Bedno.com
2014.12.19 (wk911)

Demand the impossible!
RECOMMENDED:
Movie: Night at the Museum 3 now playing at Theaters Everywhere.
Movie: The Hobbit 3 now playing at Theaters Everywhere.
Movie: Jingle Bell Rocks! at Brew&View.
..-We: Hanukkah.
Ongoing: Ice Skating.
..-Su: Winter Pageant at Redmoon Central.
..-Su: Cirque Dreams Holidaze at Chicago Theatre.
..-Tu: Holiday Train.
..-We: Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza.
..-Th: A Klingon Christmas Carol at Raven Theatre.
..-Th: Holiday Sing-A-Long Double Feature at Music Box Theatre.
Ongoing: Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier.
Ongoing: Collected Holiday Songs and Recipes.
Fr: Windy City Roller Derby at UIC Pavilion.
Fr: Improvised Shakespeare at IO Theatre.
Fr: "Nexus 6" at Neo.
Fr: Cosmix at Berlin.
Fr: Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind at Neo-Fut.
Sa: College of Complexes at Hilltop Restaurant.
Sa: "We Carol Lot: Downwrite Holiday Show" at Metro.
Sa: I Fight Dragon at Lincoln Hall.
Sa: "Twisted" at Berlin.
Sa: Midnight Marauders ride at Billy Goat Tavern.
Su: Winter Solstice.
Su-Mo: Do-it-Yourself Messiah at Harris Theater.
Su: "Adult Swim" on TOON.
Mo: Start of Capricorn.
Mo: Winter Vacation at Chicago Public Schools.
Mo: Pron and Chicken Dance Party at evilOlive.
Tu: Open Gov Hack Night at 1871.
Tu: Chicago Underground Comedy at Beat Kitchen.
We: Live Santa tracking.
We: "Matzo Bash" at Castle.
We: Mass.
We: "In One Ear" at Heartland Cafe.
Th: Christmas.

Movie:    ^
Night at the Museum 3 now playing.
Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, Owen Wilson, Dick Van Dyke, Dan Stevens, Ben Kingsley, ...
http://nightatthemuseummovie.com
Theaters Everywhere.
http://bedno.com/movies
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The Hobbit 3 now playing.
Battle of the Five Armies w/ Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Benedict Cumberbatch,
http://thehobbitblog.com
Theaters Everywhere.
http://bedno.com/movies
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Jingle Bell Rocks! -Wednesday 18+ 8p.
"A trippy, cinematic sleighride into the strange and sublime universe of alternative and underground Christmas music, featuring The Flaming Lips, Run-DMC, The Free Design, Low, Miles Davis & Bob Dorough, Clarence Carter, John Waters, Akim & The Teddy Vann Prod. Co., The Mighty Sparrow, A Girl Called Eddy, El Vez and many more." Director Mitchell Kezin joins Fr/Sa.
http://jinglebellrocks.vhx.tv/
Brew&View, 773/929-6713, 3145 N Sheffield.
http://brewview.com
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Now playing.
Remote Area Medical, The Imitation Game, Dumb and Dumber To, Interstellar, The Theory of Everything, Goodbye to Language 3D, The Great Invisible, Fury, Birdman, St. Vincent, Left Behind, The Hero of Color City, The Zero Theorem, Pump, The Maze Runner, Are You Here, Sin City 2, Expendables 3, The Giver, Boyhood, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, ...
Theaters Everywhere.
http://bedno.com/movies
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Seasonal:    ^
* Hanukkah (aka Chanukah). A Jewish holiday, lasts eight days. -2014.12.24 Yearly. Sunset to sunset.
Marks the reconsecration of the temple of Jerusalem and the miracle of the lamp.
http://chabad.org/holidays
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Ice Skating. -2015.03.01 Yearly.
Weather permitting: Wrigley Field; Millennium Park, 312/742-5222, 55 N Michigan; Warren Park, 773/262-8656, 6601 N Western; Riis Park, 312/746-5735, 6100 W Fullerton; Daley Plaza, 312/742-7650, 337 E Randolph; more...
http://chicagoparkdistrict.com
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Winter Pageant. -2014.12.21 Yearly. All ages. $0-25+ Fr 7p, Sa+Su 1+5p.
A holiday tradition for many families gathers dozens of talented local artists sharing unique talents with professional performers including The Chicago Children's Choir. This year adapts true stories of love from real Chicagoans into fantastic, beautiful, and poetic expressions creating an original theatrical experience honoring the four seasons of the human heart.
Redmoon Central, 312/850-8440, 2120 S. Jefferson St.
http://redmoon.org
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Cirque Dreams Holidaze. -Sunday $25-75 7p.
http://cirqueproductions.com
Chicago Theatre, 773/561-9500, 175 N State. Downtown.
http://thechicagotheatre.com
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Holiday Train. -2014.12.23 Yearly. Wk 3-7p, Sa 1-8p.
Nov.28:Green, Nov.29:Green, Dec.2:Green, Dec.3:Orange&Brown, Dec.4:Orange&Brown, Dec.5:Orange&Brown, Dec.6:Orange&Brown, Dec.9:Pink, Dec.10:Pink, Dec.11:Blue, Dec.12:Blue, Dec.13:Blue&Pink, Dec.16:Red, Dec.17:Purple, Dec.18:Red, Dec.19:Purple, Dec.20:Red&Purple, Dec.22:Red, Dec.23:Yellow.
http://transitchicago.com/holidaytrain
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Christkindlmarket (since 1997). Festive German style holiday market. -2014.12.24 Yearly. All ages. Free Su-Th -8p, Fr+Sa -9p 11a.
50 Timber cabins, ethnic foods, fine crafted gifts, music, sweets.
http://christkindlmarket.com
Daley Plaza, 312/744-3370, 50 W Washington. Washington and Dearborn.
http://cityofchicago.org
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A Klingon Christmas Carol. -2014.12.25 Yearly. $20-35.
"Scrooge has no honor, nor any courage. Can three ghosts help him to become the true warrior he ought to be in time to save Tiny Tim from a horrible fate? Performed in the Original Klingon with English Supertitles, and narrative analysis from The Vulcan Institute of Cultural Anthropology."
http://cbtheatre.org
Raven Theatre, 773/338-2177, 6157 N Clark.
http://raventheatre.com
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Holiday Sing-A-Long Double Feature (since 1984). -2014.12.25 Yearly. $10-15 Various times.
"White Christmas" and "It's a Wonderful Life" double features with singing between (and during) lead by Santa.
Music Box Theatre, 773/871-6604, 3733 N Southport.
http://www.musicboxtheatre.com
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HOLIDAY CLASSICS. -2015.01.02 Yearly. All ages.
* A Christmas Carol: 11.15-12.28 Goodman Theatre, 312/443-3800, 200 S Columbus, http://goodmantheatre.org
* The Nutcracker: 12.05-28 Joffrey Ballet, Auditorium Theatre, 312/431-2357, 50 E Congress, http://www.joffrey.com
* Breakfast with Santa: for 94th floor visitors, certain December days/times, and "Skating in the Sky" (synthetic ice rink 1000' up) Jan-Apr. John Hancock Center Observatory, 312/751-3681, 875 N Michigan, http://jhochicago.com
* Christmas Around The World: 11.13-01.04 Dozens of spectacular International holiday decorated trees, Museum of Science and Industry, http://msichicago.org
* Zoolights: 11.28-01.04 Over a million lights, certain dates/times, Lincoln Park Zoo, http://lpzoo.com
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Winter Wonderfest (since 2001). -2015.01.12 Yearly. All ages. $10-17+ Hours vary.
Festival Hall will be transformed into a winter wonderland featuring hundreds of lush decorated trees, sparkling lights, wintertime decorations and a main town square with vending. Includes ice rink, large inflatable slide/bungee games. Santa and elves listen to children's wishes in a mountain top village.
Navy Pier, 312/222-9328, 600 E Grand.
http://navypier.com
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Collected Holiday Songs, Recipes and Stories. -2014.12.30 Yearly. All ages. Free.
Check out this terrific comprehensive set of popular holiday songs, recipes and stories.
http://bedno.com/winter
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Ongoing:    ^
WAY too much great theater and comedy and dance to cover.
Pickup Reader and NewCity and TimeOut magazines.
Hundreds of city locations.
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Different rock, experimental, jazz, ethnic bands almost every night. 21+ $?
Metro / SmartBar, 773/549-0203, 3730 N Clark, Near Red Line Addison stop, metrochicago.com
Darkroom, 773/276-1411, 2210 W Chicago, darkroombar.com
Double Door, 773/489-3160, 1572 N Milwaukee, Wicker Park near Blue line Damen stop, doubledoor.com
Empty Bottle, 773/276-3600, 1035 N Western, dive-ish, emptybottle.com
Martyrs', 773/404-9494, 3855 N Lincoln, martyrslive.com
Ravinia, 847/266-5100, Highland Pk, ravinia.org
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Friday 2014.12.19:    ^
Windy City Roller Derby. Monthly. All ages. $20-40 7-10p.
A new breed of derby dame hellions on skates.
http://windycityrollers.com
UIC Pavilion, 312/413-5700, 525 S. Racine.
http://uicpavilion.com
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Improvised Shakespeare. Fr/Th 18+ $14 10:30p+8p.
Based on audience suggestion The Co creates a fully improvised play in Elizabethan style with ALL the typical elements.
http://improvisedshakespeare.com
IO Theatre, 773/880-0199, 3541 N. Clark.
http://ioimprov.com/chicago/
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"Nexus 6" 3rd Fridays 21+ $5 10p-4a.
"Kinetic" DJs spin EBM, industrial, rhythmic noise and special requests.
http://kineticnoise.wordpress.com
Neo, 773/528-2622, 2350 N Clark. Just South of Fullerton.
http://facebook.com/NeoChicago
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Cosmix. Fridays 21+ $0-5 10p-4a.
Greg Haus spins Electro / Progressive / Breaks / Alternative / Electronica.12.19: "Jingle Bells, Batman Smells" Gay Geeks Gathering beforehand.
Berlin, 773/348-4975, 954 W Belmont. Near Red line Belmont stop.
http://berlinchicago.com
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Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind (since 1988). Fr/Sa/Su All ages? $6-11+ Su 7p, Fr+Sa 11:30p.
30 plays in 60 minutes, lots of improv, very welcoming, sometimes topical.
Neo-Futurarium, 773/275-5255, 5153 N Ashland.
http://neofuturists.org
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Saturday 2014.12.20:    ^
College of Complexes (since 1951). "The Playground for People Who Think" Saturdays All ages. $3? 2.5hrs 6-11p.
Structured weekly free speech forum with quality lecturers and good American food and bar.
12.20: The Jesus Connection for us Merry Gentlemen and Ladies. Views on the existential question put by Jesus, to his followers "Who do you say I AM?"
312/326-2120 http://collegeofcomplexes.org
Hilltop Restaurant, 2800 W Foster. At California.
http://facebook.com/HilltopChicago
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"We Carol Lot: Downwrite Holiday Show" 18+ $15-40 7p.
Assorted artists do seasonal songs, raffles, charity opportunities, more.
Metro, 773/549-0203, 3730 N Clark. Near Red Line Addison stop.
http://metrochicago.com/shows
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I Fight Dragon. 18+ $12-15 9p.
"Chiptune-influenced rockers" new album release. W/ Random Encounter and Fantastic Mammals.
http://ifightdragons.com
Lincoln Hall, 773/525-2501, 2424 N Lincoln. Near Fullerton.
http://lincolnhallchicago.com
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"Twisted" Saturdays 21+ $0 -11p, $5 -1a, $7+ 9:30p-5a.
"Meet and mingle with a truly diverse crowd. Dress up or dress down... this is the place to be what you want to be!"
Berlin, 773/348-4975, 954 W Belmont. Near Red line Belmont stop.
http://www.berlinchicago.com
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Midnight Marauders ride. 3rd Saturdays 18+ Leaves after 11:30p-?a.
"Drinking club with a biking problem" Home after dawn.
http://thechainlink.org/group/midnightmarauders
Billy Goat Tavern, 312/222-1525, 430 N Michigan. Lower Hubbard.
http://billygoattavern.com
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Sunday 2014.12.21:    ^
* Winter Solstice. Yearly.
Shortest day/longest night (sun 07:13-16:42), official start of winter.
http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/EarthSeasons.php
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Do-it-Yourself Messiah (since 1976). A grand tradition. -Monday Yearly. All ages. Free but sells out. RSVP required. 7p.
Handel's work with full orchestra, audience participates as chorus.
888/880-9701 http://www.imfchicago.org/diy/main
Harris Theater, 312/334-7777, 205 E Randolph. Millennium Park.
http://harristheaterchicago.org
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"Adult Swim" Sundays All ages. Free 10p-12a.
Extraordinary block of popular and leading-edge absurdist cartoonage.
http://www.adultswim.com
TOON. On cable.
http://www.cartoonnetwork.com
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Monday 2014.12.22:    ^
Start of Capricorn. Astrological sign, the goat. Yearly.
http://www.astrology.com
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Winter Vacation. -2015.01.02 Yearly.
http://www.cps.edu
Chicago Public Schools.
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Pron and Chicken Dance Party. Mondays 21+ $? 10p-?a.
"A safe haven for all things lewd & crude, lascivious & licentious."
12.22: Fancy Lad Banger.
http://soreadytobang.do312.com
evilOlive, 773/235-9100, 1551 W Division.
http://evil-olive.com
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Tuesday 2014.12.23:    ^
Open Gov Hack Night. Tuesdays All ages. Free 6-10p.
"Volunteers create web apps with open data to improve transparency, efficiency, and decision-making for governments and our democracy."
http://opengovhacknight.eventbrite.com
1871, 222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza. 12th Floor.
http://1871.com
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Chicago Underground Comedy. Tuesdays 21+ $5 Doors 9p.
"The Hippest, Hottest Stand-Up Showcase to Emerge in Years" +good menu & booze.
Beat Kitchen, 773/281-4444, 2100 W Belmont.
http://beatkitchen.com
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Wednesday 2014.12.24:    ^
* Live Santa tracking. Yearly. All ages. Free.
NORAD air traffic control follows the big guy all night, with radar and video feeds.
http://www.noradsanta.org
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"Matzo Bash" Yearly. 21+ $? 8p-4a.
"The biggest Christmas Eve party in Chicago"
http://MatzoBash.com
Castle, 312/266-1944, 632 N Dearborn. Downtown.
http://castlechicago.com
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Mass. Yearly. All ages. Free. 8p-1a.
Late Christmas eve gatherings at most churches welcoming all. Northsiders try the Evanston cluster.
http://bedno.com/mind/seasonal/winter/songs
http://bedno.com/album/20031225
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"In One Ear" (since 1988). Poetry Open Mic. Wednesdays 18+ $3 10p-?a.
"2nd Longest Running Open-Mic In Chicago!"
http://facebook.com/groups/5016477382
Heartland Cafe, 773/465-8005, 7000 N Glenwood. Near Red Line Morse stop.
http://heartlandcafe.com
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Thursday 2014.12.25:    ^
* Christmas. Christian holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. Yearly.
Gifts are exchanged. Spirit of giving encouraged.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas
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Attractions:    ^
Many great exhibits of local works and curated collections. All ages. Free. Mo-Th 8a-7p, Fr 8a-6p, Sa 9a-6p, Su 10a-6p.
With various special events, music and performances almost every day.
Chicago Cultural Center, 312/744-6630, 78 E Washington. SE of State/Lake train stops.
http://chicagoculturalcenter.org
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Various good modern art shows. All ages. $0-12, Free Tu 10a-8p, Mo closed, We-Su 10a-5p.
Museum of Contemporary Art, 312/280-2660, 220 E Chicago.
http://www.mcachicago.org
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LIKE A DOWNTOWN AMUSEMENT PARK. All ages. Mostly free.
With Giant Ferris Wheel, IMAX theatre, historic carousel, a*mazing Chicago ride, classic spinning swing ride, new mini-golf course, major VR games, food court, quality restaurants and bars, stained glass window museum, enclosed garden, wonderful specialty shops, children's museum, water taxis, several cruise lines and the Shakespeare Theatre.
Summer: 10a-10p Su-Th, 10a-midnt Fr-Sa; Fall: Mo-Th 10a-9p, Fr+Sa 10a-11p, Su 10a-7p; Winter: 10a-8p Mo-Th, 10a-10p Fr-Sa, 10a-7p Su.
Navy Pier, 312/222-9328, 600 E Grand. On-site parking, or Grand Red line stop then take free trolley.
http://www.navypier.com
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See how the universe works. All ages. $10-18+ Mo-Fr 9:30a-4:30p (-10p 1st Fridays), Sa/Su 9a-4:30p, closed xmas, open -6p 12.26-1.5.
Much high tech exhibitry.
Adler Planetarium, 312/922-7827 (STAR), 1300 S Lake Shore.
http://www.adlerplanetarium.org
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Masterpieces. All ages. $0-18 Mo/Tu/We/Fr 10:30a-5p, Th 10:30a-8p, Sa/Su 10a-5p, closed xgiving+xmas.
And other interesting permanent and visiting exhibits.
Art Institute, 312/443-3500, 210 S Michigan.
http://artinstituteofchicago.org
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World class gardens. Easy to get to. All ages. $8.75 parking. 8a-sunset, closed xmas.
385 acres, 23 gardens, 9 islands, prarie simulation, oriental features, miniature railway, produce, shows, restaurant, more...
Chicago Botanic Gardens, 847/835-5440, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe.
http://www.chicago-botanic.org
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Quality exhibits and activities for young minds. All ages. $0-14, Free Th 5-8p. 10a-5p.
Chicago Children's Museum, 312/527-1000, Navy Pier.
http://chicagochildrensmuseum.org
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Natural History done right. All ages. $6-12. Last entry 4p, closed xmas. 9a-5p.
"Sue" permanent dinosaur exhibit, insects, anthropology, world culture, geology, ecology, much more.
Field Museum, 312/922-9410, Roosevelt at Lake Shore Drive.
http://www.fmnh.org
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Exhibits covering 4000 years of surgical history. Not for the squeamish. All ages. $3-6, Free Tuesdays. Tu-Sa 10a-4p. Closed 12.24-25, 12.31-1.1.
International Museum of Surgical Science, 312/642-6502, 1524 N Lake Shore.
http://www.imss.org
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World class zoo. Now with web cams. All ages. Free (Building hours vary) 9a-6p.
Lincoln Park Zoo, 773/742-2000, 2200 N Cannon.
http://www.lpzoo.com
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Consistent world class wonderland, set aside a whole day. All ages. $6-11 +parking/movies, Sometimes free. Mo-Sa 9:30a-4p, Su 11a-4p.
Exhibits include clock (possibly the best historical collection in existence), trains, toys, flight, genetics, chemistry, coal, petroleum, human body slices, cyberspace, farming, the U-505, TONS of space flight tech, and much more.
Museum of Science and Industry, 773/684-1414, 57th at Lake Shore.
http://www.msichicago.org
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Truly stunning world class aquarium. $11-18, some deal days. Sa/Su 9a-6p, Mo-Fr 9a-5p (-6p in summer), some later days.
Rear outside deck has the city's best skyline view. Now with web cams.
Shedd Aquarium, 312/939-2438, 1200 S Lake Shore.
http://SheddAquarium.org
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Notes:    ^
ALWAYS call before going to a listed event.
ALWAYS call before going to a listed event.
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Disclaimer.
My mom the attorney would want me to remind you that no Bedno accepts any liability whatsoever for your use of any information presented here, as-is, at your own risk, ad infinitum, etc etc.
http://bedno.com/terms


2014.12.19