The Baht is the currency in Thailand and is found in the following denominations:

20 Baht note-Green

50 Baht note-Blue

100 Baht note-Red

500 Baht note -Purple

1000 baht note- Brown

25 Satang coin -small brass coin

50 Satang coin- small brass coin

1 Baht coin -silver and slightly larger than a US cent

5 Baht coin- silver & slightly smaller than the 10 Baht coin

10 Baht coin- silver ring with a brass center

There are also 1,5, and 10 Satang coins you will occasionally run into along with the 25 and 50 Satang coins but normally you’ll only get these as change in a supermarket, chain stores, or sometimes a seven eleven. Most other places deal in whole baht denominations. If you do find yourself with a pocketful of Satang you’ll probably be bringing some home as souvenirs.

All Thai currency has the image of the king on it. It is considered disrespectful to keep Thai money in your back pocket as you would be sitting on the king. Likewise if you should drop a note or coin don’t step on it to stop it as that is very disrespectful.

Never change your currency at home before traveling to Thailand as your home country exchange rates will be bad. There are many places to change currency in Thailand almost every bank has money changers on every corner in the tourist areas as well as their branch locations. Hotel and airport money changers typically give a bad rate as well so stick to the banks for the best rate. Although, it is a good idea to exchange a small amount at the airport when arriving just so you have money to get where you are going.

Due to the fluctuations of the Thai baht over the last several years there has developed a split exchange price one being offshore exchange rates and one being on shore (in Thailand). Be careful using exchange rate calculators such as XE provides as they give the offshore rate and many others do as well. Check the daily rates at Thai banks online like:

Siam Bank

Kasikorn Bank

Bangkok Bank

ATM’s are everywhere in the tourist areas and they give the in country rate as well but beware your banks fees on withdraws and currency conversions from your currency to Baht because most of the time these fees will drop the rate considerably, especially considering most banks will convert currency at the off shore rate. If you live in Great Britain open a Nationwide Flex Account and if you live in America open an ING Orange checking account both of these banks do not charge fees for withdraws or convert your currency at the off shore rate.

Travelers checks are always the best option. Even though you will pay a percentage fee you always get the better exchange rates on them. You also have the added security that if they are lost or stolen they will be replaced within 24 hours. Remember you will have to show your passport whenever changing Travelers checks.

Cash, as they say, is always king but unless you are bringing only large bills then the rate varies per denomination and the rate is only fractionally better than Travelers checks. Taking a large sum of cash anywhere these days is a bad idea and not worth the risk. One hundred dollar bills minted in 1996 are usually not accepted due to the fact that year was heavily counterfeited by North Korea.

Your best bet is to have a mix of travelers checks and a credit/debit card so you’ll be covered in all cases.

Note: using your credit/debit card at ATM’s is usually very safe but don’t use them in stores or shops to buy goods because credit card fraud is rife in Thailand. The only time I’ve used them other than ATM’s is at the hotel but I felt comfortable with the owners/management before I did.

Contrary to what many believe, an old-looking clock with only one hand might not be broken. It may possibly be an indication that at was produced in latter component on the 16th century when only the hour hand was put on clocks. Persons who collect vintage clocks understand that the minute hand was not regular on clocks until about 1775, even though some were definitely nevertheless produced with only the hour hand until 1820. Longcase clock dials as an example, started to add second hands in about, using the dots for the minute portion with the clock extra in 1785.

Not all clock makers additional the new characteristics to their function and their names are sometimes uncovered for the faces of vintage clocks as it was favorite to sign their perform when the piece was completed. There are many directories obtainable that define the kind of clocks various folks manufactured as well as the many years in which their operate was done to support identify the maker. This really is an additional tool utilised by collectors to enable ascertain the age of vintage clocks in their collections.

Right up until about 1820, the popular shelf clocks nevertheless used wooden movements as brass movements ended up regarded as well high priced at the time. A 30-hour brass movement observed in numerous vintage clocks did not begin to replace wood until finally the 1830’s and within just 10 years had replaced practically all in the wood movements in most clocks.

Chime bars ended up additional to longcase clocks in 1890, comparable to windchimes with the bars to unique lengths to produce the chime tune when the antique clocks hammer hit the chimes at normal intervals. Beginning while using sound about the hour, a few years later added hammers would develop a various tune about the half-hour.

Identifying antique clocks may be tricky, but by knowing the basics of construction, especially with what is called grandfather clocks, as well since the fundamentals of when different characteristics have been added to clocks, can aid a person ascertain if what they’re seeking at are antique clocks or cheap knock-offs, which are plentiful from the marketplace.

Calendars had been additional to vintage clocks in the 19th century with all the first American patent issued in 1853 and became quite favorite at the time. Thinking about that less than a hundred many years previously, the clocks ended up equipped only with an hour hand, having them be able to show the hour, minute, second and day from the week it was rather an accomplishment for clock makers.

Have you ever taken a look at the price tag on your new Coach purse and wondered what all of those numbers and letters at the top mean? Those Coach tag numbers have meaning and relate to the specific bag or accessory the tag is attached to.

To the upper left, you will often see something like F10925. This is basically the style number of the product. Not always, but often you will see a large F preceding the numbers. In most cases, this stands for factory, meaning the bag came from a Coach factory outlet.

The following numbers represent the bag or accessory style. In this case, 10925 represents a Soho mini signature small flap purse. This is the number Coach uses to identify that style bag. Whether it came from a factory outlet, department store or a boutique, this number will always be on the tag of that style bag. Sometimes the name of the bag will be written along with the numbers, smaller and below or in the middle, but not always.

The numbers to the right of the tag represent specifics of the item. In this example, we’ll use SPKNA. The S means silver. The hardware on this product is silver. The PK means pink. The main color of the product is pink. NA means natural. The leather trim on the bag is natural color leather. Combined, you have SPKNA.

If you were to purchase this bag, you would likely notice the Coach tag has F10925 on the top left. To right, on the top, you would see SPKNA. You would be holding a Coach mini signature small flap purse with a pink body, natural colored leather trim and silver colored hardware.

The most helpful use of these numbers is when you are trying to match items, particularly colors. With so many products and beautiful shades of color put out by Coach, finding a perfect match can be difficult. With the tag numbers and color codes, you can’t go wrong!

Brass, for instance, comes in several shades. Often the hardware letter will be followed by a number. You might see something like B4PKNA. The B4 would mean brass 4, identifying a particular shade or type of brass used by Coach. Even the colors will sometimes have numbers after their abbreviations, such as PK1, meaning Pink 1. As you can see, the Coach tag numbers can be quite necessary for a perfect match when buying accessories.

High Five Poker is a casino table game originally developed and marketed by SHFL entertainment. The objective is to have a better five card poker hand than the dealer. If you ever played Pai Gow Poker you’ll find some similarities in that it uses a 53-card deck, where the 53rd card is a Joker. This lone semi-wild card can be used to complete a Straight, Flush, Straight Flush, or Royal Flush; otherwise it can be used as an Ace.

High Five Poker tables are currently at The Brass Ass (real name) Casino in Cripple Creek, CO, which also offers a progressive version.

How High Five Poker is Played

The table has seats for up to six players. Players must first make an Ante wager. The dealer will then deal seven cards face down in a clockwise manner to each player, and seven to him or herself. Each player then examines his or her cards and makes one of the following decisions:

– Fold, forfeiting the Ante bet.

– Discard two cards while keeping the best five card poker hand and make a Play bet equal to the Ante wager.

The dealer then reveals the house cards to make the best five card poker hand. The dealer qualifies if he or she has at least a pair of sixes or against a player who has a straight.

For example, if the dealer has a pair of deuces and player number 1 has a straight, and player number 2 has a pair of three’s, the dealer qualifies against player 1 but not against player number 2. So, what happens to the payouts when the dealer does or does not qualify?

– If the dealer does not qualify, the Ante bet pays even money, and the Play bet pushes.

– If the dealer qualifies and beats the player, the player’s Ante and Play bets lose.

– If the dealer qualifies and is beaten by the player, the player’s Ante and Play bets pay even money.

– If the dealer qualifies and ties the player, the player’s Ante and Play bets push.

The dealer works counter-clockwise when determining the outcome of all of the remaining players’ wagers. The house edge is about 3.6%.

Trips Side Bet

The Trips side Bet pays for a player hand with Three of a Kind or better, regardless if the player wins or loses the hand, according to the following table:

Three of a Kind pays 1/1

Straight pays 2/1

Flush pays 4/1

Full House pays 7/1

Full House (Aces Full) 20/1

Four of a Kind pays 40/1

Straight Flush pays 50/1

Royal Flush pays 100/1

Five Aces (Four Aces w/Joker) 200/1

Pay tables may vary slightly between jurisdictions.

Strategy

The strategy for this game is quite basic in that the dealer does not qualify if he or she has less than a pair of sixes, then you should fold with less than a pair of sixes. Otherwise make a play bet.

The game is relatively simple to play.

Good Luck!

So, you have bought a lovely new stone house number, engraved beautifully with your house number, perhaps with an ornate border or a motif of your favourite pet. You have to fix the sign to your house. You could simply have the stone drilled and screw the sign using stainless steel screws and rawlplugs, however this will mean the screw heads showing on the face of the stone. Not a pretty sight! Or you could be smart and fix with a hidden pin.

You will need: A pencil, Ruler, An electric drill, cordless or mains. A suitable pin, stainless steel or copper or brass. (more later!) Two tungsten tipped drill bits. Epoxy resin adhesive. Cocktail sticks for mixing glue. Trimming knife. One stone house number sign 20mm or more thick.

The Sign: For this method the stone needs to be at least 20mm thick or thicker. Most natural stone house signs meet this requirement. The stone itself needs to be drill-able, not granite or quartzite. If you plan ahead, your sign-maker should be able to drill the sign for you. This single pin fixing will hold a sign up to 10 kilo’s depending on the quality of the pin.

The Pin: The pin needs to be as rustproof and corrosion proof as possible. The ideal pin would be 3-5mm diameter stainless steel approx 50-75mm long. Some hardware stores stock stainless steel rod. Alternatively look for copper or brass rod. Another option is to improvise, use a stainless steel or brass bolt and cut the head off. Or have you got any tent-pegs? These are often made from strong rust resistant steel alloy, and will be a perfect 5-7mm thickness. For a lighter weight sign 2-4 kilo’s you could use a three inch galvanised nail. You may be thinking that if you cut the head off a nail (which you have to do!) the end will rust, it will not, Trust me!.

The Drill Bits: The first drill bit needs to be near to the diameter size of your chosen pin, just one or two millimetres larger than the diameter of the pin. The second drill bit needs to be bigger than the pin. Quite a lot bigger, Twice as big is good, three times as big is OK too, but the exact size is not critical. Adhesive:

Epoxy usually comes as a two part adhesive or with a separate hardener. It is ideal for this job but it can be expensive. Normally you mix the two parts together in equal quantities and the resin cures within a few minutes. Check the packaging for the normal curing times, this will vary according to temperature. As Epoxy resins harden they go through a stage where they are touch dry but can be easily cut with a knife, this is the ideal stage to clean off excess glue.

You could also use a car body filler adhesive based on polyester resin or even a gunned builders adhesive. Have a look at what is on on your workshop shelves before lashing out. Simply make sure the adhesive is suitable for exterior use and is waterproof.

Step 1. lay your number sign face down on a workbench with the top of the sign facing away from you. Mark a small cross in the centre of the sign and about 40mm from the top. Fit the smaller of your drill bits into your drill. You do not want to drill through you beautiful new sign so wrap some bright coloured electricians tape around the drill bit 10mm or so from the tip to act as a depth gauge. (If you have a thicker sign you can drill deeper!) Start drilling as normal at 90 degrees to the stone, then when you have a shallow start tilt the drill back towards yourself and drill an angled hole into the stone at approx 45 degree angle. (The exact angle is not at all critical, do not worry about it too much!) Caution do not drill too deep! 10-12 mm is sufficient, watch your depth gauge! Do it in small stages, clear the drill frequently to remove the build up of dust in the hole.

Step 2. Mix a tiny amount of epoxy, blow the dust out of the hole in the back of the sign, and using a wooden cocktail stick or long matchstick fill the hole with glue. Push in the pin and then pull the pin in and out of the hole twisting backwards and forwards to ensure the pin is coated with adhesive and the dust is no longer lining the hole acting as a barrier between epoxy and stone. If necessary remove pin to add more epoxy. Allow to harden, keep checking the hardness and cut off excess glue when just touch dry.

Step 3. You now have a secured pin sticking out of the back of your stone sign at a downward angle. Mark on your wall where you want the sign to be located. I suggest if you are drilling brickwork you try to drill into a horizontal joint of the wall. Using the larger of your two drills drill a downward angled hole at least 10-12mm deeper than the length of your pin. The angle needs to be as near to the same angle as possible as your pin. Get a friend to help you eye up the right angle and guide the drill. Now try locating the pin in the hole, if the hole is nearly right the sign will drop into the hole and the number will simply hang securely in position! At this point the stone sign is quite secure and would hang safely like this for decades!

If the pin does not fit correctly, do not panic, simply use the drill as a router, angling it up and down reaming the hole wider and wider until the pin drops into place. You will notice you can swivel the sign to the left and right as the stone hangs on the pin, it is simple to set the numbers upright and level simply by tilting the sign.

Step 4: Now to fix the sign permanently. Blow the surplus dust out of the hole, mix more epoxy, enough to fill the hole and a bit more. Fill the hole and stir the epoxy around in the hole with a cocktail stick to mix in the brick dust. Put a dab of epoxy on the back of the stone around the pin and push the number sign into place. Use a spirit level or carefully level the sign by eye. Once the epoxy has cured the sign is securely and permanently fixed. You will notice that the pin, be it stainless steel or galvanised nail is completely encased in waterproof resin and so will not rust or corrode.

Your number sign will hang there safe and sound as long as the wall survives!

Chloe is a popular handbag label. They remain a premier fashion designer that pumps out high quality handbags consistently. And unlike other labels like Coach and Dooney & Bourke, Chloe has not started outsourcing their manufacturing to China. Chloe continues to manufacture the majority of their handbags in Italy. And because they remain a high-end label, naturally, there are many counterfeit Chloe bags on the market. But with some simple tips, a shopper can avoid many of the fake Chloe bags that saturate the viral marketplace.

One important note to remember is that Chloe does not wholesale, or sell factory seconds. Beware of any seller claiming that the low price is due to a wholesale program etc. Most authentic discounted Chloe bags online will generally be pre-owned handbags.

Because counterfeiters will use cheaper materials in their handbags, the metal accents and hardware are great places to look for authenticity clues. Cheaper metals are generally lighter than the higher quality brass that Chloe utilizes. And a fake Chloe Paddington bag will generally display hardware that is lighter when compared to an authentic bag. For instance, the padlock on an authentic Chloe Paddy should weigh about one pound. In many cases, the fake Chloe bags will have a padlock that weighs less. However, in the case that a fake handbag has the correct weight, (so that the hardware is indecipherable based on weight alone), there will be other clues to look for. A powerful clue in this situation concerns quality and detail. Quality and detail are two points that are universal to all top designer handbags.

One of theses quality details to look for on a fake piece of Chloe hardware is the color. An authentic Chloe handbag uses what is known as aged brass (matte finish). Therefore, many fake handbags will often display a shiny, gold like superficial plating. This is generally evidence of a cheaper metal being used in place of the higher quality aged brass. Therefore, always inspect the weight of the hardware, and the appearance and quality of the hardware’s color.

Another area that works in tandem with the hardware is the leather. Authentic Chloe leather, being generally calf skin, is extremely textured and soft. By comparison, fake leather will be stiff and the texture will look less natural. This means when the authentic, soft leather is combined with the heavy hardware, the Chloe handbag should collapse when sitting by itself. On Paddington bags the padlock will act like an anchor and pull the bag down. However, fake Chloe bags will tend to stand up on their own, because of the lighter hardware and stiff leather.

Good luck and safe shopping!

New Orleans is one of those magical places where there is always something to do. It’s a city where fun is just as important as work, with a culture that embraces this philosophy.

We’ve rounded-up a few of our favorite things to do, by the day, to make your time in New Orleans unforgettable.

Monday: It’s tour-ific!

Having a “case of the Mondays” is impossible in New Orleans. It may be the beginning of the workweek, but it’s also just the beginning for New Orleans fun.

To Do: Tour the city.

New Orleans is one of the oldest and quirkiest places in the United States. We vote touring one (or more) of our many neighborhoods with a New Orleans historian. You’ll lean about each neighborhood’s distinct history and character. There’s the French Quarter, whose streets are filled with seduction and mystery; the Garden District, where it’s easy to spend hours visiting famous homes, cemeteries and restaurants or the Lower 9th Ward, made infamous by Hurricane Katrina’s devastation.

Local Tip:

Some restaurants, museums and attractions do close on Monday (hey, everyone needs a day off), including the Audubon Zoo, Aquarium of the Americas and the Children’s Museum. Don’t forget to do your research before you head-out!

Rebirth Brass Band plays at the Maple Leaf Bar in New Orleans.

Tuesday: Who needs gold when you have brass?

Not many people say Tuesday is their favorite day of the week, but not many people are New Orleanians.

To Do: Rebirth at the Maple Leaf Bar

New Orleans is built on music. With artists like Louis Armstrong, Allen Toussaint, Fats Domino and Dr. John calling New Orleans their home, it’s easy to see (and hear) that there’s something special about the music in this city.

Head over to Oak Street, at the end of the St. Charles Streetcar line, on Tuesday nights for one of the best brass bands in the world. Grammy-award-winning Rebirth Brass Band takes the stage every Tuesday night (10pm sharp) at the Maple Leaf Bar. You can’t help but feel the magic of the music as you dance and sing along.

Local Tip:

After dancing with 200 of your closest (and newest) friends, head over to the Camellia Grill for a giant breakfast omelet, served until 2 am. It’s a New Orleans landmark and cannot be missed!

Wednesday: To the Square you go!

Hump Day means it’s time for free live music, New Orleans’ best food and local crafts, all for a good cause.

To Do: Wednesday at the Square

Each Spring the Young Leadership Council organizes a 12-week free concert series in New Orleans’ CBD (Central Business District) at Lafayette Square. Both locally and nationally recognized musicians take the stage, while businesspeople, just getting off work, kids, graduate students and tourists sit back and enjoy New Orleans food and music.

Lafayette Square is smack-dab in the middle of New Orleans bustling downtown, just a quick walk from most hotels. Come with an empty stomach and be prepared to have a uniquely New Orleans good time. P.S. All food proceeds go to the YLC!

Local Tip:

Bring a blanket and/or lawn chair. You’ll grab your food and drink, but will need a place to enjoy it. These two items really come in handy.

Thursday: Art you glad you’re here?

We’re bringing you to visit the largest Southern art collection in the world, just steps from your hotel.

To Do: Ogden After Hours

New Orleans art scene is thriving. We even have an entire district dedicated to it – the Arts District, naturally. Head over to Camp Street for exquisite art, live music and interviews from Southern music historians.

The Ogden Museum celebrates the South’s art, music and culture. Each Thursday, from 6 – 8 pm, the Ogden opens its doors to visitors, giving them an unparalleled Southern-art experience. There is local live music (including notables like Trombone Shorty and Anders Osborne), interviews with artists, light food and cocktails.

Local Tip:

Ditch the jeans and t-shirt and try for smart casual. James Beard-winning restaurants surround you, so ask your concierge for recommendations and make a night of it.

A bar on the New Orleans cocktail tour.

Friday: Sazeracs and Pimms Cups and Hurricanes, oh my!

You’re in the city that “invented the modern cocktail.” It’s time to indulge.

To Do: A Cocktail Tour

New Orleans and cocktails go hand-in-hand, literally. The city celebrates excess in all it does, and imbibing is no different. It has famous mixologists, bars that started the modern-cocktail revolution and even an entire week-long festival dedicated to the art of the modern cocktail called “Tales of the Cocktail.”

Take your history straight-up with a cocktail tour. Your guide will bring you to the best and oldest bars in the city that invented some of the most famous cocktails in the world. Learn the stories behind the Sazerac, Pimms Cup and Hurricane, along with many others.

Local Tip:

It’s Friday night in the French Quarter. Once your tour is through, head to the Marigny for some of the best live music in the city.

A French Quarter art market in New Orleans.

Saturday: Re-market-able Shopping.

Take home a piece of New Orleans culture at one of its many art markets.

To Do: Art Market

Saturdays are market days in New Orleans. Each neighborhood, from the Warehouse District to the Bywater, hosts an open-air market, where artisans promote their craft and local farmers share their produce. Experience New Orleans’ renaissance by visiting an art market.

One of the larger markets is the French Market. Hundreds of vendors set-up their booths on the outer edge of the French Quarter, making the open-air market stretch for blocks. You can grab trinkets, souvenirs, local produce and crafts. If you’re staying near the French Quarter, you must go, if only for the fresh-squeezed strawberry lemonade.

Local Tip:

Bring cash. Since art markets have individual vendors (and usually no ATMs), some vendors may take credit cards and some may not. You don’t want to fall in love with something with no way to pay!

Sunday: Eggs with a side of Jazz.

It’s been a long week of revelry. Now it’s time to slow it down, eat up and enjoy New Orleans jazz.

To Do: Jazz Brunch

If you’ve come to New Orleans, you’ve come to eat. The city’s entire culture revolves around its cuisine. There’s no better way to end (or begin) your week in New Orleans than by attending a Jazz brunch.

Some of the city’s culinary greats offer Jazz Brunch -Arnaud’s, Commander’s Palace, Palace Café… -so save room for Eggs Sardou and traditional New Orleans jazz. Don’t hurry through brunch. Take your time. You’re in New Orleans, remember? Things move slower here. Appreciate your wonderful meal and the live jazz that surrounds you.

Local Tip:

Take a walk around the neighborhood after your brunch is through. You’ll see New Orleans’ beauty, while burning a few calories.

We mean it when we say, “New Orleans fun never stops.” Head down to the Big Easy to laissez les bon temps rouler (let the good times roll), no matter the day!

We are going to talk about the tabernacle a little bit in this article. The Hebrew letter Vav is all over the tabernacle of Moses. It is incredible how much the Vav was used because the Vav is a hook and it is a nail which are used to builds things. The letter Vav builds things.

Exodus 27:9-10 says, ” And thou shalt make the court of the tabernacle: for the south side southward there shall be hangings for the court of fine twined linen of a hundred cubits long for one side: “And the twenty pillars thereof and their twenty sockets shall be of brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets shall be of silver.”

To show you that in the making of the tabernacle, the hooks there are holding the curtains and those are called Vavs. They are connecting something. The tabernacle has a fence that runs all the way around. This is quite amazing because you see a bronze on the bottom, and silver caps and hook on the top of the fence. You should know that in biblical colors and metals, silver always represents redemption or truth while brass always represents judgment. I mean you have a picture of the Messiah built onto the side of the tabernacle because the Messiah is crucified on wood and remember in the book of revelation John describes the Messiah’s feet to be brass or bronze.

Interestingly, the Torah is also called a fence. For the last 4,000 years, they have been calling the Torah a fence. As matter a fact so much so that the rabbis, the people, the scribes that actually builds Torahs, they have over 4,000 laws just in how to put together a Torah scroll. They patterned it after the tabernacle of Moses, the fence that runs around the tabernacle. That’s where they patterned which is why the parchments are not one little piece of paper. They’re all connected and they have this columns and you should also know that every column starts with a Vav. Every single column will start with a Vav because they’re trying to send a message that the word of Yahweh, never ends. Every paragraph in every word in every sentence in every column is connected to the next. You see, that’s why it rolls all the way out.

I discovered and understand that the Vav connects and what does that really mean. Also you shouls know that every single one of you is a Vav. Remember that God do not look at us through a personal relationship,that’s how He looks at us on judgment day but until then we are corporate. He looks at us corporately this is why He said that it makes such a big deal if there is sin in our house or in our congregation. We have to get rid of it or it will infect the entire body, a little leaven, leavens the entire lamb. If God looks at us in a personal relationship, it wouldn’t matter but it’s not. The point is the we have got to understand that we are connected to one another. So if you take yourself out of that connection, you’ll be ripping the very fence that’s protecting that congregation.

A new season of orchestral concerts in Alicante’s ADDA opened with a blast, rather than a bang. The blast in question came at the end of the opening work, which was appropriately enough Shostakovich’s Festival Overture. The concert cycle is called Festiva and artistic director, Josep Vicent, has assembled an impressive mix across the twenty scheduled concerts. This opener, as with all recent concerts, had to be played twice on consecutive evenings because Covid restrictions limit the hall to half capacity. Even second time through, the program shone and glittered via the superb sound the resident orchestra now generates.

Shostakovich’s Festive Overture is something of a musical joke. It raises naivety to the level of satire in that its vast triumphal fanfares celebrate a musical progression through the indisputably trite. But as ever, Shostakovich convinces us on every one of the multiple levels that the work confronts. The blast, by the way, came at the end when the audience was surprised by the standing participation of ten extra brass players who had been previously and anonymously seated in the boxes on either side of the stage. Three extra trumpets, three trombones and for horns added the extra weight to the coda and the sound was breathtakingly resplendent. It was an experience that reminded this member of the audience of the ENO’s production of Lady MacBeth of Mtsensk in the 1980s when an onstage brass band similarly emphasized the explosive and expletive elements in the operas incandescent score. Then the players were all dressed in bright red military uniform with greatcoats and officers’ hats and all impersonated Joseph Stalin.

Second on the opening concert’s program was the Double Piano Concerto by Philip Glass. The soloists were the Lebeque sisters who have admirably championed this and other contemporary works.

It was an interesting piece with which to follow the Shostakovich, since it transports the audience from a symphonic overture that glorifies the trite and crass in complicated ways, to Philip Glass’s minimalism, whose reputation for simple repetition of arpeggios belies the complex reality of this subtle music. Yes, the chord progression that underpins the work may effectively be a chaconne – is Neo-Baroque a relevant term? – but the constant rhythmic variation renders the material much more than repetitive. There are admittedly no show-off cadenzas for the soloists, no obvious technical gymnastics seeking applause for mere completion, but there is an almost constant jousting between all participants in fights for rhythmic space within the world the composer restricts to a melodic corner. The result is a fascinating interplay between the soloists, between the combined soloists and the orchestra, and even between different sections of the orchestra. The Lebeque sisters offered an encore from the Four Movements by Philip glass and by the end the hypnosis was triumphant in its own quiet, understated way.

The concert’s second half was devoted to one of the greatest masterpieces of the concert repertoire, Prokofiev’s second Romeo and Juliet Suite. This is music about which everything possible has been said, so this review will make out with your personal comments.

No matter how many times I hear the piece, I cannot but marvel at the idea, in Friar Laurence, at the genius that gave a gentle melody to the bassoon and tuba. And why, when we first hear the love theme on the clarinet, is one note lengthened, never to be repeated thereafter? The score has a stress on the note, but it’s still a crotchet. The orchestral playing was magnificent and the reading of the score superb except… Having killed off the lovers at the end of suite number two, the pianissimo ending conveying true tragedy, in this concert performance we concluded with the Death of Tybalt from the first suite. Musically it brought the evening to a brilliant close, but intellectually it made little sense. It’s a minor point

We then had three encores. The blast from Shostakovich was repeated, complete with extra brass from the boxes and then Piazzolla’s Oblivion was just about audible! But beautiful. And finally, we had a rousing Latina American dance, the Danzon of Marquez, just a round off the opening evening. There’s 19 more like this in the season.

I have been collecting many ideas for projects from friends, magazines various art shows and of course the special requests from family and friends. Some of the things I like to make are wooden bowls, walking canes, cutting boards, cabinets, and basically anything that gets my creative juices flowing.

I have been making walking canes for family and friends; these are very fancy pieces of work, I always said; “if you have to use a walking cane, you should be proud of it”.

I will use any type of wood that is strong enough and has some character. Diamond Willow is a good choice, strong and easy to work with. I cut a spiral along the length of the Cain to give it some character and after sand finishing and trimming to a personal length I add a brass handle and a brass and rubber tip. I like to use a cooked stick for the cane, the middle can bend and twist but the ends have to be in alignment, so that when you push down on the handle the tip is directly below and not off to one side.

Cutting a spiral on a straight piece of wood is relatively easy. Cutting a spiral on a crooked piece is more difficult, the difficulty is in balancing the spirals so that they flow around and along the crooked body of the Cain.

Other projects include turning bowls with a natural edge; mostly I only use highly figured wood. These types of bowls are best turned while they are still green and I have built a kiln to dry the green bowls. Always make sure to leave extra thickness in the bowl to address the warping that will occur. Generally allow at least 1 to 1 ¼ inch of thickness. This will result in a finished thickness of ½ to ¾ inch thickness finished. My favorite woodturning tool for this type of work is a 5/8 bowl gouge with a 60 degree grind and I always cut my bowl blanks round with band saw.

Segmented Bowls have been a favorite of mine. The different patterns and shapes are only limited by your imagination. I like to use exotic wood with different colors like Purple Heart, Padauk, Wenge, Yellow Heart, Hard White Maple and many other species. Using this type of creates a very distinctive art that are very attractive when displayed.

There are always the usual for cutting board, shelves, cabinets and repairs of broken furniture.

This type of work keeps me busy throughout the fall and winter months. Now it is almost spring so it is time for pruning fruit trees and roses, preparing the soil for the garden and flowers.