Featuring black shorts and socks with a blue trim, the stunning new kit will make its Boro debut when Gareth Southgate's team take on York City at Kit Kat Crescent on Friday night (July 18, 7.30pm).

La Band IndieRock Padana nel consiglio comunale di Vicenza.

:-D

Tricou polo de antrenament Errea al echipei engleze Middlesbrough. Produs oficial al clubului, polo-ul are mărimea M, e din bumbac 100% şi e în stare bună.

Calitate: 2 stele

Preţ: 15 lei, plus 7 lei transportul oriunde în ţară.

The good news is the country at present has no shortage of food grains due to a bumper Boro harvest in progress and a huge import in the recent months.

But the bad news is food grains will continue to be high-priced in the months to come.

Latest estimates of the food ministry put the demand for rice and wheat in the current fiscal year at 2.60 crore tonnes while net production of the crops at 2.59 crore, meaning a deficit of only one lakh tonne.

This apart, organisations in private and public sectors have imported 34.73 lakh tonnes of grains including 21 lakh tonnes of rice from July 1 to April 24. This is 91 percent up on the corresponding period last fiscal year.

During the same period, importers have opened letters of credit (L/C) for import of 50.56 lakh more tonnes of food grains including 33 lakh tonnes of rice.

According to calculations taking into account the food imports, Bangladesh now should have a grain surplus of over 33 lakh tonnes.

Back-to-back floods and Cyclone Sidr last year damaged at least 18 lakh tonnes of standing crops, posing a serious threat to the country's food security.

In this context, both the government and private sector concentrated their efforts on importing food grains to recover the deficit.

However, things began to change for the better at the start of Boro harvest last month.

Explaining how the demand for food grains and deficit were calculated, a food ministry source said the country's population this year was estimated to be 14.56 crore. Then there was an approximate calculation that each individual requires 489 grammes of food a day. And this all put the annual demand at 2.60 crore tonnes.

On the supply side, production of Aus and Aman was 1.05 crore tonnes in FY 08 while it was 1.23 crore in the previous year.

Boro has already made good much of the shortfall resulting from floods and the cyclone. It is estimated that the yield this season will be around 1.75 crore tonnes while wheat 8 lakh tonnes.

The net food production in that case will stand at 2.59 crore tonnes--just one lakh tonne shy of the total demand.

Despite the positive developments, prices of food grains are not going to come down anytime soon, food ministry officials and economists alike predict.

According to Trading Corporation Bangladesh (TCB) report, the price of coarse rice ranged between Tk 33 and Tk 35 a kg a week ago. It did the same yesterday showing that Boro harvest and import did not yet have an effect on the price situation.

The trend will continue, said a food ministry official. "It's because the production cost has shot up by 54 percent in one year," he added.

On the other hand, import price too has increased sharply due to a global food crisis. The price of rice on the international market is increasing on a daily basis with many countries resorting to restrictions on export of their rice.

Meanwhile, five major rice exporting countries including Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar have agreed in principle to launch a platform styled OREC (Organisation of Rice Exporting Countries) to control rice prices on global market.

Thailand, the biggest rice exporter, has already said it wants to form an Opec-style cartel comprising Mekong nations to gain more control over international prices.

Talking to The Daily Star last night, Uttam Kumar Deb, head of research division at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), said if they really go on to create a cartel the price of rice will increase and at the same time availability of the staple will decrease.

“So, Bangladesh should try to increase the production to meet the deficit,” he observed adding that a hard time is ahead as supply even in the international market will be limited.

He also said though the farmers are having a bumper Boro crop, the price would not mark any significant decrease as both production cost and scarcity of food grains in the world market have increased.

Uttam said how much the price of rice would decrease depends on whether the farmers would be able to gather the crop safely in the next few days.

About the food ministry estimates, he said there should be measures to have actual data regarding production and demand for food grains.

He said the demand should be calculated on the basis of an updated population census.

The government will import rice from neighbouring India despite bumper Boro production in the country this season, said Food and Disaster Management Adviser Dr AMM Shawkat Ali.

“If necessary, the government will procure rice beyond the target in this Boro season,” he told journalists while answering to questions at a meeting on Boro paddy procurement and food situation at Bogra Circuit House yesterday.

The adviser said though price of rice have increased in the international markets, Bangladesh is importing rice from India at $430 per metric tonnes as per contract.

He also said steps have been taken to use the godowns of Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) to meet the space crisis in godowns.

Responding to the observations of rice mill owners and businessmen that they face problems for power cuts, the adviser said government has already taken measures to ensure uninterrupted power supply for rice mills.

Bogra Deputy Commissioner Humayun Kabir presided over the meeting while Divisional Commissioner Hafizur Rahman Bhuiyan, Bogra District Rice Mill Owners Association President Aminul Haque spoke.

With recession of flood water, there are signs of devastation all around but farmers are in fields with new hopes to grow Amon paddy and early winter vegetables. Sirajganj was the worst affected district with most areas of its nine upazilas reeling under waters from Mighty Jamauna this year.

According to district agriculture officials' estimate, at least Tk 72 crore crops including paddy, jute, sugarcane and vegetables on 47,407 hectares were damaged by flood.

Sources in Agriculture Extension Department (AED) said there are 56,124 hectares of cultivable land in 81 unions in nine upazilas of the district. The flood damaged crops on 22,762 hectares fully and 24,645 hectares partially, affecting about 230000 families.

With recession of flood water, AED with assistance of district administration and Army has taken a post flood rehabilitation programme. Under the programme, the government has sanctioned Tk 4 crore and Tk 2 crore of it has been made available to assist farmers in cultivation of rice and vegetables, AED sources said.

This correspondent visited different areas of the district, where farmers said they face crisis Amon seedlings and fertilizer, which hamper cultivation. They are collecting seedlings from far away places at high prices as the seedbeds had gone under flood water.

Adul Kader of Tarash said that he sowed Amon seeds on one and half bigha of land. All reeled under water. He has purchased seedlings at Tk 300 per 80 bundles which were sold at between Tk 70 and Tk 80 last year.

AED officials said they have set a target to bring 50220 hectares under Amon cultivation.

Many farmers said they are transplanting Amon seedlings for the second time in about a month as the first transplantation was damaged by flood.

Some farmers said they have borrowed from local moneylenders to cultivate crops after flood.

All of them said they now need smooth supply of fertiliser.

A hiogh official of the district administration seeking anonymity said the government allotment of Tk 2 crore is too inadequate to the needs.

AED Deputy Director Khandaker Hasibur Rahman said they are preparing lists of affected farmers who will get the assistance.

He said about 89,033 tonnes of urea fertiliser are needed for the district this season but they have a stock of about 3755.50 tonnes.

Army sources said they have also started seedlings distribution among affected farmers. As a part of the programme, Bogra Brigade Commander Brig. Gen. Emadul Huq (PSC) distributed seedlings among farmers at Ghurka Beltola on 25 August. Brig. Gen. A K M Mahfuzul Huq (PSC) also distributed seedlings at Raiganj on 29 August.

FARMERS of Chapainawabganj may not achieve the target of boro and wheat cultivation due to acute seed crisis.
   According to the local Department of Agriculture Extension, a target has been set to cultivate boro on 44,940 hectares of land while wheat on 15,000 hectares in the district during the current season. The farmers need 990 tonnes of boro seeds and 1,800 tonnes of wheat seeds to achieve the target.
   A number of farmers said they would start preparing boro seedbeds and wheat cultivation in the middle of the current month. But they are apprehending that they might not achieve the target as the Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation and its appointed dealers have failed to supply them with adequate seeds.
   The farmers said usually they store seeds every season but they failed to store seeds this year due to flood and other natural calamities and were now depending on BADC’s seed due to its high quality and reasonable price.
   Local agricultural officials, however, denied the seed crisis and said that farmers had stocked sufficient despite natural calamities but they were depending on BADC’s seeds due to its high quality and reasonable price.
   Assistant director of the local BADC Hasan Toufiqur Rahman said the BADC received 75 tonnes of seeds for boro cultivation in the district and of the total, 14 tonnes were sanctioned for its sale centre and the rest seed to its 16 dealers. He also said the sale centre sold out the seeds during the last part of October and dealers had almost finished their quota. He further said the BADC had urged the higher authorities to sanction more seven tonnes of boro seed to meet the increasing demand.
   BADC officials said 130 tonnes of wheat seeds had been allocated for the district, which will be available within a week. The farmers will have to manage the rest of the seeds.

The Daily Star, 17 May 2008

BUT for the boro bumper, good wheat crop and abundance of potatoes we would have been in dire straits in a food-short world today. Our farmers can be credited with rising from the catastrophic floods and Sidr with a firm determination to make up for the losses. They have proved that with their will and government's assistance, the farmers can work wonders.

The government should exactly know to what extent their fuel subsidy, distribution of seeds and fertiliser and special irrigation connections paid dividends. The overarching fact is, however, that the farmers diligently and prudently used every inch of land they could plough -- furrows, beels, haors and even some arid lands that were previously written off. That is where our potential lies for optimising land use in a situation where urbanisation, industrialisation, expansion of habitat and land erosion threaten to reduce land:man ratio even more adversely.

The global context marked by a shift from cereal to biofuel production has lessened food output in cereal exporting countries. Even their contribution to WFP is declining, not to speak of the export ban they have clamped. All this impels us to concentrate on and step up domestic agricultural productivity and maintain our own buffer stock of food to see us through rainy days. Even we can export rice for the good of others.

Thus, our national focus ought to be now on agriculture and alleviation of farmers' economic and working conditions. The pledge made by the chief adviser in Dinajpur who called farmers 'the national heroes' to prioritise agriculture in the national budget ought to be translated into reality in some identifiable areas of concern. First and foremost, soil fertility issue has to be addressed squarely. Over time, our land fertility has declined due to indiscriminate or erroneous use of fertilisers, pesticides and insecticides, or lack of nurture. Besides, importantly, the water table has gone down. Shrimp culture and surging tide in the sea have led to salinity intrusion into cultivable lands. The BRRI is credited with having evolved new water resistant varieties of seed. Its potential has to be fully realised in collaboration with successful rice institutes in the region. All these point to the pressing need for vigorous agricultural research with adequate budgetary provisions made for the same. No measly amounts would do any more, nor a visionless approach to the future.

One fundamental weakness in agriculture management has been the sidestepping of the agricultural marketing imperatives. The farmers must get remunerative price for their produces. This requires two things: one, keeping the cost of production low and allowing them to sell their produce without having to go through middlemen. The idea of having wholesale markets dispersed in closer proximity to farming households is a good one.

Last but not least, storage facilities will have to string out all over the country if we have to curb the huge amounts of crop wastes we incur every year.

The boro procurement is yet to gain pace because of a large gap between the price of rice on the market and the price set by the government, market sources said.
   Frequent power outages are also hampering the regular supply of rice by millers and the early fixation of the price by the government has contributed to the price gap, rice suppliers and market sources said on Friday.
   Most farmers are reluctant to sell their rice immediately after harvest thinking that the price might go up further when the government will begin procurement drive in full swing, they said.
   Sources said the government was mounting pressure on the millers to increase the supply of rice, but the millers were unable to buy rice for the price set by the government.
   Paddy now sells for Tk 850 a maund (37.33kg), but the government has set the rate at Tk 720, they said.
   The government in the first-phase procurement ending on May 15 has been able to procure 35,360 tonnes of rice against the target of 2,75,750 tonnes.
   Paddy procurement in the period was only 6,190 tonnes, but about 70 per cent of the boro has been harvested, said officials at the Department of Agricultural Extension.
   It is unlikely for the government to fulfil the boro procurement target in time and is likely to extend the period, said Mohammad Habib, a rice supplier in Kushtia.
   The government needs to increase the procurement price; it will, otherwise, be impossible for the government to control the market, said BRAC’s executive director Mahbub Hossain.
   The government at any cost needs to increase the local procurement by at least 15 to 20 lakh tonnes to control the local market as the rice price on the international market is around $900 a tonne, he said.
   According to statistics of the food department, the procurement in the Dhaka division till Thursday was 9,500 tonnes or rice against the target of 50,000 tonnes.
   Only about 19,000 tonnes out of targeted 2,08,000 tonnes rice were collected from the Rajshahi division and the procurement in the Khulna division stood at 6,000 tonnes against the target of 15,000 tonnes.
   In Chittagong, about 800 tonnes were collected against the target of 2,200 tonnes, and in Sylhet only 60 tonnes against the target of 550 tonnes.
   The total procurement of paddy was 6,190 tonnes together from the Dhaka, Rajshahi, Khulna, Chittagong, Barisal and Sylhet divisions, said sources in the food department.
   The boro procurement in 2008 began on April 16 and it will continue till August 31, and the price of a kilogram of rice has been set at Tk 28 and of paddy at Tk 18.
   In 2007, the government procured 7,10,000 tonnes of rice and 6,500 tonnes of paddy against the target of 10 lakh tonnes rice and 3 lakh tonnes paddy at the price of Tk 18 a kilogram of rice and Tk 11.25 of paddy.

Colegiul Consiliului Naţional pentru Studierea Arhivelor Securităţii

Publicat in Adevarul dosarul sub forma pdf.

Decizia nr. 2410/28.08.2007 Colegiul Consiliului Naţional pentru Studierea Arhivelor Securităţii

Avînd în vedere:

1. Cererea formulată de către Gabriel ANDREESCU, înregistrată la C.N.S.A.S. cu nr. 457/12.09.2000, prin care s-a solicitat verificarea Înalt Prea Sfinţitului Dr. Nicolae CORNEANU, Arhiepiscop al Timişoarei şi Mitropolit al Banatului, laic - Nicolae Mihail CORNEANU;

2. Cererea formulată de către Forumul Civic Romînesc, înregistrată la C.N.S.A.S. cu nr. P 2982/06/24.07.2006, prin care s-a solicitat verificarea înalt Prea Sfinţitului Dr. Nicolae CORNEANU, Arhiepiscop al Timişoarei şi Mitropolit al Banatului;

3. Cererea formulată de către Administraţia Prezidenţială, înregistrată la C.N.S.A.S. cu nr. P 5592/06/29.11.2006, prin care s-a solicitat verificarea Înalt Prea Sfinţitului Dr. Nicolae CORNEANU, membru al Comisiei Prezidenţiale pentru Analiza Dictaturii Comuniste;

4. Cererea formulată de către domnul Gabriel CATALAN, înregistrată la C.N.S.A.S. cu nr. P 1857/07/23.04.2007, prin care a solicitat verificarea înalt Prea Sfinţitului Dr. Nicolae CORNEANU, Arhiepiscop al Timişoarei şi Mitropolit al Banatului;

5. Adresele de verificare C.N.S.A.S. nr. S/5195/A,B,L/18.12.2006;

6. Adresele de răspuns S.R.I. nr. S/116987/26.01.2007 şi nr. S/113574/23.03.2007, S.I.E. nr. S/14173/17.01.2007, M.Ap.N. - S.A.M. (Serviciul Arhivistic Militar) nr. A/135/18.01.2007;

7. Dosarul fond reţea nr. R315 (cotă C.N.S.A.S.);

8. Nota Direcţiei Investigaţii nr. S/DI/l/1033/11.12.2006;

9. Audierea Înalt Prea Sfinţitului Dr. Nicolae CORNEANU din data de 16.11.2001; 10. Procesul-verbal al şedinţei Colegiului C.N.S.A.S. din data de 28.08.2007;

În fapt, S.R.I. a predat C.N.S.A.S. dosarul fond reţea R 315 - 10 volume, perioada 1950 -1988, al cărui titular este Înalt Prea Sfinţitul Dr. Nicolae CORNEANU. Potrivit documentelor ce se regăsesc în acest dosar, colaborarea titularului cu organele poliţiei politice comuniste cuprinde perioada 1950 (data semnării Angajamentului) şi 1988 (data celui mai recent document din dosar). Între aceste date, titularul apare cu mai multe nume conspirative de colaborator: „MUNTEANU”, „POPA VASILE”, „POPESCU ION/IOAN”, „MUNTEANU IOAN”. Învederăm că dosarul conţine numeroase documente în care sursa, sub numele conspirative amintite mai sus, redă informaţii despre sine vorbind la persoana a III-a, menţionîndu-se cu numele real, Nicolae CORNEANU.

Astfel, dosarul cuprinde următoarele documente care atestă colaborarea acestuia cu poliţia politică comunistă, pe care le enumerăm în ordine cronologică:

> Angajament, din 03.01.1950, olograf, semnat olograf cu nume real: Subsemnatul Corneanu Nicolae /.../ Îmi iau următorul angajament: de a informa organele securităţii din Timişoara despre eventualele întîmplări cu caracter subversiv îndreptate împotriva regimului de democraţie populară din R.P.R., atît despre cei din Mitropolie, cît şi despre organizaţii subversive legionare. La fel îmi iau angajamentul că nu voi divulga nimănui prezentul angajament dat de subsemnatul organelor securităţii."

> Caracterizarea informatorului „POPA", din 15.01.1953: /.../ În decursul activităţii sale de la recrutare şi pînă în prezent a dat dovadă de sinceritate şi voinţă de muncă. Aceasta se poate vedea prin materialul informativ pe care l-a dat într-o cantitate mare şi care a fost în majoritate de o calitate şi importanţă bună. /.../ Ştie şi are posibilităţi de a face legături şi a se strecura în anturajul elementelor care interesează Securitatea Statului pentru a culege informaţii din mediul acestor elemente. Ştie să culeagă informaţiile deosebindu-le pe cele mai bune de cele mai slabe sau mai puţin folositoare. La întîlniri, pînă în prezent a fost întotdeauna punctual, avînd o atitudine corectă, la fel avînd o atitudine serioasă faţă de sarcinile ce i se cer."

> Adresă, din 10.02.1959: /.../ Menţionăm că organele noastre sunt pentru ca CORNEANU Nicolae să fie numit în funcţia de vicar la Episcopia Aradului, deoarece este cunoscut ca un element ataşat care a sprijinit în diverse probleme organele noastre. Faţă de această situaţie rugăm dacă este posibil să interveniţi pe lîngă Departamentul Cultelor ca acesta să fie numit în funcţia respectivă." Pe document, ofiţerul a făcut următoarea menţiune: "S-a vorbit cu Departamentul în acest sens şi a promis că va rezolva problema în mod favorabil pentru noi. Bineînţeles că nu ştie că noi avem acest interes."

> Caracterizare privind pe agentul „POPA VASILE”, din 19.11.1959: /.../ De la data recrutării agentul <POPA VASILE> a fost folosit cu succes în rîndul elementelor duşmănoase din mediul preoţilor ortodocşi şi chiar în jurul Mitropolitului /.../, lucrat în acţiune informativă, furnizînd materiale importante care s-au verificat întocmai /.../. /.../ În perioada anilor 1953-1954 agentul <POPA VASILE> a fost infiltrat în gruparea subversivă antropozofică din TIMIŞOARA ce a fost condusă de /.../. În baza materialelor valoroase furnizate de acest agent organele noastre au documentat activitatea acestora şi arestarea elementelor antropozofice /.../. În timpul colaborării agentul <POPA VASILE> s-a dovedit a fi sincer faţă de organele noastre, s-a prezentat punctual la întîlniri şi bine pregătit, a dovedit principialitate în rezolvarea diferitelor sarcini avute din partea organelor noastre, /.../a dovedit utilitate pentru munca informativă fiind capabil de a se orienta şi a rezolva anumite sarcini complicate. De menţionat este faptul că la data de 16.10.1958 agentul <POPA VASILE> a fost abandonat din reţeaua informativă fără a i se lua angajament de încetare a colaborării datorită faptului că au existat anumite suspiciuni din partea lui /.../ că lucrează cu organele noastre. Însă legătura cu agentul nu a fost întreruptă, întîlnirile efectuîndu-se la intervale mai mari şi în alte localităţi pentru a fi cît mai conspirat, /.../şi în această perioadă agentul <POPA VASILE> a furnizat organelor noastre o serie de materiale privind activitatea duşmănoasă a unor elemente domiciliate în alte localităţi cu care a venit în contact materialele respective fiind trimise spre exploatare organelor M.A.I. /.../ deşi înainte cu cîţiva ani au existat suspiciuni că <POPA VASILE> ar colabora cu organele de securitate, fapt ce în prezent nu se mai comentează, totuşi datorită calităţilor sale personale, a dragostei ce a dovedit-o în munca informativă şi faţă de organele noastre, precum şi ataşamentul ce l-a dovedit prin fapte faţă de regimul democrat popular din R.P.R. , considerăm că va putea să i se încredinţeze anumite sarcini de răspundere mai complicate /.../. Agentul <POPA VASILE> nu cunoaşte faptul că a fost abandonat întrucît dacă i s-ar fi adus la cunoştinţă acest lucru ar fi fost complet dezamăgit pe motivul că organele noastre nu ar mai avea încredere în el."

> Tabel, întocmit olograf, reprezentînd recompensele acordate informatorului „POPA VASILE” Нn perioada 1951-1957, însumînd o valoare totală de 44.375 lei.

> Caracterizare privind activitatea de colaborator al organelor securităţii statului, desfăşurată de agentul „POPA VASILE”, din 15.01.1963: Agentul <POPA VASILE>, a continuat şi în perioada 1962-1963, să se comporte satisfăcător în colaborarea cu organele noastre. Ca urmare a atitudini sale pozitive atît cu organele securităţii, cît şi cu organele departamentului cultelor, precum şi cele administrative locale (regiunea Banat) în anul 1962, a fost promovat în funcţia de Mitropolit al Banatului în locul lui /.../. /.../ În această perioadă agentul <POPA VASILE> a fost folosit atît pe plan intern cît şi extern. Pe plan intern în principal a fost folosit pentru reducerea activităţii religioase în eparhia Banatului, indicîndu-i-se şi luînd o serie de măsuri în acest sens (înlocuirea elementelor prea fanatice şi a celor compromişi care funcţionau în cadrul aparatului de conducere al eparhiei, înlocuirea unor cadre didactice în cadrul seminarului teologic din Caransebeş, reducerea numărului de elevi, /.../ comasarea unor parohii şi reducerea numărului de preoţi etc). Este de menţionat că toate aceste probleme au fost discutate cu el în prealabil, unele măsuri fiind propuse chiar de agent. /.../ Se manifestă ca unul ce nu crede în preceptele şi dogmele bisericeşti fiind convins că biserica a fost întotdeauna un mijloc de înşelare a maselor populare, /.../a rezultat că s-a preocupat de studiul ştiinţei marxist leniniste şi de însuşirea ei ce l-au făcut să fie convins de netemeinicia dogmelor pe care încă mai trebuie să le <apere> şi în acelaşi timp să îşi dea seama perfect că viitorul nu poate aparţine decît comunismului. Tot pe plan intern agentul a mai fost folosit pentru influenţarea directă a şefului Bisericii ortodoxe în contactele pe care le are cu acesta, aceasta în măsura în care există posibilităţi (avîndu-se în vedere că aceste contacte sunt destul de rare şi în acelaşi timp Patriarhul se poartă destul de distant cu el). Totodată agentul a avut şi sarcina de a ne sesiza toate aspectele ce se desprind din comportarea pe care o are Patriarhul. Pe plan extern agentul a fost folosit pentru cunoaşterea activităţii pe care o desfăşoară membrii unor delegaţii bisericeşti din care a făcut şi el parte, delegaţi care au participat la unele conferinţe religioase internaţionale. /.../ să-şi creeze legături cît mai multe în rîndurile celorlalţi participanţi la aceste conferinţe - în special dintre cei originari din ţările capitaliste, pe care să-i studieze în contactele pe care le aveau şi să ne informeze despre toate trăsăturile lor caracteristice. /.../ Apreciez că agentul <POPA VASILE> este foarte disciplinat, obiectiv în prezentarea diferitelor probleme pe care le sesizează, totdeauna întreabă cum să rezolve anumite probleme ce se ivesc în conducerea eparhiei, se străduieşte să aplice întocmai indicaţiile ce i se dau, este punctual la întîlniri."

> Notă caracterizare a activităţii agentului „POPA VASILE”, din 16.09.1965 : /.../ În ţară agentul a continuat a fi folosit în direcţia influenţării pozitive a maselor de credincioşi, în care sens i s-a indicat în permanenţă să ceară preoţilor ce aparţin mitropoliei pe care o conduce /.../ să evite excesele privind îndoctrinarea religioasă, să nu admită acţiuni de fanatizare mistică şi să îndrume enoriaşii spre o muncă folositoare în cooperative agricole de producţie şi întreprinderile ori instituţiile unde ei lucrează. /.../ atenţia agentului a fost orientată spre combaterea şi anihilarea sectelor ilegale şi limitarea activităţii celor legale. /.../ agentul ne-a furnizat informaţii despre poziţia şi activitatea unui număr de 32 persoane ce prezintă interes pentru noi. Printre aceştia sunt unii greco-catolici cunoscuţi cu activitate ostilă ca /.../- episcop greco-catolic, hirotonit clandestin, urmărit de Dir. Reg. M.A.I. Banat, /.../, preot greco-catolic, revenit, /.../, fost protopop greco- catolic etc. /.../ va fi îndrumat /.../ astfel încît să influenţeze masele de credincioşi, şi în acelaşi timp să limiteze dezvoltarea activităţii religioase /.../ nu sunt suspiciuni de deconspirare iar sinceritatea sa în informaţiile furnizate a fost verificată şi prin alţi agenţi. Apreciez că agentul este bun şi sunt perspective pentru creşterea aportului acestuia în colaborarea cu organele securităţii statului."

> Raport, din 26.09.1967: /.../ În calitate de reprezentant al bisericii ortodoxe romîne - mitropolitul NICOLAE CORNEANU (agentul nostru <POPA VASILE>) /.../. Raportăm că în cei 16 ani de colaborare cu organele noastre, <POPA VASILE> şi-a adus contribuţia la rezolvarea numeroaselor probleme ce s-au ivit mai cu seamă în cadrul diverselor delegaţii peste graniţă din care a făcut parte ca membru sau conducător - dovedind pricepere şi orientare. Agentul este ataşat statului şi regimului din ţara noastră. /.../ Propunem: A se aproba să avizăm pozitiv asupra plecării în Japonia a agentului <POPA VASILE>."

> Notă informativă , din 02.04.1970, olografă, semnată olograf POPESCU IOAN": Redacţia revistei <Mitropolia Banatului> a primit recent un material de la /.../ din TIMIŞ OARA /.../ legat de comemorarea a 100 ani de la moartea lui Eftimie MURGU, unul din promotorii revoluţiei din 1848, al cărui strănepot pretinde a fi. El se referă la intenţia mitropoliei de a se alătura comemorării proiectate de autorităţile locale printr-o slujbă de pomenire şi prin publicarea unor articole comemorative în revista proprie. Din materialele lui /.../ se desprind tendinţe naţionaliste şovine (citarea lui Aron COTRUŞ ar putea fi un indiciu elocvent) şi un spirit criticist pronunţat (poezia <Fii binecuvîntată Timişoara...>)." Învederăm că întreg materialul trimis mitropolitului CORNEANU Nicolae de către persoana invocată de acesta în documentul de mai sus, se regăseşte, în original, la dosar (plic, memoriu, poezie).

> Notă informativă, din 13.04.1970, olografă, semnată olograf „POPESCU IOAN”: Vineri 10 aprilie ora 18.30 colonia romînă din Viena a organizat la sediul cultural o festivitate de aniversare a 150 ani de la naşterea lui Al. loan CUZA. /.../ Printre cei de faţă se afla şi fugarul /.../. /.../ Acesta s-a adresat mitropolitului CORNEANU în calitate de <bănăţean> /.../ manifestîndu-şi agresiv şi calomnios dezacordul cu <comuniştii>, cu regimul nostru de pe poziţii <socialiste> /.../. Criticînd vehement politica internă a ţării şi conducătorilor noştri (poziţia sa e a postului de radio <Europa Liberă>), /.../ are aproximativ 74 de ani şi pare a fi complet sclerozat /.../."

> Nota, din 05.12.1971: Cu informatorul <POPESCU ION > fost (<POPA VASILE>) cu numele real de CORNEANU Nicolae, care deţine funcţia de Mitropolit al Banatului se va putea lua legătura de către un alt ofiţer folosind următoarea parolă: Sunt preotul <POPESCU ION> şi am venit la dv. din partea d-lui avocat /.../, pt. a discuta o problemă."

> Notă informativă, din 23.07.1975, olografă, semnată olograf „POPESCU IOAN”: Mitropolitul CORNEANU din Timişoara a primit prin poştă alăturata scrisoare /.../ de la numitul /.../ din Bucureşti /.../ pe care nu-l cunoaşte, cuprinzînd multe idei, camuflînd tendinţe reacţionare."

> Notă informativă, din 19.07.1979, olografă, semnată olograf „POPESCU ION”: /.../ figurează în listele de cetăţeni romîni doritori să emigreze în S.U.A. care au fost predate delegaţiei interreligioase care a întîlnit un grup de senatori şi congresmeni /.../ la Congresul din Washinton. Pentru lămurirea acestei situaţii mitropolitul CORNEANU l-a chemat să-şi explice poziţia. Preotul /.../a declarat că nu a făcut nici o cerere de emigrare în S.U.A., dar că l-a inclus pe listele amintite un prieten. /.../ personal nu crede a fi decît spre folosul bisericii dacă ar merge ca preot în America. Atunci cînd i s-a explicat că apare pe liste folosite în scopul acuzării patriei noastre pe motivul că nu ar respecta drepturile omului> nu a manifestat nici o surprindere, mulţumindu-se cu a repeta convingerea sa că a nu făcut nimic rău în aceea că vrea să plece în S.U.A. Faţă de poziţia adoptată mitropolitul CORNEANU i-a spus: /.../ Din partea forului dumitale superior îţi fac ţie cunoscut că poţi pleca în altă ţară ca simplu civil nu ca preot. /.../ Ştii bine că divorţînd şi recăsătorindu-te nu puteai fi hirotonit. Pe răspundere proprie eu te-am hirotonit pentru o parohie din eparhia de care răspund, dacă pleci din eparhie eu nu mai răspund de d-ta şi vei deveni un simplu civil."

> Notă informativă, din 06.03.1980, olografă, semnată olograf „POPESCU ION": /.../ La 22 ianuarie 1980 prezentîndu-se la protopopiat preotul /.../a depus cerere de demisie pe data de 7 februarie /.../ mitropolitul CORNEANU s-a deplasat duminică 3 februarie la Bazoşul Nou spre a participa la serviciu religios - ultimul pînă la 7 februarie cînd /.../a anunţat că se retrage, spre a discuta cu /.../ şi a preîntîmpina o eventuală <despărţire> soldată cu incitarea credincioşilor la atitudini de genul celor sugerate în cererea de demisie. Serviciul religios s-a desfăşurat normal cu excepţia faptului că preotul /.../a inclus în cuprinsul lui rugăciuni pentru un anume ins <aflat în închisoare> şi pentru o serie de alte persoane în frunte cu <preotul Gheorghe> (care nu era altul decît CALCIU). /.../ mitropolitul CORNEANU a spus în esenţă următoarele: /.../Vrea să plece din ţară căutînd un loc mai potrivit de activitate? Nu poate activa aici, nu sunt aici atîtea de făcut ?/.../ Dacă a fost numit la Bazoş nu poate pleca de aici fără voia bisericii. Dacă totuşi pleacă, se exclude singur din biserică. Nădăjduiesc ca preotul dumneavoastră să înţeleagă care îi este datoria. /.../ Preotul /.../ însuşi a cerut să fie primit în audienţă. Audienţa a avut loc peste 2 zile cînd preotul /.../ i-a comunicat mitropolitului că rămîne la cererea de demisie pentru următoarele considerente: idealul său de viaţă e lupta contra ateismului /.../. Biserica e aservită regimului şi nu permite slujitorilor ei să combată pe atei. Pe deasupra procedînd cum îi dictează conştiinţa înseamnă să devină martir ca alţii - aluzie la CALCIU - ceea ce el nu vrea şi de aceea doreşte să emigreze nu însă în S.U.A. Arătîndu-i-se netemeinicia afirmaţilor sale şi îndemnîndu-l să reflecteze mai profund la considerentele expuse, /.../ a răspuns că s-a gîndit bine la toate şi nu îşi va schimba hotărîrea luată. Pe aceeaşi poziţie a rămas şi cînd la încheierea audienţei mitropolitul l-a prevenit că nu-i acceptă demisia./.../." În Nota Ofiţerului se consemnează: I.J. Timiş a întreprins măsurile vizînd neutralizarea şi descurajarea lui /.../, mai cu seamă după ce va fi caterisit. Cazul se află în controlul nostru."

> Notă informativă, din 07.08.1980, olografă, semnată olograf „MUNTEANU ION": întrucît preotul caterisit /.../ din Timişoara, n-a manifestat semne de îndreptare, reprezentanţi ai mitropoliei au luat ei iniţiativa unor discuţii cu el. /.../ O altă încercare a făcut mitropolitul CORNEANU care l-a chemat în audienţă la 4 august cînd în prezenţa episcopului vicar /.../ l-a întrebat care este situaţia actuală, pe ce poziţie se află şi ce intenţionează, /.../a arătat următoarele: <Nu mai lucrez la fabrica de ţigări întrucît din ordinul securităţii ale cărei metode de prigonire sunt cunoscute mi s-au impus munci grele la care nu am rezistat, fiind debil şi bolnav de rinichi. /.../ Biserica ortodoxă romînă nu îşi îndeplineşte misiunea de a lupta contra ateismului, iar preoţimea este decăzută, iar interesată doar de cîştig bănesc şi inconştienţă. Mă simt străin de biserică şi nu recunosc preoţia din care singur am ieşit deoarece nici chiar patriarhul nu s-a ridicat în apărarea preotului martir CALCIU şi nu a protestat contra dărîmării bisericii Enei din Bucureşti. Nu mai doresc să rămîn într-o ţară care nu asigură libertăţile elementare şi unde nu mă pot afirma conform conştiinţei proprii. Ca mine gîndesc mulţi alţii ridicîndu-ne glasul nădăjduim să aducem mai mult bine ţării şi poporului romîn.> Legat de fiecare afirmaţie în parte mitropolitul CORNEANU /.../ i-au pus în faţă argumente să dovedească greşeala în care persistă, argumentarea mergînd pînă la a recunoaşte aceasta. /.../ a refuzat totuşi să accepte pînă şi concluziile ce decurgeau logic din premisele la care însuşi se referea. Convorbirea s-a încheiat fără nici o perspectivă de recuperare."

> Notă informativă, din 07.08.1980, olografă, semnată olograf MUNTEANU ION": Preotul /.../ din Vişag, jud. Timiş , a susţinut între altele că Biserica ortodoxă romînă nu are personalitate, întrucît nu a luat atitudine pentru eliberarea preotului CALCIU DUMITREASA şi nu a protestat contra dărîmării bisericii Enei din Bucureşti. Protopopul şi ceilalţi preoţi au luat poziţie imediat faţă de asemenea afirmaţii dar /.../ n-a cedat. Mai mult decît atît, a acuzat pe cei care căutau să-l combată că n-au conştiinţă. Dat fiind cele întîmplate cum şi pentru că în anul trecut preotul /.../a apărut pe listele Congresului SUA ca unul ce doreşte să emigreze peste ocean, mitropolitul CORNEANU l-a chemat în audienţă în ziua de 5 august /.../. Chestionat asupra poziţiei sale, /.../ a repetat afirmaţiile făcute la întrunirea de la protopopiat. Deşi n-a fost în stare să-şi explice şi justifice părerile, a declarat că nu intenţionează să şi le schimbe. Faţă de încăpăţînarea manifestată, mitropolitul CORNEANU i-a reamintit condiţiile în care a fost primit la seminar, bunăvoinţa şi sprijinul de care s-a împărtăşit, favoarea de care s-a bucurat /.../ Repetîndu-i-se avertizările de anul trecut, i s-a pus în vedere că dacă nu-şi va schimba atitudinea şi că dacă va considera în continuare că biserica nu are personalitate", biserica îi va dovedi contrariul, excluzîndu-l din sînul ei. Discuţia s-a încheiat fără ca /.../ să recunoască greşeala în care se află." În Nota Ofiţerului se consemnează: Poziţia pe care se situează preotul /.../ arată că efectele acţiunii lui CALCIU Gheorghe nu au fost cercetate profund, iar măsurile noastre nu au fost de natură să depisteze şi neutralizeze din timp pe fiecare în parte, atît în judeţul Timiş , cît şi pe cei din alte judeţe. Verbal, informatorul mi-a relatat că pe o astfel de poziţie se situează preotul /.../ din comuna Măureni jud. Caras Severin. Acest preot pretinde să fie trimis în străinătate cu bursă, ori să deservească o parohie ortodoxă din Occident. Au fost luate măsurile ce se impun pentru cunoaşterea şi neutralizarea activităţii celor în cauz ă."

> Notă de analiză a randamentului informatorului <MUNTEANU IOAN>, pe perioada 2 iunie 1980- 20 februarie 1982, din 23.02.1982: /.../ şi-a adus contribuţia la realizarea unor măsuri inclusiv prin înlocuirea unor cadre didactice - foşti legionari ori persoane compromise - fără autoritate în faţa elevilor. /.../ ne-a furnizat informaţii utile pentru noi şi alte unităţi, ca urmare a unor călătorii în străinătate ori în urma unor discuţii avute cu cetăţeni din Occident. /.../ contribuind la demascarea în faţa străinătăţii, a preotului legionar CALCIU GHEORGHE DUMITREASA şi a ideilor acestuia. /.../ la începutul lunii octombrie 1981 <MUNTEANU IOAN> a avut un infarct miocardic, ceea ce i-a afectat activitatea timp de 3 luni şi ca urmare nu a mai candidat şi nici nu a fost promovat mitropolit la SIBIU. A suportat acest şoc, dar din discuţii rezultă că este cam supărat, dar nu pe organele noastre informîndu-ne cu diverse date utile chiar şi în această situa ţie. Dată fiind funcţia ce o deţine, posibilităţile şi calităţile sale şi că starea sănătăţii îi permite să muncească , apreciez că el ne este util şi propun menţinerea în reţea. Pentru a-l face mai util şi eficient, este necesar să fie întîlnit mai des şi să se discute în detaliu toate problemele ce le are inclusiv cele de ordin personal şi uneori destul de sensibile pentru a-l ajuta să depăşească momentele <grele>."

> Raport cu propunerea de reînregistrare în calitate de informator a numitului CORNEANU Nicolae, mitropolit al Banatului şi Caransebeşului', din 09.12.1988: Numitul CORNEANU Nicolae /.../ a fost recrutat la data de 03.01.1950 în problema culte-secte, iar pe perioada colaborării a dat dovadă de loialitate şi ataşament faţă de organele noastre achitîndu-se de toate sarcinile trasate pe linie de securitate. În anul 1957 s-a întrerupt legătura cu cel în cauză din lipsă de posibilităţi informative, iar în 19.11.1959 a fost reactivat de către Direcţia I Bucureşti şi menţinut în leg ătură pînă la data de 06.10.1982, cînd prin adresa /.../ dosarul personal al celui în cauză a fost transferat la Securitatea judeţului Timiş, /.../a se aproba înregistrarea în calitate de informator a numitului CORNEANU Nicolae avînd numele conspirativ <MUNTEANU>."

Astfel, informaţiile furnizate poliţiei politice comuniste au fost de natură să aducă atingere dreptului la libertatea de exprimare şi libertatea opiniilor (art. 85, lit. a din Constituţia României din 1952, art. 28 din Constituţia României din 1965, art. 19 din Pactul privind Drepturile Civile şi Politice), dreptului la libertatea gîndirii, a conştiinţei şi a religiei (art. 84 din Constituţia României din 1952, art. 30 din Constituţia României din 1965, art. 18 din Pactul privind Drepturile Civile şi Politice), dreptul la viaţă privată (art. 17 din Pactul privind Drepturile Civile şi Politice), dreptul la liberă circulaţie (art. 12 din Pactul privind Drepturile Civile şi Politice).

În temeiul:

1. art. 2 lit. ţ şi lit. n, art. 3\ art. 15 şi art. 16 din Legea nr. 187/1999 privind accesul la propriul dosar şi deconspirarea poliţiei politice comuniste, modificată şi completată prin O.U.G. nr. 16/2006, coroborate cu art. 34 şi art. 38 din Regulamentul de organizare şi funcţionare a Consiliului Naţional pentru Studierea Arhivelor Securităţii ca Poliţie Politică, adoptat prin Hotărîrea Parlamentului nr. 17/2000;

2. art. 5, alin. 1 şi alin. 3, art. 8 alin. 7 din Legea nr. 187/1999 privind accesul la propriul dosar şi deconspirarea poliţiei politice comuniste, coroborate cu art. 5, art. 18 alin. 1, art. 24 şi art. 40 din Regulamentul de organizare şi funcţionare a Consiliului Naţional pentru Studierea Arhivelor Securităţii ca Poliţie Politică adoptat prin Hotărîrea Parlamentului nr. 17/2000;

3. art. 8 alin. 1 lit. f din Regulamentul Intern al Consiliului Naţional pentru Studierea Arhivelor Securităţii;

Pe baza materialului probator avut la dispoziţie pБnă la data de 28.08.2007,

DECIDE

Art. 1 Înalt Prea Sfinţitul Dr. Nicolae CORNEANU, laic - Nicolae Mihail CORNEANU, fiul lui Liviu şi Elena, născut la data de 21.11.1923, în Caransebeş, judeţul Caras-Severin, a fost colaborator al poliţiei politice comuniste.

Decizia nr. 2410/28.08.2007 a rămas definitivă şi irevocabilă prin necontestare.

Merg pe strada cu alt nume
Cu alti pasi in urma ta
Voi fi candva...

Cine va mai stii ce-am fi fost intr-o zi...

Iris (Boro)-Mai ramai

[audio http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/11/28/433125/Boro%20-%20Mai%20ramai.mp3]

te-as fi rugat sa nu pleci...dar niciodata nu mi-ai spus ca asta s-ar putea intampla.

The day looked to have started well as injury victims Simon Travis and Jordan Stepien returned to the starting line-up. This joy was only short lived however, as Stepien pulled up within the first 15 minutes with a recurrence of the hamstirng injury that has kept him out for the past few weeks. This further blow now looks to have bought a premature end to the striker's season.

His replacement Danny Williams did lighten the mood though, as he scored with five minutes to go in the first half. After a goal line scramble the ball fell to Williams who squeezed the ball underneath a despairing defender and into the net. Before this the game had struggled to ignite, with only half chances to Rob Taylor and Alex Rodman lifting the game.

After the break Hucknall committed men forward in search of an all important equaliser, and broke through the Boro back divisions 11 minutes into the second half, McPherson with the goal. Moments before Nuneaton had what appeared to be a very good claim for a penaly turned down, as Bradley Pritchard was upended in the box.

Rob Taylor restored Nuneaton's lead with a powerful effort from just inside the box soon afterwards, but they looked shaky at the back. Acton beaten by a soft Saunders goal that appeared to strike the forward before rifling in to the top of the net.

Nuneaton pressed but little came, and the result leaves them in sixth place. In recent weeks a lack of cutting edge, and real solidity in defence could really have cost Kevin Wilkin's men who now go into Friday night's game against Southport with their play-off dreams hanging by a thread.

*Featured Artist Patty Pulliam

1. How did you get started in lampworking? What was the thing that made you interested?

I saw it on TV and was intrigued. When Tammy from TLD called me to see if I wanted to learn, I jumped at the chance.

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2. How long have you been lampworking? Is it a business for you or a hobby?

I think it was Jan of 2001 that I had my first class. It’s mostly a hobby, but I do try to sell my work.

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3. What inspires you? How do you get the inspiration/motivation back when you are in a slump?

Nature is a great inspiration. Nothing is more beautiful than that! It’s tough when the glass muse goes in vacation. Sometimes I look at the gallery at LE to jump start some ideas.

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4. Who are your 3 favorite lampworkers? Why?

Tough one! There are so many great artists out there who I like for different reasons. Kimberly Affleck for her gorgeous seahorses and great personality; Anastasia always awes me with her unique style; Pipyr because she’s so inventive and really thinks outside the box… and she’s adorable!

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There are lots more as well. Too many to list!

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5. What is the best thing about lampworking? The worst?

Best: Melting glass and playing with fire!

Worst: Not getting to do it full time.

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6. What is the funniest or scariest thing that ever happened to you when you were torching?

Well, flinging a hot marble into your lap is always fun!

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7. What kind of set up do you use? Torch?

At home I use a GTT Lynx and 2 oxycons. When I’m teaching at TLD I use a HotHead and bulk propylene.

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8. What is your favorite glass?

BORO!!

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9. What are your favorite color combinations?

I think silvered ivory is my all time favorite. “Dougie Pink” is always fun to make.

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10. What’s your favorite technique? What technique makes you want to bang your (or someone else’s) head against the wall?

It’s simplistic, but I really love using clear frit over the boro reactive colors. It’s so easy and makes some of the coolest results.

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Making good loops on pendants makes me want to scream sometimes.
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11. Is there a shape that you really HATE to make?

Bicones! Can’t make ‘em symmetrical to save my life.

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12. Do you have a ‘comfort’ bead

The boro frit bead. I really enjoy just making simple round beads. It’s meditative.

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13. How do you see yourself developing as a lampworker in the future? What are your goals?

I want to become a more consistent lampworker, with my results as well as doing it on a regular basis. I don’t think I have any articulated goals, but I always want to improve. I guess getting better with sculptural stuff is a goal.

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14. What do you consider as successful? What is the key to getting there?

I would consider myself successful as an artist if I could completely support my habit by selling my work. I wish I knew the key!

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15. What would be your 3 best tips for new artists?

Practice, practice, practice! • Don’t work too hot. • And slow down.

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16. Do you like to take classes from other lampworkers?

Yes!! I love taking all kinds of classes. I would be a professional student if I could afford it.

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17. Do you teach? Will you travel to teach?

I teach classes at TLD Design Center & Gallery in Westmont, IL.

Yes, I’m planning some classes at GiaRosa Creativity Studio & Retreat in Taos, NM.

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18. What other creative outlets do you have?

I like to play with all media. I enjoy paper, fiber, polymer clay,metals, wood… you name it! I also enjoy photography and some digital art. I have Art ADD. :-)

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[gallery]

=^..^=
www.rusticstudio.com

Boring, slow, clunky and a bit of an afterthought, most of the club websites served as nothing more than a place to buy tickets without having to queue outside the ground or to read an “exclusive” interview with the latest overpriced idiot, trotting out the tightly scripted lines from the club’s PR people.

This has bothered me for ages. Football clubs have a ready made social network, and the biggest and best clubs should have been at the forefront of using the web to leverage this, bringing together fans from across the world with a combined interest. And, unlike a lot of clubs, this shouldn’t just extend to putting the same news on your site in Korean and Simplified Chinese. An international web strategy that is not.

I’ve been delighted therefore to see Chelsea really taking their club website to a new level. This started with the launch of BlueTube (crap name, great idea) in December 2007. The Chelsea website describes BlueTube as an opportunity to “show us how you celebrate being a blue” and as you can guess, is a site whereby you can upload video of your own, as well as watching videos posted by the club itself.

I’m not a Chelsea fan, so I don’t know how far they’ve taken this concept but I’d love to see clubs using online at the heart of their communication with the fans, second only to the in-stadium experience. How about asking fans to recreate famous goals in their back gardens (Phoenix from the Flames anyone?) and then having a competition to find the best – the winner getting to recreate it at half time during the game, the video being played on the big screen.

How about asking fans to post pictures or videos of themselves in club kit at landmarks around the world, and showing them on a loop while the teams warm up on a Saturday.

This may already be happening of course. And if it is, I’m sure Chelsea will be the ones to do it. Even this week they have announced that by registering on the site you can personalise your own homepage, in much the same way as the BBC have done. It’s simple. But it’s brilliant. Each and every fan has a favourite player, or a part of the club that they are more interested in than others. Give them a reason to register and you can engage with them on a wholly different level.

Compare that with the experience you get on the website of my club, Middlesbrough. It’s the same news that is available elsewhere. I’ll have read 99% of it by the time I grudgingly click on www.mfc.co.uk. Going to the Boro homepage is like jumping in a time machine and going back to the Internet in 1997. Only it doesn’t bring Juninho back into our midfield, unfortunately.

Multimedia content is pitched as if it has a cutting edge wow factor, and not simply expected by anyone and everyone these days. And they still make you pay for it. No thanks guys. And that is not even mentioning the online club shop, which is a little like a GCSE computer science project. And not even a very good one.

Things may improve at the Boro shortly. The viral video done with David Wheater was a good indication that there is some good, creative stuff going on. It should have come after the website was sorted out in my opinion, but I guess there may have been pressure to drum up short term half season ticket sales that led to this tactic. Understandable I suppose, if a little short term.

It’s not just Chelsea that are miles ahead of course. Man Utd are also good at what they do, and I’ve not looked at all of the sites one by one in detail. Chelsea have just combined some really neat stuff with some good publicity of it.

Still, didn’t help them when John Terry stepped up to that penalty in the Champions League final.

What can you say about Brent? He’s funny. He’s a wonderful teacher. He’s in love. He makes beautiful hearts. He’s a wonderfully talented glass artist. He’s a great dad. He’s just one of my favorite people. Have fun getting to know him a little better!

How did you get started in lampworking?

I had a friend in south Florida that made marbles and sculptural stuff in his garage. I saw the set up one day and asked what it was. He had a Carlisle CC and an Aim front loading kiln. I asked if it worked and if I could melt something. He handed me a clear glass rod, lit the torch and pointed to a pile of crushed colored glass he called frit. Funny name, but what the heck, I’m game… I melted the clear, rolled it around in some of that frit stuff and I was hooked!

What was the thing that made you interested?

The fire and the weird tingly feeling I got when I melted glass… it was a rush and it was definitely not easy. I knew I had to figure it out… I just had to!

How long have you been lampworking?

I’ve been lampworking for about 8 years I guess. Time really doesn’t matter when you’re doing what you love, so it may have been longer. Sure doesn’t seem like 8 years!

Is it a business for you or a hobby?

This is my sole source of income. I’m a single Dad with 3 kids. I have custody of two and this obsession feeds us all. I am very grateful for everything I’ve been able to do in this industry and look forward to a lifetime of melting glass.

What inspires you?

I am in love with glass. I love everything about it. The way it moves… the way it captures light… the way it looks while I’m working with it. It truly is awe-inspiring. Most of my inspiration comes from the glass itself. I make objects resembling other things, but it’s because the glass lends itself to the shape or design so well. Some of my best work has come from an “Awe crap” moment… like… “What am I going to do with this now?”

How do you get the inspiration/motivation back when you are in a slump?

I play. I don’t set out to make anything in particular. I sit at the torch and melt something. It will eventually become something interesting and if it doesn’t, I throw it into the woods. Some people think it’s a shame for me to launch a good portion of my work, but the truth is, most of my work wasn’t made to sell. It was the process and I learned what I needed to from it. That was it’s purpose and I am happy to set it free.

Who are your 3 favorite lampworkers? Why?

I don’t have 3 favorite… I have at least 100. There are so many talented lampworkers and wonderful human beings in this industry; I couldn’t possibly name anybody my 3 favorites.

I can name 3 people who make me weak in the knees when I see their work…

Paul Stankard… that in no mere mortal. What he does with glass makes me shake my head. He is living proof that there’s no end to what we can do in glass.

Luccio… I’d really just like to know how he gets those tiny fingers all perfectly positioned without melting the one next to it. Mine would all look like burn victims. Mutilated freaks and that’s why I don’t add arms to my human forms yet.

Robert Mickelsen… If you’ve seen his work, you know why. ;)

What is the best thing about lampworking?

Everything!

The worst?

Running out of propane…

What is the funniest or scariest thing that ever happened to you when you were torching?

It’s the same story… funny and scary! I’ve got to give you the back-story first. My Dad used to be a welder and we live in Florida. We have bugs… big as your head… biting bugs. I used to do a lot of lathe work and I have two hand torches as well as a bench torch on my lathe. One night after a session, I came inside and told him the bugs were eating me alive. He said they used to kind of swat at the bugs with their torches when they were welding. He explained that the bug’s wings were so delicate that they would burn up and it didn’t hurt you, if you did it quick. This fascinated me…

Ok, so now fast forward a few weeks or so. I’m on my lathe and there is this yellow fly. It’s a deer fly type bug on speed. I swear these things are part psychic and part Ferrari. He was chewing on me left and right. I had about 6 bites to my legs and every attempt to smack the hellhound resulted in more humiliation. He finally pissed me off! He landed on my big toe (I wear flip flops all the time). He devoured my innocent soft flesh, just happily trying to grow a toenail. I had my Carlisle premix hand torch blazing. I knew what had to be done… I had never been so clear about an objective… I was gonna cook his little butt!!! So, in one fell swoop, I poured the full fury of my 18” blue flame of death onto his fragile little frame. His little world came crashing down and the biblical hell fire and brimstone stories came to life for him… I rejoiced… I was smiling from ear to ear, until I remembered what was under the bug… and as the flame shot sideways, deflected by my toe, I realized I hand forgotten about the most important part of my Dad’s story… “It won’t hurt you, as long as you’re quick!”

I managed to finish the piece before the throbbing set in. The toe was black for a good long while and the blister can only be described as enormous. The bug didn’t recover. ;)

What kind of set up do you use? Torch?

I use a Bethlehem Barracuda and power it with two concentrators from Unlimited Oxygen. I love it!

What is your favorite glass?

What ever I’m melting at the time, but I do predominately work in boro.

Do you have a favorite technique?

Not really… It’s all fun!

What are your favorite color combinations?

Amber Purple over Egyptian White Sands…

What’s your favorite technique?

See the question before last… I guess you didn’t like that answer, so you’re trying to trick me. I’m on to your crafty games. LOL

What technique makes you want to bang your (or someone else’s) head against the wall?

The more challenging the better… why would I hate anything? Just because I can’t do it right yet? A real challenge gives me something to look forward to. If I could do everything, I wouldn’t be interested in doing any of it.

What is that shape that you really HATE to make?

Butt plugs. That always made me a little uncomfortable. Oh, by the way… I made sex toys out of borosilicate glass for years. So I’m being serious when I say they were not my favorite shape… ;)

Do you have a ‘comfort’ bead?

Hearts. I figure there can never be too much love in the world and I really enjoy making them.

How do you see yourself developing as a lampworker in the future?

My goal is to explore every thing I have time for. I love doing larger sculptural work. I’ll hopefully be healthy enough to do this in some form or fashion, for a very long time. Right up until the day I die would be perfect!

What are your goals?

To be happy and raise my kids with love in their life. To never stop caring about the people around me…

What do you consider as successful? 

Look in the mirror… if you like what you see and there’s a smile more often than not, you’ve achieved it.

What is the key to getting there?

Love yourself enough to do what you need to do for you… love others and give what you can, without expecting anything in return… realize that you are unique… and you deserve to be happy… just like everybody else. Forgive others when they do you wrong, but it’s ok to avoid their evil asses if you can. You don’t have to like everybody… but you do have to like yourself. 

What would be your 3 best tips for new artists?

Don’t compare your work to anybody else’s. There will always be folks who have more skill that you and there will always be folks who can’t do what you can do. If you compare your work to your work, it’s the only fair comparison… if it’s getting better, you’re successful!

Some times the very best ideas come from a mistake you didn’t give up on… it comes from playing and trying new things. Realize that there are no limits to what you can do and you don’t have to do anything in particular… PLAY!

Don’t put too much pressure on yourself…

Do you like to take classes from other lampworkers?

Yes, it’s a lot of fun!

Do you teach? 

I do and I love it. It’s one of my passions. I absolutely love it when a student figures something out or realizes that they really can do something difficult. It’s a magical moment and I’m blessed to be a part of it.

Will you travel to teach?

“Have torch will travel!”

The season started with a bang. Drawn away at Arsenal for our first fixture, we expected a defeat, but just moments into the game Healy found the net and we held that lead until the 86th minute when Arsenal scored. Then they scored again. We lost 2-1 in a game that we were holding the lead in for the majority. We were left disappointed and frustrated, but little did we know this would be how we would feel for much of the rest of the season.

These desperately frustrating results continued to pour in. We would take the lead against Boro and Villa only to concede late goals and lose. We had leads against Sunderland, Man City and Wigan and only went on to draw.

We failed to beat Derby at the Cottage in a game the Rams could so easily have won had it not been for a great performance from Antti Niemi between the sticks.

The Faliure

Sanchez, in my mind, was a complete failure. He guided us to two wins in 20 premiership games before he was eventually sacked in late December. Those wins came Bolton who started the season appallingly under Sammy Lee and against a Reading side devoid of any quality. Not good enough. 

His playing style was completely wrong for the personnel he bought. He purchased flair players such as Bouazza, Kamara and Davis, and then attempted to play a long-ball game. Its obvious why it didn'twork - there was no height or strength in the side. We were getting outclassed and out-muscled by almost every team we faced. The long ball game was not something I ever wish to see again at Fulham.

People may say Sanchez was unlucky at Fulham. We had goals disallowed at Sunderland and at home to Boro which would have gained us vital points and many other decisions went against us. Then of course our true leader, Brian "McGod" McBride was stretchered off after scoring against Boro so early on in the season. It was a bad thing to happen, but unfortunately Lawrie that's football and you should have prepared better for the possibility of a 35 year old striker to miss the odd game.

The Messiah

With Sanchez kicked out the door speculation was rife about who would be our next boss. John Collins became the bookies favourite after resigning from Hibs, but he was quick to quell speculation. Many other names would come into the frame - Venables, Tigana, Bilic, Hoddle and even Steve McClaren (*shudder*). 

Then from nowhere a candidate rose quickly in the bookies odds. Roy Hodgson. I hadn't heard much about him until he was announced as Fulham manager and I read up on him. But was this man really the right choice to keep Fulham in the Premier League? Yes.

In my opinion Hodgson was the key to Fulham's escape. He kept his head and his eloquent manner transferred through to the players as they escaped playing some very nice football. He was also realistic about the whole situation, he never got caught up in the emotions.

Early Problems

Thats not to say he didn't have his problems initially though, as he struggled to find his best starting XI.

His first game was not easy, at home to Chelsea. We scored first but succumbed to their overall superiority and lost the game. Then came the embarrassing loss at Bristol Rovers. Not the finest of starts for the new manager.

In his next two games the side lost to West Ham and Arsenal. The misery was piling on. We looked doomed. The only good thing to come out of those games was the return of Jimmy Bullard who would go on to play a crucial role in the coming weeks.

By this point Hodgson had also brought his key signings in - Nevland, Andreasen, Stalteri and Hangeland. The introduction of Andreasen and Hangeland away at Bolton grabbed the Whites a point in a tough game.

A win!

The next fixture proved to be a huge turning point. After a going a goal behind to high-flying Villa, Fulham came back to win in the most dramatic of circumstances. Bullard crossed low to find Davies who converted to make it 1-1 and with 5 minutes remaining Bullard stepped up to curl in a wonderful free-kick to win the game. McBride made his comeback - happy days all round.

The next spell of games was difficult. A loss at Boro which we had over 60% of possession in and then defeat to West Ham in the dying seconds after an assault on the Fulham keeper and a hand-ball to score the goal. But Roy didn't complain (learn from it Lawrie) he just accepted these things happen in football and got on with his job.

Bullard came up with the goods again to grab a late point at Blackburn and then a  big win over Everton lifted our spirits, but not for long as this was followed by an awful performance at Newcastle and a disappointing draw at Derby where we couldn't hold the lead for one single minute.

Then came an atrocious performance at home to Sunderland in a game we had to win. We lost 3-1 and were heading for the trap door. We were down in my mind and pretty much everyone elses.

Ups and Downs

By this point I thought relegation was a certainty. We couldn't beat Sunderland at home and we needed wins desperately. With 5 games to go, three of them away (we hadn't won away all season!),  we had to look for some sort of miracle.

We went to Reading having not won away from home for over a year. I expected another beating. Reading were almost out of the relegation trouble, but so typically Fulham gave us some more hope as we won convincingly. I was on top of the world after the result, but still felt relegation was extremely likely.

Then came Liverpool at home - the side we beat last season to stay up. We put in a half-decent performance, but again thier overall class shone through. Two defensive errors gifted the Reds all three points.

After the loss to Liverpool, relegation seemed almost certain. We would have to win 2 more away games and a vital decider against Birmingham at Home. 3 wins on the bounce...it just didn't seem possible.

Turning Point

Then came one of the most important games in Fulham'shistory. 2-0 down with twenty minutes to go at Manchester City and Fulham were relegated. Then something amazing happened. Kamara pulled one back and then Fulham were awarded a penalty. 2-2. With seconds remaining on the clock Kamara again went through and smashed the ball into the back of the net 2-3. Fulham had won on the road...again!

Now there was real hope. If we could beat Birmingham and Reading lost we would have destiny in our own hands going into the final game of the season. The fans blind faith in the whites was coming to fruition and we had come to the realisation that it could be done.

The Birmingham game was huge. We were wondering if would throw it all away as we so easily could have, but we didn't. We gave an exceptionally strong display and in the process virtually put Birmingham down.

Reading lost. It was now down to us...one final game at Fratton Park would decide our fate.

The Finale

It was a bright, sunny day in Portsmouth as Fulham stepped onto the pitch. This was it. 90 minutes to win and ensure Fulham's safety. Birmingham and Reading had their games wrapped up early on and as it stood Fulham were facing relegation. It was a tight game and Fulham gave it everything. Scrappy moments in the box at both ends could have lead to goals.

With just 15 minutes left Danny Murphy rose like a salmon to put the ball in the net and with it earned a place in Fulham history. Magical.

One of the greatest escapes ever seen in the Premier League (and without an illegal player!). Well done to the players, manager, backroom staff and of course the fans who have been exceptional this season in the circumstances. This was an amazing season, but it would be stupid to think there isn't a lot of work still to be done.

Changes Needed

We must not take the approach going into next season that this season was a success because we avoided relegation - quite the opposite. The players need to look at what was good and what was bad and learn from it. They need to stick to Roy's tactics and listen to him - he clearly wants football to be played the right way.

Hodgson himself needs to look at bringing in some new personnel to make sure we have the strengthand depth to acheive a mid-table position next season. Players that have disappointed and just not made the grade need to be released or sold on. Its stupid having a thirty man squad and the majority being dead-wood.

As for Al fayed, he will need to invest in players and the stadium. I hope the 30,000 seater stadium we all hope for is achieved. That would make a huge impact on how players coming to the club see us and to revenue. It's a real shame we missed out on Europe as it would attract better players, but it's not the end of the world. Plus we hardly deserved it after scraping through this season.

A Fresh Start

Now Hodgson has a whole summer to work withhis squad and hopefully a decent budget to add to it. I really have faith in this manager. He feels like a 'Fulham man' already - he shows genuine care for the club. I can't wait to see how he does next season. A few new players from his continental connections would be nice...but lets not get carried away!

COYW!

So it was a season of two halves for the Arsenal this term. From August to early January we dominated practically every game, played brilliant football, and lost only twice in all four competitions, all of which we were still involved in at that point. The highlight of these four months was the 7-0 victory versus Sparta Prague where we played better than Brazil in the '70's and Walcott got his first Champions League goals.

Then three events saw the beginning of Arsenal's downfall.

• Tuesday, January 22, Arsenal's 5-1 loss to Spurs
• Saturday, February 16, Arsenal's 4-0 loss to Manchester United
• Saturday, February 23, Eduardo breaks his leg against Birmingham

On a cold night Boro never really got going and fell behind very early on, through a close range Robinson strike. Despite creating two half chances for debutant forward Nick Farqurharson, the home side never properly recovered and didn't ever seriously threaten a dominant Southport team.

Any hopes of a resurgant second half fight back were all but extinguished within three minutes of the re-start, as Blakeman doubled the Sangrounder's lead. Nuneaton tried to press, but had little potency when going forward, and the defeat was seemed almost inevitable. Matty Collins and Carl Palmer were bought on towards the end, and showed more urgency but they couldn't change the game as dramatically as needed.

For me, the starting line-up was the wrong one for such a game. Manager Kevin Wilking started with Danny Williams, and Farquharson up front- a forward line with little in the way of height or presence to it. It was the wrong game to give a young striker such as Farqurharson his debut, and after an early bad miss his confidence soon sapped away.

Rob Taylor again impressed down the left side, but any crosses he delievered were wasted as there was a lack of aerial ability available. To back up Farqurharson, and Williams were the midfield pairing of Tom Curtis and Bradley Pritchard- neither of which challenge the six foot mark of a tape measure. This left just Alex Rodman, and if he was to ever head a football without fear of spoiling his well styled hair I would like to see it.

Lack of attacking depth cost Nuneaton, a story far too familiar in the past few games. It is a failure that has left the Boro with no chance of making the play-offs and facing another season down in the Blue Square North next season.

The five sides battling it out for the right to play for a place in the Conference National next year are; Harrogate Town, AFC Telford, Barrow, Southport, and our very own Nuneaton Borough. Last night two of the chasing pack played, as Barrow earned a good point with a 1-1 draw against Kettering Town, and Southport beat Alfreton 1-0.

With just over a week of the season left to play the top of the Conference North table looks like this: