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Vicki Gunvalson reveals she's 'jealous' of Tamra's return to RHOC
Vicki Gunvalson admits she felt "jealous" when she learned Tamra Judge was invited back to The Real Housewives of Orange County instead of her.
Vicki Gunvalson opened up about how "jealous" Tamra Judge was when she was invited back to The Real Housewives of Orange County, but she wasn't. Vicki and Tamra are two veterans who have helped RHOC make their name. Vicki was RHOC's defending OG when he was fired after 14 seasons. Tamra was then fired and the two stopped "yelling" and stirring the pot. Vicki and Tamra return for Season 2 of The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls' Tour and express disappointment at being fired.
Shortly after appearing on the Real Housewives spin-off, Tamra confirmed she was returning to RHOC, while Vicki was not invited back. Ahead of the new season, Vicki shared her disappointment at not being invited back with her good friend Tamra. "I was jealous and angry," Vicki told Us Weekly. "I thought the phone was going to ring for [me]. I thought, 'Hi, Andy [Cohen], you didn't call me!'" But despite some initial jealousy, Vicki was glad Tamra was making her comeback in her stead. "I'm so happy for her," Vicki said, noting that Tamra "really wants it more than I do. She's good TV."
Vicki Gunvalson Will Make Guest Appearances In RHOC Season 17
With Tamra's return, she was able to invite Vicki to events that will be held at RHOC Season 17 made some cameos. With Tamra and Shannon Beador. "I love my Tamra [and] Shannon, we're great together." Vicki also hinted that she might return as a full-time housewife in the future. "It's Bravo's decision, right. And then, at that point, I'll fix it," Vicki explained. "Hopefully my filming days aren't over yet"
Vicki starred on the series Real Housewives from its inception in 2006 until RHOC Season 14 in 2020. Fans watched as Vicki's life changed dramatically, from a devoted working mum and volatile wife to husband Donn Gunvalson, to a heartbroken divorcee regretting cheating on her shady ex-boyfriend Brooks Ailes Dunn. Vicky's daughter Brianna Culberson helps serve as the voice of reason during Vicky's outbursts and antics. Over the years, Vicki managed to rub everyone the wrong way and even feuded with Tamra at times. But her dramatic banter proved to be too much when she was filmed with a group of housewives. Vicki was criticized by fans and viewers when she appeared on RHUGT Season 2.
Vicki just broke up with her ex-fiancé Steve Lodge and is devastated by the split. Vicki mopes at the house, complaining about the remoteness of Dorinda Medley's bluestone estate. Fans are tired of Vicki bringing energy down, and Tamra acts as the perfect middle woman between Vicki and the rest of the cast. Apparently, Tamra impressed the producers so much that she was asked to return to RHOC for season 17. Taylor Armstrong, who also appeared on RHUGT season 2, was asked to join RHOC even though she originally started on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. With Tamra and Taylor joining The Real Housewives of Orange County, it became more apparent that Vicki might have been intentionally left out. There's a reason for her jealousy after the apparent snub. Maybe her cameo will change the producers' minds and see her return in the near future.
MORE: The Real Housewives of Orange County History's Worst Exes


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Nicki Minaj Taps Lil Wayne for 'Good Form' Remix
Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne have another collaboration on the way.
Young Money royalty will reunite on the remix to Nicki’s latest Queen single “Good Form,” which drops Thursday, Nov. 29. Minaj revealed the artwork for the Mike WiLL Made-It-produced song, which features a pink-haired Barbie floating in a pool of water with a sprinkle cookie behind her.
— QUEEN (@NICKIMINAJ) November 20, 2018
“Good Form” is the latest single off Queen, which has been certified platinum.

domain: celebrity


This past Wednesday, March 3, 2001 I attended as well as many other firefighters the roundtable discussion that was supposed to address numerous issues regarding firefighter compensation. This roundtable discussion was organized by Senator Palacios. In my opinion it was a farce. Well maybe farce is not the proper word as there was really nothing funny or comical about this attempted political assassination of our Fire Chief candidate John C. Salas. Here is my personal observation and opinions of what I saw and felt. I also offer some clarification and recommendations on some of the issues.
Senator Palacios’ sent a letter to the Fire Chief asking him to attend the roundtable discussion. The following items were on the agenda:
1. The compensation policy for leave time
2. The 61-hours “non productive” bonus pay to firefighters on leave status
3. Compensation policy of 106 regular hours plus 14 hours overtime, when does it apply (ref: 4GCA section 6219)
4. Firefighters’ entitlement to the special pay although assigned to administrative duties relative to (ref: 4GCA section 6219)
5. And other matters of compensation to firefighters.
There were actually two letters sent out. The major differences between the two were that the first letter mailed on February 21, 2011 requested that the Chief be present at the discussion and that he bring his staff who may be helpful in addressing any issue pertaining to firefighters compensation, relative to established policies. The second letter dated February 24th, just 3 days later, changed the Fire Chief's staff that were allowed to attend and requested for only an assistant fire chief and the department's payroll officer to attend.
This change in requests sent red flags up in all directions to me. It appeared to me to be just another form of censorship.
As the roundtable discussion progressed, Senator Palacios, somewhere along the line transformed this roundtable discussion from a discussion that was supposed to address "whether some compensation practice is authorized by law or not" as Senator Palacios stated, to an "oversite" discussion that was a continuation of Chief Salas’ confirmation hearing.
I felt this caught everyone off guard. It wasn't brought up until during the course of the hearing when it first came for Assistant Fire Chief Uncangco to give comment. That is when Sen. Palacios told him that he really did not want or need Chief Uncangco to comment because this hearing had to do with the confirmation of Chief Salas, or Mr. Salas, as Sen. Palacios referred to Chief Salas. It would not do any good for Chief Uncangco to give comment because Sen. Palacios wanted to hear the comments coming from Chief Salas. At one point Sen. Palacios stated that it was really not necessary for the Fire Department to be at the meeting because he already had all the facts and that all he really needed was for the Fire Department’s ASO, the Administrative Services Officer, to be on hand. He almost excused the fire reps from the meeting. Can you believe that? This is supposed to be a roundtalbe discussion about numerous inquiries on the pay policies of the Guam Fire Department and the Senator did not even want the fire officials to be there. He just wanted our ASO, Marilyn Aflague to be there. She is not even a part of making pay policies at the Guam Fire Department.
Luckily other senators present on his committee spoke out and recommended that the meeting be postponed until Chief Salas was available. It appeared Senator Palacios didn't want that to happen so he continued with the discussion. However it was more of questioning the fire officials then discussing. The situation was unbelievable.
Apparently the good Senator really did not need answers to the agenda items as he said he already had all the facts. If he had all the facts then why did he need to call for this roundtable discussion? Why didn't he just call for a hearing that he really intended to have rather than disguise the main purpose? And since when does any body ever call for a continuation of a confirmation hearing when there was already one that had taken place? On top of that, all confirmation hearings are public forums and open for public comment so how can Senator Palacios changes the rules and laws of Guam by not allowing for public comment? Does he think he is above the law?
There are a lot of questions that Senator Palacios should answer. Maybe there should be an oversite hearing on the way Senator Palacios conducts his business. Is this meeting really a roundtable discussion or an oversite hearing on the Fire Chief?
So as it stood, the purpose of the roundtable discussion had changed from its original notification as to discussing and clarifying firefighter compensation problems to a continuation of Chief Salas’ confirmation. And Senator Palacios appeared very crafty controlling which direction the questioning went. It looked like he guided the discussion and he cut off many answers that the fire officials tried to give. It is all on DVD.
The bottom line here is that, in my opinion, it was obvious that Sen. Palacios had his own agenda. During this meeting, as I stated earlier, he guided all the questions towards the direction that he wanted the discussion to go and that was to show that firefighters working administrative duties are not supposed to work more than 80 hours per pay period and that firefighters in headquarter were illegally being paid for hours of work that they were not performing. That was the single issue that this whole roundtable discussion was all about.
It did not address the compensation policy for firefighter leave time nor the so-called non-productive bonus pay as the Public Auditor describes some of the firefighters leave hours.
The meeting did not even discuss the general application of the compensation policy regarding the rate of compensation of the payment of the 106 hours of work and the 14 hours overtime and when it applies.
Everything was really geared towards the uniform firefighters working collateral administrative duties and the way they were being compensated.
And I noticed just about everytime Chief Uncangco tried to explain how firefighter work hours actually work, what type of working schedule firefighters actually work and how firefighter leave policies work and are applied, Sen. Palacios would basically cut off his attempt to discuss these items and redirect the focus on the firefighters working administrative duties issue.
So it was obvious, as I mentioned before, that the discussion was only going towards that one direction. In my opinion and many other firefighters that I talked to after this meeting, this was a complete sham.
And the ironic thing about this was that Senator Palacios just wanted to know what the policies were of Chief Salas, who has only been at the helm of the Department for about two months. We all know that Chief Salas is still assessing the operations of the Fire Department. He relies on his staff for guidance. Staff like Chief Uncangco and others.
Chief Salas was asked to do a job, and he accepted the challenge. He has been trying to garner a perception on the current operations of the Guam Fire Department. That is what any good and knowledgeable manager should do. Get in there, see how things are operating, make a few quick changes as you deem necessary, complete your audit and implement the major changes according to your timeline. I believe this is what he is trying to do. You cannot complete an assessment on a department this size with so many problems and issues that we have in just a couple of months. We have many issues as you well know.
On top of this everything that is happening now also happened during Chief Dave Peredo’s time, basically 2007 thru 2010.
It appears that Sen. Palacios didn’t seem to have any issues with these same policies and procedures going on then under Chief Peredo, so why just now. I can tell you why, it is my opinion that he does not want Chief Salas to be confirmed as the Fire Chief. He told me directly that he will not vote for him. And again it is my opinion, through discussions and observations, that he is doing whatever he can to make Chief Salas look bad. From the KAL crash where he questioned him about stolen items to his policies now. I mean what does anyone really want Chief Salas to say right now? He has been retired for 14 years. Give him a chance to operate.
But getting back to the meeting, I would like to touch on comments made by the public auditor. Now I must admit that I have voted for the Public Auditor every election. I have the utmost respect for her. She and her staff do an outstanding job in my opinion and I will continue to vote for her, but I do take exception to a comment that she made at the meeting.
She said that under Guam law, firefighters assigned to administrative duties and working 80-hour weeks are entitled to pay for 106 hours. She also said that even though they have been reassigned, they’re still firefighters. The nature of the law says that firefighters are to receive 106 as their normal work week. Even though they’re only working 80 hours. So in effect the government of Guam is paying them an extra 26 hours, and now we’re paying them an extra 14 on top of that.
That statement is not a correct depiction of what the law states and what is actually happening at the Fire Department. The law is very clear and here is what it states:
Title 4 Chapter 6 subsection 6219. Firemen: Compensation: Annual and Sick Leave
(a) Notwithstanding any other law, rule, or regulation, firefighters within the Guam Fire Department, except the Fire Chief, shall be compensated at the regular hourly rate of pay at one hundred six (106) hours, and shall be compensated at one and one-half (1½) times the regular hourly rate for hours worked in excess of one hundred six (106) hours per pay period. Firefighters who are working administrative duty shall work eighty (80) hours per pay period at their regular rate of pay in the same manner as other government of Guam employees and at one and one-half (1½) times their regular hourly rate only in the event that they work in excess of one hundred six (106) hours in a pay period.
(b) All hours of work performed by firefighters during a legal holiday shall be compensated at double the regular hourly rate, irrespective of work shifts, provided, however, that work performed on such a holiday in excess of nine (9) hours shall be compensated at the regular hourly rate.
(c) Firefighters shall be charged no more than nine (9) hours annual leave or sick leave for any given day on which such leave is taken.
(d) All other laws, rules, regulations applicable to firefighters not consistent with this Section shall remain in full force and effect.
This statute does not say anything about how many hours a firefighter is supposed to work in any assignment. It does not even identify the length of the firefighter's work period, be it 80 hours, 106 hour or 120 hours. This law only refers to the rate of compensation for firefighters. Nothing more or nothing less.
The public auditor implied in her statement that the firefighters working administrative duties are working only 80 hours and getting paid for 106 hours and sometimes 14 extra hours without working them. She also stated that these firefighters are only supposed to be working 80 hours per pay period according to the law. I think that is pretty obvious. And it is also the farthest from the truth.
Let me explain the hours and work schedule of a firefighter on the Guam Fire Department for those of you who are not firefighters. We work 120 hours every pay period which is a 14 day period. This work period has been identified by the Fire Chief as well as past Fire Chiefs. We do this by working five (5) 24-hour shifts in that period. So we work 24 hours on and 24 hours off. Our shift starts at 8am one day and we get off the following day at 8am. We are relieved by another shift. The department works with a two (2) shift rotation, an A shift and a B shift. Because each shift works 7 days in a 14 day pay period, we also get two (2) shifts off. If we didn't take those two shifts off, then each firefighter would work seven (7) 24-hours shifts in a pay period and that equals a total of 168 work hours. That would mean that each firefighter would have to receive 62 hours of overtime because the Fair Labor Standards Act, a federal law that applies to Guam, states that firefighters must be paid overtime for all hours worked over 106 hours in a 14-day work period. So in order to alleviate most of the overtime paid to firefighters, we only work the five (5) shifts.
At one point back in the mid 80's, we did try working only 4 days on with 3 days off, but with the extra day off we were short of manpower and had to pay personnel overtime to maintain the proper staffing on the emergency response vehicles. Also a study was done on this staffing issue to determine which staffing scheme was the most cost effective and it was determined that our current work schedule was the most cost effective. So in 1987, we changed over to the 24.5 hour work shift (7:45am to 8:15am) for five (5) work shifts each 14-day work period which also included 2 days off. In 2001, our work shift was shortened to a flat 24-hour shift with the same number of work days and days off in the 14-day work period (120 hours). It has remained the same ever since. We have never worked a 106-hour work period so I don't know why some non-fire personnel refer to our work period and work week as 106 hours.
The big issue that was the main topic of concern in this hearing was the compensation of the uniform headquarters staff. Senator Palacios went on record to say that he felt there were illegal activities occurring and that some of the staff were not working the hours that they said they were. He also said that he felt the uniform headquarters staff were only supposed to work 80 hours per pay period by law.
The Public Auditor, Doris Flores Brooks, was even clearer as I wrote earlier. She said that she felt the firefighters are only supposed to work 80 hours, but that the law said that firefighters are to be paid 106 hours every pay period and were also getting an extra 26 hours of pay and another 14 hours of pay on top of that even though they are not working those extra hours.
The other issue is that our ASO would not certify any hours over 106 unless there was no log or proof of the hours worked and an overtime pay request with the justification for that overtime worked and claimed.
Well with the concerns of Senator Palacios and the Public Auditor, their points regarding the law are mute. We have already covered those points. The law they reference, that I posted earlier in this blog post, only pertains to the rate of pay of firefighters and does not mandate who is supposed to work what hours.
With regards to questioning the work hours and the overtime claimed by the uniformed headquarters staff, this is what I have to say on the matter.
The law, (4 GCA Chapter 6, Sub-Section 6219 (a)), does not limit any firefighter to work any hours that are necessary. If they work any hours over 106 hours in a pay period, then they must be paid overtime. Federal statute also states the same basic principle. The local law does not differentiate from a firefighter working in the field or working collateral duties in the field and administratively. GFD does not have any written policies depicting the same nor does Gov Guam Department of Administration.
With this in mind, two points were made by our ASO and supported by various members of the roundtable. One is that if a headquarters uniform personnel is to work any hours in excess of 80 hours they must be able to prove that they worked those hours. And if they were to claim the 14 hours overtime, they must submit an overtime claim form with justification.
Here is what I have to say on that matter. First of all there are no policies in place at GFD requesting for different policies to be in effect for the field personnel and those assigned these collateral duties. The field personnel are not obligated to submit a log book or any other "proof" that accounts for their work details for the work hours in excess of 80 to include the 14 hours overtime. And the field personnel do not fill out a request for overtime nor the justification for same of the 14 hours of overtime worked every pay period. This overtime is what is termed customary overtime by FLSA and Federal Courts. What that means is that it is overtime that is worked every pay period. So why are different demands being made to the uniform admin staff and the field staff? The answer is obvious. There is a need to account for the uniform admin staff's hours due to their irregular working assignments. Well then if that is the case, how about writing and adopting some official pay policies at the department level. Without policies written down, they simply do not exist.
The other issue here is that our ASO herself, Marilyn Aflague, is reducing the pay of both uniform admin staff and field staff, without written policies and without consulting the supervisor if she has any questions regarding a particular time sheet. If a time sheet is turned in with a typical 120 hours of compensation, and if that person is on leave, she reduces them down to 106 hours. Well, no one can legally alter a time sheet without the consent of the supervisor who signed it as he is the one who verified the work times indicated. Plus the time sheet is a legal document and altering a legal document can be considered fraud and/forgery as per California law. We work in a semi military organization. We have a chain of command and that chain works up and down in the same manner. If our ASO has a problem with a particular time sheet, then she needs to send it back down to the supervisor for remedy. And hopefully her request is backed up by some type of written policy. As the situation currently stands, this is not happening and the ASO is not even using her payroll clerk to handle these matters. She appears to be micro managing these events.
The other matter here is that when the ASO decides to only certify funds on a time sheet for a lessor amount, in other words 120 hours worked but only certifies 106 hours, she then has literally place that employee on a leave without pay status or an absence without leave status. Either way she has deprived that employee pay because she decided she did not want to certify certain hours and all this without any written policies. By doing this she has broken many local DOA rules and regs, local and federal statutes. Let me explain.
DOA rules and regs state with regards to leave without pay must meet certain requirements. Leave without pay is a temporary non-pay status and an absence granted in response to an employee's request. Leave without pay covers only those hours which an employee would otherwise work or for which he/she would be paid. The employee must have exhausted all his or her annual and sick leave. So basically, the employee must request for this status and when their current annual or sick leave is not sufficient to cover the period of absence involved (DOA rules and regs chapter 8, section 8.600 and subsequent sub sections).
Classified employees within the Government of Guam have paid leave benefits. If an employee goes on leave, they do not lose any pay. That leave allows for the full payment of that particular day on leave. So if an 80-hour employee takes one day leave, then that employee stills receives a full 80 hours of compensation and not 72 hours worth. When a GFD firefighter, who is a 120 hour employee, takes leave they only get 106 hours of pay. This is done by our ASO and again without any current DOA or GFD policies. She only certifies 106 hours of pay and DOA Payroll will only pay what is certified. As a matter of fact the current GFD policy, per Assistant Chief Mike Uncangco, is that all firefighters are to be paid for 120 hours even when they are on an approved excused absence. There is a current memo from the Fire Chief on this matter.
This is consistent with federal law, Fair Labor Standards Act. The act identifies hours of work as all time spent by an employee performing an activity for the benefit of the agency and under the control or direction of the agency. Also included in hours of work are hours in a paid nonwork status such as paid leave, holidays, compensatory time off, or excused absences. FLSA further states that time that is considered hours of work shall only be used to determine an employee's entitlement to minimum or overtime pay.
Basically firefighters who work 120 hours with all hours over 106 to be paid at an overtime rate, must also be paid their full pay even when on the above identified authorized excused absences, again to include overtime incurred. This issue has been upheld by many court cases. Two of the more prominent are Lanehart v. Horner, 818 F.2d 1574 (Fed.Cir. 1987) and Lanehart, 818 F.2d at 1582.
So, as I have shown, the statutes, mandates and provisions on leave of absence and overtime pay (DOA Rules and Regs Chapter 7) have been violated many times over, all without written policies, by our ASO. And those who suffer from this administrative confusion are the firefighters and their families. We also must remember that the paid leave benefit is a condition of our employment contract. And I do not remember reading anywhere that when you are on paid leave that only a portion of that day will be covered by paid leave and the rest unpaid absence.
Just a point of information, there are complaints against our ASO, Marilyn Aflague pending, for these alledged violations.
It was also brought out in the Media recently, but not at this roundtable "oversite", about firefighters receiving "bonus pay" for 61 hours of non-productive time. I had no idea what this bonus pay or non-productive time was as we don't receive this pay or work any non-productive time. Due to my inquiries this is what I found out.
Firefighters are charged only 9 hours of leave per day as per 4 GCA Chapter 6, Sub Section 6219 (c). That is because of our 24 hour shift schedule. The problem with this lies with the computer system at DOA. The computer recognizes a day as a 24 hour period. So when a firefighter takes leave for one day, the input into the computer is for 9 hours. Now that leaves 15 hours excess on the computer after it subtracts the 9 hours from the 24. They multiply this 15 hours times 5 shifts and minus our 14 hours overtime and only consider the 106 hours and they come up with 61 hours. It is a quite confusing. This is called non productive time by DOA payroll personnel. And I am told there is no written policy on this matter. But that would need to be verified as I did not check with DOA Payroll. Anyway this time has nothing to do with our actual work hours or compensation. The Public Auditor also added her own moniker to this 15 hours and she calls it "bonus" time. It is just extra computer time. I would challenge anyone to show that one firefighter has received any bonus pay. It doesn't happen. We get paid for what we work and sometime we don't get our mandated pay for hours due.
Again I bring to your attention that while lawmakers and administrators are still trying to figure these things out, firefighter's pay is being reduced, in certain circumstances, according to our ASO's personal perception of the issue and without proper written procedures. Again, the firefighters and their families suffer because of the reduction in their wages due to this administrative confusion. Something needs to be done. I have tried.
I met with Sen Palacios and gave him the Federal Laws and local mandates on these pay procedures as well as the personnel at the Office of Public Accountability and Gil Gilang, payroll administrator. I don’t know why these documents have not been taken into account or acknowledged. Nothing was brought up on these issues at the roundtable "oversite".
At the end of the day, with regards to the roundtable "oversite", Senator Palacios stated he felt good that they were able to address about 75%. of the issues. I had a hard time trying to understand this when only one out of the 5 agenda items were actually discussed in detail with no finite results or resolutions. Quite frankly, not a whole lot was actually accomplished.
One of the firefighters told me the reason why they call this a roundtable discussion is because things just keep going around and around. I have to agree with him.
What is the solution? Well I have a solution to this debacle. All we need to do is acknowledge and obey the current mandates and statutes in effect. But that is not on the agenda. So barring that let me say this, other than the personnel at DOA payroll Gil Gilang and his staff and Human Resources, Rose Cruz and her staff, who do a great job and I want to commend them for that, I issue a challenge to Senator Palacios and all the other major players, who can finally set these issues straight. Let us sit down and iron these issues out. I mean let us get into a room and not come out until everything is settled. I would even like the whole thing to be televised from the Legislature so that the whole island can watch the process. I challenge them all. Now someone may say I don’t have the authority to do these things, but who needs authority when you have the ideas and methods on how to straighten out this mess. Let those with the authority make the necessary changes in the proper way. And I will do this all on my own time at no charge to anyone. If the Government truly wants the people to get involved, I am here and I am ready. I have always been one to be involved trying to be part of the solution and I am ready again to take on the challenge. I will even take annual leave to do this. I just hope they don’t reduce my pay when I do.
Here is the link to my somewhat passionate interview on this roundtable "oversite" with Ray Gibson on the morning K57 Radio show:http://www.pacificnewscenter.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=12073:ruben-olivas-and-sen-chris-duenas-with-ray-gibson&catid=52:k57-interviews&Itemid=151
If it doesn't play on your current browser like mine, then use a different browser. I was able to get this to play using the Firefox Internet browser.
Until next time....


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About the Book
To the outside world, artist Justine Tree has it all… but she has a secret that threatens to destroy everything.
Justine’s art sells around the world, but does anyone truly know her? When her mother dies, she returns to her childhood home in Yorkshire where she decides to confront her past. She asks journalist Rose Haldane to find the baby she gave away when she was an art student, but only when Rose starts to ask difficult questions does Justine truly understand what she must face.
Is Justine strong enough to admit the secrets and lies of her past? To speak aloud the deeds she has hidden for twenty-seven years, the real inspiration for her work that sells for millions of pounds? Could the truth trash her artistic reputation? Does Justine care more about her daughter, or her art? And what will she do if her daughter hates her?
Format: ebook (366 pages) Publisher: Beulah Press
Publication date: 10th May 2018 Genre: Contemporary fiction
Find Connectedness (Identity Detective Book 2) on Goodreads
Links provided for convenience only, not as part of an affiliate programme
Connectedness is the second book in Sandra Danby’s series featuring freelance journalist and ‘identity detective’ Rose Haldane. Readers like me who haven’t read the first book, Ignoring Gravity, can be reassured that Connectedness works perfectly as a standalone. However, you may well find yourself wanting to go back and read the first book to find out more about how Rose’s own personal experience fuelled her interest in helping others to reunite with lost family members.
Connectedness moves between London in 2010 – when Justine, now an established artist, hires Rose to search for the daughter Justine gave away over twenty-five years earlier – and Spain in the 1980s. The impulse for Justine’s decision after all those years is the recent death of her mother and a feeling that now is the time to confront the mistakes of the past. She also feels increasingly aware of the contradiction between the emotional openness others see in her art and the secrets she keeps hidden away.
I particularly liked the parts of the book in which the young Justine travels to Málaga to study art, in the footsteps of Picasso. The reader experiences alongside Justine a different climate, food and lifestyle. It’s during this time that Justine falls in love for the first time but also makes a series of decisions that will change her life forever.
Back in the present day, it has to be said that Justine isn’t the easiest of clients and Rose is initially frustrated by Justine’s reticence and unwillingness to impart information. Gradually, Rose manages to break down the barriers Justine has erected around her earlier life. Eventually the pair find a common bond and Rose is able, with the assistance of some useful contacts, to make progress with her research. I won’t reveal the results but safe to say there are touching scenes towards the end of the book which also sees Rose pondering a new venture.
For Justine, her experiences inevitably provide the inspiration for making new art. “So she was exploring the idea of things that belonged together, which could be separated in space but never detached, because they were attached invisibly, forged together, welded, melded, stitched and linked. Flesh, stone, metal, biological matter, timber, people, family. Memories, knowledge, thoughts, experience, history.” In other words, connectedness; something I think we all cherish at this particular moment in time.
My thanks to the author for my copy of her book via NetGalley and for her patience in waiting for it to reach the top of my review pile.
In three words: Engaging, touching, emotional
Try something similar: The Vanished Child (Jayne Sinclair Genealogical Mystery #4) by M. J. Lee
About the Author
Sandra Danby is a proud Yorkshire woman, tennis nut and tea drinker. She believes a walk on the beach will cure most ills. Unlike Rose Haldane in her ‘Identity Detective’ series, Sandra is not adopted. She writes about family secrets, identity and adoption reunion mysteries.
A dairy farmer’s daughter from the East Yorkshire coast, Sandra turned her childhood love of stories into an English degree and became a journalist. Now she writes fiction full-time. Her short stories and flash fiction have been published online and in anthologies. Sandra is now writing Sweet Joy, the third in the ‘Identity Detective’ series, set in London during the Blitz. She is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association ‘New Writers Scheme’. (Photo credit: Goodreads author profile)

domain: literature


Climate change will have direct and indirect impacts on health depending on the vulnerability, resilience, and adaptive capacity of local societies, populations, and ecosystems. In many areas, in particular in low-income countries, climate change will exacerbate existing problems, such as climate-related disasters, food security, water availability, and infectious disease transmission. Women and children are especially vulnerable if such conditions worsen. In addition, climate change will create new challenges, such as severe heat related health effects and the survival of infectious disease vectors in new areas. Environmental refugees and migration are expected to increase during this century from disappearing land in low-laying coastal areas and islands, from disaster-prone locations, and due to negative impacts of climate change on livelihoods. This will, in turn, create new public health challenges in new locations.
For the latest Report on Impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, IPCC: Click here
SIGHT has since summer 2017 an on-going project on health and climate change in collaboration with the Swedish partner of the Lancet Countdown initiative at Umeå University. “The Lancet Countdown: Tracking Progress on Health and Climate Change is an international research collaboration, dedicated to tracking the world’s response to climate change, and the health benefits that emerge from this transition. Reporting annually until 2030 in The Lancet journal it will follow a series of indicators, demonstrating that this transition is possible, that it has already begun, but that more work is needed.” SIGHT’s engagement involves collaborations in choosing indicators for Sweden, the writing of annual policy reports, and hosting the launch event which was held on 21 November 2017.


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Mix of Renewable and Conventional Power Benefits Ratepayers
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At a time when technology cannot provide commercially viable, long-term storage of renewable energy, Austin Energy must resort to a generation mix to offset costs of renewable energy and keep costs lower for ratepayers. Also, we must generate power from other sources (natural gas, coal, nuclear) to meet demand when the sun is not shining and the wind is not blowing.
Generation Mix to Meet Total Austin Energy Load
The pie chart below shows the percentages of renewable and nonrenewable power being generated right now, in real time, as it relates to our customers' demand. All power produced and used is sold and bought through the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) market.
Much of the renewable energy produced is dependent upon the amount of available wind and sunshine, so the output varies from day to day and hour to hour. Refresh your browser periodically to see the most current percentages.
Note: Refresh your browser periodically to see the most current percentages.
Since the 1990s, when we began purchasing wind power, we have been able to add several hundred MW of generation capacity to our renewable portfolio. In late 2012, we began purchasing wind power from the Gulf Coast, which often produces strong output during peak electricity demand times in the afternoon throughout the year when generation is needed most.
Austin Energy is one of the few utilities in Texas buying significant wind power generation.
Since the 2010s when Austin Energy began purchasing solar power, it has added several hundred megawatts of generation capacity to our renewable portfolio. Solar produces power when generation is needed the most.
Combined with the utility's other renewable energy contracts, these resources move Austin Energy closer to 100% carbon-free electric generation by 2035 and to supplying 65% of customer energy needs with renewable energy by 2027.
In Sacul, Texas, about 10 miles northwest of Nacogdoches, the largest biomass plant in the country can produce 105 MW of renewable energy for the Austin area. The plant creates carbon-neutral electricity by burning wood waste that otherwise would decompose and emit carbon compounds contributing to climate change.
Austin Energy acquired the Nacogdoches Generating Facility in 2019. No immediate changes to the operation of the facility are expected, and its long-term status will be addressed in Austin Energy's future resource planning efforts.
|Unit Name||Fuel Type||Installed Capacity (MW)||First Year of Commercial Operation||Contract Expiration Date|
|Nacogdoches Power||Biomass||105||2012||Owned Asset|
|Total Biomass||105 MW Operational|
|Webberville Solar Project||Solar||30||2011||2036|
|East Pecos (Bootleg)||Solar||118.5||2017||2031|
|Upton County (SPTX12B1)||Solar||157.5||2017||2042|
|Total Solar||966 MW Currently Operational|
|Whirlwind Energy Center||Wind||59.8||2007||2027|
|Hackberry Wind Project||Wind||165.6||2008||2023|
|Los Vientos II||Wind||201.6||2012||2037|
|Los Vientos III||Wind||200||2015||2040|
|Los Vientos IV||Wind||200||2016||2041|
|Total Wind||1,795.64 MW Operational|
|Total Renewables||2,866.64 MW Operational|


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A New Season Begins
Since it has been more than a month since I have posted anything here, I thought it might be a good time to post something of a reflection on the change of season. After all, this is what has been keeping me busy lately! For me, as for many people, the change from summer into fall can sometimes feel like a hard right turn. This is not a bad thing, but the shift does seem somewhat dramatic to me, because it occurs in several aspects of my work and home life.
Autumn brings with it many beginnings. First, of course, it is "back-to-school" season. For those of us who are parents, this means getting children where they need to be, making sure they are prepared, and adjusting to the school routine. Our oldest is now a freshman in high school, our son has begun his final year of elementary school, and our youngest, at three, is dipping her toe into preschool two mornings a week. In different ways, this is a big year for all of them, and, in turn, a big year for their parents!
And, of course, as students return to the classroom, so do teachers. I have now resumed my regular private piano instruction schedule, which is another welcome seasonal change. I really enjoy teaching and have some wonderful, engaged students, both new and returning. As someone who routinely geeks out over music theory and technique, it is a real joy and privilege to help shape a student's technical foundations and musical understanding as they build a relationship with their instrument, and even with music itself. I am genuinely excited for what will be in store for these young musicians as the year moves on, and this feeling only increases with each new season of learning.
In addition to beginning the new school term, September also marks the return of the church choral season at St. Peter's. As in many parishes, our choir takes a hiatus for the summer months. While the choral aspect of our music program is missed by parishioners, visitors, choristers, and Music Director alike during the summer, it provides a welcome respite and allows us to return refreshed and renewed in the fall.
I am one of those conductors who really enjoys the rehearsal process, not only in the weekly preparations for Sunday Mass, but in the careful rehearsal of more complex pieces that we rehearse over many weeks. This is not just a source of enjoyment for me, but it builds a more musically attuned and aware choir, too. For example, last year at this time, we began rehearsing a beautiful, if complex, arrangement of The Huron Carol for Christmas, one that I had conducted when I was with Festival Celebration Choir of Albany. There are layers of complexity to this arrangement that I had not put before our small, volunteer church choir before, but they rose to the challenge and did well with this piece. This season, we get to do this piece again, this time having already sung it, and we get to build on our musical understanding of the piece without necessarily having to spend as much time rehearsing the notes themselves. The ability to build a a worthy musical repertoire over time is one of the great blessings of working with a church choir. The greatest blessing, though, is having this wonderful group of volunteers that come together each week to make music together and grow into a kind of family, enhancing the beauty of our liturgy at St. Peter's on a regular basis. In that respect, if there is anyone reading this who has thought about joining a choir, but has not yet had the courage to take the plunge, now is the time!
Another seasonal change for me as a church musician is the wedding schedule. When it comes to weddings, it seems that autumn has become the new spring. When I began my career as a church musician almost eighteen years ago, the majority of weddings happened in the spring and early summer. Now, fall seems to have become "wedding season". This is not only in Saratoga, as musician friends of mine in other areas (of both the liturgical and chamber/soloist varieties) have found this to be the case. Providing music for wedding celebrations comes with its own set of particular challenges and can sometimes be stressful, especially when couples request music that does not necessarily work within the Tradition of the Church, requiring the musician to take on a catechetical role in explaining the tensions between secular and sacred traditions. But that is part of what those of us in this line of work are called to do. And while there are certainly the occasional "bridezillas", overbearing parents, wedding planners who see themselves as "hired guns", etc., and we could lament the influence that social media influencers and YouTube videos can have on the public consciousness involving wedding celebrations, I would say that the vast majority of weddings that I have played for have been truly joyful occasions and another great privilege of the work that I am called to do as a pastoral musician. It is really something to have the opportunity, regularly, to see a new family off as they begin their journey, and to add something meaningful to that celebration.
As those of you who check in with my website with some frequency will know, the past six months or so was a busy time for me as a composer. I presented and premiered my grant-funded Adirondack Sketches in February. I composed the new hymn The Body of the Lord for Lent at St. Peter's. St. Peter's Choir, along with two wonderful Cantors, premiered Good Friday Adoration Suite in its entirety at our parish's Good Friday celebration in April. My Cumulus Reverie for flute and cello was premiered in June, my Epiclesis for trumpet, trombone, and harp was performed at the International Trumpet Guild conference in Miami in July. (I hope to share the recording of this fantastic performance with you once it is made available to me.) Fünf premiered my second woodwind quintet at St. Peter's, also in July. Fünf and I were then given the opportunity to present my first and second quintets with a pre-performance talk as part of the Sacandaga Valley Arts Network's "Arts Festival" in August. And, if this were not enough, I performed a retrospective solo concert of some of my liturgical pieces at St. Peter's in late August. And so, this fall also marks something of a turn for me from a heightened period of presenting new work to a time of ideation, composition, and scaffolding of new projects. I hope to keep you all in the loop as these projects come about, so stay tuned, and thanks, as always, for reading!
Happy fall, everyone!

domain: artistic


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The Complete Guide to Traveling From La Fortuna to Monteverde & Vice Versa
The best ways to get from La Fortuna to Monteverde, Costa Rica by car, boat, bus, and horseback, and more!
Both the Arenal area and Monteverde are very popular Costa Rican destinations for tourists looking to enjoy nature and adventure tours such as hiking, horseback riding, ziplining, river rafting, and more. If you look at a map, the two towns appear to be neighbors. In reality transportation between La Fortuna and Monteverde is not so straight-forward.
The road between La Fortuna and Monteverde, Costa Rica is 122 kilometers or 75 miles long, but due to treacherous dirt roads, the journey often requires a 4×4 and takes roughly 4 hours. There are many convenient transportation options for travel from Arenal to Monteverde and vice-versa. You can travel between the two towns by taxi-boat-taxi, bus, shuttle, hiking, or horseback riding. The trip can take anywhere from 2.5 hours to 8 hours.
Here we’ll explain how to get from La Fortuna to Monteverde, or from Monteverde to Arenal, with each of these different methods, as well as the duration, cost, and pros and cons of each. Then we’ll talk about some of our favorite activities in both destinations and answer some FAQs.
Visiting La Fortuna and Monteverde, Costa Rica’s Best Nature Adventures
Beneath the majestic Volcano Arenal, nestled on Lake Arenal and dotted with natural hot springs, you’ll find the town of La Fortuna, Costa Rica. It sits on the edge of a primary rainforest filled with waterfalls that leads to the town of Monteverde, Costa Rica. Monteverde is known for its rainforest conservation efforts and the famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, where magnificent trees stretch up into the clouds and visitors can walk on hanging bridges that guide them through the canopy.
If you’re ready to experience the beauty and adventure of both La Fortuna and Monteverde, read on for a detailed explanation of how to get from one to the other by car, bus, boat, horseback, and more. Part 1 compares each different method of transportation, and part 2 lists some of the best things to do in Monteverde, Costa Rica and La Fortuna before answering some FAQs about the area.
Comparing the best modes of transportation between Arenal and Monteverde
This table compares the bare bones details of each method of transportation between the Arenal area and Monteverde.
|Duration||3.5 hrs||4-5 hrs||8 hrs||4 hrs||4 hrs|
|Cost||$25||$75/day + gas||$10||$200-$330+||$54|
Ultimately, we think The Big Forest Hike is the best way to get from La Fortuna to Monteverde, Costa Rica because it’s the only way to immerse yourself in the abundant nature and wildlife this area has to offer.
When you travel between Monteverde and La Fortuna, you’re traversing some of the most unique and jaw-dropping natural landscapes and habitats in all of Costa Rica, if not the world! You don’t want to let it pass you by. Traveling between Arenal and Monteverde isn’t just a transfer, it’s an experience in itself. Plan your Big Forest Hike today to get the full experience!
The most unique and adventurous way to get from La Fortuna to Monteverde:
The Big Forest Hike
The best way to get from La Fortuna to Monteverde if you want to truly experience and enjoy the raw beauty of Costa Rica’s most prized rainforests is The Big Forest Hike.
If hiking from La Fortuna to Monteverde, horseback riding from Monteverde to Arenal, or a combination of both intrigue and excite you, you’ll love The Big Forest Hike.
By trekking through the land that lies between Arenal and Monteverde, you get to experience first-hand the wonders offered by both, away from the typical tourist routes. You’ll immerse yourself in the heart of the Monteverde cloud forests and trek your way across the terrain, climbing mountains, crossing raging rivers, and bathing in refreshing waterfalls.
If you want to go horseback riding in Costa Rica, you’ll take a break and hop on your horse, riding through the jungle and enjoying incredible views. Then, the rainforest trail will open up onto Lake Arenal, and you’ll hike or horseback ride along its rich blue and orange shores, perhaps spotting a rainbow, before riding up to a panoramic viewpoint of both Volcano Arenal and Lake Arenal.
Congratulations! You’ve just traveled from Monteverde to Arenal and crossed the continental divide without burning fossil fuels!
The fastest way to get from La Fortuna to Monteverde:
If you want to skip the sight-seeing and get to your destination as quickly as possible, taxi-boat-taxi, otherwise known as jeep-boat-jeep or van-boat-van, is the way to go.
You won’t miss out entirely on the scenic views, though, as you’ll get to spend part of the journey in a boat crossing Lake Arenal, Costa Rica’s largest lake. You’ll still hear this referred to as jeep-boat-jeep from the days when the roads were so bad they had to take jeeps, but now most companies use comfortable modern vans.
The jeep-boat-jeep service offers transportation both ways between La Fortuna/Arenal and Monteverde, Costa Rica. Leaving from La Fortuna, you take a shuttle to Lake Arenal, then a boat across Lake Arenal, and then another shuttle to your hotel in Monteverde. The total trip takes 3.5 hours and costs $25 per person each way. Departure times from La Fortuna are 8:30am and 2:30pm, and departure times from Monteverde are 8:00am and 2:00pm.
The most unstructured way to get from La Fortuna to Monteverde:
If you’re really set on doing the route on your own, it can be done in your rental car. The roads are not paved all the way, so it’s important to have high clearance to avoid damage from potholes and bumps. During rainy season, you’ll want 4×4. Many rental car companies and hotels will recommend you rent a car with 4WD year-round for this route just to be safe.
To drive from La Fortuna to Monteverde, you’ll take route 142 up to Lake Arenal and then drive around the northern shores of the lake. This road is curvy, scenic, and fully paved, with lots of great spots to stop at for food and drinks along the way. You’ll take route 142 all the way to Tilaran on the other side of the lake, and then you’ll drive through the town and connect to route 145. Tilaran is the last place on this route to stop for gas. Route 145 will soon turn into a dirt road, and you’ll stay on it as it eventually turns into route 606.
It’s not recommended to drive this route at night. You should also ask your rental car agency or hotel about road conditions before leaving, as you never know in Costa Rica. Storms and even hurricanes can pass through destroying roads and bridges, and not just during rainy season. Pay attention to your GPS as the road branches off several times, and it’s easy to get lost.
The cheapest way to get from La Fortuna to Monteverde:
The public bus is usually the cheapest mode of transportation, but it’s usually the slowest. Some routes are efficient, but the trip from La Fortuna to Monteverde takes 8 hours — far longer than any other mode of transportation.
While the buses are great for some routes, this is not one of them. If you do decide to take the bus, it helps if you speak a little Spanish as most bus drivers don’t speak English.
To get from La Fortuna to Monteverde by bus, you’ll start at the bus station in La Fortuna next to the Megasuper parking lot. You’ll take the bus from La Fortuna to Tilaran, which is about 2.5. There, you’ll get off and have to wait 2-3 hours for the next bus to Monteverde/Santa Elena. The bus from Tilaran to Monteverde takes another 2.5 hours.
Bus schedules change frequently so check at the bus station the day beforehand, but you will need to take the first bus from La Fortuna to Tilaran which leaves at 7 or 8am.
To get from Monteverde to La Fortuna by bus, you will also change buses in Tilaran and leave at 7 or 8am. Total cost is around $10-$15 per person.
The most expensive way to get from La Fortuna to Monteverde:
This is the most expensive way to get from La Fortuna to Monteverde, although if you split the cost among a large group, the price can be comparable to other methods.
To get from La Fortuna to Monteverde by private transfer, or vice versa, you can book a private shuttle with one of the many tour companies in both areas. You can also hire a taxi. Both will be ground transportation, so you won’t be crossing Lake Arenal like you would with the taxi-boat-taxi service, and it will take roughly 4 hours. Private shuttles cost anywhere from around $200 to $330 and more depending on the size of the van. As for taxi, many drivers will not do the trip because it’s far and the roads are rough, and prices vary greatly. Whatever you find, it will be expensive.
The best way to get from La Fortuna to Monteverde if you’re afraid of boats and don’t like hiking:
Unless you have a big group, it’s a better idea to take a shared shuttle than a private one. These are shuttles run by companies like Interbus that run all kinds of popular routes throughout the country and are mainly used by tourists. These are air-conditioned passenger vans that hold around 10-12 people, and you’ll be sharing the ride with other tourists. This is more expensive and takes longer than taxi-boat-taxi, so it really only makes sense for people who don’t want to go on a boat.
To get from La Fortuna to Monteverde by shuttle, you’ll need to contact one of the shuttle companies that run in Arenal or Monteverde, such as Interbus, and make a reservation. This is ground transportation, so you won’t be crossing the lake. The cost is $54 per person, and total travel time is about 4 hours.
There are many different ways to travel between La Fortuna and Monteverde, Costa Rica. All of them have their pros and cons.
Of all these options, the Big Forest Hike is easily the most memorable, unique, and unique way to travel between La Fortuna and Monteverde. Turn your journey into an experience. For more information on The Big Forest Hike and to see the full itinerary, visit our thematic nature adventures in Costa Rica.
Part 2: Tips for traveling in Monteverde, La Fortuna, and the Arenal area in Costa Rica
There’s a reason that Monteverde and La Fortuna are two of Costa Rica’s most beloved destinations. Here are some of the top things to do in the Arenal area and in Monteverde, Costa Rica.
Top things to do in Monteverde, Costa Rica
Explore the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
Visit the hanging bridges
See the butterfly, frog, and snake sanctuaries
Taste the cheese, ice cream, and coffee
Best horseback riding, hiking, and nature adventure tours in Arenal
Arenal is known for hosting some of the best nature adventure tours in all of Costa Rica. If you’re interested in a longer trek that will let you experience the intense beauty of both all in one day, The Big Forest Hike is the best option.
If you prefer a serene horseback riding experience that offers great views of Lake Arenal and the cloud forests, consider trekking to our Base Camp in Arenal, Costa Rica. This Base Camp Day Tour takes you through the edge of the cloud forests, stopping at a majestic waterfall, and then moving on to our fully-functional day camp in the jungle where you can relax, charge your gear, make some food, take a shower, and explore a private, four-acre farm and food forest.
Finally, if you’re all about waterfalls, contact us to discover which of our thematic nature adventures include a trip to a waterfall. Our bilingual guide will take you on a private horseback riding adventure up to one of the most stunning, hidden waterfalls in the Arenal area. You’ll have the whole place to yourself! Enjoy a refreshing swim, and be sure to keep your eyes peeled for monkeys, toucans, and sloths.
Horseback riding through the rainforest in Costa Rica
Transfer between Arenal and Monteverde FAQ
How far is Monteverde from Arenal?
The distance between Monteverde, Costa Rica and La Fortuna and the Arenal area is roughly 122 kilometers, or 75 miles. The trip can take anywhere from 3.5 hours to 8 hours depending on the mode of transportation you choose.
Should I visit Monteverde or Arenal?
Both! If you have to choose between the two, you can always visit the Arenal area and then go on our Waterfall Half-Day Tour or Base Camp Tour, which will give you a little taste of the primary rainforests that Monteverde is known for.
Is Monteverde worth it?
We think so! Monteverde is home to some of the most astounding primary rainforest in the world, as well as many species that are adapted to live in the canopy of the rainforest. However, if you don’t have time for Monteverde, you can always do one of our other hiking tours from La Fortuna which will also take you through the cloud forests.
What is the easiest way to get from La Fortuna to Monteverde?
If you’re looking for ease and convenience and don’t want to exert yourself, go for the taxi-boat-taxi option.
What is the cheapest way to get from La Fortuna to Monteverde?
If you’re only interested in spending as little money as possible, taking the bus is your best option.
What is the fastest way to get from La Fortuna to Monteverde?
If you’re on a time crunch and prefer go fast over soaking up the views, taxi-boat-taxi will get you there the quickest.
What is the most scenic way to get from La Fortuna to Monteverde?
If you want to squeeze as many beautiful views and see as much nature and wildlife as possible on your journey between La Fortuna and Monteverde, The Big Forest Hike is the way to go.
What is the most eco-friendly way to get from La Fortuna to Monteverde?
If you want to reduce your carbon footprint while traveling in Costa Rica, a country known for its environmental conservation efforts, The Big Forest Hike is the only way to travel between La Fortuna and Monteverde without burning any fossil fuels.
Do we really need a 4×4 to drive from Arenal to Monteverde?
If you are planning to take the faster but more dangerous route, driving along the southern side of Lake Arenal, a 4×4 is absolutely necessary as you will be crossing rivers. If you take the other route, driving along the northern side of Lake Arenal through Nuevo Arenal and Tilaran and then up to Monteverde, you may be able to get all the way to Monteverde without 4WD, depending on current road conditions. The final stretch of road is unpaved and full of potholes, so having 4WD makes it more comfortable. However, during dry season, it’s usually possible to do the drive without 4WD. During rainy season, we recommend getting 4WD. An car with good ground clearance is helpful year-round due to potholes and bumps in the road.
What are the best jeep-boat-jeep companies?
People often ask for the most trustworthy jeep-boat-jeep or taxi-boat-taxi companies, but the truth is, they’re all pretty much the same. While you can purchase the transportation from a number of different tour operators, they’re all selling the same product! All jeep-boat-jeep trips take the same route, leave at the same times, and cost about the same price.
Can I drive from La Fortuna to Monteverde during rainy season?
Yes, it is possible. However, you will need to have a car with high clearance and 4WD. Additionally, you’ll need to inquire about road conditions a few days before you leave, and on the day that you leave. Road conditions can change at a moment’s notice in Costa Rica due to storms, floods, and more, especially during rainy season.
Can I go from Arenal to Monteverde on horseback?
You can get from Arenal to Monteverde on horseback through our Big Forest Hike, which involves both hiking and horseback riding through the stunning cloud forests. While other horseback tours will take you on a brief horseback ride before putting you in a van, the Big Forest Hike is done fully on foot and horseback between La Fortuna and Monteverde.
How difficult is the hike from La Fortuna to Monteverde, Costa Rica?
If you’d like to hike all the way from La Fortuna to Monteverde, Costa Rica, you can do that with The Big Forest Hike. While we offer the option of horseback riding part of the way, you can also choose to do the whole journey on foot. It will take a little bit longer and be a little more physically straining. You’ll be hiking up mountains and crossing rivers. You should be in good physical condition in order to do The Big Forest Hike, and you should have appropriate attire, including good, proven hiking boots, sun protection, rain gear, and layered clothing for changes in temperature. The route is challenging but incredibly rewarding.
Are your nature adventure tours in English or Spanish?
All of our nature adventure tours are bilingual, offered in both English and Spanish. They are guided by us as well as our local horseback guides.
While there are many ways to get between Arenal and Monteverde, there’s nothing more unique and adventurous (and eco-friendly!) than traversing the route on foot and horseback. The Big Forest Hike harkens back to the way Costa Ricans used to travel between these towns not too long ago, offering you an authentic glimpse of Costa Rican culture, wildlife, and nature. If you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience while you’re in Costa Rica, plan your Big Forest Hike today.

domain: geography


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In book 9 of ""Paradise Lost"" near the end of what is generally referred to as the separation scene, Eve speaks of Adam's 'reasoning words' (379) as she prepares to leave her husband's side to garden alone. For a writer who focused on the importance of debate and the consequences of choices in his three major epics - ""Paradise Lost"", ""Paradise Regained"", and ""Samson Agonistes"" - and who depicted the awesome power of temptation in poetry and prose alike, Milton consistently argued that 'God...trusts [his created being] with the gift of reason to be his own chooser' (Areopagitica), whether that chooser be Satan, Eve, Adam, the Son, the English people, the reader, or Milton himself.As he states in ""Of Education"", 'language is but the instrument conveying to us things useful to be known' (631). While the ten essays that make up this collection are intentionally diverse in subject matter, emphasis, and approach, what unifies them is a common interest in aspects of language, or, as the title suggests, 'reasoning words'. Charles W. Durham is Professor Emeritus of English at Middle Tennessee State University. Kristin A. Pruitt is Professor Emerita of English at Christian Brothers University.
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The Joint Powers Insurance Authority honored Phil McCartney, CCWD mechanic, with a safety award for building a machine that allows staff members to easily lift heavy aerators out of ponds so maintenance can be performed.
McCartney was honored at the CCWD Board of Directors meeting on Wednesday February 17 and the award was presented by Teresa Tanaka, CCWD director of operations.
Recent CCWD News
- Customer Portal & IVR Payment Fees Change Effective February 6, 2023 February 3, 2023
- CCWD’s Regular Board Meeting February 8, 2023 February 3, 2023
- Jenny Lind Town Hall Meeting February 16th January 30, 2023
- Legal Affairs Committee Meeting January 31, 2023 January 27, 2023
- CCWD’s Regular Board Meeting January 25, 2023 January 20, 2023


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If you have been searching all over the web long enough or have been a loyal member of the cannabis community, you know by now that when it comes to ways to enjoy smoking weed, it’s a long, unending list of possibilities, and you will learn more about rolling a blunt.
Important Factors to Consider
There are also several factors that users would consider about which way to smoke is their ideal type.
- Some factors most would consider is aroma, flavor, and how it enhances the effects on the body. Most would also consider the price point of a certain method as you will be smoking every once in a while to reward yourself or as a fun remedy to your stress and pain.
- If you’re looking for the perfect method that ticks off all those boxes, look no further because a blunt could be the one in the right light for you. Cheap, readily available, and with all sorts of flavors you can cook up, a blunt has been the OG way to smoke weed and make the most out of it with just a cigar wrap and ground herb.
- Whether you’re smoking one to yourself or planning a pot session with some friends, you can pass a blunt around as it’s a slow burner that offers the sweet, tingly, cerebral high you need to help you buzz off your worn-out spirit.
- While you can purchase a pack of blunts that you can instantly light up, customizing it is what makes them so special. Choosing your weed, the kind of wrap, and even how much you want to stuff into the blunt makes them one of a kind. Learn how you can roll your blunt the right way with a few tools and the proper procedure to make a perfect roll.
Gathering Your Materials
Before you even start learning how to roll a blunt, it is important to be ready with the right tools and materials. To save time and energy running around the house or the supermarket for supplies, gather the materials you need and set them aside on your work table. You might already have most of these, and they’re quite affordable and easy to find too:
For the wrap, you may use:
- Cigar wraps;
- Blunt wraps; or
- Whole dry fronto tobacco leaves
*Wraps may be plain or flavored, such as Honey flavored wraps and Citrus. Experiment with different kinds of wraps and strains to see what unique flavors you can create.
- Dried Cannabis flower of your choice of strain
- Weed Grinder
- A small knife or a pocket knife
How to Roll a Blunt
With your materials ready and your craving growing for a buzzing puff, follow these 6 easy steps to craft yourself a perfect blunt!
- If you’re rolling with a pack of cigars, take a cigar stick and find the seam where the wrap is sealed. Using your knife, cut the cigar open along the seam and take out the tobacco. Set the contents aside for later. For plain cigar wraps, blunt wraps, and front leaves, proceed to the next step.
- Insert the flower into your weed grinder and twist until you get a sugar-like texture. The flower should be crushed but coarse with visible particles. Grinding your weed to a fine texture can be messy and will slip through the wrap.
- Lay the wrap on a flat surface and start filling it with your crushed weed. Depending on the size of your blunt wrap, it can hold up to about a gram of content. You can also add some tobacco in the mix to taste if you are reusing a cigar wrap. Make sure to leave some space before the opposite end of the wrap so you can roll your blunt.
- Next, slowly roll the wrap, making sure little to no content falls out of the blunt until you reach the empty space at the edge.
- To start sealing your roll, you may do either of the two techniques:
- Simply dampen the empty edge with water and press it against the opposite end, or
- Crease a fold inwards on the empty edge, and dampen the fold. Press this against the opposite end to seal. This is slightly firmer than the first technique, but either of the two should be fine
- To secure the seal and give a roasted hint of flavor to your smoke, take your lighter and roll the blunt at a fair distance from the flame. You do not want to light it just yet, but rather give it a bake for the content and keep the seam shut.
Once your blunt feels warm and firm, you can now light up your perfectly rolled blunt and enjoy it!
Other Techniques to Roll Blunt
There are also other rolling techniques you can try, such as the vortex blunt (a filled cigar with a hole in the center) and the filtered blunt (often done with glass filters) once you get the hang of rolling up a few sticks.
It can be tempting to try all those fancy, expensive smoking mediums available in the market that make smoking weed look like it’s a lot more fun than it already is. But at the end of the day, it all comes down to how potent the strain is and how you craft a good smoke. Traditional ways to smoke weed like the OG blunt are timeless, fool-proof, and perfect for any user.
Learning how to roll a blunt is a lot easier than it sounds, and does not take much time or effort. With a few tools you already have and some rolling practice with every stick, you can master the art of crafting a blunt the right way in no time. A little bit of patience and lots of creativity will come in handy with this activity that will get you high and thrilled to make more blunts for you, and maybe your friends too.

domain: hobby


Recently, there was a post that appeared on Reddit’s largest Android forum with alarming news called “Chinese spyware pre-installed on all Samsung phones.”
A mandatory feature, Samsung’s Device Care application comes preinstalled as a package of Samsung’s Android implementation that can’t be removed which were said to be the problem with the utility. With the use of packet analysis tools on the Galaxy S10, the author went and discovered that there is some strange traffic coming out of the Device Care’s storage scanner, that looks for junk files which can be deleted to free up space. That scanner then sends data to Chinese domains; and usually, since storage scanners often need access to all the files on your computer, the data is capable to include almost anything.
In the post, there was an explanation; however, it wasn’t convincing. The scanner utility was made regarding collaboration with a Chinese security company, Qihoo 360, which occasionally made headlines for complying with national censorship directives. The data that was sent to Qihoo, was not clear on which data were sent and why, which gives a reason to Reddit users to worry about the spyware. It is even more concerning since users cannot remove the app because it was built into Samsung’s operating system.
Samsung has made it clear that it does not seem as alarming as it was highlighted to be. Samsung takes their user's data privacy seriously. The company stated that the only data that was sent to Qihoo are the generic information needed to optimise storage, which are the OS version, phone model and storage capacity, along with other data. Qihoo is known for its library identifying junk files that are stored locally in the utility. Qihoo never receives any data that is able to identify a particular file in a user’s device.


This week on The Free Zone – Homegrown Terrorists – Crystal Clark
We are the last generation that could escape a digital footprint. Most of us haven’t. What is the database for? Will you become a non-violent anarchistic homegrown terrorist? “I don’t want to live on this planet anymore” is the meme of this generation. Why would anyone want to make the planet so miserable that children don’t want to live? –Freeman
– See more at: http://freemantv.com/listen/the-free-zone-live/#sthash.cajel8oC.dpuf
In the first hour we discuss the machinations of the unfolding surveillance police state of globalist empire and what it portends. In the second hour (for subscribers only) we discuss the EMV’s, Norman Bergrun, the Ringmakers of Saturn, James Horak, SETI’s protocol to classify other planets in our own solar system, and the benefits and necessity of becoming part of an extended (space) community not only as a matter of evolution, but as a necessary means of survival in a post-Fukushima world.
This show (pre-recorded on 1/21/2015) airs this evening on FreemanTV at 8pm EST and will be available via podcast and youtube afterwards. For information and LISTEN LIVE links click here: FREEMANTV.COM


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Wonma “Wo” is a full-time cinematographer and photographer. He has spent the last seven years filming events, commercial videos, corporate videos, advertising videos and of course her favorite, weddings. Being a believer of love, producing creative, story-telling imagery inspires him to make the most of your special day.
Brian B’s non-intrusive shooting style utilizes multiple angles and overhead perspectives to capture movement, facial expressions, reactions, and full setting details to their fullest throughout an entire event. His use of audio enhancements ensures all meaningful sounds are recorded and replayed with the same sentiment, passion, and excitement expressed in the actual moments of the day. Every scene is carefully viewed and captured to create a feature or short film that perfectly complements the story of each couple. More than anything, it is Brian’s greatest honor to provide each client with utmost respect, care, customer service, and a beautiful way to remember all the special moments of each event captured.
Darryl L is a husband and a father that creates timeless wedding films in authentic ways. He is inspired by a real moments experience to capture your wedding day. In 2016, he started capturing with his wife, Shalisha. After capturing a wedding for the first time, his passion for wedding cinematography grew more and more each event. During his spare time, he loves spending time with his family and reading the bible. His desire is to see married couples enjoy life together and providing wedding films that are timeless.
Jennifer Weaver, has had a passion for video production and photography from a very young age. She attended school for media arts production, and has certifications in digital production techniques, digital photography, and graphic communication. While Jen does most of her shooting around the Upstate of South Carolina and near her home city of Greenville, SC, she loves traveling to new places to share her talents. She specializes mostly in wedding videography, but also does commercial work, promotional projects, and short films. Jen’s mission is to exceed clients’ expectations with her creative vision, and to sculpt a masterpiece for everyone to enjoy!

domain: entertainment


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Introduce of honing
Honing: An abrasive machining process primarily used for stock removal, precision sizing, and surface finishing of internal and external surfaces. It is characterized by the use of a self-sharpening abrasive stone, a relatively large area of contact with the work, and relatively low cutting speed.
The back end is connected to the connector, and the front groove is the cutting body of honing stone
We are a manufacturer and sales of Diamond and CBN Honing Stones, Grinding Wheels in China. Since 1997, we focus mainly on supplying high precision, high performance superabrasives products to automotive, aerospace, military, hydraulics, bearings, electronics, tools and glass industries.
If you would like samples of our products for trials and inspection, please call or email us. I know you will be pleased with our response.
Contact Person: Mr. Ma


Holiday Concert with conductor Philip Clark on the piano – Crozet Baptist Church Dec 4, 2015
CCO Chamber Players – String Quartet Prelude at the Crozet Community Chorus Concert December 4, 2015 at Crozet Baptist Church.
November 15, 2015 Concert at Crozet Baptist Church
Cellos, basses 6-7-15 Concert
Violin soloist Mark Dorosheff performing with the CCO Mozart’s Rondo in C K.373
Violin soloist Monika Chamasyan performing with the CCO in our March 22, 2015 concert at Crozet Baptist Church.


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Cocaine and other illegal drugs are costing the nation tens of billions of dollars a year in lost wages, law enforcement expenses and treatment, according to a new congressional report. But no price tag exists for what are generally believed to be the enormous costs to society created by the family strife, suicide and violence that drugs produce, the report said.
Purer, cheaper and more easily attainable cocaine and heroin, as well as "designer drugs" produced in clandestine labs, have altered the shape of drug abuse in the 1980s, according to the study by the General Accounting Office, the investigative arm of Congress. Regarded as the entry-level to drug abuse, marijuana is still the most widely used illegal drug in the country, and although its use has declined since the 1970s, its potency has increased, the report said.
The GAO report -- which focused in part on the increase in drug overdose deaths in the District, as well as increases in the use of cocaine and PCP in the city -- is the latest in a series of indicators of the scope and seriousness of the drug crisis in America. Last week, a Rand Corp. report said that Washington and its suburbs appeared to have the worst drug problem among 27 of the nation's largest cities.
The release of the GAO report yesterday was timed to coincide with the White House Conference for a Drug Free America, a national forum of about 2,500 drug abuse specialists, government officials and former addicts meeting here this week and charged with recommending solutions to unprecedented drug abuse. It also came on a day in which some members of Congress expressed growing dissatisfaction with President Reagan's drug enforcement and prevention efforts.
Seven congressmen yesterday blasted the Reagan administration for failing to have a national policy to combat rising drug use, violence and trafficking, particularly the importation of narcotics from Latin nations receiving U.S. aid.
Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y), chairman of the House Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control, told the White House conferees that Americans spent about $140 billion last year to buy 178 tons of cocaine, 12 tons of heroin and about 60,000 tons of marijuana. He called on the administration to help local police combat drug violence, develop treatment and prevention programs and halt aid to nations such as Panama, Colombia and Mexico that export narcotics.
President Reagan told Congress yesterday that Panama and three other nations had not been cooperative with U.S. efforts to halt drug trafficking and are liable for sanctions. He certified as cooperative and eligible for continued aid 17 other countries, including Mexico and Colombia.
"It's tragic for anyone to believe that we are winning this battle against drugs when we haven't fired the first shot," Rangel said to applause at the White House conference.
"We have no domestic or foreign policy on drugs. If you want to fight this war, you have to put up the resources for the boys in the front lines," he said.
"We hope that we'll be able to set a national policy. That is our purpose here. Our charge is to set a national policy -- that is my response to Congressman Rangel," said Lois H. Herrington, chairman of the conference mandated by the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986. Divided into 10 working committees with topics such as law enforcement, abuse prevention and treatment, the conferees will submit a final report and propose solutions to the president and Congress next summer.
The GAO, Rand and other recent reports and crime statistics have portrayed the United States as a nation deep in a drug crisis. "Cocaine has emerged as the widely abused drug of greatest concern," said the GAO report, "Controlling Drug Abuse: A Status Report." Among its other findings:
In 1983, the latest year for which figures are available, drugs cost the nation about $60 billion in lost employment, prison and other criminal justice expenses, and treatment programs.
The number of cocaine-related emergencies reported by hospitals jumped 167 percent from 1983 to 1986.
The number of annual cocaine-related deaths rose from 328 to 734, or 124 percent, between 1983 and 1986, an upward trend that continued in the first six months of last year.
The average street-level purity of cocaine more than doubled from 1981 to 1986, from less than 30 percent to nearly 60 percent. At the same time, prices declined, signaling increased availability.
The number of people who had used cocaine remained about the same from 1982 to 1985, increasing slightly from 21.6 million to 22.2 million. But the number of Americans over age 12 who were current users increased 38 percent during the same period, from 4.2 million to 5.8 million.
About 62 million people over age 12 have used marijuana at least once and 18 million currently use it, compared with 56 million who had used it at least once and 20 million who were using it in 1982. Current use among high school seniors declined from 34 percent in 1980 to 21 percent last year.

domain: sociology


Owensboro Health Regional Hospital gets new COO, Carilion Clinic names first VP of philanthropy
JPS Health Network names new chief executive
Karen Duncan has been named president and CEO for JPS Health Network in Fort Worth, Texas. She’ll assume the new role Jan. 1.
Duncan succeeds Robert Earley, the outgoing president and CEO. Earley, who has held his post since 2009, announced his plans to retire earlier this month. Duncan currently serves as the network’s chief operating officer and has been with JPS for five years. She oversaw the transformation of the network’s medical homes and clinics.
“Dr. Duncan has been a steadfast champion of providing our community with the care they need and deserve, and I look forward to her leadership,” said Dr. Charles Webber, chairman of the JPS Board of Managers.
The JPS network serves Tarrant County, home to more than 2 million residents. Duncan said she was humbled and honored to take the post.
“JPS is well positioned to lead the transformation of healthcare delivery in Tarrant County and to improve lives within the many communities we serve,” Duncan said in a statement.
Abrazo Health names two new leaders
Abrazo Health in Arizona has recently named two new CEOs at its facilities.
Omar Pineda has been named CEO for Abrazo Central Campus in Phoenix and Abrazo Mesa Hospital. Pineda previously was chief operating officer at Abrazo Arrowhead Campus in Glendale.
As COO at Abrazo Arrowhead Campus, Pineda developed hospital programs and guided the development of Abrazo’s Surprise and Cave Creek micro-hospitals, the system said in a news release. He also provided leadership during COVID-19 pandemic surges.
Previously, Pineda served as national senior director of patient experience and service for Abrazo’s parent organization, Tenet Healthcare. Pineda is a former emergency department nurse and has also been a hospital nursing executive leader and organ transplant program leader.
Hans Driessnack is the new CEO of the Abrazo West Campus in Goodyear, Ariz. He took the post on Nov. 1.
Driessnack had previously served as CEO of Northwest Medical Center, a 222-bed regional trauma center in Springdale, Ark. At Northwest, he was credited with expanding hospital services and improving patient experience, clinical service and employee engagement.
He previously served as chief operations officer at Heartland Medical Center in Marion, Ill., and as COO at Galesburg Cottage Hospital in Galesburg, Ill. He also held other administrative positions with Lovelace Medical Center and Lovelace Westside Hospital in Albuquerque, N.M.
Owensboro Health selects new COO
Beth Steele has been named the new chief operating officer of Owensboro Health Regional Hospital. She’ll assume her new role at the 477-bed hospital on Jan. 10.
Steele is currently vice president of operations and chief nursing officer for Grant Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio, which is part of the OhioHealth system. She has held executive positions at OhioHealth since 2014. Steele has also been the hospital’s lead executive throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and was credited with achieving financial stability and avoiding layoffs.
Before joining OhioHealth, Steele worked for 16 years with Premier Health, based in Dayton, Ohio.
Carilion Clinic names first VP for philanthropy
Ralph Alee was recently named the inaugural vice president for philanthropy at the Carilion Clinic in Roanoke, Va.
Alee, who has 30 years in philanthropy management, will take a lead role in Carilion’s $100 million campaign to build a new cancer center. He’ll also oversee fundraising efforts throughout Carilion’s system, according to a news release. Alee will direct day-to-day operations of the Carilion Clinic Foundation.
Before joining Carilion in October, he served as executive director of philanthropy in medicine for the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. He previously held development positions at the University of Florida Health and UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital, St. John Hospital and Medical Center and Henry Ford Health System.


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“Everybody be cool.” swaggers George Clooney’s impossibly charismatic career criminal, directly into the camera, near the start of From Dusk Till Dawn, “You, be cool.”. It was painfully obvious from the numerous interviews they had done prior but geek, indie overlords Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino were, indeed, cool, boasting some impressive genre knowledge on the junkets while doing press for their earlier pictures. These twin lifetimes of horror worship finally got a chance to get yo on the screen where it belonged in 1996 with the Grindhouse inspired horror/crime blowout From Dusk To Dawn.
Essentially the an audacious blending of the styles of two separate filmmakers who gleefully united to create a nutso blend of bullets, booze, boobs and bloodsuckers, From Dusk Till Dawn
After being bloodily busted out of jail by his brother, Richie, we pick up with professional bad guy Seth Gecko with his sibling in tow as they attempt to stay ahead of the law. After a memorably explosive stop off at a liquor store, the brothers head toward the mexican border with a hostage locked in their trunk in order to do a deal with Carlos, a kingpin who will offer them sanctuary for a fee, however, Seth’s plan hits a gruesome hiccup due to the fact that Richie is a dangerously impulsive and deluded sex criminal and after he can’t keep his unsettling urges to himself, the Gecko Brothers finally find themselves down one hostage and one plan to sneak across the border.
Enter Jacob Fuller – a preacher who has lost his faith after the death of his wife – and his two kids, daughter Kate and adopted son Scott, who roll up to the motel the Gecko’s are hiding out in in a sizable mobile home big enough to smuggle everyone into Mexico. They are promptly taken hostage at gunpoint and just like that, the plan is back on – but tensions rise as the two families struggle to maintain an uneasy truce thanks to the unpredictable actions of Richie who is imagining that the virginal Kate is whispering some very lewd suggestions to him that he’s itching to put into action. However, once through the border, the honorable Seth relaxes as the home straight is finally in sight as they arrive at the meeting place, an insanely raucous bar tailor made for bikers and truckers modestly dubbed the Twitty Twister and the group settles down and wait until dawn when everyone can go their separate ways.
But hold up! Not so fast guys! In a plot twist that feels born from a bong hit, all the strippers and staff of the Titty Twister turn out to be a highly aggressive breed of vampires who use their bar as a cover to normally prey on nomadic road users. After surviving a gargantuan and gory bar fight that would make John Wayne shat his chaps, the survivors try to fortify the bar before the second wave surges in on leathery bat wings of death. All the living have to do is survive – from dusk till dawn…
Essentially a movie of three sections that audaciously takes the hallmarks of both auteurs and gradually bleeds them together to create sort of a thematic double Bill that worked way better than their later, more obvious attempt, Grindhouse. The first section takes the form of a crime thriller as Seth and Richie strive to cross the Mexican border after a daring jail break is pure Tarantino that sees the usual mixture of stylish conversations and brutal acts of violence, whereas the second these established characters pull up at the Titty Twister the second, transitional phase kicks in as our leads realise they’ve unwittingly wandered out of one genre and ended up in another one entirely. The third section of the movie is unfettered Rodriguez through and through, furiously channeling Sam Raimi’s, anything goes Evil Dead sensibilities through a haze of a Tequila buzz, the movie ends on a delirious sprint that throws in everything but the kitchen sink as giant rat monsters, shotgun crucifixes and a crotch mounted pistol are all hurled at the screen in a giddy celebration of grue, guts and great big monsters.
I already knew about From Dusk Till Dawn’s far-out, mid-film flip months in advance, but I’ve always wondered, as a life-long horror nut, what it would have been like if I’d gone into the movie completely cold. As it stands, Rodriguez’s opus of titties and teeth proves to be an enjoyably misshapen juggernaut of coolness that, for best results, should be started sober but essential that you must be nicely trashed the time our characters head into one of cinema’s greatest shitholes it’s ever seen.
The cast is winningly game with George Clooney, still zesty fresh from leaving ER, proving that he’s nothing short of a fucking star as the gun wielding, neck twitching personification of cool. Elsewhere, the notoriously serious Harvey Keitel lets his hair down as the mourning Jacob and while he’s still technically the movie’s straight man, Rodriguez still let’s him do awesome shit like impale a vamp with a shotgun and blast others through the hole in it’s back like if Peter Cushing’s Van Helsing turned up to work with a tab of LSD under his tongue. In comparison, Tarantino’s acting job as bespectacled sex case Richie isn’t anywhere as cringeworthy as it could have been thanks to the fact that his character’s supposed to be a chattering weirdo anyway – although the fact he wrote himself a scene where he sucks booze from a stripper’s toes still stands as one of cinema’s most impressive red flags. Elsewhere, Julliette Lewis may just simply transport her teenage girl routine over from Cape Fear wholesale, but she’s proves to be the likable, innocent heart of a movie full of bat-faced wraiths, motor-mouthed rapists and special effects legend Tom Savini playing a bull whip cracking biker named Sex Machine.
Tarantino and Rodriguez seem to getting a legitimate kick out of teaming the cream of Hollywood elite with some cult character actors and joining Savini is Fred Williamson’s bulky Vietnam vet, Cheech Marin in a plethora of roles (most infamously a vagina-fixated MC memorably named Chet Pussy), Danny Trejo being Danny Trejo and Salma Hayek effortlessly melting celluloid as the shapely villainess (as in she literally changes shape) Santanico Pandemonium.
A timely and awesome case that weird, violent, goofy trash can be just as cinematic as more prudish fare that doesn’t have a neck tattooed Dr. Doug Ross killing wiry bloodsuckers with a stake mounted jackhammer; From Dusk Till Dawn unveils its ridiculous twist, its amoral heroes and an army of goopy creatures to show that there’s no shame in embracing a gleefully crass mind fuck when this much talent is involved.
The filmmaking epitome of a booze soaked fuck yeah!