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Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem
On-line version ISSN 1518-8345
Rev. Latino-Am. Enfermagem vol.14 no.3 Ribeirão Preto May/June 2006
Cerebrovascular accident in the aged: changes in family relations
El anciano tras accidente cerebrovascular: alteraciones en el relacionamento familiar
Sueli MarquesI; Rosalina Aparecida Partezani RodriguesII; Luciana KusumotaIII
IJunior Professor, e-mail: email@example.com
IIFull Professor, e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
IIIAssistant Professor, e-mail: email@example.com. University of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing - WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing Research Development
The aims of this study were: to identify aged persons who were victims of Cerebrovascular Accident and received care at the Emergency Unit of a Public Hospital in Ribeirão Preto-SP, Brazil, and their respective families, as well as to identify the changes in family relations that occurred after the event. In order to identify these changes, the adapted Critical Incident Technique was used, while the analysis was based on the idea of Current of Thought. The sample consisted of 11 families, totaling 34 participants. The analysis of the consequences displayed the changes in family relations, which made up 13 subcategories, 5 of which were positive and 8 negative, totaling 58 alterations, 30 of which were positive and 28 negative. The study revealed the need to work with the family in order to identify changes and develop an action plan to favor the family's relations and adaptation to the demands, with a view to improving the living conditions of its members, including the aged person.
Descriptors: aged; cerebrovascular accident; family; nursing
Las finalidades de este estudio fueron las de identificar a los ancianos con diagnóstico médico de Accidente Cerebrovascular, atendidos en la Unidad de Emergencia de un Hospital Gubernamental de Ribeirão Preto-SP, Brasil, y a sus respectivas familias y también identificar las alteraciones en el relacionamiento familiar, que ocurrieron tras el evento. Fue utilizada la Técnica de Incidentes Críticos adaptada para identificar las alteraciones en el relacionamiento familiar ocurridas tras la enfermedad. Para el análisis, fue adoptada la reflexión del Camino del Pensamiento. La muestra fue compuesta por 11 familias, totalizando 34 participantes. El análisis de las consecuencias reveló las alteraciones en el relacionamiento familiar, que constituyeron 13 subcategorías, 5 positivas y 8 negativas, con un total de 58 alteraciones, siendo 30 positivas y 28 negativas. El estudio reveló la necesidad de trabajar con la familia para identificar las alteraciones y desarrollar un plan de acción que pueda favorecer las relaciones y la adaptación de la familia a las demandas, con vistas a mejorar las condiciones de vida de sus miembros, incluso el anciano.
Descriptores: anciano; accidente cerebrovascular; familia; enfermería
Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) is one of the most prevailing neurological problems in the category of cardiovascular system diseases. It is the third most common cause of death in developed countries. Approximately 20% of patients who are victims of CVA die within one month; about 50% of survivors present permanent and considerable disabilities, needing care and supervision; the remaining 30% present neurological deficits, but are capable of leading an independent life(1).
After a period in hospital, aged victims of CVA can go back home with physical and emotional sequelae, which affect their functional capacity, independence and autonomy, and can also exert social and economic effects that invade all aspects of life. In general, when a functional decline occurs as a result of some pathological process, it is the family that gets involved in care aspects, supervision of responsibilities and direct care delivery.
Hospitals are reducing their clients' hospitalization period due to different factors, including health care costs. However, after hospitalization, aged persons' return home requires care and attention. The effects of this return on aged persons and their families can often be destructuring, as it demands the availability of space, a caregiver and, also, economic resources. Nevertheless, most elderly prefer to receive care at home.
Significant events in life, such as the appearance of a chronic disease, divorce, unemployment or death of a relative can bring about relevant transformations in the family system as a whole. These changes can affect the cognitive, affective or behavioral domains. However, an alteration in one of them causes an impact in the others. It is important for nurses who work with families to carefully observe and assess these aspects to enable them to identify changes and develop a nursing intervention plan that is capable of contributing to the achievement of a new balance in the family system.
The change in family structure is experienced as a disturbance in its system. Family systems aim to preserve their stability. An alteration is seen as a behavioral change, which may be accompanied by judgment or not and, thus, suggests an investigation of differences in family interaction patterns. Alteration and stability must be considered jointly(2).
Changes are constant in our social interactions and environment, but we often do not notice and get used to them. In families too, alterations constantly develop and nurses working in this context may be aware of this fact or not. This is the type of continuous or spontaneous alteration that happens in daily life and involves the stages of family and individual development(3).
Nurses should obtain families' active and responsible participation in care for dependent elderly. However, to achieve this, there is a need to invest in research and increasingly include families in health care.
Considering the relevance of this theme, this study aimed to identify aged persons who received care at the Emergency Unit of a Public Hospital in Ribeirão Preto-SP, Brazil, and were victims of (hemorrhagic or ischemic) Cerebrovascular Accident, whose first episode occurred in 2002, and their respective families, as well as to identify the changes in family relations that occurred after the CVA, using an adapted version of the Critical Incident Technique.
We carried out a qualitative study. Data were collected by means of the Critical Incident Technique, with a view to identifying the changes in family relations that occurred after one family member became a victim of CVA.
The Critical Incident Technique covers a set of procedures to obtain direct observations of human behavior, stimulating its application to solve practical problems. The critical incident refers to an observable and complete human activity that permits making inductions and forecasts about who performs the activity. It should happen in situations in which the intention or objective of the person performing the activity is clear to the observer, and its results are systematically defined(4).
In summary, the technique involves asking an activity's agents for reports about situations they experienced. The researcher observes and analyzes these reports in view of a previously established objective.
Study participants were families who lived in Ribeirão Preto-SP and included an aged person of 60 years or older, who received care at the Emergency Unit of the HCFMRP-USP, and was a victim of (hemorrhagic or ischemic) Cerebrovascular Accident, whose first episode occurred in 2002.
Families were selected in August 2003, after the study had been approved by the Research Ethics Committee at the University of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto Medical School Hospital das Clínicas.
We asked the Hospital's Medical and Statistical Filing Service for a list of patients aged 60 or older, who were victims of CVA and had been attended at the Emergency Unit in 2002, their record number, address and phone number, totaling 109 aged persons. After this survey, we first contacted these persons' families to set a time for the interviews. The following exclusion criteria were adopted: patients who had died and patients who did not live in Ribeirão Preto. We interviewed 11 families, totaling 34 participants. The number of interviewed families was determined by the saturation point of answers.
Data were collected from August to November 2003. For the interviews, we used two data collection instruments with open and closed questions. The first was an identification questionnaire with social profile information: date and time of birth, gender, color, civil status, number of children, education level, profession/occupation, income (in minimum wages), address and telephone.
The second instrument was a questionnaire to: a) identify the elderly victim's family, containing: family composition, monthly income and religion of each member; b) identify changes in family relations after this events, using two questions elaborated to obtain the critical incidents: 1) Think of situations that happened after the elderly returned home, after the hospitalization period, because (s)he suffered the stroke. 2) Try to remember situations related to the elderly and the stroke, involving the family environment and its members, which you believe caused positive/negative alterations. Tell me about the situations, which persons were involved, what they did and what the result was. We first referred to positive alterations and then repeated the same question for negative alterations.
One of the researchers collected data at the families' homes, after a first contact by telephone and each participant's consent. Between two and three visits and an average of three phone contacts were realized for each family.
The reports of these situations were registered in the field diary and, at the end of each report, the text was read aloud to be validated by the interviewees. The researcher's observations were also registered.
The analysis was based on the idea of the Current of Thought, presented as "the possibility of technical realization related to communications in the health area"(5). All collected material, including the meaning of social relations, was joined in the analysis to identify changes in family relations. In this study, we analyzed the consequences of the situations experienced by the family members.
In accordance with resolutions 196/96 and 251/97 by the National Health Council, this project was evaluated by the Research Ethics Committee at the University of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto Medical School Hospital das Clínicas. It was approved in a meeting on 08/18/2003 as HCRP Process No 4700/2003.
The results will be presented in two steps, described below: a) Identification of Aged Persons Diagnosed as CVA and their Respective Families and b) Description of changes in family relations.
Identification of Aged Persons Diagnosed as CVA and their Respective Families
All aged persons were victims of CVA in 2002 and were attended at the at the Emergency Unit of the University of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto Medical School Hospital das Clínicas.
Their ages ranged from 62 to 84 years, with a mean age of 73.4 years. Seven patients (63.6%) were men. Most (72.7%) CVA victims were married and three (27.3%) widowed. Five (45.4%) patients knew how to read and write, four (36.4%) had not finished primary education, one (9.1%) finished secondary education and one (9.1%) was illiterate.
As to profession/occupation, most participants were retired. Five (45.4%) earned one minimum wage per month, two (18.2%) one and a half minimum wages, one (9.1%) earned four minimum wages, one (9.1%) six minimum wages per month and two (18.2%) did not have their own income. What the medical diagnosis is concerned, 10 patients (90.9%) were victims of ischemic CVA, and only one (9.1%) of hemorrhagic CVA.
One family (9.1%) consisted of seven members, followed by three (27.3%) with six members, one (9.1%) with five members, two (18.2%) with four members, one (9.1%) with three members and three (27.3%) with two members. On the average, the 11 families consisted of 4.3 members.
In terms of family income, five (45.4%) families received between one and a half and two minimum wages, four (36.4%) between two and four minimum wages, two (18.2%) between four and six and only one (9.1%) received nine minimum wages per month. At the time of research, the minimum wage in Brazil was R$240.
What religion is concerned, in eight (72.7%) families, all members of the family nucleus were Catholic; in one (9.1%), the aged person was a Spiritist, the wife Adventist and the daughter and grandchildren Catholic; in one family, (9.1%), the elderly and his wife were Catholic and their grandchildren Evangelic and, in another one (9,1%), the aged woman, her son-in-law and two granddaughters were Catholic, her daughter was Spiritist and one granddaughter was Buddhist.
Description of Changes in Family Relations
The analysis of the consequences revealed a number of changes in family relations. These constituted 13 subcategories, five positive and eight negative, totaling 58 changes, 30 positive and 28 negative, in accordance with the family members' reports (Table 1).
The 11 elderly persons' average age was 73.4 years and 63.6% were men. These data are similar to a study(6) on health conditions among persons aged 60 or older in the city of São Paulo, carried out through self-referred assessment. This research observed higher incidence levels of CVA among elderly men over 75, accompanied by a larger amount of sequelae.
Most male victims were married, and most female victims widowed. Among the men, the condition of being married favors care delivery by their families.
In terms of education, a majority of participants knew how to read and write, followed by those who had not finished primary education, with four years of study at most. This is in accordance with the Brazilian reality, where most elderly alive did not have the opportunity to learn how to read and write(7). Low education levels can contribute to the appearance of the disease, as this fact, associated with socioeconomic and cultural factors, can difficult awareness about health care needs across a person's life, adherence to treatment and to the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle that limits the effects of risk factors(8).
What profession/occupation is concerned, 81.8% were retired, while the other participants did not have any own income and depended on their partner. As a result of this condition, most elderly needed help from their relatives to complement their low income. This was aggravated even more when the appearance of the disease led to increased expenses.
Most participants (90.9%) were victims of ischemic CVA, and only 9.1% of the hemorrhagic type. This is probably due to the high lethality of hemorrhagic CVA(6).
On the average, the families consisted of 4.3 members. In most of them, two or more generations lived together, characterizing multigenerational households. This fact can create the need for a family arrangement to cope with the situation of having a sick and dependent elderly at home.
We found that most families survived on a monthly family income of about one and a half to two minimum wages, that some members were unemployed and that the parent affected by the disease could not work. Hence, some relatives mentioned the lack of resources to buy food, drugs and disposable diapers, as well as to rent care equipment, among others.
When all members of the family nucleus had the same religion, this was mostly Catholic. In some cases, members in one and the same family mentioned different religions, including Evangelic, Spiritist, Buddhist and Adventist. This mixture did not affect their mutual relations. When questioned, all relatives indicated respect for each other's religion. Evangelicals regularly went to church, while most Catholic family members attended services more sporadically. We found that the disease recovered persons' link with religion, indicated as a possibility of hope to recover from the health problems resulting from chronic disease.
The analysis of the consequences of CVA and the situations it produced revealed changes in family relations. The concept of family relation is linked with connections and/or co-living among family members or persons they find significant. In this study, we look at changes in the domestic environment of the aged person victim of CVA.
For elderly persons, the family is fundamentally important for solidarity and protection, as well as affective relations permeating the family dynamics. When the disease appears, besides breaking the family's organic balance, interferences occur in other levels of life, mainly in co-living with close relatives(9). Hence, a disease like CVA, which can produce sequelae in one of the family members, favors disorganization and changes balance and pre-established interaction patterns. Promoting harmony and understanding among its members is paramount for the reorganization of the family system.
For people to live together, there is a need for an interpersonal relation among family members, with one understanding the other. This is not an easy task, as interpreting other persons' behavior and acknowledging differences sometimes leads to preoccupations, disagreements and difficulties in relations(10). The same author adds that communication is an important strategy to approximate people, and that dialogue is fundamental in family relations.
The most relevant changes for the positive subcategories refer to collaboration for care, improved relations among family members, relatives' support in decision processes and collaboration from neighbors and friends.
Most families mentioned that the family caregiver received both informal and formal support to help in care activities. Wives, daughters and grandchildren assumed the responsibility for direct care.
Two families received support at their homes from a hospital's home visit team, which guided care activities. Relatives described this experience as positive, due to the fact that it made caregivers feel more secure to handle care situations.
The duties imposed by care for the elderly changed family relations. This gave both caregivers and the aged persons the opportunity to obtain new perceptions of themselves and the others, as the care process implies a set of actions that involve attitudes, feelings and commitments.
The greater proximity as a result of care activities stimulated improved relations among relatives, including the aged. Family 4's mother indicated that most children met more frequently and, besides taking care for their father, they also took care of each other. They were concerned about not leaving the care responsibility with one single person and the presence of affection and understanding was clear.
In 54.5% of families, relatives started to dedicate more attention to the elderly, that is, wives, in-laws, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren spent more time with them, talking, watching TV and accompanying leisure activities, among others. Manifestations of harmonious family relations contribution to the aged persons' emotional comfort(11).
The cognitive and motor deficits that affect victims of CVA bring about a large-scale redistribution of family roles. The victims' decision power is considerably impaired and, often, what remains is the illusion that they are still making decisions. In family 7, before the disease, the aged man was autonomous, in spite of alcoholism and even without assuming family revenues. After the CVA, decision power passed to the wife, who assessed the situation as positive, as family organization changed in several ways.
Families 1, 5 and 8 experienced situations related to the responsibility of deciding about the realization of surgical procedures in the elderly, as well as about withdrawing the nasogastric catheter and the start of oral diet. With respect to these procedures, we perceived the importance of all relatives' participation in the decision process, as cohesion made them feel more secure about their final attitude towards intervention.
Some participants mentioned collaboration by neighbors and friends, related to transport, security, company for the elderly when caregivers were absent and support in emergency situations.
In family 3, the daughter indicated the family's tight relation with the closes neighbors, who offered help for some needs. The elderly wife in family 5 spent part of the day alone at home with her aged husband and could also count on neighbors in case of emergency.
It is natural for relatives to cultivate and invest in friendship systems, including outside the family. Some individuals consider friends as people with whom they develop significant and more profound relations. Co-living with these persons can happen in the neighborhood, work environment and school, among other social institutions. The relevance of relations with neighbors and friends was evidenced in terms of their collaboration with daily problems, making the relatives responsible for the aged feel supported and secure.
As to negative subcategories of changes, these included worse relations between the aged person and relatives, increased aggressiveness between the aged and his wife, lack of collaboration for care and distancing from neighbors due to the elderly persons' bad mood.
Elderly persons in families 2 and 7 had a drinking habit, which seriously impaired their relation with relatives before the CVA. Alcoholism can distort or destroy families' self-confidence and self-esteem. Family members can isolate an alcoholic relative and keep only limited contacts with him/her(12).
In family 2, the wife told that her aged husband had a conflicting relation with her and his children, even before the CVA. She also added that, at the time of the interview, he had been even more aggressive and that, during care, he insulted her, spitted on her face and had already tried to physically attack her. She attributed this behavior to the fact that "he is naturally bad-tempered", did not accept to depend on her for body care and financial matters, among other forms of dependence. The same person also had a conflicting relation with his children, grandchildren, in-laws and brothers.
The wife in family 7 mentioned that her aged husband offended both herself and her daughters psychologically and physically. This violence or mistreatment is a complex public health problem, originated in the interaction among biological, social, cultural, economic and political factors(13). The oldest daughter felt revolted by her father's violent attitudes towards the family in the past, and this fact interfered in daily care. This responsibility was assumed by the mother, who also went out to work to sustain the family.
The conflicting relations described above dated back to situations before the occurrence of the CVA, however, with a considerable increase after the disease. The wife in family 2 indicated that neighbors and friends no longer visited their house due to the aged person's bad mood and aggressive behavior.
The lack of collaboration for care can produce conflicts among relatives, as the desire to help cannot solely depend on one single person.
In family 3, the daughter told about conflicts between brothers due to the division of care responsibilities. In an attempt to transfer the aged women to her sister's home, her brother-in-law did not accept. As a result, the aged woman returned to her original home and caregiver. In this case, one sister could not decrease the other's overload due to her husband's opposition to take the aged woman into his home.
Family reports revealed various other impediments to collaboration. The most common ones were external work, obligations towards husband and children and angriness and grudges against the aged person.
Family relations are relevant in terms of love, affection, respect and values, as they contribute to healthy aging(14). These authors also highlight that, in case of health problems, the relation with significant persons and their co-living can help the elderly to cope with and adapt to the instabilities of the disease.
Developing and looking for friendships and close relations is essential when people need one another. Interdependent and complementary relations, characterized by mutual help when needed, generate the support of security and comfort, relevant for survival and paramount in old age(15).
Disorganization, due to the lack of control on the situation produced by chronic disease and aggravated by the family's own life history, makes relatives look for reorganization to achieve a balance, using strategies that can guarantee coping with these situations, with a view to continuing the family's trajectory.
Nursing professionals need to acknowledge and value each family's efforts and potential, using what is positive to give the required support. Families must be encouraged and supported to reorganize and balance the family system by looking into its own daily demands and challenges. This attitude can strengthen and enable the family to attend to the aged person's care needs, as well as to administer the situation all relatives are going through with less suffering and disagreements.
Cerebrovascular accident can cause a range of neurological deficits that produce sequelae, affecting the victims' self-care performance and life maintenance. Besides physical consequences, psychological and social functions also change, exposing family structure, development and functioning.
In the family sphere, family reports demonstrated changes resulting from the disease process, associated with losses due to aging, attributing positive or negative references. These alterations influenced and were influenced by family relations and the families' context itself.
Aged persons' living and co-living in continuous care processes is permeated by feelings of tiredness, stress, exhaustion, but sometimes also by welcoming, affection and tenderness. Care and tiredness as a result of the care process are human conditions that require reflection and support to the care-giving family.
Changes emerged from the situations produced by the chronic disease and aggravated by the family's own life history. They received positive or negative connotations from the perspectives of relatives who were going through the disease process of aged persons who were victims of CVA, presenting sequelae and decreased functional capacity and thus needed help to perform basic and instrumental activities of daily living.
Family dynamics can influence one or more of its members positive or negatively. Multidisciplinary teams can favor families' relations and adaptation to the demands. Nurses who do not know the family structure should not value its difficulties with a view to solving problems.
1. Kling C, Waszynski CM. Topics in neurologic care. In: Molony SL, Waszynski CM, Lyder CH, organizers. Gerontological nursing: an advanced practice approach. Stamford (CT): Appleton & Lange; 1999. p. 311-87. [ Links ]
2. Maturana HR. Biology of Language: The Epistemology of Reality. In: Miller G, Lenneberg E, editors. Psychology and Biology of Language and Thought. New York (NY): Academic Press; 1978. [ Links ]
3. Wright LM, Leahey JM. Enfermeiras e famílias: um guia para avaliação e intervenção na família. 3ª ed. São Paulo (SP): Roca; 2002. [ Links ]
4. Flanagan JC. A técnica do incidente crítico. Arq Bras Psicol Apl 1973 abril-junho; 25(2):99-141. [ Links ]
5. Minayo MCS. O desafio do conhecimento: pesquisa qualitativa em saúde. 7ª ed. São Paulo (SP): HUCITEC-ABRASCO; 2000. [ Links ]
6. Lebrão ML, Laurenti R. Condições de saúde. In: Lebrão ML, Duarte YAO, organizadores. SABE - Saúde, Bem-estar e Envelhecimento - O projeto Sabe no município de São Paulo: uma abordagem inicial. Brasília (DF): Organização Pan-Americana da Saúde; 2003. p.75-89. [ Links ]
7. Rodrigues RAP. Atividade Educativa da Enfermagem Geriátrica: conscientização para o autocuidado de idosas que tiveram queda. [dissertação]. Ribeirão Preto (SP): Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto/USP; 1993. [ Links ]
8. Perlini NMOG. Cuidar de pessoa incapacitada por acidente vascular cerebral no domicílio: o fazer do cuidador familiar. [tese] São Paulo (SP): Escola de Enfermagem/USP; 2000. [ Links ]
9. Paula AAD, Furegato AR, Scatena MCM. Interação enfermeiro-familiar de paciente com comunicação prejudicada. Rev Latino-am Enfermagem 2000 agosto; 8(4):45-51. [ Links ]
10. Althoff CR. Delineando uma abordagem teórica sobre o processo de conviver em família. In: Elsen I, Marcon SS, Silva MRS, organizadores. O viver em família e sua interface com a saúde e a doença. Maringá (PR): Eduem; 2002. p.25-43. [ Links ]
11. Gonzales TBD, Andrade AME, Vea HB. Caracterización de las relaciones familiares del anciano. Rev Cubana Med Gen Integr 2001; 17(5):418-22. [ Links ]
12. Krestan JA, Bepko C. Problemas de alcoolismo e o ciclo de vida familiar In: Carter B, Mcgoldrick M, Aylmer RC, Bepko C, Imber-Black E, Carter B, et al. As mudanças no ciclo de vida familiar: uma estrutura para a terapia familiar. 2ª ed. Porto Alegre (RS): Artes Médicas; 1995. p.415-34. [ Links ]
13. Organizacíon Mundial de La Salud. La violencia, un problema ubicuo. Informe mundial sobre la violencia y la salud: resumen. Washington (DC): OPS; 2002. [ Links ]
14. Oliveira TC, Araujo TL. Mecanismos desenvolvidos por idosos para enfrentar a Hipertensão Arterial. Rev Esc Enfermagem USP 2002 setembro; 36(3):276-81. [ Links ]
15. Crose R. Por que as mulheres vivem mais que os homens: e o que eles podem aprender com elas. Rio de Janeiro (RJ): Editora Rosa dos Tempos; 1999. [ Links ]
Recebido em: 2.2.2005
Aprovado em: 1º.2.2006


text:
Gov. Rick Snyder has appointed Cathy Square, Pontiac's city administrator and director of human resources and public works, as Hamtramck's emergency manager.
The appointment, effective July 1, marks the second time the city's finances have been brought under state supervision. Lou Schimmel, Pontiac's emergency manager, worked in the same role in Hamtramck from 2000 to 2005 under a different state statute.�
"I highly recommended her for the job," Schimmel said Wednesday. "She's being appointed based on her expertise, skills and the great job she did for me while I was in Hamtramck and in Pontiac, of course."
Square said she's excited "to get started so I can get in, get out and get the city back to local control." Per state law, she'll have to submit a financial and operating plan to the Michigan Department of Treasury within 45 days of her appointment.�
Terry Stanton, spokesman for the Michigan Department of Treasury, addressed the fact that this isn't Hamtramck's first date with an emergency manager.�
Stanton said the law Schimmel worked under at the time didn't provide the tools for a long-term fix, but the state's new emergency manager law, which took effect March 28, does. It comes after voters rejected the emergency manager law Public Act 4 in November.�
When Schimmel was Hamtramck's emergency financial manager, Square ran the city's Department of Public Works.
"They probably just started spending again -- that's usually the problem," she said of the city's checkbook falling back under state control. Hamtramck is largely surrounded by Detroit and borders Highland Park, two communities that Square has also worked in.�
Hamtramck, a city of about 22,000 people and 2.1 square miles, has produced budgets that don't accurately project revenues and expenditures, according to the Michigan Department of Treasury. Another reason for the state's intervention: The city's general fund balance dropped from $2.7 million in June 2011 to a negative $582,365 one year later.
"They fell back to their old ways," Schimmel said. "The economy certainly contributed, like it did in Pontiac, as well."
Since 2008, Pontiac's property tax base has shrunk by more than 50 percent. An emergency financial manager was first appointed to the city in 2009.�
As Pontiac's third emergency manager, Schimmel oversees a city where nearly all services have been outsourced or privatized, spending has been cut by $17 million annually and most debt has been paid off. He recently presented a two-year budget and intends to leave City Hall in July.�
Square said she intends to do much the same in Hamtramck: Maximize revenue, cut expenses, sell assets and renegotiate the city's debt.�
"We are finishing up in Pontiac," she said. "Lou's been there for a year and 10 months. We never wasted a day."�
Hamtramck, Schimmel said, has lost substantial amounts of property tax revenue.�
"I think they also have the tough issues of trying to deal with the unions and making really tough decisions that have to be made in the same areas we've been dealing with in Pontiac," Schimmel said, giving the example of retiree health care benefits. �
Square said she's learned that "city workers and management have to do more than one job. I've had three jobs in Pontiac."
She said that she intends to work on regional cooperation.
"Really, Pontiac has had the help of Oakland County and surrounding communities," she said. The city's police protection is provided through a contract with the Oakland County Sheriff's Office, and the Pontiac Fire Department was merged into the Waterford Regional Fire Department last year.�
"I think I am going to be able to tap into some of the regional cooperation and shared services I've seen in Pontiac," Square said.�
Terry King, the city's contract manager, will replace Square.�
In working in cities such as Pontiac and Hamtramck, "you're dealing with a lot of human beings and lives," Square said. "People understand when you tell them the truth."�
Under Public Act 436, the state's emergency manager law, local governments can choose bankruptcy, an emergency manager, mediation or a consent agreement after a financial emergency is found. The Hamtramck City Council voted for an emergency manager earlier this month.�
Snyder said in a statement that Square is well-suited for the job.
"I am certain Cathy will work collaboratively with local officials, citizens, and others to address the financial crisis in Hamtramck and ensure residents receive the essential services they need and deserve," the governor said.�
Snyder also appointed Michael Brown as Flint's emergency manager on Wednesday, replacing Ed Kurtz. Brown previously worked as the city's emergency manager until Aug. 2012.�
Contact staff writer Dustin Blitchok at 248-745-4685 or email@example.com. Follow him on Twitter @SincerelyDustin.

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I think the real questions are going to be whether the rest of the world gets wired fast enough for downloads to surpass physical media, and whether they will get sucked into the payware problem. To me, the tea leaves that I download from RSS suggest that they will not, and Microsoft (and Sun and Apple, for that matter) will be running scared soon enough. My bet is that inexpensive, commodity computers with Linux and BSD, as well as hand-me-downs, will overwhelm the sales of Windows-equipped payware boxen very shortly. FreeBSD and Linux efforts are very strong in Asia, and, if you include China and India, it is already no contest. The only place hard media will survive is the US, and people here are getting a clue, too. The new music market includes downloads from artists who realize that record companies aren't their friends any more, and I think that videos will also come out this way, with the artists' money coming from live performances.
I do think there will be two coexisting worlds in the US for a long time; those who have broadband and download freely, and those who lack the cluefulness and pay for dead tar pit platters of one kind or another.
Gawdammit, my 1.4K cassette download of FORTH from Compuserve just got screwed, the cat knocked the handset out of the 300 baud modem. I'm going to have to start over...
Don Wilde
"There's more than one level to any answer."
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Questions about GTA games, not about the wiki page itself, should be asked at Community:Questions.Remember to always add your signature to the end of your comments/replies using four tildes:
Her House
When Niko and Roman are driving around after their apartment burns down, doesn't Roman ring Mallorie and ask if her Cousin has any houses thay can stay in? Biggest gta fan ever 07:11, 20 July 2008 (UTC)
- Yes. HuangLee 02:41, 18 January 2009 (UTC)
Mallorie Pregnant?
Mallorie is pregnant? is there any picture for proof? If not, it does'nt matter whether she mentioned this or not. This article will NOT be true without images. Captain Seven-Twenty 21:44, 20 September 2008 (UTC)
- From what I understand she reveals, or it is revealed, that she is pregnant in the final mission. Also, this article WILL be true with or without a picture of her pregnant, especially as she might not yet be showing, as she may have only just become pregnant. A reference is a much better option and as I am not a particular fan of GTA IV, I can't find an in-game reference. Maybe someone who has played through can verify this. A-Dust 22:22, 20 September 2008 (UTC)
- There is reference of exactly who reveals it:
- She is also revealed to be pregnant at the end of the "Revenge" storyline. Roman calls Niko and comforts him telling him not to blame himself for Kate's death, Roman reveals Mallorie is pregnant and if it is a girl, they will name it Kate. At the end of the 'Deal' storyline where Roman is killed, Mallorie reveals that she is pregnant and that the child will struggle without a father.
- I will rewrite it to not only follow propper English rules, but to say exactly when it is revealed. Biggest GTA Fan EverTalk 22:30, 20 September 2008 (UTC)
- There is reference of exactly who reveals it:
- In that case I can't help. It has been a long time since I played it, and any referencing I did would be a memory-based guess, and not actual fact. Biggest GTA Fan EverTalk 09:09, 21 September 2008 (UTC)
I think I have a better picture than the inaccurate artwork we currently have.Can we use my picture instead? HuangLee 02:41, 18 January 2009 (UTC)
- It's a wiki! Upload it, add it to the page. If it gets reverted, OK. If not, we keep it. Biggest GTA Fan EverTalk 09:48, 19 January 2009 (UTC)
Gotcha.But we've got another picture now.Not mine,but it's good. HuangLee 23:38, 27 January 2009 (UTC)
Is it ever explained why Mallorie sleeps with Vlad and cheats on Roman? (Stebner603 02:35, 26 May 2009 (UTC))
- Probably intimidation and fear.--Doop. 06:49, 15 August 2009 (UTC)
Was there ever any kind of confirmation that she slept with him other than Roman seeing his car outside her apartment and Vlad's boasting about it to Roman? His car being outside of her apartment isn't necessarily lie detector proof of "she's a cheater" and Vlad's boasting to Roman of him sleeping with her could just as easily be him trying to get under his skin. From what I can remember, Mallorie never admitted it, but never denied it either. Ghost Leader 14:58, December 4, 2009 (UTC)
- There were other clues like Vlad making calls to her and talking about extremely personal stuff, and Vlad being very happy to be meeting someone after he tells Niko to steal a Blista Compact. But yea, there's nothing in the game that explicitly mentioned Mallorie cheating on Roman.--Spaceeinstein 16:05, December 4, 2009 (UTC)
Mallorie is so pretty... just putting it out there. Bun um bum bom!--TheLost~JohnnyKlebitz 03:22, 21 July 2009 (UTC)
- ...You realize she's a pixalated videogame character right... You should probably get outside more often. Grand Theft AJ 22:27, December 4, 2009 (UTC)
- Why can't pixilated video game characters be hot? Ghost Leader 03:01, December 5, 2009 (UTC)
Of course, how silly of me to think otherwise. Forget about those gross human girls, I want one with edges and voice actors. Haha Grand Theft AJ 03:29, December 5, 2009 (UTC)
- Get one with large polygons, too. lol Ghost Leader 15:25, December 5, 2009 (UTC)
How old is Mallorie because there seems to be a dispute on here. In the police database on the game her DOB is listed as 1979 making her 29 as of 2008 but some edits have her DOB as 1980. Which one is actually right? D-Good 83 06:26, May 6, 2010 (UTC)
Unless we know what the sources are for a 1980 birthdate, I would keep it at 1979 since that is what the game itself says. If there are two different sources, they should be discussed. Oddsock 13:04, May 6, 2010 (UTC)
Should we move the page to Mallorie Bellic"? Kanzler31 01:56, August 31, 2010 (UTC)
Nope. For, like, 98% of the storyline, she's Mallorie Bardas.
Related to Henrique Bardas?
I remember reading on the article about being related to Henrique Bardas. If so, they do look a bit alike, however one is Dominican and another is Puertorican. --TheJustinAllenK 00:55, 7 September 2011 (BST)
- Yeah but remember, they're cousins, they can have a parent thats a different race. Mallorie can have a Puerto Rican mother and a Dominican father, the Dominican father can be the brother of Henrique's mother or father etc. etc. I personally think they're related. Why would Rockstar Games put another Bardas and Torres so close, that's too coincidental. Grand Theft AJ 05:16, 7 September 2011 (BST)
Affair Reason
Can anyone confirm that the only reason why she had an affair was because of Roman's debts? -TheJustinAllenK (talk)
- There is nothing in the game that states she slept with Vlad because of Roman's debts. The only reason she slept with Vlad was probably a mix of his continuous attemps to flirt with her, and the fact that Mallorie is aware that Roman cheats on her frequently and felt an "eye for an eye" would be efficient. Whoever added that to the article is talking out of their behind, I'll change that now. Grand Theft AJ (talk) 04:21, 3 March 2012 (UTC)
- There's nothing anywhere in the game that either proves or disproves this so-called affair. Like I said above on this very talk page, Mallorie never either confirmed or denied it and Vlad could easily have been making it all up to get under Roman's skin. This plot is never resolved. Ghost Leader (talk|edits) 08:35, 19 October 2012 (UTC)


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Larry Lago, County Executive Director of the Dickinson/Emmet County Farm Service Agency (FSA), says the Emmet FSA County Committee has completed the Local Administrative Area (LAA) # 1 County Committee Election for 2013. Local Administrative Area #1 comprises the four townships of: Emmet, Estherville, High Lake, and Twelve Mile Lake. The 2013 FSA COC election was conducted for the purpose of electing an area landowner or farm operator to the County FSA Committee for a three-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2013 and expiring Dec. 31, 2016.
With outgoing FSA committeeperson Jay Lausen, local farmer from Emmet Township, having reached his maximum nine-consecutive-year term limit of serving on the Emmet County FSA committee, Craig Borchers, farmer from Twelve Mile Lake township near Wallingford was elected to serve as a member on the committee.
Borchers will represent LAA-1 on the COC replacing the position previously held by Lausen.
Article Photos
The 2013 Emmet County Farm Service Agency Committee is, from left, David Enerson, chairperson; Roslyn Gunderson, vice-chairperson and Craig Borchers, member.
Photo submitted
Borchers began serving his three-year term on the Emmet County FSA Committee Jan. 1.
Wade Lundgren was elected as the LAA-1 1st Alternate to the Committee. Individuals elected as a first alternate, serve respectively, in the absence of the elected committee member and may also be called upon to fill any unexpired term of the committee member representing their LAA.
At their annual county FSA re-organizational committee meeting held in the Estherville USDA Service Center, the committee elected David Enerson to serve as chairperson, Roslyn Gunderson to serve as vice-chairperson, and Borchers to serve as member to the Emmet County FSA Committee for the 2013 year. The committee meets at least quarterly at the Emmet County Farm Service Agency office in Estherville.
FSA CED Lago says that the Emmet County FSA Committee and office staff wishes to acknowledge Lausen for his past nine years of dedicated service to the staff and management at the Emmet County FSA office as well as the contributions he has made for the Emmet County farm owners and operators while serving on the FSA committee.
The Emmet FSA County Committee and staff also wishes to express their appreciation to all the Local Administrative Area #1 landowners & farm operators voters who participated in the 2013 election by voting and returning their COC election ballots.
FSA committees are a critical component of the day-to-day operations of the Farm Service Agency. They help to administer USDA farm programs at the local level. Farmers who serve on committees provide input concerning the kinds of programs their counties will have available and how they will operate. They endeavor to make FSA agricultural programs fit the needs of local producers.


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The Lee County Sheriff's Office Traffic Unit will target at least one of the following three locations for enforcement Friday, Jan. 11:
1. Michael G. Rippe Parkway, Fort Myers
2. Summerlin Road, Fort Myers
3. North Cleveland Avenue (U.S.41), North Fort Myers
Locations are selected based upon high incidents of crashes, traffic surveys and citizen complaints. The Sheriff's Office is committed to promoting traffic safety and enforcing the law. By focusing on violations such as red light running, speeding, DUI and others, motorists become more alert and are encouraged to obey traffic laws. The Sheriff's Office Traffic Unit and District Patrol Deputies enforce our traffic laws each day by issuing citations and warnings. Preliminary results from their cumulative activity yesterday are as follows:
Citations Issued: 45
Written Warnings Issued: 134
Citizens can help by letting us know if they observe problem areas, aggressive or impaired drivers and by their compliance with the rules of the road. To get in touch with one of our traffic deputies call (239) 477-1000. If you see a reckless or drunk driver while you are traveling in your motor vehicle in Lee County, dial 9-1-1.
This traffic enforcement advisory is available each day on the Sheriff's Office website at www.sheriffleefl.org.
Everyone is reminded to "Fasten Your Seat Belts, be courteous to drivers and pedestrians and together we can reduce traffic related fatalities, injuries and property damage.
Note: Red light running is one of the leading causes of traffic accidents. As you approach an intersection controlled by a traffic signal, remember to approach cautiously and be prepared to stop. Racing to beat the light places you and other motorists at serious risk.


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Man saves Polaroid philanthropist from Strafford infernoBy Jason Schreiber
Union Leader Correspondent
February 10. 2014 9:53PM
STRAFFORD — Jason DiVirgilio lost everything when his lake house rental was gutted by a fire on Christmas night, and now he's being hailed a hero for rescuing well-known philanthropist and Polaroid Chairman Robert Sager from a raging inferno early Saturday.
"I would never wish this time of stress and anguish on anyone. It's absolutely terrifying," said DiVirgilio, 32, a lifelong Strafford resident.
DiVirgilio was sound asleep when he got a panicked call from Sager's daughter around 4 a.m. Saturday. She and her brother and his friend were staying at Sager's recently renovated house on Bow Lake's Long Island when they heard fire alarms and smelled smoke.
DiVirgilio maintains the property for the Sagers, and helped renovate the two-story, steel-frame structure with walls made of large sliding glass panels.
DiVirgilio told Sager's daughter to call 911 and that he'd be right there.
He jumped into his SUV and raced toward the island.
"As I drove by I could see a ball of fire shooting out of the house and I knew it wasn't good," said DiVirgilio, who works for Whitcher Builders in Strafford.
Luckily, an access road had been plowed on the frozen lake a week earlier so he was able to drive out to the island.
"When I got there the house was completely involved. It was just a giant blazing inferno. Fire was blowing out every hole in the house," he said.
DiVirgilio found Sager's son and a friend in the front yard.
His daughter had made it safely to an outbuilding on the island. But Sager was trapped on the porch of the second floor, surrounded by flames.
DiVirgilio yelled to Sager to jump, but it appeared Sager couldn't bring himself to jump.
DiVirgilio then remembered the 16-foot ladder on the other side of the house, left behind after some recently completed renovations.
The ladder wasn't quite long enough to reach Sager, but it was all DiVirgilio had.
"I scrambled to get it up to him," he said.
With the flames licking at him, Sager crawled through the fire, blindly stuck his leg over the edge of the porch and felt around for the top rung.
DiVirgilio held the ladder while Sager climbed down. When he made it about three-fourths of the way down, DiVirgilio said the fire was just too intense and he had no choice but to pull the ladder away and let it drop to the ground.
"I knew we were going to get burned at that point," he said.
Once safely on the ground, DiVirgilio, Sager and the others left the island in his SUV and made it to shore around the same time that firefighters and ambulance crews were arriving.
He said it appeared Sager suffered minor burns.
Strafford Fire Capt. David Hartranft said the cause of the blaze remains under investigation by the state Fire Marshal's Office.
He said an improperly extinguished fire in a wood-burning fireplace is one possibility.
Hartranft said there was little firefighters could do to save the home.
Firefighters used a small John Deere Gator all-terrain vehicle and two snowmobiles to reach the house.
"We determined that it really wasn't worth risking personnel and apparatus on the ice," he said.
Firefighters were able to save an outbuilding that houses a sauna, he said.
Katherine Soiett, who works at nearby Sheilah's Deli and Market, knows the Sagers from their visits to the market during the summer months.
"They're very nice and very humble ... They do a lot to help this town. They'd take the shirt off their back for anybody," she said.


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Screen, Printing
The latest from the CES front: This printer (the GT-451 from the ominously named Brother) can print a full color t-shirt in a few minutes, which should come in handy for getting those "Superbowl Champion" t-shirts out of the gate come January.
More people are printing up t-shirts in their basements these days, so if they get the price point low enough, this could be genuinely revolutionary…but we're a bit skeptical. The art tee crowd is a pretty finicky bunch, and we doubt they'll give up screenprinting without a fight.
After all, half of them are still using vinyl.
Via YouTube


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Sorry for stealing your thunder Bromley. I wish they could have run the study long enough to use progression as an endpoint instead of relapses, considering this is a study for secondary progressive. Still it's good to see studies targeting progressive MS.
Treatment of active secondary progressive Multiple sclerosis with treosulfan
H. Wiendl, B.C. Kieseier, R. Weissert, H.-P. Hartung, A. Melms, W. Kueker, M. Weller (Wurzburg, Dusseldorf, Tubingen, D; Oxford, UK)
Objective: Safety and efficacy of treosulfan in patients with active secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SP-MS).
Background: Treosulfan (L-threitol-1,4-bis[methane sulfonate]) is the prodrug of a bifunctional alkylating agent with a favourable profile of side effects, approved for the treatment of ovarian cancer. Immunosuppressive characteristics and pro-apoptotic capacity of treosulfan has been shown on a variety of immune cells. Beneficial effects have been demonstrated in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) under pre-therapeutic and therapeutic conditions.
Study design: In a nonrandomized, open label study eleven patients with active SP-MS who received approved disease modifying drugs that failed to take effect or did not qualify for those drugs were treated with treosulfan for 1 year. Patients received intravenous infusions of 7 g/m2 every 4 weeks for 3 months (cycles 1-4, induction phase) with a predefined one-step dose escalation, thereafter every 3 months for the following 9 months (cyles 5-7, maintainance phase). Cranial MRIs were performed every 3 months, EDSS and MSFC as well as physical examinations were assessed at each clinical visit. Immunocompetent cells from peripheral blood were analyzed in parallel.
Results: Treatment with treosulfan was safe and well tolerated. Nine of 11 patients remained on study drug over the complete treatment period and showed clinical stabilisation or improvement as determined by EDSS and MSFC. Two patients discontinued study participation because of leukocytopenia and withdrawal of consent, respectively. No clinical relapses were observed during the treatment period. Thus, the median number of relapses per year was reduced significantly by 1.5 (range -3 to 0, p<0.016) compared to pre-study. The mean number and volume of T2 lesions as well as T1 lesions did not change significantly over 1 year. Five out of 10 patients under treosulfan showed no newly active lesions, e.g. no Gd enhancing lesions, no new or newly enlarging T2 lesions.
Conclusions: Clinical as well as MRI measures provide initial evidence of efficacy of Treosulfan in active SP-MS. Overall the treatment was safe and well tolerated. Data of this proof-of-concept study support the realisation of a randomised, placebo-controlled three-arm parallel-group, double-blind, multicentre dose-ranging study in secondary progressive and progressive relapsing multiple sclerosis.
Sponsored by: medac GmbH, Wedel, Germany
ECTRIMS link


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With all due respect to Juan Pierre, probably our favorite player in all of baseball, the best team in Marlins Park this season may be performing on the other side of the left field fence.
No matter what the product on the field (How is it we find ourselves optimistic again? The magic of spring …), we always have the Clevelander Marlins Park, the open-air bar in the left field corner well known for its bikini-ed baseball fans in the pool and the topless, body-painted models onstage nearby. And next week, the Clevelander will be looking for a few free agents.
A "casting call" will be held on Tuesday for servers, bartenders and greeters, as well as kitchen, security and housekeeping staff. Hours are from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Clevelander Marlins Park (entrance on Northwest 14th Avenue). You'll find free parking in lots E1, E2 and E3 directly across from the park.
To take part, you must apply online at Clevelander.com/careers prior to arriving at the casting call.
Get daily updates on South Florida entertainment and things to do at SouthFlorida.com and on Twitter at @BenCrandell.


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Old English lifian (Anglian), libban (West Saxon) "to be, to live, have life; to experience," also "to supply oneself with food, to pass life (in some condition)," from Proto-Germanic *liben (cf. Old Norse lifa "to live, remain," Old Frisian libba, German leben, Gothic liban "to live"), from PIE root *leip- "to remain, continue" (cf. Greek liparein "to persist, persevere;" see leave). Meaning "to make a residence, dwell" is from c.1200. Related: Lived; living.
According to the Dutch Prouerbe ... Leuen ende laetan leuen, To liue and to let others liue. [Malynes, 1622]To live it up "live gaily and extravagantly" is from 1903. To live up to "act in accordance with" is 1690s, from earlier live up "live on a high (moral or mental) level" (1680s). To live (something) down "outwear (some slander or embarrassment)" is from 1842. To live with "cohabit as husband and wife" is attested from 1749; sense of "to put up with" is attested from 1937. Expression live and learn is attested from c.1620.
1540s, "having life," later (1610s) "burning, glowing," a shortening of alive (q.v.). Sense of "containing unspent energy or power" (live ammunition, etc.) is from 1799. Meaning "in-person" (of performance) is first attested 1934. Live wire is attested from 1890; figurative sense of "active person" is from 1903.
live (līv)
Having life; alive.
Capable of replicating in a host's cells.
Containing living microorganisms or active virus, as a vaccine.


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The new rail entrance located adjacent to Lafarge North America will bring a rail line into the port that will travel below the BNSF and Union Pacific's north/south mainline on the Columbia River Rail Bridge. This configuration along the banks of the river is said to prevent port-bound rail from blocking the north/south rail line, while increasing the efficiency of rail movement into and out of the port.
Early stages of construction include building a pile supported, watertight trench, which will support the concrete foundation for trains that will travel into the port, including the expanding rail yard corridor.
Methods, including vibratory placement, have been chosen to drive piles into the ground in an effort to minimize audio impacts to neighbors and wildlife.
The advancement of Project 16 is a milestone in the WVFA project and in Vancouver's ever-changing waterfront.
The WVFA project is an effort by the Port of Vancouver USA to create jobs and generate revenue by investing in freight rail infrastructure. Projected to reduce current delays in rail traffic by as much as 40 percent, the project is expected to lower costs for U.S. manufacturers and farmers, making them more competitive in global markets.
Divided into 20 project elements, the WVFA project includes construction of a new dual carrier rail access into the port, enhancement of the port's internal rail system, relocation of port facilities and utilities to accommodate track realignment and improvements to port roadways; all of which are aimed at accommodating growth of existing operations and attracting future private-sector development.


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Promises And Pitfalls In Linux Game Development 118
As a follow up to an article that appeared on GameDev.Net GameDev.Net last year, I've decided to update it and note some of the changes in the industry that have occured, from the news of several developers forming in-house porting teams to Microsoft's stance on opening parts of DirectX. In the original article, I explained the lack of developers interested in developing Linux titles -- their disinterest left the task to a few companies that were established for the sole reason of porting Windows titles to Linux (namely Loki). Since then however, several larger developers have formed in-house teams to port their titles to Linux. That means companies such as Creature Labs, (currently porting Creatures 3 to Linux, should be out very soon), which probably once considered Linux to be so niche that only a group of complete idiots would try and make money out of developing games for it.
Of course, there is always a group of idiots, and those idiots were Loki. By convincing larger developers to outsource the porting, they demonstrated that there is a market on Linux, albeit not a very large one. But how large is the market? According to John Carmack (For cave dwellers: John Carmack is the "big guy" at id software), sales of the Linux version of Quake III Arena were worse than bad, but is that a suitable example?
Like many examples of the poor sellers blamed for the lack of new Linux games, the Linux version of the product was released after the Windows release, but the datafiles were compatible with various other operating systems. With patches and downloads for the other platforms freely available on the Internet, why would should people wait a few months to get the latest gore-fest when they can buy the Windows version, reboot, and play on another platform until the binaries for Linux become available?
The sales figures that the skeptics quote should never be considered of any merit until a few games are released for Linux and Windows simultaneously.
Many people seem to be under the delusion that publishers wouldn't be interested in Linux games, but this isn't the case. Granted, many of the publishers who are prepared to venture into the world of Linux are usually associated with budget titles and/or long dead platforms, they seem to have faith, and with shops such as TuxGames offering a wide range of Linux title, it seems there is a market after all.
But what about the developers? Well, it seems that many of the larger developers aren't prepared to take a chance on Linux, with companies stating that there are too many complications when developing with Linux, such as the lack of DirectX-like APIs.
Sure, we have OpenGL, but with the release of DirectX 8, the cross-platform API just doesn't cut it anymore. Lacking universal support for vertex and pixel shaders, developers are forced into the situation where they can either reduce the quality of their titles by ignoring the improved features that the newer releases of DirectX offer, or by ignoring Linux.
Unfortunately, many developers choose the latter option, instead of thinking about writing clean code which allows the operating system to be accessed only through an abstraction layer, reducing development times for ports as well as allowing the programmers to change the lower-level code without breaking anything.
In a recent discussions with Tony Cox, head engineer of Microsoft Gaming Relations, he informed me that Microsoft is currently looking at ways of opening up parts of DirectX, with the aim of getting the technology onto non-Windows platforms.
When we originally discussed the issue, he was refering to getting DirectPlay support for the PlayStation 2, but in later discussions he mentioned that they may allow 3rd party developers to do the work for them, including Linux support.
With the ever increasing commercial interest in Linux, from both publishers and the developer studios themselves, it is only a matter of time till shelf space in your local EB is dedicated to Linux.


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School News
One Act Play is fourth in state
- Details
- Category: School News
- Published on 22 May 2013
- Written by Mount Vernon Optic-Herald
The Mount Vernon High School one act play cast and crew of "...And the Rain Came to Mayfield" finished in fourth place out of eight plays at the state competition on Tuesday, May 21 in Austin. Kristen Linseisen was named best actress. Grayson Pennington was named to the all star cast and Trevor Wallace received honorable mention all star cast. See the May 23 edition of the Mount Vernon Optic-Herald for more information.


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Ask Slashdot: Wiring Home Furniture? 235
b1tbkt writes "So it seems that furniture manufacturers have not yet acknowledged the realities of modern life. Kitchen tables could benefit greatly from built-in concealable receptacles. Even more obvious is the need for electrical wiring in couches and coffee tables. I realize that there are safety (fire) concerns but as it stands most families that I know already have power cords for laptops, tables and phones draped over, under and through their couches at any given point. If someone wanted to wire their furniture with AC or some type of standardized LV DC system, what are some dangers to watch for and what, if any, specialized hardware exists for the purpose?"


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That looks like 70's vagina porn hair on Sanchez's face.
He's so awful, I think I jst peed myself. Sort of an empathy piss for the players that deserve better.
That looks like 70's vagina porn hair on Sanchez's face.
WE are ax swinging mofos. look out league!
Even when good things happen, I sit here impassively, worried that the *braintrust* will delude themselves into thinking that the team is about to turn a corner.
Cro is definitely mvp of this team. Dude stepped up and has come a long way from his soft playing, non-pulling out days in SD
I really hope this game ends 7-6. That would be awesome.
Pink face's d-line is getting some push!
I'm gonna go start a Jets playoff scenario thread on the strip! Keep swing that ax
Not to name drop, but gilyard's brother is a motorcycle cop in my town.
chop wood *****es1 powell runs with purpose
did that announcer just say Rex would put in Tebow so that the Jax fans are happy?
oh, really? that's a strategy?
Buy your wood chopping T's now. 2012 Jets keep swinging ax.
Jets are making it clear that they are a mid-pack team. They beat crappy teams and get their asses handed to them by good ones. 14-17 pick in the draft


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BBH's Scott Clemons On Surviving the Uncertainty
Brown Brothers Harriman's Chief Investment Strategist Scott Clemons gives tips on how to navigate the economic uncertainty. He also tells Dow Jones' Veronica Dagher about a risk many financial advisers may be underestimating.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... the were the room ... it's so much uncertainty what an advisor to do ... it again at three ten says Brown Brothers Harriman chief investment strategist ... Scott Clemons ... got so what are kids was no keep liquidity and nine s are getting asset allocation but I think when a lot of folks here of liquidity the think Cashman eat ... your cash they think oh you know you not making a ton of money so what you stated that a lot to write and be the key is to not allow the uncertainty and volatility of markets actually the real ... and otherwise can only investment plan ... so one thing in investor might do an advisor might talk to clients I was thinking of liquidity as the source of liquidity in a portfolio's coastal sourced return to ... their by buying themselves a will but more patients in the rest of the portfolio ... returns to come from supposed to catch sight so he didn't example of how an advisor might ... be able to get out the clock ... bullet points are practices asked us to go to ... cash flow modeling exercise actually look what they're spinning the story of this particular case for three years on time ... and then take that put me in this particular case in the short term bond funds not trickling in a money market funds the little that you would ... thereby preserving liquidity ... needed for the rest of her portfolio to only have to worry about what the stock market is ... more ... difficult bought themselves a long-term investment on its ... interest saying ... that why your tips is that he'll focus on companies are sectors that are still affected by Europe or whatever the latest ten minus twenty mean by that what are some opportunities spokeswoman get beaten to the boring companies that boring is fine now but it kind of companies that thrive no matter what's going on for not rely on the outcome of the Greek crisis hotline on the outcome of a plough collection ... what happens and the economy ... we find was a lot of consumer ... staples sector the kind of companies that sell essential products and services the kinds of things you buy and consume ... no matter what's going on ... owning a long-term unfortunately the team to the companies the PTC defeating the swells and too little return ... wells that are often the ... Guinea get us any and ... classic men's Johnson Johnson for a familiar name ... it's a company with two hundred fifty on the line operating companies presidents sixty geographic markets ... probably fifty percent market share or more as an iconic brand ... history by sea Tylenol means for ... me and in the ... morning of Nov seventy wake up and you work I didn't win the presidency it's not a great day for you but you're still ... consume these kinds of products ... these three nap percent dividend yield ... that the breeze for fifty years in a row of the time it companies ... I think investors and advisors can live with a longer time frame ... and not worry about the fall to lead market not recall what can happen ... economy election things ... yes very interesting now there's a lot of risk out there as we mentioned so if anyone left investment of what what may be but one Risk Advisors Need to be keeping in mind that maybe they're not thinking about not ... one thing I think is a line under the radar screen if you will doesn't get a whole lot of coverage and I think it's improved alot Investment conversations ... is the risk of inflation ... it seems odd to say that because inflation today is less than two percent on Maurice and can that be it doesn't take a lot of inflation to eat away at the real value will over time due to long term investor ... and of course as always the risk of inflation priced as low as it is ... I don't see inflationary pressures on the near-term horizon ... as it rises over time it's something advisors need to be talking to clients about ... today and not wait for the reality is that anyway to protect against that now for the future ... I think only the kinds of companies Johnson Johnson's drug samples that have pricing power companies that have the ability ... to pass on to bear in the consumer's ... Guinea price increases that they feel ... it's also critical consumer part of your shareholder company ... disinflationary protection to hedge ... your and you're hopeful ... Greek said thank you so much Scott thank you for ...


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Legislation to strengthen violence prevention standards at health care facilities across the state has been withdrawn in the Senate — ending its chances for passage in Annapolis this session.
Sen. Katherine Klausmeier, a Baltimore County Democrat and the bill's sponsor, said she submitted a withdrawal letter to the finance committee Monday after stakeholders representing nursing homes and assisted living facilities expressed concerns that it would not leave room for individualized approaches to dealing with violence in varying clinical environments.
"There were just so many different ways of providing safety, so we decided to just withdraw the bill," Klausmeier said. Klausmeier has asked all those involved in the process, including workers' unions and the Maryland Hospital Association, which all supported the bill, to continue to work on the issue through the summer.
"I told them all to work on it," she said. "The bottom line is we want to keep employees safe and we want to keep patients safe."
The bill would have required public and private facilities to improve safety by establishing violence-prevention committees consisting of management and employees; establish a violence-prevention program; produce annual violence assessments and provide regular workplace violence training for employees.
It was based on concerns that health care workers are disproportionately the victims of workplace violence in Maryland.
A fiscal note attached to the bill had estimated costs would be nearly $115,000 in 2014 and more each subsequent year, in part because of the need for the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation to hire two new employees to enforce the new regulations proposed.
Del. Tom Hucker, who cross-filed a similar bill in the House, said he was disappointed that Klausmeier had pulled her version. He said he was also frustrated that nursing home representatives had stood in the bill's way.
"I'm disappointed that the nursing home chains chose to focus on defeating the bill rather than working together to improve their terrible worker safety record," Hucker wrote in an email. Hucker cited statistics he obtained from the Service Employees International Union that found nursing homes are more violent than hospitals, and said they should not be exempt from future legislation applying to hospitals. He supports continued dialogue on the issue.
Nursing care and assisted living representative organizations said they already have extensive standards and protocols for dealing with workplace violence that are tailored to the individual environments where they care for patients and residents.
Danna Kauffman, vice president of public policy for LifeSpan, which represents nursing care and assisted-living facilities, said she and other opponents of the bill are "always willing to come to the table" to discuss workplace safety.
Joseph DeMattos, president of the Health Facilities Association of Maryland, an organization representing skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers that opposed the bill, said in an email that his group looks forward "to better identifying what's working and not working in various settings in health care and among other Maryland employers and to identify additional policies or procedures that will make a difference."


text: Inspired by GF and Bagapath I decided to take a shot at my favorite XI. Over 30 years of watching cricket and well before the time of the cable TV (which arrived in Pakistan in the mid 90s). Some of the cricketers I only got to watch on video tape on that cool gadget in those days called the VCR :d (or unless highlights were later shown on PTV) but they left a lasting impression. Others I was fortunate enough to watch live. So I will kick off my countdown with one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time.


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Guestbook 2012
April 2012
From the moment we drove through the gates, Borgo Santo Pietro has been like a dream. The attention to detail and service has made it the best place we've ever stayed at. We've already planned our return… with family, friends or even strangers!
George & Francesca Wareing
April 2012
Thank you for a most enjoyable stay and all the extra activities. The food was fabulous and the friendly staff contributed to a memorable stay. Thank you!
Gary & Helen Wasley, South Afria
April 2012
There is heaven and there is Borgo Santo Pietro. I know where I would rather be! Congratulations for having created a truly sublime haven. I feel restored!
Rosanne Sullivan, Gloucestershire
19 April 2012
We spent 4 wonderful days in "The House of the Wind" (Borgo Santo Pietro) and we absolutely loved it!!!
Thanks to the whole attentive staff. We could have found no better place for our 40th wedding anniversary than here… all the best to all the future honeymooners!
Ann-Marie and Hanz Fahrion, Muncich, Germany
April 2012
Thank you so much again for another amazing stay in such a wonderful place hosted by wonderful people. We have been pampered, fed and watered with much wine and loved it1 We cannot wait to come back in June for our wedding!
Fiona & Jean
Aprile 2012
Chi se ne andrebbe mai? Siamo stati benissimo. È un posto incantevole con un'ospitalità straordinaria- 9E veramente un angolo di paradiso. Qui il tempo trascorre serenamente. ho passato una delle Pasque più belle della mia vita con mia moglie. Torneremo presto.
Alessandra e Gianluca
26 April 2012
We spent 3 marvelous days here in this romantic and amazing hotel Borgo Santo Pietro. Thanks for taking care of us and the patience teaching us about the region, wine and foods. We hope to be back to this amazing place as soon as possible.
Cristiano and Isabella Yunes, Saõ Paulo - Brazil
29 April 2012
We're in heaven!! Cannot wait to come back. Thank you so much for your absolute attention to detail - it blew our minds. We will be back. It was also so lovely to feel relaxed - not stuffy - despite all the wonderful luxuries.
Gery and Andrew Webste
May 2012
Michael and I stay in many hotels for business and for pleasure. Very few of them do we choose to share with family and friends - as we will with Borgo Santo Pietro. It is beautiful - breathtaking to the last detail, and more important the staff is absolutely wonderful! When we spend/invest precious time in a vacatio, it is certainly the beauty of a place - but most the friendliness and the service that makes a place most special and worth sharing. Thank you for everything! We will be back - and we will be sending many friends and family!
Alison & Michael
San Mateo, CA
May 2012
We didn't want to leave! Ever! We will be back as soon as we can. Thank you to all the fantastic staff that have made our honeymoon so special.
Alex & Tasha Robinson
London, UK
May 2012
We can't thank you guys enough for your hospitality. As newly weds, this is the place we will always remember for our honeymoon. Ibai was so generous for sharing with us his "second home". Will be back one day with the little ones. And we loved Mimi.
Robin and Samuel Hung
New York City
June 2012
Simply divine! A huge thank you to our wonderful friends at Borgo for another amazing few days of heaven. You have made the children so welcome and as always have looked after us like royalty. We will be thinking of you always and of course will be back soon. We love you all.
Corrina, Clifford, Toby & Chloe Giles
June 2012
This is our third time back to Borgo and each time it gets better and better! We can see all the huge work that the Borgo team has doe to ale this special place so perfect!
This has been a very special weekend away for us because my boyfriend chose the gardens of Borgo to propose to me! It was perfect and I couldn't imagine a more better place to do it! We can't wait to return and see all the wonderful stuff! This will remain a special place in our hearts forever!
Karen & Dean
July 2012
Perfection needs no words…
Qhian & James
Kew, London
July 2012
Just wanted to say a massive thank you for making our honeymoon absolutely perfect. you really have spoilt every other holiday we ever plan to take as nothing and no hotel will ever compare to this one! We are already planning to return next year, and the year after, and the after…
See you soon,
John & Fiona
July 2012
A little gem. So precious in the Tuscan setting. We'll be back soon! Thanks all.
July 2012
We are in love with this special place you have created. It is an absolute magical place! The gardens, flowers, food and service are impeccable. Mimi is our favorite part!
Thank you so much for the amazing time.
Owen and Katie Leary
San Francisco, CA
August 2012
What a magical way to start our honeymoon! Borgo Santo Pietro is beautiful, tranquil, rustic, elegant and so comfortable. the staff is warm and knowledgeable and feels like friends welcoming you home. We can't wait to come back and share this special place with our family and friends. Absolute bliss in the beautiful Tuscan hills. Long may it continue!
Lots of love,
Laura and Ben Becker
August 2012
What a very special place you have created. Your passion is what makes it so unique with a very special attention to detail coupled with excellent staff.
Can't wait to have an excuse to return.
Amanda & Paul


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The addition of Cam Cameron to Les Miles' coaching staff may have been the best "recruit" the head coach signed for 2013 season.
A look at LSU's quarterback, passing attack and running game against a top 20 team has given Tiger fans a lot to look forward to this year.
The Tigers offense, while still struggling in the Red Zone, put up 37 points and looked to be vastly improved from the nightmare 2012 season.
Saturday LSU visited the Red Zone six times, scoring three touchdowns and settling for three field goals.
Zach Mettenberger was 16-32 for 251 yards and one touchdown. His completion percentage was hurt by several drops by Tiger receivers.
Mettenberger was in control of the offense and never looked rattled against an athletic TCU defense.
Alfred Blue made his first start since a season ending injury last year. Blue had 89 yards on 19 carries and Terrance McGee was quite the complement to Blue, gaining 95 yards on 13 carries, including a 52 yard touchdown run.
Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr. led the Tiger receiving corps. Landry had eight receptions for 109 yards and a touchdown. Beckham Jr. had five catches for 115 yards, but also had a couple of dropped passes. LSU is still searching for a number three receiving target. Kadron Boone and Travin Dural each had one reception.
Now to the stats. LSU ran the ball for 197 yards compared to TCU's 114 yards, Mettenberger threw for 251 yards, while the combo of Casey Pachall and Trevone Boykin threw for 145 yards.
Even more impressive, the Tigers had 26 first downs to TCU's 13 first downs and won the time of possession battle 36:01 to 23:59.
LSU's offense, barring any sudden injuries, looks to be one that can score against any opponent and will help a young defense grow stronger each week.
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SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – For the second consecutive year, the UC Santa Barbara men's basketball program has signed an outstanding class of recruits. This time, the program has inked four standout high school seniors to National Letters of Intent, head coach Bob Williams announced Friday. Combined with the current class of five outstanding freshmen, the Gauchos future seems bright.
The two-time defending Big West Conference champion Gauchos' recruiting class includes: Sam Beeler, a 6-foot-10 forward from Poway High School in Poway, Calif.; Mitch Brewe, a 6-foot-8 forward from Seattle Prep High School in Seattle; Michael Bryson a 6-foot-4 wing from Foothill High School in Sacramento; and Dalante Dunklin, a 6-foot guard from Francis Parker High School in San Diego.
"As a staff, I think we've done another great job," Williams said. "For the second straight year, we've signed four players who all have a chance to have outstanding careers at UCSB and keep us playing at a very high level."
Here is a look at UCSB's four signees:
Sam Beeler – F, 6-10, 210, Poway, Calif. (Poway HS)
Beeler is a very skilled forward who has great length, very good feet, jumps well and runs the floor effortlessly. His shooting range stretches to 15-feet and he has outstanding hands. He is rated seventh among post-forwards in California by NetWorxBasketball.com. As a junior at Poway High School, Beeler averaged 15.5 points, 9.7 rebounds and 4.5 blocked shots per game. He was named First Team All-Palomar League and to the San Diego Union-Tribune Academic All-County Team. In his AAU experience, Beeler played for Gamepoint Basketball. His high school coach is Aaron Little.
"Sam is very long and a good athlete," Williams said. "He is a late bloomer and does certain things at the collegiate level already; blocks shots, runs the floor and catches the ball. Sam needs to get stronger, but he has as much upside as anyone in this recruiting class."
Mitch Brewe – F, 6-8, 230, Seattle, Wash. (Seattle Prep HS)
Brewe is a big, strong post player who can also face-up and shoot. As a junior at Seattle Prep, he led the Panthers to the State 3A Tournament, averaging 22 points and 10 rebounds per game. Following the year, he was named to the Associated Press All-State Team and the Seattle Times' Star Times Team. Brewe was also selected All-3A Metro League. He is ranked among the top-10 at his position on the West Coast by NetWorxBasketball.com and as a senior, he stands to become his school's all-time leader in points and rebounds. As a sophomore, he averaged 16.9 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. His AAU team was Friends of Hoop. His high school coach is Mike Kelly.
"Mitch is a big, strong and physical presence inside," Williams said. "He can shoot the ball from 15-feet in and is a very good rebounder and defender. Physically, he will be ready to play and, along with Al (Alan Williams) will help us make-up for the loss of Jaimé (Serna) and Greg (Somogyi)."
Michael Bryson – G, 6-4, 190, Sacramento, Calif. (Foothill HS)
Bryson is a long, athletic player who can take the ball to the basket or shoot the three-pointer. He has great shooting range and averaged 14.4 points and 3.5 assists per game as a junior at Foothill High School. Bryson made 46 three-point baskets and was named First Team All-Pioneer Valley League. He is ranked No. 17 on the NorCal Preps top-40 list. Before choosing to play basketball exclusively, Bryson also played football and ran cross country at Foothill. At the AAU level, he played for Play Hard, Play Smart. High school coach is Drew Hibbs.
"Michael is in the mold of some of the highly skilled, big guards we have had; Cecil (Brown), Branduinn Fullove, Alex Harris, O.J. (Orlando Johnson) and James (Nunnally)," Williams said. "He's 6-4 or 6-5, can bounce it, is tough and can rebound. He is also a very deep three-point shooter and just a great scorer."
Dalante Dunklin – G, 6-0, 165, San Diego, Calif. (Francis Parker HS)
Dunklin is very strong and athletic and has great lateral quickness. He plays with a great deal of energy and has a high basketball IQ. He is ranked 22nd on the Cali High Sports Top-30 List and No. 40 among point guards nationally by ESPN.com. Averaged 11.9 points and 5.8 assists per game as a junior at Francis Parker HS and was named All-Coastal League as well as to the all-defensive team. Dunklin's AAU Team was Dream Vision. Coached in high school by Jim Tomey.
"He's a stud," Williams said. "Like T.J. (Taylor), as soon as I went into his home on a recruiting visit, I was sold on him. Dalante is a great young man. He's close to his family and is a joy to coach. He is a very heady player and can play the point or the off. He has done nothing but win during his career. He is also a great defender who doesn't back down on that end. He's the type of player a successful program needs."
Along with UCSB's five-player recruiting class from last year, the new foursome will give the Gauchos an outstanding foundation for the next few years.
"This is another top recruiting year for us," Williams said. "We had to put outstanding back-to-back recruiting classes together to replace some great players and we've done that."
UCSB could enter the 2012-13 season with 10 freshmen and sophomores on a roster of 13 players. Last year's early signing period saw the Gauchos sign forwards Alan Williams (North HS/Phoenix, Ariz.) and Taran Brown (Campbell County HS/Gillette, Wyo.) and guards John Green (Westwind (Ariz.) Prep/Oakland, Calif.) and T.J. Taylor (Oakland HS/Oakland, Calif.). In addition, the program added forward Lewis Thomas (Australian Institute of Sports/Perth, Australia), who is also a scholarship player after initially arriving as a non-scholarship athlete.
"We should be young, but very talented," Williams said. "We have addressed our needs and were very fortunate to get two bigs that we are excited about. Overall, I am extremely pleased with where we are after our last two recruiting classes."


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Mini Horse Rescued From Sinkhole In Chatham
A poor little horsie was stuck in a sinkhole this morning in South Chatham. Around 6am this morning, the 15 year old miniature horse was found trapped in a hole about 4 feet deep.
It's believed to be an old septic system where the hole was, so that kind of makes him falling into the hole even worse, and stinky! Poor lil guy!
Chatham firefighters were able to dig a ramp and the mini horse was able to escape on his own that way. I bet he was scared, poor horsie! I'm so glad he was able to get rescued and wasn't hurt in the process!


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Please note: You are viewing an archived Bucknell University news story. It is possible that information found on this page has become outdated or inaccurate, and links and images contained within are not guaranteed to function correctly.
On a building close to the former Berlin Wall, a mural stretching more than four stories shows two masked men, one upended and forming an "E" with his fingers and the other displaying a "W" with his hand.
The mural, painted by Italian graffiti artist Blu during the 2007 Urban Grassroots: Planet Prozess exhibition, presumably represents the reunification of East and West Berlin.
"The two Germanys are trying to take each other's masks off," explained Bastian Heinsohn, an assistant professor of German at Bucknell University who studies graffiti, or street art, in Berlin and other cities in the midst of revitalization. "They are looking at one another, maybe trying to get to know each other."
Street art is an integral part of the landscape in Germany's capital city, which has undergone a dramatic urban transformation since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the formal reunification of East and West in 1990, Heinsohn said. The mural by Blu, which stands in the Kreuzberg district of Berlin, also is indicative of both legal and illegal art that speaks against globalization and gentrification. Kreuzberg is one of several areas of Berlin where modest housing and traditional corner bars are being displaced by stark, high-rise office buildings, townhouses and sushi bars.
"My approach to street art is to read it as text and to examine what it means in the context of urban space," Heinsohn said. "The street is a public gallery for creative work where everybody can express their voice, but it is not static. It might be gone the next day. It shows how you can perceive your urban environment in a different way."
Endless canvas
Graffiti and street art as commentary on redevelopment is not just happening in Berlin. The phenomenon also is occurring in parts of Rio de Janeiro; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Brooklyn, N.Y.; and other areas that teeter between redevelopment and gentrification, Heinsohn said. The blank walls of abandoned and half-deconstructed buildings in Berlin, however, provide seemingly endless canvas for both sanctioned and illegal art. The art comes in forms ranging from large murals to sprayed stencils, scratched graffiti, paste-ups, cut-outs, stickers and slogans such as "Reclaim your city" and "Diese Stadt ist gekauft," which means "This city is bought."
During the 20 years since its reunification, Berlin had to catch up, Heinsohn noted, and the rebuilding of the city has come with growing pains. Heinsohn plans to present his research findings in a talk, "Critical Voices from the Underground: Street Art and Urban Transformation in Berlin," at the Ninth International Conference on New Directions in the Humanities in June in Granada, Spain. He also is writing a book tentatively entitled "The Language of the Urban Street in German Cinema."
"The massive changes and transformations in the urban landscape have been answered by politicized forms of street art," he said. "My project is less about reading and interpreting the individual pieces rather than seeing them in the context of social commentary and as response to that urban transformation.
"Street art can even be considered an individual attempt at urban beautification in a city, especially in districts such as Kreuzberg, which is famous for its avant-garde, edgy and artsy flair," he said. "That area is increasingly becoming a space of large-scale projects, commercial and corporate buildings, urban renewal and gentrification."
The street in film
Heinsohn's study of street art is an extension of his research on urban streetscapes in German film. He is writing a book about the cinematic representation of Berlin from the 1920s to the present. The book in part will discuss how the street and street art defines or codes cities in film.
"If you want to find out the condition of a country at this moment, you have to look at the street," he said. "You express yourself in the street, and you see things in the street."
The portrayal of the street in German film has evolved with significant historical events, Heinsohn noted. Before the Berlin Wall, films showed East and West with transient borders. In the 1960s, urban streets largely disappeared from German film and instead were replaced with bucolic scenes, an apparent avoidance of the guilt and trauma of war. The street often sets the tone of a film. The view of a street from above can denote a period in history, the time of day or the mood of a city. The juxtaposition of images of torn and traumatized urban space with new buildings can suggest conflict with redevelopment.
A 'conversation' in the street
Street art can serve as part of a living commentary and conversation about what is happening in a city, especially a city in transformation, Heinsohn said. In the Greenpoint and Williamsburg sections of Brooklyn, N.Y., for instance, where abandoned warehouses sit next to new, nondescript loft apartments and offices, graffiti artists have painted elaborate and colorful murals.
"Warehouses that are about to be demolished are the perfect location for street art because the location is temporary and may be gone the next day," Heinsohn said. "This street art is not political. It is more a phenomenon that needs to be seen as the artist's giving his own expression to an area that is looking more and more plain with high-rise and glass-covered buildings. The new buildings are neat and clean and almost seem out of place. The old buildings are remnants of a past that is soon to be forgotten."
'City of Design'
In Berlin, as much as street art is an expression of the underground and anti-establishment, it is a tool for marketers to portray the city as gritty, edgy and modern. In fact, street art tours are offered in the city. And the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization named Berlin a "City of Design" because of its focus on the arts and design.
"There is no question that you will see street art in Berlin, because it's omnipresent," Heinsohn said. "Street and urban art are part of what makes Berlin Berlin, and it is part of the way the city markets itself. The image that the city is dirty or edgy sells better than the image of glass facades and skyscrapers. There is a creative look to the city but also a voice against what the city has turned into. Street art is a critical commentary on aspects of globalization and gentrification."
The blending of illegal and legal art is prevalent in Berlin, and enforcement against illegal art is inconsistent, especially in revitalized areas such as Mitte, Prenzlauer Berg, Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain, Heinsohn said. The Blu mural, a legal piece, partially obscures an unsanctioned message commonly seen in Berlin: "Reclaim your city." The slogan "Clean is boring," painted on a new townhouse, may be removed or painted over, while a stencil of an intriguing female by the artist XOOOOX, with his signature assortment of X's and O's, may be preserved. XOOOOX critically comments on the fashion world in his work.
Underground goes mainstream
Organized events such as "Planet Prozess," in which 40 graffiti artists from around the world left their mark in the capital city, contribute to an irony that as street art has become more common and graffiti artists well-known, it has become trendy, Heinsohn said.
The street art world claims a number of well-known artists whose work on the street may be recognized through distinctive styles or signature tags. Probably the best-known among them is the British artist Banksy, who is famous for his politically charged stencil art, such as a piece on a wall in Palestine showing a young girl elevated by a bunch of helium-filled balloons, as if she will be lifted above the wall. The identity of Banksy, whose story was told in the movie "Exit Through the Gift Shop," is not known, but his work has been exhibited in The Tate Gallery in London among other prominent venues.
A renowned Parisian artist, JR, also conceals his identity but has won awards for his dramatic portrayal of the faces of poverty, painted on the closely stacked structures of the Favelas, the poorest residential area of Rio de Janeiro. His work also has been exhibited in galleries and sold for tens of thousands of dollars.
"There are definitely limits to street art," Heinsohn said. "In a way, they have to stay anonymous. What is the statement? It is not always radical or political in that it wants to change something but more an expression and adding something to the space. It is using public space as your own and giving new insight into the environment, examining things and questioning things and not taking things for granted."
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Monarchs Open C-USA Tourney Play Against Marshall
March 11-15, El Paso, TX. - No. 6 ODU (15-16) vs. No. 14 Marshall (11-21)
ESPN Radio 94.1 in Hampton Roads
Broadcast will include a pre- and postgame show!; The Monarch broadcasts are on ESPN 94.1 in Hampton Roads; WZEZ 100.5 in Richmond and WBRG 104.5 FM & 1050 AM in Lynchburg, VA. The Play-by-Play announcer is ODU's director of BroadcastingTed Alexander. Dave Twardzik will be the color analyst for all home games.
The C-USA Digital Network will offer exclusive streaming coverage its men's and women's basketball championships as teams battle for titles in El Paso, Texas. The Digital Network will show a total of 23 live games as well as provide press conferences and feature stories throughout the week-long event.
The ODU InGame Mobile App
The ODU InGame App is completely FREE and is compatible with Apple and Android products. The ODU InGame Mobile App includes links for the live radio broadcast, social media feeds and up to the minute fan information!