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By Courtney Pierce
When I wrote my first novel, Stitches, the thought of being published was the furthest thing from my mind. I wanted the challenge of plotting a compelling story, to learn the craft, and to dive into the story that burned in my imagination. I took a sabbatical from corporate life to write that story, a deeply personal story of immortality filled with humor and adventure. Now, two trilogies later, I’m finishing my sixth book, Indigo Legacy, and I’m back to balancing work, a new family, and my writing.
But there was no greater feeling than finishing that first book in 2012, a creation born from the pure joy of pushing through the process and challenging myself with questions. To turn over the manuscript to the first reader was a test of fortitude, self-confidence, and my openness to criticism. I developed that much-needed thick skin.
I came up for air in a swirl of adventure, humor, and magical realism, only to feel a bit lost atHow to get Published and critiquing queries for a hefty fee. They weren't selling many books. Publishers were only interested in celebrity memoirs and established authors with a proven track record, those who could make them money without a marketing budget. What to do next? The publishing industry was in chaos in 2012, and so were retail bookstores, both big chains and independent ones. Life for the average reader had shifted to be an E-book experience―at a rate of $.99 or free. Only a select few were making a decent living from being a writer, earning pennies on the dollar for the long hours invested. The book business was about volume...in the millions. The industry had been plunged into a perfect storm of capitalism: an antiquated, crumbling process in need of rebuilding, fueled by new technology. Amazon was living up to its name. Literary agents had shifted their focus to teaching workshops about
And then a funny thing did happen on the way to being published.
The lone writer―the little gal―suddenly could have her own voice.
I could do everything myself: Tweet, Facebook, set up a website, hire an editor and cover designer, format and produce a book at the push of a button. Not easy, mind you, but I would’ve had to do much of it anyway. If I was prolific and built my audience with a steady stream of books, then the publishing industry might chase me. Publishers aren’t in the business of making dreams come true. That’s my job.
I made the choice to be a pioneer. I decided to go it on my own, and the process was liberating if not amazing. As a first-time author during that tumultuous period, my chances of getting traditionally published were a long shot at best. Self-publishing allowed me to control my timeline, protect my content, and retain ownership of my copyrights. I taught myself the business, and I got better at it with every book. But most of all, I found my audience, without delusions of grandeur. If I didn’t sell millions of books, I wasn’t a failure. I’m thankful for those 73 Million baby boomers, just like me. Those boomers who bought my books and personally connected with me showed me the way forward.
My sense of purpose is to stay true to my audience…and to myself. Chasing trends doesn't work to be successful. That can't always be measured in dollars. I write for the pure joy of it. I’ve circled back to my roots of why I got into this crazy endeavor in the first place.
Courtney Pierce is a fiction writer living in Milwaukie, Oregon, with her bossy cat. She writes for baby boomers. By day, Courtney is an executive in the entertainment industry and uses her time in a theater seat to create stories that are filled with heart, humor and mystery. She has studied craft and storytelling at the Attic Institute and has completed the Hawthorne Fellows Program for writing and publishing. Active in the writing community, she is a board member of the Northwest Independent Writers Association and on the Advisory Council of the Independent Publishing Resource Center. She is a member of Willamette Writers, Pacific Northwest Writers Association, and She Writes. The Executrix received the Library Journal Self-E recommendation seal.
Check out all of Courtney's books at:
courtney-pierce.com and windtreepress.com. Both print and E-books are available through most major online retailers, including Amazon.com
The Dushane Sisters are back in Indigo Lake. More laughs, more tears...and more trouble. Protecting Mom's reputation might get the sisters killed―or give one of them the story she's been dying to live.
New York Times best-selling author Karen Karbo says, "Courtney Pierce spins a madcap tale of family grudges, sisterly love, unexpected romance, mysterious mobsters and dog love. Reading Indigo Lake is like drinking champagne with a chaser of Mountain Dew. Pure Delight."
Colorful characters come alive in Courtney's trilogy about the Dushane sisters. Beginning with The Executrix, three middle-age sisters find a manuscript for a murder mystery in their mother's safe after her death. Mom’s book gives them a whole new view of their mother and their future. Is it fiction . . . or truth?
Get out the popcorn as the Dushane Sisters Trilogy comes to a scrumptious conclusion with Indigo Legacy. Due out in 2017.


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Insects respond to the spatial and temporal dynamics of a pheromone plume, which implies not only a strong response to 'odor on', but also to 'odor off'. This requires mechanisms geared toward a fast signal termination. Several mechanisms may contribute to signal termination, among which odorant-degrading enzymes. These enzymes putatively play a role in signal dynamics by a rapid inactivation of odorants in the vicinity of the sensory receptors, although direct in vivo experimental evidences are lacking. Here we verified the role of an extracellular carboxylesterase, esterase-6 (Est-6), in the sensory physiological and behavioral dynamics of Drosophila melanogaster response to its pheromone, cis-vaccenyl acetate (cVA). Est-6 was previously linked to post-mating effects in the reproductive system of females. As Est-6 is also known to hydrolyze cVA in vitro and is expressed in the main olfactory organ, the antenna, we tested here its role in olfaction as a putative odorant-degrading enzyme.
We first confirm that Est-6 is highly expressed in olfactory sensilla, including cVA-sensitive sensilla, and we show that expression is likely associated with non-neuronal cells. Our electrophysiological approaches show that the dynamics of olfactory receptor neuron (ORN) responses is strongly influenced by Est-6, as in Est-6° null mutants (lacking the Est-6 gene) cVA-sensitive ORN showed increased firing rate and prolonged activity in response to cVA. Est-6° mutant males had a lower threshold of behavioral response to cVA, as revealed by the analysis of two cVA-induced behaviors. In particular, mutant males exhibited a strong decrease of male-male courtship, in association with a delay in courtship initiation.
Our study presents evidence that Est-6 plays a role in the physiological and behavioral dynamics of sex pheromone response in Drosophila males and supports a role of Est-6 as an odorant-degrading enzyme (ODE) in male antennae. Our results also expand the role of Est-6 in Drosophila biology, from reproduction to olfaction, and highlight the role of ODEs in insect olfaction.
A sense that lacks spatial resolution requires a high temporal resolution for accurate location of signal sources in space. Insect pheromone responses exemplify this, with a capability of resolving and responding to pheromone filaments in 100 to 200 ms . For such a system to operate it requires not only fast responses to 'odor on', but also to 'odor off'. Odor-off responses imply inactivation of odorant signals. Several mechanisms have been proposed to participate in signal cessation or reduction within insect olfactory hairs (or sensilla), involving either olfactory receptors (Ors) or molecules interacting with them (reviewed in ). In Drosophila melanogaster, when Or genes were expressed in another olfactory receptor neuron (ORN) than their native ORN by using the 'empty neuron' system (Δhalo mutant), signal termination was similar to what had been observed in their native ORN, suggesting that Ors play a key role in signal dynamics . However, when an Or from the silk moth Bombyx mori was expressed in Drosophila T1 sensilla, termination of the response was rapid, whereas it was delayed when this receptor was expressed in another type of sensilla than the T1s, suggesting that the cellular environment of Ors could also play a role in the dynamics of the response . In particular, fast degradation of odorants in the vicinity of Ors by odorant-degrading enzymes (ODEs) has been proposed as a mechanism contributing to the termination of ORN responses. Pheromone degradation in vitro by antennal extracts (; reviewed in [6,7]), by purified antennal enzymes [8,9], as well as enzymatic inhibition in vivo (reviewed in [10,11]) strongly support this hypothesis. Various enzyme families were described as candidate ODEs, such as carboxylesterases, aldehyde oxidases, epoxide hydrolases, glutathione-S-transferases or cytochrome P450 (reviewed in ). Few ODEs have been both identified at the molecular level and functionally characterized in vitro. Among them, carboxylesterases involved in pheromone/odorant degradation were the most studied [8,9,12-14]. However, involvement of ODEs in odorant processing has never been directly demonstrated in vivo.
In Drosophila melanogaster, the molecular mechanisms involved in the reception of a male-produced olfactory pheromone, cis-vaccenyl acetate (cVA), are intensely studied. In males, cVA suppresses male-male courtship  and promotes male-male aggression . cVA also suppresses courtship towards recently-mated females, as cVA is transferred to the female with the seminal fluid . Or67d, an Or mediating the sensory and behavioral responses to the cVA [15,16,18,19] is expressed in T1 trichoid sensilla . LUSH, an odorant-binding protein (OBP), and SNMP1, a putative membrane bound coreceptor, are also required for cVA sensitivity [15,18,20-22]. Elements of binding and reception of cVA within T1 sensilla are thus well documented, but the mechanisms of cVA inactivation are unknown. In our search for putative factors that are involved in cVA degradation we noted that an extracellular carboxylesterase (EC 184.108.40.206), Esterase-6 (Est-6; CG6917), which is transferred during copulation to the female with the seminal fluid , hydrolyzes cVA in vitro . Interestingly in males, Est-6 is not only expressed in the ejaculatory duct , but also in the antennae [26-29], suggesting that Est-6 could play a role in pheromone processing.
In the present work we determined in vivo the role of Est-6 in cVA olfaction. We studied the phenotypes of several Est-6 mutant and control strains at the electrophysiological and behavioral levels. Our results demonstrate that Est-6 enables flies to detect and respond to the temporal dynamics of cVA stimulation. In addition, cVA-triggered behaviors are also modified in mutants, suggesting that Est-6 is of behavioral significance.
First we quantified the transcript levels between different chemosensory appendages by quantitative PCR (qPCR). Est-6 levels were ninefold higher in antennae compared to the proboscis (gustatory organ)/maxillary palps (olfactory organ) (Figure (Figure1A).1A). Est-6 was barely detectable in legs, which bear gustatory sensilla, including sensilla responding to female-specific pheromones . Interestingly, we also observed a clear sexual dimorphism, as male antennae expressed 6.5-fold more Est-6 than the female antennae. To examine the expression pattern of Est-6 within chemosensory organs, we observed Est-6-Gal4/UAS-mCD8-GFP male antennae, which express green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the control of Est-6 promoter. GFP was widely expressed throughout the third antennal segment (Figure 1B, C). Moreover, most of the GFP+ cells did not seem to coexpress ELAV, a neuronal marker (Figure 1D, F). Est-6 is thus highly and broadly expressed in male antenna. At the cellular level, a neuronal expression could not be completely excluded, but expression is mostly observed in olfactory accessory cells surrounding ORNs.
To test whether the olfactory response to cVA is modified in Est-6° males, we first recorded the responses of antennae by electroantennography (EAG). A dose response curve to cVA was established (Additional file 1, Figure S1). We selected a dose of cVA (200 μg/cartridge) that induced a high response with our system and performed long stimulation (5 s) in order to mimic an overstimulation of the antennae. In these conditions, the dynamics of EAG responses clearly differed between the null mutant Est-6°, which completely lacks Est-6, and the two control strains, that is, the wild-type strain Canton S ('CS') and the rescue strain ('Rescue'), in which Est-6 expression was restored (Figure (Figure2A):2A): the depolarization was similar in the three strains but the repolarization was slower in Est-6° males. The repolarization rates at the end of the stimulation (Figure (Figure2B)2B) were reduced in Est-6° mutant compared to the controls (8% in Est-6° vs 22.4% in CS and 20.7% in the rescue strain). EAG results thus indicate that the lack of Est-6 in mutant flies affects the temporal dynamics of antennal responses to cVA, with a delayed signal termination. To test whether the Est-6 mutation affects the general functioning of the antennae, we measured their responses to a different odorant. We selected 2-heptanone, because this ketone is detected by a basiconic type sensillum that is distinct from cVA-responding trichoid sensilla  and because its chemical structure prevents degradation by esterases. In contrast to cVA, high doses of 2-heptanone did not elicit different responses between control and Est-6° males (Figure 2C, D), suggesting that the Est-6 mutation does not have a general effect on the olfactory detection.
As the relationship between EAGs and response characteristics of underlying sensory neuron is tenuous, we therefore verified the temporal response characteristics of individual ORNs in T1 sensilla, which are specifically tuned to cVA, using single-sensillum recordings (SSR). We used physiological doses of cVA and brief stimulations as well as higher doses and long stimulations. Both firing rate and response duration of T1 neurons upon stimulations with 5 and 50 μg of cVA were affected in Est-6° mutants compared to CS and Rescue flies (Figure 3A, B). With 0.5-s stimulation and both doses of cVA, Est-6° mutants exhibited a delayed signal termination, as revealed by the increased spiking rate after stimulation (4.4 spikes/s in Est-6° vs 0.9 in CS and 1.0 in Rescue flies for a dose of 5 μg; 13.5 spikes/s in Est-6° vs 2.9 in CS and 4.7 in Rescue flies for a dose of 50 μg). With prolonged, 3-s stimulations, at low and high doses of cVA, both firing rate and duration of the response were significantly increased in mutant males compared to CS and Rescue strains (Figure (Figure3B).3B). In summary, following cVA stimulation, T1 sensilla in Est-6° males responded with a delayed signal termination, whatever the dose and the duration of the stimulation. In addition, firing rate during stimulation was also increased in response to prolonged stimulations.
To examine whether Est-6 mutation could influence cVA-induced behaviors, we first measured male-male sexual behavior by measuring the courtship index (CI) toward a CS target male. Under daylight conditions and when paired with an immobilized male, a wild-type male courts typically with a CI of 10% . This percentage increased significantly when visual cues were suppressed (CI of 25 to 28% in control strains, Figure Figure4A).4A). The CI was however strongly reduced in Est-6° (6.5%). Similarly, copulation attempts were absent in Est-6° mutants (Figure (Figure4B),4B), indicating a decrease in courtship vigor. Conversely, the latency of wing vibration was higher in the mutant strain (Figure (Figure4C),4C), indicating a delay in courtship initiation. In the rescue strain, all these phenotypes were restored. Absence of Est-6 thus correlated with a decreased male-male courtship, suggesting that the mutation enhances the antiaphrodisiac effect of cVA.
Courtship of males is thought to be inhibited by cVA [17,32], however, male gustatory pheromones such as Z-7-tricosene are also antiaphrodisiac for males . To evaluate whether the behavioral modification observed in Est-6 mutant flies could be directly linked to cVA, we analyzed the heterosexual courtship of males. Under dim red light, the CI of CS and Rescue males to CS decapitated virgin females ranged between 53.2% to 57.6%, respectively, and did not significantly differ from those of Est-6° mutant males (45.4%) (Figure (Figure5A).5A). Copulation attempts (Figure (Figure5B)5B) and courtship initiation (Figure (Figure5C)5C) was also comparable in the three strains. Absence of Est-6 had thus no effect on heterosexual courtship, suggesting that the perception of female pheromones is not affected. As heterosexual courtship is driven by gustatory and olfactory cues, this result suggested that Est-6 mutation did not interfere with their detection and integration.
We subsequently scored the CI of males to CS virgin females treated with exogenous cVA or solvent only. With solvent only, the CI was comparable in CS, Rescue and Est-6° males (53.4%, 50.8% and 52.8%, respectively; Figure Figure5A)5A) and reached similar level as without any treatment. With the highest dose of cVA, the CI of control and Est-6° flies dropped to around 14%. The intermediate dose of 150 ng (approximately two-thirds male equivalent) induced a decrease of courtship in the three genotypes, however this decrease was more pronounced in Est-6 (19.2%) than in CS (39.8%) and Rescue (32,2%) males. This decrease was associated with a delay in courtship initiation, as shown by the corresponding wing vibration latency (Figure (Figure5C).5C). More interestingly, with the lowest dose (50 ng, 1/4 male equivalent) the CI of CS and Rescue males was unaffected, whereas it was significantly reduced in Est-6° males (30.4%), with again a delay in courtship initiation. A decrease in copulation attempts was observed when females were treated with cVA, but this decrease was comparable in the three strains (Figure (Figure5B).5B). The antiaphrodisiac effect of cVA was thus dose-dependent in the three strains. However, the amount of synthetic cVA required to inhibit the male courtship was lower for Est-6° than for control males, suggesting that the mutants presented a lowest threshold of response to the pheromone.
As cVA also promotes male-male aggression , we finally compared aggression behavior between Est-6° and control males. Male aggressiveness was analyzed indirectly, using a dispersal test. The dispersal of male flies competing for a food resource is indeed correlated with the level of aggression . In the absence of synthetic cVA, control males quickly aggregated on the food resource and remained there for at least 30 minutes after introduction into the chamber (Figure (Figure6).6). Solvent only (acetone) did not have any effect. In the presence of synthetic cVA at high dose (500 μg) after initial attraction to the resource, the number of CS and Rescue flies on the food cup declined, indicating aggression-induced dispersal. Est-6° males exhibited also increased dispersal, but this behavior was observed even in absence of synthetic cVA. As cVA is a volatile pheromone, its concentration is proportional to the number of male flies in a given environment. Our results suggest that the level of cVA emitted in the test chamber by six males was sufficient to trigger dispersal of Est-6° males, but not of control males.
The response of male flies to olfactory cues from food was evaluated using a trap assay . Mutant flies were able to detect and locate the food paste equally well as control males (Additional file 2, Figure S2A). As the performance in this trap assay is a good reflect of the olfactory function , the result indicates that the lack of Est-6 in the antennae or the genital tract does not have a general effect on olfactory-driven behaviors in mutants. Finally, the locomotor activity of mutant males was also comparable to control males, which demonstrates that Est-6 mutation does not affect locomotor activity in general (Additional file 2, Figure S2B).
This study demonstrates that a carboxylesterase, Est-6, previously linked to post-mating effects in the reproductive system of D. melanogaster females, plays also a role in the sensitivity and dynamics of ORNs tuned to cVA, the volatile fruit fly pheromone. We also infer that this physiological function of Est-6 at the peripheral olfactory level is required for normal male behavioral responses to cVA.
Est-6 is known as an extracellular enzyme in the male genital tract  and its extracellular location within the antennae has been shown by its isolation during the analysis of the soluble proteome of D. melanogaster antennae . We show here that Est-6 expression in male antennae is high and associated with most of olfactory sensilla, confirming the Est-6/lacZ pattern previously observed within the third antennal segment . In addition, we found that Est-6 expression is mostly associated with the accessory cells embedding the sensory neurons and located at the base of the sensilla. These cells are already known to produce OBPs and secrete them into the sensillum lymph [35-37]. Altogether, these data suggest that Est-6 could be secreted within the lymph of the olfactory sensilla, including cVA-sensitive sensilla.
As all other β-esterases, Est-6 clustered within a clade that includes extracellular catalytically competent esterases (reviewed in ). Phylogenetic analyses [13,39] also revealed that Est-6 was closely related to the antennal carboxylesterases characterized in vitro in the wild silk moth Antheraea polyphemus [9,12] and in the beetle Popilia japonica . These ODEs were able to hydrolyze the female sex pheromones in vitro with kinetics suggesting that they could play a significant role in the dynamic of signal termination in vivo [8,9,12]. cVA degradation by purified Est-6 into cis-vaccenyl alcohol (cVOH) has been shown in vitro  and it has been also demonstrated that cVOH elicits only very low responses in T1 sensory neurons . Together with its sensillar location, this catalytic activity towards the pheromone suggested that Est-6 could a play a role in pheromone signal termination, as a candidate ODE. Further determination of Est-6 kinetics towards cVA will be useful to precise its mode of action.
If ODEs were required for odorant processing, then their inhibition should disturb odorant reception within the antennae. Several pharmacological approaches have been used to address this question. Volatile trifluoroketones (TFKs), which can inhibit carboxylesterase activities  were used in several lepidopteran species to test their effect on pheromone response , but controversial effects were observed. In the moth Ostrinia nubilalis, prolonged repolarization time of EAG in response to the pheromone after TFK application suggested that esterases were involved in pheromone deactivation , but it has also been suggested that TFKs may interact with Ors, OBPs or other members of the transduction cascade [42,43]. Inhibition of antennal cytochrome P450 by metyrapone reduces pheromone responses in a scarab beetle, suggesting that these intracellular enzymes were required for maintaining olfactory sensitivity .
In Drosophila, genetic tools offer the opportunity to knockdown candidate genes specifically to verify their physiological role directly. This approach led us to demonstrate that the absence of Est-6 in males indeed modifies neuronal responses to the pheromone, with stronger and longer-lasting responses. Noteworthy, the kinetics of signal termination within Est-6° T1 sensilla is altered even at physiological low doses of pheromone and with brief stimulations, as expected after the knockdown of an ODE. We can assume that the lack of Est-6 in mutant antennae prevents the degradation of cVA, which could lead to an accumulation of cVA in the perireceptor space of T1 sensilla. While binding with cVA, the OBP LUSH encounters a conformational change and the LUSH/cVA complex would be the active form that interacts with the receptor (Laughlin et al., 2008). LUSH increases the sensitivity of T1 ORN to cVA but does not to cVOH . In Est-6° mutant antennae, accumulation of cVA would thus lead to an accumulation of the complex OBP/pheromone, leading to stronger responses and delayed signal termination. However, Est-6 involvement in signal dynamics does not preclude a role of additional mechanisms in signal termination.
As Est-6 has a physiological effect on cVA reception, we thus tested whether Est-6 mutation could influence cVA-triggered behaviors. We found that Est-6 deficiency clearly enhances the antiaphrodisiac effect of the pheromone. Topical applications of exogenous cVA on females reduced male courtship as already observed . In addition, we showed that the effect of exogenous cVA is dose dependent in control and Est-6° males. However, the threshold of behavioral response to the pheromone is lower in Est-6° males. Compared to control flies, lower doses of cVA were sufficient to slow down courtship initiation of mutant males, thus to reduce their courtship. Est-6 deficiency also increases dispersal thus likely aggression. The proximity to a high density of male flies has been shown to increase the level of male aggression, thus dispersal, in a dose-dependent manner . Dispersal of Est-6° males in absence of exogenous cVA suggests again a lower threshold of behavioral response in mutant males.
Activation by cVA of ORNs carrying Or67d in T1 sensilla is sufficient to inhibit male-male courtship behavior , and to promote cVA-induced aggression . In particular, increasing artificially the excitability of Or67d-expressing ORNs, by expressing a bacterially-derived sodium channel, promotes dispersal of grouped flies even in absence of exogenous cVA . Modified physiological responses of T1 sensilla to cVA in Est-6° mutants could thus potentially account for the observed exacerbated behaviors. Delayed cVA termination and stronger responses of T1 sensilla from Est-6° mutant males are consistent with their lower threshold of behavioral response. Indirect evidence for a function specific for T1 sensilla comes from the fact that lack of Est-6 in mutants did not impair other chemically-driven behaviors, as indicated by a normal response to food odors and to female pheromones.
In conclusion, we have demonstrated that an extracellular esterase, Est-6, is involved in maintaining proper temporal dynamics of cVA detection at the peripheral olfactory circuit level and is involved in cVA-induced behaviors in males. These results expand the role of Est-6 in Drosophila biology, from reproduction to olfaction. After its transfer during mating with the semen, Est-6 is known to rapidly translocate to the female hemolymph and to impact female reproductive behavior (stimulation of egg laying and inhibition of receptivity for remating) . Our results demonstrate that the same enzyme plays a crucial role in cVA detection in male antennae. This work also highlights the physiological role of carboxylesterases in insect odorant reception in vivo. In vertebrates, a potential role of extracellular enzymes from the nasal mucus has been recently revealed by a pharmacological inhibition approach . Enzymatic conversion of odorants seemed to be fast enough to affect olfactory dynamics. The corresponding enzymes were not characterized, but carboxylesterases were suspected to play a role in ester conversion . Enzyme-based mechanism of inactivation could be comparable in olfactory systems of insects and vertebrates.
In a context of pest insect management, these enzymes may be interesting targets for the development of specific inhibitors that interfere with the insect's ability to respond adequately to olfactory cues from mates or host plants.
The following strains were used during this study: an Est-6° null mutant strain (Bloomington stock 4211), completely lacking Est-6 and described in detail ; a rescue strain described in Odgers et al. , which presents a similar genetic background as Est-6° (the Est-6 promoter was fused to the Est-6 coding region and transformed into the Est-6 null background); Canton-S (CS) flies were used as wild-type control flies. Transgenic UAS-mCD8::GFP (Bloomington stock 5130) flies were used for immunohistochemistry experiments to determine more precisely the expression pattern of Est-6 within antennae. For the generation of the Est-6Gal4 lines, a 1,132 fragment corresponding to the Est-6 promoter region was cloned in the pChs-Gal4 vector, and transgenic flies were generated by P-mediated germline transformation by BestGene Inc. (Chino Hill, CA, USA) according to standard procedures . All flies were raised at 25°C on standard yeast/cornmeal/agar medium in a 12-h light/12-h dark cycle, 50% to 60% relative humidity.
To precisely define the levels of Est-6 expression in antennae and other chemosensory appendages, Est-6 transcripts were quantified by qPCR analysis. Antennae from 5 to 7-day old males and females, male legs and proboscis with maxillary palps were dissected for total RNA extraction using TRIzol Reagent (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA, USA). Heads without appendages were also tested. Single-stranded cDNAs were synthesized from total RNAs (1 μg) using Superscript II reverse transcriptase (Invitrogen). All reactions were performed as previously described  on the LightCycler® 480 Real-Time PCR System (Roche, Basel, Switzerland). Each reaction was run in triplicate with at least three independent biological replicates. The pgk, rpl8 and rp49 genes were used as reference genes. Specific primers were designed using EPRIMER3 http://mobyle.pasteur.fr and were as follows: rp49up CGGATCGATATGCTAAGCTGT, rp49do ACGTTGTGCACCAGGAACTT, rpL8up TCGTATCGACAAGCCCATCCTGA, rpl8do ACCACGGATCCTACCGGTACGAC, pgkup CGAGAAACTGGTGGAGAAGG, pgkdo CGAAGTTGGGGAACTCAAAG, Est6up TTCCCGGAAACTATGGACTG and Est6do CAGTTCAAAGGCTCGTCCTC. Normalized Est-6 expression was calculated with Q-Gene software .
To localize the expression site of Est-6 in the antenna, we used transgenic flies expressing GFP under the control of Est-6 promoter and we performed immunohistochemistry with an anti-ELAV antibody as neuronal marker. Heads with antennae from 5-day-old males Est-6Gal4/UAS-mCD8-GFP were fixed for 3 h in 4% paraformaldehyde with 0.2% Triton X-100 (Sigma-Aldrich, Saint-Quentin Fallavier, France), then washed for 1 h with phosphate-buffered saline containing 0.2% Triton X-100 (PBST, Sigma-Aldrich). Heads were then embedded in Tissue-Tek™ (CellPath, Newtown Powys, UK) and cryosections (15 μm) were set in cell culture insert (Greiner Bio-one, Monroe, LA, USA). After blocking with 3% normal goat serum and 1% bovine serum albumin (BSA) in PBST (1 h at room temperature (RT)), an anti-ELAV (from Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank, University of Iowa) was diluted 1:10 (v/v) in the blocking solution (3% normal goat serum in PBST) and incubated overnight at RT. After a brief rinse in PBST, an anti-mouse conjugated Alexa-546 (Invitrogen) was applied 1:250 (v/v) in the blocking solution for 4 h at RT. tissues were mounted in Slowfade reagent (Invitrogen). Imaging was performed on Olympus BX61 microscope with a ScopePro software.
EAG recordings were performed at RT on 5-day-old males previously kept in individual tubes, as described previously . Reference and recording glass capillary electrodes were filled with 120 mM NaCl, 5 mM KCl, 1 mM CaCl2, 4 mM MgCl2, 10 mM 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazine-ethanesulfonic acid (HEPES, Sigma-Aldrich), pH = 7.2. The reference electrode (approximately 1 μm tip diameter) was inserted in one eye and the recording electrode (approximately 10 μm tip diameter) was pushed against one antenna. The signal was amplified (× 500) and low pass filtered online (10 kHz) with an Axopatch 200B amplifier (Molecular Devices, Union City, CA, USA) and digitized at 1 kHz with a Digidata 1440A acquisition board (Molecular Devices). A dose-response curve was established to select a dose of cVA that induces a high and saturating response. Antennae were then stimulated for 5 s with either pure hexane (> 98% purity, Carlo-Erba Reagents, Val de Reuil, France) as negative control, or with cVA (diluted in hexane, 200 μg/cartridge), or with 2-heptanone (1:1,000 in paraffin oil, > 98% purity, Carlo-Erba) as positive control. Analysis of EAGs was carried out under pClamp 10 (Molecular Devices). Repolarization rates were compared between the different strains. Repolarization rate was defined as: ((maximum amplitude of depolarization - amplitude of depolarization at the end of stimulation) ÷ maximum amplitude of depolarization) × 100.
Single-sensillum recordings were performed as described previously  in order to follow the response of T1 sensilla more precisely. In brief, a fly was restrained, a reference electrode was placed in the eye, and the recording tungsten electrode was brought in contact with the base of a sensillum. Signal was amplified (× 1,000, Syntech UN 06, Hilversum, The Netherlands). Actions potentials were analyzed offline with Autospike software (v. 4.0, Syntech). Three doses of cVA were tested, 0.5 μg, 5 μg and 50 μg, and two stimulus durations, 0.5 s and 3 s. Responses from individual ORNs were calculated as the increase in spike frequency relative to the prestimulus frequency. Average firing activities during the stimulus duration, as well as during the 9 s period following the end of stimulus were calculated.
Males were isolated after emergence and raised in individual tubes to avoid social interactions. All experiments were done under dim red lights at 25°C (50% to 60% relative humidity) and with immobilized target so as to enhance the behavioral effects of pheromone cues . For male-male assays, a single male (5 to 7 days old) was placed in a test chamber (3 cm diameter, 0.5 cm height) for 10 minutes before introducing a decapitated CS 'target' male. Courtship behavior was observed over 10 minutes and a courtship index (CI) was calculated. CI is the fraction of time spent in courtship activity in the 10-minute observation period. For each tested male, the latency before the first wing vibration and the number of copulation attempts were noted, as an indicator of courtship vigor. Heterosexual courtship was first measured in the same conditions as described for male-male courtship assay, except that a decapitated CS 'target' virgin female was introduced in the test chamber. Synthetic cVA was then applied on the dorsal abdomen of decapitated virgin females before to offer them to mutant or control males. Mature male flies contain approximately 1 μg of cVA in their ejaculatory bulb  and 400 ng on their cuticle . The quantity of cVA transferred to the female during copulation was estimated to 200 ng  but 70% of the pheromone is lost 6 h after insemination . The amount of cVA on females 24 h after mating was indeed only 10 ng . Three doses of cVA diluted in acetone (> 98% purity, Sigma-Aldrich) were applied on females, 400 ng (twice male equivalent), 150 ng (approximately two-thirds male equivalent) and 50 ng (one-quarter male equivalent).
Experiments were performed as described previously . Briefly, 15 males were raised together after emergence for 5 to 7 days. Six males were simultaneously introduced in a plastic tube (2.5 cm diameter, 10 cm height) coated with Fluon (Sigma-Aldrich) and a small cup containing food was placed in the center, together with a small piece of filter paper containing either 500 μg of synthetic cVA or acetone (solvent). Flies were videotaped for 30 minutes and the total number of flies on the food cup was counted every 30 s.
The response of male flies to airborne chemicals was evaluated using the principle of the olfactory trap assay , which allows to test the ability of flies to detect and migrate toward a source of olfactory attractant. All tests were performed under dim red lights as for courtship assays. Ten flies of the same genotype (CS or Est-6° males) were placed in a 50 ml Greiner tube along with a trap constructed from a microfuge tube and two micropipette tips. Traps contained either a fresh yeast paste included in 10% agar as attractant or only agar. The number of trapped flies was counted after 22 h.
To verify that Est-6° males were not impaired in their mobility, their locomotor activity was determined as previously described . In brief, a single male was placed in the test chamber containing a filter paper with a bisecting line. The number of times the male crossed the line in a 3-minute observation period was counted.
Analyses were performed with Statistica 7 (StatSoft Inc., Tulsa, OK, USA). The Student's t test or Mann-Whitney U test were used for pairwise comparisons and analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by a Fisher post-hoc test was performed for comparisons among multiple groups. P < 0.05 was accepted as statistically significant.
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
TC and AF carried out electrophysiological, behavioural and molecular analyses, and participated in interpretation of the results and preparation of the manuscript. GR participated in molecular analyses. PL and TD participated in electrophysiological analyses, interpretation of the results and preparation of the manuscript. MMC conceived of the study, participated in interpretation of the results and wrote the paper.
All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Figure S1. Dose-response curve for CS male antennae to cis-vaccenyl acetate (cVA), plotted as mean ± SEM; N ≥ 7 for each data point.
Figure S2. Control tests for behavioral analysis. (A) Olfactory trap assay using fresh yeast paste as attractant. (B) Locomotor activity. Mean ± SEM; N = 10 and 40, respectively. Student's t test, *P < 0.05.
We warmly thank C Coppin for providing the Est-6 rescue flies, C Wicker-Thomas for the CS strain and BestGene for the transgenic flies. We thank Professor R Vogt for helpful discussions, and M Solvar and Coline Sentenac for technical help. This work was supported by Université Pierre et Marie Curie (UPMC), INRA, CSIC, SLU and a fellowship from the Research Ministry to ND.

domain: literature


text:
Day 15 of the 2016 Gilmore Keyboard Festival featured a Master Class by Richard Goode; a Noon Series performance by Ariel Pocock; and an afternoon performance by Lisa Moore.
Goode and Moore photography by Chris McGuire. Pocock photography by John Lacko.
Christina & Michelle Naughton (USA)
Sunday, November 5
Andrew Tyson (USA)
Sunday, December 3
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domain: artistic


text:
Bulgarian BSP, PES Leader Stanishev to head EP Energy Committee
Ruling Party leader and Party of European Socialists (PES) President Sergey Stanishev is to enter the Energy Committee at the European Parliament.
Bulgaria without Censorship (BwC) leader Nikolay Barekov, from the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) and GERB MEP Vladimir Uruchev are also due to join the Committee, the Bulgarian National Radio has reported.
The announcement comes after weeks of uncertainty over his future plans in politics.
Earlier in June he handed his resignation as a Bulgarian lawmaker in order to be MEP, but experts and fellow colleagues from his Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) suggested he might be aspiring to a high-profile position.
During Thursday's EP session it was also decided that Iliana Iotova (S&D), Mariya Gabriel (EPP Group Deputy Chair) and Filiz Hyusmenova (ALDE Group Deputy Chair) would join the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee.
Andrey Kovachev (GERB), elected Wednesday to be among the five EP quaestors, and Ilhan Kyuchuk (ALDE) will be part of the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
The EP's Budgetary Committee will include Georgi Pirinski (S&D), while former Bulgarian EU Funds Minister Tomislav Donchev will be part of the Regional Development Committee.
It was revealed on Wednesday that Iskra Mihaylova, who was until recently Environment Minister, could head the Committee, but the position is due to be announced Monday next week.
- » Prime Minister Borisov: Bulgaria will Provide EUR 500 000 to the Trust Fund for Africa
- » Donald Tusk Proposes Sofia to Host a Western Balkans Summit
- » 55% of Bulgarians are Optimistic About the EU Presidency
- » Estonia Supports Bulgaria's Entry into Schengen
- » Europe can Sue Bulgaria for Lack of Access to 112 Emergency Number for Deaf People
- » Bulgaria will be the Center of Dialogue for the Digital Single Market

domain: politics


Earth – Where Our Coffee Comes From
Learn about how coffee is grown and harvested and about the farmers we work with. Each section below leads to videos and other interactive functions to help you learn more about our coffee.
Our Producers – Meet some of our fairtrade, organic certified coffee producers. We source our raw green coffee beans from many countries including Peru, Ethiopia, Mexico, Guatemala and many more.
Fairtrade – Learn about fairtrade certification. Why we are certified and how coffee cooperative all of the planet benefit from being fairtrade certified.
Sustainability – We try to minimize our environmental footprint in every possible way we can. Find out what we are doing to keep our product as ‘green’ as possible.
Green Beans – Everything you need to know about raw, green coffee.


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The once-gaping void between traditional TV programming and original online entertainment shrunk some today, when AOL unveiled its new AOL On Network. It brings the more than 320,000 videos currently on the site and presents them in 14 curated, themed programming channels. In addition, AOL announced seven new series that will premiere on the site — a mixture of scripted entertainment, reality, news and games. The major restructuring was announced during the company’s 2012 Digital Content NewFront, its version of traditional TV’s upfront presentations to advertisers, marketers and media buyers. “The launch of the AOL On Network brings AOL’s entire video offering under one umbrella that delivers premium content at significant scale within desired audience segments,” AOL said. “Recognizing the increasing trend toward multi-screen consumption, all of the videos from AOL can be seen across four screens — desktop, tablet, mobile devices and connected TV devices.”
AOL On Network will feature channels curated by such personalities as Nina Garcia, Rachel Roy, Heidi Klum, Adrian Grenier, Erin Fetherston, Marc Forgione, Sam Talbot and Christine Vachon. It encompasses the former AOL Video, goviral, StudioNow and AOL HD brands. Here are the new series announced today, as described by AOL:
Digital Justice – A weekly reality show that follows digital forensic investigators as they solve cyber crimes. The series, which debuted today, dives into crime prevention units that are using the latest digital technology.
Fetching – Written by Sex and the City’s Amy Harris, Fetching is set against the backdrop of New York City and stars Liza — a young woman who quit her job as a lawyer and ended her engagement in the same week — in hopes of pursuing her dreams of opening her own business, a doggy daycare store called “Fetching.”
Little Women Big Cars – Debuting on May 7, the web series is centered around four soccer moms struggling to balance their busy schedules, family lives and sanity.
Next Door Hero – A new, unscripted series that features everyday Americans with extraordinary stories. This new series will spotlight America’s bravest everyday heroes.
Nina Garcia – Whether you’re embarking on a new relationship, just starting a new career or have a new baby, two things just happened: you found a new life and you lost your groove. The swag, thrill and the mojo of your look is totally gone and there’s only one woman that can help you get it back: Project Runway judge Nina Garcia.
Tiger Beat Entertainment – A deeper, more thoughtful lifestyle and entertainment show for and by teens and young adults covering a wide variety of pop culture and lifestyle categories with a genuine point of view.
ur + 1 – Similar to popular sports-related fantasy games, the ur + 1 gaming platform will allow users to pick teams of celebrities to compete for points based on their coverage on AOL properties.
Subscribe to Deadline Breaking News Alerts and keep your inbox happy.

domain: news


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Annabelle is a 2014 American supernatural horror film directed by John R. Leonetti, written by Gary Dauberman, and produced by Peter Safran and James Wan. It is a prequel to 2013's The Conjuring and the second film in The Conjuring film series. The film was inspired by a story of a doll named Annabelle told by Ed and Lorraine Warren. The film stars Annabelle Wallis, Ward Horton, and Alfre Woodard. The film was theatrically released worldwide on October 3, 2014.
Annabelle premiered at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, United States, on September 29, 2014. The film received mixed reviews from critics but was a box office success, grossing over $256 million against its $6.5 million production budget. A prequel titled Annabelle: Creation is scheduled to be released on August 11, 2017.
The film starts with the same opening scene from The Conjuring, in which two young women and a young man are telling the demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren about their experiences with a doll called Annabelle which they believe is haunted.
In 1969, John and Mia Form live in Santa Monica and are expecting their first child. John gives her an expensive antique doll that she has wanted. That night, Mia hears sounds of a struggle as the next door neighbors, the Higgins, are murdered. When Mia calls the police, she is attacked by a man and a woman holding the doll. John and the police arrive and kill the man while the woman kills herself by slitting her own throat. A drop of her blood falls on the face of the doll. A news report identifies the assailants as Annabelle Higgins and her boyfriend. They are described as part of the Disciples of the Ram, a satanic cult that practiced devil worship.
Since Annabelle was holding the doll while dying, Mia asks John to throw it away. Later there is a mysterious fire. As Mia is attempting to escape, she trips over furniture and an invisible force drags her towards the fire. She is rescued by a neighbor, but goes into labor and gives birth to a healthy baby girl named Leah. The family moves into a new apartment and while unpacking, Mia finds the doll they thought they had discarded. More strange activity plagues Mia and her new baby. She contacts a police detective, who informs her of Annabelle Higgins' involvement in the cult and their efforts to summon a demon by claiming a soul. Mia goes to a bookstore run by a woman named Evelyn and determines that the presence haunting her wants Leah's soul. Evelyn tells Mia that she had a daughter named Ruby who died in a car accident caused by Evelyn. She was so guilt-ridden that she attempted suicide. She claims to have heard Ruby's voice telling her it wasn't Evelyn's time to die.
The couple contacts their priest, Father Perez, who comes to their house and tells them that he will take the doll. As he attempts to enter the church, Annabelle's ghost attacks him, and the doll disappears. Father Perez warns John that it was Annabelle's spirit that caused his injuries. During another attack, the doll appears to levitate, but Mia sees that the demon is manipulating it. Mia attempts to destroy Annabelle but the demon tells her that she can end the doll's influence by sacrificing her soul to him. John and Evelyn break into the room to stop Mia from jumping out the window with Annabelle. Evelyn takes hold of Annabelle. She decides to sacrifice herself to atone for Ruby's death, and jumps out of the window to her death. The doll disappears.
Six months later, the Forms have moved on with their lives. Elsewhere, the mother of one of the girls in the opening scene purchases Annabelle as a gift for her child.
On-screen text states that the real Annabelle doll resides in a case in Ed and Lorraine Warren's museum, and that it is blessed by a priest twice a month to keep the public safe from the evil that the doll still possesses. The last shot of the film shows the Annabelle doll in the glass case as the camera lingers on it before it cuts to black.
- Annabelle Wallis as Mia Form
- Ward Horton as John Form
- Tony Amendola as Father Perez
- Alfre Woodard as Evelyn
- Kerry O'Malley as Sharon Higgins
- Brian Howe as Pete Higgins
- Eric Ladin as Detective Clarkin
- Ivar Brogger as Dr. Burgher
- Gabriel Bateman as Robert
- Geoff Wehner as Neighbor
- Shiloh Nelson as Nancy
- Keira Daniels as 7-year-old Annabelle Higgins
- Robin Pearson Rose as the Mother
- Camden Singer as Clerk
- Morganna Bridgers as Debbie
- Amy Tipton as Camilla
- Sasha Sheldon as Nurse
- Christopher Shaw as Fuller
- Joseph Bishara (uncredited) as Demonic figure
The film is a spin-off of the movie "The Conjuring" focusing on the origins of the Annabelle doll found in that film. Still the film was designed to be stand alone yet at the same time catering to fans of "The Conjuring" who would already be familiar with the latter film. According to Backstage.com the film was one of the first in a new strategy by distributors Warner Brothers and New Line "that capitalizes on the built-in fan bases for successful films, allowing for smaller budgets and production time with a bigger payout on the back end."
Casting was announced in January 2014 with Annabelle Wallis and Ward Horton playing the leads. with actors Eric Ladinn Brian Howie and Alfre Woodward also being announced that month.
Principal photography began on January 27, 2014, at The Book Shop in Covina. On February 25, 2014, filming continued at an apartment in South Normandie Avenue of Los Angeles County where the 55-member crew shot for several days.
Director Leonetti and producer Safran told reporters that the Annabelle set was "haunted" and that they thought "supernatural phenomena" had occurred there. The film was shot in sequence so that the actors were always aware of their emotional arcs.
On April 24, 2014, Joseph Bishara was hired to compose the music for the film. WaterTower Music released the soundtrack album on September 30, 2014.
Annabelle was a major box office success, earning $84.3 million in North America and $172.6 in other territories for a worldwide total of $256.9 million.
In the U.S. and Canada, Annabelle is the fourteenth highest-grossing horror/supernatural film. Early critics and box office trackers projected that Annabelle could gross around $25 – $27 million in its opening weekend. However, estimates declined shortly after to a range between $20 and $22 million. Annabelle was released on October 3, 2014, in 3,185 theatres in North America. Annabelle topped the box office in its opening day earning $15.4 million (including its $2.1 million midnight previews). In its traditional three-day opening the film debuted at #2 at the box office with $37,134,255, at an average of $11,659 per theater from 3,185 theaters after a neck-and-neck competition against Gone Girl which earned $37.5 million. The two releases were separated by $378,854. Its opening weekend gross is the eleventh highest in October and the biggest for a horror genre film of 2014, surpassing The Purge: Anarchy's $28.9 million opening. Dan Fellman, president of domestic distribution at Warner Bros., said about the opening box office performance, "we had a wonderful campaign for the film and a good date"; she added "being a spinoff of The Conjuring set it up really well and we just hit the right note." It is the second time that an October weekend has produced two $30 million or more debuts; the first was in 2008: High School Musical 3 ($42 million) and Saw V ($31 million). According to Rentrak, the opening weekend crowd was evenly split between female with 51% and under 25 years with 54%. The film closed down its theatrical run on December 18, 2014 and earned a total of $84,273,813 becoming the thirty-fifth highest-grossing movie of 2014 in the US.
The film was released in Russia on September 26, 2014, a week prior to its wide release and earned $2.1 million on its opening weekend, debuting at No. 3 at the Russian box office. Overseas in its opening weekend the film earned $23.6 million from nearly 3,300 screen and 39 foreign markets for a first-weekend worldwide total of $60.8 million.
High openings of Annabelle internationally were reported in France ($3.4 million), Brazil ($3 million), the UK ($3.1 million), Argentina ($1.2 million), Spain ($1.45 million) and Germany ($1.14 million). In India Annabelle debuted at #2 behind Bollywood blockbuster Bang Bang! and collected $1.3 million. It set an all-time opening record for a horror film in Peru with $1.34 million which is also Warner Bros. second biggest opening weekend of all time there overall. In Mexico, the film earned $10.9 million (including previews) on its opening weekend and broke the record for the biggest debut ever for a horror movie and the best 2D opening. Its opening weekend gross is also the third-biggest opening overall of 2014 behind Maleficent and Transformers: Age of Extinction there. In total the film took 59% of the total market share.
As of October 13, 2014, Annabelle has become the highest-grossing horror film in the Philippines, earning over ₱121.33 million. The film surpassed Insidious: Chapter 2's record (₱113 million), doing so after 12 days of release. The film has also become the highest-grossing horror movie in Lebanon after staying atop the box office for two weekends.
Annabelle received mixed reviews from film critics, the majority of which felt the film inferior to its forerunner. The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reports a 29% approval rating based on 119 reviews, with a rating average of 4.4 out of 10. The site's consensus is: "Annabelle borrows unabashedly from better horror films, content to leave viewers with a string of cheap jolts that fail to build on the far more effective The Conjuring". On Metacritic, the film has a score of 37 out of 100, based on 27 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews". CinemaScore gave the film a positive review with a B+ grade on a scale of A to F.
Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter criticized the film for its cheap production and screenplay, but was positive towards the performances of the cast and saying, "the film is ultimately so scary and formulaic that you won't forget it."
Scott Foundas of Variety gave the film a positive review, calling the film "inspired" but periodically cheap. He added "a cut-rate spinoff from James Wan's superlative haunted-house hit The Conjuring that (partly) makes up in crude shock effects, but lacks in atmosphere. Designed mainly as a starring vehicle for the eponymous, creepy-as-hell doll (who easily outclasses her human co-stars), this WB/New Line quickie is the thirst of die-hard genre fans and is by the far the best horror movie of the year".
Pete Hammond of Deadline gave the film a positive review and said that the scary doll show has left him pining for Chucky in Child's Play. He further added, "Annabelle may still draw horror fans in this Halloween month, and they will be quaking over the scares in this film." Annabelle was also titled "scariest movie of the year" by Time magazine.
- Main article: Annabelle: Creation
Fellman told The Washington Post that the studio was considering a film series based on the film. A sequel is currently in the works. In October 2015, it was reported that Gary Dauberman would be returning to write the script. However, it is unclear if director John Leonetti will return and it is rumoured that Warner Bros and New Line are shortlisting potential candidates to direct Annabelle 2 if Leonetti does not return. On March 22, 2016, Warner Bros. slated the film for release on May 19, 2017, with Lights Out director David F. Sandberg directing the film.
In June 2016, Miranda Otto and Stephanie Sigman were cast to star in the prequel. The story centers on a dollmaker and his wife (Otto) whose daughter tragically dies. Twenty years later they decide to open their home to a nun (Sigman) and several girls from a shuttered orphanage. When the dollmaker’s possessed creation Annabelle sets her sights on the children, it turns their shelter into a storm of horror.

domain: entertainment


text:
Where should I stop driving to Key West?
16 Best Stops On Your Miami To key West Drive
- Downtown Miami.
- Coral Castle Museum.
- Homestead-Miami Speedway.
- Everglades National Park.
- John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.
- Key Largo.
- Morada Way Arts District.
Is it worth driving the Florida Keys?
The Florida Keys are one of the best spots in the US to go on a road trip. In just 100 miles, hop from key to key, go snorkeling, dine at seafood restaurants, try key lime pie, go shopping, and enjoy endless views of brilliant aquamarine water. It’s a gorgeous drive with lots to do.
How many days do you need to visit the Florida Keys?
While it’s always ideal to spend more time in any destination, I recommend staying for at least four days in the Florida Keys, if not longer. To accomplish many things to do in the Florida Keys, you’ll need a solid five days.
How long does it take to drive through the Florida Keys?
You could drive the 113-mile stretch in a little over three hours, but why would you want to? Road trips, especially one as iconic as this, are all about the stops along the way. So put the top down and cue Jimmy Buffet. Here’s our guide to the best the Florida Keys has to offer.
IS Key West worth the trip?
Key West, the last of the Florida Keys, is a wonderful place to visit. Whether you plan on staying for the day, week or year, it’s a great place to relax and enjoy yourself. It is the southernmost city in the continental USA and is famous for its beaches, coral reefs, and laid-back atmosphere.
Which Florida Key is the safest?
The Islands of Marathon have virtually no crime or traffic congestion and thus is seen to many as the best place to live in the Florida Keys.
What is the best month to visit Florida Keys?
To enjoy the Florida Keys, Ft. Lauderdale, South Beach and the Everglades, the best time to visit to avoid the crowds is to come between June and August. Beaches are at their best between June and August while it’s best to head to Key West in January and May.
What is the best time to visit the Keys?
The best time to visit Key West is between March and May. The winter crowds will taper off, the hotel rates become reasonable and the weather is remarkably similar to winter’s blissful 70s and 80s. Speaking of winter – that season is the island’s busiest and priciest.
Is Key Largo better than marathon?
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Key Largo and Marathon, we can see that Key Largo is more expensive. And not only is Marathon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Marathon would let you spend less money overall.
Where to go on a Florida Keys Road Trip?
Map of the Florida Keys Road Trip: Alright, on with the show. We will start with the Upper Keys then go to the Middle Keys and then the Lower Keys. Ultimate Water Sport Combo – Our Top Pick!! Map of the Upper Keys area: The first stop on the trip isJohn Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park located at Mile Marker 102.5 in Key Largo.
What is the Overseas Highway in Florida Keys?
The Overseas Highway through the Florida Keys offers a quintessential U.S. road trip. As Route 1 hops its way from Miami to Key West, Florida, the urban rush evaporates and a clock- and care-free beach vibe settles in.
What are the directions for the Florida Keys?
The other thing to know is that directions in the Keys are given by saying what Mile Marker, or MM, they are at. Key Largo, which is the first island, starts at Mile Marker 107 and Key West is at Mile Marker 0. Map of the Florida Keys Road Trip:
What to do between Key Largo and Key West?
Florida Keys Road Trip: 13 Awesome Things To Do Between Key Largo and Key West. The Florida Keys is one of the best spots in the US to go on a road trip. In just 100 miles, hop from key to key, go snorkeling, dine at seafood restaurants, try Key Lime Pie, go shopping, and enjoy endless views of brilliant aquamarine water.

domain: geography


text: Jackson Mundey finishes 4th by Jamie Harris Cacapon State Park hosted the 2019 Potomac Valley Conference Cross Country Championships last Tuesday, October 15. The challenging 3.1 mile course is designed to challenge the runners and the teams that were participating. On the girls side Berkeley Springs High School finished in fourth place with a score . . .


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5 years ago
- Carry extra food and water supplies with you, facilities are not present at proper intervals.
- In case of planning to stay back, make sure you enquire about the availability of hotel rooms befo (Read More)rehand.
- During monsoons, the climb up the fort might be slippery, wear good shoes with rubber soles.
5 years ago
raj machi is beautiful place , it is joyful and worth if you have a trek from karjat for mumbaiker . from karjat station you can get local dum-dum type auto , the trek is semi difficult level ,. in m (Read More)iddle you also get kondhane caves beautiful historical place . once you reach the undhewadi ( if you are coming from lonavala you can reach here direct by bike or local vehicles from where hardly 30 min trek . at undhewadi you have facilities for food and halt also , villagers provide you desi authentic food and also common rooms for halt . the fort is excellent , with immense nature view. rajmachi ( buruj) infront of which you will find huge water fall . this site is signature site .. please visit during june to sept , for more joyfull. humble request to all trekkers please do not carry apcked eatbles ,,large number of wrapers , bottles are been thrown in forest area ..please save nature .. rohan

domain: travel


- ‘Death tax’ rhetoric doesn’t address the facts
- ‘We’re back': second ‘Star Wars’ teaser drops
- Sunday Service: Legalizing competition in Illinois’ auto industry
- Cullerton: Don’t bet on right-to-work zones
- State Roundup: Rauner continues “Turnaround” pitch
- Open Government: Improved FOIA laws crucial
- Legislators ask Rauner to pony up pension details
- Rockford Art Deli providing homegrown artists a place to flourish
- Talcott acquisition continues west side trend
- Record Store Day brings vinyl back into the limelight
Online voting under way in Congressional Art Competition
U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Ill., has announced that online voting is under way for the annual Congressional Art Competition, “An Artistic Discovery.”
The Congressional Art Competition, first held in 1982, is a nationwide high school arts competition sponsored by the U.S. House of Representatives. One winning piece of artwork from each House district will be selected to be displayed in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., for the next year.
The winner of the competition will also win two round-trip airline tickets to Washington, D.C. Runners-up will have their artwork displayed in Bustos’ Illinois and Washington, D.C., offices.
Any high school student from Illinois’ 17th Congressional District was eligible to submit their original artwork for consideration. Voting will end April 30, and the winner will be chosen May 1.
To vote for your favorite piece of local artwork, visit http://bustos.house.gov/helping-you/art-competition.
From the April 23-29, 2014, issue


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With a heart for quality and an eye for detail, Cameo Cakery & Cafe owner, Christina Miller, brings the art of specialty baking to RVA families. Cameo offers a classy, unique menu of assorted sweet and savory cakes, as well as tapped beer, wine, mimosas, and coffee. They even offer pupcakes for your fur babies!
Dessert lovers are spoiled for choice at Cameo with 11 daily cupcake flavors from which to choose. Plus, she has more than 20 additional seasonal cupcake flavors that are available for preorder and can be made gluten-free, Keto, or vegan upon request. If that weren’t enough, Christina also provides cinnamon rolls, cookies, cake truffles, fudge bites, and Nightingale ice cream sandwiches.
It's not just your sweet side that deserves some indulging, though. Christina’s savory, personal-sized bundt cakes have also made a name for themselves. These original creations combine the sensations of cheesecake and quiche. Vegetarians and meat lovers alike are guaranteed to be delighted. Plus, they’re gluten-free!
Customers love the friendly service, great music, and warm ambiance of Cameo’s café-style dining areas. So why not take a little time out of your busy day to treat yourself? Christina will be serving cake all day long!
Plan your visit today: cameocakery.com

domain: food


text:
June 2010 Newsletter
Breast Augmentation and Incision Placement
Today, women are choosing breast augmentation to enhance their profile and improve the appearance of breasts that show signs of aging or changes after child bearing. Today’s innovative breast augmentation procedures are designed to deliver natural-looking results with minimal pain and downtime.
Many concerns of patients when they come in for a consultation for a breast augmentation is where the scar/incision will be. Breast augmentation is surgery and it is impossible to avoid scarring with any surgery. Scars occur with any operation and take time to fade. In most patients the scars are thin and fade but rarely patients will form hypertrophic or raised, red scars.
The incisions can be made in a variety of locations. The most suitable location will be up to the discretion of the physician performing the breast augmentation procedure and the patient. Incisions can be one of the following:
- Trans Axillary – Under Arm Incision. Our most popular incision for women with no breast droop. Fades very well in the armpit and no incision on the breast. Dr. Van Raalte has been using this incision for over 20 years.
- Inframammary – Breast Fold Incision. Our most common incision when there is mild breast droop or ptosis as it allows us to correct the mild droop better.
- Periareolar – Areola – Nipple Incision or the Trans-Umbilical Endoscopic – Belly Button Incision. We rarely recommend because we feel the complication rate is much higher.
Saline implant incisions may be as little as 2 cm or less than an inch. Gel implants do require a larger incision, about 2 inches.
If you would like to make an appointment for a consultation please call Christina at 322-8877.
Plastic Surgery Hot Topics… Fraxel®.
A couple words from Dr. Van Raalte about Fraxel®.
In plastic surgery there is something new advertised every week. In fact, concerns are that the marketing and hype precede the research.
Lately, I became concerned when I saw a number of patients that had Fraxel® treatments. I had not adopted this treatment because my investigations had shown it took four Fraxel® treatments to get the result of one TCA peel. In addition, each Fraxel® treatment took at least four days to recover and the cost was twice as much. True a TCA peel took about two weeks to heal but one two week period was better than four 4 day periods.
Since then the patients I have seen that had Fraxel® elsewhere tell me it took at least a week to recover from each treatment. And there were still complications like discoloration and scarring, and the results seemed limited, and cost more.
I am sure there are some cases where Fraxel® is better. But for most a TCA peel is better, cheaper, and one recovery. There is no expensive laser to pay for.
However, the companies that make the lasers have to sell and market these devices and therefore the hype.
Dr. Van Raalte and the Midwestern Association
Dr. Van Raalte was elected Vice President of the Midwestern Association of Plastic Surgeons on May 16th in Chicago. The association hosts a yearly meeting for scientific papers and presentation on basic science, reconstructive, and plastic surgery research. CONGRATULATIONS!
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domain: medical


If you should ever come across a bloat of hippos or a pride of lions when touring the Serengeti, consider yourself most fortunate. With that said, proceed with caution.
While you’re far more likely to enjoy Africa than getting mauled by an animal, the following is a quick guide on how to handle encounters with local wildlife.
The thing about snakes is that the overwhelming majority of encounters that go bad are the result of humans catching the slithering creatures off-guard.
Watch where you step at all times, and be especially careful when grabbing onto tree limbs and other popular hang outs for snakes.
African elephants almost invariably take it easy in the presence of humans, but a mother elephant protecting her calf or a bull protecting his family can prove to be a real threat when coming at you full speed ahead.
The simple way to avoid getting hurt during an elephant encounter is to remain in a vehicle at all times.
Some people will spend a decade’s worth of accumulated miles traveling to Africa for the chance to catch a glimpse of a pride of lions only to never see a single one.
If you’re lucky enough to come across wild lions, “relax max”, as lion attacks are rare (besides, they usually rest for as much as 20 h per day).
That being said, if you ever find yourself challenged by one, make as much noise as possible and swing your arms wildly.
Let’s hope you will never have to do this.
Few charging animals look as intimidating as the rhino. While incredibly rare to come across in the wild, rhinos are easily provoked.
When observing rhinos on foot, always have a climbable tree close by. Escaping up into it is probably your best bet when avoiding a rhino attack.
Many people are surprised to learn that the hippopotamus kills more humans annually than all the big cats of Africa combined.
A simple rule to follow when encountering a hippo in the wild is to never get between it and the nearest lake or river, as they tend to escape into water when threatened.
Otherwise, stand your ground and try and remain still. Since hippos can outrun humans rather easily, resist the urge to flee.
Countless people take multiple trips to Africa in the hopes of encountering the exotic animals found there, and they very rarely leave disappointed.
If you are fortunate enough to experience a close encounter with African wildlife, make sure you stay safe at all times. After all, there’s really no point in experiencing such a thing if you won’t be alive to talk about it.


text:
The Dal Hydropower Project is located on the Great Nile in Northern Sudan, immediately upstream of Lake Nubia / Lake Nasser formed by Aswan High Dam in Egypt. The impounding structures comprise concrete-faced rockfill dam structures up to 22 m in height on the left and right sides of the river channel, radial gated spillways and stilling basins on both sides of a mid-river island, and a combined power intake and surface powerhouse structure. The intakes are equipped with low-level gated sediment flushing sluices. The powerhouse accommodates 8 nr. 81 MW Kaplan turbine generating units.
Scope of work
The team is currently providing consultancy services to complete the civil, mechanical and electrical tender design of Dal hydropower project. This includes an elaboration and refinement of the designs prepared by the same hydropower team during the prefeasibility and feasibility stages of the project, and the preparation of tender documents.
- Civil, Mechanical and Electrical Tender Design.
- Preparation of Tender Documents – in two contract packages comprising Civil and Hydro-mechanical Works, and Electrical and Mechanical Works under FIDIC conditions of contract, including invitation and instructions to tenderers, specifications, tender drawings, bills of quantities, technical schedules and schedules of prices.
- Engineer’s cost estimate.
- Hydraulic model studies – technical supervision and guidance of physical and numerical hydraulic model testing of sediment flushing facilities, power intakes, draft tubes, tailrace and spillways.
The same hydropower team was responsible for establishing the viability of the project at prefeasibility stage. This included: assessing potential physical, technical, environmental and social constraints to project development; identifying and developing feasible scheme layouts; and establishing key parameters for the feasibility study, including the range of dam heights and installed capacities.
At feasibility stage, the team further developed the preferred option to outline design level, which involved studies, investigations and engineering design including: hydrological studies; topographic survey; geological and geophysical site investigation; optimisation of project layout; environmental impact assessment; social impact assessment and resettlement planning; cost estimates; construction planning; reservoir operation and power/energy output studies; economic analyses and procurement of hydraulic model studies.


text:
Northeast Internal Medical Associates12702 N Interstate 35 Live Oak, TX 78233
Make an AppointmentShow Phone Number
Dr. Barbara Forseth, MD is a Internal Medicine Specialist in Live Oak, TX. She is affiliated with Methodist Hospital Northeast. She is accepting new patients and has indicated that she accepts telehealth appointments. Be sure to call ahead with Dr. Forseth to book an appointment.


text:
Boeing one step closer to making new 777X a reality
EVERETT — Boeing began demolition work to make way for a new composite wing center for the new 777X airliner. State lawmakers including, Gov. Jay Inslee and Sen. Maria Cantwell, were on hand Wednesday to celebrate the milestone.
Boeing Commercial Aircraft CEO Ray Conner said the new facility, slated to completed in 2016, represents the future of Boeing in the Puget Sound.
“These are not 20-year decisions, these are not 30-year decisions, these are 50-year decisions that we’ve made so we’re going to be here for a long, long time,” Conner said.
Inslee said the new center means job security for thousands in the state.
"It means decades of Washington state continuing to lead the world in aerospace, that's a pretty good day for all us," Inslee said.
Everett was chosen after several states competed to build the new composite wing. State lawmakers pushed through a $8.7 billion tax break for Boeing to keep the work in the state. The company chose to build the wings in the Puget Sound area after the Machinists union agreed to a new, eight-year contract that included concessions, especially on pensions. Union members narrowly voted in favor of the contract.
The new facility will be operational in 2017, Boeing said.


text:
Average interest rates plummeted to new historic lows, this week for both 30- and 15-year fixed-rate home loans, Freddie Mac reported Thursday.
The average 30-year fixed rate fell to 3.62 percent this week. Last week, it was at 3.66 percent. The mortgage rate has matched or hit a new record low in 10 of the last 11 weeks, Freddie Mac reported Thursday. The 30-year fixed rate loan has remained below 4 percent since December, with the exception of one week, according to Freddie Mac. Last year at this time, the average rate was at 4.6 percent.
Average interest rates on 15-year, fixed-rate mortgages also dropped this week to new lows -- to 2.89 percent, Freddie Mac said. Last week, the average was at 2.94 percent, according to Freddie Mac. Last year at this time the average rate was at 3.75 percent.
email@example.com, 954-356-4404 or Twitter @donnagehrke

domain: economics


text:
When I open the door to the restaurant, people look up.
And I feel the energy shift.
The way it always shifts, when I walk into a room.
When I allow myself to be noticed.
I am in Salt Lake City, where I grew up.
I’m with my mother, who still lives here, in the house where I was raised. And my son, who goes to college here
I’m just down for a quick visit.
We are meeting my brother and my niece for dinner.
It’s a large restaurant. Two stories. Crowded. Noisy.
We walk up to the hostess, who smiles at us reflexively.
I watch as she notices me: the microsecond in which her face freezes, the reset that follows in the subsequent microsecond.
It’s deeply familiar, this transaction. It’s endemic to the territory I inhabit: the land of late-transitioning trans girls.
My presence exerts a subtle pressure upon the atmosphere in any room. I know this.
It compels others, as they notice me, to…
I don’t know what.
And it always feels worse here in Utah.
Is it, actually? I can’t tell.
Possibly I’m just more sensitive to it here.
Or maybe I’m just too sensitive in general.
Which is what people sometimes tell me.
That maybe I’m just a wee bit overly self-conscious?
Utah places me on guard in a way that no other place can.
I haven’t lived here for decades, but this place remains for me, in certain deep and difficult ways, home.
I am so very intimate with its particular dangers.
Utah is the enemy I know.
The hostess leads us up the stairs to the table where my brother and his daughter have already been seated. The staff pauses to let us move between the tables.
I watch them notice me.
I watch the other patrons glancing up as we pass.
I never know exactly what it means, this noticing.
Except of course when it’s the full-on stinkeye.
The meaning of stinkeye is always clear.
And the hard male gaze.
The hard male gaze is also unambiguous.
But mostly it’s not those things.
Mostly it’s awkward double takes and sneaky sideways glances.
The casual gaze extended just slightly too long.
Tonight the noticing mostly seems like a sort of subtle checking.
The posing of a question.
Is that a….?
We sit down and our chirpy waitress arrives.
I watch her as she notices me.
She takes our drink orders.
Moments later a friend of my son’s materializes beside our table.
He works here, as it turns out.
He is a goofy, exuberant boy. He swoops in to say hi to all of us. There is no noticing necessary. I am familiar to him. I am his friend’s father.
He comes up beside my chair, leans in and gives me a hug.
He always hugs me when I see him.
Which I like so much.
For many reasons.
But mostly because it sends a certain signal to everyone else in the room.
That I am not beyond the pale.
My son’s goofy friend goes back to work. The waitress returns with our drinks. She takes our dinner orders.
And then, because more than five minutes have passed since the last time I peed, I excuse myself from the table.
I walk downstairs, across the main floor of the restaurant, down the hallway that leads to the bathrooms.
Visible, in a hundred small ways.
Every step of the way.
As I pull open the heavy bathroom door I hear the sound of giggling.
“It’s so fancy!” a girl is saying.
She is at the sink. She glances back at me as I enter. I laugh softly at her exclamation.
She’s just standing there, playing with the handles. She’s, maybe, ten?
Another girl is in one of the stalls. From her voice she sounds younger.
It’s just the three of us.
I go into the other stall. I sit. Exhale. I let down, stop tracking, grateful for the sanctuary, grateful to be, momentarily, unseen.
As I am peeing the girls keep talking and giggling. It is evident that they are sisters.
The one at the sink says to the one in the stall: “that lady laughed at me when she came in.”
As if I can’t hear her.
I smile. I wipe. I flush. I emerge from the stall.
Both girls are at the sink now. Playing, lingering.
“So,” I say to them. “What is it that makes these sinks so fancy?”
They proudly demonstrate to me the features of their extraordinary discovery. The knob that controls the water pressure. The separate knob that controls the heat of the water. The arc of the tap, the sloping marble sink.
I lean down, turn on the water. Adjust its temperature.
“Wow,” I say. “You’re right. It is fancy!”
I wash my hands, then move over to the towel dispenser to dry my hands. The sisters have congregated there as well. They are pulling out towels.
Still giggling. Still lingering.
As we are all drying our hands I notice the older girl’s newly-painted nails. Turquoise, like mine.
“Ooh,” I say, “I like your nail polish!”
I hold out my hands to show her mine.
“We got our toes done too!” the younger girl says.
I look down at her sandaled feet.
“Pink,” I say, “pretty!”
I glance at the other girl’s feet. But she is wearing sneakers.
“I guess I’ll never know what color your toes are.”
She gives me a smile that says: you’re silly.
“C’mon,” she says to her sister. “We need to go back.”
It’s true. They need to go back.
Their parents are probably getting annoyed at how long they’ve been in here.
And then I am alone.
And I am the one who is lingering.
Because suddenly I am afraid.
The fear blows threw me with gale force, rattling my brain awake after its brief nap.
My brain sits up, goes immediately back to its incessant job: assessing risk.
It starts feeding me information.
It calculates all of the noticing that was going on in the restaurant.
Cross-tabulates that with all the lingering, here in the ladies room.
Presents me with a concise analysis of potential scenarios which could play out within the next few minutes, based on this data.
And I don’t want to have to be thinking any of these things.
I so much don’t want to.
But I am thinking about them anyway.
I think about the parents of these girls.
The family they belong to, which has gathered in this place just as mine has.
I wonder if their parents were among those who were noticing me.
And I wonder, if they were, what question their minds might have been asking about me.
I wonder what it was that they were deciding.
Anna, I say to myself, you are an idiot.
What were you thinking?
I was not.
That’s the answer.
I was not thinking at all.
For a few minutes I was just moving through the world.
I was peeing.
I was just making silly chit chat.
I was not thinking of this ordinary moment as something that might get me…
I don’t know.
Which is precisely how a trans girl gets herself whatevered.
Even a trans girl like me. A white girl in a restaurant filled almost entirely with other white people. Binary, able-bodied. In possession of congruent identity documents. A girl who possesses certain resources. Whose particular privilege allows her to invisibly slip the bonds of so many greater risks. Who is, in so many ways, insulated.
Still, I have to walk back out that door.
Insulated or not.
I had to come in here and now I have to leave.
That remains true.
And I don’t feel any less afraid.
I wonder: should I have done something differently?
Is there a way I could have avoided arriving at this moment?
Should I not have interacted with the girls?
Should I have not come in here at all?
Should I have held my pee?
Should I have just stayed the fuck at home?
There is, of course, no resolution to these questions.
There never is.
I tell myself: probably everything will be fine.
Probably people are right. Probably I’m worrying for nothing.
Because everything is almost always fine.
Awkward, but fine.
Scary, but fine.
Most of the time nothing happens but the noticing.
I linger for a moment more.
Wondering what I might find waiting outside the door.
Wondering what I might encounter in the parking lot, later, when I leave.
And I think: how can I explain?
What this moment is like?
To my family, to the world?
You, who are perhaps insistently expecting the answer to a certain unvoiced question.
How can I tell this story in a way that doesn’t make me seem ridiculous?
Or anywhere on the spectrum between those two things?
How can I tell this story in a way which prevents it from being weaponized against me?
Against all us girls.
How can I tell it without making everything worse?
It’s impossible of course.
There is no safe way to tell this story.
I drop the paper towel in the garbage.
I take a breath.
I feel in my purse for my pepper spray.
Just to know where it is.
Then I look at the door.
Considering what is on the other side.
The enemy I know.
I place my hand lightly on its smooth, dark surface.


In the IT performance report, Intel CIO Kim Stevenson takes stock of the accomplishments of 2013 and looks at the year ahead.
Businesses view IT more and more as a strategic partner, a key differentiator that can help drive IT business value and innovation. In this podcast, Intel CIO Kim Stevenson takes stock of the accomplishments of 2013, and looks at the year ahead.Visualizzazione completa >
Discusses driving IT transformation with focus on the role consumerization and cloud computing play in shaping the modern enterprise IT organization.
Intel IT’s Operations and Services GM David Aires tells us about the factors driving IT transformation, focusing on the role that consumerization and cloud computing have played in shaping the modern enterprise IT organization.Visualizzazione completa >
Intel IT discusses deployment of McAfee Drive Encryption—how it addresses challenges of maintaining productivity, reliability while protecting data.
Intel IT’s David Schaefer discusses the value of data visualization tools for users and for IT and the future of visualization in the enterprise.
David Schaefer, Intel IT BI architect, explains the role data visualization plays in their self-service BI strategy and the value of data visualization tools for users and IT. We’ll also hear about the future of data visualization in the enterprise.Visualizzazione completa >
Intel’s BYOD program was built to facilitate eDiscovery –legal requests for data– stored on personally owned devices such as smartphones and tablets.
Intel’s BYOD program was built to facilitate eDiscovery – legal requests for data – stored on personally owned devices such as smartphones and tablets.
Presentation: Intel prepares for the future by developing enterprise applications and tools that are secure, easy to use, and cross-platform compatible, emphasizing IT infrastructure improvements and deployment of touch-enabled devices.
Intel IT proof of concept presentation provides details on the deployment of Intel® Atom™ processor-based tablets with Windows* 8 at Intel.
Presentation covers the proof of concept conducted by Intel IT for the deployment of Intel® Atom™ processor-based tablets with Windows* 8 on an enterprise level at Intel, including details about the study, tasks performed, survey results, and more.


text:
The cause of the dearth of posts here recently is that Qian and I just bought and moved into our first house. Anyone who's gone down that road before knows that the preparation and execution of finding the right house, moving out of the old apartment, and getting into the new place is all-consuming. Between my job and all of that house stuff, blogging has fallen by the wayside.
Although I've been busy with life, I'm still engaged with China and still have things to write. I'm hoping things will settle down soon and I'll get some posts up soon.
In the mean time, I have a couple Chinese movies upon which I want to comment quickly.
First, Raise the Red Lantern 《大红灯笼高高挂》directed by Zhang Yimou is incredible. I found it to be just as good as the other Zhang movie I saw recently, To Live. It's the story of a concubine in the early twentieth century. The story is laid out very delicately and is executed with great passion. The cinematography and setting of the movie are still etched into my mind a couple weeks after watching it. I highly recommend it.
And then second, In the Heat of the Sun 《阳光灿烂的日子》is one of the most bizarre movies I've ever seen. Qian and I watched since it was one of the only movies she hadn't seen from the list that was recommended in the comments section of this blog a few weeks ago. It's about a group of rebellious youths during the Cultural Revolution. It is very avant-garde. I appreciated watching this more than my wife did (she hated it), but I'd have a hard time recommending this one.


text:
A Phillipsburg man was sent to state prison by the Warren County Court yesterday for violating probation on a 1986 burglary conviction.
Russell DeMartino, also known as Rusty, 29, of Hillcrest Blvd., was sentenced to three years in state prison, with 371 days jail credit.
On April 27, 1986, DeMartino broke into Philipsburg Motors and stole a 1982 Mazda. He violated probation on three occasions over the past seven years by being arrested and convicted of similar crimes in Pennsylvania and South Carolina.
Also sentenced was Walter Willever, 57, of Daniels Road, Nazareth, formerly of Anderson Street, Phillipsburg. Willever was sentenced to three years of probation for endangering the welfare of a child in Phillipsburg on Jan. 2, 1992. The former custodian of All Saints Regional School had touched a child's buttocks. A sexual assault charge was dismissed.


Lastest News & Soap Buzz
Tonight on Soap Nation Live! with Michael Fairman,we celebrate the just announced 44th Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations with our third annual special broadcast!
Join Michael and his in-studio co-host Daytime Emmy winner, General Hospital’s Laura Wright in our 90 minute plus Daytime Emmy Nominations spectacular.
Michael and Laura will be joined by NATAS Senior VP Daytime Emmys, David Michaels, who will be on hand to offer commentary on the Emmy voting and more. Listen in as we welcome nominees: Billy Flynn, Jess Walton, Nancy Lee Grahn, Peter Bergman, Chloe Lanier, Lexi Ainsworth, James Reynolds, Gina Tognoni and more!
Make sure to listen for our Daytime Emmy trivia game show segment, when one lucky caller has the chance to win two tickets to the ceremonies.
To call-in and share your thoughts on the nominations of who got in, and who was snubbed and more, or to pose a question or a comment to any of our guests, dial the exclusive listener-line at 818-295-2130. This 90 minute special event begins to stream live at 7PMPST/10PMEST. You can also head on over to http://www.spreaker.com/user/soapnationlive if you have any trouble listening to the show here.
Portions of the broadcast can also be viewed at Facebook Live at www.facebook.com/michaelfairmansoaps
Now, listen live to the broadcast after the jump! If you are tuning in shortly before 7PMPST, you will hear some musical interludes before we go live for showtime. We hope you enjoy the show. Read more >
- 44th Annual Daytime Emmy Award Nominations Announced!
- Agnes Nixon Highly-Anticipated Memoir MY LIFE TO LIVE Now Available Nationwide!
- TODAY On The Talk: Daytime Emmy Nominations Revealed; Salute to 30 Years of The Bold and The Beautiful!
- GH Alum Brianna Brown To Play Claudia Blaisdel In CW’s DYNASTY Pilot!
- CBS Daytime Casting Call Winners Announced; Eric Blain To Y&R and Deepa Patel To B&B For One-Episode Role!
- THIS WEDNESDAY: Soap Nation Live! With Michael Fairman Daytime Emmy Nominations Special With Guest Co-Host GH’s Laura Wright!
- AMC Alum Eva LaRue Shares Mother’s Battle With Cancer In Touching Post
- Mo: If Jill has now gone on a world cruise, it seems the heart attack story...
- Rob: Shes cute and all but have they hired one actor for this that can...
- Timmm: She is hot! I hope they dont F up this reboot like Dallas!
- Lluwellyn: Sharon Case and Steve Barton better get nominated their were...
- Shay: Well, hang in there, Timmmbo, you are in good company. Despite the fact...
- Shay: Don’t you mean “The Corinthos Canal?” Just joshing,...
- Shay: Timmm….I agree with you about Craig’s Bond…although...


text:
Our adorable Bird Rock Hotel is one of the oldest hotels on San Juan Island. It was the first hotel on the isle featuring indoor plumbing - cutting edge in 1891. The then called “Tourist Hotel” was so modern, it offered not only a restaurant, dentist and bar, but also a Ladies’ reception room, since women weren’t allowed in bars back then. We chuckle about the latter; today we are women owned and operated. Times change.
Times change indeed. Our summers over the last 20 years used to be comfortably temperate, with average highs in the 60ties and 70ties. None of the hotels on San Juan Island offered A/C. It was just not necessary. Last June during a heat wave breaking 100, a million oysters died during a low tide at Westcott Bay Seafood Farm and we added A/C to most of our rooms. Not to all rooms simply because our historic status doesn’t allow certain alterations to the exterior.
How do we navigate travel in the times of climate change? How do we reconcile wanting to see the world and beautiful places with not taking up so many precious resources? Travel is responsible for 8-10% of global emissions. Let’s get that number down by all doing a little something, just one thing. Here are a few tips on what you can try on your next trip to curb climate change, feel inspired, connected and have a really great time:
Leave your Car behind
Our Bird Rock Hotel is in the heart of the charming coastal town of Friday Harbor, 1 ½ blocks from the ferry dock. Leave your car in Anacortes. Explore the cute shops, markets, restaurants and museums on foot. Take the open air Jolley Trolley to all the sights. Ride our complimentary beach cruiser bikes to the nearest beach or rent a FUV – an electric Fun Utility Vehicle – from Susie’s Mopeds down the street from us.
Focus on One Location
Slow down. Don’t try to do Washington or even “just” the San Juan Islands in one weekend. Stay in one place, really explore. Leave unplanned time. Be spontaneous. Talk to the artist you bought that beautiful cutting board from and the musician who brought you to tears at the open mic.
Have a Meatless Meal
Between deforestation, methane and carbon emissions, run off, soil erosion, food waste and water usage, factory farmed meat is one of the most problematic foods to produce. Have a few meatless meals on your trip. Treat yourself to dinner at Mike’s Wine Bar a block from our hotel. Everything on Mike’s menu is vegan and absolutely delicious. Indulge in local seafood at the many farm-to-table restaurants in Friday Harbor, for less-travelled, so very luscious protein.
Turn off lights & A/C when you Leave for the Day
Most of Washington’s electricity is generated by hydropower. Once thought of as clean energy, dams are extraordinarily detrimental to salmon returning to their home rivers to spawn. Salmon, especially King salmon, are the main food source of our majestic, endangered Resident Orcas population. Saving electricity helps salmon and the orcas. When you leave your hotel room for the day, turn off the lights, heat and A/C whenever possible.
Buy local Souvenirs
San Juan has more working artists than any other county in Washington State. Buy your gifties from the local potters, painters, jewelers, carvers, soap, jam and sea salt makers, as opposed to another t-shirt made in China. Check out the cute gift shop at our sister hotel, the Earthbox Inn & Spa, for cool, local gift ideas.
Leave it Better than You Found it
Be the change you wish to see. Pick up trash while on the beach. Join a tree planting party. Gift reusable water bottles. Buy bulk. Recycle. Learn about the history of the places you visit. Support green businesses. Adopt an endangered Orca whale at the Friday Harbor Whale Museum. Instill a sense of wonder and respect in your kids and grandkids.


text:
10 November, 2017, 12:00 am
I believe when the bigwigs refuse to increase the minimum wage or at least increase wages for the employees to counter the increase in cost of living, the trickle-down effect can be blamed for the social ills that we are witnessing and is currently ravaging our nation bit by bit.
When the common man is frustrated because he cannot afford to put food on the table or some other form of depression, they will be committed to other acts such as stealing from the employer, domestic violence or even escalate to rape.
Yet, the well-to-do can afford decent houses, well-paid jobs and probably better lives.
Someone once said we must fight for our pay at work and to work hard, but with all these social ills, as the common man has to leave home before 7am to make it to work on time thus rushing the children probably through an unhealthy breakfast and by luck prepare a quick lunch.
He has to work long hours so as to get the work done and hope that management will give him a raise, come home and attend to other obligations be it the church, the vanua or even their child’s school, thus not paying attention to the child, because they can’t afford a house girl to supervise the children.
I hope you see where I am going with this — the trickle-down effect.
I continue to pray for Fiji and its leaders.

domain: sociology


text:
CAMBRIDGE, Cambridgeshire, King's College (Collegium regale Beate Marie et Sancti Nicholai)
Inventory of the library, classified, arranged by press, and giving second folios, c. 1457, in King's College Archive, KCA/684, fol. 58r, printed by P. D. Clarke, The University and College Libraries of Cambridge, CBMLC 10 (2002), UC29. Inventory of books drawn up for the Marian commissioners, 1557, in College Ledger Book I, fol. 385v, printed ibid. UC30. For various bequests of books by magistri, see Clarke, Cambridge, UC103, 105, 108, 120, 128, 133, 137, 151, 156, 167, 175.

domain: library