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[01/07/10 - 03:12 PM]
Syfy's Ghost Hunters International Sets Series Record as Winter Season Debut Becomes Most-Watched Episode Ever Among Adults 25-54
Syfy spins the numbers for Wednesday, January 6.

[via press release from Syfy]

Wednesday, January 6 Premiere Delivers More Than 2.6 Million Total Viewers

New York, NY -- January 7, 2010 -- Following record-setting 2009 ratings for series such as Warehouse 13, Ghost Hunters, Eureka, Destination Truth and Stargate Universe, Syfy kicked off 2010 with the winter season premiere of Ghost Hunters International becoming the most watched episode in series history among Adults 25-54 (1.754 million), eclipsing the 1.733 million set by the series premiere on January 9, 2008.

During its Wednesday, January 6, at 9PM (ET/PT) return, Ghost Hunters International delivered more Adults 25-54 in the 9PM hour than telecasts of Glee on Fox and Gossip Girl on the CW.

Ghost Hunters International also delivered:

2.626 total viewers, #3 all-time for Ghost Hunters International

1.571 million Adults 18-49, which also ranked #3 all-time for the series

1.8 Household Rating

GHI was the #1 cable program for the day among Adults 25-54 and the #1 primetime cable program for Adults 18-49

In 8-11PM (ET/PT) prime, Syfy was the #2 cable entertainment network for both Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54.

At Syfy.com:

Ghost Hunters International delivered 41K page views, 12K uniques, 12K visits, and 23K video streams.

Ghost Hunters International rose 33% in page views, 30% in uniques, 36% in visits and 194% in video streams versus Season 1C (January '09).

GHI ranked as the #1 show site in page views, uniques, visits and video streams for the day.

In the January 6th premiere episode �Hitler's Ghost,� the GHI team ventured to Miramar, Argentina, and set their sights on the Gran Hotel Viena, once the secret residence of many Nazi war criminals including rumored guest, Adolf Hitler. The hunt was on as GHI tried to debunk claims that the hotel was actually haunted by Hitler himself.

In next week's episode �Silver Shadow� premiering Wednesday, January 13, at 9PM (ET/PT), the team will make their way to La Falda, Argentina to uncover the ghostly mysteries of The Eden Hotel, a 19th century turn of the century luxury resort which once welcomed the rich and the famous including, Albert Einstein, the Prince of Wales and many world presidents to name a few. The Eden Hotel has had quite a strange, controversial past. Hotel employees and the municipality say past and recent paranormal activity at the hotel includes the apparition of a little girl, quick shadows running, voices whispering, cracking noises and slamming doors and windows. Paranormal activity runs so frequent at The Eden Hotel that the current restoration company for the hotel have complained that workers are scared to death to finish the restoration job.

The GHI team will then venture to Junee, Australia to visit the Monte Cristo Homestead. Monte Cristo meaning '�Mount of Christ" was built in 1884 as a Victorian manor to a wealthy family. Unfortunately the manor has been plagued by many horrific incidents and deaths over the years. In the house and its surrounding grounds at least seven apparitions have been reported. The current owners moved into the manor in 1963 and had no idea of the tragic history surrounding their Victorian home and were no prepared for what would be in store for them.

Like their U.S. counterpart, TAPS (The Atlantic Paranormal Society), GHI is a squad made up of everyday ordinary citizens who investigate and attempt to debunk claims of other worldly activity. A spin-off of Syfy's popular Ghost Hunters series, GHI has continued to cement the Ghost Hunters brand as the #1 paranormal investigation franchise since its January 2008 debut.

The GHI cast includes: Robb Demarest, Dustin Pari, Barry FitzGerald, Brandy Green, Joe Chin, Ashley Godwin and GHI newcomer, Paul Bradford.

Ghost Hunters International is produced in association with Craig Piligian's Pilgrim Films and Television (American Chopper, Dirty Jobs, The Ultimate Fighter). Piligian and Thomas Thayer, along with Rob Katz and Alan David, serve as executive producers.

Syfy is a media destination for imagination-based entertainment. With year round acclaimed original series, events, blockbuster movies, classic science fiction and fantasy programming, a dynamic Web site (www.Syfy.com), and a portfolio of adjacent business (Syfy Ventures), Syfy is a passport to limitless possibilities. Originally launched in 1992 as SCI FI Channel, and currently in 95 million homes, Syfy is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. (Syfy. Imagine greater.)

  [january 2010]

most recent ratings | view all posts
[07/28/15 - 12:36 PM]
Debut of NASCAR Drives NBCSN to Most-Watched July in the Network's History
NBCSN spins the numbers for the month to date.

[07/28/15 - 09:57 AM]
"48 Hours: Paradise Lost" Is Saturday's #1 Broadcast at 10:00 PM with Adults 25-54 and Viewers and Posts Year-to-Year Gains in Both Categories
CBS spins the numbers for Saturday, July 25.

[07/28/15 - 08:46 AM]
"Running Wild" Grows 18% Week to Week to a Season High
NBC spins the numbers for Monday, July 27.

[07/28/15 - 08:42 AM]
ABC Dominates Monday, Winning All 6 Half-Hours in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49 and Posts Strongest Summer Performance on the Night in 2 Years
ABC spins the numbers for Monday, July 27.

[07/28/15 - 08:34 AM]
Monday's Broadcast Ratings: "The Bachelorette" Goes Out on Top for ABC
The franchise's latest edition closes up more than 26% from a year ago among adults 18-49.

[07/27/15 - 02:09 PM]
NASCAR Sprint Cup Race from the Brickyard Delivers NBCSN's Most-Watched Telecast Ever
NBCSN spins the numbers for Sunday, July 26.

[07/27/15 - 01:42 PM]
"Save My Life: Boston Trauma" Builds on Its Week-Ago Debut by 13% in Adults 18-49 and by 10% in Adults 25-54
ABC News spins the numbers for Sunday, July 26.

[07/27/15 - 01:41 PM]
"Boston EMS" Opens as Saturday Night's Most-Watched Show
ABC News spins the numbers for Saturday, July 25.

[07/27/15 - 01:07 PM]
Disney XD's "Gamer's Guide to Pretty Much Everything" Scores With Record-Setting Launch
Disney XD further spins the numbers for Wednesday, July 22.

[07/27/15 - 12:42 PM]
TV One's "Unsung Hollywood" Featuring Bernie Mac Premiere Night Is No. 1 with Black Viewers
TV One further spins the numbers for Wednesday, July 22.

[07/27/15 - 12:04 PM]
"Under the Dome," "Zoo" and "Extant" Among the Week's Top Five Programs in Live + 7-Day Viewer Lift
CBS further spins the numbers for the week of July 6-12.

[07/27/15 - 10:59 AM]
Live + 7 Day Ratings: ABC's "The Bachelorette" Matches a Season High
ABC further spins the numbers for the week of July 6-12.

[07/27/15 - 10:00 AM]
"Tut" Averages 2.2 Million Viewers - Largest Viewership in Timeslot in 8 Years
Spike TV further spins the numbers for July 19-21.

[07/27/15 - 08:32 AM]
ABC Ranks No. 1 on Sunday in Adults 18-49 with a 5-Week High on the Night
ABC spins the numbers for Sunday, July 26.

[07/27/15 - 08:27 AM]
"Welcome to Sweden" Equals Last Week's Season-Two Debut in Adult 18-49 Rating
NBC spins the numbers for Sunday, July 26.


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The Week of April 11 – 15

-A Dude discussed whether it’s possible to be too fast, too fun, too fat, or too skilled in bed. A Lady answered our questions about rustling tampons, risky spring break behavior, and being a sexual beginner.

-Our pal Jane Feltes counseled us on going without makeup, using eye cream, and how to look hot the morning after.

-When it comes to being an internet princess, stone cold is the only way to be.

-Everyone and their sister is pregnant right now! (Maybe it’s because Walgreens is taking over for Planned Parenthood?) But don’t worry, be happy Simone Eastman is here to help us deal with all these babies.

-If penguins are very small and made out of olives, you’re allowed to eat them.

-Before you get all dolled up and hit the clubs, remember to review your dance floor exit strategy.

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software: Nutch 1.6 (CC)/CC WarcExport 1.0
isPartOf: CC-MAIN-2015-32
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Romney outraises Obama in May

Mitt Romney and the Republican National Committee (RNC) raised $76.8 million in May, outpacing President Obama and his Democratic allies in the first head-to-head month of the campaign.

The more than $16 million gap between the presidential hopefuls — Obama and the Democratic National Committee (DNC) raised a combined $60 million — had Republicans crowing Thursday that the haul was a sign of things to come and they had the Obama campaign on the defensive.

“We got beat,” Obama campaign manager Jim Messina wrote in an email to supporters that included a plea for donations.

Obama’s team argued that Romney’s fundraising spike was an anomaly enabled by a fluke in campaign finance laws, but some saw it as the latest sign of bad news for the president.

And for Democrats already anxious about the looming influence of super-PACs — and already leaning on high-profile Hollywood donors like George Clooney and Sarah Jessica Parker — Thursday’s numbers did little to calm nerves.

“It’s going to be a close campaign. Some Democrats have always thought this was going to be a layup, and it’s not,” said Democratic lobbyist Steve Elmendorf. “The only thing anyone has any control of is the money. A lot of Democratic donors need to wake up and realize the Republicans are willing to spend whatever it takes. We need to get on the field and compete with the other side.”

The Obama campaign said Thursday that Romney’s fundraising spike was likely because May was the first month that donors could give to the joint fund set up between the nominee’s campaign and the RNC. That meant that donors who had already maxed out during Romney’s primary campaign could now contribute to his general-election effort. In May, Mitt and Ann Romney each donated $75,000 — the individual maximum — to the joint effort.

“We anticipated that they would beat us this month,” said Obama campaign press secretary Ben LaBolt during a call with reporters Thursday, pointing out that Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) experienced a similar one-time bump after clinching the Democratic nomination during his 2004 campaign against then-President George W. Bush.

But LaBolt admitted that “certainly, there will be a lot of special interests spending against the president this fall.” And DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) told MSNBC the coming wave of super-PAC cash would be “truly disturbing.”

Democrats believed that the conservative prowess in super-PAC fundraising would be counterbalanced through a wider donor base for the Obama campaign. But if Romney can continue to outpace Democrats in official campaign contributions, the financial disparity could become dramatic.

“That should serve as a clarion call to our supporters and our donors to give now,” LaBolt added.

Republicans dismissed LaBolt’s arguments about a one-time spike as spin, noting Obama didn’t see a similar jump in fundraising dollars when he formed a joint fundraising committee with the DNC. It took the Obama campaign nearly three months from the start of its joint fundraising to match the total raised by Romney in May, although the Obama fund debuted at a time when national attention was focused on the bruising Republican primary.

“People are supporting Gov. Romney and the Republicans because voters are sick of the president’s failure to fix our economy,” said RNC spokeswoman Kirsten Kukowski.

And Democrats are privately expressing concern that the president’s fundraising numbers, coupled with the discouraging jobs report, a tough loss in the Wisconsin gubernatorial recall and surrogates drifting increasingly off message would combine to turn the prevailing narrative against Obama.

A former senior administration official said Thursday that it’s obvious the campaign “doesn’t have the same excitement and we’re suffering from fatigue.”

The official said the president should instead attack Romney with more intensity, suggesting that a war of attrition in which the candidates became mired in debates on the economy would do little to motivate independent, young or minority voters.

“Messina needs to bring out the knives and gut him at this point and go as negative as they can to highlight the stark differences,” the official said.

But the Obama campaign has struggled to land punches thus far, with attacks on Romney’s record at Bain Capital stumbling out of the gate.

“They have not found a message that sticks, whether it’s Bain being undermined by Bill Clinton or the Massachusetts record, which isn’t working because of the jobs report — they can’t find a message that works,” said Republican strategist Ford O’Connell. “The one thing the Romney guys are good at — they might not be great at offensive messaging, but they are great on playing defense.”

Still, Democrats remain optimistic that a month of troubling news for the Obama campaign has come early enough not to erase the president’s advantages heading into November.

“It’s a long campaign, and you’re going to have good weeks and bad weeks,” said Elmendorf. “The Obama campaign strength is that they figure out a strategy and they don’t get thrown off by the weekly, daily and hourly distractions.”

This story was originally published at 11 a.m. and has been updated.

More in News

Obama commutes the prison sentences of 46 drug offenders

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Romney campaign says former NLRB member is no longer an adviser

A former member of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) caught in an ethics scandal at the agency is no longer a campaign adviser to GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

Peter Schaumber, the former NLRB member, is alleged to have received confidential information from Terence Flynn, a Republican member of the labor board who was recess-appointed to the agency by President Obama in January. Flynn leaked internal information to Schaumber and others outside the labor board, allegedly breaking ethics rules and violating attorney-client privilege, according to a report by the NLRB’s inspector general (IG).

A Romney campaign aide told The Hill that Schaumber left the campaign late last year.

“Mr. Schaumber informed us in December 2011 that he was stepping down from his volunteer advisory role,” said the Romney campaign aide.

Schaumber was co-chairman of the labor policy advisory group for the Republican candidate’s campaign. He didn’t immediately reply to messages asking for comment.

Pressure had mounted on Schaumber to leave the Romney campaign. After the labor board IG’s report was released last month, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said Romney should remove Schaumber from his advisory role.

Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) said in a letter sent Thursday to Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) that the NLRB inspector general had found “multiple additional improper disclosures of confidential inside information” from Flynn to Schaumber and intended to issue another report.

In addition, Cummings said the IG had referred the leaks described in his first report to the Office of Special Counsel for potential violations of the Hatch Act, a law that limits government employees’ political activity.


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FAO supports small seed farming for food security

The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) announced recently that it supports small seed farming in developing countries, according to All Africa News.

"It doesn't cost a lot comparatively to set up a seed enterprise, especially when it involves local farmers' organizations, but as case studies in the policy guide from three continents have shown, such enterprises can be highly effective in improving food output," said FAO's plant production and protection division director Shivaji Pandey.

The FAO report called for private sector involvement, including privatization of agricultural services, as well as lower tariffs on seed-importation.

Cote d'Ivoire, for example, reduces its tariffs on imported seeds in support of "small-scale seed enterprises," reported the news source.

According to the FAO official website, the food price index is currently at the highest level that it has ever been, since measurements began in 1990.

"The only encouraging factor so far stems from a number of countries, where - due to good harvests - domestic prices of some of the food staples remain low compared to world prices," said FAO economist Abdolreza Abbassian.
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Saturday, May 03, 2008

Ed Rendell’s Astounding Stubbornness Regarding Casino Locations Now Bordering On Outright Psychotic Pitiful Stupidity

rendering of the delaware river waterfront
Ed Rendell is behaving like a whiny, spoiled, pre-pubescent bully. And his act is incredibly, incredibly tired.

The situation is this: everyone — and we literally mean EVERYONE — with a brain recognizes that putting two big-windowless-box casinos on the Delaware River waterfront just outside of Center City, bordering extremely residential neighborhoods, would be the biggest urban planning fuck-up anywhere in the United States in the last 50 years.

Except, that is, our proud and incomprehensibly obstinate governor who refuses to acknowledge the possibility of flaws in his pet casino legislation, and has now resorted to simply bullying anyone who disagrees with his unfathomable ignorance. How very mature.

It’s extra embarrassing because these folks aren’t even telling Rendell the casinos should be repealed outright, (for which there certainly could be an argument…). All they want is for them to be placed in a much, MUCH more appropriate location, one better suited for two shit-tastic slot barns and two equally shit-tastic giant parking garages.

And that location is at the Philadelphia Airport.
In September, [two Philadelphia state representatives, Michael O'Brien and William Keller] introduced a genius bit of legislation, House Bill 1840, that offers an honorable compromise for everyone with a stake in Philadelphia's gaming experiment - the operators, neighborhood residents, Philadelphia politicians, and Gov. Rendell.
Their draft provides the first practical solution for getting the casinos off the riverfront and out of the neighborhoods, while still guaranteeing the state a stream of gambling revenue.

O'Brien and Keller want to eliminate the stipulation that Philadelphia's casinos must be located 10 miles from the two others on Pennsylvania's eastern flank, Harrah's in Chester and Philadelphia Park in Bensalem. Once you get rid of the 10-mile rule, you open up all kinds of less intrusive sites. The bill doesn't specify a favorite, but for O'Brien it's Philadelphia International Airport.

The airport location is the equivalent of hitting three cherries on an old slot machine. It has it all: great roads, plentiful parking, nice hotels, and, best of all, no neighbors - plus a SEPTA train connection and a continuous cycle of shuttle buses.

The airport landscape, once an environmentally rich marsh, is already carpeted in asphalt and concrete. The city has sizable real estate holdings there, making it possible to swap land with Foxwoods and SugarHouse. [Chance To Save Riverfront]

On Thursday, May 1, there was a City Council hearing about the Foxwoods location and this proposed legislation, first conceived in 2007, came up again as it’s now garnering a lot of support.

Inga first wrote about the genius legislation back in January. (But apparently Anna Verna doesn’t read the Inquirer’s most important city columnist: “’Explain it to me because this is the first I'm hearing of it,’ Verna told O'Brien and Keller [on Thursday], who were at the hearing to testify.” Confidential to Anna: way to stay on top of things important to your constituency. Also, you should be reading Inga every week, without fail.)

What’s critical here is that the new legislation is obviously ismart. It “would require the Gaming Control Board to hold a series of public hearings about the casino locations and then issue a report within four months on alternative locations. If the casinos didn't agree to new locations the board could revoke their state gaming licenses. [And the legislation] would "end the standoff" between the casinos and the city on where to build.”

Seems like a fantastic fucking idea to us.

To Rendell? Not so much.

Ed Rendell’s very thoughtful, diplomatic and visionary dogmatic reactionary response: that “he would veto such legislation ‘in two seconds.’ […] "The bottom line is those two casinos are going to be built in those two locations."

Hmm. Actually, Eddie, we disagree. Strongly, we might add. And it appears that you are rather shockingly and alarmingly out of touch. WE are pretty confident that these casinos will NOT get built where they’re currently planned. (And you can quote us on that.)

Because, collectively, Philadelphia is getting A LOT smarter about planning. And it’s transparently obvious that putting the casinos, as-designed, in these locations would irreparably ruin the Delaware River Waterfront for the next 50 years.

And we doubt Philadelphia is simply going to give in to your invectives and diatribes just because you USED to be mayor here. Precisely because Philadelphia is not “gutless.” Philadelphia is in a better place than it’s been in about 50 years. And if you haven’t noticed, it’s "a new day and a new way” here, conveniently leaving zero room for cronyism.

The city now has the 'guts' to stand up to terrible legislation dictated to it by a shitty state government. And Philadelphia is not about to have its riverfront ruined just to accommodate your back-room bullying and temper tantrums.

You did well by us in the 90s and we appreciate it. But if you don’t start curbing your pride on these casinos — like fucking immediately — Philadelphia is going to have ample reason to disown you altogether. (Your non-stop panhandling for Hillary over the last two months was pretty much reason enough...)

We’ll again refer you to exhibit A, Penn Praxis’ brilliant and inspiring vision for the Delaware River, produced in 2007 by doing the exact opposite of what your exclusionary Gaming Review Board did — actually engage the community and ask the residents of Philadelphia what THEY want for THEIR riverfront. And guess what they DON’T want? Surprise — casinos.

Have the decency and the balls to admit when a better idea/solution surfaces. It’s not the end of the world. You should be used to it. (And stop calling people names as we can do it right back. Obviously, it’s you who needs to learn how to move on. )

Furthermore, the casino legislation has always been inherently flawed — because 1) most of the revenue should have been dedicated to improving public education, not property and/or wage tax relief and 2) slot-barns are not casinos; boutique casinos with table games and Borgata-like non-gaming entertainment should have been chosen if you’re going to legalize gambling at all; who the fuck wants to go to a slot-barn?!?

So consider yourself lucky that these egregiously shitty slot-barns are going to be operating anywhere in the city at all.

Bottom line: don’t be so arrogant as to think you still know what’s best for Philadelphia. You clearly don’t. And Philadelphia is very close to not wanting anything at all to do with you anymore/ever again.

Chance to save riverfront [ Philadelphia Inquirer ]
Philadelphia lawmakers take another stab at casino relocation [ Philadelphia Daily News ]
Bill to challenge casinos' locations [ Philadelphia Inquirer ]
Lawmakers eye airport area for controversial casinos [ Philadelphia Business Journal ]
To Mayor Elect: Look Toward The River Plan [ Philadelphia Inquirer ]
A Civic Vision for the Central Delaware [ Plan Philly ]

1 comment:

Zach said...

Love the passion. You're right on the spot. Could do with about 30% less filthy talk though (can show passion but can also detract) Sometimes you just need to air it out though. You state things as they are, just as I would. Keep up the good work.


text:
William Howard Taft's head

From The Infosphere, the Futurama Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search
Tertiary character
William Howard Taft's head
William Howard Taft.png
Date of birth15 September, 1857
Date of death8 March, 1930
ProfessionFormer U.S. president
First appearance"A Head in the Polls" (2ACV03)
Voiced byPhil LaMarr
Wikipedia has information unrelated to Futurama

William Howard Taft was the president of the United States from 1909 to 1913. In the 31st century, he resides at the Head Museum, New New York along with the other former U.S. presidents.

Additional info[edit]


text:
It’s Official: Harry Potter Will Screen Before Ramadan

By webadmin on 10:32 pm Jul 23, 2011
Category Archive

Elisabeth Oktofani

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the final installment of
the Harry Potter movie series will be screened in Indonesia by the end of next
week, cinema officials announced on Saturday night.

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2,”
“Transformers 3” and “Kung Fu Panda 2” have all been through the censors, said Djonny
Sjafruddin, head of the Indonesian Cinema Companies Union (GPBSI) in a late night press conference.

“We just need to make the copies to
distribute,” he said, adding that 99 copies needed to be made in order to
screen Harry Potter simultaneously across the nation.

Assuming no technical difficulties or machine
damage, Djonny said Indonesian fans would definitely be able to watch the
wizard boy on the big screen before Ramadan. He declined to give a definite day.

“Transformers 3″ would likely be screened 10 days later, he added.

The screening of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2″ in Indonesian cinemas will mark the return of Hollywood blockbusters to the country more than five months after MPAA members — which include Disney, Paramount, Sony Pictures, 20th Century Fox, Universal Pictures and Warner Bros. — went on a boycott over a royalty dispute.

Djonny also assured that the cinema industry,
which suffered severe losses during the five-month Hollywood boycott, would not
increase ticket prices.

“The most important issue here is to bring back audiences
to the cinemas,” he said.

“We hope that if the government plans to issue another regulation
concerning film and cinemas in the future, they would invite the cinema
association,” he continued.


text:
The Rock Says, "Do You Like Pi?"

Short Notes: What Is The Political Future for Teachers?

Jose Vilson Short Notes Leave a Comment

A few notes: How are the Common Core math standards helping or hurting our most disadvantaged students? Anthony Rebora asks a few teachers … including me. [Education Week] Arthur Wise and Michael Usdan take a look at the landscape of teaching and politics from a bird’s eye view. [Education Week] And this article says that we can start sentences with conjunctions if we want to. And end a sentence with …

Educators, You Might Be A Good, Racist Person Too

Jose Vilson Jose Leave a Comment

Ta-Nehisi Coates has a message for good, honest folk. Read: But much worse, it haunts black people with a kind of invisible violence that is given tell only when the victim happens to be an Oscar winner. The promise of America is that those who play by the rules, who observe the norms of the “middle class,” will be treated as such. But this injunction is only half-enforced when it …


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IT Trends | Feature

5 K-12 Technology Trends for 2011

Education technology experts discuss their top technology trends for the coming year.

As technology continues to infiltrate every corner of the K-12 educational space, administrators, teachers, and students are undoubtedly curious about what's coming around the bend in 2011. Will the cloud continue to reign? Will more schools embrace student-centric mobile devices?

To get the answers to these and other pressing questions, THE Journal spoke with a handful of technology experts and came up with a short list of top tech trends they said you'll want to watch in the new year.

1. There will be more momentum for mobile devices in classrooms with an eye toward affordable alternatives to traditional 1:1 rollouts.

The popularity of 1:1 laptop implementations and related initiatives have left many school districts wondering how to introduce mobile computing into the classroom in the most seamless, affordable manner possible. Some schools are rolling out 1:1 and related initiatives, while others are tapping into the existing technology (laptops, PDAs and iPads, for example) that students already own. Doing so allows districts to skirt budgetary issues while still staying on the leading edge of the technology movement.

Expect this trend to gain momentum in 2011, said Roland Rios, director of instructional technology at the Fort Sam Houston Independent School District in San Antonio, TX. "Schools are smartening up and letting students use their tech tools in innovative ways," said Rios, who added that he expects such initiatives to be centered on concepts like "ubiquitous learning" and 24/7 access to technology.

The schools that "get it" will be the ones that stay ahead of the tech curve. "As educators, we really need to stay on top of this stuff," said Rios, "instead of constantly playing catch up."

2. Web-based instruction will gain more traction at the K-12 level.

Already being used extensively in the higher-education space, Web-based learning is expected to continue proliferating for both high school and middle school students. Crowley Independent School District in Dallas is just one of many districts that's already embraced distance learning across various disciplines, most recently for its summer school program. The move not only pushed the district further into the technology age, but also saved it some money.

"Like many other districts, we needed to find ways to conserve budget dollars," said Theresa Kohler, chief instruction officer. "We offered the online courses to students who wanted to gain accelerated credits, or to make up credits for classes they'd failed."

Using a password-protected system that was put in place in 2009, students either logged in from home or used the school's computer labs. "It was a pretty successful program," said Kohler, "and one we plan to expand and utilize more of in the future."

3. More tech-based monitoring and assessment tools will be incorporated into to the instructional mix.

There's nothing quite like being able to pull up a dashboard on a laptop or desktop and quickly figure out exactly where a student stands, and what enrichment is needed to get him or her up to speed (or, provide the student with more advanced instruction). Automated monitoring and assessment tools do just that, and continue to gain in popularity in the K-12 space.

Take classroom "clickers," for example, which teachers can use to engage students, even in the most crowded of classrooms. Combine the assessment tools with the clickers, said Kohler, and teachers can quickly ascertain whether a lesson has "sunk in" or determine whether further instruction is needed.

"We've had really good results with this technology, which gives our teachers real-time data instantly," said Kohler, "instead of having to wait for the graded papers and tests to come back."

4. The cloud will help ease the financial burden on schools while helping to expand technological capabilities.

No longer interested in building their technology coffers with expensive hardware and software, today's K-12 school districts turned to more cloud-based applications in 2010 and are expected to continue down that path in the coming year. "We're doing a lot of cloud computing in our district," said Lynn Reedy, educational technology specialist at Stafford Public Schools in Stafford Springs, CT. "We keep all of our data on a network that's shared among teachers, and we encourage them to use the cloud."

Recently, for example, all the district's K-12 classrooms began using MimioConnect as a resource for sharing lessons and information, and for uploading files. "We don't have to worry about space because the files are all stored in the cloud," said Reedy, "and accessible to everyone."

5. Teachers will have access to expanded professional development programs.

All the new technology in the world isn't going to do students any good if teachers can't use the tools, or show students how to use them. To fill the void created between classroom teachers and new technology, Reedy said her district is expanding its professional development options, both in terms of scope and timing.

"We're trying to get to a place where professional development is available all the time for our staff," said Reedy.

Stafford is also partnering with other districts to create online educational options for teachers who need further enrichment on topics like "how to use your whiteboard" and "how to develop interactive lessons for your science class." Reedy said the expanded professional development helps "keep teachers on top of things and in tune with new technology."

Editor's note: This article has been modified since its original publication to correct the name and URL of a product mentioned in the article, MimioConnect. [Last updated Dec. 3, 2010 at 9:14 a.m.] --David Nagel

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Corporate Profile: Biosearch Technologies

Biosearch Technologies is focused on custom research and supplies for Biotechnology companies.

Address (HQ):
81 Digital Drive
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#OnlyinLA | Oscars Dessert Preview

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When you are invited to preview the 87th Annual Academy Awards Governors Ball, you don’t say no. So yesterday I had the honor of attending this Oscars preview party and it was all the Hollywood glitz and glamour that I expected. Held in the Ray Dolby Ballroom in the heart of Hollywood, I felt like a star for the night.  None other than Wolfgang Puck provided catering and I ate every last bite of all of the comforting, cozy fare that the stars will feast on tomorrow. And those desserts, well I can attest that they are well deserving of an award themselves! If I had to deprive myself all week to fit into an Oscars gown, these perfectly simple and classic desserts would be the light at the end of the tunnel! This was a truly ‘Only in LA’ moment that I was honored to experience.

Take a look at all the sweetness Hollywood will be treating themselves to, from ice cream sundaes and strawberry shortcake push popos, to a Charlie Chaplin inspired all chocolate sculpture.

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Valentine’s Day Sweets Los Angeles

There is nothing sweeter or more romantic (in my opinion), than a simple and sweet heart shaped treat for your loved one on Valentine’s day. It’s a great chance to let the one you love, your sibling, your mother or your friend know they are loved. And all of these work as great last minute gifts!

Here are my Top 5 Sweets For Your Sweet -

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Village Bakery & Cafe

Whenever a holiday rolls around you can be certain that the Village Bakery & Café in Atwater Village will have the most festive and cute sweets. Their Valentine’s Day decorate cookies are to die for. If I were a kid again, these would be the kind of Valentine’s Day cards I would hand out.  Village Bakery I will be yours!

See’s Candies

See’s candies are a tried and true treat. I remember those black and white boxes from childhood and always sifting through to find my favorite almond square. Take the classic approach and gift your loved one a heart shaped box of See’s candies. Or how about one of their super cute heart shaped truffle boxes? The strawberry truffles, inspired by love and made with care have my heart skipping a beat.

Bob’s Coffee & Doughnuts

Got a donut lover in your life? These adorable heart shaped, pink frosted, heart sprinkled donuts are a sweet surprise. My heart goes pitter patter for fried dough goodness.

Playa Provisions

Ok, not quite a heart but there is a heart on this cute little lobster so we think that counts! I mean Lobstergrams!? This sweet treat from Playa Provisions pastry chef Kristin Feuer is cuteness overload. For $20, you get a “Lobstergram” – four absolutely adorable lobster sugar cookies and a cute lobster gift tag in a box (yeah, that lobster is holding a valentine!).  Gone in two bites, grab a few and spread the love.

Pop Bar

Just one delicious bite and I fell in love with Pop Bar popsicles. The chocolate dipped pistachio was my favorite. While I would love nothing more than to have a pack of popsicles shipped to my door, their hot chocolate sticks can tide me over until my next visit. You can ship a 3/6/12 pack to your darlings doorstep and they are in for a hot chocolate delight. It is a chocolate lovers dream.

To view more of these awesome Valentine’s sweets check out these Instagram accounts:

Top 5 Favorite Moments of 2014

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In the spirit of reminiscing over the year that has just passed in the blink of an eye, here are my favorite sweet moments of 2014!

1. The number one spot had to be held for this Nestle Tollhouse + Buzzfeed baking video. It was not only a blast to film, but those double chocolate baked donuts – the greatest excuse to eat cake for breakfast!

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2. Working on a Sweet Guide to LA on Conde Nast Traveler. As a native Angeleno, I take great pride in my city and it was fun to share a few of my favorite places for desserts. And I am a big CN Traveler fan too!

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3. Getting invited to Ben & Jerry’s in Vermont for a few days and then getting to show Dorie (Ben & Jerry’s story teller) around LA a few months later. What ice cream lover doesn’t dream of visiting the Ben & Jerry’s factory and headquarters and then meeting Ben & Jerry in real life. It was an amazing moment in time and I’m so so thankful to have gotten to check that off the bucket list this year!

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4. Going on a hunt for the best churros in LA. It’s a tough job, but someone had to do it!

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5. Using new ingredients to create this yummy banana jam pudding pie with the Fare Trade. I don’t love myself in this video and wish that I would have smiled more because I really did have fun, but the end results were worth it!

Best Instagram Moments of 2014

LMEC Collage

I can’t help but indulge in this reflective time of year, where everyone puts up their best of 2014 lists – it was afterall a great year with many many sweet moments! So I started reflecting on my Instagram in particular when thinking back on 2014. It seems to be my medium of choices these days when work and life and tracking down macaron ice cream sandwiches gets in the way of blogging.

So reflecting on a year of Instagram I realized this – I ate a lot of dessert! Well that isn’t some big revelation, but shit that was a lot of sugar I consumed. But unlike years past, this year I really expanded my search for new desserts and tried a lot of new sweet spots and a wider varitety of confections. It was also super fun to watch more people follow along and comment and react to all the delicious desserts. I love seeing peoples reactions to the posts and seeing which ones people like more than others. I learned that you all love churros and macarons! It has been a sweet sweet journey that I can’t wait to continue into 2015.

See what others thought of my Instagram this year too!
People.com:  http://greatideas.people.com/2014/06/16/best-food-instagram-feeds-to-follow/
Cooking Channel: http://blog.cookingchanneltv.com/2014/04/25/your-favorite-foodie-instagrams/
Refinery 29: http://www.refinery29.com/los-angeles-foodie-instagrams#slide
ThrillistLA: http://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/los-angeles/best-la-instagrams
Brit + Co: http://www.brit.co/instagram-dessert-accounts/
The Lala: http://thelala.com/foodporn-alert-7-foodies-follow-instagram/
DailyLife.com: http://www.dailylife.com.au/photogallery/dl-food/food-features/10-instagram-accounts-every-cake-lover-should-follow-20141002-3h4cl.html
BlissTree.com: http://www.blisstree.com/2014/06/20/food/best-food-porn-instagrams/
If you aren’t already following along on Instagram (@LetMeEatCake) what are you waiting for!

Best Macaron Ice Cream Sandwiches in Los Angeles

It may be cooling down a bit out there, but anytime is a good time for ice cream in Los Angeles. You have definitely seen beautiful large Frenchmacarons sandwiched around ice cream and you have probably wondersed where to get them. Well look no further, I’ve got the five places to enjoy them in Los Angeles. Check it out here on LAist -

These ice cream sandwiches are so good that Food & Wine regrammed my pic!

Best Cotton Candy | Los Angeles

Today is National Cotton Candy Day! While you used to have to wait for a carnival or fair to enjoy these treats, you can now find creative cotton candy confections around Los Angeles. In celebration of these big bright puffs of sweet spun sugar, here are three of my favorites:

Bon Puf

Bon Puf offers cotton candy catering, yes it is a thing! They offer organic and all natural cotton candy with fun flavors like mango chile, chai tea or salted caramel. A childhood classic elevated.

Culina Affogato

Culina at the Four Season puts an Italian spin on cotton candy in the form of an affogato. You morning coffee never looked so good. Vanilla bean gelato waits patiently underneath a large white cotton candy cloud. Espresso is then poured over top slowly dissolving the spun sugar into your coffee. That is an affogato I can stand behind!

Barton G's Marie Antoinette Cotton Candy

Taking it up a notch is the Marie Antoinette’s Head cotton candy concoction at Barton G. Adding a theatrical twist to fine dining, Pastry Chef Luis Vasquez artfully crafts yards of pink cotton candy in the shape of an over the top two-foot edible cotton candy wig. It is a sight to see!

Coachella 2014 Dessert Guide

Coachella Weekend 2 is upon us. For those of you planning your weekend eating and drinking, I have a guide to some of the best Coachella dessert options!

Located in the Terrace dining area near the Do Lab and those awesome fish tacos are an array of artisan purveyors. I particularly enjoyed the refreshing selection of handmade popsicles from Sweet Clementines. Lemon Buttermilk was tart and light and their Strawberry Rose was just blissful ($5).

If you haven’t discovered already on this blog, Le Bon Garcon are my favorite French style caramels. It was such a pleasant surprise to find them in the Terrace Dining area. You can grab a pocket ful of these carames ($5) and enjoy a sweet little bit throughout the day. The sea salt caramels are soft, smooth and satisfying.

Portand darling Salt & Straw is at Coachella this year offering their delectable ice cream and they are stationed right next to Stumptown – double win! Their Arbequina olive oil is one of my favorite flavors so I was stocked to find it on the menu. Paired with Coffee bourbon and you are set. Single scoops are $7 so opt for the double $10, you deserve it.

An LA fave dessert shop has found it’s way to the desert – Creme Caramel LA. You can take a little mid day breather and treat yourself to the mid day sweets break and enjoy the BEST creme caramel EVER! Other menu options include, upside down pies, frozen vanilla custard bombs and some jazzed up rice crispy snacks. Go!

For those who like their sweet a little savory, you can enjoy an awesome arepa treat from multiple stands throughout the field. Sweet griddle corn, ooey gooey mozarella with a health drizzle of honey. It’s the honey that makes it.

And of course the best for last… Coolhaus. A Coachella VIP favorite, regulars come back for ice cream sammie goodness year after year and for good reason – it’s good! I opted for a Strawberry Mojito scoop last weekend, but this weekend I’m going for the gold and getting a Potato chip butterscotch cookie + Fried Chicken Caramel ice cream sammie. Bring it.

Enough sweets to fill your entire week. Happy dessert-ing.

#FreeConeDay Touring Ben & Jerry’s HQ

Did you hear? Today is Ben & Jerry’s Annual FREE CONE DAY! Some may say the happiest day of the year and I wouldn’t disagree, it certainly is the Ben & Jerriest day of the year.  Scoop shops around the world will be dishing out free cups and cones* TODAY! This annual event actually began 35 years ago when Ben & Jerry’s wanted to say “thank you!” to their beloved ice cream fans and the community that supported them after their first year of business. And thankfully this awesome day has been a tradition ever since.  I recently had the privilage of spending two days in Burlington Vermont with the Ben & Jerry’s team on a press trip. Here is a glimpse into those magical ice cream filled days…

We went to the Ben & Jerry’s Headquarters and met the team. Everyone was so welcoming and kind (and they all get 3 free pints a day!). We toured the offices, ate ice cream, went down a slide and learned more about the company in Scoop U! I think one of my biggest take-aways from this trip was really understanding the Ben & Jerry’s social mission. It is truly impressive to see how involved in social activism and values of Fair Trade sourcing the company is. Read more here.

We spent some time with the R&D team learning more about their super premium ice creams. We cut into some pints to test quality, consistency and distribution of chunks and swirls. This was my first meeting with their Milk and Cookies flavor (see above) and it was love at first bite. I will never forget you Milk and Cookies xoxo!

Then we got a chance to divide up into teams and create our own fantasy flavor! My team consisted of SoCal pals Cathy, Matt and Erin. While our creation wasn’t the winning flavor, it was a winner in our hearts and bellies!

We also toured the Ben & Jerry’s facility in Waterbury. We got a peak into the factory and enjoyed ice cream fresh off the production line. We even got a chance to literally cut right into all of the NEW Core flavors.

All in all it was an incredible two days in Vermont. I met knew bloggers and enjoyed the company of old blogging pals. We ate well and the ice cream never stopped flowing.  I left an even bigger fan of chunks and swirls!

Now off to get my #freeconeday ice cream cone!

* To confirm Free Cone Day participation and hours, make sure to check out the Scoop Shop Locator at http://www.benjerry.com or contact your local Scoop Shop in advance.

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Super Sharpie
Super Sharpie
Item Number: LP3501

Super Sharpie

Imagine asking a spectator to think of any number. You write a prediction on the back of your business card. When they say their number, you turn over your card and it matches. Every time! Does magic get any more direct than this?

Now you can predict a spectator�s freely thought of name, number, date, age - even the amount of change in their pocket. The list goes on and on - and your reputation will only grow and grow!

All this is possible with the Super Sharpie. The Super Sharpie is a revolutionary redesign of mentalism's most potent weapon. It's so incredibly simple to use, you�ll be performing mind boggling mental miracles just minutes after practicing with it.

The Super Sharpie can be used as a regular Sharpie - because it is! Feel free to hand it to spectators to sign cards - they�ll never discover its hidden secret.

There�s a built-in precision gimmick that allows you to make sharp, distinct predictions with clarity and legibility. Best of all, you'll do all this right under their noses - while they're staring at you. Since it's all built into the pen, there's no fumbling. You start clean when you pull the pen out, and you end clean when you put the pen away.

It�s self-contained, self-inking and undetectable, and it's always ready to go. You�ll make your predictions on playing cards (even plastic cards), business cards, and virtually anything else that you can write on with a regular a Sharpie pen.

In the 15 minute companion video CD (included), you�ll learn expert technique that will get you up and running with your Super Sharpe immediately. Comes with Super Sharpie, video CD and illustrated instructions.

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Callisto for Shopify - Premium Responsive Theme

Callisto for Shopify - Premium Responsive Theme

Themeforest Twitter Facebook Shopify

Callisto is a sharp looking Shopify theme, that offers two different style options – light and dark. Callisto is fully Responsive, it looks and works great on mobile devices, tablets and computers.

Theme is highly customizable, sports unique “quick shop” feature and other great features rarely seen in other Shopify themes. It’s great for selling products of any kind – everything from fashion clothing all the way to computer hardware – will look awesome and sell well.

Callisto is also available as a HTML template (Photoshop files included)

Callisto is made by a verified Shopify Expert

Shopify expert

Callisto for Shopify

features features features features

  • Fully Responsive design – mobile, tablet and computer version
  • Two styles – Light and Dark
  • Unique Quick-shop feature
  • Custom styled checkout
  • Custom styled customer area (shipping address management etc.)
  • Customizable front page with large slider, top products and latest news sections
  • Beautiful typography
  • Drop down menu support
  • Social media sharing
  • Twitter feed
  • Customizable sidebar
  • Switchable 3 or 4 column collection layouts
  • SEO optimized
  • Full width page layout
  • Contact form
  • Newsletter signup form
  • Compatible with all major modern browsers.

Want to learn more? Check out Callisto documentation.

Change log

May 31st, 2013.
* Updated the design of footer - it now has 4 instead of 3 columns.
* Replaced the old deprecated twitter feed in footer with a new one.
* Removed twitter feed from blog sidebar.
* After popular demand a second level has been added to the mobile menu.

Help and Support

To contact us for support, please write to Please note that we are located in Europe, so support is available only at European daytime during working days. It may take up to 24h for well detailed response to your problem.

Please note that we only provide support:

  • In case of errors in our product
  • To advise you about using our product’s features

We DO NOT have to:

  • Assist you in modifying you’re website, for example, changing colors of buttons, moving sections etc. (Since we are really nice, we usually help customers out with little and easy things anyway)
  • Create custom functionality for you (It’s like writing to Microsoft and asking for custom built version of Windows)
  • Teach you HTML & CSS
  • Provide help for using the underlying platform – in this case (Shopify has it’s own support)


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Gertrude Seabury Kaauwai of Kalaupapa, Dies at 78 | The Molokai Dispatch

Gertrude Seabury Kaauwai of Kalaupapa, Dies at 78

By Ka`ohulani McGuire

Gertrude Roselani “Spitfire” Seabury Kaauwai, known for her determined spirit and “spunk,” died on Dec. 24, 2010 at Straub Hospital. She was 78.

Raised on Maui, Aunty Gertie or “Girlie,” as she was affectionately known, was born on Nov. 26, 1932 at Olowalu. At age 11, Gertrude was sent to Kalaupapa on Sept. 27, 1944 where she was a resident for 66 years. Even though she was free to leave, she chose to remain in the home that she came to love. Known for her mischievous pranks and her spunky attitude, Gertrude earned the nickname of “Spitfire” from one of the Catholic sisters. For Gertrude, being sent to Kalaupapa was a blessing in disguise.  There she found new independence and freedom. Eventually she met and married the love of her life, Barney Kaauwai, whom she credited for having made her a better person.

Aunty Gertie learned the art of la`au lapa`au from older Hawaiian residents at Kalaupapa. Her favorite plant was the hauowi from which she made a tea to treat kidney problems. The leaves were also pounded into a poultice and used to heal broken bones or treat skin problems. Many a resident turned to Aunty Gertie to treat their ailments.

Visitors who spent any amount of time at Kalaupapa knew Aunty Gertie as the “cat lady.” Every afternoon at 1:30, Aunty would start preparing and cooking a gourmet meal for her colony of beloved cats, feeding them steak, hamburger and other delicacies mixed in with dry cat food. Even more amazing was that she had names for all of her cats and could tell them apart. At any one time, Gertrude fed anywhere from 25 to 35 cats at her home, not to mention the numerous other feral cats around the settlement. What a comical sight to see her car driving down the road and the cats running from all directions following after her knowing they would get fed.

But, most of all, Aunty Gertie will be missed at Fuesina’s bar where she played cribbage six nights a week. She was a great teacher and many a visitor learned to play cribbage and got “skunked” by her. Her knack at remembering numbers and instantly knowing the score as soon as she saw your hand was uncanny and remarkable.

Aunty Gertie was a true hulu kupuna. Beloved by all, she will be greatly missed by the Kalaupapa community and everyone who knew her. When reminiscing about the good ole’ days, Aunty liked to use a favorite expression, “I drop tears.” When we think of Aunty Gertie, we will all drop tears for her.

Gertrude is survived by daughters Laura, Debra, Sharon and Cynthia Frasco; stepsons, Charles, Earl, Wayne and Christopher Kaauwai; numerous grandchildren; sisters, Elizabeth Kahihikolo and Anna Maglinti; and brothers, William and Lawrence Seabury. Gertrude was laid to rest in a private burial at Papaloa Cemetery, Kalaupapa.

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Meet a Museum Blogger

Meet a Museum Blogger: Gretchen Jennings

Gretchen Jennings is a museum administrator, educator, and exhibition project director. Her B.A. and M.A. are in History from, respectively, St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana and Concordia University, Montreal.

From 2005 to 2007 she served as Director of Education for Interpretation and Visitor Experience at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. She has been a project director or senior staff member on several major traveling exhibitions, including Invention at Play, Secrets of Aging, and the Psychology exhibition. Both Invention at Play and Psychology received awards of exhibition excellence from the American Association of Museums.

Ms. Jennings has published and spoken widely on topics that include cultural diversity, museums and aging, exhibition development, project management for traveling exhibitions, and the creation of appropriate museum spaces for young children. For the past several years she has taught a course on museum education for the National Council of Science Museums in Kolkata, India. Since May 2007 she has served as Editor of the Exhibitionist, the journal of the National Association of Museum Exhibition (NAME).

Are you ready to learn more about Gretchen? Let’s dive in!

Gretchen JenningsDo you work in a museum? If not, where do you work? Tell us about your job.

I don’t currently work in a museum. Since 2007 I’ve been the Editor for Exhibitionist, the journal of AAM (American Alliance of Museums)’s professional network on exhibition, NAME (National Association for Museum Exhibition). We publish in spring and fall each year, and include case studies, nuts and bolts advice, exhibit critiques, research on exhibits – all kinds of current information for exhibit developers, designers, educators, curators and directors – anyone interested in exhibitions. A recent development is that you don’t have to join NAME or AAM to subscribe – just go to the AAM website.  Before becoming Editor, I worked in museums for about 30 years. I started as an educator, but was very lucky to get involved in exhibition development early on, first as an educator on exhibit teams and later as project director. My last job, as Director of Interpretation and Visitor Experience at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, allowed me to combine these two areas: I was part of the Education and Programming Department but was tasked with making sure that all exhibitions being developed had educators on the teams who not only worked on teacher materials but also contributed substantively to the interpretive strategies being developed for the exhibition.

What’s your educational background?

B.A. in Humanities and History with minor in Education from St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN.

M.A. in African and European History from Concordia University, Montreal, Canada.

Certificate in intercultural training from SITAR, Society for Intercultural Training and Research. This training, plus my studies in African history and culture, have led to a lifelong interest in cross cultural teaching and a focus on cultural sensitivity in museums.

What was your ‘sticky’ moment?

Not sure what you mean by this, but if you mean when I decided to start blogging, it was after a national museums conference in 2011. At the conference there seemed to be lots of discussion about important and difficult topics that were not being addressed publically. The discussions were diffuse, and didn’t necessarily include specific topics, but there was an air of dissatisfaction. At the same time, many with whom I spoke were either employed in museums or consultants for museums, and we discussed the difficulties of speaking frankly while trying to remain employed in a tight job market. I thought to myself – I don’t work in or for a museum; I could raise difficult and sensitive issues in the field in a blog. I cleared this with my contacts at NAME, assuring them I would state on my blog that my opinions were my own, and got the go-ahead from them.

What is the name of your blog? How long have you been blogging?

At the museums meeting, I attended a session by cultural critic and essayist Lewis Hyde. He discussed his recent book, Common as Air, in which he outlined the steps we need to take to protect our “cultural commons.” The idea of the “commons” symbolizing something of value that is shared and protected collaboratively, whether it is a common grazing ground in 16th century England, or a common cultural heritage, appeals to me. So I named my blog Museum Commons. I began blogging in summer, 2011. I found access to an image of Judy Chicago’s The Dinner Party, which is a huge dining room table set with plates symbolizing accomplished women from history, and it forms the backdrop to the blog site. I wanted it to suggest a conversation about museums that would be both critical and civil.

What do you blog about? Why?

I try to stick to topics that some might find sticky or difficult to discuss within the field. As said above, I think I have the freedom to raise issues that others cannot. I’ve written a lot on museum educators’ lack of power and influence in museums; on museums and sexual harassment; on the field’s lack of acknowledgement of women artists and LGBT artists and themes. I am continually struck by the field’s lack of connection with current issues through which they might reach out to their communities. I wrote a post asking “Where is Trayvon Martin in our Social Media?” and one on our disconnect with the impact of Superstorm Sandy on museums in the northeast, and on the opportunity for museums in the storm area that were up and running to reach out to local storm victims.

Have you ever regretted a blog post?

I don’t think I’ve ever regretted a post because I do something that I learned long ago about writing anything of substance, and that is to let it sit overnight. This is especially true for something that I feel pretty strongly about. For one thing, when I go back, I often find typos (when I miss one, I really do regret it!), even though I’ve proofed and proofed. When I finish a blog, I’m usually really eager to post, but I’ve found over and over that when I go back in the morning I find things I’m glad I didn’t say, ways of stating an idea better, and just overall I find I’m happier with something that I’ve reflected on a bit.

What’s the nicest comment you’ve ever received?

The nicest comment was from a friend and colleague who told me that she and other colleagues at her museum look forward to my posts and actually discuss them with each other.

What’s your most read blog post? Tell us about it.

My three most popular posts have all been on the role of educators. One of these, called “Confessions of a Formal Education Enabler” discussed my own history of justifying museums by how much they fulfill school standards rather than focusing more on why museums are unique and valuable in themselves. The others, on the theme of “What’s Next for Museum Educators” all looked this question in varying ways and suggested that educators, while not abandoning their longtime relationship with the formal education system, develop skills that make them more effective and influential in the major projects of museums, especially exhibition development and social media outreach. I should say that I get most of my comments on LinkedIn groups related to museum education and design, and many fewer on the blog site itself. The discussions of the education posts continue in these groups for months but this doesn’t show up on the blog.

Do you tweet? Why or why not?

I do tweet and I love it, but am not addicted to it. I don’t go to my account every day, and I follow more than I tweet. I wrote a post called “Twitter for the Rest of Us” in which I tried to explain to museum folks “of a certain age” why Twitter is not a waste of time and in fact can be a great professional development tool. I feel that I’ve learned so much about social media by following the tweets and links of colleagues like you, most of whom are younger than I and so much more knowledgeable about new uses of technology. I save many tweets with links to articles about media or other interesting topics, and then I try to read them once a week or so, especially before I write a new post. I often find ideas there. So I would say, that the suggestions I get for articles, reports, etc. from colleagues on Twitter are my “go-to” online museum resource.  Plus, I feel I have a whole new network of museum friends and colleagues through Twitter.

What do you see as the biggest challenge (or opportunity) facing museums today?

I think one of the biggest challenges AND opportunities for museums today is to show more empathy, i.e. demonstrate through programs, social media, exhibitions, etc, a connection with their communities over real life issues that concern them, such as the Trayvon Martin case, or Hurricane Sandy, as I mentioned above. I plan to blog more on this in the coming year.

Thanks for sharing your perspective and expertise on Meet a Museum Blogger, Gretchen! I’m especially interested in empathy as the biggest challenge and opportunity in museums.

In case you missed it, Gretchen blogs at Museum Commons. Do you have any additional questions for Gretchen regarding her profile above? What do you think about empathy being the biggest challenge and opportunity for museums? Feel free to start a conversation in the comments below or reach out to her directly on Twitter. Her Twitter handle is @gretchjennI highly encourage you to use the #MuseumBlogger hashtag. TY!

Are you interested in being profiled or know someone who would be? Send an email to

11 thoughts on “Meet a Museum Blogger: Gretchen Jennings

  1. Another awesome interview! Gretchen’s perspective is incredibly rich and really fascinating. Thank you for sharing these, and keep them coming!!

    Sent from my iPod

  2. I admire Gretchen Jennings and her courage to talk about controversial topics in the museum world. I’m always afraid to wade too far into those waters since I’m job-searching. Kudos to Museum Commons!

  3. Pingback: Meet A Museum Blogger – It’s Me! | Museums Askew

  4. Pingback: Museum Bloggers at #AAM2014 | Museum Minute

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Minimalist apps are all the rage right now. The idea of cutting out all but the simplest of interface elements and focusing on letting the user complete a single task really well has inspired the likes of iA Writer, Clear and Byword. While some of The Next Web team adore this approach, I’m sometimes left wondering whether these apps are really all they’re cracked up to be.

This was particularly highlighted when I was recently pitched Pop, a notepad app for iOS that takes simplicity to its extreme by having no features at all. You get a white screen (with a tiny page curl in the corner for effect) and you type away. That’s it. When you’re done, you can copy and paste the text to wherever you want to use it.

I’ll admit – while I appreciate the hidden controls and subtle use of sound of the likes of OmmWriter Dana, Pop seemed to be taking things a step too far – to the point where it was simply laughing at those who bought it – “Ha, you paid 99 cents for a blank screen.”

However, Pop was released to a positive buzz, with favorable reviews, and it hit the top 25 rankings in the App Store’s Productivity section within two days – so there’s clearly a demand for it. To try to understand how the app came about and who it’s designed for, I spoke to its UK-based designer, Colin McFarland.

TNW: So, minimalist apps are the Emperor’s New Clothes, right? I look at an app that’s just a white screen and the ability to type text and I just think “Surely that’s just a ‘My first text entry’ app from a ‘learn to code for iOS’ course?” Why wouldn’t I just use the iOS Notes app?

CM: Pop was designed for the single purpose of writing something down and worrying about what do with it later, hopefully Pop is invisible and you don’t notice it at all, you came here to write something.

Maybe you’ll use both — just like you have a few notebooks, post-its, or pieces of paper. Maybe Pop is all you need, or maybe it won’t be useful for you. It’s for you to decide its purpose. If you just want to write something down, do you need more than ‘a white screen and the ability to type text’?

TNW: But where does it end? Once you’ve had an app that does nothing but let you type, is it possible to get any more minimal?

CM: Pop wasn’t designed to be the most minimal app, it was designed to only have the features that are necessary for quickly writing something down. Features exist where they are useful, like Copy All so you can get out quicker — with a word count as an after thought. Pop tries to make features invisible, so they don’t get in the way.

TNW: Okay, you’re starting to sway me a little. Is there a temptation to add more features? How do you do that without losing that minimal feel?

CM: The design was driven by a core philosophy: Feature number one should always be as few features as needed to perform the primary purpose. There are other things that could help serve the purpose, like synching between devices since Pop is a universal app. Again though, I’m not interested in features getting in the way, any new features would need to remain invisible.

TNW: Aside from Pop, what other minimalist apps would you recommend for people interested in the genre, and why?

CM: I appreciate the simplicity of these apps, all-purpose built to do one thing well.

Instapaper by Marco Arment (save pages to read them later), Clear by Realmac Software: (to-do list with a completely gestural interface, not a button in sight), Dot series by UsTwo (Minimal games created in 48 hours, start with the original DOT), The Accidental News Explorer by Brendan Dawes (A simple news app that lets you find something, then find something else).

Q: So, what’s next for you?

CM: Maybe more from Pop, definitely more apps following the same philosophy.

➤ Pop for iOS


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Is Diamond Foods the Next WorldCom?
Diamond Foods once was a high-flier, but now it's embroiled in an accounting scandal. Wait for the dust to settle before considering jumping in.
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Santa Claus Rally Ahead: 3 Stocks to Buy & 2 to Avoid
Attention shoppers! That pretty much includes all of us at this time of year, and now is the time to take advantage of these 3 outstanding holiday stock buys
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Hershey Reports Higher Earnings; Tops Estimates; Raises Outlook (HSY)

Chocolate producer, Hershey Co (HSY) reported higher earnings for its first quarter on Thursday, which came in above analysts estimates. They company has also raised its full year guidance.

The Hershey, PA based company reported first quarter profit of $241.91 million, or $1.06 per share, up 18% from $198.65, or 87 cents per share last year. Excluding special items, earnings were $248.47 million, or $1.09 per share, which beat analysts estimate of $1.04 per share.

Sales for the quarter rose 5.5% to $1.8 billion, which matched analysts estimate of $1.8 billion.

The increase in sales was from primarily due to increased sales volumes for its candies. Although the company has been faced with higher expenses for ingredients, higher pricing has offset the costs. The company said that it will spend more on marketing this year, and focus on promoting its latest acquisition Brookside products, which is a premium candy company.

Looking ahead, Hershey has improved its FY2013 outlook, and now expects to see earnings between $3.61 and $3.65 per share. This outlook is up from the company’s prior estimate of earnings between $3.56 and $3.63 per share. The company maintained its revenue growth outlook of 5% to 7%.

Hershey shares were up 49 cents, or 0.55% during Thursday morning trading. The stock has increased 35% in the past year.

The Bottom Line
Shares of Hershey Co (HSY) have a 1.87% yield, based on Thursday morning’s price of $89.98.

Hershey Co (HSY) is not recommended at this time, holding a Dividend.com DARS™ Rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars.

Be sure to visit our complete recommended list of the Best Dividend Stocks, as well as a detailed explanation of our ratings system here.

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At the time the U.S. Constitution was being drafted and ratified, there was a lot of skepticism over whether the proposed Constitution would prevent the new Federal Government from encroaching on the rights of the States. In fact, Thomas Paine, Patrick Henry, and Samuel Adams actually boycotted the 1787 Philadelphia Constitutional Convention, and of the 55 delegates that did attend the Convention, only 39 of them signed the resulting Constitution. Those who didn't sign were very concerned that it granted the new Federal Government too much power, endangered the sovereignty of the States, and was a threat to individual liberty.i These men became known as the "Anti-Federalists." Those supporting the ratification of the proposed Constitution, the "Federalists," attempted to put their minds at ease by proving to them that the Constitution only gave the Federal Government a few limited powers and that safeguards did exist to keep it from going beyond those limited powers. One way the Federalists did this was through a series of newspaper articles written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay, that later became known as The Federalist Papers.ii It was on these reassurances by the Federalists that the Constitution was eventually ratified by the States.

James Madison promised the Anti-Federalists that the new Federal Government would be very limited in power compared to the States. He explained, "The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite. The [powers of the federal government] will be exercised principally on external objects, as war, peace, negotiation, and foreign commerce; with which last the power of taxation will, for the most part, be connected. The powers reserved to the several States will extend to all the objects which, in the ordinary course of affairs, concern the lives, liberties, and properties of the people, and the internal order, improvement, and prosperity of the State."iii Article I Section 8 of the Constitution is the list of those powers which are delegated to the Federal Government. Alexander Hamilton reassured the Anti-Federalists that any federal acts which go beyond these listed powers are not valid, but instead are invasions of State authority, and are to be considered merely acts of usurpation, and deserve to be treated as such.iv

Madison also pointed out that the States had no reason to be threatened by the presence of federal agents of any type. The number of individuals employed by the Federal Government would be much smaller than the number employed by the State governments. A State with their militia (made up of every citizen, each with their right to keep and bear arms) would greatly outnumber any federal standing army that might attempt to oppress them. The Federal Government would have tax collectors, but the States would have many more. At that time it was considered unlikely that the Federal Government would ever need to collect internal taxes, but instead would collect its revenue from external taxes (e.g., taxes on imported goods). And the actual collection of any taxes under the immediate authority of the Union would be made by the officers appointed by the States, and that the States would determine the rules on how they were collected.v

Madison assured the Anti-Federalists that State governments will always have the advantage over the federal. State governments are regarded as constituent and essential parts of the federal government, but the federal is in no way essential to the operation or organization of a State. Without the intervention of the State legislatures (via the electoral college) the President of the United States cannot be elected at all. The U.S. Senate was elected absolutely and exclusively by the State legislatures (until the 17th Amendment eliminated this provision in 1913). Therefore, through these safeguards the State governments were able to properly influence and maintain control over the Federal Government. On the other hand, the Federal Government has no such control over the appointments or elections of the State Government, and therefore has little influence over its members. (This was, of course, before the time of federal education grants, federal highway funds, energy subsidies, Medicaid grants, and other similar methods the Federal Government uses today to bribe State governments).vi

One of the arguments made by the Anti-Federalists was that the proposed Constitution did not sufficiently adhere to a republican form of government, that the Convention didn't adequately preserve federalism, which regards the Confederacy as a compact of sovereign States; that instead the Convention was framing a nationalist government which regards the Union as a consolidation of the States. In Federalist #39, Madison goes through great pains to explain that the United States is not a national government, but instead a mostly federal one. "The proposed government cannot be deemed a national one; since its jurisdiction extends to certain enumerated objects only, and leaves to the several States a residuary and inviolable sovereignty over all other objects." vii

These were how the state ratifying conventions interpreted the Constitution at the time they agreed to its terms and therefore ratified it. As with any contract, it is the original interpretation alone that it is the legitimate Constitution.

John Pickerill

Montgomery County Tea Party


text:
Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Tagged under:

Supremacists on the March

TPQ runs a statement from Greater Ardoyne Residents Collective issued on 24th March 2013

This coming Easter Monday the Apprentice Boys will once again have an unwanted sectarian triumphalist march through Ardoyne, Mountainview and The Dales against the wishes of the vast majority of local residents who remain opposed to such open expressions of sectarianism in their area.

Permission for this march has been granted by the discredited Parades Commission despite the continued refusal of the Apprentice Boys to speak to local residents groups. This is despite the Parades Commission having a supposed position of looking unfavourably on applications where marches are contentious yet no attempt to speak to residents is made.

What the Parades Commission are demonstrating is that they are in fact failing to follow their own guidelines and procedures when making determinations and vindicating the long held view of GARC and others that they are unfit for purpose.

However this offer does not extend to UVF front organisations and their spokespeople. Their only objective in terms of the parading issue in our area is not to find a peaceful resoulution, but to boost their own egos and support for an organisation that in the not too distant past the people of the Shankill held demonstrations against.

The Apprentice Boys are, like the other Loyal Orders, a Protestant supremacist organisation that have at the centre of their ethos the fundamental belief that being Protestant somehow makes them a class above the rest of us. Nowhere is this exemplified better than in their attitude to Ardoyne Residents for each of their marches here. The Apprentice Boys board a bus in the Shankill/Woodvale area, travel past Greater Ardoyne on said bus, disembark at their march assembly point, proceed to march through Greater Ardoyne where they are neither welcome nor appreciated, are greeted by a howling mob of loyalists behind Holy Cross Chapel and then reboard their waiting bus and travel 75 miles to Derry.

The obvious questions to be asked of the Apprentice Boys, locally and at leadership level, is why they simply don’t board their bus when they assemble and go to Derry? Why is it so important to march through an area that has shown time and time again for generations that their sectarianism is not welcome? Why can they not have a day celebrating their culture without first having to trample over the rights of their neighbours to live free from sectarianism? And the simple answers are that they enjoy the opportunity to remind the “taigs” of their place, and that while permission is continually granted by the Parades Commission then it will be continually sought.

For our part, GARC remain fully committed to having dialogue with any and all of the Loyal Orders, either face to face or through agreed intermediaries, in order that they get a representative feeling of the vast majority of Greater Ardoyne residents – that no sectarian marches are welcome. This has been our stated position and remains the case.

However this offer does not extend to UVF front organisations and their spokespeople. Their only objective in terms of the parading issue in our area is not to find a peaceful resoulution, but to boost their own egos and support for an organisation that in the not too distant past the people of the Shankill held demonstrations against.

It remains our view that the only peaceful solution to this issue is to have a neutral no-parade zone on the Crumlin and Ardoyne Roads as proposed by us in 2012, where no one parades and causes disruption to the lives of the people of Ardoyne, Mountainview and The Dales. To date this is the only attempt at solution that has not been attempted, and it is GARC’s opinion that the creation of such a zone would end the hurt, distress, disruption and chaos that ensues in the aftermath of sectarian parades through our area.

GARC remain committed, as the largest and most representative residents group in the area, to opposing sectarian marches through peaceful and radical means. We continue to receive massive support within the area, and will continue to do our best to give a voice to all those fed up with the continual abuse of our human rights by Loyal Orders, the Parades Commission and the PSNI and others who facilitate unwanted sectarian marches.

itsjustmacker said...

They still believe in their own minds that they are the supreme species.

Scenario for everyone, The Dark Horse, Peter The Punt (Robinson) stating to the parades commission, Stop this parade and you will have an Ulster Workers Strike, They have SF were they wanted them to be, Under there feet. Once SF signed the GFA document, THEY BECAME BRITISH, they accepted the rule of the crown, and, No Longer can they call themselves "REPUBLICANS", But , they still pretend to do so. whether its Bodenstown or wherever , they don't have a right to be there. How many have been lifted in Ardoyne and other areas on the word of SF?, The people will soon realise there lies and deceit. They can fool all of the people some of the time, But they cant fool all of the people all of the time. seems its going to be the same again, RUC/PSNI closing of Ardoyne so as the Residence can't get out, Just to let 1690 bigots trample over the Ardoyne Area, whilst UVF commanders stand at woodvale, drunk out of there heads, encouraging the drunk Protestant youths to throw empty beer bottles, golf balls, ball bearings. To me there is only one alternative. Rebel against it, logic states there is no other alternative. The LOL do not want to speak to the official Residents spokes persons (GARC). Maybe someone has a more logical means of diluting this annual fiasco, But I doubt it, SF gave them the right to trample over the taigs. Is that not sad or what, and, they still have the brazen face to call themselves Republicans?.

treehugger said...

thanks for carrying the statement mackers.
GARC held there annual AGM around 10 weeks ago with a great turnout from the local community and a committee was elected from the floor.
This statement was sent to all media outlets and all have refused to carry it, even in todays irish news they choose to run with the sf front residents group who speak on behalf of no one but themselves and the orders they are giving from sevestpol st or connolly house.

AM said...

don't worry. Sevastopol Street has no say here. We have always broken its censorship edicts. The Irish News should have carried it to reflect the diversity of opinion out there at a time when the First Minister is trying to starve it of readership. And agree with the paper or not we must never allow it to be censored.

Fionnuala Perry said...

They are as supreme as the Klu Klux Klan, only difference is the Klan covered their faces as there was a degree of accountability not here!
An Island of equals, shared future, respecting traditions, how ridiculous must this skound to the people spouting this nonsense.

Niall said...

Why don't you do what the Unionists do - ignore the Parades Commission ruling and do your won thing - I'm not being sarcastic here for that is exactly what Unionism is doing

larry hughes said...

Just so you know and understand our Protestant and loyalism 'countrymen'. Here's something I read recently researching the importance of banners in unionist culture.

'According to Anthony D. Buckley, the most common Bible stories shown on banners are from the Old Testament and most have one or both of the following themes: a Godly person or people living amongst strangers or sinners, or in a foreign land; and the rewards of faithfulness.'

Now stop being rude to the Protestants you fenian heathens! KNEEL and REPENT!!!

larry hughes said...

And for those clamouring to make excuses for them, it continues.

'The stories act as an analogy for the history and position of Protestants in Ireland. New Testament themes such as loving one's enemies are rarely expressed'.

frankie said...

Both sides of the oxymornons on Alliance Ave...


text:
Improving Economy Proves Obama Right Man for Top Job

Job numbers are growing, the Health Care bill is showing savings for Medicare for over $200 billion by 2016, and the stock market is doing well; all of this, even after President Barack Obama took the country over at the beginning of the Great Recession. And now Republicans seem unhappy because he didn’t completely clean up the mess left from their party’s president, George W. Bush.

President Obama may not have gotten this country back on track quick enough to please everyone; at least those impatiently expecting him to perform miracles and bring the country back from the brink of disaster, this after eight years in the making but he’s getting us there. Those most impatient and unhappy with him are the conservatives.

Imagine this; a group of people decide to throw a humdinger party. They mess the house up with all of the leftovers from the party, break furniture and turn over everything and then hire someone to come in and clean it up afterwards. The person or persons who cleans the house, does the best job they can but it isn’t quick enough or good enough for those who partied, they want it clean now and they want to fire the cleaning help because they’re not moving quick enough, cleaning up the mess they made. Imagine now that the partiers are the GOP and now they’re complaining because Obama; the cleanup guy is not doing a good enough job and they also want the house back so that they can do some more partying.

But what is most frustrating for the Republicans is the fact that Obama is doing a better job than they hoped for, and this after all the obstruction they’ve put up before him to keep him from doing a good job, or otherwise, let the country suffer for the good of the party winning back control of the White House in 2012. The party of “Country First” always shows what they’re really made of after all.

In spite of the GOP, optimism is growing. This is bad for Republicans in November, all of this after their efforts to discredit this president at every turn, trying their best not to given him credit for anything good. To hear them tell it, you’d think he was the one who sent our country into worse recession ever. This optimism isn’t just isolated to the average American citizen but also the experts; the economist, that is. Economists see job growth stronger by 20 percent than they did in January. This means that things are better than what was expected.

Still, gas prices are high which affect a lot of Americans. Republicans are of course trying to blame Obama for gas prices. I distinctly remember Republican friends of mine arguing with me back during the Bush administration that presidents couldn’t do much about gas prices, this was in defense of the soaring gas prices during Bush’s term in office. Now they’ve changed their mind and they’re blaming Obama for the high prices.

The good news is that now many Americans are spending money anyway and they’re getting back to work, slowly but surely and the economy is lifting off again. It would be a shame if we messed that all up by putting another Republican in the White House, one that’s bent on cutting more taxes for the wealthy as President Bush did during his term which – after starting two wars – cut taxes for everyone but especially two huge tax cuts for the wealthy.

The country is actually recovering if Americans can just have patience and give it time. What’s important is that we don’t go back in time and forget our mistakes of the past. We’ve watched Reaganomics at work in this country for over 30 years and they’ve proven to be a failure. As the old saying goes “Rome was not built in a day” and neither can we build an economy that is strong and can stand against the winds of time.

President Obama has attempted to handle the bigger problems of our economy and of the environment. His willingness to put on the table something as big as the Affordable Care Act shows that his job is more than just winning popularity. His stubbornness concerning the Keystone oil pipeline because of environmental concerns, reveals a man who knows that it may cost him votes in November to do the right thing but then does the right thing anyway – not something you can expect out of politicians nowadays from either party, they all seem determined to serve their own interests.

We can continue to elect presidents who serve their own interest and that of their party or we can reelect a president who has proven he’s not afraid of the bigger issues and he’s not afraid to stand up for what he believes in.

Let’s look at it this way; President Obama is like a thermostat; he changes things. Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney is a thermometer who reacts to change and changes himself, depending on the temperature in the room.

I like how the temperature is feeling now and it’s getting more pleasant as time goes; I say let’s keep the thermostat set at a comfortable setting and keep the president we have and let the thermometer instead, react to the news of his loss this coming November.