soon see.
However, the issue is when that is the final destination of our prayer lives.
When we only pray to God as a genie, of sorts, who we go to in order ask for those things we want.
When we only pray to God as a blessing machine who needs to be thanked for all of our material wealth.
When the depth of our prayer lives can only be measured in singular, finite moments before a meal or before bed.
That is not God's intention with prayer- to be a genie who grants our every wish and desire, to be viewed as a blessing generator who only offers goods and services for our consumption, or to only be addressed at fixed times throughout the day.
God's intention for prayer is so much more dynamic, so much more encompassing, so much more intimate, so much more fulfilling, and so much more purposeful than anything we could ever imagine.
But it starts in a very intimidating place.
Always be joyful and never stop praying.
Or, as another version says… pray without ceasing.
How do we even do that?
How do we pray without ceasing?
How do we make movements from praying a couple of times a day to praying all the time?
Even more, how is that even humanly possible?
Believe me. I get it.
One significant limitation we have is that there is only one word for the word prayer in the English language… and that word is… prayer. So when a person mentions prayer, one immediately thinks of folded hands, bowed heads, and words spoken to God.
However, an interesting thing happens when you begin to look at the languages, Hebrew and Greek, in which the Bible was written. You begin to quickly find that there are dozens of words for prayer, each meaning something slightly different from the others.
The Greek word used in the pray without ceasing verse is actually the most all-encompassing word for prayer in the entire Bible. It is the big dog of all prayer words, if you will.
The word is proseuchomai and it doesn't just capture one single element of prayer, it captures every element of prayer– submission, confession, petition, intercession, supplication, praise, and thanksgiving.
And with that understanding, think about what the verse is actually saying to us.
Submit to God without ceasing.
Confess to God without ceasing.
Petition to God without ceasing.
Supplicate to God without ceasing.
Intercede to God without ceasing.
Praise God without ceasing.
Give thanks to God without ceasing.
But it even goes beyond that.
Proseuchomai means to come toward, to come face to face with God.
In proseuchomai, we do not find a distant god removed from our lives or a god who only wants our prayer a couple of times a day or a god who simply wants our wish lists or a god who just wants to hand out blessings to us.
Instead, we find a God who wants us to come close to him, to come face to face with him, and to bring it all, everything we have, everything we are, as a constant and continual intimate conversation with him with every single breath we take.
Ancient cultures believed that there was a sacredness in breathing, a sacredness in each person's inhaling and exhaling. Jewish sages and scholars intimated that the sacred name of God, YHWH, could be heard with every exhalation of breath. So it was, in our first breath of life, YHWH breathed life and his name into our lungs. And with every subsequent breath in each of our lives, as we exhale, the sacred name of God is spoken.
Whether this is true or not is inconsequential, but it speaks to an incredible intimacy between us and YHWH. And, it is interesting to consider the words of Paul in Ephesians when he says to, "proseuchomai" in the "pneuma."
The Greek word pneuma means spirit, wind, or breath.
To me, this paints an absolutely beautiful picture of prayer and intimacy with the Divine.
That in our spirit, and in the sacredness of every breath we take, there is a sweet communion with YHWH as we breathe in and breathe out, and as YHWH invites us to come closer, intimately close, face-to-face close, in humility to share our heartaches, our struggles, our hardships, our burdens, our insecurities, our requests, our celebrations, our praises, and our thanksgiving.
This practice of prayer is a moment by moment, intimate communion with YHWH that never ceases, as YHWH continually invites us to come closer and closer in all things and with every breath.
Indeed, let everything that has breath…


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Using US data, this study explored the mediating role of negative work–family spillover in the relationship between schedule flexibility and employee stress, and the moderating roles of gender, family workload and single-parent status.
It demonstrates that though schedule flexibility was associated with less employee stress, the associations between these factors were mediated by perceptions of negative work–family spillover.
Schedule flexibility reduced negative work–family spillover and stress generic levitra paypal among women, single parents, and employees with heavier family workloads. As such, the authors maintain this supports schedule flexibility as a means of reducing stress for those employees with family responsibilities.
Jang, Soo Jung; Zippay, Allison; Park, Rhokeun (2012) "Family Roles as Moderators of the Relationship Between Schedule Flexibility and Stress" Journal of Marriage and Family, 74
Available at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2012.00984.x/abstract


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Our Mission
To support wildlife and habitat conservation, sustainability, biodiversity and environmental education through art that celebrates our natural heritage.
About Artists for Conservation International Foundation
AFC is the world's leading artist group supporting the environment. Dedicated to nurture, promote and leverage its world-class community of artists in support of our natural world, AFC drives its mission through three key pillars:
Art & Environmental Education;
Field Work & Research; and
Artist Development.
The Artists for Conservation Festival is the annual flagship initiative of Artists for Conservation International Foundation, to support, showcase and further these three pillars.


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18 Albion Street, Concord
Sold - Mon, 11th Dec 2017
Set in a popular tree lined street within minutes stroll to Cabarita Junction village shops, this cosy North facing solid brick home has been re-designed and renovated throughout delivering increased living and entertaining space.
This stylish home offers open floor plan, modern gourmet gas kitchen & living room flows freely onto an elevated entertainers timber decking ideal for outdoor alfresco dining to be enjoyed all year round. Tasteful interiors blending classic and modern finishes completes a welcoming new lifestyle close to local shops schools golf course parks with bayside walkways.
Public transport is readily available via the Rivercat ferry at Cabarita wharf providing access to the CBD and surrounding waterfront suburbs with public bus service allowing commuters an alternative method of travel to neighbouring suburbs and directly to the CBD.
- Solid brick home 3 Bedrooms includes large built-ins
- Opportunity to include a fourth bedroom if required
- Modern deluxe bathroom Internal laundry
- External laundry with shower & separate toilet
- Separate formal dining room with feature fireplace
- Custom chef's island kitchen
- Extra thick stone bench tops ample storage drawers and cupboards
- Bosch stainless steel appliances and Siemens natural gas bench cooktop
- Living area leads onto Merbau timber entertainers deck
- Rear deck Bi-fold retractable doors
- European Oak timber floor throughout
- Ducted reverse cycle air conditioning + split system air conditioner
- Electric auto sub-floor ventilation system
- External foldaway auto remote sun shade
- Rear double car garage
- Solid concrete side driveway
- Clear 531sqm block of land with no easements or sewer lines
Further information contact Chris on mobile 0405 640 830
Sales & Marketing Executive LREA


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We are proud to offer a number of "specials" with our curriculum. Ms. Claire's students will graduate from our program being well rounded and ready to take on new tasks. Some of the specials we offer are:
Music – Each Kindermusik class is a world of discovery and adventure. In every class, our students evolve in language skills, literacy, listening, problem solving, social skills, self-esteem, and musicality. This happens within our nurturing environment-full of energy, imagination, music, dancing, and playful delight and through the knowledge of our Kindermusik International Licensed teachers. Children listen to instruments and to each other, learn from their peers and older children, and enjoy music and movement with hoops, scarves and tumble-around play as well as story time All activities encourage discovery and exploration and foster sharing and social skills too. In this special place for musical, social and emotional learning, the children strengthen their ties with each other and they develop the skills they need in school and on the playground.
Spanish – Montessori Spanish Series™ is a classroom – tested program of Spanish lesson plans ideal for teaching pre-school and elementary school children the fundamentals of Spanish. The Montessori Spanish program was developed over the course of 10 years in the classroom, with feedback from thousands of students and teachers. This Spanish curriculum is easy to learn as the children are supplied with our Montessori language materials. Ms. Jess visits weekly with Spanish lessons for kids that are fun and engaging. Children graduate from the program with all of the tools necessary to excel in further Spanish classes. The Importance of language acquisition at this age is endless….
Art – The students at Ms Claire's enjoy a small group art class as well daily art activities in their classroom. They are learning high level work through art history lessons on famous artists, followed by observing famous works and taking their try, at creating their own renditions of the works. Although the children's versions may be very different from the originals, this is okay, because allowing the children freedom in the projects we do, allows them to form a real love for creativity, which at this developmental stage in their life is so appropriate. Art is an experience, and it is in our everyday lives. From the clothes you wear, to the car you drive, to the building you're standing in, we can't escape it. So we want to be sure to nurture creativity in our children at a young age. Once that bond is formed, it allows the children to grow in their creativity, becoming the future Davinci, Picasso, and Frank Lloyd Wrights of their time. Our goal is to start off their education with a few skills that they might not ordinarily learn until college; painting from direct observation, identifying values, color theory, and how to use art to cope with life, to interpret their emotions, to experience the beauty of our region the way artists have done for centuries.
Yoga – Ms. Claire's students explore a small Yoga class every other week as well as individually in their day to day classroom! During Yoga classes we explore playful themes while teaching breathing techniques and yoga postures that help children maintain focus and manage stress in the years to come! While encouraging balance and flexibility, we show children how to ground and calm themselves when they need a restful moment. 10 Reasons why Yoga is great for kids….. it enhances body awareness, strengthens the body, improves flexibility, calms the heart, boosts self esteem, quiets the mind, develops focus and concentration, it teaches us about balance, helps us to live in the present and teaches us about taking care of ourselves.


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The ghost story is the most ritualized card in the horror tarot. The elements of a haunting almost always follow a set path that delves into the sins of the past. There's always a past, pieced together by the protagonists from old newspapers, mouldering town records, or unearthed diaries. Ghosts are most often avatars of past traumas, reliving some private inferno again and again until someone comes along to appease them. Or not. A friend of mine doesn't like ghost stories much. She thinks they're too much of a strait jacket. I dunno. I dig them. Once I accept that the theme is going to be the same as in every other ghost story out there, I can groove on the variations. Ghost stories have been enjoying a renaissance in the last fifteen years or so as filmmakers have wedged the tropes of the ghost story into modern, technological settings, fueled by the imagery of the J-horror boom and bust. The latest of these is Mama (2013, directed by Andrés Muschietti), and it's more or less of a piece with other similar movies like The Orphanage or The Possession. The contemporary ghost movie is a glum affair, and this is no different. What IS different with this movie is the way it codes its narrative. It also indulges in stylistic tricks derived from producer Gullermo Del Toro's cinematic legacy.
The story here finds a stockbroker murdering three people on the eve of the 2008 crash, including his wife. He crashes home, gathers up his two young daughters and lights out for the territories. It's the dead of winter, and he skids off the road. He seeks shelter at an abandoned cabin in the woods, but the cabin turns out to be very much inhabited, and the inhabitants don't take kindly to him. He meets a bad end. Five years pass. The stockbroker's brother, Lucas, hasn't given up on finding his nieces. To this end, he's pushed his finances to the limit. He's not well off, by any means. He's a graphic artist and his girlfriend, Annabel is the bassist in a rock band. Not ideal parents, but into their life come the girls, now feral after living for five years on their own with whatever it is in the cabin. The girls' aunt on their mother's side wants to take them in, too, but Lucas and Annabel are insistent on keeping them. Dr. Dreyfus, the psychiatrist on the case, wants them with Lucas and Annabel, too, so he can continue studying them. He offers them the use of a house owned by his institute, rent free. They move in and try to find some normality with the girls. This proves to be difficult. The...entity...that the girls call "Mama" has followed them, and she's jealous. Soon, she puts Lucas in the hospital while Annabel deals with increasingly strange occurrences in the house by herself. Meanwhile, Dr. Dreyfus begins to piece together the back story of "Mama," in all its horror...
I wonder about the influence of producer Guillermo Del Toro on the visuals here. Some of his signatures are all over this film: the fairy tale narrative (the film opens with "once upon a time"), the emphasis on insects, the central role of children in the narrative, even the disquieting ambiguity of the ending. Del Toro had no hand in writing or directing this film, but it fits his brand and I worry that that brand is becoming a cliche. The use of moths to indicate ghostly happenings was used in last year's The Possession, for instance, and seems at second hand here. The best scenes in the movie are variants of that scene in the original version of The Haunting where Eleanor holds a hand in the dark, thinking it's Theo's. In this film, we see clever compositions using partitioned spaces to suggest similar things: in one scene, we see Lily, the youngest child, playing with someone in her room. That someone is off screen and we assume that it's her sister, Victoria, but Victoria enters the screen outside the room. Annabel is visible outside the room, too. So who is Lily playing with? There's a similar scene later when Annabel sees a small pile of clothing move. She assumes it's Lily, but it's neither of the children. The film is on less-sure ground when it's relying on special effects, though at least it has put some thought into designing its primary monster (again, Del Toro's films always emphasize art direction). There is a subtle stylistic effect at the end of the film that seems independent of Del Toro: the climax is black and white. Oh, the film contrives to convince the audience that it's just night time, but even when there's a bright light source in the frame, this remains monochromatic. Black and white seems appropriate for a ghost story and it tends to smooth over the special effects by removing some of their gloss. It's a subtle call out to classic horror cinema predating the splattery modern variety.
A common running theme in recent ghost movies is the security of the nuclear family unit. This is something that dates back at least as far as Poltergeist, maybe farther. The contemporary iteration of this theme often finds families that are fragmented at the outset and come together as a result of the crucible of the narrative, sometimes in the face of serious dysfunction. The variant on display in Mama finds our heroine, Annabel, waiting on a pregnancy test when first we see her and rejoicing at the negative result. By the end of the movie, she's a devoted mother. This strikes me as retrograde, actually, but this is a movie whose theme is motherhood so it's necessary. Motherhood is right there in the title of the film, after all. What's interesting about this, though is that there is no biological link between the children in the film and the mothers who are in conflict over them. This is a film that's constructing alternate family structures. The nuclear family unit is intact, but its composition is dramatically different from the traditional family where shared biology with children unites the members. Then it breaks that apart, too, when it removes Lucas from the picture for most of the film. Annabel then finds herself as the mother figure for two children who are not hers and the act of mothering them makes them hers. Which begs the question: is this film's ghost an unreasonable mother? The ghost mothers the children for five years. Does the act of mothering make the children hers, too? The end of the movie splits the difference in a three way custody conflict between Annabel, Jean (the children's aunt), and the ghost. Some viewers are likely to feel that the end of the movie is sad, but I found it kind of beautiful.
There's a further social coding in this film that I want to touch upon, as well. This is a film that criticizes the notion that wealth equals stability. That Jeffery and Lucas are twins heightens this idea: Jeffery is affluent--wealthy, actually--but he's weak and violent. That he's a stockbroker during the financial meltdown demonizes him. Compare him to Lucas: Lucas is an artist. He's kind and devoted to a fault. Annabel is even further coded as anti-bourgeois by dressing her in punk fashions and by giving her a tattoo sleeve. She has a punky haircut, too, that tends to make Jessica Chastain more earthbound. Her usual Pre-Raphaelite red hair has been replaced by a brunette bob. It works for her. Annabel, too, is an artist, and the movie contrasts her with Jean, the children's aunt, who looks down on her profession. Jean, as performed by Jane Moffat, may be affluent, but the film suggests that she's also cold and willing to manipulate the system to get her way. There's a subtle critique of privilege here. This is a film that values the arts over the pursuit of money. Given that I make my own living in the arts, I respond to all this. The film missteps a bit, I think, by contriving to move Lucas and Annabel and the girls into a huge house. I would love to have seen this play out in a cramped apartment. The old dark house seems a bit lazy, but not cripplingly so.
Chastain is the "it girl" of art house cinema right now. This movie is a bit of a stretch for her, and she's up to it. This is a better, more full-blooded performance from her than what you find in, say, Coriolanus or even The Tree of Life. She's the center of this movie and she's a strong enough actress to anchor the film in human concerns. Nicolaj Coster-Waldau is similarly strong--my god, the bone structure in this movie--though he vanishes from the movie for huge chunks of its running time. Both Chastain and Coster-Waldau bring a certain amount of movie star charisma to the film that isn't usually there in horror movies. In horror movies, the genre itself is usually the star. It's not an unwelcome variation.
So, a cut above the standard contemporary ghost movie, but not transcendent. Subversive to a point, though not so subversive that it really questions the hegemony of the nuclear family. I had a stray thought during a scene mid-film in which Annabel was practicing on her bass that her visual design was borderline queer. I wonder if this film mightn't have worked better if the filmmakers had gone there. Idle fantasy, I suppose.


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SCRANTON, Pennsylvania (CNN) - Though her cell phone service repeatedly dropped during her call-in, Sarah Palin made her first appearance on the Rush Limbaugh show on Tuesday, just minutes before taking the stage at a rally in Scranton.
Watch: Palin calls in to Limbaugh's show
In an unusual moment, Limbaugh asked Palin if she had thought about her "political future beyond this campaign." The vice presidential nominee told the conservative talker and his millions of listeners: "That's a good question." But she then quickly re-assured the radio host that her focus was on winning the White House with John McCain on November 4.
"No, because I am thinking about November 4, and I am just so absolutely passionate about the job that we have in front of us from now to November 4," she said.
For the first time, Palin directly addressed the controversy surrounding ACORN's voter registration operation, and suggested that the media is trying to cover up the story, despite the fact that dozens of national news outlets are investigating the community organization and Obama's ties to the group.
"Let's talk quickly about ACORN and the unconscionable situation that we are facing right now with voter fraud, given the ties between Obama and ACORN and the money his campaign has sent them," Palin told Limbaugh. "Obama has a responsibility to reign in ACORN and prove that he is willing to fight voter fraud. For shame if the mainstream media were to cover this one up."
Sarah Palin and John McCain will lose the election. Palin will then go back to Alaska and face the people of Alaska for abusing her power. She may even be impeached and retire to the wilds, watching Russia and killing moose.
Obama's ties to ACORN are non-existent. It's already been debunked. Besides, how would registering thousands of non-existent voters help Obama if they can't show up to vote???? You know....because THEY DON'T EXIST???
Palin should worry about her own indiscretions.Troopergate,Gratis home construction from Ted Stevens' contractor, witch doctor cleanse, Alaska succession, pork barrel projects, etc., etc. This woman and her ilk are completely insane. She is barely qualifies to be a small town mayor – even in Alaska. It is embarrasing and insulting the she is even on the ticket. It is inconceivable that she might be a heartbeat away from the Presidency. Rush Limbaugh and the other Right Wing extremists are just as bad. They deserve each other, but we do not deserve them.
The people whom worked for ACORN got paid for the number of people they register! If they wanted to make more money they just had to make up more people. So they sign up the same people over and over. That's wrong to do. The only one that got hurt in this mess is the poor guys whom got talk into signing up more then once and ended up on CNN.
She is already on a historic ticket. Both candidates have been found "guilty" of ethics violations. If McCain/Palin ticket is successful it will be a first for USA to have both the President and Vice President already guilty of ethics violations. What would that say about our country? Juse askin.
Getting a jump start from Rush indicates that Republican party has become a party of stupid. No offense but it has absolutely become apparent. Karl Rove, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Sara Palin, and John McCain all have so much in common. They both engage their mouths before their brains.
I can tell you her political future:
Every decible of attack and negativity will continue to fall from her lips and onto her political future and they will continue to bury it as this election comes to a close with her continuing to feed the fires of the fringe that are burning McPalin's chances of winning any state.
The basic problem with Palin is not the troopergate abuse of power stuff.
The problem is, as the head of her state she was not competent enough
in politics to wrangle things in order to have one single guy fired. She
couldn't get it done. If she can't get that done, how the hell is she going
to run a country?
One note for everyone to remember....Obama has been tied to some very bad people and organizations. There is no question that he has affiliated himself with them in the past. So please remember that the President of the U.S. has access to ALL information. Sensitive information. When placing your vote, be sure and think about that.
Nola, ACORN just registers voters. That's it! That's all they do. Anyone who registers voters must turn in the registrations that are given to them. It's up to the Election Board to verify them or reject them. If someone is going around filling out bunches of registration forms, it shouldn't do them any good because the Election Board will reject them if they're doing their jobs. People who register voters have no way of verifying anything and the law requires them to give them to the Election Board.
Palin does not have one. apparently, the personnel board is investigating more abuses of power that have been raised by her co-workers. The probe is expanding and she might be impeached. good.
This lady won't have a political career after this. She can thank John McCain for that. All I see when I see Palin is a puppet. And puppets do not belong in public office because they are easily persuaded by special interest. She was a hit for half a 1/4 of the election season. Her political career is tarnished.
Only one thing for Sarah.....Ethics baby ethics!
She certainly is playing the role of attack dog (pitbull) -but she sure doesn't have anything intelligent on issues to say.
We're mavericks..........we're gonna shake up Washington.......... a plethora of Obama attacks........thanks to the troops..........
did I miss anything?
"For the first time, Palin directly addressed the controversy surrounding ACORN's voter registration operation, and suggested that the media is trying to cover up the story, despite the fact that dozens of national news organizations are covering the community organization and Obama's ties to the group."
I've heard about little else since the Republicans developed a myopic obsession with this manufactured problem. It's pretty clear the Republicans want us to look at Acorn instead of looking at the economy.
CNN skipped the part of the interview where she said that she has nothing to lose in attacking Obama the way she does. I don't want someone who is only thinking of herself and not what this nation will need after the election. A nation divided??? I hope not.
It is time for Palin to go back to Alaska and face the music!
"PALIN" = "PLAIN" wrong.
Stop harping about how Capital Gains tax cuts will stimulate investments... You've had 8 years to run that krap and look at us now. All you really want to do is:
Get all you Can
Can all you get
and sit on the Can.
Well the hell with you all. Bring on the change this country needs!
Obama/Biden 08
Ah...3 more weeks! I can't wait to stop hearing from and about this lady!
Go Palin 2012 this sit is so full of lib BS it's not funny...
Wake up McCain will win you will see!!!!!
LOL she learned a new word!
When asked what the definition of "unconscionable" was, she replied "Let me look that up and I'll get back to ya."
"Chip" please read any post by "TAINOPOWER".
Doesn't she realize Obama doesn't run ACORN? How can he "rein in" something he has no power over? Go home, Caribou Barbie!
It is isllegal to discard a voter registration, period. So if they see one that is a mess, they still have to turn it in!
Duh Sarah and Goober Limbaugh, it's the law!
Yeah, and Sarah needs to rein in her husband and the AIP! She looks so nervous in that picture. She knows she and McCain are so on the ropes. So when in doubt, smear, Sarah, smear! It will do you and your cohort no good in the end. OBAMA/BIDEN '08 & '12


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At last, the release of Suicide Squad — the movie at the top of my must-see list for 2016.
The first trailer previewed a rogues gallery of misfits — awesome and not — who become forced into some good ol' fashioned do-goodery. The preview had a bit of humor, our first look at Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, and a shot of Batman hanging from the roof of a speeding getaway car.
Couldn't. Wait.
The latest trailers gave us more of the same, but it was the delivery — they played like the best fan-made music videos. A helicopter launching flares as Brian May goes into full swing for his guitar solo in Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody, or Sweet's high-charged Ballroom Blitz in step with shots of pure kinetic energy.
Unfortunately, we've come into a golden age of trailers, where companies can cherry pick the best visuals, break open the plot, and piece together a TLDR version that can make a bad movie look good.
Somehow, people were tricked into seeing Fantastic Four — and half of the scenes in the trailer weren't even in the movie!
On the strength of its casting, premise and top notch trailers — rumor has it, the final cut of the movie was completed by Trailer Park, the company that created the previews — Suicide Squad topped even Rogue One on the "Want to See" list, but no amount of editing could save a movie with a circular kind of logic that is a means and end to itself in all of the worst ways.Continue reading "#NotSquadGoals — Suicide Squad Review"


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I'm not a massive James Bond fan – in fact, I think I've only ever seen Daniel Craig's first one, so I can't really speak on the character's legacy or which actor should or shouldn't play him. One thing I can tell you is that while Liam Neeson is a great actor and certainly one you'd want to negotiate for your kidnapped child's release in any film, I just cannot see him as James Bond. Close call, because he nearly was!
From the Hull Daily Mail:
"I was heavily courted, let's put it that way, and I'm sure some other actors were too.
"It was about 18 or 19 years ago and my wife-to-be said, 'If you play James Bond we're not getting married'. And I had to take that on board because I did want to marry her."
His wife-to-be, of course, is the late Natasha Richardson, who died after that awful skiing accident in 2009. Liam also spoke about how he's still affected by her loss:
"There's periods now in our New York residence when I hear the door opening, especially the first couple of years… anytime I hear that door opening, I still think I'm going to hear her."
"It hits you. It's like a wave. You just get this profound feeling of instability. The Earth isn't stable anymore and then it passes and it becomes more infrequent, but I still get it sometimes."
Ugh, how awful. I like Liam Neeson (well, that is to say, I don't think about him much but he seems like a nice guy and really inoffensive) – here's hoping he can somehow find some peace, though I don't imagine you ever do in a situation like that. I don't think I would, either.


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EPA Goes 'Next Generation' With Regulatory Compliance Program
By Kevin Westerling,
Inspired by new technology and an evolved philosophy, the EPA changes its approach to pollution-control rulemaking and compliance.
The U.S. government, in its continuous effort to take advantage of the latest technology, is introducing the "Next Generation Compliance" program. While the transparency and technical aspect of this initiative may give some water and wastewater system operators pause, there are some real advantages to the program.
Cynthia Giles, the EPA assistant administrator for enforcement and compliance assurance, outlined these advantages in a recent article. Essentially, Next Generation Compliance entails the adoption of advanced monitoring and the transfer from paper reporting to electronic reporting. The transition hopes to achieve the following:
- Faster, cheaper, and more accurate data logging
- Increased public awareness and operational diligence through data transparency
- Information-sharing among facilities and with the government for improved compliance
How exactly this program will manifest itself remains to be seen, but the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Electronic Reporting Rule has already been proposed and is working its way through the regulatory process. The rule will require electronic submission of all NPDES data to a central database, allowing for more accurate and easily accessible data, which will in turn enable better and faster decision-making. The improved transparency, according to the EPA's Giles, should also compel facilities to improve performance.
The plan for the EPA is also to pre-approve plant equipment that would serve to ensure — and therefore simplify — regulatory compliance. State-of-the-art water and wastewater instrumentation, in concert with e-reporting, will allow the EPA to make more pollution and compliance data available to the public, accessed through ECHO (Enforcement and Compliance History Online). Furthermore, online data and communication will allow facilities to learn from each other through shared information, in addition to receiving compliance assistance from the government.
According to Giles, facilities are free to use e-reporting tools provided by the private sector, which she admits are potentially "cheaper and more user-friendly than what government can provide… with no additional cost to the taxpayer."
The strategy touted by Giles is part of the EPA's developing mission to write rules that "achieve the desired result without requiring court action." That desired result is a higher rate of compliance. Though not a rule in and of itself, the guiding principles of the Next Generation Compliance program is sure to result in rules (e.g. Electronic Reporting) that will surface in 2014 and beyond.
Will the Next Generation Compliance program truly improve, simplify, and reduce the cost of compliance? Share your thoughts and predictions for the EPA initiative below…