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Buvette Brunch Masthead

Making friends in a new city

Josephine Walsh

Picture this: you move to a new city and want to make friends.

Luckily, your workplace has an active social calendar and is filled with lovely, like-minded colleagues. You already know a handful of people who welcome you with open arms into their social circle. You envision chuckling with your freshly-minted mates at after-work drinks, arranging group movie nights, and becoming a surrogate mother to your new bestie’s adorable terrier.

Except, what if:

  1. You’re not working, or in a workplace where people don’t really socialise
  2. You know zero people
  3. All of the above

When I moved to Canada earlier this year, I felt like I’d been thrown back into the dating pool. I realised how much my broader social network had led me to meeting people, and how tricky it is to make connections completely from scratch.

I was that nervous chick chatting with their yoga instructor after class, worried that she might think I was hitting on her when I really just wanted to find someone to enjoy brunch with. I’ve also spent an exorbitant amount of time extolling the virtues of Australian coffee culture to random baristas, just for the sake of talking to someone other than the host of the podcast I’m listening to (discussions which are disappointingly one-sided).

Whilst I’ll leave the mechanics of striking up a conversation with a complete stranger entirely up to you, here are some sure-fire ways to put yourself in the friend zone.

Your answer is always yes

Colleagues ducking out for lunch in the city? Neighbour invites you around for a catch up? A friend connects you to another new arrival who wants to see the latest Thor movie? Yes, you’d love to tag along.

Don’t turn down the chance to socialise, network and meet people, even if you’re not in the mood to go out or don’t have an interest in said event. You never know who you’ll meet, and you might surprise yourself by discovering an unexpected passion.

There is never a shortage of events in Canberra, and you’re sure to find something that floats your boat in the What’s On section of HerCanberra.

Jump online to find out who’s out there

Meetup is an impressive online resource which lists communities and events in your city. There is a huge diversity of Canberra-based groups that connect people with shared interests in anything from jogging to Jane Austen, breweries to bookclubs, and stacks more.

Facebook also offers a plethora of Canberra-based groups, and the ‘What’s On in Canberra’ Facebook Page is another great way to find out what’s happening. Keen Instagrammer? Igers Canberra host semi-regular Instameets as a fun way to explore and photograph the city (be sure to register as places are usually limited and book up fast).

Also, don’t be disappointed or disheartened if your first attempt at joining a group doesn’t yield the bosom-buddy you’d hoped for. I joined a bookclub in Ottawa and only went once because the reading list didn’t align with my taste. But, I had a fun evening out where I met some lovely women, and I’m open to going again if there’s a book that piques my interest.

Get on your hobby horse

Always wanted to try your hand at pottery? Nurtured a lifelong dream of doing a photography course? Or maybe you’re kicking yourself that you missed the Italian Film Festival for like, the seventh year in a row.

If you’ve had a slow-burning desire to try your hand at something, now is the time to do it. I took up life-drawing in Canberra last year, which not only acted as mental yoga for my brain but also introduced me to some very talented Canberra creatives. Similarly, learning French this year got me out of my comfort zone and into a café with a classmate who also didn’t understand le future proche.

Jose French textbook

Check out Eventbrite to find workshops, classes and retreats in Canberra that will fuel your creative fire and hopefully add a few friends to your network.

Take care of your body

Whether it’s joining a gym, signing up to an introductory offer at a barre studio, or giving bootcamp a try, finding an active pursuit will put you in a healthy environment and good mental headspace to meet people. Tell the instructor you’ve just moved to the city and ask if they can introduce you to other newbies, and find out if they organise informal social events like post-boxing coffee.

Jose puppy_feature

I joined a yoga studio in my first week in Ottawa and thanks to my Aussie accent managed to befriend the owner, who has an adorable Yorkshire terrier and lovely husband who we’ve since gone camping with. I’m secretly stoked to being one step closer to becoming a surrogate dog mama.

You’ll find a staggering number of fitness activities and reviews on the HerCanberra ACTIVE directory.

Find a local place to unwind alone

Whether you’re a stickler for good coffee, keen to find a cosy nook where you can read, or love to finish the day with a glass of pinot and a cheeseboard, finding a local where you’re happy in your own company is essential when you move to a different city.

Although it sounds counter-intuitive to making friends, I think it’s really important to find a public place where you feel comfortable being by yourself. I find that spending time alone when I’m around others is good for my mental health and helps me to feel connected to people.

Sure, you might not become besties with your barista, but it’s always nice when the staff at your favourite joint remember your name, ask how your day was, and have your double-shot macchiato ready within two minutes of your arrival.

My favourite Canberra places to fly solo are Mocan and Green Grout, Monster at HotelHotel, Bar Rochford and ONA Manuka – the staff at these places are all lovely, the spaces are cosy and you won’t stick out like a sore thumb because you’re dining alone. And, you might just meet someone else who’s also reading Big Little Lies that you can bond with.

Remember, making friends can take time. You’re not going to gel with everyone you pluck up the courage to introduce yourself to, and some friendships might fizzle. But, if you strike a balance between being proactive in meeting people and not putting too much pressure on yourself, you’re sure to make meaningful connections. A simple hello can lead to a million things.

Josephine Walsh

Jose Walsh is a digital communications specialist who also runs her own blog, mapleandmabel.com. She has a passion for museums and the arts, a deep love of travel and more shoes than sense. Having worked in museums for the past seven years, she loves finding new ways to connect people with their cultural institutions. She loves meeting new people, hunting for a decent espresso, and planning her next adventure. More about the Author

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I keep seeing this question asked in forums “I updated to windows 8.1 now I cannot connect to my WiFi“.

Sometimes the wireless will say limited or no access

This is a common issue particularly with laptops with Atheros Wi-fi cards.

Now to fix this it is usually a pretty simple fix, go to the manufacturers website and download the correct drivers for your model of laptop and Windows 8.1. Once you have downloaded the latest driver install it.

This is caused because you are using a driver that is not compatible with Windows 8.1.

Read More →

I have had the opportunity to install a few Netcomm NP730 Wireless Access Points lately.

This Access Point is designed to be placed outdoors in the weather removing the need for an outdoor access point enclosure to house it. It has the outdoor access point enclosure built into it and also seals itself so no water can enter.

I have been really happy with the performance and also the durability of this Netcomm model (and I have also been impressed with all the other Netcomm products I have tried and I even use a Netcomm Wireless router at home).

One really good tool they have is the Netcomm AP Locator utility which is available for download from the official page here. This utility will locate and allow you to change the Access Points IP address from the utility so you can access the web access from your network.

It also has the ability to have multiple SSID’s linked to different VLANs!

You can also attache a bigger 5dBi antenna and 200mw inbuilt booster that will increase your wireless range

Read More →
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Bird Flu confirmed in UK – please be vigilant

Kent has earned a hard-won reputation for tough and effective biosecurity to protect plant, animal and human health.

Avian influenza (or bird flu) has recently been confirmed in wild birds in Dorset and Warwickshire, with an ‘avian influenza prevention zone’ now declared covering England.

It is vital that we all remain vigilant and report any wild birds found dead without obvious cause (especially wildfowl such as swans, geese and ducks) to the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77.

Any unexplained deaths amongst captive birds, such as poultry or gamebirds, should also be reported to the Animal and Plant Health Agency on 03000 20 03 01.


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Sunday, February 12, 2012

Take a picture, it'll last longer

I’m a really crappy photographer, but in this modern world I can totally get away with it!
I’ll instagram anything, I kid you not. My sandwich? Sure – add Earlybird filter and voila.

Picture of a boring road. Polarize it. Ooh so arty.
See I’m a regular Annie Lebovitz. JOKING, I’M SO JOKING.
But seriously it is kind of nice that you can take the mundane and ordinary and make it seem a little special.
And if you’re like me, there is a whole lot of mundane and ordinary in your phone.

I love these cute, vintagey, hipster photos but what the heck do you do with them? Especially when you live in the “arse-end” of the world (excuse my French) and no one will ship things to you?
Google, my friend, is your friend.

I found quite a few companies offering to print your instagrams and iphone photos, but as mentioned above – a lot of them wouldn’t ship to Australia. And the rest were kind of vague with size and price, which is always comforting on the internet...
But eventually I narrowed my sights on two different products. ImageBlocks and Printsagram.

Imageblocks is based in Melbourne (hooray local!) and they turn your iphone photos into wooden blocks.
At $35 a piece they would make a fantastic birthday pressie and man are they fun!
Since it’s been a year without our sweet old pup Jem, I decided to get a cute block made up of my favourite photo of her to give to my parents.
Next up is Printstagram. I’ve seen a few people in the blogging world order stickers from here, but as much as I love those adhesive-backed-beauties, I have little to no use for them. Stickers tend to end up on the bottom of my shoe or on my elbows *damn apple stickers) and aren’t treated with the love and respect they deserve.
So instead I turned all my weird and wonderful iPhone photos from Japan into a little book! And shy of a month later they have just turned up on my desk.
You get two mini books, each with 50 photos and all for $12. Nice huh! Admittedly it ends up being a little more like $24 when you factor in the shipping, but to have a cute reminder of my holiday with little to no effort on my behalf? Worth it! I was a little lazy and ordered two of the same book – one for me and one for Oh.

I love it!! It’s great that I can flick through a little book and remember all the silly bits of our holiday. Namely the thousands of Choco Cro we ate, or the many times Owen's eyes rolled in my general direction.

You can also order little prints from them too. One set of 48, again for $12. I think I’ll order these next time – they would look really cute strung up like a little garland I think!
I definitely recommend them – although keep in mind the shipping takes a while. And I naively thought they’d be coming from the US of A, when in fact they were shipped from Taiwan. No biggie, just the old adage about a assuming making a something out of something.

But in short, get printing! There are pictures of sandwiches, shoes or beloved pets pulling silly faces just sitting on your phone with their fancy filters, itching to be shared with the world!

Jo said...

We need to sign up for 'my us'. You ship everything to them and then they consolidate and ship for you... For a fee of course.

chocolatesuze said...

haha instagram is so addictive! have you heard of casetagram? makes iphone covers with instagram pics

Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella said...

Ooh I've just gotten into Instagram a few weeks ago. I've been having so much fun with it! :D

kelly said...

loved this post, its so true everything looks better on instagram!
your package will be in the post tomorrow miss! so then you can instagram THAT if you like x

betty said...

im checking prinstagram thank u for sharing :D

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Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Job Fair

Community Job Fair and Expo – Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando is the largest business-related organization representing the Hispanic community in Central Florida and has, for over 18 years, been an essential voice for the Hispanic business community.

Next week, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando is proud to host its first job fair in Central Florida in partnership with New York Life, WFTV Channel 9, the Orange County Mayor’s Office, and Workforce Central Florida.  This will be one of the largest job fairs in Central Florida and will further the chamber’s mission to provide leadership and support the economic development of the Hispanic business community of Metro Orlando.  This is a FREE event and is open to all job seekers!  This job fair will give you face to face contact with companies who are hiring, so this is a great way to network with key people in the Central Florida employment community.  If you are looking for a great job opportunity, get your resume ready!

The Hispanic Chamber’s Community Job Fair will take place next week Wednesday, from 1 to 5pm, with seminars taking place prior, from 11 to 4pm.  In fact, the job fair is only one part of the Hispanic Business Conference being held next week, so there will be many more events produced by the HCCMO.  Please note the events:

Job Development Training & Career Fair

Wed, June 6

Procurement Minority Program & HBIF Seminar Sessions

Thur, June 7

Hispanic Business Conference

Fri, June 8

EXPO Floor Open to Consumers

Sat, June 9

EXPO Floor Open to Consumers

Sun, June 10

 All events will take place at:

Orange County Convention Center – West Bldg  9800 International Drive, Orl  32819.
For further info contact: info@HispanicChamber.net or call 407-428-5870.


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Water Mitigation in Scotland AR 72141

Locally Owned & Operated

Looking for the right Water Damage company for your home or property? Since 1980 we have been providing Water Damage services to the Scotland area.

(877) 534-6458

(Scotland AR 72141) �”

Maxons Restorations Maxons Restorations is a green cleaning, restoration, and remodeling company with offices in New York City, Long Island, Westchester, and New Jersey. The company offers emergency response service 24 hours per day, 365 days per year for water extraction, mold remediation, and structural drying. Renovation services the business offers include plaster and drywall repair and reconstruction, flooring and window replacement, and HVAC repair. Example Water Mitigation Invoice - Empire Estimators Scotland AR 72141 Maxons Restorations cleans carpets, upholstery, drapery, and air ducts. Maxons Restorations also offers restoration and repair services for antiques, rugs, furniture, and metal, porcelain, and crystal objects. The company’s “3-2-1 Guarantee” promises a connection to a project manager within three minutes of calling, a time frame of two hours until a Maxons service team is en route to the scene, and a detailed written report Scotland AR 72141 of project data within only one day. The business’s website has a client portal, “Eye of the StormTM” that allows clients to view project documents, track project progress, and access team contact information for all involved parties.

Video: Fort Lauderdale Emergency Services Water Mitigation Monroeville

Video: Water and Flood Damage Restoration | Expert Repairs by Roto-Rooter

Video: Water Damage Detection with FLIR Thermal Imaging Camera

Video: CE Class Water Mitigation

Video: Quick Water Damage Clean Up in a Small Business

Video: What Does Water Mitigation Mean?

For quality workmanship and service for your residential and commercial Water Damage needs, choose a company with over 38 years of service in the Scotland area.

Highly Rated

Integrity, quality workmanship and attention to detail have made us one of the most reliable Water Damage companies in Scotland.

Quality Service

We focus on making the process as least disruptive as possible to our clients

Affordable Prices

We work hard to keep our costs low and transfer these efficiency savings on to our customers

100% Arkansas Licensed Experts

We can complete any size project  in a timely manner, without skipping any steps  or cutting any corners.

(877) 534-6458


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Saturday, September 20, 2014

Country Bike Rally details

Next weekend is the Country Bike Rally. Think of a "country bike" as a bike that is well-suited to a mix of on-road and off-pavement riding. Thankfully, there are a lot of bikes in this unofficial category now. This is a social event, and I welcome riders of all abilities. I will also take lots of breaks to make sure everybody is keeping up and having fun.

I've decided to break the weekend into several separate events, so you don't have to commit to the entire weekend to participate. Here's the itinerary:

Sept 26, Friday evening: Meet at HC at 6pm for a ride to some eating/drinking establishment probably 5-10 miles away.

Sept 27, Saturday 9am: Meet at HC for a short ride into Fort Snelling State Park. We have arranged to have an array of fat bikes available to demo on the non-technical dirt trails in the park. I believe fat bikes are, in some ways, the ultimate country bike. I also believe they are misunderstood because most cyclists haven't tried one. This is your chance. After fooling around on fat bikes for a couple hours, we'll go have lunch.

Sept 28, Saturday 1pm: Reconvene at HC for a ride down into the Minnesota River Bottoms. This will be a loop of approximately 20 miles. The trails along the river are dirt, but are mostly firm, flat, wide, and easy to ride. I believe that most riders will be able to ride most of the trail on 700x35 or bigger tires. If we get serious rain between now and then, we will probably do something different.

Sunday 9am: HC again for a more pavement-oriented ride. We will have coffee/lunch along the way, and try to wrap things up by mid-afternoon.

Hope to see lots of friends for one or all these events. Tell your friends and family. I want everybody to feel welcome to attend.

Tom Goodmann said...

I can't make it to this weekend, but the schedule of rides sounds great (fat bikes!) Thanks in advance, Jim, for putting this weekend together. Post pictures, y'all! --Tom (Miami)

Two-Wheeled Explorer said...

Wish I could be there, but I'm working next weekend. otherwise I'd have to choose between my gravel/touring bike and my fat bike. Oh well, I guess I don't have to worry about that. ;-)

Anonymous said...

This looks like an amazing event! Sorry I can't make it as I will be Duluth bound. Hope this happens again! Be sure to blast email again in advance. Thanks for putting this on!


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Up, Up and Away

By Ronny J Coleman

Superman, the hero of the fictional world, had a great line when he was ready to fly away to take some sort of action. I don’t know how many times I heard the TV actor George Reeves say, “up, up and away” as he leapt from the ground, defying gravity. The phase became a cliché, but is probably not heard that often anymore unless you are watching TV reruns.

If you are a firefighter today you might be considered a real hero instead of a fictional one. You might be well advised to edit that line by saying “look up, look up and be ready.” That declaration may well save your life in the future. America’s fire problem is changing, along with America’s landscape.  The future of firefighting may be influenced by a societal trend call the “New Urbanism.” If you haven’t heard of this trend I am not surprised. If it if sneaks up on you I won’t be surprised either. But it is coming.

For almost 300 years of our country’s existence, all growth was defined as “outward bound.” If you look into the history books you can find a doctrine called “Manifest Destiny.”  In its simplest terms, it was defined as a need to expand growth throughout the continent. “Go West, Young Man” was intended to motivate people to push expansion. It worked well. Just look at the history of your town or city, especially if you are west of the Mississippi.

Cities were created. They expanded. They sprawled across the landscape. Eventually suburbia was created and the old downtowns of major cities began to decay. Populations abandoned downtown. They left the core city to drive hours on freeways. Different life styles emerged. Growth was measured in acres converted from agrarian land use to houses; specifically the single family home.

Here is where this column might become controversial. Beware! Things are going to change. It is called the “New Urbanism.”

In essence, it is a trend towards the re-concentration of population centers into high density areas, either by redeveloping downtown areas or creating new suburban high-density planned communities rather than more single family homes. This trend is based upon the demographic factor of an aging population in our society that wants convenience over other considerations. It is further supported by a new generation of youth that is not overly concerned about having the suburban cottage with a white picket fence and a gas-dependent automobile.  The evidence of this is in the increase of multi-family housing and the conversion of land use in the core cities into high-rises.

This may  not be an obvious trend in your area yet, but it will be, and is already creating conditions that will affect our fire problem of the future.

The principles of urbanism can be applied through both development and redevelopment of our cities.  These principles are:

1.            Walkability

2.            Connectivity

3.            Mixed use and diversity

4.            Mixed housing

5.            Quality, architecture and urban design

6.            Changing of traditional neighborhood structures

7.            Increased density

8.            Green transportation

9.            Sustainability

10.          Quality of life

We aren’t really rolling up the lawns of suburbia and retreating en masse just yet.  You might have to look very hard at your community’s long-term land use plans and development policies to see this shift, but it is occurring whether you live in a revitalized metropolitan area or in a bedroom community that is planning to expand.

What is driving this new urbanism is the need to concentrate population into areas where vital services do not require extensive transportation.  A significant number of individuals desire to live, work, recreate and have access to medical services that can be reached in minutes instead of hours on the freeway.  The development community is responding by providing concentrated housing and service centers that are located in high-rise structures.

Over time, this phenomenon will change the nature of fire protection in some areas.  It may force re-evaluation of policy and procedure. It will definitely impact the emphasis on built-in fire protection technology.  There will be an increased need for both passive and active built-in fire equipment to hold events in check.

If you are in an area that is primarily rural, this also affects you.  How many small- to medium-size fire departments have suddenly been confronted with large complexes dedicated to the needs of senior citizens?  How many of our metropolitan cities are seeing mega campuses focused on seniors and medical services, or young professionals who don’t own cars and want to work, shop, recreate and entertain themselves within walking distance of their residences?

Don’t say we haven’t been warned!

These changes require that we focus on building fire protection into buildings.  That trend has also been increasing over the last few decades.  We can see that with sprinklers, fire alarms, standpipes, firefighter air replenishment systems (FARS) and increasing emphasis on construction technology.   In the future, the emphasis will need to be placed on prevention.

Don’t worry — the firefighter will always be a nonfictional hero in communities.  But the firefighter’s tool box is going to have to be much better stocked than it is today, and some of the most important tools need to be built in to these new structures.  Density equals demand and demand means competency.
Ronny J. Coleman is a 50-year veteran of the fire service.  He is the Past President of the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the Fire & Emergency Television Network, which features career development and succession planning in its Command Transfer series.  He served as the Fire Chief in Fullerton and San Clemente, CA, and was the Fire Marshal of the State of California from 1992 to 1999.  He is a certified fire chief and a master instructor in the California Fire Service Training and Education System.  A Companion Fellow of the Institution of Fire Engineers, he has an associate’s degree in fire science, a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in vocational education.  In 2014, Chief Coleman received the Tom Brennan Lifetime Achievement award from Fire Engineering. In 2015 he was awarded the International Public Safety Leadership & Ethics Institute Honors Award.


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ventricular arrythmia

Finding an affordable life insurance policy with Cardiac Arrhythmia can be quite the challenge. The good news is there is hope. In fact, tough life insurance cases are our specialty at Our 2 Minute Promise Stick with us for two minutes, and you’ll have two important questions answered: 1. Can you qualify for life […]

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Home > Rides > Ford Motors just made Spotting Cops harder

Ford Motors just made Spotting Cops harder

Ford Motors makes Spotting Cops harder

Ford Motors new Police Interceptor slim-profile LED visor light bar makes it all but impossible to tell that the car behind you is about to pull you over for speeding or any other traffic infraction.

Ford Motors introduction of the new slim-profile LED visor light for cop cars makes it near impossible to tell that car behind you is a cop.6202381d-ccac-41dd-adde-4cc4fe289d0c-FL7126116_POLI_Utl_VisorLightFromInt_mnThis is likely to have a double effect that I wonder if Ford Motors thought about.

Even sneakier than the roof-mounted light bar is the visor-mounted light bar, which attaches up near the sun visors inside the cabin, basically disappearing behind the windshield.

Ford Motors new low-profile light bar is fully integrated outside of the driver’s field of vision, for both reduced obstruction and a lower chance of scofflaws realizing five-o is in hot pursuit.5eaae4b4-8bb9-4251-b9e5-6653c253e050-FL7137016_POLI_Utl_DdFrntVisorLights_mnOf course, there’ll be no mistaking what’s happening once the lights are flipped on. There’s nothing low about blue and red LEDs blasting photons all up in your face.

The light, which is only available on the Explorer-based Police Interceptor Utility, features auto-dimming capability, programmable brightness down to 20 percent of full and a bright white “take down” mode.

Adding the light bar to the car also gets rid of the dark tint atop the windshield. It’s even got a warranty!

Unmarked cars are hard enough to spot — especially nowadays, when the police utilize a wide variety of makes and models.Ford Motors new light bar is about to make it that much harder.

Ford Motors Low-Profile Police Visor light
Ford now offers a super-low-profile visor light bar that mounts inside the Police Interceptor Utility to enable a stealth appearance.

If you’re racking up points left and right, you might want to chill out a bit more

Now the second thing and the real thing I personally think may become a problem is knowing if the Ford Explorer behind you with the lights blinking is in fact a legit police vehicle.

Over all, we think this is pretty cool.

Deaqon James
Deaqon James is a Commercial & Glamour photographer who also enjoys cars, sneakers and of course beautiful women. He founded High Speed Magazine in 2006.

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Join the Soup Stroll

What better way to spend a brisk Sunday afternoon than join the High Street Hill Association Soup Stroll, Sunday, December 4th from 4-6 pm. Enjoy 6 delicious soups in 3 neighborhood locations. Strollers should arrive at the home of Kim Ozaki 8 Upland Rd, #2 at 4 pm. At 4:35 pm we will stroll to the home of Nancy Peabody 1162 Walnut St. and at 5:10 pm we move on to our final stop at the home of Michele Sommer 203 Pond Ave. 2 Different soups will be served at each location. Join to meet friends old and new, and appreciate different parts of the neighborhood, while tasting culinary wonders. RSVP

Come take a walk with Tom Brady

Come take a walk with Tom Brady! Tree Tour with Town Arborist
Sunday, May 15th 3:00 pm Departing from Edgehill Road
Join HSHA members and Brookline Tree Warden and town arborist, Thomas Brady, to discover the notable trees in our neighborhood. The walking tour will begin at the end of Edgehill Road where, this past fall, the High Street Hill Association planted a disease-resistant Princeton Elm in honor of Betsy and Gary Gross, long-time Edgehill residents and community leaders. From there, we’ll set off to see Weeping Hemlock, Tulip Poplar, London Pane, European Cutleaf Beech, Redwood, Yellow Wood, and Sourwood trees, and others. The one hour tour will conclude at 8 Upland Road, the home of Rob Daves and Jennifer Jackson where refreshments will be served on their beautiful porch.

High Street Hill Association Annual Meeting & Potluck Dinner Set for May 9

HSHA Annual Meeting & Potluck Dinner
Monday, May 9th
Latvian Lutheran Church

Please join us for your neighborhood association’s Annual Meeting!

  • 6pm Family Potluck Dinner*
  • 7pm Moderated panel discussion
  • HSHA annual business meeting and Board election to follow panel discussion

* Those with last names beginning with A-F please bring a dessert, G-M a salad, and N-Z a main dish.

Panel Discussion:  “Development on Route 9 and the Role of the Selectmen, Town Economic Development Office and Neighbors”
Route 9, between Cypress Street and Pond Avenue,* is rapidly changing. This past winter a medical marijuana dispensary opened in the former Brookline Bank building, and an extended-stay Hilton hotel, Homewood Suitessoon will open for business at the former Red Cab site. Boston Children’s Hospital’s large development project is beginning construction at Two Brookline Place, while a Hilton Garden Inn is being planned for the former Gulf Station site at 25 Washington Street. The Audi dealership seeks to substantial expand the size and number of buildings and cars on its lot. Across the street, Soka Gakkai International, a Nichiven Buddhist organization, is completing renovations to 303 Boylston Street. Will the Dunkin Donuts’ property on the corner of High Street be the next Route 9 development project? Come learn more about the changes that are taking place on our doorstep and how the town is managing development along Route 9.

Our panel will include:

  • Andy Martineau, Brookline, Economic Development Planner
  • Ben Franco, Selectman
  • Neil Wishinsky, Selectman
  • Kara Brewton, Brookline Economic Development Director (moderator)

Plans for 9 Walnut Place Up for Review

160229 9 Walnut Street Preservation Commission Sub CommitteeAttached are revised plans for the proposed house at 9 Walnut Place that will be reviewed by the Preservation Commission subcommittee on Thursday, March 3, at 8:15 AM  in room 111 of Town Hall.
Comments may be sent to:
David King, Chair, Brookline Preservation Commission:
Marissa160229 9 Walnut Street Preservation Commission Sub Committee Barrett, Preservation Planner, Town of Brookline:

First in a series of neighborhood author talks

The High Street Hill Association proudly presents the first in a series of talks by authors in the neighorbood. Eric Schwarz, a resident of Hawthorn Road and founding CEO of Citizen Schools and the College for Social Innovation, will discuss his book The Opportunity Equation, the story of triumphs and setbacks encountered in the development of Citizen Schools,  a program designed to combat rising inequality in our public school system.  Citizen Schools today partners with public middle schools in low-income communities to provide an expanded learning day, rich with new opportunities.  Hear how Citizen Schools has succeeded in bridging the wealth-based achievement gap by providing thousands of low-income students experiences they would not otherwise have access to.  We hope Eric will also bring us up to date on his latest project, the College for Social innovation.

When:              Sunday, March 13 –  join us at 3:30pm for a brief  reading/presentation by Eric, followed by discussion and (wine and cheese) reception

Where:             The home of Margaret Talcott and Scott Scharer

28 Allerton Street

Books will be available for purchase.

Seating is limited so please email or call (617)383-5366 if you would like to attend.

Panel on affordable housing tonight

Please join the League of Women Voters of Brookline for this panel, “Affordable Housing in Brookline: Opportunities, Challenges and Accomplishments.”
Date: Wednesday, December 9
Time: 7 – 9 PM
Location: Selectmen’s Hearing Room, 6th floor, Town Hall, 333 Washington St., Brookline
Panel Members:
• Roger Blood, Chair, Housing Advisory Board
• David Trietsch, Chair, Brookline Housing Authority
• William Reyelt, Administrator, state Ch. 40R, Smart Growth Zoning
• Jan Griffin, Director of Planning, Pine Street Inn
Where do we go from here? We hope to begin a discussion on how we can add affordable housing to meet the needs of Brookline while supporting diversity, inclusion and our community values in a very competitive housing market.

More information:

Route 9 East/M.I.T. Study Presentation

Wednesday, October 28

7:00 – 9:00pm

Town Hall, Room 103

The Planning and Community Development Department has engaged a class of Land Use Planning students from M.I.T’s Department of Urban Studies and Planning to conduct an assessment of Route 9 East (Cypress St. to Brookline/Boston line).  With the construction of the Hilton Homewood Suites at the former Red Cab site well underway and with construction at Brookline Place and Gateway East commencing soon, there is an opportunity to build upon this momentum and to create a vision for the rest of this portion of Route 9.  The students will be helping us start the visioning process by examining variables including, but not limited to, expanded tax base, increased commercial/retail activity, housing, as well as additional bicycle/pedestrian improvements and other public amenities. Poster_Public Meeting_Oct 28_FinalThe students will be presenting their preliminary findings and analysis and soliciting feedback from the public at this meeting.

Brookline Avenue Pedestrian Bridge coming down

The demolition of the Washington Street (Rte 9) Pedestrian Bridge is scheduled to begin at 9:00pm this Friday, October 9, 2015. Please be aware of temporary inconveniences such as traffic delays, detours, and noise along Washington Street thru 7:00am Monday, October 12, 2015.

The Board of Selectmen granted a waiver of the Town’s Noise By-Law for the duration of the Columbus Day Weekend, during which time bridge demolition will operate continuously, 24 hours straight, and Washington Street (Route 9) will be CLOSED at the bridge site, between Washington/High and Pearl/Juniper Streets.

Please see the Demolition Project Webpage for the official press release detailing demolition logistics, roadway closures, contact information and vehicular/pedestrian detours, including the MBTA Bus Routes 60, 65 and 66.

Emerald Necklace parklands meetings set

Herewith a revised notice for a series of three upcoming public meetings – hosted by the Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation, The Emerald Necklace Conservancy, Representative Jeffrey Sanchez, Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz, Senator Michael Rush, and Representative Elizabeth Malia – with the goal of engaging area residents and stakeholders in addressing issues around improved multi-modal safety and access to the Emerald Necklace Parklands in Jamaica Plain, while reinforcing the parklands’ historic character. ArborwayCentrePerkinsOrtho_letterSized

Also attached is a map that outlines the three project areas to be discussed in the course of the series of meetings. Please note the specific subject area to be discussed at each meeting:

Thursday, October 1                       Perkins Street and Parkman Drive

Wednesday, October 7                 Centre Street from the VFW Parkway to Murray Circle

Wednesday, October 14               The Arborway, between Eliot Street and South Street, including Kelly Circle and Murray Circle

All meetings will take place at the Arnold Arboretum Visitor Center, 125 Arborway, Boston 02130.

We hope you can join us at these meetings and encourage you to share this notice with others who might be interested in attending them.


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BMW Shows Off Shape-Shifting Gina

BMW Gina

This is the BMW Gina. It comes with a 4.4L V8 coupled with a six-speed automatic transmission on top of a Z8 chassis with aluminum frame. The standout feature for this car, however, isn’t its insides but what covers it. The BMW Gina features a fabric body made of Lycra coated with polyurethane. This material is water resistant and tough, BMW says. It also makes the Gina able to change its shape via hydraulic actuators mounted on its body.

Checkout these cool gadgets...


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Expert Reports --- Excerpts

Arson Investigations

"Scientific advances and more rigorous training programs for fire investigators over the past 25 years or so have improved forensic investigative techniques, but the basic nature of the event and the role of human actors in contributing to fire hazards, ignition and spread continue to pose challenges in answering the key questions of origin and cause. Direct evidence, such as eye witness testimony and/or surveillance cameras, is rarely available to aid the investigator. Instead, he or she must rely largely on circumstantial evidence, applying logic and reason to facts which can be observed or reliably assumed. Thus, fire investigation builds from using scientific methodology to observe and test the fire scene, exploring potential sources of ignition, interviewing witnesses and stakeholders, and gathering background evidence of motive, disposition, and potential involvement.

Proceeding from an open mind, drawing reasonable inferences from the various sources of circumstantial evidence and applying seasoned judgment are the hallmarks of a good fire investigation.

In assessing whether a fire was set, or incendiary in origin, it is important to distinguish between drawing a reasonable inference and inferring reasonable conduct. Arson, of course, is a crime, a dangerous crime. A person who sets a fire cannot be sure how destructive its development may become. Whether the fire is set in an inhabited structure, even if believed to be unoccupied, or in the outdoors, unforeseen fuels or weather may contribute to its unanticipated spread. An arsonist's act or omission can be influenced by factors other than self-interest or pursuit of a tightly conceived and executed scheme. Anger, desperation, fear, panic, a whole range of emotions as well as unforeseen human intervention can derail the best laid plans. Thus, a presumption (or bias) that no reasonable person would act in such a way - inferring, therefore, only reasonable conduct - is theoretically unsound and contrary to common sense. Depending upon the evidence gathered, it may be entirely appropriate to draw a reasonable inference that the suspect acted in an unreasonable or even self-destructive way."

"The insurer is criticized for failing to take into account consideration of motives or the absence of motives on the part of the insured in causing an incendiary fire. Based upon my review of the declarations and briefs addressing motives, it is my opinion that the factual allegations improperly conflate motive and intent. Having investigated numerous fires of different causes and origins over the years, having worked closely with numerous fire investigators and being generally familiar with fire investigation methodology and protocol, it is my opinion that "motive" in the context of fire investigation is more of a clue than a conclusion. This view is substantiated in authoritative guides and textbooks devoted to the study of fire investigations, particularly those fires suspected of being incendiary. [Citation to NFPA 921]"

Duty to Defend

"As a matter of public policy the Insurance Commissioner has recognized that depending on the circumstances thirty days may not be realistic and that an insurer cannot conduct a timely, reasonable investigation without the reasonable assistance of those who are in a position (and contractually bound) to cooperate. Absent a conflict of interest, which is not present here, the insureds' counsel is in the best position 'to facilitate compliance with this provision.' In fact, it is common practice for defense counsel, whether personal or appointed, to tender claims to all potential insurers of their clients and to cooperate in providing those insurers key information.

Given the complexity of the complaint with its 10 causes of action and its express reference to a missing exhibit, it was reasonable, even necessary, to try to obtain the complete document for purposes of complying with Washington's strict 8-corner rule (complaint and insurance policy) in determining compliance with the duty to defend. A prudent liability insurer would insist on reviewing a complete copy of the complaint, including exhibits, before determining whether the policy 'conceivably' covers the complaint's allegations. [Citation omitted] Arguing in hindsight that the information within the missing exhibit was not material assumes a standard not of reasonableness but of clairvoyance."

Conflicting Expert Reports

"The expert report, filed on behalf of the insureds, argues that the insurer did not conduct an objective investigation of the loss. This opinion rests on the stated principle that an insurance company must give equal consideration to facts supporting coverage as it gives to facts defeating coverage. The report states that '[w]hen an insurer has evidence that equally supports and that does not support coverage, the industry custom is to extend coverage. In the landscape of insurance, we call this "the tie goes to the runner," meaning the insured.'

There are several flaws in this statement of the principle and in its proposed method of application:

First, the definition of bad faith is unreasonable, unfounded or frivolous. Thus, the test is one of reasonableness, not equal consideration.

Second, even if one applies the principle of equal consideration, that does not translate to a requirement to give equal weight to conflicting opinions. It is not uncommon for an insurance company to receive reports from more than one expert in the same discipline concerning a loss investigation, and where there are two opinions they should be compared and evaluated on their merits. It would be unreasonably simplistic and arbitrary to conclude that one opinion, however ungrounded or mistaken, offsets a competing, different opinion which displays the hallmarks of careful analysis. Not all opinions are of equal merit.

Third, the analogy to baseball's rule, awarding a tie to the runner, has three strikes against it. One, it is not a recognized custom or practice in the industry because factual investigations hardly ever result in a tie. Two, while there is a legal rule of construction, which favors the insured, involving competing reasonable interpretations of ambiguous policy language, that rule does not apply in factual investigations. Thus, in this instance, it is misapplied. Three, in court the insured has the burden of proving the basic facts of coverage under the policy on a more probable than not standard. It is therefore nonsensical to argue that the standard is lower in the investigative and adjustment phase of a property insurance claim."

Underwriting the Dwelling

"The core of the insureds' allegations that the insurer acted in bad faith lies in the factual assertion that at the time of the fire and for many years preceding the fire the insureds used the farmhouse and the barnhouse together as their primary residence. They assert that this living arrangement either constitutes a dwelling as defined in the policy or should have been recognized as such in the formation and issuance of the homeowners policy.

The underwriting process for placement of this policy, stretching back to 1993, was oriented toward issuance of a standard form homeowners policy. A 'standard' form, as the word implies, is a pre-printed and filed basic insurance policy as compared to a custom or 'manuscript' policy which is customized to the characteristics of property which contains unusual attributes or risks associated with it. This standard form main coverage part is basically organized or structured the same as homeowners policies have been structured for at least 30 years. A major distinction is drawn between the dwelling, on one hand, and other structures, on the other hand, with the latter commonly limited to 10% of the policy limit of the dwelling. The distinction in the form between dwelling coverage and other structures coverage as well as the 10 to 1 disparity in policy limits reflects typical valuation differences and risk underwriting differences. Aside from the higher values of construction and finish work found in the typical dwelling, a key underwriting consideration is the higher risk of damage associated with the dwelling. The prototype of residential housing consists of one structure where the insured 'dwells' - spends most of his or her time - and where a higher risk of damage prevails in part because of the frequent employment of sources of ignition such as electrical or gas devices to light, heat, and cook and the use of open fireplaces and candles as well as hazards such as tobacco smoking and portable heaters, for example. The inclusion of structures 'attached' to the dwelling within the dwelling's coverage limit is in part a recognition of the physics of fire spread. Unattached structures reduce the likelihood of fire spread because heat dissipates in air and spreading ignition of combustible materials is less likely through separation. The same is true to some extent of other major perils such as water leaks and even wind damage. Thus, the distinction between a dwelling and other structures in a typical homeowners policy is grounded in underwriting considerations of property value, fire physics, and frequency and severity of loss as well as the calculation of premiums.

In this context, one can see the reasonableness of 'fixing' dwelling and other structures at the time the insurance contract is written. Standard underwriting guidelines cannot function in a useful manner if the 'dwelling' migrates back and forth between two separate structures. Underwriting the risks posed by an unusual property with two dwellings would require additional information, further considerations, and a customized endorsement, if not the issuance of an additional, separate policy."

Explaining the Basis for Declining Coverage

"Another bedrock aspect of good faith claim handling is properly interpreting the coverage that is available to the insured in the policy he purchased. This entails, of course, accurate references to policy provisions and explaining how a particular exclusion applies to specific facts of the loss. Washington insurance regulations further define an 'unfair practice' as 'failing to promptly provide a reasonable explanation of the basis in the insurance policy in relation to the facts or applicable law for denial of a claim.' Claim adjusters are usually very familiar with the forms their company uses to create a complete policy. It is common also for property insurance companies to modify basic forms by the use of endorsements. These modifications are usually readily available in the company's claim software system. Experienced claim adjusters know to look for endorsements which modify the main coverage part of the policy.

The insurer's interpretation of coverage was seriously flawed and unreasonable in several respects. First, neither of the two letters declining coverage explained how the exclusions related to the cause or facts of the loss. They simply quoted exclusions from the policy and then generally concluded that they apply, without any reference to the efficient proximate cause rule. Nor was any specific language in the faulty workmanship exclusion identified as encompassing the factual cause. No analysis was made of coverage for damage to personal property. The provenance of the earth movement exclusion, quoted in both letters, is unclear but seems to have been drawn from the 'mandatory coverage' section which relates only to personal property damaged by volcano and thus has no application to the loss."

Evaluating Bodily Injury

"Evaluating pain and suffering and associated medical treatment from a MVA [motor vehicle accident] takes into account not only the subjective reports from the insured and the care documented by treating caregivers but also the physical circumstances of the accident, relevant prior injuries and conditions and the course and duration of and adherence to prescribed treatment and therapies. In the circumstances presented here, the accident's characteristics suggest a low impact collision. Immediate treatment was not sought, and diagnosis the following day was neck and back strain with no hospitable admission.

In the PIP [personal injury protection] claim the insurer relied on an IME [independent medical examination] and a record review by, respectively, an orthopedic surgeon and a rheumatologist, and in the UIM {underinsured motorist} claim, two record reviews by a neurologist and rheumatologist. An extensive set of pre- and post-accident medical records was gathered and reviewed. Claim valuation software was consulted in the UIM analysis. A reasonable process was employed in the UIM claim to arrive at a settlement offer which was within a reasonable range of compensation, taking into account the factors listed above.

A broad range of latitude should be accorded bodily injury damage valuations. As the Washington Supreme Court observed in the Dayton case (a UIM claim):

      'Compensatory damage awards are highly individual, and depend on the facts of the particular case. We have no precise valuation formula with which to calculate awards. [Citation omitted] This is particularly true in personal injury recoveries. Even in cases where the facts appear similar, juries vary greatly in their estimates of what constitutes adequate compensation for certain types of pain and suffering.' " [Citation omitted]

Adjuster's Training and Experience

"The insurer has been criticized in its claim handling by allegations that it did not retain its own expert but rather relied on the concrete experts retained by its insured, and in doing so sought to shift responsibility for investigation of the claim to the insured. The insured also alleges that the insurer did not determine the 'precise cause' of the loss.

The insurer's obligation was to conduct a reasonable, objective investigation into the cause of the loss for purposes of determining insurance coverage under the builder's risk policy at hand. It was not obligated to undertake the scientific or research task of determining the precise chemical or molecular interactions which were at work in the cause. The depth and breadth of an investigation are guided by its purpose, and that purpose in this instance was to determine the cause of the loss consistent with Washington law and regulations: a reasonable insured's practical (not technical) understanding of the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy, aided where needed by a standard dictionary.

In arriving at this practical determination of causation the insurer relied appropriately on the concrete experts consulted by the parties to the construction contract and subcontracts. The insured's expert on claim handling criticizes the insurer for assigning 'an inexperienced, unqualified adjuster to the claim.' The substantiation for this opinion is that the adjuster 'only had a few years of adjusting experience and had never handled a claim involving allegations concerning concrete' and 'lacked any type of scientific or technical background... to arrive at a reasonable, well-thought out, scientifically-based opinion concerning coverage for this claim....'

Implicit in this opinion is the belief that insurance company claim departments should be populated by scientifically trained specialists covering the design, engineering and craft vocations across the construction industry spectrum. This is unrealistic, unreasonable and unsupportable in custom and practice. Claim representatives are generalists, trained on the job to handle a broad range of factual investigations keyed to the interpretation of insurance policy provisions. Where necessary, specialists - experts - are retained and consulted to assist in understanding the particular facts underlying a particular claim. The process of construction is a dynamic undertaking with an almost infinite number of variables involving issues of site conditions, weather, material components, labor, finance, sequencing of work, code requirements and economic conditions, to name a few. Any one or a combination of these can generate an insurance claim. The record shows that the adjuster reviewed the expert reports; identified relevant, dispositive exclusions in the policy; thought through the coverage issues; consulted claim management several times and consulted counsel in the final denial decision to arrive at a reasonable coverage decision. There is nothing in the record reviewed which suggests that the investigation or coverage determination was flawed in any manner by any alleged inexperience or lack of scientific training."

Water Damage

"In the course of re-roofing their house the insureds experienced a severe wind and rainstorm which blew the protective tarpaulin off and exposed the interior of their house to extensive water damage.

Water damage from wind-driven rain can be a troublesome and insidious cause of loss. Water infiltration, of course, follows the path of least resistance, as governed by gravity and the whimsical intervention of wind gusts. When there are multiple points of entry, as here, it can be very difficult to trace and discover all the hidden areas of damage. In addition, moisture creates ensuing loss from mold, rust and chemical reaction with other substances. Confronted with this kind of loss, an insurance adjuster/investigator must assist the insured in acting quickly to mitigate the damage (separation, ventilation, heat and ozone treatment) and must recognize that the estimate of damage will likely grow over time as further investigation or remediation, restoration and repair efforts expose further damage. In other words, the odds of capturing an accurate, comprehensive scope of repair from an initial inspection are not good. This is particularly true of assessing damage to the dwelling's electrical system. An insurance adjuster should expect and plan for follow-up inspections and deployment of experts to evaluate damage and repair/replacement options for the different kinds of damaged property."

Extent of Investigation

"The good faith obligation to investigate a claim applies to all claims, simple or complex, but by regulation and case authority that duty is governed by a reasonableness standard. It cannot be otherwise, because each claim presents a unique set of variables, which must be managed and evaluated by individualized judgment. Claims involving bodily injuries in motor vehicle accidents may reasonably require recorded statements of witnesses to compare fault, examinations under oath of the insured, review of pre- and post-accident medical treatment and even independent medical reviews or examinations. Investigations of minor property damage, whether collision or comprehensive, may reasonably require nothing more than a telephone conversation with the insured or his representative. This minimal investigation is reasonably employed in dozens if not hundreds of insurance claims on a daily basis to resolve and facilitate repair of minor property damage, or 'fender-benders.' Our common experience is to report a front panel dent or windshield ding to our insurer, obtain a referral to a pre-approved vendor or repair shop and go about our business.

This minimal investigation applies equally in situations, as here, where we find we have no insurance coverage. Parking along Third Avenue in front of the King County Courthouse at 3 PM on a weekday will likely result in one's car being towed and impounded. This results in loss of use, inconvenience and impoundment charges but not a viable insurance claim. Reporting these facts to one's insurer does not reasonably compel that insurer to launch a comprehensive investigation of witnesses, parking enforcement officers and tow truck drivers in order to verify the basic facts of the event. Similarly, a joyriding adventure in Dad's car, undertaken by his wayward 14-year-old son, contrary to Dad's prohibition, can result in loss of use and emotional distress, but typically not a viable insurance claim. The facts, as truthfully presented by the insured, suffice to warrant a coverage denial, without an exhaustive investigation.

In a nutshell, the nature and scope of a reasonable investigation are governed by its purpose."


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Friday, July 8, 2016

Two Lost Hikers Prompt First Major SAR in Grand Teton

Grand Teton National Park Rangers responded to the first major search and rescue incident of the season on Thursday, June 30th. Two hikers, Michael Kramer, 27, of Miami, Florida and Tiffany Morhaim, 26, of North Miami Beach, Florida, were on a day hike of Cascade Canyon and Paintbrush Canyon. They ventured off trail and found themselves lost in Leigh Canyon. They activated a satellite personal locator device when they realized they were lost and not prepared to spend a night in the backcountry.

Teton Interagency Dispatch Center received notification at 9:35 p.m. Thursday night that a satellite personal locator device had been activated in Leigh Canyon near the drainage below Grizzly Bear Lake. Jenny Lake Rangers responded to the Jenny Lake Rescue Cache at Lupine Meadows to determine what rescue efforts would be possible given the late hour. Darkness eliminated the possibility of a helicopter flight, and the very rugged and densely vegetated terrain of Leigh Canyon, which contains no maintained trails, would have slowed a ground-based rescue effort. A second satellite location received at 9:51 p.m. indicated the party had moved locations and was likely uninjured, thereby reducing the urgency of the rescue effort.

Jenny Lake Rangers were joined by the Teton Interagency Contract Helicopter early Friday morning to begin a reconnaissance flight. After the first flight failed to find the lost hikers, rangers received an updated satellite location further down Leigh Canyon. A second flight found the two hikers who were waving for a rescue. The helicopter was able to land nearby and rangers contacted the hikers and assessed the situation. The exhausted hikers were flown out of the backcountry at 10:00 a.m.

Backcountry travelers are reminded that hikes in high elevation areas of the Teton Mountain Range at this time of year require knowledge and experience crossing snow, an ice axe, and mountain route-finding skills. Those traveling deep into the backcountry should be prepared to spend the night even if they do not plan to, and carry extra food, a flashlight or headlamp, and a map. Helicopter-based rescues are not always possible given time of day, weather, and availability of rescue resources.

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Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Historic White Grass Dude Ranch Rehabilitation Completed

Rehabilitation of the historic White Grass Dude Ranch located within Grand Teton National Park is complete after 11 years of meticulous preservation work. The former dude ranch has been transformed into the home and primary training center of the National Park Service’s Western Center for Historic Preservation. Earlier this fall a rope cutting ceremony was held for the ranch. Since that time, staff have completed the finishing touches, and the ranch has formally transitioned from a construction site to a full-fledged training center.

The National Park Service partnered with the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 2005 to rehabilitate White Grass. Rehabilitation work included repair of failed foundations, roofs, windows and doors; replacement of rotten logs; and upgrades to aging utility systems. The jointly-funded project cost approximately $3 million.

The Western Center for Historic Preservation is the only training center devoted to the preservation of traditionally-built architecture in the western United States, Alaska, and the Pacific Islands. While the Western Center is commonly associated with log structures, its staff also conducts remote trainings on the preservation of adobe and mine shack type buildings. “The completion of White Grass means that we can shift our attention to training the staff needed to tackle deferred maintenance projects in the 159 parks we serve.” said Center Director Katherine Wonson.

Western Center trainings are led by subject-matter experts from both within and outside the National Park Service. They are open to the general public and are provided at no charge to participants. Fourteen of the 20 trainings conducted in 2016 were hosted at other parks. While remote trainings will continue, completion of the ranch’s rehabilitation is beneficial as more workshops can be hosted at the historic ranch.

Wonson said, “We’ve conducted trainings in other parks, and while they meet our training objectives, they ultimately don’t provide the same transformative experience as trainings at White Grass. Trainings at White Grass have the power to completely change the course of people’s careers, which it has already done for a number of National Park Service staff. They come and it’s an immersive experience.” Trainings were first hosted at White Grass in 2014.

The rehabilitation also increases the center’s ability to host trainings that are contained entirely at White Grass, and are therefore more transformative for participants. The sleeping cabins have been rehabilitated to provide overnight accommodations to trainees and the Main, Hammond, and Bath House cabins serve as communal space for eating, teaching, and shop work.

Life-changing experiences are nothing new to White Grass. As the third oldest dude ranch in Jackson Hole, White Grass built a tight-knit community of devotees. “White Grassers,” as they have come to be known, often returned to the ranch year after year from their homes in other parts of the country. The place stuck with them and, for many, was their primary connection to nature and the western way of life. The rope cutting event offered many of those individuals an opportunity to reconnect with the ranch, which has been managed by the National Park Service since 1985, when the Galey family’s life estate expired.

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Monday, 26 May 2014

Hi friends, we visited the beautiful villages of the Alpujarra area, situated on the south side on the Sierra Nevada mountains. We where not very lucky with the weather, cloudy, even foggy when we reached the 1400 meters, and it was cold. There are a lot of small villages most with less than 500 inhabitants, before living of the agriculture, but now most live of the turism. We visited the most known Pampaneira, where many of the moors retired when they had to leave Granada, Capileira the last village on the road going over to Granada though Sierra Nevada, now closed for motor traffic, but with many hiking routs, even up to the Mulhacen peak, at 3482meters.
Trevelez, the origen of the Serrano Ham, here called Jamon de Trevelez, there are many possibilities to visit the bodegas where the hams are hanging to dry in the fresh mountain air. Try the chorizos as well, you can buy all their products, you can even get it sent home.
Tha gastronomy is mostly pork products, trouts from the rivers, their local vine, and the typical bread and moorish recipes of sweets.
Dry figs, and sweets made of figs, almonds and local honey, you must try them, and the famous Soplillos, see the recipe on my blog.
There are many posibilities to stay a night or two, have a look at these sites :                                      Turismo Pampaneira
Turismo Capileira
                                                                                Hotels, Casas Rurales, Apartments and I can recomend a very nice hotel we stayed in, Hotel La Alcazaba de Busquistar ( their web site is under construction) Tel.958 858 687 , very nice staff, fine food, indoor pool and spa, good value for the money.

I hope you liked my small photo book of this special Spanish place.
Have a good week, lots of love;

Tuesday, 13 May 2014

Welcome to XVI Gastro Almuñecar 2014
Majuelo Park  6-8 of June
Don't miss it if you are in the aerea.
Almuñecar and theirs best restaurants offered the "XV Feria Gastronomica 2013, during the same I was lucky to be invited to "I Encounter of Gourmet bloggers" 50 partisipants, from different places in Andalucia, Madrid and Barcelona.The heads of the organisation, Helena del Valle, Jose Helaero and the representatives from the Ayuntamiento of Almuñecar, did a super job, we just had to be enjoyed, and we started the day whith a breakfast in open air at the Majuelo Park, cortesy of Heladeria Daniel and some of the bloggers brought homemade bread, butter,different jams, an assortment of Olive Oils , wich you toss on your toast together with grated tomato and salt, you can also add some Serrano Ham cut by Jorge Fernadez, master of cutting the Spanish Ham . From Heladeria Daniel we got cakes and the Cazuela Mohina, tipical from Almuñecar made of almonds, honey,olive oil, eggs,sugar, flour and spices, from ancient secret recipes.

Cazuela Mojina, from Heladeria Daniel.

Bloggers breakfast.
Almuñecar is famus for their Churrerias, some of the bloggers wanted to try, at  San Cristobal  Beach Promenade you find several,  churros with chocolate is a very typical spanish breakfast .

A bus waited to take us to one of the largest and most modern fruit distributors, Frutas Romeral, this is not time of recollection of tropical fruit , most start in september, so we learned about some of them, specially the chirimoya, custard, originally from South America, has good conditions in Almuñecar, the tree loose the leavs in springtime, and afer very short time the new leavs are growing, but the difficluties with growing this hermaphroditic fruit is that the flowers open as feemale and then in matter of hours progress to male stage and need a pollinator that can not only collect the pollen of their flowers in the male stage, but also can deposit it in flowers in the feemale stage. The honey bees are too big to fit between the petals of the female flower, so the polinisation has to be done by hand, flower by flower, with a brush. In the places of origen there are small beetles takig care of this. We got a nice taste of tropical fruits, such as pine apple, mango, papaya some sherries, just the best time now,and the best, all grown in the Almuñecar area, so nice. And yet we want short travelled fruit and veggies.

                                                       EL ROMERAL FRUTAS

Tropical fruit.

Mango, papaya, avocado, all grown in Almuñecar.

Rose and redwines from Bodegas Calvente.

Then we continued our morning trip to Jete , the next visit was Bodegas Calvente, local people, Horacio Calvente started making wine for family and friends, but since year 2000, started to sell some of his production. The grapes all grown on their proper vines, some recovered from strains 50-90 years old,Moscatel Alejandria for the white wine and the red has 40 % Cabernet Sauignon, 40 % Tempranillo ,20% Merlot also also strain between. 20 and 40 years old.

The fields are on a hight of 700 to 1000 m and has an inclination of 30 to 50% , the altitude, the fresh air from the sea, the more than 2500 hours of sun and a temperature of 23 degrees, make the grapes ripen very slowly, and the onely irrigatin is the rain ( 300-600 mm a year). All this let us have a natural grape with an intense flavor, but with a low production, only 4500 kg per hectare. They tell us that often they can't harvest all the grapes in at the same time, and must go over the fields until 3 times to get the grapes in the right moment of ripening.

Resting Wines

The bodega can be visited, and they have a shop where you can buy the sellection of Calvente vines

Fina decanting some of her vines.

Tasting the different wines, with some nice tapas.
This is going to be a long story, but I think it·s interesting, when going to Spain, especially Andalucia, you must look out for the different thing to do, I·m never tired of repiting Spain isn·t only sun and beach.

The mediterranen diet is reconed to be one of the healtiest in the world, it includes Olive Oil, fresh fruit and vegetables, legumes, cereals, fish and seafood, moderate use of diary product, as yoghurt and cheese, moderate use of wine, and low to very low consumption of meat and meat products.

The Mercado Municipal of Almuñecar, make it easy for you to try the mediterranean diet , if you like to spend some time of the holiday in the kitchen.............. and if not, go and have a look, and then do as we did, go for some  tapas and some wine, or sit down to relax and have a meal in one of Almuñecars restaurants.

Cherry tomatoes.
 One of my market mornings, first I have a look at the fruit and vegetable stands, an explotion of colours, and then I continue with the fish and seafood stands, while I·m walking around there, wanting to buy such a lot of things, Almuñecar is my week.end paradise, so I decide to buy for the day, but it·s quite impossible, always we end up whith bags of food to take back to Granada.
Red peppers.
To cook ;"All you need is love"fresh ingredients and some spices..........................
Salmonetes, you can deep fry or grill.

Lubinas for the oven, and some cod roe to mix in a  salad.
Escargots, "caracoles" in spicy sauce speiality from  the district.

Guayabas, lemon or strawberry taste?

Nisperos, lemon and lime.

The VI Feria Gastronomica of Almuñecar  23 restaurants had their stands, here are some shots, sorry if I leave any of the restaurants out, so many visitors, and it was so  dificult to photograph.

Bloggers lunch.
We had a really good time for our lunch, trying what we liked from any of the stands, table arranged for all of us to sit together , comenting the day we  lived so far in Almuñecar,and still there i more..............................
Chef Paco from Restaurant Kairos de la Flor

Swwet sweets from Mari Trini.

Paco·s filled pancake.

Traditional tapas.

"Fritura de pecado" deep fried fish.

Jorge Fernandez, Master in  the art of cutting ham.

After lunch we had one of the highest moment of the day, Jose Helaero·s Chirimoya coctail, contains Mondero Rum, chirimoya icecream and chirimoya sorbet, don·t miss it.

Ths s only a small taste of what to do in Almuñecar between the 6th and 8th of June ths year, never say no to a gastronomic holiday in Spain, and always irrigated by Spansh vines.

Hope to see you  in Almuñecar.
If you want any information don't hestate to ask,  I will answer everybody individually.
I have two eariier posts from Almuñecar you can have a look at.


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Family Picture

May 25th, 2014 by erik

After we finished swimming today, I said, “Ok, everyone look at me for a picture.” This is what I got. :)

Stylin’ Chicks

May 25th, 2014 by erik

Toes and Headband

May 15th, 2014 by erik

Mother’s Day 2014

May 11th, 2014 by erik

Evan was super excited about Mother’s Day this year.  He made several presents at preschool.

On Mother’s Day, he woke up early and got Daddy up to go make breakfast for Mommy. We made ninja turtle pancakes! Just what Mommy wanted. :)

My Mom – Testimonial

May 9th, 2014 by erik

For Mother’s day Mrs. Coleman asked Evan questions about his Mom and here is what he said:

Crazy Hair Day #2

May 9th, 2014 by erik

Mrs. Coleman’s class

Smiley girl – Nana shirt

May 9th, 2014 by erik

Evan wanted Kate to have crazy hair for Crazy Hair day too!

May 8th, 2014 by erik

Crazy Hair Day #1

May 8th, 2014 by erik

For Mrs. Wills class.

Happy Girl

May 7th, 2014 by erik

Treasure Bags

May 1st, 2014 by erik

Evan brings home Treasure bags from pre-school.  The teacher’s and aides write the kids’ names on them.  He asked them to write something else on them today too.

Happy Head’s Up (almost 4 months)

April 30th, 2014 by erik


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Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Front Yard Garden

Well here's the front garden! When we moved here, the house was not painted, just bare stucco. And nothing but dirt and weeds in the front yard! It was (and still is unfortunately) a major fixer upper. After we had lived here about a year, I decided I just had to plant something in the front yard. I put down a soaker hose and planted some cosmos flower seeds around that. A neighbor was out for a walk and told me I was wasting my time. He said nothing would grow up here on the hill, all rock and clay. Well guess I proved him wrong!

But truly, it has been a rough go. I am just too stubborn to quit trying. We found that the stucco contractors had put all left over lime, cement, wood and debris in the front yard and covered it over with about 6-8 inches of dirt. To have it all dug out and hauled away would be just too much money so I decided to work with it. I did dig out a lot of hardened lime chunks, but the cement had solidified. Way too much to do by hand. After years of adding compost and organic materials, I am making progress.

This is from left to right street view, our driveway is to the left. This front section is beyond the buried debris and mostly clay dirt. Our peach tree is 3 springs old and I harvested about 200 peaches this year. The birds got 20-30 or so. I have several yellow lantana; they are very common and hardy here. I planted yarrow and it really seems to like it there and it's spreading. I love roses and they are doing well planted here.

I also love vincas, mostly grown as an annual, I let them go and they reseed. If they make it through the winter, and they usually do, I give them a trim in spring. I have a rosemary plant tucked in there with the vincas.

Moving over a frame, another rose, purple heart, and an artichoke. The artichoke is perennial and this is it's first spring. I harvested one choke and I'm letting the other 3 bloom, can't wait to see them!

This is a new bed expanded down from the established one so it still needs to fill in. I have always wanted to have a garden that just kind of did it's own thing, replanted it's self at will and where it wanted to grow. Less work for me right? This new bed is an experiment to see what can happen if I gently direct growing and see what happens. I already had volunteer red lettuce grow so I am off to a good start!

I have planted calendula, plantain, sage, poppies, cantaloupe, watermelon, horehound, soap wort and toothache plant. The last 3 where just for fun, funny names for the kids and to see if they will grow here. The cantaloupe died, the watermelon isn't growing, and the sage, poppies and plantain are puny.  But it's a new bed, I didn't add any amendments, just dirt and some palo verde needles as mulch. I am confident it will continue to get better and better.

I have a mystery plant! When this bed was ready to plant, I went through my seeds and just planted all the old ones and then threw the envelopes away. I completely forgot what I planted in the space! It has leaves like parsley, and blooms like yarrow or queens lace. Even kinda like celery but it doesn't smell like celery. Any ideas? I'm leaning towards a different variety of yarrow. Oh and red cotton!

Here's the red cotton bloom, beautiful! I thought the kids would like to learn about how cotton grows, becomes thread and then cloth. I found this red variety at Baker seeds. I have no idea if the cotton will be white or pink or red but the plant is a nice color for sure.

This is mexican petunia, it blooms year around and grows and spreads like crazy with a little water. There was a lot of debris under this planting area, the petunias don't seem to mind a bit.

That bare patch in the bottom right is a new bed I'm working on. It's narrow, about 2 feet by 6 feet, and terraced up about 18 inches from the petunias. I have been putting plant clippings into it for a few years to fill it up and then covered it over with dirt. I hope to plant barbados cherries there soon.

On the end is a mexican bird of paradise. It gets about 5-6 feet tall, I cut it back every year.

And here is the problem bed, the area with all the yuck under it. It is 7 feet by 22 feet and has done pretty well; this last winter/spring I harvested broccoli and cabbages, cilantro and lots of calendula. The brussel sprouts grew but never produced. I planted celery for the first time and it's going to seed now. At the end I have a garlic and onion bed. I have let some onions go to seed and wondering if I could do the same with the garlic. Think I could have a perpetual onion and garlic bed? Hmmm....

This late spring I planted sunflowers and beans. They are struggling big time and I don't know how to help them. I did find out after I had planted that beans don't like brassica veggies so perhaps that's the problem. I shouldn't have planted them in the same bed that the cabbages and broccoli had just been harvested from. Papa is collecting wood (free pieces) to make raised beds here for me. Easier since I won't have to bend so low to work.

And finally for today's post, I have 2 pots by the front door filled with allsyum and fox tail ferns. I have a long narrow section along the north side that I haven't done anything with yet. There's a retaining wall there that needs to be replaced so I have been waiting for that to happen before planting begins there.

We have all kinds of pest that love to eat and dig in a  garden, quail, rabbits, coyotes, stray dogs and cats, and all kinds of bugs. But I love love love my gardens! For me more is more, can you tell?

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  1. Great garden! I especially like your volunteer lettuce and mystery plant. My mom and I call that Darwinian Gardening. I love planting ALL the seeds and seeing what works out! It's been a cold spring here (Pennsylvania) and I'm frustrated that most of my seeds aren't sprouting yet.

    1. I have always wanted to just throw out seeds and see what grows, I'm going to let a lot of things reseed. It will be fun to watch it all over the next few years.

  2. You have a wonderful garden. Beauty and eats together.

    Yael from Home Garden Diggers

  3. I'll say you proved that neighbor wrong. Everything looks beautiful! Love that red cotton. I'm wondering if the plant is Meadow Rue. But the leaves to me look a lot like Columbine, so not sure. It's always fun when plants come back. I get Larkspur and Cosmos that reseed every year. They move around and the garden is ever changing. Thanks for sharing with SYC.

  4. Well, first of all, I love the simple beauty of your home. After months of seeing views from inside, I finally get to see a place I'd love to live in to enjoy the sun as much as you do! You did a great job - the "curb appeal" is wonderful! And I think you met the challenge of growing in less than ideal circumstances. I'm amazed at the variety and yield you have. This would be an accomplishment in even the best growing conditions. I especially love the funny plants you included to delight the grandkids! You'll have to show us the "toothache plant" when it emerges - and since YOU planted it - I'm sure it will grow!

    1. Thanks Joyce! You will be able to see a photo of the toothache plant in my next post, Garden Journal. It is said that you can chew the leaves or flowers to numb your mouth or a toothache. I'm not sure about that but I may get the courage to try it soon.

  5. Wow, your garden looks fantastic! All your hard work and unwavering tenacity has paid off :) xx

  6. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

  7. Wow, you have had a challenge put before you with the space you want to garden, and yet, it looks like your persistence is paying off! Good for you! So happy to have you join us at Celebrate Your Story! I look forward to reading more from you!

  8. Impressive garden... especially for what you had to work with... wow! I would have a hard time living where things don't grow ... good for you for being so persistent!! :)

  9. I would have a hard time living where things don't grow too! Glad my persistence paid off. Thanks for stopping by.

  10. Thanks for sharing at the #InspirationSpotlight party @DearCreatives

  11. What a lovely garden! I enjoyed your passion and the wonderful photos! We have horrible soil where we live: It's been described as being "like the moon." Rocky, dry, compacted, and pretty much undiggable. After three years and lots of work, we have garden beds. And there is still more work to be done. Our front yard is now full of herbs---but not well laid out like yours. It's a goal. Thank you for sharing! I found you at Our Simple Blog Hop!

  12. You did a great job on that garden! Scheduled to Pinterest. Thanks for sharing at the To Grandma's House We Go link party.

  13. Good for you, proving your neighbor wrong. Sometimes neighbors just need to leave their opinions at home. Your garden looks great!

Gosh I love to read your comments! Thanks for leaving one :)


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The blueprint of the new softball stadium which will be developed through a two-phase project. (Photo: Don Brubacher / Courtesy)

Fans will watch the Charger softball team compete this season in the comfort of a new stadium, which will include new bleachers and a press box.

Construction of the new stadium will be completed in various phases, according to Director of Athletics Don Brubacher. He hopes to move from one phase to the next as funds become available.

The first phase — which will begin in two weeks — will be the institution of new bleachers in the center of the new stadium, and will be complete by the softball team’s home opener on March 25.

According to Brubacher, it was evident the softball facility was not on par with the team’s high level of play. He believes the new stadium will be indicative of what the program deserves.

Head softball coach Joe Abraham said he believes this new stadium will help with recruitment and the overall performance of the team.

“In our sport, one key thing a recruit takes a close look at is the softball facility,” Abraham said. “It gives a good picture of how the school treats the program.”

Brubacher agreed and said the athletic facilities on campus are a representation of the campus as a whole.

“When they’re excellent, like the Biermann, I think it does present an image of the college consistent with the quality of education Hillsdale represents,” he said.

Not only will this new stadium help the team with recruitment, but according to Abraham, it will boost the pride and morale of the team.

“Our players can’t wait to finally have a stadium they’re proud to show off, instead of being embarrassed by five-rows of crooked bleachers their fans have to sit on,” he said.

According to senior catcher Cassie Asselta, the team’s catcher, they already take a lot of pride in the actual field because of the care they put into it and the improvements they have already made. These improvements, said Aselta, show the team deserves a new stadium.

“It shows what we’re worth,” she said.

Senior outfield Bekah Kastning hopes the new stadium’s comfort will attract more fans to their games. A larger turn-out, she said, will boost the overall morale of the team.

“It means a lot to us when people show up to support us,” Kastning said.

According to Abraham, the construction of the new stadium is possible because of the help of supportive parents, Director of External Relations for Athletics Jeff Lantis, Institutional Advancement, and the players themselves.

“We want to give thanks and credit where it’s due,” Kastning said. “We couldn’t have done it without them.”

Asselta described the new stadium as a matter of pride for the team, and believes it will improve the performance of the team.

Kastning agreed and said the way a player thinks affects the way she plays.

According to Abraham, this feeling of pride is more important for baseball and softball teams than other sport teams, because the aesthetics of the stadium matter much more.

“When you think about some of the greatest stadiums, you immediately think of baseball parks,” he said. “We are finally getting that Division II college look.”

Asselta said watching the softball program grow throughout her years as a player has been incredibly satisfying, and this new stadium tops it all off.

“It’s a legacy of everything we’ve been able to build as a team and program,” she said. “I couldn’t ask for more.”

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Kaylee McGhee
Kaylee McGhee is a junior at Hillsdale College, majoring in Politics with a minor in Journalism. This is her third year writing for the Collegian and served as last semester's City News Editor. Kaylee is currently studying in Washington D.C., where she works for the Weekly Standard and contributes to the Collegian as our D.C. correspondent. Kaylee has also worked as an editorial intern for the Detroit News. Follow her on Twitter: @kmcghee04 email:


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Wednesday, 18 June 2008

Treadmill Workouts

Walking is one of the finest forms of training and is appropriate for people of all age and health situation. And in the times you can enjoy these simply by walking on your treadmill. Has been discovered that treadmill walking is one of the most common and preferred exercise by healthy people.

So, to increase your fitness level you can use the following walking exercises on your home treadmill.

Health walking/Heart health walking:
These treadmill workouts can be done daily for 30 to 60 minutes on your home or gym treadmill. In this series you need to walk at a consistent pace to rouse enough heart beat and breathing. You shouldn't walk too quick or too slow.

Walking is helpful for all the joints of the body. As we get old, joints tend to get stiff and walking is a great way to keep them in shape. Doing these daily exercises on a treadmill will improve your health.


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Dr. Kevin M. Hurley Middle School
National Library Week
National Library Week

Check out these videos to see what was happening at the
HMS Library during National Library Week 2011!

Time Lapse video - A Day in the Life of the HMS Library (taken April 13, 2011)

Do you wonder about what happens in the HMS library?
Here are some HMS library statistics and pictures of those
who came in to the library on April 13, 2011: