tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71565632705623994752024-03-18T17:02:35.414-07:00Pillar to PostMultilectual Daily Online Magazine focusing on World Architecture, Travel, Photography, Interior Design, Vintage and Contemporary Fiction, Political cartoons, Craft Beer, All things Espresso, International coffee/ cafe's, occasional centrist politics and San Diego's Historic North Park by award-winning journalist Tom ShessPillartopost.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18307076334524470628noreply@blogger.comBlogger4978125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156563270562399475.post-38301883883391250022024-03-18T00:00:00.000-07:002024-03-18T00:00:00.130-07:00MEDIA MONDAY / WHAT IS A HASHTAG? / A ROOKIE’S GUIDE<p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizeGQ6wGl_E8c3_zBpGWmoT6DdbbmOwxtOe4FvqZxclyP82wNcvoZJIKGUSh6eiHOZu-GGo5GSsWnGQespv5Q7aQNWJixkPeRriXz9Y7Ddk4mFPjr9CElQqONcmTIjOnv2KcKHFiuYtQNMU0E6lfOKtDgFp3S3QF6KZeAnwUIssbr0jE-hQG7V6GYLfIZq/s1200/rodin-thinking-hashtag-bubble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="656" data-original-width="1200" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizeGQ6wGl_E8c3_zBpGWmoT6DdbbmOwxtOe4FvqZxclyP82wNcvoZJIKGUSh6eiHOZu-GGo5GSsWnGQespv5Q7aQNWJixkPeRriXz9Y7Ddk4mFPjr9CElQqONcmTIjOnv2KcKHFiuYtQNMU0E6lfOKtDgFp3S3QF6KZeAnwUIssbr0jE-hQG7V6GYLfIZq/w640-h350/rodin-thinking-hashtag-bubble.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></div><b><br />GUEST BLOG / By WIX.com/blog</b>—Once upon a time, the ‘#’ was a simple pound sign or hash mark. But then the social blue bird flew onto the scene and turned this mundane symbol into an online sensation. Today, whether you are on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or any other social media channels, you simply cannot escape the all-encompassing presence of the hashtag. But what exactly is a hashtag? In case you always wondered but were too afraid to ask, we’ve come up with a clear and concise explanation of everything you need to know about this Internet phenomenon. <p></p><p>Not only that: once you’ve mastered the “what”, you’ll probably want to know “how” to use hashtags. Strap in because this article will help all levels of social media addicts. If you’re relatively new to the game, we understand that at first glance, hashtags might seem confusing. But once you understand them better, you will see that they are a powerful social media marketing tool to grow your social impact and engage your audience – oh, and did we mention: all for the cost of $0.00? If you’re more advanced, you might want to know how to optimize your hashtags, in order to raise brand awareness and get more customers through your marketing strategies. </p><p>Follow here for a complete guide on what are hashtags and how to use them efficiently as a social media influencer or business owner: </p><p>--<span style="color: red;"><b>What is a hashtag?</b></span> With thousands of images published every minute on all social platforms, it can be hard to stand out amongst the crowd. The possibility for your post to be seen isn’t promising, unless they are one of your followers. That’s where hashtags come into play. </p><p>A hashtag is a keyword or phrase preceded by the hash symbol (#), written within a post or comment to highlight it and facilitate a search for it. Essentially, by including hash marks in your post; it can be indexed by the social network so that it can be discoverable to everyone, even if they’re not your followers or fans. For example, if your company has to do with extreme sports you can add the hashtag bucket list to your Instagram posts to snag those people with a passion for adventure and fun. </p><p>Hashtags on social media have been attributed to the American blogger and product consultant, Chris Messina who first proposed using them on Twitter in 2007, to indicate topics of interest. The first known use of the term hashtag is believed to be, "Hash Tags = Twitter Groupings" by Stowe Boyd in a blog post on August 26, 2007. The term was added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2014, as a sign of how far it had come along in terms of daily usage and recognition. </p><p>Hashtags had been used before this, in the context of programming languages. In the 1970s they were used in the assembly language PDP-11, to detonate giving immediate access to something marked with a hashtag. They were also introduced to C programming language around 1973, to indicate which keyword should be processed first. </p><p><span style="color: red;"><b>Why should you use hashtags?</b></span> Thanks to hashtags, your posts aren’t limited to just your followers. By adding one of these bad boys, your content will be accessible to all other users interested in similar topics who search for your hashtag. Choosing the right hashtag can greatly broaden the reach of your social media posts to thousands of potential followers, fans or customers. For example, if you have a healthy juice bar, it can be tempting to go for the obvious hashtag fruit, but beware! With over a million posts and growing the chances of being seen are as slim as a banana peel. Now if you throw on a more specific tag like hashtag drinkyourveggies, your looking at better odds. This is all the more relevant with the recent update on Instagram, where you can now follow specific hashtags just like you would friends or companies. So it goes without saying: make sure you don’t just slap # on any word but plan your Instagram marketing plan carefully. </p><p><b>Three types of hashtags to use on social media </b></p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Content hashtags.</span></b> If you are totally new to hashtags, first consider using some that directly relate to your product, service, market or area of expertise. We can call them the ‘content hashtags’ because they relate to the content that your content would be naturally associated with. As you can imagine, they will greatly expose your brand to potential customers on those social media platforms who weren’t previously familiar with your brand. For instance, at Wix we primarily use content hashtags related to websites – such as SEO, Illustration, Photography or SMB. </p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Trending hashtags.</span></b> Another great way to boost your brand’s visibility is using existing hashtags that have grown popular among millions of users, also known as ‘trending hashtags’. Watch out: before you add the ‘#’ symbol to a trending topic, remember to first ask yourself whether your social media posts are adding value to the existing conversation. Value can be interpreted in many ways: a unique piece of information, an original look or opinion at what’s is going on, or simply a funny statement or image. If your post does not add any value, it is highly likely to be ignored and lost in the plethora of posts. If however your post is informative, funny or viral, it will get re-shared by fellow users ultimately increasing awareness of your brand. Generally, trending hashtags are a lot of fun! It can range from holidays to random spur of the moment games. </p><p><span style="color: red;"><b>Brand-specific hashtags.</b></span> Sometimes, the problem with using generic or popular hashtags is that your posts might be lost in the noise of hundreds of messages using the same hashtags. Hence, it is a good idea to create your own dedicated ‘brand-specific hashtags’. These can be used for general branding, promotions, events, contests or other marketing campaigns. </p><p>The key to creating an effective brand-specific hashtag is to ensure that there is no one else using the same hashtag. It has to be unique and memorable. For general branding, use a short motto or tagline. When creating marketing campaign-specific hashtags, make sure to give users a compelling incentive to use them. For example, you could get users to post with a campaign-specific hashtag to stand a chance to get discounts or win prizes. In return, your brand stands to benefit from major viral marketing publicity. A brand-specific hashtag that we hold very near and dear to our hearts is #WixPhotography, which we use on all of our relevant social media platforms – like Facebook. </p><p><b><span style="color: red;">How to use hashtags wisely? </span></b>To create a hashtag, all you need to do is include a ‘#’ and a relevant keyword or phrase. This, you already knew. But what you didn’t know is that not all hashtags are born equal. In fact, they are only powerful when handpicked and used wisely. Here are three crucial general tips that apply to all social media and businesses. </p><p>--1. <b>Keep it short</b>. To save everyone the headache, don’t squish too many words into one hashtag. Nothing turns people off more than overly lengthy hashtags – YouDontWantToTryThisAtHome. </p><p>--2. <b>Don't overuse.</b> Don’t overuse Another thing you want to avoid is writing your entire caption with one hashtag per word. The number of hashtags you can allow per post depends on each channel. But as a general rule of thumb, only put an hashtag next to word that are really significant. </p><p>3. <b>Think strategically. </b>This applies to the ‘content hashtags’. By definition, since you won’t have created them, they are probably used by other brands. Which is a good thing, since people will look after this hashtag. But at the same time, when a hashtag is overcrowded, you can be sure that your content will go unnoticed. So it’s highly recommended to mix content hashtags with a high volume, with other hashtags that are more specific. For example, let’s say you have a restaurant and you want to post a picture of your latest gnocchi dish on Instagram. Food is an obvious choice, but with over 258 millions posts using it, you have no chance to stand out. Try and find more ‘niche’ hashtags, such as gnocchi or gnocchiday. As always, a little research will go a long way. Hashtagify is a good place to start. And of course, nothing will beat the good old trial and error: experiment, learn and have fun as you go!<b>.</b> </p><p><b>Best hashtag practices for each social media platform: </b> </p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Twitter </b></span></p><p><b>How many hashtags per post:</b> Research shows that the optimal amount of hashtags is two. Over that, the tweets have a significant drop in engagement. </p><p><b>How to find the best hashtags around:</b> It’s important to make sure people are engaging with the hashtags you use. A great place to start is Hashtagify, it allows you to check the popularity and recent popularity to know if your hashtag is relevant. </p><p><b>Where to place them:</b> While you are more limited on Twitter with the amount of #’s you are less confined as to where they should go. It can be used at the end of a Tweet or incorporated as part of the sentence. Instagram </p><p><b>How many hashtags per post:</b> The more hashtags you use, the more engagement you see – up until a certain point. After about 10 hashtags, you risk losing out on some of that engagement. </p><p><b>How to find the best hashtags around:</b> Head over to the search box and check what your audience, competitors, and industry leaders are already using. Pay attention to the number of posts, and how many likes the first images received. </p><p><b>Where to place them:</b> In order to keep everything organized and neat, it’s best to put your hashtags at the end of your caption preferably separated by either dots or asterisks. If you’re a neat freak, you can also add your hashtags in a comment to your post. </p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Facebook and LinkedIn </b></span></p><p>Believe it or not, hashtags are not important on Facebook. We recommend limiting the number of hashtags to a minimum. Indeed, concise captions tend to perform better on this platform. Of course, using your ‘brand-specific hashtags’ won’t hurt. </p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> Pinterest </b></span></p><p> How many hashtags per post: Pinterest themselves recommend you add no more than 20 hashtags per Pin. </p><p><b>Where to place them: </b>Hashtags only work within the Pins’ descriptions. </p><p style="text-align: center;">***</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Su1elAIWWMYadBHTrsowAB8JgCU6teWb8YZVdoUDJF43pmZpOeEpyOHd8P_-CJiGgntezQdGd3oGyid7euyL5Yg6If0G17ZnkVmLBUvw_njTpeGgeBKIlp5UrDfLtg9zWCGdkh4dxM1OXseya1uuwTSOFLX9ZjahUn7iEiQAve2bKfCVAlzBxyyHitYC/s239/images-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="211" data-original-width="239" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Su1elAIWWMYadBHTrsowAB8JgCU6teWb8YZVdoUDJF43pmZpOeEpyOHd8P_-CJiGgntezQdGd3oGyid7euyL5Yg6If0G17ZnkVmLBUvw_njTpeGgeBKIlp5UrDfLtg9zWCGdkh4dxM1OXseya1uuwTSOFLX9ZjahUn7iEiQAve2bKfCVAlzBxyyHitYC/w400-h353/images-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><b style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Top 50 Most Popular Instagram Hashtags in 2024 </span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[from the Internet]:</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Solely using popular hashtags isn’t the best strategy for getting more reach and engagement, as they’re less likely to be seen. </p><p>That said, it’s helpful to know what’s trending on the app, so here’s an up-to-date list of the top 50 hashtags on Instagram based on usage within the <i>Later</i> app: </p><p>1. #interiordesign </p><p>2. #design </p><p>3. #love </p><p>4. #fashion </p><p>5. #realestate </p><p>6. #inspiration </p><p>7. #style </p><p>8. #homedecor </p><p>9. #art </p><p>10. #instagood </p><p>11. #travel </p><p>12. #smallbusiness </p><p>13. #shoplocal </p><p>14. #foodie </p><p>15. #wellness </p><p>16. #selfcare </p><p>17. #photography </p><p>18. #home </p><p>19. #architecture </p><p>20. #food </p><p>21. #health </p><p>22. #beauty </p><p>23. #linkinbio </p><p>24. #motivation </p><p>25. #luxury </p><p>26. #lifestyle </p><p>27. #nature </p><p>28. #ootd </p><p>29. #shopsmall </p><p>30. #skincare </p><p>31. #summer </p><p>32. #handmade </p><p>33. #fitness </p><p>34. #mentalhealth </p><p>35. #selflove </p><p>36. #interior </p><p>37. #photooftheday </p><p>38. #supportlocal </p><p>39. #business </p><p>40. #homedesign </p><p>41. #interiors </p><p>42. #mindset </p><p>43. #beautiful </p><p>44. #instafood </p><p>45. #wedding </p><p>46. #community </p><p>47. #weddinginspiration </p><p>48. #entrepreneur </p><p>49. #realtor </p><p>50. #delicious </p><p>*Data based on usage within the Later app January 1, 2023 - October 31, 2023. In need of some hashtag inspiration? Use <i>Later’s</i> Hashtag Suggestion feature and discover the best hashtags for your account in seconds. </p>Pillartopost.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18307076334524470628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156563270562399475.post-35300461176265367042024-03-17T00:30:00.000-07:002024-03-17T00:30:00.129-07:00AMERICANA / GREEN RIVER IN CHICAGO <p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF6U2EiTCUgRpmyUzB9PY5cWT8W-YKcklOsue0i71roOgQLhBkaXZ8MVpzBerDGJQVChrqb64RFgDWxg3mddbtRbW24-gM58_W6CMj3nL70To6K5Wi2rWeHWlpetU6HRc1e-dt-koo00b9bvTRuevOiy-CjLtXSBpiR7CnRNrLSi7qkGY2cOSu_11qj2pz/s4032/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF6U2EiTCUgRpmyUzB9PY5cWT8W-YKcklOsue0i71roOgQLhBkaXZ8MVpzBerDGJQVChrqb64RFgDWxg3mddbtRbW24-gM58_W6CMj3nL70To6K5Wi2rWeHWlpetU6HRc1e-dt-koo00b9bvTRuevOiy-CjLtXSBpiR7CnRNrLSi7qkGY2cOSu_11qj2pz/s16000/unnamed.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>CHICAGO RIVER DYED GREEN FOR ST. PATRICK'S DAY<br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo: Amanda Moore, San Diego, CA</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Pillartopost.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18307076334524470628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156563270562399475.post-24252834553119391212024-03-17T00:00:00.000-07:002024-03-17T00:00:00.135-07:00LET THE SHENANIGANS BEGIN!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEx2FWKaet9PqjDLnZZUqj8PTVozE64vii2ddrynZwQEHqKtzgqhph-jpg8gkMmd0Emdnax7AJqZVyIiVCfqUscAXCdj0TqsMyZZjUA_0BR77hLHYp0d_8dSo6I7ALzYHWkD0X-0onh2sgC9gmGi1s8sU_9musFGqK0To-7fm_k2gLpmeLNXX6CA_yTFh/s1250/Screenshot%202024-03-09%20at%207.33.01%E2%80%AFPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1130" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEx2FWKaet9PqjDLnZZUqj8PTVozE64vii2ddrynZwQEHqKtzgqhph-jpg8gkMmd0Emdnax7AJqZVyIiVCfqUscAXCdj0TqsMyZZjUA_0BR77hLHYp0d_8dSo6I7ALzYHWkD0X-0onh2sgC9gmGi1s8sU_9musFGqK0To-7fm_k2gLpmeLNXX6CA_yTFh/w578-h640/Screenshot%202024-03-09%20at%207.33.01%E2%80%AFPM.png" width="578" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHAZVRvkZwnsbipBJVuTIOo8gLJWvWGBZf9Yt2H5lgXrK6oj6BUm6SNWXzcJiNsFuolKbhndmRnnl5-2SJVc8rNfFx3KlHPza4l2owSBKIDsHecoDB8A3AfrgDxFRvpetHcZgIPjWSeVsq8RrX-wvqEZA8l9jhNMzdt5OebhHvcgatsrZ_g2Os1Uu8ziG/s500/saint_patricks_day_3326275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="499" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHAZVRvkZwnsbipBJVuTIOo8gLJWvWGBZf9Yt2H5lgXrK6oj6BUm6SNWXzcJiNsFuolKbhndmRnnl5-2SJVc8rNfFx3KlHPza4l2owSBKIDsHecoDB8A3AfrgDxFRvpetHcZgIPjWSeVsq8RrX-wvqEZA8l9jhNMzdt5OebhHvcgatsrZ_g2Os1Uu8ziG/w638-h640/saint_patricks_day_3326275.jpg" width="638" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkxPqXtUtHB6Kn7dviky3BilzCngdky1zTYFQ9OzDe-cgbZwT4JMA7jG1qTU27l1-UVK5TKD0YLezYQiL0i0qXMnlIPEy4uHATvDwWXI5xI97eK_Vjz2T2sxb-oOXnQ6sbBK_l1Ca_1qQnCG4rZ44WHen3k28Vj-icUlSKvvg5cNnhYQe4DMB4RSBne1oG/s1024/Tom%20Stiglich.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkxPqXtUtHB6Kn7dviky3BilzCngdky1zTYFQ9OzDe-cgbZwT4JMA7jG1qTU27l1-UVK5TKD0YLezYQiL0i0qXMnlIPEy4uHATvDwWXI5xI97eK_Vjz2T2sxb-oOXnQ6sbBK_l1Ca_1qQnCG4rZ44WHen3k28Vj-icUlSKvvg5cNnhYQe4DMB4RSBne1oG/s16000/Tom%20Stiglich.webp" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Above: Cartoon by Tom Stiglich</td></tr></tbody></table>Below: Cartoon by Mark Lynch</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISwKRaEC06LU066MlEuzJl5KJCpBUYQ7I-YPiWM77QSuPPo12mE4OtO6RBdLhfpiJ9_Rs5gdOcE33AcVwK0LXd85xzBT4Wu1Pz3AbtTXIXfMhS0kLQEUcjYXE_frlUGPxMvhYQLgyiUZh6v_kfAwNZe1naLtssBcp0H1BCiSlQTjVDR3ROrN-tva4WCjL/s225/mark%20lynch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISwKRaEC06LU066MlEuzJl5KJCpBUYQ7I-YPiWM77QSuPPo12mE4OtO6RBdLhfpiJ9_Rs5gdOcE33AcVwK0LXd85xzBT4Wu1Pz3AbtTXIXfMhS0kLQEUcjYXE_frlUGPxMvhYQLgyiUZh6v_kfAwNZe1naLtssBcp0H1BCiSlQTjVDR3ROrN-tva4WCjL/w400-h400/mark%20lynch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Pillartopost.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18307076334524470628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156563270562399475.post-21668346175741631872024-03-16T00:00:00.000-07:002024-03-16T00:00:00.133-07:00COFFEE BEANS & BEINGS / NORTH PARK COFFEE NOTES<p><b></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdhjRYyjE_BTXLCoyug_WOb_VlOrjHZYjTIGPq_AGVrmz-WMlvCOP2oFRygcelKrLwaRqUQn4yQWJ6x9sE8YpaB8TdVVv9GqlXr7RGOWkH_eqJclb4Q5pupImEX211CpVp0pRwx3mDdVOSDYztb4tSE4wgQydGHdS-9Wboj0-3Zs_cTjpFLtbDjtktDwFZ/s1024/MidnightShowing_CoffeeBag-12oz_2024_1024x.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdhjRYyjE_BTXLCoyug_WOb_VlOrjHZYjTIGPq_AGVrmz-WMlvCOP2oFRygcelKrLwaRqUQn4yQWJ6x9sE8YpaB8TdVVv9GqlXr7RGOWkH_eqJclb4Q5pupImEX211CpVp0pRwx3mDdVOSDYztb4tSE4wgQydGHdS-9Wboj0-3Zs_cTjpFLtbDjtktDwFZ/w640-h640/MidnightShowing_CoffeeBag-12oz_2024_1024x.webp" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b><a href="https://www.moderntimesmerch.com/collections/coffee/products/midnight-showing-half-caff?variant=41645228425275">CLICK HERE.</a></b> https://www.moderntimesmerch.com/collections/coffee/products/midnight-showing-half-caff?variant=41645228425275</span></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /></b><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b><b><span style="font-size: large;">LOCAL / COFFEE NOTES </span></b></b></div><p></p><p><b>HALF-CAF DEBUT.</b> Modern Times Coffee Roasters (near 30th & Upas) has created a tasty blend that’s half decaf and half regular. “Called Midnight Showing” the blend of two single-origin coffees that produced nuances of roasted hazelnut, brown sugar and graham cracker. I brewed my half caf beans in my Café Bueno machine pressing the longo button. Came out with a very nice creama and a very smooth taste. Sorry, I missed the graham cracker but I’d buy it again for the smoothness. $20 for 12 ounces. Process style: washed. </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIYU9QPG0Jpins6KQhtckx7kWxEtjBA4pfNVFPYhjg1zxwZPxpMnaDN2lLYIc71uvS_waAiG3ZviBJLWqOnzsvwbIagOoG_492euXeELgWMy40hRVH544KmI6G-HOUQU5O4ej3uCWnvdy-V0vhOWJYL9s4MC8-NeVd9WMo0gWEEwaPwAj01JU297ImIHF/s1222/new%20coffee%20machine.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="826" data-original-width="1222" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIYU9QPG0Jpins6KQhtckx7kWxEtjBA4pfNVFPYhjg1zxwZPxpMnaDN2lLYIc71uvS_waAiG3ZviBJLWqOnzsvwbIagOoG_492euXeELgWMy40hRVH544KmI6G-HOUQU5O4ej3uCWnvdy-V0vhOWJYL9s4MC8-NeVd9WMo0gWEEwaPwAj01JU297ImIHF/s320/new%20coffee%20machine.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b><i>Café Bueno: https://shopcafebueno.com/ </i></b> </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> ***</span></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>ANOTHER NP COFFEE HOUSE</b>. Hey, more the merrier. North Park coffee lovers now have a new place to try. It’s called Lazy Eye and has been open for a week at 4096 30th Street at Polk Street. It took over the former Young Hickory site. Lazy Eye partners with Verve Coffee Roasters. Other Lazy Eye locations are in Bay Ho and Mission Beach. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM8RsjQr5TJP3P4Xql7lsTp3UQlma_cMqt2odFaGULtcUV8YlpeSzEZRZAqz-GYxYrnth_05qKSOfjRb_V9t8rgp8vmgDcWJ83WiL5HDstOAgkiANJb57sgOjYxYXJlbUvXuOr6V5fWJ96wEzc1n1geO84iWYMVGrO6rp1itLpqvMXZbY35dgcPMcmkKsk/s300/images-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="168" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM8RsjQr5TJP3P4Xql7lsTp3UQlma_cMqt2odFaGULtcUV8YlpeSzEZRZAqz-GYxYrnth_05qKSOfjRb_V9t8rgp8vmgDcWJ83WiL5HDstOAgkiANJb57sgOjYxYXJlbUvXuOr6V5fWJ96wEzc1n1geO84iWYMVGrO6rp1itLpqvMXZbY35dgcPMcmkKsk/w358-h640/images-1.jpg" width="358" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>***</b></span></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi_93pNkhTaGHnGPpkzbh-ajmkXlgh_CJZIH8G601qsePSjak7n0Ean6Fhtj57i6biPgjcdtm_aU2oOjjOJ1ObphhrFOjz3IFgc5NCPgi1jo_I4J2mkukOI4g8LtS21yAmM-MFsDfg48_OeNCbRYpBYVwJAdwB2yCP3Kit9hEDuOQ7AZWzhPeEC7O1k6TW/s300/Yard+Sale.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi_93pNkhTaGHnGPpkzbh-ajmkXlgh_CJZIH8G601qsePSjak7n0Ean6Fhtj57i6biPgjcdtm_aU2oOjjOJ1ObphhrFOjz3IFgc5NCPgi1jo_I4J2mkukOI4g8LtS21yAmM-MFsDfg48_OeNCbRYpBYVwJAdwB2yCP3Kit9hEDuOQ7AZWzhPeEC7O1k6TW/s1600/Yard+Sale.gif" width="300" /></a></div><br /><b>LOCAL / NORTH PARK GARAGE SALE TODAY BEGINNING AT 8 AM</b><p></p><p>MAP of participating homes use link below: </p><p>MCTREALESTATEGROUP.COM/North-Park-community-garage-sale.</p>Pillartopost.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18307076334524470628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156563270562399475.post-37269904914205540102024-03-15T11:38:00.000-07:002024-03-15T11:38:24.395-07:00LOCAL / NORTH PARK WIDE GARAGE SALE TOMORROW<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc5CRdDykMsH5rRfoLpr2GzfxDP1j5iredNGzE-1OaWmq5lbMsyreJijGJJm29FKOf6ywGsvIJZ_evIL7aFET5lgz-hulRTJcFE3Mh7e5rgkvKEuOpjYmq89a98m8suWQk2-8SdNaJ8vv0jvGFLq5iqibq0tpOYutqCswyHCBpwbgcLkNezTqLK3hC7aug/s284/Rummage-Sale-284x200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="284" height="451" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc5CRdDykMsH5rRfoLpr2GzfxDP1j5iredNGzE-1OaWmq5lbMsyreJijGJJm29FKOf6ywGsvIJZ_evIL7aFET5lgz-hulRTJcFE3Mh7e5rgkvKEuOpjYmq89a98m8suWQk2-8SdNaJ8vv0jvGFLq5iqibq0tpOYutqCswyHCBpwbgcLkNezTqLK3hC7aug/w640-h451/Rummage-Sale-284x200.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />McT real estate firm’s annual community garage sale is March 16 beginning at participating homes at 8 am. For a handy list of those homes involved <p></p><p><a href="McTrealestategroup.com/north-park-community-garage-sale ">CLICK HERE </a></p>Pillartopost.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18307076334524470628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156563270562399475.post-33683676535325531602024-03-15T00:00:00.000-07:002024-03-15T00:00:00.131-07:00CELEBRATING THE IDES OF MARCH / WITH AFTERNOON TEA ATOP AN EGYPTIAN PYRAMID<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-iDVs06Z2ppyKWH7lJxsWzrpnLHTCjY_yB7b9bsrGjcrOW0j9bcKgY1UF1rNk-8sdyu6Ry4pasWgZaWEsGRyxoV4jEZxVlDweWUQb7__elwr3yV55nPmLOvdBIEusmWEVbT8yayT0PgFgnKA4zJKaTL2HK-2zrKVcvbzdZTcW-mq4wHzessgjwQcfILo/s1205/Screenshot%202024-02-09%20at%208.11.21%E2%80%AFAM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="878" data-original-width="1205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-iDVs06Z2ppyKWH7lJxsWzrpnLHTCjY_yB7b9bsrGjcrOW0j9bcKgY1UF1rNk-8sdyu6Ry4pasWgZaWEsGRyxoV4jEZxVlDweWUQb7__elwr3yV55nPmLOvdBIEusmWEVbT8yayT0PgFgnKA4zJKaTL2HK-2zrKVcvbzdZTcW-mq4wHzessgjwQcfILo/s16000/Screenshot%202024-02-09%20at%208.11.21%E2%80%AFAM.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;"><i>Tourists take tea atop the Great Pyramid, 1938.<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Image: Bettmann/Getty Images</span> </i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Amazing [and spectacularly dumb] things humans can do like paragliding onto the narrow tip of an iconic Egyptian pyramid. Proving then and now that the human spirit knows no boundaries nor the heights tea lovers will go to enjoy their brew. Video: <b><a href=" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-vRlmuWEDZI ">CLICK HERE </a></b><p></p><p><br /></p>Pillartopost.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18307076334524470628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156563270562399475.post-54608451661979499182024-03-14T00:00:00.000-07:002024-03-14T00:00:00.135-07:00THE FOODIST / A TASTE OF THE FAR SIDE<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSQe6bUT0Kkqvm-0kKHf37ZYB5O1tIBLzhaRMDs0IqOLYpzflDYme2gyuzlQ4YJ-U7jw69UWbJdLiA4mO7yUHkJXfktE4twcoLd6RYHbKhwnckfP1Y-iP6nETb7JHybtkudsUqx1KW0lu6LQ26HH-FkAgImtER4LMKDU6skwYX1GXFiQNYYeaFlFJnDG9m/s646/Screenshot%202024-03-02%20at%207.37.07%E2%80%AFPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="544" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSQe6bUT0Kkqvm-0kKHf37ZYB5O1tIBLzhaRMDs0IqOLYpzflDYme2gyuzlQ4YJ-U7jw69UWbJdLiA4mO7yUHkJXfktE4twcoLd6RYHbKhwnckfP1Y-iP6nETb7JHybtkudsUqx1KW0lu6LQ26HH-FkAgImtER4LMKDU6skwYX1GXFiQNYYeaFlFJnDG9m/w538-h640/Screenshot%202024-03-02%20at%207.37.07%E2%80%AFPM.png" width="538" /></a></div><br />Foodie cartoon, above, is from the pen of Gary Larson, an American cartoonist who created The Far Side, a single-panel cartoon series that was syndicated internationally to more than 1,900 newspapers for 15 years. The series ended with his retirement in 1995. Larson garnered many awards throughout his career, including the award for Best Syndicated Panel Cartoonist (1985 and 1988) and the Reuben Award for Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year (1990 and 1994) from the National Cartoonists Society and the Max and Moritz Award for Best International Comic Strip/Panel (1993) by the International Comic Salon. <p></p>Pillartopost.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18307076334524470628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156563270562399475.post-35272239984483327172024-03-13T00:00:00.002-07:002024-03-13T00:00:00.149-07:00DESIGN / VISIT TO TIJUANA’S LA CAJA GALERIA<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ10C89LJfWprKoG0Ie_iqRx8CykT-cko-YIMhsncLdB8Qd6WNAoFt4Gqbt58J3wpovVggmHACmwPotyOf5oq4GWldrgnlOdniWO7lGdvqxqGL76pa-vx4NmkD2-cqjT8wF_BLi7j52Kf4mI8Dtg2RWJekFIUzV8CQFugoiKXs-Vc8G5q8m8y6oE6str2z/s1260/Screenshot%202024-03-10%20at%208.04.56%E2%80%AFPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="806" data-original-width="1260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ10C89LJfWprKoG0Ie_iqRx8CykT-cko-YIMhsncLdB8Qd6WNAoFt4Gqbt58J3wpovVggmHACmwPotyOf5oq4GWldrgnlOdniWO7lGdvqxqGL76pa-vx4NmkD2-cqjT8wF_BLi7j52Kf4mI8Dtg2RWJekFIUzV8CQFugoiKXs-Vc8G5q8m8y6oE6str2z/s16000/Screenshot%202024-03-10%20at%208.04.56%E2%80%AFPM.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hugo Crosthwaite exhibition, La Caja Galeria, Tijuana; Photography by Gary Payne, San Diego</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Js4-vOf9g2OtOf-5QMGr0XfA2yM3HV3JnjrL1xbeI40e5HiUdKZClz-Azu8poyFqBTLkt8tqZmIpbtzjwQAiiKTYmfS7P-X9N1v-Q_2E-ZsuR-CIWE-NmQ0eExc3gHtDQJTT_6CTQGwR0yZIa_lBDxn4gvLWoSQZLQ3m-gt4EjlYPBsVIS3rhf83dhcw/w640-h426/6cff634a1cee7994ed8e0a4018a76562.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artist Hugo Crosthwaite</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85XBEcbZK2EvfvhP5b9oMpR9dl1XWOOqnf7YXYNLBxL_J7laauOsv9CRPXcquKhhvOLe3-HLNkr0EUxR1AZhR9K-rQuYUIl8QJXqBikz6rs2dM-WslUq4LiD8Ivf35SgW7yzEEWxixZLpDaILeucF7FyzlWsxj2Khqorxp8vy66H5ohF0C9mVngVQwIe0/s641/Screenshot%202024-03-10%20at%208.55.35%E2%80%AFPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="359" data-original-width="641" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85XBEcbZK2EvfvhP5b9oMpR9dl1XWOOqnf7YXYNLBxL_J7laauOsv9CRPXcquKhhvOLe3-HLNkr0EUxR1AZhR9K-rQuYUIl8QJXqBikz6rs2dM-WslUq4LiD8Ivf35SgW7yzEEWxixZLpDaILeucF7FyzlWsxj2Khqorxp8vy66H5ohF0C9mVngVQwIe0/w640-h358/Screenshot%202024-03-10%20at%208.55.35%E2%80%AFPM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Collection #1 by Hugo Crosthwaite</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8Hoe4yFK74Ipn_pNBhxD3F9DII3xP1n8qDsYZb6h_BM6kYz0gWCLQaniWI0ENUoTEZY0YWaKu7nKfFdcIm3VnbLxWqEszKWJlwzaHEKf1dx1JUnWf9rzWa9uX96tRuZYpuk2MGHXB1WRvg2NKmHlJiVx3vweI_RvvAQ80704OvVbkaRcfXZ2moIIV1CE/s2048/430061786_10161230574601170_7097850534441408844_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1290" data-original-width="2048" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8Hoe4yFK74Ipn_pNBhxD3F9DII3xP1n8qDsYZb6h_BM6kYz0gWCLQaniWI0ENUoTEZY0YWaKu7nKfFdcIm3VnbLxWqEszKWJlwzaHEKf1dx1JUnWf9rzWa9uX96tRuZYpuk2MGHXB1WRvg2NKmHlJiVx3vweI_RvvAQ80704OvVbkaRcfXZ2moIIV1CE/w640-h404/430061786_10161230574601170_7097850534441408844_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artist Crosthwaite's work in living color. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /> </p>Pillartopost.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18307076334524470628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156563270562399475.post-72617172139325140172024-03-12T00:00:00.000-07:002024-03-12T21:44:52.348-07:00AMERICANA / MUSEUM GOERS ASKED WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRR1Xz-rdK7NptES2W3JVMOqJERCzDarVo7p3wqxy4WquUQcr13zW7qbSyK5ICO5gpvluAj1ggn1M8BNwRWP9i1JKiYF2ZHRH0U3aRXDpDreuC0XCVAR3UNRttw4XUbScgkWwGIUzh6NQxw6KGr5DL8Na4S7vJqf-i6CQi6k_4j_4I-zYDapuYrqjyNRDN/s823/Screenshot%202024-03-03%20at%209.16.25%E2%80%AFAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="823" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRR1Xz-rdK7NptES2W3JVMOqJERCzDarVo7p3wqxy4WquUQcr13zW7qbSyK5ICO5gpvluAj1ggn1M8BNwRWP9i1JKiYF2ZHRH0U3aRXDpDreuC0XCVAR3UNRttw4XUbScgkWwGIUzh6NQxw6KGr5DL8Na4S7vJqf-i6CQi6k_4j_4I-zYDapuYrqjyNRDN/w640-h374/Screenshot%202024-03-03%20at%209.16.25%E2%80%AFAM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />Museums in America conduct an annual survey of its museum-goers to help the organizations deliver better services.<b> <a href=" https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7639514/museumofus ">Click Here to take the survey. </a></b><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ4rF3cN1N31sZJumkXcoFWWEJ9IQ1bND7rOuion16Vzc71PR3BVt4-f_ckQEbeDXxb4cJLvnIqwHzGzvY4oaUXHCHKQStI5shHoYPdrsDrIt3MAIkdzuHznnX6ojhdzQ9binGZGg-k6P0gLkAe4GlzMbAHLHsPTIAogBgCD9yXuA7TU7oEetKAr45-ZMO/s836/Screenshot%202024-03-03%20at%209.15.46%E2%80%AFAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="836" data-original-width="615" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ4rF3cN1N31sZJumkXcoFWWEJ9IQ1bND7rOuion16Vzc71PR3BVt4-f_ckQEbeDXxb4cJLvnIqwHzGzvY4oaUXHCHKQStI5shHoYPdrsDrIt3MAIkdzuHznnX6ojhdzQ9binGZGg-k6P0gLkAe4GlzMbAHLHsPTIAogBgCD9yXuA7TU7oEetKAr45-ZMO/s16000/Screenshot%202024-03-03%20at%209.15.46%E2%80%AFAM.png" /></a></div><br /><p>Note: We don't expect the link on the repost to work ergo we added a link at top of the blog for your convenience.</p>Pillartopost.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18307076334524470628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156563270562399475.post-71111606532064140652024-03-11T00:30:00.000-07:002024-03-12T21:41:28.370-07:00 LOCAL / DEADLINE TODAY TO REGISTER FOR NORTH PARK GARAGE SALE<p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgumvo0eDrcBACm6ppZ-V3OqlkmLQdWaV-u_Hgfq7aMUbNMNmI0y6Nm18BUCb5ZaxIlrejGG4ttCwJ0poeaQwvsJoj2NB6BBTCTvXpXQCYQHvfxw9DtIjh3t6JGPw-DNfwUHstMBIJ6na_EjCzpk2nFqSGfOfKHxwUpjG_kl8G_5syrImg3Py8F50USXcCq/s453/0b7a0458f59eb9cf35c0097dcdb1484d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgumvo0eDrcBACm6ppZ-V3OqlkmLQdWaV-u_Hgfq7aMUbNMNmI0y6Nm18BUCb5ZaxIlrejGG4ttCwJ0poeaQwvsJoj2NB6BBTCTvXpXQCYQHvfxw9DtIjh3t6JGPw-DNfwUHstMBIJ6na_EjCzpk2nFqSGfOfKHxwUpjG_kl8G_5syrImg3Py8F50USXcCq/w566-h640/0b7a0458f59eb9cf35c0097dcdb1484d.jpg" width="566" /></a></span></b></div><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />MARK YOUR CALENDARS </span></b><p></p><p> The community-wide garage sale (your front yard or drive way) will take place Saturday March 16 beginning at 8 am. </p><p> Here’s what you need to do if you want to get on the community map showing your location. </p><p> Register by end of today (March 11). Sign up using link below: <i>McTrealestategroup.com/north-park-community-garage-sale </i></p><p>Sponsor McT Real Estate Group promises to conduct both print and digital advertising for the event; promote garage sale in local and nearby communities; place directional signs the night before and create a map of all participating homes. </p><p> Register Today </p><p>Participate Saturday, March 16 beginning at 8 am at your yard or driveway.</p>Pillartopost.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18307076334524470628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156563270562399475.post-13946380832170716932024-03-10T00:00:00.000-08:002024-03-10T00:00:00.260-08:00 SUNDAY REVIEW / 25 BOFFO OPENING LINES IN CRIME FICTION<p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu1iF_dWW3lVkldC3VshXS67tEQfLDJGFav5WKWiIeg1-euW_C5HlSaQMyerryHOSlv5JiWXwEcavvn1sNmV48PoecakD7v-E_Bh0duq-K06-uxTD72vCtE8x9GN1w0bhwvfT1TU6uI0RC9jn7627rA1I4yEmvCNVXk8HSOf91nSGqtb-p8U969ood2rKf/s617/Screenshot%202024-03-03%20at%2010.40.27%E2%80%AFPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="617" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu1iF_dWW3lVkldC3VshXS67tEQfLDJGFav5WKWiIeg1-euW_C5HlSaQMyerryHOSlv5JiWXwEcavvn1sNmV48PoecakD7v-E_Bh0duq-K06-uxTD72vCtE8x9GN1w0bhwvfT1TU6uI0RC9jn7627rA1I4yEmvCNVXk8HSOf91nSGqtb-p8U969ood2rKf/w640-h516/Screenshot%202024-03-03%20at%2010.40.27%E2%80%AFPM.png" width="640" /></a></b></div><b><br />GUEST BLOG / By Greg Levin, novelist, critic</b>--Few things enthrall me more than cracking (or clicking) open a novel and reading a first line that catapults me into Chapter 1. A line that reminds me why I read, why I write, what it means to be alive. A line that gives me whiplash. A line that makes me forget to feed my pets for the next few hours. <p></p><p> Now, not all great opening lines are from great—or even good—books. Some authors know how to grab you and yank you into a story they never quite figured out how to tell or finish. </p><p>On the flipside, not all great books have great opening lines. In fact, many of my favorite novels open with nothing too spectacular—opting to lure readers in slowly before releasing the Kraken. </p><p> Today, though, I want to shine a light on that elusive literary gem: the phenomenal opening line to a phenomenal novel. Twenty-five such lines, to be exact. With the focus solely on crime fiction books. Keep in mind, selecting the best opening lines to the best books is a highly subjective endeavor. </p><p>That being said, none of my choices are up for discussion. Enjoy! </p><p style="text-align: center;">***</p><p>It must have been Friday because the fish smell from the Mansion House coffee shop next door was strong enough to build a garage on. —<i>Bay City Blues</i> by Raymond Chandler Death is my beat. —<i>The Poet</i> by Michael Connelly </p><p>It is cold at six-forty in the morning on a March day in Paris, and seems even colder when a man is about to be executed by firing squad. —<i>The Day of the Jackal</i> by Frederick Forsyth</p><p>The guy was dead as hell. He lay on the floor in his pajamas with his brains scattered all over the rug and my gun in his hand. —<i>Vengeance is Mine!</i> By Mickey Spillane </p><p>Some years later, on a tugboat in the Gulf of Mexico, Joe Coughlin’s feet were placed in a tub of cement. —<i>Live By Night</i> by Dennis Lehane </p><p>Tyler arrived with the horses, February eighteenth, three days after the battleship Maine blew up in Havana harbor. —<i>Cuba Libre</i> by Elmore Leonard </p><p>It was the bright yellow tape that finally convinced me my sister was dead. —<i>The Damage Done</i> by Hilary Davidson </p><p>One lonesome winter, many years ago, I went hunting in the mountains with Gene Kavanaugh, a grandmaster hitman emeritus. —<i>Black Mountain</i> by Laird Barron </p><p> They were in one of the “I” states when Zeke told Isaac he had to ride in the trunk for a little while. —<i>By a Spider’s Thread</i> by Laura Lippman </p><p>It’s hard to get lost when you’re coming home from work. —<i>Blonde Faith</i> by Walter Mosley </p><p> The last camel died at noon. —<i>The Key to Rebecca </i>by Ken Follett </p><p>Ten days after the war ended, my sister Laura drove a car off a bridge. —<i>The Blind Assassin </i>by Margaret Atwood </p><p>Eunice Parchman killed the Coverdale family because she could not read or write. —<i> A Judgement in Stone </i>by Ruth Rendell </p><p>We were about to give up and call it a night when somebody dropped the girl off the bridge. <i>—Darker Than Amber</i> by John D. MacDonald </p><p>Even on the night she died, Rose Shepherd couldn’t sleep. —<i>Scared To Live</i> by Stephen Booth </p><p>Geneva Sweet ran an orange extension cord past Mayva Greenwood, Beloved Wife and Mother, May She Rest with Her Heavenly Father. —<i>Bluebird</i> by Attica Locke </p><p> When the phone rang, Parker was in the garage, killing a man. —<i>Firebreak</i> by Richard Stark (a.k.a., Donald E. Westlake) </p><p>It was one hell of a night to throw away a baby. —<i>In the Bleak Midwinter</i> by Julia Spencer-Fleming</p><p>When I finally caught up with Abraham Trahearne, he was drinking beer with an alcoholic bulldog named Fireball Roberts in a ramshackle joint just outside of Sonoma, California, drinking the heart right out of a fine spring afternoon. —<i>The Last Good Kiss</i> by James Crumley </p><p>Bill Roberts decided to rob the firecracker stand on account he didn't have a job and not a nickel's worth of money and his mother was dead and kind of freeze-dried in her bedroom. —<i>Freezer Burn</i> by Joe Lansdale </p><p>The ambulance is still miles away when Dana awakens to the near dark of evening. —<i>The Pocket Wife</i> by Susan Crawford </p><p>Years ago, in state documents, Vachel Carmouche was always referred to as the electrician, never as the executioner. —<i>Purple Cane Road</i> by James Lee Burke </p><p> Winter came like an anarchist with a bomb. —<i>The Pusher</i> by Ed McBain </p><p> I feel compelled to report that at the moment of death, my entire life did not pass before my eyes in a flash. —<i>I is for Innocent</i> by Sue Grafton </p><p> The night of my mother's funeral, Linda Dawson cried on my shoulder, put her tongue in my mouth and asked me to find her husband. —<i>The Wrong Kind of Blood</i> by Declan Hughes</p><p style="text-align: center;">### </p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbRrZCUz0xJ-wq84Ru5o9BqVWLkBWO165XGYZoO0u3KSJ9vi8QAu3Z6GTazKeJUAMCkA38lPeGw_0jT67gWgr8bQ7VcVUi0pmlgAdvhTRmSYrN_u4Ib_NdGaUO8xq5AhyphenhyphenQybCHNk84ILHagT7DW5Rbu_FPTGDMwGwnEuQnfAfAWePc3DCTMBOntbb-iHt/s735/gregprofile.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="735" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbRrZCUz0xJ-wq84Ru5o9BqVWLkBWO165XGYZoO0u3KSJ9vi8QAu3Z6GTazKeJUAMCkA38lPeGw_0jT67gWgr8bQ7VcVUi0pmlgAdvhTRmSYrN_u4Ib_NdGaUO8xq5AhyphenhyphenQybCHNk84ILHagT7DW5Rbu_FPTGDMwGwnEuQnfAfAWePc3DCTMBOntbb-iHt/s320/gregprofile.png" width="320" /></a></b></div><b>AUTHOR BIO.</b> <i>Greg Levin writes subversive thrillers and crime fiction. His novels include The Exit Man, Sick to Death, and In Wolves’ Clothing. Levin's work has been optioned by HBO and Showtime, and has earned him a number of awards and accolades. He’s won two Independent Publisher Book Awards, and has twice been named a Finalist for a National Indie Excellence Book Award. In a starred review of In Wolves’ Clothing, Publishers Weekly wrote, “This author deserves a wide audience.” Levin's agent and mother agree. Levin lived in Austin up until recently, but had to move because the authorities were after him for refusing to say “y’all.” He currently resides with his wife, dog and cat in Sydney, Australia, where he’s already in trouble with authorities for refusing to say “g’day.”</i><p></p>Pillartopost.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18307076334524470628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156563270562399475.post-82670578517838762602024-03-09T00:00:00.001-08:002024-03-09T00:00:00.241-08:00LOCAL / ECLECTIC NORTH PARK AT MINI PARK<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdh1mzqUSlfobDLUY62aINSIyzmg1fx4BegJfC4V1icxSsh4LfSyDSZeBsmMOTIJ4vvGRhDj_o30mA_M91Qab2eSJOBv3BEC1twBwtzXwyPN4a5JGwZWSMSSoa5Cy_6PdQwPveWfH65MEMAvLk5_ZvMhMcN4JnHVMQT6sOmod8BP4AKfCrfD-HLW-8ugg9/s720/Screenshot%202024-03-02%20at%201.56.19%E2%80%AFPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="449" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdh1mzqUSlfobDLUY62aINSIyzmg1fx4BegJfC4V1icxSsh4LfSyDSZeBsmMOTIJ4vvGRhDj_o30mA_M91Qab2eSJOBv3BEC1twBwtzXwyPN4a5JGwZWSMSSoa5Cy_6PdQwPveWfH65MEMAvLk5_ZvMhMcN4JnHVMQT6sOmod8BP4AKfCrfD-HLW-8ugg9/s16000/Screenshot%202024-03-02%20at%201.56.19%E2%80%AFPM.png" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Pillartopost.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18307076334524470628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156563270562399475.post-52060857599847184542024-03-08T00:00:00.000-08:002024-03-08T00:00:00.142-08:00FRIDAY FOTO / WHERE IS EDNA VALLEY VINEYARD?<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Pn5iPnSEuOFl5XqM3Sc6LDUcGBPBdD89pBgnSXJZxENBV1dCUx1xfsANO1soJqw-7rCEjuAGrgbLlOAKkpCaEaKKknhF6PB6hIG0lPx12JStTkab7lR7upJrKELLWCDNmlankqk4mrHWuhI4uKXiOxwcohWjVZHgTZgArm8NYO4gvUV0MdiYRkSDgXDs/s828/EDNA%20VALLLEY%20VINEYARD%20FEB%2025.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="692" data-original-width="828" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Pn5iPnSEuOFl5XqM3Sc6LDUcGBPBdD89pBgnSXJZxENBV1dCUx1xfsANO1soJqw-7rCEjuAGrgbLlOAKkpCaEaKKknhF6PB6hIG0lPx12JStTkab7lR7upJrKELLWCDNmlankqk4mrHWuhI4uKXiOxwcohWjVZHgTZgArm8NYO4gvUV0MdiYRkSDgXDs/s16000/EDNA%20VALLLEY%20VINEYARD%20FEB%2025.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">Photo by Zachary Shess, Feb. 24, 2024 </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b>On Biddle Ranch Road San Luis Obispo, [central] California 93401 </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjel1gTLCR8VCQUZYlm7U9lFjzGq38xBJbQKm54rYH7qLD0P1WIKI_gcz5odF5SmjzJmPM4Yzal3TbTxTkfAkjiVrFoGPuGtQLh1lPJqD1G3GWwUop8BPsUjjGB7tjVsbM74vVWIWr1XtQNJgbliomarxfcLZhs2q3hCp1sctogyqq6dMPxTkLn8gq3JJv/s640/MiDzc16rTky08sKzmm2knQ_pl_480x640.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjel1gTLCR8VCQUZYlm7U9lFjzGq38xBJbQKm54rYH7qLD0P1WIKI_gcz5odF5SmjzJmPM4Yzal3TbTxTkfAkjiVrFoGPuGtQLh1lPJqD1G3GWwUop8BPsUjjGB7tjVsbM74vVWIWr1XtQNJgbliomarxfcLZhs2q3hCp1sctogyqq6dMPxTkLn8gq3JJv/s16000/MiDzc16rTky08sKzmm2knQ_pl_480x640.png" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b></div><p></p><p><br /></p>Pillartopost.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18307076334524470628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156563270562399475.post-22392119322404031702024-03-07T00:00:00.000-08:002024-03-07T00:00:00.138-08:00THE FOODIST / SMALL ISLAND OF REAL HAWAIIAN CUISINE IN NORTH PARK <p><b><span style="font-size: large;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB3EcFlVBYWjoUx0TtgTA6jClvkMJkoJVx35HVfl7ttklxKQsjlPWuKfSAYpuOHQJZix-d6TSNs1a_JvYXao-nJikQWvd_E6WPeG_NqnSMMReVz1DrhQKLxNZum6BPQRK2xXnLfmJrnZa6wdc67PC6rrypL38PMhMeb-oqBU9wVU_-hPg1Pp1OjfG4uQDL/s568/Screenshot%202024-02-21%20at%208.56.02%E2%80%AFPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB3EcFlVBYWjoUx0TtgTA6jClvkMJkoJVx35HVfl7ttklxKQsjlPWuKfSAYpuOHQJZix-d6TSNs1a_JvYXao-nJikQWvd_E6WPeG_NqnSMMReVz1DrhQKLxNZum6BPQRK2xXnLfmJrnZa6wdc67PC6rrypL38PMhMeb-oqBU9wVU_-hPg1Pp1OjfG4uQDL/s16000/Screenshot%202024-02-21%20at%208.56.02%E2%80%AFPM.png" /></a></span></b></div><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />ALOHA--CHRIS ONO’S PLACE ON 30th STREET--ALOHA </span></b><p></p><p>Ono Grinds Island Grill isn’t fancy. Yes, it’s a take out place [4506 30th Street, North Park/San Diego] but who cares when your nearest competitor is out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. </p><p>It’s one of those you have to see and taste it for yourself experiences. Take your time to study the menu or order online. </p><p>This small Hawaiian style eatery offers traditional pupus and other dishes, plus Island style burgers and wings. It’s an important part of North Park’s truly eclectic collection of restaurants and craft beer breweries. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRbg1cnc6hk0IbPIe2IDtEpd5RRNZUuUIDiPb-hBlFI-SOzQGDInRM-avUhxWUJbu09xXuaeGV5eOQF21gS_UtQqFlEl07guF70RLoJcvyKnKFio2IdPkwTi0FkQDroYw4dwUc4nvL2XJSPubskGDs01ujyO2Ey-bS5D-1Vrs3N2mPrjLnoIWxbkqh7XmQ/s1094/Screenshot%202024-02-21%20at%209.09.46%E2%80%AFPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="811" data-original-width="1094" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRbg1cnc6hk0IbPIe2IDtEpd5RRNZUuUIDiPb-hBlFI-SOzQGDInRM-avUhxWUJbu09xXuaeGV5eOQF21gS_UtQqFlEl07guF70RLoJcvyKnKFio2IdPkwTi0FkQDroYw4dwUc4nvL2XJSPubskGDs01ujyO2Ey-bS5D-1Vrs3N2mPrjLnoIWxbkqh7XmQ/w640-h474/Screenshot%202024-02-21%20at%209.09.46%E2%80%AFPM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQESrBAHH4PV58SXyjU2qJ8Rrj-uUVTXcsWrEw7CqoERvC3dhS9fuZcXWWUoCDwuntM7DPjfCdNDT1mV1tmc1hObayYKI9jCEmRyzPkx5pHJIw-k05rc7jNvGlF9dsDKL4-p9_c_W1eg_yHXpDzn2e7ScDvthPXpfFkuXf2LwD0D_nyvpLedWljaxKtYOG/s606/Screenshot%202024-02-21%20at%208.59.29%E2%80%AFPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="606" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQESrBAHH4PV58SXyjU2qJ8Rrj-uUVTXcsWrEw7CqoERvC3dhS9fuZcXWWUoCDwuntM7DPjfCdNDT1mV1tmc1hObayYKI9jCEmRyzPkx5pHJIw-k05rc7jNvGlF9dsDKL4-p9_c_W1eg_yHXpDzn2e7ScDvthPXpfFkuXf2LwD0D_nyvpLedWljaxKtYOG/s16000/Screenshot%202024-02-21%20at%208.59.29%E2%80%AFPM.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Moco Loco with lots of avocado. </b></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Pillartopost.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18307076334524470628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156563270562399475.post-74825106127585021792024-03-06T00:00:00.000-08:002024-03-06T00:00:00.140-08:00DESIGN / PEEK AT FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT’S RESTAURANT<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQoJm9Wi2FsxhGvxWCfceuvQezpnGioiw9NZTjCZ2bSx2jhIVxXgOBGFMm28wCj4hx3lCfShxjoak2h7z2pcOuOyBEdqULtwRU06oF7J598n2uwFMG6NY-znuNRhu3jIolo73oYVzk78SS9HHn3ZpOsk6GgbxSxsRx11FtugiN0czYZkAjhWFwPrJ_3wFX/s640/7963-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQoJm9Wi2FsxhGvxWCfceuvQezpnGioiw9NZTjCZ2bSx2jhIVxXgOBGFMm28wCj4hx3lCfShxjoak2h7z2pcOuOyBEdqULtwRU06oF7J598n2uwFMG6NY-znuNRhu3jIolo73oYVzk78SS9HHn3ZpOsk6GgbxSxsRx11FtugiN0czYZkAjhWFwPrJ_3wFX/s16000/7963-1.png" /></a></div><br />News tip from US Modernist’s George Smart FAIA: Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1953 designed (not completed) restaurant not far from Taliesin in Wisconsin and part of the Taliesin Visitor Center, has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. <p></p><p>Who knew at one time there was fine dining available overlooking the Wisconsin River in a Wright designed restaurant? </p><p>Wright never dined at what became Spring Green Restaurant because it wasn’t completed and opened to the public until 1967.</p><p>As we all know, one cannot dine on decor. Sadly, the restaurant is no longer serving food as it is a visitor’s center. As an aside, there is another Wright restaurant currently in operation in Bartlesville Oklahoma site of FLW’s only high rise. </p><p>Here’s more data from WisconsinHistory.org on <b>Spring Green Restaurant</b> 5607 County Highway C, Town of Wyoming, Iowa County Architect: Frank Lloyd Wright/ Taliesin Associated Architects (William Wesley Peters) Construction Date: 1957-1959, 1967-1970 </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPmNqUriuq5uBPdsea7mIELT4-XSBmELmRCN535nSezoQqFzbSMBj2iGVsIS682hXFTb_a4rYESGMi1DMo4wGRb5HQFXHC5zo4LMBt36qkiRKfF4r4g5ST67yLG9jPpr7htOvWVBsPGYQHhmAuKyR2syxeZ5-NlwWDsiLY9PVzJ5t69g57ZQK_gd9FG7I/s1179/Screenshot%202024-02-26%20at%207.05.33%E2%80%AFAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="885" data-original-width="1179" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPmNqUriuq5uBPdsea7mIELT4-XSBmELmRCN535nSezoQqFzbSMBj2iGVsIS682hXFTb_a4rYESGMi1DMo4wGRb5HQFXHC5zo4LMBt36qkiRKfF4r4g5ST67yLG9jPpr7htOvWVBsPGYQHhmAuKyR2syxeZ5-NlwWDsiLY9PVzJ5t69g57ZQK_gd9FG7I/w640-h480/Screenshot%202024-02-26%20at%207.05.33%E2%80%AFAM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />Summary: In 1953, Frank Lloyd Wright purchased a parcel of land overlooking the Wisconsin River that was located within a mile of his celebrated home, Taliesin. On it, he intended to build a restaurant building that would be designed by him, would be owned by the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, and would be operated by the Taliesin Fellowship, who would serve visitors to the area and to Wright’s home and school at Taliesin. <p></p><p>Wright’s first concept for the building, which he called “Riverview Terrace,” was designed by him in 1953 and at first it was intended to be an informal, seasonal restaurant. </p><p>By 1954, though, Wright’s first restaurant concept had evolved into one that would be open year-round. It was this second concept, which Wright continued to refine until construction finally began under his direction in 1957, that forms the core of the present-day building. </p><p>The long, low, Spring Green Restaurant building that Wright planned to build had walls that were clad either in smooth stucco or in rock-faced coursed limestone, materials that were consciously chosen to be in harmony with the same materials that Wright had previously used on nearby Taliesin. </p><p>Work on the new building continued sporadically until Wright’s death in 1959, after which it remained in an uncompleted state until 1966, when it was purchased by a new owner, the Wisconsin River Land Development Corp. </p><p>The new owner’s plans included turning Wright’s unfinished restaurant building into an upscale restaurant. To do so required some major changes to Wright’s design and these changes were implemented by Taliesin Associated Architects (TAA), which had been created after Wright’s death by his former associates and which was then led by William Wesley Peters, who was the chief architect for the revised building. </p><p>The building was opened to the public in 1967 as The Spring Green Restaurant, it was fully completed in 1970, and it continued to serve its original function until 1993, when it was purchased by Taliesin Preservation Commission, Inc. and was repurposed to serve as the visitor center for Taliesin. Despite this change in usage, the building is still highly intact today and it is still in excellent, highly original condition. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30OpxkV2B3GmzyVfjfRXqzLtXNpoDyg9Zel0z65QgBMCrlkW_hlZub3mMrE_4wRNIUkW90FtF-NJzukHgC-Ey1lB2lFH7nQronVpreVLUotbnMrxVJh29j1-3XLYzr1eYs6KB-6M78MVlg6wBRTLuld7LBKO1CNqoEO22xXZljlFGiL42Ph5Kjz6ZTwSd/s1416/Screenshot%202024-02-26%20at%207.36.36%E2%80%AFAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="669" data-original-width="1416" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30OpxkV2B3GmzyVfjfRXqzLtXNpoDyg9Zel0z65QgBMCrlkW_hlZub3mMrE_4wRNIUkW90FtF-NJzukHgC-Ey1lB2lFH7nQronVpreVLUotbnMrxVJh29j1-3XLYzr1eYs6KB-6M78MVlg6wBRTLuld7LBKO1CNqoEO22xXZljlFGiL42Ph5Kjz6ZTwSd/w640-h302/Screenshot%202024-02-26%20at%207.36.36%E2%80%AFAM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Recent image</b></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Pillartopost.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18307076334524470628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156563270562399475.post-27448835006145735522024-03-05T00:00:00.001-08:002024-03-05T00:00:00.171-08:00LOCAL / VOTE KATE CALLEN FOR DISTRICT 3 COUNCIL SEAT<p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvgNYisU0FVZPMi96XX9k2QHeaLs5lv0sysyx-cDvvDxrpPjngCBx6YmNxehsPwzOVFojVKjGOiCxPJOxzOhYKPC5dGN1WPSmOVcBzGDb2s_Ym7em5eUWmX_5CDzvosndj08AlHkb9CJJRcfpgMOKQ6ARx5KqXKmRKd9ocpb0JArmWGEeFHedARt1cxQg/s1766/ca-times.brightspotcdn.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1766" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvgNYisU0FVZPMi96XX9k2QHeaLs5lv0sysyx-cDvvDxrpPjngCBx6YmNxehsPwzOVFojVKjGOiCxPJOxzOhYKPC5dGN1WPSmOVcBzGDb2s_Ym7em5eUWmX_5CDzvosndj08AlHkb9CJJRcfpgMOKQ6ARx5KqXKmRKd9ocpb0JArmWGEeFHedARt1cxQg/w434-h640/ca-times.brightspotcdn.png" width="434" /></a></b></div><b><br />GUEST BLOG / By Kate Callen, Journalist, Community Activist</b>--As my “Neighborhoods First!” primary campaign winds down, it’s time to look ahead to the future. The people of District 3 have been very clear about what they expect from their city government: <p></p><p> — Sustainable human-scale growth with adequate infrastructure, including sufficient parking, to support new housing and new residents. </p><p> — Streets and sidewalks that are properly repaired. Neighborhood traffic that flows steadily. </p><p> — Clean air. Plenty of trees and landscaping. Open spaces for recreation. </p><p> — A transparent budget process. Expenditures that yield a sizable “return on investment." Revenues that are duly collected. </p><p> — And, most of all, a District 3 Councilmember who puts her constituents first by listening to them, responding to their needs, and representing their interests. The enthusiasm generated by this campaign — the yard signs, the flyers, the financial support — has sent a strong signal to City Hall that change is in the air. </p><p>Thank you for making that happen. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiACJuCSX9ASOFDYx8ztj5G3xwrnl3vYLpOOzX8oVptKfGfyamcSkcLOnpe4Hmh9MFPOvp3v4IsSvB8TRV6EulSOi-xXr0rdPv4DgJHaHcq8ofToJubBPhG8avX2wtrUqASfMiSpaCO2flvicTmWyUmeuG17_D4Mx_sMGcNjvPZlgZvSFT0xHvBCBa076ZW/s400/Kate-Callen-order-signs-District-3-City-Council-Candidate-2024.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="331" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiACJuCSX9ASOFDYx8ztj5G3xwrnl3vYLpOOzX8oVptKfGfyamcSkcLOnpe4Hmh9MFPOvp3v4IsSvB8TRV6EulSOi-xXr0rdPv4DgJHaHcq8ofToJubBPhG8avX2wtrUqASfMiSpaCO2flvicTmWyUmeuG17_D4Mx_sMGcNjvPZlgZvSFT0xHvBCBa076ZW/w530-h640/Kate-Callen-order-signs-District-3-City-Council-Candidate-2024.png" width="530" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Pillartopost.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18307076334524470628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156563270562399475.post-82772353308665912192024-03-04T00:00:00.000-08:002024-03-04T00:00:00.130-08:00MEDIA MONDAY / WAKE UP AMERICA, CAST AN INFORMED VOTE!<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZGDKaIVAO1Ti-aq_lb7EziYYyxu1GNzy7l6kPp5qOHZ4ijesBG-lNiiZ8OQlwK8SAaW818LgXHKV_fXsu6uKabzkIkHZoZ2KiPJ7ZUzmJU3DMEoO_r3rrAnWkDt9bviXSiwDSsoUB0xbnBFXpbY9c1qSzIjCCqJXu-65afHW8lpzeeR_2pjh3EX5IGtg/s751/Screenshot%202024-02-27%20at%206.59.57%E2%80%AFPM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="579" data-original-width="751" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZGDKaIVAO1Ti-aq_lb7EziYYyxu1GNzy7l6kPp5qOHZ4ijesBG-lNiiZ8OQlwK8SAaW818LgXHKV_fXsu6uKabzkIkHZoZ2KiPJ7ZUzmJU3DMEoO_r3rrAnWkDt9bviXSiwDSsoUB0xbnBFXpbY9c1qSzIjCCqJXu-65afHW8lpzeeR_2pjh3EX5IGtg/w640-h494/Screenshot%202024-02-27%20at%206.59.57%E2%80%AFPM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">“This Rotarian loves chocolate and big dogs, is a published author, was his high school’s Valedictorian, attended the Naval Academy; enjoys bicycle riding, rowing and tree-climbing. This Rotarian participates in community committees that include Emerald Keepers and Avenue of Heroes, and co-chaired Neighbor to Neighbor (N2N) during the pandemic. This year’s Rotarian of the Year is Daniel Steward (second from right).” Photo & caption via Coronado Eagle and Journal.</span> </i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Published in the <i>San Diego Union-Tribune.</i> <p></p><p><b>GUEST OPINION / By Dan Steward, retired U.S. Navy Seal</b>—It has become increasingly clear that what hundreds of thousands of individuals over many generations have fought, sacrificed and died to protect is in peril under assault by one of the oldest threats to any civilization — a demagogue and those who overtly and/or cravenly support him. </p><p>We in the United States tout democratic principles, individual freedom and a Constitution unique in history, yet far too many citizens ignore what can neither be reasonably denied nor justified — an insurrection fomented, aided and abetted by an individual refusing to accept the will of the people expressed through voting. </p><p>I’m a simple guy. </p><p>Never been elected to public office. </p><p>Swore an oath to “protect and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic bear true faith and allegiance to the same.” </p><p>Served a career in the U.S. military. Was held — and still proudly hold myself — to that oath. </p><p>Americans would be well-served to recall John Brown’s 1859 attempt to foment an insurrection at Harpers Ferry. A quick synopsis for those who don’t remember their American history. Brown, an abolitionist and agitator, sought to ignite an uprising to upend slavery in the U.S. His raid on a federal armory at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, was short-lived; resulted in the deaths of many of his small band of raiders; and killed several innocent people. Brown survived, was convicted of treason, and was hanged in December 1859. His failed insurrection became a cause célèbre for both the North and the South and a spark contributing to the deaths of an estimated 620,000 Civil War American soldiers (roughly the equivalent of American fatalities in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Spanish American War, World War I, World War II and the Korean War combined). </p><p>“And the relevance of John Brown to today?” you may ask. One individual can change the course of history. Consider the current presidential race and the compounding impacts of fomenting distrust of the electoral process, judges, the courts and law enforcement. </p><p>Of castigating and making false assertions against elected officials, judges, military leadership. </p><p>Of disparaging any who engage in legal, constitutionally based opposition. </p><p>Of incessantly claiming victimization at the hands of “a corrupt system.” </p><p>Will we to allow ourselves to be swept along this dangerous path while turning a blind eye to the swirl of divisiveness, incivility and unconscionable demands of fealty to an individual or party? </p><p>This is not a diatribe against an individual or a political party. </p><p>It is a wake-up call — particularly to younger generations who may not understand or recall historical instances when an individual has led a nation down a slippery slope with promises to unseat the status quo power structure, punish those who stand against “us,” restore national pride ... and then led the country over a ledge. </p><p>The U.S. has plenty of problems, but is it sane to break an institution in order to improve it? The oldest democracy in the world? Change is needed, but governmental change comes slowly. </p><p>Departing from fundamental principles upon which our nation was founded (all are equal in the eyes of the law, governmental separation of powers, separation of church and state, to name a few) is to ignore history’s stark lessons. </p><p>We do so at our collective peril. </p><p>Foreseeing the fragility of democracy, the framers of the Constitution did their damnedest to protect the nation from enemies “both foreign and domestic.” They enshrined fealty to the Constitution above all else, requiring solemn oaths be taken by the president and members of Congress. </p><p>For all who have sworn an oath to support the Constitution, the path should be clear and incontrovertible. For any who have not taken an oath, the path should be no less clear. </p><p>Lies, legal gamesmanship to obfuscate and delay, and intimidation designed to subvert authority and encourage abrogation of responsibility must not be countenanced by either elected officials or the electorate. </p><p>Answer reveille’s call. </p><p>If ever there was a time to understand what is at risk and how your vote can influence the future, this is it. Wake up and exercise the greatest fundamental responsibility and privilege afforded citizens of this great republic: Cast an informed vote! </p><p>Mr. Steward is a retired Navy SEAL who lives in Coronado. </p><p><br /></p>Pillartopost.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18307076334524470628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156563270562399475.post-4131091404945117062024-03-03T00:00:00.000-08:002024-03-03T00:00:00.138-08:00SUNDAY REVIEW / LIFE’S A PUZZLE / GIRL WITH PINK FLAMINGOS.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJ3pGD6M4JJ7gA5sVRcA5u2psOMlRhkdR8JEWvraXjhni-J95n6NmnJocPYgHGbWYP-4HThQ13RNSMYF3QMhAhRavOPUfv2JqG7JF3IyJCqc34B_oq4cFoYP9d7BTZLuoJwCEvVLnbuczXCbO9HKJUsgkgdwQJioGOjinE1ha1WOa1ECG6SzI_UQXUx_s/s735/Screenshot%202024-02-26%20at%206.46.44%E2%80%AFAM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="735" data-original-width="599" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJ3pGD6M4JJ7gA5sVRcA5u2psOMlRhkdR8JEWvraXjhni-J95n6NmnJocPYgHGbWYP-4HThQ13RNSMYF3QMhAhRavOPUfv2JqG7JF3IyJCqc34B_oq4cFoYP9d7BTZLuoJwCEvVLnbuczXCbO9HKJUsgkgdwQJioGOjinE1ha1WOa1ECG6SzI_UQXUx_s/s16000/Screenshot%202024-02-26%20at%206.46.44%E2%80%AFAM.png" /></a></div><br />Pomegranate.com, a leading jigsaw puzzle creator reveals its latest 1000-piece masterpiece. Called “Girl with Pink Flamingo” from a painting by Carlos Gamez de Francisco, this new work is filled with intoxicating imagination. <p></p><p>What could be reflected in her mirrored sunglasses, and why has a bee perched on her finger? </p><p>Take in the details of the subject’s royal throne, eccentric hairstyle and couture wardrobe. Ponder her beauty and the delicate oddities as you assemble this 1000 piece puzzle. </p><p>Available wherever finer jigsaw puzzles are sold. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>***[advertisement below]***</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWslUh6hD9GreSWc3lS6M6-iHdc_ixTLUWf0EvXN8Q7NqgCpv5p8Aq4gPY9Q7wrCs_m23D6FvoBqLfP6XzvnHsLkHnnR69KwXZf8jYZIRYzHekBGiPxEH2AU8UeUQ814ig3HUsDKNuludk6RsI1mNVNndu7FqQNRgWlJALeiuXTcMQF4M94hJ8PzHrxDx7/s1936/2-13%20BANNER%20ADV.%20copy.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="1936" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWslUh6hD9GreSWc3lS6M6-iHdc_ixTLUWf0EvXN8Q7NqgCpv5p8Aq4gPY9Q7wrCs_m23D6FvoBqLfP6XzvnHsLkHnnR69KwXZf8jYZIRYzHekBGiPxEH2AU8UeUQ814ig3HUsDKNuludk6RsI1mNVNndu7FqQNRgWlJALeiuXTcMQF4M94hJ8PzHrxDx7/w640-h164/2-13%20BANNER%20ADV.%20copy.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Note: Three Palms Press is a division of PillartoPost.org</span></b><p></p>Pillartopost.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18307076334524470628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156563270562399475.post-77020145261777032262024-03-02T00:00:00.000-08:002024-03-02T00:00:00.140-08:00RETRO FILES / SATURDAY NIGHT DANCE, 1940<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjB_tP8VvxBls8nXvcHsOFXixftQFAwgq0t9vwDDW5NAvRu4MaCslRpwDlYI7ZR7SrWAlRKR_O0Kd7lGAf8szo8rdL7zaJ5_BlzaKxj7Bf9Pa8nTdDvq62GTZy6TcKbOw_IIMWFES2y0JQ0G0yyF-xC9EULEwp85CE0mO4lf7DNN_bUWuzd59FyBIQcFNt/s899/Sat%20nite%20dance.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="899" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjB_tP8VvxBls8nXvcHsOFXixftQFAwgq0t9vwDDW5NAvRu4MaCslRpwDlYI7ZR7SrWAlRKR_O0Kd7lGAf8szo8rdL7zaJ5_BlzaKxj7Bf9Pa8nTdDvq62GTZy6TcKbOw_IIMWFES2y0JQ0G0yyF-xC9EULEwp85CE0mO4lf7DNN_bUWuzd59FyBIQcFNt/s16000/Sat%20nite%20dance.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Saturday Night Dance"</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Images herein are from the U.S. Farm Security Administration [FSA] archives, Library of Congress and were taken at the Tulare Migrant Camp, Visalia, CA in 1940 by Arthur Rothstein. <p></p><p>Arthur Rothstein was born in New York in 1915. While attending Columbia University in the 1930s, he studied photography and was greatly inspired by his mentors, Roy Stryker and Rex Tugwell. </p><p>Stryker invited Rothstein to be the first photographer to join the federally sponsored Farm Security Administration (FSA) photojournalism project. The FSA employed a small group of photographers, including Mary Post Wolcott, Walker Evans, Dorothea Lange and Ben Shahn, to publicize the conditions of the impoverished rural areas of the United States. </p><p> In 1936 Rothstein took an assignment documenting the Dust Bowl area of the Midwestern United States. In Cimarron County, Oklahoma, Rothstein took one of his most famous photographs that became emblematic of the Depression period. It was called “Fleeing a Dust Storm.” His photographs of this period displayed a gritty reality of life in America. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_SzFOcBp_z8bXG3HzQPioWhGnFHLL2tsNIT2uSTmM6l3sLGX3P3sESiv3RfW15YBjEPgS0gk22o6orkiIYN4OvjUFfVcfvhEpl7uADvOu6RyImdZteGGo38p7ftngWJ26-8iqve7VIlDvSUocNvazmPUPTu-MIIS7nEDlimtqMd98qB2r3_vZAGPSBWXC/s844/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-15%20at%2012.25.08%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="682" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_SzFOcBp_z8bXG3HzQPioWhGnFHLL2tsNIT2uSTmM6l3sLGX3P3sESiv3RfW15YBjEPgS0gk22o6orkiIYN4OvjUFfVcfvhEpl7uADvOu6RyImdZteGGo38p7ftngWJ26-8iqve7VIlDvSUocNvazmPUPTu-MIIS7nEDlimtqMd98qB2r3_vZAGPSBWXC/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-15%20at%2012.25.08%20PM.png" width="259" /></a></div>In 1940 Rothstein joined the staff of <i>Look</i> magazine. With the start of the Second World War, Rothstein once again completed photojournalistic assignments for the government in China, Burma, and India. After the war he returned to<i> Look</i>, and worked as the Director of Photography until the magazine closed in 1971. <p></p><p>He then held the same position for <i>Parade</i> magazine. </p><p>Rothstein was a multi-dimensioned photographer. As he continued his own work, he also taught at several schools, authored seven photography books, and invented the X-O-Graph printing process.</p><p>BY ARTHUR ROTHSTEIN AT TULARE MIGRANT CAMP, VISALIA CA</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGP3ki_XnQ8EA5ABsprgHRDj2TpTOAsRlQcF6_N50QkJchUkmZoAK7YC6YvuI2fXTt3H2YcJ1zUrv66DOcujSMXhTiGiz213d9JexoXXw_hkiXMhAHBEkUIyr0h_Ofvmu40xzfKvzUdP9A2ZsyVCQVXP02hinQb_2EqfzU1J_5BRt_By-KWQA-10gxEwz/s837/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-15%20at%2012.14.07%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="837" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGP3ki_XnQ8EA5ABsprgHRDj2TpTOAsRlQcF6_N50QkJchUkmZoAK7YC6YvuI2fXTt3H2YcJ1zUrv66DOcujSMXhTiGiz213d9JexoXXw_hkiXMhAHBEkUIyr0h_Ofvmu40xzfKvzUdP9A2ZsyVCQVXP02hinQb_2EqfzU1J_5BRt_By-KWQA-10gxEwz/s16000/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-15%20at%2012.14.07%20PM.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPPzRse_-uNqhtzOTOz466XwozdPpnC1J-aaO3UvnXwoYdtjGt8H9id3PSZUtdAGXsK7C0FSWJc67WZsRiLRjQegabCxwFsBtk0wAAlYSmTvd-JnxTvwoZ7-abeHKyAR22eXqSB7WUOepfYuGHP4u14NmofV3xLoRf3xR1Es1jmdAAZ7MukigeUjh-ksfi/s865/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-15%20at%2010.52.18%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="865" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPPzRse_-uNqhtzOTOz466XwozdPpnC1J-aaO3UvnXwoYdtjGt8H9id3PSZUtdAGXsK7C0FSWJc67WZsRiLRjQegabCxwFsBtk0wAAlYSmTvd-JnxTvwoZ7-abeHKyAR22eXqSB7WUOepfYuGHP4u14NmofV3xLoRf3xR1Es1jmdAAZ7MukigeUjh-ksfi/s16000/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-15%20at%2010.52.18%20AM.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkhqTSAI8MC2Ttq-u5SS9CcHdfV7ccuVvRLMwN8b01XH4pszkjFV6SMTEG79xndhNh_IbuNIRq2J_9QFQgL3D0jsiJiH6TdY49yW3Sb82fsoxGoUs2PcpbT5LMxtf5x2EhbmJhEsrLFVoz_AdHZla3eNIRLOcwfq0KsrblxBF1GcCXVo6kuvxS_NpKEal/s959/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-15%20at%2012.10.11%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="741" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkhqTSAI8MC2Ttq-u5SS9CcHdfV7ccuVvRLMwN8b01XH4pszkjFV6SMTEG79xndhNh_IbuNIRq2J_9QFQgL3D0jsiJiH6TdY49yW3Sb82fsoxGoUs2PcpbT5LMxtf5x2EhbmJhEsrLFVoz_AdHZla3eNIRLOcwfq0KsrblxBF1GcCXVo6kuvxS_NpKEal/w494-h640/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-15%20at%2012.10.11%20PM.png" width="494" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQdeOCvobFBETxAaH0jjMb1ZAb9mFwIRZiWZN6iMjc5FXmIKd8-EGY7E1Vs4zFXbMHvwQFgUnkXpE5LE1CVX1XK4OI7CmcQ6FR8SXpIpKtev3HG4fLJRuzQWejNTTiE0UWH4gfomDsKaOSrXKdpsguUjvXxqAJ3OI_6eT1yRr_Duwg9isgIvjmMTqPxHH/s812/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-15%20at%2010.47.43%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="614" data-original-width="812" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQdeOCvobFBETxAaH0jjMb1ZAb9mFwIRZiWZN6iMjc5FXmIKd8-EGY7E1Vs4zFXbMHvwQFgUnkXpE5LE1CVX1XK4OI7CmcQ6FR8SXpIpKtev3HG4fLJRuzQWejNTTiE0UWH4gfomDsKaOSrXKdpsguUjvXxqAJ3OI_6eT1yRr_Duwg9isgIvjmMTqPxHH/s16000/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-15%20at%2010.47.43%20AM.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0s1n2sCfUHTAN4vCdvBbCFL39o9uCVj7n1Q8Jm8S3fgFXFPIx_PBRdY4kUNCXJlYYfPrsFXhpHkFe0mExQjDEV7kkAH1LTGkAu1Ic-MP8jOYHZ5ipDpe_tfQeL0Uryqt2jbNYEnassX2Z9EaNZqqL31ph9xIHuKaWNK6mccyAZdHW9LVZ74ofC2Nm-_r/s829/baseball.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="829" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0s1n2sCfUHTAN4vCdvBbCFL39o9uCVj7n1Q8Jm8S3fgFXFPIx_PBRdY4kUNCXJlYYfPrsFXhpHkFe0mExQjDEV7kkAH1LTGkAu1Ic-MP8jOYHZ5ipDpe_tfQeL0Uryqt2jbNYEnassX2Z9EaNZqqL31ph9xIHuKaWNK6mccyAZdHW9LVZ74ofC2Nm-_r/s16000/baseball.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfPUNwZ7ZRBWJitf6JOMY-OsFfObHYTlA-a71xZhv2yADEdEWosvASupdyqFxNJLbRLLQRNc-oSWu7h2Z4J8ccY_kGcOAbDkdjEzHb3Ii7mX-MP0tmU2SRAydros5yUp4PE3_xOZKLCgoxwCNSCTi0stOXP-qZrLkwmnYnC4YS0-YBwMNq5BgfHOMSaz_j/s698/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-15%20at%2011.56.51%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="551" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfPUNwZ7ZRBWJitf6JOMY-OsFfObHYTlA-a71xZhv2yADEdEWosvASupdyqFxNJLbRLLQRNc-oSWu7h2Z4J8ccY_kGcOAbDkdjEzHb3Ii7mX-MP0tmU2SRAydros5yUp4PE3_xOZKLCgoxwCNSCTi0stOXP-qZrLkwmnYnC4YS0-YBwMNq5BgfHOMSaz_j/w506-h640/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-15%20at%2011.56.51%20AM.png" width="506" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJkV4lP8tO3bEnVRjj5aRoIzOpi4dk15sGrc5oInbIkm29xoGJ78KIE-6PI4coxcbnc2o2w6g7NVBT_49xSv_xK1OFOkTNXRdETxb552cVsu_SZUruo-7O_QhZG3z3RS_asvAYSN-vXMGvl5EaSYwOzakL8r3ZUSmY_TmUg0i_bda1e6-44t66xbGcDGI/s815/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-15%20at%2012.06.54%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="614" data-original-width="815" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJkV4lP8tO3bEnVRjj5aRoIzOpi4dk15sGrc5oInbIkm29xoGJ78KIE-6PI4coxcbnc2o2w6g7NVBT_49xSv_xK1OFOkTNXRdETxb552cVsu_SZUruo-7O_QhZG3z3RS_asvAYSN-vXMGvl5EaSYwOzakL8r3ZUSmY_TmUg0i_bda1e6-44t66xbGcDGI/w640-h482/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-15%20at%2012.06.54%20PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl0_JMB5FvjtGjWuKtBK3Roc6XSu4YKu3kTZy3CYlBDu9YqGyHtmVneP402AYj5uqUdTry604flTahHkgTk6p4J5k9mK38qkvIdI3GVfmo7SoQhBkowDuhuFG6boQ2Uw0sa_WrWkuEeJNffDQHj6PYj9O-QMeZ6xn-iPmhhlWuuQiTkZgvuBB6bxRqcJTj/s931/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-15%20at%2012.05.36%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="673" data-original-width="931" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl0_JMB5FvjtGjWuKtBK3Roc6XSu4YKu3kTZy3CYlBDu9YqGyHtmVneP402AYj5uqUdTry604flTahHkgTk6p4J5k9mK38qkvIdI3GVfmo7SoQhBkowDuhuFG6boQ2Uw0sa_WrWkuEeJNffDQHj6PYj9O-QMeZ6xn-iPmhhlWuuQiTkZgvuBB6bxRqcJTj/w640-h462/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-15%20at%2012.05.36%20PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPZtZaIcHy7f73lNqMvoMy4mflVGYmLVzXYSVRF93b2aCBTpJX0QZ51ctr8R5a5bIczMb0r2eqxfZurB5_8r2MC3D-vU_0xFk9uSGy-ga_eb9bffYDkZiJj7UiHYCt5lJuEM463qq1lQeP_Xdwzkm4OiuRtZmRcA9362PmWrsdeQHnnGnYjCT_9YJ9S-HU/s617/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-15%20at%2012.08.01%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="475" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPZtZaIcHy7f73lNqMvoMy4mflVGYmLVzXYSVRF93b2aCBTpJX0QZ51ctr8R5a5bIczMb0r2eqxfZurB5_8r2MC3D-vU_0xFk9uSGy-ga_eb9bffYDkZiJj7UiHYCt5lJuEM463qq1lQeP_Xdwzkm4OiuRtZmRcA9362PmWrsdeQHnnGnYjCT_9YJ9S-HU/w492-h640/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-15%20at%2012.08.01%20PM.png" width="492" /></a></div><br /><p>###</p><p>Speaking of the 1940s, the photo below is an image of Mother Parker's Tea & Coffee in Toronto Canada.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdHidvAtFso20bjxdj_gmsPFBVNQ5FvWiI7LpqCb8Rdfm6wsMO4twvNQjP6hn4UexBl53W1AckZJEsOG6imJzR8xjq6qByN-6zH3iLq19yyvDSYY2obv1AqsjNogwCYJfuKpqUPL4sm-lKF_iExYN8CQXStFyYYL3WK2JtmBQQ-uJnu3GmJcV7ghC2myVX/s700/3d7f1ecfdffb92c2b6838ec0c4a27e71.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="700" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdHidvAtFso20bjxdj_gmsPFBVNQ5FvWiI7LpqCb8Rdfm6wsMO4twvNQjP6hn4UexBl53W1AckZJEsOG6imJzR8xjq6qByN-6zH3iLq19yyvDSYY2obv1AqsjNogwCYJfuKpqUPL4sm-lKF_iExYN8CQXStFyYYL3WK2JtmBQQ-uJnu3GmJcV7ghC2myVX/s16000/3d7f1ecfdffb92c2b6838ec0c4a27e71.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Pillartopost.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18307076334524470628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156563270562399475.post-70215864033642699542024-03-01T00:00:00.001-08:002024-03-01T00:00:00.135-08:00 FISCAL FRIDAY / 3 POSITIVE STOCK MARKET SIGNS FOR THE BULLS<p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2TILkDV041mypaW7uEvehyj5X3B9y2CSghxwFqFvrLsq8IDti9hfD9bzV0LCl3Y6ASTAWe1g3RFJlEXpG4g-Cz9k_GPNyRyeBcJFZZp2OrPISzfJn2_itRqfSyfh6ZuZot2KgaEOYimNPVSFUHxespdnlMZMwNwiiPCeOWkWzG3EJcPSpTs4lDRVv2CQL/s350/stock-market-bull-1435733623-5342300%20copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="233" data-original-width="350" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2TILkDV041mypaW7uEvehyj5X3B9y2CSghxwFqFvrLsq8IDti9hfD9bzV0LCl3Y6ASTAWe1g3RFJlEXpG4g-Cz9k_GPNyRyeBcJFZZp2OrPISzfJn2_itRqfSyfh6ZuZot2KgaEOYimNPVSFUHxespdnlMZMwNwiiPCeOWkWzG3EJcPSpTs4lDRVv2CQL/w640-h426/stock-market-bull-1435733623-5342300%20copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></div><b><br />GUEST BLOG / By Craig Fehr, Principal, Investment Strategy CFA with the Edward Jones Company. </b><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Key Takeaways for this past week </b></span></p><p>• Stocks hit a record high last week. With a quiet week on the economic data calendar, markets were focused on, and powered by, incoming quarterly corporate earnings announcements, which have largely beat expectations. </p><p>• The combination of rising corporate profits, the avoidance of a recession, and a more friendly Fed looks to us to be a favorable backdrop for market performance this year. It appears the market may be increasingly aligned to this view, as evidenced by the rather calm reaction in the stock market to the recent adjustment in expectations for Fed rate cuts to begin later in the year than markets were previously anticipating. </p><p>• Reaching new record highs has not typically marked an exhaustion point for markets, though we think it's reasonable to expect a breather in the near term given the speed and size of the recent rally. Nevertheless, we think markets can build on gains over the course of this year, with the next leg getting help from a broadening of leadership in asset classes and sectors that have lagged more recently. </p><p>The stock market added to 2024 gains last week and is now up 24% since October.1 With this sharp rally sending the S&P 500 to a record high, you wouldn't think it would be hard for investors to find good news, and you'd be right. After all, we don't believe this run higher has been a fluke. It's been backed by credible tailwinds, like a Fed that will be cutting rates later this year and an economy that has resisted gravity on the backs of an enthusiastic consumer. </p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Stocks added to the rally last week; now up more than 6% in 2024.</b></span> </p><p>At the same time, this rally is not infallible. Leadership has been rather concentrated (underpinned by tech performance that is giving off whiffs of an AI mania), valuations are full (though not unsustainable), and it's far from guaranteed that the Fed will perfectly thread the needle that seamlessly sews together a growing economy alongside persistently falling inflation. </p><p>This is not a cautionary tale, however. We think the run in equities has been reasonable, and the broader bull market looks to have more gas left in the tank. But we also know that even the best markets run out of breath periodically. The good news is that such episodes, while not painless, should prove temporary, in our view. Here are three signs which tell us that even after the surge to all-time highs, investors can still have confidence in this market: </p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>1. Earnings are backing up the gains. </b></span></p><p><b> • Market returns are guided by earnings </b>- Over the last 30 years, the price of the S&P 500 index has risen by well over 900%. Importantly (but not surprisingly), earnings per share for the S&P 500 rose more than 900% over that time as well. This highlights the long-term relationship between stock prices and corporate earnings. They don't, however, move in perfect lockstep with each other. Instead, market movements reflect expectations, occasionally overshooting to the upside and the downside, as investors become overly optimistic or pessimistic. </p><p><b>• 2024 profits will be key for justifying the recent rally-</b>-Corporate earnings rose slightly last year while the stock market gained more than 26%, reflecting the anticipation of a more friendly Fed and healthy earnings growth. To justify the gain, profits this year will need to make good on those expectations, and the latest quarterly earnings announcements suggest that is a reasonable outcome. After last week, 92% of companies have reported fourth-quarter 2023 results, with a more than 7% upside surprise versus consensus expectations. Based on the announced results, S&P 500 profits rose 6.8% year-over-year in the fourth quarter, providing an encouraging handoff to 2024. </p><p><b>• A look back at the tech bubble</b> – The mania around artificial intelligence looks to us like shades of euphoria. Not because the future impacts of AI on the economy are misguided or overstated (we think there are significant near- and long-term economic benefits), but because simply looking at the price appreciation of certain technology investments (and to a lesser extent, the market as a whole), at least gets our Spidey Senses going. </p><p>A 26% return in the stock market in 2023, powered by a nearly 60% gain from the tech sector, hearkens back to the 1990s. But more concrete comparisons to the tech bubble are, to us, both premature and overstated. First, while last year's stock-market gain looks similar to calendar-year gains during the late 1990s, it shouldn't be lost that the bubble was filled by five consecutive years (1995-1999) of annual returns exceeding 20%. Perhaps more importantly, earnings across the dot-com stocks didn't back up those gains. In the 1990s, meteoric gains were occurring in unprofitable dot-com companies, many of which had tantalizing growth prospects but no viable or sustainable earnings base. Today, the enthusiasm is concentrated in the largest companies with prolific as well as defensible earnings. NVIDIA, Microsoft, Alphabet (Google), Amazon and Meta (Facebook) generated a quarter of a trillion dollars in earnings in 2023. Could we see some slivers of reckoning in the most overheated spaces? Of course. Does this raise the potential for disappointments that spark a temporary pullback? Yes. Does this pose a more structural threat that sends the overall equity market in a sharp or severe dive? We don't think so. </p><p><b>While the current rally has been strong, it's a long way from a bubble--</b>We are not, however, dismissing some noteworthy characteristics of the current market. Currently, the top 10 stocks in the S&P 500 account for roughly 29% of the market's capitalization. This compares with 33% during the dot-com era. Last year, the majority of the S&P 500's gain was attributable to just a small number of mega-cap technology stocks. There's no denying that market concentration has increased and leadership has been narrow. This makes the market more vulnerable to swings in sentiment, as well as to company- and sector-specific risks. For example, last week's better-than-expected quarterly earnings announcement from NVIDIA provided the fuel that sent the tech sector and the overall market surging higher. However, an opposite announcement would have likely had, in our view, an equally negative effect on the broader market. We do have some indigestion toward a market that is so focused and sensitive to the outcomes of a single company or handful of names. These conditions don't herald an imminent downturn or an outcome anywhere near that which followed the dot-com bubble, but instead highlight the importance of overall earnings in supporting sustainable growth for the equity market. </p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>2. The stock market's recent response to the Fed has been, dare we say, calm.</b></span> </p><p> • Expectations needed to be adjusted - For some time now, we have viewed expectations for Fed interest-rate decisions as the most prevalent catalyst for market volatility. Our reasoning is twofold: 1) Financial markets are incredibly tightly (almost myopically) anchored to Fed policy. This has been the case for the last two years, and we anticipate this will continue to be so in 2024. Monetary policy (particularly tightening and easing phases) is a very powerful driver of economic and market outcomes, so this is not an unreasonable condition. 2) We have felt consensus market expectations were unrealistic when it came to Fed rate cuts this year. It has been our expectation since last fall that the Fed would wait until this summer to begin cutting rates. Up until the last few weeks, markets have been pricing in rate cuts to begin in March. Over the last few weeks, in response to the Fed's latest policy announcement and the most recent inflation report, markets have moved closer to our view, removing an expected rate cut in March and pushing back both the commencement and magnitude of cuts in 2024. </p><p><b>• Equites have kept a level head </b>- <span style="color: red;">Here in lies the good news for investors: </span>Fed expectations have been recalibrated without the stock market freaking out. This has not been the case over the past year and signals to us that markets are willing to look at the bigger picture. That picture is one in which the economy appears poised to power ahead without experiencing a significant recession, the Fed will eventually begin to take its foot off the monetary-policy brake, and the corporate profit cycle is in an upswing. </p><p>Looking back in 2023, there were two prominent episodes during which the market was forced to adjust its expectations toward a less accommodative Fed. At the beginning of February 2023, the market abruptly raised its expectation for the policy rate by 50 basis points (0.50%) following hawkish commentary from the Fed around its commitment to bringing down inflation. The stock market fell more than 7% over the next month. Then in the summer of last year, the Fed instilled a "higher for longer" interest-rate message that sparked a 10% correction from August through October. </p><p><b>Prior adjustments to higher rates spurred equity-market pullbacks.</b>--We doubt the coast is clear when it comes to market (over) reactions toward Fed expectations, but the fact that the stock market has come around to the expectation that the Fed will wait longer before cutting rates and cut less this year than previously anticipated without a knee-jerk sell-off response, tells us that there is growing confidence in the broader fundamentals of this bull market. </p><p><b>3. All-time highs are not the finish line. </b></p><p>• The stock market surged to a record high last week, having eclipsed the previous high in January 2022 on the back of a new bull market that has delivered a 45% return since October 2022. The upshot is that bull markets do not tend to reach exhaustion upon hitting new highs. In fact, history shows that the initial breach of an all-time high tends to be more of a mile marker on the way to further gains. Equities have typically logged strong and extended gains after new highs were reached. </p><p>• It's positive to see the recent broadening out of sector performance. Over the past year, the technology and communication services sectors are the runaway leaders, each gaining more than 57%, with the next closest being consumer discretionary (30%) and industrials (21%).1 However, over the last month, leadership has been more balanced, with energy, communication services, consumer discretionary, industrials and financials representing the top-five performers.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8RILQ9QyWTcmWtbSHQmyMk-tbwBQpXYEpmWKjlpV4BIbhOr44mNk64dPAs1vr2XGVaVGlTedqISmCHBqS6vHcW_kKHYhX3INenfGS2lRubVrldLz4XVpe4MvoNWUj3eKvT39pc-2BoFAhTa1ZNjb80Sfnoddn016Bb4tF7uMzEWLd7YVS9UkxujWzf9s/s614/fehr-craig-color.jpg.webp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="614" data-original-width="412" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8RILQ9QyWTcmWtbSHQmyMk-tbwBQpXYEpmWKjlpV4BIbhOr44mNk64dPAs1vr2XGVaVGlTedqISmCHBqS6vHcW_kKHYhX3INenfGS2lRubVrldLz4XVpe4MvoNWUj3eKvT39pc-2BoFAhTa1ZNjb80Sfnoddn016Bb4tF7uMzEWLd7YVS9UkxujWzf9s/s320/fehr-craig-color.jpg.webp" width="215" /></a></div><br /><b>Craig Fehr, Principal, CFA, Edward Jones Company</b><p></p>Pillartopost.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18307076334524470628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156563270562399475.post-17257199967795466922024-02-29T00:00:00.000-08:002024-03-02T13:46:00.500-08:00MEDIA THURSDAY / THANKS FOR NOTHING, MITCH<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBSCBvum_RUE4mBfxuVISxAIkT_ywBDLi-xTP04SkOuoPylRBvOD5bIQr866tzJY6b1tqwEyfdQ_VncdeuShMhpN0tDP4m0GWHPiw5oVdnjXB3UryqMItROcnpaIZMx1LiSoXCmmrZQiXI01B5xp-Rkqw2QnyEoGqXSgl-JUg4zRdp-uVhQOdrwyHAzF2h/s1920/FRONTLINE_McConnell-The-GOP-and-The-Court_SignatureImage.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBSCBvum_RUE4mBfxuVISxAIkT_ywBDLi-xTP04SkOuoPylRBvOD5bIQr866tzJY6b1tqwEyfdQ_VncdeuShMhpN0tDP4m0GWHPiw5oVdnjXB3UryqMItROcnpaIZMx1LiSoXCmmrZQiXI01B5xp-Rkqw2QnyEoGqXSgl-JUg4zRdp-uVhQOdrwyHAzF2h/w640-h360/FRONTLINE_McConnell-The-GOP-and-The-Court_SignatureImage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Journalist Beth Levin with <i>Vanity Fair </i>is right on point in her essay “After Thoroughly Fucking Over America, Mitch McConnell Decides to Treat Himself to a Break.” <p></p><p>Levin’s piece is the first in a long line of farewells and as Bob Dylan penned “…goodbye’s too good a word, babe…” It’s more like: thanks for nothing, Mitch. And, don’t let those proverbial doors hit you in the ass as you leave. </p><p><b><a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/news/after-thoroughly-fking-over-america-mitch-mcconnell-decides-to-treat-himself-to-a-break?utm_source=nl&utm_brand=vf&utm_mailing=VF_Levin_022824&utm_campaign=VF_Levin_022824&utm_medium=email&bxid=5bea118b24c17c6adf1c8b14&cndid=30205950&hasha=bc29d10560f32cd8cca7b2854b5a3d64&hashb=efc5cb00e783641ce0f076460831e21dbd7e342d&hashc=adfcdbe194a09836d95dda1a7bbc59047f0e44985e2c7e88bce6ae9144e406a5&esrc=VYF_NEWSLETTER_LevinReport_248901_SourceCode&mbid=&source=EDT_VYF_NEWSLETTER_0_LEVIN_REPORT_ZZ&utm_term=VYF_LevinReport ">CLICK HERE</a></b> for Levin’s essay. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLkaLxzNm8XFmUdS7XeaPouQpzjs7wwQ1_Mx6kDJv_5yByKKPChbNOnLuDzqF6f410W5iV2uJxz3d89XJFJXJ046UiuxHpfEWRzHaKmjswPSWtfWzizuvFRl4_5c-0Ht1rnFXyFjHyqMPzIDM57pvkgElqHHS05gKHA3aqyxsUC0MqjJN6zCAkrJWSe_I/s944/Screenshot%202024-03-02%20at%201.43.13%E2%80%AFPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="944" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLkaLxzNm8XFmUdS7XeaPouQpzjs7wwQ1_Mx6kDJv_5yByKKPChbNOnLuDzqF6f410W5iV2uJxz3d89XJFJXJ046UiuxHpfEWRzHaKmjswPSWtfWzizuvFRl4_5c-0Ht1rnFXyFjHyqMPzIDM57pvkgElqHHS05gKHA3aqyxsUC0MqjJN6zCAkrJWSe_I/w640-h400/Screenshot%202024-03-02%20at%201.43.13%E2%80%AFPM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Pillartopost.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18307076334524470628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156563270562399475.post-41617290671465567852024-02-28T00:00:00.000-08:002024-02-28T00:00:00.243-08:00DESIGN / JIG SAW PUZZLES ARE BOOMING<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-oVx9NOaIMf4TP9YCwlMgy1lXbzSKjyscLRy0aRoSvtTw70KYjoQBsM0j0abOvh_76NCTzB9rosvuWYUHxWrBDBcJcou5fRJ2GdTcn4hDvUBk1uAV-1sbCtGhqNmNNpTgNhj7UNjDWNa3oNUvPLF4XYJGE1lYpam6MDW71gaf94q_zYUkDpHtCvN5PUj2/s1228/29685495.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="690" data-original-width="1228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-oVx9NOaIMf4TP9YCwlMgy1lXbzSKjyscLRy0aRoSvtTw70KYjoQBsM0j0abOvh_76NCTzB9rosvuWYUHxWrBDBcJcou5fRJ2GdTcn4hDvUBk1uAV-1sbCtGhqNmNNpTgNhj7UNjDWNa3oNUvPLF4XYJGE1lYpam6MDW71gaf94q_zYUkDpHtCvN5PUj2/s16000/29685495.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: left;"><b> A group of seniors at the Springville Senior Center got to meet with puzzle maker and artist Eric Dowdle after they recently completed a 60,000-piece puzzle he designed. Dowdle is pictured fifth from right, above.</b></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"><div style="text-align: center;">UTAH SENIORS TACKLE 60,000 PIECE PUZZLE </div></span><p></p><p><b>GUEST BLOG / By Cassidy Wixom, KSL.com [Utah]</b>—A group of Springville, Utah seniors got to meet puzzle-maker and artist #EricDowdle after completing a 60,000-piece puzzle he designed. Jigsaw puzzles are always out at the Springville Senior Center, for seniors to work on periodically throughout the day. </p><p>Center Director Tori Eaton is great at finding fun projects for the center and after seeing Dowdle's 60,000-piece puzzle, she knew she had to get it, said Daryl Tucker, board of trustees member for the center. </p><p>The "What a Wonderful World" puzzle is the world's largest commercially available puzzle at 29 feet long and 8 feet tall and features the art of 187 different paintings from the Dowdle art studio. </p><p>The puzzle comes in a huge box with 60 bags of 1,000 pieces each. Each bag of pieces, when put together, completes one section of the puzzle. Once all 60 sections were put together at the Springville Senior Center, the city brought in a dozen tables for the seniors to connect them into one massive puzzle. </p><p>"It was a big project," Tucker said. "It was great. I actually miss working on it. It was quite challenging." The puzzle depicts a map of the world with monuments, landmarks and other illustrations filling in the oceans in Dowdle's recognizable folk art style. </p><p>Tucker said it was fun putting together all of the fine details and identifiable places — he remembers working on the Lincoln Memorial and other D.C. buildings. "These beautiful and vibrant paintings showcase the wonders of our magnificent world. Explore the islands of the Pacific, twinkling lights of Paris, beauty of the Taj Mahal and the majesty of America's national parks on your puzzling journey," the Dowdle Folk Art website says. </p><p> More than 30 people contributed to the puzzle that was started in October and finished in January. </p><p>Tucker said each section of the puzzle took a couple days to finish and sometimes multiple sections were worked on at the same time. "Spent a lot of hours doing it and it was a pleasure," Tucker said. </p><p>Eaton contacted Dowdle's company hoping he could pay the seniors a visit once they completed the puzzle. At first, there was no response from Dowdle because of a mixup in trying to contact him, but once Dowdle heard about the seniors finishing the puzzle he made arrangements to visit on Jan. 18. </p><p>Tucker said Dowdle spent a lot of time with the seniors during his visit, ate lunch with them and gave them "high marks" on finishing the puzzle. He explained how challenging it was to create such a massive puzzle and said the seniors' puzzle process was just how he envisioned it would be completed. </p><p>Dowdle has a studio in Lindon, Utah, where anyone can come and work on the same 60,000-piece puzzle. </p><p>He invited the Springville seniors to come help, since they have prior experience. Eaton's acquaintance at the Heber City senior center asked to borrow the puzzle for their seniors to complete. The puzzle was taken apart, bagged up into sections and taken to Heber City where even more people will get to face the challenge of the giant puzzle. </p><p>Tucker said activities and projects like this one are "indispensable" to the community, especially for people who have retired. "The senior center always provides something for them to be engaged in or active in," he said. "It's a great organization and I would say, my biased opinion, is we're the best senior center anywhere."</p><p> The #SpringvilleSeniorCenter offers a variety of activities from book clubs to quilting, pottery, stained glass and music classes, tai chi groups, painting nights and more. The center also offers field trips around the state to exhibits downtown, sports events, concerts, plays, nature outings and more. </p><p>Dowdle has become famous for his intricate folk art-turned puzzles that he creates of cities, towns and places across the world, including several in Utah, where he showcases the uniqueness of the area. "These puzzles are a way to show that there's no missing pieces, everybody matters, and we really celebrate the individual," Dowdle said in 2023. </p><p>He aims to connect people and communities with his puzzles. </p><p>Dowdle's puzzles are among #Costco's best selling items, Dowdle's puzzle sales exploded during the pandemic.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQ4zdjno26wA39tXyXyYW9NoS-YExAtLsCYtbkVvjot8CC8DNKdgULE0VoVL2EatHpk00RIaSAZv4CWbDLm3TcmgrSozjkzSxIspeY1TZMu-DvNWOPRniV-gljTeFkwo2FTWM8_2cIBkcvmUVy5MT4nTXyVDKJ0iCBux9J6ySR5FDqswvzR8XrKgbBixV/s800/29685505.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQ4zdjno26wA39tXyXyYW9NoS-YExAtLsCYtbkVvjot8CC8DNKdgULE0VoVL2EatHpk00RIaSAZv4CWbDLm3TcmgrSozjkzSxIspeY1TZMu-DvNWOPRniV-gljTeFkwo2FTWM8_2cIBkcvmUVy5MT4nTXyVDKJ0iCBux9J6ySR5FDqswvzR8XrKgbBixV/s16000/29685505.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>When it comes to completing a 60,000-piece jigsaw puzzle, laying down on the job is a must.</b></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Pillartopost.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18307076334524470628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156563270562399475.post-38639668662307205002024-02-27T00:00:00.000-08:002024-02-27T22:16:18.535-08:00TRAVEL / STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO <p><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">1PIX=1K WORDS</span></b></p><p><i><b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitu3R6MJUPMDjlpmvLB7GvI_sk1TB-DE2AGaw8kd_oR_Offyo7O_m2IgvdnQlLNECS1xuIQ2yhsRq7D_-1h0TXblqvUU57EFStVvxLfS1O5_sAPeFUximor53my1UklPAJnkd_WzxL8rzTVjeXvKTyy_o2DMW0okj7CyFf8CQXBJ3SZX3YpREjQXSE4Qki/s1662/sf%20no%20beach%20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1247" data-original-width="1662" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitu3R6MJUPMDjlpmvLB7GvI_sk1TB-DE2AGaw8kd_oR_Offyo7O_m2IgvdnQlLNECS1xuIQ2yhsRq7D_-1h0TXblqvUU57EFStVvxLfS1O5_sAPeFUximor53my1UklPAJnkd_WzxL8rzTVjeXvKTyy_o2DMW0okj7CyFf8CQXBJ3SZX3YpREjQXSE4Qki/w640-h480/sf%20no%20beach%20.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">SAN FRANCISCO/ KEARNY AND COLUMBUS STREETS AS CHINATOWN BLENDS INTO <br />NORTH BEACH, 2023.</span></b></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></b></i></p><p><i><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></b></i></p><p><br /></p>Pillartopost.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18307076334524470628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156563270562399475.post-78183127078961699392024-02-26T00:00:00.000-08:002024-02-26T00:00:00.149-08:00 MEDIA MONDAY / HOW FINANCIAL COLUMNIST GOT SCAMMED OUT OF $50,000.<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZExc3Ga9jy032PtiWTqGHSosPkhcChtkTrWjuNwUJ8nYm-HDWDtil29HbZ9xUm_OXDpJXkSEb2zP3MAQ8pjQv_pdgSwllu8qlViKHZoEczlOKkD4vQD3k4uw0_8Bm8meDSlQGk1b6FUsvsugNtdlZszCBf6ysA_SYr6X7zdYnV7VgV9EAx640wvcUBm4m/s738/Screenshot%202024-02-16%20at%208.16.44%E2%80%AFAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="738" data-original-width="570" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZExc3Ga9jy032PtiWTqGHSosPkhcChtkTrWjuNwUJ8nYm-HDWDtil29HbZ9xUm_OXDpJXkSEb2zP3MAQ8pjQv_pdgSwllu8qlViKHZoEczlOKkD4vQD3k4uw0_8Bm8meDSlQGk1b6FUsvsugNtdlZszCBf6ysA_SYr6X7zdYnV7VgV9EAx640wvcUBm4m/w494-h640/Screenshot%202024-02-16%20at%208.16.44%E2%80%AFAM.png" width="494" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> DON’T LAUGH IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU—SADLY. </span><p></p><p><b> GUEST BLOG / By Charlotte Cowles</b>, the <i>New York Magazine</i> financial-advice columnist. In addition to “My Two Cents,” she writes about work and parenting for the site. Previously, she was the senior features editor at Harper's Bazaar and a senior editor at the Cut. She was also the editorial director for MM.LaFleur. Her work has also been published in Glamour, Art in America, Politico, and other places. “The Day I Put $50,000 into a shoe box and handed it to a stranger. I never thought I was the kind of person to fall for a scam.” –Charlotte Cowles. </p><p><b>TO FIND THIS ARTICLE ON THE INTERNET </b><a href="https://www.thecut.com/article/amazon-scam-call-ftc-arrest-warrants.html?ueid=bc29d10560f32cd8cca7b2854b5a3d64&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=One%20Great%20Story%20-%20February%2015%2C%202024&utm_term=Subscription%20List%20-%20One%20Great%20Story"><span style="color: red;"><b>CLICK HERE.</b></span> </a></p>Pillartopost.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18307076334524470628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7156563270562399475.post-620929638244010732024-02-25T00:00:00.000-08:002024-02-25T00:00:00.135-08:00SUNDAY REVIEW / GEORGIANA HOUGHTON’S PAINTINGS FROM THE OTHER SIDE, 1871<p><b></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP6pc1MiPK-YeuJRSmtZT6n2F3RtW3SJyfW7qYmNcG-6ntSuh3e9Dl18xUrSZ6Vs-owRgfuQoAXOw9rUQpagBM0rS3kNtlebNYpbt5HvXdgQdCpNtUjyAsRCeCzkbOGET44ONmCugtqeTOW_vxP0Q1D0UlO-nJts4xr5DhvNvQYXCI3fJk-JVABYEj9p2l/s1176/Screenshot%202024-02-21%20at%206.33.21%E2%80%AFPM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="790" data-original-width="1176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP6pc1MiPK-YeuJRSmtZT6n2F3RtW3SJyfW7qYmNcG-6ntSuh3e9Dl18xUrSZ6Vs-owRgfuQoAXOw9rUQpagBM0rS3kNtlebNYpbt5HvXdgQdCpNtUjyAsRCeCzkbOGET44ONmCugtqeTOW_vxP0Q1D0UlO-nJts4xr5DhvNvQYXCI3fJk-JVABYEj9p2l/s16000/Screenshot%202024-02-21%20at%206.33.21%E2%80%AFPM.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;"><i>Artist Georgiana Houghton, Glory Be to God, 1864</i></b><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br />GUEST BLOG / By Jennifer Higgie--</b>When Georgiana Houghton first exhibited her paintings at a London gallery in 1871, their wild eddies of color and line were unlike anything the public had seen before — nor would see again until the rise of abstract art decades later. But there was little intentionally abstract about these images: Houghton painted entities she met in the spirit regions. Viewing her works through the prism of friendship, loss, and faith, I have focused overdue attention on an artist neglected by historians, a visionary who believed that death was not the end, merely a new distance to overcome. <p></p><p><b> <a href="https://publicdomainreview.org/essay/the-substantiality-of-spirit/?utm_source=newsletter ">CLICK HERE</a></b> for the remainder of Ms. Higgie’s essay “The Substantiality of Spirit,” which appeared in the<i> Public Domain Review</i> earlier this month. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_u4CfQQI3TqOfb1jfPORHGQ2FuQRO72BbFQEzTbjtxGzwj8RtjwaPBpemORpBMcmaySMIEnhGHs9D0bXbHvUkMSkNZuaO_ZoYPS7J14OGsy1hbHU5bTVuEUyAgp_gtCMgqidXj1CCDzXJMNJ9YZ0gKGIkP-PQ1lTFufaaU8BajmxIcdfcwKGVco3rqmL5/s771/Screenshot%202024-02-21%20at%206.38.41%E2%80%AFPM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="771" data-original-width="507" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_u4CfQQI3TqOfb1jfPORHGQ2FuQRO72BbFQEzTbjtxGzwj8RtjwaPBpemORpBMcmaySMIEnhGHs9D0bXbHvUkMSkNZuaO_ZoYPS7J14OGsy1hbHU5bTVuEUyAgp_gtCMgqidXj1CCDzXJMNJ9YZ0gKGIkP-PQ1lTFufaaU8BajmxIcdfcwKGVco3rqmL5/w420-h640/Screenshot%202024-02-21%20at%206.38.41%E2%80%AFPM.png" width="420" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Ahead of her time</b></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><b>EXHIBITIONS</b>. In 1871, Houghton organized and privately subsidized a public exhibition “Spirit Drawings in Water Colors” of 155 of her watercolors at the New British Library in London. </p><p>In April 2015, Monash University organized the exhibition “Believe not every spirit, but try the spirits” in which 25 of Houghton's watercolors were displayed. </p><p>In June 2016, the Courtauld Institute of Art created a somewhat more comprehensive exhibition dedicated to the artist: “Georgiana Hougton: Spirit Drawings”.</p><p>In November 2018, 17 paintings were displayed as part of "World Receivers" exhibition along with Hilma af Klint and Emma Kunz, then six were exhibited at Wilhelm Hack Museum's "Floral Fantasies" exhibition in March 2019. </p><p> In 2021, as part of Centre Pompidou's "Women In Abstraction" exhibition, then this exhibition was presented at the Guggenheim Bilbao in late 2021/early 2022, both these exhibitions were in a virtual platform due to the pandemic.</p><p>In 2022, her work was included in the thematic exhibit Corps orbite for the 59th Venice Biennale. </p><p>The Victorian Spiritualists' Union, in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia have 35 of Houghton's original paintings permanently on display, and regularly loan the collections for exhibiting around the world. </p><p>In 2020, the VSU published a book on Houghton's works.<br /></p>Pillartopost.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18307076334524470628noreply@blogger.com0