Over 50 businessmen and women learnt how to increase their profit margins at a recent export networking event, at the Canal Court Hotel, Newry.
Keynote speaker Feargal McCormack from FPM Accountants LLP, based in Newry, gave an informative presentation called 'Profit Improvement Strategies' to the attendees.
Organised by Invest Northern Ireland's southern office the Export Networking Club is a twice-yearly event that gives business professionals the opportunity to share their experiences, network and learn about creative new business solutions.
Facilitating informal networking between local exporters, along with more formal presentations from expert speakers on a wide-range of issues, the event continues to attract high attendance figures.
The previous seminar, held in March, included a presentation from Nicola Bury from Haybury Marketing on 'Marketing on a shoestring' alongside a short talk from Eddie O'Gorman, from BBC Radio Ulster, on the 'do's and don'ts' of public relations.
"It is no secret that maintaining a healthy profit margin is essential to business success, allowing a company to grow, develop and invest in innovative research and development," said Mark.
"By attending this event the companies were able to learn a few good techniques from an experienced accountancy house on how to get the most from their business. Feedback from the companies that attended was very positive.
"For Invest NI this type of event is an effective way to highlight how we work with local businesses to develop their skills and abilities," he continued.


You are here: Home / Archive / Past Years / 2012 / December / Akron Book Club Reads "Under the Banner of Heaven"
Akron Book Club Reads "Under the Banner of Heaven"
The Akron Library meets the third Tuesday of every month at 4 p.m. in the library meeting room to discuss a book that was chosen by the members. This month's book is Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer. In 1984, Ron and Dan Lafferty murdered the wife and infant daughter of their younger brother Allen. The crimes were noteworthy not merely for their brutality but for the brothers' claim that they were acting on direct orders from God. In Under the Banner of Heaven, Jon Krakauer tells the story of the killers and their crime but also explores the shadowy world of Mormon fundamentalism from which the two emerged.


text:
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Belmond Hotel Splendido & Belmond Splendido Mare include 2 buildings, one set on a verdant hillside overlooking the yachts of Portofino Harbour, and the other right by the famous Piazzetta square. All rooms come with free Wi-Fi and a satellite flat-screen TV. Rooms located in the main building offer panoramic views of the sea or the garden. Those of the waterfront Belmond Splendido Mare annex offer views of the sea or the village. All guests have access to the facilities of Belmond Hotel Splendido, which include a free outdoor swimming pool, a fitness centre with sauna, and a wellness centre. The 3 restaurants serve traditional Ligurian cuisine. An American buffet is served daily for breakfast, both at the Belmond Hotel Splendido and at the Belmond Splendido Mare annex. A private garage car park is located in the main square, and the concierge is available for parking and luggage transfer. A complimentary shuttle service connects both hotel buildings. Transport to Genoa Airport, Rapallo Railway Station, and Santa Margherita Railway Station can be organised on request.


Des cascades et bassins de plongée aux forêts de moussons et aux zones humides, découvrez les différentes attractions naturelles à Darwin et dans la région environnante en faisant du camping.
There's no better way to appreciate the stunning natural beauty of the Top End than by pitching a tent in a national park. Both Litchfield and Mary River national parks have wonderful campsites featuring scenic riverside locations, natural swimming holes and diverse fauna. Kick back with a beer and watch the sun set then marvel at the galaxy of stars above while sitting around a crackling campfire.
Only 1.5 hours' drive from Darwin, Litchfield National Park has the best camping near the capital. It's a great spot for a weekend campout with the family or for those embarking on the Tabletop Track walk. Most sites such as Wangi Falls and Walker Creek feature waterfalls and natural swimming holes, which are a great way to escape the heat after a sweaty day of walking. All sites have toilets, firewood, fire pits and water. Need something more comfortable? Stop in at Litchfield Safari Camp or Litchfield Tourist Park. Both are located outside the park and make good bases to explore the region.
Choose from a range of secluded camping spots along the river and close to scenic lookouts. Shady Camp and Couzen's Lookout are a popular choice, and are a great place to check out the river, local billabongs and monsoon forests. Sites are fitted out with toilets and cooking facilities. From November to April road closures can occur due to high water levels – during these times camping is off limits.
Before heading off on a camping trip, there are a few basic safety rules to follow. Camp in the designated areas and avoid the water's edge. Also, pay attention to fire bans and be sure to use the pits provided for campfires and ensure they are extinguished when you leave.


text:
Lucian Poll	Just for fun	 September 3, 2021 12 Minutes
For the most part this was a relatively easy one save for the top-left corner. Thankfully, once my holiday-brain cranked into gear, the pieces eventually fell into place. The big let-down, however, was the number of recent repeats peppering the grid. Again. I appreciate there are umpteen setters for these things and that they aren't psychic, but it can't take much to communicate a moratorium on certain solutions to prevent their overuse. Otherwise it all feeds into my conspiracy theory that the grids are being algorithmically set for setters to clue up later, that the algorithm is the genesis of Skynet, and that pretty soon we're all going to be overrun by Terminators with curiously large vocabularies.
Anyway, back in the here and now, you can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If a recent Jumbo has done for you then you might find enlightenment in my Just For Fun page, where you'll find links to solutions to the last 160+ of the things. Elsewhere there are the usual ancient book reviews and a story of mine.
Thanks once again for the kind comments and help. It's always interesting to hear how other solvers got on, or if there's something I've missed.
Stay safe out there, kids. I'll be along shortly with the next one.
Across clues
Lamb tender second-rate old butcher's taken secretly (2,4)
Answer: BO PEEP (i.e. "lamb tender", albeit one prone to losing them). Solution is B (i.e. "second-rate", i.e. B grade) followed by O (a recognised abbreviation of "old") and PEEP (i.e. "butcher's taken secretly", "butcher's" being cockney rhyming slang for "look", i.e. butchers hook).
Daughter abandoning plans to adopt new standards (7)
Answer: ENSIGNS (i.e. "standards" or flags). Solution is DESIGNS (i.e. "plans") with the D removed (indicated by "daughter abandoning" – D being a recognised abbreviation of "daughter") and the remainder wrapped around or "adopting" N (a recognised abbreviation of "new"), like so: E(N)SIGNS.
Cars here needing to be broken in systematic investigation (8)
Answer: RESEARCH (i.e. "systematic investigation"). "Needing to be broken" indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of CARS HERE.
Cash for confidences: not an offer Simple Simon could have made? (1,5,3,4,8)
Answer: A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS (i.e. "cash for confidences"). The remainder of the clue plays on the nursery rhyme Simple Simon, in which he asks a pieman for a taste of his wares but hasn't the money to buy any.
Revolutionary husband taking place in long assignment (8)
Answer: MARATHON (i.e. "long assignment"). Solution is Jean-Paul MARAT (i.e. "revolutionary", specifically a key player in the French Revolution) followed by H (a recognised abbreviation of "husband") and ON (i.e. "taking place"). Sigh… Regular readers will know I often have a bee in my bonnet when setters repeatedly slot the same solutions into their grids, but this one's starting to take the piss. This is the fourth time MARATHON has appeared in these things in the last year or so, and on three occasions Jean-Paul Marat is inferenced in the clue. Come on, setters, you can do better than this. Does the office encyclopaedia fall open at the same page or something?
Inuit occasionally corrected legal woman (7)
Answer: NIGELLA (i.e. "woman", basically a woman's name). Solution is NI (i.e. "Inuit occasionally", i.e. every other letter of INUIT) followed by an anagram (indicated by "corrected") of LEGAL, like so: NI-GELLA. Another bugbear of mine is when setters slot forenames into their grids. This one's going well, then.
Try to catch start of hockey or bit of cricket? (6)
Answer: THORAX (the bit of the body between the head and the abdomen, i.e. "bit of cricket" and, I guess, about a squillion other species besides). Solution is TAX (i.e. to "try" or challenge) wrapped around or "catching" H (i.e. "start [letter] of hockey") and OR, like so: T(H-OR)AX.
Violent criminal blocks way with extremely scary axe (10)
Answer: PSYCHOPATH (i.e. "violent criminal"). Solution is PATH (i.e. "way") wrapped around or "blocked" by SY (i.e. "extremely scary", i.e. the first and last letters of "scary") and CHOP (i.e. to "axe" something), like so: P(SY-CHOP)ATH.
Tight from booze in northeast having wine brought round (4-8)
Answer: MEAN-SPIRITED (i.e. "tight"). Solution is SPIRIT (i.e. "booze") placed "in" NE (a recognised abbreviation of "northeast") which itself is placed in or having "round" it MEAD (i.e. "wine"), like so: MEA(N(SPIRIT)E)D.
Julie's content to consume grammes in fruit (4)
Answer: UGLI (i.e. "fruit"). Solution is ULI (i.e. "Julie's content", i.e. the middle letters of "Julie") wrapped around or "consuming" G (a recognised abbreviation of "grammes"), like so: U(G)LI.
Bad after short attack of sickness, regularly taking soup (8)
Answer: BOUILLON (i.e. a strong broth or "soup"). Solution is ILL (i.e. "bad") placed "after" BOUT (i.e. "attack of sickness") once its last letter has been removed (indicated by "short"), then followed by ON (i.e. "regularly taking" a medicine), like so: BOU-ILL-ON.
Comprehensive action where detective makes entrance (8)
Answer: DETAILED (i.e. "comprehensive"). Solution is DEED (i.e. "action") with TAIL (i.e. "detective", as in someone who keeps tabs on a suspect) "making an entrance" like so: DE(TAIL)ED.
Too eager to press for expulsion from chambers? (7-5)
Answer: TRIGGER-HAPPY (i.e. "too eager"). The remainder of the clue plays on how triggers are "pressed", and how ammunition is fired or "expelled" from the "chamber" of a gun. You get the idea.
Player paid news boss to keep brochure overlong (10)
Answer: PROTRACTED (i.e. "overlong"). Solution is PRO (i.e. "player paid", short for a professional) and ED (i.e. "news boss", this time short for an editor) wrapped around TRACT (i.e. "brochure"), like so: PRO-(TRACT)-ED.
Reformed rat with monocle seen in casino town (5,5)
Answer: MONTE CARLO (i.e. "casino town" in Monaco). Solution is an anagram (indicated by "reformed") of RAT and MONOCLE.
Lord investing pound accepted monetary system (4,8)
Answer: GOLD STANDARD (i.e. former "monetary system"). Solution is GOD (i.e. "lord") wrapped around or "investing" L (a recognised abbreviation of a "pound" weight, after the Latin libra) and followed by STANDARD (i.e. "accepted"), like so: GO(L)D-STANDARD.
Slight criticism when each son gives way to female deception (4-4)
Answer: FLIM-FLAM (i.e. "deception"). Solution is SLIM (i.e. "slight") and SLAM (i.e. "criticism") with the S from both (indicated by "each son", S being a recognised abbreviation of "son") replaced with or "giving way to" F (ditto "female"), like so: (S)LIM-(S)LAM => (F)LIM-(F)LAM.
Column only remaining in support for bridge (8)
Answer: PILASTER (i.e. "column"). Solution is LAST (i.e. "only remaining") placed "in" PIER (i.e. "support for bridge"), like so: PI(LAST)ER.
Wrong when coming west to entertain second-rate writers (4)
Answer: NIBS (i.e. "writers"). Solution is SIN (i.e. "wrong") reversed (indicated by "when coming west" – this being an across clue) and wrapped round or "entertaining" B (i.e. "second-rate", as seen in 1a), like so: NI(B)S.
Nancy's indefinable quality? (2,2,4,4)
Answer: JE NE SAIS QUOI (i.e. "indefinably quality"). "Nancy's" refers to the French city, Nancy, and this being a French phrase. Another recent repeat, sadly.
Issue lacking clear boundaries for intelligence (4,6)
Answer: GREY MATTER. Solution satisfies "issue lacking clear boundaries" and "intelligence".
Officer shot landowners (6)
Answer: GENTRY (i.e. "landowners"). Solution is GEN (i.e. "officer", specifically a recognised abbreviation of a general) followed by TRY (i.e. an attempt or "shot" at something).
Justify upright character being drawn into old scheme (7)
Answer: EXPLAIN (i.e. "justify"). Solution is I (i.e. the "upright character" of the alphabet) placed or "drawn into" EX-PLAN (i.e. "old scheme"), like so: EX-PLA(I)N.
Refuse to become sad (4,4)
Answer: TURN DOWN (i.e. "refuse"). Solution is TURN (i.e. "to become") followed by DOWN (i.e. "sad").
Wag from Portland twice as flash? (3,6,2,1,5,4)
Answer: TWO SHAKES OF A LAMB'S TAIL. Clue plays on Portland being a variety of sheep, and how "wag" can be a shake of a tail. Ho hum. Another repeat, this time from the not-exactly-ancient puzzle 1507. Even the clue is broadly the same, and the fact the solution is a big 'un just amplifies the disappointment.
Call for help involving black politician in pathetic tale (3,5)
Answer: SOB STORY (i.e. "pathetic tale"). Solution is SOS (i.e. "call for help") wrapped around or "involving" B (a recognised abbreviation of "black" used in chess) and followed by TORY (i.e. "politician"), like so: SO(B)S-TORY.
Fox pelt we hear of in Bow? (7)
Answer: REYNARD (i.e. "fox"). Solution is a homophone (indicated by "we hear") of RAIN HARD (i.e. "pelt") once the H of HARD has been removed (indicated by "in Bow", as in 'ow all 'em cockneys are forever droppin' their bleedin' aitches, inney? That and selling stolen goods to one another). A new one on me. I like it.
Horror-struck scallywag has turned to bottle (6)
Answer: AGHAST (i.e. "horror-struck"). "To bottle" indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: SCALLYW(AG HAS T)URNED.
Down clues
City in South Africa in quite nice area (5)
Answer: OSAKA (i.e. "city" in Japan). Solution is SA (a recognised abbreviation of "South Africa") placed "in" OK (i.e. "quite nice") and followed by A (a recognised abbreviation of "area"), like so: O(SA)K-A. A clue that's a little 20a, shall we say?
Impressive – as grey eminence evidently is? (3-8)
Answer: EYE-CATCHING (i.e. "impressive"). Clue plays on how EYE has been hidden, or CAUGHT, within GR(EY E)MINENCE.
God as necessary consequence guarding over temple (8)
Answer: PANTHEON (i.e. "temple"). Solution is PAN (i.e. Greek "god" of the forest and such) followed by THEN (i.e. "necessary consequence") once wrapped around or "guarding" O (a recognised abbreviation of "over" used in cricket), like so: PAN-THE(O)N. Needed a push from my Bradford's to get over the line. The top-left corner of the grid was a bit of a horror show.
Small and delicate female rising river claims (5)
Answer: ELFIN (i.e. "small and delicate"). Solution is F (a recognised abbreviation of "female") placed in or "claimed" by NILE (i.e. "river") once reversed (indicated by "rising" – this being a down clue), like so: EL(F)IN.
Screw up introduction to calculus course in school (7)
Answer: SCRUNCH (i.e. "screw up"). Solution is C (i.e. "introduction to calculus", i.e. the first letter of "calculus") and RUN (i.e. "course") both placed "in" SCH (a recognised abbreviation of "school"), like so: S(C-RUN)CH.
Handel for one humming needs no second singer (6,5)
Answer: GEORGE MELLY (i.e. "singer"). Solution is GEORGE (i.e. "Handel for one" – other Georges are available. George Melly, for example) followed by SMELLY (i.e. "humming") once the S has been removed (indicated by "needs no second" – S being a recognised abbreviation of "second").
French philosopher enduring pain at length (5)
Answer: Georges SOREL (i.e. "French philosopher"). Solution is SORE (i.e. "enduring pain") followed by L (a recognised abbreviation of "length"). Was straight to Bradford's the moment I saw "philosopher". They're only ever slotted in these things to fill an awkward space, after all.
Went through stop light circling vehicle used for late trip? (9)
Answer: REHEARSED (i.e. "went through"). Solution is RED (i.e. "stop light") wrapped around or "circling" HEARSE (i.e. "vehicle used for late trip", "late" being another word for "deceased"), like so: RE(HEARSE)D.
Short and low building taken over (5)
Answer: SQUAT. Solution satisfies "short and low" and "building taken over" by squatters.
Ace local bar is one with a constant stimulant (11)
Answer: APHRODISIAC (i.e. "stimulant"). Solution is A (a recognised abbreviation of "ace" used on playing cards) followed by PH (i.e. "local", specifically a recognised abbreviation of Public House), then ROD (i.e. "bar"), then IS, then I (i.e. "[Roman numeral] one"), then A and C (a recognised abbreviation of "constant").
Lawsuit about rotter in dramatic fall (7)
Answer: CASCADE (i.e. "dramatic fall"). Solution is CASE (i.e. "lawsuit") wrapped "about" CAD (i.e. "rotter"), like so: CAS(CAD)E.
Dish needs sweetheart to send delivery (5,4)
Answer: SUGAR BOWL (i.e. a kind of "dish"). Solution is SUGAR (i.e. "sweetheart", both terms of endearment) followed by BOWL (i.e. "send delivery" in a number of ball games).
One more article with books leading lady sent round hotel (7)
Answer: ANOTHER (i.e. "one more"). Solution is AN (i.e. "article", i.e. a word like a, an or the) followed by OT (i.e. "books", specifically the Old Testament of The Bible) and ER (i.e. "leading lady", specifically Elizabeth Regina) once wrapped "round" H ("hotel" in the phonetic alphabet) like so: AN-OT-(H)-ER.
State capital level as on plain (9)
Answer: ANNAPOLIS (i.e. US "state capital" of Maryland). "Level" indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of AS ON PLAIN.
Domestic a learner following orderly sequence announced (8)
Answer: INTERNAL (i.e. "domestic"). Solution is A and L (a recognised abbreviation of "learner" used on L-plates) placed after or "following" a homophone (indicated by "announced") of IN TURN (i.e. "orderly sequence"), like so: (IN-TERN)-A-L.
I'm to assist an erring actor, posh, lacking script? (9)
Answer: IMPROMPTU (i.e. spontaneous or "lacking script"). Solution is I'M followed by PROMPT (i.e. "to assist an erring actor" with their lines) and U ("posh" or indicating the upper class, what, old thing, tally-ho and such).
Dreadful crustacean in river drained lake (9)
Answer: EXECRABLE (i.e. "dreadful"). Solution is CRAB (i.e. "crustacean") placed "in" between EXE (i.e. a "river") and LE (i.e. "drained lake", i.e. the word "lake" with all its middle letters removed), like so: EXE-(CRAB)-LE.
I'm sorry copper interrupting restaurant date with old man (3,5)
Answer: MEA CULPA (i.e. my bad, or "I'm sorry"). Solution is CU (chemical symbol of "copper") placed in or "interrupting" MEAL (i.e. "restaurant date") and PA (i.e. father or "old man"), like so: MEA(CU)L-PA.
Dirty bones scattered round church (7)
Answer: OBSCENE (i.e. "dirty"). Solution is an anagram (indicated by "scattered") of BONES wrapped "round" CE (i.e. "church", specifically the Church of England), like so: OBS(CE)NE.
Seems put out, wildly passionate (11)
Answer: TEMPESTUOUS (i.e. "passionate"). "Wildly" indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of SEEMS PUT OUT.
Mixture left by girl, one married to the French cook (11)
Answer: GALLIMAUFRY (i.e. "mixture"). Solution is L (a recognised abbreviation of "left") placed after or "by" GAL (i.e. informal word for "girl"), then followed by I (i.e. "[Roman numeral] one"), then M (a recognised abbreviation of "married"), then AU (i.e. "to the French", i.e. the French for "to the") and FRY (i.e. "cook"), like so: GAL-(L)-I-M-AU-FRY. Cool word. Like it.
Hackneyed rubbish to include poem Henry finished first (4,2,5)
Answer: DONE TO DEATH (i.e. "hackneyed" – a tacit admission of all these repeats, perhaps?) Solution is TAT (i.e. "rubbish") wrapped around or "including" ODE (i.e. "poem") and followed by H (a recognised abbreviation of "Henry", a unit of measurement popular with setters these days). DONE (i.e. "finished") is then placed "first" ahead of all this, like so: DONE-(T(ODE)AT-H).
Superior clue might one readily admit? (6,3)
Answer: MASTER KEY (i.e. "might one readily admit" access). Solution is MASTER (i.e. "superior") followed by KEY (i.e. "clue", as in how they both unlock stuff in their own ways. Interestingly, a variant spelling of clue is "clew", which is a thread that guides through a maze, which also kind of fits. Ish.)
Before noon wild boar is heavenly food (8)
Answer: AMBROSIA (i.e. "heavenly food"). Solution is AM (i.e. "before noon", short for the Latin ante meridiem) followed by an anagram (indicated by "wild") of BOAR IS, like so: AM-BROSIA.
Choose gold mounting for plate (7)
Answer: ELECTRO (i.e. "plate", specifically a recognised abbreviation of electroplate, the process of applying a coat of metal to stuff using electrolysis). Solution is ELECT (i.e. "choose") followed by OR (i.e. "gold" in heraldry) once this latter has been reversed (indicated by "mounting" – this being a down clue), like so: ELECT-RO.
Concentrations of strength seen in good old England (7)
Answer: GANGLIA (i.e. "concentrations of strength", the plural of ganglion. When they're not scary looking tumours, ganglia can also describe nerve cells or centres of energy or activity. A bit of a leap to describe them as concentrations of strength, though). Solution is G (a recognised abbreviation of "good") followed by ANGLIA (i.e. "old England").
Philistine always knocked over? Goliath finally ducks (5)
Answer: YAHOO (i.e. "philistine", both taken to mean boorish or uncultured types). Solution is AY (i.e. "always", both forms of assent) reversed (indicated by "knocked over" – this being a down clue) and followed by H (i.e. "Goliath finally", i.e. the last letter of "Goliath"), then O and O (i.e. both "ducks", i.e. zero scores in cricket), like so: YA-H-OO.
One to sit with vexed question? (5)
Answer: POSER. Solution satisfies "one to sit" for an artist, and "vexed question".
Man with credentials retiring (5)
Answer: TIMID (i.e. "retiring"). Solution is TIM (i.e. a "man's" name) followed by ID (i.e. "credentials" or identity).
Falters under pressure in southern county (5)
Answer: WILTS. Solution satisfies "falters under pressure" and "southern county", specifically a recognised abbreviation of Wiltshire.
times jumbo crossword
Published by Lucian Poll
One of them horror writerly things based in the UK. Do drop by. Bring meat!	View all posts by Lucian Poll
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2 thoughts on "Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword 1514"
sirram999 says:
Welcome back from holiday – although I don't recall your submitting a holiday-request form for us all to sign!
Fairly straightforward this week. I did like 1a (Bo Peep) – also 7d (George Melly), that late-lamented larger-than-life character who always made me smile when I saw him on the box.
Also, although 13a (A Penny for **** thoughts) wasn't difficult, I did have to wait for an intersecting answer before knowing whether it was "your" rather than "ones". Crossword setters rarely opt for "your" in this type of clue.
Broad Thoughts From A Home says:
Welcome back, Lucian – we've all missed you! (But our aim is improving…)
This one was rather a mixed bag, I thought – some good clues but marred by some dodgy ones. Like you, I'm not a fan of clues where the answer includes a name, as they're almost impossible to solve just from the wordplay.
I couldn't find any reference anywhere to GANGLIA (43d) meaning the same as "concentrations of strength" – and, interestingly, my copy of Bradford's didn't include SOREL (8d).
Take care, and stay safe. SB


text:
'He made you wish you'd written it': Lifelong friendships started at the Capital Gazette
Bart Jansen
This fixture is called Voices, but I feel more like howling in anguish.
I haven't worked at what is now called Capital Gazette in more than 20 years, when the paper was still housed in its own building with its own printing press. Then it was just called the evening Capital. Or less affectionately as the Crabwrapper. But I remained friends with two of the five journalists killed in Annapolis on Thursday.
The friendships developed as we each embarked on a career, and everything was possible.
This was a newsroom where one colleague was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 1991. Other colleagues eventually moved on to prestigious publications such as The New York Times.
But we all loved living and working in Annapolis. You could call the mayor at home at 7 a.m. to see if he'd hired or fired someone. At the State House, the House speaker might poke his head into the press room to see how his bracket was doing in the NCAA tournament.
The memories of newsroom friendships remain remarkably vivid, whether reliving a minor triumph in the newsroom or complaining about the job over crabs at Cantler's. Nothing a little bay spice and beer couldn't fix. The conversations continued over the years as if never interrupted during occasional waterfront reunions at a photographer's house in Shady Side.
A gunman entered the Capital Gazette newsroom at their new offices on Bestgate Road on Thursday, killing five journalists: assistant editor and columnist Rob Hiaasen, special publications editor Wendi Winters, sales assistant Rebecca Smith, editorial page editor Gerald Fischman and writer John McNamara.
Gerald was one of the best writers I've ever worked with. The mystery is why he never moved to a larger paper like The Washington Post, as former editor Tom Marquardt wondered. But I suspect Gerald preferred the pace and scale of Annapolis.
Capital Gazette:'Yes, we're putting out a damn paper'
Jarrod Ramos:Suspect in Capital Gazette shooting charged with 5 counts of murder
Security:Newsrooms across the country look at safety after shooting
He was quiet and private, gently shepherding the sometimes bombastic arguments of the editorial board or letters to the editor into print. In his own writing, Gerald smoothly blended literary and historical references into a persuasive text without ever sounding condescending. He made you wish you'd written it.
But more than just a Bartleby the scrivener, toiling away in a glass-walled office, he could be coaxed out of his shell while getting to the point of your story faster than you did at your desk. Or just chatting at a house party. He'd tilt his head in response to one outrageous claim or another. Maybe he'd smile. A chuckle was rare. Then, after a bit of a hum, he'd pinpoint the missing detail or dissect the flaw the argument.
While the B-52s blasted at parties, Gerald was a fan of opera. Debating a fine point of censorship, he could correct your pronunciation of Aeropagitica. And in the next breath, he could commiserate about the Orioles – and tell you something you didn't know about one of the players. You always learned something from Gerald.
At one reunion, I was tucking into Adam's Ribs with my daughter when Gerald sat down at the picnic table to catch up. Alex had been born in the hospital around the corner from the Capital's new offices. Other reporters had taken up a collection to buy her one share of Gannett stock and one share of Disney stock, so she could keep track of our industry along with her princesses. Gerald was eager to hear how the girl born on deadline one morning was growing up into a young lady. He always had questions. Gerald always wanted to learn.
I knew John McNamara as a sports editor, although he later became editor of the Bowie Blade-News and Crofton-West County Gazette. Whatever the title, Johnny Mac was a sports guy. The sports guys were back in a corner of the newsroom, where opinions got shouted and trash cans sometimes got kicked.
But Johnny Mac was the kind of guy who asked about the story you were working on, even if he wasn't familiar with the subject. He was friendly, and interested in everything.
We became friends on the basketball court and the softball diamond. The lack of talent among the players did nothing to dampen our enthusiasm.
Johnny Mac had a great jump shot. But between racing up and down a elementary school's borrowed court, he would share tips to an absolute novice. Don't telegraph a pass by looking where you're going to throw. Box out an offensive player, to grab a rebound first. Keep your hands up. Anticipate.
We played softball on diamonds along College Creek or at the Naval Academy in the shadow of the Severn River bridge, back before terrorism made access to the campus tougher. Home runs occasionally rolled into the creek next to St. John's College. But nobody ever achieved the goal of launching a ball into the satellite dish at the academy.
Beer chilled in coolers. But everyone wanted to win. Some players wore eye black. The city-editor shortstop hurled balls to first fast enough to pop the glove.
The competition never prevented Johnny Mac from offering tips on swinging the bat. He'd suggest adjusting my position in right field a bit to wait for one player's hit. Or anticipate a swing when another player hopped as the ball was pitched. He was generous. He shared.
Gerald and Johnny Mac were both nice guys. They made me a better person, and a better reporter. I will miss them.


Speaking on the state of academic studies in the area, Prof. Hassan said lack of reliable data is hindering empirical research, without which the true nature and performance of the Islamic financial sector would not be fully understood.
"In general, there are other potential ways in which Islamic finance can help fulfill sustainable development goals. However, empirical studies to point the way forward are not currently available," he explained.
He said the contemporary global development agenda offers Islamic finance an opportunity to play a vital role to ease endemic poverty and enhance wealth redistribution. This, he explained, can be achieved through profit-and-risk sharing entrepreneurship, home financing, and Islamic social finance instruments of Zakah, Awqaf, and Sadaqah.
Prof. Hassan urged the IDB and IRTI to build on their efforts of collecting and making available comprehensive and credible Islamic finance data for the use of all industry stakeholders.
Earlier in his opening remarks, IRTI Director General Prof. Mohamed Azmi Omar said the IDB Prize was awarded to Prof. Hassan in recognition of his immense contributions to the development of Islamic Banking and Finance. He said the lecture was organized to stimulate critical discourse that could lead to finding solutions to contemporary issues in Islamic Economics and Finance.


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Lynn Taylor, assistant professor of medicine at Alpert Medical School and attending physician at Miriam Hospital, and Adrienne Gagnon, executive director and co-founder of Downcity Design, were each awarded a three-year Rhode Island Innovation Fellowship to fund their efforts to devise a creative solution to a specific problem in the state.
The fellowship, awarded by the Rhode Island Foundation, provides each fellow with $100,000 per year for three years to work on their respective projects.
"The mission and the vision that started this was to encourage and to elicit ideas from Rhode Islanders who would come up with innovative ideas to meet Rhode Island challenges," said Neil Steinberg, president and CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation.
The two recipients of the fellowship were selected from a pool of 180 applicants for "their passion and commitment," Steinberg said. The project was started a year ago as the brainchild of philanthropists John and Letitia Carter. There is no education requirement for the fellowship and students are encouraged to apply, Steinberg said.
Gagnon's project aims to bring design programs and tools to students, while Taylor's project seeks to eradicate Hepatitis C infections in Rhode Island.
Rhode Island is on the verge of an "enormous silent epidemic" of Hepatitis C because the disease is symptomless in its early stages, and people who were infected in the 1960s and 1970s will begin to experience severe health problems now, Taylor said. About one in 30 baby boomers have Hepatitis C, she added. With revolutionary drugs coming onto the market, it doesn't make sense to ignore a solvable problem, she said.
Taylor's project will take advantage of Rhode Island's art community by raising awareness through an art campaign, which will include a poster competition judged by Shepard Fairey, a jewelry sale and a Hepatitis C WaterFire event in July 2014, she said. She said she would also like to stage a guerilla arts campaign like one in New York, where giant letter C sculptures were distributed throughout the city. Taylor added that she hopes the campaign will help destigmatize the disease.
The project also aims to increase the reach of Hepatitis C testing in the state by taking it out of the doctor's office and bringing it to at-risk individuals. Because of new advances, a test can be performed with a simple finger prick and results determined in 20 minutes, she said.
Taylor said she hopes to achieve a "coordinated response" by engaging the state's medical community. The state's small size and collaborative healthcare community make Rhode Island a perfect test case for this project, she said.
Finally, Taylor will work with Brown analysts to evaluate the success and financial feasibility of the project, she said.
Gagnon's project is intended to involve children and teenagers in efforts to improve their communities by teaching them about "design thinking," which Gagnon defines as a problem-solving approach that encourages "21st century skills." The approach includes defining and researching a problem, brainstorming possible solutions and collaborating with other people, she said.
Gagnon's project will implement free after-school design programs in disadvantaged schools across Rhode Island, focusing on Providence, Central Falls and Woonsocket, she said. Gagnon is also developing "mobile design labs" — oversized shipping containers outfitted with work tables, tool storage and supplies for design projects. These labs can be placed in any location and will serve as "hubs" for students working on projects, she added.
Gagnon said she anticipates that students will work on a combination of physical, graphic design and other projects, including building community gardens and bus shelters, creating awareness campaigns and crafting products.
After setting up the initial after-school programs, Gagnon said she will build a website with tools for educators to help spread the design curriculum.
The project is ideal for Rhode Island because of the state's history with manufacturing and textiles along with its large creative community, she said.


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Ten of the Best Cycling Climbs in Mallorca
Mallorca Climb Number 10: The Coll d'Honor
What is so special about the Coll d'Honor Climb?
Cycling climbs in Mallorca come tougher and longer than the Coll d'Honor but that's not why we love it. We love that despite its road surface it provides immediate access to the mountains. The road is a classic Mallorca cycling climb as it winds its through the mountains and it's incredibly quiet, even in the summer months. The climb starts in Bunyola making it a perfect ride from Palma or the flatlands, or of course you can ride the reverse of the route from Port Pollensa. It's also just 4 kilometres away from the southern ascent of the Coll de Sóller.
Brief Description of the Route
The Strava segment of the climb is 6.2 kilometres and that starts right in the centre of Bunyola. The signpost denoting the start of the climb is about 1 kilometre on. The tarmac on the Coll d'Honor is probably the worst of all Mallorca's climbs so you need to take care on both the ascent and descent. It's tough to get into any rhythm as steep ramps make way for easier sections as you climb further into the pine tree forest. A couple of kilometres into the climb you will find some hairpins before the road then hits a steady 6-7%. You will keep riding at a similar gradient until a couple of efforts to ride the 10% ramps right by the summit of the climb. From here, you will drop down into the town of Orient.
Read an in depth review of the climb here.
Cycling in Mallorca Routes: The Coll d'Honor GPX File
Mallorca Climb Number 9: The Coll de Sa Batalla
What is so special about the Coll de Sa Batalla Climb?
The Coll de Sa Batalla does not have the gravitas of other climbs in Mallorca but it's one that you will almost certainly ride if you're tackling a series of Mallorca cycling climbs. The climb connects the flatlands with the main road through the mountains and so you will likely ride it if you are cycling from Port Pollensa through the Tramuntana.
The climb isn't too tough so it's a good introduction to other famous cycling climbs in Mallorca. It averages a fairly easy 5% across 8km and so there is still a good amount of length in this climb to allow you to build some rhythm for tougher tests ahead.
The ride starts in Caimari, a great place to stop for coffee or something to eat. You will climb out of the flatlands before you find yourself deep into a pine forest. There are a few narrow turns before a straight section to the middle of the climb. The road dips before heading back up over easier gradients with superb views of the valley to your right hand side.
The road then kicks up again with the toughest part of the ascent with the ramps at about 6-7%. 6 hairpins then take you to the summit.
Cycling in Mallorca Routes: The Coll de Sa Batalla GPX File
Mallorca Climb Number 8: Port Valldemossa
What is so special about the Port Valldemossa Climb?
The climb out of the port of Valldemossa is only at number 8 of our countdown of the best cycling climbs in Mallorca because it's not so well known. It is arguably one of the truly classic climbs, featuring hairpin after hairpin, so much that it's been described as a mini Sa Calobra. It's a descent and ascent climb like Sa Calobra so you have to ride to the port before climbing back from where you came.
You can ride the climb fairly easily from Palma and there's an epic ride from Andratx to Port Pollensa which will take you right past the climb.
The Strava segment for the route up from Port Valldemossa starts right from the water's edge. You will be climbing into hairpin heaven almost immediately which gives you great views over the cliffs that plunge into the water below. As you head into the hills, the road becomes extremely narrow so you need to be really careful of any oncoming traffic. From here, it's 6 hairpinsfollowed by a straight run to the summit of the climb.
Cycling in Mallorca Routes: The Port Valldemossa GPX File
Mallorca Climb Number 7: The Coll de Randa
What is so special about the Coll de Randa Climb?
This climb could arguably be higher in our list of the top ten best cycling climbs in Mallorca. It's a pretty easy climb by the island's standards but that's not why we love it. We love its isolation, a climb that sits proudly on a mass of land in the middle of the flatlands. The views that you get from the top are simply sensational, with the mountains in the background, the ocean in the distance, and miles and miles of flatlands dotted with traditional fincas, orange and olive groves. It also is a mystical climb with the 13th century Santuari de Cura monastery sitting proudly atop it.
Randa, a small village just north of Llucmajor in the flatlands is where the climb starts. Your approach to it will be through the rural flatlands that make Mallorca such a tapestry of terrain. The road begins climbing with an average of about 5% and the official Strava segment starts with a signpost indicating the monastery of Santuari de Randa.
The first part of the climb has probbaly the toughest ramps on the ride but you will soon find a rhythm as you climb. The quiet landscape of Randa by this point has turned into bushes and pines trees before you reach a narrow switchback where the road opens to the valley and you will be rewarded with magnificent views.
You will be close to the top when you spot the radar station tower, the ugly landmark that blots an otherwise beautiful landscape. A few meters ahead you'll ride to the stone entrance of the famous Santuari de Cura.
Cycling in Mallorca Routes: The Coll de Randa GPX File
Mallorca Climb Number 6: The Coll de Femenia
What is so special about the Coll de Femenia Climb?
Most road cycling routes in Mallorca, especially rides that feature lots of climbing, will take in the Coll de Femenia. The climb links the north of the island with the mountains so if you've ridden Sa Calobra or ridden from Puerto Pollensa into the heart of the Tramuntana, you've probably ridden the Coll de Femenia. At 7.5km with an average of 5.5%, it's shorter and less steep than Sa Calobra but it is one of the key Mallorca cycling climbs.
First of all, whichever way you are cycling this Mallorca climb, the tarmac is superb. That is because it links the mountains with the northern coast and so it's a main road. The flip side of that coin is that it can be busy, especially in the summer months.
The climb (from the north) features a few hairpins early on and there's a straight section that can catch you out as it is so exposed to the elements. Soon however, you will ride into the mountains and looking back, you will get great views of the valley, the northern coast and even the Formentor peninsula in the distance.
Once you summit, you have the option of riding into Lluc. It's also a great climb to start a loop taking in the Coll de Sa Batalla, Sa Calobra or Puig Major.
Cycling in Mallorca Routes: The Coll de Femenia GPX File
Mallorca Climb Number 5: Sobremunt
What is so special about the Sobremunt Climb?
Similar to the Coll de Randa, you won't necessarily pick this as your go to climb on any Mallorca cycling climbs map, but again it's not why we love it. Sobremunt, like Puig de Randa, is relatively isolated. It is located at the southern end of the Tramuntana and is probably the toughest climb in Mallorca. It's also almost completely unknown with only 500 cyclists having registered a ride on Strava. Compare that to any other cycling climb in Mallorca and you will find only about 0.5% of cyclists in Mallorca who log their rides on Strava have ridden Sobremunt.
You will take a right turn out of the Ma-1041 road and as the road starts to climb, you will begin your ascent to Sobremunt. The first couple of kilometres are really quite easy but after about 2 kilometres, the road really starts to ramp up. Sections reach 20%, especially on the inside of the turns and the hairpins keep coming as you head through the forest. The road surface is pretty dreadful in places so take it easy on your tougher efforts and remember that for your descent!
The road climbs further still with gradients barely drop below 10% - think the first 10km up from Bedoin to Ventoux! There are a few sections of respite before you start to climb again and close to the top, poor tarmac makes way for gravel. This makes it an incredibly tough ride with the gradients on offer. On summiting, you will lookout over Palma bay.
Cycling in Mallorca Routes: The Sobremunt GPX File
Mallorca Climb Number 4: Cap Formentor
What is so special about Cap Formentor?
We are cheating a little bit because Cap Formentor is more of a cycling route than a dedicated climb. You can't have a list of great climbing in Mallorca without mentioning Cap Formentor. It's probably the most beautiful 40km there-and-back ride on the island, and one that is incredibly popular. The road feels like you are cycling to the end of the world and the peninsular offers stunning views, especially from the lighthouse at the end of the island.
Most cyclists will ride Cap Formentor from Port Pollensa and after about 3km you will reach the first climb of the day, the Coll de Sa Creueta. The road will take you quickly above 200 meters and you will seoon arrive at El Mirador de Sa Creueta. The lookout over the Mallorcan peninsular really is something to behold.
You will then hit a fabulous descent down to Formentor beach before climbing again as you get closer to the cape. From here, you will reach the famous Cap Formentor tunnels so take it carefully and bring lights with you. Cala Figuera beach is to your left and you will be riding over undulating roads, the sides of which, drop impressively into the sea below. From here, you will reach the Cap Formentor photo point before a few more hairpins drop you below the lighthouse for your final push to the top.
Cycling in Mallorca Routes: Cap Formentor GPX File
Mallorca Climb Number 3: Coll de Soller
What is so special about the Coll de Soller climb?
The Coll de Soller is a must ride Mallorca cycling climb. Both the north and southern sections offer incredible riding. The southern ascent has 20 tight turns whilst the north has almost 30 hairpins to contend with. The climb is a bucket list ride and is often tacked on to a loop to include Puig Major and Sa Calobra.
The southern ascent is the shorter of the two climbs, at just 4.9 kilometres in length. After 1 kilomters, you hit the first hairpin and you'll be greeted with tough sections of up to 11%. The road narrows and you will feel immersed in the climb. You will reach a long straight section which gives a little respite at bout 5-6% incline before you reach the last 3 kilometers of ascent and the hairpins. They come quickly, only separated by a couple of hundred metres of tarmac, and you'll ride 20 of them to the summit.
The north side offers similar gradients to the south section but the climb is 2.5 kilometres longer, with 10 more hairpins. In fact between kilometre 4 and 6 there are actually 16 switchbacks!
Cycling in Mallorca Routes: Coll de Soller GPX File (North)
Cycling in Mallorca Routes: Coll de Soller GPX File (South)
Mallorca Climb Number 2: Puig Major
What is so special about the Puig Major climb?
In at number 2 is Puig Major. Cycling climbs in Mallorca don't come much tougher than this and it's the only "Hors Categorie" climb on the island.
Puig Major is the highest point in the Tramuntana mountains reaching close to 1,500m but you will only be able to climb to about 900m as above that, is a military base that is out of bounds.
The climb starts in Soller and after one kilometre, you will encounter your first hairpin. A diversion to Fornalutx is on your right but you will keep heading straight up. The forest trees bend in on each other creating a tunnel like feel as you head into the mountains. There's a brief respite after around 6 kilometres and as you climb you will get a magnificent view over Port de Sóller to your left.
The gradients gets a little tougher as you get close to the summit with segments averaging over 7% and the views disappear for a good while. It's not only until about kilometre 14 that you will get views again of the Tramuntana ridge and from here, you are just 500 meters away to the Monnaber tunnel and the summit of Puig Major.
Cycling in Mallorca Routes: Puig Major GPX File
Mallorca Climb Number 1: Sa Calobra
What is so special about the Sa Calobra climb?
It's hard to look past Sa Calobra as number one on any list of the best cycling climbs in Mallorca. Team Sky and British Cycling's successes were built on training camps that took in this stunning 9km ascent and since then, it's become a Mecca for road cyclists. Put simply, it's the most famous cycling climb in Mallorca.
You have to descend the climb to ride it as the starting point for the ride is the village at the bottom of the mountain. Easy gradients at the bottom will allow you to get into a rhythm and you will begin to climb up through the limestone. Keep spinning your legs and get ready for harder sections and after 2.5 kilometres, you will find the stunning section across Sa Brexta where the rocks devour the tarmac allowing just one vehicle to pass. You need to be really careful on this route, especially in the summer months when the road can get really busy.
At kilometre 6, the hairpins kick in and they come thick and fast. Keep something in the tank for the last 3 kilometres as they are the toughest of the climb. The very last section is the most iconic and the one that you will have seen pictures of. It's the Nus the Sa Corbata (the "Tie knot") featuring a 270-degree turn with the road looping over itself. From here you are right by the top of the climb.
Cycling in Mallorca Routes: Sa Calobra GPX File


Let's hit the fantasy open road and leave behind what I'll only describe as a tumultuous week (I am being kind).
I sure hope that folks took my advice from last week's Wally's World and benched Mike Wallace after I listed him as a starting option in the Week 10 Start/Bench piece.
You didn't? Did you think Old Uncle Waldo was kidding? The man truly confounds me on a weekly basis and is henceforth banned from being mentioned in the Start/Bench article. Wallace is the rest of the world's problem now.
I'm struggling to find much more to say about another miserable Thursday night football game.
Oh wait…Individual Defensive Players (IDP) owners that have LB Jamie Collins can rest easy as he's going to be just fine in Cleveland. Collins' teammate and fellow LB Christian Kirksey will be a weekly start from here on out as well.
Apparently, Blair Walsh was upset that the Minnesota Vikings brought in kickers last week to work out. So upset he goes out and misses another extra point. For those of you counting at home that would be the fourth Walsh has missed this season.
I wouldn't be in a hurry to re-up your lease Blair. There could be a zip code change in your immediate future.
That New York Jets versus Los Angeles Rams game certainly lived up to it's billing (or lack thereof). The NFL should have paid folks to have to sit through that debacle.
Hey, give me a little credit for at least trying to find something nice to write about the game.
Who did I start Manning over you may ask? Well, that would be Marcus Mariota. Ugh!!
At least this article will go up before the Giants play on Monday night so I can hold on to a bit of dignity. Eli could maybe…nah. It was a bad, bad decision.
I was a little disappointed that DeMarco Murray didn't kick an extra point as he scored in just about every way possible. What a bounce-back year it has been for Murray.
Osweiler has turned the once 'QB proof' DeAndre Hopkins into a fantasy after thought. I did not believe that was possible.
Speaking of the Detroit Lions. I would be remiss if I did not take a moment to mention this interesting little piece of information. After 11 weeks, the Lions are now the division leaders of the NFC North. Old Uncle Waldo needs to run out and buy some lottery tickets.
So after playing a total of 16 snaps in the previous two games, Ryan Mathews has 21 touches this week finishing with 139 yards, two scores and a two-point conversion.
Yep. Saw that one coming. Sometimes you just have to smile and shake your head. Or at least just shake your head if Mathews was on your bench.
It's not often that I prattle on about team defenses, but the Kansas City Chiefs have been putting up very nice big play totals. They rode them to victory again this week with a big interception return for a TD from Eric Berry and a late forced fumble by Marcus Peters. Keep in mind that pass rusher extraordinaire Justin Houston is on the verge of returning to this unit.
Please hurry back Tevin Coleman. The Falcons offense and many fantasy owners need you.
While he continues to turn the ball over at an alarming rate, at least Blake Bortles has begun hooking up with Allen Robinson once again. For the third straight week, Robinson has seen double-digit targets and he's scored in each of the last two games.
Wow! The late afternoon games this week were amazing!
They more than made up for what can only be described as a 'meh' early group of games.
The Le'Veon Bell and Ezekiel Elliott matchup was more than fantasy owners could have hoped for. Let's be honest. Much more so for Elliott owners. The kid is awesome.
The Cardinals may have beat the 49ers but Carson Palmer failed to impress in a juicy matchup once again. We like the pair of scores that David Johnson put up as well as the triple-digit yardage from Larry Fitzgerald but this team should have rolled over a weak 49ers defense.
While they didn't match the gaudy numbers that Elliott and Bell put up, Melvin Gordon as well as Jay Ajayi had decent days in a spirited battle between Miami and San Diego.
Sadly, the Chargers found yet another way to lose in the fourth quarter with Kiko Alonso returning an interception for a score with just over a minute left.
Keep riding San Diego WR Tyrell Williams as this youngster is a special talent. Not next week as he will be on a bye week.
It's only fitting that the Sunday night game would be an exciting affair after the late afternoon games set the table.
Are we seeing the beginning of another huge late season surge for Doug Baldwin? I'm not ruling it out now that Russell Wilson is healthy and making plays outside of the pocket once again.
He may not be flashy or overly explosive but LeGarrette Blount will continue to be a fantasy force as the goal line option for the Patriots.
We may see these two teams play again this year…I'm just saying.


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Ernst Reijseger, Harmen Fraanje, & Mola Sylla – "Down Deep"
I remember the first time I heard the Codona trio. I was at Jerry's Record Exchange, flipping through the CD racks, and noticed the album cover for Codona III. I was very familiar with Don Cherry's name, but Collin Walcott and Nana Vasconcelos… not so much. I hadn't really delved much into the ECM catalog at this point (of which this album was released on), and so wasn't sure what to expect from these musicians or this release. My experience with Cherry was his avant-garde music on Blue Note and his work with John Coltrane. It didn't prepare for the organic beauty of Codona.
An early example of what is generally referred to as World Jazz, Codona released three albums of stunning, devastatingly beautiful music that is terrifically engaging with its use of instrumentation and adoption of various regional musics. Jazz and folk and ambient… music to just drift off to, but never threatens to become sleepy or insubstantial. It featured albums like trumpet, sitar, tabla, organ, berimbau, sanza, dulcimer, chanting, and a variety of other stringed and percussive instruments. Texture after texture, waves of unexpected eccentricities. Just beautiful.
Which brings me to Down Deep, the recording by the trio of Ernst Reijseger, Harmen Fraanje, and Mola Sylla. Bringing together inventive combinations of unusual instruments, and blending different music influences into a singular sound, the trio has created a magical album of sublime beauty. And, damn, it takes me back to that fortuitous day in Denver, Colorado, when I discovered Codona III, and the type of Jazz that ignores conventions and genre demarcations in the pursuit of creative music.
Your album personnel: Ernst Reijseger (cello, voice), Harmen Fraanje (piano, voice), and Mola Sylla (vocals, M'bira, Xalam, Kongoma).
Atmospheric only describes one element of this music. It possesses a lightness that keeps it hovering just above the ground. It's also a music in motion, though rarely traveling very far to exert it. Fraanje's piano often runs in tight circles, developing melodies with a methodical precision. Sylla brings a rustic character to the music, whether plucking at the tinny m'bira or the soothing xalam. The elegance provided by Reijseger's cello is exceeded only by its warm tone. Sylla's vocals range between a folksy chant and a plaintive cry to the heavens.
Most tunes have an ambling cadence. There is a sense of music developing at just the right speed, the musicians guiding the song as the song, concurrently, guides them. Sometimes the music prowls, sometimes it glides, but always with a casual demeanor that incites only blissful moments.
One of the most beautiful albums I've heard so far in 2013.
Released on the Winter & Winter label.
Available at eMusic. Available at Amazon: CD | MP3 | Vinyl
Open Letter: Pitching an Album Review Request	My new Jazz Picks are up at eMusic