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Court rules judicial candidate Anseman is eligible for office
LAKE CHARLES — Third Circuit Court of Appeal candidate Vanessa Waguespack Anseman is back in the March 25 race for election to the very court she appealed to Monday.
The appeals court Monday granted motions by Anseman and St. Landry Assistant District Attorney Don Richard that led the court to vacate Judge Alonzo Harris' March 13 ruling in St. Landry Parish that Anseman was ineligible to run for the 3rd Circuit based on qualifications.
Eight of the court's 12 judges heard the motions. Four recused themselves from hearing Anseman's appeal for various reasons, Chief Judge Ulysses Gene Thibodeaux among them.
It took about 30 minutes for the court to hear the motions and return a decision.
Richard first suggested dismissing the case, saying the initial complaint that Anseman was short one hour on her continuing legal education credits appeared to have been resolved by the state Supreme Court on Friday.
The Supreme Court said it had "recalled" a 2013 notice that said she was short one hour of credits.
Anseman on Monday informed the appeals court of the Supreme Court's updated decision on her continuing education status.
Richard, in turn, said if the continuing education issue was resolved, the District Attorney's "theory" of Anseman's ineligibility would fall short.
A week ago, Richard argued in Harris' court that because of the 2013 notice, Anseman was ineligible to practice law in Louisiana for more than three years and was therefore short of what he said was a requirement that appeals court candidates practice law for 10 years.
Harris ruled for Richard and the 27th Circuit District Attorney's Office, saying Anseman should be removed from the race and votes for her should not count.
"Admitted means being eligible," Harris later said in ruling against Anseman.
Appeals Court Judge Sylvia Cooks, who chaired the judges Monday in Thibodeaux's absence, ruled that votes for Anseman should count and that Harris' ruling was "rescinded in full."
Outside the courthouse, Anseman said she was "110 percent qualified" to run for the 3rd Circuit and that "the court made it clear I am right."
But Anseman conceded St. Landry's 11th-hour intrusion into the race — Election Day is Saturday — may have cost her mightily politically.
"The entire month of March, I've been tied up in court," she said. "That is wrong, and that is why I am fighting this."
She said the St. Landry District Attorney's actions represented "a politically driven" effort and that she believes the "judiciary is not the place for politics."
Anseman, admitted to practice law in Louisiana in 2003, contended all along that state law is plain: Candidates for the appeals court should have 10 years of "experience" dating back to their admission date, but that experience needn't necessarily be in actively practicing law.
Anseman stopped practicing just shy of 10 years to care for her father, who had Alzheimer's disease, in 2012. After his death, she remained at home to raise her young sons.
Last week, former State Rep. Hunter Greene, R-Baton Rouge, who authored legislation in 2006 setting the experience standard for judges, told The Daily Advertiser the intent of the law he wrote was not to necessarily require 10 years of legal practice to run for the appeals bench.
Greene later left the Legislature to become a judge.
The complaint that Anseman was short on her continuing education credits appeared to be resolved Friday when John Tarlton Olivier, clerk of court at the Supreme Court, told Anseman that a 2013 notice of ineligibility to practice for not meeting the continuing education mandate had been resolved.
"You are hereby notified of the recall of that Notice," Olivier wrote, and said other Louisiana courts — that would include the 3rd Circuit — had also been notified.
The District Attorney's Office said last week it was acting on a complaint by Vyrona Wiltz, a registered voter in St. Landry Parish.
Wiltz testified in St. Landry court she raised the issue with the district attorney after reading Anseman might not have the requisite time as a practicing attorney to run.
Although the Appeals Court reversed Harris' March 13 ruling it may have discouraged some early voters from casting their ballots for Anseman, who worked as a litigator for for two high-powered law firms, generally defending oil and gas companies against lawsuits.
The Louisiana Secretary of State's Office, which appeared as a defendant alongside Anseman, told Harris ballots had been issued with Anseman's name on them and that voting machines listing her as a candidate could not take her name off before Election Day.
Lani Durio, an attorney for the Secretary of State's Office, was also at the 3rd Circuit on Monday to appeal Harris' ruling.
Durio and the Secretary of State's Office says challenges to candidate qualifications are supposed to be made in the first seven days after qualifying for office. That means any qualification charges should have been made by Jan. 20.
If none of the three candidates — Anseman, Susan Theall and Candyce Perret — win a majority of votes in the March 25 election, those with the two highest vote counts will face each other in an April 29 runoff. All three women are Lafayette Republicans.
The winner will replace Jimmy Genovese of St. Landry Parish, who was elected Nov. 8 to the Louisiana Supreme Court.

domain: law


There are always a number of children looking for quality foster parents to provide a stable, loving environment while waiting to be reunited with family or transition into a forever home. To get started as a foster parent, you will need to apply and pass several background clearances. Your home will also be inspected as part of the process. Training is available as well as support throughout the process including, but not limited to, financial support, medical assistance, respite care, and other caseworker services. You can indicate your preferences for which children you would take into your home in terms of age, sex, etc.
May is National Foster Care month. Foster parents play an important role in providing stability for children in their transition from their natural parents to a permanent home. Bucks County Children and Youth Social Service Agency oversees the foster care program for the county. The Agency offers informational meetings throughout the county on various dates for interested volunteers. Bucks County presently has a need for additional volunteers. Approximately one-third of the children in need of foster care in Bucks County are placed out of the county due to the shortage of available foster parents.


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We don't want people to define us by our grief, we want them to accept us with our grief.
When we experience one tragedy, we experience all tragedies. They become intertwined and grieving for 9/11, or the VT shootings, or Columbine, or the victims of the Tsunami, or the loss of Nat, even a single person, becomes part of grieving for the victims, for all of those lost to us. We have a face to associate with that grief, and it will always be part of the way we express ourselves in the world. It's like a well of grief. Say we liquefied this tragedy, coloured it with red food colouring, and put it into the well. When we take a bucket of grief out to experience it, it's no longer that pure red, it's become intermingled with everything else in the well, part of the collective grief experience.
lowercaseb posted this cartoon., which is simple and poignant.

domain: sociology


We all know that Alexander Graham Bell gets credit for inventing and patenting the telephone, but that was hardly the extent of the Scottish-born scientist’s engineering innovations. You probably didn’t realize that Bell’s creativity was also behind the earliest incarnation of the airboat. Read on to find out more.
Inspired by the work of Italian inventor Enrico Forlanini, Bell worked with Frederick Baldwin on the concept of a “hydrofoil boat.” In 1919, Bell and Baldwin’s unique watercraft, the HD-4, set a world marine speed record of 70.86mph, a record that stood for 10 years.
Bell wasn’t the only person putting an aircraft propeller on a flat-bottomed boat in the dawning of the 20th century, though. As early as 1915, the British Army was utilizing airboats in World War I. A 1917 issue of Scientific American featured a depiction of a British Army airboat on the Tigris River.
Airboats didn’t make a regular appearance in the United States until after 1943, however. Determined to find an easier way to conduct research in the shallow wetlands of the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge in Utah, the trio of Cecil Williams, Leo Young and G. Hortin Jensen put a 40-horsepower aircraft engine on a 12-foot-long, flat-bottomed, aluminum boat. Their design is more similar to what you find in today’s modern airboats than Bell’s hydrofoil.
A boat that can easily navigate through the shallowest of water quickly became a valuable military asset. And airboats are extremely versatile, running on water, marshland, mud, grass, ice, frozen lakes, snow and even dry ground.
Airboats were used by the Soviet Union in World War II and by the U.S. military during the Vietnam War. Today, they’re routinely used by the U.S. Coast Guard and government fish and wildlife departments in many states, as well as by governments and private citizens in countries around the globe.
Airboats have proven uniquely capable for rescue operations, as well. Just ask the thousands of people evacuated by airboats during Hurricane Katrina and, more recently, Hurricane Harvey, when airboat crews from across the country headed to Louisiana and Texas to offer assistance. With their flat bottoms and nothing below the surface to get hung up, airboats were able to skim over submerged obstacles that would have impeded the progress of other boats. In addition to water rescue, airboats are highly effective for ice rescue scenarios.
Say all you want about the craft’s efficiency for rescue and military use. What it really comes down to is that these boats are flat-out fun, and that’s what’s made them so popular.
You can get from point A to point B on the water in just about any boat, but there’s something to be said for how you get there.
“That’s where an airboat comes in. There’s a sense of freedom to an airboat. You’re skimming across the water; it feels like you’re flying, and you can venture into areas no other boat or vehicle can go,” says Norman Clifton, owner of GTO Performance Airboats (gtoairboats.com), an Ocala-based business that has been building airboats since 1992. Clifton confides that GTO stands for Good Time Outdoors, which is undoubtedly the whole idea behind airboats.
Nationally recognized for its manufacturing quality and the recipient of numerous awards, GTO builds 100-plus airboats each year. The company has sold airboats across the country and all over the world. Sales in July included an airboat purchase by the government of Thailand.
“Airboats are like the SUVs of the boat industry because they can be set up for whatever you want to do: fishing, touring, hunting,” says Clifton.
Home to several large airboat manufacturers, Florida is easily the airboat capital of the world. As of December 2017, there were 12,164 airboats (1,025 of them for commercial use) in the state.
In the simplest of descriptions, an airboat is a flat-bottomed vessel propelled by an aircraft-type propeller powered by an engine.
Just a couple of decades ago, you could buy a basic airboat for about $2,000, but as with modern automobiles, costs have skyrocketed. Modern airboats are available with plenty of bells and whistles, including everything from trolling motors and built-in fish coolers to stereo systems with Bluetooth and more, which means you can forget that outdated price tag.
Today’s commercially built airboats range anywhere from about $35,000 to $70,000, with some custom models running even higher. Options range from a 10- to 12-foot-long standard hunt/trail boat that holds two to three passengers all the way up to 32-foot-long touring boats that can accommodate 20 or more passengers.
No matter the size, the signature feature of any airboat is a propeller encased in a metal cage at the rear of the boat. That protective cage is meant to keep any objects from coming in contact with the spinning propeller. Unlike the earliest designs, which were made of wood, most of today’s propellers are made of carbon fiber due to its strength, durability and light weight.
That propeller is powered by either an aircraft or automotive engine. Although aircraft engines are still used, automotive engines have more readily available replacement parts and run on high octane automotive gas, which is less expensive than aviation fuel.
“Automotive engines now outperform aircraft engines and are built with aluminum blocks for reduced weight,” notes Clifton, adding that a significant switch from aircraft engines started about 20 years ago.
Modern airboat hulls are made of either aluminum or fiberglass. GTO uses the highest quality, marine-grade aluminum for all of its boats.
“When you’re building a boat that will be in salt water, you want stainless steel components and marine-grade aluminum hulls,” notes Clifton, who says it takes anywhere from 100 to 400 hours to build a boat from start to finish, depending on how elaborate the design.
Most airboats have two rudders, and owners often customize them with slogans and one-of-a-kind paint jobs.
“Cruising speed where you’re planing is about 28 to 30mph, but an average airboat can run over 50mph,” notes Clifton. “Race boats can go over 100mph, but those aren’t typical airboats.”
Unlike “regular” boats, the seats in an airboat are elevated and you sit atop the hull, not down inside it. This makes for unrestricted viewing, which is one reason airboats are so popular for ecotourism. There’s nothing quite like an airboat to get you into remote waterways where you can spot alligators and all manner of wildlife.
“The general rule is that the higher the vegetation (where you’re boating), the higher the seat. In South Florida, the vegetation is high, so the seats are high. In our area, they don’t tend to be as high,” Clifton explains.
Any boat with an engine produces some level of noise. Most of the sound made by an airboat is related to the speed of the propeller, not the engine.
And let’s clarify something. Airboat owners refer to it as “sound,” never as “noise.” And that sound is noticeably quieter today than in earlier airboat models, thanks to mufflers, “reduction units” that reduce the propeller’s spin rate or revolutions per minute (RPM), and carbon fiber propellers that produce more thrust at a lower RPM.
Oh, and size matters, too. A bigger propeller turning lower RPMs has the same thrust as a smaller propeller running at a higher RPM but makes less sound.
“Sound has been reduced over the last 10 years due to improvements in propeller design,” says Clifton, who recommends wearing hearing protection whenever you’re operating or riding in an airboat.
Florida state law requires that airboats have an automotive-style factory muffler “or other manufactured device capable of adequately muffling the sound of the engine exhaust.”
There’s no brake or reverse on an airboat. Control is all about the throttle and rudders, so turning, stopping and changing direction are highly dependent upon the skill of the operator.
In Florida, you must be at least 14 years old to legally operate an airboat.
As with any type of motor vehicle, safety features (life jackets, etc.) are important, but a skilled operator and informed passengers are key for having a safe, fun outing on the water.
One study showed that 64 percent of airboat accidents are due to operator error and typically involve lack of training/education, failure to use safety equipment and/or reckless behavior, including alcohol and drug use.
Clifton confirms that operator error is behind most accidents and adds that the airboats themselves can increase or decrease safety.
“In the past, there were a lot of homemade airboats but not as much now. There’s a big difference between factory built and home built when it comes to safety,” he points out. GTO and other reputable manufacturers build U.S. Coast Guard-certified airboats and provide warranties.
Florida law stipulates that “airboats fall under the same guidelines as other vessels in regard to safety equipment to be carried. All airboats operating on Florida waters must be equipped with a rectangular flag, at least 10-inches by 12-inches in size and international orange in color, which is displayed at least 10 feet above the bottom of the boat.”
Because of their “top heavy” design and shallow hulls, typical airboats are not suitable for use in rough waters or open seas.
For an on-the-water airboat experience, you may want to schedule an airboat tour with one of the following operators:
Captain Bob’s Airboat Tours (352) 586-4657 captbobsairboattours.com
Justin’s Jungle (352) 636-4060 justins-jungle.com
Swamp Fever Airboat Adventures (352) 643-0708 swampfeverairboatadventures.com
Tom & Jerry’s Airboat Rides (321) 689-8918 airboattoursorlando.com
Wild Bill’s Airboat Tours (352) 726-6060 wildbillsairboattour.com


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Kendall Jenner has gone goth!
You won't recognise her anymore!
It's hard to picture this fair-faced beauty looking anything but glamorous and feminine. But the latest photos of 20-year-old Kendall Jenner shows a darker side to her than we've ever seen before! Of course, celebrities, just like anybody, change. Celebrities like Nicole Richie or, even more drastically, Miley Cyrus have undergone some serious image makeovers over the years, but just wait until you see Kendall's new look! She is completely unrecognisable!
Go over to the next page to see the new Kendall Jenner!
Kendall, is that you?? Thankfully, this isn't her new go-to style, but rather a shoot she did for Marc Jacobs' Fall 2016 collection. Here, the American model can be seen in a huge ball gown, sky-high platforms and a huge crimped hairpiece - and somehow manages to make it all look gorgeous. The famous designer wrote a heart-felt description for each person featured in the campaign - ranging from Kendall's fellow model, Cara Delevigne, to actress Juno Temple, to singer, Marilyn Manson - and his words for Kendall are absolutely enduring. He describes her as a "Goth Goddess" as well as kind and professional. We can only imagine what she must feel to hear that from this fashion legend.
She more images from Marc Jacobs' Fall 2016 shoot on the next page!
Cara Delevigne looks every bit the super model in this ominous look. She, too, sports the ridiculously high platform heels that form the signature element for the collection, but this time with a slightly more androgynous aesthetic. Marc Jacobs raved about her larger than life personality in this caption, although by now the whole world is familiar with her quirky antics.
Cara was joined by Missy Eliot for this shoot too! See her shot on the next page!
Marc Jacobs described working with Missy Eliot as a dream, being a big fan of her music since the 1990s. Of course, Missy's look is somewhat sporty, staying true to her own personal style.
And whose personal style screams goth more than Marilyn Manson? See his shot on the next page!
This is not the first time Marylin Manson has featured in Marc Jacobs' work. Jacobs chose the singer's The Beautiful People for his models to walk down the runway to back in 2011. Now, however, the singer has been chosen for his fitting appearance and he, too, decks out in those high, high heels.
Goth can also have a sweeter side. See Juno Temple's shot on the next page!
Finally, Juno Temple makes a cute and quirky appearance in the Fall 2016 collection. The actress has been a fan of Marc Jacobs ever since the age of 10, when she would insist on wearing his platform shoes to school. Ironically, she doesn't appear to be wearing the 2016 version of those platforms, although this shot of her playful face does the campaign justice as is.

domain: artistic


Feb. 16, 2013
DES MOINES, Iowa -- The Missouri State Lady Bears spotted Drake 13 points to open the game Saturday afternoon and nearly completed the comeback before falling to the Bulldogs by a 75-64 final at the Knapp Center in Des Moines.
Missouri State (12-13, 4-9 Missouri Valley Conference) pulled within one possession on six separate occasions in the second half but was never able to even the score as Drake (8-16, 3-10) withstood each MSU charge.
The Lady Bears fell behind 13-0 by the first media timeout before a Tyonna Snow free throw put MSU on the board at the 15:37 mark. The Lady Bears waited even longer until their first field goal after an 0-for-9 start before Des Moines native NiJay Gaines hit a 3-pointer with 12:37 to play. Gaines added another score for a 6-0 run as Missouri State held DU without a point for more than five minutes to close to 13-6.
Drake’s lead remained between six and 10 points until Kenzie Williams converted a layup off an nice pass from Desiree Phillips to make it 26-21 with 4:09 on the clock, but the Bulldogs had the margin back in double figures at 31-21 just 52 seconds later and carried it into halftime at 38-28.
The Lady Bears made it a five-point game twice more before five minutes had passed in the second half and Christiana Shorter’s driving layup at the 13:59 mark pulled MSU within one possession at 45-42.
The teams exchanged the next seven baskets before Drake got a defensive stop and scored to lead 55-48 with 9:26 to play before Williams drained a 3-pointer with 7:06 remaining for a 57-55 score and MSU’s smallest deficit since the game began.
It was 59-57 Drake after Shorter scored with 5:19 remaining when the Bulldogs scored the next five points for a 64-57 advantage and kept the lead at five or better for the remainder of the game.
Williams led the Lady Bears in scoring with 17 points and Shorter added 12 to go with nine rebounds. Gaines also narrowly missed a double-double with nine points and nine boards, career highs in each category, while Hillary Chvatal established a career high with eight rebounds as six separate MSU players grabbed at least seven misses in the game.
Missouri State hauled in 60 totals rebounds, including 27 on the offensive end, and held a plus-21 margin over DU.
The Lady Bears shot just 27-of-75 overall, 2-for-12 on 3-pointers and 8-for-26 from the foul line. Drake equaled MSU with 27 field goals, but made seven treys and 14 foul shots. Ashley Bartow and Kyndal Clark shared high scoring honors for DU with 19 each, including 17 from Bartow in the second period.
The Lady Bears return home Thursday at 7:05 p.m. when Southern Illinois comes to JQH Arena.


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In 1775 the Frenchman Chevalier visited Varna and described it as following: "There are approximately 16000 citizens, 12 mosques, 2 churches and 1 bell-tower built 20 years ago, on top of which a clock with a bell can be seen ...". From these diaries it becomes obvious that even back in mid XVIII century there had been a city clock in Varna. That clock tower was located in the green grounds behind the present theatre and it was also used by firemen as their watchtower. How did the tower look like, was it made of wood or stones? We don't know. Neither we know when exactly it was destroyed. It could have happened in the years of the 1828 siege of the city or in the fierce fire in Varna during the Crimean War.
The clock tower and Saedinenie (Union) Hall.
The idea to build an impressive city clock tower was accomplished in 1888 at the time when Krastyu Mirski was mayor of Varna. Varna municipality assigned to architect Sava Dimitrievich the project of a stone fire tower with a clock that should be 24 meters high. The construction site was carefully chosen - the new clock tower in the city park and the Cathedral formed the city centre boundaries of those times. The same year Concordia theatre hall burnt out and another hall for meetings and theatre plays was planned to be built close to the tower.
In two years' time the new clock tower and Saedinenie (Union) Hall were build and officially opened to visitors. Firemen used the tower since high buildings were still rare and from top of it they could watch over the entire city. At daytime they used coloured flags to signalize for fire and at night signals were exchanged by lit lanterns. Those fire prevention activities lasted till1898 and replaced by a telephone line. The clockwork was purchased from abroad and the prominent revolutionary Oton Ivanov fixed it on the tower.
Though it remains unrevealed to people's glances, the clockwork itself is a real masterpiece. It is quite strange that against the traditions the name of the producing company was not inscribed on it. The whole system is fitted in a big wooden "box" reached by a narrow winding staircase along the stone walls. The dial-plate in front is used to control the pace of the clock, as well as to correct it. Each fourth second a system of axles and gears transmits the motion to the clock hands on the tower outside. Instead of springs used in contemporary clocks, this clockwork mechanism is driven by weights suspended in the middle of the tower. The winding up is performed by the help of a simple crank arm of a huge drum beside the main group of gear wheels, which winds the string with the hanging weights. Another axle transmits the motion to the bell knocker at the tower top. Till 1930 the bell had been measuring hours two times within an interval of one minute.
Red weights can be seen on the top of the clock tower. The watchmaker Oton Ivanov (who died in 1932) dedicated his life to the clock tower. His son Oton Ivanov inherited his father's profession and love and continued to maintain the clock until his death in 1976.

domain: history


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Christopher Kirkpatrickis is Professor of Music at the University of Montana where he teaches clarinet and music history. He has performed and taught throughout the US, Canada, Europe, Taiwan and South Korea. Currently principal clarinet of the Missoula Symphony, he has also performed with the Detroit Symphony, Bozeman Symphony, Lansing Symphony, West Michigan Symphony, Brevard Music Center Orchestra, New Mexico Symphony Orchestra and the Santa Fe Symphony. Dr. Kirkpatrick has been an adjudicator for the International Clarinet Association’s Young Artist Competition, the Music Teachers National Association, Silverstein Global Clarinet Competition, and throughout the US.
Dr. Kirkpatrick has been a guest artist and lecturer at numerous conferences, including the International Clarinet Association’s Clarinetfest®, North American Saxophone Alliance Conference, International Double Reed Society Conference, International Duo Symposium, River City Winter Clarinet Festival, College Music Society Conference, the Brandon University Clarinet Festival, World Bass Clarinet Congress, and the Montana/Idaho Clarinet Festival. During the summers he is on the faculty of the International Music Camp in Manitoba, Canada.
As a founding member of Duo Nyans, he is dedicated to commissioning and premiering new works and performing the standard repertoire for clarinet and saxophone. The duo has been invited to perform at numerous conferences and universities and recently toured throughout Sweden and Taiwan. They released their debut album in 2018. He is also a member of the Velez Clarinet Quartet, which released their first album, Pulse, in 2020.
An avid enthusiast of new music, recent commissions include works by Bryan Curt Kostors, James Stephenson, Emilie LeBel, Christopher Stark, Simon Hutchinson, Evan Chambers, James David and David Biedenbender. Dr. Kirkpatrick also serves as the Montana state chair of the International Clarinet Association.
Christopher Kirkpatrick earned his Doctorate in Clarinet Performance from Michigan State University, a Master of Music from the University of New Mexico and his Bachelor of Music from the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga. His teachers have included Elsa Ludewig-Verdehr, Keith Lemmons, Steve Cohen, Ted Gurch, Nikolasa Tejero and Peter Temko.
Christopher performs on a Buffet RC Prestige B-flat, Buffet Divine A clarinet, Buffet RC E-flat, Buffet Prestige bass clarinet, Silverstein ligatures, and Gonzalez reeds. He is a Buffet Crampon Performing Artist and Silverstein Pro Team Artist.


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Two weeks ago Peter and the Starcatcher won five Tony Awards, including best performance by an actor in a featured role. The play, which is based on Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson’s Peter Pan prequel series, received nine total nominations.
This children’s literature/theater connection sparked my curiosity, so I did a little research on the topic. Broadway is currently running three other shows with ties to children’s books: Mary Poppins, a theatrical adaptation of the Disney film, itself loosely based on the P. L. Travers novel; War Horse, based on the middle-grade novel by Michael Morpurgo and winner of last year’s Tony Award for best play; and Wicked, the hit musical about the witches of Oz, based on Gregory Maguire’s adult book of the same name, which was inspired by L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
Off-Broadway, there are even more children’s book–based shows: The Berenstain Bears LIVE! in Family Matters, The Musical; Freckleface Strawberry, The Musical (based on picture books by Julianne Moore); Into the Woods (Sondheim’s long-running, Tony Award–winning reimagining of classic fairy tales); and Potted Potter.
And that’s just what’s playing in NYC! A quick Google search brings up regional productions of shows such as Seussical; Little Women; Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day: A Musical; James and the Giant Peach; Peter Pan; and Charlotte’s Web.
Adapting books for the theater makes sense because it taps into an existing fan base. But I think adapting children’s books for the stage does something more: it provides kids with an early introduction and connection to the enriching world of live theater, perhaps sparking a lifelong appreciation for and interest in the arts. For parents looking for summer activities to do with their kids, this type of entertainment should fit the (play)bill.
Do you know of other children’s books that have been turned into plays or musicals? Which children’s books or young adult novels would you like to see adapted for the theater?

domain: library


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Description: A genuine sandbox gamer can't skip out Toy Crafter, without a doubt. It is a sandbox development amusement with material science in which you can assemble various fascinating, interesting toys to play around with.
Need to make an auto, a factory or something that flies like copter? Incredibly, this amusement enables you to make your own one of a kind accumulation of exceptional toys. Can hardly wait any more, isn't that so? Tap Start immediately and rapidly draw a radical plan. Will it really work? Your definitive objective here is to construct your favored toy before testing it out. Amid the advance, you have to collect squares, wheels, and additionally reactors make your contraption. When everything is done, tap the PLAY catch to see it in real life.
Will you turn into the most magnificent Toy Crafter? Building stuff is dependably fun, so don't disregard this cool game.
How to play: The mouse is to do everything here.

domain: entertainment


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Correlation of crevicular fluid and serum levels of retinol-binding protein 4 and leptin in chronic periodontitis and obesity
- 350 Downloads
Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) and leptin are both adipokines and involved in the pathophysiology of different vascular and inflammatory diseases and selectively elevated in patients with obesity. The aim of the present study was to determine and correlate the levels of RBP4 and leptin in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and serum in patients with chronic periodontitis (CP) and obesity.
Materials and methods
A total of 70 patients with age group 25 to 45 years were divided into four groups based on gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), body mass index (BMI) and radiographic evidence of bone loss. The groups were (1) group I (non-obese periodontally healthy), (2) group II (obese periodontally healthy), (3) group III (non-obese with chronic periodontitis) and (4) group IV (obese with chronic periodontitis). The GCF and serum levels of human RBP4 and leptin were quantified using ELISA.
An increase in RBP4 levels from group I to group IV was found in both GCF and serum. However, GCF leptin levels was found to be greatest in group II, then group I, group IV and group III showing the least while an increase in serum levels from group I to group IV was found. The GCF and serum values of the inflammatory mediator correlated with the evaluated periodontal parameters and with each other (p < 0.05).
RBP4 and leptin can be considered as possible GCF and serum markers of inflammatory activity in CP and obesity, which further longitudinal studies are needed.
KeywordsChronic periodontitis Inflammation Obesity Gingival crevicular fluid
The authors express their thanks to Mr. Jagannath, statistician, Bangalore, India, for statistical analysis performance.
Compliance with ethical standards
The study is in compliance with ethical standards.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Authors declare no financial support or relationships that may pose conflict of interest.
All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.
Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.
- 21.Loe H, Holm-Pedersen P (1965) Absence and presence of fluid from normal and inflamed gingivae. Periodontics 149:171–177Google Scholar
- 26.Norseen J, Hosooka T, Hammarstedt A et al (2012) Retinol-binding protein 4 inhibits insulin signalling in adipocytes by inducing proinflammatory cytokines in macrophages through a c-Jun N-terminal kinase- and toll-like receptor 4-dependent and retinol-independent mechanism. Mol Cell Biol 32:2010–2019CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentralGoogle Scholar
- 27.Carlson GL, Saeed M, Little RA (1999) Serum leptin concentrations and their relation to metabolic abnormalities in human sepsis. Am J Phys 276:658–662Google Scholar

domain: medical


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March 18, 2013 |
The Chrysler Group has announced that it is recalling 4,459 model-year 2013 Dodge Challengers because of a hazard that could cause a fire. The problem could cause a wire harness to overheat or short circuit and possibly cause a fire. The company said it was aware of seven such incidents. So far, none have resulted in injuries. The recall affects only 2013 Dodge Challengers with V-6 engines built during an eight-week period ending Jan. 24, 2013. About 2,500 of the cars have been sold.
March 14, 2013 |
A Washington bankruptcy expert who represented Chrysler during its successful restructuring was named as the state-appointed emergency financial manager charged with helping to bring Detroit out of its fiscal morass. Kevyn Orr, 54, was named on Thursday to the financial post by Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder. The nomination was confirmed by Michigan's Emergency Loan Board, and Orr will start March 25, the governor's office announced. "With this action and by working together, we can rebuild the sound financial footing needed in Detroit,” Snyder said.
March 3, 2013 |
Word got around that Jack Kent Cooke wanted to cash out. It was 1977 and the Lakers owner had entered into a divorce that would eventually cost $41 million, a sum worthy of the Guinness World Records for the most costly marital split in history at that time. His mounting legal bills created an opportunity for an eager buyer named Jerry Buss. The onetime chemist, now wealthy from the real estate boom, wanted to purchase not only the Lakers but also the Forum and the Kings. Buss had one problem -- he wasn't the highest bidder.
February 21, 2013 |
Chrysler announced Thursday that it is recalling some 2013 Chrysler 200 and Dodge Avenger cars built from Oct. 30, 2012, through Nov. 2, 2012. The automaker said 1,785 of the cars may have a broken control valve in the fuel-tank assembly. The problem could result in an engine stall and potentially a crash if a car would stall while it is being driven. The same problem could result in a fuel leak, which might lead to a fire if the leak reaches an ignition source. Chrysler said it will notify owners of the affected vehicles, and that dealers will inspect the fuel-tank assembly and replace any defective control valves for free.
February 18, 2013 |
Chrysler is recalling some model year 2003 and 2004 Dodge Viper sports cars because of an air bag defect that may cause them to deploy unexpectedly while driving. The Dodge Vipers were manufactured from Nov. 1, 2001, through June 30, 2004. The recall involves more than 3,600 cars. Chrysler says that a component in the air bag control module may fail, causing the front air bags to deploy inadvertently while the car is being driven. The same problem may also activate the car's seat belt pretensioners.
February 14, 2013 |
Chrysler Group is recalling more than 370,000 trucks and SUVs to fix a problem with the vehicles' rear axle. The recall affects 2009 Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen SUVs, 2009-11 Dodge Dakota trucks and 2009-12 Ram 1500 trucks. Of the vehicles recalled, 278,222 are in the U.S. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said a pinion nut on the vehicles' rear axle can come loose because of a lack of adhesion. Should the nut come loose, the axle could lock up, possibly causing the driver to lose control and crash.

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Visit Barcelona, Spain
A vibrant Mediterranean city that overflows with art and architecture, Barcelona is known for its association with Modernist architect Antoni Gaudí, but its offerings extend far beyond the works of just one man. A feverish period at the start of the 20th century saw Gaudí, Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró all stake their claim on Catalonia’s cultural capital.
You can chart Picasso’s progression in the museum of his name or take the cable car to Montjuïc to see local-born Miró’s work. In Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter you’ll find the medieval cathedral and lanes from where Gaudí pulled inspiration. Outside all this, the efficient public transport system makes it easy to get around and simply soak up the city's character on its golden beaches or in its public parks.
Spain & Portugal specialist Allan
What I love about Barcelona is the interplay between the old and the new. At its core you’ll find a beautifully intact 14th-century Gothic quarter, but head out to L’Eixample and you can immerse yourself among the curving organic lines of Avant-garde modernist buildings.
Things to see and do in Barcelona
Antoni Gaudí's most ambitious and flamboyant project, the Sagrada Família is still under construction 130 years after work started. The basilica's design breaks with all previous architectural styles in a dream-like concoction of flowing organic shapes, vibrant mosaic work and soaring towers.
An extraordinary feat of creativity and technical achievement, it’s one of Spain's most renowned structures. Even today, it pushes the boundaries of architectural theory. Climb the towers for elevated views of the city and a close up of the attention to detail that Gaudí lavished on all elements of the structure, including at roof level. The basement museum has displays on Gaudí's life, working methods and other projects.
Another of Gaudí’s well-known projects, Park Güell was a grand, early 20th-century plan to build a new community on the outskirts of Barcelona. Although the project was never completed, the initial houses and landscaped parkland are built in typical Gaudí style with sloping walls, mosaics and free-flowing detail.
At the entrance are two fairytale-style houses with brown stucco façades, curvy white roofs that look covered in icing, and, on one, a blue and white spire. A giant lizard clad in a blue and orange mosaic of broken tiles flanks the stairways of the parkland beyond. Sinuous benches are intricately covered in more mosaic, pathways lace through woodland and one of the houses, where Gaudí lived for 20 years, is now a museum.
Overcrowding in the 19th century created a need to expand Barcelona to accommodate its growing population. A new district, L’Eixample (pronounced 'lay-sham-pluh'), was built in the en-vogue Modernist style.
Many of the city's most important examples of Modernist architecture are here, including the Sagrada Família and Gaudí's Casa Batlló and Casa Milà (also known as La Pedrera), which sit on the boulevard Passeig de Gràcia, along with a host of other notable buildings. The pulsing heart of L’Eixample, the street is also lined with designer shops, high-end restaurants and numerous nightspots.
La Rambla & La Boqueria
Arguably the most well-known street in Spain, La Rambla is a broad, semi-pedestrian thoroughfare brimming with shops, outdoor cafes and street performers. It’s divided up into five shorter segments marked by different points of interest, which is why it’s sometimes referred to as ‘Las Ramblas’.
While the area is mainly a tourist hotspot, it's worth heading to Mercat de la Boqueria for a vibrant taste of local life. This food market overflows with fruit and vegetables, fish and seafood, sausages, meat and cheeses. Here, you can try some of the regional specialties, from cured jamón ibérico and ridged Monserrat tomatoes, to dried salt cod and razor clams.
Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter is the historic heart of the city, and was its focal point during Roman and medieval times and contains some of Barcelona’s oldest buildings.
The most prominent attraction is the medieval cathedral, which has a richly decorated façade added in 1870 and a cloister with a resident flock of geese (a tradition dating back to medieval times). Nearby are the ruins of the Roman Temple d'August and the handsome Plaça del Rei (King’s Square), where the Grand Royal Palace now houses a museum.
The area is a hive of shops, bars and restaurants lining the cobblestone streets, hidden squares, and a host of intriguing lanes to explore.
Five handsome stone palaces dating from the 14th century host Barcelona's Picasso Museum, serving as an exploration of the artist's development. More than 3,500 of his works are on display here, including sketches, oils and ceramics with a particular focus on his early work. The museum offers an in-depth insight into his working methods, early practice, inspiration and ingenuity.
Among the most important works in the collection are his studies and interpretations of Velázquez’s masterpiece Las Meninas, which Picasso deconstructed over a series of 44 canvases while looking at its composition and portraits in minute detail.
Up on a hill overlooking the port is Montjuïc, a district with numerous art museums, a 17th-century castle and Barcelona’s Olympic Stadium from when the city hosted the games in 1992.
Among the many sights worth seeing are the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, which is set in a massive neo-Baroque building. It predominantly displays Catalan art with a strong Romanesque collection.
The Fundació Joan Miró is set in a white Rationalist building and displays a large collection of work by the locally born artist. Meanwhile, CaixaForum showcases contemporary international art in a Modernista building designed by Puig i Cadafalch.
A fishermen's village in the 18th century, La Barceloneta is now Barcelona's premier beachfront with restaurants, bars and clubs lining the boardwalk along the golden sand. Some of Barcelona’s best seafood restaurants are here, and around the nearby Port Olímpic (Olympic Port).
Wander a few streets back from the waterfront and you'll find a more local atmosphere, where old women watch the world go by from their balconies and men sit on their doorsteps in the narrow streets. You can also get a cable car up the hill to Montjuïc from here, for sweeping views of the city.
Best time to visit Barcelona
May to June and September to October are good times to visit Barcelona. The weather is warm and sunny, there are plenty of festivals and special events, and you avoid the heat and humidity of summer and the peak tourist season.
Suggested itineraries featuring Barcelona
Our itineraries will give you suggestions for what is possible when you travel in Barcelona, and they showcase routes we know work particularly well. Treat them as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.
Map of Barcelona
Places & hotels on the map
Photos of Barcelona
Accommodation choices for Barcelona
We’ve selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit Barcelona. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.
Ideally located in the heart of Barcelona, the Hotel Colón offers comfortably modern rooms, a relaxing rooftop spa terrace, unrivaled views of the city’s central cathedral and easy access to all the main sights.
With friendly service and an enviable location in downtown Barcelona, the Gallery Hotel provides a comfortable base for exploring the city. Its contemporary design and rooftop pool add to its appeal.
Incorporated into Barcelona’s ancient Roman walls, the Mercer Hotel employs a clever blend of original architecture and modern comfort and style. Its convenient location in the heart of the Gothic Quarter means many of Barcelona's attractions are within easy walking distance.
Surrounded by Modernist architecture in the vibrant Eixample district, H10 Casa Mimosa provides a stylish base for exploring Barcelona. This chic boutique hotel has a large central courtyard and plunge pool and offers views to Gaudí’s Casa Milà.
An elegant hotel in the heart of Barcelona’s fashionable Eixample district, the Majestic Hotel & Spa offers historic grandeur as well as all modern comforts. Service is impeccable and the rooftop terrace and pool are among the best in the city.
In the heart of one of Barcelona’s most vibrant districts, Ohla Eixample offers chic, modern rooms alongside Michelin-starred dining, a glorious roof terrace and pool, and a convenient location for exploring the city.
Set in a historic building in central Barcelona, the Grand Hotel Central is a sophisticated option boasting elegant decor, comfortable rooms and a rooftop terrace that offers an unmatched panorama of Barcelona.
Vintage styling, comfortable rooms and a rooftop terrace and Jacuzzi make the H10 Montcada a worthy option, but its convenient location in the heart of Barcelona is the real draw.
A historic boutique hotel offering chic contemporary decor and an intimate roof terrace, the small Hotel Neri is conveniently located yet offers a sense of peace and tranquillity away from the city crowds.
Set in a handsome colonial building just off La Rambla, the Hotel 1898 is a luxurious boutique property with a panoramic roof terrace and pool along with a relaxing spa.
Ideas for experiencing Barcelona
Our specialists seek out authentic ways to get to know the places that could feature in your trip. These activities reflect some of the experiences they've most enjoyed while visiting Barcelona, and which use the best local guides.
Learn to cook a traditional Spanish paella in Barcelona on this half-day course, which includes a visit to a local market. You’ll find out how to choose the best ingredients before putting them together in an engaging, hands-on day of activity.
Journeying around the Penedès wine region, you’ll discover the home of cava, Spain’s sparkling wine, on this full-day guided tour. Learn about its history and production, and tour the Codorníu estate, before continuing on to Montserrat to see the basilica, one of Spain’s major pilgrimage sites.
Take off on two wheels and explore Barcelona by bicycle with the help of a local guide. You’ll discover the waterfront area of Barceloneta, ride along the winding narrow streets of the Gothic Quarter and visit some of the city’s main sights.
This full-day private tour from Barcelona takes you to Figueres, Salvador Dalí’s hometown and the site of his surreal museum, as well as the historic city of Girona, with its Romanesque and Gothic buildings and Baroque cathedral.
The architecture and influence of legendary Modernist Antoni Gaudí are revealed on this guided half-day tour of Barcelona. You’ll visit three of his most renowned projects, rippling Casa Milà, his greenspace Park Güell and the Sagrada Família.


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From Illinois Business Journal news services
Thanks to a new partnership with the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing, Baptist Health of Kentucky nurses can obtain a baccalaureate degree in nursing in as little as one year from their own homes and on their own schedule.
“We are excited to work with Baptist Health to offer our online, accelerated RN to BS in nursing degree,” said Dr. Roberta Harrison, assistant dean for undergraduate programs at SIUE School of Nursing. “This is a great opportunity to reach more working nurses throughout Kentucky to offer our affordable, progressive and innovative online program.”
SIUE’s accelerated RN to BS program is offered in a flexible, entirely online format to accommodate the needs of working RNs.
Dr. Laura Bernaix (left), interim dean of the SIUE School of Nursing, said the program was designed for nurses working in the industry.
“Our program offers the working RN a contemporary, easily accessible and affordable format for obtaining their baccalaureate degree in nursing,” said Bernaix. “Unique to its design is the technical and instructional support that is available to meet the individual needs of each student.”
Visit the Baptist Health Partnership website http://www.siue.edu/corporate/baptist/ for additional details.
Send business news releases to Editor Dennis Grubaugh, firstname.lastname@example.org


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The summer holidays are an ideal opportunity to explore and learn from the world around you. Whether you’re interested in combining your search for sunshine with a little culture, or you’re looking to fully immerse yourself into a new history – We think you’ll find something on this list that appeals.
With over 2,000 years of history, a visit to the Colosseum is a great way to learn about the Roman Empire. Originally hosting more than 50,000 people to watch animal fights, prisoner executions and of course, battles between gladiators. The Colosseum has since fallen victim to earthquake damage, lootings, and bombings in World War Two. Alongside its entertainment history, the structure has also served as a church, cemetery and even a castle for a noble family. Partner a visit to The Colosseum with a trip to the Vatican City, home to The Pope, and you’ll leave Italy feeling truly educated and steeped in history.
Poland has become a major tourism hub, offering beautiful medieval architecture and several educational experiences. There are few sites which communicate the dark side of history as well as Krakow, invaded by the Nazis in 1939. Guided tours lead visitors through the cell blocks and museum exhibits of concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau. Krakow is also home to the Wieliczka Salt Mines, one of the oldest continuously used salt mines globally (only closing in 2017). Today that rich history has been converted into a museum and world-rated UNESCO site. Walk deep under the earth through caverns and tunnels, wonder at salt carvings and visit the beautiful salt cathedral.
If you’re interested in classic Greek mythology then there’s no better place to visit than the capital of Greece, Athens. Home to the Acropolis, the most important ancient site in the Western world, and the Parthenon, you won’t fall short of inspiration here. The Parthenon is dedicated to the Goddess Athena and took 15 years to build before being completed in 438 BC! Visitors can expect beautiful architecture and art, incredible stories and rich culture.
There are few museums quite as spectacular as the Vasa Museum in Stockholm, Sweden. Housed in a specially built facility, here you’ll find a gigantic sunken ship from 1628, salvaged from the icy depths 333 years later. The mightiest warship of its time, the Vasa is one of the best-preserved artifacts from the period. This museum is packed with experiential learning opportunities – for example, walk through a model village from the era and learn about the features of living in this time. You can even step inside replicated rooms from the ship itself! If you’re still looking to learn more during your trip, visit the Fotografiska, museum of contemporary photography, or perhaps Abba, The Museum!
We think London is a great educational destination because of the abundance of catered tourist experiences. Visit the medieval Tower of London built in 1078 by William the Conqueror – you can even catch a glimpse of the Royal Family’s Crown Jewels. If you’re looking for something more laid back, you could visit the SEA LIFE London Aquarium, Madame Tussaud’s Waxwork Museum, The Victoria and Albert Arts Museum or even catch a show on London’s famous West End. Another highlight is possibly the London Dungeons, an experiential learning opportunity which delves into the city’s grisly past.
It’s no surprise that Berlin ranks high on the top educational destinations list for high school and university trips. Visit Teufelsberg in the Grunewald Forest, an abandoned US spy station and Cold War relic built on the debris of World War Two. Then visit the Berlin Wall Memorial, the last preserved piece of the wall which once separated the East from the West – a symbol of the lack of freedom under communist rule. Follow this up with a trip through the murals of the East Side Gallery – a must for lovers of art and graffiti.
If traveling is your thing, then we think you’d fit in perfectly at EF Academy.


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Rachel Labbe, 28, of 30 Seymour Road, Terryville; charged with multiple counts of first-degree criminal mischief and first-degree reckless endangerment.
William Sin Chan, Jr., 27, of 70 Jeremy Woods Drive, Southington; charged with violating a restraining order.
John Dennison, 31, of 17 Chestnut St.; charged with third-degree assault, second-degree breach of peace and second-degree threatening.
Paul Bergeron, 19, of 53 Cabot St.; charged with driving under the influence.
Marcus Arnold, 22, of 194-27 113th Ave., Queens, N.Y.; charged with second-degree burglary, sixth-degree larceny and third-degree criminal mischief.
Cardell Arnold, 19, of Washington St. Apt. 2S; charged with second-degree burglary, interfering with a 911 call and sixth-degree larceny.
Natalie Baldwin, 37, of 660 W. Main St.; charged with first-degree larceny.
Jorge Aponte, 21, of 68 Roberts St.; charged with interfering with an officer.
Richard Pawlina, 44, of 255 Wooster St., New Britain; charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, interfering with a police officer and reckless driving.
Nancy E. Serrano, 44, of 260 East St.; charged with first-degree harassment.
James A. Santilli, 46, of 131 Mechanic St., Bristol; charged with driving under the influence.
Marci K. Campbell, 42, of 48 Garden St.; charged with interfering with police.