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How to write a promissory note?
Do you have a business that needs investors? Then a promissory note is something you need to know how to write and review.
A well-written promissory note means a well-polished financial business agreement.
As a small or established business, whenever you need to take a loan, the lender may require you to review and sign a promissory note.
If you are lending money to a business, a friend, or a loved one, you may want to consider writing a promissory note.
This is to establish the terms and conditions surrounding the deal that is being signed by both parties.
A clear promissory note is important for a smooth financial deal. And in this article, we will be showing you all about how to write one.
The Ultimate Guide To Pitch Decks
Here is the content that we will cover in this post. Let’s get started.
- 1. What is a Promissory Note
- 2. Why do You Need a Promissory Note
- 3. Elements of a Promissory Note
- 4. The Lender/Borrowers Name and Contact Information
- 5. Witness signature
- 6. The Loan Amount
- 7. All the Repayment Terms
- 8. Payment on Demand
- 9. Balloon Payment
- 10. Paying in Installments
- 11. The Repayment Deadlines
- 12. The Interest Rate
- 13. Types of Promissory Notes
- 14. Secured Promissory Note
- 15. Commercial Promissory Note
- 16. Investment Promissory Note
- 17. Writing a Promissory Note: Conclusion
What is a Promissory Note
Before we dive into the ‘how’ let’s talk about what a promissory note is.
A promissory note is a written document that sets out the terms of repayment when you loan or borrow money.
That may include any source, including from a commercial lender.
You may have heard the word ‘IOU’ countless times, that is simply an informal way of referring to a promissory note.
It’s important to know the in’s and out’s of what a promissory note entails, so you’ll know how to structure it for your business.
Documenting the loan terms through a promissory note will help you take necessary legal action when there’s a breach in the agreement.
Many promissory notes include interest even though it’s not what makes the note legally valid.
Depending on the payment plan you decide to have with the other party, you can make the promissory note interest-free.
Or use a zero percent interest rate, or up to the legally allowed amount of interest in your jurisdiction.
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Why do You Need a Promissory Note
If you’re running a business then you should know that legal documents are extremely important.
A promissory note is written to guarantee that there can be legal action if there is a default on the loan.
The lender holds onto the promissory note until the loan repayment is complete.
In the case of a loan default, the promissory note can be presented for legal action to be taken.
Without it, you may not have legal recourse to attempt to get your money back.
For instance, if it is a mortgage promissory note a lender or financial institution holds onto until the mortgage is paid off.
In the event of a default, the promissory note gives them the leverage to foreclose.
Once paid off they will issue a release of the lien.
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Elements of a Promissory Note
To write a great promissory note, you have to know exactly what it entails.
A promissory note will always include the signature area for both parties and your names of course.
The signature is an acknowledgment of the terms and conditions surrounding the loan.
It signifies that both parties understand all that the promissory note entails.
The Lender/Borrowers Name and Contact Information
Without the name and contact information of both parties, the promissory note can be declared invalid.
This is the difference between an informal IOU and a promissory note.
The promissory note is more legally binding because it’s more structured and official.
Your name and address plus that of the borrower must be included in the note.
Apart from this information, the date and place of issuance should also be written.
A third party is always a great idea in any business transaction.
The witness is a neutral ground that stands to acknowledge the exchange between both parties.
Either a witness signs or you get a notary public signature/stamp or both.
This ensures that someone other than the lender and the borrower is aware of the loan and the conditions surrounding it.
And authenticates their identity and signatures.
The Loan Amount
The loan amount is also called the principal debt.
It is the total amount of money borrowed by the payor, the amount to be paid back over the loan’s life, plus any interest or fees.
The specific amount of money you’re giving out or receiving must be written clearly in the promissory note.
How much are you giving out? What date did you give it?
These are the questions that you must answer as you draft your promissory note.
The exact amount of money must be included in the note for future references.
If this isn’t done, the person that received the loan can deny the amount or forge something.
It prevents and protects both parties from either making up lies or behaving fraudulently.
All the Repayment Terms
This is an extremely important element of a promissory note.
It details the exact payment methods and explains how the loan will be paid back.
The repayment terms state clearly if the loan is to be paid back in installments, at once, or on-demand.
For example, some loans can be repaid in monthly installments, or at the request of the lender.
Or, it can be paid in a lump sum at a specific maturity date, or call date.
Based on how fast you want your money paid back, you can set up a repayment structure that features systematic payments.
Another way to do it is by setting up a repayment schedule on certain specific dates.
Either way, a repayment term is a very important feature of a promissory note.
Here are a few common examples of repayment plans that can be found in promissory notes.
Payment on Demand
A loan that has a payment on-demand promissory note has no specific payment date.
But the loaner has the right to demand repayment whenever he/she likes.
Usually, when the lender demands the loan, a specific payment date is set up for the repayment.
This gives the borrower enough time to make certain arrangements before the time specified.
This type of promissory note payment plan is common among friends, family members, and acquaintances.
It is more flexible but at the same time, it is enforceable legally. So it shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Balloon payment which has nothing to do with balloons by the way is a very considerate payment plan.
It’s when the borrower firstly pays you in installments and then completes the payment at a later date with a large sum.
For example, picture a scenario where you loan a family member the sum of $20,000 to start up a business.
The agreement is that the payment will be made in 12 months so you set up a payment of $840 monthly.
And a final balloon payment of $10,000 at the end of the specified time.
The monthly payment is to pay you off for the period when your family member gathers the lump.
This makes the final lump much more affordable in a way.
Paying in Installments
This might be the most common form of repayment.
It allows the lender to repay the loan in an affordable sum on the specified and agreed dates.
A promissory note that has an installment payment term will specify an amount of money that has to be paid back monthly.
It can also be weekly, yearly, or quarterly. It depends on what you both agree on and what you both like.
The payment will continue until the principal debt and interests are completely paid off.
This payment structure keeps the whole process simple for all the parties involved.
The interest rate can be easily calculated and all the terms are clearly stated.
The Repayment Deadlines
Every promissory note should have a timeline for repayment. Whether it’s years, months, or dates.
The repayment deadline is the specific date that you as the lender or the borrower agree for payment to be made.
The deadline specified can be as long as possible. Some promissory notes carry repayment deadlines of up to 10years.
Depending on how far you intend to stretch out the payment, your deadlines can be anytime you both agree.
The Interest Rate
Not every promissory note will have a specified interest rate. But typically the interest rate should be specified in the note.
This interest rate is the amount that the borrower has agreed to pay on top of the principal debt amount.
The interest fee is a fee the borrower pays the lender for borrowing him/her the money.
The interest rate can be charged either as a variable rate that changes within a specific time.
Or it can be charged as a fixed percentage of the principal debt.
Either way, both parties must agree to the interest rate and specify it clearly before the promissory note is signed.
Types of Promissory Notes
Secured Promissory Note
A promissory note is called ‘secured’ if it is tied to a particular property.
This type of promissory note is used mostly for car loans and property loans.
Nevertheless, it can work for any type of loan that involves a purchase of any item with the loan money.
In a business, a secured promissory note loan can be tied to the business equipment, cars, property, and any physical thing that’s important to the business.
For example, if you give your friend a loan to start up a laundry or dry cleaning business.
Let’s say your friend took the loan to buy industrial washing machines and dryers.
If you want the debt to be linked to the washing machines and dryers, you would go ahead and draft a secured promissory note.
If your friend defaults on the loan the secured promissory note gives you the power to take the washing machines and dryers.
You can sell the machines to get your money back.
To take action on a secured promissory note, you may have to involve other legal authorities.
In this case, you may need to file a notice with your local court.
This is so that they can put out the information of your interest in the equipment to other potential lenders.
A lawyer is necessary for situations like this to fully protect and enforce your rights.
Commercial Promissory Note
When commercial institutions are involved in a loan or borrowing process, that’s when a commercial promissory note is used.
Commercial lenders/institutions include banks and loan agencies.
The promissory note grants them the right to demand payment with interest at the agreed time.
Commercial lenders have the right to appoint a lien on any asset owned by the business.
That is until full payment of the borrowed amount is made.
To assign a lien is to lay claim on any property owned by your business as security until complete payment is made.
For example, a bank holds on to the papers and title of a house or places a lien against the property until the mortgage is completely paid.
Investment Promissory Note
This type of promissory note is often a substitute for business loans.
It is used in situations where a business needs to raise capital or make some important purchases.
A business investment is one risk not many are willing to take, for good reason.
Should you decide to invest in any business, an investment promissory note will reduce the risks.
How? The investment promissory note ensures that you as an investor receive a return on your investment over a specified period.
If the borrower defaults on paying the investment back, you have the right to take ownership of the company.
As long as you have your investment promissory note with all the specifications and terms of the investment, you have full rights to take ownership of the company when there’s a default.
There are also convertible notes which can be transitioned from debt to equity in a business should it perform well.
Would you like more details about what is a convertible note? Check out this video I have created where I explain in detail how that works.
Writing a Promissory Note: Conclusion
Once you decide on the type of promissory note you want to draft, then you can start writing.
To ensure your note is legally valid, you have to include all the necessary elements we have mentioned in this article.
Your promissory note should be clear, agreed upon, and professional.
The names and contact addresses of both parties should come first, they should be visible at the top of the promissory note.
The terms of the agreement/repayment; like the repayment plan, the interest rate, and the repayment deadlines should come next.
The signature of both parties which is the final seal on the document comes at the bottom or end of the promissory note.
Once both of you sign the promissory note, it will automatically become a legally binding document.
Ensure that every important element is included in your promissory note.
You should also have a good understanding of the terms surrounding the loan before signing it.
You can get a headstart and streamline the process by using a promissory note template.
Or having your attorney handle it for you.
You may find interesting as well our free library of business templates. There you will find every single template you will need when building and scaling your business completely for free. See it here.

domain: finance


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The market looked sluggish Tuesday morning, but it suddenly came to life around midday and there was a scramble to add long exposure. There wasn't any obvious catalyst for the positive turn, but the anxiety was sensed about being left behind when things went green.
Volume picked up from very light levels Monday, but it was still lackluster. One of the challenges since the lows of March 2009 has been how often we have had rallies on diminishing volume. Logically, it makes sense that a market rising on increasing volume would have stronger momentum, but it hasn't mattered much lately.
The fact that buyers suddenly jumped in for reasons that weren't obvious tells us that they are worried about being underinvested and missing a year-end rally. We continue to have plenty of nervous news flow to keep skepticism high, which is a big reason this market keeps chugging along.

domain: economics


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Political analyst Wong Chin Huat has warned that the Election Commission’s redelineation has “disastrous” implications on the country.
At a press conference he said, “I am going to break the law for the sake of this country.
“The report is under embargo…(because) there are a lot of things that perhaps the EC and the powers that be don’t want Malaysians to know, before their MPs vote on it tomorrow Wednesday 28 March 2018).
“So I feel compelled to reveal what I have learnt… Malaysians need to know some of the alarming and disastrous implications of this proposal”.
He said he will also release the EC’s report in full on NGO Engage’s website.
Speaker Pandikar does his damage
The proposal was tabled in the Dewan Rakyat last Thursday but Dewan Rakyat speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia placed an embargo on the contents which will expire on 28 March.
The embargo has deprived Malaysians the right to information about their voting districts.
The forum in Kuala Lumpur today was titled “How Malaysia’s elections are being stolen” and discussed the EC’s proposal at length.
The Election Commission is tearing constitution apart
The proposal for exacerbates malapportionment – the manipulation of electoral sizes as well as gerrymandering – the manipulation of constituency electorate composition.
Wong criticised the EC for “tearing the Federal Constitution apart” by not honouring provisions in the Thirteenth Schedule that rule on redelineation.
He specifically referred to subsection 2(c) that stipulates how “the number of electors within each constituency in a State ought to be approximately equal except that, having regard to the greater difficulty of reaching electors in the country districts and the other disadvantages facing rural constituencies, a measure of weightage for area ought to be given to such constituencies”.
Wong has urged Malaysians to vote in the 14th general election to help ensure a representative election and to be aware of what’s going on in the country.
He warned, “If you choose not to vote, you are basically letting seven old men decide our future,” he said, alluding to the seven EC commissioners.
Join the Bersih rally against the EC’s redelineation
Wong encouraged members of the public to join Bersih’s rally against the EC’s redelineation exercise at the National Monument on Wednesday 28 March.
Despite the embargo, all three volumes of the EC’s redelineation report were leaked online on Mar 23.
Meanwhile, DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang said his party is prepared to defend Wong for breaking the embargo.
“DAP has appointed a panel of four MP-lawyers headed by Ramkarpal Singh (Bukit Glugor) and comprising Teo Nie Ching (Kulai), Lim Lip Eng (Segambut) and Thomas Su (Ipoh Timor) to defend political analyst Wong.
“I commend Wong for his patriotic action, which reminded me of Gandhi’s Salt Protest and Salt march in March 1930 which started with Gandhi’s act of non-violent civil disobedience against British colonial rule to produce salt from the seawater in the coastal village of Dandi (now Gujarat),” he said in a statement.
Lim also criticised Pandikar for a “most ridiculous and undemocratic” embargo on the EC’s delineation report.
(Note: I will link the EC redelineation documents tomorrow.)
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domain: politics


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How we measure 'reads'
A 'read' is counted each time someone views a publication summary (such as the title, abstract, and list of authors), clicks on a figure, or views or downloads the full-text. Learn more
Background: Major depressive disorder is one of the most prevalent and costly medical conditions, with approximately 280 million people affected worldwide. It is estimated that 30-60% of individuals suffering from this disorder are treatment-resistant, not responding to psychotherapy or antidepressants. Non-invasive brain stimulation in the form of...
Tinnitus, a phantom auditory perception that can seriously affect quality of life, is generally triggered by cochlear trauma and associated with aberrant activity throughout the auditory pathways, often referred to as hyperactivity. Studies suggest that non-auditory structures, such as prefrontal cortex (PFC), may be involved in tinnitus generation...
The mechanism of tinnitus, the perception of sound in the absence of acoustic stimulation, remains as yet unknown. It has been proposed that tinnitus is caused by altered spontaneous activity in the auditory pathway following cochlear damage in combination with inadequate gating at the level of the auditory thalamus, the medial geniculate nucleus (...
Tinnitus, a phantom auditory percept, is strongly associated with cochlear trauma. The latter leads to central changes in auditory pathways such as increased spontaneous activity and this may be involved in tinnitus generation. As not all people with cochlear trauma develop tinnitus, recent studies argue that non-auditory structures, such as prefro...
Animal models of tinnitus rely on interpretation of behavioural or reflexive tests to determine the presence of this phantom perception. A commonly used test is the gap prepulse inhibition of acoustic startle (GPIAS), which is often combined with prepulse inhibition (PPI) to ensure that reduced GPIAS suppression is not due to hearing loss caused by...

domain: medical


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Encore Careers: Push Your Boundaries
Ready for retirement? Find out why many are considering encore careers and push your boundaries into something more, here.
Have A Question About This Topic?
Learn about the average American budget in this fun and interactive piece.
There are other ways to maximize Social Security benefits, in addition to waiting to claim them.
You make decisions for your portfolio, but how much do you really know about the products you buy? Try this quiz


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Travelers wanting to experience the best that Old City has to offer while staying within a luxurious setting will love the White House Hotel in Istanbul. Built and decorated in an authentic Ottoman style, the hotel offers an abundance of modern amenities. It’s a great choice for families wanting to be within easy walking distance to historic sites, attractions, shops, restaurants and entertainment. Standard Triple Rooms and Family Rooms accommodate up to three guests. Extra beds can also be requested. Guests have access to a complimentary breakfast buffet.
Our Editor Loves
- Conveniently located in Old City
- Luxurious rooms suitable for families
- Free breakfast buffet for guests
- Theme Park
- Free Breakfast
- Free Wi-Fi
by montassar h
Nice hotel, beautifull, clean, calm, with a perfect position, thank you Harun and all your team for your welcoming, all the kindness that u showed to me and my family and all the service that you heled us in! I will never think twice for my next trip to Istanbul. I recommand very much this hotel,it made my holiday much more easy than it could be. See you soon.
by Soraya B
I don’t think I have ever experienced such a great service! Not even in luxury class hotels! From the welcome drink and personalized greeting until the last minutes— even when we were on our way back to the airport. My friend forgot her phone and the hotel staff located us via our taxi driver and had our phone be driven to the airport. Exceptional!!! Apart from the excellent service, the rooftop is absolutely lovely with view on the blue mosque!! The rooms super clean and the location unbeatable!
We were travelling as a group of 3 girls and we had a wonderful time!!! We will definitely come back and recommend this hotel to our friends

domain: travel


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Annandale and Eskdale Primary Schools Football Festival 2016 - Large Schools Competition Winners - Moffat Primary School
Annandale & Eskdale Primary Schools 7 aside Football Festival
Well done to Moffat Academy Primary for winning the Annandale and Eskdale 7 aside football tournament on Saturday 23rd April 2016.
They had a positive start with a 7-0 win against Eastriggs. Throughout the game they showed excellent individual skills particularly from Ethan Notman and Dylan Bruce. This game showed outstanding team work and a great deal of potential. There second game was against Hecklegirth and they had to show resilience after going a goal down in the early stages of the game. A penalty helped Moffat equalise. Moffat kept calm and playing to their strengths using speed down the wings from Kit Armstrong and strong crosses into the box from Ben Johnstone they managed to score to take the lead. Through determination and strong passing they ended up strong 3-1 winners.
They went on to beat Gretna 2-0 in a comfortable game where they had many chances but could not find the target. The next game was against Lockerbie who were an extremely strong team. The game was end to end with nothing in it, both teams strong in defence. Moffat took a 1-0 lead half way through the game and through commitment in defence from Scott Little, Kenan Jack and Oliver Reid in goals they manage to hold on to the lead.
Moffat grew in confidence as the tournament went on and this showed in their passing and movement on the pitch. They went on to beat Elmvale 5-1 and Langholm 4-1 with strong performance from Ethan Notman, Taylor Jack and Ewan Notman.
Well done to Ethan Notman, Scott Little, Oliver Reid, Ben Johnstone, Kenan Jack, Dylan Bruce, Kit Armstrong, Taylor Jack and Ewan Notman who were an outstanding team with excellent attitudes throughout. A special thank you goes to the kit man Jim Armstrong for carrying the kit up and down the pitch throughout the day, he did an outstanding job.

domain: hobby


Watch 5 Seconds of Summer Shred on New Song, ‘Youngblood’
5 Seconds of Summer offer a behind-the-scenes look at their most recent tour in the video for their new song, “Youngblood.” The track will appear on the group’s upcoming LP of the same name, out June 22nd.
“Youngblood” has a relentless, thumping rhythm, around which 5 Seconds of Summer move between delicate verses and a booming chorus. Singer Luke Hemmings belts the hook, “Young blood, say you want me, say you want me back in your life/ So I’m just a dead man crawling tonight/ Cause I need it, yeah, I need it all of the time.”
The intimate black-and-white video for “Youngblood” pairs footage of 5 Seconds of Summer performing “Youngblood” onstage with shots of the band touring various cities and hanging out backstage. Conor Butler and Ruth Paveley directed the clip.
“Youngblood” follows previously released single, “Want You Back.” Youngblood marks the group’s third LP and follows their 2015 album, Sounds Good Feels Good. 5 Seconds of Summer will embark on a North American tour in support of Youngblood August 27th in Toronto.


CHARTER change cleared its first hurdle on Wednesday after the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments approved a proposed resolution calling for a Constituent Assembly to speed up the process of amending the 1987 Constitution.
The panel voted to adopt the Constituent Assembly mode, in which the House and the Senate directly propose the amendments, rather than call for a Constitutional Convention that will require a nationwide election of delegates.
Thirty-two members of the House committee voted in favor of the resolution.
Seven lawmakers opposed the move, including Representatives Henedina Abad of Batanes, Arlene Bag-ao of
Dinagat Islands and Jose “Lito” Atienza of Buhay party-list, among others.
Three lawmakers abstained.
“This panel approves the concurrent resolution calling for the Congress of the Philippines to constitute itself into a Constituent Assembly for the purpose of proposing amendments to or revisions to the 1987 Constitution,” said Southern Leyte Rep. Roger Mercado, chairman of the House panel.
The House constitutional amendments panel also agreed that the 32 who voted in favor of a Constituent Assembly would be listed as co-authors of the House resolution.
A technical working group will be formed to consolidate the bills proposing a Constituent Assembly for the charter overhaul.
The House is also awaiting the issuance of an executive order from President Rodrigo Duterte forming a 25-man preparatory constitutional commission to aid Congress in amending the Constitution to shift to a federal form of government.
There are three modes of amending the Constitution: a Constituent Assembly, a Constitutional Convention and a people’s initiative or signature drive.
Duterte initially favored a convention but shifted to Constituent Assembly after being told that the former could cost at least P6 billion and that the process of amending the charter could drag on.
‘Bound to fail’?
Atienza, a deputy minority leader, warned that amending the charter through a Constituent Assembly was bound to fail because it would exclude the opinion of the public.
“This will not go well because this disregards the sentiments of our people. While recognizing that the Constitution should be changed, this should be done by electing constitutionalists, not by Congress,” Atienza said.
“Members of Congress are elected for other duties,” he added.
Voting on the House resolution was supposed to take place last October 12, but a near scuffle between Surigao del Norte Rep. Ace Barbers and Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay forced the committee to suspend its proceedings.
Pichay wanted the Senate to be consulted first before voting on the resolution, which Barbers said was a “stupid and senseless” motion.
The Duterte administration is in favor of Charter Change to pave the way for a shift in federalism, wherein the country will be divided into 11 federal states to break Metro Manila’s hold on political power and resources.
Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, now House deputy speaker, has proposed that the House of Representatives and the Senate convene as a Constituent Assembly by November to draft a new constitution within the term of President Duterte.
“We don’t really have much time to put together a new constitution to be put out in a plebiscite by 2019. The executive order [to study a shift to the]federal French parliamentary form of government is expected to be signed in October, so we should start by November,” Arroyo said last October 12.


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An Explosive Mix of Passion and Danger – “Ruthless Salvation” by Jill Ramsower
Ruthless Salvation” is the thrilling third installment in Jill Ramsower’s Bryne Brother Series, set against the backdrop of the gritty Irish Mob scene in the heart of New York City. This Irish Mob Romance introduces us to Stormy, a strong-willed heroine working as a hostess and waitress in a strip club owned by the enigmatic and fiercely protective Tor Bryne. Both characters are haunted by their pasts, seeking refuge from their own demons in the tumultuous world of organized crime.
The novel unfolds in two parts, with the present-day narrative and Stormy’s haunting past converging to reveal the depths of her struggles and the scars she carries. While this dual timeline approach provides valuable insights into Stormy’s character, it occasionally interrupts the flow of the story and the simmering chemistry between Stormy and Tor. Nevertheless, Ramsower’s storytelling prowess shines through as she delves into the complexities of her characters.
One of the highlights of Ramsower’s writing is her ability to create heroes who are fiercely protective of the women they love, and Tor Bryne is no exception. His unwavering commitment to safeguarding Stormy gives the story an intense and captivating edge. The chemistry between Tor and Stormy is electric, and their love story is filled with tension, passion, and a dash of danger.
For readers who relish a “touch her and die” kind of vibe in their romance novels, “Ruthless Salvation” delivers that and more. The book is spiced with suspense and danger, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they navigate the treacherous world of the Irish Mob alongside Tor and Stormy.
In conclusion, “Ruthless Salvation” is another solid addition to the Bryne Brother Series by Jill Ramsower. While the dual timeline structure may momentarily distract from the main storyline, the intense chemistry between the protagonists and the palpable sense of danger make this a must-read for fans of Irish Mob romance. Ramsower’s talent for crafting protective heroes and sizzling romances shines through in this thrilling and passionate tale.

domain: artistic


Omer makes frugal plans for salting city roads
OMER — The Omer City Council discussed methods of keeping city roads clear with a limited amount of salt at its Dec. 27 meeting.
Omer City Councilman Larry Daly said the city does not have enough money in its budget to salt all of the icy roads in the city through the winter, though he pointed out some would need it.
Daly said the city has 50 bags of salt stocked, which he believed should last the city through February. He explained that Omer has never had enough money to salt all its asphalt roads, and generally sticks to intersections off of the highway and dead ends.
He added since most roads in the city are only a few hundred feet long, most cars do not go fast enough for the lack of salt to be a major problem. Dirt roads are simply scraped off, and sand or a salt/sand mixture is used to melt ice if necessary.
When there is freezing rain and very icy roads, however, Daly said the city will salt all of the roads at that point. If it is primarily snow, the DPW will scrape the roads clear.
With winter conditions just beginning to make an impact in Arenac County, however, he was not sure if all the roads need the ice scraped off just yet.
“I don’t know if they need to be scraped, but if they aren’t scraped, then we should at least scrape the intersections going out on the highway and put a little salt on them,” Daly said. “We’re not gonna salt all the streets unless you up the budget another $5,000.”
The council also discussed the effect the winter conditions are having on city streets.
Daly said due to the rain and snow, potholes are forming on Michigan Avenue and Wall Street. He said with the cold weather, the city would need to rent a heater from the county to patch the asphalt streets.
Money to rent the heater would come from the city’s major and local streets fund, and Daly said the Department of Public Works (DPW) would just need to get in touch with him to let him know when to rent the heater.
However, Daly told the Independent with the snow and ice over the past few days, the DPW may be unable to patch the roads until spring.


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Betwixt and Between
The account of the hero Dimitri’s passage from small boy through adolescence and on into young manhood is set against the uncertainties, both political and domestic, which Cyprus, his homeland, and his family were experiencing in the 1950s. The Cypriot backdrop to Dimitri’s story and to the political events is not over-glamorised. The city streets are dusty and dangerous.
My reservations about this very worthy novel stem from that very worthiness. Although the characters are largely convincing, many of them, including Dimitri’s father, remain distanced, not only from one another but from the reader.
On pages 92 and 93, for example, where Dimitri and Laeta swim in the harbour, we have two teenagers having a conversation about “political issues” which not only seems unlikely, during a relaxed afternoon swim, but which is couched in very lofty, adult language. Incidents like this, and there are a lot of them, suggest that the novel has somehow lost its way and become bogged down in worthy detail which is working against what could be a compelling and evocative piece.
Because of its passionate themes (adolescent turmoil, family dysfunction and political violence), set against the vivid brilliance of the island of Cyprus, I had been expecting the telling of this story to light up. In one or two places this does happen, but for the most part it remains wallowing in detail, the characters just out of reach.
There is very little sense of the drama of even key events in this devastating social unrest, nor of its impact on the local population. Where are the sharp sunshine and the stark shadows of Dimitri’s personality and of the island that has formed him?


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McDonald's new garlic fries are in high demand.
The chain starting testing the fries at four locations in San Francisco a couple weeks ago.
Within a matter of days, the restaurants sold out of the new menu item, SFGate reports.
"In less than two weeks, our small, four-restaurant test of Gilroy Garlic Fries has been a huge success, and we are now experiencing a temporary shortage of supplies," McDonald's told SFGate. "We are excited about how many people have visited our restaurants to try the fries, and we apologize for any inconvenience to our customers."
The fried potatoes are seasoned with garlic grown in Gilroy, California — a place known as "the garlic capital of the world," according to McDonald's.
The made-to-order fries are tossed with a purée mix of "Gilroy garlic and olive oil, parmesan cheese, parsley, and a pinch of salt," the company says.
"We're proud of the work done by local franchisees and the regional team to create this menu item with locally-sourced garlic and we look forward to introducing Gilroy Garlic Fries to our customers in the Bay Area," Michael Haracz, manager of culinary innovation at McDonald's USA, said in a press release announcing the new test item.
People seem pretty upset that they are sold out.
The success of the test means the fries will likely become a permanent menu item.
Here's what the garlic fries look like in reality:

domain: food


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About 15 or 20 years ago I bought one of those air popping popcorn machines, for the grand sum of about fifteen dollars. Several years later and looking a little rough around the edges (hello cracked lid), it is still one of our most utilised kitchen appliances. I love that it’s healthy and since popcorn is so quick to make, I always make sure that we have a jar of kernels on the shelf ready to go. When I was downsizing our kitchen supplies last year, the popcorn machine was something that I didn’t part with and it’s fabulous for when we’re hungry and the cupboards are nearly bare.
Sometimes we make a wicked caramel popcorn recipe, that’s perfect for movie watching, but mostly we keep it simple with cinnamon (a favourite), butter, salt or just perfectly plain to be eaten fresh and hot from the bowl.
Another favourite of mine is citrus popcorn and I thought you might like this one too. I do two variations – orange or lemon – but lemon is definitely my favourite! It’s not really a recipe as such, just a dead easy way of adding some extra flavour to the bowl.
- Pop your kernels
- Drizzle the popcorn with either freshly squeezed lemon or orange.
- Eat and enjoy.
As I mentioned, the lemon one is my favourite as it adds some real tang to the bowl. Yes, the popcorn can be a little bit damp in places, but certainly not much different to adding melted butter over the top.


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Welcome to Friday Flicks! Every Friday I pick a movie and provide a little insight about from a viewer’s perspective.
Our movie today is Gone Girl, based on the 2012 novel by Gillian Flynn with the same title.
- IMDB – 8.1/10
- Rotten Tomatoes – 87%
- Me – 9.3/10
About the Movie
A New York Times Best Seller novel, Gone Girl was directed by David Fincher (I just realized that out of my 2 Friday Flicks movies, both were directed by David Fincher); starring Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike.
Writing teacher Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) comes home to find his wife, Amy (Rosamund Pike) missing on their fifth wedding anniversary. Her disappearance was a big deal as she was her parents’ Amazing Amy, a children’s book based from her.
Upon investigation, the police gathered evidences such as blood stains, her diary, and a lot more things that makes Nick the primary suspect of a possible murder. This is heightened by his apathetic behavior interpreted by media as a trait of a sociopath.
But don’t be fooled, it’s not as simple as it seems. There’s a whole other “world” that you will discover as you watch the movie.
Why You Should Watch It
I don’t have any idea whatsoever about this movie until a friend of mine shared the trailer with me. The trailer alone was created beautifully. It shows the plot and will make you “feel” there’s something missing, something you need to know.
I have expressed my admiration for David Fincher as he has the ability to portray characters simply by imitating their behaviors. Watching the trailer will make you wonder, paranoid even, that the mystery presented at face value is not entirely true.
Knowing the movie was made from a novel, I bought the book to read first before I watched the movie (I want to imagine everything else and compare them to the movie afterwards). Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike are both incredible in this film. They have portrayed the characters so swiftly that you can feel genuine STRONG emotions towards them as individual human beings and not as fictional characters.
This might be just a work of imagination but it was a very realistic story that will make you afraid of the possibilities of the events to actually happen.
The movie is something I would watch more than once just because I wanted to feel it again. It’s that kind of art that will make you ask yourself “this is seriously disturbing, but I like it? Why?”. It has a way of communicating with the audience the awful events, almost as if violating everyone in force participation just by watching it.
It’s the perfect epitome of the motto: expect the unexpected.
As much as I want to give more details away, I don’t want to spoil the movie to those who haven’t seen it yet or haven’t heard about it. Please, do not read or watch anything other than the trailer. You have to experience it first hand (or read it first if you’re like me).
My Key Takeaways
Oh boy, here we go:
- Love works in mysterious ways. Sometimes, opposites attract. Sometimes, two similar people fits perfectly. The journey does not end in marriage, you continuously learn something new about your spouse, good or bad (or very very bad).
- Every relationship requires a lot of work but marriage is on a whole new level. In this case, hell. How you decide to work on every issue, every fight, is a critical event in itself.
- Anyone can do drastic things when the right strings are pulled. This movie made me believe that putting yourself on someone else’s shoe is not a guarantee that you will fully understand their situation. Either because they’re wired in a severely different way mentally, or you’re a psycho.
- The media has a strong power to manipulate facts and spread false news. Pretty self explanatory.
- There is still a good pool of quality movies and books out there!!
- Empire Award for Best Actress – Rosamund Pike (2015)
- People’s Choice Award for Favorite Thriller Movie (2015)
Critics’ Choice Movie Award for Best Adapted Screenplay (2015)
- Author Gillian Flynn negotiated to provide the first draft of screenplay for the movie (most authors are not included in the film adaptations as there are screenwriters taking over). But director David Fincher agreed to have her responsible for the whole screenplay upon reading her draft. They share similar sentiments about the book and wanted the same things for the movie.
- Ben Affleck postpones directing Live By Night to work on this film saying “Fincher is the only director I’ve met who can do everybody else’s job better than they do”.
- On first day of set, Affleck changed the setting of the camera lens betting the crew that Fincher wouldn’t notice. He lost the bet after Fincher said “why does the camera look a little dim?”
- Production had to be shut down due to Affleck’s refusal to wear a New York Yankees cap for his character (he’s a die hard Red Sox fan), “David, I love you. I would do anything for you. But I will not wear a Yankees hat”. They compromised by having him wear a Mets cap instead.
- This is Ben Affleck’s first full frontal nudity on screen (you’d be surprised to not remember this after watching the movie).
- This is the second time in a row of Fincher’s movie having the world “girl” in the title. First was The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Again, also coincidentally my first Friday Flicks topic.

domain: entertainment


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domain: design


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Mythic Legends - Battle Against Your Enemies in the Epic Arena
EmulatorPC is 100% virus-free. If it's blocked by any anti-virus software, please report to support@EmulatorPC.com
Playing an immersive battle that employs strategy is one of the most sought-after traits of a video game. Well, if you like such types of games, Mythic Legends is a suitable game for you. This game takes you into a dynamic battle with other players against killable enemies. If you have what it takes to execute a powerful blow in a virtual world, stay tuned and continue reading.
Creating an Effective Battle Team in Mythic Legends
Published by Hyper Dot Studios Limited, Mythic Legends offers you options to create a reliable team. In the game, you will meet legends from different classes and origins. Each of the legends has its capabilities you can use in the gameplay. From them, you can strategically build your team and focus on putting the ideal legendary hero character.
To build your team in Mythic Legends, you have to select first from provided four champions. They are Willow, Neronumos, Artus, and Ephesians. Each of them has its unique powers that can help the legends defeat your enemy. Though there are only four champions to choose from in the game, you can unlock more of them in later levels.
The game also provides you an option to utilize the battle space. What’s more interesting about Mythic legends is that you can place two knights at the same time. This approach is useful especially if you are still new to playing Mythic legends. Specifically, having two knights will enable you to inflict double damage on your enemy by just one single attack. Even more, two knights can gain you class synergy, enabling you to have a more dynamic team.
Upgrade Your Champions & Legends
In Mythic Legends, only the Champions can fight against all the enemies on every level. The legend will not fight along with them, which can be frustrating if you are a new player. However, the role of the legend is to delegate immunity among its champions. That is why upgrading both of them is necessary for you to gain a more competitive advantage.
To upgrade your Champions in Mythic Legends, you only have to click them on your screen. This will allow them to gain increasingly strong stats throughout the levels. You should pay attention to your Champions’ attack speed, attack range, damage, defense, DPS, and health as these determine their battle abilities. These character stats will improve as you level up your Champions and reach your winning objectives.
By using Gold and Character cards, you can upgrade the Champions and legends in Mythic Legends. You can acquire them by accomplishing every level in the game. You can also boost your in-game resources like daily offers, gems, and legendary chests. Doing this will increase your chances of winning the game efficiently.
Download Mythic Legends to Enjoy Game Features
- Choose from a variety of hero legends
- Upgrading stages for your champions and legends
- Dynamic battle strategy game
- Combinations of graphic colors that invite battle
- Plenty of resources that can be used to purchase and upgrade items
Play Mythic Legends on your PC today. If you are interested in playing more strategy games, EmulatorPC has a lot to offer for free. For related games, you can also try Warlords of Aternum and Throne Rush.
EmulatorPC, is developed and powered by a Patented Android Wrapping Technology, built for the PC environment, unlike other emulators in the market.
EmulatorPC encapsulates quality mobile Apps for PC use, providing its users with seamless experience without the hassle of running an emulator beforehand.
To start using this program, simply download any selected Apps Installer. It will then install both the game and the wrapper system into your system, and create a shortcut on your desktop. Controls have been pre-defined in the current version for the time being, control setting varies per game.
EmulatorPC is built for Windows 7 and up. It’s a great tool that brings PC users closer to enjoying quality seamless experience of their favorite Android games on a Desktop environment. Without the hassle of running another program before playing or installing their favorite Apps.
Our system now supported by 32 and 64 bit.
Minimum System Requirements
EmulatorPC may be installed on any computer that satisfies the criteria listed below:
Windows 7 or above
Intel or AMD
At least 2GB
5GB Free Disk Space
OpenGL 2.0+ support
Frequently Asked Questions
All Mythic Legends materials are copyrights of Hyper Dot Studios Limited. Our software is not developed by or affiliated with Hyper Dot Studios Limited.


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The documentary Thirst, directed by Alan Snitow and Deborah Kaufman, is
available though the Multnomah County Library. It’s a fitting topic for a
day devoted to remembering Martin Luther King, Jr, since King’s work
recognized the power of grassroots political action and, in...

domain: library


Acoustomotive optical coherence elastography (AM-OCE), a dynamic and internal excitation optical coherence elastography technique, is reported. Acoustic radiation force was used for internal mechanical excitation, and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography was used for detection. Mechanical properties of gelatin tissue phantoms were measured by AM-OCE and verified using rheometry results. Measured mechanical properties including shear moduli and shear damping parameters of the gelatin samples double when their polymer concentration increases from 3% to 4%. Spectral analysis was also performed on the acquired data, which improved the processing speed by a factor of 5 compared with a least-square fitting approach. Quantitative measurement, microscale resolution, and remote excitation are the main features of AM-OCE, which make the technique promising for measuring biomechanical properties.
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics


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There are so many most popular rice varieties from those capsicum rice is one of the rice variety. Generally in all other websites prepare this recipe like pulav type rice variety but here i cook this recipe without using any cloves ginger garlic paste etc. Here i am using all types of pulses and make into powder mix it in the rice . This powder gives different taste to this capsicum rice recipe. It is very spicy to taste and very quick process to prepare .
At the first time i heard about this process after my marriage i browse in internet i found this type of recipe and prepare for my husband he ate and told me wow…so yummy….. that’s why i shared this recipe in my website to all of you and also those who getting bored to eat masala type rice varieties try this capsicum rice and tell me your opinion as a comment.
- 1 Capsicum
- 1 Onion
- 1 Tomato
- 4 Green chilies
- 1 cup Rice
- 2 cups Water
- Curry leaves
- 3 or 4 tbsp Oil
- Required Salt
POWDER FOR MIXING
- 1 tbsp Peanuts
- 1 tbsp Urad dhal
- 1/2 tbsp Moong dhal
- 1 tbsp Red thoor dhal
- 1 tbsp Thoor dhal
- 1 tbsp Cumin seeds
- 1 tbsp Coriander seeds
- 6 Red chillies
Preparation of Making Capsicum Rice
- Wash, soak rice for 30 mins and now cook rice with require amount of water. Be careful rice must be non-sticky or grainy in nature, keep it aside. Finely chop onions, capsicum, tomato, green chilies and keep them aside.
- Dry roast peanuts, red chilies on a low flame until raw smell occurs now add red thoor dhal, thoor dhal, urad dhal, moong dhal, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, require salt stir it continuously until a nice aroma comes out and keep them aside, let it be cool.
- Take all roasted ingredients into a blender and grind it into a coarse powder, keep it aside.
- Heat oil on a medium flame in a wide bottomed pan add green chilies, curry leaves , onions, capsicum, tomato stir continuously until it becomes soft and mashy.
- Add steamed rice into it mix it well now add require salt again mix it finally add coarse powder what we prepare before. Keep on stirring till powder mix well with rice . Finally switch off the flame.
- Serve this hot hot Capsicum rice along with ritha or any other gravy dishes. It tastes so yummy yummy.


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First Time Making Keto Green Bean Casserole|Testing Keto Recipes|Low Carb|Dairy Free
I wanted to make a low carb and keto friendly green bean casserole for my Thanksgiving dinner party and I found one at http://www.lifemadesweeter.com.
This recipe turned out to be absolutely delicious, BUT it was a TON of work to chop up all of the vegetables by hand. I would definitely make this again, but maybe buy green beans and mushrooms already chopped up and buy garlic that was already minced. That would definitely reduce the amount of time this recipe takes to make.
The sauce never did really thicken, so if I was to do this over again, maybe use xanthan gum (http://bit.ly/judeesxanthangum) to thicken it AND/OR just bake at a higher temperature. Try baking it at 425 degrees and keep it in the oven until all of the sauce reduces.
Here’s the link to the recipe: https://lifemadesweeter.com/green-bean-casserole/
To make this recipe dairy free, I substituted:
***butter flavored coconut oil (https://amzn.to/2XzGrBW) instead of butter
***coconut cream instead of heavy cream
***my own homemade dairy free mozzarella cheese instead of regular shredded mozzarella cheese (I will post the link as soon as I upload the video)
***Pork rinds instead of crushed parmesan crisps
I hope you make this recipe! Let me know how it goes for you.
Also, is there an easier way to peel the skin off garlic cloves? I had a heck of a time with that!
See ya soon! Take care!)


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While the metaverse may seem like an unlikely place to train new nursing students, in actuality, all signs point to it as the next frontier for today’s nursing education programs. Consider the possibilities—in the virtual world, nursing educators can train unlimited numbers of students on everything from interacting interpersonally with patients to performing complex procedures.
Although hype on how it can be used certainly abounds, and, in some cases surpasses what is practical in the real world, virtual reality (VR) nonetheless is showing enormous promise in healthcare today. Among its many applications is the use of VR in the classroom, with 38% of nursing institutions planning to invest in VR technology this year.1
Greater interest in VR comes at a time when schools are feeling pressured to turn out more practice-ready nurses with the clinical judgment skills to make in-the-moment clinical decisions. It is an alarming fact that nursing programs have found it increasingly difficult to graduate nurses at the rate required to offset the decline in the nursing workforce. Ironically, as the need for nurses increases, nursing schools are turning away students in record numbers. In 2020 alone, nursing schools turned 80,521 qualified students away due to a shortage of clinical sites, faculty, and other resource constraints.2
The shortage of clinical sites also means that students simply can’t get the hands-on clinical time required through a traditional approach. Research shows that students who have developed fundamental nursing skills in a virtual environment are likely to feel more comfortable and confident with live patients, improving their readiness while minimizing the harm that may result from interventions in real clinical settings.3
VR Boosts Student Readiness for Real-world Practice
Over the past few years, many virtual applications for nursing students have proven their viability to provide the patient interaction and hands-on clinical time students need to meet graduation requirements. These resources have quickly proven that they are here to stay. Immersive VR training provides students with a safe-to-fail environment where they can participate in different patient scenarios and have experiences that have never been available before.
For example, students may enter a hospital room to take a patient’s blood pressure or start an IV. They can move around the patient’s bed, interact with the patient, and decide on the best angle to approach them. Importantly, the student can be presented with multiple patient scenarios, requiring that they make judgments, shift priorities as care needs change, and perform interventions on virtual patients to gain experience without jeopardizing safety.
While nothing will replace real-world clinical experiences, providing a supplemental and experiential way of learning is key to today’s learners. The experience allows the student to interact with objects in a virtual environment and feels like they are physically there. It also allows them to learn critical skills such as communication, collaboration, and decision-making, helping to build confidence as they prepare for licensure exams and transition to caring for actual patients. All of this is taking place in a context where teachers can review and provide feedback in real time.
Exercises Are Growing in the Metaverse, With More to Come
Undoubtedly, COVID-19 has accelerated the shift to virtual learning. However, this transition was underway, albeit more slowly, before the pandemic. But as schools frantically transitioned to virtual learning during the pandemic, the era of a hybrid experience was permanently ushered in. The “classroom of the future” fully leverages technology to deliver students a variety of learning experiences that engage students and help them assess, acquire, and manage their knowledge. By 2025, a full one-third of institutions will have adopted technologies that build skills such as clinical judgment, problem solving, innovation, digital literacy, and adaptability.1
We can look to schools such as the University of Rochester School of Nursing as an example of this future learning experience and how technology is redefining that experience. Nationally recognized as an innovator in nursing education, the university has a simulation environment that provides experiential learning, giving students realistic insight into every aspect of their future roles in nursing—from patient interaction and care, to solving clinical problems, to communicating and collaborating within a healthcare team.
We are still in the early days of fully leveraging VR in education to meet these objectives. What we’ve learned so far is that VR boosts students’ concentration, engagement, confidence, motivation, and creativity and allows them to put theory into practice, learning at their own pace4. It also allows students to practice whenever and wherever they want in safe and realistic environments without fear of making mistakes and harming patients.5
Over time, we expect to see more patient scenarios—across specialties and disease states—that are increasingly complex and sophisticated, reflecting the reality of a real-world clinical setting. These complex scenarios will challenge students to make more in-the-moment care decisions and put their critical thinking and problem-solving skills into practice.
We see VR as a progression of learning. It starts with screen-based, single-patient scenarios available through virtual simulations that are designed to introduce students to basic practice. Next, students progress to advanced experiential, multi-patient care scenarios that allow them to physically interact with their surroundings. The final, still essential phase, is in-person clinicals in a care setting. The initial progression from simulation to VR helps students build and strengthen clinical judgment and critical thinking skills as they progress through the curriculum, moving toward increasingly complex decision-making.
Overall, leveraging VR and the growing availability of the metaverse is an exciting proposition for nursing education, helping to prepare students to enter the profession fully. It represents a tremendous opportunity to help shorten the ramp-up and training time that has traditionally come with nurses transitioning from school to the workforce. Improving nurses’ confidence and skill sets heading into the role enables them to provide appropriate patient care—a powerful advantage that will only continue to grow over time and make them better nurses.
It’s time to face the facts. Today’s students arrive already steeped in augmented and virtual reality. They thrive in daily messaging interactions using animated Instagram filters and Memojis. Decompressing after class includes such activities as Beat Saber marathons played with virtual friends worldwide or surprisingly challenging virtual workouts with Supernatural. This may seem foreign to many of us from a different generation, but we must keep up, trusting that delivering nursing education with VR will feel intuitive and second nature to Millennial and Gen Z students.
1. “Forecast for the Future: Technology Trends in Nursing Education,” Wolters Kluwer and the National League for Nursing, 2021.
2. National League for Nursing.
4. Nehring WM, Lashley FR. “Nursing Simulation: A Review of the Past 40 Years.” Simulation & Gaming. 2009;40(4):528-552. DOI: 10.1177/1046878109332282.
5. Çavaş B, Çavaş PH, Can BT. “Eğitimde sanal gerçeklik.” TOJET: The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology. 2004;3(4):110-116.


Nicolette Boehland, second-year student at Harvard Law School:
When an opportunity arose this summer to work in Afghanistan on issues of human rights, Nicolette Boehland jumped at the chance. Little did the second-year Harvard Law School student know that she would soon be crisscrossing the country in Black Hawk helicopters interviewing victims of torture.
“It was basically like being thrown into the boiling pot,” said Boehland, who got hands-on experience during her second day on the job when she was sent to a military hospital to take photos of injured civilians.
“This is something I didn’t expect at all, going in. I actually expected to be chained to my desk doing research.”
Instead, Boehland was in the field with the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission and the group’s Special Investigation Team. She and her Afghan counterparts explored human rights abuses among civilian casualties and detainees. The bulk of the work involved facilities run by the National Directorate of Security, Afghanistan’s domestic intelligence agency, the Afghan equivalent of the CIA.
For two months, she and her team visited more than a dozen detention centers, interviewing officials and prisoners. For Boehland, who has worked with Human Rights Watch in the past, the encounter with victims offered her a new perspective on a field she hopes to enter after graduation.
“I’ve never worked directly with the people I was trying to help, and my human rights framework has always been very firmly intellectual. … This summer it was really interesting to see how much of it shifted right to my gut. … I can remember every single person I interviewed.”
This fall she will continue doing research with the commission and the Open Society Institute.
Boehland balanced the intensity of her workdays with an intense nightlife, taking advantage of the vibrant social scene in Kabul. Heavy security measures often led to a “stir-crazy tension” she said, one that was relieved by diversions like Hawaiian luaus, tango lessons, and dinner parties hosted by the extensive expatriot community.
She also explored the rugged beauty of Afghanistan. One hike was in Panjshir Valley, where panoramic vistas are occasionally interrupted by views of abandoned Soviet tanks, hollow reminders of the Afghan war with the Soviet Union in the 1980s.
The locals she encountered on her treks were always warm and curious to meet foreigners, she said, calling them the “most welcoming people you will ever come across.”
“They like that you are appreciating their home,” she added, “and they are happy not to see you in a tank.”
Beth Altringer, fellow in SEAS, visiting lecturer:
It’s been a busy summer for Beth Altringer, a visiting lecturer in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) who has been designing a course to debut this fall: ES-21, “The Innovator’s Practice.”
Altringer has studied innovation for years in diverse settings and wrote her doctoral dissertation about a company whose business is helping other firms to innovate. She became interested in the problem of how to encourage innovation after being struck that there’s no lack of talented, passionate people in the world or of problems that need solving. The bottleneck, she said, is how organizations support people to let their innovative talents flower.
Altringer hopes to share what she’s learned with students through the new class, which will mix lessons on how to create innovative organizations with project-based learning. In the spring, she will co-teach ES-20, “How to Create Things and Have Them Matter,” with Professor David Edwards, a course she participated in last spring as a fellow.
In fact, her involvement with ES-20 hasn’t ended. Altringer and other course fellows are continuing to guide student projects begun last spring through continued development over the summer. Student teams worked in Cape Town, South Africa, for several weeks to refine their projects and then came together for an intensive week of discussion and evaluation in Paris in mid-August.
For Altringer, who worked with the students remotely from Cambridge before joining them in Paris, summer was a whirlwind. She worked on two writing projects, a chapter for a textbook on creativity and entrepreneurship, and a draft of her first book. She also took some time for fun, painting and surfing.
Isabel Carey ’12, history of science concentrator:
From the beaches of Peel Island, off the coast of Australia near Brisbane, the mainland is visible a few kilometers away. For Harvard senior Isabel Carey, a history of science concentrator who visited Peel as part of her senior thesis research, that proximity was striking. Because as beautiful as Peel is, rich with forests, wallabies, and kookaburras, patients once were quarantined there against their will.
So when Carey stood on the beach and looked, she saw the beautiful island and the beaches — and the mainland, containing the lives the patients left behind — in the distance.
“It really is sort of cruelly beautiful,” Carey said. “You can look out along the shore and look out at the ocean and turn slightly, and there’s the whole mainland stretching out there. It is mockingly close, this island.”
Carey spent nine weeks this summer in and around Brisbane, talking to local historians and visiting archives to find records of Peel Island. Carey plans to write about the leper colony on Peel, which operated from 1907 until 1959, with a particular focus on the later years, after the first leprosy drug was discovered in the 1940s, and after 1950, when the World Health Organization rejected the idea that quarantine was an effective strategy against leprosy.
Though rare in developed countries and treatable with drug therapy, leprosy remains a public health concern worldwide. The World Health Organization says there were still an estimated 212,000 cases in 2010.
Carey is particularly interested in the decisions that kept Peel Island open for its last nine years. The prevailing rationale she heard was that the island and its enforced residents were “out of sight, out of mind,” but she doesn’t think that’s the whole answer.
“I’d like to step back and look at what contributed to their decisions,” Carey said.
Carey said that during the summer she was highly independent, designing and executing the trip herself. She surprised herself at how engaged she remained in the “treasure hunt” of the archival research over the long weeks.
“It’s been the most independent of my summers. I went to Australia on my own. … It’s a different Australian experience than most 20-year-olds have traveling the country,” Carey said.
Now that the semester is getting under way, Carey can begin to analyze the information she gathered, held in photographs she took of documents — 9,000 of them.
Natalie Nannas, graduate student in molecular and cellular biology:
Natalie Nannas, then a Grinnell College undergraduate, remembers the summer she spent conducting research at Princeton University. Everything came easily to her, and the work progressed rapidly. Now a fifth-year graduate student in molecular and cellular biology, she has just had another such summer.
“This summer was really exciting for me,” Nannas said. “I was in the lab a lot this summer, I pushed hard.”
Nannas, who works in the lab of Andrew Murray, the Herchel Smith Professor of Molecular Genetics, logged regular 11- and 12-hour days culturing and imaging yeast cells whose chromosomes and spindles — key parts of the mechanism for reproducing DNA — glow fluorescent green and red.
Nannas is interested in the operation of the spindle, a microtubule structure that forms during cell division and that pulls chromosomes apart so their DNA can be transferred to daughter cells. Nannas’ research focuses on the length of the spindle and how that length is regulated. She’s found that the action of the spindle attaching to the chromosome stops its elongation.
“It’s the ability of the spindle to grab onto the chromosome that determines shape and structure,” Nannas said.
For Nannas, who estimated she has another 18 months before completing her doctoral work, this summer’s progress was a far cry from the brick wall she hit during her first project at Harvard. In that research, also involving chromosomes, she ultimately learned that her hypothesis was not supported by the data she was collecting.
“It was a little disheartening, but I learned a lot,” Nannas said. “I [was] back to square one and a fourth-year grad student.”
This summer, things seemed to fall into line. She spent hours peering through microscopes and taking images of yeast cells frozen during a key moment of cell division. Though she did not get to the beach much, she was able to enjoy the heat and work up a sweat anyway — the yeast was cultured in the lab’s hot room, kept at 98 degrees.
“Yesterday, I was on the microscope for 10 hours,” Nannas said. “I take images, then use software to analyze the length of the spindles. I filled up our lab’s server.”
With summer’s end, Nannas is preparing for her duties outside the lab, which include being a proctor in Wigglesworth, a freshman dorm. Being a proctor, she said, not only gives her a chance to help freshmen make the transition to college life, but it also makes her feel connected to the Harvard community outside the lab.
“I wouldn’t trade being a proctor,” Nannas said.
Rebecca Cohen ’12, history and literature concentrator, and Sam Arnold ’14, social studies concentrator:
Rebecca Cohen ’12 has friends who spent their summers abroad in faraway places like Italy, Argentina, and England. Half jealous, she followed their adventures on Facebook. Meanwhile, Cohen joined Sam Arnold ’14 in a summer adventure that required almost no travel. The two undergraduates planted, weeded, and harvested at the Harvard Community Garden on Mount Auburn Street. This living laboratory of New England kitchen crops, in the shadow of the bell tower at Lowell House, is in its second season.
“You really get to see a whole new side of Cambridge,” said Cohen, a Kirkland House history and literature concentrator who reached for the superlatives. She will leave Harvard next year having seen all four Cambridge seasons, she said, and having explored Boston free of stress, marveling at summer’s tide of tourists.
There was also the wonder of the crops themselves, some of them curiosities. Arnold hefted a lemon cucumber, round, pale green, and the size of a baseball.
Arnold, a Pforzheimer House resident, spent last summer working in an Italian vineyard. But his love of foreign travel was muted by the simple pleasures of growing food, an interest he said is now entwined with his passion to help create a sustainable world. One day in late August, bare-chested and tanned, Arnold stood up from a shaded picnic table and dug into a tote for the main tools of his summer: a trowel, pruning shears, and twine.
All around, the garden’s raised beds were lush with vivid lettuces. They were bushy with corn, pole-climbing string beans, and shaded thickets of heirloom tomatoes. Pale onions poked out of the soil. Wildflowers ruffled in a breeze. Said Arnold, “This is exactly where I wanted to be.”
Annemarie Ryu ’13, social anthropology concentrator:
Most of this summer, Annemarie Ryu ’13 was in India, working on a series of public health projects. In her $4-a-night room, she slept in pants to ward off bedbugs, spent a dollar to eat three meals a day in stand-up restaurants the size of her Quincy House room, and rode around Bangalore in three-wheeled auto rickshaws that specialized in narrowly avoiding accidents.
“Fun to ride,” the social anthropology concentrator wrote in an email, “but the experience is usually at least slightly frightening.” Over longer distances, Ryu used public buses. “Very uncomfortable indeed,” she wrote, and on roads with bumps “so large and frequent as to repeatedly hurl one against the walls and windows.”
But Ryu’s real idea of discomfort apparently is to stay at home. In her first two years at Harvard she has made eight foreign trips: to Nicaragua, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, India, and Cuba. Seven were for public service. Ryu started this summer playing violin in Cuba with the Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra. She ended it in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, working with the nonprofit group Children of the Border to rebuild a school and clinic. In between was India. Ryu helped jackfruit farmers access American markets and field-tested a text-message system she helped to develop at Harvard. It reminds pregnant women and young mothers about appointments.
Kyle Casey ’13, sociology concentrator:
Kyle Casey’s 2010-’11 sports season got off on the wrong foot. A standout forward with the Harvard men’s basketball team, the then-sophomore broke his right fifth metatarsal bone just prior to the season during a pickup game. The foot fracture required surgery and sidelined him for several weeks. Then, when he returned to the court, he planted his foot awkwardly during a game and broke the same bone. Casey opted to play out the season and had a second foot surgery as soon as the season ended in March.
To get back into shape this summer, he turned to football.
Each year some athletes remain on campus during summer for the daily grueling conditioning workouts — minus the hitting and helmets — held by the men’s football team. This summer Casey joined them. The students rise early for a 6 a.m. start and speed training. Next, they hit the weights, using routines tailored to their individual sports. The two-hour sessions end with a set of conditioning drills, including tire flips, in which they push giant tires end over end, and sled pushes, which involve shoving a sled designed for field turf, piled high with weights.
“It was pretty intense, a different workout than I am used to,” said Casey, who was inspired by the football team’s drive. “They are fiery; they get after it (in) everything they do. It pumps you up.”
Casey said he feels stronger as a result of the training and is ready to get back on the court. “The foot is good. It’s healthy, and I am finally jumping again, getting my speed back. I am looking forward to the season.”
Tim O’Brien, doctoral student at Harvard Graduate School of Education:
Tim O’Brien briefly lost his cellphone service this summer to a worthy cause: world peace. The doctoral student at the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s (HGSE) Education Policy, Leadership, and Instructional Practice Program headed for the high seas to work on conflict resolution with young students.
O’Brien took part in Seas of Peace, a new sailing program for Middle Eastern and American youth. The initiative builds on Seeds of Peace, a summer camp begun in 1993 that brings youth from areas of conflict together in Maine to work on spreading peace through dialogue and discussion. The nautical program brings together the same teens two to three years after their first experience.
“We had kids who were going into the Israeli Army working alongside kids who had been evacuated by Israeli soldiers from their houses in Palestine,” said O’Brien of the complex group dynamics in play. The tight quarters and need for teamwork, he said, led to close bonds and open communications.
“The boat offers a place where we can continually reflect on how we respond to the demands and the pressures of working together.”
For 10 days, O’Brien and others helped to teach 15 teenagers to sail small boats off the Maine coast in preparation for their two-week trip on the 140-foot Spirit of South Carolina. In addition to sailing and maintaining the schooner, making meals, and standing watch, the group engaged in leadership training exercises and discussions about peace building. O’Brien helped conduct many of those conversations.
One major theme involved “the question of why is it hard to be curious when your dignity has been violated,” said O’Brien. Together, the group explored the different perspectives contained in conflict and controversy and why it is “so difficult for Jews and Palestinians to be curious and engaged with each other when they constantly feel attacked by the other side.”
O’Brien said the summer experience “jives with what I have been studying at HGSE. I love work that offers people different perspectives.”
Henry Shull ’12, history concentrator:
Henry Shull explored his love of art this summer in a place of breathtaking beauty: Villa I Tatti, the Harvard University Center for Italian Renaissance Studies.
Nestled on the edge of Florence, Italy, surrounded by olive groves, vineyards, and gardens, the estate is the former home of art historian and Harvard alumnus Bernard Berenson, who bequeathed the building to Harvard in 1959. It became Villa I Tatti in 1961.
“Taking the bus up into the hills of Tuscany every day is not a bad commute,” said Shull, a history concentrator, of his 20-minute ride to the villa, which has become a bucolic retreat for research and learning.
Each year scholars from around the world convene at the estate to investigate various aspects of the Italian Renaissance. For part of his two-month internship, Shull helped to catalog a section of Berenson’s extensive collection of photos of Renaissance paintings, compiling details about the iconology, themes, and locations of the works. His notes will be included in the collection’s description in Harvard’s HOLLIS and Visual Information Access catalogs.
As much as the work itself, Shull enjoyed interacting with his colleagues, taking advantage of the villa’s daily morning coffees and afternoon lunches and teas to chat with scholars about their projects involving literature, art history, history, and musicology.
“That’s the thing that is so amazing about Villa I Tatti,” said Shull. “The Andrew Mellon librarian is sitting next to you eating gnocchi, talking to you about the book that she just published on the pavement of the cathedral in Sienna.”


text:
A wedding that takes place in a location different from where the couple lives or where they are from is called Destination Wedding.
Typically, destination weddings are held in areas known for their natural beauty or cultural significance, such as a tropical beach, a historic castle, or a vineyard in the countryside.
Destination weddings often involve fewer guests than traditional weddings, as guests must travel to attend the event. However, they may also be more expensive, as they typically involve additional travel and accommodation costs for the couple and their guests.
Nevertheless, many couples choose to have a destination wedding to create a unique and memorable experience for themselves and their guests and to combine their wedding celebration with a travel experience.


text:
“Anything Is Possible”— Exploring a Kingdom of Books and the Art of Helen Frankenthaler
“Tales of Genji III,” 1998, color woodcut, 119.4 x 106.7 cm. © 2019 Helen Frankenthaler Foundation, Inc./Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York/Tyler Graphics, Ltd., Mount Kisco, New York. For more information, visit artmuseum.princeton.edu. The exhibit is free to the public and will be up through October 20, 2019.
By Stuart Mitchner
I’m on my own, to be thoroughly me without limits and anything is possible…
—Helen Frankenthaler (1928-2011)
Something resembling Helen Frankenthaler’s credo is on my mind every time I begin a column. Now it’s Labor Day weekend, art and work, the charisma of old books, William Wordsworth’s “Tintern Abbey,” a trip to Hay-on-Wye, and the Frankenthaler exhibition, which will be at the Princeton University Art Museum through October 20.
The exhibit takes its theme from literary critic William Empson’s landmark study, Seven Types of Ambiguity (1930), a title Frankenthaler borrowed for the large painting on view near the entrance to the gallery. According to curators Mitra Abbaspour and Calvin Brown, the show illustrates “the central principle of Empson’s text: that close reading, like close looking, can yield deep relationships with an abstract composition.”
Given the no-limits, anything-is-possible nature of this column, my idea of “close looking” is expressed in the second stanza of Wordsworth’s “Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey,” where, “with an eye made quiet by the power/Of harmony, and the deep power of joy,/We see into the life of things.”
Journey to the Kingdom of Books
What set me thinking back to a long-ago summer’s day at Tintern Abbey and Hay-on-Wye was the recent New York Times obituary biography of bookseller Richard Booth, the self-proclaimed “King Richard Coeur de Livre,” who “collected a million titles to transform a fading 12th-century Welsh market town into a mecca for secondhand book fanciers.” The Labor Day theme surfaced when I read how Booth “championed the members of the rural working class who built Hay-on-Wye into a Town of Books by hauling hundreds of thousands of volumes there to derelict properties repurposed as warehouses and stores.” As Booth modestly puts it in his autobiography My Kingdom of Books, “Working with just a few country laborers, I ended up possessing books of greater intellectual variety than all the universities in the British Isles put together.”
Busking and Browsing
My friend Roger and I arrived at Tintern Abbey almost 200 years to the day Wordsworth dated his poem, July 13, 1798. The weather was Britishly brooding and benign, house martins were feeding chicks nesting in the ramparts of the ruin, and we could hear with Wordsworth the waters of the Wye “rolling from their mountain-springs/With a soft inland murmur.” A few hours later Roger was stationed on Crown Street serenading the townsfolk of Hay-on-Wye with his Selmer Mark VI tenor sax while I went looking for, what else, books. As Roger began playing Billy Strayhorn’s “Lush Life,” I heard a pleased female voice from one of the shops saying, “We have music today!” The mellow melancholic sound of the tenor seemed to be channeling Wordsworth’s “still sad music of humanity,/Nor harsh nor grating, though of ample power/To chasten and subdue” and to charm some cash from the passersby. There’s both pleasure and profit in labor if you’re making money making music and doing it when and where you please. It’s a way of working free and at your own pace understood by Helen Frankenthaler, whose laborer’s mantra — both as a print-maker and a painter pouring “washes of color over great expanses of raw canvas” — is that “there are no rules — that’s how art is born, that’s how breakthroughs happen. Go against or ignore the rules — that’s what invention’s about.”
Breaking the Rules
It was after 4 p.m. on Early Closing Day, but this being Hay-on-Wye, where booksellers, like artists, scoff at the rules, several were still open, including Richard Booth’s Bookshop, where I found two treasures by New Jersey native Stephen Crane (1871-1900). It makes sense that one of the most color-conscious of American writers was living among painters in the Art Students League building on East 23rd between 1893 and 1895, around the time he was writing The Red Badge of Courage: An Episode of the American Civil War. That the novel became a best-seller in the States was thanks in part to its extraordinary success in England. Now I had my hands on an affordable copy of the 1896 British edition with a pictorial title leaf showing, of all unlikely things, four Japanese figures in traditional costumes and peaked green hats, two holding flags on tall elegant poles, two playing immensely long wind instruments. Finding a classic Japanese print incongruously fronting a classic Civil War novel is the sort of thing that makes the quest for unusual old books a labor of love.
Flash forward to Frankenthaler’s rhapsody in blue on the cover of the summer 2019 Princeton Art Museum magazine — a woodcut “with painterly resonance,” in the words of Kenneth Tyler of Tyler Graphics, where she did some of her most important work. If, like me, you wonder what made the British publisher of The Red Badge of Courage bring a Japanese print into the mix (apparently it served as a blanket image for Heinemann’s Pioneer Series), you may also wonder why Frankenthaler chose Tales of Genji III as the title for this labor of love. According to the curators, it can be explained by the interest in Japanese prints she shared with Tyler, which led them to collaborate on “a series of large-scale prints inspired by one of the most frequently illustrated literary epics in Japanese art.”
Finding Stephen Crane’s Bowery Tales (1900) was actually more exciting to me than scoring the Red Badge because it’s a unique volume with an evocative title, published only in England, and named after the Lower East Side setting of Maggie: A Girl of the Streets and George’s Mother, the two early novels collected between its charismatically grimy covers. Holding together nicely after 119 years, this soiled survivor carries the aura of the flophouse, with the author’s name spelled out in red letters under the still-bold black title on a front cover made of what book collectors call “oatmeal-colored cloth.” Of course what makes the book precious isn’t the fusty patina or the small brown stain on the front cover, it’s the vision of turn-of-the-century Manhattan brought to vivid life in the opening paragraph of George’s Mother, clearly the work of a writer who shares Frankenthaler’s disdain for rules and conventions:
“In the swirling rain that came at dusk the broad avenue glistened with that deep bluish tint which is so widely condemned when it is put into pictures. There were long rows of shops, whose fronts shone with full golden light. Here and there, from druggists’ windows, or from the red street-lamps that indicated the positions of fire alarm boxes, a flare of uncertain, wavering crimson was thrown upon the wet pavements.”
On Labor Day weekend, it’s worth pointing out the third paragraph’s “brown young man” going “along the avenue” holding “a tin lunch-pail under his arm in a manner that was evidently uncomfortable. He was puffing on at a corn-cob pipe. His shoulders had a self-reliant poise, and the hang of his arms and the raised veins of his hands showed him to be a man who worked with his muscles.”
There’s also “a self-reliant poise” in the exhibit photograph of Frankenthaler bending intently over her work table, bare-armed in a spattered apron, a balance of grace and force in arms that look at the same time no less appealingly feminine than they would in a sleeveless evening gown. An even more labor-intensive image shows her engaged on a project with Rodney Konopaki at Tyler Studios; if you didn’t know better, you’d think you were seeing two machinists at work.
I’ve been checking the twists and turns of this column against the types of ambiguity Empson notes in Seven Types of Ambiguity’s table of contents. The capital-A Ambiguity of Japanese-Civil War, Japanese-Abstract woodcut pairings can be related to type one, “when a detail is effective in several ways at once,” or, even better, type two, where “two or more alternative meanings are fully resolved into one,” though I wouldn’t use the word “fully.” But wait, in the third type “two apparently unconnected meanings are given simultaneously,” which sounds about right, as does the fourth type, where “the meanings combine to make clear a complicated state of mind in the author.” Give that one a big check from me-being-thoroughly me, and two checks for the fifth type, “a fortunate confusion, as when the author is discovering his idea in the act of writing,” absolutely! I relate all too well to the sixth type, where “what is said is contradictory or irrelevant and the reader is forced to invent interpretations.” Finally, we come to the seventh type, which is “that of full contradiction, marking a division in the author’s mind.” Make that more than one division, with Wordsworth, Crane, Hiroshige, and Frankenthaler, and have you ever said “Happy Labor Day” to anyone?