The long-running animated show “The Simpsons” celebrated a monumental mark yesterday, as the program’s 500th episode aired on Fox. In sum, the show has run for roughly 200 hours total and spanned 23 seasons. Guest voices for the animated program have come from a pool of Oscar winners, novelists, politicians, singers and entertainers, and many others. It has also made billions of dollars for the Fox network and millions of dollars for its creators.

The celebration to mark the 500th episode was done in grand style, as Fox ran an 86-hour string of episodes in order to break the longest record for a television marathon. It was such a big deal that people competed for a $ 10,500 prize to see who could watch the longest. Al Jean, who was the show’s executive producer in the third and fourth seasons, and then again from the 13th season to present, sat down to talk about the history of the show and some of the nuance surrounding it.

One of the most interesting things he talked about was the switch from a focus on Bart to one that centered more on Homer. Asked if there was a plan from the beginning to feature Bart, he noted, “Well, he was the one that really popped with the general public first. I think with the writers it was always slightly easier to pitch Homer ideas because Homer was an adult male and he was somebody they could relate to. But Bart’s a great character. Two of the episodes that center around him and the school are still really popular. There was never a conscious change. We just do episodes that we think are funny and there’s always a point where we think ‘Hmm, we had too many Homers in a row. Let’s break it up.’ I like doing Lisa ones too. They’re all great characters.”

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Iran announced this morning that it would immediately cease shipments of oil to Greece, Spain, Italy, Portugal, France and the Netherlands.

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Officials from the Afghan government have hinted at what they are calling “exploratory” talks with Taliban officials in the hopes that the two sides might be able to negotiate a peace settlement. U.S. officials have made contact with various Taliban field commanders, but the talks have not yet been pushed higher up the respective chains of command. The Taliban announced plans to open a political office in Qatar, with the understanding that the group would open a dialog with U.S. officials and representatives from the Afghan government.

At this time, however, the contact has been limited, but many are still hopeful that the lines of communication may eventually open further. The hope from the American side, of course, is that a peace settlement can be reached between the Taliban and the U.S.-backed Afghan government. Without such an agreement in place, Afghanistan is sure to plunge immediately into some semblance of a civil war as soon as U.S. forces pull out in the coming years.

If the Taliban can be engaged at a diplomatic level, however, and if their specific demands can be satisfactorily met, there may be hope for some sort of peace agreement. It remains unclear exactly how much control or which areas of the country the Taliban would wish to occupy, but their traditional strongholds have been in southern Afghanistan.

The primary issue will be whether or not the Taliban are willing to negotiate at all. Because of the pre-determined timeline for a U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, Taliban officials know that the U.S. military is going to be gone in a few years. In that sense, they’ve already weathered the majority of the storm. But if peace is an objective of the Taliban, they may seize the opportunity that is being offered to them.

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Xi Jinping, widely expected to be the next president of China and currently serving as the country’s vice president, visited Des Moines, Iowa earlier this week, receiving a warm welcome from the state with a large agricultural economy. Xi also visited Washington, DC, of course, and spoke of various issues, from international issues to agricultural trade with the U.S. that favors Iowa. Prior to leaving Washington, Xi noted that he was seeking greater cooperation with the U.S. on issues of trade and security, specifically mentioning Iran and North Korea in the process. He also urged Washington to pay close attention to what he called Chinese “core interests,” including the issue of Tibet.

Xi’s visit to Iowa had him attending a state dinner with Governor Terry Branstad and sitting down to a meal that included pork tenderloin, Angus beef and a soybean and corn salad, all products that are near and dear to the hearts of Iowans. Iowa is the largest producer of corn, soybeans and pork in the U.S. and China has increasingly been purchasing those agricultural products from the U.S.

While Xi stressed both friendship between the two countries, as well as some advice, and he spoke in generally broad terms, noting, “The world is currently undergoing profound changes, and China and the United States face shared challenges and shoulder shared responsibilities in international affairs. We should further use bilateral and multilateral mechanisms to enhance coordination between China and the United States on hotspots, including developments on the Korean peninsula and the Iran nuclear issue.”

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This advice popped up on my Facebook page, telling me to catch a show at Jazz at the Bistro.

My best friend made the suggestion after I sheepishly admitted that I was still searching out ways to explore St. Louis’ nightlife. As a newly-minted resident, I have no preconceived notions. However, I am a bit of a music snob. I know what I like.

There’s a lot to like in this eclectic listening room.

The Bistro is located downtown, at 3536 Washington Avenue. I found street parking easily, just a few blocks away. I took it as a good omen. The crowd was completely eclectic-college students mingled easily with Valentine’s Day couples. Every age and ethnicity was represented in the long, long line to pick up tickets at will-call. The firmly polite door person kept her cool, though she acknowledged that she was “working tonight.” We shared a grin and I was led to my table.

After being seated, I perused the menu. There was a nice selection of small plates and appetizers, as well as full entrees and desserts. I opted for the fresh asparagus and the polenta fries with a mushroom gravy. Paired with a tasty beverage, my light dinner hit the spot. I savored everything and waited for my table mates.

The Bistro seats patrons “family style,” which means unless you buy a table, you’ll be seated with other guests. I got to chat with a lovely trio that including an engaged couple and a friend celebrating her birthday. We instantly started talking about all types of music, and shared our excitement about the main event.

The crowd was exceptionally well-behaved. There was very little chatter during the show; you could almost feel the ears tuning to catch the rise and fall of every number. Even though I was seated at the back of the main floor, I didn’t feel as if I missed a note. The sound levels were perfect, creating a focused, intimate mood. The wait-staff were attentive, but didn’t hover.

All in all, it was a lovely evening. It’s a great place to go with friends, or to make new ones. The smoke-free atmosphere was much appreciated. Next time, I’ll buy tickets early to ensure closer seating. I’ll also be sure to take a tour of the upper level, which didn’t happen this trip.

When my best friend comes to visit, I’ll be sure to take her to my new favorite jazz spot.

To buy your tickets, or for more information, visit their website.

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The Odyssey is a spectacular piece by Homer that recounts the trials and tribulations of Odysseus as he makes his way home to his wife, Penelope, after the Trojan War. It takes him twenty years to get home, and he encounters many monsters and vixens on his way, making it a delightful read for students of all ages. Whether they are reading it as a translation or in the original Greek as students of classical languages, or whether they have a toned-down version that is friendly for younger students, they will love the stories from the Cyclops, to Scylla and Charybdis, to Circe, to the suitors begging for Penelope’s hand in marriage. While the story is captivating in and of itself, having the right teaching tools makes all the difference.

Other Books Based on The Odyssey
Epic journeys have always been a popular theme in literature, and many of them have been based on The Odyssey without the audience even knowing about it. Using these as teaching tools can help spark interest in students. Perhaps the most popular adaptation of the famous Greek poem is Ulyssesby James Joyce. This novel follows Leopold Bloom on an epic, one day long journey through Dublin, Ireland on June 16, 1904. The chapter names are characters in The Odyssey, and each chapter contains a monster-like encounter similar to that of the epic poem. Another popular adaptation of Odysseus’ journey is Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier. This is a Civil War novel, but the epic journey and hero’s quest is very similar to that of The Odyssey. In this novel, W.P. Inman is the Odysseus character, and he is a deserter from the Confederate Army. He is wounded and trying to return to his love, Ada Monroe. This novel has also been made into a film. Among many other adaptations of The Odyssey, there is The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood. In true, feminist, Atwood fashion, this novel is told from the perspective of Penelope and her maids. It gives a very interesting perspective we do not get from the poem itself.

Possible Projects
With higher-level students, a great project would be to pair The Odyssey with one of these other novels and have the students compare the two in some way. They could create a presentation for the class. Each student could take on a different novel, which would give all the students in the class an idea of what these other novels were about. With lower-level classes, the teacher can have the students analyze the hero’s quest and compare it with quests of other heroes in literature. With very young students, an idea for a project would be to create a theme park based on The Odyssey. Divide the students into groups and have each group tackle a specific monster from the epic poem. Each group should come up with a ride that represents the monster, characters that will walk around the park, and menu items for the food court. Once all the groups put their ideas together, you will have a class theme park that represents the entire story.

Illustrations
There are many famous illustrations of The Odyssey out there, and a quick internet search will yield many results to study. However, teachers can also have students create their own graphic representations of the poem. This works especially well with students who are artistically talented. They can create these representations and then share them with the class to see if they have similar ideas about what the poem looks like when visualized.

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Under most state rules in the United States, lawyers are not allowed in a small claims court. However, if you are suing or are being sued by an attorney, then you could request to be represented by a lawyer as well. Nevertheless, in most cases, a small claims settlement is done directly in front of a magistrate without lawyers present. This is not such a big deal and you can make the most of self-representation by being prepared and honestly putting forth your own case.

What is a Small Claims Court

The “Small Claims Court” is a part of a state’s court system that typically hears civil cases between private litigants, where the claimant tries to resolve a monetary dispute where the amount of money does not exceed $ 5000 (this limit may slightly vary from state to state). The aim of such a court is to provide an inexpensive and quick platform to resolve small claims without the litigants having to go through any complex legal procedures and without engaging the services of lawyers.

General List of Claims Filed in a Small Claims Court

Given below is a list of typical claims filed in a small claims court. Remember that the money limit condition remains the sole criteria for a claim (and counterclaim as well) to qualify for settlement in a small claims court. The nature of the complaint or its urgency do not matter!

• Claim to refund of money made as down payment, back rent or security deposit
• Claim on dud checks
• Claim for payment of wages, contract dispute for labor
• Claim on damages or refund on faulty workmanship or defective merchandise
• Claim on damages to property due to an accident

You cannot file a complaint with a small claims court for claims arising from alimony support, professional malpractice, domestic or marital disputes, libel or slander, damage to your reputation (defamation charges) or claims valued above the money limit of a small claims section.

An important thing to remember is that if you are suing in a small claims court to save time, but are actually entitled to damages exceeding the money limit of the court, you’re effectively forfeiting your claim on the remaining amount. In case you decide to go ahead with a small claims settlement on the partial amount, you cannot claim the remaining money in a separate lawsuit!

Representing Yourself in a Small Claims Court

Preparing to File a Complaint

• The complainant must be 18 years of age or older. If not, the parent or guardian may file the actual complaint.
• Be aware of the statute of limitation that defines how long you have to start a case (depends on the type of case).
• The Office of the Special Civil Part of the county where the case is filed must be the residence or office/business location of at least one of the defendants.
• You may even file the case for claims online (available in most states). This is usually possible for a fixed amount of money. The defendant receives the printed court order on the same day of filing! Check if this works for your case.
• For an in-court settlement, if you’re the plaintiff, ensure to fill the complaint form properly. Fill in your own address, the defendant’s address, telephone numbers, claim amount and all the other details correctly so as to ensure proper service of your complaint.
• Sign the form and pay the correct fees for filing. The clerk/staff of the Special Civil Part can be consulted for these procedures.
• The cost of filing a complaint may differ from state to state. If you cannot afford the cost, you may apply to the court to grant you a waiver by qualifying you as an indigent.
• Trace out all the records that would support your claim or counterclaim such as canceled checks, bills, contracts, photographs, etc. If you need the support of witnesses, ensure they are ready and available to testify. Be ready with all the paperwork and evidence.
• If you need legal advice or knowledge about state statutes, ensure to consult an attorney at the earliest about arguments that could prove your claim.

If you’re jittery about court procedures and nervous about standing before a magistrate, ensure that you follow the above tips in preparation for court. Doing your homework thoroughly will do wonders to your confidence levels whether you’re suing or being sued.

Small Claims Court Proceedings

You will be notified (through a notice of allocation) about the time and place of the hearing. In fact, you might be asked to deal with the claim without a hearing. A lack of reply will be treated as the need for a preliminary hearing where the magistrate might explain or give personal directions to the concerned parties. Subsequently, a final hearing may take place. The following information will be useful in knowing how to represent yourself in a small claims court.

• Dress appropriately, in a professional manner and follow basic courtroom etiquette. Arrive on time.
• The staff at the Office of the Special Civil Part will be more than ready to answer any questions that you may have before the hearing. However, that does not substitute legal advice; take them as recommendations or suggestions only.
• You may even find an information booklet when you go to pick up your claim form.
• If you’re the defendant and fail to show up, the default ruling may be against you and you may be directed by the court to settle the claim to the plaintiff.
• When providing a list of documents to support your case, present it neatly, in a chronological order.
• Don’t worry, you don’t have to sound or act like a lawyer. You will find the proceedings in a small claims court rather informal and not as strict regarding rules of evidence. Mostly, just follow the directions of the magistrate and you should be fine.
• If you’re not comfortable speaking English, you can have your interpreter speak on your behalf (notify the magistrate in advance) but the court does not usually provide an interpreter.
• You will most likely be assigned a time limit in which the hearing needs to be completed, so ensure that you’re making the most of the time allotted.
• The magistrate may appoint a mediator to help settle your case.
• If you win the case, the Judgment Collection Brochure will have information about how to collect your judgment (including court costs). However, the court does not force the defendant to settle the claim immediately! If the claim is not settled voluntarily according to the judgment, you will have to take additional steps to recover the claim. Consult the clerk of court for the exact procedure for judgment debtor exam, garnishment of wages, etc.
• If the final ruling is not in your favor, as the plaintiff or defendant you may appeal against the ruling; you will not get back the court fees. The procedure varies from state to state. Appeals are generally accepted only if there have been serious irregularities in the proceedings.

Self-representation in a small claims court is not a big deal from the legal proceedings perspective. As a claimant, you might find it to be a quick and hassle-free process if the defendant is willing to co-operate on some level (such as agreeing to mediation or final judgment, etc.). For small claims, it does not make sense for a claimant or defendants to appoint a lawyer and start a full-fledged legal proceeding. However, a small claims suit should not be the first resort. Ensure that as a claimant you have asked for the claim out of court. If you’re the defendant, and if you feel the claimant has every right to the claimed amount, it is best to avoid a hearing and pay up. It is best to resolve disputes without litigating. In case you do choose the small claims court as your next step, the above tips will hopefully help you win your claim.

Disclaimer: This article is only an informative passage and does not intend to substitute legal advice. You are recommended to consult a qualified legal professional before your decision on the final course of action.

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For a brief lesson in modern U.S. politics, one need look no further than the flip-flop by the president on the issue of private political spending. In 2010, President Obama noted that a Supreme Court ruling that would allow private organizations, corporations and unions to spend unlimited amounts of money on political ads and other forms of “speech” was, in essence, a “threat to our democracy.” A couple of years later, the Obama campaign has noted that – with the president’s approval – the campaign will support a super PAC that is in favor of Obama.

Noted one senior campaign official, “We made a decision, announced last night, that we’re not going to allow for two sets of rules this election. A half billion dollars spent against the president’s re-election by Republican super PACs is not something that we take lightly, and it ultimately led to our decision that we’re not going to unilaterally disarm in this fight. Our message remains the same in terms of the type of things we’re fighting for.” In other words, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. The official added, “The president did sign off on this decision.”

A statement that came out late on Monday night by Jim Messina noted that the president still opposes the Supreme Court finding but that the Obama campaign must “face the reality of the law as it currently stands.” Messina added, “With so much at stake, we can’t allow for two sets of rules in this election, whereby the Republican nominee is the beneficiary of unlimited spending and Democrats unilaterally disarm.”

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