Ross Books

In Natural Dance, Hal Eastman's remarkable photos of women dancers in nature visusally captures their backgrounds as much as their movements, with the individual photos proving especially strong in revealing motion and action. These gorgeous portraits of women in nature will make an especially strong addition to any personal and community library professional photography collecitons.

A positive addition to my book collection. I just wish it had more pages.

The photographs in Hal Eastman's book are of things only once of this world; dancers and rocks and water and grass. These photographs rip through the fabric of nature and movement, and deliver a new world, an ethereal plane between natural and painted, movement and still. On this new plane, the body is more lovely, the colors of our world more vibrant, entropy halted into the calm of the moment. My notion is that in the infinitesimal time lost in a blink, there exists dancers and a world of order and beauty, and now, in these photographs, I can see them clearly.

American photographer Hal Eastman's new collection of fine art photographs of dancers in nature are both a revelation and revolutionary. The grand doyenne of fine art photography, Miss Ruth Bernard, informs us: "...Eastman's ethereal images in Natural Dance capture the very essence of the relationship between dance and nature, and the intuitive in dance." Armed with a hand-held manual 35mm Leica camera Eastman captured his dancers by moving with them rhytmatically in natural settings on or near the unspoiled coasts of California and Hawaii, slowing the shutter speed as both photographer and dancer moved as one with nature. The ecstatic nature of Isadora Duncan captured with each frame. Destined to become a collector's item this exquisite book, produced with sublime production values, and rare painterly quality ushers in a new standard in dance photography.

I never want to have to stop reading this book. I love it

This is the book for you if you first fell in love in the 50's or 60's. It gives you a time line, from the perspective of one of the original Four Freshmen, of what went on in those great years. Love songs were really love songs. The Four Freshmen have put together a book of music that covers the whole spectrum - not just 50's & 60's, but right into the year 2000 with the 21st group combination still out there singing (they are a lot younger now - 20's & 30's - but haven't lost the blend of voices that made them a favorite on jazzman Stan Kenton). Ross Barbour chronicles the whole thing and, if you were there, you can't help thinking back to what you were doing at a particular moment. It's not fancy writing, but hits home - hard.

My copy was the first edition, published 1995. Since then there have been two or three MORE Freshmen personnel changes, resulting in (sez Bob Flanigan, and he ought to know)"the best vocal blend in our(Four Freshmen)history." This is both the strength of the book and the weakness of any 52-year-old vocal group: the almost mandatory changes, and the tough task of keeping track of the whys and wherefores. This Ross Barbour does to perfection.

Barbour also intends "Now You Know" as a personal paean and thank-you to the late Stan Kenton, and this he brings off with class and accuracy. Life on the road for a jazz group, a necessary evil if they want to maintain recording contracts and sales, has eaten up the best, Kenton included. (The joker in the deck is, jazz itself does not "sell" in America, at least not in sufficient strength to afford its musicians more time at home with families.)

The Four Freshmen, we learn, were free of drugs, although booze is hinted at, and both certainly were problems with Kenton and his bands through the years. The FF, like the Kenton outfits, have largely been white guys (and girls) singing and playing for mostly white fans, and this has been a knock over the years, at least on Kenton. None of this is touched on in "Now You Know," perhaps wisely.

But no matter. As a chronology of the sound and the songs, "Now You Know" is must reading for every serious jazz fan.

Who better to write the history of the longest-running vocal performing group in history? Ross Barbour (one of the original four) kept a journal for the nearly 40 years he was an active member of the Four Freshmen. Ross' stories are entertaining and form a historical, easy-to-read record of music touring and performing in the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. If you remember hearing Graduation Day or their signature hit Blue World on your AM radio in high school or college, you'll find this book more than a nostalgic look at those times. For a while, you'll remember even more of what your youth fun... And the Four Freshmen are STILL performing today (as the group nears its 50th anniversary). At the Four Freshmen Convention in Sharon, PA on July 18th, you can meet Ross and shake his hand. Mo' info on www.opms.com/4fres

*Thrilling! You'll want to meet the Funny Man. You will put some gloss on your food to see if you can style food as well as Pat Croce. This is a great book to look at if you want to decide your job! This is a very enjoyable book! You may plan a trip to New York to meet Orlando Powers. Try to "chase a storm." Play with an albino boa constrictor, but don't get it lost in a pipe, like Cathryn Long. Would you like to be a Master Sniffer? This is a book you will never forget, and you'll always turn to it when you have a free second. Ellen Weiss wrote brilliantly and Damon Ross took phenomenal pictures!* - Ellie Immerman 11

Ellen Weiss has written an amazing book. The photographs are great too. This book teaches a lesson. You need not decide early in life what you want to do for the rest of your life. You can have an interesting, rewarding and enjoyable career if you follow your heart, your interests, your dreams. It's a great read. I personally know of a school where ninety plus second graders are enjoying this book. There is a copy in each of their classrooms and one in the school library, The children each have their own preferences. "Bug-Wrangler" and "Armpit-Sniffer" seem to be the top two favorites, but all the jobs receive mention. I cannot say enough good things about this book. Thank you Ellen Weiss. Thank you Damon Ross and the other contributing photographers. I especially enjoyed the photos of the "Feather Guy" by Karen R. Coles. To sum this book up in one word....."Wowee".

Delightful and original. Ellen Weiss explodes the idea that a "job" need be drudgery or obligatory. By interviewing people in unusual jobs who love their work, she shows kids that imagination and love count when thinking about a career. Her enthusiasm, amusement, and affection for her subjects make the book fun and swiftly readable. I bought this for my 9-year-old, but my 12-year-old gobbled it up, too, and read it in one sitting, laughing all the way. The author's choice of odd jobs -- bug wrangler, professional scary guy, sound effects man, etc. -- are perfectly tuned to kids' sensibilities. This is a rare book that can be a great birthday gift for kids from 4 to middle school (even high school). I hope we'll see a sequel.

I shared this book with a group of ten and eleven years olds and they were entralled. Their imaginations went wild. No longer did they want to be firefighters and rock stars just because that's what their friends wanted to be...suddenly there was a whole new world of jobs open to them. This is a wonderful book...well written, funny, informative, and filled with all kinds of great stuff that kids will love. I can't recommend it highly enough.

This book is really fun, short and sweet. Gives great information on becoming famous, many resources, some very expensive but if you want to walk the walk you need to talk the talk.

I don't know why Entertainment Tonight hasn't hilited this book. Perhaps they have enough celebs to cover. But I swear, if you honestly are interested in becoming famous, or at least finding out what angle is best going to get you there-- like if you should try for reality TV (and HOW to do all that) or perhaps journalism (Katie Couric!!) or just getting famous by sleeping in an airport or becomig a famous bounty hunter, this is the guide for you.

If you like reading US and People magazine, and you're a celebrity follower, this book is a fun, summer read. Chock full of interesting facts about how stars made it big, and what they did when they were very little will give you a smile. Enjoy!

What fun! This, sometimes tongue-in-cheek", book tells you all of those little secrets you need to become a celebrity. It's easy to read and that perfect companion for any trip or just to have on your night-stand. Even if this book doesn't help you to become a real celebrity, it will allow you to live like one for a while.

It was good interesting book. The way the characters feelings changed they were happy then sad. There names are Joel and Tony the book started to go to Starved Rock Park, but they didn't make it. I think it was one of the best books I ever read.

For those who enjoy paper dolls, this collection is a classic.

Seven paper dolls and twelve uniforms are offered in the first of a five-part history of Girl Scout uniforms.

The text, written through diary entries, capsules the early years of scouting.

A bit of Americana worth collecting.

This used to be my favorite book when I was younger. I would recemend it to any kid whos in 4th or 5th grade. I am in 8th grade now but sometimes when I get bored i take out that book and start to read it agin.

I highly recommend purchasing both "On My Honor" AND "Whene'r you Make Promise" for your personal resource, OR your Service Unit Library! Both are beautifully illustrated, and great tools for learning about the history of scouting in the US. Younger girls appreciate dressing the dolls in their period Uniforms and dresses, older girls can also enjoy the personal stories included. Use these books to tie in the requirements for many patches andd badges such as "Brownie Girl Scouts Through The Years" and "Her Story" try-its, The "Juliette Low" patch, and the "Girl Scouting Through the Years" Junior Badge.No girl is ever too old for paper dolls, and these are a high quality product line! My girls particularly liked trying to imagine camping in such complicated underclothes, as well as comparing patches and awards to today's equivalents. These books deserve an "A".

No one doubts that the supply chain world is in the midst of its largest transformation ever. Around the globe, companies' leadership are realizing that their approach to the "buy-side" of their businesses is a critical element of their competitiveness. This relevant dialogue helps sourcing professionals not only participate in this change, but to lead their company's efforts toward lower costs and higher profits. From how engineering and suppliers collaborate on new product ideas and designs, to how IT systems work to support spend management analysis, to how product management, finance, manufacturing, and sales all collaborate to coordinate demand and supply plans, this plain-spoken, fact-laden narrative illustrates to company leaders the power and value that others are enjoying from a keen focus on supply management. I found this to be a book for "now", with ideas, strategies and techniques assembled in a clear way and in touch with how world-class sourcing efforts take place. This is a definite read for any business leader who wants to make an impact in their supply chain and wants to know how others in the real world are getting the job done!

On-demand Supply Management is a well conceived and written book that details the software technology necessary for todays procurement demands and illustrates them with interesting case studies.

The book also makes an extremely strong case for Procurement profesionals be slotted at a high level in the corporate structure.

Make space in your credenza for this important book.

This book is a very practical set of guideposts for meshing technology with Supply Management. If only we had this book when implementing our complex supply management processes we could have gone much faster with far fewer serious missteps. Not only does it hit the strategic choices that must be made ahead of time, but it also deals with implementation and provides alerts for common mistakes. The verbal examples are excellent and underscore the groundings in real life experiences of companies struggling with key issues.

Just finished "Straight to the Botton Line" and "On Demand Supply Management". Wonderful books! "Straight to the Botton Line" helped to crystallize my thinking on Supply Management. "On Demand Supply Management" was a great update and overview of the technology that is radically changing our work. Both provided a good framework for thinking on the topics and excellent insights. Congratulations to the authors on a job very well done!

OxyFlex! is an excellent book for everyone. I have tried the exercises, and they are fabulous. I am a school teacher, and carry a bunch of stress in my shoulders and back. After doing Debra's workout, the stress melts away. It is great!

Debra's OxyFlex! process showed me how to connect with individual muscles one breath at a time. Results are impressive; I felt my muscles tone and build more quickly than any other workout I have tried (I saw visible results in 2 weeks rather than 2 months). It works muscles, lungs, internal organs, and keeps you limber, too. Coordinating your breathing with the muscle flexing keeps you focused, which is central to an effective workout. Delivering oxygen to the muscle you are working makes a huge difference.

This program works with you, not against you. It's simple. No equipment required; just you, a little floor space, about 15-20 minutes, and oxygen.
The 'challenge level' is always at your own individual pace - as time goes by, your muscles can do more, so you can challenge yourself to do more.

Some of the benefits I am experiencing: Improved strength and muscle tone (lost inches and flab), better posture, expanded lung capacity, better digestion, more energy, better sleep, more focused, and I also handle stress better. I use the breathing all by itself throughout the day - it helps me center.

It's good to have this book as a reference - it defines the process and provides tips, encouragement and reminders so you stay on course. Debra offers a free phone consultation as well - this woman knows physical fitness, and she also understands the psychological and/or spiritual process that helps or hinders individual success. She will help each person - her mission is truly all about helping people.

I highly recommend OxyFlex!

After reading the book and trying the OxyFlex! exercise program designed by fitness trainer Debra Ross, I had an absolute "ah" moment. It made me wonder, "Where have I been"? Intellectually, I know less is more, and I'd be willing to bet, most of you do, too. If this is true, and breathing is the ultimate mind/body connection, as ancient Yogis have shown us for centuries, I regretfully tell you where I've been in my twenties: at the gym.

There I was each day (sometimes twice), religiously churning out endless sets, reps; teaching classes and pumping up. What's worse? I was always picking my body apart. My legs didn't look the way I thought they should, and I couldn't quite get the eating program to strip off (what I thought was too much) excess fat. Ha!

What they don't tell you (most of the exercise and fitness guru's, that is) is that in your 30s you just don't have the energy or motivation to get up at 5 a.m. to exercise. You have greater responsibilities: career, family, and are no longer obsessed with eating weird diets or continuing the quest for the perfect body (mostly because you've realized, there's no such thing or, said differently, all bodies are perfect in their imperfection). The finest testament to this third or fourth decade of thinking comes from the profound words of actor Kevin Bacon as spoken to Ellen DeGeneres: "You've just got to do the best you can with what you've got."

I pass this wisdom along to my fellow exer-holics all the while knowing it still leaves an ex-gym rat in a conundrum. What's a body to do? For me the answer was: become frustrated with exercise. All this came packaged with the "Bacon Philosophy" as well as the realization that there just wasn't enough time or energy to while away the hours in the gym anymore. Sure, I'm okay there. But, when the body weight began inching up; this former exercise junkie freaked. Now, not only has the motivation for hours of fitness waned, but the knees and other joints have begun to show signs of wear-and-tear and the dress size has become one, then two numbers greater.

Help has finally arrived. Enter OxyFlex! Finally, a way to maximize fitness outcome yet not over train or spend more time than necessary to maintain weight and muscle tone. My joints love it! Too, OxyFlex! will show you basic and powerful exercises that not only need no added weight, they only take a mere 15 minutes each day. The program is as equally effective as traditional methods because it uses the power of the breath! What a revolutionary concept.

If you try OxyFlex! you will also learn:

-How to focus and create a mindful workout and why less is certainly more
-How to use exercise to help your body detoxify
-The beautiful health benefits of proper posture
-The fat burning effects of deep breathing in combination with muscle contraction
-How to re-educate your body and creatively visualize to manifest your best body
-Common sense eating and supplementation

And more...

Thank you Debra Ross. OxyFlex! is a welcome find. Now I can spend my time and energy wisely - first, on an exercise program that works, then move on to other ventures - like my life!

I am not a person who is drawn to exercise, but I tried OxyFlex! and it worked for me. The book is written in simple terms that I could understand. The book is full of valuable information. I learned alot about how my body works. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to improve their body, both in health and appearance.

The stories are unique tales that prove as spellbinding as the gorgeous pictures. It's a must read for not only golfers, but any sports fan.

Virginia has long been home to some of America's finest golfers. Virginia golfers have won 16 major championships and 169 PGA-sanctioned events while playing in 27 Ryder Cups, 9 Walker Cups, and 2 Solheim Cups. Virginia is boasts six golfing resorts that rank among America's top 1000, while dozens of the state's golf courses are part of almost every list of the finest places to play the sport in this country. Veteran golf writer Jim Ducibella's Par Excellence: A Celebration Of Virginia Golf explores a grand golfing legacy of players, courses, tournaments, and stories. The informative text is wonderfully enhanced with the stunning photography of Ross Franklin. From Nancy Lopez to Sam Snead, Par Excellence is a splendidly presented tribute and history that is entertaining and informative reading for all golfing enthusiasts.

Just about everyone I know has played or is playing golf. I myself play about four to five times a year and in Massachusetts there is very few PGA rated courses. Par Excellence shows you the world of golf as it is played in a Virginia and these are some beautiful courses.

I was very impressed by not only the stories but also by the pictures. Full color photographs of the courses show how rich in beauty the state of Virginia really is. Some the courses have hosted several PGA events and the storied past of the courses are a true golf fans dream.

The book also covers some of the more famous golfers to have played at these courses, with men like Curtis Strange, Lanny Wadkins, J.C. Snead, Sam Snead and others. The book is only 240 pages but it is clear that author was able to capture the essence of the sport and of the state.

Also included in the book is coverage of over 15 courses and some of the more notable events that have taken place at each course. For a true golf fan this book is the perfect gift. Sports Publishing Inc. has a web site loaded with other books on an abundance of sports topics.

If you're a golfer or you have a golfer in your house, this is a must for Santa's stocking on Christmas morning. The book lives up to its subtitle of being a celebration of Virginia golf, but would be appreciated by golfers in all the states and even around the world. Jim Ducibella is one of the nation's finest golf writers and he captures the history and tradition of Virginia golf in loving detail. He writes vivid portraits of the state's finest golfers as well as giving graphic descriptions of the state's best courses. Whether you're a duffer or a scratch golfer, this is a book you will want to read from cover to cover. And the pictures by Ross D. Franklin make you feel you right on the course. Don't miss this book.

As a 2nd year PhD student someone lent me this book so that I could acquaint myself with Social Psychology (which I had very little exposure to beforehand). I felt that I had a better grasp of social psychology after reading this book than I did after taking a year of PhD level courses. Ross & Nisbett effortlessly cover the foundational works of Social Psy in a way that is immediately accessible and compelling. This is one of two books that I recommend to incoming PhD students...

Offered as "a slim guide ... to the heart and muscle" of the enterprise of social psychology, this volume provides the cummulative evidence of the field organized in terms of the basic principles it supports. This is an excellent introduction and review of the field of social psychology, its research and its applications. To really absorb the knowledge accumulated here into the functioning of our general culture would require a willingess by individuals, over and over again, to transcend normal ways of thinking in order to understand others, and especially differences with others, in a less self-centered manner than is usual.

This book is a wonderful introduction to the importance of situational influences on our inferences and decisions. The coverage of examples is thorough and it is easy to see how each is relevent to the topic at hand. Written in a an imminently understandable and conversational style, this book is a pleasure to read. I particularly enjoyed the ways in which the authors demonstrated the types of faulty logic we all use when trying to use dispositional information to make predictions about the behaviour of ourselves and others. This book points out quite clearly that just because an approach appears to work in the real world, doesn't mean that the rational for using it is reasonable. An enjoyable and informative read!

This book is amply recommended for anyone questioning the individualistic stance of human behavior. The ideas are well structured and motivate discussion. Essential reading for cognitive and AI researchers!

Some quotes:

"People sometimes construe the same object differently because they view it from different angles, rather than because they are fundamentally different people."

"Indeed, when we are confronted with behavior that seems to suggest exceptional personal attributes of any kind we tell ourselves to pause and consider the situation. What were the details of the immediate context of behavior? How was the situation construed by the actor? And what was the broader social context or social system within which the actors were functioning? More pointedly, what objective situational features or subjective construals, or tension system considerations would make these seemingly exceptional actions less exceptional, and more congruent with what experience has taught us about the way ordinary people (ourselves included) generally behave?"

Upon opening the front cover of this book, I was sent back in time. I sat at a corner table watching some of the greatest entertainers of our time perform on stage. The music heard however, did not only come from the stage but also from within the audience where some of the most talented singers and musicians I would ever have the privilege of hearing, joined in song.

And such is the setting for the story, of "A Place Called The Bla-Bla Café."

When reading a non-fiction book the author has to be able to paint a picture that allows the reader to feel as if they were there, witnessing the event, a part of history. Sandy Ross does that and more with her first-hand account of her time spent performing at the Bla-Bla Café in Los Angeles, CA. In addition to her own, Ms. Ross shares the stories of the other performers through photos and interviews creating a lively image in the mind of her readers.

It was not until reading this book that I longed to get on stage in a small café, strum a guitar and sing to a packed room. This book brings out the musician in us all and tells the story of true art, friendship and above all, family. Whether you are a musician, a historian or simply a reader longing for a book to leave you feeling uplifted and inspired, take a walk down Ventura Boulevard and stop at number 11059 and join in the story of "A Place Called The Bla-Bla Café"

Have you ever wondered where entertainers like Robin Williams, Billy Crystal or Sting started their career? If you have, then `A Place Called the Bla-Bla Cafe is for you!

The author, Sandy Ross worked in the Bla-Bla Cafe where she co-booked the shows with owner Albie Hora. At the same time she worked as the Entertainment Director for the Los Angeles Performing and Folklife Festival under Artistic Director Warren Chistensen. Ross takes a nostalgic walk down memory lane of this period of time through writing `A Place Called the Bla-Bla Cafe'.

The writing style used is friendly and easy to read - and also make you feel as you are really there at the Bla-Bla Cafe. I think we all have at least one memory of a special place that this book will remind us of.

Ross has divided the book into three sections: one covering history, the other memories (of various entertainers), and the final section giving a variety of tables with performers and staff listed there.

The history section includes a description of how the Cafe started, the heyday period, and it's last days. Some of the entertainers covered in the memories section include Maxine Sellers, Al Jarreau, Gene Nelson and Debby VanPouke. The final section includes: Table I covers the Cafe Performers from 1971 through to 1980; Table II covers Hard-Rock (Heavy Metal and Punk) band list; Table III Blabettes (1971 through to 1978); and finally Table IV covers the Bla-Bla Cafe staff from 1971 up until 1982. There is also a memorial at page 239 recognising various important people in this lovingly written walk down memory lane.

`A Place Called the Bla-Bla Cafe' is a title that would suit a person that was interested in the entertainment culture and that wanted an insiders personal experience of the industry. This is a warmly written and welcoming look into the development of not only this cafe, but of a special place to be discovered and also to discover. It would be a welcome addition to your library if you have an interest in music or the entertainment industry (particularly if you are 40 or over).

Reviewed by Beverly Pechin for Reader Views (11/06)

Open the book and check the "A" list. You will see a long line of big name talent that has walked through the doors of the Bla-Bla Cafe, snuggled into the suburb of Los Angeles in a little town called Studio City.

A book that not only entices the reader with a great listing of stars who've come to the now famous cafe at some point in their life but shares some pretty darn good stories about their stay. It seems to be the ultimate in training ground for some of the biggest stars we know today, including Robin Williams, Jay Leno, Sting and more. While some simply came to eat the great 'chow,' others came to share their talents. Others still would utilize the Cafe as a spot to work on writing their songs, making the Bla-Bla Cafe one of the greatest assets to our culture as we know it today. Either way, once you walked in you were never the same.

People often say "if these walls could talk" and now it seems they can as Ross shares the many adventures that have occurred behind the doors of the Bla-Bla Café, a place that created not only many stars but many friendships alike.

Ross seems to be sharing the highlights of the many years of welcoming "would-be" stars and some "never-gonna-be" stars as almost an inside look of "How To" that gives you some insights to what it's like to deal with prejudices, hatred and hard knocks while trying to make it. Anyone who loved the 70's will adore this book.

Sandy Ross's position booking the talent gave her a lot of access to the up-and-coming stars, where she could easily intermingle and listen in on conversations that some of us could only dream of. The little known names of future stars could come into the cafe and order up some of their absolutely awesome food and share ideas, feelings and memories with other artists who stopped by. They somehow created a "family like" atmosphere that could help their clients bond with others going through similar times. Some of the older and more well known artists could not only offer their expertise but often a shoulder to cry on with a sense of understanding that you could find no where else.

"A Place Called the Bla-Bla Café" is absolutely one of the most awesome books relating to artists and their life during the 70's, seemingly a time when things were just simply different. Ross not only shares some great information but somehow makes you feel as though you were there. In the end you will look at some of the stars we adore now and simply smirk when you think of the thoughts and happenings Ross shared with you in this wonderful book.

My only complaint about the book was that it made me want to be there so badly... to enjoy the great sounding food and the camaraderie they shared!

Former Bla-Bla Cafe talent co-booker Sandy Ross presents A Place Called Bla-Bla Cafe, the true story of an out-of-the-way club that showcased performers of budding talent as they struggled for their first big break. Guest chapters by such noteworthy talents as Jelsa Palao, Julio Martinez, Maxine Sellers and more bring these true stories of cafe comedians and performers engaged in the quest for success to vibrant life. A witty, vivacious, and exciting behind-the-scenes glimpse of stars on the rise in Hollywood entertainment. An extensive addendum of tables chronicles and credits Bla-Bla Cafe performers from 1971 to 1980.