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Thursday, August 11, 2016

Staying Cool With Luvs Diaper Deals #ShareTheLuv

This review was made possible by iConnect and Luvs.  I was provided compensation to facilitate this post, but all opinions stated are 100% mine.
There's no doubt being a parent is a lot of work. As summer closes, and kids start back to school all the necessities can really take a toll on your budget. Having a baby in diapers makes our weekly expenses go up, so I love to save any way I can. We can cut corners on certain school supplies, but I can't take chances when it comes to keeping our baby girl's bum comfy and dry! Luvs the official diaper of experienced moms is offering big savings in this Sunday's paper. Find out more about how you can save on diapers with ibotta below.

Why Luvs?
If your baby has ever had what I call a blow-out, then you understand the importance of ultra leakguards. If no other time than when you're away from home with a limited number of clothes you want your diapers to contain the mess! Did you know Luvs offers a Money Back Guarantee? They do! They feel so confident about their diapers if you're not satisfied they'll give back your money. Find out more at Luvs Diapers.

Ready to save money on diapers? Then grab your scissors and this Sunday's newspaper to save up to $2 on soft, more absorbent than ever Luvs diapers! August 14th in the P&G insert you'll find a Luvs coupon to save $2 on any one diaper pack (travel size excluded.)

More ways to save! Download the free Ibotta app, available on iOS and Android, and search “Luvs” to unlock an exclusive $5 rebate.

Links to download: iTunes OR Google Play

  1. Shop for your Luvs diapers at any participating store.
  2. Confirm your purchases by scanning product barcodes and submitting a photo of your receipt.
  3. Save money and earn cash back!
Your $5 cash back rebate will be deposited into your Ibotta account within 48 hours!

  1. Luvs never worked for us but I love seeing great diaper deals!! Lets be honest...they are a necessary expense!! Any relief is so awesome!

  2. Sounds like a good deal! We use Luvs on my youngest grandson and they hardly ever leak.

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Friday, October 24, 2008

A Drity Job

I have been back at my favorite hobby, reading. I have read a lot of books over the last few months and thought maybe I should start reviewing them here. I have no idea who reads this (probably just me and my mom at times, sad? I don't think so) but maybe more people will if I add more to it. With that said this will be the first of many book reviews. I have already done movie reviews and I will also do restaurant, store, and trip reviews as time goes on. I guess if nothing else I want to chronicle my life as best I can at this point. Who knows, maybe my children will find this interesting one day.

So the first book is A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore. This is not the first book of his I have read but the first I will discuss. The story is about a Beta male who finds out he is actually Death (or one of several deaths). His job is to collect souls of the deceased to pass on to other people, thus completing the chain of life. Whether or not you believe that souls get reincarnated it is a very interesting book. The way Moore describes a beta male was what drew me to it first. My husband is a self-proclaimed beta male and seeing how the personality can be mocked in the book helps me to deal with some of his more trying traits (namely that he never wants to try anything new... kind of irksome but I guess I can't blame him now). The location is also special to me as I have always seen SF as a cookie kind of place, like it could be it's own little world and the story is well placed there with excellent descriptions that make me want to go visit. I also enjoyed the unusual characters, from squirrel people to the Emperor of SF (which is much better than being the Emperor of Oakland ;). The story is a little long in points and does drag but it is worth it. Especially for the final scene of the fight between the deaths and Death it's self (who it is you will have to read to find out). This book also overlaps with two of Moore's other books which I think helps to sell the idea of reading the others.

I think this is a worthwhile read if you like fantasy (or slightly fantasy books). I give it four bookmarks out of five, for the excellent story but the slow parts did hurt it a bit.

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July 10, 2009

Red Hot Ruby Summer

The ruby is one of the world's most precious gems, prized not only for its color but also for its durability -- it is the second hardest gemstone after the diamond. In crystal healing, rubies promote powerful and positive feelings, helping to strengthen the aura of the wearer and encouraging spiritual expansion.

The word ruby comes from the Latin ruber, meaning red. Not surprisingly, the gemstone has a strong association with love, passion and life force. Perhaps it's not a coincidence that this powerful birthstone for July is also, when used in meditation, thought to increase vitality and independence. Some believe that placing a ruby over the heart activates feelings of love and protects it from negativity.

Luckily for the discerning shopper, several {NewNew} jewelry designers work with the genuine article, providing many beautiful ways for you to protect your heart.

That's not a bad deal for a bauble -- something pretty and protective of your life force? Score!

Of course, if it's the color you respond to more than the stone, then the {NewNew} definitely has you covered. Click here for a complete list of all thing ruby red.

-- persuede.etsy.com

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Monday, February 23, 2015

新年好 / 新年好 - Happy New Year!

Don your red dresses! Southern California is hosting the biggest public events for the Lunar New Year in the U.S. We celebrate the Year of the Goat or Sheep, depending on how you interpret "yang". We consider ourselves lucky to have such easy access to so many exciting, public, global events right in our backyard! What an inspiration!

New Year Lion/©Caruso Affiliated

You can't miss it. Increasingly every year, Los Angeles is really getting into the mood! Our malls - here the beautiful Grove - feature lanterns, dragons and wishing trees.

The Grove Central Street with Lantern/©Marion Renk-Rosenthal
The God of Wealth/©Caruso Affiliated - hank you to Caruso Affiliated for sharing the photos!

Get in the mood! Here some pointers:
Those born in 1919, 1931, 1943, 1967, 1979, 1991 or 2003 are goats, who can count their lucky colors as brown, red and purple.
Their characters are supposedly kind and peaceable, Creative, thoughtful, frank and honest while their best months are supposedly August and November and their lucky flowers are primroses and carnations.
Children born this year have good chances of becoming pediatricians, actors, daycare teachers, interior designers, florists, hair stylists, musicians, editors, illustrators or art history teachers.

Seeing this list, we assume that many children born in the Year of the Goat may join the event industry!

If you want to get your kids involved in the celebration give them a little money in a red envelope. It's good luck! By the way: only unmarried people get lucky red envelopes and only married people give them out.

Red clothing and fireworks are ubiquitous. The reason is the mythical monster at the center of New Year's, Nian. Nian is supposedly scared of the color red and of fireworks, so chasing the monster away is essential to a good start into the new year.

Chinatown in Downtown Los Angeles and Costa Mesa, Orange County are hosts to the two biggest official celebrations.
Chinatown shut the streets on Saturday, February 21st for the 116th Annual Golden Dragon Parade and Chinese New Year Festival.

Orange County's Vietnamese Community took over the OC Fairgrounds for a 3-day long celebration for Tết Nguyen Dan, organized by the non-profit Union of the Vietnamese Student Associations of Southern California.

It was an explosion of color, music, dance and parades - and a little global excursion just a few miles from our homes.

The celebrations last for 2 weeks so you still have plenty of time to join the festivities!

Happy Lunar New Year!

Monday, February 16, 2015

Update on New Orleans: Are Good Times Rolling Again?

One of the biggest parties in the world is happening right now, Mardi Gras, in one of our very favorite cities in the U.S.: New Orleans.
We decided to check how the city is doing almost 10 years after Katrina and 5 years after the worst oil spill in U.S. history.

We talked to the Convention and Visitors Bureau, ISES NOLA and Event Pros Take Action and their local partner, St. Bernard Project. We contacted The Data Center, an organization that tracks economic and population statistics in Louisiana and publishes The New Orleans Index.

New Orleans Population decrease. The population of New Orleans fell from 484,674 before Katrina (April 2000) to an estimated 230,172 after Katrina (July 2006) — a decrease of 254,502 people and a loss of over half of the city’s population. By July of 2012, the population was back up to 369,250 — 76% of what it was in 2000.
Source: The Data Center, August 28, 2014

The Data Center examined economic factors, population inclusion aspects across and inclusive of socioeconomic and racial spectra, quality of life and sustainability factors. In the latest available complete New Orleans Index (August 2013), they came to the following
Despite all the shocks it has endured, New Orleans may be on a path toward long-term
success. {} The economy is a current strength of New Orleans. Diversification is happening with
traditional industries (such as shipping and tourism) and newer knowledge-based
industries (such as higher education, insurance agencies, and heavy construction and
engineering) expanding despite the Great Recession. Entrepreneurial activity is taking
off.  {} Improvements in quality of life are being enjoyed across the metro. The presence of
arts and culture organizations in the city has never been stronger. When coupled with
entrepreneurship trends, it is clear the metro is a creative place. There is no doubt that a commitment to improving amenities, such as recreational programs and education, is helping to solidify New Orleans’ identity as a unique place.

Good news, indeed! In fact, Forbes ranked New Orleans at the top of the list for Where Working-Age Americans Are Moving! (Source: New Orleans CVB).

Samantha Lister, VP of Communications for ISES NOLA concurs:
"New Orleans is a city with a strong sense of culture and community.  Not much is going to keep us down for any length of time.  While Katrina put a large dent in our population it didn’t do anything to deter the love and passion we have for the city and bring it back to its former glory.  We as a city and as a hospitality/tourism destination have been back and booming for years.  We have hosted the Super Bowl, NBA All-Stars,  WWF Ultimate Championship, the PGA Zurich Classic, thousands during Jazz Fest and millions every year during Carnival and Mardi Gras to name a few.  We are a convention city destination that can offer history, sights and most importantly flavors that no other city in the country has.  We have expanded our airport and street car lines.  Here hospitality is the local’s everyday personality.  Everyone is family and happy to see you.
It has been 10 years, are families all back and in their homes? No, we still have many community involvement organizations that are finishing resident’s houses even 10 years later due to lack of funds, governmental red tape, ownership paperwork for families who have lived in the same house for 4 generations, etc.  The difference is that tourists, conventions, guests don’t see those areas unless they are looking for them specifically.  The French Quarter, City Park, Audubon Zoo and Aquarium, St. Charles Avenue, the shopping district on Magazine Street, our amazing restaurants like Commander’s Palace, K-Paul’s, Restaurant August, Bayona are all here and have been open serving guests pouring in over the last 9 years.
The BP Spill affected our seafood market.  Our city thrives on seafood and we push to keep everything local.  While during that time we had to outsource product it didn’t close our restaurants or lesson the great flavors that our city is known for worldwide. Your article title should read:  Update on New Orleans: Good Times Continue to Roll!"

But as mentioned above, not everyone has recovered!
Our friends at Event Pros Take Action in partnership with St. Bernard Project are still rebuilding homes in New Orleans, nearly 10 years after the flood.

©St. Bernard Project - 2015: A street in the lower 9th Ward
 Chris Fehrenbach, Director - Community Outreach and Volunteer Department at St. Bernard Project:
"We are only 10 years into a recovery process that  is estimated to take 15 to 20 years. We work with marginalized communities; poor families with small children, the elderly, the disabled and veterans. Our organization has currently 120 families on the waiting list. After Katrina, 65% of affected families became victims of contractor fraud that occurred during the desperate post-flood situation. There were lots of scams. Families gave their FEMA money to fraudulent contractors who either did a very bad repair job or just stole the money outright. The victims have no recourse. The perpetrators are either bankrupt or in jail; or they simply vanished. The families are left with unrepaired homes. Others had to spend their FEMA money on more pressing medical bills. Many of our clients were sickly and elderly before the flood. They got worse after the storm. There are still thousands who have not returned home. Event Pros Take Action is instrumental in helping us! They work tirelessly to raise funds, through Crowdrise and fundraising events very year. You really understand the impact EPTA's work has at the Welcome Home Parties we hold to welcome families back. Present and past volunteers and the home owners celebrate together. Naturally, EPTA's parties are the best (He laughs). It's hard to heal without a home. EPTA brings peace and joy back to these families!"

Susie Perelman,  Co-Founder and President of EPTA and Owner of Mosaic, Inc. (with Larry Green, Co-Founder and Vice President of EPTA and CEO of Rentals Unlimited):
"This year will really be big for us in New Orleans.  In addition to rebuilding homes, our volunteers will  contribute to four events instead of two this summer. Led by Mark Wells of Hello-Florida  and Evan and Jordan Carbotti of Perfect Surroundings, we will furnish homes for two special families,  AFR Event Furnishings has already donated all the needed furnishings for them! This year, We are partnering with ISES Live with a " stay and work component" at their conference! In addition to repairing homes, David Merrell, of AOO Events,  will organize a special celebration with Covenant House, and David Price, of Rentals Unlimited, will work on a special project with Liberty's Kitchen, a Nonprofit organization training at-risk youth in culinary arts.”

Chris Fehrenbach: "It takes $25,000 per house to repair a home."

EPTA has a goal of $50,000 they need to raise to bring two marginalized families back home!

You can participate and lend support by making an online donation towards their fundraising campaign,  Crowdrise! Sell tamales, pedal your wares or do whatever it takes  - but please help!

All EPTA events in New Orleans will take place August 22-25, 2015.

While there, check out all The Big Easy has to offer our industry!

Arielle Desse from the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau
was so kind to share the latest Convention Bureau Report figures:

        The number of annual visitors has increased from 3.7 million in 2006 to 9.28 million in 2013, with the highest visitor spending in city history. This fact is further supported by the numerous travel awards the city has received, including ConventionSouth Magazine readers voted New Orleans the “Most Meetings Friendly” destination in December 2014. Readers selected for their favorite destinations on social media in October 2014.

·         New Orleans is a culinary capitol of the world. Despite declines in populations, the number of restaurants in the city has more than doubled with currently more than 1,400 restaurants in operation.

·         There have been billions of dollars in new investments including $336 million to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and $90 million to improve the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (MCCNO). The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is embarking on an ambitious new venture that will revitalize the City’s riverfront. The Convention Center District Development Project, situated on 47 acres upriver from the Center,  calls for construction of a new “headquarters” hotel, a linear park along Convention Center Boulevard, outdoor entertainment, arts and cultural venues and new retail and housing options.

·         MCCNO is the sixth largest and one of the most technologically advanced convention facilities in the country, boasting 1.1 million-square-feet of contiguous event space, more than 140 different meetings rooms, two exquisite ballrooms and customizable auditorium space. A recent $52 million renovation added the 60,000-square-foot Great Hall, a large outdoor pedestrian plaza, interior and exterior balconies and energy efficient LED lighting system that can be customized to nearly any desired color combination. The Great Hall contains four divisible spaces and 25,000 square-feet of pre-function space. The grand entrance overlooks a high-definition, customizable video display board welcoming each guest.

·         New Orleans can overcome anything. The city is America’s comeback story. All eyes are looking forward to the city’s tricentennial in 2018, when we’ll be the best, brightest and most talented 300-year-old in history.

Good Times really continue to roll!

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Monday, February 9, 2015

Music for Your Brain's Neurochemical Systems

Get out your boom box, the Week of Love is here!
We are bringing you the best music for Valentine's!

As if we did not know it: according to a recent study "background music gives young Japanese adults a more favorable impression of conversation partners of the opposite sex for the first meeting during conversation for konkatsu". (Source: Psychology of Music)

But seriously, the study reveals the changes in the neurochemical system in the brain. We fall in love a lot more easily when the right tune is playing in the background.

DJ Lee Dyson has noticed the impact on the dance floor - and just in time for the Week of Love he has compiled a list of love songs that will make you swoon!

However, we all have been in that bad spot in life where love songs are just unbearable! If you recently have noticed that no amount of kissing will change your frog into anything else, keep on reading!

Lee Dyson: "I want to make sure we don’t forget about all those poor jilted & jaded lovers out there so I also compiled a pretty significant list of Anti-Valentines day songs!"

Either way, we think that Love is Universal to All, no matter what part of the planet one resides- and we hope you celebrate this week!

Monday, February 2, 2015

Happy to Introduce Our New Director of Business Development: Nikki Wilbur

photo by
We have finally found the perfect woman!
Happy to introduce our new Director of Business Development: Nikki Wilbur

Contact Information:

Phone: (323) 321.1793

Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn!

As Director of Business Development, Nikki will be attending many industry functions on our behalf. As part of the EventWorks Family, she will also assume Event Producer duties.

We "clicked" right away when Nikki walked in the door.
She comes with serious credentials. She is a Certified Meeting Planner with a degree from Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, NY, and 8+ years of experience working in our industry.

As you can see, she is also fearless! This is Nikki, dangling over the rim of the Grand Canyon! - and yes, we did get all maternal and told her not to repeat that type of adventure!

Photo provided courtesy of Nikki Wilbur

Things you should know about Nikki:

*In her 8 years in Boston, she managed every aspect and type of event, ranging from executive level meetings to national symposiums.
*She is equally comfortable in Sales and Event Production.
*She volunteered as an organizer of many of  her college's alumni events - and continued on for 10 years!
*She attended a Performing Arts High School before deciding not to pursue a professional dance career.
*She studied economics and dance in college and discovered her true calling - event production! - after a short stint in the financial world.
*She loves to travel and does not miss a chance to visit art events, anything from photography to ballet.
*She moved to California just last summer and turned into a beach girl instantly.

Nikki is looking forward to her new challenges and meeting all of you!

We are happy to welcome her to our team!

Please feel free to call her or drop her a line to connect.
Thank you!


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Wednesday, January 09, 2008

A therapist just breezed by my desk and noticed the smallest twig of a spider plant in a small vase, trying to sprout roots. Referring to last summer and fall when I often brought in single smallish flowers and put them on the desk, also in the tiny vases, she commented on how much she loved my minimalist plant life. I smiled and thanked her, appreciating the kudos for sure because I too, love the small and that is why I have the small.

"But then, look up at this." She said, gesturing to the cork board that expands above and by my head and over the desk. It was strewn with all sorts of bright and big, photos, drawings, candy boxes and work-related charts and graphs. "It's quite the dichotomy." I looked up at my bulletin board. I liked it very much, especially the picture of William Shatner as Kirk thinking, "I love Lauri."

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Sunday, August 31, 2014

Happy 6th Birthday Mary!

My beautiful baby girl Mary was born at 1am on this day six years ago. She is kind, careing, silly, outgoing, and a true leader. Not to mention, she got her Mother's good We are so proud of you Marmie. Happy Birthday my princess!


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Saturday, June 21, 2008

Taking the Seminary to Church by George

George Wieland, New Testament lecturer from Carey Baptist College, New Zealand, shared in an earlier article on his experience as a Theologian Without Borders.

In this posting he shares an idea on bringing together academy and church, blending teaching, resourcing and partnership in ministry. George says:

It started as a pragmatic response rather than a theoretically driven initiative, but it sits well with my theoretical convictions!

I have researched, written and taught on mission in the New Testament letter to Titus and have sometimes taught on the topic in local churches e.g. in one-day seminars or church camps.

One church asked me to help them think about mission in their local context by presenting some of my Mission in Titus material in the form of a series of four sermons on consecutive Sundays. I was unable to block out a month of Sundays for this but I also felt that a visiting speaker trying to apply what was learned from the New Testament to their own context was a second best. Surely it would be more fruitful for the church itself to make the application?

So I proposed an alternative - I could go along for one Sunday service but a few weeks before their "mission" month I would spend an evening with a group of people from the church, resourcing them to think through and prepare a series of Sunday services in which mission insights from Titus would be presented and applied to their local context.

That is what we did. I met with about a dozen people (the church's pastors, worship leaders, others involved in aspects of the church's leadership and teaching ministry) for 2-3 hours one evening. We gathered after work for pizza and then launched into a teaching session in which I presented background information, some exegesis, theological ideas and some practical suggestions for application in four main areas.

One of the pastors took responsibility for dividing the participants into work groups, one for each of four Sunday services, and allocating to each a particular aspect to develop.

I returned to preach at the first of the four "Mission Insights from Titus" Sundays. The team for that week had prepared appropriate worship, there was a drama to reinforce the main application and one member of the group had written a song taking up some of the ideas from Titus.

The dozen participants were themselves greatly enthused by the project and the excitement was rippling out through the church. After that first service Home Group leaders asked if their groups could be involved in thinking through the mission issues, so with a little more input from me the pastor overseeing the series produced study notes so that the groups could participate. The senior pastor commented that the process of involving members of the church in working on the Biblical text and relating it to their own situation had galvanized the church as a whole and there was a sense of ownership that would have been difficult to generate from a series of sermons from someone from elsewhere.

I felt that the experiment had been fruitful for the church, building Biblical and theological capacity, and from the participation of the church members I in turn was able to learn what the ideas I was drawing from the Biblical text looked like translated into a specific local context.

Dr. Geoff Pound

Image: George Wieland

Check out the Careyplus approach to serving the local churches.


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Murky outlook for Android’s update pact

The mixed track record of Android phone vendors offering software updates for their devices has been one of platform's weaknesses, overblown as it may be by Apple fans. Back in May, Google tried to address the problem by getting handset makers and carriers to agree to update all phones for at least 18 months.

Now, with the major Android "Ice Cream Sandwich" update upon us, PC Magazine's Jamie Lendino says phone makers are failing to live up to their commitments and the May promise is "dead."

The thing is, while the Google Update Alliance ended up being one of the biggest stories to come out of Google I/O, we've heard almost nothing about it since then. You can bet we weren't just going to forget about it and pretend it never happened—especially after the release of Google Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), which is a huge leap in UI design and overall performance.

So seven months in, we thought we'd circle back and ask all those vendors an important question: How's it going? Here's what they had to say—and unfortunately, it's not at all good., December 16, 2011

It's a fair topic for a hard-hitting story and it's a great idea for a high-profile publication like PC Magazine to press manufacturers and carriers on this issue and publicize their vague non-responses.

On the other hand, if a big player like Samsung offers no information about which of its four recent handsets will get the "Ice Cream Sandwich" upgrade, it's hard to conclude much about the state of the company's update commitment yet. Furthermore, Sony and HTC have already announced they plan to update all their recent phones. I'm all for holding Samsung's feet to the fire. I'm just not sure it's time to declare the whole effort "dead" yet, as Lendino does in the headline.

Posted by Aaron Pressman

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Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Sugar Overload

Yesterday was lovely. After I'd had a few cups of coffee and checked my emails I set off on a hike up one of the hills that overlooks Baños. It was more or less a Pixie Trail (I LOVE Pixie Trails!) but it was pretty steep. As I was stopping every 10 minutes to take a rest school kids were running up past me, one in his bare feet, but they all said 'Hola'. To be fair, they have youth on their side and I had the heat nd altitude against me. 3 workmen also stopped on their way down for a brief chat and to shake my hand. It's at those times I'm glad I've got even a little bit of Spanish so I can be polite and friendly back to the locals.

I was completely exhausted by the time I made it to the cafe at the top but the spectacular view and cold fruit juice was my reward. The juice was made from local fruit. It didn't specify what kind but it was lovely and refreshing.

I met a guy from San Francisco at the cafe so I had some company for the trek back down again. I was glad to be on my own on the way up though 'cos I like to take things at my own pace, which is generally slower than most people's. It was nice to have company on the way down though.

BaÑos is a great place for people with a sweet tooth. I bought a little box of confectionary that had cubes of a thick fruit jam-like substance and cubes of fudge. Well, I say fudge, it was like fudge but without the condensed milk.The lady also gave me a little free sample of the sugarcane, which is so sickeningly sweet not even I could finish it.

After my hike I indulged in the famous thermal baths that are rich in minerals and heated by the nearby Volcan Tungurahua (which has been spouting mushroom clouds of smoke at an alarming rate this past couple of days). I started off in the medium bath which was lovely and relaxing. Then I had a go in the super hot bath but could only stick it for 10 minutes. Even though the heat was uncomfortable it still felt like it was doing me a lot of good.

Afterwards I had a really healthy dinner of roasted onions, tomatoes and peppers with tortillas and salsa. That's the healthiest meal I've had after so long in Mexico eating cheese and drinking Oaxacan hot chocolate. After my dinner I had a cup of hot passion fruit juice mixed with alcoholic sugar cane. It was pleasant but not the kind of drink most people would enjoy, probably because of the sugar content.

I then went back my hostel feeling well-fed, well-exercised and well-relaxed, content to do a bit of reading before bed but ended up going out for drinks with some people and undoing all the good that I'd done to my body. I woke up this morning feeling horrific. I don't blame the beer or the rum, I blame the alcoholic sugarcane!

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Tuesday, March 25, 2014

A week in outfits

Hello, beauties! It’s such a lovely day today and I want to share some great news with you. Last week I started my internship in Dusseldorf. The first week is over and it was so amazing! And this also means a new direction of my daily outfits… We don’t have any particular dress code and the company is quite young. So, I am currently searching for some inspo of the stylish and modern looks. And this means, no old-fashion suits and white collars.

A white blazer is definitely one of the must haves. And it looks so fabulous with almost all the formal skirts, pants and dresses. But it also matches with the casual jeans and shorts so great. This outfit of Poppy Delevigne is gorgeous.
Biker jeans, a white blazer and  the sunnies are a perfect match. Still, I am in love with the Temperley London embroidered top. And look how Poppy’s hair dress matches the outfit. The embroidery on the top and the braided hair style look so good together.

Perfect boyfriend jeans are no. 1 in my shopping list right now. I would combine them with a white printed shirt   some simple pumps and funky sunnies
Skater skirts are so amazing! The look so fun with a cartoon shirt, a neon pistol clutch and awesome flats.
I love the combination of the lace skirt, an embroidered top and modern stiletto heels. It's so feminine yet stylish and trendy.
Long live the basics! That's something that saves me in any situation. A striped dress, a basic leather coat and black boots will rescue when you don't have little time or creativity.

And here is my idea of a casual Friday. Let it rock! Leather boots, denim jacket and jeans rule. And here comes some punk touch with an awesome backpack. I actually love this trend and I think I’m going to buy some cool backpack. I remember when I finished wearing a backpack to school and started wearing a handbag. And it felt so strange. And now, about twelve years thereafter I can’t imagine myself wearing a backpack again:)

The last look was inspired by Miranda Kerr’s street style. I picked a fabulous white blazerprinted pants from Choies and a simple white shirt. The accessories are also quite basic. The aviators, stiletto heels and a suede bag make the look absolutely perfect. It’s so versatile, and fits for a business meeting, going shopping or even for a party after the working day is over…

  1. Hello from Spain: I really like the style navy striped dress. Great Proposals. Keep in touch

  2. I love a basic outfit that you can add a great statement necklace or a dressy scarf ... There are some really sweet items... especially the adorable little striped dress :)

  3. Hey,
    You´ve combined perfect looks here!
    I´ve just loved them!!!

  4. I approve ;-) everything looks super stylish!

  5. Love the first shoes!


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Saturday, May 05, 2007

The birds were out in force to see me off. Greenfinch first in ages. Dunnock, Robin, House Sparrow and two baby Blackbirds and Dad.

Well the drive was a nightmare, we hit just about every bit of traffic possible! Oh and on our comfort break I managed to knock over a full mug of tea. Did I imagine a voice saying "take a photo Nic" ? Still Nic and I picked up Anna at Hereford Station and JUST made it!

The funeral service was very moving with both Boo's sons speaking well (I couldn't have done it). We joined family and friends after. Obviously these things are only ever something you get through, I am pleased I went. But I still find it hard to believe, I still expect her to suddenly appear on yahoo one night.

Nic and I were booked into the Belmont Lodge. My room was very comfy. Spent an enjoyable evening polishing off a couple of bottles of Sauvingon Blanc and yes i did have tears in my eyes a couple of times.

1 comment:

oldcrow61 said...

Happy to hear things went well Pete. I know there must have been difficult moments. It was wonderful that you guys went there.


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Wednesday, February 8, 2012

don't faint

but I did some scrapbooking! very simple stuff....

IMG_0006This page is also featured over at Simple Aussie Girls today, as this week we relaunched after the summer holidays. And, if you are a scrapper, there is a great giveaway happening over there today as well.

  1. Even better the second time I've seen this today!

  2. Timely photos. I love your layout and the page protector is such a great idea.

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Monday, April 27, 2009

I'll Be Back

Someday. Be patient.

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Books are more than a words

Jan 26, 2016

What's New? Holding Up The Universe by Jennifer Niven

Guys! You have no idea how excited I am for this new book by Jennifer Niven! I loved All The Bright Places, it was one of my favorite books of last year and now that I know about her new book I'm dying to read it. It sounds so different and yet lovely.
Check it out!

Expected publication: October 4th 2016

Holding Up the Universe
Holding Up The Universe

Everyone knows Libby Strout. She’s the girl who was so heavy she had to be lifted out of her house by a crane. After being homeschooled for years, she’s ready to rejoin the human race, aka the junior class of MVB High. She’s free, she’s strong, and she’s going to get through this—or so she lies to herself. (Okay, fine, she’s terrified out of her skull.)

Everyone knows Jack Masselin, too. He may not be the most popular guy in school, but he’s got swagger. What no one knows is that Jack has a secret: his brain is different, or maybe a little broken, and he can’t recognize faces. Even his own brothers are strangers to him. But he’s made it this far, and he just has to keep it up: Be charming. Be hilarious. Don’t get too close to anyone.

Until he meets Libby. When the two get tangled up in a cruel high school game—which lands them in group counseling and community service—Libby and Jack are both pissed . . . and then surprised. Because the more time they spend together, the less alone they feel. Because sometimes when you meet someone, it changes the world, theirs and yours.

Jennifer Niven delivers another exhilarating, heart-wrenching love story about finding that person who sees you for who you are—and seeing them right back.

  1. This looks good!! I still need to read All the Bright Places as well.

    1. I loved ATBP!! I hope you do!

  2. I saw the buzz over this one! To be honest, I'm not into YA tough-issue contemporary at all, but I know how well the author's debut novel did. I doubt I'll read her stuff but I hope you and everyone else enjoys this new book!

    Have a great week, Lis. :)

    Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!

    1. Thanks, Alyssa! I hope I love this one as well.

  3. I'll wait to see what you think of this one, Lis!

    1. :) I hope I love it like ATBP!

  4. Ohmyghaaad. So excited for this! 😊

Hey! Thanks for stopping by! Please leave a link to your blog so I can go say hello :)


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Monday, 8 February 2016

Rose Quartz and Serenity

The skies of late January. Quiet and full of magic. The day I took this photo I had been haunted by my lover's shadow. Some days it's like that. I see him everywhere. All of the places were we once stood together, charged with ghosts of past conversations.

The 99p store in Saint Johns is particularly brutal :( I'm not sure I can even go in there right now. In some ways the lingering shadows are a comfort, but then the unfairness of it all hits me again and I cry. I am drowning in more sadness than I ever imagined. But then I remember that I am a mermaid. Always remember what thou art.

Back in November Steven took me to The Ship and Mitre pub to exorcise my ghost from a particular table I had been known to haunt. It fixed the place for him at last. I understood.

Films about ghosts. Memories are a strange and powerful force.

I have been writing again. My superpower. Sometimes blogging feels redundant. At this point the witch hunt mentality against me is so strong that I do not feel free to express myself properly in public, so the paper journals win out. But I refuse to be silenced completely. I still need to share.

I know my situation isn't unique, shitty as it is. My heart goes out to anyone else who has lost a loved one only to be hit by a tsunami of adversity. To expect comfort and shared compassion but receive nothing but cruelty. If nothing else, it is a catalyst for brilliant strength and endurance. A burning nest for a phoenix rebirth.

I stitch. I play guitar. I sing our songs.

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The Reliable Market

--- You can click here to return to the News & Specials page. ---

     Armando "Eddie" Pacheco was born August 18, 1913 in Warren, Rhode Island. He was one of nine siblings of immigrant parents from the Azores, Portugal. After high school, he worked a couple of summers in the grocery store of a friend, in Oak Bluffs, on Martha's Vineyard. He liked the Vineyard and wanted to return some day.
     While he was working as a Coca Cola delivery man in Rhode Island, he met (Irene) Helen Santos. She was one of 11 children, and working in her father's grocery store in Middletown, RI.  Her parents were immigrants from the Azores, also.
     ED and Helen (age 31) married in 1945. They lived in New Haven, Ct. for a year, where Eddie was a regional sales manager for Standard Brands, Inc., a food company.
     But Eddie still had the dream to go to the Vineyard and open his own grocery store. In 1947, they made the move, and opened the Reliable Self-Service Market on the main street in Oak Bluffs.  (He put the "Self-Service" in the name because it was quite innovative at that time for the customer to pick the items from the shelves, instead of the clerk doing it.) In this small town, on an island accessable only by boat or plane, there were five other grocery stores on the same street when he opened his store.
    Their only child, Robert, was born in 1947. As he grew up, he was in the store daily, just like his parents.
     In 1960, Eddie bought three buildings further up the same street, and combined them into one store. Combining the three stores resulted in floors that were (are) somewhat uneven.  The isles of the store were set on a diagonal, running from the front door to the back of the store. This was necessary to distribute the weight properly on the floor support beams. This created some isles that were wider than others. But when a customer entered the front door, the main aisle led straight to the MEAT CASE! Shortly thereafter, Eddie bought two more buildings behind the store, and tore them down to make a parking lot.
    The business was incorporated on April 1, 1961. It was still run by Eddie and Helen. They had a full line of meats, groceries,produce, bread, frozen foods, health and beauty aids, and dairy products.
     After running his grocery store for 18 years, Armando "Eddie" Pacheco died from cancer on October 2, 1965, at the age of 52.
     Bob and his mother, with other family members, kept the store running. Instead of going to college as planned, in 1966, Bob went to the National School of Meat Cutting in Toledo, Ohio, for an eight week course. The diploma he received stated:
     "Robert applied himself to the training and does have a good workable knowledge of meat cutting, merchandising, service, self service and freezer meats. Good attitude toward his work.  Very cooperative. Highest grade in the class."  (The school no longer exists.) He returned to the store to continue his father's tradition of friendly sdrvice and quality meats.
     In the late 1960's and early 1970's, Bob drove a straight job truck to New Bedford every Monday night to pick up a load of groceries, milk, produce, and meat, returning to the store on the Vineyard the next morning.
    In 1973, Bob married a nurse named Donna Day. A year later their daughter, Jennifer was born, and in 1976, their son Eddie (named after his grandfather) was born. Once the children were in school, Donna began working in the store.
     The business became a "S Corporation" on January 1, 1984. As it had been from the beginning, the store was open 8:30am to 6pm Monday through Saturday, and 9am to 1pm on Sundays, closing only for Good Friday, Christmas, and Thanksgiving.
     Helen Pacheco, known as "Mrs. Pacheco" to most of her customers, continurd to work in the store. She handled the register, as well as the paper work. Up until 1995, the registers were the old fashioned kind, where the price of each item was rung in by hand. She had "House Charge" accounts, where customers could charge their groceries, then pay for them later. She kept the records by hand, and never sent out any bills. "They know they owe me. They will pay when they can" she would say. Her only interests outside the store were the Catholic Church, and the Boston Celtics. She was an avid Celtics fan, especially for player Larry Bird.  She received a basketball signed by the team one year, and later passed it along to her grandson, Eddie.
    Mrs. Pacheco worked in the store every day, even past her 91st birthday. For her and son Bob, the store was "home". They invested all their time and interest in the store. She was a constant presence in the store and people enjoyed seeing her when they shopped. Her daughter in law, Donna, and her granddaughter, Jen, gradually took over the office duties. Her grandson, Eddie, started working in the dairy department, and after college, moved to the meat department.
     On her 90th birthday, family from off island, and friends from across the island gathered to celebrate her birthday.
     On October 23, 2005, at the age of 91, she died following a stroke. She had been at the helm of the business she and her husband had started for 58 years. It was a successful business. Gradually, all the other grocery stores on Circuit Avenue went out of business. But Reliable remained...reliable!


WARC-Truncated: length

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Beer Maps on Maps on Maps

By October 6, 2011Beer Travel, Events
TRP Map 10-01-11

As many of you might know (should know) the primary reason for us starting this website was to map out great beer destinations across the U.S. gathering information from our travels, locals and beer friends. Brewing News is a great newspaper resource that publishes regional quarterlies on craft beer. We used this early on in our trip and still seek them out today. It is a good way to see what breweries are in each state, but not helpful for the larger cities with multiple breweries. That and we are iPhone dependent. Digital is better for us.

Beer Mapping and Pub Quest are two other great resources with large databases on breweries, brewpubs, tap rooms and beer stores. Beer Advocate also has a complete directory with reviews, but you need to get a login, they lack mapping and it just takes too many clicks to get to the information you need. All of these sites fell just a little short for us and so we thought that there was room for improvement, hence, The Roaming Pint project.

TRP aims to present the most important information for a brewery, right up front you can find the phone number, location address, website, if there is food or limited hours and of course the map. Highlighted by pretty pictures, an occasional video and some features of a destination like happy hours, events or “don’t miss” tips, we try to give a thoughtful delivery for each posting. Even better, all of this is easily searchable from any page on the site (see open search tab) and if you know what you are looking for, you are only two clicks away from the map! It’s that easy.

Last week as we were preparing for GABF, I stumbled across this interactive map that shows all the breweries that were pouring in 2011.

And I couldn’t help but think of our trip, comparing where we have been with where we still need to go.

Then our friend Angela, from Nebraska Brewing Company, posted a link to the 2011 GABF Gold medal winners map and again I found myself thinking, “Ooh Chuckanut, we’ve been there! Ska Brewing Co., we are on our way!”

Since launching the site 2 months ago we have featured about 40 breweries and visited just about the same.

Hopefully by the end of 2011 we will have visited over 200 breweries and featured every single destination that we have visited. As always, we welcome suggestions. Currently, we are still in Colorado, planning on hitting up Colorado Springs over the weekend then heading west through Durango eventually making our way over to San Diego for Craft Beer Week the first week in November. Our @WhereIsStanley always has our latest location if you are curious. Thanks for following our progress!!

Who is Stanley??

Author Maria

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Analog Thoughts on a Digital Age

Friday, February 24, 2006

Spiderman is in Black

ok, i got thrown in molasses, so?

Let me remind you folks that this is not a fan-made poster. This was picked out of the url

Looks like Spiderman will be wearing black in the upcoming Spiderman 3. With all the villain announcements like Venom, it looks like this could be very very interesting....

Props to The MovieBlog.

Blogger Sedricke said...

woah. just woah.

7:20 PM

Anonymous Chipester Khan said...

muhhh... muhhh... woah!

of course I already have this saved on my computer hehehe

Spidey in black is the shit, like a Ninja but only a whole lot cooler!

11:10 PM

Blogger the rocketboy said...

Sedricke: My words exactly. Very articulately put.

Chipester: I wonder wnhat other surprises are instore for us in Spideys world....

4:53 AM

Blogger hedbeats said...

Since Venom is involved, it only makes sense that Spidey will be in black, don't it? Doesn't he become that space creature's host or however it goes? Or am I mixing things up...and asking too many unnecessary questions? Right? Wrong?

5:31 PM

Blogger the rocketboy said...

hedbeats: Yes that's true. But that would also mean that he will be in black for only a certain part of the movie. because he takes the alien costume off and it gets worn by Topher Grace....oooops spoiler! Haha, just kidding.

5:44 AM

Anonymous anetski said...

OH WOW!!!! this i gotta see ahead of everyone else!

5:40 AM

Blogger the rocketboy said...

I'd love to do that to...

...but I am afraid they're still shooting it!!!!!!

4:47 AM

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Search Engine

A program that allows a user to search for information stored on a computer system or network, most commonly the Internet. A web search engine uses programs called spiders or crawlers to regularly search the Internet, create copies of all pages and index them in a database. When a user queries this database by entering terms into the search engine, he or she will receive a list of web sites ranked by relevancy (as determined by the engine's algorithms). These are called organic listings. Many search engine databases also contain paid listings, which are typically purchased by commerce sites.


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Monday, 16 December 2013

My mother was somewhat disappointed that I wasn’t a reader. I was a true tom boy, hanging by my knees from the swing set, climbing trees, playing ball, riding bikes. Sitting around reading seemed such a waste of time. In an attempt to change that mom gave me ‘Forever Amber’ by Kathleen Winsor. She thought I might like it because I enjoyed history. Set in Restoration England the book covered politics and fashion as well as the black plague and the Great London Fire.

I enjoyed Forever Amber but it didn’t really spark my interest in reading more. My mother’s next attempt came on my fifteenth birthday when she gave me a beautifully bound copy of ‘Pride and Prejudice’

One by one mom gave me each of Jane Austen’s novels. If I didn’t read anything else she wanted me to read the classics, particularly Austen. My teachers had opted for Dickens and Hugo but their dark story telling was not to my mother’s liking she preferred Austen’s quirky, playful take on the Regency middle class and aristocracy. That hooked me; Jane Austen was the reason I started to enjoy reading.

One of the last gifts I got from my mother was a set of special edition Jane Austen novels. I’m fairly certain had it not been for my mother, Jane Austen and my late husband, Michael I never would have become a writer. I like to think that my mother is proud, Michael is pleased and Jane is smiling at my attempts on the literary stage.

About the Author

“Which of all my important nothings shall I tell you first?” (J.A. June 15, 1808)

I reside in a small Victorian village in southern California; a mere two miles from my place of employment, a local hospital where I spend most daylight hours as a scrub nurse in the operating room.
That I have very domestic hobbies.
That Mike, my late husband, teacher and mentor, taught me to treat writing like a job; so every day no matter how tired I am I write.
And so you have a few of my nothings.

Yours Affectionately, Jane Austen eEdition is on sale for .99 until the end of the year.

The Man Who Loved Jane Austen

You can find Sally Smith O'Rourke at (the everything Austen site)

Book Trailer

Sally Smith O'Rourke is giving away eEditions of both her Austen-inspired novels. Check them out in the rafflecopter form below
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jo's Daughter said...

I'm glad that your mother got you interested in reading Sally. For I have always loved books & especially those Jane-related :) Really enjoyed your story about The Man Who Loved Jane Austen!

Lúthien84 said...

We share something in common, Sally. It was my mother who got me interested in Jane Austen when she brought home an abridged copy of Pride and Prejudce. So we must both credit our mothers for introducing us to the world of Jane Austen.

Sophia Rose said...

My mother gave me all the Austen novels for my birthday and we read the first one together. I was a tomboy too, but I loved reading before bedtime with mom. Thanks for sharing!


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Monday, October 2, 2006

Angry Mullahs, Teachers & Farmers

There are news and confirmed stories (in Persian) of an angry mullah, named Ayatollah Kazemeini Borujerdi, leading his followers against the Islamic regime of Iran. I heard more about him via a call to one of the VOA Persian's live programs.

While I am against any Mullah and I believe a good mullah is a dead one, I do admit that those Islamic clerics, who know the regime is doing all these crimes in the name of their religion, are getting more vocal against the phoney ruling ayatollahs of Iran. And any action against the regime inside of Iran is appreciated any way. No body is happy with the regime.

This ayatollah has sent two open letters to Javier Solana of EU asking him to refuse any offer of negotiation from Iranian envoys and has also sent a letter to Pope Benedict asking for help. Now there are reports that regime has detained more than 40 of his followers, including many women, who were guarding his house in Tehran to prevent regime agents from attacking their spiritual leader.

And I m also hearing from inside of Iran, that hundreds of Iranian teachers will stage sit-ins and strikes this coming thursday in front of ministry of education in Tehran and government offices in other cities to protest against low incomes and discriminations...

Meanwhile, reports indicate the sporadic clashes between farmers and regime's security forces have occured many times in the month of September in north of Iran.

All these sporadic moves against the regime must be led to bear fruit and world community should support the Iranian people with one strong voice.

Rosemary said...

Yes, the world should. I am so afraid they will not. Are you aware that the UK made a truce with the Taliban, against NATO's leadership's advice, to leave a place they were protecting?

With guts like that, who will fight with us? Oh heck. We never needed their help before. I just wish these people who think they know oh so much would get the hell out of the way of freedom for the Iranian people.

I've been reading The Daily Times. I really should read something else, but who else will tell us the news?

It is good that the people are gaining strength. I pray for them that the mullahs do not harm them. Or anyone else for that matter. Thanks for link!

Aryamehr said...

As long as Iranians understand what it means to be a mullah i'm fine if they USE this as an excuse to stage something for the benefit of the country. But if they like dumb cattle are going to elevate a lowlife mullah to take over the country then they are indeed fools who do not deserve any better.

Louise said...

I hope this is the beginning of something much greater and totally effective.

The cynic in me imagines some American money and other types of influence being at play here, which is a good thing, but somewhere down the road, say a generation or so from now, there will be an incorrigable monster emerge who was once part of this movement, and here we go again. The leftie loons will be moaning and crying about how the US made this monster because they supported the movement for freedom.

But, no one can predict the future, so I say, if there is American support, which I'm 99.99999% sure of, good on them.

na said...

Hey Friends,don´t trust mullahs..THINK,why we do have so many problems?and what is our problems?any voice against this regime is good but don´t forget whose hostages we are?
the enemy of my enemy is my friend?..i would say: not always!!!
It´s nice to hear that even mullahs have problems with this Mullah-regime!!

c.h. said...

I have to give credit to Ayatollah Borujerdi for being outspoken against the regime.
His followers who are trying to protect him deserve credit too.
I would think his arrest will come soon.


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Tuesday, February 21, 2012

What to do with Decorative Tape

If you're like me, you went crazy for the new decorative tapes on the market:  Washi Tape, Fabric Tapes, Tim Holtz tissue tapes, etc.  So now I have a bin full, but have yet to use it.  I don't make cards, so I needed some inspiration.  I finally got some...

Years ago my sister had sent me two flameless candles, about 3" high.  Although they are a cute idea, I never used them because they were just too plain.  As I was packing the Christmas decorations away I came across them and brought them down to my studio.  That's when it hit me to wrap them in some decorative tape.

The one on the left is from Victorian Roses by Laughing Elephant.  For the candle on the right I used Madison Avenue Monogram "A" tape on the bottom and some Pink Alice in Wonderland tape from Japan above it.  Too cute!  Now I love them!

1 comment:

  1. Alice, I love the tape...and I love it on the candles. I may have to use it in addition to the fabric that I use on mine. Love it! They're soooo pretty.

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Thursday, November 29, 2012

Hamper Malfunction {Frequent Frustrations}

What is it with men and not understanding how hampers work? When I read Whit's post about her dirty laundry woes I was laughing my butt off, because Darren does almost the exact same thing! The dirty clothes are rarely ever in the hamper, but better yet, they're two inches away from it! There are pretty much two piles of Darren's clothes in our bedroom. One right next to the bed (and the hamper), and then another right in front of the shower.

But wait, there's one thing he does that is better. When I was pregnant with Quinn I was a terrible, horrible, awful nag -and I will fully admit it- about the dirty clothes on the floor. All you mamma's will probably know why I made such a big deal about it. The farther you get out of that first trimester, the harder it is to bend over. I'll be damned if I was going to exert that much effort, and risk not being able to get back up, to pick up his dirty clothes that he could EASILY put in the hamper. Seriously, move your arm over 2 inches before you drop that shirt. SOOOOOO he got a lot better at picking up his dirty clothes. While I was pregnant. 2 years later he's almost back to pre-pregnancy mess making status. But, hold on, leaving clothes on the floor wasn't what I was getting to - so he started picking them up, and he still does some times, but then he goes on to do this....
UNDONE: Dirty clothes on top of the hamper
THAT IS AN EMPTY HAMPER! Apparently lifting the lid is just too much. At least they're not always on the floor, but after a few days a huge pile ends up on top of the hamper, and we have throw them all off to open the lid and put them in. Silly boy. If that lid is not open the clothes go on top, without fail, every time. In all honesty this cracks me up more than frustrates me. Does he really think it's better to have a pile on top or the hamper rather than on the floor? Either way they're not in it. What silly habits does you hubby have?

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You Are Here: Home » Local News » Dr. Calvin Hyton Shirley Leaves a Medical Legacy Which Spanned Over Half a Century in Broward County

Dr. Calvin Hyton Shirley Leaves a Medical Legacy Which Spanned Over Half a Century in Broward County

Dr. Calvin Hyton Shirley

You could probably count on one hand the number of individuals who have had the impact that the late Dr. Calvin Hyton Shirley has had on this community. He practiced medicine in Broward County for 54 years, during which time he is credited with delivering over 6,000 babies. Dr. Shirley succumbed of natural causes last Saturday, at Broward Health Medical Center. He was 91- years-old.

Dr. Shirley’s name is among a short list of Black medical pioneers who practiced in Broward County during those early years when the Jim Crow days of segregation were the law of the land. That short list also includes Dr. James Sistrunk and Dr. Von D. Mizell. These African American pioneers blazed the trail in medicine which broke down racial barriers and opened up the doors of opportunity for other African Americans in the medical profession.

Although Dr. Shirley spent the majority of his life meeting the medical needs of Fort Lauderdale’s African American community, he was deeply devoted to his family.

His youngest daughter Carmen followed in her father’s footsteps entering into the medical profession. She began practicing family medicine in 1993.

“My father always led by example. All the things in life he wanted us as children to learn whether it be compassion or resilience or any of those characteristics that he wanted us to eventually exude as an adult he taught us by using himself as an example. He is my hero. I am the person that I am because he was my first teacher. Before there was medical school he was grooming me to be the next doctor in the family. But he was that way with all of us. He always taught us to put God first, then family and community.”

Dr. Calvin Hyton Shirley was the oldest of four sons born to the late Reverend and Mrs. Edwin S. Shirley of Jamaica, West Indies. Graduating from Booker T. Washington High School at the age of sixteen in Pensacola, Florida, Dr. Shirley matriculated to Florida A & M University (FAMU) in Tallahassee, Florida where he obtained his pre-medical education majoring in Biology and a double minor in Chemistry and Education. During these undergraduate years, he played trumpet in the College Marching Band, Symphonic, Jazz and Dance Orchestras. This afforded him a full music scholarship which helped to pay his tuition and living expenses.

Drafted into the United States Navy after the completion of his college career and during World War II, Dr. Shirley served his country as a Hospital Corpsman in the Asiatic Pacific Theater of War. Following an Honorable Discharge from the Navy, Dr. Shirley enrolled in the Boston College of Physicians & Surgeons in Boston, Massachusetts graduating Summa Cum Laude. Finishing his Internship and Residency in Obstetrics & Gynecology at Boston City Hospital, he returned to Florida in 1949 to commence his medical practice.

He joined the three medical doctors already established in Fort Lauderdale at the Old Provident Hospital and became a Staff Physician there delivering a career total of over six thousand newborn infants.

Pioneering as a Medical Professional, Dr. Shirley has accomplished many firsts during his practice; and along with Jeanette E. Shirley, his late wife and herself a BS degreed Registered Nurse, implemented the first curriculum and operations for Broward County Licensed Practical Nurse Training Program. He later became the county’s first Medical Advisor to the Sickle Cell Foundation.

Dr. Gordon Merritt first met Dr. Shirley back when he came to Fort Lauderdale to practice dentistry in 1963. They met at a meeting of the Medical, Dental, & Pharmacological Association which was held at Dr. Shirley’s medical office. Not only were they close friends but both were members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Both men shared a deep respect for one another and spent their entire careers practicing medicine and dentistry in Broward County’s African American community for over 50 years.

“Not only was Dr. Shirley a patient of mine but I was a patient of his also. He was one of the stalwarts in Fort Lauderdale as far as medicine was concerned. He was always very kind and cordial to everyone he met. I really enjoyed the comradery that we shared together over the years. We always had an enjoyable time together. I just spoke with him two weeks ago. He invited me to come up to his home in central Florida. He was a pioneer in this community. I’ve never known anyone to speak a negative word about him during the entire time that I have known him. The community is going to be at a loss for a person of that caliber. He had the community and I mean our community at heart. ”He was one of those who was vested in our community.”

“Dr. Shirley was always the voice of reason and always very calm,” added fellow Kappa Arthur Kennedy.

Frank Nask, CEO and President of Broward Health re-leased the following statement regarding the passing of Dr. Shirley.

“Dr. Calvin Shirley spent decades helping his patients and transforming healthcare in Broward County. He was an amazing man who not only brought thousands of lives into this world but worked to change the world, into which they were born. My interactions with him were limited, but I’ve come to understand his character and commitment through his daughter Jasmin Shirley, our vice president of community health services. A dedication to healing and public service are his legacy and those qualities continue in his children.”

He was the first and only Black physician who in 1985 received the coveted Heideman Memorial Doctor of the Year Award. This award is sponsored by the Greater Fort Lauderdale Caducean Society – an organ of the Broward County Medial Association. Dr. Shirley is also the first Black physician to serve on the Executive Board of the Florida State Health Planning Council. He is the lone survivor of the first four Black physicians admitted to the staff of then Broward General Hospital (now known as Broward Health Broward General Medical Center), opening its closed doors to physicians of color, which paved the way for acceptance of all future Black physicians. It took many court battles to win this privilege.

He was instrumental in getting Fort Lauderdale’s County Health Department building erected in a predominately Black community, thereby affording more accessibility to available county health facilities and public health services. This facility, Northwest Health Center, originally housed the county’s first AIDS Care & Treatment Center developed and directed initially by his daughter Jasmin Shirley and with whom he shared his expertise during that time.

George Burrows ,Sr. began operating Burrow’s Electric during the late 1940’s and was a longtime neighbor of Dr. Shirley. The Burrows family lived right across the street from him in their Black middle-class neighborhood in Fort Lauder-dale. Their children grew up together and their family’s shared many birthdays, holidays, and special occasions together.

“My family and our community have suffered a great loss, but I thank God for the life of such a good man and dedicated community servant. I thank God also for the many fond memories He has allowed me to make over the past 60+ years with my dear friend Doc. The corner of Northwest Fourth Street and 16th Avenue will never be the same,” said Burrows.

Nationally, Dr. Shirley served 15 years as the Grand Clinical Director and Assistant Grand Medical Director of the Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World. This service is rendered during their annual Grand Lodge Conventions held in various large cities throughout the United States.

Among his honors and awards are the Broward County Historical Commission Award; the Southern Provencial Achievement Award presented to him by his brothers of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity; and a plaque of “Merit and Appreciation” from Florida’s former State Governor, Reubin Askew, for having provided “Valuable and Distinguished Services” to the State of Florida.

Having asserted himself in many ways, Dr. Shirley is listed in Who’s Who among Black Americans; Who’s Who among International Intellectuals; Personalities of the South, and the City of Fort Lauderdale has honored him with the name of Northwest 22nd Road changed to “Dr. Calvin H. Shirley Road.” He built his own office there and retired from that location in 2004.

Other community accomplishments include his being the Founding Polemarch (President) of the Fort Lauderdale Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He is a 32nd Degree Mason; a Shriner of Kazah Temple #149, Miami, Florida; a Brother of the Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity of Alpha Rho Boule. He holds membership in the Broward County Recreational Vehicular Campers Club; and as an avid golfer, he held membership in the Palm View Golf Association. He has been a member of St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church over the past 63 years serving in its choir as its trumpet accompanist.

He is the proud father of three sons: Calvin, Jr., John Walbridge, and Cedric Hyton; two daughters, Jasmin and Carmen (also a physician); and the grandfather of five; Calena and Joseph Shirley, and Jenaye, Jasmine and Kelsey Mack.

The wake will be held on Friday, June 29, 2012 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Dillard High School Center for the Performing Arts Auditorium, 2501 N.W. 11 St., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, June 30, 2012 from 10 a.m., to 12 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 1750 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens, 3201 N.W. 19 St., Fort Lauderdale.

The repast will be held at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church Parish Hall, 318 N.W. Sixth Ave., Fort Lauderdale.

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You Are Here: Home » Opinions » People of color are challenged by the politics of morality

People of color are challenged by the politics of morality

Derek Joy

Derek Joy

People of color are challenged by the politics of morality

By Derek Joy

The Rev. Dr. Gaston Smith and his Friendship Missionary Baptist Church congregation came face to face with the ills of life among people of color.

Not that it doesn’t or hasn’t happened in other ethnic communities. It does. And it has.

Black Americans have historically been systematically denied access to virtually every arena of life. The lone exception, albeit grudgingly so, is the church. Yeah. The history books don’t tell the stories of how people of color were treated less than human in the practice of religion.

Consequently, with all the obstacles to overcome, one would think that people of color – if nothing else – would respect houses of worship.

But no. The low life burglars could not find strength of morality, belief and faith to resist committing the sins of criminal acts on that house of God – Friendship.

Instead, they broke into the church. Stole an estimated $30,000 in equipment and left bloody fingerprints on the church van. They showed the most scurrilous kind of scoundrels run free in our society.

People of color let that happen. Allow murders to be committed in their midst. Tolerate all manner of Black on Black crimes without a word. In silence. Some because of fear.  Others for any number of reasons apathy included.

So, why blame other ethnic groups for what they do to us, when we tolerate the same or worse from each other?

Somewhere on the road of life a light comes on. Morality is taught at home, in school and in church. Does that mean the Friendship burglars did not have home training, go to school or church?

For sure, it shows how idle minds are the devil’s workshop. Definitely reached the limits of stupidity and a gross lack of self respect. Committing crimes against a house of God. And did it with the intent to profit.

Doesn’t take much to see others find little incentive helping those who refuse to help themselves. Right there in front of your eyes. No self respect. Don’t respect others. Just a total disregard for God and His places of worship.

Such ungodliness and lawlessness nurtures self destruction. Moral bankruptcy and the rest follows. Won’t find communities getting outside help when that kind of scurge runs rampant.

A sin and a shame. Silence makes it worse. How many more times does it have to happen? How many more murders and other Black on Black crimes have to be committed for people of color to take responsibility for their street, their community?

Burglarizing a house of God is the pits. The absolute bottom of the barrel. Those who silently allow such moral bankruptcy to permeate their midst are no better than the perpetrators.

It is time to look inside, look in the mirror and get busy with positive action.

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    Carma Lynn Henry Westside Gazette Newspaper 545 N.W. 7th Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33311 Office: (954) 525-1489 Fax: (954) 525-1861

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"The Whimsical Gardens" is the dream of John & Beverly Cannon

of Harrison, Ohio where for over 35 years they have been developing their 5 acre landscaped gardens.

John’s love for gardening began at the age of 14, when he began his landscape gardening apprenticeship at a large scale garden in Cincinnati. John's life-long passion for art got its official start about the same time, with four years of high school art classes.  After high school, he continued with studies in water color, charcoal, cartooning, photography and construction techniques while in the military (Navy Seabees).  Upon returning to civilian life, John completed an apprenticeship in cabinetmaking and antique furniture restoration which lead to development of his woodcarving skills and his membership in the Cincinnati Woodcarvers Guild.  John continued to gain construction experience as a finish carpenter and construction supervisor with a Cincinnati based contractor that worked in residential, commercial, and industrial construction.

Garden landscaping, construction, and his artwork had to share time with his return to the University of Cincinnati to obtain an Engineering Technology Degree.  This degree extended his career into both Engineering and Construction Management with a local company.  Upon retirement John returned full time to his passion for art and landscape gardening.  John's studies took him to  Dublin, Ohio where he completed a series of stone carving classes conducted by a master stone sculptor.

John’s continued love for both gardening and art has developed into a talent for creating original garden themed stone carvings.

John has demonstrated his sculpting skills and exhibited his art at past Ohio Renaissance Festivals, the Dublin Ohio Irish Festival, the Franklin County Indiana’s Antique Machinery Show, and MAC Art Shows in Miamitown Ohio, Metamora’s (Indiana)  "Voyage Through Time" and "Canal Days" Festivals, as well as the Harrison FCN Bank's  "Artist of the Month" Series.

John is an active member of the Midwest Art Consortium (MAC) and is continuing with his sculpture studies under professional sculpture John Leon of Evendale, Ohio.


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Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Woofy Wednesday

I have to confess, I love it when my person lies in bed in the morning and lets the alarm go snooze. She scratches my belly and my ears and my back and I snuggle next to her and almost fall asleep. If she just didn't have to keep moving to get that dang snooze. She says she has to get up and go to work, but I think it's plenty enough work just keeping me scratched properly. Lol. - Cousin Max

  1. We love morning snuggles, too! And we agree ... that infernal snooze thingy sure is bothersome.

  2. Glogirly ALWAYS hits the snooze. Sometimes I wonder if I'll EVER get breakfast!

    Thanks for coming by my blog today! Glogirly has been "busy" lately and has made it all but impossible for me to visit my friends and fans. But I'm hovering over her shoulder now.'s the least she can do to make up for my V-E-T visit.

    (Glogirly's Cat)

  3. Mom doesn't even HAVE an alarm clock! But she goes to bed real early and gets up in the wee hours!


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Our Kitchen Floor

It needs to be replaced soon. Our kitchen floor especially in the cooking area is getting slowly damaged. It is due to our defect faucet. We did not noticed immediately that our faucet continues to drop water until one morning the kitchen floor got so wet. It is made of wood and get slowly damaged. Our kitchen and dining needs a total make-over. I wish to have some acura tl custom floor mats on the floor when it will be repaired. For now, we are just doing some improvisation. I wipe it from time to time. We are currently looking for our portable dryer to dry everything in our wet kitchen floor.

We just had a lot of home improvements this year and want to do next our kitchen as soon as we can and when finances are available. At least, we have a house that we can call our home.

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Friday, May 4, 2012

Casting Janus

I don't think I can begin to adequately express how excited -- and nervous -- I am about my upcoming release of Phoenix Rising Book One: Janus. This book is a couple years in the making, and I've wanted to get the next stage in the Phoenix stories out there for awhile. I just hope people haven't forgotten me!

Today, I want to have a little fun. Everyone has seen the 'cast your characters' posts, so that's what I'm going to do today. But, I'm going to do more than just the hero and heroine of Janus, I'm going to cover a few characters who appear in the book. The Phoenix books are told as a 'cast of characters', which I love doing.

We'll begin with the main characters of this book.

First, we have John Smith XXXIV, Ambassador from Aretu. Yes, that works out to "John Smith the Thirty-Fourth. He tells Beverly Surimoto in the first series the Areth are a people of tradition. Or a lack of imagination. John was introduced in The Phoenix Rebellion as an Areth soldier stranded on Earth when his ship was destroyed during an attack by the Sorracchi. Now that we have won the war, John has set aside his weapons to stand as an ambassador between our worlds.

I use Christopher Eccleston as my inspiration for John. (Yes, if you're a Doctor Who fan you see my side there). Christopher Eccleston isn't your typical Hollywood Sexy kind of hero, but there is definitely something about him that appeals to me. And much to his chagrin, John Smith is seen as a bit of a sex symbol on Earth.

His counterpart is Jenifer. Just Jenifer. He sometimes thinks of her as Jenifer Of No Last Name. There is a reason she uses no last name, but that reason is only revealed with time. She's a tough, independent, snarky woman with an intelligence John can only guess at and a beauty hidden behind cold, angry eyes. And you'd better hope she never shoots at you. You're as good as dead.

I had a harder time focusing in on who I might cast as Jenifer, but ultimately I chose Claire Forlani. My father thought Claire was just beautiful, and he said it was because of her eyes. They hid a great deal. And that is a key element of Jenifer... the secrets she hides behind her eyes.

A lot of past characters from The Phoenix Rebellion are still integral parts of the ongoing series, and I'm putting them below -- as they say in Hollywood -- by order of appearance.

The book opens with Lieutenant Colonel Connor Montgomery and his Second-In-Command Mel (Melanie Briggs). Connor and Melanie command the Firebirds, an elite group of Earth Force soldiers. The best of the best. Connor is brother to First Lady Caitlin Montgomery-Tanner, and for much of the first series, assumed dead. He and Mel appeared in End Game to help save the day and now they work for The Prez.

When I think of Connor, I think of Ben Browder. A bit of that southern charm to him, although Connor grew up in France. He's cocky, sexy, and hunky. Mel is a soldier, but she's also a woman (a fact Connor isn't likely to forget). I see her as a short-haired Mandy Moore. The point about Mel is she isn't afraid to break a nail, but put her in a dress and Connor's jaw is probably on the floor.

Colonel (Ret.) Nick Tanner was a major player in the first series, and now he's a very, very important man. Nick Tanner is now known as President Nicholas Tanner... and that would be president of the world, by the way. In The Phoenix Rebellion, Nick finally got Caitlin Montgomery to the altar and now she's his first lady.

If you're a sci fi fan, these two look familiar. Actually, many of my inspirational actors and actresses probably look familiar. Nick Tanner is without question a character personification of Richard Dean Anderson from his Jack O'Neill stage on SG-1. All that sexy silver hair and sexy arms and... *ahem*... sorry. Tangent there. And his Caitlin is Amanda Tapping, also known as Sam Carter on SG-1. Worked out well like that.

Although other characters come around... Jace and Lilly Quinn... Beverly Surimoto and Victor... along with the introduction of new characters, the final two who really make an impact in the book and series are Michael Tanner and Jacqueline Anderson.

Anyone who followed the first series knows I love Michael. Of all the characters I have ever written, Michael is "The One". The character I'm so glad came from me. There are so many reasons, but mainly it comes down to there can never be anyone else like Michael. He is unique... and beautiful. I'm sure that doesn't make sense, but if you saw Michael the way I do, you'd understand.

Because Michael is Nick's son, and often said to look just like Nick twenty years younger, Michael is in essence also inspired by Richard Dean Anderson. Just more of a MacGyver era versus SG-1. Michael perpetually has his hair too long, and is slow to smile, but he's brilliant and has a heart so pure it's fascinating.

I wish I could say who inspired Jacqueline. In truth, I found this image years ago and it fit her well. Jacqueline is great for Michael because she challenges him in ways no one else can. She is very opposite to him, but he's made her into a different woman for loving him and being loved by him.

Okay, that's it. The next book, Triad, will have some old characters and some brand spankin' new characters... but that's for a future post.

If you haven't read The Phoenix Rebellion yet, you have a great opportunity to buy all four books at a discounted rate. Now you can buy a 4-book pack, in your choice of five different electronic formats, through the Desert Breeze Publishing website. An almost 30% savings!

  1. Gail, Your fascinating post about your secondary characters tells me how passionate you are about them. Yes, I can understand how you feel about Michael. I think we all have a special character we cherish. I especially like John Smith's picture. He has that other worldly look. Enjoyed this post.

    1. Thank you, June. It's hard to really say any of them are truly secondary, just not in the spotlight. For instance, Connor will have his own 'book' in the series, just not yet. In the meantime, he's in the lives of everyone else.

      I love that picture of "John". It's the smirk, I think.

  2. Gail, I don't know all these real characters, but sure sounds like you've made a good fit. I especially like J&J-Jenifer and John. Bet they carry the book well. Enjoyed the post-good ideas.

    1. Thank you, Jude

      Had I begun this book with no background to match to, I wouldn't have chosen to have two names beginning with J; in fact, I'd usually tell an author not to do that.

      But because this is a continuation of the original series, I am kind of stuck. I never intended to have these two together when they appeared in the first series. But, as I planned this series I realized they were perfect for each other. I tried to decide if I should change her name (since she appeared far less in the first series in comparison to John), but in the end Jenifer was Jenifer. And there's a twist about her name anyway.

      Thank you for the comment.

  3. Okay, I will admit they look like a fine cast... :-)

    1. Once I received a review in which -- apparently because they couldn't find anything else to ridicule -- they made a comment that 'of course' my hero was attractive and my heroine was beautiful.

      How often do you read a book where the hero is ugly and the heroine has a bad perm and crooked teeth? :-)

      Yes, I think they're a mighty fine cast. The next few books have good lookin' characters, too, but most are new to the series so I don't want to reveal the casting yet.

  4. Michael is my favorite character so far and I hope to hear more of him
    and also hope too wicked for words Kathleen never shows up again!

    1. You said you were half way through book four, right?

      Hmmmm... I'm going to refrain commenting on Kathleen, then. But yes, she is 'too wicked for words', no doubt about it.

      Michael was 'though up' just like any of the other characters, to play his part in the whole story and have his time in the spotlight. But I knew by the end of book one/beginning of book two he would be sooooo much more than that. To me, Michael is the glue that holds everything together and the driving force of the series. Even when his part is subtle and more background. He's there.

      He is going to have an important story throughout the new series, too.

  5. I like your character choices. I even recognize some of them. As you know I went through the trauma learning how to download to my Kindle today. I put your A Lifetime Ago on the Kindle while I was practicing. Now, if I can understand this genre, I plan to pop back over there and get your set. I'd hate to drive you crazy asking questions so this would be the best route to go. :)

    1. Don't worry, Paisley. My novels are science fiction, but they aren't 'hi sci fi'. You don't have to be a tech genius to figure out what's going on. :-) Much of it will feel very familiar.

      But, any questions... you know how to find me.

  6. Hey Gail! I'm looking forward to this new installment to the Phoenix world. I enjoyed the first set so much... especially Michael :) Although, I have to admit, your charcter picks do not match the pictures in my head, but they're really great!

    1. That's part of the reason I don't like putting people on the actual cover, so the reader can imagine who they want. But it's fun to share who I had in mind. I'm glad you're looking forward to it, Jenn.