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Expat Essentials: Dispatches' guide to international schools in Maastricht, Utrecht
By Cameron Aubernon
One of the bigger challenges for English-speaking expat families – even for well-paid corporate nomads – is finding a satisfactory, English-language international school.
Such schools cater to expat students with curricula tied to the host nation in question, or to an international education organization such as Edexcel, Cambridge International Examinations, and International Baccalaureate; if you're curious about the International Baccalaureate program, by the by, we have an excellent primer for your convenience.
Wherever you're headed, do not wait to get there before starting the application process, which can be lengthy. With business growing ever more global, many schools have more applications than spaces. You may also want to check out your school of choice in person as well as interview parents whose children attend already, in case the reality fails to match the promotional literature and beautiful photos of campus life.
In this post, we're going to look at schools in two Dutch cities with large multinational populations.
Located on the Belgian/Dutch border in the southernmost point of the Netherlands, Maastricht is the birthplace of the European Union, European citizenship, and the euro, all of which came into force in 1993 following the 1992 signing of the Maastricht Treaty. Maastricht is a member of the Most Ancient European Towns Network, and holds the disputed title of Netherlands' oldest city with Nijmegen, both of which saw Roman influence between 1st century BC and 1st Century AD.
Companies such as British telecom Vodafone, German automaker Mercedes-Benz, and German chemical producer BASF have a presence in the city, as do EU institutions such as the European Journalism Centre, Eurocontrol, and the European Centre for Digital Communication.
History buffs will be floored by the number of national heritage sites Maastricht boasts (1,677; only Amsterdam has more), while those more into celebratory occasions have a full calendar of events to check out, from the Amstel Gold Race cycling race and the Nederlandse Dansdagen modern dance festival, to the Jazz Maastricht jazz festival and, of course, the three-day Carnaval (English: Carnival) prior to Ash Wednesday and Lent.
UWC Maastricht: We have but a single stop on our tour of international schools in Maastricht, United World College Maastricht. UWC Maastricht is the result of the September 2009 merger of the International School of Maastricht with the International Department of Joppenhof Pre- and Primary School, and is the 12th UWC member (of 15 as of 2015) since UWC's inception in 1962 with the United World College of the Atlantic in Wales. The international school's mission is to "deliver a challenging and transformational educational experience to a diverse cross-section of students, inspiring them to create a more peaceful and sustainable future" in line with the values of the UWC. Attendance through all grade levels at UWC Maastricht is over 860 students from more than 104 nationalities.
Fees (2015-16 academic year): 6,300 euros to 8,140 euros annual tuition, depending on grade level; 500 euros down payment; 600 euros application fee; 600 euros refundable secondary school fee; 550 euros moderation fee for International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program; 1,100 euros exam fee for IB Diploma 2 exam
Requirements: Completed application form; photocopy of passport/visa; last two years of academic records translated into English; signed School Fee form with proof of payment of application fee; proof of date of arrival in the Netherlands
Application Deadline: 500 euros down payment due now to ensure placement in following academic year
Contact: info@uwcmaastricht.nl
Website: www.uwcmaastricht.nl
Utrecht is the fourth-largest city in the Netherlands, located an hour east of The Hague by train and a few minutes south of Amsterdam. The city has been the nation's religious center since the 8th Century, and was the most important city of the Netherlands until Amsterdam's ascension during the Dutch Golden Age in the 17th Century. Utrecht University, the largest university in the country, was established in Utrecht in 1636, with about 30,000 of the city's 70,000-plus student population every year.
Utrecht will be home to the world's largest bicycle parking station once construction concludes in 2018, a three-floor building located near Central Railway Station, capable of holding 12,500 bicycles. And speaking of transportation, the city boasts a well-developed transportation network, including a container terminal along the Amsterdam-Rijnkanaal with an annual capacity of 80,000 containers, as well as heavy and light rail lines, buses, and road transport. Both Nederlandse Spoorwegen (English: Dutch Railways; Netherlands' largest rail operator) and ProRail (state-owned rail infrastructure company) are headquartered in Utrecht
International School Utrecht: There is only one international school here, International School Utrecht. First opening its doors in 2012, ISU welcomed 250 students aged 4-16 for the 2015-2016 academic year, collectively representing 25 nationalities. The international school "provides a challenging, rigorous and accessible intercultural learning environment to primary and secondary students from diverse international backgrounds." ISU is an IB World member school, currently teaching both the IB Primary Years and Middle Years programs; the school is also an IB Diploma Program candidate and expects its first DP students August of 2016.
Fees (2015-16 academic year): 4,170 euros to 5,730 euros annual fee, depending on grade level; 250 euros admission fee; 500 euros deposit; 500 euro laptop fee (included in annual fee for grade 7 to 10 students)
Requirements: Completed application with necessary documentation attached
Application Deadline: N/A; contact school for information
Contact: admissions@isutrecht.nl
Website: www.isutrecht.nl
Related Items:International School, International schools, Maastricht, Netherlands, Schools, Utrecht
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Terry Boyd: The Dutch rule the world … the rest of us just live here
Too good to last? Why food in Europe is cheaper, better than in the U.S.
Lindsey McClave in Spain: The walls of Laguardia and the wines of Rioja


Getting a pay raise while sitting on the couch? Sign me up! Thanks Johnson & Johnson for the dividend increase!
April is now in the books and it was a truly stellar month. Six different companies owned in my FI Portfolio announced dividend increases during the month.
On Thursday of last week, the Board of Directors at Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) announced an increase to their dividend. The quarterly dividend was raised from $0.80 to $0.84. That works out to a 5.0% increase which is a bit smaller than I expected with my guess being a dividend rate of $0.85. Johnson & Johnson has now given owners a pay raise for 55 consecutive years giving them the title of Dividend Champion. Shares currently yield 2.72% based on the new annualized dividend.
Since I own 75.616 shares of Johnson & Johnson in my FI Portfolio this raise increased my forward 12-month dividends by $12.10. This is the 4th dividend increase that I've received since becoming an owner in late 2013. Through organic dividend growth alone Johnson & Johnson has increased my annual dividend payments by 27% cumulatively. According to US Inflation Calculator the rate of inflation over that same time is just 4.7%.
Johnson & Johnson has long been the quintessential dividend growth stock and for good reason. For starters the dividend increases have been coming like clockwork for 55 years now. While companies can amass a lengthy streak with just token increases each year, Johnson & Johnson has been sharing the wealth with dividend growth far outpacing inflation over time.
*2017's dividend assumes 2 more payouts at the new $0.84 per share per quarter rate.
Recently though dividend growth has slowed down to around the mid single digits annually. That's primarily due to Johnson & Johnson's dividend previously growing faster than earnings which led to a higher payout ratio over time. Nevertheless, if mid-single digit annual growth continues I'll be more than happy as a shareholder.
My forward dividends increased by $12.10 with me doing nothing. That's right, absolutely nothing to contribute to their operations. Based on my portfolio's current yield of 2.94% this raise is like I invested an extra $411 in capital. Except that I didn't! One of the companies I own just decided to send more cash my way.
Thus far in 2017 I've received 19 dividend increases from 17 companies held in my FI Portfolio increasing my forward 12-month dividends by $110.52.
My FI Portfolio's forward-12 month dividends increased to $5,664.72. Including my Loyal3 portfolio's forward dividends of $70.26 brings my total taxable accounts dividends to $5,734.98. My Roth IRA's forward 12-month dividends are at $286.85.
Do you own shares of Johnson & Johnson? Do you think dividend growth will rebound back to the high single digits or stay in the mid single digit range?
JNJ is awesome. Diversified & profitable. I own it through an ETF.
As far as stability and consistency in the equity space JNJ is one of the top notch companies out there. No they aren't likely to return to 10%+ annual growth but if purchased at good valuations, i.e. a 3%+ yield, 5-7% annual dividend growth will work out just fine.
I love JNJ and actually just wrote an article about them on my site! JNJ is a steady and consistent dividend payer in the healthcare industry and increasing dividend payments is important. Some people will chase yield (and invest in a stock which hasn't raised its dividend in years) which I think is a mistake.
JNJ is definitely one of the companies that I'm most confident in for the long term. They are diversified and are in the right industry that should continue to grow over the long term.
Fantastic. These are the companies that you just can't go wrong with. All the best.
Exactly. JNJ would definitely be near the top of the list of companies that I would recommend for someone that's just starting down the DGI path.
JNJ is one of my favorite companies. I just added them to my portfolio. I use computershare to drip them directly and will be increasing my position in the stock with my next purchase in May. You can't argue with 55 consecutive years of increases.
JNJ is definitely one of the favorites among DG investors and for good reason. I hope to get a chance to add to my position but since it's already fairly sizable I want to get a much better value than where it's currently sitting. But long term DCA should work out great for JNJ.
I think there's good reason you see JNJ in almost every DGI portfolio. It just delivers.
Exactly. You know that dividend increase will be there every April.


Hunting for wintertime heat? Add a cotton or https://comfortersetreviews.com/best-blankets-for-winter/ the mattress at night. Guaranteed, nearly all of us feel of cotton blankets are summer season bedding, but what we should always try to remember is the fact layering a couple of blankets can create far more heat — with fewer bodyweight — than the usual quilt or comforter.
With a lot of colours from which to choose, there are actually blankets for winter season constructed from either 100% cotton or fleece. Considered one of the very best approaches to increase color to our bedrooms through the gloomy months of wintertime is always to incorporate two or three blankets, each individual in a very various shade. By way of example, what may very well be additional desirable than an off white cotton blanket folded back more than a blue fleece blanket. Whilst the blue will be the predominant coloration, the sting of off white will look as being a trim whilst including added heat.
We've all been explained to which the very best approach to preserve warm would be to layer our garments. The same basic principle relates to our beds. Layer a couple of lightweight blankets and even more warmth will likely be held beside your body. If one particular really should come to be much too heat, just peel absent the top blanket. Employing numerous lighter blankets for winter season will assurance far better regulation of warmth retention, keeping us snug all through the night time.
Cotton blankets and fleece blankets are simple to care for. Wash in chilly water to retain the shape and color. Never ever use bleach, especially chlorine bleach. Constantly dry the blanket around the cheapest temperature.
For childrens' bedrooms, both of such blankets will probably be ideal. They're straightforward to wash with no displaying dress in. And, must a spill or perhaps a minor incident manifest, the blanket can be cleaned in an hour or two, in lieu of being forced to go to the laundromat to find an additional substantial washer or pay the large value of dry cleansing.


Two parts - People's House and Northern Latin - together form the Stockholm City Conference Center, one of Stockholm's most complete conference facilities. In the middle of town you will find well-equipped rooms for the modern conference with high standards. With over 20 years of experience, the facility can offer top service and best conditions for successful meetings.
Booked at one of the many nearby hotels.
In total, there are a total of 50 rooms that can seat anywhere between 2-1400 people in all conceivable seats. With adjustable meeting rooms and all possible arrangements, there will be no match to finding a suitable venue for the meeting.
At the People's House, the largest venue can accommodate 1,400 people and in addition there are 19 rooms available for meetings with fewer participants: 60, 110 or 30 does not matter - here's a place!
Northern Latin takes around 70 people in the largest local and has since meeting rooms suitable for all numbers below it. No matter which seat is most effective for the meeting, there is the solution here.
Here you are experts in the field of technology, and there is always technical assistance in place so that conference leaders can focus on what they like best. All technical equipment holds the highest grade and represents the latest available on the market.
With good space for premises, one could think that other aspects had to stand aside - but not! Even though the meeting gets its share at the Stockholm City Conference Center, the venue has not forgotten the meal part for it. No, there is also a large selection for the conference lunch or dinner with a variety of restaurants and venues for screenings. As an environmentally conscious conference experience.
Have you been to Stockholm City Conference Centre and want to give your own comments?


Summary: The George Alderson Photographs consist of snapshot photographs made by Alderson when he visited Corvallis, Oregon, as a youth in the mid-1950s. The photographs depict views of the Oregon State College campus and agricultural lands, Camp Adair, and downtown Corvallis.
Summary: The Davis Allen Photographs consists of photographs taken by Davis Allen while he was a student at Oregon Agricultural College between 1917 and 1921 depicting student activities and college buildings.
Summary: The James G. Arbuthnot Photograph Collection contains images produced or collected by Arbuthnot during his time at Oregon Agricultural College (OAC). These images document Arbuthnot's life and activities in and near Corvallis as well as OAC's athletic teams and sporting events. Arbuthnot was Athletic Director from 1906 to 1918 and the coach of the OAC wrestling team in 1911-1917 and 1920.
Summary: The Associated Students of OSU Records document the administration of student government and its interaction with other campus organizations, offices, and bodies primarily for the 1960s through the 1990s.
Summary: The Walter R. Baker Photographs consists of images taken or collected by Baker during and soon after his student years at Oregon Agricultural College (OAC). The collection includes images of campus buildings and students as well photographs of buildings in and near Salem, Oregon, and of the Portland, Oregon, waterfront. Baker attended OAC from 1904 to 1909; he earned a BS in Electrical Engineering in 1908 and completed graduate work in 1909 leading to designation as an Electrical Engineer.
Summary: The Benton County Courthouse Scrapbook was prepared in 1968 by the Benton County Court to support nomination of the site as a state historic site. The scrapbook includes photographs as well as reproductions of historical documents. The Benton County Courthouse was built in 1888 in Corvallis, Oregon, and is the oldest courthouse in Oregon still in use for that purpose.
Summary: The Helen M. and Alan B. Berg Papers document their professional and civic activities at Oregon State University and in the City of Corvallis. The papers include articles reprints and publications; correspondence; subject files; military records; photographs; moving images; and sound recordings. Helen M. Berg earned an MS in statistics from Oregon State and was Director of the Survey Research Center; Alan B. Berg earned a BS in forestry management from Oregon State and was a faculty member in forest science. Both served on the Corvallis City Council (Alan in 1973-1978 and Helen in 1991-1994) and as Mayor of Corvallis (Alan in 1979-1986 and Helen in 1995-2006).
Summary: The Arthur G. Bouquet Collection consists of materials documenting the life of Bouquet and the family of his wife, Mary Grace Wilson Bouquet. Bouquet graduated from Oregon Agricultural College in 1906 and was a faculty member in the Oregon State College Horticulture Department from 1909 until his retirement in 1950.
Summary: The CH2M Hill, Inc. Oral Histories document the evolution of the CH2M Hill engineering firm through the lens of personal histories of its principal founders and longtime employees. The collection consists of recordings and transcripts of interviews with seven individuals crucial to the creation, growth and character of the firm, as well as extensive background information compiled by the project's managers, employees of the Horner Museum.
Summary: The Alexander K. Chapman Photograph Collection is comprised of photographs assembled by Alexander Kesterson Chapman between 1905 and 1909, when he was a student at Oregon Agricultural College. The collection includes photographs of student groups on campus, but is primarily comprised of individual portraits, both identified and not identified. Chapman graduated in 1909 with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering. Select images from this collection have been digitized and are available in Oregon Digital.
Summary: The Corvallis Gazette-Times Photographs consist of images documenting activities and events held by student groups and other organizations affiliated with Oregon State University and the City of Corvallis during the 1950s-1960s.
Summary: Amy Cyrus was a household science student and nurse at Oregon Agricultural College. This collection consists of her sewing sample book and photographs.
Summary: The Horner Museum closed to the public in 1995 due to statewide budget cuts. The Friends of Horner Museum was organized to locate both a new facility for the collections and new resources for funding maintenance of the museum. This collection consists of records generated by the Friends of Horner Museum, including correspondence, financial and administrative records, and newspaper clippings.
Summary: The Tom Gabel Collection of Oregon State Athletics Photographs consist primarily of portraits of Oregon State athletes and coaches as well as action shots of football and basketball games. Also included are images of Oregon State baseball, track and field, and rowing, as well as Athletic Department staff and Olympic skier Jean Saubert. The photographs were compiled and donated by collector Tom Gabel.
Summary: The Vane G. Gibson Collection consists of two photograph albums, a clippings scrapbook, and related materials documenting the student years of Gibson and his wife, Fern Loughridge Gibson, at Oregon Agricultural College (OAC) and their activities during the 1920s and 1930s. Vane Gibson graduated from OAC in 1912; Fern Loughridge graduated in 1911.
Summary: The Ben L. Gifford Photographs consist of images taken by Ben L. Gifford in the early-mid 1950s as he completed his senior year at Oregon State College, pursued photographic training at the Fred Archer School of Photography, and then joined the family photography business in Salem, Oregon. The images document agriculture, primarily in the Willamette Valley, and also include images of Timberline Lodge and the Mt. Hood area. Ben L. Gifford was the son of photographers Ralph I. and Wanda Gifford; Ben L. worked as a photographer from 1950 until 1955, when he began working as an engineer with the Oregon State Highway Commission.
Summary: The Robert W. Henderson Papers document Henderson's student years at Oregon State College; his work with Kasetsart University in Thailand; his resarch as a plant breeder and an Assistant Director of the Agricultural Experiment Station; his long-time interest in photography; and the slide presentations he developed about OSU agricultural research. Henderson graduated from Oregon State College in 1938 and served as a faculty member and administrator at OSU from 1946 until his retirement in 1976.
Summary: The Bertha Herse Collection consists of materials assembled by Herse and includes diplomas and certificates, student memorabilia, postcards, and photographs. Herse graduated from Oregon Agricultural College (OAC) in 1910 and worked in the OAC Library from 1910 until her retirement in 1957, with a 2-year break to complete a BS in Library Science at the New York State Library School.
Summary: The J.B. Horner Photograph Collection consists of images assembled by Horner depicting historical figures and groups of people, such as members of the Siletz and Umatilla Indian tribes, as well as locations around Oregon. The collection also contains a number of images depicting early life on the Oregon State University campus and individuals associated with the university. John B. Horner taught English and history at Oregon Agricultural College from 1891 until his death in 1933.
Summary: The Horner Museum Oral History Collection consists of more than 250 oral history interviews conducted or assembled by the Horner Museum. The interviews address a variety of topics including the stories of Oregon State University faculty, students, and academic departments; the history of Corvallis and Benton County, Oregon; evolving economic and cultural perspectives on natural resources in rural Oregon; the life experiences of Native Americans and other ethnic minorities in the region; and the recollections of Americans born in the first few decades of the twentieth century.
Summary: The James C. Howland Papers consist of materials generated and assembled by Howland as an Oregon State College student in the 1930s, during his military service in World War II, as an engineer and founder of CH2M, and as a community and civic leader in Corvallis, Oregon. Howland graduated from Oregon State College in 1938.
Summary: The Fred Deininger Luse Photograph Album consists primarily of images collected by Luse while attending Oregon Agricultural College in the early years of the twentieth century. The images document campus buildings and grounds as well as student activities. Luse graduated from Oregon Agricultural College in 1909 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering.
Summary: The J.M. Nolan Photograph Collection consists of images depicting the McGee Family and Corvallis, Oregon, school children. Nolan was a Corvallis business owner.
Summary: The University Publications Photographs consist of images taken or assembled by the publications staff for use in OSU catalogs, brochures, and other publications. They depict the full range of OSU academic and research programs and include images of students, faculty, and staff; campus buildings and views; Oregon scenes; research and teaching; athletics; and student life.
Summary: The Mark Clyde Phillips Collection is comprised of materials generated and collected by Phillips, an Oregon Agricultural College (OAC) Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Superintendent of Heating. Included are materials documenting Phillips' education and career at OAC (1897-1947) including correspondence, course materials, certificates and diplomas, a patent, and professional literature. The collection also contains Phillips family genealogical records and mementos including an autograph book, a manuscript account of the life of James T. Phillips (Mark Clyde's father), and several deeds and patents. Also present are materials documenting the Crawford family (Mark Clyde's second wife), including a genealogical record, an autograph book and photo album, and a scrapbook. Photographic prints, real photo postcards, and a tintype of Mark Clyde Phillips and other members of the Phillips and Crawford families are also present.


This one-day workshop is for producers who are new to or are considering selling food through farmers' markets or other direct-to-consumer methods. You will learn about the regulations, available services and market strategies for selling food direct to consumers and more! Cost is $25 plus the GST. Register online by January 14, 2019.
This one-of-a-kind workshop, organized by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Alberta Agriculture and Forestry (AF), in collaboration with NHP Consulting Inc., aims to provide the Natural Health Products (NHP) industry with a better understanding of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
Whether you are a site license holder or work towards an NHP product or site license, this workshop is for you.
Complying with GMPs is a mandatory aspect in the NHP Regulations and ensures a high level of quality and confidence in your product.
locate various guidance documents and resources to move forward with GMPs.
Cost is $37 plus the GST and online registration fee. Register online by Friday, January 18, 2019.
For more information, contact Ileana Costiuc at 403-948-8511.
Farmers' markets are big business in Alberta, with over $900 million in annual sales. Entering this market channel with the right skills and resources can shorten your learning curve and enhance your success! This one-day workshop will show you how! Cost is $25 plus the GST. Register online by February 5, 2019.
AF is organizing three information sessions to help Alberta small and medium processors understand the new Safe Food for Canadians Regulations(SFCR). The information will focus on the new regulations for processors not previously subject to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) registration requirements.
Register for the session closest to you by calling the Ag-Info Centre at 1-800-387-6030. Space is limited.
Contact Kathy Bosse at 403-755-6116 or Ileana Costiuc at 403-948-8511 for more information.
Sensory science measures the human response to various characteristics with respect to food and drink, such as appearance, aroma, flavour and texture. The Sensory Evaluation Program at the Food Processing Development Centre in Leduc recruits representative panellists to sample food products in a controlled environment to collect unbiased and objective data for research and product development. This data provides the food industry with insight to the consumer's acceptability of a product before being launched, which is a crucial step in managing risk and limiting product failure. For more information on the sensory services offered please contact us at 780-986-4793 or email cptc@gov.ab.ca.
On October 17, 2018, the Cannabis Actcame into force, legalizing and strictly regulating access to cannabis for adults in Canada. The Government of Canada's public health approach to cannabis better protects the health and safety of Canadiansand keeps cannabis out of the hands of youth and profits out of the hands of criminals and organized crime.
Health Canada is developing regulations governing the production and sale of additional cannabis products, namely edible cannabis, cannabis extracts and cannabis topicals. Providing legal access to a broad range of cannabis products is a key element of the Government's strategy to displace the illegal market over time. These cannabis products will be permitted for legal sale under the Cannabis Actno later than October 17, 2019.
The proposed regulations for edible cannabis, cannabis extracts and cannabis topicalswere published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on December 22, 2018. In order for Health Canada to hear from a diversity of Canadians and interested organizations about the proposals, stakeholders are invited to share their views on the proposed regulations by visiting the online questionnaire, until February 20, 2019.
Applications for the Summer Temporary Employment Program (STEP) are now being accepted online for high school and post-secondary student employment opportunities between May and August, by providing a $7-per-hour wage subsidy to employers.New this year, applications are being accepted online to streamline the process, through the Labour Workforce Grants Portal. Employers interested in hiring a student for 2019 are encouraged to apply as soon as possible; for more information, visit https://www.alberta.ca/step or contact the STEP office at 1-866-338-4727 or step@gov.ab.ca.
Information session on technical requirements for cannabis cultivators and food processors - Mark your calendar for the afternoon of February 26 and watch for additional information coming soon. Space will be limited, email melody@afpa.com to reserve a spot.
The 2019 schedule is available on the website at http://afpa.com/fsq_courses or melody@afpa.com.
Are you OHS compliant? OH&S related and required training such as Hazard Assessment, Incident Investigation, OHS Roles & Responsibilities, and H&S Representative must be attended as formal classroom training. This includes the student interaction, participation, exercises, and an exam with a required 80% min. to pass and a certificate. Contact ed@afpa.com for public or onsite training or assistance with your program.
For more information about the content of this document, contact Ordella Knopf.
This information published to the web on January 17, 2019.


Wake up, salute the sun, and get ready to tackle the day with this ten minute energizing morning flow. With intention setting, quick movements, and breathing exercises you will be ready to bring forth all the zen in all the activities on your to-do list!
Bend your knees slightly and press into your heels - though they do not need to touch the mat.


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Holidays without the BLUZ
December 21, 2010 Gary Taylor
There will be no holiday BLUZ, neither for you nor us. The BLUZ will return January 3, 2011.
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Issuance of building permit by Minneapolis planner a discretionary function
Harmsen v. City of Minneapolis
(Minnesota Court of Appeals, Aug 24, 2010)
The Harmsens own numerous rental properties near the University of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis. Wishing to build more rentals, they purchased a single family home and filed for a demolition permit as well as a building permit for a new duplex to be built in its place.
City planners in Minneapolis approve 1-4 unit dwellings, which for building permits requires the planners to complete a checklist. Required criteria include the site plan, zoning classification and interior/exterior plans. The Harmsen's plans met the checklist, and McCartney, who is a senior city planner approved both permits; however, according to the Minneapolis zoning ordinance duplexes must be constructed on a lot with at least 10,000 square feet, unless an existing duplex is being replaced. The lot that was purchased did not meet this requirement, but McCartney did not check into the existing structure before issuing the permits. The existing structure was demolished and a foundation for the duplex was poured. Soon after, neighborhood groups contacted the city with concerns. On May 29th the city revoked the permit via letter (the letter was dated May 8th ) and on May 30th a stop-work order was posted.
After the Harmsen's request for a variance was denied, they filed suit in district court. Summary judgment was granted for the city on the grounds of the doctrine of discretionary immunity. The district court determined there was a lack of evidence sufficient to support Harmsen's claim of equitable estoppel. The Harmsens then appealed to the Court of Appeals, arguing that the district court erred in granting summary judgment.
Discretionary immunity is given for discretionary functions, which typically include planning-level decisions involving weighing social, political, and economic factors. This however, does not include day-to-day ministerial functions of the government. Previous Minnesota caselaw has affirmed that the issuance of a building permit is a discretionary function because an employee must "make a judgment as to whether plans submitted in support of the application for the permit constitutes a permissible use of the property in the area involved." The Harmsen's argue that use of a checklist does not constitute the use of discretion. After reviewing the checklist the Court concluded that city planners are trusted to make a number of discretionary decisions in the permit granting process.
The Harmsens pointed out that a narrow exception to the rule was articulated by the Minnesota Supreme Court in Snyder v. City Minneapolis. Under Snyder, " city employees do not have the discretion to approve permits in clear violation of the law, and an applicant cannot reasonably be charged with knowledge of violation if the city maintains an unwritten policy contrary to published law." The Harmsen's first argue under Snyder that the city was negligent when it issued the permits and that thus this was not a discretionary function. Further the Harmsen's argue that there are unwritten guidelines when approving certain permits that allow a little bit of latitude on lot sizes. The Court of Appeals found that the Harmsens did not present any evidence to to substantiate this clam. Further § 546.410 had been in place since 1995, and the Harmsen's own many properties in the area. Again, the court rejects the precedent from Snyder and the city maintains its discretionary immunity.
Finally the Harmsen's argue that the city should be equitably estopped from denying the permit because they relied in good faith on the city. An equitable estoppel may be given when the owners "(1) rely in good faith (2) upon some act or omission of the government, (3) and have made such a substantial change in position or incurred such extensive obligations and expenses that it would be highly inequitable and unjust to destroy the rights which he ostensibly had acquired." For this claim, the Harmsen's sole claim of municipal misconduct was that the city held the revocation letter from May 8th when it was dated, to May 29th when it was sent. McCartney testified, however, that she did not learn of the problem until shortly before the letter was sent. Electronic evidence also proved this. The Court of Appeals found that this alone was not a sufficient showing of malfeasance to warrant equitable estoppel. The Court of Appeals affirmed the judgment of the district court.
Government immunity from liability, Minnesota courts building permits, discretionary immunity, equitable estoppel, Minnesota Court of Appeals
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Property tax equalization provision does not apply to agricultural property
Naumann v. Iowa Property Assessment Appeal Board
(Iowa Supreme Court, December 3, 2010)
James Naumann owns approximately nine hundred acres of agricultural property spanning the Adair-Madison County line. After receiving 2007 property assessments from both counties, Naumann filed a petition to the Adair County Board of Review for each of his thirteen parcels of land located in Adair County, asserting his property was assessed for more than was authorized by law. The board of review denied each of his petitions, concluding Naumann had not provided sufficient evidence to prove the assessment was excessive. Naumann appealed to the Iowa Property Assessment Appeal Board (IPAAB), contending his Adair County property was assessed at a value more than five percent higher than his adjacent Madison County property in violation of Iowa Code 441.21(1)(d). After an evidentiary hearing, the IPAAB concluded the Adair County Assessor properly assessed the value of Naumann's land and the assessments were neither excessive nor done in error. Naumann then petitioned for judicial review of the IPAAB's decision, but the district court affirmed the IPAAB's decision. Naumann then brought the case to the Iowa Supreme Court.
The case centered on a dispute over the interpretation of subsections of Iowa Code 441.21(1) (follow this link and enter "441.21′). Naumann asserted that because the plain language of section 441.21(1)(d) applies a five percent variance limitation to property without excluding agricultural property, the valuation of his agricultural property in Adair County must be adjusted so it does not exceed by more than five percent the valuation of his adjacent property in Madison County. (Neuman claimed the variance between the Adair and Madison County valuations was thirty-six percent.). The IPAAB contended that the five percent variance limitation in paragraph (d) is inapplicable to agricultural land valuations. The IPAAB pointed to paragraph (g) providing agricultural property shall be valued exclusively as provided in paragraph (e) on the basis of productivity and net-earning capacity.
In reviewing the statute and applying customary rules of statutory construction, the Iowa Supreme Court concluded that section 441.21(1)(d) does not apply to agricultural property. While the actual value of other property classifications is generally its fair and reasonable market value, agricultural land is valued differently. Under Iowa Code 441.21(1)(e) the actual value of agricultural land is determined on the basis of productivity and net earning capacity capitalized at seven percent and applied uniformly among counties and classes of property. Paragraph (g) provides that paragraph (e) is the exclusive method of valuation for agricultural property.
The Supreme Court determined that the harm intended to be addressed by section 441.21(1)(d) is the potential that two similar non-agricultural properties lying on different sides of a jurisdictional boundary will be valued substantially differently, and that this is likely to happen when the properties are being valued based on fair and reasonable market value. Methods for determining fair and reasonable market value, such as market comparables, necessarily involve some degree of subjectivity. In contrast, the objective criteria for assessing the value of agricultural property mandated by section 441.21(1)(e) and implemented through the Iowa Administrative Code leave no room for subjective assessment of a property's value. Instead, the actual value of agricultural property is determined by using an average of five years of actual county productivity data for various crops to determine an aggregate land value for each assessing jurisdiction. Iowa Admin. Code r. 701—71.12(1)(a). This aggregate land value is spread among individual parcels in a jurisdiction utilizing corn suitability ratings (CSRs) derived from the modern soil survey, as required by section 441.21(1)(f). The use of this formula which takes into account the property's specific CSR removes the need for subjective determinations by the assessor, and thus the purpose of paragraph (d) is not served by applying it to agricultural land. The Supreme Court affirmed the district court's ruling.
Iowa Supreme Court, Property taxation agriculutral property assessment, Iowa Code 441.21, Iowa Supreme Court, property tax equalization
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Failure to provide written reasons for rezoning denial within statutory deadline does not invalidate denial
Johnson v. Cook County
(Minnesota Supreme Court, July 29 2010)
Minnesota Statute § 15.99 subd. 2:
Except as otherwise provided in this section and notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, an agency must approve or deny within 60 days a written request relating to zoning…. Failure of an agency to deny a request within 60 days is approval of the request. If an agency denies the request, it must state in writing the reasons for the denial at the time that it denies the request.
Lance Johnson owns two parcels of land in Cook County, Minnesota. Parcel A is zoned residential and Parcel B is zoned half residential and half commercial. Despite that parcel A is zoned residential, Johnson had a storage shed that was commercially used. On May 15th, 2001 Johnson filed an application to rezone parcel A and half of parcel B to general commercial use.
The county's planning committee looked at the application during a public meeting in June and recommended to deny the request. In September the Board of Commissioners reviewed the application at a public hearing. After hearing testimony from the public and Johnson the request was denied. The Board did not state in writing any reasons for the denial.
Then in 2005 Rita's Grandview Ridge submitted an application to rezone a portion of its property from commercial to residential and for a conditional use permit to build a planned unit development. Both applications were granted. In 2006 Johnson brought a declary judgment action arguing that the commission erroneously denied his application and erroneously approved Rita's. He also argued the denial constituted a taking of property, all under Minnesota Statute § 15.99, subd. 2.
Summary judgment was granted for the county in district court, stating that the denial was "reasonable." Later, the Court of Appeals reversed the decision in an unpublished decision, stating that the application was automatically approved under § 15.99 because the county failed to state any written reasons for the denial.
The county then appealed to the Supreme Court, arguing that automatic approval is given only when the application is not acted on within the 60 days. They further argue that the written reasoning is a discretionary function of the statute. Johnson argues that the statute mandates action in writing within 60 days.
In Hans Hagen Homes, Inc v. City of Minnetrista the Supreme Court found that "denial is complete when a city votes to deny the application and adopts a written statement of its reasons for denial, whether or not the city provides notice to the applicant." Johnson argued that the ruling in Hans Hagen Homes means that denial is not complete until the reasons for denial are provided in writing.
The Court refused to follow Johnson's reasoning, pointing to a footnote in Hans Hagen Homes that explicitly left the necessity of providing written reasons within 60 days as an open question. The Court affirmed previous cases that held "a statute may contain a requirement but provide no consequence for noncompliance, in which case we regard the statue as directory, not mandatory." The Court concluded that the "state in writing the reasons for denial" language in § 15.99 is directory because no consequence for failure to comply is provided in the same sentence (i.e., that the 60-day deadline is in the previous sentence, implying that it only applies to the decision itself). The Supreme Court reversed the decision of the Court of Appeals.
Minnesota courts, Procedural Issues, Rezoning denial in writing requirement, Minn Stat. 15.99, Minnesota Supreme Court
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Michigan adopts complete streets legislation
December 7, 2010 Gary Taylor 1 Comment
Michigan has adopted an amendment to its planning enabling legislation to incorporate complete streets policies into local comprehensive plans. Plans should address "all components of a transportation system and their interconnectivity including streets and bridges, public transit, bicycle facilities, pedestrian ways, freight facilities and routes, port facilities, railroad facilities and airports to provide for the safe and efficient movement of people and goods in a manner that is appropriate to the context of the community…."
Beginning January 1, 2016, the transportation element of a city, township or county comprehensive plan shall at a minimum address:
The level of service of all streets in the local street system and any recommended changes to the street system and/or levels of service,
The mechanism for assessing, preventing, and mitigating the traffic and other impacts of large, traffic-generating land uses that may be developed along existing or proposed major street corridors;
Major street corridor access management issues, proposed solutions to prevent traffic crashes and preserve street capacity, and proposed policies to prevent future traffic safety problems and to remediate existing problems;
Traffic noise along major street corridors, including proposed solutions and policies to limit noise;
pedestrian and bicycle access and service issues along all streets, the potential for new or expanded pedestrian facilities and bicycle lanes and pathways, and appropriate recommendations for a complete streets policy, context sensitive design, traffic calming techniques, and walkability and bikeability policies.
A copy of the bill (H.B. 6152) can be found here.
Michigan legislation, Smart Growth Laws - other states Michigan complete streets legislation
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Landowner's defense in zoning enforcement action barred by issue/claim preclusion
December 6, 2010 Gary Taylor
Sharkey v. Dubuque County Zoning Board of Adjustment
(Iowa Court of Appeals, November 24, 2010)
Dennis Sharkey owns two parcels in Dubuque County. Parcel A is zoned M-1 Industrial and M-2 Heavy Industrial. Parcel B is zoned R-3 Single Family Residential. The properties, and Mr. Sharkey, have been the subject of numerous disputes since the 1980s. In 1988 Sharkey entered into a stipulated agreement with the county to resolve a zoning enforcement action. Under the terms of the agreement Sharkey was "permanently enjoined from conducting or permitting any vehicle salvage operation or storage of any vehicles or junk" on the property. In 1989 Sharkey was found in contempt of the order. In 1994 Sharkey was convicted of unlawful storage and disposal of hazardous waste on the property and sentenced to prison.
In March 2007, the Dubuque County zoning administrator sent Sharkey two letters outlining problems with his property. In regard to Parcel A, the letter stated there were semitrailers, scrap metal, wood, appliances, and vehicles being stored outside on the property, in violation of zoning ordinances. In regard to Parcel B, the zoning administrator stated there were boats, junk cars and trucks, scrap metal, tires, and piles of wood being stored outside on the property, in violation of zoning ordinances. The letters also noted no flood plain management permit had been issued for either property.
Sharkey appealed the zoning violations to the Dubuque County Zoning Board of Adjustment, and at a June 5, 2007 hearing the Board determined both properties were being used as illegal junkyards and that the proper flood plain permits had not been obtained. Sharkey challenged the decision in district court raising several defenses, including that he had a permissible existing nonconforming use and that the definition of "junkyard in the Dubuque County zoning ordinance was impermissibly vague. The district court found that Sharkey was barred from using these defensed by the legal doctrine of "issue preclusion" – that these issues were decided when Sharkey and the county entered into the 1988 stipulated agreement. Sharkey appealed to the Court of Appeals.
A party asserting issue preclusion – in this case Dubuque County – must show (1) the issue concluded in the previous action is identical to that in the present action; (2) the issue was raised and litigated in the prior action; (3) the issue was material and relevant to the disposition of the prior action; and (4) the determination of the issue was necessary and essential to the resulting judgment. The Court of Appeals concluded that issue preclusion did apply. The issue of whether Sharkey's property is subject to the Dubuque County Zoning Ordinance, as well as the issue of whether the Flood Plain Management Ordinance applies, was determined in the 1988 action. The district court found the use of the property for auto salvage and the storage of vehicles and junk constituted a public nuisance and was not permitted under the Dubuque County Zoning Ordinance. The court also found Sharkey needed to follow the Dubuque County Flood Plain Management Ordinance.
The Court found that "claim preclusion" applied to Sharkey's assertion that the term "junkyard" is impermissibly vague. Claim preclusion involves the following elements: (1) the parties in the two actions were the same; (2) the claim in the second action could have been fully and fairly adjudicated in the prior case; and (3) there was a final judgment on the merits in the prior action. The Court found that the issue concerning the definition of "junkyard" could have been fully and fairly adjudicated by Sharkey in 1988.
Finding sufficient evidence that Sharkey was impermissibly storing semitrailers, scrap metal, appliances, boats, junk cars and trucks, tires, and piles of wood on property in the M-2 Heavy Industrial District without a special use permit, the Court affirmed the decision of the district court.
Iowa Court of Appeals, Junkyards, Procedural Issues, Zoning enforcement claim preclusion, Dubuque County, issue preclusion, Zoning enforcement
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EPA announces Smart Growth Achievement award winners
The Environmental Protection Agency has announced five winners of its 2010 National Smart Growth Achievement Awards. The awards are intended to highlight projects and programs that showcase the "benefits of adopting an integrated approach where community development based on smart growth principles supports a healthy social and natural environment."
2010 Award Winners:
* Overall Excellence – Smart.Growth@NYC: Policies and Programs for Improving Livability in New York City, New York, New York.
* Smart Growth and Green Building – Miller's Court, Baltimore, Maryland.
* Programs, Policies, and Regulations – Making the Greatest Place: Metro's Strategic Implementation of the 2040 Growth Concept, Portland, Oregon.
* Rural Smart Growth – Gateway 1 Corridor Action Plan, Maine, Gateway 1 Communities.
* Civic Places – Mint Plaza, San Francisco, California.
The announcement and detailed descriptions of each project can be found here.
Smart Growth Laws - other states EPA 2010 smart growth awards
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Manufacturer's wastewater lagoon not entitled to agricultural exemption from Sioux County zoning
Kramer et al. and Sioux Pharm, Inc. v. Sioux County, Iowa
Plaintiff Sioux Pharm, Inc. manufactures chondroitin sulfate through an extraction process using cow tracheas, pig and chicken parts, and corn. This process produces 15,000 to 18,000 gallons of industrial wastewater daily at Sioux Pharm's manufacturing facility. The wastewater is described as a "filtered food-grade bovine protein solution." The city of Sioux Center will not accept the wastewater into its municipal treatment facility, and so in 2003 Sioux Pharm began construction, without prior approval from Sioux County or the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), of an earthen wastewater storage lagoon located on farmland in rural Sioux County owned by plaintiff Carol J. Kramer, as trustee of her revocable trust.
In April 2004, the DNR approved the wastewater storage lagoon as built, and issued Sioux Pharm a permit, but stated that "any product going to the proposed lagoon is truly waste." The lagoon is an uncovered earthen pit that holds a total of 859,000 gallons of "high-strength organic" wastewater. Plaintiff Dr. Allan Kramer farms the land owned by the Carol J. Kramer trust, and he periodically purchases wastewater from Sioux Pharm and applies it to nine application sites at the rate the DNR authorizes.. The wastewater contains nutrients that have some benefit to crops. Although Sioux Pharm has a commercial fertilizer manufacturer/dealer license, it is not authorized to sell wastewater after it has been stored in the lagoon, as once the wastewater is placed into the lagoon it becomes contaminated with bacteria.
Under the Sioux County zoning ordinance, "treatment facilities in an Agricultural District require a Special Exception Use permit." Although the DNR approved both Sioux Pharm's construction (after the fact) and use of the lagoon, Sioux Pharm had not obtained a special exception use permit from Sioux County Board of Adjustment. Upon receipt of multiple complaints about the lagoon and the odor emitting from it, the Sioux County Zoning Administrator determined that the lagoon was being operated without a special use permit. In January and March 2008, the zoning administrator provided Sioux Pharm with written notices that its construction and use of the lagoon was in violation of the zoning ordinance. Sioux Pharm met with the Sioux County Planning and Zoning Commission at its April 2008 meeting and represented to the commission that the wastewater stored in the lagoon was a "filtered food-grade bovine protein solution." After the meeting, Sioux Pharm applied for a permit for a "non-farm" use involving "industrial wastewater." In August 2008, the Board granted Sioux Pharm a temporary special exception use permit "for construction of an earthen wastewater lagoon used for storage of industrial wastewater from the Sioux Pharm plant in Sioux Center, Iowa." The temporary permit was subject to several conditions, and expired on June 1, 2009 at which time the application was to be reviewed for extension or expiration by the Board of Adjustment.
The Board held a meeting on May 27, 2009 and reviewed recommendations of the Planning and Zoning Commission with regard to the status of the temporary permit. The Board determined Sioux Pharm had failed to meet the conditions imposed by the temporary permit and declined to extend the permit. The temporary permit expired on June 1, 2009, but Sioux Pharm continued to transport wastewater to the lagoon daily, despite the expiration of the temporary permit. On June 1, 2009, Sioux Pharm filed suit in district court, premised upon establishing that the use of the wastewater storage lagoon was "primarily adapted for use for agricultural purposes" under the language of Iowa Code 335.2 and was therefore exempt from Sioux County zoning regulations. The district court entered judgment in favor of the county, concluding substantial evidence supported the Board's finding that Sioux Pharm's storage lagoon did not meet the agricultural exemption. The district court specifically stated:
"The storage lagoon was built by Sioux Pharm, Inc., not the landowner. Sioux Pharm, Inc. is a manufacturer who is not involved in agriculture. Even though Sioux Pharm, Inc. calls its wastewater 'fertilizer,' it has never registered the wastewater as a fertilizer or soil conditioner with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and has not complied with regulations for the storage of liquid fertilizer. It has obtained a fertilizer license but is not in the business of storing or selling fertilizers or soil conditioners. It is not in the business of raising crops or livestock. Sioux Pharm, Inc., is a pharmaceutical manufacturer."
On appeal to the Iowa Court of Appeals, Sioux Pharm argued that Sioux County Board of Adjustment and the district court erroneously interpreted Iowa Code 335.2. In making its case Sioux Pharm drew an analogy between its wastewater lagoon and the hog waste lagoon determined to be part of an agricultural operation in the 1993 Iowa Supreme Court case, DeCoster v. Franklin County. In that case the Supreme Court determined that the storage and disposal of hog waste from a holding basin was a part of the agricultural function, reasoning that it would be incongruous to exempt hog confinement buildings from county regulation and at the same time subject the waste storage basin adjoining those buildings to county regulation. The Court of Appeals, however, found the factual distinction between the DeCoster case and the present case "fatal to Sioux Pharm's claim."
"In DeCoster, the storage basin was constructed to store the waste that was the by-product of the livestock raised in hog confinement facilities located on the plaintiff's farm. In this case, the lagoon was constructed to store the wastewater that is the by-product of Sioux Pharm's industrial manufacturing facility located in Sioux Center…. Although the wastewater is eventually used to fertilize the land farmed by Dr. Kramer, the fact remains that the primary purpose and functional aspect of the lagoon is to store Sioux Pharm's industrial wastewater."
Accordingly, the Court of Appeals found that the Sioux Pharm waste lagoon was not exempt from the regulations of the Sioux County zoning ordinance.
Agricultural Uses/Agricultural Exemption, Iowa Court of Appeals agricultural exemption from county zoning, Iowa Code 335.2
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Dates and locations for Intro to Planning and Zoning Workshops
Make plans now! The dates and locations for the Spring 2011 Introduction to Planning and Zoning Workshops for Local Officials are:
March 22 – Quad Cities – Scott County Extension Office
March 23 – Fairfield – Fairfield Arts & Convention Center
March 29 – Fort Dodge – Best Western Starlight Village
March 30 – Urbandale – Urbandale Public Library
April 5 – Dubuque – Grand River Conference Center
April 6 – Waterloo – Ramada Hotel & Convention Center
April 12 – Council Bluffs – Hilton Garden Inn
April 13 – Spencer – Clay County Regional Events Center
Registration materials will be mailed out to cities and counties, and posted on this blog, in mid-January. The registration fee will be $55 per individual. This fee is reduced to $45 per individual if a city or county registers 5 or more persons to attend. The fee covers supper and the workshop materials. Registration materials and payment must be received at least two weeks before the scheduled date of the workshop you wish to attend. Registrations will be accepted at the door, but a meal will not be provided.
The Introduction to Planning and Zoning for Local Officials is a three-hour workshop designed to introduce the basic principles of land use planning and development management to elected officials, planning and zoning officials, and board of adjustment members without formal training in the subjects. Using case scenarios in a highly-interactive format, it will highlight issues frequently faced in the land use process. The workshop is offered annually in eight locations across the state. Locations change from year-to-year so that city and county officials are able to attend a location near them at least once every two years.
Education/Conferences Introduction to Iowa Planning and Zoning for Local Officials
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New FEMA floodplain maps bring lawsuits
November 30, 2010 Gary Taylor
Thanks to Brian Schoon for pointing out this Wall Street Journal article concerning lawsuits brought against FEMA by local governments over FEMA's new floodplain mapping.
Floodplains FEMA floodplian maps
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Join us for a delicious breakfast and hear inspirational speaker Annah Stretton talk at The Puketapu.
We have a wonderful selection of donated items for the fundraising charity auction, great spot prizes and there'll be lots of fun and inspiration. All proceeds go to the Breast Cancer Foundation NZ and local Look Good Feel Better.
Book your tickets now and plan for a great time by inviting your family and/or friends.


text:
NTI steht für:
 Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, amtliche Vertretungsorganisation aller Inuit in Nunavut, Kanada
 Bintuni Airport (IATA-Code), Flugplatz von Bintuni, Teluk Bintuni, Westpapua, Indonesien
 Nuclear Threat Initiative, US-amerikanische Non-Profit-Organisation

Nti ist der Familienname folgender Personen:
 Opoku Nti (* 1961), ghanaischer Fußballspieler

Abkürzung

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


I don't know what it is, but I'm just not as interested in this work any more. There are other horror novels I want to read and even other novels by Stephen King that I want to read more. Maybe it's because I've heard about this and I know what happens in it. Maybe one day, but not for now.
I've tried a few times since everyone was recommending it to me. I don't think it's the novel for me. Maybe I'll try the movie and see how I like that before giving it another go or not.
Jon Stewart, host of the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning The Daily Show, and his coterie of patriots, deliver a hilarious look at American government.
American-style democracy is the world's most beloved form of government, which explains why so many other nations are eager for us to impose it on them. But what is American democracy? In America (The Book), Jon Stewart and The Daily Show writing staff offer their insights into our unique system of government, dissecting its institutions, explaining its history and processes, and exploring the reasons why concepts like one man, one vote, government by the people, and every vote counts have become such popular urban myths. Topics include: Ancient Rome: The First Republicans; The Founding Fathers: Young, Gifted, and White; The Media: Can it Be Stopped?; and more!
Beyond me being absolutely fatigued by the thought of American politics, I don't know if this even could be close to relevant in a post-President Trump world. I don't want to look at political things on my off time right now, I've lost the ability to find the humour in them.
Unfairly deprived of their family inheritance by the grasping Mrs John Dashwood and her husband, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood and their mother find themselves in greatly reduced circumstances.
Compelled to leave Norland in Sussex for Barton Cottage in Devonshire, the two sisters are soon accepted into their new society. Marianne, whose sweet radiance and open nature charm the roguish John Willoughby, is soon deeply in love. Elinor, whose disposition is more cautious and considered, who carefully conceals her emotions, is suffering the loss of Edward Ferrars whom she has left behind.
Despite their very different personalities, both sisters experience great sorrows in their affairs of the heart: Marianne demonstrably wretched and Elinor allowing no one to see her private heartache. It is, however, the qualities common to them both - discernment, constancy and integrity in the face of the fecklessness of others - that allow them entry into a new life of peace and contentment.
I really want to read all of Jane Austen's books, even the ones that may not be as beloved. I think I owe it to her for pre-judging Pride and Prejudice and then having to swallow my words. I too have been converted to the cult of Darcy.
In The Unbearable Lightness of Being, Milan Kundera tells the story of a young woman in love with a man torn between his love for her and his incorrigible womanizing and one of his mistresses and her humbly faithful lover. This magnificent novel juxtaposes geographically distant places, brilliant and playful reflections, and a variety of styles, to take its place as perhaps the major achievement of one of the world's truly great writers.
I can't take this one off. I've read a chapter or so of it and it stuck in my mind, I just can't get in the right mindset to start it again. But I also don't want to take it off my list. So it can stay for now.
What do you guys think? Are there some here that you'd keep? Or maybe get rid of? I feel like a lot of the changes being made to my list aren't because the books aren't good, but because I've changed as a person since I've added them.
These seem like good decisions to me! I've definitely got some 2009 era TBR entries I should unhaul…..
I'd definitely recommend going through it! Even just to get rid of ones you don't remember putting on there any more.
I'd love to see your verdicts on the books you choose.
I'm glad you're keeping the Jane Austen Novel! I too was surprised to find I enjoyed her books!
There was so much hype around it, I was positive that I wasn't going to like it. Then I needed to eat my words.
Which book is your favourite by her?
I've read a bit in, but I don't know, I'm not as impressed as I should be. Maybe it's been over-hyped so my expectations were far, far too high. There's also some things that are just weird. Like them meeting their future spouses while said spouses were children and taking care of each other. It's not sexualized until the wife is an older teenager, but it's still a bit… weird to say the least.
I loved the Green Mile by Stephen King! I think I'm going to stick to things that are a little bit more like that.


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One of the most important things you can do when starting out in the film industry, is learn to abide by the unwritten rules of the set.
Many less experienced crew members are often coming right of school where they have been taught to 'stand out' from the crowd and show off how much they know or how great they are at a particular task. However, on a film set proper etiquette is often times just the opposite, and these behaviors can actually do you more harm than good. It's crucial that newcomers understand that a set has a ton of moving parts and a good film set operates like a well-oiled machine. In order for this to happen, all of these moving parts must work together, coherently. Whether you're looking for a refresher or are new to set life, here is a list of tips for set etiquette. These tips are not only for making sure you work well (and appropriately) with others but also pointers for getting hired again!
I would advise that you show up earlier than your scheduled call time when working on a set because there's always a need for an extra set of hands and you'll be remembered for being one of the first ones on set. It's also typical for a shoot to go much longer than expected, so do yourself a favor and prepare to stay as long as you need to until the job gets done. This may be the easiest and simplest tip on the list, but it's also the one that is most overlooked. It's a primary reason that crew members lose their jobs or don't get called again – so be on time.
Quite often, film sets can seem as if there is a lot of "down time" or standing around, but once the ball gets rolling, things become very hectic, very quickly. This is especially true for micro budget indie films, where money can't be thrown at problems in order to solve them quickly, but can also occur on much larger scale projects. Make sure that you know your role inside and out so that when you are called to actually do your task, you are making the most out of the little time that you have to get the job done. If you're working with new equipment, spend time with it in the days and week before the shoot so you're comfortable and familiar with it when it's 'go time'.
One important role to follow when working on set is to respect the chain of command, in all circumstances. It is your department head's duty to delegate and oversee your work. If you have any questions or concerns, approach your department head or the individual directly responsible for you on set.
Your title on set clearly defines your tasks, creating boundaries for you and those you work with. It's very important that you stick to your defined role and let others stick to theirs, leaving little room for error or confusion.
Sometimes there will be crew members who have experience in different areas on past sets, and as a result, they tend to overstep their boundaries and try to look like the 'hero'. For example, if you worked as a DP on a previous set but you've been hired for this production in an entirely different department, it's not your job interject and insert your opinion on matters of lighting or shot setups. Scenarios such as this do you more harm than good. Specific titles for crew members assume that individuals on set have an intimate knowledge of their roles, which is why they are hired to perform them. Stick to yours.
While it's nice to meet new people and forge relationships, you've been hired to assist in making a film (and you are hopefully being paid to do so!) In this way, film sets are vastly different than many work environments where chatter occurs all day long and, in some cases, team building and communication is encouraged by superiors. It may seem as if you have time on your hands to chat with fellow crew members, but in those 'down' moments you've got to be watching and listening to those around you to so that you can anticipate what is required from you next. Simply put, socializing on set should be kept to a minimum. It is distracting, annoying and could cause you to drop the ball, not to mention that it just looks bad when your department head catches you chatting it up when you should be working.
One of the simplest and most effective things you can do on set is to simply be positive. Department heads love hiring crew members that work hard without complaining and that are natural problem solvers. Put yourself in the shoes of your department head on set and imagine what it would be like for them to be juggling so many different things all at once. When things don't go as planned, when the shoot runs later than expected, and when everyone is exhausted, use this time as an opportunity to set yourself part by tackling it with a positive attitude. It won't go unnoticed.
These are just a few tips that will help you have a better experience on set and increase your chances of being called back by the producers or department heads. A lot of what it takes to be a successful member of a crew just comes down to common sense, but you might be surprised at how often newcomers to set simply don't follow these sort of guidelines. If you just remember to always show up early, work extremely diligently in the role you have been assigned, and remain positive and focused on set, you will be many steps ahead.


Baby It's Cold Outside | Musings of a marginally sane feline-appreciating female.
The normal high/low for the area for this time of year is a high of 44º with a low of 27º.
I have heard grumbling about the schools being closed, but we just don't normally get temps this low around here. There are going to be buses that refuse to start. Schools where the heat decides to crap out. And one thing that everyone seems to keep forgetting is that there are kids that just do not have the kind of cold weather gear needed for going out and standing around waiting for a bus in these temperatures. Sure, your family may go skiing every year and has all kinds of cold weather gear. Or you used to live in Colorado, or Montana or somewhere like that. But that isn't everyone in this county by any stretch of the imagination. I don't even have the kind of cold weather gear needed to stand outside and wait for a bus in 3º weather.
Sure, it's an inconvenience whenever the schools have an unscheduled closing. But I think frostbite is more inconvenient. I don't understand why parents would be upset about the county erring on the side of safety and caution. Hell, one of our local restaurants announced earlier that they would be closing at 7PM tonight and wouldn't reopen until Wednesday. If a profit-motivated business feels it's not safe for their employees, why would you fault the county for trying to keep the kids safe?
Now, I've got a disgruntled resident in my house as well. Moxley does not like the wind unless he can be outside in it playing Wild Dog of the Tundra, and he's on a 5 minute outside time limit for the time being. (Left to his own devices, he will just park himself on the deck for an inordinate amount of time, which is fine on a late spring evening. Tonight, not so much.) He also isn't terribly fond of my new camera.
This entry was posted in Weather and tagged 365 Photo Project, Cold Snap, Photos, Polar Vortex, Schools, Weather. Bookmark the permalink.


Submitted by Pat Berg on 10/19/2017 - 12:50 pm.
I do not have an unlimited text plan on my phone, and would be VERY unhappy if I started receiving unsolicited texts that I have to pay for with no way to opt out.
Submitted by Joe Musich on 10/19/2017 - 08:49 pm.


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TV Review – Over the Garden Wall
Over the Garden Wall (Cartoon Network)
Written & Storyboarded by Steve Wolfhard, Natasha Allegri, Zac Gorman, Bert Youn, Aaron Renier, Jim Campbell, Laura Park, Pendleton Ward, Steve McLeod, Nick Edwards, Tom Herpich, Mark Bodnar, Cole Sanchez, and Vi Nguyen
Directed by Patrick McHale
When I was a little kid, I remember Thanksgiving Day and the next day being an exciting time for cartoons. The morning programming of some of our local channels was planned around the idea that kids were home from school. There were strange & rare cartoons shown; I distinctly recall Rankin-Bass's The Hobbit and The Last Unicorn. These were odd movies in both animation style and the mystical worlds they created. They exist like so many things from my childhood as fragmented memories in a fever dream now. I don't necessarily want to revisit these cartoons because I like how they are in this piecemeal state in my mind. Over the Garden Wall, while a coherent narrative simultaneously feels like that show you watched as a kid, laying on the couch curled up under a blanket, so cozy, you begin to drift off.
Two brothers, Wirt (Elijah Wood) and his brother Greg find themselves lost in a mysterious forest known by the locals as The Unknown. With the help of Beatrice, a benevolent bluebird who was once human, they make their way across this strange land to seek help from Adelaide of the Field. Their odyssey has them encountering the woods' inhabitants from a schoolmarm educating animals in human clothes to a village populated by walking talking pumpkin people to a riverboat for frogs. Wirt is a nervous figure, unable to find the courage within him to stand up for himself. Contrasting Wirt is Greg with his complete obliviousness to the dangers around the brothers. The biggest threat to them is The Beast, a shadowy antlered figure keeping his distance but always a few paces behind and a desire to permanently capture their souls.
Creator Patrick McHale and his crew have created Cartoon Network's first true masterpiece of animation with Over the Garden Wall. This mini-series takes the aesthetics and tone of projects like Adventure Time and its offspring and elevates it to an entirely new level. The original concept was much darker than the final product, with the two brothers signing a deal with a devilish creature and forced to track down pages from a lost storybook. The series still maintains a horror tone while balancing it with childish silliness. The consistent manner is that of early Americana. The Unknown is a place where people from across time have become stuck, which allows the series to sample music and animation styles from the early American colonial period to the early 1930s Fleischer-era cartoons.
The production design feels like something familiar because it is inspired by classic children's art. John Tenniel's iconic work on Alice in Wonderland is an apparent reference, but the images are taken from vintage postcards and children's books from around the turn of the century and into the 1930s. Because there's never a specific period, the series immediately takes on a timeless quality. There's also an ever-present air of creepiness, even in episodes that aren't overly scary. I see Over the Garden Wall as a perfect introduction for kids to light horror fantasy. It's just scary enough but not going to traumatize them or be explicit.
Over the Garden Wall could be just a pleasurable aesthetic experience, but McHale and the company imbue the characters with many loveable traits and give them full arcs. Wirt is the series protagonist and sees the most complete transformation, but Greg also proves himself a noble young boy, showing how much he will sacrifice for his elder sibling. Beatrice is also a profoundly complicated character whose story takes some pretty unexpected turns.
This was my third complete viewing of Over the Garden Wall, and I can say it still feels fresh and beautiful. I always get myself caught up in the magic of The Unknown and the ambiguity of the horrors there. Characters like Auntie Whispers and The Woodsman are given just enough character development to intrigue us but always left satisfyingly vague. The Beast is hinted to have such a wide berth of power, which resonates through the woods with all these characters. If you haven't allowed yourself to become lost in Over the Garden Wall, I highly recommend you spend some time this week going on the journey.
Author Seth HarrisPosted on November 23, 2020 Categories 2018, animated, fantasy, horror
3 thoughts on "TV Review – Over the Garden Wall"
Scoop's Animation Corner says:
It's a great mini-series!
aubreym3 says:
The art book for this mini-series is so insightful! I would recommend looking it up.
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Well, tonight we went over to Amy's for tea and went to the Hungry Horse chain pub The Roundhay. I went for the biggest mixed grill ever! It was stunning! I also had the Biggest ice cream ever too.
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By Jack Nerad
The Hyundai Tucson compact SUV isn't flashy. It doesn't feature in-your-face exterior styling. It doesn't have a funky interior that screams "I'm different." It won't blow you away with its amazing performance potential. But the Tucson has matured into one of the highest-quality, best-value options in one of the most hotly competitive segments in the American market.
The Tucson was named Best Small SUV in the most recent J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study, which looked at 2015-model-year vehicles. More to the point, the 2018 Tucson topped its category in the most recent J.D.Power Initial Quality Study. For 2018, the third year of its current generation, the Tucson's changes are relatively slight. But big changes weren't needed, because the compact SUV has always provided good value.
Handling That'll Feel Familiar
crossovers are based on car chassis rather than those of trucks. Because of that, the Tucson, very much a crossover, handles like a slightly tall compact car. And most of the time that's a very good thing. It's cool to look like you might do some off-roading, but the fact is you're going to be driving on pavement nearly 100 percent of the time. If you had a mind to, you could do some mild-to-moderate off-road driving in an all-wheel-drive-equipped Tucson. But do you really want to?
Whether you want to or not, the Tucson is a very pleasant transportation appliance that gets you where you want to go comfortably, economically, and reliably. When powered by the 2.0-liter four-cylinder base engine, the Tucson provides good-enough acceleration and praiseworthy ride comfort. The available 1.6-liter turbocharged engine dials it up a notch, but not a very big notch. If you want more power than that, the mechanically related but more powerful Kia Sportage SX might be the ticket.
Razor-Sharp Interior
A well-known razor slogan promises a "clean, close, comfortable shave." Well, that description fits the Hyundai Tucson's interior. It is "clean" in that it has no irritating frills and is ergonomically simple. It is "close" in that it's a reasonably small vehicle with room for four adults or maybe five if they're comfortable with being close. And it's "comfortable," because... well, because it just is. The seats are comfortable, the ride is comfortable, and even the moderate accelerative abilities are comfortable.
You won't take the Tucson for a lap of the Nurburgring, but that's not why you'd buy it. You're more likely to buy it because you can get one with heated front and rear seats. Or because you want a panoramic sunroof. Or because dual-zone automatic temperature control is offered on the top three trims. Hey, most of us like "comfort food."
Sophisticated Infotainment Systems
One could make the case that the top-level infotainment system available in the Tucson is more sophisticated and powerful than the vehicle in which it rides. But having a great sound system is important to a lot of people. So Hyundai offers an 8-inch touchscreen unit that combines dedicated navigation with an Infinity audio system. With 315 watts of power, it uses an external amplifier, and it includes eight speakers.
The base audio system is more modest — a 5-inch color touchscreen controlling an AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with six speakers. That base system doesn't support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the mid-range system (a 7-inch color touchscreen) and the previously described top-of-the-line systems do. The 7-inch system is standard on the SEL and Value trims. The 8-inch system is standard on the SEL Plus and Limited.
Conservatively Tailored Exterior
On the outside the Tucson offers neither flash nor trash. You might say the design is mild-mannered in the tradition of Clark Kent. While some brands strive for leading-edge exterior styling in this segment — the Ford Escape and Kia Sportage prominent among them — the Hyundai stylists have rendered a small SUV that looks a lot like a big SUV, only smaller. Take the Hyundai "H" out of the grille, and the Tucson could be any brand's small SUV. For many consumers, that's a big advantage.
What isn't big is its overall size. At 176.2 inches long, it is among the most compact of the compact SUVs. But that size can be a plus in crowded urban streets. Handy roof rails are standard on all but the lowest trim, and a panoramic sunroof is standard on the Value trim and optional on the Limited.
Choice of Two Engines
The Tucson offers a pair of powertrain choices for 2018. The base engine is a 2.0-liter, direct-injected four-cylinder delivering 164 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. It's coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission with a manual shifting mode and an overdrive lock-up torque converter for higher fuel economy at highway speeds. The 2.0-liter four is standard on the SE, SEL, and SEL Plus trims.
The other engine choice is a 1.6-liter direct-injected turbocharged four-cylinder offering 175 horsepower and a meaty 195 pound-feet of torque. The turbo engine is coupled to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that offers clutch-free manual shifts or automatic operation. Fuel economy for the front-wheel drive 2.0-liter is 23 mpg in the city, 30 mpg on the highway, and 26 mpg combined. For the front-drive 1.6-liter turbo, it improves to 25 mpg city/30 mpg highway/27 mpg combined. All-wheel drive drops fuel economy about 2 mpg.
The handy size limits cargo capacity.
The Tucson puts a premium on interior comfort. It is not designed to carry five people and a lot of stuff. It is better suited to four people and a reasonable load of stuff, or two people and a lot of stuff. Passenger room for four — or five in a pinch — is good, but its cargo area is among the smallest in the segment.
With the rear seat folded, the Tucson offers 61.9 cubic feet of cargo volume, compared to the Honda CR-V's 76 cubic feet. With the second-row bench seat in use, the Hyundai provides 31 cubic feet of cargo space, smaller than the competing Honda by eight cubic feet. Tucsons equipped with roof rails can also accept a variety of carriers that offer added carrying space. With either available engine, the Tucson offers a modest 1,500-pound towing capacity.
More safety items are available on higher trims.
All Tucson models can be equipped with a number of safety features, but the safety option list grows more extensive as you climb the trim-level ladder. Included among the available advanced safety features are blind-spot monitoring with a rear cross-traffic alert and lane-change assist, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection.
Automatic emergency braking is optional only on the Limited trim level. Blind-spot monitoring, the rear cross-traffic alert, and a lane departure warning are standard on SEL Plus, Value, and Limited models. Vehicle stability management, electronic stability control, downhill brake control, hill-start assist control, and traction control are standard across every Tucson. Active, on-demand all-wheel drive is optional on every trim.
Trim Levels to Suit Various Tastes
The 2018 Hyundai Tucson is available in five trim levels — SE, SEL, SEL Plus, Value, and Limited. In the Hyundai tradition, even the base SE version has several valuable standard features, among them power windows and door locks, six-way adjustable driver's seat, rear-seat heater ducts, and alloy wheels.
For those seeking a wide variety of luxury and convenience features, the Value trim is, well, a good value. It offers niceties like an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat and a 7-inch infotainment display. The most expensive trim, Limited, packs in a slew of luxury and safety items as standard equipment. Its vast list of standard items includes the heated leather seats and an 8-inch infotainment system with Infinity eight-speaker audio and integrated navigation. A panoramic sunroof and heated rear seats are optional on the Limited.
Pricing Offers Good Value
One of the reasons for the Tucson's popularity is its value story. The price-leader is the SE trim level with an MSRP of $22,550 plus $980 freight for the front-wheel drive model. The SEL starts at $23,800, the SEL Plus at $26,700, the Value at $26,550, and the Limited starts $29,425. All-wheel drive adds $1,400 to the price at each level.
In terms of cost-to-own and safety aids, the Tucson is mid-pack in its class. But as we said, its quality and satisfaction ratings are significantly above average. While the Honda CR-V is a perennial favorite and the Toyota RAV4 has upped its game lately, there is a lot to like about the Hyundai Tucson. It has one of the best warranties in the industry, and it could be a great choice for you.
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