The Panther Chronicles
Part 1 – The Black Stone
By Michael Kircher
Contributed to Make a Scene Magazine by Teresa Ascone
June 30, 2010

Michael Kircher tells his complex tale of a Middle East conspiracy/artifact heist, The Panther Chronicles, Part 1, The Black Stone in a narrative style that employs journals of the main characters smoothly interwoven with present-time adventures to move the action along and flashbacks to fill in the back story.  Kircher weaves in actual incidents, such as the 1970 shootings at Kent State University, to give the reader a sense of portent and realism.
The story opens with a harrowing account of photojournalist Kirk Michaels, imprisoned in a filthy, dark dungeon because he took photos of an old woman being stoned to death in an Iranian courtyard. Miraculously, his release is arranged - but his companion, Susan, is not so lucky. To his horror, he sees her broken body and learns that she has been murdered for possessing the photos.
 The tale goes on to bring the other members of the plot: Kirk’s old friend. Randall Thomas, the beautiful Nayana, Lucy Graham and Amid al Rahid into the mix and to relate their adventures as they try to unravel the mystery of the Panther legend, which somehow involves a piece of petrified wood engraved in Sanskrit, discovered by Randall in an East Indian shop in London. He investigates this intriguing artifact and discovers that the writing on the wood is older than the wood itself, a weird conundrum.
Mysticism and science are blended as the group comes together and hatches their plan, which is neatly and humorously summed up by Kirk and Randall as they relax in a pub over a few brews.
“ ‘Well, I’m attempting to locate a cache of epigraphically enhanced hidden artifacts with which we will be able to reinterpret all of human history. How about yourself?’
‘I’m planning to rob Islam of its holiest relic in front of four million witnesses.’
‘Right. Cheers to both of us.’ Randall said as we hoisted another beer.”
This fast-moving story, told with the aplomb of an Indiana Jones adventure, promises to hold the reader’s interest with car chases, intrigue and romance liberally laced with the flavor of Middle Eastern mysticism and ancient culture.

Remember the Ice and Other Paradigm Shifts
Author: Bob Nicoll
Article contributed to Make A Scene Magazine by Teresa Ascone
February 19, 2010
Looking for clarity, inspiration and motivation? How about some practical tools to achieve your dreams? If so, Bob Nicoll is your man, and Remember the Ice and Other Paradigm Shifts is your how-to manual.
Remember the Ice and Other Paradigm Shifts is based upon one of the most important factors for success, whether in business or personal dealings: clear communication. Nicoll focuses on this key fact with a mantra: There is Power in the Clarity of your Articulation. This statement embodies the theme of his book, and he illustrates it from several viewpoints to drive the idea home.
The title comes from a story we can all relate to: a sign in a convenience store and how the simple placement of a phrase sends a negative message, which results an unintended outcome. The author ‘s encouraging voice underlines his points with such stories, which help the reader relate to his concepts. With slogans like “Flexibility is the key to power,” a quote from his mentor, Tony Robbins, Bob Nicoll reminds us of ideas that are easy to remember as we take the steps to improve our skills.
The book is arranged in a logical, easy to read progression of lessons called Bob-isms, including chapters on empowering vs. dis-empowering word choice, treating others with “Respectful Elegance” (based on the tried and true concept of the Golden Rule), descriptions of how physiology can telegraph a feeling or unconscious message, and choosing how you feel about a given situation. Each chapter ends with a blank, lined section that can be used to write down personal thoughts that expand on the lessons.
In Remember the Ice and Other Paradigm Shifts, Bob Nicoll provides us with effective methods to improve our relationships. The best part is the personal testimony: hearing how his life and relationships dramatically improve using these same tools. For more about Bob Nicoll, his Life is For Giving Foundation and other recipes for living a successful, meaningful life, go to www.remembertheice.com.