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Emily Broyles

SOTA first-year show shows students’ potential

The show, which stars exclusively first-year theatre students, is performed in the Stauss Theatre

December 8, 2019

Lights. Camera. Action! The School of the Arts’ annual first-year show is here again, where new theatre students come together to dazzle attendees with a show only they perform in. Grab a front-row seat to experience the brain-child of Lecturer of Improv & Acting Charlie Roetting and many NKU alumni, student-writers and playwrights.

This show is different than previous iterations, where more than one actor played the same role and split up the lines amongst themselves. It still embodies the past ideas of displaying the talent that too often remains unseen, but this year, attendees get to experience the behind the scenes talent of putting a pen to paper.

When writing this year’s pieces, the writers all started from the same frame of reference.

“There is no specific element that is the same about all of these, but they all include the same montage of ideas that we brainstormed at the beginning of the writing process,” Roetting said. “These scenes all include elements that do not match each other. Like if we were going to do a musical like “Death of a Salesman,” but do it as Greek tragedy with a chorus.”

Roetting said collaborating with others is one of his favorite parts of being in the creative field. He said he hesitates to call himself in charge of the production, but prefers to mediate between his vision for the show and how the actors in the play want to present themselves.

“Every class has something that makes them unique and I like to foster that,” Roetting said.

Roetting holds the first-year show dear to his heart, as he appeared in the first performance in 2004; it thrilled him to put his own spin on future editions of the show. The only nod to creative control Roetting accepts is during the audition period of the first-year show.

“It is not a student’s choice of what role they get,” Roetting said. “In the past students were able to tailor their audition to the part they wanted—but with this play, it proved exceedingly difficult.”

When auditioning, students have two-to-three minutes to do whatever they want, but Roetting keeps final say over their part in the play. Some students juggle, some dance and some belt out well-known Broadway hits. Oftentimes, performance in these plays helps to determine casting in future shows, so students make sure to put their best foot forward.

“There is a lot of talent out there, but only so many roles, and some talent doesn’t have a chance to be showcased in a particular show,” Roetting said.

He hopes that the faculty will attend the shows and notice some of the extraordinary talents students have, potentially giving them an edge in casting during future shows.

First-years, transfer students and recently declared majors come together to make this show happen. Several of them name this as their first time on a college stage, which proves much different than high school performances. Roetting hopes that it impacts them. He said he understands that not all talent will be appreciated equally, and this show allows them to create a drive to continue to perform in shows in the future.

Many past performers in the first-year show call it one of the weirdest moments of their entire time as an actor. Roetting always takes this as a compliment—glad that his students receive a unique experience under his mentorship.

Although the first-year show is weird and often plotless, famed playwright Maria Irene Fornes once said, “A plotless play doesn’t deal with the mechanics of the practical arrangement of life but deals with the mechanics of the mind, some kind of spiritual survival, a process of thought.”

These short one-act plays take on the same spirit. Even though the actions in the play appear chaotic, the characters still manage to be relatable.

Take, for example, the metaphor in “Girl Scout Difference” by Rigsby and Nassida. Someone who joined the girl scouts as a girl probably didn’t go on camping trips to murder those who are weak and unworthy of the woods. But surely, the troupe possessed an element of competition to sell the most cookies. For another example, most people do not speak in Iambic pentameter exclusively or possess the scales of a fish like the students in “Dramatis Personae” by Meg Griffin, but many students despair when learning about Shakespearean plays and how to write in Iambic pentameter.

“It was definitely very interesting, but it was very rewarding in the end,” Rachel Dolezal, a freshman acting in the show, said.

She described the process of acting as confusing and often wondered if she was getting anywhere until she got on stage in front of an audience.

The first-year show faced many hurdles since it premiered later in the season than usual. Many of the actors battled with the need to study for finals and the need to rehearse. Another challenge for the show presented itself in the small number of people to fill backstage positions. Many people stepped up to fill more than one role, and were stretched too thin as a result. Roetting praised the resilience of students involved and hopes the first-year show continues to grow.

“If this works, it will be a good model for the future,” Roetting said.

The first-year show concludes on Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Stauss Theatre.

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What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe. Everyone has feelings of anxiety at some point in their life. For example, you may feel worried and anxious about sitting an exam or having a medical test or a job interview. During times like these, feeling anxious can be perfectly normal. However, some people find it hard to control their worries. Your feelings of anxiety are more constant and can often affect your daily life. Anxiety is the main symptom of several conditions, including panic disorder, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder and social anxiety disorder (social phobia).

Learn about our Treatment Options for Anxiety.

Main types of Anxiety

Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

GAD is characterised by excessive, unrealistic worry that lasts six months or more. In adults, the anxiety may focus on issues such as health, money or career.  In addition to chronic worry, GAD symptoms include trembling, muscular aches, insomnia, abdominal upsets, dizziness, and irritability.

Panic Attacks, Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia

People with panic disorder suffer severe attacks of panic which make them feel like they are having a heart attack or are going crazy for no apparent reason. Symptoms include heart palpitations, chest pain or discomfort, sweating, trembling, tingling sensations, a feeling of choking, fear of dying, fear of losing control and feelings of unreality. Panic disorder often occurs with agoraphobia, in which people are afraid of having a panic attack in a place from which escape would be difficult, so they avoid these places.

Social Phobia

Social Phobia (Social Anxiety Disorder) is characterised by an intense fear of situations, usually social or performance situations, where embarrassment may occur. Individuals with the disorder are acutely aware of the physical signs of their anxiety and fear that others will notice, judge them, and think poorly of them.

Specific Phobias

People with specific phobias suffer from an intense fear reaction to a specific object or situation (such as spiders, dogs, or heights). The level of fear is usually disproportionate to the situation, and is recognised by the sufferer as being irrational. This inordinate fear can lead to the avoidance of common, everyday situations.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

In OCD, individuals are plagued by persistent, recurring thoughts (obsessions) that reflect exaggerated anxiety or fears; typical obsessions include worry about being contaminated or fears of behaving improperly or acting violently. The obsessions may lead an individual to perform a ritual or routine (compulsions), such as washing hands, repeating phrases or hoarding-to relieve the anxiety caused by the obsession.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

PTSD can follow an exposure to a traumatic event such as a sexual or physical assault, witnessing a death, the unexpected death of a loved one or natural disaster. There are three main symptoms associated with PTSD: "reliving" of the traumatic event (such as flashbacks and nightmares); avoidance behaviours (such as avoiding places related to the trauma) and emotional numbing (detachment from others); and physiological arousal, difficulty sleeping, irritability or poor concentration.

Learn more about our treatment options for PTSD.

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Your Weekend Worldview Reader

Here’s your weekend worldview reader with links to articles, essays, reviews, and videos that I consider to be interesting or important from a biblical worldview perspective. Any work that I point to is not an endorsement, but rather an invitation for you to think deeply about your faith and the world around you.

⊕  The Greatest: Pluralism in the Boxing Ring

⊕  Diminished Attendance for Reason Rally

⊕  The Myth of Moral Superiority, Gospel Coalition (Jen Pollock Michel)

  The Atheism Gap, Bloomberg (Stephen Carter)

  Regret Is the Price of Free Will, The Atlantic (Julie Beck)

  There’s No Such Thing as Free Will, The Atlantic (Stephen Cave)

  75 Years Ago Tonight: C.S. Lewis Delivers a Sermon in Oxford on “The Weight of Glory”, Gospel Coalition (Justin Taylor)

⊕  Unshakable: Standing Firm in a Shifting Culture, K. Scott Oliphint and Rod Mays

  Understanding the Faith: A Survey of Christian Apologetics, Jeff Myers


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What to expect during an on-farm CSI audit

by 5m Editor
14 December 2017, at 12:00am

An on-farm visit by an auditor will likely be routine for pork producers in the future. Knowing what an auditor expects and what pork producers can do during the audit will help prepare for a positive and successful experience.

“The demand for livestock audits has never been greater,” reported Collette Kaster, executive director of the Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization (PAACO).

In 2016, PAACO began training and certifying swine welfare auditors using the Common Swine Industry (CSI) audit as the guide.

CSI auditor training

“People who are auditors view it as a profession, and all professions require some degree of certification,” Kaster said. “We are very selective about who we let into the training. They need to have experience in livestock or in auditing a meat plant or in food safety.”

People accepted in the PAACO auditor program must complete an online component, attend a PAACO training course and pass an exam. The final step is completing shadow audits with certified auditors.

“We review the shadow audits thoroughly to make sure the person is ready to be certified,” Kaster said. “They must go through expectations of behavior during audits and sign a code of conduct.

“They are also taught how to write accurate reports,” she continued. “They are there to paint a picture about what is happening on an operation on a particular day and time — only using the audit standard. No opinions, just the facts.”

Those who seek to be auditors must show competence, ethics, diplomacy, confidentiality and independence.

“They have to work with all types of clients,” Kaster said. “They must communicate with both the leaders of companies and with people who are doing entry-level tasks. They must show respect, listen and make decisions.”

Preparing for an audit

A big component of an audit is paperwork. “We are in a time when everything has to be documented — and as the saying goes, ‘if it is not documented, then you didn’t do it,’” Kaster said.

Pork producers are expected to maintain certain records like daily observations, medication use, employee biosecurity and animal-welfare training, and emergency action plans. The list is available online.

“Sometimes paperwork, like medication records, really matters if you have a problem and you need to determine how big it is and how to get control of it,” she explained.

“In the case of negative animal-welfare findings, if you can show that the farm is PQA plus certified, participates in trainings and audits, it may help improve your position or minimize the damage.”

Things to do during an audit

Most hog-farm audits are either required or requested by packers or other downstream customers. Generally, the farm is notified prior to the audit so the farm’s biosecurity measures can be followed. Kaster said that producers have the right to require auditors meet a farm’s biosecurity rules.

Producers also have the right to check the credentials of the auditor before the audit. PAACO Certified Auditors are listed online at

During the audit, it is essential that someone representing the hog farm accompanies the auditor so he or she can see what the auditor sees, Kaster emphasized. “If you see something during the audit, then the auditor should discuss it with the farm immediately.

“It is appropriate to question a finding. You can say, ‘I don’t agree with your interpretation’ and follow up in a professional and respectful way,” she explained.

Auditors are expected to precisely follow the audit being used, most typically the CSI audit. This means adhering to the sampling criteria. “If it says every sixth sow, then the auditor should do exactly what it says,” Kaster said.

Things not to do during an audit

“Do not pump the auditor for competitor information,” Kaster said. “Auditors are there to audit, not consult, and this is emphasized during training. You can ask about best practices or how to do something to be compliant with the audit.”

Occasionally there is negative feedback about auditors. The complaints include sampling too many animals, giving opinions and unnecessary interaction with people who have nothing to do with the audits.

One thing is certain — these on-farm audits are here to stay. “This is an area that is not going away,” Kaster added. “If anything, expectations for animal-welfare requirements will continue to grow.”


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> Atlantic City Race Course

> Beulah Park

> Colonial Downs

>Delaware Park

>Dover Downs

> Freehold Raceway

> Harrah’s Philadelphia

> Harrington Raceway

> Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races

> Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course

> Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs

> Northfield Park

> Parx Casino and Racetrack

> Ocean Downs

> Raceway Park

> Rockingham Park

> Rosecroft Raceway

> Sam Houston Race Park

>Suffolk Downs

> Thistledown[/boxify]

by Teresa Genaro

Earlier this month, the Mid Atlantic Cooperative named Phil O’Hara its executive director, which might lead the casual racing fan to ask, “What’s the Mid Atlantic Cooperative?”

According to Chris McErlean, vice president of racing for Penn National Gaming, which owns Penn National, Charles Town, and Sam Houston along with casinos across the country, the Cooperative was created in 1998 to increase the bargaining power of individual racetracks in negotiations for simulcast signals.

The core membership at that point were tracks, as the name suggests, in the Mid Atlantic region: Philadelphia Park (now Parx), Delaware Park, Laurel, Pimlico, Colonial Downs, Penn National, and Charles Town. Monmouth and the Meadowlands joined shortly thereafter, and over time, some early arrivals left and other tracks arrived.  The group is now a somewhat far-flung collection of about 20 tracks, both harness and flat.

Explaining the history of the organization, McErlean said, “The Mid Atlantic tracks had worked together in the past on other initiatives and in general had a pretty good working relationship. At the time, a lot of other racing organizations were consolidating, and there was a lot of movement in simulcasting rates—movement upward. We wanted our members to get a preferred rate, given the volume of wagering from the member tracks.”

He estimated that the tracks in the Cooperative generate about $1 billion dollars in simulcasting wagering annually.

The Cooperative works only on purchasing signals from other tracks; individual tracks continue to negotiate independently on selling their simulcast signals.

New director O’Hara brings experience with both the Mid Atlantic racing circuit and the wagering side of the business. He worked at Penn National Gaming from 1985 to 2000 in a variety of capacities, the last of which was as executive vice president of pari-mutuel operations.

“What the Cooperative does is nothing the members can’t do on their own,” he explained, “but there’s strength in numbers.”

In addition to increasing the bargaining power of its members, said O’Hara, the Cooperative also provides a staff, obviating the need for duplicate positions at individual tracks.

In discussing the organization, he indicated that many of the details involving membership are confidential, though he did say that when a track indicates interest in joining the Cooperative, current members are contacted to gauge their interest in expanding the organization. He acknowledged that in the past, some applicants have not been accepted.

“Our members have to have like-minded business interests,” he said. “They have to operate to run races, they have to contribute to purses, they have to maximize what they can get out of their markets given their state racing licenses.”

O’Hara, currently based in Lexington, Kentucky, is the organization’s second executive director; he succeeds Martin Lieberman and in addition to having worked at Penn National Gaming, he is a former president of Equibase Company. He also works as an industry consultant and since 2008 has worked with the Daily Racing Form on a variety of projects, including partnerships with racetracks, trying he said, to “create synergies” in a number of areas, including marketing. He will continue in his role with the Form.

O’Hara’s work at Equibase gave him, he said, “outreach to the entire industry” that his previous positions had not, experience that he expects will be useful in his new role.

“There are few racetracks across the country,” he said, “that I haven’t visited or been involved with.”


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From a Penn National release

Ben’s Cat, one of the most accomplished horses in the country, will look to collect his 19th career stakes victory in the $250,000 Fabulous Strike Handicap on Thanksgiving Eve, Wednesday, November 27, at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course.

The Fabulous Strike, run at six furlongs on the dirt track, was carded as the fourth race (7:22 p.m. EST post time) and will be the final leg of an All Stakes Early Pick 4 that also includes the $75,000 Blue Mountain for 2-year-old PA Bred fillies, the $150,000 Lady in Waiting for fillies and mares, and the $150,000 Swatara for 3-year-olds and up.

The evening also features the “Food For Friends” Charity Drive, during which guests 18-years-and-up who bring a non-perishable food item between 5 – 8 p.m. will receive a free mystery wagering voucher valued between $2 and $100 and a free dessert coupon for the Mountainview Dining and Terrace Lounge overlooking the racetrack.

[boxify cols_use =”5″ cols =”5″ position =”left” order =”none” box_spacing =”5″ padding =”5″ border_width =”2″ border_color =”blue” border_style =”solid” height =”60″]

HRTV, The Network for Horse Sports, will be providing enhanced race day coverage of the Fabulous Strike and the three additional stakes races on Thanksgiving Eve, November 27. HRTV’s coverage will include in-studio commentary and analysis by network talent on the big night, in addition to TV and online features and promotion leading up to the events.

Conditioned by the legendary King Leatherbury, who started training in 1959 and has won more than 6,400 races, Ben’s Cat will be looking to defend his title in the Fabulous Strike, which he won last year by a head.

“It gives me confidence that he runs so well at Penn National,” said Leatherbury of Ben’s Cat, who will break from post position 2 as the 5-2 second choice on the morning line with regular rider Julian Pimentel aboard. “In his most recent race, the Maryland Million Turf [at Laurel Park], he ran a mile, which was a little bit long for him, and cutting back to six furlongs should really work out well.”

Ben’s Cat, a 7-year-old gelding by the sire Parker’s Storm Cat, has 23 wins from 36 starts with earnings exceeding $1.7 million. Leatherbury indicated the Fabulous Strike will be the last race of the year for Ben’s Cat, after which he will be freshened up for the turf season next spring.

One of the main rivals in the way of Ben’s Cat defense bid will be Ribo Bobo [pronounced RIB-oh BO-bo], who will be looking for his 10th consecutive victory. He will break from the outside post position 7 as the 2-1 morning line favorite with Paco Lopez aboard.

After a promising start to his career in 2010, which included a 2nd-place finish in the Grade 3 Iroquois at Churchill Downs, Ribo Bobo spent much of 2011 and 2012 in listed stakes and allowance races, eventually ending up in claiming events.

Owner Ron Lombardi of Mr. Amore Stable and trainer Jason Servis saw something they liked and on January 9, 2013, they claimed Ribo Bobo for $8,000 at Gulfstream Park. He won his first race for the duo, but was claimed away from them in his next start. When he was next entered into another claiming event, Lombardi and Servis claimed him again and they have not made the mistake of entering him into another claiming event.

The 5-year-old gelded son of Louis Quatorze has been ultra impressive during his 10-race winning streak, including an explosive 5 ¾-length victory in the Maryland Million Sprint Handicap at Laurel Park last time out.

Included among his impressive streak is an 11-length tour-de-force victory in a starter allowance at Penn National on June 12, which was a factor in the decision to run in the Fabulous Strike.

“Absolutely one of the reasons that we came for the race is that he ran so well at Penn National earlier this year,” said Servis. “His last few races he has beat some really good horses, and his win in the Maryland Million was terrific.”

While most of Ribo Bobo’s recent wins have come on the lead, he doesn’t necessarily need to be there in order to be successful.

“He has so much natural speed, and I would prefer he not be on the lead, but he seems to find his way there,” said Servis.


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The prospect of moving from one continent to another terrified me—even though I was the one who decided to do it. In my 37 years, I have moved just under 30 times; yet each time I still feel like I regress to the emotional age of little girl. What I struggle with is impermanence—or period of transition—and it is where my greatest growth has been.

But I overcame my fear, the uncomfortable feelings around transition and not only moved but I pulled off a move to a different continent—I also started a business at the same time too. It has been both the most amount of stress I have ever experienced in my life, and the most strengthening and empowering move I made.

I decided to move to the US because, despite growing up in the UK, the US is my home country. I’ve spent my entire life feeling compelled to return one day. Last year, after paying off the $30,000 of addiction debt, the time felt right. I had no commitments, I was single, and I had realized my ability to write. The opportunity to earn from my writing lay firmly on American soil. And so I planned the move and gave myself six months to get my life in order.

I prepared to take the biggest leap of faith I’ve ever taken.

People called me insane. They couldn’t believe I was moving to the US without any job, home, or friends—especially in the challenging political climate. Yet, I was firm in my decision to move because I knew it was absolutely the right decision for me. There were hundreds of reasons not to do it, but if I lived there—in the fear of what could go wrong—then that isn’t a life worth living for me. This was an opportunity of a lifetime. And the desire to go, far outweighed the risk and the unhappiness I felt in my life in the UK.

That doesn’t mean it wasn’t stressful. I felt those feelings of impermanence. Once I made the decision to move, I entered this place where I detached from my current existence and re-attached to the future—resulting in a very painful resistance of where I was currently at. I think one thing I suffer with, having moved involuntarily so many times, is physical attachment—to a home because it represents security to me. When I move, I lose all sense of safety and security, fear takes over, and I feel lost.

The thing about moving continent is that there is no space for fear. It is such a huge task to undertake that you simply cannot live in a place of anxiety or it will paralyze you.

I had to take this move step-by-step, doing the next right thing. I spoke to people who had relocated to the US and found out what steps I needed to take, from healthcare, to finding a place to live, and finding friends in the recovery community. Then I made a plan with a timeline so that I was able to do just the next task in front of me. That was quite possibly the hardest mindset to take because I’m the kind of person who likes to be five steps ahead—I simply did not have the mental capacity to do more than one thing at a time.

Lots of small steps, careful planning, and not engaging in fear, led to successfully moving.

I had thought that once I got here, that everything would work out quickly; I perceived the biggest hurdle to be getting into the US. I was wrong.

Adjusting to life in a new country is tough. The best advice I received is that the first year is the hardest and you will often question your motive for moving. While there have been moments of joy, there have been many difficult moments—where I cried for days, felt desperately alone, and completely lost. Some days, I wonder what on earth I’ve done. There are days when I feel so very far away from the UK—from what I know. I can feel lost—especially in the very different recovery community here; I had to transition to a new community to find my people.

I’ve found that recovery isn’t all rainbows and glittery clouds—especially this last nine months. It’s hard, its painful, and can seem too much to handle. During these times, I share my feelings on my blog and social media, and with my friends and therapist. They all remind me of my achievements since the move (and in my recovery). They underline the great bravery and courage I’ve shown. And most importantly, they thank me for being real and honest. Because they need to know as much as I do, that feeling uncomfortable and struggling in recovery is a reality. It doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong; it means that you are present in life. And life is hard as hell.

It has taken time, but I am finally starting to make friendships with people who get me, who are reliable, and show up for me. But that took a lot of leg work and a lot of trial and error. I had to be prepared to try new friendships and let go of one’s that weren’t meaningful. I had to repeatedly get myself out there, ask for numbers, and keep asking to meet for coffees. I received lots of rejections, but also lots of new experiences.

The same has been true with recovery—I had to try different types to see what worked. I have found a recovery home in Refuge Recovery—which has been quite literately a refuge and life-changing.

I think the main reason I coped with this huge undertaking is because I kept up my recovery connections back home and here—I talked to someone in recovery every day. I also practiced radical self-care; yoga, meditation, journaling, and exercise to soothe myself—especially helpful when my friends (8 hours ahead of me) were asleep.

And I’ve hustled every day to set up a successful writing and coaching business. I am now able to make a living from my passion—that’s something not many people could say. Some have said that starting a business at the same time as moving continent was a challenge and a half—undertaking that move alone they said could tip me over the edge—but I have achieved it. While with it comes uncertainty—no paid days off, so sick pay, no healthcare—it is the most empowering thing I’ve done. I have worked in jobs that I’ve hated for years. Yet here I am in a new country and have carved out a career in a very challenging market—not many writers make a full-time salary from writing alone. I did that. And I am proud as hell—although can forget this on a down day!

While this has been the biggest challenge of my live, I was able to dig deep, summon all strength, courage, and self-belief I have to take those huge leaps of faith into the unknown. And I did it! I did it because I worked incredibly hard and had the belief in making my recovery about living a life that I dreamed of.

“You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”


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Children & Teen Issues

All parents want the same thing – for our children to be happy, healthy and well-adjusted. And nothing brings a parent more worry than the well-being of our children. Whether you child is dealing with emotional challenges, difficult life transitions, or they have experienced a trauma, our team of therapists work closely with parents and their children to understand what is developmentally normal, identity areas of concern and develop strategies to help children grow and thrive.

Our work with young children is play based to help foster a sense of connection and safety. Our work is also family-centred as we understand that for children to do their best; parents need support and the right tools to meet their needs.

Our work with teens recognizes this as a uniquely challenging time when the needs of teens and parents can be at odds creating conflict and heartache. Mood instability, increased expectations, peer pressure and the desire to fit in and belong can create challenge for teens and parents as they attempt to find their way through this intense period of growth and change.

Signs that your child may need help:
  • Child displays emotions that are concerning including sadness, anxiety, anger or depression
  • Child experiences mood swings
  • Changes in academic or athletic performance
  • Social isolation
  • Changes in sleep habits or appetite
  • Self-harm behaviour
  • Major life change such as separation, death, relocation or re-marriage
  • Experiencing emotional, physical or sexual abuse
Girl teen with folded arms teen issues
Therapy can help kids & teens:
  • Learn how to identify and regulate emotions
  • Enhance social skills
  • Learn heathy ways to cope with emotions
  • Improve self-esteem
  • Learn better ways to problem solve
  • Heal from trauma
  • Increase resilience
  • Develop better relationships
boy with head against wall teen issues
Therapy can help parents:
  • Understand the emotional needs of their children
  • Advocate for their child’s needs at school
  • Regulate their own emotional reaction to their children
  • Find new solutions to challenges
  • Support their children through transitions or losses

Raising children can be challenging.

That’s why we offer you the support you need.

Other Helpful Resources

Kids Help Phone symbol teen issues


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1969 Jeep CJ6

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Instant Upgrade: LED Bulbs

Upgrade your 1969 Jeep CJ6 turn signals, brake lights, tag lights, marker lights, or interior lighting with modern, bright, and reliable LED bulbs.

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Go all out with extra upgrades that will enhance the look and light output on your ride. We’ve got all the goods to set your 1969 Jeep CJ6 apart.


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New York Group Purple Pink Aladin Shisha Pipe W553 87cm

Out of stock

The New York Purple Pink W553 87cm shisha pipe is part of the Origins Series from Aladin Shisha
This beautifully designed shisha pipe is one of the finest. It comes complete with a Modern glass vase.

This pipe comes complete with:

  • Shisha stem
  • Stem ash tray
  • Glass vase
  • Glass valve ball bearing
  • 1 x Ceramic bowl
  • 1 x Aladin 150cm hose
  • Set of grommets
  • Pair of tongs
  • Total Shisha Pipe Height: 87cm - 34"

Shisha Features:

  • Premium glass jar features an evolutionary Stem Screw in system instead of the more traditional push systems, this unique design ensures an air-tight seal and eliminates the need for rubber grommets
  • Evolutionary Glass ball bearing instead of steel, making it rust free
  • The main smoke column (the stem) is made of top quality stainless steel
  • The inside of the ceramic bowl features an outer dome shape (see image above) designed to reduce the loss of uncooked herbal/tobacco molasses left in the bottom of traditional bowls.
  • This shisha pipe has been engineered to give you the perfect smoke, so you’ll be so proud of your Aladin Shisha Pipe and its matching leather hose and bowl.
  • Number of hoses: 1
  • All you need to add is some shisha flavours, foil and charcoal to get started. Just Add the Shisha Bundle Pack BUN10 or BUN20.

About the Aladin Shisha Origins Shisha Pipe Range
This exciting range of Aladin, has fused Classic and Modern. The practical side of Classic fused together with the new looks of Modern, make an exceptionally well made Shisha pipe, for the Beginner and the Veteran Shisha Smoker.

The majority of the range of Shisha Pipes was made in Germany, ensuring the highest standards and quality control. Different colours shown above.

Please Note: You must be 18 years or older to order this product. Jar designs may vary

Additional Information

Country of Manufacture Egypt
Exclude From Sale No
Manufacturer Aladin
Colour No
Height / Size Large
Number of Hoses Supported No

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Only $5 for 3 months. Save 83%.
Only $5 for 3 months. Save 83%.

Court rulings produce ‘First Amendment fireworks’

Gene PolicinskiInside the First Amendment

We’ve celebrated the nation’s 238th birthday on the July Fourth holiday weekend with fireworks of all kinds and colors, but there are some ongoing pyrotechnics around First Amendment issues from religious liberty to free speech.

On June 30, the last day of its current term, the U.S. Supreme Court voted 5-4 vote in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, Inc. that “closely-held” corporations do have certain religious freedom rights, and as such can refuse to provide women with no-cost access to some contraceptives as part of company health care obligation under the Affordable Care Act.

At the heart of the court’s decision is the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, a federal law that says government rules and laws cannot create a “substantial burden” on a person’s ability to practice his or her religious faith unless the rule or law is needed to further a significant public interest. Even then, the law must achieve its public benefit in the least restrictive way possible.

In the decision, Justice Samuel Alito said Hobby Lobby and another company involved in the dispute were “each owned and controlled by members of a single family” and the family’s “sincere religious beliefs have never been challenged.”

In a dissent, Justice Ruth Ginsburg warned of a flood of such objections — noting that Jehovah’s Witnesses object on religious grounds to blood transfusions and that some Muslims, Jews and Hindus object to medicines and other health products produced from pigs.

Opposition to the court decision has produced a proposed constitutional amendment to re-establish congressional authority to set “reasonable limits on the raising and spending of money by candidates and others,” and to allow Congress and states to ban campaign spending by “corporations or other artificial entities.”

If enacted, it would be the first such “amendment” of the First Amendment since the Bill of Rights was ratified in 1791.

Fiery confrontations of a more personal and emotional kind were forecast by “pro-choice” advocates in the wake of another free speech case, McCullen v. Coakley, in which the court in June struck down a Massachusetts law establishing a buffer zone extending 35 feet from the doorway of any facility where abortions were performed — including public areas such as sidewalks. Anti-abortion advocates had complained to the courts that at such a distance they could not effectively speak to women headed to the clinics to counsel them on alternatives to an abortion.

While state officials and others warned of intimidating tactics or the potential for violence outside such facilities without such a limit, the court said state officials failed to show the 35-foot distance was the least restrictive method of impinging on the speech of ant-abortion demonstrators. The decision left open whether a smaller “no speech” zone would be acceptable to the justices.

Gene Policinski is chief operating officer of the Newseum Institute and senior vice president of the Institute’s First Amendment Center. He can be reached at


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NOffLA Urges Government to Swiftly Enact Public Health (Alcohol) Bill

The National Off-Licence Association: Excise Duty Reduction Will Lead to Job Creation and Better Salaries

The National Off-Licence Association (NOffLA) has called on Government to expedite the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill through all stages of the legislative process in the coming weeks.

Speaking at the annual Off-Licence of the Year Awards 2018, which took place at the Honorable Society of King’s Inns, NOffLA Chairman, Gary O’Donovan said:

“The annual NOffLA awards highlight the expertise of the independent off-licence sector, showcasing the benchmark of personal service in our industry, as well as the top-quality products offered by our highly trained, specialist members.

“As socially conscious independent retailers, NOffLA welcomes the passage of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill through the Seanad, as it seeks to ensure the highest standards around the purchase, and thus consumption, of alcohol. That said, NOffLA is concerned by any and all amendments made to the Bill which do not have consumer protection at the core. As such, we are calling on Government to pass the Bill in full at the earliest possible opportunity.”

He added: “While tonight we celebrate the best that the industry has to offer, it is important to remember that the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill is still some distance from enactment, and significant threats to its passage remain. Indeed, the Government has come under sustained pressure from multinational food retailers and supermarkets, seeking a prioritisation of sectoral revenues over public health. Government must dismiss such interests and fully implement the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill in order to ensure responsible retailing and consumption of alcohol.”

Now in its twenty-second year, the awards recognise and showcase excellence in the independent off-licence sector, which represents 315 specialist businesses throughout the country and highlight those retailers that offer exceptional service to customers and demonstrate excellence in retail standards.

Jus de Vine was awarded ‘National Off-Licence of the Year 2018’, O’Donovans Off-Licence Group, Cork won ‘Responsible Retailer of the Year 2018’ and Conor McGrath, McHugh’s Off-Licence, Kilbarrack, won ‘RTC Online Trainee of the Year 2018’.

For more information about NOffLA and the awards, visit

You may also like...


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Welcome To The Therapy Studio

I specialise in providing professional, highly beneficial hypnotherapy and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) treatments to clients throughout Greater London. All my services are carried out at highly affordable rates and are specifically designed to alleviate a wide variety of psychological conditions and their related symptoms. My dedication to working closely with each client, as well as my unique approach to hypnosis and NLP, allows me to get the best possible results for each client in a shorter timeframe than other therapies.

My techniques will help you achieve deep levels of quiet relaxation, and are sure to make you feel comfortable and at ease for the duration of your session. I am a fully certified hypnotherapist and licensed NLP practitioner, and am a registered member of several regulatory bodies, including:

  • The National Guild of Hypnotherapists
  • The General Hypnotherapy Standards Council
  • The Central Register of Stop Smoking Therapists

No matter what you need from my hypnosis and NLP services, I will create a custom treatment plan suited to your needs. Get in touch today to see how I can help you.

I take great pride in developing highly personalised treatments to help meet all your therapy needs. My comfortable clinic is conveniently located in Bushey, Hertfordshire, allowing me to offer my treatments to clients from all over Greater London in a serene, relaxing setting.
Additionally, my extensive hypnotherapy and NLP experience mean I can provide a broad range of therapies to help you make positive changes in your life. I have previously assisted clients with a variety of behaviours and conditions, each with successful long-term results. Some of these behaviours and conditions I can help with include:
  • Stop Smoking
  • Breaking Bad Habits
  • Weight Loss
  • Fears & Phobias
  • Insomnia
  • Confidence & Self-Esteem
  • Stress & Anxiety

If you are open and committed to resolving the problems you may be facing in your life, my affordable hypnotherapy and NLP will be the perfect solution for you. My extensive accreditations and professional training, along with my commitment to meeting your therapy needs ensures that I will deliver a highly satisfactory service every time. To discuss a hypnotherapy and NLP treatment plan to suit your needs, contact me today on 020 3958 0694 or at info@thetherapystudio.co.uk

1 hour

Stop smoking in one session

2-2.5 hours

which also includes a one year support.

Don't Suffer In Silence

Use the form below to book your session in my relaxing clinic, and take your first step toward a new, improved you.

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We’ve believed in online counselling for children and young people for a long time. We knew that therapy was therapy whether it took place in a room with two people, over the phone or online. We could see that young people wanted the freedom to talk about their problems and worries without necessarily involving their parents or GP.

So it’s gratifying to see the results of the Education Policy Institute’s (EPI) recent study. The report paints a vivid picture of how Kooth is being used by young people to bring about better mental health.

Freedom in anonymity
Most of our young people like the anonymity of Kooth, with almost a third of the 3,000 surveyed citing this as the main reason for choosing online counselling. In fact, the three most commonly chosen reasons were all associated with anonymity and confidentiality.

This demonstrates the desire of children and young people to have a safe place to be themselves. One finding, which illustrates this well is that between April 2016 – 2017 over 280 registrants identified as agender or gender fluid, which at 1 per cent of all Kooth users is way above the 0.02 per cent who identify their gender as ‘other’ when getting face-to-face support from Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). According to EPI, “This could potentially indicate that young people are more willing to be open about their gender fluidity due to the anonymous nature of online [counselling] provision.”

As one of the young people on Kooth put it: “If you have a problem just talk to them it’s all kept secret and it’s easier to type…and they don’t know who you are so they can’t judge you at all.”

Existing academic research corroborates the idea that online counselling promotes free expression, especially of taboo topics, such as suicide. This theory is supported by research by Suler, who described a concept of the ‘online disinhibition effect’ where people are found to be more willing to disclose personal information online 1

Although the service is anonymous, we do collect data around presenting issues and types of goals set. We also know basic information about each Kooth client, such as general location and age.

Interestingly, data shows that at 11, more boys are using the service than girls. Conversely, at all other times, there are more females using Kooth, which is more typical of similar services or of those using social media sites.

The median age of a Kooth user is 15, which reflects the fact that most mental health problems in young people emerge between the ages of 14 and 17. Nearly one in five of the new registrants in 2016-17 were between 10 and 12, showing early intervention in action and that the service is popular with pre-teens as well as teenagers.

Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds
The report also highlights something else we’ve known about Kooth: that it attracts those from traditionally hard-to-reach communities. When compared to the general population in the local authority areas where we are commissioned, Kooth attracts a higher proportion of people from different ethnic minority backgrounds (17.6 per cent compared to 10 per cent).

This was a benefit cited by commissioners of Kooth in Hertfordshire and Plymouth. EPI analysis shows that 21.3 per cent of Kooth clients in Hertfordshire were from a BAME background, compared to 12.4 per cent of the Hertfordshire population.

Although busiest after school, many Kooth users use the service out of traditional hours. The report states: “…the service is busiest in the after-school period…young people are using the service when in school and late into the night, including after 10pm when the structured counselling element is not available.”

In fact, almost 70 per cent of total log-ins were outside traditional 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday hours. This raises questions for some existing NHS services, many of which operate during the conventional working week.

Presenting issues and outcomes
Presenting issues range hugely, but stress and anxiety were most common. Perhaps unsurprisingly, these related closely to goal-setting activity. Over this period, there were more than 3,400 active goals set, almost half (46 per cent) of which were fully met. All Kooth goals were set by young people on their own or in partnership with their counsellor, according to what they wanted to achieve from treatment. They then tracked their progress by scoring each goal out of ten. The report showed goals set around these issues of stress and anxiety moved by an average of over seven points. This compares favourably – both to the average goal movement on Kooth and to other studies 2

Therapeutic alliance
Importantly, findings show that children and young people on Kooth are able to build strong relationships with their counsellors and to respond well to counselling sessions. It is vital that young people feel listened to, respected and able to relate to their counsellor online. Such a ‘therapeutic alliance’ is recognised as a key factor in achieving positive outcomes. The report showed four out of five young people experienced that alliance, which demonstrates that young people can have these important therapeutic relationships online.

Different levels of support
Perhaps contrary to a generally held belief about online counselling, Kooth can offer long-term support for those struggling with mental health problems. Most need short-term help; the mean number of session is three, which is typical of many services. But almost 8 per cent embark on more than six structured counselling sessions. Data also showed that 7 per cent exchanged more than 20 messages with their counsellor.

For me, this shows a huge commitment on the part of the young person. They autonomously choose to come back to the service to receive ongoing support around difficult issues. In many cases, we know that Kooth – as well as being a gateway service for those who need to be referred for specialist or particular face-to-face support – is a “containing” service. People are coming to Kooth and using the self-help materials, the live forums, the messaging service and/or the counselling sessions which, over time, will help them recover without any additional outside face-to face or CAMHS support.

In this way we also wanted to see how Kooth fits within the i-Thrive model of care 3. The report confirmed our sense that some will only use our service for getting advice (22 per cent) but many need support in different ways on different days, and Kooth is uniquely positioned to provide that.

Commissioner perspective
Three local Kooth commissioners were interviewed for the report, from Plymouth, Hertfordshire and Halton. According to the report, “The local commissioners…appreciated the availability of high quality data about service use, which has allowed them to respond to trends in presenting issues by putting in place relevant support offers.”

The commissioner in Halton used this data to target support for certain groups where unmet needs were being identified, such as stress and anxiety for 14 to 16-year old girls. This was also the case in Plymouth, where the commissioner has been able to respond to trends in presenting issues by putting in place relevant services such as self-help articles and moderated forums on those topics.

Commissioners also cited the speed and accessibility of the Kooth service, with one explaining that the online provision allows for a service to be immediately available to a family without the cost and anxiety of travelling to a clinic, with more flexible hours.

Another commissioner said: “We’ve had very good feedback from schools and GPs because they’ve been able to signpost something which is immediately available to children and young people… What’s good about Kooth is that they can access it quickly”

The report shows the impact of Kooth as a professional therapeutic service for children and young people. The next step is to zone in on its impact on the whole CAMH system. Often, because the service is anonymous or because a Clinical Commissioning Group may have several related services operating at once, it’s difficult to gather accurate quantitative data to feed into an impact study. This is our next challenge – and we are looking for partners who can work with us on this: to evaluate the impact of early support models as a whole. If you would like to join us, do get in touch.

Aaron Sefi, business development director, XenZone

Download the report

Aaron Sefi, Business Development Director XenZone
1 Suler, J. CyberPsychology & Behavior. July 2004, 7(3): 321-326. https://doi.org/10.1089/1094931041291295

2 Pooja Rupani , Mick Cooper , Katherine McArthur , Joanne Pybis , Karen Cromarty , Andy Hill , Ruth Levesley, Jamie Murdoch & Nick Turner (2013): The goals of young people in school-based counselling and their achievement of these goals, Counselling and Psychotherapy Research: Linking research with practice, DOI: 10.1080/14733145.2013.816758

3 http://www.annafreud.org/media/3214/thrive-elaborated-2nd-edition29042016.pdf


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Early Learning Centre Plush Toy - Pink Baby Bunny

  • Age: 0 months+
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New arrivals will love snuggling up to this Pink Baby Bunny Plush Toy from the Early Learning Centre range.

Baby Bunny is the sweetest new friend! With long velvety ears and super-soft plush fur, little ones will love snuggling up to Bunny at naptime. This lovely plush toy comes in a pastel pink shade and features soft jingly sounds to make playtime even more special.

Grown-ups will appreciate that this charming newborn gift arrives in a sparkly gift box, with a ‘to and from' label already attached.

For ages 0 months and over.

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Travel to thousands of destinations in 45 countries

Find station information, search timetables and book tickets to and from La Pouge. With over 207 train and coach companies in and across 44 countries including SNCF, see where you can go from La Pouge with Trainline today.

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Home > Themes > Autumn Events >

Autumn Leaf Eco Confetti

Autumn Leaf Eco Confetti
Autumn Leaf Eco Confetti

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Product Code: BP681AUTUMNLEAF

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Decorate your table with the classic colors of the fall season with Autumn Leaf Eco Confetti. This special eco confetti is embedded with wildflower seeds so when the party is over, you can plant the confetti pieces in a pot or outside and grow wildflowers. You'll leave no waste and grow beautiful flowers. Each package contains three sizes of leaves in olive green, mustard yellow and brick red seed paper.

Each package includes a mix of these sizes:
Small - 11/16 x 13/16 inches
Medium - 7/8 x 1 3/16 inches
Large - 1 x 1 1/2 inches

Approximately 380 eco confetti pieces per bag.

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As you will soon see, our online shop is full of great wedding ideas and products to make your big day a unique and memorable one. We carry thousands of products to fulfill every customer's vision of their special day. Our family owned and operated business has been proudly serving Canadians since 2008 and we are well known for our high quality products and excellent customer service. There are many other reasons why our customers keep coming back to us to help them plan their pre-wedding engagements, wedding day, bridal shower, other special events/occasions and to purchase unique gifts for their loved ones.

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• The White Punjabi Bride

The Bloggers To Follow About Indian Culture & Travel

Updated: May 14

I recently posted The Bloggers To Follow Who Have Married Into The Indian Culture, which features others like me, who have married into the Indian Culture. With many blogging about their adventures as a foreign wife living the Indian life. On their blogs you can find plenty of hints & tips for those who are in a bi-cultural relationship, marrying into the Indian Culture, raising a multicultural family or making the move abroad to India.

However there are plenty of other bloggers out there who also blog about the Indian Culture and Travel although they may not necessarily have married into the culture. These blogs are more informational with plenty of hints & tips for travelling to India and the best sights to see and cultural experiences to have.

Therefore this post will cover The Bloggers To Follow About Indian Culture & Travel. With many of these bloggers sharing their hints & tips from a Non Resident's view point. If there are any that I have missed that focus on Indian Culture & Travel then be sure to leave comments with the web address.

The Bloggers To Follow About Indian Culture & Travel

Rachel is an American who made the move to India after resigning from her nursing career. She spends her time travelling across the globe and blogging about her adventures. I have been following Rachel's blog since I commenced by own blog. Hippie In Heels is full of glamorous globetrotting hints, tips and places to go. When she is in India she resides in Goa one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. She posts plenty of useful hints and tips for solo female travel and has recently published a comprehensive eBook, An Insiders Guide To Goa. In her eBook you will find absolutely all the information you will need to plan and book a trip to Goa, the best sights to see and activities to do and so much more. You can purchase a copy of her eBook here.

*Update as of 2020, Rachel passed away late last year so you won't find many updates on the blog. However her family have decided to keep the blog and publish her remaining few unpublished articles.

The Transformative Travel Guide

Mariellen started her blog, Breath Dream Go almost eight years ago and is now an award winning travel site, with a focus on transformative travel experiences. On her blog you can find inspiration, advice, information and encouragement for anyone who wants to take a life changing trip. Whilst India is her main point of expertise, you can also find plenty of meaningful and authentic travel experiences from all over the globe.

We Travel Not To Escape Life But For Life Not To Escape Us

Anna is from England and has been travelling across South East Asia and Australia, eventually landing in India. She calls Goa her home now and blogs about her travels across India and the globe. Her blog is full of hints and tips about affordable travel and life in India as a solo female.

Sharrell is an Australian who made the move to India in 2005 searching for more in life. Fate lead her to meet her husband and they are now married living in Mumbai. Sharrell has published her very own memoirs, Henna For The Broken Hearted. You can find where to purchase a copy of her book here. She previously blogged about her lifestyle marrying into the Indian Culture however now writes the Indian travel content for web site Trip Savvy. There you will find comprehensive information on traveling across India, including hints & tips, comprehensive guides, travel itineraries and everything in between.

Information on India for the international community which one won't find easily on the mainstream media. Travel tips, culture & more.

Karolina is a European girl who fell in love with an Indian man and made the move to India. She did not love India at first but day by day she started discovering the unknown India and fell in love with the culture. On her blog India In Details she shares her perspective about Indian Life, including the good and the bad. You will be bound to find plenty of travel tips, culture and more.

Reshma is a native to India and has a love for travel, particularly solo travel. She recently started blogging for Hippie In Heels which is how I came across her site. On her blog she shares all her stories, tips - the good, bad & the ugly of travelling as the solo globetrotter.

Travel Blog From India

Anuradha is a native and blogs about her travels across India and the globe in her award winning blog, IndiTales. Her blog has a focus on offbeat destinations and tourist destinations to bring you the sights to see and things to do. You can find plenty of Indian travel hints & tips on her blog along with her own travel adventures.

The Bloggers To Follow Who Have Married Into The Indian Culture

Copyright The White Punjabi Bride 2016 All Rights Reserved


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05 GiordaniTommaso Giordani – Sonatas Op.30; Antonin Kammell – Sonata in D Major
Luchkow-Stadlen-Jarvis Trio
Marquis Classics MAR 81495 (marquisclassics.com)

The viola da gamba’s persistence in late-18th-century England owed something to the aristocracy. It appears that Lady Lavinia Spencer (1762-1831) was the gamba-playing dedicatee of this CD’s Giordani sonatas, and yes, she is a direct ancestor of the late Princess Diana Spencer and sons William and Harry! From a musical standpoint gamba players could by then hold an equal role in sonatas for violin, viola da gamba and fortepiano, such as the Three Sonatas, Op. 30 (published c.1782) by Naples-born, later Ireland-based, Tommasso Giordani (c.1738-1806). The textures Giordani achieves through familiarity with the gamba’s high register liberated the instrument from bass-playing, allowing imitation and echoing between instruments and octave doubling of melody in the violin and gamba, for example in the opening movement of Sonata No.2 in D Major. I find this to be the best of the sonatas, with a particularly fine slow movement; Giordani was a natural melodist whose use of contrasting minor keys and quiet fortepiano solos is notable. His active gamba part in the finale illustrates the instrument’s development towards virtuosity.

The Canadian Luchkow-Stadlen-Jarvis Trio is convincing, with clean solo and ensemble playing free of affectation, with attractive tone and balance, and expressive inflections in the slow movements. And although the Sonata in C Major, Op.1, No.1 by Czech composer Antonin Kammell (1730-1785) that ends this disc has other requirements – ornamentation, accentuation and hairpin crescendos – they meet those demands equally well.

07 Paul MerkeloThe Enlightened Trumpet
Paul Merkelo (principal trumpet OSM); Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra; Marios Papadopoulos
Sony Classical S80463C (paulmerkelotrumpet.com)

With repertoire spanning the Baroque through the classical eras; Telemann through Haydn, Leopold Mozart and Hummel, The Enlightened Trumpet showcases the bona fide genius of Paul Merkelo, principal trumpet of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal. After his epic confrontations with Baroque Transcriptions and French Trumpet Concertos, Merkelo deftly combines trumpet and strings in the incisiveness of Haydn’s Concerto in E-flat Major (Hob.Vlle.1) with its famously breathtaking Allegro finale, the not inconsiderable demands of which he takes in his stride.

Merkelo then nimbly navigates his way between the rhetoric and energy of Telemann’s Concerto in D Major (TWV 51:D7) and Leopold Mozart’s Concerto in D Major for trumpet, two horns and strings with appealing melodiousness and – in the second instance – robust interplay with the other horns. The performance of the Hummel Concerto in E Major (S.49) sees its melodic ingenuity projected with due vitality, as well as a stunning degree of spontaneity and expressive poise redolent of Maurice André, Merkelo’s legendary predecessor to whom he has been likened. Not without good reason, as this disc attests.

The crowning moments come during the Rondo finale of the Hummel, the cadenza of which has been credited to Timofei Dokshizer. By then, of course, Merkelo has already made his mark, through a bracing workout across three other famous trumpet concertos, with heartfelt eloquence worthy of the reputation he has gained among his trumpet-playing orchestral peers across the globe.

08 Old SoulsOld Souls
Gili Schwarzman; Guy Braunstein; Susanna Yoko Henkel; Amihai Grosz; Alisa Weilerstein
Pentatone PTC 5186 815 (naxosdirect.com)

This recording of four works, transcriptions of two solo violin pieces and of two string quartets, in which flutist Gili Schwarzman plays the solo part in the solo pieces and the first violin part in the quartets, presents the reviewer with the double challenge of considering both the arrangements and the performances.

The arranger is Guy Braunstein, a former concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, and now a soloist, conductor and arranger. He is also Schwarzman’s husband. His skill as an arranger, deeply informed by his knowledge of the violin, is formidable. The first composition on the disc, Beethoven’s Violin Sonata No.4, is a masterful orchestration for flute and string quartet. Braunstein did not merely assign the notes of the piano part, according to their pitch, to the corresponding instruments, but rewrote it for string quartet. One could be forgiven for assuming that it was an original composition by Beethoven himself.

The performances are energetic and nuanced, models of musical artistry. My favourite moment in the entire CD is the second movement of Dvořák’s String Quartet Op.96, which sounds absolutely natural played on the flute. The long, languorous melodic line, as played by Schwarzman, is never rushed and at the same time, never loses energy.

So it is great having this recorded new take on some well-known chamber music. Now let us hope that Braunstein’s arrangements will be published.

09 Alexander String Quartet DvorakAntonin Dvořák – Locale
Alexander String Quartet; Joyce Yang
Foghorn Classics FCL 2020 (foghornclassics.com)

If I was asked to describe Dvořák’s chamber music, I would say it has the characteristics of an abundant ball of energy, the one that brings joy no matter what and is enriched by the occasional touch of Slavic melancholy. The Alexander Quartet and Joyce Yang seem to be particularly attuned to that joy – here is a recording of exuberant energy and vitality that never crosses the line of being too much.

The “American” quartet is probably one of the most beloved pieces in the chamber music repertoire and it shares a number of similar elements with the Piano Quintet Op.81, thus making it a perfect pairing for this album. Although they were written some years apart and on different continents, both pieces are wonderful creations of a showcase of rhythms, dramatic gestures and, above all, memorable melodies, all of which are tastefully presented by the artists on this album. What I find the most pleasurable is the intricate tapestry of textures created by the Alexander Quartet. Their playing brings forth the elegance and lavishness of 19th-century Europe yet it does have a slight contemporary edge in terms of expression. Joyce Yang is on fire here – she displays a perfect interpretational balance between virtuosic agility and grandiose statements so typical for piano music of the Romantic period. Together they make this recording unapologetically exciting.

10 Mahler 10Mahler – Symphony No.10
Lapland Chamber Orchestra; John Storgårds
BIS BIS-2376 SACD (bis.se)

When Gustav Mahler died in 1911 at the age of 50 he left behind sketches for his tenth and final symphony. Of the five movements, we have Mahler’s full scores of the first and third movements with the remainder in an abbreviated short score format. These preliminary sketches, skeletal though they may be, define the entire melodic structure of the work. In this sense Mahler’s final testament is less unfinished than unrealized. It was not until the mid-1920s that efforts were made to bring the symphony to light with the publication of Ernst Krenek’s edition of the first and third movements and the release of a facsimile edition of the sketches. Numerous subsequent efforts have been made to refine the other three movements; the most successful of these has proved to be the “performing version” by Deryck Cooke first heard in 1960.

Over 30 recordings of the complete work in various versions have been issued since. This new chamber orchestra arrangement, by the Maltese conductor and musicologist Michelle Castelletti, is an exceptional accomplishment, quite brilliantly executed by the phenomenal John Storgårds and his Lapland Chamber Orchestra. I was initially quite skeptical that an orchestra of a mere 24 players (single woodwinds, a lone trumpet and horn, 14 strings, piano, harmonium, harp and percussion) would prove adequate to convey the impact of the 100 musicians Mahler normally employed. I was mistaken; even in these reduced circumstances the pathos of Mahler’s message still shines through in Storgårds sublime interpretation. This ranks as one of the most exciting and accomplished performances I have heard in my lifetime of terminal Mahleria.

11 Buzz BrassInspirations
Buzz Brass
Analekta AN 2 8776 (analekta.com/en)

Canada’s renowned Buzz Brass ensemble presents “brand new transcriptions of major works” from celebrated composers Antonín Dvořák, Maurice Ravel and Erik Satie. Victor Ewald’s Quintet No.3 in D-flat Major (Op.7) is the only work on this disc originally intended for brass.

Inspirations is an attractive recital with each of four gems in this repertoire being polished to a glittering sparkle. This is the work of two Québécois arrangers, François Vallières and Hugo Bégin who – judging by these inspired re-imaginings – certainly ought to be better known than they might be in Québec. The imaginative arrangement of Satie’s Gymnopédies ought to be proof enough. But if there needs to be further evidence of highly original musical transcriptions, there is also proof in the transformations of Ravel’s String Quartet in F Major (Op.35) and Dvořák’s String Quartet No.12 in F Major “American” (B.179). All are highly creative re-arrangements; wholly satisfying both structurally and expressively.

The Buzz Brass parley with the familiarity of old friends, yet their playing always retains the sense of gracious etiquette associated with noble academies for which this music was no doubt originally intended. Nothing is forced, exaggerated or overly mannered; tempi, ensemble and balance all seem effortlessly and intuitively right. The brass sound is lucid. These are, in sum, sincere and poised accounts, a fitting tribute to the faultless character of the original music of the composers.

01 HK Guitar DuoThere was never any doubt about what would be the lead review once I received HK Guitar Duo Plays Mozart, the latest CD from two of Canada’s most outstanding instrumentalists, guitarists Drew Henderson and Michael Kolk (Independent, hkguitarduo.com).

What I wasn’t expecting, though, even from them, was the first of the three transcriptions on the disc – the complete Symphony No.40 in G Minor K550, the idea for the arrangement growing from some impromptu improvising on the opening theme during a break in a 2008 recording session.

Transcribing the Duo No.1 in G Major for Violin and Viola K423 was, as Kolk readily admits, a much simpler process, and finding an arrangement for two violins of the Piano Sonata No.8 in A Minor K310 clearly assisted with their excellent transcription for two guitars. Henderson plays a custom-built eight-string guitar in the Symphony No.40 as well as in the middle Adagio movement of the Duo, the two extra bass strings enabling an extended bass range that was particularly essential for the symphony.

The playing throughout the CD is immaculate, the technical artistry always matched by the musical sensitivity and intelligence. The Duo and the Piano Sonata are not exactly insubstantial works, but the real gem here is the Symphony No.40: “It’s incredible,” says the accompanying promo blurb, “that four hands and 14 strings can cover so much music that was written for an orchestra, but the HK Duo makes it sound effortless.”

Indeed they do, but more significantly – and crucially – they also make it sound both musically and artistically meaningful and an immensely satisfying listening experience in all respects. It’s a quite astonishing technical and musical accomplishment, completely convincing through all four movements.

Engineered and edited by Drew Henderson to his usual impeccable standards at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene in Toronto, this is a simply outstanding guitar CD.

02 Sharon Isbin PacificaBy sheer coincidence, for the second month in a row I received a guitar quintet CD that opened with the Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco Quintet for Guitar and String Quartet Op.143 and closed with Luigi Boccherini’s Quintet for Guitar and String Quartet in D Major – the one with the famous Fandango final movement. Last month it was Jason Vieaux and the Escher Quartet, and this month it’s guitarist Sharon Isbin and the Pacifica Quartet on Souvenirs of Spain & Italy, a CD that features music by Italian-born composers influenced by Spanish idioms (Çedille CDR 90000 190 cedillerecords.org).

The other works on the CD are Vivaldi’s popular Lute Concerto in D Major RV93, heard here in Emilio Pujol’s arrangement for guitar and string trio, and Joaquín Turina’s La oración del torero Op.34 in the composer’s own string quartet edition of the original for lute quartet.

Perhaps the words “seldom-heard gem” are finally becoming inappropriate for the gorgeous Castelnuovo-Tedesco quintet, which would be welcome news. There may possibly be a bit more warmth and tonal colour in Vieaux’s playing and a slightly less-forward guitar balance, but both performances feature excellent work by the soloists backed by beautiful quartet playing, and can be recommended without reservation.

The two performances of the Boccherini quintet are also very similar and equally impressive, the main difference being the addition of castanets and tambourine for almost the entire Fandango on this current disc, whereas on the Vieaux, the castanets (no tambourine) only appear for a brief single spell in the middle of the movement.

Isbin adds her own Baroque ornamentation in a measured and thoroughly enjoyable performance of the Vivaldi concerto; indeed, the two middle works on this CD give it a decided edge over the Vieaux disc.

03 New Guitar 12David Starobin is the classical guitar soloist on New Music with Guitar Vol.12, the latest CD in the excellent ongoing series on the Bridge label (9520 bridgerecords.com).

All five composers represented – Fred Lerdahl, John Musto, William Bland, Edward Green and David Leisner – were born between 1943 and 1954, and the works are predominantly mature pieces, only Green’s Genesis: Variations for Solo Guitar, written for Starobin in 1974 and recorded in 1975, predating 2010.

Starobin is joined by violinist Movses Pogossian in Lerdahl’s Three Bagatelles (2017) and by pianist Yun Hao in Bland’s Sonata No.4 (2016), the latter’s Blues final movement ending effectively with Starobin unwinding the lower guitar strings.

The outstanding baritone Patrick Mason joins the guitarist in two brief but quite superb song cycles: Musto’s The Brief Light (2010) on poems of James Laughlin and Leisner’s Three James Tate Songs (2007). Leisner’s abilities as a virtuoso guitarist make for some dazzling and imaginative settings in the latter.

Starobin and partners are all in top form in a highly entertaining program.

04 Schumann Quartet ChiaroscuroChiaroscuro, the latest CD from the Schumann Quartet completes the trilogy of concept albums that began with the two CDs, Landscapes (2017) and Intermezzo (2018) (Berlin Classics 0301213BC berlin-classics-music.com).

Described as “a picture-gallery of music” the album uses Mozart’s settings of Five Fugues from Bach’s The Well-Tempered Clavier K405 as the promenade music and connecting path between the various works: Mendelssohn’s Fugue in E-Flat Major Op.81 No.4; Philip Glass’ brief String Quartet No.2 “company”; Shostakovich’s Two Pieces for string quartet from 1931; Webern’s Six Bagatelles Op.9; and Janáček’s String Quartet No.2 “Intimate Letters.” Gershwin’s Lullaby adds a dream-like epilogue to the series.

The Schumann Quartet is performing the complete Chiaroscuro program in their live recitals, and recommends that the CD be listened to from start to finish without a break. It certainly works very well, despite – or perhaps because of – the disparity between the musical selections. Performances throughout are excellent, particularly the heartfelt reading of the astonishingly raw and emotional Janáček quartet.

05 Argus QuartetThe string music of the American composer Juri Seo (born 1981) is featured on the impressive CD Respiri, with the Argus Quartet and cellist Joann Whang (Innova 022 innova.mu).

The quite lovely title track for string quartet is subtitled in memoriam Jonathan Harvey, and pays tribute to the British composer – a practising Buddhist – who died in 2012, and whose signature musical gesture was an evocation of breathing.

Whang is the soloist for the Suite for Cello, a suite of five dance movements very much in the J.S. Bach solo cello mode but with an increasing use of harmonics, adding what the composer terms a lingering sense of displacement.

The String Quartet – Infinite Season aims to depict the story of a year unfolding, the four movements tracing the sounds of nature as the seasons change. There’s a lovely use of harmonics again, together with field recordings of birdsong and insect noises.

06 PUBLIQuartetFreedom & Faith is the second album from the American string quartet PUBLIQuartet on the Bright Shiny Things label (BSTC-0126 brightshiny.ninja). The quartet is dedicated to presenting new works, and the music here is from two of PUBLIQuartet’s signature initiatives: MIND I THE I GAP, collaborative compositions and improvisations by the four group members; and PUBLIQ Access, a program that commissions new string quartet works by composers living in the United States. The latter is represented by the opening and closing works – Jessica Meyer’s three-movement Get into the Now from 2017 and Shelley Washington’s Middleground from 2016 – while three collaborative creations from the former project are at the centre of the disc: Sancta Femina, reflections on Hildegard von Bingen, Francesca Caccini and Chiara Margarita Cozzolani; Ella!, based on Ella Fitzgerald’s performance of A-Tisket, A-Tasket; and Nina!, a celebration of Nina Simone.

Anything goes in the performances at times, with normal string playing being replaced by a whistle, unison singing and chanting, rhythmic clapping and percussive effects on the instrument bodies in some vibrant and decidedly upbeat music.

07 Rihm scanThe outstanding violinist Tianwa Yang is the soloist on Wolfgang Rihm Music for Violin and Orchestra Vol.2 with the Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz under Darrell Ang (Naxos 8.573667 naxosdirect.com). Yang has a strong association with Rihm’s music, having already recorded his Complete Works for Violin and Piano (8.572730) and the first volume of the Violin and Orchestra Music (8.573812) for the Naxos label.

The three substantial works here are Gesungene Zeit (Musik für Violine und Orchester Nr.2) (1991-92), Lichtes Spiel (Ein Sommerstück für Violine und kleines Orchester) (2009) and COLL’ARCO (Musik für Violine und Orchester Nr.4) (2008).

Rihm’s music is not always immediately accessible, but these works are engrossing from start to finish with some truly beautiful moments, especially in the lengthy COLL’ARCO, which with its hints of Alban Berg often sounds like a violin concerto from the Second Viennese School.

Yang is, as usual, simply brilliant in music that makes great technical and interpretative demands.

08 Ben HaimEvocation – Violin Works by Paul Ben-Haim traces the gradual assimilation of Middle Eastern influences in the music of the composer (born Paul Frankenburger in Munich, Germany) after his emigration to the British Mandate of Palestine (the future Israel) in the 1930s. Itamar Zorman is the violin soloist with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales under Philippe Bach (BIS-2398 bis.se).

The major works are the 1942 title track and the Violin Concerto from 1960, a solidly professional work with a simply lovely Andante affettuoso slow movement. Pianist Amy Yang joins Zorman for the Berceuse sfaradite from 1945 and Three Songs without Words from 1951.

The Three Studies for Solo Violin, written for Yehudi Menuhin in 1981 are among Ben-Haim’s last works. An arrangement for violin and orchestra of the Toccata piano solo from 1943 by the soloist’s father, Moshe Zorman, completes an entertaining CD.

09 Vaughan Williams Viola FantasyVaughan Williams enjoyed playing the viola for most of his long life, its sound a seemingly perfect projection of the pastoral and nostalgic nature (on the surface, at least) of his music. On Viola Fantasia, on Albion Records, the official label of the Ralph Vaughan Williams Society, violist Martin Outram and pianist Julian Rolton perform the composer’s works for viola and piano, together with the Four Hymns for Tenor, Viola and Pianoforte with tenor Mark Padmore (ALBCD 036 albionrecords.org).

The Suite and Romance both sprang from Vaughan Williams’ relationship with the viola virtuoso Lionel Tertis. Six Studies in English Folk Song and the Fantasia on Sussex Folk Tunes both originally featured solo cello, the former heard here in the composer’s alternate viola version and the latter in an arrangement by Outram. The Fantasia on Greensleeves was arranged for viola and piano by another British viola virtuoso, Watson Forbes.

There’s perhaps a tendency for the viola tone to sound a bit tight at times, but there’s much to enjoy on what is clearly an authoritative CD.

10 Yevgeny KutikFor his recording project Meditations on Family the Russian-American violinist Yevgeny Kutik commissioned eight composers to translate a family photo into a short musical miniature of about two to three minutes in length for violin and various ensemble. The resulting tracks were released digitally on a weekly basis, and were gathered together on a 23-minute Extended Play CD earlier this year (Marquis 774718149329 marquisclassics.com).

Composers Christopher Cerrone, Gregory Vajda, Joseph Schwantner, Kinan Azmeh, Paola Prestini, Timo Andres, Andreia Pinto Correia and Gity Razaz produced brief but intriguing works for solo violin, violin and piano, violin and double bass, violin and clarinet and violin with vocal quartet and glass harmonica. Kutik plays them with warmth and commitment.

The original photos, along with additional background information and audio tracks can be found at meditationsonfamily.com

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Hi, I'm Blume! I recently moved to the Oregon Coast where I live in a tiny cabin, high up overlooking Tenmile Lake, surrounded by a rain forest on the Oregon Coast. It's like living in a tree house...

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OnePlus 5T: The Morning After

Posted on November 23, 2017 by Paul Thurrott in Android with 37 Comments

OnePlus 5T: The Morning After

Sometimes a deal seems too good to be true. And you start looking for that one flaw, the gimmick that betrays how you’ve been had.

That is not the case with the OnePlus 5T.

Two opposing qualifiers before I get all giddy on you. First, we’re only 24 hours into this, and we need to put what I’m about to write in perspective. But on the other hand, I’m not exactly known for irrational exuberance, and I test enough hardware that something has to be truly impressive for me to freak out over it.

The OnePlus 5T is truly impressive.

Here is a $500-ish flagship smartphone that meets, and in some cases beats, the $1000-ish market leaders. That isn’t just the sweet spot of value, it’s the answer to a riddle that’s bedeviled me in this age of ever-more-expensive phones. Is it possible to deliver flagship specifications at mid-tier prices and do so without some deal-killing compromise.

I think about this stuff all the time. As I wrote back in April in A Tale of Three Smartphones, “I am all about value, and from a morally responsible standpoint, I am no fan of the throwaway culture that has emerged in the wake of the iPhone … as a reviewer, as a human being, I have a hard time, often, recommending very expensive devices when I know that many readers cannot even afford them to begin. Heck, I can’t afford them either.”

Since writing that article, in which the OnePlus 3T played a role, OnePlus has released two flagship phones, the OnePlus 5 in June and then the OnePlus 5T this past week, just six months later. That’s a blistering pace even for the smartphone industry, and there’s a discussion to be had there, I guess. But let’s stay focused. Because the OnePlus 5T is fricking awesome.

How do I even begin to explain this without seeming to babble like an excited child on Christmas morning?

Compose yourself, Paul.

Here’s the skinny: For roughly half the price of a Google Pixel 2 XL, OnePlus provides roughly the same phone.

There are some differences, of course.

The OnePlus 5T’s 6-inch 18:9 display runs at “just” 2160 x 1080, but it is deep and rich and nicely detailed. And in a variety of lighting conditions, it is as vibrant as that of the Pixel 2 XL. I have a hard time telling them apart.

Sans cases, the two devices are likewise very similar: The seem to weigh almost identically in the hand, but the OnePlus 5T is clearly the thinner of the two.

My early camera tests have surprised me: The OnePlus 5T camera system appears to work quite well, and while it is perhaps falls just short of the excellent Pixel 2 XL camera, it works well in low-light situations. My side-by-side camera tests have, so far, resulted in a toss-up. Some photos are better on the Pixel 2 XL, some are better on the OnePlus 5T.

My gut feeling on the camera is that the Pixel will prevail. But I also feel that the OnePlus 5T camera is good enough for virtually anyone. It is a stunning achievement that, again, must be put into perspective by noting the relative prices of these devices.

Not everything about the OnePlus 5T is perfect, of course. It comes with a headphone jack, which is preferred, but it has only a single mono speaker, which is unacceptable in 2017. I’m sure it’s difficult figuring out how to route sound on these new-age near bezel-less displays. But even Google has figured it out.

From a hardware design perspective, overall, OnePlus 5T gets the clear nod. You’d think that two black slabs with the same basic design couldn’t be all that different, and you’d be right, from a high level. But it’s the little things. The OnePlus 5T feels better in the hand, thanks to its elegant metal construction. It’s prettier, with more elegantly curved corners. And it’s slightly less wide.

But it’s not just the hardware.

The Android-based Oxygen OS that OnePlus supplies with its devices is closer to the “pure Android” ideal than is the version of Android that Google itself supplies on its Pixel phones. It is also more customizable out of the box, meaning that it includes more tools, in Settings and elsewhere, that let you change things like system fonts and icon shapes, and more more capabilities, like parallel apps.

That is the very essence of open. It is the very ideal of Android, though you don’t get it from Google. It’s … incredible. And it will require a lot of exploration. You can really meld this thing to your needs, and do so without investigating any third-party apps.

Some have criticized OnePlus for shipping this device with an OS based on Android 7.1.1 when Android 8.0 Oreo has already arrived. But the firm explained this ably during the OnePlus 5T announcement, I think, noting that it prefers to ship a solid OS upgrade a few months after a major Android update to shipping a buggy upgrade—cough, Apple—and then having to patch it incessantly. And those who do wish to jump right to Android 8.0 Oreo can do so this month anyway: The open beta starts any day now.

I also love the community that OnePlus has built around its ecosystem. And one might argue that it is this community, whose announcements and forums can be accessed through the Community app on the phone, is a key strength. That app? Yeah, it’s customizable too, so you can access information about the devices and topics that matter most to you.

Anyway. It’s early yet. I know. But I am drawn to this device, attracted to this beautiful thing which can be had without a second mortgage. It’s the Nexus dream I’ve often expressed, and that Google has abandoned, alive and well in this other home. I wrote previously that OnePlus “gets it,” and this device confirms it, already. After just a day. It’s obvious.

So I’ll keep testing it. I’ll wait to see whether the OnePlus 5T lets me down in some major way, requires some caveat. But I don’t think it’s going to happen. No, it doesn’t support Project Fi, which is a tough one for me personally. But that doesn’t impact most people. And when you add up the capabilities here and cross that with the pricing … It just doesn’t seem possible. And yet here it is.

More soon.

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