Courtesy of Vic Armijo
The Tour of the Unknown Coast includes 10- and 20-mile rides as well as longer routes. Families are welcome.
Tags : Voyage
Archive for April, 2011
I have a soft spot for Doctor Who. Theres just no other show that so uniquely combines epic adventure and boisterous fun, and is a show I can watch with my entire family. I especially love that it airs on Saturdays, as a ride in the TARDIS is a perfect diversion after a long work week. While it wasnt the most whiz-bang episode ever, The Impossible Astronaut proved theres nothing like time spent with The Doctor.
Being the first part of a two-part story set in 1969 America (at least for now), there was more exposition and there were less genuine scares and surprises in this episode than I was hoping for. There wasnt that fantastic moment or visual that will stick in my head. But I can understand why. Not only did this episode have to set up its own story, it also introduced what I expect will be the ongoing thread for season six: the death of The Doctor. Eleven is fatally wounded by a mysterious astronaut (hence the title) mid-regeneration, and is pronounced permanently dead. Though he quickly rejoins us as a younger version of himself, setting up all sorts of fun Terminator-like paradox issues, one has to wonder how the show will address this fact in the future. I dont see them saying that Matt Smith will be the last Doctor, so Im curious how theyll resolve the whole thing without royally cocking up time as we know it. Or maybe they will. Who knows? Thatll be the fun.
But thats all for another time far, far away (hopefully) and this is now. The Doctor brings Amy, Rory and River Song along as he lands in 1969 Washington, DC and offers to help Richard Nixon with the mysterious phone calls hes been receiving from a little girl about a you guessed it spaceman. Seeing earlier America so faithfully recreated and with aliens involved made me think of Dark Skies with love. We meet ex-FBI agent Canton Delaware, who is played by Leverage, Supernatural and BSG alumnus Mark Sheppard (who also narrates the Doctor Who commercials and bumpers). Sheppard is one of those actors who gives a great performance in any role, no matter what the size. He takes a character who could easily be the clueless wonder and infuses his trademark deadpan wit to make him memorable. Im already hoping we see more of him beyond just next week.
Were introduced to some tricky (and ugly, but arent they usually?) new villains who not only can suggest things to you, but can make you forget that they exist. Thats going to be one heck of a problem for Team TARDIS to deal with, as it can essentially make us all minions without a clue, and I look forward to seeing how theyre going to be handled.
Whats not as big a surprise are the two revelations at the end of the episode. Amys pregnant, which I suspected would happen from the end of the fifth series onward. The murderous astronaut and the little girl are also revealed to be one and the same. Its probably because I still remember The Empty Child so well, but I had that one figured out by the middle of the episode. Its not a bad ending Amy shooting the kid in hopes of saving The Doctor is perfectly understandable but I was hoping for something that would genuinely shock me.
More than the writing, what makes this episode come alive with that Doctor Who wonderment is the cast. Can we finally admit that Matt Smith is out from under David Tennants long shadow now? Not to disparage Tennant fans, as he was fabulous as the Tenth Doctor, but Ive really enjoyed watching Smith chew the scenery and be surprisingly intense in equal measure. Hes having great fun, but his Eleven really conveys how mature The Doctor is. (Just watch his scenes with Michael Gambon in last years Christmas special.) I love Tennant, but Smith is right behind him in my book.
I wasnt a huge fan of Alex Kingston as River Song last series; I found her to be a little too theatrical. That seemed to be toned down this episode and as a result, she really grew on me. Its a testament to Kingstons acting ability that I watch her here and have a hard time believing thats the same actress who was a regular of ER. Karen Gillan likewise continues to grow on me and she plays well off Smith. I have a soft spot for Arthur Darvill, because his Rory isnt just Amys accessory, hes a full part of the story himself. That brings back fond memories of Noel Clarke as Mickey Smith. And Ive already gushed about Mark Sheppardbut hes fantastic, isnt he?
There were a few little things that I didnt like, but not enough to really be bothered by them. Im not sure how sold I am on Amys opening narration; its obviously designed to make this long-running show more accessible to a new audience, which is perfectly understandable, but Im so used to not having it that it feels jarring. The opening minutes, with the Doctor moving through time, were cute but they felt almost too cute.
BBC America also made a few questionable choices. Did they really need to include a #DoctorWho hashtag reminder on screen? And while I nerd out over the inside look clips that the network peppers commercial breaks with, its a bit weird to see behind-the-scenes glimpses of segments that the episode hasnt gotten to yet.
Also, were there any other Futurama fans who had to get used to seeing Nixon as something other than a head in a jar?
This episode reminds me of the fundamental reason why I love Doctor Who. Its just good fun. I dont have to think a lot about it, though it can be thought-provoking. It doesnt take itself too seriously. Its not too dark (Im a Torchwood fan as well, but with Children of Earth, that series went from adult-oriented to seriously depressing for me). How much fun everyone involved is having making the show comes across on screen, and that lends it a certain infectious personality. I might get surprised or even scared along the way (did I mention The Empty Child yet?) but I always leave with a smile on my face.
The Impossible Astronaut wont go down as my favorite Who series opener, or one of my favorite Who episodes. But what it did was re-establish to me that between Steven Moffat behind the camera, and this cast in front of it, the franchise is in good hands. I cant wait to see where we go next.
Tags : Fun
By Danika Gravelle
If you are looking for a great Easter Family movie to watch over the weekend, weve found it! The third installment of the Chronicles Of Narnia series The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader was just released in stores a couple of weeks ago and is an all-round winner perfect for family movie night. Filled with excitement, adventure and character building, this movie is our pick for must-see this holiday weekend!
Our review:
It seems as the talent pool for actors is diminishing as time goes by, or maybe, every so often there just happens to be one that shines superior above the rest? Whatever the reasoning, Eustace (Will Poulter) stole the show and my heart in this Narnia film. His story begins as a prideful, sniveling, irritating tattle-tale. He makes you want to slap him and put him in a headlock, scene one. The fact that Edmund and Lucy restrain themselves shows great character on their parts.
My husband has never been a Narnia fan, like the kids and I are, but he said The Dawn Treader was the best one yet. Overall, this film took the major elements of the book and did very well condensing them into a feature length film. It was fun comparing notes with the children as to how it compared to the book and what was going to happen next. What was added or changed due to the creative license of the producers were not too outrageous to alter CS Lewis original intent for the story.
There were many Christian principles woven into the fabric of the movie. Each character had his own fears or vain fancies to face in the journey, and although they were on the Dawn Treader as one, there were times when each had to stand alone and by faith, conquer those fears. Lucy doubting her personal value; Edmunds lust for power; Eustaces ignorance of his destiny and purpose and Prince Caspians fear of disapproval of his father made us look within ourselves and recognize our own weaknesses.
Each of us could relate with one or more of the characters and their personal battles, temptations and what hope filled our hearts as the characters we grew to love ultimately discovered their value and purpose in conquering that darkness.
Overall, we highly recommend The Voyage of the Dawn Treader as a quality film the entire family can enjoy. Get ready to fall in love with a rat, a sniveling whiner, and a Righteous Lion again and again.
*Thank you to Twentieth Century Fox for sending us this movie for review!*
Tags : Voyage
Are you looking for solutions for your family issues? Are you craving to live a happy and peaceful life at your home with your family?
Online PR News 24-April-2011 Are you looking for solutions for your family issues? Are you craving to live a happy and peaceful life at your home with your family? If these are the questions pondering in your mind at times then give a chance to yourself to solve these disputes and to enlarge the vision of your life. To help you find that lost love in your relationships and mend matters between you and your relatives and family members.
Tags : Relationships
JF (city unknown) writes:
Marilyn: I have a fairly high IQ and a fairly-well-developed intuitive ability. Throughout my life, I have seen things differently from others because I was either aware of more factual information about a subject, or I had a strong feeling that the way others were dealing with it was not very well advised. Today, I have a problem with how the people in my life are constantly making poor choices, having daily drama, and generally exhibiting massively dysfunctional behavior.
Its like watching a train wreck in slow motion, and it happens nearly every day. If I say anything, even in a subtle way, Im resented, and if I dont say anything, their disasters often make my life miserable. I care for people, and I have helped them above and beyond what is usual, but there are times when I want to run away from the stupidity.
How do you cope with the difference in intelligence in your personal relationships? I make every effort to be self-effacing and avoid any appearance of arrogance, so I dont come across as a know-it-all, but I get ignored that way. Im not an intellectual elitist–some of the wisest things I have ever heard were spoken by very simple people. Help!
Marilyn responds:
I suggest that you actively look for friends whom you can respect. The relationships you have now arent doing anyone any good–especially you. Why spend your time with people whom you find annoying, for whatever reason? If the people you describe are friends, you dont have to give up the relationships right away. Just allow them to lapse as you find friends that make more sense to you. Plenty of them are out there. Life is too short, and time is too precious for you to spend it around people who are all wrong for you. And this includes relatives.
Tags : Relationships
Bulent Yildirim, leader of the planned flotilla, said his group and supporters are getting the flotilla ready and warned that there will be a ship from every country in Europe. He said the Turkish-registered ship Mavi Marmara will be part of it.
The participants have warned that until the Israeli defense blockade is lifted on Gaza, the intifada will continue by land, by sea and by air. The blockade is a result of weapons, rockets, and other contraband being smuggled into the Palestinian territory in the Gaza Strip and being used against the Israeli people.
Last years killing of Turkish citizens by Israeli forces, who maintain they were acting in self defense, saw relations between Israel and Turkeyformer close alliesreach a crisis point. Almost 12 months later, there has been little improvement, with the Turkish government demanding compensation for the victims and apologies, something Israel refuses to do.
Observers warn that with Syria in turmoil, the last thing the region needs is a new crisis. But with the flotilla due to leave in the coming weeks, a new crisis could well be looming.
While the world condemned the actions of the Israeli military, calls for an international body to investigate last years Gaza flotilla raid by Israeli forcesin which nine peace activists were killedwere clouded by political posturing and vitriolic soundbites, according to some US counterterrorism experts.
Even President Obama proposed an independent inquiry into the incident that triggered worldwide condemnation of Israel especially by members of the elite news media, but his proposal was quickly dropped as information came to light that certain individuals close to him and the Democrat Party were involved in the bloody incident.
Israel maintained a blockade around Gaza for quite sometime with the hope to preventing weapons such as missiles and rockets from being smuggled to the Palestinian terrorists. It was decided by a number of Islamists and radicals to take actions that would ultimately end the blockade.
The organizer of the blockade-busting action was a known radical group called Free Gaza. The Free Gaza flotilla was far more than a collection of innocent peace activists trying to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza, as they were portrayed by many news organizations.
Free Gaza sponsored the flotilla that engaged in deadly clashes with Israeli special forces troops. Among its members were Weather Underground founders William Ayers and Bernadine Dohrnwho perpetrated a series of terrorist attacksas well as Jodie Evans, the leader of the radical activist organization Code Pink. Besides the US radicals, Islamic groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah and Egypts Muslim Brotherhood contributed to the flotilla.
As is well-known in the United States, Ayers and Dohrn were close associates of President Obama for years in Chicago. Meanwhile, Jodie Evans was a fundraiser and financial bundler for Obamas presidential campaign. In fact, one of Obamas fundraisers was held in the home of Ayers and Dohrn.
Evans later worked on Attorney General Jerry Browns successful run for the governorship of California.
Ayers and Dohrns continued activities appear to elude the attention of the people responsible for reporting the news without bias. They are terrorists, plain and simple, so why would anyone be surprised to discover their connection to an anti-Semitic organization that supports terror groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, the Muslim Brother and even al-Qaeda? asks former New York Police detective Michael Snopes.
The passengers reportedly included 100-plus members of various Muslim Brotherhood chapters, at least 20 of whom taped al Qaeda-style martyr videos before embarking on their anti-Israel mission, according to terrorist expert Steve Emerson, founder of The Investigative Project on Terrorism
According to Emersons IPT investigation, the chief organizers had more than peaceful intentions for the flotilla.
The respected Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) reported that a Gaza-based Hamas leader declared three days before the voyage started that the captain of the [Gaza Flotilla] ship had told him: We will not allow the Zionists to come near us, and we will wage resistance against them.
Meanwhile, Congressman Trent Franks (R-AZ) responded to ongoing criticism of Israel following the incident near Gaza where Israeli Defense Forces personnel engaged the flotilla of six ships attempting to overrun an Israeli naval blockade.
Rep. Franks cited reports indicating that individuals on board the ships were carrying weapons and attacked Israeli soldiers as they were trying to stop the advance of the flotilla. The blockade exists to keep the terrorist organization Hamas, which has routinely launched attacks against innocent Israeli citizens, from supplying its forces with weapons and other materials while allowing necessary humanitarian supplies to reach those living in Gaza, Franks stated.
The conflict that took place aboard the Turkish flotilla was a completely unnecessary and deliberate attempt to provoke Israel to action. The Gaza blockade was put into place in an attempt to prevent Hamas from continuing to use the Gaza strip as a launching pad for literally thousands and thousands of rockets fired into innocent Israeli citizen populations. Humanitarian shipments into Gaza are routinely used to smuggle weapons and other dangerous materials into Gaza for Hamas, said Congressman Franks.
The United States must maintain a strong position of support for Israel as the UN once again tries to make them a punching bag for the rest of the world. The Obama Administration must also commit to vetoing any resolution from UN Organizations like the Security Council or the Human Rights Council that would condemn Israel and encourage the terrorist groups who provoked the raid, said the Arizona lawmaker.
Obama supporters in the midst of discussion regarding the current Egyptian civil unrest are claiming that the Muslim Brotherhood is not a terrorist organization and that its members are not major players in the Egyptian protests and uprising. They also claim there are no connections between the Obama administration and radical Islamists such as the Muslim Brotherhood, in spite of the activities of Ayers, Dohrn and Evans, who are known associates of the US President.
If the House Republicans, who are now the majority, wish to investigate the current administration and its abysmal performance on national security incidents, they should start with the Presidents relationship with far-left radicals and Islamic fascists, said Det. Snopes.
Tags : Voyage
(CNN) — When most people go to Hawaii, they head to the beach to relax and get a tan. Sarah Vowell locks herself in historical libraries.
The result of that sun-free research is her latest take on history, Unfamiliar Fishes.
I came to Hawaii because it had been attacked, she writes in her book, referring to her visit to the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor, after she compares the combination of foods she was eating for lunch to the ethnic variety of the current Hawaiian citizens.
She acts like a tour guide on a trip through time — stopping at this place and that in Hawaii to expound on historical events — often flavoring the accounts with personal anecdotes or wry comments.
When writing about Hawaiian royals in 1819 dropping one taboo on what women could eat, she notes, As a female carnivore, Im delighted that half the population was freed to eat pork.
Exploring US history in a very chatty tone and with personal asides has put several of Vowells books on bestseller lists. In Assassination Vacation, she dipped into the times of political violence that claimed the lives of US Presidents Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield and William McKinley. In Wordy Shipmates she wrote about the English Puritans that settled the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
The author, essayist and frequent public radio commentator can hold her own against the quick wits of TV political satirists John Stewart and Stephen Colbert as she proved on her latest book tour.
With her writing, Vowell says she aims to put a human face on the people from the past. She describes the bloody tactics that Kamehameha the Great used to end more than a century of warfare and establish the Hawaiian monarchy in 1810.
Like a tourist she also details how her 8-year-old nephew twists his underwear into a loincloth and performs an amusing if insensitive impression of the warrior.
Vowell finds the pluck of the New England missionaries admirable for their willingness at barely 20 years old to leave home, family and country to sail to the most isolated island chain in the world aboard a ship so crappy it made the Mayflower look like the QE2.
But their mission to convert the heathens to Christianity does not impress the self-described godless heathen author. She opines theres not much difference between Jehovah and Ku (except that once a year the Hawaiian god of war actually takes time off).
Vowell describes the native hula dances — including one that is accompanied by chants praising the genitals of the king — as part of an academic nearly-religious spiritual tradition that is incredibly rigorous.
There are so many rules on behavior, land management, fishing and other areas that Vowell describes the Hawaiian culture as very conservative. So to her, the disagreements between the missionaries and the Hawaiians about what was proper behavior, was like watching two kind of conservative traditions squaring off.
She admits that she especially likes writing about historical characters that she didnt like — including a man who faked being a Mormon leader as he unsuccessfully plotted to establish his own Pacific empire.
But one of her favorite scenes to write about was the funeral procession of King Liholiho who had died along with his wife from measles during a trip to visit King George IV in England in 1823.
Their bodies were returned to Hawaii aboard a British Royal Navy frigate commanded by the seventh Lord Byron, a cousin of the late poet.
Vowell describes a fantastical scene of all these people participating in a procession through Honolulu: Hawaiian royals in Western clothes, nine other Hawaiians in yellow-feathered war cloaks, British Royal Navy officers in their uniforms and the missionaries in their black wool outfits. And then there were native Hawaiian guards who were wearing a variety of western garb – but who apparently didnt understand the need for pants.
Vowell says the changes in the years that followed mostly had a negative impact on the Hawaiian people. Much of their land fell into the hands of the sugar plantation owners, the descendants of the missionaries overthrew Hawaiis last monarch and despite the natives petitions and pleas — US politicians maneuvered to turn the kingdom into a US territory.
But while the results are somewhat sad, she says, learning more about the meetings of strangers in history has always intrigued the traveler in her.
Theres this part of me that wants to leave home and wants to see something new and wants to meet new people, she muses. Maybe that is how I, too, will meet my doom.
Tags : Voyage
An out-of-town developer has confirmed plans to bring Dick?s Sporting Goods to St. Joseph.
David Christie, founder of Christie Development, told the City Council on Thursday that the national sporting goods retailer would serve as the cornerstone to the Cook Crossing development, proposed for the northwest corner of Cook Road and the Belt Highway.
The development also would move the Aldi grocery store from Faraon Street to a larger location that would increase annual sales by $3 million to $4 million. A third pad site could attract a sit-down restaurant, with the current Ryan?s restaurant integrating into the north side of the development.
Mr. Christie said Dick?s was essentially a ?done deal,? pending council approval of a series of ordinances next week. The store could open as soon as spring of 2012.
?I?ve never done a real estate deal where I didn?t have the tenant going in, especially when public money is involved,? Mr. Christie said.
Chapter 353 tax abatements would cover all property taxes for 10 years and 50 percent of property taxes for the next five years. The developer also wants a 1-cent Community Improvement District (CID) ? which would add one cent to sales tax within the development ? and sales tax reimbursement. As part of the CID, tenants would pay a special assessment that would pay for intersection and road improvements and stormwater detention work to address flooding problems in a nearby residential neighborhood.
Another agreement would provide for up to $900,000 in sales taxes, to be used to reimburse the developer for infrastructure improvements.
Clint Thompson, the city?s director of planning and community development, said public incentives were critical to make sure the former Payless Cashways building did not remain vacant.
?It sat through the best economy we ever had the past 10 years and nothing happened,? Mr. Thompson said.
Mr. Christie said he already has plans to make sure the Cook Crossing development does not create another vacant building, with the move of Aldi?s from its location on Faraon Street. He said he planned to purchase the building and already had a letter of intent from a potential tenant, whom he did not name.
Council member PJ Kovac, who has experience in the grocery business, asked why the council should grant tax abatements to Aldi for a move that would increase its ability to compete with other local grocers.
?So Aldi increases their business by $3 million to $4 million, but they?re doing it at the expense of somebody that?s paying the full load,? Mr. Kovac said.
Chris Williams, the city?s legal counsel for the project, said Aldi and other tenants would still pay a special property tax assessment, which would pay for infrastructure upgrades the city otherwise could not afford.
The council will vote on a series of ordinances to approve the development Monday.
Clinton Thomas can be reached at clinton.thomas@newspressnow.com.
Tags : Sporting
And now for the most recent installment of the early, early, absurdly early Sporting News recruiting ranking for the class of 2012.
Last month, Alabama was nestled on top of the ranking as the Crimson Tide had 10 recruits already — and not surprisingly, theyre good ones. But its been a quiet past month for the Crimson Tide, and with two huge pickups in the last week, Texas pushes back up to the top.
Tags : Sporting
Luxembourg, Netherlands, Apr 14, 2011 (Thomson Reuters ONE via COMTEX News Network) —
Luxembourg – 14 April 2011 – ProLogis European Properties (Euronext: PEPR), one of Europes largest owners of modern distribution facilities, acknowledges that following the ProLogis (NYSE: PLD) press release dated 14 April 2011, ProLogis has announced an increase in its ownership of PEPR to approximately 38% and will therefore proceed with a mandatory tender offer to acquire all of the outstanding ordinary units and convertible preferred units it does not currently own in PEPR.
In addition, further to PEPRs statement dated 12 April 2011, PEPR reconfirms it has not been contacted by APG Algemene Pensioen Groep NV and Goodman Group (referred to collectively as the Investor Group) or any other pension or sovereign wealth fund in relation to any offer to acquire ordinary units in PEPR.
PEPR confirms that it is open to exploring value-enhancing alternatives for its unitholders. In connection thereto, the Management Company and independent members of the PEPR Board are taking appropriate measures ahead of receiving any formal offers, including the appointment of independent financial advisers.
-Ends-
For further information, please contact:
Investor relations
Jennifer Crooke
+44 207 518 8708
jcrooke@prologis.com
Media
M:Communications
Ed Orlebar / Charlotte McMullen
+44 20 7920 2323 or 7920 2349
orlebar@mcomgroup.com/ mcmullen@mcomgroup.com
About ProLogis European Properties (PEPR)
ProLogis European Properties, or PEPR, is one of the largest pan-European owners of high quality distribution and logistics facilities. PEPR was established in 1999 as a closed-end, real estate investment fund, externally managed by a subsidiary of ProLogis (NYSE: PLD), a leading global provider of industrial distribution facilities. In September 2006, PEPR was listed on Euronext Amsterdam.
As at 31 December 2010, PEPR has a portfolio of 232 buildings, covering 4.9 million square metres in 11 European countries, with a market value of EUR2.8 billion. The portfolio has an occupancy level of 94.5% and an average of 3.4 years to the next lease break or 5.3 years to lease expiry.
This announcement is distributed by Thomson Reuters on behalf of Thomson Reuters clients.
The owner of this announcement warrants that:
(i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and other applicable laws; and
(ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the
information contained therein.
Source: ProLogis European Properties via Thomson Reuters ONE
HUG#1506750
ProLogis European Properties responds to recent announcements – http://hugin.info/139145/R/1506750/441547.pdf
Copyright (C) 2011 Thomson Reuters ONE. All rights reserved.
Tags : Announcements