text:
Hitler as 'Enlightenment Intellectual': The Enduring Allure of Hitlerism
Hitler as Philosophe: Remnants of the Enlightenment in National Socialism, by Lawrence Birken. Westport, Conn.: Praeger, 1995. Hardcover. 120 pages. Reference notes. Bibliography. Index. $45.00.
Reviewed by Mark Weber
A specter is haunting the world — the specter of Hitlerism. That, in short, is the stern warning of this provocative book, written by an Assistant Professor of History at Ball State University (Indiana), and published by Praeger, a leading US academic publisher.
In spite of decades of vehement vilification, says author Lawrence Birken, Hitler's views have enduring and dangerous appeal — not because they are bizarre and alien, but precisely because they are rational and well grounded in Western thought. In particular, Birken stresses, Hitlerism is firmly rooted in the rationalist and scientific outlook of the 18th-century European Enlightenment. This is not meant as a compliment, however; the author is hostile to the West and its traditions. Rejecting the American and Western historical legacy, Prof. Birken openly calls for a new, racially homogenized America.
For more than half a century, Hitler and his views have been ceaselessly demonized in motion pictures, on television and in the print media. And yet, according to Birken, the appeal of Hitlerism remains so potent that it threatens the ideal of a racially "redefined" America of "higher unity." As traditional standards and long-established cultural, racial and religious values come under ever greater attack, and as this country's racial and cultural crisis becomes ever more acute, Birken fears that those who are unwilling to accept the "redefined" society that is developing in America and Europe will turn in ever greater numbers to Hitler's alternative vision of society. Hitlerism, Birken says, will loom ever larger as a dangerously seductive "siren song."
The author has no doubt made a sincere effort to provide an informed and objective look at Hitler and his views. But even if we overlook the numerous misspellings of proper names and titles, and the often polemical prose style, this is a badly flawed work. Birken's understanding of what Hitler really thought and believed is both limited and skewed.
This is due in large part to the author's exclusive reliance on English translations of Hitler's writings and speeches (apparently he cannot read German), and a naive trust in unreliable secondary studies. These include Robert Waite's The Psychopathic God: Adolf Hitler (1977), a sensationalistic psychodramatization, and Hermann Rauschning's Revolution of Nihilism (1939), a thoroughly discredited diatribe. (See "Rauschning's Phony 'Conversations With Hitler': An Update," Winter 1985 Journal, pp. 499-500.)
Birken also quotes repeatedly from The Testament of Adolf Hitler: The Hitler-Bormann Documents, supposedly a transcript of "table talk" remarks made by Hitler in February and April 1945. These "documents" are fake, says British historian David Irving, who reports that the late Swiss banker François Genoud admitted to him that he was the author.
'A Genuine Intellectual'
Reflecting the ideological perspective that prevails in the Western world today, scholars of Hitler and Third Reich Germany have tended to dismiss the German leader's intellectual outlook as simplistic and crude — or even crazy. Many play down or simply deny Hitler's place in Western culture "as a means of sanitizing that culture," says Birken. "But if we are to read Hitler neither to condemn nor to praise but merely to understand, then we come away with a very different conclusion about his place in European history."
Scholars and others have made a major mistake in failing to take Hitler seriously as a thinker, argues Birken, who believes that the German political leader "must be regarded as a genuine intellectual" on a par with Karl Marx and Sigmund Freud. Birken's assessment is not as startling as many might believe. As he notes, as early as 1953, British historian Hugh R. Trevor-Roper "evoked the image of Hitler as a kind of synthesis of Spengler and Napoleon, noting that of all world conquerors the German leader had been the most 'philosophical'…" More recently, German historian Rainer Zitelmann established in a study of impressive scholarship that Hitler's outlook was rational, self-consistent and "modern." (R. Zitelmann, Hitler: Selbtsverständnis eines Revolutionärs [second edition, 1989].)
Moreover, Hitler's outlook was very much a part of the Western intellectual tradition. In his "combination of an almost religious faith with a revolutionary secularism," writes Birken, "Hitler represented the continuation of an essentially Enlightenment style of thought… Nazism, and especially Hitler's exposition of it, represented an attenuated and popularized form of the Enlightenment style of thought."
Hitler had a gift for presenting his message in an attractive, accessible form. Writes Birken:
The most attractive feature of Hitler's ideology was thus its optimism. It was not merely his mood but his message that carried an infectious excitement. He was a secular messiah proclaiming a Germanic version of the "good news." The possibility of class reconciliation, the plans for a national revival, the identification of a universal enemy whose elimination would usher in the millennium, all stirred his audiences to the very depths. Hitler spoke the language of the [Enlightenment] philosophes, a language that had almost passed out of existence in the rarefied strata of the grand intelligentsia.
However, placing Hitler and Hitlerism in the intellectual tradition of the West, Birken continues, "should do less to raise our opinion" of Hitlerism, than to "lower our opinion" of "the intellectual history of the West."
Economic Views
Hitler's economic worldview, writes Birken, was likewise rational, self-consistent, progressive, and entirely in keeping with Western tradition. "Hitler's economic ideas were also permeated by Enlightenment notions of progress," and were "closer to Ricardo and Marx than to Machiavelli or Keynes." Birken adds:
…A careful reading of his speeches and writings suggests that he was neither a mercantilist nor a Keynesian, neither a medievalist nor a marginalist. Rather… his economic ideas fit all too well into the classical-physiocratic style of thought.
Hitler believed that social and national considerations, not economic ones, should be paramount in society. The economic and political system must serve the nation, not the other way around. Thus, Birken points out, while "political economy played an important role in his thinking," Hitler
did not restore the primacy of the state after all but, quite the contrary, subordinated the state itself to a dynamic of aggressive technological and cultural expansion. In doing this, Hitler also asserted himself against the last remnants of aristocratic civility at the same time that he opposed the emerging relativism of consumer culture.
As Birken explains, Hitler believed that "all growth could be traced to individual effort — but only at the service of the common good. He thus tempered what might be taken as a 'libertarian' definition of inventiveness with a somber collectivism." Believing that socially useful creativity was "the product of individual geniuses of high personality value," Hitler supported equal social opportunity for all, and opposed legal and social barriers to individual economic achievement and success. Governmental and social policies, he believed, should encourage merit-based social mobility.
Hitler was critical of both capitalism and Marxism — the first because it was "insufficiently democratic," and the latter because it was "too democratic" or "leveling." While supporting economic growth across national boundaries, "Hitler also took what he considered to be a conservative stand against the coming hyper-commercialism of an emerging global economy."
Views on Race and Religion
Although he is endlessly castigated as "the most notorious racist of the twentieth century," Hitler's racial views were actually quite in harmony with mainstream 19th- and early 20th-century European thinking. "It should be obvious," writes Birken, "that Hitler possessed a 'classical' theory of race which dovetailed nicely with his classical notions of political economy."
Far from being aberrant or bizarre, his views on race were consistent with those of most prominent Westerners in the decades before the Second World War. And while Birken does not specifically mention it, Hitler's racial views were comparable to those of Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson and Winston Churchill.
Contrary to popular belief, Hitler never supported notions of breeding a homogenous blond "hyper-Aryan" race. Accepting the reality that the German population consisted of several distinct sub-racial groups, he stressed the German people's national and social unity. A certain degree of racial variety was desirable, he thought, and too much racial blending or homogeneity could be harmful because it would homogenize and thus eliminate superior as well as inferior genetic traits.
Hitler believed that "both conservative prudery and radical eroticism" harmed society, and he opposed birth control because it tended to lower the genetic quality of the society that practices it.
While he was critical of Christianity, Hitler was no atheist. "The religion of Hitlerism was thus essentially a kind of deism," concludes Birken. Like Thomas Jefferson and other prominent early American leaders, Hitler equated God with "the dominion of natural laws throughout the whole universe." Thus, "for Hitler, national socialism was natural socialism."
Attitude Toward Jews
It is "of course, a great mistake to see anti-Semitism as a rejection of Enlightenment values," writes Birken. "On the contrary, the Enlightenment simply secularized rather than destroyed traditional Judeophobia." (No Western thinker was more outspokenly anti-Jewish than Voltaire, the great French philosophe, who regarded the Jews as "enemies of mankind.") The Enlightenment concept of social "fraternity," Birken writes, demands social solidarity, which implies that Jews, as an alien and self-absorbed people, cannot fit in.
Hitler's hostile attitude toward Jews, Birken writes, was neither irrational nor aberrant. He saw "Jews as the personification of a great lie": that is, while they pretended to be merely a religious community, in fact they constituted a self-selected national-ethnic group with international ambitions. Because he regarded the Jews as the enemies of all peoples, Hitler held that combatting Jewish power and influence should be the common duty of all nations — a view that Birken calls an expression of "Germanic universalism."
Hitler's attitude toward the United States was mixed. He saw much to admire in 18th- and 19th-century America, and as Birken notes, he praised this country's pre-1940s pro-White racial policies, its restrictions on non-White immigration, and its pioneering adoption of eugenics measures.
But Hitler also saw ominous trends during the 1920s and 1930s. Echoing the views of American industrialist Henry Ford, he was dismayed by the spectacular growth of Jewish power and cultural influence, and regarded Franklin Roosevelt's "New Deal" administration as a virtual revolution in American life, through which Jews largely usurped the country's traditional ruling class.
A Persistent Allure
The defeat of Germany in 1945, Birken rightly notes, "clearly marked a watershed" in world history, and especially for the West:
In a real sense, Hitler's defeat implicitly became the defeat of the European nation-state and the Enlightenment values that underpinned it. Germany's heirs, the United States and the Soviet Union, were both fundamentally transnational, multiracial empires whose territories were seemingly unlimited.
As a result, for half a century we have been living in what Birken calls a "consumer capitalist" world in which "the hierarchical order of sex and race which had originally sustained bourgeois nationalism has been disintegrating" and in which "the increasing relativization of values is encouraged by the ever greater globalization of the economy and consequent emergence of a multinational business elite."
This new world order is less durable than it might appear, says Birken. The recent collapse of the multi-ethnic, multi-racial Soviet Union, he warns, portends similar problems for the American empire. Even a mere contraction of the economy could threaten "to dissolve the United States into several races." In Birken's view, racial nationalism threatens "the continued existence of the United States." He warns:
What Hitler said in the thirties is thus what our racial nationalists are saying today: namely, that a genuinely inclusive multiracial nation violates the natural order of things. The United States must either be a white-dominated state or a collection of breakaway republics made up of this or that group.
In short: if Hitler was right, America is an increasingly unnatural and artificial construct that does not deserve to survive, and will not survive.
Birken fears that Hitlerism will become ever more attractive to those who reject today's supra-national "consumer capitalism," and who resist the rapidly emerging "genuinely inclusive multiracial" order. This alternative vision has appeal beyond America and Europe, Birken believes. As he notes, Hitler's fight against the British empire — a war he actually never sought nor wanted — "won him [Hitler] the admiration of colonial peoples from Ireland to India …"
A New 'Cosmic' Nation
Birken concludes his book with a fervent call for "the gradual formation of an American race as a higher synthesis. Then the Americans will truly constitute a universal or 'cosmic' people." In Birken's view, the "race myth" and Hitlerism "will continue to tempt us" unless Americans "can be given a genuine metaphysical foundation." This "metaphysical foundation" must be to "uncreate race" through massive racial mixing. Therefore, Birken writes, "we should not be afraid of that dirty little word, 'miscegenation'." (Consistent with this vision, President Bill Clinton, in his much-discussed June 14, 1997, speech in San Diego on race relations, openly proclaimed the goal of making America "the world's first truly multiracial democracy.")
Given the reluctance of many Americans, particularly conservative Whites, to warmly embrace this new "universal" nation, Birken says "we must have an education system that is able to instill this redefinition of American culture."
"Before we try uniting the world," Birken concludes, "let us try uniting ourselves. Until we do so, the siren song of Hitlerism will call to us."
Stark Alternatives
To anyone who views the past with an open mind, history demonstrates the utterly fantastic nature of the goal laid out by Prof. Birken (and President Clinton) — a vision no less utopian than Marxian Communism. In any case, to meld the American population into a "universal" racial-cultural entity would require government repression on a scale unimaginable today.
Few Americans today are able or willing to fully grasp the enormous implications of the radical program that intellectuals such as Birken (and political leaders such as Clinton) are spelling out for our future. But once they do (and as Prof. Birken fears) many will likely turn to Hitlerism as an alternative to the official prevailing ideology. The decades-long campaign of vilification of Hitler and Third Reich Germany may actually contribute to this by convincing millions of Americans that Hitlerism is the antithesis of the Establishment's ideology, and thus the only real alternative.
In spite of its defects, Hitler as Philosophe effectively dispels some widely-held misconceptions about Hitler and Hitlerism, acknowledges the critical importance of the race issue, and boldly spells out stark alternatives for the future of America and Europe. For this the author deserves credit.


Specially for Windows mobile phones' owners we have released Tim the Fox paint with a set of new levels.
Tim would love to introduce your children to the world of colours and basic arithmetic.
← Russian fairy tales drives to a new level!


Harley-Davidson finally fitted overhead valve cylinder heads to its smaller v-twin to create the Sportster. At last American enthusiasts could purchase a domestic product that had a performance comparable to the British 650 twins.
This page was last edited on 11 August 2010, at 00:40.


text:
Baba Gorgor (, also Romanized as Bābā Gorgor and Baba Gargar; also known as Baba Gurgar) is a village in Delbaran Rural District, in the north of the Central District of Qorveh County, Kurdistan Province, Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 12, in 4 families. The village is populated by Azerbaijanis.

References

Towns and villages in Qorveh County
Azerbaijani settlements in Kurdistan Province

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


It started out as a figure of speech. Last spring, Harold Pollack, the Helen Ross professor at the School of Social Service Administration, was interviewing Helaine Olen—the author of Pound Foolish: Exposing the Dark Side of the Personal Finance Industry (Portfolio Hardcover, 2012)—for The Reality-Based Community, a group blog he contributes to. He said he thought that the correct basic financial advice for most people would fit on an index card.
Most of the push back he's received centers on two points. The directive to save 20 percent of your earnings sounds to some "like telling a basketball player she should be taller," he says, granting that it's not practical for everyone. He's also heard dissent about the support for social insurance recommended in his last tip, but he stands by the advice.
The guidelines were easy to enumerate, Pollack says; the hard part is executing them. But after four or five years of doing so, in his experience, "you start to say, my life is becoming a little different." In the season of resolution making, we share his fitting wisdom.


text:
Conflicts and Terrorism International Relations
A media war between the US and China is escalating as press freedom deteriorates
By Bing Xiao on March 19, 2020 china, US-China
The press freedom in China is deteriorating, as China ranks 177th out of 180 countries and territories, according to the RSF World Press Freedom Ranking 2019.
US collaborates with NATO to address disinformation challenge in "Defender 2020"
By Bing Xiao on March 3, 2020 March 3, 2020 Defender 2020, disinformation, NATO, russia
US collaborates with NATO to combat the Russian disinformation on the exercise Defender 2020, the U.S. Army in Europe authorities say.
Domestic Politics International Relations Russia
Maryland senator calls for sanctions on Russia
By Bing Xiao on November 25, 2019 annual Transatlantic Forum, Chris Van Hollen, economic developments, nuclear arms control, regional security, russia, sanctions
Senator Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., called for automatic and swift sanctions on Russia with an examination of regional security, nuclear arms control and economic developments at the eighth annual Transatlantic Forum on Russia Thursday.
U.S. foreign policy needs to reflect rise of Russia and China, senator says
By Bing Xiao on November 13, 2019 Foreign Affairs, foreign policy, Hong Kong, russia, U.S. and China
Republican Sen. Josh Hawley said that the U.S. government should take middle-class interests into consideration when crafting foreign policy, especially when it comes to trade.
Experts criticize Chinese unilateralism and militarization against Taiwan
By Bing Xiao on October 31, 2019 cross-strait relations, Taiwan
Several leading political experts spoke at George Washington University to deliberate on the emerging risks and prospects for managing cross-strait relations and Taiwan's broader political engagement on Tuesday.
Conflicts and Terrorism International Relations Privacy and Civil Liberties
Experts call for sanctions on China's violations on human rights in Xinjiang
By Bing Xiao on October 18, 2019 china, Congressional-Executive Commission on China, human rights abuse, sanction, Xinjiang
Three witnesses testified at the hearing on "Forced Labor, Mass Internment, and Social Control in Xinjiang" hosted by Congressional-Executive Commission on China, calling for sanctions on China's human rights abuses in the Xinjiang region.
China isn't complying with WTO commitments, Intellectual Property Alliance official says
By Bing Xiao on October 3, 2019 business, china, trade, US, USTR, WTO
USTR convened a public hearing on China's compliance with the WTO commitments.
March 20, 2020 Bing Xiao 0
August 11, 2019 Bing Xiao 0
April 28, 2019 Bing Xiao 0

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Sounds like the car I didn't buy... looked great until seen in direct sunlight! There's definitely good machine polishing and bad machine polishing! ..
And you're going to let them loose on yours..?
At last I have bought the products to ensure our second RCZ is in pristine condition and always looks it best . I wished I had invested particularly in snow foam and a drying cloth before , I think they are the two particularly that have made the difference. All that hard work before with a chamois for a rubbish result , thanks RCZ 1 for the detailed instructions , they have worked superbly.


The Control key is in a far more comfortable position below the Tab key, where caps lock would be on a traditional keyboard (you can map caps-lock to Control on OSX in System Preferences if you want to try this out).
Shift-free underscore (second from the right on the fifth row).
Shift-free colon (third from the right on the fourth row).
Shift-free at-symbol (third from the right on the third row).
Shift is required for single quotes.
Shift is required for the equals-sign.
You need to type ALT-yen-mark to get a proper backslash. Fun fact - it took me 2 months to figure this out. I had the wikipedia backslash article bookmarked so I could copy/paste the character in the rare cases where the yen-mark didn't work as a backslash - I kid you not.
Given the limitations above, the million yen question is does this save us any keystrokes? Note that the percentages below are only relative to these 2 sets of 3 characters, and don't represent the total percentage of keystrokes saved.
By using the Japanese layout, I've saved 19,275 modifier keystrokes on :[email protected], but cost myself 12,662 modifiers on '=\ over the life of the project - not a spectacular saving but not bad.
Here we've saved 203,203 modifier keystrokes on :[email protected] but lost 97,953 on '=\ (note that this code was all written before PHP namespacing was around, so there would be a higher backslash-modifier cost in modern PHP).
Probably not :) No doubt any gain that you get from switching layouts will be cancelled out (at least at first) by the effort required to get used to the new layout. That said, it's still QWERTY at heart so it's a lot less drastic than switching to something like Dvorak.


Clad your exiisting window sills, table top, bar stools, stair rail, garden table etc in solid surface for a timeless and expensive looking individual creation. You can match your existing kitchen worktops or create a completely contrasting look from a wide range of colour options. Solid surface colours are rarely discontinued so your existing colour will usually be available years after original installation and due to its durability, you can add to it and the new installation will look the same as the original.
We also offer matching accessories such as chopping boards, coasters, and table mats, all at very reasonable prices. Just ask us for details.


If you're cruising from La Fortuna to the Caribbean side of Costa Rica you may pass through Guapiles. We will add a bit more info the next time we pass through but for now, hats off to bus traveller Brian Driscoll for helping us collect all of the information and photos for this station! How awesome is the travel community!?
1825₡, 59km, <2 hours with regular service stops.
In Limon you must walk to another bus station 2 blocks East to catch the Puerto Viejo bus.
This schedule is from Guapiles to Puerto Viejo de Sarapeque, NOT PV de Talamanca. From Guapiles you must go to Puerto Limon to get to PV Talamanca.
Share your travel tips for Guapiles below!


Bust out your library card and celebrate National Library Week with me! This is the 2nd annual celebration on the Food Librarian blog. Sometimes, I just gotta put the Librarian in the Food Librarian!
I know you are probably reading this on your own computer, but did you know that nearly 1/3 of the U.S. population over the age of 14 used the library's internet computers? As more companies only allow online applications (even if the job doesn't use computers), free internet access at the public library is one of our essential services.
I hope you take some time out this week to celebrate libraries and the library staff. Libraries are special places where you can find a book, DVD, music, story time, job announcements, research assistance, and free internet access. Stop by to enjoy a seminar, join a knitting group, or get help learning about your genealogy.
This is the Librarian Action Figure (modeled after real-life librarian and author Nancy Pearl).
Don't laugh. How many other occupations have their own action figure?!
Sadly though, the only action this librarian does is raise her arm to Shush. Sigh.
Of course I start the week with a Bundt. No. Big. Surprise. I now live close to a Bristol Farms (California grocery store that is really pretty and really expensive). Last winter I picked up their free magazine. And what caught my eye? Oh, yes, the Bundt on the Cover.
This bundt is easy to make and uses ricotta cheese. It is the first time I'm using ricotta in baking, and not a lasagna.
Glazed with orange marmalade and filled with orange zest, this bundt is a winner. The recipe is from Lauren Chattman's book: Cake Keeper Cakes: 100 Simple Recipes for Extraordinary Bundt Cakes, Pound Cakes, Snacking Cakes and Other Good-To-The-Last-Crumb Treats... and you can win it!
I'm having 5 days of giveaways during National Library Week!
Get the book that has this yummy recipe. I just ordered it from Amazon and bought an extra copy for YOU!
Chef Set Page Tags (purchased from Girl of All Work) Aren't these the cutest flags ever? You can decorate your cookbook with these post-it notes.
To enter the Day 1 Giveaway, simply leave a comment below (one entry per person) and I'll pick the winner from a hat (aka Random). Deadline: Monday, April 19, 2010 at midnight PDT. If your comment isn't linked to a blog where I can find you, please leave your email. Shipping to U.S. addresses only. Librarian action figure not included.
Find out if your library has it here.
7. With mixer on low, slowly add the flour mixture. Scrap down the sides a few times. After the last addition, mix for 30 seconds on medium speed...but don't overmix.
8. Pour batter into greased and floured (I use Pam with Flour spray) Bundt pan. Bake on the middle rack until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean. It took my cake 55 minutes at 325 degrees. The instructions say "about 1 hour and 10 minutes" so please check early.
10. For the glaze, heat the marmalade and water in a saucepan until everything is liquid. Brush it over the cake - I used a brush to coat the entire cake, but you can also just place on top and let it run down the sides. Let glaze cool before serving.
11. Like her book suggests, keep the cake in the Cake Keeper! Since I bring mine to work, it is gone by the afternoon.
I just bought this book for a fellow blogger in a cookbook swap and I loved how simple the recipes were. And that they didn't need a frosting to make them good. I would love a copy of my own!
I love anything orange - this looks delicious!
Thank you for the opportunity for your giveaway!
Happy National Library Week to you. We are having a staff breakfast this morning. I made breaffast casserole in muffin tins, but now I wish I'd made a yummy cake.
This cake looks good !
Looks yummy! Happy Nat'l Library Week!
Yay! I have been looking forward to National Library week! I need to do something nice for my friendly GU librarians this week. Maybe I should bake them this cake? It looks fabulous and I have a big tub of ricotta in my fridge.
I haven't been to Bristol Farms in years, but I have very fond memories of eating lunch there with my grandmother. Cake Keeper Cakes is a great book! I received it for Christmas and I love it.
Thanks for the yummy looking recipe. I just bought a new bundt pan so looking forward to breaking it in!
I love that you're celebrating library week! When I was in elementary and middle school I'd hang out at the library EVERY day after school. It was my second home.
Also the cake looks beautiful!
I love public libraries, and I would love to win that cookbook! I made the Nutella pound cake from it and it was awesome.
bundts and books...two of my favorite things!
Yum, this cake looks so moist and delicious! Happy National Library Week!
OH, there is a Bundt involved. I am in.
Ricotta is just great in cakes and this one looks very yummy. I was also going to ask you about the National Bundt cake day. Will you feature one month of new Bundt cakes again? I know it is still some month away but I just loved it so much last year.
Yea for Librarians and Libraries! This cake looks amazing! Pound cake and marmalade, what a combo.
I can't enter because I'm in the UK, but I just wanted to say how much I love that there's a librarian action figure! :) I use our local library constantly, I must have borrowed all of their cookbooks over the last few months.
Your cake looks gorgeous, I don't know why we don't see many bundt cakes over here, they're so much prettier than a regular round or square cake.
One of my FAVORITE places to go is the library. I am like a kid in a candy store.
My brother exclusively uses the library for his internet access. Who knew he was one of so many.
Happy library week! I heart my library big time. My daughter and I have both been sick this past week and I've sent my husband there to fetch books and movies at least 4 times this past week.
That cake looks scrumptious, even though I am not a fan of ricotta. Whenever I am supposed to use ricotta, I swap it out for small curd cottage cheese. Do you think that would work in this cake?
I've got two librarians for sisters. National Library Week is big!
looks wonderful! i would love to work at a library...i love books more than anything!
I love your giveaways and library week! It is so fun.
I also love that librarian figurine- so cool!
I would love to win a copy of this book. I have it flagged at my local library but they haven't got a copy yet.
What a gorgeous cake, and that book sounds fantastic.
mmm, that looks delicious. and i love your use of the library action figure. i have a jane austen action figure in my office. she has a sweet writing desk. i hope you enjoy this special week!
Love the cake and I love the library:) I go every Friday!
as a future librarian and amateur baker, your blog is one of my favorites! i will definitely try this bundt!
i need to get me a bundt pan because that sounds delicious! i generally use ricotta in pancakes and love the added airy fluffiness it gives!
Yay! Cake and giveaway! It is like a party!
I just found your blog last week when I was looking for new recipes to feed my bundt addiction. Thanks for the inspiration!
Beautiful! Is this a favorite bundt?
That bundt looks fantastic. I am making more bundts these days. They are so easy and they don't need FROSTING!!!
All of yours are wonderful. Keep it up.
L.O.V.E. the librarian action figure! and the little flags. Although, knowing myself, I would only use the dessert ones!
Love the bundt too! I'm making one this weekend!
I love the idea of this cookbook! It's always annoying when a beautiful cake ends up stale.
I'm happy to celebrate librarians, and libraroes, and you. My life is immeasurably enriched by all three. (BTW, I was a librarian in college - kind of sort of - for a small private collection and my favorite thing about it was that the card catalog was handwritten and I got to file my penmanship with some very very old entries!
I love my local library! My library card practically has holes in from all of the use. Oh, and lovely bundt!
I am a librarian and work with many more - happy national library week!
Your cake looks amazing. I've never baked something sweet with ricotta too. I need to go buy some ricotta now. Happy National Library week! I love libraries. I spent most of my childhood in libraries reading books, checking out books, doing the summer reading program. There's this quote written in front of my local library back home that is one of my favorites of all time, I don't know if you've come across it: "I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library. ~Jorge Luis Borges"
That bundt looks amazing! I recently canned a bunch of marmalade so this will be a great way to put it to use. That cake cookbook is something I will definitely be checking out soon!
I love my local branch. They are small but very active and so helpful and nice. This is a lovely give-away.
I'm a librarian and baker. I would love to try some of the recipes in the book.
Hi Mary- Happy library week! As the proud sister of a librarian (and a happy library patron), I'm feeling the love. Also the love of bundt cakes-- I made the Greek yogurt lemon one for Easter this year. Pretty and delicious!
I really enjoy your blog! Bring on those Bundt cakes!!!
Thats an awesome looking bundt!
This bundt has some serious flavor in it! Love the orange infusion. Citrus just goes so well in bundts!
Delicious looking cake and Happy Library Week to you. Hope you are having a big librarian party!
I don't know how I would have gotten through high school without library computers. And that bundt cake looks soooo good. I could use a nice cake cookbook, too :) Happy library week!
I love that book, the recipes are so reliable and being obsessed with Bundt Cakes it's just perfect. I made this awhile ago but swapped the ricotta for buttermilk and added some dried cranberries http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisa_c/4308552974/) I'm sure using ricotta would probably have made for a richer cake, but it was tasty anyway.
this is so attractive and so SPRING! i've never used ricotta in a pound cake, but it's a terrific idea.
I have never used ricotta in a cake or anything that I baked other than lasagna either. I can't wait to try it. Thanks for the recipe, the yummy pictures, and the giveaway.
I'm in charge of distributing 42 lbs of candy at my library for national library week. I'd much rather eat a piece of this cake instead.
Can you send cake with the cookbook pretty please?
I'd love to celebrate National Library Week with a new cookbook!
I love Bundts and libraries!
Oooh that cake looks wonderful! And is there anything better with National Library Week than cake? No!
You post reminded me that I have an overdue book laying on my nightstand. I better get myself to the library to return it! Yikes!
You're amazing! A true librarian superhero indeed. Not only do I love cake, libraries, and labels, I'm now inspired to celebrate National Library Week with appropriate fanfare. I think I will go on a feltboard making marathon.
Yum! Love reading your blog!
Whoa! You mean it's been a whole year since we've seen the librarian action figure?! I can't believe that. It's great to see her, though! The cake looks awesome, Mary...as usual!
I already own the Nancy Pearl action figure (and have met Nancy Pearl in Milwaukee where she was speaking)so that would be perfect with the recipe.
I got a cake keeper for my birthday last year, and I need new things to fill it up!
Mary, you most definitely becoming my Bundt Guru! And how generous of you to give away the cookbook!
Yeaaaa!! I remember these giveaways and the librarian miniature last year!! Wow, I've been following you for a long time. the bundt looks beautiful!
every time I make a bundt cake I think of you.
I'm loving this giveaway AND I love that my local library system carries SO many good cookbooks. I don't think most people know you can check out a cookbook. The library has EVERYTHING!
I can't believe that I have been following you for a year! Thanks for the recipes and musings! Happy National Library Week!
So after your 30 days of bundts last fall, I asked for a bundt pan for Christmas. And of course one of the first recipes I tried was one from the 30 days: Chocolate marbled banana bundt cake. It was delicious!
This cake is certainly wonderful, just the list of ingredients makes me drool; ricotta adds a lot of moistness and the orange does the rest!
That cake looks yum! :) I think I'm craving it now lol.
I've been staring at that bundt cake for 10 minutes...it looks fantastic and I think I need to make one this week.
I have been drooling over this ricotta bundt cake since I saw it this afternoon...I LOVE ricotta, and I think I need to make this cake...and I think I need this book too, which I'd love to win a copy =P but it's going on my amazon wish list regardless...thanks for stopping by my blog, let me know how the energy bars turn out if you get a chance to make them. They've been very tasty and hit the spot for a mid-afternoon snack to curb the hunger without being too filling. Have a happy National Library Week! I heart my local public library branch--it's got the biggest cookbook section I've ever seen in my life!
I love the texture and rise on that bundt! I'm not a huge marmalade fan but I'd give this a try.
This cake look so beautiful, also count me in the draw.
Now you are all ready for the next 30 days of bundt!
Happy National Library Week!! This cake looks phenomenal. Love the zest curls!
OOOOOOoooh! That looks yummy! Always looking for new recipe to use up my ricotta. Thanks for sharing an the giveaway too!
This looks great. Perfect for a Sunday brunch!
This is the best giveaway ever I would love to win!
I love the action figure! So cute.
I followed your month of bundt cakes last year; I don't know how you kept it up for a whole month as that's a LOT of cake! This bundt looks delicious. I've been looking for cake recipes that use ricotta or mascarpone so I can figure out how to adapt their use to other cake and bar recipes. The cookbook looks wonderful..I love cakes showcased in pretty cake stands.
2 things: 1. the cake looks INCREDIBLE! 2. Those chef tags are genius. I need some! Well, as if I really need them, but I just really want them now.
Happy Library Week. The Bundt looks great!
(Drooling!) Sounds and looks sooo good!
That looks yummy! I've never used Ricotta in baking, but I think I'm gonna have to try it!
I can't enter the giveaway because I'm in Canada, but I wanted to let you know that I made this fantastic cake today - I can barely breathe, it looks so divine, LOL. I posted a photo on my cooking blog - thank you SO MUCH, Mary, for posting this amazing cake - I can't wait for supper so I can have a taste, LOL!! Good luck to everyone in the contest!
This looks wonderful! Ricotta is so versatile.
I love the library. I live less than a mile from my local branch and I walk there as much as I can. I'm there at least a few times a month. Go, librarians!
ricotta orange bundt? yum yum!
Happy librarian week! I was thinking of baking something for the library workers at my local library. Who knew this week would be perfect for that?? Thanks for letting us know.
The bundt cake looks amazing. I'm sure you could make it with cream cheese, but ricotta sounds soooo much better.
Those page markers sound like a great way to keep recipes oraganized.
YUM! your recipes are always so tasty. love them!
This looks delicious! I love reading your blog!
I think I love bundts as much as you! While this one looks great, I'm so anti-ricotta I don't think I could make it. The book however, that I would definetly like!
Amazing bundt! Keep up with the updates!
Keep those big bundts coming! Thanks for the giveaway!
I love to bake and I am a librarian.
Happy School Library Month and Happy National Library Week. Aloha.
I love libraries (and librarians), loved the 30-days of bundts, and I'm looking forward to trying this ricotta recipe. That cookbook looks great!
Love cakes that are complete all by themselves without adding frosting. This one looks oh so delicious!
That cake looks delicious. I especially like the little zesties on top!
I love using ricotta in baking, I'll have to give this recipe a try!
I LOVE the librarian action figures. National Library week sounds great, wonder if we have one of those over here too?
Another baking librarian here to say YUM!
The cake looks awesome. I have never heard a ricotta cheese in a cake recipe before. I guess you learn something new everyday.
The recipe looks good and I will try it. I don't know about using ricotta, but I have been making a chocolate cookie recipe using cottage cheese for many years that's wonderful. Maybe it could be substituted.
Great ideas -- I'm graduating library school next month and you've just given me a terrific idea for my cake!!!
As a recently retired library director, I am thrilled to have found this blog. While I was working I tried to cook at least one new recipe a week, now I can attempt one a day. I just happen to have ricotta in the refrigerator. I also have a Nancy Pearl action figure.
This is wonderful, I can finally get rid off the ricotta my roommate left in the fridge when she went back home!
Just found your site and LOVE it! I'll be back!
I love bundt cakes! Great giveaway!
I'm an elementary school library media specialist. I've been having activities for students to celebrate School Library Month and National Library Week. The bundt cake sounds like a nice treat for teachers! Thanks for the recipe!
here in Brazil we celebrate librarian's day at march 12!
That cake and your photos are totally drool-worthy. Thanks for your blog, I enjoy it so much!
Oh lucky day! (...now that I've found this website!) Wow!
Your blog is inspirational. We all need a nice treat such as you provide. Thanks.
My library has that same Nancy Pearl action figue. The kids always ask me why I have a guy picking his nose.
Mmm, this cake looks delish. I need a bundt pan NOW!
I love the library and I love your blog. This cake looks really yummy.
Would love to win the cookbook. Been making homemade cakes for special occasions in the past year.
Wow, the glaze on this bundt looks perfect!
I love anything with citrus zest so this looks fabulous. It also has a "spring" appeal!
This looks really good! I love bundt cakes too! I will have to make this cake in secret though because the hubble won't touch it if I tell him there's ricotta in it. We'll see if he notices! LOL!
Cake Keeper Cakes has been on my amazon wishlist for ever!
Wow, you are going to pick a lot from a hat! I want to win! Gorgeous bundt. I love libraries and always use them. Why pay when you can read for free???
This cake looks delicious. Thanks for the great giveaway!
I love making cakes in bundt form.
I love baking with ricotta. Your cake is a beauty.
what a gorgeous looking bundt! i've been on a citrus dessert kick, and this is definitely up my alley.
One of the best pound cakes I have tried! Thanks for sharing this recipe. I have tried making this last night for a little house warming party, and it was definitely at hit during our dessert. It went really well with a cup of hot coffee made from one of my coffeemakers Great post and thanks for sharing !
I just made this yesterday for an event at work. It's pretty good, but even better the second day. Also, I should have checked it at 1 hour, an hour 10 minutes was just a bit too long.


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BLP articles lacking sources, Articles with invalid date parameter in template, Articles lacking reliable references from September 2009,
Articles sourced by IMDB
American television actors
American voice actors
American people of Asian descent
American people of Filipino descent
People from Contra Costa County, California
Revision as of 23:13, 9 October 2010 by Dream Focus (talk | contribs) (1 revision: another category I overlooked)
Use of Template:Ambox is broken, because Module:Message box is broken.
40x40px
This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. It includes attribution to IMDB, which may not be a reliable source for biographical information. Please help by adding additional, reliable sources for verification. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (September 2009)
Pittsburg, California, US
Actor, Voice Actor, Dancer, Rapper
Danté Basco (born August 29, 1975) is an American actor, voice actor, poet, and dancer most famous for playing Rufio in the 1991 Peter Pan based film Hook, Zuko in the Nickelodeon series "Avatar: The Last Airbender", and Jake Long from the Disney series "American Dragon: Jake Long".
1 Life and career
2.1 Television
2.2 Video games
Dante Basco, a Filipino American, was born in Pittsburg, California. He is the brother of Darion Basco, Derek Basco, Dion Basco and Arianna Basco. In his early years, he was part of the Streat Freaks (sic) breakdancing crew. When he got into acting, he started taking on minor roles in television. He later appeared in his best known role in Steven Spielberg's 1991 film Hook with Robin Williams and Dustin Hoffman, as Rufio, the charismatic red-stripe-haired leader of the Lost Boys. The punk band Rufio is named after this character.
He had guest roles on television shows The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, and had a recurring role on Moesha. He portrayed characters of different Asian ethnicities, but never Filipino. He did however, star in the independent film The Debut, in which he portrayed a Filipino-American alongside his three brothers and sister. He and all of his brothers starred in Naked Brown Men, a sitcom stylized show. More recently, he has provided the voices for Zuko in Avatar: The Last Airbender and Jake Long in American Dragon: Jake Long. He starred as Ramos in the 2006 film Take the Lead alongside Antonio Banderas, where he break-danced as well as performed ballroom dance. In many films he hip-hop dances, just as he did in a Verizon Wireless commercial as well as rapping and breaking in a Sprite commercial. He produced and co-starred in a music video parody of the song "Rehab" that is called "Wiihab". He played a gay teenager in the 1999 film, But I'm A Cheerleader. He provided several voices in the video game Saints Row. He is the voice of Shingo in the video games Skate, Skate 2 and Skate 3. He voiced Seeing Farther in the video game Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood. He provided the male youth voice for the MMORPG game Aion: Tower of Eternity.
Basco plays basketball in the NBAE (NBA Entertainment league).
2009 Blood and Bone Pinball
Nite Tales Gerard
Blood River Chuck
2006 Take the Lead Ramos
2003 Love Don't Cost a Thing Spoken Word Artist
Biker Boyz Philly
Naked Brown Men Dante
2001 Extreme Days Corey Ng
2000 The Debut Ben Mercado
1999 But I'm a Cheerleader Dolph
1997 Riot Jeffrey Lee
1997 Fakin' Da Funk Julian Lee
1995 A Goofy Movie Additional voices
1995 Fist of the North Star Bat
1991 Hook Rufio, King of the Lost Boys
The Perfect Weapon Jimmy Ho
1988 Moonwalker
2010 Zevo-3 Matt Martin/Kewl Breeze (voice) (main character)
2010 Generator Rex Tuck Episode "Rabble (voice)
2010 The Boondocks Jingmei Episode "The Red Ball" (voice)
2007 The Suite Life of Zack & Cody Madrid Episode "The Suite Life Goes Hollywood"
2007 El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera Shing-Hai Chan/Wild Mono (voice) (villain character)
2006 Entourage Fukijama Episode "What About Bob?"
2005–2008 Avatar: The Last Airbender Prince Zuko (voice) (major character)
2005–2007 American Dragon: Jake Long Jake Long (voice) (main character)
2005 Lilo & Stitch: The Series Jake Long (voice) (one episode)
2003 Kim Possible Fukushima (voice)
2002 The Proud Family Kwok Wong (voice)
Providence Justin Kim
2001 The Chronicle Noodles
2000 The Steve Harvey Show Lee
1999 Undressed Jake
Viper Rishi Lama
1998 Promised Land Tito
Moesha Marco
Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction Ghost of Rudi Hernandez
1996 Touched by an Angel Robbie
Nash Bridges Jimmy Chang
1995 500 Nations himself (voice)
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Kevin
Hangin' with Mr. Cooper Sammy
2010 Final Fantasy XIII Additional voices
2009 AION: The Tower of Eternity Youth male voice
2009 Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood Seeing Farther
2009 Terminator Salvation Resistance soldier
2008 Avatar: The Last Airbender – Into the Inferno Prince Zuko
2007 Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Burning Earth Prince Zuko
2006 Avatar: The Last Airbender Prince Zuko
2006 Saints Row Stilwater Residents
2004 Def Jam Fight for New York Voice 3
List of Filipino Americans
Template:Title without disambig at the Internet Movie Database
REDIRECT Template:AllRovi person
Dante Basco at TV.com
NAME Basco, Dante
DATE OF BIRTH August 29, 1975
PLACE OF BIRTH Pittsburg, California, US
dv:ޑޭންޓް ބެސްކޯ el:Ντάντε Μπάσκο pl:Danté Basco simple:Dante Basco fi:Dante Basco
Retrieved from "https://manga.fandom.com/wiki/Dante_Basco?oldid=49900"
BLP articles lacking sources
Articles lacking reliable references from September 2009


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Home › News › Collection › Kate Hudson launches ready-to-wear fashion label
Kate Hudson launches ready-to-wear fashion label
Kate Hudson has taken the next step in her fashion career with the launch of her new ready-to-wear brand, Happy x Nature.
The Hollywood actress and entrepreneur's latest venture is now live, following days of teasing from the star.
The label focuses on eco-friendly fashion with a bohemian vibe, spanning separates such as tops, dresses, skirts and jeans, priced from $50 to $200. Hudson herself has been busy modelling the summery, carefree pieces on Instagram, rocking a strapless yellow dress and a cream blouse and denim ensemble that feature in the brand's debut offering.
"Our goal is simple -- making you and nature happy with easy, free-spirited fashion that minimizes our impact on non-renewable resources," reads a statement on the company's website. "From the factories and mills we choose to packaging and garment tags, we'll explore every option, always looking for eco-aware solutions."
The brand is the brainchild of Hudson and the fashion designer Michele Manz and will be available to purchase online at Happyxnature.com and in select New York & Company stores across the US.
Hudson is, by now, something of an expert when it comes to heading up fashion brands, having co-founded the wildly successful athleisure brand Fabletics back in 2013. The company quickly surpassed $300 million in annual revenue and now counts 24 retail locations across the US.
Copyright © 2019 AFP-Relaxnews. All rights reserved.
Fashion - Ready-to-wear, Luxury - Ready-to-wear, Collection
# Hudson
# Fabletics
# Kate Hudson
# New York & Company


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Vitali Gelwich's BORING Book
Boredom has, ironically, fascinated writers and philosophers for centuries. It's been called a "bestial and indefinable affliction" by Fyodor Dostoevsky and the "leprosy of the soul" by Jean-Paul Sartre. Martin Heidegger argued that "profound boredom" is a gateway to metaphysics that reveals truths about "being as a whole." There is little existential or scientific consensus on whether boredom is an inherently human trait or a uniquely modern affliction, and whether embracing this "tame longing" (Arthur Schopenhauer) is psychologically harmful or creatively helpful for the late capitalist subject. What we can agree on, however, is that our widespread desperation to avoid boredom has led to some of the grimmest realities of the 21st century: the toxicity of the "attention economy" and the tyranny of tech that indulges and increases our need to fill moments of inactivity with consumption and entertainment.
Text: Cassidy George
The Russian born, Berlin based photographer Vitali Gelwich is firm in his opinion that a little boredom is good for you. Gelwich has spent the last decade creating evocative fashion images that command attention, but his aptly titled Boring Book, released earlier this month, strays dramatically from the subtly glam and sensual style he is best known for. Unlike his other work, Boring Book celebrates a series of photographs that were created with no client, prompt or performance goals in mind. Its contents were pulled from Gelwich's personal archive: the byproduct of a snap-happy habit he can't seem to break. Over three years in the making, Boring Book is a collection of things the photographer found charmingly unremarkable. "I started taking pictures because I wanted to create a library of memories," Gelwich said. "I wanted to be able to look at them 20 or 30 years from now and remember the people around me, the smell, everything. So this book is a return to my original driving force."
Challenging viewers to see beauty in the mundane and intimacy in the banal, Gelwich creates a self portrait through still lives and snapshots, inviting viewers into the moments and vantage points that brought him pause. The photos capture scenes that range from universally familiar (pizza crusts, hair clips, wet feet on shower tiles), to sexy and salacious (dildos, a "fuck you" tattooed on someone's butt cheek, unidentified white globs on naked bodies) and deeply personal, revealing past hospital visits, loving portraits of his production team, and obsessions with things like motorcycles and Twinkie packaging. The retrospective of "mostly unseen, uncommissioned and forgotten memories" are, according to publisher Hatje Cantz, "the purest representation of who Gelwich is and how he perceives the world."
Boring Book echoes its diaristic visual qualities with an intimate opening text, which touches on Gelwich's life growing up in the East German superblocks of Fürstenwalde. Gelwich writes about past crushes, working in a supermarket, a brief but "embarrassing" desire to become a DJ, and the 13 years he spent training as a pianist – at his mother's insistence. "There was no questioning it. I had to play every single day, and I absolutely hated it," Gelwich said. "There were a lot of tears in that time." He now attributes much of his success in his field to an industrious work ethic honed at the keyboard as a kid. "My Mom was very Russian about education, very strong and strict. Looking back on it, I realize how key it was in what I am doing today."
When asked if the subtle, fashion-divorced images in Boring Book are a form of protest against a life spent creating art in the service of luxury clients and consumption, or a conceptual extension of the "post-soviet" label that has followed Gelwich throughout his career – he resisted. "I don't know who came up with this 'post-soviet' shit. Europeans basically just discovered that the Soviet Union has a nice aesthetic and translated that to fashion. But that aesthetic is the aesthetic of my heritage." Boring Book is a kind of resistance, albeit an internal one, waged against Gelwich's own perfectionistic tendencies and obsessive drive to become "better, better, better" at his craft. He assesses his past accomplishments with scrutiny. "Ten years into this, I'm finally starting to understand what I like, what I want and what I'm going to do in the next few years," he said. "It's only just now getting interesting."
The tidbits of Gelwich's quotidian existence on display in Boring Book provoke some timeless philosophical prompts. Why do we equate meaning with value? And what happens if we abandon our search for it entirely? In speaking with Gelwich about his new project, I was confronted with my own compulsion to narrativize – and challenged to interrogate it. When asked about the significance of the recurring Twinkie motif, Gelwich responded with a laugh: "Sometimes the answer really is so simple. And that's the beauty of it."
Boring Book is available for purchase HERE!
Vitali Gelwich
Cassidy George
"Modern Since 1973:" Claudia Skoda Tells Her Story
The Saddest Drip
Art Under Construction
The bunker on Reinhardtstraße was completed for the Reichsbahn in 1942 and designed to offer protection to some 3,000 travelers from the Bahnhof Friedrichstraße. And up until 2003, things took place there that its original builders wouldn't have been capable of imagining, even in their worst nightmares. A portrait of art collector CHRISTIAN BOROS and his collection's new home in a renovated Nazi bunker.More December 1, 2007


So, imagine you are in a bustling city, and you are asked to walk down the street naked. Just cringed, didn't you?
That's what I feel like every time I finish a book and start advertising it. In this age of information saturation, to sell a book, I have been instructed to make a brand, not of my storytelling, but of myself.
I enjoy taking everyday happenings and like clay, forming it into a story. My imagination knows no bounds. There isn't just one genre that calls to me, but many. In my head are about ten stories all the time, and writer's block is only prevalent when I work to make that story into a readable manuscript.
But the curiosity a reader may have about me, well that makes me want to hide behind a pen name, and a made-up story about my life. I don't understand why I like to create with the written word. It's just images and moments are stored, then my brain gets full, and I move some of the stuff out onto paper. While doing this I have a little fun rearranging it into even better moments. I feel a little self-conscious when I share it. Like, who in their right mind thinks up things like this? But then, there is this strange happiness that fills me when someone actually enjoys my creations of imagination. It's the same feeling I get when someone likes the slop I call cooking!
When I find a story that captivates me (for I like to consume stories as much as I love to create them) I must admit I only want to know if the author has written other stories I can scarf down. Call me narrow-minded or self-centered, but I have never had a desire to know anything further. As a private person, their lives are their own. It is, after all, just a story.
I suppose there is a curiosity about how a story comes about. What made someone think of vampires, murder motives, science fiction, etc? But the answer is right there. Curiosity. A thing we all have in common as a species. Maybe we love stories because we can escape from our own humdrum existence of paying bills, going to work, and trying to survive. For a moment we can step into fantasy and leave behind the real world filled with its problems.
For the author, it could be the same thing. I create a world that I have control in, and I dictate the outcome. Having a whole lot of pride and control issues might help with the creation of imaginary people, worlds and events. Or maybe I just wish I could control the chaos around me, so I create my own little happy world. Who knows, I don't always understand my own compunctions.
I have been told it is healthy to voice frustrations in journals or diaries and from what I have read in memoirs and blogs, it has been going on for a long time. I guess blogging is another form of that. And for me personally, writing a story does help me to learn to work things out, and sometimes gives me insight into a problem I have at hand.
Every writer has reasons for the story they develop. It is a personal journey that some are more willing to share than others. I can only hope that if you are a writer and reading this, you realize that you are normal. If you are a reader who has no desire to write, but happily consumes stories, I hope I have given insight into why I'm a writer, but not a very good promoter.
Otherwise, I hope you enjoy my quirky little foray into self-pity for not having any privacy. But then again, why would I whine about that? I should be used to it. After raising five kids, enjoying seventeen grandkids, plastering myself all over the internet, and writing about bloodthirsty Vikings, you'd think I wouldn't mind walking naked down any street!
I realize I am deviating from my normal blogging about writing books but bear with me….
Consumerism created the Customer. Fed by the ever-changing world of advertising we are courted, pleaded with, prodded and bombarded with endless promises. Each product touted to be the best-ever cure-all, big fix to any problem we have, all in the name of the great god of Money.
In return, Money created a monster that has a ravenous appetite with the mindset of a spoiled brat.
Now I must admit I am one of those brats.
Note that forty years seems like a long time, though compared to geological time, it is but a Nanosecond. But a long time ago, I could buy a product, bring it home, plug it in, turn it on, and it would work. In fact, there was no instruction manual. Then, I would have the luxury of not having to buy another one for a long time. Of course, the better the product, the longer it lasted, making the company that made it have to find something else to do in the meantime to make money, like service it when and if it broke down.
Times change just like seasons.
Now, it's about the number of sales versus quality.
Take, for instance, a wireless printer. I have a perfectly good printer, by the same company, that works well when I plug it into my computer. But I'm getting lazy in my old age because I'm constantly being shown new ways of saving time to be able to go bask in the sun on the beach. So, I brought home my shiny new toy and spent the next two hours trying to make it work, as promised. I tried installing apps on phone and computer. Downloaded instructions until I was blue in the face. The printer itself printed well, but all it would print was instructions on how to connect to the internet and supposedly anything else that had a Wifi brain. Nothing worked. Like the brat I've become, I took it back to the store in a huff.
So first, I would like to point out as a writer, I have learned through many grammar checking programs that the average reading level in our country is 7th grade. Last time I checked you had to have a degree to work on computer programming in order to create programs. I highly suspect these technicians read, or think, above a 7th-grade level. So, they are basically trying to get mice to run a maze to get the cheese. We are overfed, obese rats. We give up when it gets hard. Please come down to our level.
Second, at my age, you recognize after scurrying through the world these many years, the most valuable commodity you have is TIME. Yup, it is more precious than money. I get upset when I waste my time on the next new and shiny gadget after receiving promises of it making my life easy. Yup, Frankenstein temper tantrum.
Third, I sadly realize we did it to ourselves. In our greed and laziness, the first thing we sacrificed to the god of Money, was SERVICE. When the smarter rats discovered how easy it was to legally rob us of our hard-earned cash, they, being the smarter rats, learned how to cut corners. The first thing to go was service. Self Service was invented and the cheese that tempted us? Cheaper product.
Now we build our own furniture, fill our own cars with gas, check ourselves out at stores, guide ourselves with voices from little boxes, and must have several degrees to run anything electronic. We have been trained by faster and faster internet services to expect instantaneous answers as well as the immediate delivery of any product we want. Heaven forbid we have a natural disaster because we have lost the knowledge of basic survival.
Advertising has lost its charm and magic. With the sensory overload of constant advertising, we have become numb to it, where now the only thing that sparks our interest is a good drama, whether it be YouTube or Facebook, or politics, or accidents on the road, or even disaster, we are jaded to consumerism and advertising. Until we get something that doesn't hold up to its advertised promise, then we become little dictators demanding our money be returned.
We stomped through the village and wrecked the environment, greedily grabbed all we could, and scared away customer service so it hides behind little chatbots on every product site and conceals any method of human contact that could answer your questions. The Wizard behind the curtain continues to tell us not to look and to just take our rotten forbidden fruit and be happy with it.
Sigh. I want to go back to simpler days where I had to make my own weapons, chase down my food which in turn kept me fit and I could cook it the way I liked it.


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NewsSoutheast Valley NewsApache Junction News
PCSO: 3 in custody in 2016 double murder; known gang member arrested Tuesday
By: abc15.com staff
The Pinal County Sheriff's Office says three men have been identified in connection with a 2016 double homicide in Apache Junction.
According to PCSO, 31-year-old Clint Wendelschafer, a known motorcycle gang member, was arrested on Tuesday near Ellsworth and Adobe roads in Mesa. He was wanted for his involvement in the murders of 51-year-old Keith Andrew Long and 45-year-old Renae Gardner in May 2016.
Long and Gardner were asleep when they were shot and killed at their Apache Junction home. PCSO says their bodies were eventually dumped in separate places; Long's body was found in a canal in San Tan Valley and Gardner's body was found along the Beeline Highway.
During the investigation, officials learned that 33-year-old Nicholas Douglas of San Tan Valley and 41-year-old Demian Blu of Apache Junction were at the scene at the time of the murders. Several days later, Blu and Douglas reportedly went back to dump the bodies and clean up the scene.
Wendelschafer is facing charges of assisting in a street gang and conspiracy to commit murder.
Blu is in PCSO custody for burglary, assisting in a street gang, concealment of a body, and hindering prosecution of first degree murder.
Douglas is in Arizona Department of Corrections custody for an unrelated weapons offense.
All three will face additional charges.


The earliest signs of aging generally occur in the eye and forehead areas. Forehead lines, frown lines and crow's feet appear as decades of repeated facial expressions begin to take their toll. As we age, thinner skin around the eyes and constant frowning, squinting and rubbing make this area a prime candidate for cosmetic injectables and dermal filler treatments. One of Acqua Blu's most popular treatments is Botox® Cosmetic. This very effective treatment smoothes away crow's feet by preventing the muscle contraction that leads to their appearance. Another option to consider is hyaluronic-acid based dermal fillers to reshape contours and restore lost volume.


Celebrate Mother's Day With 2 Months Free of EPIC!!!
Happy Mother's Day! Celebrate Mother's Day with 2 free months of Epic! Use code: LOVEMOM at checkout. Get started here! Ends 5/14.
My7 year-old son loves the read to me option on many of the books.


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Throwback Thursday: Bassnectar Facebook Posts From '08
November 6, 2014 By Sebastian Aguirre
Lately it seems people have been digging into Bassnectar's Facebook page as I have seen a few old statuses from way back and pictures popping up on my feed. Talk about a blast from the past. The pictures are grainy, the venues are tiny, and Lorin's hair has yet to reach the Fabio status that it has today. Most of the photos were taken during his "Adventures in Bassnectarland" tour that took place in 2008, a year before Cozza Frenzy was officially released and it looks like so much fun.
Compared to today, I think the biggest difference is how close Lo is to the crowd. Someone could have reached up and started throwing down a b2b set with him if they weren't immediately dragged away by security. Check out one of the photos
After flipping through photos and fighting back the tears, the next biggest attraction was his status updates. He is constantly in touch with his fan base even though the entire year's feedback total 60 likes and 14 comments. Check out the first part of his first post of 2008 and there whole thing here.
Even in '08 when "Bassnectar" wasn't a household name, Lo was still socially conscious supporting the Tibetian People's Uprising Movement's "March to Tibet"
How about some throwback Fliers promoting the tour?
When was the last time Nectar opened up for someone?
After the "Adventures" tour, the crew put together a video edit that encompasses all that the Nectar movement was about back then. Small, sweaty venues full of Bassheads new, old, big, and small. It must have smelled great at these shows. If you watch the video below all the way till the end you'll see he still had half his face shaved.
After the "Adventures" tour wrapped up in the fall there was only one more stop to be made…New Year's Eve. This party took place in San Francisco with Nectar opening for Thievery Corporation and playing until the wee hours of the morning. Check the rest of his end of the year status update here.
bassnectarCozza FrenzyNYE
EDM Tracks Latest Posts Tours / Shows
Sebastian Aguirre
A basshead guided by music. Where is my mind?
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Ring in Your New Year With Above & Beyond at The New York Expo
December 24, 2019 By Phil
Lights All Night Delivers on Final Announcements: Schedule, Map, and More
December 19, 2019 By Tori Matthews
Confirming our worst fears earlier today, officials at the Center for Disease Control have announced that research shows...


Are you a qualified English teacher looking for a new & exciting adventure within a thriving college? Great!
We work alongside some of the most well-established school within the Tamworth and they're looking for an experienced Teacher who is proactive, enthusiastic and passionate about education and development.


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Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home
Send Flowers for George
George Allan White
June 12, 1958 ~ January 4, 2022 (age 63)
George White, age 63, of Brooten, MN, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, January 4, 2022, at Glacial Ridge Hospital in Glenwood. Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, January 8th at Trinity Lutheran Church in Brooten with Pastor Gary Mills officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00 - 7:00 P.M. on Friday at the funeral home in Brooten and will continue on Saturday morning at the church, one hour prior to the service. Arrangements are with Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home of Brooten.
George Allan White was born on June 12, 1958, in Parkers Prairie, MN. He was the second of four children born to parents Richard M. and Carol J. (Grothen) White. When George was just a couple of weeks old, he was baptized in the Lutheran faith by Pastor Lassanke of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in West Miltona, where his parents were members. Richard and Carol raised their children in the church and as a teenager George was confirmed at St. Paul's.
George grew up southwest of Parker's Prairie on Lake Vermont. He attended Parkers Prairie public schools and graduated from Parkers Prairie High School in 1976. He worked for a time at Steinbring Chevrolet and Drymor, both in Alexandria, before accepting a position at WASP (now FAST Global Solutions) in Glenwood. WASP would become his lifetime work, a career spanning over 30 years, starting out as a laborer and progressing through the ranks of the company to a supervisory position before his retirement in April of 2018.
On November 17, 1979, George was united in marriage to Brenda Kay Lutz at Grace Lutheran Church in Evansville. They first made their home near Garfield and then Farwell and Sedan before purchasing a home in Brooten in 1998. After moving to Brooten, George and his family became members of Trinity Lutheran Church. George and Brenda later divorced.
George was a retired member of the Brooten Fire Department and was active in the National Wild Turkey Federation. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf, and raising a large vegetable garden each year. He would can the produce he raised and was especially proud of his pickle and salsa recipes. He was even known to bake a pie on occasion. In recent years George served the community by driving school bus for BBE.
George was known as a friendly man with a huge heart. He was kind, generous, helpful and a devoted and loving father and grandfather. George died unexpectedly on the morning of Tuesday, January 4, 2022 after being transported to Glacial Ridge Hospital in Glenwood. He will be missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by his children, Tyler (Janeen Mitchell) White of Brooten, Tanna White of Spearfish, SD, Bridget (Mark Klimek) White of Paynesville; four grandchildren, Lydia and Jackson Mitchell and Gage and Gavin Klimek; his mother, Carol White of Parkers Prairie; fianceé Margaret Salo of Brooten and her family; two sisters, Clara (Joe) Hammer of Osakis and Carolyn (Thomas) Debilzen of Parkers Prairie; sister-in-law, Melissa White of Millerville; as well as other relatives and many friends.
George was preceded in death by his father, Richard in 2017 and his brother, Glen in 2015.
To send flowers to George's family, please visit our floral store.
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Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home - Brooten
Brooten, Minnesota 56316
Trinity Lutheran Church, Brooten, MN
141 Pleasant Ave S
Brooten, MN 56316
Trinity Lutheran Church (Brooten)
© 2022 Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home. All Rights Reserved. Funeral Home website by CFS & TA | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy


The floating "I Love You" heart for our family tradition of 14 days of intentional acts of love has been tucked back in the drawer for another year. We don't generally celebrate Valentine's Day with roses, chocolates, wine and an elaborate night out, but we do enjoy being more intentional in the little ways we show our love to each other. Some days the paper heart shows up several times. Other days, it may only get passed once. Some expressions are easy to capture a photo others are not. These designated two weeks are a good reminder to not take love for granted, and to be mindful of ways we can show love every single day. If you want to know more about this tradition, you can read about it here.
The secret ingredient for any lasting relationship is love!
Love others as Jesus has loved you!
Oh to master this truth at a young age!
When I substitute teach, my 20 minute drive allows me time to pray for the students I'll be spending the day with. I also pray that I will have patience and gentle responses. There are times when a student enters the classroom angry, and my response has a lot to do in setting the tone for the rest of the class.
In the New Testament book of James, we are told "no man can tame the tongue." If that's the case, why bother trying?!
We should strive daily to control/tame our tongue because human beings/mankind/people have been made in God's likeness. As Christ Followers, we should reflect God's character to all. However, too often we fail.
Often on my way home from school, I reflect on my day…Did I remember to speak gently, patiently, calmly? Did my students see Jesus in me? How can I respond differently next time?
Are you trying to tame your tongue? What steps are you taking?
2015 has been quite the year! Throughout these past 12 months I have been on a personal study of the word "KIND". You can read about that decision HERE. My eyes have been open to the kindness around and in me. However, at first it seemed I was mainly aware of UNkindness.
Have you noticed how negative our society can be? The daily news bombards us with doom and gloom reporting. TV and social media is full of backstabbing, criticism, lying, and cheating. Workplaces become a battle ground of gossip, jealousy, and sometimes a celebration of someone's failure. It was disheartening to recognize the magnitude of this ugliness. In the midst of these observations I was reminded that my word is "Kind" not "unkind", and Ephesians 4:32 became my verse for the year.
Kind is a willingness to do good or give pleasure, a sympathetic attitude towards others, having a good or benevolent nature or disposition, considerate, helpful.
One day as I was subbing, I had a student that was being a pest to anyone that came near him. In fact, he had a girl in tears from his unkind words before the morning bell rang! Our day was not off to a great start, and I dreaded what might take place at morning recess. I breathed a quick, "Thank you, Jesus." prayer when the boy left the basketball game to play with another student. As the class was lining up to return to class, I quietly told the boy I noticed and appreciated how kind he was on recess. The rest of the day was near perfect, and I have not seen the negative behavior on days I've been back in his classroom.
Opportunities to be kind present themselves every hour of the day. Growing up, my mom often said, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all!" I oftentimes know very little of the trials others are dealing with. They may be having the very worst day of their life, and I have a choice. I can encourage or discourage.
"Love is patient and kind" 1 Corinthians 13:4a.
This word study has been a great and challenging exercise, but more than that it is an ongoing life changer. It takes time and practice to overcome and rise above negativity. My goal was not to merely recognize kindness, but for my life and love to be overflowing with kindness. I have not yet accomplished that goal; I am a work in progress.
Did you choose a word for the year? If so, I'd love to hear about it. Will you be choosing a word for 2016? What will it be?
If given a choice, would you choose a rewind button or a pause button for your life? Wouldn't that be a luxury to be able to rewind and have a do-over, or pause and enjoy the moment a while longer?
Pondering rewind or pause, I initially thought I would choose a pause button because life seems pretty good right now.
I have some great relationships with friends and family.
Although my body is aging, I am healthy.
I have a husband that loves me.
I am being challenged in my relationship with God.
On the other hand, a rewind button might be best because there have been times I wished I could back up and try again.
In reality, I know I can neither pause nor rewind my life. However, I CAN learn from my mistakes and be grateful for abundant blessings.
Leave me your comment: Would you choose a rewind or pause button?
Satan loves it when people focus primarily on self, because then our number one focus is not on God. Satan is the deceiver causing us to think we are better and more important than others. We fill our schedules to revolve around ourselves. Too many days are not begun asking, "God, what is it you want me to do today?", listening to His direction, and then being obedient to go and do.
What would our community be like if all who call themselves "Christian" would follow those steps each morning? Can you imagine the change if denominational barriers were torn down, or if the status of wealth and popularity no longer caused social discrimination? What if we truly loved as Jesus loved?
Missionary Amy Carmichael said, "You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving." What woud happen if we seriously followed Jesus command to "love your neighbor as yourself?" Matthew 22:39 Daily schedules would no longer revolve around "Me". C.T. Studd was a missionary to China, India and Africa. He said, "If Jesus Christ is God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him." God wants us to be obedient now in spite of our imperfections. What better place is there to get started than in our own neighborhood and community?
I would like to issue a challenge for the week: Each morning begin the day asking God, "What is it you want me to do today?" Listen for His direction, and then be obedient. Be intentional in showing the love of Jesus to others in your community.


Thank you for supporting Panda Nation over the years. We are blessed to serve the jiu-jitsu community, and our family is grateful to have customers like you. As a big thank you, we asked our jiu-jitsu super friends if they would throw some presents under our tree to share with you, and here's how you claim them.
Reilly Bodycomb Instructional – This is an Inverted Gear exclusive from our favorite leglocker in the game. Reilly shot a special instructional just for Panda Christmas showing you how to wrestle up to steal points in BJJ matches. View Reilly Bodycomb's Wrestle Back! video here.
Jon Calestine Instructional – Another Inverted Gear exclusive, Jon has been tearing up the competition scene, and we are excited to share his jiu-jitsu with you. His contribution to Panda Christmas is an exclusive instructional on escaping no-gi leglock positions. View Jon Calestine's Leglock Escapes video here.
Training Wheels by Valerie Worthington – Val has been shaping the lives of jiu-jiteiros through her camps and her teaching, and this book recounts her adventure of quitting her job and traveling the country to pursue a new life in jii-jitsu. This download is e-reader ready! Download it here [EPUB file].
The Cauliflower Chronicles by Marshal Carper – One of the original jiu-jitsu travel memoirs, Marshal moved to Hilo, HI to train with BJ Penn, looking for his place in the world along the way. This download is Kindle ready! Download it here [MOBI file].
Show the Art Trial – Show the Art brings a unique perspective on training and practicing BJJ, and their membership portal is a wealth of deep insights. You will receive an trial account access email from Show the Art on Nov. 27.
Isolate to Dominate – From Nelson the Big Panda himself, this instructional breaks down a series of limb isolation concepts into a practical game plan. Taught with text, GIFs, and videos, this is an in-depth learning experience. You will receive an account access email from Artechoke Media on Nov. 27.
Mastering the Crucifix – Matt Kirtley is obsessed with the crucifix, and this rich media instructional covers a complete gameplan for finding the crucifix and finishing from the position. You will receive an account access email from Artechoke Media on Nov. 27.
Thank you again for supporting Inverted Gear and for making 2018 a special year for our family!


"Too Numerous To Count (TNTC) flies" in sample storage room, inadequate control over samples and non-adherence of procedures in sample analysis, during their visit to the Toansa, Punjab facility. Other lapses included usage of un-calibrated and unqualified instruments in laboratory, said the report, which was released two days ago.
"Our inspection of QC Analytical and Microbiological laboratories found the facility to be in significant disrepair. Laboratories windows within the instrumentation (eg: HPCL) rooms were found to be un-closeable. "Too Numerous To Count (TNTC) flies were observed throughout the sample preparation room, and laboratory re-agent/equipment/documentation storage cabinets were found to be broken and un-closeable," FDA inspection report said.
Earlier this week, FDA banned the import of Ranbaxy products from its Toansa plant, halting the shipment of all the company's drugs to the US from India. This is the company's fourth plant to face regulatory action from the American health regulator after Mohali, Paonta Sahib amd Dewas plants. Citing manufacturing norm violations, the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) prohibited Ranbaxy Laboratories from distributing drugs produced at the Toansa unit, including medicines made by the company's Ohm Laboratories facility in New Jersey. Expressing disappointment over the FDA ban, Ranbaxy had said it will cooperate with the FDA and "comply with Consent Decree in both letter and spirit". The FDA inspection report further said that the Indian drug maker repeated the same errors which were cited by the regulator in its earlier inspection in December 2012. "Appropriate controls are not established over computerized systems... This is a repeat observation from the previous FDA inspection in 12/2012.
"Specifically the standalone computerized system controlling GC# 6 does not have sufficient controls to prevent unauthorized access to, changes to, or omission of data files and folders," the report said.


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Email Opt Out Law
By: Lynn Mathews
email image by Hao Wang from Fotolia.com
What Are Direct Marketing Tools?
In order to send commercial emails to subscribers, email senders must comply with certain "opt-out" requirements. "Opt out" refers to the ability of an email recipient to unsubscribe, or remove his email address, from future marketing messages. Though this does not affect a transactional or service relationship between a consumer and a company that provides a product or service, email opt-out laws provide clear guidelines for marketers who advertise products or services.
CAN-SPAM
In order to combat the rising problem of consumer spam, the Federal Trade Commission created the CAN-SPAM (Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing) Act of 2003. This act describes what email marketers must include in commercial messages and gives consumers the right to unsubscribe from mailings. The act also sets forth fines and penalties for non-compliance.
Opt-Out Requirements
A commercial email must include a valid unsubscribe, or opt-out, mechanism that works for 30 days. Email senders must comply with opt-out requests within 10 business days. The opt-out mechanism must not require more than an email address—in other words, email senders cannot require a password or a fee to unsubscribe from their messages.
Additional Content Requirements
A commercial email must include the name and mailing address of the sender. Email senders must use subject lines that clearly reflect the content of their messages—they cannot use subject lines to deceive recipients into opening their messages. Header information, including the "From" and "To" fields, must accurately identify the sender and intended recipient of the email. Senders must also disclose that their emails include advertisements.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
The Federal Trade Commission imposes a penalty of up to $16,000 per email found to be in violation of the CAN-SPAM Act. Senders who use others' property, false information or other duplicitous tactics can face criminal penalties. Extreme cases may result in imprisonment.
Transactional Messages
Transactional, also known as relationship, messages refer to emails that describe an ongoing service relationship. Common examples of transactional emails include order status, account update, or invoice messages. As long as the primary purpose of the message is to update the consumer regarding a transaction or relationship, these messages do not require opt-out mechanisms under the CAN-SPAM Act. Transactional messages must still contain accurate header and routing information.
Federal Trade Commission: The CAN-SPAM Act – A Compliance Guide for Businesses
Lynn Mathews is a freelance writer with a background in journalism and marketing. She holds a bachelor's degree in English/journalism and has been writing for more than 10 years. Most recently, her writing has appeared on eHow.


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Cisco going ahead with planned Tandberg buy
Saturday, 05 Dec 2009
NEW YORK: Cisco Systems Inc said it plans to go ahead with its intended purchase of Norway's Tandberg ASA, paving the way toward creating the world's leader in video-conferencing equipment, although acceptances from shareholders were slightly below its target.
Cisco said about 89% of shareholders accepted the 19 billion Norwegian crown (US$3.4bil) deal. That was lower than the 90% Cisco had set as a minimum requirement, but the company said it would waive this condition.
Cisco had struggled to win over shareholders. Its original bid was rejected by over 90% of Tandberg shareholders, forcing Cisco to repeatedly extend its offer deadline and raise its bid by 10% last month.
Cisco said it could raise its stake above 90% by buying more shares on the open market or through various contracts, including options and other financial instruments.
"We intend on pursuing all options available to us," company spokeswoman Kristin Carvell said in an email to Reuters.
Analysts have said that Cisco will likely eventually make Tandberg and its other video-related products work together seamlessly. That will help make Cisco's equipment – including the routers and switches that support online communications – indispensable to business customers.
"We think the deal makes sense," Brian White of Ticonderoga Securities said on Thursday. "If they can link it in with TelePresence it makes a lot of sense."
Tandberg is the leading video-conferencing equipment maker, filling a gap between Cisco's high-end TelePresence conferencing products and WebEx desktop video service. Tandberg holds 40% of the mid-tier market for video-conferencing, according to Wainhouse Research.
While Cisco repeatedly threatened to walk away, most analysts expected it to ensure the deal went through, since the leading network equipment maker has repeatedly touted video-conferencing as a key growth business.
Cisco chief executive John Chambers has said online video-conferencing was on the brink of wider adoption. The company estimates the total value of collaboration tools, including everything from video-conferencing to Google Apps, at around US$34bil. — Reuters
High-quality, real-time video-conferencing can help cut travel costs, and Cisco said it could do more, such as helping businesses like retailers, banks and hospitals launch services from remote locations.
Cisco can pursue such ambitions because it is one of the most cash-rich companies in the technology business, with US$35.4bil in cash and investments at the end of the quarter. The Tandberg deal also makes use of Cisco's cash overseas, which accounts for most of the stockpile.
Emboldened by a recovering economy and customer demands for one-stop-shop type technology services, Cisco has been expanding its product line to include networking, security and video-conferencing.
A few weeks after announcing its bid for Tandberg, Cisco said it also planned to buy advanced wireless equipment maker Starent Networks Corp for US$2.9bil.
Analysts also have said the deal could trigger more deals in the video-conferencing space.
No rivals publicly emerged for the Tandberg deal, but analysts have said companies like Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, IBM and Avaya could seek to add video-conferencing services.
Polycom Inc, the industry's No. 2 player, has been seen as a target, although its CEO told Reuters last month that it was looking to step up partnerships with companies like H-P and IBM rather than pursue a buyout.
Tandberg shares closed at 163.20 crowns per share, below Cisco's final bid of 170 crowns. Cisco shares fell four cents on the Nasdaq to US$23.83 on Thursday but were up slightly in after-hours trading. — Reuters
Business News Business


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In Carbondale you are surrounded by epic adventures and great jobs, but what you may not know is we also have great schools perfect for a career in the green industries and beyond. From private to public education, Carbondale offers a variety of primary and secondary education opportunities. Click here to view a complete list.
With "mountain" in the name, it's no surprise you will find a Colorado Mountain College campus right in the heart of downtown Carbondale. There is no better place to learn in the Colorado mountains than CMC. Visit CMC's website for more information on available classes.
Government & Demographics (By the Numbers)
Garfield County covers an area of 2,952 square miles, 68% of which is publicly owned. The County is governed by a three-member board of commissioners. Carbondale is a home-rule town with a council-manager government whose general philosophy incorporates substantial input from citizens through advisory boards and commissions. In addition to maintaining parks and streets, the Town operates its own water treatment and sanitation plants. The Police Department has 10 full-time officers and the Carbondale and Rural Fire Protection District operates fire stations in Carbondale, Redstone, and Marble with 15 paid staff and over 70 volunteers. The stations are equipped with new, modern fire-fighting equipment, and a volunteer ambulance service operating throughout the Crystal and Roaring Fork Valleys.
Effective January 1, 2015, the sales tax rate in Carbondale is 8.4% [2.9% State of Colorado; 3.5% Town of Carbondale (including 0.5% for recreation); 1% RFTA; and 1% for Garfield County]. Click here for a list of Shopping & Retail Chamber Members.
In the general election held in November 2003, voters passed an ordinance placing a 2% tax on rooms rented within the town limits of Carbondale. The tax is designated to fund the marketing of the Town and is administered by the Carbondale Chamber. Click here to contact the Town of Carbondale.
Valley Population 2014** 2010 2009 2008
Carbondale 6,574 5,196 7,026 6,699
Glenwood Springs 9,840 7,736 9,250 9,182
Basalt 3,857 2,681 3,339 3,259
Aspen 6,805 5,914 6,846 6,664
Garfield County 57,461 56,389 57,646 56,183
Pitkin County 17,626 17,148 17,489 17,053
Eagle County 52,921 52,197 54,721 53,090
* Sources: Colorado Department of Local Affairs and City-Data.com
**2014 Population Estimate, https://www.census.gov/
Elevation…………………………….. 6,181 feet
Mean January Temperature………. 30.0 degrees F
Mean July Temperature……………. 70.0 degrees F
Mean Annual Temperature………… 46.9 degrees F
Average Annual Precipitation……… 17.0 inches
Average Annual Snowfall…………… 45.0 inches
Number of Sunshine Days…………. 295
The growing season averages 98 days with the last spring frost about June 1st and the first killing frost about September 15th.
Churches in Carbondale include Roman Catholic, United Methodist, Baptist, Full Gospel, Lutheran, Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, and non-denominational. Redstone and Marble each have a non-denominational church.
Local groups include Lion's Club, Rotary Club of Carbondale, Mt. Sopris Rotary Club of Carbondale, American Legion, 4-H Club, Rebekah's/Past Noble Grand Club, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Historical Society, Archaeological Society, and many more.
Alpine Bank, ANB Bank, and Wells Fargo are full-service commercial banks with offices in Carbondale.
Located on Main Street, off Highway 133, Main Street boasts great restaurants, unique, multicultural and fine gifts, galleries, antiques, a cinema, a brew pub, and a saloon or two! Many businesses are located downtown, from non-profits to the National Forest Service!
The Mt. Sopris Historical Society is housed in the 1891 Holland-Thompson cabin. The archives hold historical maps, pictures, and memorabilia. The Carbondale Chamber, originally located in this cabin, relocated in 2014 to its new location at 520 S. Third Street, Suite 3, which is located in the Third Street Center in Carbondale.
The Carbondale Branch Library is part of the Garfield County Library system and an inter-library loan program. Children's reading and storytelling programs are offered, along with educational programs for adults. Public Internet access, an expanding video and audio library, and a conference room for use by non-profit groups are also available.
Take it all in.
Take in the culture.
Explore arts & culture
Take in the Scenery.
Cruise on a scenic drive
Take an
exhale.
Where to chill out
Puzzle and Pie Night
Join us for our Second Annual Puzzle & Pie Night Out. Ge
Carbondale Recreation and Community Center Gymnasium
Join us for our Second Annual Puzzle & Pie Night Out. Get a group of friends or family together and enjoy a great Sunday night out.
NEW this year! Photo Submission Contest for the puzzle used during this event!
First Friday "Creative District Focus"
Downtown Main Street
Green is the New Black Fashion Show — Carbondale Arts
March 9-11 (Thurs-Sat)
Green Is the New Black is a
Green Is the New Black is an alluring, dynamic show featuring both local and regional designers and models, dancers and performers with multimedia storytelling. Transforming the Carbondale Rec Center into a glitzy fashion house, this event sells out annually with 600+ tickets sold per night. It's not to be missed!
First Friday — Healing Hoof It 5K and Animal Parade
"Where My Peeps At?" Scavenger Hunt
7th Annual Where My Peeps At? Scavenger hunt.
Race: Where My Peeps At?
Teams: 2-6 people (Kids welcome but clues are written for High School Level)
Date: Saturday, April 8
Timeline: 9am
Cost: $40 per team (only the team captain needs to register)
Race: Little Peeps Hunt
Teams: 2-6 kids 7 years and under (at least one adult supervisor per team)
5 Point Film Festival
April 19-24 (Wed-Sun)
Every year, we come together
Every year, we come together as an outdoor-loving family to get inspired and motivated. Intimate yet inclusive, the laid back vibe of our festival is a direct reflection of its birthplace, the Carbondale community. Founded in 2007 by Julie Kennedy, the 5point Adventure Film Festival showcases curated, soulful outdoor films, art, and performances—all shown in one common space. Everyone watches together, bonded in a shared emotional experience and returns home feeling full of motivation, creativity and perspective.


The number of contracts to buy homes signed during any given month can be used to get an idea of what home sales are going to look like in coming months. That's why the National Association of Realtors tracks pending home sales. Because pending sales measure signings, not closings, they can be a good indicator of future existing home sales. In July, the NAR's Pending Home Sales Index fell 0.8 percent, marking the third decline in four months. Lawrence Yun, NAR's chief economist, says buyer traffic continues to be higher than the supply of homes for sale. "Buyer traffic continues to be higher than a year ago, the typical listing has gone under contract within a month since April, and inventory at the end of July was 9 percent lower than last July," Yun said. "The reality, therefore, is that sales in coming months will not break out unless supply miraculously improves." But, despite the challenges, the NAR still expects sales to surpass last year's levels, if only slightly. Also in the report, the national median existing-home price is expected to be up 5 percent this year, which is about the same amount prices rose the year before. More here.