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Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Preschool at Our House
Warning: This is long and rambling. I wrote this up for my own fun, but I hope some of you fellow moms can find it useful. But mainly it was just fun for me to type it up. I always love reading what others are doing for preschool activities for their kids, but that doesn't mean this will hold deep interest for others.
I started to try to do some very low-key preschool activities with Hans last year, the fall he was 3. Nope. Epic fail. He saw right through my attempt to disguise any "book work" as fun. That kid is way too crafty (mind-wise, not folded-paper-and-glue-wise).
Hans' thought process: "Hmm, okay. I'll let Mom dictate the directions here, but let's see how she deals with my mad stalling skills. I can act clueless and in need of help with the best of them."
Um, no. Not cool. Not worth it. The kid was 3, after all. It's not like I had a stubborn 6 year old on my hand. The kid wanted fresh air! Exercise! Anything but pencil or crayon and paper (I'm an evil Mom and have banned kid markers in this house). Besides, although we plan to school our kids classically, which calls for academic rigor among other things, the fact is that classical education really isn't distinct until 2nd grade or so, and for early learners I have some mild leanings towards Montessori and Charlotte Mason, the former of which packages learning as play and the latter of which doesn't even believe in formal schooling until age 6. So meanwhile we hyper-disguised learning as play, working on number and letter concepts, patterns, etc. But mainly played and built a lot of things.
This summer Hans started talking about the starting sound of words all. the. time. "Mommy, tall starts with a 't'." And he was coming up on 4 years old, so I started thinking, hmm, maybe some "real" school this fall? He'd known all his letter sounds for a year and a half or so, but never showed the least aptitude to stringing those letter sounds into words.
Me: "Look, Hans! B-E-N. Buh, eh, nuh. Ben! Like Uncle Ben."
Hans, without skipping a beat: "Yeah! And Uncle Ben has a motorcycle!"
Then he would move right on to his next train of thought, never having a "click" moment that the letters actually spelled out the word. To him, the important thing he remembered from that encounter was a discussion of Uncle Ben having a motorcycle :-). So I decided to gingerly attempt some K-4 activities, but keep it low-key and short unless he showed interest.
I really had little clue what sorts of things a "typical" 4 year old preschooler needs to learn to prep for kindergarten, and decided it would be a fun and useful option to purchase this K4 curriculum from Confessions of a Homeschooler. $10 for dozens of files and suggested weekly and daily lesson plans? Very helpful for this type-A mother. I know some moms would find it not helpful and like to just wing it, but I like having a nice base plan, and THEN winging it (and believe me - I wing a lot!). Then I at least have a starting point from which to wing.
I actually purchased her Letter of the Week curriculum first, since I hadn't done much formal work with Hans (Does counting while playing "Hide and Seek" count?) and didn't feel he was ready for a lesson set described as designed for 4-5 year olds that are "kindergarten ready". He was barely 4 and schoolwork-skeptical.
The Letter of the Week curriculum is. . . a lot of busy work. And a LOT of paper waste, in my opinion. I think a lot of my opinion just comes from my dislike of busy work and over-complicating early education. I think that it would be a great option for a mom who likes lots of activities for letters and for a kid who thrives on that sort of thing. Since I already have the curriculum, and since Gretchen does have a much higher tolerance for and in fact relish of seat work, I will probably use ideas from it for her for next year or the year after. There are some great ideas in it; it's just a bit overkill, in my opinion. For Hans, singing about letters and sounds, and using some basic letter manipulatives did the job just as well, perhaps better, because we could do it while playing blocks or riding his tricycle outside.
But her K4 curriculum is great! I think it was really well put together. I discovered, by the way, that "challenging preschool curriculum" and "kindergarten ready" has more to do with a kid's aptness for picking up things than it does any prerequisites a kid has covered. I mean, come on, pre-K4 and kindergarten really don't have prerequisites except shapes and basic letter/number recognition. We had those bases covered. So despite my initial hesitation, it did end up being a great fit for Hans' abilities. The K4 curriculum still has what many would consider to be "busy work," but a more focused busy work that I think works well for an active 4 year old mind :-). Kids like things that are fun so I'm all about fun! But 12 activities on "A is for Apple" is not something Hans is going to tolerate. . .
(Side note: most of the Letter of the Week and K4 activities are on her website for free download, but purchasing the curriculum does two things which I was more than willing to pay a small fee to obtain: (1) it organizes all the activities into weekly and daily lessons and sets a nice pace for the school work and also suggests additional supplementary activities, and (2) quite frankly, with all the work she's put into the stuff, I was more than happy to give her a small compensation to say "thank you." I'm all about getting things for free, but I also like giving credit where credit is due, and $10 for each gigantic set of files = totally worth it.)
Given our less than glamorous attempt at preschool the previous year and given Hans' continued skepticism/resistance of anything that looked like school, I determined a few things before embarking on school with him this fall:
(1) I will keep my voice a normal volume and pleasant tone. He WILL not be able to see that he is frustrating me if he dawdles or plays ignorant, no matter how much I want to scream. He will not win that battle! (I can't say this has been perfectly kept, but I have made significant effort to keep this, and was 100% successful during the first several key weeks, when the tone for our school time was set.)
(2) He is 4 years old. I will remember this. If he truly is not mature enough for school, big fat deal. We move on with life and try again at a much later date. He needs physical activity more than mental stretching right now.
(3) We will start "school" first thing after breakfast every. single. week day. He had to see it was a pattern. And he had to see it was a priority. And I had to recognize it was a priority and not think "I'll just do one more chore, and then we'll start," which could easily become 11:30am, with cranky hungry children. He is happy, fed, and alert after breakfast. Take advantage.
(4) We will make "school" extremely short until or unless we establish a pattern of fun and interest, and he latches onto the idea. Our first week was approximately 10-15 minutes each day, that's it. Enough to whet his appetite, give him a sense of accomplishment, and show him it really was fun, not just thinly-disguised work (more like thickly-disguised work).
And guess what? He loved it! It totally blew my socks off (proverbial, since I boycott socks from March-November every year, and we started school in August). Was he skeptical? Yes. Did he try to stall and act dumb? Yes. Did he quickly realize that this thing called school was actually fun and a great way to get undivided Mommy attention first thing every morning? Yes.
So what all are we doing? Well, we started out heavily following (with definite modifications) the K4 curriculum I purchased. It was a great start for us, but as the weeks progressed, I've deviated from it more and more, though we still use some activities from it. She has some really great ideas that supplement well with other activities we're doing.
At first I deviated because the beginning phonics moved way too quickly through concepts - on week 7, I think, they were sounding out words with -ain and then similar special letter groupings. I wanted Hans to get a solid grip on sounding out words before doing special digraphs like that. I had bought a K-2 set of Hooked on Phonics on clearance a year or two ago, and so we started that and he loves it! He sped through the kindergarten program in 5 weeks flat, so we're on the 1st grade program now. The Hooked on Phonics program is awesome, and it hasn't done -ain yet ;-). The K program is all about getting a solid grasp on basic sounding out of words, with a hefty number of sight words thrown in the mix. We're getting a lot more letter combos in the 1st grade book now.
The other reason I started deviating from the K4 curriculum is because the math was too easy for Hans. I do not think this is the fault of the curriculum. Every kid learns at different rates. But for Hans, after a few weeks of "missing numbers worksheets," I knew we had to move on before he stagnated and started to hate the repetition. Hans does not like doing things he already knows how to do - after a repetition or two, he starts to gets suspicious and bored. So I bought the Essential Mathematics Singapore Math books (their no-frills K math option - they have another more-exciting option) and he loves it. The first part is really easy (as is every K math book, since they start with no prerequisites) so we're flying through it right now (almost half-way done), but I know we'll slow down when we get past stuff he already knows.
We're still heavily depending on the K4 handwriting options, and they are great. I'm also supplementing by creating sheets from this site, which is fabulous. And I'm still using her sight word activities, because they're fabulous and complement the Hooked on Phonics great, and Hans loves doing them. Also, some of the K4 math activities have been great to supplement Singapore. Those are the biggies for us right now - phonics, math, handwriting.
Handwriting is definitely Hans' weakness of the three, but he's coming along nicely and is finally starting to be willing to form letters without the dashes :-). I'm also supplementing with mazes, dot-to-dots, and other stealth-handwriting-development options ;-). Making cards for friends is a fabulous way to get him to practice handwriting without him realizing it :-). And we have a 100 chart that we're using to reinforce counting to 100 (which Hans can finally do!) And we're doing a lot of addition and subtraction with poker chips (don't judge). And counting during hide-and-seek, frontwards as well as backwards (only backwards from 20-0, mind you). I also found a few Kumon books at a rummage sale - Let's Cut Paper and Let's Sticker and Paste. The latter is really too easy for Hans (I'll save for Gretchen), but the Cut Paper one has been phenomenal for Hans, in getting him over his fear of cutting (his fear was not of the scissors, but in not cutting perfectly - he has a major perfection complex like his mom!). I can't say I would have spent the full price on the book ($6), but it was totally worth getting used.
We do some crafts also, but the problem with crafts is that Hans wants to save every one, and supplies can get pricey, in addition to the added clutter of keeping projects. So those are more like once-a-week, which works out great.
Our plans for the future? More of the same. We're doing approximately an hour of school each week day now, and often stop because *I* say it's time. I usually give Hans the option of stopping or continuing with a new activity when we get past 45 minutes, and he very often asks to continue. But if his attention span is wavering, we stop. He's 4 and I don't expect him to act older. It also helps to start with the "tougher" stuff, and save the more palatable options for last, so he wants to keep going :-D. His attention span is also way better on weeks where we get outside to play more. . . which is harder with the recent cold weather :-P.
We will keep on keeping on with phonics and math and handwriting. We're leaning towards continuing with Singapore Math, but supplementing with more drill, as that is the weakness of Singapore. But we'll see what we choose. We're covered in phonics for a while, as he still has 3 more workbooks after he finishes the ones he's doing (5 total workbooks for the program). I've purchased Rod and Staff's 1st grade handwriting program, which we will start at some point, but not anytime soon. We're not there yet. And next fall we'll do some life science (I'm using a lot of Well Trained Mind's suggestions for science books - I had very mixed feelings about that book and loved some of it, strongly disagreed with other aspects, but her science suggestions have seemed good), but keeping it low-key. I'm also planning on doing basic geography with Hans next fall, using this resource, as well as the essential maps and globe - legally reproducible with worksheets? Yes, please! I might start Shurley Grammar 1 next fall, if I feel Hans is ready, but I'm leaning towards delaying a bit. I'm just not sure he will be ready from a cognition standpoint, though the only real prerequisite is "able to read very basic sentences," which he can already do. But comprehension v. basic reading are two very different things.
One other thing to note: doing school with Hans has really improved our relationship. Hans can be really stubborn. And he can try to get attention in the wrong ways :-P. Preschool together has done two wonderful things for our relationship: first, it has given him nearly-undivided (see below paragraph) Mommy-time first thing in the morning, and second, it gives him a sense of accomplishment as he sees very tangibly his accomplishments in learning. He is the kind of kid who hesitates to try anything because he's afraid of failure, but when he does try and succeed, it's a huge boost for him. So school has been great for him in this :-).
So what does Gretchen do while Hans and I do school? Don't hate me. She just sits there and pleasantly colors and cuts up paper or affixes stickers to paper scraps. Or looks at letter manipulatives (Confessions of a Homeschooler has some great ideas for creating letter manipulatives). Or other basic activities (puzzles, peg board, etc.). Sometimes she asks to sit on my lap. The end. I have it made. Yes I realize that. Easiestchildever.
Thursday, November 01, 2012
The Christian life is a life of trust, and pregnancy is no exception. Every woman is aware that loss is a possibility in pregnancy, but I don't think it really comes home until you've experienced it yourself. Hypothetical and real are two different things. And when loss becomes real instead of hypothetical - I've lost two babies in utero, including most recently this past spring - it makes each future pregnancy even more a matter of trust than it was before you experienced loss.
Trust that God has given this life for a reason.
Trust that all things work together for good for those who love Him.
Trust that the good each small life will work (however long or short our paths cross) will be the conforming of my sinful self into the image of His Son. No matter the outcome. Period.
Trust that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Trust that God holds the future in His hand.
Trust that God is all-good and all-powerful.
Notice I didn't say "trust that God will protect my baby's life," or "trust that God won't put me through that trial again." God doesn't promise a smooth passage, but He promises to be with us through life's storms and sunny sailing, both.
I've looked in the Bible for absolute promises to specific circumstances in my life, including pregnancy and the life of my children - they're not in there. It's not because He didn't get around to it. It's because part of the "being conformed to the image of His Son" happens when we have to hold loosely our desires, our expectations, our hopes, and dreams. It's when our hopes and dreams are reborn in His likeness that we find real peace and real joy. This is trust in God. This isn't hypothetical read-about-in-books type of thing; this is where the rubber hits the road.
So we begin this journey again. Welcoming a new life, thanking God for another baby to love and cherish, but holding our hopes and dreams loosely. Looking to eternity, not just to the temporal. Praying that God will let us meet this little one next June, but trusting that God is good, no matter His plan.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Unbloomed Rose
Silent bud in sheath of green,
Waits in dark for bloom of spring.
Early frost steals promised flow'r;
Early wilt, untimely hour.
Knitted life in vessel dark.
Tiny form with Maker's mark.
Frame in view from Him above.
Treasured here, welcomed in love.
Life's ev'ry day written, planned
By the Master's gentle hand.
What if days were short, life brief?
Early frost - a lifeless leaf.
Eyes are dimmed ere light has shone;
Silent cry, no time to tone.
Shepherd is no helpless man;
All is in His 'ternal plan.
He gently hugs weeping lambs,
Wipes the tears, comforts rams.
Whispers promises, holds close
His little child, grieving rose.
Time long-past, another place,
God's only Son, tears on face,
Pleads release from task ahead -
Nail-pierced hands, wounded head.
Willingly on lonely hill,
God in flesh is lifeless, still.
Death conquered through death toll chime;
Promise sealed for better time.
Perished Lamb lives in glory,
Happy end to saddest story.
Every tear is wiped away
On that joyful final day.
So now weeping, grieving one,
Recollect God's only Son.
For those of faith, light has dawned -
Eternal sun, life beyond.
- S.G.K. April 2012
In memory of two loves lost, 12/2009 and 3/2012


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The Bad Witch's Guide
Bad Witch's Guide to Pinterest
I am a bad witch. There are a long list of reasons why I am a bad witch. Having been out of the broom closet for some considerable number of years I would on occasion get asked "but you're a good witch though?" My response to that depending on the person asking but I found I started to say "yes, a very, very good witch" rather darkly as it usually got the point across.
It might surprise you to find out I like Pinterest. However my major problem with it is the "magick" and spellcraft on there is often utter twaddle. I like collecting (rather nerdy) art, food and crafting ideas, positive quotes to get me through those grey damp days. Magickally though it's often pretty but not effective. If you're going to write a chant, and enchantment (to be sung or spoken aloud, which is what enchant means) it has to have a good tone and rhythm to it. It has to be a jingle, an ear-worm, something that has the power and dynamism to buzz around your skull and out into the universe.
(Primitive Altar from Pinterest.)
I grew up in with ugly but effective magick. Really on the farm that was the sort of aesthetic. If it worked it didn't matter what it looked like (but odds are it would look dangerous and sort of a mess). My first cauldron was an empty white animal feed bucket. My wand a stick. The things I made look crude but worked. The woven herbs and grasses had a grace but I'm not sure they'd pass the Pinterest standard. Maybe with the right filter.
(Hanging Herbs on Pinterest.)
Of course it is gorgeous to make pagan artworks, pagan aesthetics and so on. From crystal mandalas to circles of herbs and flowers, I'm just not sure my practical witch brain is wired to wasting so much time energy and supplies on one thing. Some of these images are glorious but you'd need a bail of lavender! I have a lot of herbs, I don't have them in that kind of quantity. I also have a dog, child and husband and odds are taking up a whole room in our tiny house, on the floor or otherwise would not end well. Wonderful for a photo, not practical witchin'. I don't hang my herbs up for how they "look" (I don't even have a drying rack or anything it's just a series of make-shift jute clotheslines and bundles) I hang them so they don't rot so I can use them when they are out of season.
(White Dress Women in Forest from Pinterest.)
Again wearing a lot of interesting make-up and standing in a thin white dress in some moody woods looks awesome, you'll catch your death if you try it though! Outside witch work requires sturdy hiking boots, sunscreen and good thick coat.
My point is that this sort of aesthetic over function exclude those who don't or can't match how these things look. Don't have a bail of lavender, can't do magick! Not thin, white and gorgeous? Can't do magick! Not got five tons of crystals? Can't do magick! All of which is the reverse of the truth.
Magick is in the ordinary. In the ugly. In the old and odd and hairy. It's in the bones, the cherry stones, the dirt, and clay and mud. It's in the scars, the dance, the feeling of it. There is power in the beautiful but that is not the only place there is power.
The utter twaddle on Pinterest in terms of spellwork and chants is so poor as to make me physically wince on occasion (and don't get me started on some of the utter rubbish that passes for "sigils"). It shows a lack of understanding of the basic mechanises of spellcraft. It's either over wordy, or not specific, or drawing from all kinds of places I would NOT mix together and calling on things in ways that are dodgy at best, and wildly unsafe in others. A spell tends to work best when it's short, sharp and pithy.
A "get well soon" card is a healing foci. More specific ones like:
Root, shoot, bud, flower. Grant me now your healing power. Heal________.
You can easier charm this over a bunch of flowers, or even a healing soup. Not pretty (or might be) but effective. Of course having a root, a shoot, a bud and flower added to what you are chanting over helps and for the love of tea, please don't do it "in your head". Enchanting mean to sing, to sing into being. It is a powerful and amazing magick that might be odd to do on the bus works wonders almost anywhere else.
(A Large Pinch of Salt!)
While free resources can be amazing take what you find on Pinterest with a large pinch of salt. Do your own research, preferably offline and turn off your phone. A lot of the "healing" spells I looked at were binding spells and not very "healing" at all. While I am not "anti" left-hand work, left-hand (or darker) is what it is. Read between the lines, and look at things like a witch. Look at what is missing, what is not said. Oh the sigils are just completely made up, which is not to say they won't work they are just not based on any ancient system I've seen and seem to based more on the Mortal Instruments book series instead.
Make a mess with your magick. Hexperiement, with what works for you and it doesn't have to be pretty. Make a mess. It's how it feels that matters, not how many likes it gets!

subset: commoncrawl


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By News Release
PETERBOROUGH — Hyndsight Vision Systems, a fast-growing vision technology company, was recently recognized as one of the "Best Entrepreneurial Companies in America" by Entrepreneur magazine's Entrepreneur360™ List, a premier study delivering the most comprehensive analysis of private companies in America. Based on this study forged by Entrepreneur, Hyndsight Vision Systems was ranked 236 out of 360 companies, and is recognized as a well-rounded company that has mastered a balance of impact, innovation, growth and leadership.
"Our annual evaluation is a 360-degree analysis of top privately-held companies representing and serving a variety of industries," explains Lisa Murray, Chief Insights Officer of Entrepreneur Media, Inc. "These businesses are real-world case studies for any entrepreneur who seeks to master the four pillars that can greatly impact the longevity and growth of their businesses. With the Entrepreneur 360, success is measured by achieving balance throughout the entire organization, predicated by revenue."
Hyndsight launched its first wire-free camera and monitor products, JOURNEY and CRUZ, in October 2014. These turnkey systems are comprised of a custom designed camera and monitor with a sunlight readable screen, antenna set, and two mounts in a solid case. The systems require no internet or cellular connections for transmission. They are rugged, water resistant and provide a real-to-life visual field. The systems provide real-time video stream through a direct wire-free connection (camera to monitor) and a clear image that can transmit up to one-third of a mile with direct line of sight. The systems are designed for a variety of industries, including marine, RV, agriculture, construction, tractor trailer, equine and hunting.
This summer Hyndsight introduced its latest product, Capture, to the consumer and wholesale markets. Capture is a recording version of JOURNEY and CRUZ. Users can enjoy all the benefits of the two current models, but with the ability to record simultaneously, while still providing real-time video stream, remote on/off capability, and high definition recording quality that can be stored on an SD card for easy removal and downloading.
"We're exceptionally honored to have this country's most respected entrepreneur business magazine name Hyndsight as one of the best small companies in the U.S., says Melissa Thompson, CEO of Hyndsight. "While Hyndsight has enjoyed steady growth in sales and distribution since the introduction of JOURNEY & CRUZ three years ago, including distribution agreements with over 90 national and international companies, we are entering the next stage in our development. This endorsement of our company and its products by Entrepreneur Magazine better positions us to take the company to a new level of growth and success.
Honorees were identified based on the results from a comprehensive study of independently owned companies, using a proprietary algorithm and other advanced analytics. The algorithm was built on a balanced scorecard designed to measure four metrics reflecting major pillars of entrepreneurship—innovation, growth, leadership and impact.
For nearly 40 years, Entrepreneur Media Inc. has been serving the entrepreneurial community providing comprehensive coverage of business and personal success through original content and events. Entrepreneur magazine, Entrepreneur.com, and publishing imprint Entrepreneur Press provide solutions, information, inspiration and education read by millions of entrepreneurs and small business owners worldwide. To learn more, visit entrepreneur.com. Follow us on Twitter at @Entrepreneur and like us on Facebook at facebook.com/entmagazine.
Founded in 2012, Hyndsight Vision Systems' corporate offices and distribution center is located in Peterborough, NH. The company has secured world-wide distribution agreements with national and international companies is distributed by 90 retail and wholesale distributors. To learn more about Hyndsight Vision Systems, visit hyndsightvision.com.


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Did you ever have a time you wanted a fruit that was not in season, so you ended up spending too much money because the store jacked up the prices. Or did you ever want to use a particular type of produce that you can't even find because it's not in season???
This happens to me a lot…. And these are the main reasons why I like to freeze every piece of produce I can get my hands on. Because sometimes I want cheap strawberries or peaches in the winter time… It also helps me to preserve my fruit to keep them from spoiling if I can't use them in a timely manner.
So every week I order produce from a food co-op, and I also like to catch fabulous deals on seasonal fruits. What we don't use for cooking, juicing, and smoothies, goes straight into the freezer.
Plus this process doesn't take long at all! A few trays in the freezer doesn't even take me five minutes to prep, and it only takes a few minutes to bag and place them in the freezer.
This past weekend berries were the star of the show because I found great sales, and my weekly produce basket contained a lot of berries as well.
I knew we couldn't make it through all of our berries in a timely manner. So I got to freezing…. First I start by gently washing my berries with cold water. Then, I make sure they are drained (I usually let the berries drain in a colander for a few minutes). Then, I place the berries on pan that has been lined with freezer paper. I make sure to lay the fruit in a single layer on the pan so they don't clump up together leaving me with a big ball of frozen berries that I can't measure out for recipes.
After that, I place them in the freezer for about 15 minutes or so to flash freeze the berries. This helps them to harden so they won't become ball of frozen mush.
And then the berries go into a freezer safe plastic storage bag or container. And my berry berries will last for up to 10 months in the freezer. But I never leave them in the freezer that long, because we use them up way before that! We're Greedy Like That!
Note: Frozen berries get extremely soft when you let them thaw. I place my frozen berries right into my recipes (straight from the freezer), unless my recipe calls for something like pureed raspberries, etc…. I also like to measure out how many berries I place in each freezer bag then label the bag with how much produce is in each bag (i.e. 1 cup of raspberries, chopped celery, etc.), so that I can have the correct measurements for recipes.
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Want more freezer tips? Check out other freezer tips located in our Savory Savings section.


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Wednesday at Canard, 4721 North Main, is Wu-Tang Clan night. There's even a warning posted on the door. It may as well say, "Abandon all pretension, all ye who enter here, and get ready to groove."
The bass lines keep the crowd's energy up and the conversations flow as easily as the cocktails. There may or may not have been some chair dancing.
The lady to our left at the bar isn't into it. In fact, she's definitely out of it. Despite the fact that we're trying to take a photo of America's drink of the moment — the frosé, or frozen rosé infused with strawberries — in a dark bar with an enormous camera, she can't leave our drink alone. She keeps trying to take a picture of it with her phone, flash on. It keeps ruining our photos.
The woman never looks at us. She never talks to us. We don't exist. Only frosé exists. We pick up the drink and move to a table in the back. We half expect her to follow our drink, which clearly has hypnotic powers. She doesn't. We're grateful.
There's a shot of black port floating on top of the frozen, pink drink. When the glass is tilted, it's the first thing to hit, sweetly rolling over the tongue like a good rhyme. Then comes the thick, frozen, strawberry-infused wine. On a sultry Houston night, it's utterly perfect and could be sipped forever — at least until they turn the lights up and the backbeat off.
Canard's Frosé
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Treadsack Group bar director Leslie Ross offers several different floats for this frozen drink, and says her favorites are the Giffard Lychee and the Quinta do Noval Black Port. We went for the port, which Ross says adds "rich, deep black and red fruit while still maintaining a fairly dry but creamy finish," and it was luscious. Canard makes its version in a frozen margarita machine, but this can mostly be replicated at home with ice and a blender.
Proportions shown below can be scaled as needed. Truly, this is a perfect frozen drink for Houston's humid summers. We recommend a sidecar of Wu-Tang Clan to help balance this drink's overwhelming notes of trendiness.
- Your choice of rosé wine (don't use the expensive stuff for this)
- Dolin Chamberyzette Strawberry Aperitif (a blend of blanc and dry vermouth flavored with wild strawberry juice)
- Quinta do Noval Black Port (or any liqueur of choice)
Combine the above in a proportion of 80 percent rosé to 20 percent vermouth. Add to blender, along with what would equal about another 20 percent in ice cubes to the combined wine and vermouth. Blend and gently pour the liqueur on top. Serve as many times as needed.


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Complete your Eid Feast with a Shahi Zafran sherbet, Kebab-e-Dayg and a Date Cake!
A dense, dark, earthy cake moistened with the gooeyness of dates, almost like a steamed pudding.
In my ancestral home in Lahore, on Eidul Fitr, our table is adorned with Bohemian crystal bowls filled with fruit or chickpea chaat and mithai in kitsch colours, laid out on silver platters. But as in many homes across Pakistan, it is the vermicelli pudding,the seviyan, which is the pièce de résistance on the table.
This Eid, why not add other items to your menu for the feast?
Present your guests with a saffron-imbued cold drink – Shahi Zafran ka sherbet – upon their arrival. The dollop of fresh cream on top with pistachio dust is a lovely way to do something a little extra special on Eid.
After your guests have eaten and enjoyed a few spoonful's of seviyan (which is a rite of passage on Eid), there is always room for more dessert when the tea trolley comes around. Make a gorgeous date cake for your guests, and serve it alongside a cup of cardamom-fragranced green tea. In my ancestral home, green tea was always served in my paternal grandmother's red Russian Gardner cups, which her mother-in-law brought back from Afghanistan in the late 1800s.
And for those guests who will be coming for lunch or dinner, prepare some Kebab-e-dayg – tender kebabs prepared on a slow flame, in a spicy tomato base, which pairs beautifully with some basmati rice and a kachumbar (salad). And for dessert, enjoy some goeey Date Cake!
Yassi sits on her stool in the kitchen, kneading the glossy détrempe for la pâte feuilletée (puff pastry). There is no beurre sec, but Lurpak will do. Her silver and black hair is in short waves and immaculate as always; her pastel kurta is starched. Yassi's slender, milky fingers are bare as they push the dough back and forth, like a potter with her clay. Her mother's vintage ring bearing three overlapping leaves in rose, yellow and white gold removed and placed in the porcelain Wedgewood jewellery jar given to her by her daughter-in-law. She looks at the granite counter,
"It would be lovely to have a cup of champagne resting there for small sips while the dough rests," she thinks.
But she is no longer in her Paris kitchen, she is in Karachi.
Champagne is now reserved only for special occasions.
To her daughter-in-law who visits once a year, every day is a special day in Yassi's home. Yassi serves her daughter-in-law a date cake between meals.
"Oh, you're on holiday, you must enjoy it," she tells her, while dropping thick, heavy spoonful's of double cream on a slice of the cake in her daughter-in-law's plate.
A recipe passed down to Yassi by her own mother, a recipe older than her marriage; even older than her son. A dense, dark, earthy cake moistened with the gooeyness of dates, almost like a steamed pudding.
As I said, every day is a special day in Yassi's home. You can have that cake, and eat it, too.
For a gluten-free version, you can use a combination of gluten-free 'flours', for the recipe, please refer to the Gluten-Free Goddess' website here.
You will need a 10-inch (25 centimetres) spring form pan and some parchment paper. (If you use a pan with a smaller diameter, the cake may remain raw from the middle and cooked from the sides, so please do use a 10-inch pan).
Plump dates with seed – 250 grams (If using stoned dates, you'll have to adjust/decrease the amount)
Boiling water –250 ml
Baking soda – 1 tsp
Unsalted butter –100 grams (brought to room temperature)
Granulated sugar –180 grams
Eggs – 2
Flour – 150 grams
Baking powder – 2 tsp
1. Preheat your oven to 175C / 350F.
2. Place parchment paper on top of the spring form pan base and trace a circle. Line pan with parchment circle and butter and flour the sides.
3. Deseed your dates by gently tearing them open from top to bottom.
4. Chop dates fine.
5. Bring 250 millilitre of water to a boil (I boil it in my kettle and then measure out 250 millilitres to be exact).
4. Pour into saucepan, when water starts to boil, add baking soda (it will froth).
5. Add chopped dates and stir the mixture for two to three minutes.
6. The date mixture should be on the thick side, not watery.
7. Take off the stove and allow to cool for at least 15 minutes.
8. Now prepare the batter. Whip butter with sugar till light and fluffy.
9. Add eggs slowly; they may curdle at first but keep whipping; the mixture will come together and become smooth.
10. Slowly fold in flour and baking powder and keep whipping/mixing.
11. Add in date mixture, with a spoon/spatula and gently stir.
12. Batter will seem slightly thin, but since we're using a pan with a wide base, don't worry, the cake will cook through. Remember, this is a moist, pudding-like cake.
13. Pour into spring form pan.
14. Bake for 35 minutes, test to see if the toothpick comes out clean after 30 minutes. I like this cake moist and goeey, please don't over bake it.
Allow cake to rest half an hour before taking out of from pan, or serve by the spoonful's immediately, like a soft pudding, with double, triple or clotted cream on top.
Wishing everyone a lovely Eid with your loved ones.
This post originally appeared here.
All photos: Shayma Saadat
This was Part 3 of our delicious three part Eid Feast Recipe. Part 1 (Shahi Zafran ka sherbet) and Part 2 (Kebab-e-Dayg) can be viewed respectively. Enjoy!


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- 2 Beds
- 1 Full, 1 3/4 Baths
- New Listing
Property TypeResidential – Condo
SubdivisionGOLD CAMP CONDO II
Listing Date06/25/20
Year Built1972
Property Description
Spectacular remodel; completely gutted with transformation complete end of 2019. A MUST SEE. This top floor unit has an added second bath and a loft (loft not included in the square footage). Vaulted ceilings and additional loft create an open living concept. This complex is located between Downtown and the Base of Peak 8. Free shuttle stop just outside the complex, hiking and biking trails are near by, and the Nordic Center is across the street. Private Ski locker adds additional storage.
Presented By
- NearSkiArea
- Near Public Transit
- Trees/Woods
- Trails/Paths
- Public Transportation
- Vaulted Ceiling(s)
- Cable Available
- Electricity Available
- Natural Gas Available
- Phone Available
- Sewer Available
- Sewer Connected
- Baseboard
- Common Area
Financial Information
3 Beds 3 Baths
We get asked this question a lot. Below is a tool that gives you the ability to see what the market is like in your community. Find out what homes like your own are selling for right in your back yard. Simply enter in your address, choose the proximity of the search and find out market data for other homes that are selling near you.
While we'll provide you with plenty of information, this is a snapshot of your market data and there are real people behind the high-tech and automated tools. If you would like more detailed information or help in understanding the results we are here to help.
Until then, enjoy the tools!
The data relating to the real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the Internet Data Exchange program of the Vail Multi-List Service, Inc.
Copyright © 2020 Vail Multi List, Inc. (VMLS). The information displayed herein was derived from sources believed to be accurate, but has not been verified by VMLS. Buyers are cautioned to verify all information to their own satisfaction. This information is exclusively for viewers' personal, non- commercial use. Any republication or reproduction of the information herein without the express permission of the VMLS is strictly prohibited.
Listing courtesy of Coldwell Banker Mtn Properties


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Welcome to my web site. Quilting has become my life's favorite passion. I love playing with colors, feeling the fabrics, and finding the joy in creating something fun. I get the most pleasure from making scrappy quilts. My favorite color is black & white polka dots!
I love sharing my passion for quilting
Sandy Corbin
Copyright 2013. Sandy Corbin. All rights reserved.


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Unfair dismissals reach new peak
General protections claims still climbing, unfair dismissals reach new peak
Total adverse action claims exceeded 3000 in the year to September, while the number of unfair dismissal claims reached a new high in the last quarter, according to Fair Work Commission statistics.
The tribunal's quarterly report for the three months to September 30 shows s372 general protections disputes claims jumped to 188 - the highest three-month figure yet and the first above 160 since the June quarter last year.
As is always the case, the bulk of general protections claims were s365 applications to deal with disputes involving dismissal - with the tribunal receiving 691 in the September quarter, the second highest three-month figure recorded.
The 879 total general protections claims for the quarter compare with 728 in the three months to June 30 (578 applications under s365 and 150 under s372); 888 - still the highest quarterly figure to date - in the March quarter (740 under s365 and 148 under s372); and 687 in the December quarter 2012 (563 and 124).
The combined total was 3182 for the year until September 30, up on the 2756 total from the previous 12 months.
In that year, applications comprised 677 in the September quarter 2012 (543 s365 applications and 134 under s372); 710 in the June quarter 2012 (548 and 162); 706 in the March quarter 2012 (563 and 143); and 663 in the December quarter 2011 (526 and 137).
Unfair dismissals claims increase after drop
Meanwhile the tribunal also received 4048 s384 unfair dismissal applications in the September quarter - the first quarter to break the 4000 mark.
The September figure compares with 3911 for the June quarter 2013, 3501 in the March quarter, and 3867 for the December quarter 2012.
The total for the year of 15,327 is, as expected, higher than the previous 12 months, when dismissal claims totaled 14,094 (3521 claims in the September quarter 2012, 3494 in the June quarter, 3574 in the March quarter and 3505 in the December quarter 2011).
Of the 4048 unfair dismissal claims lodged in the three months to September 30, the tribunal settled only 167 by hearing, and found only 55 unfair.
As is always the case, the vast majority of claims - 2175 - were settled at conciliation, while 641 were finalised before then. Of the conciliations the tribunal conducted, 2656 were by telephone, only 81 in person and four by video conference.
The FWC made two orders for costs against a lawyer or paid agent under s401 during the September quarter.
Bargaining picking up after quiet period
While the tribunal's annual report for 2012-2013 revealed a quiet bargaining year, activity picked up in the September quarter, with 437 applications for protected ballot orders made, compared with 176 in the June quarter.
The Commission also dealt with 2272 applications to approve agreements, significantly higher than the 1721 lodged in the June quarter.
Of the 2272, 248 were applications to approve greenfields deals.
Source: Workplace Express 13 November 2013
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If there is one humble brand that has been living up to all my expectations in terms of it's products, it is the age old Himalaya Herbals. I have already been a loyal user of their Neem Facewash and since recently their haircare range. With minimal promotions and words, this brand does speak through actions. Recently they launched a new range of Premium face creams – Oil Free Radiance Gel Cream, Day Cream, Night Cream and Anti-ageing Cream.
If you follow my beauty posts, you would be aware of my extremely sensitive skin and how wary I am about each product I use. The Oil Free Radiance Gel Cream has managed to win my heart in the best possible way.
What the brand says:
Himalaya Herbals Oil-Free Radiance Gel Cream is a light and non-greasy, daily-use gel cream that gently hydrates to give an oil-free radiant glow. It is a light gel textured cream enriched with special herbs that provides three essential benefits: Absorbs quickly into skin Hydrates skin Gives skin a natural radiance
Key ingredients: Barbary Fig contains polysaccharides that provide moisture. Winter Melon exhibits antioxidant properties that keep skin healthy, protected and rejuvenated.
Himalaya Herbals has always been popular for being natural with their products. Although this product is not devoid of chemicals, I would say the chemicals are rather harmless. It contains Aqua which works as a base and glycerine which is good for the skin.
Among the complex chemicals, it contains silicones like Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclotetrasiloxane and Dimethiconol. These silicones usually make the product lubricating and fluid. Research shows that these silicones are safe for the skin though it may have certain anti environmental issues (in case you are inclined to extremely environmental friendly products). The presence of Isopropyl Myristate makes the cream fast absorbing. It also contains Coco-glucoside, a coconut extract which is one of the most gentle products, also used in baby oils.
Besides the chemicals, it contains Barbary Fig and Winter Melon extracts.
Product Texture:
True to its name, the texture is a translucent, white gel. On application, the gel absorbs in the skin within seconds and gives a mild cooling sensation.
The gel gives out a very mild soothing smell which I found rather spicy than floral.
Packaging and Price :
Priced at Rs 250 for 50 g.
The gel comes in a glass jar. The jar contains an additional stopper besides the plastic lid. Since the jar is very compact, it is not very difficult to carry around. But I felt the need for a spatula to use the gel. That would have kept the gel cleaner despite everyday use.
Product experience:
Since I have extremely oily skin, this has become a recent favorite. I use it after getting back home after all day post removing my makeup and washing my face (usually with the Himalaya Herbals Neem Facewash). It gives my skin the required moisture, though there are some days when my skin craves for more moisture. It soothes my skin and the best part, it did not make my skin break out.
What I loved :
Great for sensitive skin
Very light and works as a good makeup base
Reasonably priced, great value for money Mild and soothing smell
What could have been better :
A spatula for using the gel would have been better
Not recommended for dry skin, especially during winters
Yayy or Nayy:
Definitely a Yayy. I am going to stock this up before it finishes. Overall I would rate it 4.5/5
Have you used the Himalaya Herbals Oil-Free Radiance Gel yet? What is your favourite product for winters?


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Well, my plan to blog more often has seriously gone down the drain this week! I had plans to post all sorts but time seem to be getting in the way (bad time!).
So let's catch up!
Saturday I went to see Les Mis at the cinema and I absolutely loved it! I knew that there was singing in it obviously and that the singing was sort of speech, but I didn't realise that there was literally no spoken speech in it at all and that it was singing speech. But once you realise that, it really works and I had no trouble following the story, even though I had no idea about it, it just flowed well. The cast were very very brave singing live, although your probably going to think I am dead inside, because I didn't
sing (so just typed sing!), cry at Anne Hathaway's "I Dreamed A Dream", it did stir me a little but no tears!
Sunday was a pretty regular day for me, so I am gonna skip past that one.
Monday, what did I do Monday! I went to work and that's about it.
Tuesday the same.
Wednesday was not a good day for me, because I got really annoyed at something that happened, and I couldn't get it out of my head! I was actually having a really good day till then, it really just takes one person to spoil everything for you. But then, I came home and I watched "My Mad Fat Diary" which I'd taped just cause it was a new show, but I really loved it. It reminds me of the Georgia Nicholson books actually, so I'm looking forward to next weeks episode. And then I got a fantastic email (people feel free to ignore the next sentence if you are not as obsessed as me with nail varnish!). I email Nicole By OPI, as I love their varnishes anyway and also they have a new range by Selena Gomez and some of the colours are just beautiful. They are hard to get in the UK, you can only really get the collections rather than normal colours on Asos and Lena White, and they informed me that they would be selling them through Lena White, so wahey!!!!! So that kinda turned mt day round and I also watch loads of S Club 7 shows last night! I was such a huge fan of them when I was younger and I found a load of them that I taped. But being an idiot (I can't and wish I could blame someone else for this!) I taped over one of them. I knew it wasn't on ITV and then I defiantly knew Gok was not on telly when they were, so I bloody taped over it with some movie! A made for TV one at that!
Then today, well it's been a hit and miss day again, but not of my doing.
And that's it! I hope that has updated you and you can look forward to another day in the life post soon! If you cannot wait for that boredom, then just re read the last one and you should be sufficiently bored!
Fun Fact Of The Day: The national flower of Australia is the Golden Wattle (Tis FACT!)
Nail Varnish Of The Day: Models Own Blue Med and Technic Lolli Pop. I had a sort out and am trying out the maybe to go ones this week!


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I have started quilting my little orange peels.
A little sneak peek at a special mini swap for later in the year.
Remember our "unpaved" paved area.......well it has been paved! You don't want to rush these things, it's taken a bit longer than a year to do, although the actual job was done in a weekend.
Really looking forward to the end of the week when school holidays start. We are starting with my brothers 50th in Sydney and then going to North Queensland to see the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. I have a little stitching packed......probably time to think about clothes as well.
Susan x


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The "Straight Friendly" Place, reBOOT Hostel is a grassroots hostel that feels much like a home, rather than a hostel, it's more convivial and less impersonal than a standard Hotel or Hostel experience. Here you'll find a community. Diversity, Affinity li
Travelers have access to all the common place. Included in your package, you are provided by your host.
A towel
Free Wifi Internet
Viewing unlimited movies on NetFlix house accounts
A small welcome or departure, desjeuner made by your host.
Access to a modern kitchen (the food is not supplied)
Access to a dishwasher
Access to a laundrette (additional fee required)
A duvet and bed linen
Our staff has been uniquely selected and trained to interact with our guests. You choose your own level of interaction, we stand ready to help you and answer any questions you may have.
Many of our staff provide guided tours for free, while other tours such as pub crawls cost under $25. 00 and include free drinks and food.
Every member of the team at the hostel has been trained in customer service skills that go above and beyond a guest's expectations. Even our employees that came to the company with amazing people skills and years of customer service under their belt were retrained the reboot way.
We want to deliver a consistent experience to all of our guests whether they are ordering dinner to the room, interacting with housekeeping or checking out at the front desk. We have a standard processes and providing superior service helps make the expectations clear.
New employees are trained to attend to guests and we provide intermittent refresher courses to current employees.
We ensure our property is putting its best face forward and focus on these aspects when training the hostel staff to attend to guests:
We train them in these five key areas of communication. We call this the "state" management training.
We encourage our staff to take a guest journey and see everything from a guest's point of view as often as possible. This helps them put the whole customer experience into perspective. In the end, the guests ultimately chooses how much interaction he will have with our staff. However, If you need to make last minute changes to your booking and provided that it is done within the time limits of your terms and conditions, you can click here and send us an e-mail to open a concierge ticket.


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2 Stoners 1 Conversation
The Accurate Source To Find Transcript To 2 Stoners 1 Conversation."
[2 Stoners 1 Conversation]
[Joe Rogan:] Source: LYBIO.net
Well there's level of people, you know, you and I are not at the top, we're just not, there's people out there that invented Wi-Fi and they're using lasers to give us fuckin' satellite communication and all the crazy shit that you and I know of that we can never invent on our own. There are some people out there way fuckin' smarter than us, dude. And they're making that shit. That's the reality of life.
I'm so high.
[Joe Rogan:]
Yah. We're a little too high for this conversation. Too high.
2 Stoners 1 Conversation. We're a little too high for this conversation. Too high. Complete Full Transcript, Dialogue, Remarks, Saying, Quotes, Words And Text.


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IOWA CITY– The Iowa City Community School District Foundation is excited to announce a new partnership with Cookies by Design in Coralville– "Sweet Funds" to benefit Iowa City area public schools.
For customers who mention "Sweet Funds" or present a "Sweet Funds" discount card, Cookies by Design will donate 10 percent to the ICCSD Foundation's Excellence Fund and give you 10 percent discount. The discount applies to all cookie decorating parties, special orders, delivery orders and in-store purchases at the Coralville location of Cookies by Design at any time.
IOWA CITY– The West High Trojans track and field team hopes to capitalize on the success seen on the football field and basketball court.
"They've had a good school year in other sports, so I don't see why it can't carry over to the track and field season," Coach Brian Martz said. Martz has nine years with the program and is assisted by Neil Davis (sprints, hurdles, long jump), Travis Craig (distance) and Maureen Head (throws). The team compiled a 52-7 record in 2011, taking second in the MVC Valley Division.
DES MOINES– The Capitol City has proven to be a good venue for Iowa City West High so far in 2012. First, The Women of Troy struck gold in Des Moines at the Girls State Basketball Tournament, and then it was the boys' turn as the Trojans under the leadership of Steve Bergman took to the polished hardwood of the Class 4A Boys State Basketball Tournament.
Bringing in a perfect 23-0 record, the Trojans dominated through all three games to give West two basketball titles this year.
The second installment of a three-part series that
examines the current health of North Liberty's business economy, the ins and outs of small business ownership, and the future of doing business in North Liberty.
NORTH LIBERTY– The North Liberty Community Pantry has raised more than half the funds for its new pantry building fund. Out of the $250,000 needed to start construction on the new pantry, $140,000 has been raised. Currently the pantry has no running water for bathrooms, no private area to counsel families and no adequate space to store food. Free donations of food items have to be turned away at times due to the lack of storage space in the current facility. A new building is needed in order to serve those in the community who need a hand up during these difficult economic times.
SHUEYVILLE– An 11-year-old from Muscatine will be hosting a fundraiser for English River Outfitters and Locks of Love Saturday, March 31, at Shuey's in Shueyville.
Stephanie LaRue of Muscatine is attempting to collect $15,000 for Veterans Reaching Out to Veterans English River Outfitters, and 1,000 inches of hair for Locks of Love.
An official haircutting will be held at Shuey's at 5 p.m., Saturday, March 31. The night will also feature raffles, a 50/50 drawing, live music by Lady Lowe, live and silent auctions from 2 p.m. until closing at Shuey's, 1158 Club Rd. SW, Shueyville.
NORTH LIBERTY– North Bend Elementary's Parent-Teacher Group (PTG) will be hosting a Spring Extravaganza fundraiser featuring a vendor show and silent auction Saturday, March 30, at the Bella Sala reception and banquet facility east of Tiffin off Highway 6.
The silent auction runs from 5-8 p.m., with the vendor show from 4-9 p.m.
NORTH LIBERTY– The City of North Liberty's street department will be doing curbside leaf pickup this spring on March 26 and April 2 and 9.
For safety reasons, no leaves should be placed in the street. Leaves should be piled within two feet of the curb or edge of road.
No sticks, branches, yard waste or any other materials should be mixed with the leaves. Brush or garden waste may be bundled for pickup on your regular trash day. Two bundles will be picked up at no charge each week. Bundles should be no more than four feet in length and weigh no more than 40 pounds.
NORTH LIBERTY– The next new home-to-school school transportation craze doesn't involve car pooling or public transport, jetpacks or hovercrafts.
But a pair of comfortable Keds® could come in handy.
IOWA CITY– The vision of a fourth Iowa City high school was dimmed last week when the school board expressed a desire to explore whether redistricting the existing high schools could solve an enrollment imbalance between the two comprehensive high schools in the district, City and West.
The school board asked for options besides a third comprehensive high school and pushed for the fourth high school overall to be considered a long-range project, inserting a 2012 study committee into the district's facilities plans.


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The Opticals are exclusively available at selected opticians worldwide. Komono feels very confident to translate its experience into Komono Opticals. Raf Maes, co-founder of Komono:
"We choose to bring Komono Opticals exclusively to opticians. Nobody should compromise on quality and know-how when it comes to eye care. The opticians bring their expertise, Komono brings contemporary styles and superb quality at a competitive price point."
Discover our Komono Opticals here.
Our clearest expression of Vision yet.


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EpiCentre Holdings, the Catalist-listed parent company announced yesterday (26 June) that they will be giving up all of its four EpiCentre stores and its online store for $516,275 to Elush (T3), which runs Apple reseller chain, iStudio.
The sale will see EpiCentre give up their rights to run the Apple Authorised Reseller and Apple Premium Reseller business in Singapore, but it is up to shareholders' approval.
According to The Straits Times (ST), Elush (T3) will be granted the license to use its signature "EpiCentre" and "Live Out Loud by EpiCentre" at no extra fees.Apple store at Orchard Photo: The Straits Times
The parent company said sales fell greatly and blamed "competition from other Apple Premium Retailers and the Apple store at Orchard, which opened last year, for the divestment".
They told ST that as Apple intends to open more stores, EpiCentre "has decided to dispose of the business" and concentrate its efforts on its beauty, wellness, and lifestyle arm, while keeping a lookout for other opportunities.
EpiCentre is still operating as an Apple Authorised Reseller in Malaysia.
They revealed to ST the business made a net loss before income tax of about $55,000 in the half-year ended December 2017.
Formerly an epicentre for Apple productsPhoto: The Straits Times
EpiCentre was established in 2002 by four friends who had invested $500,000 to launch a store at Wheelock Place.
Four years into the business, they were awarded Apple's Best Point-of-Sale in Asia, and got listed on the Catalist board in early 2008.
In 2011, they have more than 10 stores across the Singapore, Malaysia, and China markets.
When the iPhone craze hit Singapore, people queued outside its 313@Somerset outlet overnight.
However, that was before it was reported they had made a net loss of S$2.87 million for the full year in 2015, slightly lower than a net loss of S$2.895 million in 2014.
Revenue had actually grown by 3.6 per cent, according to Business Times (BT), due to the launch of the iPhone 6S in the first half of 2015.
Then in 2016, DrWealth reported that the company raised close to $1.5 million through crowdfunding on crowdfunding platform, MoolahSense.
They aimed to raise $2 million and offered a "nominal interest rate of 13.5 per cent per annum" which the author thought was "exciting".
He later stated, "There is only one scenario where the payout does not materialise - i.e. if Epicentre defaults."
The author questioned the reason for EpiCentre to raise funds through crowdfunding because while it may look like an attractive payout for investors, it's still a large cost for the company to bear.
EpiCentre tried diversifying its portfolio in 2017, moving away from just selling Apple products and delving into the digital lifestyle products selling wearable tech with its Live Out Loud concept.
Chairman of EpiCentre, Kenneth Lim told Marketing Interactive that "it was time for EpiCentre Holdings to review its strategy moving forward", following the opening of the Apple store on Orchard Road.
They wound down the ION Orchard EpiCentre Apple Premium Reseller outlet last year to convert it into a Live Out Loud store.
But I think Singapore Apple fans won't be quite as affected with EpiCentre's exit.
This article was first published on Vulcan Post


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New Paintings
May 27th – June 24th, 2011
Goodnight Projects is proud to present a group show by 5 emerging artists from the Bay Area. The exhibition, New Painting, presents work that reconciles the safe physicality of everyday life and the transcendent within each moment. The artists use painting and sculpture as a way to navigate these tensions through form, surface and a play between representation and abstraction.
Rema Ghuloum www.remaghuloum.com
Rebekah Goldstein www.rebekahgoldstein.com
Maysha Mohamedi www.mayshamohamedi.com
Sarah Thibault www.sarahthibault.com
Alice Warnecke www.over-looked.com


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It's funny what happens when warm weather and the promise of spring come around.
Today, as I was driving along the rural highway where I live, I couldn't help but notice the vibrant green that had sprung up virtually overnight. It's like a day or two of sunshine, and all things that love the sun have come out. And, when I say everything, I mean everything, weeds included. Even dandelions look bright and festive when the winter has been long and unpredictable.
As I looked at the oak trees that dotted the meadows and rolling hills, along with the flowers that are starting to try to come out in all their purple, pink and yellow glory, I was amazed that God keeps it all going and it all belongs to Him.
In short, He not only made everything, but He owns it.
Since He owns it, I wonder why those of us who believe in Him do fret and worry about where the next dollar is coming from, where the next meal is coming from, where the money to pay the next bill is coming from, because it's all His and he can provide for us any way that He chooses.
There's an old story around the Mother Lode that there was a miner during the Gold Rush who was a highly religious man. He staked his claim next to all his wild living friends, but didn't indulge in their lifestyle. He read his Bible many times everyday. He dug for gold and was convinced that the Lord would provide that gold for him.
Everyday before he dug he prayed out loud that the Lord would help him to find gold on his claim until those nearby were just a little sick of hearing him. They dubbed him 'the Preacher' because he was always telling them about the Lord. After a while, they decided to play a trick on him.
In the dead of the night, they each contributed their gold to the cause until they had quite a tidy amount of it. Then they snuck out to his claim and seeded his mining claim with it, just so they could have a big laugh when they told him that God didn't provide the gold for him, they did.
You can imagine the next day how they were waiting with held breath for him to go to his claim and find the gold. They were not disappointed with his reaction, he was ecstatic with his find, praising the Lord who had provided for him on the claim that he just knew his God had led him to. When he told the other miners about the claim, they fessed up to their trickery and his face fell.
The story goes he was so disappointed in the Lord, that he hardly dug anymore after that and soon left the area because he was so despondent.
Which is how we get when the Lord provides something that we know He's promised us but it's delivered in a way we didn't expect. Like through another person and not with some miraculous flair like we all would prefer, then we can point at it and say without a shadow of a doubt look at how the Lord provided for me in this miraculous way.
Somehow though it doesn't matter who He works through, or what, because it all belongs to Him anyway because it's His choice to provide for us the way He provides for us. And, quite frankly there are times when I think the fact that He provides for us through others is amazing, because let's face it, working through failed humans and getting them to do what you want them to do may be the most miraculous thing of all.
"So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."
Isaiah 55:11


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In my cramped New York City apartment the clock hit 12am. As the seconds ticked down, all the images and sounds, tastes and smells of 2011 fought for a space in my mind and heart- each taking refuge.
On the first chime I attempted to drive out the not so great memories of the year that past while on the second I savored in the good ones. By the twelfth chord my thoughts blended harmoniously on the people I wish to think of while recalling the ones I didn't, often the same between the two.
Thankfully the war that was waging in my head and the tears that began to swell was interrupted by the sight of my self-absorbed Major kissing Lady Gaga, by the embrace of Dick Clark and his wife and finally in the vain of Alfred Eisenstaedt infamous V-J Day photograph, I watched as Jenny McCarthy made-out with a NYC Police Officer.
The last two years had been hard ones, plagued with a few of life's hardships including the death of two family members and ending with a broken heart. Suffice it to say 2012 couldn't have come any sooner.
I immediately began to wonder what the New Year would bring while seriously contemplating what I wanted to make of it. Above everything writing was and is going to be at the forefront of my goals. At the risk of sounding cliché my story…this story will be told and I'm going to kick ass at it.
So, during one of my many late night writing sessions I had the movie Lord of the Rings playing next to my Word document. I briefly glanced at the minimized screen just as Cate Blanchett spoke these words to her 'Ring Bearer'
The Quest Stands Upon the Edge of a Knife. Stray but a little and it will fail.
– Galadriel
Almost instantly, I realized that I am the Ring Bearer in my own life. No, I'm not trying to defeat the Dark Lord and save Middle Earth. But in my own way (perhaps you as well) I am traveling and living within my own quest. Attempting to accomplish something I never thought I would.
But with that we sometimes need a little help. A fellowship perhaps. A fellowship of writers and artists alike.
More than anything, what has helped in my writing has been the connection with others. It started with creating my blogs and signing up for Twitter. Then National Novel Writing Month arrived and I participated fully. Each provided the push I needed each day to write.
Now that NANOWRIMO is over I went scouting for other challenges to connect with. In doing so I found A Round of Words in 80 Days. Unlike National Novel Writing Month you set your own writing goal for the 80-day stretch as you connect with other writers. You identify what you want to accomplish and post it. Fellow #ROW80 participants will connect on your blog and Twitter to see your progress and give a hand of encouragement. Sounded great to me so I started.
However, this had me thinking…how many other writing/ word count challenges are there? Quite a few (I'm sure many more that I'm missing)
- National Novel Writing Month (NANOWRIMO): Quoted from their site "Its a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to novel writing. Participants begin writing on November 1. The goal is to write a 50,000 word, (approximately 175 page) novel by 11:59:59, November 30."
- A Round of Words in 80 Days (#ROW80): Run by Kait Nolan. Here you set your own writing goal for the 80 days. There are 4 rounds a year, each running 80 days. Thanks @JayrodPG for this one!!
- 500 Words Per Day | 366 Days | 183K Words (#WIP500): Created by Cara Michaels, it is a daily writing challenge that take place as a commitment to yourself. You write at least 500 words per day on any work(s) in progress.
- 250, 500 or 1000 Words A Day: In this challenge you try to write 250, 500 or 1000 words a day (pick one of these goals), at least six days a week. Their website is also a great resource on Word Count meters to place on your blog no matter which challenge you participate in.
- 100 Words: In this challenge you set out to write 100 words a day. A fellow blogger just informed me about this one. Since the word count is so small you have the time to really take a close look at what you are writing, how it is said and determine if what you have written is actually moving the story forward. In other words, does it have purpose. Thanks Nancy at http://wordsforgotten.com/ you rock!!!
- May Novel Writing Month (MayNoWriMo) : The rules are simple: Name your word count goal for the month, begin writing at 12:00 AM on May 1st and reach your word count goal by 11:59:59 PM on May 31st to be called a winner.
- Academic Book Writing Month (AcBoWriMo) Writing for an academic audience. Total word count goals you set – journals, book chapters, books, doctoral thesis, or academic reviews.
- Six Sentence Sunday (SSS): BRILLIANT!! Its a way to share a tiny portion of your work with other writers, authors and readers as a means of gaining interest in your work or for feedback, support and encouragement! The idea of Six Sentence Sunday (SSS) began with Sara Brookes. Participating is easy. Pick any SIX sentences from your work from any genre, whether WIP or published (you don't have to be published to participate) and post them on your blog on Sunday before 9 AM EST.
- Blog writing challenges: A full list of Blog writing challenges
So, with my new writing schedule in one hand and a growing fellowship of writers in another I saddled up on my horse as I make my way to complete my 'precious'…novel that is. ☺


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August 11, 2020 - Latest: What has happened to markets this year? by Darius McDermott
10th October 2014
The cost of insuring a car has risen for the first time in more than three years and more increases are expected.
The average cost of annual comprehensive car insurance is now £582, up from £579 in the second quarter of the year, according to comparison site Confused.com, and while the increase is just £3, it represents the first rise since June 2011.
Confused said the cost of insuring a vehicle is still down year-on-year and the cost of comprehensive cover last year stood at £652 but consistent falls that have benefitted motorists may now be unsustainable.
Both men and women have seen quarterly price rises of £1 and £4 respectively although when broken down by age and location, some motorists have been harder hit than others.
Motorists aged 19 have seen quarterly price rise of £56, or 3.7%, and 20-year-olds have seen the cost of insuring their vehicle rise £41, or 3%. However, motorists aged 66 have experienced the largest price increase as premiums rose 6.1%, or £19.
Those living in the South have drawn the shortest straw, with premiums rising 2.6%, or £12, over the last quarter – the highest increase of any region. Drivers in Southampton have been most affected, with insurance costing £18 more this quarter.
Steve Sanders, finance director at Confused.com, said the incremental increases in average insurance could signal the end to falling car insurance premiums.
'The decreases in car insurance premiums that we've been experiencing for the last three years have been welcome news for motorists, however over recent months the heat has certainly come out of these price reductions,' he said.
'Our latest figures suggest that these price drops are now levelling out…It's been a mixed bag over the last quarter, with price movements affecting consumers in different ways. These latest quarterly price movements are likely to fuel further speculation that the insurance pricing cycle may turn in the near future.


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#BaliBikes is back and this year, I aim to push myself further.
I promise to ride 1 mile for every $5 that is donated towards Bike MS, an organization that helps people with Multiple Sclerosis. Feel free to share this post and help it gain momentum.
Donate here: bit.ly/balibikes
Find out more: http://www.nationalmssociety.org/What-is-MS


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Search by Part Number, Brand, or by Year make Model, and or Part.
- Skylark with LS Engine Swap 1 7/8 x 3in Long Tube Headers requires Kooks / Dirty Dingo Motor Mounts; 1968-1972
Kooks Headers
Model #: 29202400$1,068.47
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About Kooks Headers
Kooks Headers. Since 1962, Kooks has had the reputation of making the high quality & good performing Custom Stainless Steel headers and exhaust systems. All Kooks Exhausts and Headers are handcrafted here in the USA! Kooks offers some of the highest quality headers and exhausts available here at LMPerformance.com (along with Billy Boat, American Racing Headers, and Stainless Works Headers).
Kooks Headers and Exhaust offers production applications for many late model domestic automobiles. This means that you can get that custom header for your early or late model application for a fraction of the cost. There is no other header company in the country that can offer you a header for your gas engine truck, while still building handmade custom race headers that are used in applications making over 3,000 horsepower. KOOK's pride itself on being the pioneers in the stainless steel header revolution and have become the innovators in the exhaust industry as a whole. Kooks designs, tests, and manufacturers their products here in the USA. Don't forget to checkout American Racing Headers!
You probably cannot imagine a business starting from something as simple as a gas torch but that is exactly what happened when George Kook decided he wanted to build headers for his race car and he, being the avid racer he was, e had a presence in the local drag racing community and thus was the start of it all and KOOKS continues to have an inimitable presence in today's racing community, regardless of the kind of racing. Helping racers win in everything from NHRA to NASA was a goal for KOOK HEADERS AND EXHAUST and they have stayed true to that goal and have been instrumental in the winning of countless races in a variety of venues. A simple start did not deter a company like KOOKS because they were up to the challenge such a competitive industry has presented by always adhering to their primary goal of making a primo product that their customers could trust to improve their car's performance provided by a company that could be trusted. KOOKS HEADERS AND EXHAUST is unique in its ability to design and produce headers for something like trucks and then one of a kind headers for racing situations with their demand for tremendous horsepower and each and every one is given the same consideration when it comes to excellence of product since KOOKS knows each and every customer deserves the best. The quality of products like Kooks long tube headers for your Cadillac CTS-V, Pontiac Firebird, Pontiac GTO, and GMC truck and available on our website is undisputed with their custom design and primo quality stainless steel construction. And for off-road use in your GM series pick-up truck and SUVs and Cadillac Escalade KOOKS makes another superlative product, the OFF-ROAD Y PIPE with their OEM outlet that can be used with stock exhaust but must be used with KOOKS HEADERS. If you want the improved performance that comes with the KOOKS yet still want to be street legal then consider the Kooks GREEN Catted Y-Pipe for your Pontiac Firebird and Chevy Camaro and available on the LMPERFORMANCE web site. Since its inception KOOKS has been a family owned and run business whose manufacturing facility in North Carolina designs and fabricates their inimitable products on site, and they are the only company who offers high performance exhaust systems that are environmentally friendly. With recommendations like that you can be confident you are getting a product that is superlative from a name you can trust and you can get it at a competitive price on the LMPERFORMANCE web site.
These are some of the items you can find at LMPerformance for your Buick
The Buick corporation from Detroit to Flint in 1903 and they have been designing and selling premium, luxury automobiles ever since and have an impressive array of models. If you want to improve your Buick either in appearance or performance then you are in the right place for a preponderance of manufacturers who can help you do that, like SPEC, one of the preeminent clutch manufacturers, who can indulge your desire for a quick grab during launch at the track or just smooth operation during street driving with their potpourri of clutch kits for your Buick. Using materials such as molded carbon KEVLAR, high performance organic lining to fully-metallic discs for the highest possible friction co-efficient they present you with a myriad of possibilities depending on your needs and desires. Whether it be for your Buick Century, Electra, GS, Regal or Skylark the SPEC clutch will be a vast improvement over your factory installed clutch. And if you don't need a whole clutch SPEC can accommodate you whether it be with a clutch disc or a clutch pressure plate, all with their inimitable quality.
The Exhaust system in your Buick Skylark and Grand Sport is more than likely built with crush bending resulting in a decrease in pipe diameter and consequently a loss in power and the material it is made from is probably mild steel; so if you want to improve your Skylark's exhaust system install the PYPES Exhaust System. Rather than crush bending, PYPES uses mandrel bending which is less restrictive resulting in a noticeable advantage - a deeper and more aggressive rumble and "growl" in your exhaust; plus, the PYPES Exhaust System is made of stainless steel for longevity unlike the stock mild steel exhaust that deteriorates over time. The System can be bought with the loud Violator Muffler, the straight through core muffler- the Street Pro and the quietest muffler the Race Pro Muffler giving you a choice to fit your preference in sound.
Improve the passing ability and acceleration of your classic Buick Grand National with the FLOWMASTER American Thunder Exhaust System, the loudest system available in the FLOWMASTER line because of its two chamber muffler design. The resultant improvement in exhaust gas flow comes from the mandrel bending and the durability and lasting quality is due to the use of aluminized steel tubing, all leading up to top-notch performance.
The American Racing Headers for your Buick Skylark are available in 2 and 1/2 inch and 3-inch Header-back Exhausts and are top quality stainless steel with the primary tube sized for your unique engine output culminating in your desired performance gains and incredible sound. Be assured that all systems are thoroughly tested to avoid problems with installation or operation. Made in the USA and constructed with the small block yet powerful engine in mind you won't go wrong with a replacement American Racing Headers exhaust system.
The Orange stuff Full Race Brake Pads for your Buick ROADMASTER, Wildcat, Riviera, SPORTWAGON, Skylark, Regal, Le SABRE, GRANSPORT, Electra, Century, Centurion and Apollo are ideal for racing because they have a factory pre-scorched surface and are able to withstand extreme temperatures resulting from aggressive track use and as a consequence are longer wearing.
Improve the look and suspension of your Buick Grand National with an EIBACH Pro-Kit. consisting of four lowering springs designed to lower the center of gravity allowing you to stop quicker, corner faster and improve your gas mileage.


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Effortlessly blending into the residential backdrop of 64th Street, Hôtel Plaza Athénée has become a fixture of New York's Upper East Side. As such, we curate several on-property events each month for our guests to enjoy at their leisure. From Afternoon Tea at Bar Seine to a special Sunday Brunch in Arabelle you are sure to find an activity of interest to you and your companions. Be sure to stop by our Clefs D'Or Concierge station in the lobby for personalized recommendations of local area attractions and events to suit your tastes.
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"Friends are a recompense for all the woes of the darkest pages in life."
–Elizabeth Keckley
Elizabeth was born into slavery in early 1800s Virginia. Despite encountering significant obstacles, she managed to buy her own freedom from her owners for $1,200. She then went to DC to launch her own dressmaking business. There, she met first lady Mary Todd Lincoln. #FLOTUS Mary Todd hired Elizabeth as her personal fashion advisor. They became life-long friends. Elizabeth's clientele boasted the likes of Varina Davis (Jefferson Davis' wife) and Mary Anna Custis Lee (Robert E. Lee's wife), among other government elite figures. 👗💵
Following the American Civil War, Elizabeth wrote an autobiography titled "Behind the Scenes: Or, Thirty Years a Slave and Four Years in the White House" (1868). Both a slave story and a narrative about the first family, it became the subject of controversy for its inclusion of private White House matters.


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Good afternoon all! I hope you are having or have had a lovely Sunday! It feels weird to know that I have to go back to work tomorrow for a full week after being off for almost all the winter break. I love my job and am excited but am not feeling like getting up at 7am tomorrow to get to work on time!
However, I am excited to play around with my newest eyeshadow palette; the Tarte Tarteist Pro palette. I was able to pick it up while my sister and I went to Buffalo for a few days last weekend. It is so beautiful and I have had my eye on it for a while but here in Canada, the palette retails for $79 with tax, and that is just too much. So, I was able to pick it up in Buffalo for only $53 with their tax and am very happy that I've added it to my collection.
I love the brand Tarte. I adore their blushes; they are probably my favourite formula that I have tried. I like their mascara, and I love their eye shadows. I own 5 of their makeup palettes, the most of any one brand in my collection, and so I have decided to share my thoughts and swatches of these palettes with you!
In order of when I got them:
I received the Tarte Carried Away palette 4 years ago I think for Christmas. It was part of a holiday set that included the palette, a brush, a small setting powder, eight mini lip glosses (all of which I decluttered) and the blush that's in my project pan for 2018.
Next, I bought the Tartelette Tease palette. I had previously purchased and returned the full Tartelette palette but I had owned much similar shades to that palette and that's why I returned it.
Last year I purchased the Graveyard Girl x Tarte palette as I am a fan of Bunny and I also love Tarte shadows.
I purchased the Tarteist Pro to Go very recently, early October I would say and I love it so far.
Finally, like I mentioned previously, I just picked up the Tarteist Pro palette and have yet to really play with it.
Let's start with the Carried Away palette. I do not know how much the set retailed for but this was the first palette from Tarte I ever owned, and one of my very first high end eye shadow palettes to begin with. It came with one of those flimsy clear covers that had the names of the eye shadows on them and I actually taped it to the inside of the cover. I used to really enjoy this palette. As you can see from the photo, it was well loved! However, from using newer Tarte palettes I can say that their formula has changed and for the better. This eye shadow formula is hard to blend and a little chalky. I didn't mind that much when I was still a beginner in makeup, but now I reach for their newer palettes over this one. I do like the layout of this palette and how it separated the eye shadows into quads so that I kind of knew which ones would work well together. I do sometimes still use this palette, and I think it would be hard for me to part with this palette.
The Tartelette Tease palette retails for $30 CAN or $23 US. I can understand it is quite a lot of money to shell out for one small palette but I do use this palette frequently. It's a great size for travelling and I although I can't create too many looks out of it, it's great to use if I don't have much time to get ready and I just know how to make an easy eye look with it.
I am a big fan of Bunny aka Grav3yard Girl on YouTube. I love her vlogs and her chatty videos so when I heard she was coming out with a palette collaboration with Tarte, I knew I had to buy it. This was limited edition and Sephora no longer carries it. I believe it was about $50 CAN. I really love this palette even though some of the purple shades look similar to the Tease palette. I never have used the bronzer shade (it's too orange-ish and also has shimmer in it) and very rarely use the blush shade. The highlighter shade is to die for! The swatch does not do it justice! I use mostly the orange-y/gold shades in this palette and that top rustic orange-y shade (called Dogman) is perfection. I do use the brush it comes with but it's not the best brush ever. The palette isn't great to travel with but I do very much enjoy this palette.
Next comes the Tarteist Pro to Go palette. Again, this also retails for $30 CAN or $23 US. I purchased this back in the early fall and again it sometimes pains me to know I spent $30 on such a small palette but I love Tarte eye shadows! The colours are nice especially for the fall and the matte shades in this palette are the standout shades (the two in the middle column are beautiful paired together for a matte eye shadow look!). The plum shimmer shade is pretty all over the lid too. The shimmer shades work best when applied using your fingers, I find.
Finally we have the Tarteist Pro palette. This palette retails for $69 CAN and $53 US. I understand with the exchange rate that I pretty much bought the palette at the same price but it doesn't feel that way and I'm going to stick with the fact that I got it at a better deal! Haha! I had been eyeing this palette for a while and wasn't actually going to pick it up because it was A) so expensive and B) a few reviews I had seen had said that it wasn't so good. However, I follow Andrea Matillano and she is one of my favourite influencers to watch on YouTube and she raved about it. She made me by the Butter Bronzer from Physician's Formula which is my ride or die bronzer so I trust her reviews. The pigmentation looks quite good, and it looks like the shimmer shades would also be best applied using fingers too. I am excited to try this palette out!
I hope you enjoyed this post! If you would like to see a pictorial on one of these palettes, let me know in the comments!
Thanks! 🙂


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On September 21, 2015 we started another 90 Day Transformation Challenge. The challenge is our popular and successful weight loss program that sees contestants through 90 days of clean eating and intense workout challenges at Ultimate Fit Zone, a cross training gym in Monmouth County, NJ. The challenge wrapped up on December 21 and we are pleased to share the results with you.
Our first place finisher is Brian Woods. Brian astounded all of us with his dramatic weight loss and change in his physical appearance. He lost an incredible 34 pounds during the challenge and nearly 20 inches. In his before and after photo- he is wearing the exact same outfit. Take a look at how short the sleeves were on him when he first weighed in. After losing all the weight and inches, you can see how relaxed the sleeves are now. They fit much better and aren't bunched up on his arms. Also- he carried the majority of his weight in his gut. Just look at the difference now. His waist line is trim- which is so important for his health. Belly fat is one of the most dangerous fats and Brian is a husband and a father- we want to make sure he stays around as long as possible!
Our upcoming weight loss programs are: Jan 4, 2016- 21 Day Reset ( a cleansing/weight loss challenge), Feb 1 2016- Our 28 Day Fat Buster Challenge Couples Edition! (grab a friend, co-worker or spouse) and then our next 90 Day Transformation Challenge will be in April of 2016. All programs take place at our Monmouth County gym.


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June 26th, 2017
We gathered at Gilbert House Children's Museum from 10am-2pm to celebrate summer learning and see what amazing opportunities are available in the community. The museum had free admission for over 1200 youth and parents, with over 20 local partners hosting activities and information outside for families.
Activities happened inside and out throughout the day and here are a few pictures from the day.
- Summer Matters Celebration & Parade 12 pm
- Story Time in our Outdoor Book Corner @ 10 am, 11 am & 1 pm
- Free Ice Cream from Umpqua Bank
Partners present included:
- Salem Keizer Education Foundation
- MWVCAA-Head Start
- Marion & Polk Early Learning Hub
- Family YMCA of Marion and Polk Counties
- Salem Public Library
- Community Health Improvement Plan – Marion County
- Salem Police Department
- Salem Art Association
- Salem Multicultural Institute
- Micronesian Islander Community
- Willamette Heritage Center (Mission Mill)
- Kroc Center & Salvation Army
- Marion County 4-H
- Boys and Girls Club
- Cherriots
- My Living Canvas
- Oregon Virtual Academy
- Marion County Fair
- Young at Art
Summer Block Party June 27, 2016
Hundreds of children and adults joined us at the Gilbert House Children's Museum in Salem to celebrate summer learning! The party ran from 10am-5pm, with free admission to the Museum all day long and a dozen tables of activities and resources for families to interact with! Gilbert House, National Summer Learning Association, OregonASK and local partners worked to highlight the importance of summer learning. The day's events included:
10:00 AM Kick Off with NSLA Board Chair & Founder Matthew Boulay, Oregon State Librarian Mary Kay Dahlgreen, Oregon State Senator Mark Hass and US Senator Wyden Representative
10:30 AM BirdSlueth Obstacle Course with OregonASK
11:00 AM Storytime in the Sun with Mary Kay Dahlgreen
11:30 AM Toddler Stories & Songs with Newberg Librarian Mary Lynn Thomas
12:00 PM Door Prize Drawing
Dramatic Reading with Sierra Langford
1:00 PM Afternoon Reading with Chris Ross, Bryce Kozla and Katie Anderson
3:00 PM Door Prize Drawing & Zumba Dance Party with YMCA
4:00 PM Interactive Live Music with Jon Chinburg of FlexTones
Not to mention, a full museum of fun, partner tables with exciting activities all day long, and food carts galore! Thank you for all who came out and participated!
- Salem-Keizer Education Foundation Build It blocks, Bicycle Smoothies, Free Books and Trivia Challenge Wheel
- Young at Art with a hands-on art projects
- Marion & Polk County Early Learning Hub
- Marion County OSU Extension let kids make Flubber to take home
- Willamette Humane Society
- Oregon Department of Education Early Learning Division with Vroom
- Family YMCA of Marion & Polk Counties
- Salem Public Library signed kids up for the Summer Reading Challenge
- Willamette Heritage Center
- Willamette Valley Wellness providing massages for the weary
- Salem Bike Boulevard Advocates
- Face Painting thanks to My Living Canvas
- Courthouse Fitness
- Dolce Mama's Ice Cream Cart
Thanks to our event sponsors New York Life, Fresh n' Local, and Kettle Foods for their generous contributions! And to Umpqua Bank for distributing free ice cream and summer fun workbooks!
Download the Summer Block Party Flyer


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in memory of (someone or something)
in memory of (someone or something)
As a memorial to someone or something; to honor or remember someone or something. We planted that tree in memory of our grandfather. This monument is dedicated in memory of all the brave men and women who lost their lives defending our freedom.
in memory of someone
to continue the good memories of someone; for the honor of a deceased person. Many streets were renamed in memory of John F. Kennedy. We planted roses in memory of my deceased father.
in memory of
As a reminder of or memorial to. For example, In memory of Grandma we put flowers on her grave every Easter, or In memory of our happy times here we've planted a little garden. [First half of 1300s]


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Fall Pacific Summit
CPABC 2017 Fall Pacific Summit | September 20-22
Experience "The Power of Connections" at CPABC's 2017 Fall Pacific Summit. This three-day professional development and networking event is your opportunity to connect with colleagues old and new, learn from industry experts, and discover the latest accounting-related products and services.
Professional Development
Gain up to 16.25 CPD credits and fulfill your ethics requirements at the Summit – choose from over 20 CPD sessions that address a variety of career-focused topics, including collaborative technologies, global economic matters, leadership, succession planning, and much more. Two, four-hour ethics sessions are available on September 20.
Keynote Presentations
Hear new and inspiring perspectives on the power of play, partnerships, and productivity from the Summit's three keynote speakers.
Roger Haskett, engagement expert and actor: Did you know play has been scientifically proven as an effective means to increase engagement, performance, and innovation? Roger will demonstrate innovative techniques that incorporate elements of play into meetings, team programming, and education in his session, "The Power of Play."
Kelly J. Lendsay, innovator and indigenous leader: Learn how organizations can foster their inclusion initiatives and how harnessing the power of partnerships can create new social and economic prosperity for indigenous and non-indigenous communities alike. Kelly will present the session, "Inclusion Leadership – The Power of Partnerships, Who is Leading, and Why."
Linda Edgecombe, award-winning motivational speaker: Linda will explore ways to stay focused and energized in today's overwhelmingly busy world. She will offer relevant and easy solutions, combined with her refreshing and humorous style, in her session, "Shift or Get off the Pot! Energy and Engagement in Crazy Times."
Special Presentations
Bridging BC's Skills Gap: Three prominent C-suite CPAs will discuss current hiring challenges, how these challenges they can impact productivity, and potential solutions for businesses and employees.
Update from the CPABC CEO and Board Executive: Learn the latest updates from CPABC in a panel session presented by the CEO and members of the Board Executive Committee.
Strengthen existing partnerships and meet new colleagues at the Summit's networking events. Kick off your Summit experience on September 20 at the Welcome Reception, which will take place at the historic Laurel Packinghouse. On September 21, meet up with fellow CPAs and learn about the latest accounting-related products and services, at the Exhibitors' Networking Reception. Plus, access the exclusive Pacific Summit mobile app to connect with other attendees, download session handouts, and play the interactive game for a chance to win great prizes!
Register now and Save
Register before the early bird deadline – 12 pm on August 21, 2017 – and save $100. Further discounts are available to groups of 10 or more, as well as to new CPAs who became members in 2017! Contact the CPABC Events Team for details.


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Petticoat Lane will host their 2017 launch event on Monday November 7th at 7pm in Lisburn's The Vintage Rooms.
Tickets are £20 per person, and all proceeds are in aid of Action Cancer. The tickets will include a drinks reception, tapas and a goodie bag with fabulous discounts from the bridal industry.
There are some fantastic suppliers on hand for you to talk to on the evening. Models will display the 2017 collections by designer on the evening. There will be a fabulous raffle with prizes such as £150 towards wedding stationary from Kaizen Print, make-up lessons or skincare vouchers to name a few.
Tickets must be purchased through the boutique by calling +44 2892 689 974.