text:
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Where's Balthazar?
14 comments:
- MiniKat said...
- May 28, 2009 at 12:12 PM
- Caseymini said...
LOL Gotcha! I accidently pushed the wrong button twice and somehow published the blog the first time with just the title. Sorry about that!
- May 28, 2009 at 1:12 PM
- rosanna said...
How good!! can I copycat it? I love upholstering.But to be certain: what ceiling tile? and which are the measures? thank you for this new great tut.
- May 28, 2009 at 1:33 PM
- Katie's Clay Corner said...
I love how you show us what to do.....although I'm going to have to read that a few times...I'd love a lounge chair!! Thanks for the eye candy, Casey!
- May 28, 2009 at 1:38 PM
- Ara said...
What a gorgeous chair!!! I love it as much as Tessie! I'd love to see a shot of the back sometime :) -ara
- May 28, 2009 at 1:55 PM
- MiniKat said...
I wondered. But now I'm still wondering! ;-)
- May 28, 2009 at 2:27 PM
- Caseymini said...
Thanks for all of the nice comments. This is one that would be very difficult to teach on line. Each one will be a little different, depending on the angle of the back. I can give you the pieces, but I don't guarantee that they would all fit together. I always have to trim some here and there.Let me think about it a bit to see if I can make it easier.
- May 28, 2009 at 3:06 PM
- Tina said...
I love the chase.. You did a wonderful job. And Tessie fits it perfect.. I am late getting on today, so wondering has Zar appeared yet?
How is Mookie feeling today? Better I hope.
- May 28, 2009 at 3:12 PM
- Caseymini said...
Oops. I forgot to answer Rosanna. The ceiling tile is also called acoustical tile. It is made of some kind of fiberboard. I am not sure what. It is used for suspended ceilings here. It's about 1/2" thick and finished on one side with a white pattern.There are different designs. It is soft enough to stick pins in. I use it for a lot of pinboards, workboards and it is the base for my beds and some other furniture. I don't think that I would build with it. It would probably wear down around the edges after a while. I never thought of it for roomboxes or anything like that. Hmmmmmmmm.
Here you can buy it by the sheet 4'x6' and it used to be sold in 12" squares. I am not sure if that is still produced.
- May 28, 2009 at 3:13 PM
- rosanna said...
Thank you very much! I'll go to my colour shop and ask if they have something of the sort.If not, can I use balsa wood?
- May 28, 2009 at 3:35 PM
- Debie Lyons said...
Casey that chaise is outstanding. I love it.
Debie xxx
- May 28, 2009 at 3:48 PM
- Pubdoll said...
Beautiful work! Love the fabric!
And as always, Tessie put a smile on my face! Good luck finding Balthazar!
- May 28, 2009 at 3:52 PM
- wenlaine said...
The lounge is just gorgeous, Casey and the rug is superb. You are such an inspiration.
- May 29, 2009 at 7:00 AM
- Lena said...
I just love the lounge that you´ve made! Your so talent! It´s very nice to follow your blog!
- May 29, 2009 at 11:52 PM


text:
ADDED: I received email from a man whose 18-year-old son died in an accident:
Because he graduated from high school in June, most of his friends are also college freshmen, and in September were newly scattered to the four winds, nowhere near their closest friends and not yet having developed close friendships in their new schools.... [They] posted hundreds of messages to his wall in the weeks following his death, and they continue to post there. These comments have brought, and bring, considerable solace to them, and to my wife, our daughter, and me.
And it was through Facebook that we were able to arrange with [his] friends all over North America to offer a tribute to him when they were home for Thanksgiving. We used Facebook to put out a call for ideas, and his friends used it to get together over long distances and decide how to pay tribute....
So now I have a use for Facebook, and I have more respect for its role in life and society than I ever thought I might. It can be a useful thing, and can bring comfort. To my surprise, it can bring people together and sustain them though emotional turbulence. From our family's vantage point at least, the benefits of Facebook outweigh whatever deleterious side-effects it might have.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
The application deadline is February 1 for admission the following Fall semester. Applications may be considered at other times at the discretion of the MS ES & P Graduate Committee.
Welcome The MS ES & P Graduate Committee Steps for Application and Admission Faculty Advisors and the Student Graduate Program Committee Requirements for the Master of Science degree in Environmental Sciences and Policy Getting Started on Campus MS ES&P Graduate Program Forms Thesis Evaluation of Progress and Grade Requirements Application for Graduation Incompletes Independent Study Transfer Credit Time Limits Credit Load Teaching Assistantships Research Assistantships Duration of Support Graduate Catalogue
Welcome to Northern Arizona University and Environmental Programs (ENV, formerly known as the Center for Sustainable Environments and the Center for Environmental Sciences and Education). Environmental Programs is part of the School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Sustainability (SESES) which is part of the College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (CEFNS) at Northern Arizona University. We recognize the challenges associated with relocating to a new place, institution, and program, and hope that this handbook will answer many of your questions and serve as a valuable source of information throughout your program.
NAU's Environmental Programs provides a technically rigorous education in the environmental sciences, preparing students for a career in research, industry, education, government, public service, or law. ENV is known campus-wide for its interdisciplinary approach to environmental issues and its pragmatic focus on environmental problem solving. Currently, our faculty comes from nine disciplines, including biology, chemistry, communications, engineering, education, environmental sciences, forestry, geology, and political science.
The objectives of our environmental sciences programs are to help students develop:
The Master of Science degree in Environmental Sciences and Policy will provide an advanced education for scientists and managers in the interdisciplinary environmental sciences. In-depth study of the environment has become increasingly dependent upon knowledge of the interactions between the natural world and human society. Neither today's environmental scientist, nor today's environmental policy analyst, can be content to specialize in a single field of study. Instead, environmental scientists and policy analysts are expected to be familiar with the interactions between disciplines such as ecology, geology, chemistry and politics. Graduates of the program will obtain the skills necessary to (1) analyze and understand environmental systems, (2) interpret and apply environmental rules and regulations, (3) predict the impact of human activities on our environment, and (4) develop effective methods for addressing environmental issues from a rigorous, interdisciplinary perspective.
The Master's Program in Environmental Sciences and Policy (Master's Program) is unique in its focus on interdisciplinary study. Students are encouraged and, in fact, required to think and learn across traditional disciplinary boundaries. The Master's Program involves significant cross-campus collaboration between a number of different departments and colleges, with Environmental Sciences and Political Science being the two most integral to the program. Research and teaching focuses on Arizona and Colorado Plateau issues, though knowledge gained will apply to national and international environmental issues as well.
Oversight of graduate studies in ENV resides with the ENV Graduate Committee, which is composed of a Chairperson, who also serves as Graduate Program Coordinator, the Director of ENV and selected faculty members. The ENV Graduate Committee is responsible for periodic review of policies and procedures concerning the graduate programs of the department. The ENV Graduate Committee is also responsible for admission decisions and recommendations for different types of financial support.
Entry into the Master's Program requires an online application http://nau.edu/GradCol/Admissions/Application/,
A completed application for admission will include:
A potential faculty advisor must be identified by the applicant before application to the program. This advisor will assist you in developing your program of study. A list of faculty, outlining areas of expertise and research interests, is available here. Applicants are encouraged to contact them directly with ideas and questions regarding graduate study at NAU. A meeting with one or more potential faculty advisors, prior to application, is strongly recommended. If this is not possible, consider contacting ENV faculty at professional meetings, or by letter, e-mail, or telephone. Applicants should be prepared to discuss their backgrounds, specific areas of interest, and career goals.
Students may enroll in coursework under the following classifications: Non-Degree Student, Provisional Graduate Student, or Regular Graduate Student.
A student who would like to take class but has not yet been admitted to the Master's Program in Environmental Sciences and Policy must submit a Non-Degree Seeking Application to the Graduate College: Non-Degree Graduate Application.
A Non-Degree student is one who has been admitted to the Graduate College but has not yet been admitted to the Master's Program. No more than 12 hours of graduate credit earned under Non-Degree standing may be applied toward a graduate degree. Please note that students who have completed hours while on Non-Degree standing and who have fully completed application procedures for Regular Graduate standing are NOT assured admission to the graduate program. They must be considered for admission along with other applicants.
A Provisional Graduate Student is one who has been admitted to the Graduate College but who is identified by the ENV Graduate Committee to be deficient in undergraduate coursework. The ENV Graduate Committee will identify deficiencies and the coursework needed to eliminate them at the time of admission to the program. In such cases, the student will have up to one year to complete remedial coursework. Successful completion of remedial coursework will lead to advancement to regular standing.
Graduate degrees are awarded only to students holding Regular Graduate Standing at Northern Arizona University. This status is awarded when a student has fulfilled all requirements for admission to both the Graduate College and the Master's Program, and has been accepted by both the Graduate College and by the Master's Program.
The application deadline is February 1 for admission the following Fall semester. Applications may be considered at other times at the discretion of the ENV Graduate Committee.
Throughout your tenure in the program, you will work most closely with your faculty advisor. In addition, each student admitted to the program will also select a Student Graduate Program Committee (Program Committee) by the middle of the first semester of the program. The Program Committee Form is available on the ENV Web site, and should be submitted to ENV during the student's first semester in residence. Each student's Program Committee will consist of three or four faculty members, and all Program Committees must include at least one NAU faculty member representing the social sciences (e.g. sociology, political sciences, psychology) and another NAU faculty member representing the natural sciences (e.g. biology, geology, chemistry). Two Program Committee members must be NAU faculty members with appointments in ENV, including the Program Committee chair or one of the two co-chairs, if this responsibility is shared. In cases of deadlocked Program Committee decisions, the Program Committee chair or the ENV co-chair will have the deciding vote. Program Committees must be approved by the ENV Graduate Coordinator. Students may change their advisors or Program Committees during their program by resubmitting a revised Program Committee Form, but this practice is discouraged, and will be approved only under compelling circumstances. Program Committee changes may not occur within the final semester preceding thesis defense and graduation.
Students must develop a formal program of study detailing their intended coursework in consultation with the student's advisor and Program Committee by the end of the first semester of residence. A Program of Study Worksheet is available on the ENV Web site. Programs must be approved by the student's advisor and the ENV Graduate Coordinator. The Program of Study Worksheet must indicate a schedule for completion of 36 hours of graduate credit, including required core courses.
The MS Program in Environmental Sciences and Policy combines study of required interdisciplinary core courses with a selection of specialized courses from across the University. The student must complete a thesis. This allows the graduate student to combine advanced academic training with original scientific research or with practical problem solving. The Program of Study is tailored to the specific needs and interest of each student.
The program consists of a twelve-credit-hour core, three credit hours of quantitative analysis, fifteen credit hours of graduate-level courses (specialty courses) selected by the student and his or her Program Committee, and a six-credit-hour thesis. Many of the courses in the M.S. program are drawn from existing graduate courses in biology, chemistry, forestry, geology, political science, and other NAU departments. The program core is designed to integrate environmental policy with course work from the natural sciences.
No more than two courses of 400-level credit will be accepted toward credit hour requirements; any 400 level courses must be approved by the advisor and the ENV Graduate Committee as part of the Program of Study. Courses previously applied to the requirements of a bachelor's degree cannot be used for graduate credit.
1) ENV 555: The Environmental Science/ Policy Interface. 3 credit hours. This course brings together graduate students who have diverse interests, backgrounds, research projects, and career goals to study specific issues bridging environmental science and policy. The course explores the relationship between advances in the environmental sciences and the policy development process. The mission of this course is to set the tone for the core concepts of our program. A student will register for this course during his/ her first semester in the program.
2) Advances in Environmental Sciences. 6 credit hours. Students will take one course each from two of the three areas listed below. While providing some flexibility to the student, the selected courses for each category provide the appropriate depth for advanced study in the environmental sciences. Additional courses may be added to these listings in the future, and students may propose substitutions in their Program of Study. Substitutions must be approved by the ENV Graduate Committee prior to student enrollment in the proposed substitute course.
3) Environmental Laws, Regulations, and Policy. 3 credit hours. Students will choose either an applied course in environmental regulations or a more theoretical course in environmental politics and policy.
CENE 540: Environmental Protection (3 units)FOR 593: Natural Resource Economics (3 units)FOR 605: Policy Process in Multi-Resource Management (3 units)FOR 633: Ecological Economics (3 units)GGR 574: Rural Economic Geography (3 units)POS 659: Environmental Policy (3 credits)
At least 15 additional hours of specialty courses, at the 500 level or above, will be chosen by students in consultation with their Program Committee. These classes will customize the program to individual needs. Courses may be drawn from graduate offerings across the NAU campus and may include courses listed in sections A and B, above. The Program Committee will ensure that the selection of specialty courses is appropriate to the student's research and career objectives.
Here are a few initial items requiring the student's attention upon arrival:
Students pursuing a degree in the Master of Science in Environmental Sciences and Policy Program are required at various times to complete the following forms, all of which can be downloaded here as PDF files:
Program of Study Worksheet: Students must develop a formal program of study detailing their intended coursework in consultation with the student's advisor and Program Committee by the end of the first semester of residence. Programs must be approved by the student's advisor and the ENV Graduate Coordinator. The worksheet must include a schedule for completion of 36 hours of graduate credit, including required core courses.
Program Committee Form: All students in the program must assemble a Program Committee by the end of the first term of residence. Each committee must have at least one member from the natural sciences and one member from the social sciences. The committee chair or co-chair must be a ENV faculty member, and at least 50% of the committee must be drawn from ENV. Committees are usually made up of three faculty members, but more may be invited, if necessary or desired.
Thesis / Professional Paper Proposal Form: This form must be submitted to the student's Program Committee for approval of a proposed thesis or professional paper.
Report on Result of Final Oral Defense of Thesis / Professional Paper : Upon successful completion and unanimous approval of the final oral defense of the thesis or professional paper, this form is signed by the Members of the Program Committee, the Graduate Coordinator and the ENV Director, and submitted to the Graduate College.
Teaching Assistant / Lab Evaluation Form: This form is for instructors to evaluate a student TA at the conclusion of his or her lab.
Annual Student Progress Report Form and Request for Financial Aid : All graduate students must fill out this form, whether or not the student is requesting continued funding in the form of Teaching Assistantships, Graduate Assistantships, or Research Assistantships. The student must turn in the form to the Graduate Coordinator no later than March 5th. Information provided in this form will be used to determine status and financial support.
Progress Checklist : This form is used to guide and track the student through the program.
When working on a thesis, students will work closely with the Program Committee Chair and other Program Committee members to conduct the required original research project (a minimum of 6 credit hours). In most cases this will require the student to maintain close physical proximity to the NAU campus. Writing the thesis as a research paper or papers for submission to a professional, peer-reviewed journal is strongly recommended. A thesis must be of publishable quality, as determined by the student's graduate advisor. A Thesis Proposal Form must be submitted to the Program Committee for approval. For Graduate College thesis format guidelines, please refer to http://nau.edu/uploadedFiles/Academic/GradCol/Faculty_and_Staff_Forms/ChecklistProperDocumentFormat.pdf. For other models and guidelines refer to http://nau.edu/GradCol/Student-Resources/Theses-and-Dissertations/.
The thesis must be defended orally before the Program Committee. The final draft of the thesis is to be submitted to the Program Committee at least six weeks prior to the defense to provide time for thorough review and possible revision. Program Committee members must provide feedback on the thesis within two weeks if their changes are to be incorporated into the final draft of the thesis. A final copy of the thesis, incorporating changes and including all figures, tables, and references, must be distributed to all Program Committee members at least seven working days before the date of the oral defense. Any Program Committee member who considers that the thesis needs more work may demand that the oral examination be rescheduled. A unanimous affirmative vote of the Program Committee is required for passing.
The approved thesis, with Program Committee signatures (in blue ink) is to be submitted to the Graduate College before the deadline set for the term. Contact the Graduate College for format and time line instructions.
An M.S. student must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or better to complete requirements for the degree, and is expected to make significant progress in their program each semester. A grade of C or better is acceptable for graduate credit, but no more than 6 credit hours earned with a grade of C may be counted as credit towards a degree. Accumulation of more than 6 credit hours of course work with a grade of C or below will result in the termination of the student's M.S. program, regardless of the grade point average achieved.
All students receiving any form of financial assistance (teaching assistantships, graduate assistantships, or fellowships) must complete a Financial Request and Progress Report form and turn it in to the ENV Graduate Committee by the announced deadline for continued funding (usually 15 February).
Application for graduation should be made to the Graduate College by the end of the second week of the semester of graduation. The Graduate College can provide the deadline for receipt of this application; there is a graduation fee. Students, not advisors or Program Committee members, are responsible for keeping track of Graduate College guidelines and deadlines.
If unable to complete the work required in a scheduled course within a semester, a student may petition the instructor to receive a grade of Incomplete (I). If the instructor agrees to give an I, the student and instructor must complete a written agreement, a copy of which is filed with ENV, indicating the exact work needed to finish the course. This written agreement must also indicate the date by which the work must be completed, and that date cannot be longer than one calendar year from the end of the semester in which the student was enrolled in that course. By the end of the time agreed to in writing, the instructor must submit a permanent earned grade for the course. If no grade has been submitted then a permanent Incomplete is entered on the student's transcript.
Please consult with your faculty program advisor if you wish to utilize independent study to enhance your program of study.
Transfer credits from other institutions are not accepted automatically, and in no case may the transferred credits exceed 9 credit hours (25% of the total minimum semester hours required for the MS degree). The student must petition the Graduate College to apply transfer credits toward the M.S. degree. Forms may be obtained from the Graduate College, and must be approved by the student's advisor and accompanied by official transcripts from the schools where the credits were earned.
All requirements for the M.S. degree, including courses accepted as transfer credit from other institutions, must be completed within a 6-year period from the date of enrollment in the first course on the program of study.
One extension of the time to complete degree requirements (of up to one year) may be granted if there are compelling extenuating circumstances. Extensions may be granted for a variety of reasons which may include, but are not limited to, job relocation, military duty, pregnancy, illness, a serious accident, divorce, or other personal tragedies within the immediate household.
Petitions for extension of the 6-year limit can be made in writing on forms available from the Graduate College. The petition must be supported by a letter from the Faculty Advisor and endorsed by the Director of ENV. The Director recommends the exception to the Dean of the Graduate College.
The minimum full-time credit load for a student is 9 hours. Students on assistantships (20 hours per week) are required to carry between 9 and 12 credit hours.
A limited number of Teaching Assistantships are available to graduate students in the Environmental Sciences and Policy program. These include an out-of-state Tuition Scholarship, which generally requires that in-state tuition be paid. A limited number of Tuition Scholarships waiving in-state tuition are also available, with eligibility limited to Arizona residents. A minimum semester and cumulative grade point average of 3.0, plus satisfactory progress in the degree program, are required for continued support.
Teaching Assistants are expected to devote 20 hours per week to their appointment, including teaching, office hours, preparations, testing and grading, and laboratory preparation. They should expect to have 6-12 student contact hours of teaching per week. They must have excellent command of spoken and written English and of the relevant subject matter. Teaching assistants must carry a course load of 9-12 hours per semester. All teaching assistants must attend the ENV and NAU Graduate Assistant Orientations each Fall, prior to the start of classes.
Teaching Assistants are expected to be in residence and available for assignment throughout the dates specified in their contract, beginning the first day and continuing through the last day of the contract. Faculty supervisors will complete a Graduate Assistant Evaluation at the end of each term of support; both supervisors and students are to review the evaluation, sign, and submit the form to the ENV Graduate Committee.
A Teaching Assistant's employment may be terminated for cause in the event of unacceptable performance or failure to make adequate academic progress that is not corrected after appropriate notice. Termination or any other disciplinary action is subject to the appeal process as stated in Graduate College policy documents.
A variable number of research assistantships are available from research funds granted to the university and under the direction of individual faculty members. Recommendations for these appointments are made by the faculty members who administer these funds. Inquiries about availability should be made to the faculty doing research in the area in which the student is interested. These appointments include out-of-state tuition waivers, and have a commitment of 20 hours per week during the academic year. Research assistants must carry a course load of 9-12 hours per semester. A minimum semester and cumulative grade point average of 3.0, plus satisfactory progress in the degree program, are required for continued support. Faculty supervisors will complete a Graduate Assistant Evaluation at the end of each term of support; both supervisors and students are to review the evaluation, sign, and submit the form to the ENV Graduate Committee.
A very limited number of scholarships waiving either in-state or out-of-state tuition are available from the Graduate College upon recommendation from the Center for Sustainable Environments. Requests for information should be directed to the ENV Graduate Committee Chair.
Graduate students in a Master's Program may receive two full academic years (four semesters) of support, regardless of its source, as long as they are making satisfactory progress toward completion of their degree requirements and receive satisfactory job performance evaluations. Satisfactory progress is evaluated by the student's Program Committee and the ENV Graduate Committee.
Revised 2010.12.7


text:
The world and those in charge of it look very different when you are 17 or 18. Having said that, it is only fair to add that I never fully understood or appreciated an educator like Marcia Clanton at that time.
I can report that my perspective has changed dramatically after 10 years.
When I arrived at Savannah Arts Academy in the fall of 2000, both she and I were very new to this now well-established school. I was able to witness firsthand the "growing pains" of a school that a community like Savannah desperately needed.
Clanton was truly at the forefront of that treasured vision that still exists today with encouraged excellence in academics and artistic ability. Clanton ran a tight ship that made me strangely reminiscent of my days in Catholic school. Despite the adversity she faced as being the new administrator in an overly "free" environment, I can look back with clarity on how she held the interests of our student body with the best of intentions.
The final word on my admission to SAA was left in the hands of Marcia Clanton, which she graciously made possible. I will eternally be grateful for that gesture, along with the phenomenal experience that I received during the latter part of my high school years.
When I decided to become a teacher, I took the opportunity within the last year to thank many of my former educators for their careful instruction and ultimately believing in me. However, I missed my opportunity to properly thank Marcia Clanton for her impact in my life.
Perhaps the sad passing of this young woman (along with her remarkable legacy) will serve as a reminder for us to be grateful for those who have touched our lives, especially those who are in charge of educating our youth.
Shame on AASU for its 'horrible' tennis courts
Nathan Dominitz wrote a wonderful article on Armstrong Atlantic State University tennis for Saturday's Sports section, but his article got me thinking: Why is a five-time national champion (women's team '05,'08,'09,'10,'12) and a three-time national champion (men's team '08,'09,'12) playing home matches at Bacon Park Tennis Complex?
The reason is simple: The courts at AASU are in horrible condition. Cracks and holes are everywhere.
As a former tennis player '78-'83 and alumni '83 and '87, I could not believe the condition of the courts.
How can AASU not afford to resurface their tennis courts? Why are "home" matches played away from school? Does the basketball team play with cracks on their hardwoord floor? Does the baseball, softball or soccer teams play with holes in their field? How many national championships have any other AASU teams won?
Coach Simon Earnshaw and his teams have been wonderful ambassadors for AASU, they should have the best faculties. The AASU students should be able to watch matches on campus. The AASU athletic director and university president should be ashamed.
Citizens United ruling helps organized labor
All the complaints about the U.S. Supreme Court's "Citizens United" ruling seem to focus on corporations.
What is not mentioned is that unions are also given more freedom for direct advocacy of candidates.
The ruling does not allow corporations and unions to donate to political campaigns. It also does not allow foreign corporations to donate to campaigns. Campaign contribution limits are unchanged.
What is does allow is independent, direct advocacy for or against specific candidates, actions which were previously prohibited. McCain-Feingold had only allowed corporate media to do so.
Do the opponents of Citizens United object to the expanded rights for unions, as well?
Another vote to dump the Electoral College
In response to Ronald Alnutt's letter to the editor (March 30), I agree with his message. More likely, many of us feel the same and would like it changed to popular vote.
The presidential election should be based on the popular vote. It would be fantastic for 2016 election to do away with the Electoral College. We have so much technology in today's world, so let's make the Electoral College obsolete.
Every vote matters.
Everyone write your congressman, commissioners, senators. Nothing happens overnight, but we can make a difference.
$100 to see Bill Maher? That's depraved
Two-hundred and eighteen years ago, thinker Edmund Burke wrote a letter to his friend William Smith. A quote from that letter: "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."
I lay no rightful claim to the label "good man," but I felt it vital that someone do something. Inasmuch as Mr. Burke wrote his truism more than 21 decades ago, it's obvious that profundities survive; nonsense dies.
The source of my vexation is the shameless program scheduled for the Savannah Civic Center on April 7. Bill Maher, a young man stricken by some yet unnamed, grotesque, anomalous malady is granting us the opportunity to feast - for a mere $100 per attendee - on his lecherous message. Surely we would not allow this purveyor of depravity to return home, laughing all the way, without a fistful of good ol' Savannah currency.
Please be aware that his pernicious tirade will be delivered in opposition to the commendable beliefs of more than 2 billion Christians around the world. Obviously, this fallacious, self-proclaimed savior of the unlearned feels himself to be intellectually superior to them all.
I'll close with a "downer." Despite a thousand other positive, humanitarian choices, should you be among those who have decided to invest in this overpriced debauchery, consider this: None of us have the slightest control over the possibility of some distant family calamity. Any of us, at any time, could be confronted with a somber-faced physician shaking his head negatively and uttering, "I'm sorry, but there's nothing more I can do."
In that heart-rending instant, faith is our sole resource, and I can state with complete confidence you will not choose to pray to Bill Maher.


text:
- Member for
- 5 years 41 weeks
- Blog
- View recent blog entries
Recent Comments
|5 years 22 weeks ago
|alquadin muhammad / montravius adams
imo- even better would be to have alquadin muhammad or montravius adams decide our way.
|5 years 22 weeks ago
|maybe we get lucky and he flip-flops back at the right time
maybe we get lucky and he flip-flops back at the right time, say early feb. seems like that is where he ends up, however, he is favoring at nsd.
|5 years 22 weeks ago
|darn straight it was throwaway, should have been thrown away
darn straight it was throwaway, should have been thrown away before it was used.
|5 years 27 weeks ago
|wish, but dombrowski went to
wish, but dombrowski went to wmu. it'll take jr's dad to want him closer.
|5 years 27 weeks ago
|and one more, his son may
and one more, his son may just decide to play even closer to his dad, like in ann arbor. 8)
|5 years 27 weeks ago
|Are you talking about last
Are you talking about last year? He isn't coaching at this time (2012).
|5 years 27 weeks ago
|Can't think Petrino would be
Can't think Petrino would be able to jump back in SEC would he? Yet again, it is the SEC, so what am I thinkin'. There are plenty of co-ordinators that would be looked over from B1G, Withers & Herman in Columbus, or Narduzzi in EL probably.
More importantly, do you think Big Al could use a hand with the quarterbacks from Loeffler. 8)
|5 years 32 weeks ago
|um: 35 - 6
michigan: 35
illinois: 6
|5 years 32 weeks ago
|dont worry youre only late
dont worry youre only late for the party when its over. who gets the 50? 8)
|5 years 37 weeks ago
|yea, a big block m !
yea, a big block m ! thats what those sights are for.
|5 years 38 weeks ago
|Would non-athletes be banned from any school activities?
Tough to call, which is right, are we just being reactionary? If he were just an ordinary student, would he be prevented from participation in extracurricular events because of this? Would he be banned from theatre, music, or art if he was a fine arts major? Or even intramural sports, clubs or other activities? If you are talking scholarships; would you lose an academic, or artistic scholarship from this action?
Is it just the notoriety? Not trying to defend their actions, just want to consider the question. These guys always get held to the standard, "they shouldn't get extra benefits than ordinary students"; but, shouldn't they get the same allowances?
|5 years 38 weeks ago
|sorry, dude. they may need
sorry, dude. they may need some inducement other than drinks?
|5 years 39 weeks ago
|wish it would but it won't
wish it would but it won't happen again. scholarship limits have changed. no more 100+ person benches, and being able to lock up every top flight recruit. media exposure has changed also, more exposure equals diluting talent. plus, we have stronger teams in b1g with nebraska, and maybe someday psu again.
|5 years 39 weeks ago
|agree on the end of decade
agree on the end of decade departure, but my take is, if he is still healthy, he's headin' to the nfl.
|5 years 39 weeks ago
|least we forget, they both
least we forget, they've both had the same guy as defensive coordinator.
|5 years 39 weeks ago
|so is mine.
so is mine.
|5 years 39 weeks ago
|darren mccarty skatin' end-to-end to ice the stanley cup
yea, needed more hockey. will always remember darren mccarty skatin' end-to-end to ice the stanley cup finals. one of my favorites. this tough guy you expect to pass at any time, suddenly he skates past everyone like he's a skilled playmaker, dekes it home, then dances around, toothless smile beaming ear-to-ear, in celebration. (or even the fight with the avs, choose your tandem.)
|5 years 39 weeks ago
|too much college turnover
only thing about that though, there is so much turnover in college. you might have an entire squad with few if any remaining players to start the new season. agree if you are talking pros, but not college. besides pre-season rankings are such bs, let the games decide.
|5 years 39 weeks ago
|agree, schedule strength
agree, schedule strength should not be factor of pre-season rankings. beg to differ, if you feel the same for final season rankings. last year, definitely think we caught a bit of a break having some big games at home. this year, not so much. if oregon had anyone else on the schedule except lsu as a first game, believe most likely they would have played in bcs game.
still believe alabama should never have had the second chance to play lsu, that should have been okla st.
|5 years 39 weeks ago
head says usc, but heart always screams, "Meeeshigan!" (in a very ufer-ish voice, of course!)
|5 years 39 weeks ago
|am coming from da' iron range
am coming from da' iron range by duluth, but am not bringing it with me. will pick it up after arrival. hate getting stopped in security at airports, dont cha' know. look too much like a terrorist as it is. but then, what's a terrorist look like. duh!
|5 years 39 weeks ago
|remember you are going to
remember you are going to dallas.
dallas, texas.
a large metropolitan area in the usa.
you don't have to pack your supplies in with you. walgreens, cvs, walmart, and targets, etc. are readily available to pick this up, rather than traveling with it.
|5 years 39 weeks ago
|was thinkin' the same. just
was thinkin' the same. just couldn't read it that it made any sense.
"Neither Can Live While The Other Survives"
|5 years 40 weeks ago
|who knows, he has enough
who knows, he has enough potential to be in discussion for us olympic team in 2016 if things go well. best shot competitors develop with age. (like wine, speaking of which…)
|5 years 40 weeks ago
|don't forget the french
don't forget the french, they're always involved some how.
|5 years 40 weeks ago
|not that special, kinda small
not that special, kinda small and saggy actually. but then, will never complain as they're all good.
|5 years 40 weeks ago
|so can't stand this old
so can't stand this old babe!! taking the ball away from the little kid and acting like she did something fantastic.
when i first saw this, remember how much i wished i was there just to slap her, say "wtfb" and give the ball back to the kid!!!!
|5 years 40 weeks ago
|great pick up. they'll give
great pick up. they'll give him a shot on the mound, but he'll probably be a fielder as he moves well and fluid swing.
|5 years 40 weeks ago
|totally sucks.
totally sucks.
|5 years 40 weeks ago
|would be great if someone
would be great if someone could post these signs for msu game.


text:
SYS-CON.TV Webcasts
Did you read today's front page stories & breaking news?
Today's Top SOA Links
From the Wires
Majority of Americans Foresee Smartphone Payments Replacing Cards and Cash
Yet few show strong, immediate interest in doing so themselves
By: PR Newswire
Dec. 11, 2012 08:43 AM
NEW YORK, Dec. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Just imagine it: you're holiday shopping, or perhaps ordering a drink at your favorite coffee shop. While the gift wrappers start cutting colorful paper or the barista begins steaming your nonfat soy milk, you settle the bill with a simple tap of your smartphone against the merchant's point-of-service terminal. It's not the future you're looking at – the technology is already here, albeit at an emerging level. A combined 13% of Americans indicate that they have either paid in this manner themselves (4%) or witnessed it firsthand (8%), with predictably stronger experience levels among smartphone owners (18%, 7% and 11%, respectively).
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100517/NY06256LOGO)
But is this just a passing gimmick, or the first indicator of a fundamental shift in how Americans are likely to pay for goods and services in the years to come? The majority of Americans appear to be anticipating the latter, with over six in ten indicating that they believe smartphone payments will eventually replace both payment card (66%) and cash (61%) transactions for a majority of purchases.
These are some of the results of The Harris Poll of 2,383 adults surveyed online between November 14 and 19, 2012 by Harris Interactive.
Change is down the road – but not necessarily around the corner…
While many Americans perceive this change in payment culture as a likely eventuality, considerably fewer appear to perceive it as imminent: although the aforementioned two-thirds (66%) believe smartphone payments will eventually replace payment card transactions, considerably fewer (32%) believe this will happen in less than five years. Similarly, fewer than half of those Americans who believe smartphone payments will eventually replace cash for the majority of purchases (61%) believe this will happen in less than five years (26%).
…And not necessarily for me
Despite the majority of Americans indicating that such changes to our collective purchasing habits are ahead, few display a strong interest in replacing their own cash or card transactions with the tap of a smartphone. Although over one-fourth of Americans (27%) and nearly half of smartphone users (44%) report overall interest in being able to use their smartphone to process in-person payments, far fewer specify being very interested in doing so (8% and 16%, respectively). Nonetheless, it is worth noting that overall interest levels point to some segments which are most interested overall in this ability:
Among those who indicate being either not very or not at all interested in being able to make smartphone payments, security is a clear, if predictable, factor: half (51%) say they don't want to store sensitive information on their phone, and four in ten (40%) don't want to transmit sensitive information to a merchant's device. Another predictable impediment is the simple matter of smartphone ownership, with half (50%) indicating they are not interested in doing so because they don't use a smartphone. The other top impediment speaks to a deeper issue facing the mobile payment industry: just over half of those not interested (52%) indicate that they simply don't see any reason to switch from cash or payment cards.
Even initiatives to more seamlessly integrate smartphones into our payment habits appear to carry only moderate potential to move the needle on Americans' interest. While just over one-fourth of Americans (28%) and four in ten smartphone owners (40%) indicate that being able to make mobile payments while still taking advantage of their existing credit card reward programs would make them more interested in doing so, far fewer (9% and 15%, respectively) specify that they would be much more interested. Moreover, only 8% of those not interested in paying with smartphones indicate that this would make them more so (and only 1% indicate it would make them much more so).
Similarly, when asked how the ability to use their smartphones as a "digital wallet" with electronic versions of all the identifications, loyalty program cards and other documentation normally carried in a wallet – thereby allowing them to leave their physical wallets at home – three in ten Americans (30%) and over four in ten smartphone owners (43%) indicate it would make them more interested in doing so, but far fewer (8% and 12%, respectively) specify that it would make them much more interested. Only 12% of those not interested in paying with smartphones overall indicate that this would make them more interested (and only 2% indicate it would make them much more interested).
So what?
When debit cards came to prominence, they did so by responding to a genuine consumer desire – even if consumers weren't aware of that desire until the solution presented itself. By combining the use-anywhere convenience of a credit card with the ability to draw from money in users' checking accounts instead of incurring debt, this new product fundamentally changed how Americans paid for goods and services, eventually outpacing cash as the top payment type.
Thus far, the mobile payment industry has yet to find a similar "in" with consumers. Finding such a silver bullet which gives Americans a reason to change how they pay will depend not only on bringing new ideas to the table simply because technology enables them – but paying attention to how Americans pay now and looking for a need that, once again, they may not even know is there.
TABLE 1a
Base: All U.S. adults
Note: Percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding
TABLE 1b
Base: Smartphone Users
Note: Percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding
Base: All U.S. adults
Note: Percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding
Base: All U.S. adults
Note: Percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding
Base: U.S. Adults "Not very" or "Not at all" interested in using a smartphone to process in-person transactions
Note: Multiple responses allowed.
Base: All U.S. adults
Note: Percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding
Base: All U.S. adults
Note: Percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding
This Harris Poll was conducted online within the United States between November 14 and 19, 2012 among 2,383 adults (aged 18 and over). Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online.
All sample surveys and polls, whether or not they use probability sampling, are subject to multiple sources of error which are most often not possible to quantify or estimate, including sampling error, coverage error, error associated with nonresponse, error associated with question wording and response options, and post-survey weighting and adjustments. Therefore, Harris Interactive avoids the words "margin of error" as they are misleading. All that can be calculated are different possible sampling errors with different probabilities for pure, unweighted, random samples with 100% response rates. These are only theoretical because no published polls come close to this ideal.
Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in Harris Interactive surveys. The data have been weighted to reflect the composition of the adult population. Because the sample is based on those who agreed to participate in the Harris Interactive panel, no estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.
These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.
The results of this Harris Poll may not be used in advertising, marketing or promotion without the prior written permission of Harris Interactive.
The Harris Poll® #66, December 11, 2012
About Harris Interactive
Harris Interactive is one of the world's leading market research firms, leveraging research, technology, and business acumen to transform relevant insight into actionable foresight. Known widely for the Harris Poll® and for pioneering innovative research methodologies, Harris offers proprietary solutions in the areas of market and customer insight, corporate brand and reputation strategy, and marketing, advertising, public relations and communications research. Harris possesses expertise in a wide range of industries including health care, technology, public affairs, energy, telecommunications, financial services, insurance, media, retail, restaurant, and consumer package goods. Additionally, Harris has a portfolio of multi-client offerings that complement our custom solutions while maximizing our client's research investment. Serving clients in more than 196 countries and territories through our North American and European offices, Harris specializes in delivering research solutions that help us - and our clients—stay ahead of what's next. For more information, please visit www.harrisinteractive.com.
Press Contacts:
SOURCE Harris Interactive
Web 2.0 Latest News
Subscribe to the World's Most Powerful Newsletters
Subscribe to Our Rss Feeds & Get Your SYS-CON News Live!
SYS-CON Featured Whitepapers
Most Read This Week


text:
The 2012 Hudson Reporter All-Area Baseball and Softball Teams once again represent the very best that Hudson County has to offer and highlight some extraordinary performances on the local diamonds this spring.
On the All-Area Baseball Team, there are six returning honorees from last year's team, namely Kenny Roder and Abe Groomes of Hoboken, David Strandberg, Sal Mendez and Kenny Minier of Weehawken and Jomar Casiano of Ferris.
Weehawken leads the way with four honorees, with Hudson County Tournament and NJSIAA Non-Public B state champion Marist holding three spots and North Bergen also holding three.
The individual honorees are as follows: For leading his team to the state and county titles, Mark Peralta, a standout on both the mound and at the plate, earns the Hudson Reporter Player of the Year honors.
The Pitcher of the Year and Most Valuable Player honors go to the same performer for the second straight year.
Roder of Hoboken etched his name as one of the greatest pitchers in Hudson County high school baseball history. His statistics are downright shocking and almost too hard to be true.
Roder won eight games on the mound, surrendered just 31 hits in 86 innings pitched, struck out a school-record 172 batters and walked just six for the entire season.
There has never been a pitcher in the county who had such impeccable control. He's clearly the best pitcher in Hoboken history and could very well wear the crown in the overall county. Sure, there have been pitchers who threw harder and looked more imposing, but Roder's success rivals no one.
The Hudson Reporter Coach of the Year honors go to Ron Hayward of Marist, who guided his team to a 24-5 record and championships on both the county and the state level. He brought the Royal Knights their first baseball state title since 1991.
The 2012 Hudson Reporter All-Area Softball Team also features six players who earned All-Area plaudits a year ago. They are Natalia Estremera of Ferris, Jayla Vega of Hoboken, Victoria Pessolano of Ferris, Shalia Rolon of Union City, Karla Calderon of Memorial and Danielle Roesing of Secaucus.
The Hudson Reporter Pitcher of the Year goes to Jessica Feria of North Bergen, who emerged as one of the premier hurlers in northern New Jersey, leading the Bruins to the Hudson County Tournament title. Feria won 20 games in her first year as the Bruins' pitcher and the southpaw ended up striking out nearly 200 batters for the season.
The Hudson Reporter Player of the Year is Natalia "J.J." Estremera of McNair Academic, who batted better than .600 with two homers and 51 RBI, scoring 47 runs in the process. Estremera also won 12 games on the mound, leading the Cougars to a fine 22-8 season. Estremera earned All-Area honors for all four years of high school.
The Most Valuable Player honors go to Jayla Vega of Hoboken, who won 24 games on the mound and was the Red Wings' most consistent hitter all season long. Vega, a two-time All-Area honoree, was the most impressive performer all season.
The Hudson Reporter Coach of the Year goes to Tim O'Donnell of Hudson Catholic, who has turned that fledgling program into a viable contender, winning more than 20 games this season. O'Donnell earns the honor for a second time in his career, also earning the honor while the head coach of County Prep a few years back. – Jim Hague


text:
FRESNO, CA (RNN) – Fresno County Coroner David Hadden said two more people have died in the coworker shooting at a chicken processing plant Tuesday morning, according to the Associated Press.
One of the additional deaths was the suspected shooter, 42-year-old Lawrence Jones, an employee at the Apple Valley Farms plant. He shot four other coworkers about 3 1/2 hours after clocking into work Tuesday morning and apparently turned the gun on himself, according to Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer.
"We're still trying to determine what led up to the shooting," Dyer said. "It appears all the victims were shot while they were inside the business. It appears shortly thereafter that Jones walked outside the business and shot himself."
Dyer said when Jones clocked in to work Tuesday morning, workers said that he "did not appear to be himself."
Police responded to multiple 911 calls around 8:30 a.m. PT and arrived to find a 32-year-old male inside the business with a gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Officers also found a 34-year-old male inside with a gunshot wound to the head and a 28-year-old male shot in the neck. Both were transported to the local trauma center one died while in surgery, the other is listed in critical condition.
Another woman, 32, outside the business suffered a gunshot wound to the lower back near the buttocks, and Dyer said she was in "good condition."
Coroner's officials have not identified the victims. Officials say they are still notifying families.
Officers found Jones outside the business with a gunshot wound to the head. They believe the wound was self-inflicted.
Investigators are working to figure out a motive for the shooting. Jones is black, and all four of his victims are Hispanic, according to Dyer. Jones was a discharged parolee and had a criminal history that dates back to the 1990s.
Police have secured his residence in Fresno and are trying to make sure there were no other victims.
Apple Valley Farms, also known as Valley Protein, is a poultry and meat processor with about 60 employees. It is located in an industrial area near the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad tracks.
As many as 30 employees were inside and witnessed the shootings.
Copyright 2012 Raycom News Network. All rights reserved.
1812 Fairfield Ave.
Shreveport, LA 71101
(318) 222-1212
(318) 222-1212EEO Report Closed Captioning
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2018 Raycom Media. All Rights Reserved. For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service, and Ad Choices.


text:
ELBURN – Trustee Jerry Schmidt called for urgency Monday after a second consecutive week went by without discussion on the proposed Elburn Station development.
It wasn't a surprise that the topic didn't come up at Monday's Committee of the Whole meeting. Village President Dave Anderson said board member Jeff Walter had been called away for business and could not attend. Last week, board member Ethan Hastert was not at a board meeting for a similar reason. Anderson has said Elburn Station discussions won't take place at any meeting in which any board member is missing.
Officials have been debating the ShoDeen development, which would bring about 2,200 homes into the village, near the Metra station.
There has been discussion about the ratio of multifamily units and single-family units, talk about a planned pedestrian bridge that is part of the project, concern over the developer's financial situation and senior housing issues.
The development is tied to an extension of Anderson Road and a bridge that would cross the Metra tracks. Federal funds are promised for the bridge, but there is concern that the money may become unavailable if the board doesn't act. ShoDeen owns the land that would be used for the bridge.
"I'm a little concerned that we are still not discussing the station development," said Schmidt, who is not running for re-election in April. He added that he understands Anderson wants all trustees there for any talk, but Schmidt wondered why there couldn't be a special meeting called or an attempt to have the missing board member attend remotely, using a method such as Skype.
Trustees were not eager to pursue those possibilities. Anderson said there is time remaining to hammer out the details. The Village Board will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, and an Elburn Station discussion is planned for then.
"We are trying," Anderson said.
View Elburn's plan
Residents may get a glimpse of the Elburn Draft Comprehensive Plan, which was available for viewing last week. Those who want to check it out should visit www.elburn.il.us/DocumentCenter. From there, click on "Community Development." Then, click on "Elburn Draft Comprehensive Plan 2013-01-16."
The plan is scheduled to be reviewed at the Tuesday meeting of the village's plan commission.
Kaneland educators award
Kaneland School District 302 has made its nominations for the Kane County 2013 Educator of the Year competition.
Those nominated include:
• Pam Berth, the principal's secretary at Blackberry Creek Elementary School.
• Rachael Wilson, a fourth-grade teacher at John Shields Elementary School.
• Patti Reeder, an eighth-grade math teacher at Harter Middle School.
• Mark Meyer, a social studies teacher at Kaneland High School.
• Kris Weiss, an assistant principal at Harter Middle School.
The district said that letters of support for the individuals nominated must be received by 3 p.m. March 15.
Letters for Berth should be sent to Linda Zulkowski at Blackberry Creek Elementary School, 1122 S. Anderson Road, Elburn, IL 60119. Letters for Wilson should be sent to Anna Richards at John Shields Elementary School, 85 Main St., Sugar Grove, IL 60554. Letters for Reeder should be sent to Amy Pifer at Harter Middle School, 1601 Esker Drive, Sugar Grove, IL 60554.
Letters for Meyer should be sent to Sharon Beck at Kaneland High School, 47W326 Keslinger Road, Maple Park, IL 60151. Letters for Weiss should be sent to Elsa Glover at Harter Middle School, 1601 Esker Drive, Sugar Grove, IL 60554.
The Kane County Educator of the Year banquet will be May 3 in St. Charles.
Mr. Kaneland
The Mr. Kaneland event is set for 7 p.m. Feb. 15 in the Kaneland High School auditorium, 47W326 Keslinger Road, Maple Park. This year's participants will be Brad Kigyos, Chris Wido, Tucker DeBolt, Andrew Tobin, Fernando Caballero, Dalvell Triplett, Alec Kovach and Mike Karakourtis.
According to a news release, the event is a male pageant created by the Kaneland Peer Leadership group to raise money for the Delnor Center for Breast Health.
The ticket to the event will be a bracelet, which is available for $5. Bracelets may be purchased from members of the Mr. Kaneland Court, members of Peer Leadership or by contacting Beth Trafton at email@example.com.
• Al Lagattolla is the news editor of the Kane County Chronicle. Write to him at firstname.lastname@example.com.


text:
Not content with just being a chop-socky princess, Ziyi Zhang has also tackled producing and playing a rom-com sweetheart. Her "Sophie's Revenge," which saw a limited U.S. run in 2009, proved such a box-office and critical hit in China that it has now spawned a new installment: "My Lucky Star," which finds Zhang reprising the Amélie Poulain-esque comic artist Sophie, who channels romantic longings through her very vivid imagination.
She wins a trip to Singapore, where she meets the secret agent of her dreams and comic panels, David (Wang Leehom). With this international man of mystery naturally comes a covert operation, but the love-struck Sophie constantly threatens to blow their cover.
It's tempting to characterize "My Lucky Star" as the Chinese knockoff of a high-concept Hollywood rom-com, one that could pass for the real thing if it weren't for the shoddy construction. Ironically, an American — Dennie Gordon of "Joe Dirt" and "What a Girl Wants" — was at the helm. (She didn't direct "Sophie's Revenge.")
PHOTOS: Celebrities by The Times
The outrageous story is engaging, even if some of its hilarity is lost in subtitular translation. While the film does not lack production values and panache, Gordon's direction often seems thoughtless. Wang, the Taiwanese American pop singer who starred in Ang Lee's "Lust, Caution" and will make his Hollywood debut in Michael Mann's "Cyber," is about as uncharismatic as Keanu Reeves. Mercifully, Zhang is at her spunky best, even when playing the damsel in distress.
—Martin Tsai
"My Lucky Star." No MPAA rating. Running time: 1 hour, 53 minutes. At AMC Atlantic Times Square 14, Monterey Park; AMC Puente Hills 20, City of Industry.
PHOTOS: Faces to watch 2014 | Movies
ENVELOPE: The latest awards buzz
DOCUMENTARIES: 10 best of 2013, and a new crop in 2014


text:
The memorial service for Nelson Mandela concluded Tuesday in Soweto, but South Africans will have additional opportunities to say farewell to their late president. Mandela lies in state in Pretoria for three days and will be buried Sunday in his home village of Qunu.
Mandela To Lie In State In Pretoria
By editor • Dec 10, 2013


text:
MarketBeat Podcast: Year in Review
This year will be remembered for tanking social-media stocks, trading glitches roiling markets and global central-bank interventions.
In this week's edition of MarketBeat Week, the last of 2012 and our year-in-review edition, Paul Vigna, David Benoit and Steven Russolillo analyze some of the major themes of 2012 that dominated the financial markets.
Facebook Inc., Groupon Inc., and Zynga Inc., are among a slew of social-media stocks that have struggled mightily this year, illustrating how many of these companies weren't ready to trade in the public markets.
Meanwhile, trading glitches, big and small, made the headlines this year. Facebook's botched IPO, BATS' disastrous IPO and Knight Capital's $461 million mishap are some of the big events that have hindered investor confidence.
Also, from Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke to ECB President Mario Draghi and more, central bankers played a huge role in propping up financial markets around the globe.
Grab a set of headphones and take a listen to this week's podcast.