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The Great Northwest on CBC Radio, July 7, 2005

Mary-Jean Cormier interviewed Brenda on CBC Radio’s The Great Northwest.  It aired on July 7, 2005.
You can listen to the interview here.

Transcript below:

MARY JEAN CORMIER / CBQ GREAT NORTHWEST HOST, THUNDER BAY: Well there ismore to children’s books than just fairy tales. These days kids are attracted to edgier stories dealing with darker issues. The newest Harry Potter books are an example of that. Brenda Chapman is one author who understands what kids like. She writes mystery novels for young readers. Her first book is called Running Scared and she has another one coming out next year. Brenda Chapman joins us now in the studio. Good morning Brenda.

BRENDA CHAPMAN / AUTHOR: Good morning Mary Jean.

CORMIER: So your first book called Running Scared isn’t just a mystery novel. It deals with some pretty serious issues. Can you tell me a bit about it?

CHAPMAN: Well my heroine is 13-years-old. Her name is Jennifer Bannon. She is living in a fictional town called Springhills, which is outside of Toronto, with her younger sister Leslie, who is 10-years-old, and her mother. The father has been gone from the family for a few years so Jennifer is dealing with that and her grades are slipping. She just started Grade Nine. So she has got quite a bit to deal with. She has to look after her sister quite often while her mom is working as a nurse.

CORMIER: Which sounds like a lot of children’s lives, you know…

CHAPMAN: Well I think it is and I think it hits a note with a lot of kids, especially the idea of the parents separating.

CORMIER: So what inspired you to write mysteries for kids? You know you have got some young people dealing with serious issues here, but some mysterious circumstances.

CHAPMAN: Well, I have always like mysteries myself right back to the Nancy Drew. I think this could be a more modern day type of mystery. I was also a teacher for quite a few years. I taught reading and special education to kids, so writing has always interested me. I actually wrote Running Scared for my own two daughters a few years ago when my daughter Lisa was 12 and my daughter Julia was nine. So they kind of parallel the two girls in the story.

CORMIER: What did they think of it?

CHAPMAN: They quite liked it, particularly my oldest daughter. She is a pretty good critic for me. She edits my work.

CORMIER: Does she?

CORMIER: That is a great idea.

CHAPMAN: Yeah. She is in communications now at Ottawa U so she is…

CORMIER: A good start for her then.

CHAPMAN: …in English as well. Yes…

CORMIER: So what do you think it is about mystery novels in particular that can kind of capture the young mind, draw in those young readers?

CHAPMAN: I think it is the suspense and the puzzle. They are trying to figure out who done it and what is going on, and I think just like adults that it interests them — and the character development. Jennifer develops over the course of the book. I think that kids really like that kind of story.

CORMIER: Young people developing as they are developing.

CHAPMAN: That is right and meeting up with obstacles that perhaps they are meeting up with in their everyday lives. Jennifer isn’t perfect. She has problems that she grapples with  just as all kids do.

CORMIER: Now you worked as a special education teacher in Ottawa for almost 15 years…

CHAPMAN: That’s right.

CORMIER: …before your first book came out. What was the transition like from teaching to writing? It is a very individual…

CHAPMAN: Well that is true. I enjoy both areas. I really like teaching. I like writing as well. I had been home with my kids for a few years when they were younger and I made a conscious decision that I wanted to go into writing from teaching. So I got a job in the federal government and am now in communications. But this is more of a creative outlet, and I also get to go into the schools and talk to kids. So I am getting the best of both worlds I think.

CORMIER: What do you talk to the kids about?

CHAPMAN: I talk to them about how I became a writer, which I think lets them know that it is possible, and I talk about the publishing industry a little bit, which I think they find interesting and I read to them a bit.

CORMIER: Now it sounds to me that you know being a teacher and having your own kids you do have a lot of perspective, but what are the challenges I guess of writing from a teenager’s point of view?

CHAPMAN: That is a good question. I write this book in the first person so it is all through Jennifer’s eyes so I have to make sure that I am writing from a kid’s level and not my own perspective. Although there is probably a little bit of me in there too. Jennifer talks about her problems with her parents. When I was teaching and writing the book, at the time, I was working with a girl whose parents were splitting up and so I could draw from that.

CORMIER: Now I understand you actually grew up on the North Shore here, Terrace Bay.

CHAPMAN: Yes I did.

CORMIER: And then you lived in Thunder Bay while you were at Lakehead University as a student. Do you think that your writing reflects at all some of your experiences or your time in Northwestern Ontario?

CHAPMAN: Well in Running Scared Jennifer has a grandmother who lives in Hawk’s Creek, which is basically in my mind Terrace Bay, and then in the second novel, which is called Hiding in Hawk’s Creek, Jennifer comes up North and lands in Thunder Bay and goes to Terrace Bay, or Hawk’s Creek, for the summer. So yes, it is quite influenced by my time in the North.

CORMIER: And so you are working on a new book. Can you give us any hint as to what that is going to look like?

CHAPMAN: Well actually it has been accepted.

CHAPMAN: It is Hiding in Hawk’s Creek. It is due out probably in the spring next year. Jennifer comes to Hawk’s Creek. She meets up with another girl who is half-Aboriginal and she is being accused of stealing so Jennifer wants to get to the bottom of it. So it is another suspense, mystery-type of book, and the third manuscript is now with Napoleon Publishing and due out in 2007. So…

CORMIER: So your work is done, but now it is with the publishers. The third one, can you tell us anything about that?

CHAPMAN: Oh well in that one, Jennifer and her little sister and her best friend, go to summer camp and Jennifer and her friend Amby are counselors there and again there is another mystery that goes on.

CORMIER: Well that is good. So if folks are looking for the first one they know that the others are going to be rolling out soon.

CHAPMAN: They are in the works.

CORMIER: That is great and do you get back to this area very much?

CHAPMAN: Every other year, or every year I try to get up to visit some family.

CORMIER: That is great. That is great. Well I am sure you are going to be hooking some Northwestern Ontario readers so…

CHAPMAN: I hope so.

CORMIER: Thank you so much for coming in to talk with us.

CHAPMAN: Thank you.

CORMIER: Brenda Chapman writes children’s mystery novels. Her new book called Hiding in Hawk’s Creek, or for us we know it is kind of like Terrace Bay, will be available next year.

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"Deeply atmospheric and tightly plotted, Cold Mourning is Chapman’s sharpest mystery yet.” ― C.B. Forrest, author of the Charlie McKelvey mysteries

Browse my work on:

Brenda Chapman

Brenda Chapman


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In Intact Technology's debut blog, Jesse White comes out swinging:

Traditional IT Management Consulting uses fear, doubt and powerful relationships to sell business leaders promises of game changing outcomes. They make the simple complex, extremely expensive and then get paid to simplify it again. Too many times getting paid to waste time and money to point the finger at their competitor, the IT department. How is this helping anyone? This is bullshit.

And he's absolutely right.  The elephant in the room cannot be ignored any longer.  In-house IT is not the enemy and Consultancy Firms need to stop whispering this into the Business' ear.  Indeed:

I am not saying that IT departments don’t need specialized help or that every IT department has what they need to support their business.  I am saying we need a fundamental change in the model…

Check out the full article, it's well worth the read.

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The Gift That Lasts a Lifetime

Music has always played an important role in my life. The older I get, the more thankful I am that I had the good fortune of learning to play an instrument; for that I thank my parents for buying me my first horn and all the teachers that invested in me through the years! The instruction I received helped me to become fairly competent. I am by no means a household name and I’ve never won a grammy- haven’t even been nominated! I am happy with my skill set though. I have often wanted to be better but I learned to square with the fact that my skill set is satisfactory enough. It has allowed me the privilege of playing with many wonderful musicians through the years and even experience playing across this great country and overseas. In many ways my journey to becoming a pastor was built on the shoulders of being a musician first- long story maybe another time. The bottom line is, music is a gift that you can have forever- I encourage everyone to give it a shot!

The interesting thing about making “good music” is it is not always about the skill set. Good music IMO is as much about the way you connect with your listener as it is with the level of skill you have. Don’t get me wrong, I love the musicians that can do things with their instruments that literally make you want to jump from your seat and scream in excitement! If you have ever been to a great show with me you know… I ain scurred (I am not scared) to express the joy in my heart when someone does something amazing!

For me, music has always been about a connection between the artist and the audience. This relationship is beautiful, too. Think about this: what else can you do, where you can use an object that is incapable of doing anything on its own (imagine a saxophone in it’s case), then you apply yourself to it and through it and out of it comes out a sound that is unique to you, a sound that conveys your thoughts and your deepest emotions. Then through this sound, this voice, you can literally move others. Playing with several good musicians is amazing also because it becomes a shared voice; it’s like having an extended conversation with your closest friends and others have the good fortune of being invited in to participate in it.

Good music effects us emotionally. It pumps us up, it calms us down, it takes us to places that we can only imagine being. That’s why I love it so much. I love a great recorded song, the melodies can stay with me for years. I also love going to a live concert and being amazed by the guitar solo of the ages and singing along with 25,000 of my closest friends! I love the street musician, hustling for a buck getting his inner Bob Seger on. And I still love playing for an audience, the one that connects with me, the same way I have been connected with by so many others. Music is a great gift from God!

What are some of your best musical memories/experiences?


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Saturday, June 3, 2017

"Rev. Fuller is not your average Roman Catholic Priest."

Rev. Fuller created the St. Mary Magdalene, the First Apostle Catholic Faith Community. (Fred Lum/The Globe and Mail)

Rev. Fuller is not your average Roman Catholic priest

..."Rev. Fuller, who isn’t too concerned about canon law and Vatican pronouncements, remains focused on her mission: “to foster loving, supportive communities where all are welcomed at the table.” On the invitation to the inaugural mass, she describes St. Mary Magdalene as a “radically reform, inclusive parish that celebrates all sacraments and serves the community while working for gender equity and social justice for every woman, man and child.”

Rev. Fuller believes that too many people – the LGBTQ community, and divorced and remarried Catholics – have been made to feel like second-class Catholics for too long.

Jeff Doucette, pastor at Dunbarton-Fairport United Church, says his own ministry is totally aligned to Rev. Fuller’s vision of inclusiveness. “When I heard Roberta needed a place, I immediately wanted to support her. I felt confident that our board would agree, and I was right. They voted unanimously to allow her to celebrate mass here.”

Homily for Pentecost by Dick Vosko: "It's Getting Warm in Here"

Pentecost A June 4, 2017 – It’s Getting Warm in Here

Click here for today’s biblical texts

A recent issue of Sports Illustrated published a story on Jeffrey Glasbrenner who lost his leg as a young boy while working on the family farm. In the hospital, another boy, in the adjacent bed, was dying of cancer. His mother said to Jeffrey’s mother, You can “raise him to be independent, or raise him to need everyone around him for the rest of his life.” [1]

Traditionally, on the feast of Pentecost, we analyze the meanings behind the graphic images of hurricane force winds and descending tongues of fire. We imagine a group of people with overlapping questions. What’s next? How do we do it? Would their mission, to establish unity among God’s people, be an independent campaign or a movement that would depend on a partnership with others?

Let’s first look at the imagery. The driving wind described in the reading from Luke/Acts echoes God’s presence in several Hebrew scriptures — the radiant sunshine that would come after raging storms. There is the warmth of hope and a new creation emerging from frightening times.

The reference to fiery tongues suggests, in a modern day context, that we have moved away from the scattered, independent communities, described in the text as a cacophony of diverse voices, toward unification by the Spirit. [2] No one person, no one religion, no one country can survive alone on this fragile planet. Solidarity and interconnectivity fill us with blessings, gladness and new life the Spirit.

Although in John’s gospel the reception of the Spirit occurs on the day Jesus was raised from the dead, it is celebrated, as we do, fifty days after the resurrection. Pentecost is a word Christians borrowed from Greek speaking Jews and occurs at the same time our Jewish friends celebrate their second greatest feast, Shavuot, a commemoration of the giving of the law on Mt. Sinai. This year these two feasts occur during Ramadan the month of fasting and prayer on the Muslim calendar.

As a trinity of religions, linked by common ancestors, we are distinct but not separate in our peace seeking efforts. Our task is to foster unity and love among all people, and even among nations. As Christians we give primary attention to what human beings have in common and what promotes unity among us. [3]

President Trump’s recent decision to withdraw our country from the Paris climate agreement presents another viewpoint on how people might work together. Two of the president’s top advisors wrote in the Wall Street Journal that the president has “a clear-eyed outlook that the world is not a ‘global community’ but an arena where nations, nongovernmental actors and businesses engage and compete for advantage.” [4]

This executive decision is of concern for Christians and others because it contradicts the story and the spirit of Pentecost that extol working together to solve problems, to move forward, to make progress. The Spirit in that upper room did not suggest that the mission of Jesus should be kept a secret or, that it was to serve only a select few.

Ironically, tomorrow, June 5th, is World Environment Day, a United Nations initiative to raise awareness around climate justice. It could be a day when, as a Christian church birthed in the spirit of Easter and Pentecost, we recommit ourselves to the reduction of our own carbon footprints.

We can undertake the mission of Jesus alone or with the help of everyone around us. Jeffrey Glasbrenner, the subject of that sports story, grew up to become a world class athlete and the first American amputee to scale Mt. Everest. He did not do it alone.

1 Murphy, Austin. “Peak Performer” in Sports Illustrated May 8, 2017, 27

2 DeBona, Guerric. Between the Ambo and the Altar: Biblical Preaching and the Roman Missal Year A. (Collegeville: Liturgical Press) 2013, 147-48

3 The Vatican Two Ecumenical Council, “Declaration on the Relationship of the Church to Non-Christian Religions” (October 28, 1965) No. 1

4 McMaster, HR & Cohn, G. “America First Doesn’t Mean America Alone” in the Wall Street Journal. May 30, 2017

Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community Pentecost – June 3, 2017 Co-Presiders: Kevin Connelly, Janet Blakeley, ARCWP & Sally Brochu, ARCWP

left to right: Sally Brochu ARCWP, Kevin Connelly, Janet Blakeley ARCWP

Music Ministers: Mindy Lou Simmons & Russ Banner

Mindy Lou Simmons, Music Minister

Lectors: Pat and Bob MacMillan

GATHERING SONG : “Spirit of Life” – written by Carolyn McDade

Spirit of Life, come unto me!

Sing in my heart, all the stirrings of compassion,

blow in the wind, rise in the sea,

move in the hand, giving life the shape of justice.

Roots hold me close, wings set me free,

Spirit of Life, come to me, come to me.
Presider: In the name of God, our Creator, of Christ, our liberator, and of the Holy Spirit, our Wisdom.

ALL: Amen.

Presider: My sisters and brothers, God is with you! ALL: And also with you.

Presider: As we celebrate the life-giving, life-changing day of Pentecost, let us pray:

Gentle Spirit, you who birthed the cosmos, ever expanding, every system in perpetual motion, breathe your life, that fire of love and being, into each of us each day. Let your life in us transform us that we can experience your love fully. Thank you for tending to your light within us and sustaining that light in our souls. Amen.

Presider: Creator God to whom all hearts are open, no desires unknown, and from whom no secrets can be hidden, cleanse our hearts by the inspiration of Holy Wisdom.

ALL: We take your Word into our minds and hearts. Open them to new understanding.

Presider: We ask for the grace to continually acknowledge our need to grow in goodness and caring for ourselves, for others and for our earth, and all the while to be Jesus for others and to meet Jesus in others.

ALL: We accept your love and understanding of the frailty of our human nature.

Presider: And we join with you, Jesus the Christ, believing the strength and insight of the Holy Spirit will lead us to deeper dedication to justice, equality and peace in our world. ALL: Amen.
(All raise hands extended in prayer)

Presider: Let us pray to the God of unchanging love for us.

ALL: Oh God, make us quick to see where and when we block your loving Spirit and thereby slow down the progress of creation to its completion in you. And when we find it hard to forgive, help our egos to step aside and allow your Spirit to flow. Amen.

ALL: (sung) Glory to God, glory, O praise and alleluia. Glory to God, glory, O praise the name of our God. (3x)

First Reading: Acts 2: 1-11 (Response: Thanks be to God)

Responsorial (#806) Psalm 104 “Send forth your Spirit, O God, and renew the face of the earth”

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12: 3-7, 12-13 (Response: Thanks be to God)

Gospel Acclamation: ALLELUIA! (sung)

Gospel: A reading from the Gospel according to John 20: 19-23 (Response: Glory and praise to Jesus, the Christ)

Homily Starter: Janet Blakeley
Janet Blakeley, homily

If we were asked to describe Pentecost, it would probably be in terms of these strange phenomena that happened – the loud wind, an ability to speak in other languages, and of course the flames of fire that came to rest on the disciples’ heads. Don’t forget that Jesus must have walked through a wall in order to be in their midst.  And of course the holy Spirit was received that day.
So it was surprising and odd to read the familiar Gospel and come to the last sentence of Jesus
“If you forgive anyone’s sins they are forgiven.  If you retain anyone’s sins, they are retained.”
What was that doing there?!  A little research showed that the sentence was there from the earliest texts, so although it seems like an add on, it must belong there.
My prayer was to know what of this Gospel God would like to highlight and, by the way, what was that last sentence doing there?
God has an efficient way of communicating with me.  A picture is worth a thousand words, I see pictures.  In this case, I was shown Jesus, who is recognizable by his rather full, brown robe, seen from the side looking at a man – only this man was smaller than Jesus and shrinking fast!  He was twisting and turning, trying to avoid the gaze of Jesus because clearly he felt guilty about something.  Jesus just stood there, unmoving, but his eyes sent out love, and his stance was welcoming.  The little man continued to avoid looking at Jesus, and yet it seemed he had put himself there on purpose.  The man twisted and Jesus stood there, his robe puffing up as he seemed to fill even more with love.
How or when it happened I don’t know, but suddenly the man was being embraced by Jesus who was nearly bursting with love, and the man was full-sized again and happy!  It seemed as if they hadn’t seen each other for a long, long time, and were thrilled to be together again!
Where was the guilt?  Where was the sin that caused this man to be afraid?  It was gone from one instant to the next!  It no longer existed!  In fact, it seemed that for Jesus it never existed!
Then I understood that God’s love for people is the totality of what God offers us. We may hesitate to approach God… but GOD IS unchanging love toward us.  In fact, when we allow ourselves to receive God’s embrace, there is no sin or sorrow remaining.  It vanishes the instant we fall into God’s arms and receive the love. That’s what Jesus is offering on Pentecost.  His desire is that we receive it and administer it – pass it on.
I do not believe for one minute that, with these words, Jesus is ordaining the disciples and empowering them and later disciples to hear confessions and give absolution.  And I do not believe that when one person refuses to forgive another for all eternity that the person is condemned to remain unforgiven.  What I do believe is that Jesus is telling the disciples and us – that we may either forgive people and allow God’s love to flow freely through us, or refuse to forgive and block the flow of God’s love.
The impact of this is not only on the individuals involved – its impact reaches into eternity.  If God’s long-range plan is for a kin-dom, and this is the way it is to be built, then we put up a roadblock to the progress of God’s plan.  With these last words of today’s Gospel, Jesus is giving us the means to make the kin-dom come – or not.
Now – having seen the sadness of a penitent vanish the moment he fell into the arms of Jesus, I wonder if it’s even correct to say that God forgives.  Because at no time is there a pause in love us.  God never withholds, love or sets requirements.  Those are human maneuvers, not godly, because by nature, God is merciful – all the time.
Even though Jesus knew that human egos have the power to withhold love, he entrusted us with his own loving Spirit. This was the paramount gift Jesus gave us. It has raised us to a new level of being.  It has included us in the work of God.  It is gift and responsibility.
Now we see that all the happenings of Pentecost were attention-getters.  Like the blast of trumpets announcing the arrival of a dignitary, they heralded the coming of the Spirit.  Now we see that the last sentence of the Gospel was not just an add-on: It was the whole point of Pentecost!  Forgive and the world will grow and evolve in God’s love.  Withhold forgiveness and the world will remain bogged down in its own unhappiness.
Oh God – make us quick to see where, when and why we block your loving spirit and thereby slow down the progress of creation to its completion in you.  When we find it hard to forgive, help our egos to step aside and allow your spirit to do the forgiving from within us.
We are the cup.
You are the wine.

Profession of Faith:

ALL: We believe in God, the Creator of the Universe, the fountain of life, flowing through every being. We believe in Jesus, the Christ, who reflects the face of God and the fullness of humanity. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the breath of God in the cosmos, who calls us to love and serve without counting the cost. We believe in our global communion with all circles of life. Amen to loving actions on behalf of justice, healing, compassion and equality for all in our world. We believe we are light to the world.

Presider: We are people of faith. We believe in the power of prayer. Some of us struggle to understand why there is so much suffering in our world, often caused by one person’s inhumanity to another. Yet, we believe that we send blessings to those who are struggling and who need to experience hope, to those who are grieving and need to be comforted in their loss, to those who are facing medical challenges that they be granted hope and healing. We bring the needs of people throughout our world to our gracious God.

After each intercession, the response is: Loving God, hear our prayer.

For what else shall we pray?
Presider: Healing God, you faithfully listen to our prayers. Strengthen us as we strive to respond to the needs of your people and work for justice and positive change in our world. We make this prayer in the name of Jesus, the Christ, Amen.
Offertory Song: “Gather Me Under Your Wings” – by Kathryn Christian

Gather me under your wings,

Shelter me from the rain,

Mother me, comfort me, hold me,

Here is my heart, O God.
PREPARATION OF THE GIFTS – (Please join us around the altar)

Presider: Blessed are you, gracious God of all creation, through your goodness we have this bread to offer, which earth has given and human hands have made. It will become for us the bread of life.

ALL: Blessed be God forever.
Presider: Blessed are you, gracious God of all creation, through your goodness we have this wine to offer, fruit of the vine and work of human hands. It will become our spiritual drink. ALL: Blessed be God forever.
Presider: Pray my friends that as we celebrate this breaking of bread and blessing of wine we accept more fully the mission of our Church by actively living our response to God’s call.

ALL: May our gracious God accept these gifts for the praise and glory of God’s name, for our good, and for the good of all our Church.
Presider: God is always with you. ALL: And also with you.

Presider: Together, we lift up our hearts. ALL: Together, we lift them up to God.

Presider: Together, we give thanks to our gracious God. ALL: Indeed it is right to constantly give thanks and praise.
Voice 1: Gracious God, source and sustenance of life, redeeming presence to the pain and brokenness of our world, Holy Spirit who enlivens all that exists, we beseech your healing power to come upon us and all for whom we pray today. We join together with our community, with all creation everywhere, with all those who have gone before us and live in the eternal now (Names of our loved ones…………)

Let us sing:

ALL: We are holy, holy, holy (x3), we are whole. (You, I, We) By Karen Drucker
Voice 2: We ask you to enliven anew in our hearts the empowering grace of your abundant Spirit, who infuses for us these gifts of bread and wine with the transforming energy of life, to nourish and sustain us in all times and especially in times of need.

(Please all extend hands as we recite the consecration together.)

ALL: Before he was given up to death, a death he freely accepted, Jesus took bread and gave you thanks. He broke the bread and gave it to his disciples and said: take this, all of you, and eat it; this is my body which will be given up for you.
ALL: When supper was ended, Jesus took the cup. Again he gave You thanks and praise, gave the cup to his disciples, and said, take this all of you, and drink it; this is the cup of my blood, the blood of the new and everlasting covenant. It will be shed for you and for all. Do this in memory of me.

Presider: Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:

ALL: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
Voice 3: (Please place your hand on the shoulder of the person to your right)

As we gather around this Eucharistic table, we recall God’s blessing and love from ages past, and we celebrate anew the gift we share among us at this Eucharistic feast. May the Spirit of life and wholeness, who transforms the gifts we present, transform us too, that we may be refreshed in our inner being and be empowered to bring mercy, love and healing to those whose lives we touch and who are Jesus to us.
Voice 4: Remember gracious God, your Church throughout the world; make us open to receive all believers. We join with all God’s people, with our community, with Bridget Mary our Bishop, and with Francis our Pope.
Voice 5: Grant that, in union with all peoples living and dead, we may strive to create a world where suffering and pain are diminished, where justice and peace are restored, and where all people can live without fear, in health and wholeness. May we all be united in acclaiming the God of Life, whose abundance is offered to each and to all, ‘til the Kin-dom arrives in the fullness of time.
ALL: Through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is Yours, gracious God, forever and ever. Amen (sung).

Presider: Let us join hands and raise our voices as we say the Prayer Jesus taught us:

ALL: Our Father and Mother…….

Presider: Deliver us, God, from every evil and grant us peace in our day. In your mercy keep us holy in your sight and protect us from all anxiety and fear. We watch and wait, discerning signs that You are continually with us.

ALL: Amen.

Presider: Jesus, You said to your disciples, “My peace I leave you. My peace I give you.” Look on the faith of all and grant us the peace and unity of your kin-dom where you live forever and ever. ALL: Amen.
Presider: May the peace of our gracious and loving God be always with you. ALL: And also with you. Let us offer each other a sign of peace.

Presider: Loving God,

ALL: You call us to live the Gospel of peace and justice. We will live justly.

Presider: Loving God,

ALL: You call us to be the presence of Jesus in the world. We will love tenderly.

Presider: Loving God,

ALL: You call us to speak truth to power. We will walk with integrity in your presence.
Presiders: This is Jesus, who through the power of the Spirit, liberates, heals and transforms our world. All are invited to partake of this sacred banquet of love. ALL: We are the Body of Christ.
Communion: Instrumental by Mindy

After Communion Reflection – “Linger Lovingly” by Carmel Boyle (Words are on last page)

Presider: May wonder, gratitude and thanksgiving fill us, may compassion fully fill our hearts, that you may heal the numbness that continues because of our society’s injustices. May we each know that we are loved and may we continue to be the face of God to each other. Amen.

Prayers of Gratitude, Introductions, Announcements

Presider: May God be with you. ALL: And also with you.

Presider: Let us call upon our gracious God as we share blessings with each other. We bless one another and pledge to live the Gospel of Christ. ALL: Amen.

(Everyone please extend your hands in mutual blessing.)

ALL: May our gracious God, bless us all gathered here, in the name of God our Creator, in the name of Jesus our strength, in the name of the Holy Spirit our Wisdom, as we care and minister to one another in love, for we are the Body of Christ and the face of God to the world. Amen.

Presider: Go in the peace of Christ. Let our Spirit-filled service continue!

ALL: Thanks be to God.

CLOSING HYMN: “Take the Word of God With You As You Go” – Christopher Walker
Take the word (peace, joy, love) of God with you as you go,

Take the seeds of God’s word (peace, joy love) and make them grow.

Go in peace to serve the world, in peace to serve the world,

Take the love of God, the love of God, with you as you go.
Linger Lovingly

by Carmel Boyle
Linger lovingly, a little longer,

touch this moment, breath this now,

Linger lovingly, a little longer,

let the Spirit breath in you now.
Repeat refrain
Veni Sancte Spiritus,

Touch our hearts, touch our minds.

Veni Sancte Spiritus,

With gentle breeze, lead our way.
Refrain x2
Veni Sancte Spiritus,

Be in our hearts, be in our words,

Veni Sancte Spiritus,

With tongues of fire, light our way.
Refrain x2
Veni Sancte Spiritus

Veni Sancte Spiritus

Veni Sancte Spiritus

"Linger Lovingly" by Carmel Boyle, Beautiful Pentecost Hymn, Rejoice and May the Love of the Holy Spirit Within You Fill Your Hearts With Joy and Peace!

Spain ATE: The Day Has Arrived: Women and the Diaconate

Pope Francis' Prayer: Stop the "Merchants of Death"

"The 10 countries with the highest military spending accounted for nearly 73 percent of the total, and five are permanent members of the United Nations Security Council: The United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom. The others are Saudi Arabia, India, Japan, Germany, and South Korea.
The U.S. military’s bill last year rose to $611 billion, almost three times as much as China’s, which was the second highest at $215 billion. America’s military spending is larger than the next 8 biggest military spenders combined, and President Donald Trump has promised to increase the budget even further..."
“There are so many dark strategic, industrial, and political interests that result in the death of so many innocent victims around the world,” he (Pope Francis) said. “Do we know which industries in our countries benefit from the arms trade?”

Profiles on Social Media Will be Considered When Applying for Visa to the U.S. by Olga Lucia Alvarez Benjumea ARCWP

"Where I Sit is Holy" by Shaina Noll

"The Frenzied Adventures of the Frozen Yogurt Fiend (and Felonious Faithful)" by Katie Meehan April 18, 2012, Enjoy! this fun story by my niece!

Bridget Mary Meehan enjoying her favorite soft ice cream at McDonald's
(Note: I was an Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister- Immaculata, PA. in 1995 I transferred to Sisters for Christian Community)

In her former life, she was a nun. Now, she’s an outlaw. More importantly, she has loved and will always love ice cream.
She’s the eternal optimist. My father and uncle, her only siblings, are quintessential pessimists. They try their best to bring down my aunt at any possible chance.
“Dear Heart.” Uh-oh. That phrase is a red flag. Except, of course, Aunt Mary never really gets mad or annoyed- at least not enough to admit it.
The full-length sundress twirls through the kitchen. She doesn’t cook, just prepares. She sets out her father’s dinner then goes about dropping his pills into the opaque medicine box. Sixteen for each day… six after breakfast, three after lunch, three after dinner, and three before bedtime. She hums as she works.
Her car is small… a regular piece of shit, nicknamed by my father, the Jap Trap. The soothing sounds of the spiritual soul plays softly on her radio. It’s literally torture. Danny and I roll our eyes a hundred times over. We look over at her and giggle. She has to sit on a pillow to see over the steering wheel.
A heretic, really. She’s committed crimes against the Catholic faith with her social justice programs and community outreach projects. She’s an imposter. The impersonator of priests.
She backed into a wall once while parking on an empty street in Ireland. Afterwards, my best friend and I convinced her to drink with us. One Guinness later, she bid us adieu but not before leaving us twenty euros and sashaying out of the dingy pub with a crooked smile. At the door, she spun around and gave us a mischievous wink. We nodded knowingly and turned back to our Bulmers at the bar.
Her diet consists of power bars, diet coke, and McDonald’s frozen yogurt. She’ll walk for miles to get Mickey D’s frozen yogurt.
There are stuffed bears along the aisles. Her parishioners are smiling and waving me over. Dreading more social interaction, I slink over and nod as they all tell me, “your aunt is a saint.” I smile obligingly.
She was excommunicated the day I graduated from very same high school she attended two decades earlier. The ceremony was held in the National Shrine and she sat patiently, beatifically in the fourth row. I can’t imagine how she felt sitting within the very building at the heart of her faith and the enemy to her cause.
Dick, her friend, came to Thanksgiving a few years ago. His dyed black hair, his gray beard, and white soul patch were a real sight to see. He smiled longingly at my aunt as my Uncle Pat mimicked the look behind him. Aunt Mary never noticed and denied the crush. “He’s a dear, sweet man. You know, his wife died three years ago. She had an amazing soul.”
I splash-kicked water into her face, accidentally, of course. She had already given up on keeping her hair dry. Danny, my younger brother, laughs and cries, “Let’s play cops and robbers!” We scream “Not it!,” and rush to opposite sides of the pool as my aunt wades out towards us.
She’s a dancing fool. Every wedding, every wake, all parties… She’ll dance by herself or whoever she finds. She doesn’t care. The Irish jigs really get her going.
She is short, about 4’9. Her platinum blonde bob frames a pair of soft blue eyes. She wears long, flowing dresses, chunky sandals, and an oversized floppy hat during the summer. In colder weather, she opts for bulky sweaters and tights under long skirts and wool dresses.
We packed up the whole family one Friday and drove up to Pittsburgh. We made a weekend of the ordination. That Saturday and a few loopholes later, my aunt was ordained a woman priest in the Roman Catholic Church. We took her out to dinner and my dad bought her roses.
I set up her Facebook for her. She bought me a Starbucks card for it and offered twenty days worth of praise for my social networking skills. She updates about ten times a day with articles or Bible verses that inspire her. Giddy with her technological abilities, she posts videos of my grandfather playing trumpet every week.
When I was eight, she made me teach her moves from my Irish dancing class. We’d spend hours perfecting the reels, hops, and lead backs on the cool, tiled floor of the darkened basement.
They knew the regulars at McDonald’s. (They were regulars at McDonald’s). Laura was a nice little old lady. We saw her at 6 pm every time we visited until one day, we didn’t see her. Intercessions went up to God and we dedicated our mealtime prayers to Laura. Aunt Mary bought an extra cone for old time’s sake.
Her voice is soft but her laugh is shrill. What’s worse is that she can’t carry a tune to save her life. She’s utterly hopeless. But still, she insists on singing.
She swims every day she can. My grandfather plays the trumpet for her on the sidelines in his baseball cap and baggy Hawaiian shirt as she splices through the water in their cheerful pool. The chestnut tree casts a shadow the length of the pool but she reapplies her SPF 75 four times every hour.
When we were younger, we’d play all sorts of games. Cinderella involved a pair of tattered old heels and many attempts to jam it onto all of our feet. For awhile, when I was very young, Mother Eagle was my favorite game. We’d race around the yard to protect and feed our baby birds. We’d coax our sometimes-willing beautiful black, brown, and white mutt, Belle, into a nest of pool tubes, old towels, and flower petals as we threw sticks and wiffle balls to her. Belle just lay down and sighed. She was a good sport, though.
The first time she drank, my aunt was 18 and at the convent. The nuns were watching some godawful John Wayne movie. She thought the cheap wine would taste like ice cream. By the next morning, she realized that she had been sorely mistaken, as she nursed her killer hangover.
Belle knew two words: “walk” and “McDonalds.” Aunt Mary was relentless in providing her already bulging frame with juicy double cheeseburgers. Whenever my dad and mom would grumble about it, she would reply: “Well, she likes them. And she wants them. I can’t help that she expects them now.”
She introduced Danny and me to Starbucks. Enough said.
She’d rather speak to me than my father who jumps down her throat every time they talk about this. She doesn’t want to put her father, my grandfather, in a nursing home. She just couldn’t. I understand
When Danny was younger, she’d trick him into holding her ice cream cone as she licked up the drips. Danny watched, dumbfounded, perplexed, as his cone was gingerly handed back to him, half eaten.
She cried once… on the phone. The next day, I had convinced my father to fly down to Florida with me to see him one last time. He recovered that time but I know the cycle will continue. When we arrived, haggard and wide-eyed, she hugged me, held me for a minute and refused to let go. I waited awkwardly, but patiently.
Turquoise, teal, navy, seafoam, robin’s egg, periwinkle, royal… Blue is her signature color. Occasionally, some green and purple pop out like a black squirrel.
She wears necklaces with bejeweled and rhinestone crosses the size of a fist. They rest above her pale breastbone.
She loves the Beatles.
She prayed fervently when her favorite president died… the Irish-American one. One wall in the basement is devoted to him: it bears a framed portrait of a young Jack Kennedy. A wooden crucifix is placed tenderly above it.
Years ago, she attended a St. Patrick’s Day dinner with Grandpa. She was invited to the White House by her idol. That night, my grandfather was kissed by an angel (Roma Downey) and she met and laughed with her feminist partner in crime, Hilary Rodham Clinton. I can guarantee from that framed picture in her bedroom that they laughed a little too hysterically for me.
The stock market arguments waft into the dining room where I’m trying to read. They never agree but my dad and aunt will spend hours nitpicking stock and bond choices the other has made. Afterwards, they stand a little closer and smile more.

After our near-death experience on the Irish Sea, we lost our appetites (and our lunch). I was squeezed in between my grandmother and mom, both stridently vomiting into the bags that the sailor had passed out earlier. When my father asked if they’d ever experienced such bad turbulence, the sailor answered that he’d been on a boat ride like this… but never with passengers. He promptly ran to the side of the ship and puked into the gray water. I looked over at my brother, nestled comfortably beside my aunt and grandfather. He glanced up from his Gameboy at all the hung-over college kids struggling a few rows in front of him and smirked. He went right back to playing his game. My grandfather was panicking and my aunt calmed him by swiftly pulling out about ten rosaries and handing them to all the passengers near her. My dad looked over and rolled his eyes. He had taken the incapacitated sailor’s job of passing out bags to the sick. He was currently instructing one aforementioned college kid to open his unconscious friend’s mouth so that she wouldn’t choke to death on her own vomit. My aunt settled in, crossed herself, and started the rosary. Her little voice chirped, rattling off the Apostle’s Creed, Our Father, and the first three Hail Mary’s. Each word got louder and several strangers joined in. My aunt offered a few words of solace… something about dying together. My father whipped around, nostrils flaring. “Shut up, Mary! We’re not going to die! I’m not dying without Pat!” A Midwestern woman who my aunt had befriended was appalled and spoke up, “You can’t speak that way to a nun!” My dad glared at the lady and yelled, “I can say whatever I want to her… She’s my Goddamn sister!,” before storming out of the little cabin into the miserable rain. My aunt turned to the lady and smiled, oblivious to my father’s recent outburst; she said, “Oh no. Now, I’m a priest.” Three hours later, we arrived at the dirty port and stumbled onto dry land. My aunt said her goodbyes to her newfound friends and exchanged contact information. She walked over to the van and slid back the door. “They were lovely people. Sean, do you think we could stop at a McDonald’s? I could really go for some frozen yogurt.”

Friday, June 2, 2017

Pope Francis' prayer intention for June: Eliminate arms trade
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has released his video message accompanying his monthly prayer intention for June. This month’s intention is for the elimination of the arms trade.

The Vatican has used its annual message to Muslims at the end of Ramadan - the annual month of fasting - to reiterate its commitment to combating climate change just a day after Donald Trump, the US president, withdrew the United States from the Paris Agreement.
Political and religious leaders have been quick to condemn Trump's announcement from the White House on Thursday that the accord "hamstrings the United States" because it was "less about the climate and more about other countries obtaining a financial advantage over the United States".
In its annual Ramadan message the Vatican said that Christians and Muslims, believers in one God, have an obligation to safeguard the world God created.
"Our vocation to be guardians of God's handiwork is not optional, nor is it tangential to our religious commitment as Christians and Muslims: It is an essential part of it," said Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran and Bishop Miguel Angel Ayuso Guixot, respectively president and secretary of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.
The message - which was dated 19 May but was released at the Vatican today, three weeks before the end of Ramadan on 24 June. Each year, the council for interreligious dialogue publishes a message to the world's Muslims in preparation for the celebration of the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting.
The pontifical council chooses a theme annually to promote dialogue by "offering insights on current and pressing issues." The theme chosen for 2017 was "Caring for Our Common Home," which echoes Pope Francis' encyclical on the environment, "Laudato Si'."

"As believers, our relationship with God should be increasingly shown in the way we relate to the world around us," Cardinal Tauran and Bishop Ayuso wrote.


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4 portions. Approximate cost: £15.60 (and that’s assuming you have a jar of preserved lemons, otherwise £19)

Skill level: Medium,

Total cooking time: 1 hour, 10 minutes (plus time to marinade overnight)

  • Prep time: 15 minutes,
  • Cooking time: 55 minutes,

Equipment used: 1 large bowl, 1 large deep roasting tray, 1 smaller roasting tray, 1 saucepan, 1 sieve,

Original recipe: (BBC Good Food’s) Sticky citrus chicken with griddled avocado & beet salad

The first time I made this I followed the original recipe to the letter. On the second and third occasion I adapted it slightly and by the fourth attempt, I think I’ve cracked it.

The original recipe cooks onions, beetroot, spelt and chicken in one pot – the juices from the marinade mix in with the beetroot juices and the roasted red onions and create a beautiful rich sauce. Although this tastes amazing, the beetroot colour completely obliterates all other ingredients and each item takes on a heavy dark purple tinge (absolutely nothing like the fresh, vibrant picture included on April’s edition of BBC Good Food)

Instead, I opt to roast the beetroot separately and add to the pan for the last 10 minutes of cooking or when plating up. There isn’t a huge difference in taste but a massive difference in appeal. (You do eat with your eyes after all). Potentially try both methods and see which you prefer.

I also opt to serve the avocado raw (rather than char this or add to the oven for 10 minutes as recommended). Each time I’ve baked the avocado it takes on a slightly acrid taste when you actually want it as a fresh accompaniment to the roasted chicken and root veg. I’ve therefore opted to serve this as part of a spinach and red onion side salad.

To prep:

(Original recipe in bold font)

Make the marinade:

Rinse 1 preserved lemon under running water to remove some of the brine, then separate the middle from the peel (the middle part – the flesh and pips – is very sour) and discard the middle. Finely chop the soft peel until it resembles a paste.

Tip into a bowl and add the remaining marinade ingredients and a pinch of salt. Whisk until combined, then pour roughly half the marinade over the chicken and rub it into all the nooks – Pop the other half into the fridge for later use

For the best flavour, leave the chicken to marinate overnight, covered, in the fridge (store the remaining marinade in the fridge too), but if you’re short on time, 2 hrs marinating will do.

Spatchcock the chicken:

Flip it over so the backbone is facing you. Using a sturdy pair of kitchen scissors, cut down either side of the backbone, then discard. Turn the chicken over and push down firmly on the breastbone to flatten it out, then make a few slashes in each leg joint. (For more help – check out these oh so handy pictures)

Prepare the veg:

Cut 2 red onions into 8 wedges each

Peel the beetroot and cut each into 8 wedges – you can wear gloves when doing this to avoid pink hand, but it seems a litte extreme (I do however add a sheet of tin foil onto my wooden chopping board to stop the wood from staining)

To cook:

Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Tip the onions and beetroot into a large roasting tin (use your best tin and you can serve the dish straight from it), drizzle with oil and season well.

(This is where I deviate and add onions and beetroot to separate dishes to prevent the beetroot juices from obscuring all the other ingredients. Up to you if you combine or cook separately. Using your best dish is, to be honest, a load of nonsense as you inevitably end up with blackened edges – fine for real life eating but not if you want to create the visual beauty that is featured in the magazine).

Toss the vegetables to coat and spread them out towards the edges of the tin. Place the chicken on top, skin-side up, and pour over any juices from the bag or dish. Season the chicken well and roast for 45 mins.

(Add chicken to onions or beetroot or both as you wish)

Meanwhile, bring a pan of water to the boil and add the spelt. Cook for 20 mins or until tender, then drain and set aside. (I’d recommend increasing this time to 45 mins, especially if you choose not to soak beforehand, but best to refer to packet instructions)

Pour the remaining marinade into a small pan and bring to a rapid boil, then continue cooking for 2-3 mins until you have a sticky glaze.  I usually yse the leftover from the chicken as well, but make sure you bring this to the boil if you do to kill of chicken germs,

Remove the roasting tin from the oven, lift the chicken onto a plate or board and stir the spelt into the vegetables (Onions only although you can add in the roasted beetroot after you have stirred the onion and spelt mixture)

Place the chicken back on top and brush the thickened glaze over the chicken.

Return to the oven for a further 5-10 mins. To check the chicken is cooked, pierce the thickest part with a skewer. The juices should run clear, not pink. If you need to, return the chicken to the oven for a further 5-10 mins, then check again. (At this point I took the chicken out but leave for another 5 to 10 minutes if it needs it)

Lift the chicken onto a plate, cover loosely with foil and return the roasting tin with the vegetables to the oven for a further 10 mins

For the spinach salad, simply slice some red onion, add 1 sliced avocado and a large handful of spinach leaves per person. Drizzle over olive oil or a mixture of lemon juice and olive oil if you prefer.

  • 1 medium chicken (£9.25) or 4 (+) oyster legs (£7)
  • 2.5 red onions, each cut into wedges (75p)
  • 6 beetroots (I used 4, £1.80 for a bunch)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil or rapeseed oil
  • 250g spelt (£2.40 for a 500g bag)

For the marinade:

  • 1 small preserved lemon
  • 4 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 2 tsp sweet paprika, plus a pinch
  • zest and juice from 2 large lemons (70p)
  • zest and juice from 2 oranges (60p)

For the salad:

  • 1 large bag of spinach (£1)
  • half a red onion thinly sliced
  • 1 large, firm avocado (£1)

View other chicken dishes

View other dishes from BBC Good Food


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It's About Time: First Look at Time Travel TV Shows of 2016/2017

The Flash. Outlander. Legends of Tomorrow. 11.22.63. Frequency. Time After Time. Making History. Timeless.

Pretty soon there will be Chicago Time Traveler and NCIS: Time Warp. Well, not yet, but it feels like we are getting there.

The new TV season – if there still is such a thing - will see the trend of time travel take over the television airwaves.  Which is all fine with me.

Being an absolute fanatic about Back to the Future, I have never been one to shy away from a new venture in the time travel genre.  Journeyman, Life on Mars, 7 Days, I’ve watched them all.

But when is too many too many? It might be the Fall of 2016 and beyond.

Right now, all we have to examine the future of time travel TV are the sneak peek trailers the networks pushed out a few months ago. Yes, these few minutes are really not the best way to determine the quality of a show, but unless a time machine pops out of the space-time continuum to take me to the premiere of each show, this is all I got to go on.

‘Frequency,’ the 2000 movie starring Dennis Quaid and Jim Caviezel, is one of my favorites. It had a different approach to the time travel concept. No one actually traveled through time physically. There were no vortexes, no wormholes, no bending of space. There was the aroura borealis, but that’s a usual occurrence in reality. A father spoke to his older son in the future through a ham radio. They were able to alter the future, but sometimes not for the better. It was a fantastic concept and when I heard they were finally going to turn it into a television series, I was all for it. Of course, the thought then goes – it made a great 2-hour movie, but how could it make a great TV series for years to come? That’s not my job to figure that out.

Right off the bat, knowing that this comes from Jeremy Carver, a producer-writer on the long-running and constantly charming ‘Supernatural,’ is a big plus for ‘Frequency.’ The writer of the movie Toby Emmerich is also onboard as a producer.

Some changes. The lead is no longer a male cop, but a female cop. And it no longer is 1999 and 1969, but 2016 and 1996. However, some things are the same as the original – ham radio, talk of baseball which makes them figure out who each other is, a murderer on the loose. Again, it all worked it in the span of 120 or so minutes in 2000, but can it last in a longer format? I’m excited to find out, as I really am still intrigued at this take on time travel and want this show to succeed.

Frequency premieres October 5 on The CW

Time After Time

Growing up, as alluded to before, there was no better time travel movie for me to watch than Back to the Future. It had it all, as I explained in a previous blog back on Back to the Future Day. But every so often, I would stumble upon another version of the time travel story – Doctor Who, Quantum Leap, Josh Kirby…Time Warrior, Time Cop, and more. Then I found this strange film on the local movie channel and I was just totally confused. Is that H.G. Wells? The author of The Time Machine? Why is he going after Jack the Ripper? What is happening? I would ask those questions every time I found this movie. Until I finally saw the beginning scenes. The movie was called ‘Time After Time.’ It was created in 1979 and saw both Wells and the suspected Ripper travel from the 1890s London to the 1970s California. Like ‘Frequency,’ this movie with another take on time travel is being made into a television series for the Fall of 2016.

Like the original – H.G. Wells’ friend steals the time machine and, like the original, his friend turns out to be Jack the Ripper. Here’s the change this time around: when the two land in the future, it’s no longer 1979 San Francisco, but 2016 New York. And because this is a TV series, more characters need to be introduced – including Wells’ great-granddaughter!! Hmmm…interesting. I’m wondering if this chase will end up spanning other time eras or will they stay in the present. This show does have a seasoned vet behind it – Kevin Williamson, creator of ‘Dawson’s Creek,’ ‘The Vampire Diaries,’ and ‘Scream.’ So this show has the chance to be both really dramatic and terrifying. Sign me up!

Time After Time premieres on ABC on TBD

Making History

OK, so technically ‘Making History’ doesn’t premiere on FOX until 2017, but the trailer is up, so it’s got to be reviewed. This is the only comedy take on the time travel format in the upcoming TV season. Can time travel work for laughs? Have I mentioned ‘Back to the Future?’ The show is produced by Phil Lord and Chris Miller of ‘Lego Movie’ fame.

Here’s how FOX explains it: “Two shows in one, it’s both a rollicking historical adventure, and a contemporary comedy about love, friendship and trying to fit in to an increasingly complex and impersonal world." Rollicking is always good, right?

While this show has its own version of the time travel story, it centers on the constant time travel question – if I can go back in the past, can I alter the future? It plays on that in a comedic fashion – duffel bag time machine, ham as currency, movie quotes used as revolution inspiration, and especially when introducing the female lead in the show as Paul Revere’s daughter. Hey, it’s a time travel show, so why not make a character related to a historical figure?

Adam Pally has been hilarious in whatever show he’s been on – ‘Happy Endings,’ especially and this should be no different here.

The issue is by the time this show debuts, all the other time travel shows will likely have seen their fate sealed. Will this show premiere too late and us time traveler lovers be exhausted by then?

Making History premieres on FOX in 2017

Like ABC’s ‘Time After Time,’ NBC’s ‘Timeless’ features a criminal who steals a time machine. But whereas one person goes to the stop him in ‘Time After Time,’ ‘Timeless’ features three protagonists. And in another difference, this criminal doesn’t stay in one year, he travels through time.  The series is produced by the team behind ‘The Blacklist.’

When comparing the new entries into the time travel TV mythos, the trio concept is exclusive to ‘Timeless.’ This is also more of a serious, reality-based sci-fi show. It is the first show of these to mention Homeland Security. The showrunners say they will not hide from the racist and sexist parts of bygone eras.

The concept though is very similar to The CW’s ‘Legends of Tomorrow.’ A group of good guys travel through time to stop a madman from turning the future into his vision. Of course, on ‘Timeless,’ none of the good guys and gals have superpowers. That we know of.

Timeless premieres on NBC on October 3.

All in all, the four shows premiering this upcoming “TV season” centering around time travel all have potential. None are too much like the others, except the whole time travel thing.

But we have to remind ourselves, there’s still ‘The Flash,’ ‘Outlander,’ ‘Legends of Tomorrow,’ ‘12 Monkeys,’ ‘Doctor Who,’ and I’m sure others that I’ve never watched – who has the time!

The question is will these shows be worth our time, stand the test of time, and last long enough for us to remember them?

Time will tell.


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First Swim Lesson

Saturday was Brooklynn's first swim lesson, and she had so much fun! We were worried that she wouldn't be too thrilled to get into the lukewarm water, but she went in like a pro and had a blast! She splashed around and laughed like crazy! She, even, put her face in the water!! I'm not too sure if she like it or not:). The class lasted about 30 minutes, but Bird was ready to get out after about 20 (she started to get a little cold and fussy). I'm not sure who had more fun, me or her! We are doing the class with my friend Katie and her son, Jessie, and Brooklynn and Jessie were laughing at each other and really hit if off. We can't wait to have class next Saturday:)!

Brooklynn driving right on in:

Practicing her backstroke (haha):

Brooklynn and Jessie ("high five for being an awesome swimmer!"):

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Back to Home Back to Top Brooklynn's Growing Up!. Theme ligneous by Bloggerized by Chica Blogger.


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Printable Version

Christine Lighthill

Born in Flint, MI on May 13, 1964.
Departed on July 10, 2017 in Viera, FL.

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Christine Michelle Lighthill, 53, passed away on Monday, July 10, 2017 at Health First Hospital in Viera, FL, after a courageous battle against cancer. She was born on May 13, 1964 in Flint, MI, to James and Virginia Coggins.

Christine grew up in Otisville, MI, and graduated from Lakeville High School in 1982. After high school, she made Florida her home. She was successful throughout her career and always loved a challenge. Her last career move she found to be the most rewarding, working for the University of Florida Ped-I-Care Program. She loved to be able to make a difference in the children's lives.

She married Matthew Lighthill in 1993 in Melbourne, FL, and they celebrated 24 years of marriage this past June. Christine was very active in her community and she touched many lives both directly and indirectly. She believed in giving back and did so in many ways, the largest being the annual 'Battle of the Bridges' triathlon, which she owned, organized, and directed. The funds raised helped many local organizations, including the Cancer Care Centers of Brevard Foundation. For her efforts, she received the 2013 Central Florida Humanitarian Award, and she served on the Board of Directors of the Cancer Care Centers of Brevard Foundation. She was devout in her faith and was a member of the Ascension Catholic Community Church. Christine was an avid triathlete and traveled the states looking for another challenge. She enjoyed long walks at her favorite spots (the wetlands, the beach, and Mom and Dad's). She also enjoyed a good book, spending time with family and friends, and her beloved dog Aniol.

Christine is survived by her spouse Matt of Melbourne, FL; her parents James and Virginia Coggins of Southern Pines, NC; in-laws Wayne and Virginia Sue Lighthill of Melbourne, FL; brothers Steven (Lynette) Coggins of Davison, MI, and Mark (Jaynie) Coggins of Otisville, MI; brothers-in-law Mark (Dorean) Lighthill of Dothan, AL, Darrell Lighthill of Lincolnton, NC, and Paul Lighthill of Melbourne, FL; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Ascension Catholic Community Church at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Colorectal Cancer Research. Condolences may be left on the Brownlie & Maxwell online guest book at http://www.brownliemaxwell.com.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Jeff and Danielle Greenspoon and family, Leigh Pettigrew, Karen Osiniak, Marta Fiol, and Mary and Harvey Sontag for their enduring love, friendship, and support.

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© 2007-2010 Brownlie-Maxwell Funeral Home P.A. • 1010 E. Palmetto Ave. • Melbourne, FL 32901
Phone: (321) 723-2345 • Fax: (321) 725-2483


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Living in More Than One World,

The Blog of Bruce Rosenstein

Three Questions for Douglas LaBier of the Center for Progressive Development

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the inner life, and what it takes to have a meaningful one. Douglas LaBier is one of the most knowledgeable people in the world on this topic. LaBier, whom I also wrote about in 2010, is a Washington, D.C.-based business psychologist and psychotherapist, and the founder and Director of the Center for Progressive Development. The latter is described on its website as “a nonprofit educational, consulting and research organization. Its mission: to promote psychological health in the workplace and in personal lives.”

He writes regularly for The Huffington Post, and indeed his latest piece is “Redefine Success Through Living an ‘Inside-Out’ Life.” Here is my Q&A with him on how he approaches his own super-busy schedule; plus his reading choices and views on how people experience inspiration through social media.…

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Gordon Marino Q&A on the Intersection of Boxing & Philosophy

Only the most imaginative fiction writer could have invented the life of Gordon Marino. As you can see from the terrific profile in Minnesota’s Pioneer Press, “Meet the boxing philosopher of Northfield’s St. Olaf College,” and on his bio page, Marino exemplifies the concept of living in more than one world. His main work is as professor of philosophy and director of the Hong Kierkegaard Library at St. Olaf College. (I mentioned him and a piece he wrote for The New York Times in my May 21st post about the 200th anniversary of the birth of the Danish philosopher-theologian Søren Kierkegaard.)

Gordon Marino

Gordon Marino

But Marino is also a prolific freelance writer and author/editor, and the boxing correspondent of The Wall Street Journal.…

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Peter Drucker’s 5 Existential Questions for the Fall Semester

As we’re all aware, the immediate period after Labor Day is one of transitions, new beginnings and self-examination. Among other things, it is the Jewish New Year, and the start of the school year. Many people are starting or ending jobs, moving to a new residence, or deciding on potential new careers. I wrote about this period last year, in my post “5 Self-Management Tips For the Fall 2012 Semester.”

Questions photo

Whether or not you are a college or grad student, it’s worth considering questions Peter Drucker posed to this group in a fascinating essay, “The Romantic Generation,” in Harper’s Magazine, May 1966.

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Samantha Shannon: A Literary Star is Born

Maybe I was living under a rock, but until late last week I had never heard of the 21 year old British author Samantha Shannon, whose futuristic debut novel, The Bone Season, hit #7 in The New York Times September 8, 2013 Best Sellers list (hardcover fiction) in its first week. It also became the first book chosen for the Today show book club.

science fiction book image 9-3-13

What drew my attention was a headline in my alma mater, USA TODAY, “Is Samantha Shannon the Next J. K. Rowling?” I didn’t realize that there were other articles going back more than a year raising that comparison, when she was still a student at St Anne’s College at the University of Oxford.

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Wednesday, September 1, 2010

MAKEUP FOREVER: Rouge Artist Intense Lipstick

Let’s get one thing straight, when Makeup Forever debuts a new line, they do it full force and they do not mess around.  I had actually purchased two of their Rouge Artist Intense colors a few weeks ago while in their boutique, to be honest I hadn’t had time to really try it out by the time the launch party came around.  Walking into the launch party, I was beautifully amazed by how many shades there were (50!!!).  I was in perfect lipstick heaven.
The shades go as follows:
1-8 are the matte shades
Makeup Forever Rouge Artist Intense colors
9-21 are  the pearly shades (shimmer)
22-50 are the satin shades

What they say: “Formulated with 50% more pigment than the traditional lipstick, Rouge Artist Intense gives an immediate true-to-color result. A blend of three natural waxes, the creamy texture glides on effortlessly for a long-lasting hold. The extensive color and texture range provides unlimited creativity.
What I say:  These lipsticks are AMAZING.  They are seriously pigmented and glide on like Scott Hamilton did on ice (or for you younger readers Johnny Weir). The application of the lipsticks are incredible and, while at the party, I was told that it is key for Rouge Artist Intense to apply a balm as your basecoat before applying the lipstick.  Now, this is something I do in general when applying lipsticks just because I like the feel better and think it makes most lipsticks last longer, but that is key for these.  Also, I would say that for colors 1-21 you absolutely need the balm to have these lips glide on as nicely as the satin (22-50).
The beauty of Rouge Artist Intense is that because they are so heavily pigmented there are so many things that you can do with them.  The heavy pigment also leads to long lasting color.  As far as application you can either put it on directly from the tube to your lips, you can tap it on with your finger for a lighter color and look or you can use your lip brush for an in between color.  They also layer beautifully.  Last night was date night (YESSS!) and  I wanted a nice muted color with a light pop.  So, I used #22  which is a nude color (comparable, color wise, to MAC’s Myth) and I layered #12 on top, a beautiful light purple shimmer color.  It looked absolutely beautiful.  Tomorrow night I have a fabulous magazine launch party and will be wearing either #40 or their fabulous Moulin Rouge color (which if you purchase before sept 15th a portion of the money goes to the Beauty Bus Foundation, see Sephora’s site for details) for a big pop of color.

So, on my new AMAZING rating system: (from Amazing to AAAAAmazing), I would have to give the satin shades a AAAAAmazing and the matte and pearly a AAAAmazing!  Truly wonderful.  So many colors to choose from, it should not matter what look you are going for, what skin tone you have or what style of lipstick you wear (matte, pearly or satin), you will find something that matches you and your style perfectly.

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Tuesday, 24 May 2011

NGOs receive Deauville Report on G8 health and food security commitment

The minister for overseas development, Henri de Raincourt, hosted a working lunch for representatives of the major development NGOs and presented the Deauville Accountability Report entitled G8 Commitments on Health and Food Security: State of Delivery and Results. Following the first G8 report on accountability which resulted from the 2010 Muskoka Summit, the latest report reflects the new path of transparency and a thorough follow-up of its commitments. The report attempts a twin-track approach to accountability: on the one hand a quantitative approach based mostly on transparent reporting of disbursements of official development assistance, and, on the another hand, a qualitative approach based on the principles of aid effectiveness, measuring results and suggesting best practices. In 2011, under the French Presidency, the G8 has focused on the two key sectors of health and food security. During the meeting with NGOs, Mr de Raincourt highlighted the G8’s contribution in 2008 and 2009 of more than 24 billion dollars of Official Development Assistance (ODA) to the health sector, as well as providing close to 80 percent of funding for the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Regarding food security, the minister also pointed out that almost half of the 20 billion dollars pledged during the 2009 G8 summit in L’Aquila have already been disbursed. According to the OECD, G8 members account for nearly 70 percent of total ODA, which amounted to almost 90 billion dollars in 2010. As a result of targets and commitments set out by the G8, as well as a collective approach, aid provided by the G8 increased by 31 billion dollars between 2004 and 2010, an increase of 54 percent.

Source: French Ministry for Foreign Affairs


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Darth Vader
Home / Comics / Marvel Raises A Sith Lord in Darth Vader #1

Marvel Raises A Sith Lord in Darth Vader #1

Witness The Rise Of A Dark Lord In DARTH VADER #1 – Coming in June from Marvel Entertainment.

Darth Vader

The Rise Of A Legend

When Anakin Skywalker fell, both to the pull of the dark side and to the blade of Obi-Wan Kenobi, he rose back up, more machine than man. Having lost everything that he once held dear, the one who was prophesized to bring balance to the Force instead chose a darker path. Now, in a story set directly after the events of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, he must take his first steps into a darker world as… Darth Vader, Dark Lord of the Sith!

Witness iconic moments in the Star Wars galaxy through the lens of one of its most famous characters! The construction of Vader’s red lightsaber, the fallout of Order 66, the beginnings of the Inquisitor program, and the rise of an Empire. Join Vader as he learns a new way. The way of Darth Sidious…the way of the dark side.

About Mack

A fan of media on multiple platforms, I am always watching or playing something! Who knows what I will be on to next?

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Marvel sending out “party kits” for Avengers: No Surrender shindigs

Does your local retailer qualify for a Party Kit from Marvel? If they do, then …


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Thursday, October 22, 2009

The "Medicare For All" theme is back

Do these Idiocrats never learn?

As discussed here,that's one of the worst options they could possibly brand their version of "health care reform". It's clearly not favored by anyone, except for the respondants in "regressive" inspired push polling, and Usual Suspects near and far, who are a distinct minority.

"Medicare Part E" indeed!

"The Inevitable Medicare Cuts":
"But, contrary to the president's rhetoric, the bills that Congress is currently debating do cut Medicare.

For example, roughly 10.2 million seniors currently receive their health care through the Medicare Advantage program. That program offers many seniors benefits not included in traditional Medicare, including preventive-care services, coordinated care for chronic conditions, routine physical examinations, additional hospitalization, skilled nursing facility stays, routine eye and hearing examinations, and glasses and hearing aids. The bills currently making their way through Congress would cut payments to Medicare Advantage plans by $100 billion to $150 billion. In response, many insurers are expected to stop participating in the program, while others will probably increase the premiums they charge seniors. Millions of seniors will likely be forced off their current plans and back into traditional Medicare.

The Congressional Budget Office makes it clear that, at the very least, the cuts 'would reduce the extra benefits that would be made available to beneficiaries through Medicare Advantage
plans.' "

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Sunday, March 14, 2010

Interview: Phil Lewin

I had the pleasure of speaking with Philip Lewin recently, a Toronto area song-smith and musician who released two marvelous LPs back in the 70s. I would describe both records as very personal statements from a unique perspective... something all too rare when it comes to self-released folk and rock music from those halcyon days. Phil is that wonderfully dialed voice which possesses a beautifully cynical mysticism, an intellectual drift fallen on hard times, and ragged musical ends that find their home just because they can. I was so caught off guard when I first heard Diamond Love and Other Realities a few years ago that I played it back to back for days in a row, before finally giving Phil a call a year or so later. Upon hearing Am I Really Here All Alone? a bit later the whole picture clicked, and I could see all these fascinating threads weaving in and out of both records... heartfelt, sad music that reached out and commanded everything I had as a listener. Astonishing late night epiphanies that arose from something very familiar and pushed far out into the atmosphere: cerebral moving dystopic visions of love and longing, of magic and holy people moving in tawdry circles, dark and light like the album cover flashing in the fog, all of this - mind you - wed to a canvas of fragile electric leads and accomplished confident song-writing... Watercolors, which I've posted below is a piece of music that has always stopped me dead in my tracks, an epiphany of the slender line between existential ecstasy and dread, as heavy a song as anything you'd call to mind from your 70s folkie pantheon of Tims and Bobs... and so it is I remain rapt and raving! It's my pleasure to present this interview, as I consider myself a true fan and hope a few more people might dig into these records and enjoy Phil's story. I'm surprised too that Am I Really Here has not been reissued on vinyl yet, as it seems like it would go over well with a wide group of folks - in lieu of that, I've posted a track from each record for you to check out... and should you wish to purchase a CD of either album from Phil himself, he can be contacted here. So without further ado... Phil!

Interview with Phil, March 14, 2010

A snap of Brian Gauci and Wyatt MacDonald, from the Diamond Love Sessions

from Am I Really Here All Alone?

Diamond Love
from Diamond Love and Other Realities

  1. Wow, great songs and interview! Been playing Watercolors 'bout a million times already..
    Even though i don't have the records i think there's a song title switcheroo up in the samples.
    Big Thx // jakob

  2. Jakob -- Thanks for the tip, and glad you enjoyed it. Clips are fixed!

    Best, J

  3. I agree with Jakob, a great interview and those clips realy rocks. Nice work J.

  4. "Watercolors" is just beautiful. heart wolloped, skin fuzzy stunned in your trax beautiful. thank you, kind sir.

  5. Great interview! Just found a copy of "Am I Really Here All Alone" today and am psyched!

  6. Collin -- That is a crazy score. You should drop me a line at:

    I have a series of funny coincidences for you!

  7. WOW... I totally can't hang with these vocals... just kills it for me!


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Community News

Published on September 15th, 2016 |

NCA to host panel discussion on Westside programs tied to new stadium

The Northwest Community Alliance (NCA) will host a broad-based panel discussion Wednesday, Sept. 21, focusing on the status of numerous community based Westside Atlanta programs—in progress or coming online—promised as part of the new Falcon’s stadium project.

The panel will discuss how these entities interact with each other, the current and future state of funding, future programs, and plans to sustain the energy and momentum, all with the goal of

NCA Chairman Michael Koblentz

NCA Chairman Michael Koblentz

major revitalization of Vine City and English Avenue neighborhoods.

The 7 p.m. meeting will be held at the Northside Church of God, 1736 Harper St (at Defoor Avenue) in northwest Atlanta.

The panel members are: Dr. Eloise Klementich, CEO, Invest Atlanta; John Ahmann, CEO, Westside Future Fund; Carol Waddy, senior leader of community and corporate partnerships for Chick fil A Corporation; Frank Fernandez, VP Community Development-The Arthur M Blank Family Foundation; and the Reverend Howard Beckham, executive director, Integrity Transformations Community Development Corp. and senior pastor of New Jerusalem Baptist Church

“It is clear to many that this is a once in a generation opportunity,” said NCA Chairman Michael Koblentz.  “It’s very hard to find a comparison where there has been such a concerted effort by so many people, particularly in the last three years.”

Koblentz stated, “It is an indisputable fact that the real momentum has been generated by the two neighborhoods themselves, with so much credit due to people who have spent countless years selflessly working for change.  The question now is how can that energy be maintained so that it continues well past the completion of the stadium construction?”

Many of the programs to be discussed were initiated or expanded upon as a result of the community benefits agreement that was part of the Tripartite agreement between the City of Atlanta, The Atlanta Falcons Football Club and the Georgia World Congress Center Authority, following months of well attended negotiations between the impacted neighborhoods and the city.

The NCA has hosted 4 major meetings on the new Falcons Stadium from the time the proposal was first announced.

“Our purpose was to help leverage the position of the most impacted communities in any way that could be helpful,” Koblentz explained. “We have seen the value of this approach in negotiations with Atlantic Station, Wal-Mart and other developers. Having many neighborhoods unified in supporting other neighborhoods adds a huge amount of leverage,” he added. .

We will use the same Q&A format we had in our meeting with CEO, Penny McPhee of the Blank Foundation a few years back.   We asked the chairs of the Vine City and English Avenue Association and NPU chair as well as Atlanta Councilman Young and Bond, Rep.Thomas and Senator Fort to pose the first questions and to be seated in front.  It should be noted that the panel itself believed that their time should be shortened so that there could be additional time for Q&A, and approximately an hour is now allocated.

The Northwest Community Alliance is a 15-year-old organization of northwest Atlanta and southwest Buckhead neighborhoods and neighborhood friendly businesses. As usual, the meeting is open to the public and the press.

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Thursday, December 15

What a Blast with the Furbo Dog Camera

What a Blast with the Furbo Dog Camera.

Number 1 BEST Seller !!!
Order here – BEST price  Furbo Dog Camera: Treat Tossing, HD Wifi Cam, and 2-Way Audio

5.0 out of 5 stars
Being able to see my dogs while I am out or at work definitely. puts my mind at ease.
By  Lei on August 18, 2016

Finally, a product that lets me see what my dogs are doing when I am not around...
I have always wanted to know what my dogs get up to when they’re left home alone, so as soon as I saw Furbo on Indiegogo I bought one. Although I had to wait a few months to get the product but I am glad to say it did arrive. Setting up wasn’t too complicated, just followed the instructions on the app and it was up and running. Being able to see my dogs while I am out or at work definitely, puts my mind at ease. Though I have to say, I now know I have quite lazy dogs...

We love Furbo! It's great that we can see what our furbabies are up to when we aren't home. The camera quality is great, and the treat dispenser works perfectly!

Our boys still can't figure out how they can hear my voice and not see me!
We check up on them several times a day.

Old Senior waiting for his treat to pop out. PLUS a HELLO from MOM

4.0 out of 5 stars
Fun toy for human and dog!
By Karen on October 4, 2016
Great, innovative product! It is nice to be able to check in and see what Grizzly is up to during the day. He enjoys the treat function the most and tends to hang out and wait for treats after he remembers that the thing has treats. Sometimes, though, the treats get jammed and there is no way of knowing how many treats are left remotely (without physically opening the container and looking)

5.0 out of 5 stars
LOVE this !
By Linda
 on October 5, 2016
Verified Purchase
I love this product! I get a text notification when my dogs bark, and I can check out what's going on. I have 3 dogs, and one with separation anxiety. Two will slowly slink away when I talk to them, but the anxious one will come to the camera. That helps us both feel better being apart!

Always together, even when apart

Ever wonder what your dog does all day? Or are you worried your furbaby is bored at home alone? Through Furbo, the bond with your dog is borderless. Furbo is a smart dog camera with a connected app that lets you see, talk, and even toss treats to your dog when you're away. Be together to your furry loved ones, no matter how far you go!

With Furbo you can:
  • Speak and listen to your dog: With the two-way audio, you and your dog can both hear each other
  • Play by tossing treats: Treat your dog from anywhere by swiping across the screen on the free Furbo iOS/Android app
  • HD live streaming of your dog: 120° wide-angle camera with 720p HD, 4x digital zoom, and night vision - don't miss out on any moments!
  • Get barking alerts: Furbo senses when your dog is barking and sends a push notification to your smartphone
  • Take lots of cute photos & videos: Capture special moments, and share with friends and family

To our Readers--- I need your REVIEWS

Please contact me with your REVIEW for my blog --  If you buy this product in the now or in the next few months I would like to include your review here in my blog.
Contact me with your Review at
Tell me the product you are reviewing and please sent a photo of your pet using the product if possible..thanks so much,
Marie of Ask the Pet Nurse

Disclaimer :
This blog contains sponsored links from a number of companies including Amazon.


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Loading content
 Camilla Norman

Camilla Norman

One Planet MBA Projects Officer

+44 (0) 1392 725935

MBA Suite
Building:One, University of Exeter, Rennes Drive, Exeter, EX4 4ST, UK

Camilla joined the University of Exeter Business School in August 2014 to resume the role of One Planet MBA Projects Officer which she was doing in 2012/13.  Prior to this, Camilla worked as a management consultant with a variety of consultancy organisations including PricewaterhouseCoopers and IBM.  Camilla’s areas of expertise are in process improvement, knowledge management and resource management.

Nationality: British

Administrative Responsibilities

• Source and develop project opportunities for MBA students
• Provide administrative support to operate these projects
• Manage business relationships
• Build and strengthen links with regional, national and international employers with potential to provide project opportunities
• Source guest (business) speakers and alumni volunteers to contribute to the MBA

  • BA Modern Languages (French and German) with Information Systems - University of the West of England
  • MA Management Systems - University of Hull


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FP Letters to the Editor: Firms without pensions get a free lunch

Re: “Take CPP increase right off the stove,” Dan Kelly, Jan. 7

Dan Kelly should get out of the kitchen if he can’t stand the heat. Two-thirds of small businesses say they won’t even consider offering to their workers the government’s totally voluntary PRPPs, thin gruel that they are.

Companies that refuse to provide pensions to their workers are being subsidized by all of us when those workers are forced to rely on the tax-financed Guaranteed Income Supplement in retirement.

We say enough. It’s time to end the free lunch enjoyed by employers who refuse to provide a pension at work. Increasing CPP benefits will improve the retirement incomes of the vast majority of Canadians. Even a slight improvement in CPP benefits would reduce GIS expenditures by over $400-million each year. Employers that duck their pension obligations have been dining out on the public dime for too long.

Ken Georgetti, president, Canadian Labour Congress, Ottawa

The CFIB’s Dan Kelly reiterates his long-standing position against CPP expansion and ignores the growing retirement insecurity facing the over 11 million Canadians who do not have a workplace pension plan, and little prospect of their employer sponsoring one.

He touts the so called Pooled Registered Pension Plan (PRPP) federal option, which isn’t a pension plan at all. It is a form of group RSP, one that employers do not have to contribute to and one that employees can opt out of. On just these points it fails any measure in terms of a meaningful response to Canada’s retirement security challenges.

When compared with rates in other OECD countries, CPP contribution rates are extremely modest. Furthermore, prior to the last increase of CPP contributions in the late 1990s, groups like the CFIB raised fears that an increase in rates would destroy the economy, but instead, the unemployment rate subsequently declined significantly.

Our economy could withstand a modest CPP premium increase to improve CPP, but it cannot handle more and more seniors living in or near poverty.

Paul Moist, president, Canadian Union of Public Employees, Ottawa

Re: “More good news for Keystone,” Peter Foster, Jan. 9

I am a forensic engineer with some 45 years of experience, specializing in corrosion and pipelines. The current controversy surrounding crude oil pipelines is, I believe due to Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Association and others classifying the four types of crude oil as all being equivalent in the threat they pose to the industry and the threat to the environment. The four types in order of desirability, both economically and environmentally, are:

1 Sweet natural crude oil — e.g. “tight oil” from the Bakken Basin.

2 Syncrude — oil sands upgraded to remove particulates, sulphur and heavy ends — “Synbit”

3 Sour natural crude — contains H2S (sulphur) and is very toxic.

4 Diluted bitumen (Dilbit), which is completely different and so much worse than 1, 2 and 3. It requires very expensive pipeline, operational costs and is more likely to burst, due to the increased corrosion potential and high pressure (1,440 psi vs. 600 psi). Dilbit spills cannot be successfully cleaned up in northern climes.

It is Dilbit that will fill the Keystone pipeline, and Northern Gateway, and the proposed railway to the Arctic. We need more pipelines, so why not the cleaner, safer and cheaper Synbit pipelines? This can be achieved at the cost of upgrading to Synbit — and, incidentally, Synbit fetches US$60 a barrel, Dilbit US$22. We are giving away jobs and billions of dollars. I just cannot fathom the logic of this, and the foregoing is merely a partial case against Dilbit. I could go on and on, but can assure you, the only factor favouring Dilbit is its immediacy.

John F. Clayton, P. Eng. FEC


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 Toughbook Timeline - Computer Product Solutions | Panasonic Business
  • Toughbook Timeline

Toughbook Timeline

History of Toughbook and Toughpad

Here at Panasonic we have developed a timeline to tell the story of how our Toughbook and Toughpad products have developed since their birth.

Since the introduction of the first Toughbook over 19 years ago, the product range has continued to improve and develop each year. From our first Toughbook to the latest rugged 4K Tablet, Panasonic have retained a commitment to invest in research and development, testing and production to ensure innovative design and technology is incorporated into every Toughbook and Toughpad model.

The introduction of Toughpad in 2012 gave purpose built rugged tablets to the world, designed specifically for the rigours of business use in multiple industries and challenging environments. The series has recently been further augmented with products such as wireless displays.

The Toughbook and Toughpad are purpose designed rugged computing devices built in direct response to customer needs providing industry and business users with functional and durable notebooks, tablets and laptops. The Toughbook range is designed to withstand the accidental drops and spillages that often temporarily or permanently damage regular computing devices. This durability makes the Toughbook and Toughpad business rugged range a practical option for mobile working. The fully rugged Toughbook range of mobile computers and tablets can withstand the harshest environments resistant to dust, dirt, temperature fluctuations and the elements for workers who venture into places where traditional computing isn’t an option.

All Toughbook and Toughpad rugged mobile computers are manufactured in Kobe, Japan. Unlike most notebook manufacturers that order parts from other companies, Toughbook products are designed, tested and manufactured from the ground up at the Kobe plant. Panasonic are so rigorous with testing Toughbook products that 1,000 are damaged to the point of destruction every year in order to further improve the products.

Discover more about the history and nature of our products by viewing our timeline.


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Why Drivers Don’t Seem to Care About Rising Gas Prices

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Gas prices have been on the rise for weeks, and they’re set to spike in the months ahead. Does this sound at all familiar?

Thus far in 2013, drivers have been paying less for gas, on average, than they were a year ago. During the first week of January, for instance, the national average was $3.30 per gallon, or 7¢ less than it was 12 months beforehand. But prices are rising, and the difference between current prices and 2012 counterparts is shrinking. Lately, according to AAA’s Fuel Gauge Report, the average gallon costs $3.42 nationally, compared to $3.45 a year ago.

USA Today reports that prices have risen by 20¢ or more in recent weeks in several Midwest states, and that prices in California are expected to spike soon to over $4 per gallon, up from around $3.75 currently.

So is it time to panic? Nah. More likely, the reaction of drivers is more along the lines of, “Oh well, here we go again. What’re you gonna do?”

(MORE: What Would Make an All-Electric Car Appeal to the Masses?)

And also: “Hey, prices are still cheaper than they were a little while ago.” The average price per gallon was $4.67 in California as recently as October, and many stations in the state were charging more than $5. After facing the most expensive year ever for gas in 2012, drivers have heard that prices are supposed to be cheaper in 2013.

Oil Price Information Services’ Robert Gough told the Des Moine Register, “Gasoline prices averaged $3.60 per gallon last year, and we think they’ll average between $3.25 and $3.50 per gallon this year.” The U.S. Department of Energy, meanwhile, has predicted an average of $3.44 per gallon this year, and $3.34 for 2014.

In the grand scheme, a short-term seasonal surge in gas prices probably isn’t enough to make drivers bat an eye. We’ve been hearing about the likelihood of dramatically higher gas prices for decades, and we’ve been living through periodic price spikes at least since the summer of 2008—which was followed by sharp hikes in springtimes of 2011 and 2012. New-car MPG ratings have risen accordingly, as drivers increasingly opt for more fuel-efficient vehicles and federal guidelines force automakers to steer away from the gas-guzzling vehicles of the past.

(MORE: Bad Driver? That’s OK — If You’re Rich)

The point is: By now, drivers expect rising gas prices, within reason. Last March, when prices hit all-time highs in some areas for the time of year, drivers were upset—but not enough to cut back on shopping, according to retailer data. What’s more, most Americans said they wouldn’t change their lifestyles in any major way unless gas prices topped $5 per gallon.

So gas prices might very well hit $4 in California in the next month, and they might even come close to that mark nationally by Memorial Day, as many have predicted. What’re you gonna do? Wouldn’t be the first time that’s happened. And at least prices should be cheaper than they were last year.