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After ensuring the inalienable rights of food, clothing and shelter, Family of Woodstock opens wide its arms to embrace and assist in all manner of human woe under the sun.
That, in fact, is the organization's motto, "Any problem under the sun," that appears on posters and informational material, as Family marks the 40th anniversary of its founding with a cluster of celebratory events.
Family is a rather simple name for a complex and diverse network of interconnected services with a single goal: Helping people fix their lives - themselves. Adolescent, child care, community, domestic violence, hotline/walk-in centers and homeless services, each with specialized subdivisions, are the agency's main thrust, according to Michael Berg, Family's executive director.
He said, in an interview this week, that the agency's inception points to a more innocent time, when hordes of young people descended on the area in search of the mythical Woodstock Nation of song and legend.
At the time, 1970, Berg said, Woodstock was home to Bob Dylan and Joan Baez, and had only two police officers. "Kids were sleeping on lawns, getting arrested, sent to jail. They had drug problems or got busted for dealing," he recalled.
Berg said there was a segment of the Woodstock community that believed those issues were not of Woodstock's making and, therefore, not Woodstock's problem.
Then, there were others, like founding member Gail Varsi, who told police, "If there's a problem - call me - 679-2485." That was then, and now - "It's still the number for Family of Woodstock's walk-in center in Woodstock," Berg said with a big smile (the area code is now 845). Berg said that, back then, if Varsi needed to leave her house, she'd just find a friend to answer the phone.
Family was built first by volunteers, including Berg, who in 1970 began work with eight others in a special committee, called, "Soft Landing Machine;" its members were specifically trained to talk people down from a drug high. "We went, in pairs, to people's houses, to spend time with them, to make sure they were OK," Berg said.
Volunteerism led to employment for Berg who has been executive director since 1981. Even though Family has a paid staff of about 160 employees, there are almost as many volunteers.
"The incredible, remarkable people, both employees and volunteers, are the force behind Family," Berg said with a measure of pride. "They come from diverse backgrounds, experience and interests, but they have shared values."
It is the shared values that have jettisoned Family from a small handful of volunteers to a multi-faceted human services referrer and provider that extends its sheltering umbrella of services to help people figure out their lives.
Berg said that, although Family seems to branch in several directions at once, its path is still straight and sure from its founding: to provide people in need the easiest ways possible to get the assistance that will help them solve their own problems.
Berg highlighted the philosophies developed by the early founders that endure and guide 40 years later.
"We don't tell people what to do or how to fix their problem," Berg said. Instead, Family staffers seek to clarify the need and get the person to the right resource to help them move forward.
"We don't judge people on what they've done or failed to do," Berg said. Volunteers and staff are trained to help troubled persons feel welcome and comfortable in the Family environment. "If we communicate, even by body language, that we disapprove, we'll never see that person again," he said.
"There's no limit to how many times someone comes to us or how many services they need," Berg said. "Our job is helping people help themselves." He explained that someone may come in the door needing food, and the following week, or weeks later, tell staff they have a substance abuse problem. "The door is always open," he said.
Berg stressed that all services are strictly confidential and most of them are free. He noted, for example, Family does not have caller ID service on its phone system, that persons accessing services do not need to produce a Social Security card or any form of identification. "We don't even ask for a name. We tell clients to give themselves a name that's comfortable for them to use with us."
The emphasis, he stressed, is what do they need and how can Family help. An equally important emphasis is placed on maintaining a safe and comfortable environment where clients will feel sufficiently empowered to ask for help.
"We've created a sensitive and people-friendly place," he said. Family's services are spread by word of mouth, Berg said. "A friend told me to call you is how they get to us," he said.
Even so, people carrying a burden will not just walk in and confide their troubles, Berg said. So, Family found yet another way to make it comfortable to get assistance.
He said the organization created a Free Store, a place where people who don't need their "stuff" donate it and people who do need it, can find "stuff." He said the Free Store is a way for people to recycle no longer needed household items, so that others, who can't afford to buy them, can get them free.
Berg said he once fielded a call from a donor who complained about the need of someone who had taken some free "stuff." "The Free Store is about sharing and building community, a safe place to get help. These are our neighbors," he told the donor.
Berg said Family has a strong, working relationship with the leadership of federal, state, county and local entities. "They understand that we're dealing with what's real," he said. "They also understand that, in many ways, we are the most cost-effective safety net for thousands of people in need over the years."
And, looking at the trajectory for the next few years, Berg does not see the needs diminishing.
"We keep people alive, fed, sheltered, clothed, off drugs, back in school, out of jail," he said.
Among the services Family of Woodstock provides are the following: suicide prevention; child care services; HIV/AIDS services; domestic violence services for the abused, their children and their batterers; a county-wide hotline and walk-in centers in Ellenville, New Paltz and Woodstock, including a teen hotline; services and shelters for homeless adults, families and teens; food pantries; transitional living programs, as well as advocacy and assistance in family court and with domestic violence cases in criminal court.
Adult case management, in addition to advocacy and preventing homelessness, offers employment assistance and housing, as well as support to address chronic issues and help families and individuals become self-sufficient.
The agency provides counseling, information, referral and advocacy for a host of problems under that sun, including rape, drugs, alcohol, pregnancy, runaways, child abuse and mental health issues, among many others. The suicide hot line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
"We give them whatever they need to get to start reshaping their lives," Berg said.
Asked what value communities place on Family's work, Berg thought for a moment, then said, "The value by which a civilization is judged is determined by how well they care for those most in need."
Family of Woodstock will share its 40th anniversary celebration with all the volunteers, supporters, past employees, past clients and friends in the community for a party and retrospective of its history on Saturday, Aug. 14, at Backstage Production Studios, 323 Wall St., Kingston, from 7 to 11 p.m.
There will be music by the Voodelics, food, silent auction, proclamations from politicians and community workers, a silent auction and other fun. Suggested donation is $20.
As in past years, Family is sponsoring its Big $$$ Raffle, the organization's major fundraiser of the year, with a grand prize of $20,000. This year, to celebrate its 40th, Family is adding three additional $2,000 prizes.
And everybody who purchases a ticket will receive free admission to a John Fogerty concert to be held at Horse Shows in the Sun (HITS) in Saugerties on Sept. 12, at 3 p.m.
A maximum of 3,000 tickets are to be sold and each raffle stub allows free admission to the $1 million grand prix that will showcase the world's top riders and jumper/ hunter horses. The grand prix will start at 1:30 p.m., to be followed by the raffle drawing, followed by the Fogerty concert.
For more information on raffle tickets or the Aug. 14 celebration, call Family of Woodstock at (845) 331 7080.
Also, Family of Woodstock will hold its fourth annual bicycle event, Tour de Woodstock, on Sunday, Aug. 22, from 9 a.m. to noon with two tours -the 50-mile tour to challenge experienced riders and the 25-mile-tour, an intermediate course for the recreational cyclist. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Helmets are required. Registration fee is $20.
HITS, Inc. and Fletcher Gallery have selected 59 artists for the 2010 HITS-on-the-Hudson Equestrian Art Exhibition and Auction that will benefit Family of Woodstock. The exhibit will be held at Fletcher Gallery, 40 Mill Hill Rd., Woodstock, which hosted an opening reception on Aug. 7. The art, paintings, photographs and sculptures have an equine theme.
The auction will be held Friday, Sept. 10, 6-9 p.m. at HITS-on-the-Hudson Show Grounds in Saugerties.
For more information, call Fletcher Gallery at (845)679-4411 or HITS, Inc., (845) 246-8833 or visit firstname.lastname@example.com or www.HitsShows.com.
More information about Family of Woodstock may be obtained by calling the administrative offices at (845) 331-7080 or visiting www.familyofwoodstockinc.org.


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UN Human Rights Council – 20th Session
Australian Statement for the Item 4 Interactive Dialogue with the
UN Deputy Special Envoy on Syria and the
Commission of Inquiry on Syria
27 June 2012
Australia greatly appreciates Deputy Special Envoy Guehenno's report, and the oral update by the Commission of Inquiry. These reports follow the recent suspension of UNSMIS activities in light of the unacceptable risks posed by escalating violence in Syria – including instances in which UN observers' vehicles have been targeted.
Australia, like the rest of the world, is horrified by the brutal massacres that took place in Houleh and Qabayr and by the execution-style killings in Deir Al-Zour and Qusair.
Hundreds of civilian deaths resulted - including many children.
We are appalled at the use of heavy weapons by the Syrian Government forces against civilian residents of Homs, Haffa and other Syrian towns.
And the violence continues as Syria descends further towards a state of civil war.
The perpetrators of serious international crimes and human rights violations on both sides must be brought to justice.
There is ample evidence of gross violations of human rights, including kidnappings, torture and extrajudicial executions.
Australia urges all countries to focus now on ensuring that we do not allow another massacre, such as Houleh, or worse, to occur.
Both the Assad Government and the Syrian opposition must respect and protect the welfare and rights of the Syrian people.
The flood of refugees is also taking its toll on Syria's neighbours – Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon and Iraq.
Kofi Annan's six-point plan remains the best option for stopping the bloodshed and Australia, like the rest of the international community, fully supports it.
Australia continues to demand that the Assad Government immediately cease all violence and take steps to implement the plan, including withdrawing all military forces from population centres and starting an inclusive political process.
We urge the international community to come together and coordinate action to pressure the Syrian regime including through Chapter VII sanctions.
Australia has pledged $11 million in humanitarian assistance to the Syrian people and we stand ready to do more.
Australia introduced more robust sanction measures on 25 June which relate to sectors closely linked with the Government.
We urge Member States to work closely and urgently together to end the violence and protect the legitimate rights and aspirations of the Syrian people for a future of democracy, peace and hope.

subset: commoncrawl


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Martha's Chair / Td The Pack Rat
series: Martha Speaks
air date: 8/21/13 6:30 AM
Martha's Chair - Martha's family has a birthday surprise - a new dog bed! After a few sleepless nights, the family realizes that Martha misses her stinky old chair. But Mrs. Demson bought it and has plans of her own for the chair after she sees one just like it on Antiques Roadshow. Vocabulary: (E) antique, donate(d), upholstery, profit(ed), valuable. (I) furniture, worth(less), rich, cost, clean(ing)(ed)(ers). TD the Pack Rat - TD has too much junk! TD's mom makes him an offer: He can keep everything he has, as long as he doesn't bring anything else home. Does TD have the willpower? Vocabulary: (E) worthless, rubbish, clutter, salvage(d), priceless, perspective(s) (I) garbage, junk, collect(ion), keep, sell.
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Going into Saturday night's co-main event Junior Dos Santos, former UFC heavyweight champion, had a lot riding on the battle against Mark Hunt at UFC 160.
The fight was to determine who would earn the right to challenge undisputed Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez for the belt next. Having signed a major deal with Nike less than a year ago and then immediately losing his title in devastating fashion to Velasquez, the man he had won it from, Junior had a lot to prove. And he did not disappoint.
In what was a very entertaining and vicious fight Dos Santos knocked out Mark Hunt with less than one minute to go in the third round via spinning heel kick.
The kick was the cherry on top of a brilliant performance, which saw the twenty-nine year old Brazilian dominate his Australian opponent from start to finish.
Early in the first round Junior landed a ferocious overhand right, which dropped Hunt, but the resilient Islander from down-under managed to get right back to his feet.
Dos Santos perpetually used his superior speed and power to pick apart the "super samoan" landed hard shots to the head and body. Though Junior landed his strikes over and over again Hunt ate all the punches and kicks without looking hurt by any of them.
Junior landed several more overhand right power punches before taking down Hunt at the end of the second round and landing some short powerful elbows on the ground.
Having demonstrated his clear ground-dominance over Hunt I completely expected for Junior to take the fight to the ground again at the beginning of the third round and finish it by submission. Boy was I in for a surprise.
Junior continued to tear Hunt apart. While the Australian did land some solid punches throughout the bout he never appeared to be a real threat to the former champion. Slow, sluggish and clearly exhausted in the second and third rounds Mark Hunt was simply outclassed.
Just when I thought Junior was going to win by decision and was a little disappointed, as I believed he needed to send a message to Cain and the rest of the UFC and his critics, he did exactly that and had me cheering on my feet.
Less than a minute left in the fight and Dos Santos could have simply avoided Hunt's fists and taken his victory but, as a true champion would, he went for the kill.
I do not believe any heavyweight has ever finished a fight in the UFC with a spinning heel kick but Junior did. Displaying excellent form, speed and agility Junior went all out and landed his killing blow knocking the man with a granite chin out cold. He got in another punch before the referee could stop the fight, but it was a mere formality as Hunt was clearly unconscious.
Dos Santos did exactly what he needed to do to earn a shot at the title. He finished his opponent in a dominant and highlight-reel fashion. Now he will once again face the man who has clearly become his greatest rival, Cain Velasquez, in a fight for the Heavyweight title - Dos Santos vs. Velasquez III.
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|2012-10-03, 15:19
|Link #6321
Megane girl fan
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Diagonally parked in a parallel universe.
Age: 49
Endless "Keep It Simple Stupid!" Soul
|2012-10-05, 17:51
|Link #6323
Join Date: Nov 2007
Age: 29
With regards to undiscovered economic frontiers, I have recently heard that Laos is the last economic frontier on Earth, not Vietnam or Myanmar.
Has anyone read economic/financial reports with regards to this before?
|2012-10-05, 17:57
|Link #6325
Join Date: Nov 2007
Age: 29
EDIT : According to wikipedia, they HAVE a tourism industry. In Vientiane, a mega mall is about to be built next year, something called Lao Plaza, using FDI. Where does the funds come from?
Last edited by SaintessHeart; 2012-10-05 at 18:15.
|2012-10-05, 21:42
|Link #6326
Le fou, c'est moi
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Las Vegas, NV, USA
Age: 28
They've been heavily investing in the Mekong region for quite a while now.
|2012-10-05, 21:54
|Link #6327
Join Date: Feb 2006
Age: 34
By that, I mean, they invest in projects that are economically infeasible by profit seekers for some odd reason. Like random mining projections that generate negative NPV values ..
|2012-10-06, 05:22
|Link #6328
Join Date: Nov 2007
Age: 29
|2012-10-07, 17:15
|Link #6329
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: On the front lines, fighting for inderpendence.
So I was talking to my friends about cars just a couple hours ago, and I came to the realization that despite sports cars generally being smaller and having less overall 'material' put into them, they still manage to look cooler than generic sedans you see constantly on the streets but are nevertheless incredibly expensive.
Why do car companies continually produce sedans without any distinguishing features or anything "sexy" to them? Why is it that coolness is limited to a vehicle with only two seats? I would think that if generic sedans were suddenly produce that had similar awesome designs to their sports car counterparts a lot more would be bought.
I realize that much of this may be opinionated (who knows, maybe there are some who find general sedans to be extremely cool), but I honestly cannot see anyone successfully arguing that they are anywhere near as cool as a sports car.
|2012-10-07, 17:46
|Link #6330
He Without a Title
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: The land of tempura
|2012-10-07, 21:18
|Link #6331
Le fou, c'est moi
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Las Vegas, NV, USA
Age: 28
I don't know, there are boring sedans designed for the "class" over "style" aesthetics, or even outright utilitarianism, but there are also sexy sedans out there that incorporate sports sexiness into them. Some BMW sports sedan cost you an arm, a leg, and a liver, but you'll get back more than your fair due of, well, "compensation."
And then there is the recently released electric Model S, which looks rather sexy and apparently drives like a sports car. I'm not big on cars, but if this is the future, then sure as hell I'm catching a ride on one.
|2012-10-08, 00:54
|Link #6332
Knight Errant
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Age: 29
I'd say anything that's mass manufactured will lack "sexiness". The coolness of a car is somewhat down to it's rarity.
If you actually took a step back and thought about it, most sedans are downright futuristic looking.
Also, most sports car designs are not practical for the range of driving needs that sedans cater to. They're very low to the ground, have impractically powerful motors, are fuel inefficient, and are not built for countries where the weather is at all unpredictable.
Still, I'd argue that a lot of these sedans are actually pretty good looking.
Of course, the really ugly class of car is the hatchback, but you can't beat that flexible space in the rear...
|2012-10-08, 08:24
|Link #6333
Knight Errant
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Age: 29
I have a question myself. Is there any reason that KDramas (and to a lesser extent JDramas and shojo manga) seem to populated almost exclusively by the uber-wealthy? If the entire cast isn't mega wealthy, then at least the male lead is almost always incredibly wealthy.
Is there a reason why the medium can't have a story populated by people of more normal means?
|2012-10-08, 09:17
|Link #6335
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Gensokyo
|2012-10-08, 11:10
|Link #6336
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Dai Korai Teikoku
|2012-10-08, 11:23
|Link #6337
Le fou, c'est moi
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Las Vegas, NV, USA
Age: 28
I don't have an answer to Don's question, but it's pretty easy to notice indeed. Interestingly, I think it's less dominant in J-Drama by a considerable degree, though I speak without expertise.
Going by Korean girls' manwha, which is heavily influenced by the drama industry's tropes, Korea really likes the super rich, the Cinderella poor, the vicious social competition and bullying, idol groups, very handsome, androgynous men, picture perfect beautiful women (not much on "moe"), and Starcraft.
Oh, and Gangnam style as well. Rather literally, as in not just the worldwide hit parody song, but the actual posh, fashionable Gangnam image too.
|2012-10-08, 11:42
|Link #6338
Knight Errant
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Age: 29
In Japan you do get the intelligent and fabulously good looking, but the incredibly wealthy part is more optional. For instance you at least occasionally get delinquents and other things.
Is Korean culture obsessed with wealth? Or am I reading too much into it? Or are there other factors leading to the ubiquity of wealth in Drama?
Then again, now that I think about it, a lot of American soaps (the closest analogue I can think of to most KDrama), are also obsessed with the lives of the wealthy, though in the American case it's usually the upper middle class, not the uber wealthy upper class as seen in KDrama.
You also see similar in Taiwanese and other Drama, but is this just a case of them copying KDrama?
Either way, I don't really get it. Surely poverty presents plenty of dramatic possibilities (and not simply being rescued by some snooty rich guy)?
|2012-10-08, 21:37
|Link #6339
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Australia
Well, I thought Korea is still in its developing stage, and leaving capitalism to its fullest. That's why they value 'being rich' so much and assimilate it to be the only way of being successful?
Will be interesting to find out, but i bet the average household income of male main character in modern Korean drama (by the ending) will always be much higher than in any other Asian countries (apart Taiwan which has similar state). Stereotypical speaking, their drama is not to make the male audiences relating themselves to (like in shounen anime/manga), but to make them idolising, those filthy rich business owner/tycoon's son who make supermodel girls left and right falling. That's why they only adapt Japanese shoujo, but never shounen
But i do not "really" watch Korean drama, so I could be wrong
Anyway, actually i come here to ask....
|2012-10-08, 22:33
|Link #6340
Obey the Darkly Cute ...
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: On the whole, I'd rather be in Kyoto ...
Age: 60
"metric ton" - Not used at all by lay people or many businesses. You will see it used frequently in engineering, science, or international business. OTOH, you won't see "megaton" used much except as a slang expression outside of nuclear or rocket science.
And I've never seen it written as "M T"
|problem, q&a, questions, serious
|Thread Tools


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I confess that I totally hadn't realised what date it was, so this is a last minute posting made up of images taken over the past week or so. Please visit Carol at: May dreams gardens and join in with showing off your blooms for the month.
I've been quite busy this week with writing my dissertation introduction, then Pete's been off this week so Monday morning when we set off to RSPB Old Moor I couldn't get in the car and it turns out someone *coughPetecough* left the boot slightly open so it killed the battery, then just to make my week that little bit more perfect, on Tuesday we waited in for Pete's new phone to arrive and I managed to cut through the wire on the hedge trimmers… Only at the time I was borrowing them off dad and apparently they were half his and half his neighbours! Arghhh. On Thursday we went to the cinema and we had a flying trip across to Manchester on Wednesday to meet an old friend, swap Gerbils (ok we didn't swap more a case of me giving him his Gerbils and him giving me some youngsters to introduce to a lone older female).
Flat-topped Aster are coming into bloom
Showing off just how tall it is
This sweetpea was a little seedling that came in one of the pots for the hanging basket… I decided to leave it to grow so I'd have some by the kitchen door. It's a beautiful deep purple – a shade I've never seen in sweetpeas, sadly though it has barely any scent.
Coreopsis was added to the border to mirror the yellow of the Bird's foot trefoil, I've also added Rudbekia Goldstrum too as otherwise there was yellow only in the lower right of the border.
Lupin is on its second flush; such a pretty colour
These roses come through the hedge from next door and it's seemingly impossible to correctly catch the colour! It isn't a scarlet red at all but a deeper ruby red.
I bought this Verbena Hastata blue from Clumber Park; I've never seen it in this purple shade before and I think I love it more than the pinky purple version!
Harlow Carr is still blooming, I can't wait until she's larger and makes more of a statement in the border
Geranium Anne Folkard isn't very prolific, I still think it isn't happy even after having moved it a number of times… Fussy plant!
Sea Holly is finally turning steel blue
Ok, I'll stop there… There's far more to come but it'll have to wait for another day :)
Copyright 2011 Liz.
All rights reserved. Content created by Liz for Gwirrel's Garden.


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The Host
If The Twilight Saga has not satiated your craving for teen romance in a world threatened by the supernatural, there is now The Host, also based on a novel by Twilight author Stephenie Meyer and featuring many varieties of overwrought adolescent emotion. When an unseen enemy threatens mankind by taking over their bodies and erasing their memories, Melanie (Saoirse Ronan) risks everything to protect the people she cares most about. Transcendent love once again proves to be a force that aliens have not reckoned with. Directed by Andrew Niccol, who wrote and directed the excellent Gattaca in 1997, isn't doing himself any favors with this ponderous, self-important production, but Ronan proves once again that she can shine even in unpromising material.
Saving General Yang (忠烈楊家將)
Big-budget kungfu drama from Hong Kong director Ronny Yu (于仁泰), whose Fearless (霍元甲) back in 2006 proved a massive box office success in the region. With Saving General Yang, Yu has drawn on a classic of Chinese literature, telling the story set during the sunset years of the Song Dynasty, when nomads from the north were pressing hard on China's borders and power struggles where tearing the government apart from within. The film mixes a small dose of intrigue with big battle sequences and powerful, though often rather one-dimensional, emotions. The story about seven brothers facing the might of the nomadic Liao kingdom in an effort to rescue their father is inevitably dominated by forthright, manly passions, and lots of hacking up of hapless extras. The film also sees the debut of Taiwan's Vic Chow (周渝民) in a costume drama.
The Croods
It's not terribly sophisticated, but who cares? Summer is coming, and light, easy entertainment that does that insult your intelligence is something to be cherished on those occasions when a trip to the cinema is required for the whole family. Ok, the film does feature Nicolas Cage, but at least it is only his voice, and you don't have to actually see him or his hairstyle. The story is a familiar one about a family adapting to unfamiliar circumstances, though in this case the family is the Croods, a group of early Homo sapiens faced with catastrophic environmental change. It's kind of Ice Age with people and family instead of buddy dynamics. Emma Stone voices Eep, a teenage girl who is the central character, and there is plenty of well-worn humor rejigged for a Paleolithic setting.
A hard-hitting action flick with a social conscience features Dwayne (formerly "The Rock") Johnson as a dad who goes undercover for the DEA in an effort to obtain a plea bargain to get his son off a charge of drug smuggling. Susan Sarandon is the tough DA who wants to get the most out of the deal as possible, and Johnson is soon up to this biceps in seedy Mexican drug barons, heavy-duty armaments and big car chases. Johnson has been lauded by some critics for his convincing imitation of acting, while others have seen the film's attempt to deal with serious issues of law enforcement as a fatal flaw that tears the film apart as it tries to balance the adrenalin rush of big stunts with a discourse on the judicial system. Directed by Ric Waugh, a stunt coordinator turned director, the action is good enough to cover the film's other failings.
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? (明天記得愛上我)
Directed by Arvin Chen (陳駿霖), who had considerable success with Au Revoir Taipei (一頁台北) in 2009, Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? is yet another urban romance that draws inspiration from the melodramatic style of TV soaps. It sports a big name cast, which may or may not be enough to bring in the punters. Mavis Fan (范曉萱) playing Ah Feng, a woman who believes that she has the perfect marriage with optician Wei Chung (Richie Ren, 任賢齊), discovers that not everything is as rosy as its seems; it turns out Wei has a romantic past that is not completely over and done with. Wei's sister does a runner at the altar steps in the hope of finding true love. The film rings the changes competently enough but doesn't go anywhere you wouldn't expect.


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TMac's Competition in China Less Than Memorable
Who he actually he played against while in those arenas? Not so memorable, according to a transcript published by Chinese media outlet, NetEase. Prior to Game 2 of the Finals, a journalist interviewed McGrady, leading off with the question that every Chinese NBA fan wants to know: Is there anybody in China who has a shot to play in The League one day? Here's what was said, generally (the interview was conducted in English and translated into Chinese, which means I have the weird task of translating back into English — so this won't be exactly what he said): Journalist: Tracy, this past season you played in the CBA. Which Chinese players do you think have the potential to play in the NBA? McGrady: None. Not one. Journalist: What about Wang Zhelin? McGrady: I don't know who that is. Journalist: That young Chinese player… He's tall, he plays for Fujian. McGrady: I don't know. I can't remember. Journalist: The really tall one, taller than 2.13 meters. McGrady: I don't know him. China has a lot of tall young guys. I can't remember.
And yet, it is kind of a biggie. Wang is the most hyped youngster in China right now and is considered by some to have a shot at playing in the NBA someday down the line. Oh, and his absence from the national team last year caused the Chinese internet to almost break. The worst part? Forget not thinking Wang is good enough to play in the NBA –McGrady doesn't even remember who dude is. That doesn't exactly reflect well on the state of Chinese basketball, current or future.
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There is a strong connection between relaxation and healing. Relaxation activates the immune system and healing of the body. Daily relaxation can help you to improve your health and appearance. It is also essential if you are trying to recover from an illness.
Activate the healing chemicals in your body, by practicing relaxation every day. You can find relaxation in many things. Think over what brings relaxation to you personally. There are many comforting ways to relax. Some good examples are visualizing peaceful images, taking a nap, getting a good nights sleep, spending time with people you love, water therapy, yoga, candles, getting a massage, spending time with animals, admiring nature, meditation, exercise, listening to music, writing, etc.
All of these will release tension, and help your body produce healing chemicals. Relaxation causes healing interleukins to be released into your bloodstream. Interleukins are a part of the immune system that heal illness and infection within the body.
Replace the habit of worrying and feeling stressed, with the positive habit of slowing down and relaxing. Worrying has no benefit, is a waste of time, and only increases stress levels. It helps to remember that most all of what you worry and fear will happen, never actually will. Worry is something our mind creates out of fear not reality.
Positive thoughts and relaxation rest the body and mind, and activate the minds problem solving skills. The best solutions come into our thoughts after deep relaxation. Action taken after a period of reflection and relaxation is very productive and powerful. This type of action is more helpful to you than worrying, and will decrease your stress.
Practicing relaxation can improve your outlook on life, and your quality of life. Learning to just relax and let go is one of the most important skills we can ever learn. By practicing relaxation you can turn your inner world into one of peace and strength.


text:
The International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad, India
cordially invites you to be a part of Felicity, the annual cultural and
technical festival, to be held from 18th - 20th February, 2011.
Why Buy a Car When you can Hack one?
It all started in MIT, now it has gripped the world, we invite you to
test your mettle in this gripping event named "Break-in-if-you-can".
No rules, use any tools, and break into this system. Detailed
explanation is for fools, and you're not one. So let's meet on 30th
Here's my address http://felicity.iiit.ac.in/break/
Please register yourself before we meet, so that I know you're interested.
"The quieter you become, the more you're able to hear"
Break In If You Can


text:
CALGARY — After getting council's unanimous approval, the team building a new central library plans to select an architect by September. Then, groundbreaking by next year, although many of the $245-million project's leaders hope the four-year construction timeline is a cautious exaggeration. "I think that 2014 to 2018 is a pretty long time frame for people who are really looking forward to having this new facility — which, I might add, will have books in it," Mayor Naheed Nenshi said Monday.
-Jason Markusoff


text:
Sussex for sale
Four Dexter Heifers
Three Dexter heifers (two purebred short-legged, one Dexter cross non short ) born between Feb and ...
Registered lowline angus bull accredited free of lepto, ibr, bvd and tested free of johna's ...
£ 1,250
Red Poll Bull 3yrs 9mnths Organic - proven fertile
Cools Ferdinand was born here at Cools Farm, near Shaftesbury, Dorset. Red Poll Pedigree 27291 - ...
£ 1,800
Limousin homozygous polled bulls for sale
Limousin breeding bulls heterozygous and homozygous polled for sale. Red and black Tredon ...
£ 2,500
Belted Galloway Cross Calves for sale
I have a fantastic seledtion of Belted Galloway cross calves for sale. 10 heifers and 8 ...
£ 195
Bradley agri contractors...... Land management services..... Offer a tractor or excavator mounted ...
8 pd in-calf Belgian blue heifers due their 2nd calf.
8 pd in-calf Belgian blue heifers due their 2nd calf. 6 due mid June/July 2 due August to lim/...
£ 1,400
Pedigree Aberdeen Angus Bull - 3 years old
Rodmead Big Lad. BVD vaccinated, born February 2015. Proven working bull, progeny are available to ...
20 Belgian blue heifers with 4/5 month old Hereford/Belgian blue calves at foot
Nice bunch of 20 Belgian blue heifers with 4/5 month old Hereford/Belgian blue calves at foot been ...
£ 1,750
bulling heifers for sale
cross bred bulling heifers for sale, some ready for bulling in autumn and some next spring


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November 12, 2013 > Ride into the holiday on Train of Lights
Clark Griswold (aka Chevy Chase) has nothing on the Niles Canyon Railway (NCRY) as they prepare to fire up thousands of holiday lights and set their annual "Train of Lights" chugging through the canyon. An immensely popular event, trains will depart from Niles and Sunol beginning Friday, November 29.Operating since 1985, what began as a members-only jaunt has grown into a major fundraising event for the Pacific Locomotive Association, Inc., which operates the NCRY; "Train of Lights" providing 60 to 70 percent of the revenue used to maintain, restore, and keep the history of railroading alive.The train is decorated inside and out and offers indoor or open air seating: General Seating, Reserved Dome Car, Reserved Holiday Club Lounge, and Caboose options. Forty seats are sold for the Dome Car, which offers a top-notch view of the canyon via observation dome, and where riders will enjoy snacks and the ability to move throughout the entire train during the trip. Reserve one of 50 seats in the Holiday Club Lounge and treat yourself to the comfort and style of a vintage 1940s parlor lounge car complete with lounge seating, heat, mahogany bar, and complimentary hot apple cider and cookies. The Caboose seats 24 adults and is only available for group charters at $600, no matter the number of riders.General seating is already sold out for the 4:30 p.m. trains on December 7, 14, 15, and 22. Dome Car seating is available departing the Niles station on December 1, 4, 11, 28, and 29. The Caboose is available November 24, December 4, 6, 11, 18, 23, 27, 28, and 29 for 4:30 p.m. departures.General seating on trains departing from Sunol at 7:30 p.m. are sold out on December 8 and 13, and the Dome Car is sold out December 7, 13, and 14. The Caboose is available for trips on December 11, 23, 28, and 29.Traveling on one of the last links of the Transcontinental Railroad, NCRY takes passengers on a route virtually unchanged from 150 years ago. Although decorations change a bit from year to year, the beauty, fun, and excitement of "Train of Lights" remains the same every year. The train is already about 50 percent sold out on General Seating for both 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. trips, so if you want this festive ride to be part of your holiday season, don't delay!Tickets are $25 for general seating and $40 for reserved seating. Children ages two and younger ride free if they sit on a parent's lap (except in Reserved Holiday Club Lounge). There will be three Bargain Wednesday Trains on December 4, 11, and 18 with all General Seating $17. Sometimes last minute tickets are available; check in at the station an hour before departure time or follow NCRY on Twitter @toots4ncry to find out about day-of availability. Boarding begins 30 minutes before departure and trains do leave on time. To make reservations or for more information, visit: www.ncry.org or call (510) 996-8420.Train of LightsFriday, Nov 29 - Sunday, Dec 294:30 p.m.Niles Station37001 Mission Blvd., Fremont7:30 p.m.Sunol Station6 Kilkare Rd., Sunol(510) 996-8420www.ncry.orgTickets: $25 general seating, $40 reserved seating


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Baking 101
Hmmm I think so.
How to Freeze Your Own Bread Dough
Make fresh bread whenever you want by freezing the dough in advance.
Unless you have a bread machine, making bread from scratch can be a time-consuming, labor-intensive and extremely messy process. This hassle can be a major obstacle for those interested in baking homemade bread frequently. Fortunately, there is another option. By freezing your own bread dough, you give yourself the ability to make a loaf of homemade bread whenever you wish without having to start from scratch. Frozen dough stays good for up to three months. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Baking sheet
- Freezer wrap
- Freezer bags
- 1
Make the dough according to your recipe. There is no need to alter the recipe itself, so follow the instructions up to the point where the dough rises the first time.
- 2
Punch down the dough after it has risen for the first time. Shape it into your desired form for later. For example, if you want to use it to bake a loaf, shape it accordingly.
- 3
Place the shaped dough gently onto a baking sheet; this helps it retain its shape. Place the baking sheet in the freezer and freeze overnight or until solid.
- 4
Wrap each piece of frozen dough individually in plastic freezer wrap. Place the wrapped dough into freezer bags and then seal the bags. Return the dough to the freezer and use within three months.
- 1
Read more: How to Freeze Your Own Bread Dough | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_4554726_freeze-own-bread-dough.html#ixzz2HFd2ZAMs


text:
Civil War Monthly Featured Document return to document overview
My Dear Andrew,
Yr message is
I deplore every back-
The cotton states are
Therlow Weed came
but he is a politician
-- not a statesman. I
think we are in too
deep water for him.
True; we are now
away from shore, &
can only steer by the
sun & stars -- God
given guides.
The President's change
him as a "black Repub-
lican." Genl. Scott
says the President's
change occurred on
the "2nd Jan"; -- "yes
sir, since the 2nd Jan
the Presdt has done well."
If possible, we
territory & state; but
I will not give up
our principles.
But the slave masters
Goodbye! God Bless you!
Ever Yours,
Charles Sumner
The sense of insecurity
There is intestine
unrevealed trouble
in Tennessee which
I do not yet com-
[Placed at bottom left of page; writing is perpendicular to main text of letter.] S
C. Sumner
January 8. 1861


text:
CUNA Mutual Group Contributes $100,000 to Tsunami Relief
CUNA Mutual Group Public Relations
January 27, 2005
MADISON, WI — The CUNA Mutual Group - through its International Division - has donated $100,000 via the National Credit Union Foundation to the Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions Tsunami Disaster Relief Fund.
The fund was created to help rebuild credit unions and those communities affected by the tsunami.
"The tsunami is a disaster of epic proportions. CUNA Mutual wants to assist in the credit union recovery effort," said Ralph Swoboda, senior vice president of CUNA Mutual's International Division. "So many lives were lost and impacted, and hundreds of credit unions were destroyed. CUNA Mutual and its International Division join other leaders of the credit union industry in their efforts to help rebuild credit unions in the tsunami's path."
The CUNA Mutual Group is the leading provider of financial services to credit unions and their members worldwide, offering lending, protection, financial, employee and member solutions through strategic partnerships, technological innovations and multiple service channels. More information on the company is available on the company's Web site at www.cunamutual.com .
World Council of Credit Unions is the global trade association and development agency for credit unions. World Council promotes the sustainable development of credit unions and other financial cooperatives around the world to empower people through access to high quality and affordable financial services. World Council advocates on behalf of the global credit union system before international organizations and works with national governments to improve legislation and regulation. Its technical assistance programs introduce new tools and technologies to strengthen credit unions' financial performance and increase their outreach.
World Council has implemented 300+ technical assistance programs in 89 countries. Worldwide, 68,882 credit unions in 109 countries serve 235 million people. Learn more about World Council's impact around the world at www.woccu.org.


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Welcome back to University of Miami guard Jon Feliciano, another underclassmen who said Friday he is staying for his senior season, joining linebacker Denzel Perryman and defensive lineman Anthony Chickillo and tight end Clive Walford.
Here's the release from UM regarding Jon.
Miami Hurricanes offensive guard Jon Feliciano will return to school for his senior season, the Davie native announced Friday.
"I am coming back (to Miami) because I believe in what Coach Golden, the staff and our team are doing here," Feliciano said. "I think the program is rising at an all-time pace. With all the NCAA stuff behind us, we can come into a season without anything hanging over our heads."
Feliciano started all 13 games along the offensive line, making 11 starts at left guard and two starts at right tackle. An honorable mention All-ACC selection by ACSMA, he helped anchor the offensive line that paved the way for Miami's offense to average 425.8 yards of total offense and 33.8 points per game.
As a sophomore in 2012, he started all 12 games at left guard en route to All-ACC honorable mention from ACSMA. He has started 26 straight games on Miami's offensive line and 33 of 35 career games.
"I have some flaws in my game and that's the reason why I'm staying for my senior season at Miami," Feliciano said. "The coaches do a great job in finding weak spots in your game and making them your strength."


text:
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The first day of practice and equipment issue day for Spencer County Middle School Grizzly football will be Wednesday, July 15 at 6 p.m.
Any rising Spencer County Middle School student grades 6th through 8th is encouraged to participate.
You must have a current KHSAA Physcial (Form #4) in order to play (copies are available online and in the SCMS office).
All necessary equipment is provided, free of charge. There is also no registration fee.
For more information, please contact Coach J.T. Bass at 477-0162 or 643-5142.
If you currently subscribe or have subscribed in the past to the Spencer Magnet, then simply find your account number on your mailing label and enter it below.
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text:
Rainbow einfarbig £1,881Gold ring Rainbow einfarbig (Yellow Gold 9ct) Ring with Tsavorite[#1]: Gem RN:[ ] , Metal RN:[ ] --
Engagement Rings at 21DIAMONDSTradition might well demand that an engagement ring carries a diamond, but traditions are there to be improved as well as followed. Besides engagement diamond rings, 21DIAMONDS offers its customers to configure their engagement rings with a beautiful selection of gemstones and view the results online immediately. Customers can choose a trilogy ring and combine a selection of diamonds and aquamarine, peridot or ruby, for example, and decide whether to opt for silver or the three types of gold in the three main carats. 21DIAMONDS offers white gold engagement rings, rose gold engagement rings and yellow gold engagement rings in 9ct, 14ct and 18 ct.
What jewellery goes with an engagement ring?One of the most enjoyable things about wearing jewellery is the ability to mix, match and accessorise. It is important for a man to know a woman's taste and style when choosing an engagement ring for her; he should consider whether something in silver or white gold would suit her wardrobe better, or perhaps a rose gold ring would be a better match. Since the engagement ring is intended to be worn permanently, this is a crucial decision. But there is much more freedom with other jewellery. A woman might only wear her sapphire necklace or pearl earrings on certain occasions, and the luxury of choice is something all women enjoy, so the option of choosing specific jewellery for particular events is one that will be valued for years to come.


text: This is a fine thread I must say with pro's and con's worth considering. I think the majority of jets fans agree that Idzik and the coaching staff did the best job that we could have hoped for so far this offseason. I don't think anyone can complain of the situation the Jets are in now vs what things looked like the week after the SB. Most people along with the media had the Jets in such a salary cap mess that would take years to fix after surely plummeting to the bottom as the team would be searching for a new coach as well as a GM after losing any good players they had including Revis. Yes that was about 4 months ago. Although the Jets still have some major holes to fill the team now has a much brighter future to look at. The Defense should be fun to watch and will get better as each game passes. I think the offense will also improve gradually although that is not saying much. All in all I would agree that it's a good haul but by no means is it a permanent haul. The FA signings will eventually be replaced through the draft. This team will be fun to watch and competitive as they get used to a new system and I really expect the Jets to make some serious noise in 2014.


text:
The Denny Berthiaume Trio
863 Main St.
Redwood City, CA, 94063
At the age of 5, Denny began his life long love of the piano and all things related to music. His father, a musician, teacher and composer saw to it that young Dennis was exposed to the early romantic sounds of Bach and Chopin. As well as the great American composers, Bernstein, Gershwin, Kern. An early memory while the family lived in Chicago is sitting on Arthur Fiedlers lap in the kitchen surrounded with the sounds and rhythms of the 40's.
A move to San Francisco enabled Denny to begin studying at the Conservatory at age 6 and at age 7 he knew his life would always be governed by his love of piano and his need to express his more than abundant energy. The teen years brought included classical recitals but after exposure to Bruback, Previn, Miles and Monk, jazz took over. When a friend turned him on to fats Domino and Little Richard, the element of blues was added to his enthusiasm for creating his own sound. Several groups he created followed as the family moved to remote areas in California due to his father's teaching. These were not happy years for Denny yet the isolation from city stimulation pushed his creative juices and he was soon "the only game in town" wherever the family moved.
Fast forward to the 70's and the beginnings of a teaching career in both English and Music at Foothill College , Los Altos , California . Denny began experimenting musically with trumpet player Randy Masters along with Dent Hand on flugelhorn, bassist Mickey McPhillips and others and the first Solar Plexsus band was born. From 1972 to 1980 Solar Plexus recorded five LP's, the final three with Inner City Records. Hi-fidelity magazine called Solar Plexsus "the most promising jazz group of the year". Much of the sound that made this fusion group so sought after was Denny's eclectic musical history.
Along with his full time teaching career Denny took a long standing gig at Garden City, the premier jazz venue on the Peninsula while accompanying many great jazz vocalists, such as Diane Schuur, Rosemary Cloony and a host of others. Bay area musical productions also created outlet for his piano skills with such productions as West Side Story, Sunday In The Park With George, Will Rogers Follies, Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita and Chorus Line.
In 1985 Denny married vocalist Susan Berthiaume. The duo continued performing throughout the San Francisco and Bay area and began recording. Their CD "Love On Track" highlights Denny's skillful and sensitive style as accompanist and dynamic arranger.
Currently living in San Francisco the music adventure continues. Denny, recently retired from 25 years teaching, is devoting himself to composing and arranging while continuing live performances.
Upcoming Events
- Sorry, there are currently no upcoming events.


text:
The election is over. The people have had their say, and in the coming weeks, the federal Electoral College will have its say. The campaigns are complete.
The election is over.
The people have had their say, and in the coming weeks, the federal Electoral College will have its say.
The campaigns are complete.
The hard feelings and partisan bickering can take a backseat to governing, the real challenge in our American system of government.
The beauty of our system is that for more than two centuries, Americans have been able to flock to the polls, energetically pulling the lever for one candidate or the other, then, when it's all said and done, accept the outcome and move on.
That has not always been the case around the world.
Wars have been fought. People have been killed. Governments have been toppled. All based on political, religious or ethnic differences.
While we certainly enjoy the diversity all those differences bring to the United States, we have always put our passion for our nation above personal preference.
We might think with all our hearts that Candidate X is better than Candidate Y. But if the polls turn out differently, we've always set aside personal feelings and accepted the outcome of the elections.
That is significant. It has always been and will be even more so going forward.
As our nation has become more and more partisan, the election-season griping and arguments have taken more of a toll in the other three and a half years of governance.
Our national leaders have become increasingly reluctant to cross party lines, even when votes hold national importance.
It is up to us to remind our representatives in Washington that we did not send them there as Democrats or Republicans but as Americans and Louisianans.
They are there for the good of the nation and our state, not in the eternal service of political party masters.
Politics have always played a part in governing. In a participatory government, we have to expect our leaders to work out differences and build coalitions.
In recent years, though, it seems that party has become a much larger consideration than it ever was before.
That is why it is essential that we leave Tuesday behind us. History books will in time lay out the circumstances surrounding the outcome.
People on both sides of the political aisle now have to move beyond their allegiance to the Democrats or Republicans and insist that our interests as Americans come first to our elected officials.
It might be a difficult demand. The politicians in power, after all, owe much to their respective parties. But that allegiance should never take precedence over their interest in serving the people who elected them.
As it always does, Tuesday's election thrilled some and disappointed others. But today, after the confetti has fallen and the votes meticulously counted, our nation's challenges and responsibilities continue.
We still face a daunting debt. We still face an ever-cloudy international picture of sometimes-conflicting interests abroad. We still have a national populace that wants all the comforts of entitlements without the corresponding responsibility of paying for them without incurring even more national debt.
These problems won't be solved overnight or, for that matter, in the next four years. If our leaders, though, resolve to be leaders instead of partisan followers, we will have a head start on all the difficulties we face.
The election has ended. Now the hard work begins.
Editorials represent the opinions of the newspaper, not of any individual.


text:
L A for ..
Got the fruit from a Rest and Service Area along the North South Expressway . Sorry but I cannot remember which one other than it was within Perak territory.
I would have missed it if not for the stall keeper's gigantic sign. AVOCADO 1KG RM10. Being green (both fruit and me) and for that size, I am guilty of having mistaken it many times for mangoes. According to the jolly man, Perak produces 2 types. One forever green like this while another type turns purple when ripe.
Oooh I had mine in ecpc cold cream style. Try it.
- Cut into halves.
- Discard seed.
- Scrape flesh into a fridge or freezer friendly container.
- Add a desirable amount of honey.
- Mix well until creamy.
- Refrigerate or freeze. Consume when cold.
My effort maybe ugly but Y U M M Y !!
The stall seller mentioned that an avocado a day keeps wrinkles away. Pity I forgot to ask for pictures of his wife and daughters (if any). He? He looks good for the age he claimed he is.


text:
When walking into you kitchen, is it dimly lit and hard to navigate because of the lack of light? Proper light, in any room of your home, is essential to the way you and your family functions. Not sure what kind of light your dining room should have and why it can't be the same [...]
Tag Archives | lighting for bathroom
What's the Best Interior Lighting Fixture for your Room?
By Jerry on January 25, 2013 in Bathroom Lighting, Bedroom Lighting, Bright Ideas
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text:
My wife's Psion Revo has recently gone to the great PDA home in the sky and we are looking for a replacement. As she likes both a keyboard and Linux I was thinking of one of the Zaurus range. Does anybody have any experience with them? If so what are they like, would you recommend them?
Also I gather that they didn't synchronise with Linux. Is this still the case?


text:
Site Information
About Us
- RonPaulForums.com is an independent grassroots outfit not officially connected to Ron Paul but dedicated to his mission. For more information see our Mission Statement.
The Treaury has not been issuing much in the way of long term debt so yes, within that category, the Fed has been their significant buyer. I think the Treasury should also be moving more US debt to longer term instruments to capture lower debt costs for farther into the future.
Couple intersting charts I found:
Domestic Investors Mutual Funds
The next big domestic buyer that comes to mind is the mutual fund community with more than $12.4 trillion in assets ($9.9 trillion in long-term funds stocks, bonds and hybrid funds and $2.5 trillion in money market mutual funds). The two charts below show the net purchases of Treasuries for money market mutual funds and long-term mutual funds. This data also comes from the Federal Reserves flow-of-funds report.
As the first chart shows, money market mutual funds were net sellers of Treasuries seven quarters in a row before returning with net purchases.
The second chart shows long-term mutual funds are net buyers of Treasuries. While these purchases have rebounded in recent quarters, neither the long-term mutual funds nor the money market funds are large players in the Treasury market when compared to foreigners or the Federal Reserve
Domestic Investors Banks
Are banks holdings of Treasuries closer in scale to those of the Federal Reserve or foreigners?
The first chart below shows U.S. chartered bank holdings of Treasuries have declined from $294 billion in Q1 1994 to just $29 billion in Q1 2012. The second chart shows a long-term look at the percentage of banks assets invested in Treasuries. Back in the 1950s it was near 40%. Today it is less than 0.3%. Simply put, banks do not buy Treasuries.
And now hurricane Sandy has created jobs and tons of new wealth. Rejoice!
Actually, tons of new expense to be carried by state, local govt.'s , insurane co.'s to be passed to the tax payer.... net loss ...
"Boom" or "Bubble"?
"You cannot solve these problems with war." - Ron Paul
Good to see all the negative Nancy viewpoints in this thread. I consider it a contrarian indicator - things are getting better.
If you really think things are getting better you're not looking at it correctly...
I don't care what bubble they inflate or how much better they try to make things seem.
This is an undeniable truth.
The US Debt is past 16 Trillion, US Total Debt is 58Trillion, the unfunded Liabilities are in the nature of 250trillion, student loan debt OUTWEIGHS personal credit card debt, none of this is in a reverse trend. It's all getting much worse, and the reason that there's an illusion of prosperity is because of the massive inflation that's going on to create it.
Nothing is better, nothing is close to better, if you ride up the bubble and assume it's peaches and cream you're crazy. Whatever ride up we get temporarily will be offset in the future by an even greater crash than 2008.
Things might get better but it's an illusion. This country is flat out broke and the people are carrying the entire burden they just haven't been slammed with it yet.
It's just an opinion... man...
I can't tell if the OP is meant to be taken sarcastically or not. I think I'll move on.
War Is A Racket ... after all. The Hospital Industry thrives too. That is not a good thing unless you are one who profits from the maiming and killing and don't care about your fellow humans.
Monster asset bubble that has faced no correction, accompanied by the expected minor fluctuations.
I , expect unemployment to go up , end of Jan.
Max Keiser is calling the meltdown for early Q2 of 2013.


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Last weekend I had the great honor and privilege of speaking at the first ever Titus 2:1 Conference. Almost two years ago, my Twitter friend Cheryl had a vision and responded to God's call to put together a blogging conference for Christian homeschool moms. After much praying, planning, and preparation she pulled together a wonderful conference!
Cheryl asked me quite some time ago to be a keynote at her conference and speak to these busy blogging women on the importance of connecting with brands and how to go about it. I have decided to share with you just a small portion of what I spoke about. I've edited my notes so as to appeal to a broader audience, but the key points are the same across the board.
8 Important Things To Do To Get Your Favorite Brands To Notice You
• Find your niche – I know we're all bloggers, but what can you add to your blogger title? For me focusing on "Big Family Fun" sets us apart from the norm. We are an anomaly to most. It's okay to be eclectic and not box yourself in to a specific niche, but what is your voice saying? God created us all individually, with unique characteristics and interests. Focus on yours.
• Be yourself – Authenticity is a must in blogging, as it is life. Be the same you online as you are offline. People can see through fake, so be sure you stay true to your voice and stay real.
• Be personal and approachable – Are you active on Twitter and Facebook? Are you available to your friends and followers? Is your contact information in a prominent place on your blog? Respond to tweets, DMs, and messages. Build those online social relationships. You never know where a relationship may lead.
• Get yourself out there – Go to blogging and social media conferences. (I'll be at EVO and BlogHer this summer – Let me know if I should look for you!) Attend local tweetups and social media events. Seek out media opportunities. Make sure you are seen.
• Invest time, attention, and money to your blog's design – Pretty up your site and let it reflect who you are and what you love.
• Be professional and stay away from drama – Carry yourself with confidence and always be prepared with business cards and an "elevator pitch." Don't be afraid to speak out, when in disagreement, but speak your mind in love and with grace and avoid the stuff that doesn't matter.
• Sing your own praises without being arrogant – Make yourself known. Putting together a kick-butt "About" page and media kit is uber important.
• Don't be afraid to make the first move – Write that pitch. Send that email. Make that phone call. Don't ever believe the lie that you are not "big" enough.
It's easy to feel like we are little fish in such a big sea of bloggers, but you can stand out!
What do you do to get your favorite brands and companies to notice you?
photo credit: Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com via photo pin cc


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|Associate AD for Compliance
|Middletown, N.J.
|Alma Mater:
|Graduating Year:
|Political Science
|4 Years
Rick Stumpf, who served in the athletics department at the University of South Florida since 2006, was named the University of Delaware associate athletics director for compliance on Feb. 27, 2013.
Stumpf held the title of assistant athletics director of athletics for compliance since June, 2008 at USF.
In his role at Delaware, Stumpf is responsible for directing, planning, and organizing all phases of Delaware's compliance program for 21 varsity sports, nearly 600 student-athletes, athletics department and University staff, representatives of athletics interests, and other outside constituencies. The position involves education, monitoring, and enforcement of University, CAA, and NCAA rules and regulations.
A native of Middletown, N.J., Stumpf received his bachelor's degree in political science from Villanova University in 1999 and his Juris Doctorate from Seton Hall University Law School in 2002. While in law school, Stumpf served as a Sports Law Fellow for the Seton Hall Center for Sports Law.
Stumpf joined South Florida in June 2006 and served two years as compliance coordinator before being promoted to assistant AD for compliance in June, 2008. In addition to his day-to-day NCAA and Big East compliance responsibilities at USF, Stumpf also served on the Institutional Compliance & Ethics Counsel.
Prior to joining USF, Stumpf served as compliance intern/legal consultant at his alma mater, Villanova University, from September 2004-May 2006. While at Villanova, Stumpf's responsibilities included calculating academic evaluations for prospects, administering the SAF/SAOF, auditing athletic department phone logs and playing and practice season logs, monitoring official visits, and supervising complimentary ticket distribution.
Prior to his career in intercollegiate athletics, Stumpf spent three years in the legal profession, specializing in corporate business transactions. He was admitted to practice law in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Stumpf and his wife, Patricia, have a daughter, Grace, and a son, Connor.
Updated 11/5/16
Past UD NCAA Compliance Officers
Rick Stumpf (2013-Present)
Brian Baptiste (2010-13)
Kerri Cebula (2007-10) (S-A Eligibility/ Financial Aid Coord. in '10)
Chip Armbruster (2006-07)
Susan Groff (1996-2006)
B.J. Ferguson (1994-96)


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Attorneys must first try to seat a jury in Flagler County before any decision would be made about moving the trial for a School Board member's wife accused of leaving the scene of a fatal crash.
BUNNELL -- Attorneys must first try to seat a jury in Flagler County before any decision will be made about moving the trial for a School Board member's wife accused of leaving the scene of a fatal crash.
Circuit Judge J. David Walsh set a trial date of March 25 at the Kim C. Hammond Justice Center in Bunnell for Jamesine Fischer, the wife of Flagler County School Board Member John Fischer.
Jamesine Fischer is accused of leaving the scene of a crash involving death on Nov. 10, 2011, in which her car struck Francoise Pecqueur, 76, as she walked her dog in Palm Coast.
Jamesine Fischer, 56, of Palm Coast is accused of trying to deceive rescue workers and bystanders by telling them that Pecqueur had fallen. Jamesine Fischer did not report the accident until about 11 1/2 hours later, according to records.
One of Fischer's defense attorneys submitted a motion late last year asking that the trial be moved to Putnam County because of publicity in Flagler County.
But Walsh said during a hearing Wednesday that a move is not necessary in most cases.
"My experience has been that most of the time we are able to get juries in cases because we just begin the selection process and see how we do," Walsh said. "So I generally don't allow a change of venue by that reason alone unless we first have a chance to try to select a jury."
Assistant State Attorney Laura Moody referred to case law, which calls for first trying to seat a jury in Flagler County.
"You'd be surprised, generally, how many people may not be as informed as we think that they are," Moody said.
Defense attorney Steve Alexander said he agreed with Moody.
"Case law basically says you are supposed to give it a good faith shot at your home county," Alexander said.
The fatal accident led to questions and controversy over how the Sheriff's Office handled the call, and also phone calls between then-Sheriff Don Fleming and John Fischer. Sheriff Jim Manfre said after taking his oath of office Tuesday that the case spurred him to run against Fleming, whom he defeated in November.
On the night of the accident, a passer-by called 9-1-1 to say he thought a woman had "just passed out on the street" and added that she had blood coming from her mouth. The call was handled as a medical problem and a deputy was not dispatched until six hours later.
Jamesine Fischer is accused of violating state law by failing to call 9-1-1 for help and by not telling emergency workers at the scene that she may have struck Pecqueur, according to a charging affidavit. She also violated the law by not reporting the crash an hour later when she said she saw the damage to her vehicle's windshield, charging documents state.
"While at the scene, Mrs. Fischer attempted to mislead medical personnel and bystanders at the scene as to the events of the crash by leading them to believe that there had been no collision but that Mrs. Pecqueur had fallen," according to the affidavit.
Fleming has said that John Fischer called him about 5:30 a.m. on Nov. 11 to say that his wife believed she had hit an animal. Fleming said he told John Fischer to report the accident. But John Fischer later told investigators that he did not call Fleming at 5:30 a.m. on Nov. 11. And Fleming initially said John Fischer called him the night of the crash but the next day changed his story to say the call came the morning after.
Jamesine Fischer is free on $30,000 bail.


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Linked by vodoomoth on Fri 2nd Jul 2010 09:03 UTC
Opera 10.60 has been released July 1 for Mac OS X and is available for download. The features highlighted on the changelogs page are: layout engine (codename 'Presto'), HTML5 with support for offline web applications, WebM, which has been available in Opera (in a special build) on the very day of the announcement at the Google I/O conference, web workers for running scripts in the background without impeding the browsing experience, and geolocation. Version 10.60 is also available for Windows and Linux/BSD.
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Not ready for HTML5 and flakey stability
by tyrione on Mon 5th Jul 2010 02:00 UTC
Hopefully, when they pass the elements portion of html5test.com and don't crash so frequently, I can test sites against it.
I get a 159 + 7 bonus score out of 300 off of html5test.com.
Chrome 5.0.375.99 beta gives me:
197 + 7 bonus points out of 300.
WebKit Nightly for OS X gives me 235 + 6 bonus out of 300.


text:
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text:
Wisdom, not rules
It's important to realize that the coding techniques you learn should not be applied blindly, without thinking. That is, while a practice can indeed be applicable most of the time, there are very few rules which should absolutely never be broken. Rules are blind, in the sense that they often don't deal with the full context of a problem, or the complete picture.
You shouldn't be afraid to consider breaking the rules, if you have thought about the problem, and when you feel it's an appropriate thing to do.
When you begin your career as a programmer, following a standard set of rules is likely appropriate. But as you progress, your skills become stronger, and you start to develop something which is lacking in the beginner - a sense of taste. This sense of taste, this wisdom which you've acquired through real experience, is what really guides a mature programmer. In essence, wisdom transcends rules.
Barry Schwartz has an interesting TED talk
on this general idea, which is worth listening to.
See Also :
Would you use this technique?


text:
This resource is no longer available
Developing in the Cloud: Why it's Time to Rethink Your Development Platform
Traditional methods of approaching development projects are time-consuming, costly, and labor-intensive. Because of these reasons, many IT teams are looking to high-performance cloud platforms to support their development initiatives
This informative white paper explores how cloud is easing application development and delivery. Read now for expert tips on evaluating and selecting a cloud strategy that's conducive to your organization.


text:
Sometimes it takes more than a boffin with a Mac to come up with a killer app idea. Here's a top 10 of the best of the worst apps ever to be released:
10. The 'Battery Monitor' App: designed to monitor the power usage of a phone's software and apps so users can make their battery charges last longer. The app consistently showed itself to be the biggest power drain. Verdict: Complete Power Failure.
9. The 'Does My Bum Look Big In This?' App: designed for ladies to take a picture of their bottoms and the app will rate whether their bum looks too big in their outfit. The app is based on logic and factual data so was always bound to fail. Verdict: Pile Of Arse.
8. The 'Photo-Me' App: based on the photo booths of the same name, this app costs £4.99 and gives you one chance to take a photo of yourself. Another chance costs another £4.99. Verdict: Annoyingly Realistic.
7. The 'Rate My Cauliflower' App: users can upload a picture of a cauliflower for other users to rate it. The global slump in cauliflower consumption has been blamed for the low uptake of this app. Verdict: Rotten.
6. The 'Underwater Camera' App: adds an effect to a picture to make it look as if it was taken underwater. Users confused the app as a way to take underwater pictures with their phones. Verdict: Costly.
5. The 'Can I Recycle This Plastic?' App: using a complex algorithm, this app helps determine whether a type of plastic packaging fits the exact chemical composition of plastic that will be accepted by any given local authority. The app is used to gather data and pictures of the plastic before a sample of it is sent in the post to be forensically analysed. The app is free and the postage is free but the forensic report is £500. Verdict: Just Bin It.
4. The 'Ticketmister' App: this app notifies you when you've missed out on tickets for a concert or event you were hoping to buy tickets for. Verdict: Just Plain Spiteful.
3. The 'Spelling Bee' App: the user is shown a correctly spelled word and is then asked to spell it. A paid version of the app shows longer words. Verdict: Disincomprehensible.
2. The 'Find My Phone' App: if a user loses their phone anywhere, this app will pinpoint it to a radius of 10 metres. The app must be connected to the user's home WIFI for it to work. Verdict: Lost Cause.
1. The 'Dealer Locator' App: users can see on the app's inbuilt map where the nearest drug dealer is to them. Requires the dealers to upload their locations. Verdict: Totally-wasted Opportunity.
If readers would like to see this top 10 in less detail, an app summarising these most useless apps will be available soon.


text:
Rock resurrects Quaddra AMD-based notebooks
Now with added Turion™
UK system builder Rock is to revive its Quaddra notebook range, this time equipping the machines with AMD's Turion 64 processor family.
Rock is preparing two Quaddras, dubbed the 'Mobility' and 'Performance' models, respectively. The first is driven by a Turion 64 MT-34, clocked at 1.8GHz and consuming up to 25W of power. It's backed up by 1GB of 400MHz DDR SDRAM, an 80GB, 5400rpm HDD, an 8x dual-layer DVD writer, 802.11b/g Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
The machine's graphics are powered by an ATI Mobility Radeon X700 chip connected to 256MB of dedicated video memory and a 17in LCD with X-Glass - Rock's answer to Sony's X-Black system, which makes for brighter, more vivid colours, less saturated black hues and wider viewing angles.
The Quaddra T64 Performance offers the same specification as the T64 Mobility, with the sole exception of the CPU, which in this case is a 35W Turion ML-42, clocked to 2.4GHz.
Both machines are pre-loaded with Windows XP Home Edition, and are offered with a three-year collect-and-return warranty. The Mobility model costs £939 including VAT, the Performance version £1056. The two machines go on sale on 8 December, Rock said. ®
Sponsored: Minds Mastering Machines - Call for papers now open


text:
Four fire departments and EMS responded to Perkins Rd. in Washington very early Tuesday. Emergency Management Director John Pack says a wood burning stove caused the fire.
The call for the fire went out at 76 Perkins Rd. at 12:15 a.m. Tuesday. Clarks Neck, Old Ford, Bunyan and Washington Fire crews responded, along with Washington EMS.
Pack says the homeowner said he had put out a fire in his wood burning stove earlier in the night, but it rekindled overnight. The house is a total loss, says Pack, and nothing inside is salvageable.
WITN spoke to the woman who lives there overnight, who said she, her husband and two children escaped the fire without injury.
Pack worries tonight's frigid temperatures will bring more opportunities for house fires because of "wood stoves, fireplaces and things that don't get put into service except for this time of year," Pack said. "And they're not maintained properly."
Pack warned all homeowners to "please take extra care, and watch stoking the fire extra hot. Do your maintenance."
He also added, "We'll be there to answer the call."
Previous Story
Beaufort County fire crews are on the scene of a house fire that started overnight at 76 Perkins Road in Washington.
WITN spoke with a woman who lives there, and she says that she, her husband, and two children made it out ok, but their house was still on fire and severely damaged.
We don't know at this time when the fire started or what may have started it, but the homeowner says she and her family have been outside for a long time. Temperatures have been falling overnight with a high in the upper 30's expected today.
The American Red Cross has been notified about the fire. We'll keep you posted as more details come in.


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May 01, 2009
GSW baseball head coach Brian McLain is offering several different summer camp options in June and July for kids ages 7-12.
|2009 Baseball Summer Camp Schedule
|June 1-2
|Hitting Camp
|June 3-4
|Defensive Camp
|June 15-18
|Day Camp
|July 6-9
|Day Camp
|July 20-21
|Hitting Camp
|July 22-23
|Defensive Camp
Click here for more information on each camp.
Click here for a registration form.


text:
Macon Shows Hospitality for Homeless NJ Family | News
Viewers have opened up their hearts to the Wingfield family, bringing them coats and gallons of water.
We first brought you this story Friday about a New Jersey family squatting here in Macon, trying to find a way back home.
Since our story, viewers have extended help to the Wingfields, even offering up their homes for the family.
"We woke up to people knocking on the door giving, it's like you've been trying for so hard and now it's just pouring in and you're just overwhelmed," says Andrew Wingfield.
"Two people came with bags full of these essentials, gallons of water, and socks for her kids and toothpaste," adds Renay Wingfield. "And there was two ladies standing there with food in their hands and breakfast for us."
The Wingfields have been squatting at this Macon home for about a month with no running water or electricity.
They share a mattress and use a propane heater to stay warm and cook their food.
A day after we brought you their story, people brought help and snacks. Something that their children rarely have.
"It's something that I can't provide but other people are trying to help provide and that makes it even better because it's love that doing it, it's not just me doing it," says Andrew.
And the best part, they're leaving it all behind because a viewer opened up their home to them.
"I'm just amazed that I will never have to spend another night here in this house again or be cold or think about how far I am going to walk to wash the children or wash the clothes or think about how they're going to get water or get fed," says Renay.
"I don't have to worry about people walking in the house I could secure the door, those are big things and that would be wiped out," adds Andrew.
But the Wingfields say leaving this house behind is taking them one step closer to home.
"We really focus on getting back to New Jersey because New Jersey we have a support system we have housing we have some help that we don't have in Macon," he says.
Joel Chambliss is raising money to pay for bus tickets for the Wingfield family. If you want to help you contact him at 478-447-0402 or email him at firstname.lastname@example.com to see how you can help.


text:
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Rep. Steny Hoyer and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller are endorsing Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown in his run for governor of Maryland.
Hoyer, the second-ranking Democratic leader in the U.S. House of Representatives, announced his endorsement along with the Senate president at an event in Waldorf on Monday, with another scheduled for Greenbelt.
Hoyer says he's proud to be partner with Brown to improve the state's economy and create jobs. He also commended Brown for his service as a colonel in the Army reserves.
Miller also noted the lieutenant governor's military service, as well as his focus on working to build a knowledge-based economy by supporting education.
Brown, a Democrat, is from Prince George's County. Both Hoyer and Miller represent districts that include parts of the county


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Submission + - Alien Swarm Can Be Played as FPS and is Terrifying (thumb-culture.com)
AndrewGOO9 writes: With a few simple commands from the developer console, Alien Swarm can go from being played as an isometric top-down shooter to a first person perspective. Surprisingly easy, it does make the game, which was released for free via Steam earlier this week, a lot more terrifying. But, anyone who is at home playing games like Modern Warfare or Halo should have no problem slaughtering their way through wave after wave of creatures. In fact, it poses the potential to make the game easier for people who would've otherwised struggle with the overhead view.


text:
Find accommodations in Saint Albans with the hotel list provided below. Explore our guide for inexpensive and discount hotel/motel rates in or near Saint Albans, VT for your upcoming personal or group trip. We show the best Saint Albans, Vermont hotel and motel rooms. Browse the Saint Albans area hotels to find the perfect lodging! Please use the provided map of the Saint Albans hotels. Planning a group? Lock in Saint Albans Group Hotel Deals
The Saint Albans center is around the area of St. Albans Amtrak and 14 miles east of Point Au Roche Beach and State Park.
How should we direct your call?


text:
Doubleheader, Double Wins as Phillies Sweep Rockies
After a ridiculous 3 hour rain delay on Saturday, the Phillies finally settled on a Sunday doubleheader to finish off the Rockies series. Cole Hamels started the Day Game and allowed only 2 runs in 7 innings.
Chase Utley had his hands in a number of plays, including a hit, a walk and a very entertaining run scored:
The defense was solid, but the highlight was watching Ryan Howard hold onto the ball for an out after getting bowled over at 1st base by a Rockies player. He also had 2 key RBI in the game.
The bullpen did not allow a run, setting up a 2-2 tie game going into the bottom of the 9th.
With the bases loaded and 1 out, John Mayberry Jr. connected for a game-winning, walk-off single.
The excitement continued in the Night Game, which turned out to be a comedy of errors for the Rockies. They fumbled, dropped and just plain missed a lot of balls hit their way. 5 errors helped keep the Phillies alive after rookie starter Tyler Cloyd gave up 4 runs in 4 inning.
With the early exit, the Phillies wound up using 7 pitchers, none of whom allowed a run except Cloyd:
As it turns out, all the Phillies needed for the win besides pitching was Carlos Ruiz. Fresh off the DL, Chooch got a standing ovation when he stepped in to pinch hit. And he promptly added to the Phillies fever with a single in the 6th that led to 2 runs and a Phillies lead.
Chooch stayed in the game to catch. Ruiz was 2-for-2 with an RBI in his return, coming in cold off the DL, not having played a single inning in over a month. No rehab start…nothing. Just pure Chooch. This guy is incredible. Chooooooooooooooch!!!
The Phillies went on to win by a score of 7-4 to complete a 3-game sweep of the Rockies.
I have photos of both Game 1 and Game 2; just click the links. Yes, it was a long day, but worth it!
The Marlins are up next….and a run at the postseason??? Hmmmm…..
"LIKE" us on Facebook for more updates & photos!
Photos by Jenn Zambri Photography


text:
Original URL: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/07/16/microsoft_one_big_windows/
Microsoft rolls out One Big Windows strategy
Phone, tablet, smartphone united?
Posted in The Channel, 16th July 2011 03:26 GMT
Is Microsoft preparing one Windows operating system for PCs, tablets, and smartphones?
Reading between the lines of what Microsoft execs told 15,000 of the company's partners during their annual conference event this week, it appears that a unified Windows is indeed on the way. But it's unclear how far it will go. The company is likely preparing a common operating system "core" that will allow developers to build applications across multiple devices.
This week, All-About-Microsoft's Mary-Jo Foley pointed to mobile group chief Andy Lees, who spoke at Microsoft's Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) about bringing together different devices "into a unified ecosystem." Lees said:
At the core of the device itself it's possible to be common across phones, PCs, and TVs, and even other things, because the price drops dramatically. Then it will be a single ecosystem. We won't have an ecosystem for PCs, and an ecosystem for phones, one for tablets. They'll all come together. And just look at the opportunity here.
A day later, chief operating officer Kevin Turner said something similar: "Our future at Microsoft is the ability to unify the ecosystems and the user experiences. It's the ability to enhance those ecosystems with great cloud services," Turner said. Then he added:
So, when you think about the next release of Windows running across x86, ARM, system-on-a-chip, the opportunity to put Windows with an OS that is scalable across those platforms exists in a new and profound way. And where we go in the future of unifying these ecosystems is certainly going to be an exciting ride, but a big, big step forward is about to get made with Windows 8, and this is really important for you to understand.
Turner punctuated his comments with a nod to Apple. Apple has five platforms – iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac and Apple TV – that run either Mac OS or iOS, and there has been talk of unifying the two operating systems. "It's your guess as good as mine on whether they'll ever unify Mac and iOS," Turner said.
According to a piece in This is My Next, Lees' words confirm what other sources have said. "Microsoft is planning to somehow harmonize not only Windows for PCs and Windows Phone, but also the Xbox operating system sometime within the next four years," the site said "That would mean Microsoft's next next OS will run on PCs, tablets, phones, and the next-gen Xbox when it hits sometime in 2015 / 2016."
When Microsoft talks of the "ecosystem", it's describing many things, from those making the hardware that runs Windows and ISVs who build Windows apps to those supporting and integrating Windows. It's a term that Microsoft also uses to describe the developer tools around Windows and the plug-in providers around the developer tools.
Microsoft wants to allow application developers in this ecosystem to write their apps and have them run on as many different devices as possible. It wants to unify the partner ecosystem. It doesn't want some ISVs writing apps for one class of device, like a PC, and other ISVs writing apps for another, like a tablet.
Enter Windows 8. It will straddle two form factors: PC and tablet. Microsoft is planning a new application programming model for Windows 8 codenamed Jupiter, with an XAML/UI layer on top of Windows APIs and frameworks. According to MJF: "The idea is Jupiter will bring support for smoother and more fluid animation, rich typography, and new media capabilities to Windows 8 devices."
You are the ecosystem, the ecosystem is you
So far, so coherent. The ecosystem will be unified by allowing apps to run on both Windows 8 PCs and tablets.
In one respect, that beats Apple. With Apple, developers must write apps for either the iPad and iPhone or the Mac.
Andy Lees: one Windows core, one ecosystem?
But about Windows Phone, the third part of the equation? Were Lees and Thompson suggesting future Windows phones would run Windows 8 or the successor to Windows 8?
That brings us on to another important word in Lee's statement: "core". This is less nebulous than "ecosystem", and it suggests Microsoft is working towards a model where phone, PC, and tablet run on the same core APIs and frameworks but do not have exactly the same operating system.
This makes Microsoft's strategy more like Apple's. Apple has OS X for Mac and iOS for the phone and tablet, but both platforms use the same Darwin kernel.
So far, we have few technical details about Windows 8, but there are plenty of promises from Microsoft and plenty of optimistic projections from Windows fanbois. So far, we don't know exactly how it will work across PCs and tablets or just how far the XAML architecture allow developers to write once and deploy anywhere on Windows 8. More will be known once the operating system hits beta in September.
While Windows 8 certainly looks like Windows Phone – it has the same tilled and touch-enabled interface – Windows Phone is not Windows 8. It's not even Windows 7. It runs a combination of Microsoft's Silverlight media player and XNA managed runtime environment for graphics and media, with Windows CE 7 kernel. Windows CE was the brand of Windows Microsoft put on phones before Windows Phone 7. It was not the same code base as Windows running on the PC.
Mobile choices
To put the same Windows on phones, tablets, and PCs would mean Microsoft moving off of Windows CE. Also, there's the question of what happens to Silverlight. Microsoft's media player uses XAML, and this fits into the Windows 8 story, but Silverlight has now been demoted by Microsoft as the preferred interface for PCs and devices on the web in favor of HTML5.
Is Microsoft moving to one Windows? The company has been moving to a single set of development tools for Windows and its applications over the years. Also, it has dropped different versions of Internet Exploder for PC and mobile. There is now just one browser. With that in mind, one Windows looks likely. ®


text: Peter O'Dowd Scorching Phoenix Plans For An Even Hotter Future By Peter O'Dowd • Aug 14, 2012 It's been a record hot summer in many cities across the nation. Phoenix is no exception. This Sonoran Desert metropolis already records more days over 100 degrees than any other major U.S. city. Now, climate models predict Phoenix will soon get even hotter. A hotter future may mean a more volatile environment — and along with it, natural disasters, greater pressure on infrastructure, and an increased physical toll on city residents.