In this new DVD, Florian Alexandru-Zorn has compiled the clearest and most comprehensive concepts for brush technique ever. This DVD will provide the underlying secrets of playing drumset with brushes---not just mindless and endless patterns, but concepts for every playing style and genre, from jazz and Latin to funk and reggae. The Brush Secret is suitable for both beginners and advanced players. It'll give you the freedom you need to apply your own voice to the brushes. Topics include sweeping concepts; 17 different genres; interviews and short lessons with Jost Nickel, Mike Johnston, Benny Greb, and Stanton Moore; percussion adaptations; how to record brushes; and much more. "If you're new to playing with brushes, or if you're a seasoned pro and you feel stuck with just a few stock strokes, check this out. There's enough here to keep you inspired and practicing for a long, long time. Four and a Half Stars!" Michael Dawson, Modern Drummer "There is no stone left unturned in Florian Alexandru-Zorn's examination of brush playing and its wide application in this expansive DVD. With over 9 hours footage this double DVD is a successful and engrossing course in brush playing that will massively expand your musical creativity and voice. A must have for the well rounded drummer." --Jonathan Colgan, mikedolbear.com "If The Brush Secret helps you to play with a fraction of the skill and finesse that Florian does, it has got to be a winner!"--iDrum magazine. "There's enough here to keep you inspired and practicing for a long, long time." -Michael Dawson, Modern Drummer

This book and DVD kit is ideal for drummers ready for an in-depth study of playing with brushes. The Complete Guide to Playing Brushes uses detailed illustrations and video demonstrations to eliminate the guesswork of brush movements and clearly show all the facets of playing. Beginning to advanced players will equally benefit from this course. Topics include rudiments, the details of sweeping motions, tap sounds, and grooves. "Setting the bar for one-stop brush manuals, The Complete Guide to Playing Brushes aims to set your arms free. Five Stars " - Modern Drummer magazine

Teaches a new tooth brushing technique.

The tale begins over three-hundred years ago, when the Fair People—the goblins, fairies, dragons, and other fabled and fantastic creatures of a dozen lands—fled the Old World for the New, seeking haven from the ways of Man. With them came their precious jewels: diamonds, rubies, emeralds, pearls... But then the Fair People vanished, taking with them their twelve fabulous treasures. And they remained hidden until now... Across North America, these twelve treasures, over ten-thousand dollars in precious jewels, are buried. The key to finding each can be found within the twelve full color paintings and verses of The Secret. Yet The Secret is much more than that. At long last, you can learn not only the whereabouts of the Fair People's treasure, but also the modern forms and hiding places of their descendants: the Toll Trolls, Maitre D'eamons, Elf Alphas, Tupperwerewolves, Freudian Sylphs, Culture Vultures, West Ghosts and other delightful creatures in the world around us. The Secret is a field guide to them all. Many "armchair treasure hunt" books have been published over the years, most notably Masquerade (1979) by British artist Kit Williams. Masquerade promised a jewel-encrusted golden hare to the first person to unravel the riddle that Williams cleverly hid in his art. In 1982, while everyone in Britain was still madly digging up hedgerows and pastures in search of the golden hare, The Secret: A Treasure Hunt was published in America. The previous year, author and publisher Byron Preiss had traveled to 12 locations in the continental U.S. (and possibly Canada) to secretly bury a dozen ceramic casques. Each casque contained a small key that could be redeemed for one of 12 jewels Preiss kept in a safe deposit box in New York. The key to finding the casques was to match one of 12 paintings to one of 12 poetic verses, solve the resulting riddle, and start digging. Since 1982, only two of the 12 casques have been recovered. The first was located in Grant Park, Chicago, in 1984 by a group of students. The second was unearthed in 2004 in Cleveland by two members of the Quest4Treasure forum. Preiss was killed in an auto accident in the summer of 2005, but the hunt for his casques continues.

A quiet lakeside town in western New York state is the new home of Manhattan artist Chloe Abbington and the backdrop for murder in this series debut by Bailee Abbott. For Chloe Abbington, the transition from fine art painter in New York City to painting-event business owner in charming Whisper Cove is more than a little jarring. But when poison-pen journalist Fiona Gimble writes a viciously negative review of the newly opened Paint with a View, Chloe learns that critics are the same everywhere. And when she finds Fiona's body behind her shop with a painting knife in her neck, Chloe realizes that this picture-perfect town offers anything but peace and quiet. Suddenly, bustling Artisan Alley is a crime scene, and Chloe is the prime suspect. Her sister and business partner, Izzie, isn't much help--she's busy running the shop, and besides, she has secrets of her own. As shrewd Detective Barrett tries to paint her into a corner, Chloe soon finds that Fiona had plenty of enemies. The Whisper Cove Gazette columnist wielded her pen like a sword, slicing and dicing just about every shop owner in the lakeside town. With the help of her affectionate canine buddy, Max, Chloe sets out to prove that she's been framed for Fiona's murder. But she'd better learn the fine art of detection quickly, before the real killer paints the town red again. Otherwise, she may end up trading in her paint smock for an orange jumpsuit...or a green burial plot.

“Each plotline has something in it to challenge readers . . . Cliffhangers and elephants will keep readers engaged”—from the award-winning author (Kirkus Reviews). We Bought a Zoo meets Jurassic Park in a gripping story featuring the evergreen appeal of human-animal friendships and set in an elephant sanctuary, about a thirteen-year-old girl, a cast of elephants, and a surprising new arrival—a woolly mammoth. Sam was born and raised in an elephant sanctuary. When a beloved elephant dies giving birth, Sam develops a connection with baby Woolly—who isn’t actually an elephant but was cloned from woolly mammoth DNA. And the billionaire genius behind the cloning experiment will stop at nothing to protect his investment. Smart, determined, and loving, Sam stands up to this powerful adversary to protect the sanctuary and her herd. In the best tradition of child-animal friendship stories, Elephant Secret explores the strong and complex bond between Sam and her elephants while offering a fascinating, authentic glimpse into elephant—and human—behavior. “Walters’ depiction of the bond that exists between Sam and her elephants is captivating. The elephants, who are presented as majestic and intelligent creatures with humanlike characteristics and rich emotional lives, will leave readers awestruck.” —School Library Journal “Walters interweaves his beautiful family story with a thorough description of elephant behavior—their intellect, compassion, and loyalty—and factual scientific possibilities of cloning an extinct species . . . A must-read for anyone with an interest in elephants and their welfare.” —Booklist “Walters packs in numerous details about these magnificent and highly intelligent creatures while raising complex ethical questions regarding humans’ relationship with animals.” —Publishers Weekly

In a dream a poor orphan is given a brush that brings to life everything she paints.

In 'The Banner Boy Scouts Afloat; or, The Secret of Cedar Island' by George A. Warren, readers are immersed in a thrilling adventure as the Banner Boy Scouts set sail on a dangerous mission to unravel the mystery of Cedar Island. The book is written in a fast-paced and engaging style, perfect for young readers interested in tales of courage and friendship. Set within the context of early 20th-century America, the novel provides a glimpse into the values and challenges of the time. Warren's vivid descriptions and lively dialogues make the story come to life, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. George A. Warren's background as a former scoutmaster adds depth and authenticity to the narrative, enhancing the reader's experience and understanding of scouting and outdoor exploration. I highly recommend 'The Banner Boy Scouts Afloat' to both young readers looking for an exciting adventure and to adults interested in the cultural and historical significance of scouting in America.

This hilarious, over-the-top story is perfect for any little girl who doesn't like to brush her hair. What happens when our heroine neglects her long tresses? Well, one day a mouse comes to live in a particularly tangled lock. Soon after, more mice move in, and the girl's unruly mop is transformed into a marvelous mouse palace complete with secret passageways and a cheese cellar! But as the girl comes to find out, living with more than a hundred mice atop your head isn't always easy. . . . "This tale will send kids the message that they must take care of their tresses." —Booklist "There are parents who will weep with joy at the prospect of a book that may encourage little Susie or Sam to finally brush that mane." —The Bulletin