Malik Benchikh paints moods!

In some cases, this French painter’s work is dark and stormy with sharp, purposeful brushstrokes, while other paintings show light and colorful pieces with lyrical brushstrokes. In both cases, he means business and absolutely allows part of himself to flow upon the surface. He gives up a bit of himself in each painting.  

Wallace Stegner wrote a vivid novel with an equally compelling title: Angle of Repose. That title came to mind when I visited historic Holman Ranch, the 400-acre property in Carmel Valley, California. The ranch grounds themselves are in a lovely little valley of their own, sitting in an agreeable angle of repose among the oak-studded hills.

Shaping the Way We Teach English, a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) prepared by and for English-teaching professionals, has launched for 2015 through a partnership with the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the University of Oregon and Coursera. The free program is an opportunity for c