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SPRINGFIELD – Legislation to put a one-year hold on the creation of new online charter schools has cleared the Illinois House.
The state House of Representatives passed legislation Wednesday that would amend the state's charter school law, putting a moratorium in place until April 1, 2014, "on the establishment of charter schools with virtual-schooling components" in most public school districts statewide.
The vote was 80-36. The bill now moves on to the state Senate.
The legislation also directs Illinois' State Charter School Commission to use that time to craft "a report on the effect of virtual-schooling," which would include evaluating student performance, online charter school costs and "issues with oversight."
Lawmakers also directed the commission to "include policy recommendations for virtual-schooling."
The legislation was introduced by state Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia, D-Aurora, a week ago.
The legislation quickly gained support from Democratic and Republican lawmakers, including state Reps. Robert Pritchard, R-Hinckley, and Kay Hatcher, R-Yorkville.
The legislation came in response to a proposal from Virtual Learning Solutions to open the Illinois Virtual Charter School at Fox River Valley.
The online school was proposed to include students from 18 school districts in DeKalb, Kane, DuPage, Kendall, McHenry and Will counties, and would be funded by local school district funds, estimated at up to $8,000 a student.
Seventeen of the 18 school districts had rejected the proposal before the House voted on it, and the last district, Valley View School District 365U, was scheduled to vote on it Wednesday night.
In DeKalb County, both DeKalb School District 428 and Sycamore School District 427 rejected the proposal.
Without a moratorium, Virtual Learning Solutions can appeal those decisions to the State Charter School Commission.
Lawmakers supporting the moratorium said they had concerns over a lack of regulation to govern virtual schools.
Pritchard applauded the bill's passage in the House, and said he believed the pause was needed to give time to "clarify standards" for virtual charter schools and investigate how much Virtual Learning Solutions proposed to charge per student.
Despite those concerns, Pritchard said he and other supporters of the moratorium were not opposed to the concept of online charter schools.


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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.
LEWISBURG, Pa. — Recent Bucknell University graduate Christopher Kulish has received a Student Research Award from the Pennsylvania Water Environment Association (PWEA) for his research work related to characterization and treatment of the brine wastewater generated by hydraulic fracturing of Marcellus Shale for natural gas extraction.
Kulish, who graduated in May from Bucknell with a degree in civil and environmental engineering, was honored for his research paper, "Marcellus Shale Natural Gas Wastewater Characterization and Treatment, and Susquehanna Watershed Total Dissolved Solids Analysis." The paper was selected by PWEA's Research Committee for both podium and poster presentations at the 2010 annual conference, PennTec, in State College, on June 14.
For his research paper and presentation, Kulish received a $250 award check and participated in the "Research Session and Discussion on Sustainable Environment" session at the conference.
Growing environmental impact
As natural gas extraction from the Marcellus shale in Pennsylvania grows exponentially, the potential for environmental impact grows, as evidenced by the well blowout that occurred in Clearfield County on June 3-4.
"The brine that flows back out of a hydraulically fractured well is up to six times saltier than sea water, according to Chris's data," said Kevin Gilmore, visiting assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering and Chris's advisor for the research work.
"Chris's work has provided more information as to the chemical makeup of this wastewater, helping researchers and practitioners develop more appropriate strategies for treating the contaminants."
Unique undergrad honor
Of the six students from across Pennsylvania universities, Kulish was the single student whose award honored research conducted at the undergraduate level, according to Gilmore.
"This fact underscores the quality and impact of the research that Chris conducted and exemplifies one of the missions of Bucknell University, to engage students at the undergraduate level in the research and scholarship of faculty," he said.
Kulish is beginning work toward a Master of Science degree in civil and environmental engineering at Bucknell, with a focus on geotechnical engineering.
"Speaking at the PWEA conference was THE best way to bring closure to the research project," said Kulish. "I really enjoyed internalizing the work to find meaning and motivation behind each component while summarizing the main points to an audience."
The research work, conducted over the summer and fall semester of 2009, is part of a broader team of Bucknell investigators including Gilmore; Carl Kirby, professor of geology; Matt Higgins, professor of civil and environmental engineering; recent geology graduate Molly Pritz; Huan Luong, environmental lab director; and Kyle Narsavage, Environmental Health and Safety.
Funding sources include the Katherine Mabis McKenna Summer Environmental Internship Program and the Pennsylvania Water Resources Research Center Small Grants Program.
Contact: Division of Communications
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subset: commoncrawl


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The Order of the Arrow has always been heavily rooted in American Indian Activities (AIA) and cultures. From our ceremonies to the drumming and dancing that takes place around the country at OA events, AIA programs permeate throughout the Order. In the Northeast Region, Section NE-5B has devised a way to improve AIA within their borders through an innovative Native Spring and Spirit workshop.
Ray P. of Section NE-5B led the charge to conduct a section-based event outside of Conclave that focused on American Indian Activities. Working with three fantastic advisers, an idea was developed revolving around a single day or weekend workshop where all five of the lodges in the section would meet and work on costuming, practice ceremonies, dance, and drumming. Through this, the Brothers in all five lodges could build stronger bonds and learn more about AIA. This past March and April, Section NE-5B conducted four workshops this past dubbed the "Native Spring and Spirit" days.
During the first day of a workshop, twenty participants made chokers and medicine bags. Tomahawk throwing and an archery range were also provided as additional program. Additionally, a Lenni Lenape educator shared stories and lore with the entire group, providing an inspirational tie to the Order of the Arrow. The second day, a flint napping demonstration followed a moccasin-making training.
As a principle of the Order, the third day of the workshop was focused around service. The attendees assisted in repairing a Lenape long house that was damaged by Superstorm Sandy at the Churchville Nature Center in Bucks County.
Hopefully, Section NE-5B's initiatives to tackle AIA improvements and performances will lead to your own lodge or section implementing a similar program. Remain true to the roots of the Order of the Arrow, and seek to find the arrow!
Northeast Region
Northeast Region
Northeast Region
Staff Adviser


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"History; it's awesome," Peko said after Sunday's 34-17 victory over the Ravens made perfection official. "That's one of the goals we had at the beginning of the year. Be undefeated at home, win the division, and win the Super Bowl. We've got two out of the three right now. We're on a mission to get the next one."
The Bengals defense made its own bit of history Sunday. It finished the season third in the league, its highest ranking since the 1983 unit led the NFL, and it was accomplished by allowing just eight touchdown passes all season at Paul Brown Stadium and racking up six touchdowns of its own in a building where it suffocated the opponent on third down holding foes to a stunning 23 percent on 24 of 104 third downs.
And the Bengals wrapped it up by holding Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco to a miserable 49.8 passer rating when they intercepted him three times in a 9:09 span in the fourth quarter, making Cincinnati 4-0 against Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks at home this season and holding them to a combined 56.7 passer rating with just three touchdown passes.
That's what left tackle
"It seems like no matter what we do around here people doubt us," Peko said. "But we were just talking among ourselves. We have to earn it against the former champions. They needed a win to make the playoffs. Shut the door on them. I think we got a little respect today. I think as long as we keep winning people are going to see we're not the regular old Bengals. This is a hard-fighting team. We don't give up and we stick together."
Never was that more apparent in the opening moments when the defense had two huge stands that followed quarterback
"It could have been 14-0," Peko said. "We just wanted to show them we're not messing around today. Before the game, we talk about taking the field like we own it. One play a time and when we do that there aren't many teams that can mess with us. When there's a sudden change with (a turnover), the whole team gets ready."
The defense bailed out the offense four times for each of Dalton's interceptions, allowing the Ravens to convert just three field goals off the miscues. If you've seen defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer shut down Ben Roethlisberger, Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady at PBS, then you saw him stop Flacco. The Bengals smothered the run (47 yards on 14 carries) and made the Ravens offense so one-dimensional that they forced Flacco to throw 50 times. While they sacked him just twice they hit him seven times and were able to defend 12 passes.
What Zimmer does so well is break down protections and on this day he blitzed more than usual on second down while mixing his pressures with a stout four-man rush that made a bit of a comeback Sunday. Cornerback
The Bengals were a bit surprised the Ravens didn't max protect that much by keeping in eight men to block. The one time they did, on the opening series of the second half, they fouled it up and running back Ray Rice didn't pick up the blitzing Crocker and he was a free runner for a sack.
It was quite a display of Cincinnati's depth as the 33-year-old Crocker starred in his 151st NFL game in the last game of his 11th season and the 24-year-old Kirkpatrick finished his first full season after an injury-plagued rookie year with a coming-out party.
"We know Coach Zimmer in and out," Crocker said of his six-year defensive coordinator. "We know what he likes to call. We know his standards and how he wants it. We play that way and we're well-prepared and we have playmakers. The depth we have is unbelievable. That really helps."
Depth? How about this? Kirkpatrick gets two picks, is the star of the game, and he probably goes back to the bench for the playoffs next week when veteran
"Me, Terence Newman and
Kirkpatrick was also big on the third-down stops on the two first two drives when the Ravens could have blown it open with touchdowns. He teamed with safety
"He's growing. It's hard being in that situation because he didn't play (much) last year," Crocker said. "It's hard to get those reps, it's hard to learn when you're only practicing. He's coming along just as well as he can. He's a young guy. Really hungry and really emotional."
On Sunday, the veteran and the kid used Zimmer's torch to burn another Superman.


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Summer is Here! Central Library will close at 6 pm on Thursdays and will be closed Sundays until September. Enjoy!
Log in
I was looking for a particular travel memoir and found myself drawn to all of its companions on the shelf. Before long, I had an armful of books off the shelf. I found titles recommending where to go and what not to miss: Unforgettable places: Unique Sites and Experiences around the World 1001 Historic Sites You Must See before You Die Journeys of a Lifetime: 500 of the World's Greatest Trips There were books that advise how to travel smarter, cheaper, or under certain conditions: Ethical Travel: 25 Ultimate Experiences; Make the Most of your Time on Earth The Family Sabbatical Handbook: the Budget Guide to Living Abroad with your Family Wanderlust and Lipstick: the Essential Guide for Women Traveling Solo And then there were travelers' experiences that just draw you right in: Into Thick Air: Biking to the Bellybutton of six Continents How to Fit a Car Seat on a Camel: and other Misadventures Traveling with Kids Rowing to Alaska and other True Stories Where was I, in specific? Standing in front of the books in the 910.2 dewey decimal section at Central. You, too, could get inspired to travel however and wherever you wish. Come down and take a browse, or explore via our catalog. Be sure to look beyond the first page, as there are several fun pages of books and DVDs to choose from. We have plenty of other travel books and movies, beyond the 910.2 section; please ask for help if you don't find what you're seeking!
Posted by Christine Hann at 02/17/2011 11:37:54 AM
Books for: Kids, Teens & Tweens


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Gay bashing? Hedge fund manager to appeal
The complainant said he was the victim of a hate crime against gays. The defense called it a case of mistaken identity. And the judge ordered children to leave the courtroom because of the profanity-laced testimony, before he sentenced an investment manager to 10 days in jail for assault and battery.
Sanjiv "Sonny" Bhatia, CEO and managing partner of Enhanced Investment Strategies, vows to appeal his conviction and denies that an encounter at a Downtown Mall t-shirt table was anything more than a political discussion.
"I have a business," says Bhatia. "I have three beautiful kids. No way I'm going to jeopardize that by calling someone 'faggot' on the Downtown Mall."
Approximately 20 people showed up in Charlottesville General District Court December 9 to support Byron Harris, who brought the charges against Bhatia.
Harris, at times struggling for composure, testified about his encounter with Bhatia around 8:30pm as he walked his dog on the Mall October 29. Harris was chatting with Mac Schrader, who manned the "Reeject Bush" enterprise near Central Place for much of the year, when Bhatia and his party approached the table and exchanged words with Schrader over his anti-Bush t-shirts.
Harris and Schrader crossed paths with Bhatia again when he came out of the Blue Light Grill. Harris testified that he ignored a voice that said "F*** Reeject Bush," but his head jerked around when he heard "Godd*** motherf****** faggots."
Harris told Judge Robert Downer that when Bhatia asked, "Who's the last man you f***** up the a**?" he pulled out his cell phone and the defendant said, "Call the f****** cops."
According to Harris, Bhatia grabbed him by the lapels and "bonked" chests. Leaning up against a storefront, Bhatia pulled his zipper down, Harris testified, and said, "You want this thing? Come and get it."
After taking a deep breath, Harris continued his testimony. He said he called the police and watched Bhatia and his friends walk down Second Street to the Water Street parking deck.
"I was extremely frightened," Harris told the court. "I was extremely shaken. I couldn't believe this was happening to me as a middle-aged adult."
Police arrested Bhatia on the third floor of the garage.
Prosecution witnesses Mac Schrader and Gennard Dunfee, manager of the Blue Light Grill, supported Harris' account of the exchange.
Bhatia's lawyer, James E. "Bud" Treakle– who counts DMB manager Coran Capshaw and last year's mysterious St. Charles Avenue hit-and-run driver among his clients– repeatedly pointed out that Bhatia and another member of his group were similarly attired in pink shirts. (In fact, Treakle and Bhatia both sported navy blazers and gray trousers in court.)
Treakle asked Harris if he heard Schrader or anyone else call Bhatia an "Arab." Bhatia grew up in India.
"Absolutely not," replied Harris.
Defense witnesses Scott Garrison, who was with Bhatia that night, and Sandra Inthisen, a waitress at Downtown Thai, both testified they heard no profanity and did not see any chest bumping.
Inthisen said she was taking a break between 8:30 and 9:30pm on the night of the encounter and recognized Bhatia from the restaurant.
"I heard a political discussion," she said. But as Bhatia walked toward the Water Street garage, "I heard racial names," she said.
Garrison, who couldn't remember what he was wearing that night, recalled that both Bhatia and another member of their party were wearing pink shirts.
Under oath, Bhatia characterized his discussion with Schrader as a political discussion without any profanity, and said that he was interested in buying one of the t-shirts. He denied unzipping his fly. "That's not the kind of person I am," he said.
In his closing, Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Joe Platania asked why Harris, "shocked and scared," would call the police to report an incident– corroborated by two independent witnesses– if such an event never happened? Platania accused the defense witnesses of perjury.
Treakle argued that there was insufficient evidence to prove Bhatia's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Downer disagreed and found Bhatia guilty.
Before sentencing, Platania read Virginia's statute for hate crimes– which does not protect sexual orientation– and requested that Downer use his discretion on the Class 1 misdemeanor charge to impose a four-month jail sentence and a $2,500 fine and require Bhatia to perform 50 hours community service and attend anger management classes.
"I do think this is somewhat egregious," said Downer in issuing his sentence. "I think the Mall has to be a place where people can interact in a safe venue."
He imposed a $500 fine and a 90-day sentence with 80 days suspended.
Bhatia told The Hook he will appeal. "I'm a very tolerant person... God be my judge, I never made any of these comments. I intend to fight it, and I'm very confident in the appeals process."
He added that he had three more witnesses who didn't show up because they didn't get their subpoenas. "The results would have been very different," he said.
Defense witness Inthisen expressed surprise and disappointment at the verdict and the "lies" in court.
"I know Sonny's a great guy, and we never have a problem with him at the restaurant," she says, noting that one employee at Downtown Thai is gay. "It's not like I know Sonny [well enough] to protect him."
Harris and Platania declined to comment on the case, citing the possibility of appeal. "I do think Byron Harris is an incredibly courageous person," says Platania.
In 1999, Charlottesville City Council passed a resolution asking the General Assembly to include crimes based on sexual orientation or gender identity under the state's hate crime statutes.
"I don't see any hope for that," says Delegate Mitch Van Yahres, noting this year's legislature and its passage of House Bill 751, which forbids civil unions and "partnership contracts" between people of the same sex.
Claire Kaplan, UVA's Sexual Assault Education Coordinator, in court to support Harris, is disappointed in the sentence. "[Bhatia] didn't just hurt an individual," she says. "He hurt a community– not just the gay community, but the entire Charlottesville community."
Sonny Bhatia was arrested October 29 and charged with assault and battery.
A successful Bhatia has 24 years in the investment industry and teaches hedge fund master classes.
Mac Schrader's "Reeject Bush" table was the scene of the crime.


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This workshop will gather experts from different areas to discuss the recent progress and key open problems in the interface of black holes, quantum physics and information.
This workshop will gather experts from different areas to discuss the recent progress and key open problems in the interface of black holes, quantum physics and information.
Jaume Gomis, Perimeter Institute
Thomas Hartman, Harvard University
Patrick Hayden, McGill University
Simeon Hellerman, IPMU
Sabine Hossenfelder, Perimeter Institute
Nima Lashkari, McGill University
Donald Marolf, University of California Santa Barbara
Samir Mathur, Ohio State University
Leonardo Modesto, Perimeter Institute
Robert Myers, Perimeter Institute
Jonathan Oppenheim, Cambridge University
Jun Nishimura, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK)
Takuya Okuda, Perimeter Institute
Yasuhiro Sekino, Okayama Institute for Quantum Physics
David Sloan, Pennsylvania State University
Lee Smolin, Perimeter Institute
Rafael Sorkin, Perimeter Institute
Herman Verlinde, Princeton University
Thomas Hartman, Harvard
The Kerr/CFT Correspondence
Holography is usually applied to black holes that are supersymmetric, charged, or living in higher dimensions. The astrophysical Kerr black holes that have been observed in the sky have none of these nice properties, and AdS/CFT does not apply. Nevertheless, by studying the symmetries of the near horizon region, I will show that extreme Kerr black holes are holographically dual to a two-dimensional conformal field theory. The U(1) isometry of the near horizon region extends asymptotically to a Virasoro algebra. We compute the central charge semiclassically, and find in particular that the observed black hole GRS 1915+105 is approximately dual to a CFT with central charge 10^79. The microstate counting of the dual CFT correctly reproduces the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy. I will also discuss generalizations to a wide variety of extreme black holes in assorted theories, the possibility of moving away from the external limit, and potential applications of the correspondence.
Patrick Hayden, McGill University
Black holes as mirrors
I'll discuss information retrieval from evaporating black holes, assuming that the internal dynamics of a black hole is unitary and rapidly mixing, and assuming that the retriever has unlimited control over the emitted Hawking radiation. If the evaporation of the black hole has already proceeded past the "half-way" point, where half of the initial entropy has been radiated away, then additional quantum information deposited in the black hole is revealed in the Hawking radiation very rapidly. Information
deposited prior to the half-way point remains concealed until the half-way point, and then emerges quickly. These conclusions hold because typical local quantum circuits are efficient encoders for quantum error-correcting codes that nearly achieve the capacity of the quantum erasure channel. The resulting estimate of a black hole's information retention time, based on speculative dynamical assumptions, is just barely compatible with the black hole complementary hypothesis. (Joint work with John Preskill).
Sabine Hossenfelder, Perimeter Institute
Black Hole Information - What's the Problem?
I will classify the options to solve the black hole information loss problem by how radical a departure from semi-classical gravity they require outside the quantum gravitational regime. I will argue that the most plausible and conservative conclusion is that the problem of information loss originates in the presence of the singularity and that thus effort should be focused on understanding its avoidance. A consequence of accepting the accuracy of the semi-classical approximation is the surface interpretation of black hole entropy. I will summarize the arguments that have been raised for and against such scenarios.
Reference: http://arxiv.org/abs/0901.3156
Donald Marolf, University of California, Santa Barbara
Unitarity and Holography in Gravitational Physics
Because the gravitational Hamiltonian is a pure boundary term on-shell, asymptotic gravitational fields store information in a manner not possible in local field theories. Two properties follow from this purely gravitational behavior. The first, "Boundary Unitarity," holds under AdS-like boundary conditions. This is the statement that the algebra of boundary observables is independent of time; i.e., that the algebra of boundary observables at any one time t_1 in fact coincides with the algebra of
boundary observables at any other time t_2. As a result, any information available at the boundary at time t_1 remains available at any other time t_2. The second, "Perturbative Holography," holds under either AdS-like or asymptotically flat boundary conditions. In the AdS context, it is the statement that the algebra of boundary observables at any time t includes all perturbative observables anywhere in the spacetime. In the asymptotically flat context, Perturbative Holography is that statement that the algebra of observables on I^+ within any neighborhood of i^0 contains all perturbative observables. Perturbative Holography holds about any classical solution with a regular past infinity; i.e., spacetimes which collapse to form classical black holes are explicitly allowed. We derive the above properties and discuss their implications for information in black hole evaporation.
Samir Mathur, Ohio State University
Resolving the information paradox: the fuzzball proposal
String theory gives a consistent theory of quantum gravity, so we can ask about the nature of black hole microstates in this theory. Studies of extremal and near-extremal microstates indicate that these microstates do not have a traditional horizon, which would have no data about the microstate in its vicinity. Instead, the information of the microstate is distributed throughout a horizon sized quantum `fuzzball'. If this picture holds for all microstates then it would resolve the information paradox. We review recent progress in the area, including some results on non-extremal states. We also discuss some conjectures about black hole dynamics suggested by the structure of fuzzballs.
Leonardo Modesto, Perimeter Institute
LQG Black Holes
In this talk we introduce loop quantum gravity and we apply the theory to the black hole singularity problem. The Schwarzschild black hole solution inside the event horizon coincides with the Kantowski-Sachs space-time and we can study a simple spherically symmetric mini-superspace model. We show the classical black hole singularity is controlled by the quantum theory and the space-time can be dynamically extended beyond the classical singularity. We consider a semiclassical analysis of the black hole in LQG and we focus our attention on the space-time structure. The semiclassical solution is regular everywhere and similar to the Reissner-Nordstrom metric. The LQG black hole metric interpolates between two asymptotically flat regions, the "r=infinity" region and the "r=0" region. The metric is self-dual in the sense it is invariant under the symmetry (r ->1/r) which relates small and large distances. We study the thermodynamics of the semiclassical solution.
Jun Nishimura, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK)
Schwarzschild radius and black hole thermodynamics with alpha' corrections from simulations of SUSY matrix quantum mechanics
We present new results from our Monte Carlo simulation of SUSY matrix quantum mechanics with 16 supercharges at finite temperature. The internal energy can be fitted nicely to the behavior predicted from the dual black hole thermodynamics including the alpha' corrections. The temporal Wilson loop can also be predicted from the gravity side, and it is directly related to the Schwarzschild radius of the dual black hole geometry. Our results for the Wilson loop indeed confirm this prediction up to subleading terms anticipated from the alpha' corrections on the gravity side. All these results give us strong support and a firm basis for the idea to use matrix model simulations to study quantum gravity.
Takuya Okuda, Perimeter Institute
Matrix models for the black hole information paradox
I'll discuss some large N quantum mechanical theories that are toy models for eternal black holes in AdS via gauge/gravity duality. They can be used to study the classical limit and quantum corrections in gravity, and their roles in the information paradox. We demonstrate that such large N models can exhibit late time fall-off of a two-point function. By computing higher genus corrections explicitly, we argue that the fall-off, and thus information loss, persist even after perturbative gravity corrections are included.
Jonathan Oppenheim, Cambridge University
Black holes, fundamental destruction of information and conservation laws
Theories which have fundamental information destruction or decoherence are motivated by the black hole information paradox. However they have either violated conservation laws, or are highly non-local. Here, we show that the tension between conservation laws and locality can be circumvented by constructing a relational theory of information destruction. In terms of conservation laws, we derive a generalization of Noether's theorem for general theories, and show that symmetries imply a restriction on the type of evolution permissible. With respect to locality, we distinguish violations of causality from the creation or destruction of separated correlations. We show that violations of causality need not occur in a relational framework -- the only non-locality is that correlations decay faster than one might otherwise expect or can be created over spatial distances. The theories can be made time-symmetric, thus imposing no arrow of time.
Yasuhiro Sekino, Okayama Institute for Quantum Physics
Black Holes as Fast Scramblers
We consider the problem of how fast a quantum system can scramble (thermalize) information, given that the interactions are between bounded clusters of degrees of freedom. Based on previous work, we conjecture:
The conjectures are based on the principle of black hole complementarily, quantum information theory, and the study of black holes in string theory. This talk is based on Y. Sekino and L. Susskind, arXiv:0808.2096 [hep-th].
Rafael Sorkin, Perimeter Institute
Ten Theses on Black Hole Entropy
I present a viewpoint on black hole thermodynamics according to which the entropy: derives from horizon "degrees of freedom''; is finite because the deep structure of spacetime is discrete; is ``objective'' thanks to the distinguished coarse graining provided by the horizon; and obeys the second law of thermodynamics precisely because the effective dynamics of the exterior region is not unitary.
Herman Verlinde, Princeton University
On Energy Extraction from Rotating Black Holes
In this talk, I start with a short review of the available mechanisms for extracting energy from rotating black holes, in particular superradiance and the Blandford-Znajek process. I then describe how these mechanisms may be realized and studied via the AdS/CFT and Kerr/CFT correspondence.


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A moment of madness from Emmanuel Adebayor sparked a spectacular Tottenham collapse as Arsenal romped to a 5-2 victory in Sunday's entertaining north London derby at the Emirates Stadium.
Adebayor scored against his former employers to give Tottenham a 10th-minute lead, but he straight red seven minutes later for a horrific sliding tackle on the excellent Santi Cazorla. Tottenham struggled to cope with the numerical disadvantage thereafter and it only took a few minutes for Per Mertesacker to equalise.
Lukas Podolski's strike, and Olivier Giroud's fifth goal in his last five games gave Arsenal a comfortable two-goal cushion by half-time. Gareth Bale scored a consolation after Cazorla killed the contest, before Theo Walcott grabbed a deserved goal in injury time, as Arsenal jumped above Spurs in the table.
William Gallas, whose status as a former Gunner also meant he was jeered constantly alongside Adebayor, thought he had given Spurs an early lead when he intercepted Tom Huddlestone's shot and curled a shot past Wojciech Szczesny, but the Frenchman was correctly given offside.
One minute later Spurs did have the lead through their controversial number 10. Szczesny palmed Jermain Defoe's shot in to Adebayor's path and he twisted his body to tap in to an empty net.
Seven minutes later the home fans were jeering Adebayor off after his awful foul on Cazorla as he went in studs showing in a high tackle on the Spaniard. Arsenal peppered the Tottenham box and the inevitable equaliser came after 23 minutes. Walcott latched on to Wilshere's ball and crossed for Mertesacker, who headed past Hugo Lloris.
Huddlestone unwittingly poked Mikel Arteta's pass in to the path of Podolski and his shot deflected off Gallas past Lloris and Arsenal then bagged their third in first-half injury time. Kyle Naughton knocked Cazorla down but he picked himself up and squared to Giroud, who beat Gallas to the ball and dispatched a close-range finish.
Villas-Boas brought on Michael Dawson and Clint Dempsey but the move made little impact as Arsenal remained in control. Lloris managed to keep the hosts out for 14 minutes before Arsenal hit on the break through Walcott and Podolski, who found Cazorla at the back post and he made no mistake from five yards.
Bale then restored a bit of pride for the away side with 20 minutes to go when he drove past Szczesny through Laurent Koscielny's legs. As the clock ticked towards 90 minutes Tottenham started to throw more bodies forward, but they were left exposed at the back.
Defoe attempted a 10-yard volley while unmarked at the back post but he missed the ball Thomas Vermaelen shot just wide and Arsenal finished off the rout in injury time when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain took advantage of a Jan Vertonghen mistake to play in Walcott.
Source: PA


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SARASOTA, FL- Usually Friday nights are reserved for college games. Scouts flock to four-year schools on Fridays because that's when most of their aces are throwing.
Yesterday, Friday the 20th of March, was a big exception in southwest Florida. There were 40-50 scouts at both high school games I attended. The intrigue was that in each game, one played in Sarasota and the other in Port Charlotte, we had a premium high school position hitter going against a premium high school pitcher.
I enjoyed the opportunity to watch four completely different prospects in one evening. First in Sarasota, I was able to watch hometown Cardinal Mooney righthanded pitcher Michael Heller go against switch-hitting third baseman Bobby Borchering and his Bishop Verot teammates. Then at 7:30 PM, I headed 37 miles south to Port Charlotte High School to watch their lefty David Holmberg pitch against Lakewood Ranch HS and their Miami-bound catcher Mike Ohlman. The toughest task for a scout is to evaluate hitters, especially high school hitters, largely because you don't see them against pro-level pitching. So when a Borchering or an Ohlman are facing a premium arm like Heller or Holmberg, scouts flock because they get to see both sides challenged to a level they rarely witness during the spring.
Heller, Borchering, and Holmberg are all committed to Florida.
I'd seen Heller just a little bit at the East Coast Professional Baseball Showcase (Lakeland, FL) last August and again at our WWBA Tournament in October (Jupiter, FL). He was high on our radar already. Then reports came in early this spring that he was throwing very well prior to his knee injury sustained sliding head-first into home.
I was very curious to see Heller but also wondering how much of his stuff he'd have pitching with a torn posterior cruciate ligament that had already kept him out of action for a couple weeks.
It turned out he was throwing plenty hard. Heller threw a lot of 92-94 MPH the first inning, topping out at 95. For his six innings of work, he was mostly in the 90-94 MPH area throwing and ended up with an 8-2 win over Bishop Verot.
By eyeballing, I estimated Heller to be 6-2, 200. He has a sturdy, wiry build, and a medium frame with squarish shoulders. There's just a hint of thickness in his upper thighs, but otherwise he's lean and should stay that way with reasonable conditioning. His weight at age 24 will likely be in the 210-220 range.
Heller showed a very good delivery from the get-go in terms of balance and use of his middle and lower parts of his body. He generated good torque with a high kick and hip rotation, delivering online to home plate. The one noticeable hiccup is that Heller is a head-jerker. Though the rest of the delivery looks smooth, he does snap his head at varying degrees at the end of his delivery.
Scouts see this as effort and many (but not all) believe it's a sign of shoulder strain. It is also believed to be detrimental to command as the violence disrupts a pitcher's ability to repeat his slot.
Strangely enough, Heller showed good command of his fastball low in the zone, registering several strikeouts of Bishop Verot hitters at the knees. He did struggle some high, but it hardly showed against a high school team who (aside from Borchering) couldn't catch up to 93 MPH heat up in their eyes, anyway. His fastball was mostly straight when it was thrown up, but had a downward plane when he threw it low in the zone that made it a little harder for hitters to square up.
Heller featured a slider (80-84 MPH), curveball (73-77 MPH), and change-up (80 MPH) as well. I didn't grade out any of those pitches as major league average in the present. Heller struggled with the slider early, getting very little bite on it, so he switched to the curve. After a few early hangers, he started to get a sharper break. I don't project it to be plus, but I can see it becoming a useful, average major league pitch down the road. Heller has the right arm-action for a curveball and when young pitchers focus on a particular breaking ball, it usually hastens its development.
His change right now is a show-me pitch which he doesn't have enough feel of to fool high-level pro hitters (AAA, MLB). It will take time to develop.
Heller showed some ability to handle the bat as well, going 2-4 with a double, but his upside is clearly higher on the mound.
From what I'm hearing, Heller can go early. The very first round would surprise me, the second round is quite possible.
Borchering took three lefthanded at-bats against Heller and scouts were on their toes for all three. On the first pitch he saw, Borchering turned hard on a 95 MPH high fastball and ripped it into the right-centerfield gap for a double. In his next at-bat, he grounded out to first on a low and inside fastball. On nearly the same pitch in his third at-bat, Borchering hit a high-hopper over the first baseman's head with enough force that it turned into a double.
The sculpted, slope-shouldered 6-3, 210 Borchering proved again that he can turn on any high strike fastball out over the plate. But he did show some holes inside; though he made contact (and even got a double), Borchering was unable to adjust his hands and drive the ball. It's something he may develop as he gets older. In the past, I've noted that he can struggle against good breaking balls on his hands as well.
Defensively, Borchering made three plays on grounders going to his left that were mostly routine. He did show very good footwork and his trademark plus arm-strength. Though he's long-limbed and I project him upwards of 240 lbs by maturity, I think Borchering will make at least an average defensive third baseman. His hands will be adequate and he'll gradually shorten the release on his throws.
With present-day average MLB bat-speed and raw power that both project to plus (from both sides of the plate), Borchering has the upside of a middle-order big league hitter and solid defensive third baseman. I can see him going towards the end of the first round and in the sandwich at the latest. He is one of the nation's best prep hitting prospects with a plus-plus body.
Also of note from the Mooney-Verot game is Mooney junior righty Ryan Heuler who came in to close for Heller. Heuler, who has signed with the University of North Carolina, struggled with his control on Friday but he showed a live arm with both a good delivery and smooth arm-action. At 6-3, 185, his body is certainly projectable and he also serves as Mooney's first baseman. Heuler threw 87-90 MPH with heavy two-seam action on his fastball. I can grade out his future fastball movement to plus.
He struggled with control and also his curveball, which hung up in the zone but has the potential to become an average pitch because of its spin. Heuler throws over-the-top which should allow him to get more downward bite on his curve in the future.
If Heuler doesn't come on as a high draft by June, 2010, he's one to watch four years down the road in the ACC.
Check back later for my report on late Friday night's action between Port Charlotte lefty David Holmberg and Lakewood Ranch catcher Mike Ohlman.


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To the voters of Palo Alto County:
Seldom do we have an opportunity to go back and correct a mistake ,,, it works fine on the computer, but not so well in the workaday world. Now we have that opportunity at hand.
A few months ago, outgoing sheriff Dennis Goeders recommended that we support Todd Suhr for Sheriff in the Palo Alto primaries. Due to some difficulties with accessibility to polling places, Todd was defeated in the primary election. He has been placed on the ballot by petition. Watch for his name on the ballot.
While all of the candidates are good men, Todd Suhr is uniquely qualified to become our Sheriff. He has over 28 years of experience; with the most experience of any candidate in actual courtroom work prosecuting offenders. He has cleaned up many cold-case files. He has received more awards than any candidate.
Somehow as we enjoy the serenity of our homes each evening, we forget there are those who do not have our best interests at heart ... the criminal element at work in Palo Alto County, Iowa. Sheriff Goeders and Todd Suhr have worked as a team to keep our homes safe and secure.
Take time to research the candidates at: www.toddsuhrforsheriff.com so you can make an informed decision ... then vote for Todd Suhr for Sheriff on Nov. 6.
(signed)?Bob and?Nancy Cozine
Emmetsburg, IA


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The Hood River County Planning Commission is expecting a large volume of pro and con testimony over Wal-Mart plans for a super center.
To accommodate crowds, the appointed body has scheduled back-to-back hearings on July 23 and 24. Both forums will be 7:30-11 p.m. in the auditorium at Hood River Valley High School.
"Whatever the length of presentation given by Wal-Mart, we've offered Citizens for Responsible Growth (CRG), as the organized opponents, the same amount of time," said Mike Benedict, county planning director.
He said the first evening will be dedicated primarily to reports from varied officials. He said the first presentations will be given by staff, Wal-Mart and CRG. Those comments, expected to take about 90 minutes, will be followed by remarks from the Oregon Department of Transportation and other involved local and state agencies. Once these speakers have been heard from, Benedict said the floor will be turned over to members of the public. He said each individual is expected to be given three minutes to air his/her view of the application.
Testimony will continue on the second evening as residents weigh in on Wal-Mart plans for a 185,000 square foot store. The retail giant is seeking to build on 16 acres of commercially-zoned property at the junction of Frankton and Country Club roads.
Amy Hill, Wal-Mart spokesperson, believes the company has adequately addressed the key issue of "compatibility." She said Wal-Mart has added landscaping and rustic building features to make the large-scale building barely visible from along Interstate 84 and the upper parking lot of the Columbia Gorge Hotel. Hill said although the applicant has sought to alleviate concerns about this issue, the proposed site is already zoned for retail use — and can't be compared to neighboring residential properties of a much smaller size.
"While certain elements of this design have been used in other places, a lot of things have been pulled together to make Hood River a unique store," Hill said.
CRG contends that Wal-Mart's changes to the exterior of the structure have still not subtracted from its overall mass — much larger than any other retail enterprise in Hood River. In addition to arguing against its compatibility, the group believes construction of the new Wal-Mart and 12 acre parking lot will generate numerous problems. These include traffic snarls, flooding to adjacent properties from stormwater runoff, and harm to the riparian area around Phelps Creek, which runs through the property.
"We don't feel they've satisfactorily addressed those issues," said Kate Huseby, CRG spokesperson. Following next week's hearings, the Commission could approve or deny Wal-Mart's application.
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Friday, April 12, 2013
Breaking barriers to hear all voices
LABOR OF LOVE: From left, Baretto, Donelan and Lenny Lopez, MD, MDiv, MPH, senior faculty of The Disparities Solutions Center
In 2004, the newly formed MGH Disparities Committee surveyed MGH patients about issues related to race, ethnicity and their health care. At the time, 21 percent of black patients and 25 percent of Hispanic/Latino patients at the MGH reported they thought they received a lower quality of care than white patients. In a survey conducted in 2012, fewer than 10 percent of black and Hispanic/Latino patients held those views.
"These data make me, and should make all of us, really proud," said Karen Donelan, ScD, EdM, senior scientist at the Mongan Institute for Health Policy at the MGH. "The perception of fair and respectful treatment has continued to grow over the past eight years, and we've made great progress. But we still have work to do, especially for patients with limited English proficiency. We want our mission, credo and 'excellence every day' applied every day to all of our patients and their families."
Donelan spoke during the "Racial and Ethnic Disparities: Keeping Current Seminar Series" hosted by The Disparities Solutions Center. The April 4 presentation, "Hearing All Voices: Race, Ethnicity, Language and the MGH Patient Experience," explored trends in patient satisfaction connected to racial, ethnic and linguistic disparities in health care.
Measuring patient-reported outcomes is an essential component of quality assessment, Donelan explained. The 2004 survey was one of the first projects undertaken by the MGH Disparities Committee as a way to measure minority patients' perceptions of their care, because routine patient experience surveys often exclude or under represent these populations. Donelan said her research team – including Joseph Betancourt, MD, director of the Disparities Solutions Center; Elizabeth Mort, MD, senior vice president for Quality and Safety; Esteban Barreto, senior research assistant; and eight bilingual interviewers – worked to ensure a higher response rate by using special survey methods including statistical sampling techniques, bilingual study materials, and telephone interviews conducted by trained bilingual interviewers. Many MGH departments and an expert advisory team also helped to support the effort, Donelan said.
The 2012 follow-up survey was funded by the Center for Quality and Safety and reached out to samples of black, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian patients, as well as patients who speak Spanish, Arabic, Khmer, Portuguese and Chinese. The survey sample included 1,700 patients of all ages who visited MGH primary care practices and health centers in January 2012. Donelan said the survey included standard quality measures – whether patients thought doctors and nurses spent enough time with them; if clinicians explained things in a way they understood; if patients felt welcomed by staff; and if they felt they received the same quality of care as fellow patients.
"This work is a labor of love," Donelan said. "For me, this is the heart of why we think about engaging patients in assessing the quality of their care. We are all guided by the needs of our patients and their families, and we want to ensure they have a good experience each time they come to MGH."
Read more articles from the 04/12/13 Hotline issue.
Browse the Entire Newsroom Archive


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Commencement Speaker: Bob Woodward
Complete text of commencement speech
Audio Excerpt || Commencement Roundup
Baccalaureate speech
An estimated 8,000 to 10,000 celebrants crowded the Academic Quadrangle for Bucknell University's 157th Commencement at which 820 undergraduate and 25 graduate students were awarded degrees.
The following links are virtual breadcrumbs marking the 27 most recent pages you have visited in Bucknell.edu. If you want to remember a specific page forever click the pin in the top right corner and we will be sure not to replace it. Close this message.


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What a Cool Cat you are Caramel and you are such an interesting shade of color , almost a gold shade in fact.
We just love that you have all those woods to play in, we would just love to have all that area to play and explore.
That would be nice if we were in a better neighborhood where we could race about , but there are motorists around here who are indifferent about where they drive sadly.
You are such a Great Cat and Like Carla Patricia Sandra Elyse Sandra the little Momma Cat who brought her three Babies to our front door , you have found sanctuary.
You are such a Dear Cat.
We Found Hotel Cats are all sending Our Best MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW WWWS starting with Michael Angel , Miquelito and the Fluffy Tails and Our Orange Porch Angels for Our Newest Saved Cat Caramel the Cool.^^.


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Michael Ynoa has the confidence to go along with his contract.
After the 17-year-old right-hander went through his first
workout on U.S. soil since the Athletics gave him an eye-popping
$4.25-million signing bonus in July, he set an optimistic timeline
for reaching the majors.
"God willing, I believe two years, if I work very hard," Ynoa
said Monday.
At least one person, minor league catcher Anthony Recker, isn't
doubting it.
"It wouldn't surprise me," Recker said after catching Ynoa's
first bullpen session. "He has great stuff. You can tell he was
working at 75 percent and the ball was jumping out of his hand.
He's got great movement. He's got great mechanics. He's definitely
ahead of most 17-year-olds."
Last summer, the A's won a bidding war for Ynoa, who at the time
was incorrectly referred to as "Inoa" in most reports. When they
signed him, it was the largest bonus ever given to a non-Cuban
international amateur player. It was the largest bonus the A's had
paid to any amateur.
The 6-foot-7 Ynoa was referred to by the A's and other scouts as
a "once-in-a-decade" talent. He was often compared to Mariners
right-hander Felix Hernandez.
Keith Lieppman, the A's longtime director of player development,
oversaw Ynoa's work last summer in the Dominican Republic and
Monday's workout at the team's minor league complex.
"You just see how effortless his mechanics are, especially for
a big guy," Lieppman said. "Some 6-6 or 6-7 guys are clumsy or
their deliveries are a little herky jerky. He has none of that.
He's coordinated. He's athletic. His arm action is free. It's
effortless as the ball jumps out of his hand."
Ynoa throws a fastball in the mid-90s, along with a curveball
and a changeup. He finished Monday's 25-pitch session with a few
changeups that particularly impressed Recker.
"They had a little cut to them," Recker said. "It's not something you learn, especially at that age."
The question about Ynoa is how he'll assimilate to professional
baseball. Growing up playing on the dusty fields of the Dominican
Republic, he had never played in an actual game until the A's
signed him. He pitched just 15 innings in the Dominican Summer
League last year.
He had been to the U.S. for a physical, but had not worked out
in the country until Monday.
"There is going to be cultural change, a language barrier, a
lot of things he'll have to encounter," Lieppman said. "Plus, the
added pressure of being the highest paid kid from the Dominican."
Lieppman said the plan is for Ynoa to work out with A's minor
leaguers this week in Phoenix, then return to the Dominican
Republic for a few weeks. He'll participate in extended spring
training from April to June.
At that point, the A's will decide whether to send him to the
Class A Northwest League, where he would compete against many
recently drafted college players, or keep him in the Arizona Rookie
League. There is a chance Ynoa also might head back to the
Dominican Summer League, but Lieppman said that was a worst-case
scenario. The A's plan for him to pitch about 75 innings this year,
wherever he is.
Because Ynoa is often compared to Hernandez, there has been
speculation that he might be in the majors at age 19, like the
Seattle pitcher.
"You don't want to put him over his head, but you see guys like
Doc Gooden (in the majors at age 19), so you want to leave yourself
open to that time frame," Lieppman said. "But your expectation
should be made as he progresses.


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GENEVA – The shuttered Mill Race Inn at 4 E. State St., Geneva, survived the recent floods with the use of sump pumps, a real estate broker said
So even as Island Park was submerged in the recent flooding of the Fox River, the iconic restaurant still stands, broker Nick DiBrizzi said.
"We have a lot of sump pumps in there," DiBrizzi said.
Plaza Bank owns the restaurant, which closed January 2011. The 15,000 square feet of restaurant space with seating for 400 and the 1.3-acre site originally was listed for $2.2 million. DiBrizzi said it was reduced to $1.8 million, then to $1.1 million; after a new appraisal, it was reduced to $890,000.
"That generated at least 10 showings in the last week or so," DiBrizzi said. "That property is gorgeous. The view is just incredible. One restaurant group is thinking of a steakhouse. They're just in love with the place."
The Mill Race Inn began as a blacksmith shop in 1842, but eventually turned into a tea room in the 1930s. Its name was taken from the gristmill where water diverted from the river turned the mill's wheels, called a "mill race."
Geneva Economic Development Director Ellen Divita said the city is asking consideration for the original blacksmith shop to be kept as an anchor for whatever project comes there.
"It is identified as one of the opportunity sites in the downtown master plan," Divita said. "We are aware of several serious inquiries. Each one is looking at incentives … each project is decided on its own merit."
Divita said the city would consider a tax increment financing for that area if the project was right.
TIF is a redevelopment tool where property or sales taxes are diverted for specific uses, such as infrastructure improvements, demolition, utilities and development or redevelopment of substandard buildings, over a period of 23 years.
"The city will always consider an economic development incentive," Divita said. "In this particular area, you do have the potential of creating a new TIF or extending an existing TIF."
Divita said officials could create a new TIF district or extend the existing East State Street TIF district to include the Mill Race area for its remaining 13 years.
Other options would be to rebate sales tax or create a business district, she said
Eddie Bluemel, vice president for Plaza Bank in Chicago, which owns the Mill Race property, said the issues create "quite a conundrum for us."
"There is substantial interest in the property, and we are doing our best to sell it," Bluemel said. "It is just languishing and a bit of an eyesore. What do we do? That is the real question."
Bluemel said the recent appraisal of $900,000 has spurred some offers. Some have been for about half that amount.
"One person made an offer – as though it were vacant land – of $10 a foot. Looking at our square footage, it comes out to maybe $700,000 to $650,000 for vacant land," Bluemel said. "But that is not vacant land. They want to demolish the building, and they are backing the cost associated with that into the number."
Bluemel said he would contact Divita regarding the possibility of a TIF as a development incentive for the property.


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South Carolina Candidate For Governor Claims There Are Millions Of Internet Child Predators
from the hyperbole-much? dept
But, of course, that doesn't make for the type of headlines that politicians want. South Carolina's Attorney General has now announced his plans to run for governor of the state, in part on the claim that he's going to crack down on child predators online. Now, we're all for cracking down on online predators, but it's tough to take him seriously, when he claims that "there are millions out there." Millions? That seems a bit on the high side. On top of that, he claims that "Any child can become a victim" because "the predators are so skilled at what they do." Except, of course, that's not what the studies have shown at all. They've shown that most kids aren't interested in strangers online at all, and if you reasonably educate them (which you should) they're likely to be safe. But why bother with the actual evidence when you can grandstand as part of your bid to be governor?


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Tallahassee, FL - A Tallahassee man has been convicted of murder and attempted robbery.
Bernard Davis shot Robert Moore in June, 2010.
Prosecutors say Davis pulled the trigger when Moore started laughing at him during an attempted robbery.
Investigators say Moore managed to drive away, but crashed his car a short time later and died.
It took the jury comprised of six men about four and a half hours to reach the verdict.
The judge sentenced Davis to the mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole for first degree murder and 25 years for attempted robbery.
Those two sentences will run at the same time.
His lawyer plans to appeal.
UPDATED by Andy Alcock
May 23, 2013 12:08 p.m.
The case has gone o the jury.
UPDATED by Andy Alcock
May 23, 2013 11:58 a.m.
Judge finishing jury instructions. Going to jury momentarily.
UPDATED by Andy Alcock
May 23, 2013 11:22 a.m.
The prosecution and defense are wrapping up closing arguments.
UPDATED by Julie Montanaro
May 22, 2013 1:13 p.m.
Bernard "Briston" Davis told the judge he does not intend to testify in his own defense.
UPDATED by Julie Montanaro
May 22, 2013 1:09 p.m.
The state has rested its case against Bernard "Briston" Davis.
UPDATED by Julie Montanaro
May 21, 2013 7p.m.
A Tallahassee man is now on trial for attempted robbery and murder.
Prosecutors contend Bernard Davis pulled the trigger when the target of the hold up started laughing at him.
Marquiez Rollins says he was standing by Robert Moore's car outside the Collonade Apartments ready to buy some marijuana, when Bernard "Briston" Davis pulled out a gun.
The state asked us not to show Rollins face saying his safety is at risk.
"Could you tell what kind of gun it was?"
"I think it was a revolver," Rollins said.
Do you recall any of the statements he said to ya'll?
"He was just like 'give me what you got' or whatever, I guess," Rollins said.
"Did you think he was serious?"
"Were you kind of laughing, laughing it off?"
"Yeah," Rollins said.
Prosecutors suggest say that laughter prompted Davis to pull the trigger that night in June of 2010.
Robert Moore - who's friends call him "Cleve" - was shot in the shoulder.
The medical examiner testified the bullet pierced his lung, struck his aorta and then hit his kidney.
Moore managed to drive away, prosecutors say, but crashed right down the street and died.
Defense attorneys say no one saw Davis fire that deadly shot.
"The defense in this case is that Briston Bernard Davis did not shoot Mr. Moore," defense attorney Darren Shippy told the jury.
Davis was arrested at his girlfriend's apartment and police say they found the murder weapon - a Smith and Wesson revolver - in her purse.
"At that time did you know, did you have any idea that perhaps it could have been used in a murder?"
"No sir," she testified.
Also on the stand this afternoon, a former cellmate who claims Davis asked him to kill the girlfriend so she would not testify against him.
The trial is expected to continue through Thursday.
By: Julie Montanaro
May 21, 2013, 11:19 a.m.
Marquiez Rollins testified that he had called victim Robert Moore to buy some marijuana from him. He says Moore pulled in to the Collonade Apartments. He says Moore stayed in the car and while he was standing there talking to him, Davis came up and pulled out a revolver.
Rollins testified that Davis said "Give me what you got," but both he and Moore thought he was joking.
Rollins testified he started to walk away when he heard gunfire. He says he heard more than one shot but did not see who fired the shots.
Rollins testified Moore sped off and he went home and took a bath.
Rollins testified Davis never tried to rob him and never pointed the gun at him.
By: Julie Montanaro
May 21, 2013
Bernard Davis is now on trial for murder. He's accused of shooting and killing Robert "Cleve" Moore during a botched robbery in June 2010.
Prosecutors say Davis tried to rob Moore during a drug deal, but Moore and another man named "Big Mark" knew Davis and thought it was a joke. Prosecutors contend they laughed at Davis and that's what set him off.
Prosecutors say Moore was shot in front of the Collonade Apartments but drove away and crashed into another car on McCaskill Street. The back windshield of his car had been shot out.
Prosecutors say they found the murder weapon in the purse of Davis's girlfriend and some bullets in a Dora backpack in her apartment.
Prosecutors say after Davis was arrested and in jail he tried to have another inmate "take care" of her so she could not testify against him.
Davis's attorney says Moore came to the apartments to sell drugs to "Big Mark". He says Davis did not shoot Moore that day.
On September 29, a Leon County grand jury handed down a first degree murder indictment for Bernard Briston Davis.
A judge ordered that Davis continue to be held without bond until his trial.
Davis is accused of shooting Robert Moore in front of the Collonade Apartments in July.
UPDATED 6-18 11:30am
A man accused of murder in a drug deal gone bad had his first appearance in court Friday morning.
18 year old Bernard Briston Davis appeared in court Friday morning via web cam from the leon county jail.
Davis was arrested Thursday and charged with first degree murder in the shooting death of 31 year old Robert Moore.
The shooting happened Wednesday night around 8:30 in the parking lot of 1616 McCaskill Avenue.
In court, Davis was appointed a public defender by the judge.
He was also denied bond on the murder charge.
No court date was set for his next appearance.
UPDATED 6.16.2010 6:55pm by Julie Montanaro
A shooting just after sundown Wednesday claimed the life of a Tallahassee man and now the suspected triggerman is under arrest.
Investigators blame it all on a botched robbery.
"I heard a big bang."
Belinda Riley heard the crash, most of the neighbors did, and didn't realize until later that it was a gunshot, not the head on crash on McCaskill Avenue, that killed 31-year-old Robert Moore.
"It's a tragedy. I just pray for the family that they're okay," Riley said as she looked over her porch railing toward the scene of the crash.
When police arrived on scene at about 8:30 Wednesday night, they thought they were responding to a traffic crash and quickly discovered Moore had been shot.
Thursday shortly after noon they arrested this man for pulling the trigger. 18-year-old Bernard "Briston" Davis.
Police say Moore and another man were in the midst of a drug deal in the parking lot of the Colonnade Apartments when Davis tried to get in on the action.
"Mr. Davis walked up with a handgun, tried to commit a robbery. Mr. Moore then tried to drive off, multiple shots were fired. He was struck and then crashed a short time later and succumbed to his injuries at TMH." Tallahassee Police Spokesman David McCranie said.
Davis is set to be arraigned on those murder charges first thing Friday morning.
Police say the driver of the other car that was struck last night is expected to make a full recovery.
Updated 2:27pm 6-17
TPD Press Release:
Tuesday night at approximately 8:30PM, the Tallahassee Police Department responded to a reported vehicle crash in the 1600 Block of McCaskill Avenue.
Upon arrival, officers discovered that a 1995 Lexus, driven by 31 year-old Robert L. Moore, crashed head on into a 2003 Nissan.
As officers provided medical assistance to Mr. Moore they discovered he was the victim of a gunshot wound.
Investigator James Besse from the Tallahassee Police Department's Violent Crimes Unit responded to the scene.
A short time later, officers located physical evidence indicating that the shooting occurred in the parking lot of 1616 McCaskill Avenue (Colonnade Apartments).
Further investigation revealed that Moore was involved in a drug deal when a man, later identified as 18 year-old Bernard B. Davis, attempted to rob Moore at gunpoint.
The preliminary investigation indicates that Moore ignored Davis and began to drive away.
As Moore drove away, Davis is believed to have fired several times striking Moore.
Moore succumbed to his gunshot wound at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital.
Investigator Besse obtained a murder warrant for the arrest of Davis this morning.
Members of the Tallahassee Police Department's Career Criminal Unit located Davis at 2301 Old Bainbridge Road and arrested him without incident.
Bernard Briston Davis, Black Male, 18 yoa. Charges: First Degree Murder, Use of a Firearm During a Felony, and Attempted Robbery with a Firearm.
To view the photo of the victim click on the camera icon at the top of the story.
Updated 11:23 a.m. 6-17
Tallahassee police are not releasing any motive or suspect information at this time in the death of Robert Moore.
But police do say the shooting does not appear to be random.
An autopsy is being done on Moore's body Thursday to determine if he died from the shooting or the crash. Police say Moore crashed his car head on with another vehicle.
The results should be available sometime Thursday afternoon.
Stay tuned to wctv.tv for updates.
Updated 8:22am 6-17
Tallahassee Police say Robert L. Moore, born 10/5/78 was the victim of Wednesday nights shooting. Officials say Moore was driving a car when someone shot at him. Moore's car then crashed.
At this point, police have not made any arrests.
We do not have any other details available at this time but we will continue to keep you updated as soon as more information becomes available.
11:00p.m. 6/16
Tallahassee Police Officer David McCraine says the shooting happened around 9 p.m. Wednesday night in the 1600 Block of McCaskill Avenue in Tallahassee.
Police say they do not have a suspect in custody and the motive is unclear at this time.
The victim is a male but there are no other details at this time.
WCTV has a reporter on the way and will bring you more details as they become available.


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At every restaurant I visit, the story is generally the same.
I want my bacon burned. Keep in mind that I'm a fat guy and fat dudes want their food just the way they order it. It embarrasses my wife like no words could describe. She tends to sink further in her seat behind her menu. She avoids all eye contact with our waiter or waitress.
I, however, make as much eye contact as possible. I want the server to understand how serious I am that I want my bacon to be crunchy.
"If I drop it on this table," I generally say in all seriousness, "I want my bacon to break into a million pieces."
The response generally gets a chuckle. Some just simply say, "okay." Some fishing for a big tip will follow up with the kitchen staff to ensure the "chubby dude" gets his bacon cooked correctly.
So often though, my bacon comes out nowhere close to what I envisioned. It comes out all rubbery and chewy. That kind of bacon will ruin a good cheeseburger. I've sent my burger back before.
Gasp. I know, I know. I'm a brave soul for even considering that. We've all imagined the worst things that a cook can do to our food before. Our helpless plates are powerless to what the masters of the kitchen can do. I mean, where's Gordon Ramsay when you need him? He'd make sure I got my bacon the way I wanted it.
I think a lot of the fans that file into local stadiums on Friday nights feel that way. Pigskin and bacon, while of the same farm animal, is not exactly the same thing.
Pigskin just isn't that easy to predict. There are not orders that the paying customers can make. There are requests, but not all are granted. Wouldn't it be nice if they were the same? A Hendersonville fan could walk into Dietz Stadium, size up the opponent and request his pigskin burned to a crisp.
That'd be heaven, right?
This has been a tough season for local fans. It's been almost the complete opposite of last season for most fans, in fact.
Not a lot of orders have come back to the satisfaction of the customers. The truth is though; the customers aren't the priority when it comes to pigskin. That's another difference from the bacon on your cheeseburger.
That's why, despite rough seasons, fans are still in the stands cheering on the kids on the field because they're what football is truly about. It's not about wins and losses. It's about kids learning to compete and be leaders.
It's not about how the bacon is served from the kitchen. It's about the process and the growth that happens on that field. I don't doubt that those kids want to win with all their hearts, but even in an 0-9 season, those kids are learning valuable lessons.
Life isn't always 11-0 seasons and state titles. You don't always get your pigskin ... or bacon the way you want, which makes the continued support of the fans in the stands all that much more important to the kids.
With that said, the season is quickly coming to a close and here are my picks for this week.
u u u
Last week: 13-1
Season: 106- 46
Games back: 16
North Henderson at Brevard
I've fallen pretty hard for Brevard since watching them against West Henderson in my first football game as the preps writer this season. This week, however, I think the Knights can roll into Brevard and bring home a win. The Knights are coming off of a three-game stretch of Tuscola, Franklin and Pisgah. That's a gauntlet for anyone. North is battle tested and its defense is so much improved. I can't help but think the Knights bring home a win ... North 24, Brevard 21.
Tuscola at East Henderson
Tuscola is coming off of a 49-13 win over West and I think West has a better offense than East. That doesn't bode well for the Eagles tonight ... Tuscola 42, East 7.
West Henderson at Franklin
I think the matchup between West and East next week is destined to be a battle of who can get their first win of the season. It'll add some excitement to disappointing seasons. It's going to be extremely tough for the Falcons to go on the road and win against the toughest team in the conference ... Franklin 56, West 7.
Polk County at Owen
This game is basically for the Western Highlands Conference title. Owen beat Hendersonville last week to make this a conference showdown. I picked Hendersonville last week because I thought they were athletic and talented enough to win that one and I think they would've if there hadn't been so many mistakes. I don't think Polk will make many mistakes tonight and of the other conference foes, I think the Wolverines have the best offense to maintain a 10-round battle with the Warhorses and star tailback Jager Gardner. I also think that the Wolverines may have the best defense in the conference. Polk has only allowed 57 points so far in conference play while scoring a 198. I think this will be a knockdown drag out that Polk will win in the fourth quarter ... Polk 31, Owen 28.
Swain County at Rosman
Rosman is coming off of its third win of the season. The road win at Cherokee, however, is nothing like what it will face against Swain tonight. Swain dismantled Andrews last week in a 56-19 win. Swain should win this one ... Swain 49, Rosman 21.
The other games
PISGAH at Smoky Mountain
Enka at MCDOWELL
ASHEVILLE at North Buncombe
REYNOLDS at Roberson
MOUNTAIN HERITAGE at Avery County
MADISON at Mitchell
Cherokee at ANDREWS
Hayesville at MURPHY
Q. Foundation at ROBBINSVILLE
CHRIST SCHOOL at Asheville School
Pigskin Picks: Pigskin and bacon aren't quite the same
At every restaurant I visit, the story is generally the same.


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ALTOONA, Wis. (WEAU) -- "No time for warning, basements were filled before people knew about it," said Kelly Jacobs, who today described the floods of 1956 in Augusta from a history book.
Pictures speak louder than words when you think about a flood in Augusta.
In 1977, Johnson Dam was built to help reduce flash flooding during heavy rain. But the system built to protect, 35 plus years later, is beginning to show its age.
"Right now the dam actually has a failing culvert pipe going through the middle of it," Jacobs said. She is the Land Conservation Supervisor in Eau Claire County.
That is the part of the dam seen here that slows the water down. She says water is going outside the culvert and it is beginning to rust.
Other problems may make it less reliable, too. And so on Monday night, the Eau Claire Land Conservation Commission came to a decision to repair it.
"I was encouraged by the fact that everyone is on the same page if it can be put together they'd like to have it repaired," said Robin Leary, the Chair of the Land Conservation Commission.
But it is not that simple. She says it is expected to cost $100,000 and needs to be done before February 2014.
"Each one area doesn't have a lot of money to go forward, so we're gonna be applying for grants, we're gonna also be working to see if materials or labor can be worked together to make this project," Leary added.
She says the commission, Augusta, Bridge Creek, and the DNR have also shown support for the project. Augusta's mayor says the project received full support from the council and 24 out of 25 voted to repair it at a public hearing last week.
"We want to be good neighbors and help out when we can, but we're not the only municipality or jurisdiction that's being protected by the dam," he said.
And so it is the commission's approval that keeps the project alive. Optimism, going forward.


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This summer, SUPER WHY! headlines PBS KIDS' summer learning initiative with a special on-air event — the SUPER WHY! Around the World Adventure — and a week of themed programming starting July 2 at 9 a.m.
SUPER WHY! Around the World Adventure
Friday, June 15 at 9 & 11 a.m.
Saturday, June 16 at 9 a.m.
Two new episodes – take the Super Readers around the world in back-to-back adventures.
Super Why and the Around the World Adventure – With the help of their teacher, Wyatt and his friends have contacted a girl from another school over the computer and are wondering where she lives. The Super Readers take a trip around the world with a wacky explorer named Wobblebottom, who is on the hunt for his friend Sophie. Will they be able to help Wobblebottom find his friend?
Super Why and Naila and the Magic Map – Pig and his friends are playing when they find what looks like an Egyptian treasure map, but they can't make out the symbols! To search for some answers, the Super Readers soar into the book "Naila and the Magic Map" and explore the world of ancient Egypt. Will they be able to help Naila unravel the mysterious code that will unlock where the treasure lies?


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By Matt Murphy
State House News Service
BOSTON -- After two highly successful election cycles since losing the U.S. Senate seat to Scott Brown in January 2010, Democratic Party Chairman John Walsh plans to seek another term as the leader of the state party, while his GOP counterpart also wants to remain in charge.
Walsh wrote a letter Monday to Democratic State Committee members asking for their support for another two-year term when Democrats gather in Springfield on Wednesday for their first post-election committee meeting.
Walsh is widely credited with building a network of grassroots volunteers, donors and activists that helped drive high turnout in the 2010 and 2012 elections in which the Democrats swept contests for statewide and federal offices, including the re-election of Gov. Deval Patrick and the defeat of Brown by Senator-elect Elizabeth Warren.
"The 2010 election of Scott Brown to the U.S. Senate and the election of a group of tea party Republicans to the Massachusetts House of Representatives later that same year were serious setbacks for us," Walsh wrote in his letter. "I am proud to have worked with you to reverse those results by electing Elizabeth Warren -- a strong woman, finally (!) -- to the U.S. Senate last Tuesday and to begin the process of reversing the Tea Party gains in the Legislature that same day."
Republican Party Chairman Robert Maginn also plans to run for re-election in January when the GOP state committee will deliberate on its future leadership, according to party spokesman Tim Buckley.
Maginn could face opposition from Republicans frustrated that their party lost ground they gained in 2010, saw Democrats take the Senate seat held by Brown, and were swept again in Congressional races.
Republicans emerged from the 2010 elections with 33 seats in the 160-seat House, where they doubled their numbers. But Democrats cut into their ranks last week and Republicans will enter the 2013-2014 Legislative session with 29 House members and four members in the 40-seat Senate.
Former Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei, a socially moderate Republican from Wakefield, almost knocked off an incumbent but fell short to embattled Rep. John Tierney in an election that saw heavy turnout for President Barack Obama and Warren.
Maginn has kept a low profile since the elections and party aides said Tuesday he was not available.
The Massachusetts Republican Assembly over the weekend reissued its call for Maginn's resignation, citing "liberal infiltrators" on the Republican State Committee and "repeatedly scuttled attempts to align with the National Platform, conduct fair elections, welcome new energy and allow for time-tested conservative principles to again come alive through our pool of candidates and supporters."
Maginn has donated heavily to Republicans in Massachusetts, but assembly president Dave Kopacz faulted Maginn's previous campaign contributions to Gov. Deval Patrick and Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-New York.
During an interview Tuesday, Kopacz said the formula that Republican Party officials are using has been "chalking up losers for them" and called for an embrace of "classic core conservative values" that he says could attract growing numbers of unenrolled voters to the GOP.
Republicans in Massachusetts are delivering a "distorted message of liberal compromise," according to Kopacz, who reiterated his call for Maginn to resign. "This is just more of a reminder and an I-told-you-so," Kopacz said.
The only blemishes on Walsh's record since taking over the party after running Patrick's first campaign in 2006 was the 2010 loss of the seat held by the late Sen. Edward Kennedy and gains made by House Republicans in 2010.
After six years as chairman of the state Democratic Party, Walsh said he stills feels "prepared and energized."
Though he said community organizing is his passion, he said he also recognizes the need to fundraise to be able to "articulate out message to the broader community on a consistent basis."