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From South Carolina to Virginia many records were set for average high temperatures in January and February. How this will impact insect damage and diseases, especially those vectored by insects is beginning to play out.
In Virginia, the news isn't all bad. Cereal leaf beetle larvae began showing up in wheat fields in April, but pressure seems to be lower than in previous years. It appears growers should be in the clear with this insect.
Though aphids have shown up in some wheat fields, these insects typically cause more problems in the fall by spreading barley yellow dwarf virus. Again, the jury is out for the fall crop, but it appears 2006 wheat will not be severely impacted by insects or disease.
From northern South Carolina to central Virginia, researchers have recorded an increase in movement of cotton thrips. Growers who took advantage of warm late April weather to plant cotton are most susceptible to thrips damage. While there is no reliable way to predict how severe thrips pressure will become, most experts agree cotton producers should plan for the worst.
Early planted cotton will be at the greatest risk for thrips damage because slow growth early in the year exposed the plant to thrips longer than later planted cotton. It is critical for growers to watch these early planted cotton fields and make timely sprays.
Another troublesome cotton pest, green and brown stinkbugs also are showing up earlier than usual in the woods and weedy areas. Even in heavy stinkbug outbreaks, damage is usually sporadic and careful scouting is required to avoid over-use of insecticides.
Perhaps the most ominous threat from over-wintering diseases comes from tomato spotted wilt virus and soybean rust. Early signs for both are not promising for soybean, tobacco and peanut growers, especially in South Carolina and eastern North Carolina.
Four years ago, tomato spotted wilt virus caused severe problems on a number of crops, even potatoes, from Florida to Virginia. North Carolina Crop Consultant, Bruce Niederhauser, says TSWV has probably been around for 15 years or more, but it looks so much like other viruses it was misdiagnosed.
"Four years ago, we had a major disease problem in potato fields in eastern North Carolina, and it looked different enough from other viruses that I called George Kennedy, an entomologist at North Carolina State University and asked him to come down and look at our potato fields. He used a field ELISA test to diagnose the problem as TSWV," Niederhauser explains.
This year, TSWV started showing up in potatoes in late April and in early transplanted tobacco in May. Though none of the outbreaks has been severe as of press time, the fact it is showing up early and in scattered areas in North and South Carolina is cause for concern, especially for peanuts, which are highly susceptible to the disease.
South Carolina Peanut Specialist Jay Chapin warns that although there are peanut varieties that have some resistance to TSWV, these are not widely used, leaving most peanuts susceptible to the disease. With so many new peanut growers in South Carolina, it is extremely important to know how to identify TSWV and to know the characteristics of the peanut variety planted.
TSWV is vectored by thrips and four years ago, when TSWV was so destructive in the Carolinas, there was a noticeable increase in thrips flights. As of mid-May, thrips flights have been sporadic, with heavier flights expected in late May and on into June.
Yellow mustard and wild pansy are ideal hosts for thrips and the warm winter and cool, dry spring provided ideal growing conditions for these and many other host plants. Warm winter and spring weather will impact the level of thrips damage. However, these tiny pests move on air currents, so prevailing winds will also play a part in the build up of thrips and subsequent vectoring of viruses on plants.
Virginia Tech Entomologist and State IPM Leader, Ames Herbert points out that thrips can have a triple negative impact on crops. The obvious damage is from direct contact with plants and vectoring disease causing viruses. However, over-spraying of thrips can cause flare-ups of aphids and spider mites, which can be more destructive than thrips.
Sentinel plots of soybeans have been planted throughout the Carolinas to help detect the movement of Asian soybean rust. Drought in the lower Southeast may have slowed the movement northward of soybean rust. Though no significant activity had been noted as of mid-May, sporadic but heavy rainfall throughout the Florida Panhandle and the southern parts of Georgia and Alabama in May have intensified scouting for soybean rust.
Warm winter conditions helped kudzu survive as far north as Montgomery, Ala., and kudzu is a known host for soybean rust. Similarly, rust over-wintered on kudzu in south Georgia and throughout the Panhandle of Florida. Despite its slow movement, rust watchers agree that changes in weather conditions could create movement of the disease-causing spores.
USDA's Risk Management Agency (RMA) recently reminded insured producers that Asian soybean rust remains a concern for the 2006 crop year in parts of the country. While crop loss due to soybean rust is a covered loss under the Federal crop insurance program, farmers must use good farming practices by seeking and following recommendations of agricultural experts to control soybean rust. While a loss caused by soybean rust is an insured peril under the Federal crop insurance program, damage due to the insufficient or improper application of available disease control measures is not.
To be eligible for crop insurance claims from soybean rust damage, growers should use good farming practices, defined as actions that will allow the crop to make normal progress toward maturity and produce at least the yield used to determine the production guarantee. Failure to purchase and apply adequate control measures due to economic reasons is not an insurable cause of loss.
Producers must be knowledgeable of any pending outbreaks and the control methods recommended by local agricultural experts, such as Extension agents and certified crop consultants, used in their area to combat the disease.
Appropriate treatment may vary from timing of application (pre- or post-discovery of the disease), frequency, and choice of chemical or other determining factors.
If crops become infected, RMA recommends that insured producers document the date of discovery of the disease, any recommendations received from agricultural experts, and actions taken regarding the application of appropriate control measures.
For the 2006 crop, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has expanded the scope of its public soybean rust Web site to include surveillance of another major crop pest, the soybean aphid (Aphis glycines Matsumuraare). The site <<a href="http://www.sbrusa.net" target="_blank">www.sbrusa.net has also been renamed the "USDA Public PIPE Mapping Web Site," with PIPE standing for Pest Information Platform for Extension and Education.
As has been the case with Asian soybean rust, the facility will include mapping of aphid scouting efforts, on-going reports of fresh discoveries of the damaging insect pest, while providing individual state-by-state aphid commentary from local Extension experts.
As is historically the case, the success of the 2006 crop in the Southeast, from king cotton to minor crops, like potatoes, will be significantly impacted by weather. The warm, dry winter and early spring provided comfort to many people, but considerable anxiety among farmers.
e-mail: [email protected]


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What most people know as simply "tart dough" is called pate sucree, or "sweet pastry," in professional kitchens. Martha demonstrates how easy it is to create elegant desserts based on this classic crust. Learn how to make a traditional lemon mousse damask tart with candied lemon peel, and a contemporary chocolate tart shell layered with homemade caramel and chocolate ganache and finished with a sprinkling of sea salt.
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The following students were honored for the fourth nine-week grading period of the school year at Bolivia Elementary School:
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Original URL: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/01/05/wd_cartoon_3/
Western Digital goes cartoon crazy
Ladies seemingly in short supply in the storage world
Posted in The Channel, 5th January 2010 11:04 GMT
Meet Brent, Gus and Blake - WD's cartoon personifications of its blue, green and black disk drives.
We're told by WD's media partner, MediaFreaks, a Singapore-based animation agency, that Brent represents the Blue hard drive which is built for reliability and steadiness for everyday computing. Gus represents the Green hard drive which is built to be cool, quiet and eco-friendly for reducing carbon footprint and saving Planet Earth. Blake represents the Black hard drive, which is built to be fast and powerful for gaming enthusiasts and overclocker fans, who want speed at their fingertips.
MediaFreaks is running a campaign in Asia featuring the three little geek-like cartoon monsters. It has given two of the three personalities: blue "Brent is a stand up guy that everyone can count on. He's going well at work, in life, but unfortunately, not in love." Black "Blake is an in-your-face, life-in-the-fast-lane, loud, brash, uber-confident (some say over-confident) braggart. He's the best and he knows it! An undisputed, undefeated winner on the race track Blake however, just does not seem to be winning at one thing – love."
Green Gus doesn't have any similar personality yet, but judging by the picture above he's going to be unlucky in love too. The message seems clear: buy a Western Digital hard drive and your love life crumbles; you'll seek in vain (sorry). ®


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Roggensack advances
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Pat Roggensack has advanced from a three-way primary to the April general election. Roggensack easily topped challengers Ed Fallone and Vince Megna in Tuesday's primary, rolling up a nearly 3-to-1 margin on Fallone. Fallone was leading Megna by about 15,000 votes for the second spot in the April 2 election with about one-fourth of the unofficial vote counted. Roggensack is finishing her first 10-year term on the court. She has argued that her 17 years of experience as a judge make her the best-qualified candidate in the race. Fallone is a Marquette University law professor and Megna is a consumer law attorney in Milwaukee. Neither has worked as a judge, but they say they bring valuable other experiences to the race.
Comments are closed.


text: Got an old computer. Want to reinstall but don't want to spend hours finding drivers for my Lan, Display and Sound. Device Manager will give driver details and shows that the driver details for one device is located in System32/drivers. Is this the true driver for this device or partial drivers? Why if the driver is on the machine working then why can't I capture this driver folder from System32 and reinstall that device without going on the net to find the driver again. Drivers used to be easier to find now the can be a nightmare to find. Any suggestions.


text:
The VenaFlux™ Platform is the first semi-automated microfluidic platform capable of executing cell rolling, binding/adhesion and migration studies under shear flow mimicking in vivo flow rates.
For higher throughput requirements of cell-based assays under shear flow, the VenaFlux™Platform will meet your needs. The platform includes Cellix's patented Mirus Evo Nanopump and the iPod Touch controlled Kima pump for culturing cells under shear flow conditions together with a microscopy workstation, digital camera for image capture and image analysis software.
VenaFlux Platform Features:
VenaFlux Platform Applications:


text:
Originally published on May 31, 2012 6:42 am
In recent days, three Tibetans have set themselves on fire to protest Chinese rule. In the past year, it's been reported that more than 30 people have set themselves on fire and most have died. Renee Montagne talks to Robert Barnett, an expert on Tibet, for more on why Tibetans have been protesting Chinese repression by setting themselves on fire.


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Wisconsin voters turned out in record numbers for election
- Associated Press
- November 29, 2012 - 12:11 PM
MADISON, Wis. - State election officials say more than 3 million Wisconsin voters cast ballots in this month's presidential election, setting a state record.
The Wisconsin Government Accountability Board says official results certified Thursday show that 3.07 million votes were cast. That's the highest number of votes cast for a single office in a statewide election in state history.
Board director Kevin Kennedy says the turnout rate was 70.1 percent of Wisconsin's 4.3 million eligible voters. State turnout for the 2008 presidential election was about 69 percent, and top turnouts of about 73 percent were recorded in 1960 and 2004.
The certified results confirm that President Barack Obama finished with 53 percent of the vote, and Republican challenger Mitt Romney got 46 percent.
Statistics on absentee ballots and same-day voter registrations are still being compiled.
Wisconsin Government Accountability Board certified election results: http://gab.wi.gov/elections-voting/results
© 2018 Star Tribune


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The 103 Brittany spaniels seized from a Thibodaux breeder last week have all been examined and transported to their new homes, according to officials who helped rescue the dogs.
The 103 Brittany spaniels seized from a Thibodaux breeder last week have all been examined and transported to their new homes, according to officials who helped rescue the dogs.
The dogs were taken from the home by parish officials after the owner, Warren "Chris" Michot, was found guilty of cruelty to animals in May. In June, the court ordered Michot to reduce the number of dogs on his property, at 368 Little Choupic Road. When Michot didn't comply, Judge F. Hugh "Buddy" Larose ordered that all but 10 dogs be removed.
The Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office coordinated with the National Brittany Rescue and Adoption Network for the rescue. The national organization, in turn, reached out to four more Brittany spaniel rescue groups to join the effort.
The dogs were taken from the home Wednesday and brought to the Raceland Agriculture Center where they were bathed, vaccinated and given a preliminary medical evaluation by Dr. Lionel de la Houssaye, a Lafourche Parish veterinarian.
De la Houssaye said all of the dogs were in "decent shape." There were signs the dogs had been neglected, such as urine and feces stains on their fur, but they were OK. "On a scale of one to 10, they were a five," he added.
Of the dogs that were screened for heartworms, he said, about 70 percent tested positive. The dogs that were not screened were not old enough to be tested.
"They were all ages, but it can be hard to tell an exact age," de la Houssaye said. "You might look at one and based on the condition of their teeth or gums, the dog might look 12 years old when in fact they are only 7 or 8."
Mouth problems, such as missing teeth or infected gums, were common in the rescued dogs, he said. Other ailments included skin problems, parasites and dehydration.
Some of the dogs needed intravenous fluid therapy because of the heat and stress, he said, and another had to have abdominal surgery Wednesday night for pyometra, a uterine infection. Seven of the dogs were pregnant.
All of the dogs were in good enough health to make the trips to their new homes, he said.
The dogs were split among the five rescue organizations, said Susan Spaid, president of the National Brittany Rescue and Adoption Network. Those groups include the Brittany Rescue of Texas, Florida Brittany Rescue, and the American Brittany Rescue and New England Brittany Rescue, both in Pennsylvania. The last dogs arrived in Pennsylvania Monday, she said.
All are adjusting to their new environments, Spaid said. Some are in foster homes and others are in boarding facilities.
The dogs that are healthy will start to be put up for adoption in the coming weeks, and the dogs that have heartworms or other parasites will begin treatment. The respective treatments are being paid for by money pooled by the rescue organizations, she said.
De la Houssaye said there's still a possibility the dogs could suffer problems down the road. Even so, they will be in better condition than they would have been on the breeder's property.
From the minute they left the home, he said, the dogs were happier.
"They sat there in the laps of volunteers looking like they were in seventh heaven," he said.
Spaid agreed, saying she appreciated the community's support in the rescue effort.
"We hate to see this kind of thing happen," she said, "but with everyone working together, it turned out to be a good thing."


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Difference between revisions of "Claude Speed"
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<references >
{{GTA 2 Characters}}
{{GTA 2 Characters}}
Revision as of 19:32, 22 November 2012
|Claude Speed
|Full Name
|Claude Speed
|Place of Birth
|Anywhere City
|Main Affiliations
The Zaibatsu Corporation
Russian Mafia
Hare Krishna
|Voiced by
|played by Scott Maslen
{{infobox character
|name = Claude Speed
|image = ClaudeSpeed-GTA2.jpg
|game_1 = GTA 2
|aka = Gecko
- For other characters, see Claude (disambiguation).
Claude Speed is the protagonist in Grand Theft Auto 2. He started his career as a simple thug, however he was soon hired by the major gangs that controlled Anywhere City. Claude secretly worked with all of them and in the end managed to kill all of their leaders, effectively becoming the true leader of the city's crime.
GTA 2 movie rendition
Little history is known about the character from GTA 2; however, DMA Design had previously released a promotional movie for the game, which was also compiled into the opening cinematic of the game, depicting a live-action rendition of Claude Speed committing several criminal acts, similar in all Grand Theft Auto games. In the movie, Claude is seen performing jobs for several crime bosses, before being shot to death by an assassin sent by the Zaibatsu Corporation, whose van and merchandise were previously stolen by Claude.
The movie's version of Claude shares a few physical appearances with the Claude in the GTA III Era games, including his black jacket (made of cloth in GTA 2 and leather in GTA III, GTA San Andreas), t-shirt (white color in GTA 2 and black in GTA III, GTA San Andreas), long pants (black color in GTA 2 and dark khaki in GTA III, GTA San Andreas) and slicked hair. The movie version, however, was also depicted speaking and displaying an array of emotions, a characteristic not seen in either the GTA III or the GTA San Andreas versions. Claude may also bear some resemblance to Elvis Presley, as when he walks into the Elvis impersonators in the game, they will occasionally shout, "Hey man, it's the King!" and "I told you he was alive!"
Claude Speed is an extremely rude character and apparently has no regret of the crimes he accomplishes. He will work for anyone who will give him the needed money and will be ready to fight even the Army to pursue his goals. He was seen in more than one occasion laughing once he successfully gained what he wanted and is particularly ferocious in killing people, and he was once seen spitting over the body of a person he killed. He also worked for various gangs at the same time, angering all of them but in the end he managed to kill all of their leaders, putting an end to their rule over the city. He is known to have used drugs and cigars and knows how to use a variety of weapons, from simple pistols to even rocket launchers.
In-game Naming
In GTA 2, Claude Speed's in-game name is simply given as a myriad of nicknames from nine bosses of seven gangs:
- "Gecko" by all three heads of The Zaibatsu Corporation (Trey Welsh, Red Valdez and Uno Carb)
- "Jumbo" by Elmo, head of the Loonies
- "Kosai" by Johnny Zoo, head of the Yakuza
- "Rooster" by Billy Bob Bean, head of the Rednecks
- "THC-303" by Dr. LaBrat, head of the Scientists
- "Comrade" by Jerkov, head of the Russian Mafia
- "Grasshopper" by Sunbeam, head of the Hare Krishna
Murders committed
Grand Theft Auto III
There is speculation that Claude Speed is the same character as Claude from Grand Theft Auto III. Aside from the same first name, the Claude that appears in GTA 2: The Movie is dressed similarly (but not identically) to the Claude of GTA III. The movie's version of Claude Speed shares a several physical appearances with the Claude in the GTA III Era games, including his black jacket (made of cloth in GTA 2 and leather in GTA III, GTA San Andreas), t-shirt (white color in GTA 2 and black in GTA III, GTA San Andreas), long pants (black color in GTA 2 and dark khaki in GTA III, GTA San Andreas) and slicked hair.
Rockstar has never confirmed or denied that the two are the same person: in response to a query posted by a fan, an official spokesperson said:
"Probably. It seems very likely but it's also possible that there are just a lot of angry silent car thieves called Claude out there."[1]
Rockstar created an official Facebook quiz called "What Grand Theft Auto character are you?", in which by answering sixteen questions, the user would be given a character from the GTA series that fitted their personality. Certain combinations of answers would result in the answer Claude Speed with the artwork of GTA III's Claude, suggesting that either Claude Speed was merged with Claude, or that the two characters are exactly the same character, while also suggesting that this could be an official confirmation of them being the same characters. However, the accompanying description makes no reference to GTA 2.[2]
It would be worth noting that if both Claudes were the same character, it would prove one of the following:
- Grand Theft Auto 2 is canon with the GTA III Era.
- Claude Speed was the beta name of Claude.
- Claude was still alive in 2012.
- Claude Speed is the only GTA protagonist to smoke cigarettes, besides Tommy Vercetti (although the latter can only be seen smoking through a certain cheat code). Additionally, he possesses an ability to burp or fart on command.
- At the end of the GTA 2 movie, Claude is killed when he is shot 3 times by a Zaibatsu assassin as he tries to open a car. It is unknown if this is canonical to the game, however.
- There is speculation that Claude Speed also is Claude from Grand Theft Auto III, but this has never been confirmed (see Claude#Grand Theft Auto 2 for further information).
- Upon close inspection of Claude Speed's rapsheet in the intro movie, it reveals that he is 28 during GTA 2, which is set in 2012. If Claude Speed is in fact Claude from GTA III, this would make Claude 16-17 during GTA III, set in 2001, and 7-8 years old in GTA San Andreas, set in 1992. This makes it impossible that they are the same character, unless Claude's rap sheet is fake or non-canonical.
See also


text:
5 Yummy Organic Cocktails for Spring
Who says a cocktail can't be good for you?
-PJ Gach
Earth Day just passed and you may be thinking about eating and drinking healthier for the rest of the year. If you're not, but you're bored with your "go to" cocktails, take a look at these yummy cocktails made with organic ingredients.
Camarena Rosemary Lemonade
1 1/2 ounces Camarena Reposado Tequila
4 ounce organic lemonade
3 to 4 organic rosemary Infused Ice Cubes*
Place rosemary ice in highball glass. Add tequila. Top with lemonade. Stir. Garnish with rosemary sprig and lemon wheel.
* Rosemary Infused Ice
3 cups water
6 organic rosemary sprigs
Pinch 12 to 15 tips from rosemary sprigs. Set aside. Bring water to simmer. Add remaining rosemary sprigs to heated water. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Strain into heatproof container. Allow to cool. After rosemary water has cooled, pour rosemary water into ice tray. Add rosemary tips to individual ice cubicles. Place in freezer.
Silver Breeze
1 1/2 ounces Camarena Silver Tequila
1/2 ounce Barefoot Sauvignon Blanc
4 kumquats
3 basil leaves
Muddle kumquats and basil in a bucket glass. Add ice, tequila and Sauvignon Blanc. Top with soda water and stir. Garnish with several leaves of basil and a kumquat.
Read Forget the Wine! Try Tasty Kosher Cocktails for Passover Instead!
Skinny Local
2 ounces Camarena Silver Tequila
1/2 of an organic lemon, quartered
8 organic mint leaves
1 tablespoon of sugar free sweetener
3 ounces Fever-Tree Soda Water
Muddle lemon, mint and sweetener in a mixing glass. Add tequila and ice. Shake and pour all contents of shaker into a tall glass. Top with soda water and stir gently. Garnish with a lemon wedge.
Green Bee
2 ounces Blue Ice Organic Wheat Vodka
1 ounce Agave Nectar
Juice of half an organic lemon
5 mint leaves (or enough to cover the palm of your hand)
Muddle or tear mint into a mixing glass. Add ice, vodka, agave nectar and organic lemon juice and shake hard. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with an edible flower or lemon zest.
The King Karl
Created by David Celland at Apotheke
2 parts Kanon Organic Vodka
4 chunks fresh organic lime
1 slice organic orange
3/4 part simple syrup
2 dashes angostura bitters
Muddle the limes and orange with simple syrup and angostura, add Kanon, shake with ice and strain into a glass.
PJ Gach is Senior Editor: Style + Beauty at BettyConfidential.


text:
Linked by Thom Holwerda on Wed 24th Sep 2008 21:47 UTC
The GNOME project has released GNOME 2.24 today. In case you're new here: "GNOME 2.24 is the latest version of the GNOME Desktop: a popular, multi-platform desktop environment for your computer. GNOME's focus is ease of use, stability, and first class internationalisation and accessibility support. GNOME is Free and Open Source Software and provides all of the common tools computer users expect of a modern computing environment, such as e-mail, groupware, web browsing, file management, multimedia and games. Furthermore, GNOME provides a flexible and powerful platform for software developers, both on the desktop and in mobile applications." GNOME 2.24 comes packed with changes.
Permalink for comment 331405
To read all comments associated with this story, please click here.
To read all comments associated with this story, please click here.
I'm not sure Gnome has stopped innovating, but they seem to be innovating in smaller incremental steps. While no release is probably ever going to be as dramatic as KDE4, each release should bring some minor innovative change which over time will add up to something significant.
As a user I certainly appreciate this approach. As much as I'm in awe of KDE4 and what they're trying to achieve from a technology standpoint, it's so far only produced a desktop environment which I personally cannot use. I still think they can pull off something cool and useful over time with the technology they've built, but I'll be using GNOME until they do.


text:
Terri Lawhorn knows what it's like to be hungry, without money, on the verge of losing a home.
Within months after she married the love of her life, he had emptied their bank account to support a crack cocaine habit. He went into rehab, only to be arrested on his release for a crime "he had committed while high."
"On Thanksgiving morning, I had two police detectives at my home questioning me about my husband, his whereabouts on a (certain) date … I was heartbroken, scared and alone. I was devastated, as I had no idea," said Lawhorn, who also had two young daughters from a previous marriage to be concerned about.
To make matter worse, just weeks later the office where she worked was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service and eventually closed. All financial accounts, including payroll, were seized, leaving employees wondering about their paychecks and their future.
The Macomb County resident had no job, no income, and her daughter's birthday and Christmas were approaching. "I had no idea what to do or how I was going to do it," she recalled. "There was going to be nothing this year for Christmas except each of us just being together.
"I could have said 'forget it,' but I have that fight in me."
It was then she received a call from a woman whose church had heard of her plight. The church wanted to adopt Lawhorn's family for Christmas, but the young mother resisted.
"I broke down in tears. I was taught to take care of yourself and yours — you'll make it through," she said.
The women continued to talk, and Lawhorn finally gave in. Days before Christmas, "this elderly couple showed up at my home with a van full of food, turkeys, hams … gifts and presents fully wrapped and labeled and a birthday cake for my daughter. I was overwhelmed with humility and gratitude I could not express," Lawhorn said.
"Our Christmas that year was one of true thanksgiving. It was one of the most special Christmases that I have ever had. To this day, I still cry about the love of strangers to my daughters and me."
She then decided to donate her time to creating a pantry at her church, having gained experience as a food pantry volunteer at her previous church. "It was something that the girls and I did because it was nice and the right thing to do," she said.
She initially stocked the new pantry with canned goods gathered from the Operation Can Do food drive program that was downsizing.
Her new church pantry became a partner with Gleaners Community Food Bank in Detroit and we "were able to put food on shelves and open the Hope Community Food Pantry on July 1, 2006, serving more than 1,100 families."
While she was helping others, Lawhorn faced the threat of home foreclosure, vehicle repossession and the end of unemployment benefits. She eventually found a job with Proctor Financial, Inc., where she still works; she no longer leads the church pantry, but still works closely with Gleaners.
"I'm grateful for what we've been through, we learned from it. It's all a learning experience: Don't give up or get discouraged."


text:
A Different Life
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I wasn't originally going to write a blog on this assignment as
I considered it would be an uninteresting read in terms of the
nature of the mission here.
However, after some rumination
and discussion with colleagues, I thought maybe it
would be good to show the more mundane part of international
development work. I love doing direct clinical care, training
and training of the trainer, but this was work was almost
entirely paper-based. Also I was stuck indoors in a
giant eight day meeting.
I have always said that if you are doing
international work right it is probably somewhat dull. I wouldn't
describe my experience in Uganda as dull even though it
may sound dull being stuck in workshop for eight days. It
was actually a fascinating experience and I learned a huge amount
of how to do this work right.
As Idi Amin is no longer President of Uganda, some of
the Asians he drove out are coming back. Uganda has been at peace
for about seven years now which is why many are incensed at
Joseph Kony,Lord Liberation Army, who gave the impression that
Uganda is still at war.
Tackling AIDSs has been an astounding success
but the rate is increasing again. People are highly aware of HIV
and prevention is though a multi-pronged campaign of education.
Uganda is known for its homophobia but is
probably not much different to many other countries in the
region. I know that there are those in UK who feel that we
should not support Uganda because of this. It is a tricky area. At
least in mental health we' re committed to designing
programmes which are non-judgemental, where
there's unconditional respect for all patients and carers.
One of the big challenges facing Uganda at the
moment is the increasing rates of the bizarre,chilling and
unexplained Nodding disease in the north of the country. In this
condition, children between 5 to 15, developa nodding
motion when faced with food and stop eating. They eventually die.
In Uganda it falls under mental health. It appears that the disease
has been spread by hysteria but there are more conventional
medical cases. It is also found in South Sudan and a few other
countries and is currently the subject of an
international health investigation. Our health ministry colleagues
were very preoccupied with Nodding disease and it'll be a big
challenge to a poor country.
In February 2012, WHO contact me (out of blue)
to ask if I would be interested in doing some work in Uganda based
on the mhGAP. After about 2 seconds I said yes. I am passionate
about the mhGAP approach, especially incorporating mental health
into primary care.
In case anyone still hasn't heard me talk
about this - this is the WHO approach of addressing the inequality
of mental health provision in low and middle income countries. It
means that mental health is brought to primary care level and
health workers are trained to identify and treat basic mental
health problems. They refer on any that are in any way complex. It
is a double system of primary care mental health clinics with
secondary referral systems for complex cases. There is a manual
that is a guide to management. Coupled with this are training
materials and supervision systems. It is a way of scaling up mental
health in places that wouldn't have access to any service
otherwise. Conditions covered are the MNS conditions –
mental, neurological and substance abuse. So the anomaly, for a
western psychiatrist, is that epilepsy is part of the mental
health system.
This can work as long as there is a political,
training, supervision drive and a robust secondary referral
mechanism. So with all this in the background I was proud to be
asked by WHO to be part of the design planning of a programme to
scale up mhGAP in parts of Uganda.
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Dr Peter Hughes is a consultant psychiatrist
based at Springfield University Hospital, London. He has an
interest in international psychiatry and has been travelling to
Africa over the last five years doing short-term assignments in
mental health.He has recently flown to Uganda to
work on a mental health programme. This is a personal account of
Dr. Peter Hughes' volunteer mission with Who and World Vision


text:
With continued threats coming from Israel, a complaint traced to an Israeli organization aimed at docking the US boat indefinitely, and the reported sabotage of another flotilla ship, the State Department ought to say or do something to avert the possibility of undeserved violence toward US citizens sailing to Gaza.
But, of course, to date, the State Department has done just the opposite.
Last week, the State Department issued a travel warning to Israel, the West Bank and Gaza that sounded more fit for the Democratic Republic of the Congo than a close US ally and purported bastion of freedom and democracy. The warning states,
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) strictly controls the crossing points between Israel and the Gaza Strip. The security environment within Gaza, including its border with Egypt and its seacoast, is dangerous and volatile. US citizens are advised against traveling to Gaza by any means, including via sea. Previous attempts to enter Gaza by sea have been stopped by Israeli naval vessels and resulted in the injury, death, arrest, and deportation of US citizens. US citizens participating in any effort to reach Gaza by sea should understand that they may face arrest, prosecution, and deportation by the Government of Israel. The Government of Israel has announced its intention to seek ten-year travel bans to Israel for anyone participating in an attempt to enter Gaza by sea. On May 31, 2010, nine people were killed, including one US citizen, in such an attempt.
Here's an excerpt from the DRC warning:
Travelers are frequently detained and questioned by poorly disciplined security forces at numerous official and unofficial roadblocks and border crossings throughout the country. Requests for bribes in such instances are extremely common, and security forces have occasionally injured or killed people who refuse to pay. In the last six months, the Embassy has recorded several instances in which US citizens were detained illegally by government forces.
Sounds remarkably similar. Although, when was the last time a US citizen was killed by the authorities of the DRC?
Busy schedule? Click here to keep up with Truthout with free email updates.
Making matters worse, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made the following comment:
[W]e do not believe that the flotilla is a necessary or useful effort to try to assist the people of Gaza. ... we think that it's not helpful for there to be flotillas that try to provoke actions by entering into Israeli waters and creating a situation in which the Israelis have the right to defend themselves.
By saying that the "Israelis have a right to defend themselves" in this case, Secretary Clinton has abandoned her responsibility to protect American citizens abroad. She claims that the flotilla boats are seeking to "provoke actions". She implies these provocations are of the sort that warrant "a situation in which the Israelis have the right to defend themselves." A further implication is that the flotilla boats, including the US boat, deserve whatever recourse the Israelis dish out.
But, Madam Secretary, could you please explain exactly what Israel has "the right to defend themselves" against?
Of course, there is nothing the Secretary could rationally cite. The flotilla is seeking to enter not Israeli waters but Israeli-occupied Gazan waters. The flotilla last year wasn't even intercepted in Israeli waters, it was intercepted in international waters. The only "action" the flotilla participants are trying to "provoke" is Israeli recognition of the human rights of those living in Gaza. The only thing the Israelis will have to defend themselves against is a bunch of peace activists trying to deliver humanitarian aid and letters--and, of course, the international scrutiny drawn to their illegal blockade of Gaza. As for the US boat, the "Audacity of Hope", all passengers have made a commitment to non-violence. Alice Walker, a passenger on the "Audacity of Hope", said it best: "If the Israeli military attacks us, it will be as if they attacked the mailman."
There's still time to call upon Secretary Clinton to entreat the Israeli government to treat non-violence with non-violence. On Friday, six members of Congress sent a letter to Secretary Clinton calling on her to help "ensure the safety of the US citizens on board" the US boat to Gaza. Earlier today, Rep. Jim McDermott wrote on the J Street blog, "I urge the State Department to ensure protection to the participants."
If you haven't done so already, please join over 3,000 US citizens in signing our petition to Secretary Clinton urging her to ensure the safety of the US passengers aboard the US boat to Gaza.
You can also help us promote and deliver the petition and raise awareness and show support of the US boat by changing your Facebook/Twitter picture to our "Audacity of Hope" icon.
As Hagit Borer, a professor of Linguistics at the University of Southern California and a passenger on the US boat, said, "[the Secretary's attitude] is a remarkable attitude, coming from a government that provides the Israeli government with billions of dollars in military aid and routinely uses its veto to protect the Israeli government from censure of its occupation policies by the UN Security Council." The US is one of the only countries—if not the only country—in the world with the power to influence Israeli action. This is one of those times that the US government is obligated to do something to protect its citizens. If it doesn't, then, it will be a clear statement of where it sees its obligations lay.


text:
Don't be shy when negotiating a pay raise
Talking about compensation can be nerve wracking, but most employers expect it, especially in Houston's strong job market.
"As the job market continues to grow, employees have more negotiating power," said Caroline McGlaun, the Houston-based regional vice president for Robert Half International, a professional staffing and consulting services firm.
So when negotiating your starting salary, or asking for a raise, don't be shy.
McGlaun walked me though the best strategies for taking on this potentially awkward or scary scenario.
First, do your homework, she said. Find out what is the fair, standard pay for someone in your position and with your amount of experience. Current resources such as industry reports and Department of Labor data can help with this. Robert Half International, McGlaun's firm, also puts out free, detailed reports on salaries in many industries.
Also, talk to colleagues in the profession or recruiters for insights into current trends. And research questions such as whether the firm is growing. Are there staff reductions? How is the industry growing?
Knowing this information can give you bargaining power, McGlaun said. Plus, you'll show the employer that you take initiative by doing the research and making an effort.
If you're looking for a raise, start the conversation by asking for a performance review. You will have a good snapshot of your contributions to the organization. Ask about your work performance, highlight your contributions to the organization and your impact on the bottom line. This will give you a segue into the salary discussion.
When you pop the question, be confident and keep the statement positive. Don't say, "I don't feel that I'm being paid fairly," McGlaun said.
Instead, McGlaun suggests something like, "Based on research of these sources, I've found that skillsets such as mine typically earn [insert dollar range]. I'd like to know how I could get closer to that."
This phrasing has several benefits. "By asking employers what they think you can do, you will learn how you can increase your salary and help with professional development," McGlaun said.
Your boss will either give you some suggestions on how to improve or realize that your payscale isn't competitive in the industry.
If you're negotiating a signing deal, weigh more than just salary in negotiations, she said. Consider all aspects of the job, including responsibilities, advancement potential and benefits.
Next, get the agreement in writing. Ask your employer to draw up a letter with salary and other special arrangements to prevent misunderstandings.
Last, always be gracious, professional and courteous no matter what happens in the conversation.
Have a backup plan
McGlaun also offered some tips for what to do if you're deadlocked in the negotiation.
Before you begin, figure out what items are most important to you, like benefits or flexible work schedule, and be prepared to give in on the less critical ones.
No matter how far apart you're sitting, keep the door open.
If an offer is made that is less than you think it should be, point it out politely. Counter it by saying, "Here's what I would propose based on research," McGlaun said.
If you're deadlocked, to break it, agree to a salary with a contingency plan, such as a performance review in six months. Or compromise in other areas, like vacation.
Again, McGlaun said no matter what happens, always be professional. It's not what you ask for but how you say it.
Do you sit on the other side of the table? McGlaun has tips for employers, as well. Here's what to do if you think your top employee might be jumping ship.


text:
New Law to Give America's Schools a Nutritional Makeover
Statement of CSPI Director of Nutrition Policy Margo G. Wootan
December 13, 2010
Getting junk food out of schools has been ten years in the making. This bill is a historic step toward reducing childhood obesity and helping parents feed their children better. It's the result of the hard work of many, but would not have passed without this Administration's leadership. The President's and First Lady's tireless advocacy brought the child nutrition bill back to life several times as it made its way through Congress.
Contact Info:
Contact Jeff Cronin (jcronin[at]cspinet.org) or Ariana Stone (astone[at]cspinet.org).


text:
MAC swatches can be spooky, right?
Ok, so here are the items I have from a part of the the new MAC 2013 Holiday Collection- Divine Night. As soon as I receive any other holiday collections, I'll of course share!
**check out al the rest of the MAC Holiday Collection in my new post HERE
These are just the pieces I have. I don't have the complete collection, but you can see every product from Divine Night, and more on each product here (Nordstrom).
So this collection is made up primarily of MAC Mineralize products: 6 Mineralize Eye Shadows, 3 Mineralize Blushes, and 3 Mineralize Skinfinishes. If you've followed me for a while, you probably remember all of my rants about the MAC Mineralize Eye Shadows. I either like them or I hate them. I never really love them, but some are definitely better than others. But the ones I don't like? Totally horrible. Haha, so maybe I'm being dramatic, but that's just my thoughts.
The Mineralize Eye Shadows in this collection mostly fall into my "like" category. I like these that are two (or more) SOLID colors totally separated. The ones I despise are the swirly ones. Ok, so let's just jump right into it!
So I have three of the six eye shadows...
There are three more shadows-
Exquisite Ego (outside: Bronze base, inside: soft white champagne)
Past Midnight (oustide: Blackish purple with violet pearl base, inside: soft white pink frost)
Gilded Night (outside: Bright gold with silver pearl base, inside: black with pearl frost)
I reallllly want to check out the Gilded Night because I'm a sucker for black shadows, and the black and gold combo is just gorgeous. The purple one (Past Midnight) looks good too. I'll have to check those out in person before I actually purchase though.
Next up, the Mineralize Blush. I have one out of the three.
I actually have always been a fan of the mineralize blushes for the most part. However, I just realized my preference for these is the TOTAL opposite of the eye shadows! I actually prefer the swirly ones (ones that look like swirled paint), whereas I sometimes have trouble using the more solid ones (like these) as actual blush because they're so frosted. So for these, I like to wear them lightly over a bronzer for a light glow when I don't mind a bit of frost on my cheeks. Or maybe even over another blush for a bit of a glow. For me, personally, I definitely would not apply these like a typical blush. It would just be too much frost. But the colors are pretty!
There are two more that I don't have- one that is a bit more violet, and one that is a bit more coral.
Next, the Mineralize Skinfinishes. Again, I have one out of three.
The one I have is very smooth with a lot of sheen. Not chunky and shimmery like some.
Perfectly Poised
outside: bronzy coral with golden tones, inside: creamy beige with pinkish purple sheen
deep smoked violet with red pearl
Kohl Power Eye Pencil, $17.50
left, Orpheus
right, Raven
Now for the lip products...
(two of five lipsticks)
Both of these lipsticks are gorgeous. I think Private Party would make the perfect dark, berry lip without looking too matte or intense. Of course, Flair for Finery is a shade I would probably wear a bit more because nudes are just easy to me. However, not all nudes are great. This one is actually really nice and wearable because it's not too matte or "paint-like". This one has a nice gloss to it and lets a bit of your natural lip color shine through so it doesn't give you that zombie effect. (Halloween reference ftw)
aaand their corresponding glosses...
Finally, one of three nail lacquers...
products provided for consideration by MAC with no agreements or obligations to feature or review
post contains affiliates


text:
- April 1, 1954 - March 24, 2012
- Austin, Texas
of Bill's Passing
Share This Obituary
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Memories & CandlesPrevious
"I was so honored and touched when Bill picked me to be his Big Brother in the Pike fraternity at Southwestern. For some reason he looked up to me...Read More »
1 of 54 | Posted by: Randy Mitchmore - Houston, TX
Just learned of Bill's passing, in a high school reunion list of deceased classmates. I refused to believe he was not with us, and did all...Read More »
2 of 54 | Posted by: David Barrow - Flagstaff, AZ
"Mr. Bill, looking at your picture brings back a swell of memories of our times at SU and most, if not all, involve laughter and smiles. So many...Read More »
3 of 54 | Posted by: Susan Pate Armand - Houston, TX
"My friend Bill and I go all the way back to 1972 when both of us were at Southwestern. I was privileged to know him, have him as a fraternity...Read More »
4 of 54 | Posted by: Bill Cariker - Austin, TX
"Bill: It was way too many years since I last saw you. A friend in Dallas notified me of your passing. I have read all of the beautiful sentiments...Read More »
5 of 54 | Posted by: JOE BOURNE - LEAGUE CITY, TX
"Mr. Bill, I missed you already at work this past week-especially seeing your smile, hearing your laugh and hearing you recite some of the crazy...Read More »
6 of 54 | Posted by: Jo Anne Gaydos - Austin, TX
"Oh Mr. Bill,
This has been such a hard week without you. Your daily greeting and helpfulness was so missed. Who will spoil us now? You will remain...Read More »
7 of 54 | Posted by: Argelia P Castillo - TX
"I'll always have fond memories of watching the beginnings of Saturday NIght Live with Mr. Bill and other good friends as we were finishing college. ...Read More »
8 of 54 | Posted by: Beverly Brewer vanHartesvelt - WA
"bill - you are loved and respected. we will always think and hear your voice/laughter - please look over us - your family and friends are in our...Read More »
9 of 54 | Posted by: suzanne - austin, TX
you're kindness and sweet smile will be missed on the floor. There was never anyone more nice to work with than you. God Bless your family...Read More »
10 of 54 | Posted by: Maryann - austin, TX - co-worker
"Mr. Bill was a nice, caring, gentle person. We will miss him and wish him eternal peace. Bill and Francisco
11 of 54 | Posted by: Bill Woods - Austin, TX - Friend
"So sad to lose such a wonderful person. Bill was the nicest most sincere person we have ever known. He was always smiling or laughing and we...Read More »
12 of 54 | Posted by: Richard and Debbie Hirsch Austin
"Bill you will be greatly missed. R.I.P Mr. Bill
13 of 54 | Posted by: Joanie Washington - Pflugerville, TX
"Mr Bill,
You were the first person I met when I came to Unclaimed Property. You welcomed me aboard and we forged a very good friendship that would...Read More »
14 of 54 | Posted by: Todd Wesson
"Bill, I will miss hearing you call me "señor" each day in the office. You made every day better with your unconditional friendliness. I miss...Read More »
15 of 54 | Posted by: Randy Henderson - Austin, TX
"What great memories of working with him at the Southwestern library, hanging out at the Sub and trips to Cuero. He made every event an adventure and...Read More »
16 of 54 | Posted by: Susan Davis Smith - Flower Mound, TX
"Mr. Bill- We had so much fun working together! Teasing you about eating
styrofoam cakes and making fun of you being an "Apil Fool" were only a few...Read More »
17 of 54 | Posted by: Gloria Krueger - Austin, TX
"I only knew Bill a short time through the Classic Chassis Car Club, but from the moment you met him, you knew he was a genuinely good person. I...Read More »
18 of 54 | Posted by: Scott Vinson - Austin, TX
"I am so sorry to hear about Bill. It was only a couple of weeks ago that we met him at the Italian restaurant. Our hearts go out to you!
19 of 54 | Posted by: Nancy & Bert Alleman Canyon Lake
"While I am saddened at the passing of Mr. Bill, I smile that he existed and that I had the opportunity to know him.Just look at all the wonderful...Read More »
20 of 54 | Posted by: Ray Hebert - Friend
"Dear Sheldon Family, it has been many years since I have seen you all, but I wanted to say how sorry I was to hear about Bill's passing. He was a...Read More »
21 of 54 | Posted by: Catherine Harwood Taylor - TX
"Dear, dear Bill, you were such a special friend so long ago. Your kind heart and ever present smile. You touched so many people with your loving...Read More »
22 of 54 | Posted by: Marty Shelton Strong - Richardson, TX
"One of the nicest guys on this planet. Always pleasant, upbeat and a great smile! My deepest sympathy to his love ones.
23 of 54 | Posted by: Eleanor Roe - Austin, TX
"I didn't know Bill very well, but I did see him virtually every weekend at the Gregory Gym on the UT Campus. He had such a kind and gentle manner. ...Read More »
24 of 54 | Posted by: Peter Fazziola - Austin, TX
"So very sad to just learn of Billy's passing. We had such fun together in high school - he was an ardent friend. He will be greatly missed by...Read More »
25 of 54 | Posted by: rita rozelle schimpff - TX
Please know that all of us here at the Intermidate and Middle schools are thinking of you during this difficult time. We have made a donation...Read More »
26 of 54 | Posted by: Center Point/Urbana Intermidate and Middle Schools - IA
"Just last week I was searching for Bill. Now I know why he was one my mind. He was a wonderful and steady friend to all. He was my date to a ...Read More »
27 of 54 | Posted by: Gretchen Curry Gribble - Austin, TX
"Bill's smile was always noted at club events. I helped Bill a few years ago when his '62 Buick became disabled on the way to a Fredericksburg meet. ...Read More »
28 of 54 | Posted by: Jerry Courson, Director, Alamo Chapter, Buick Club of America - TX
"Bill was a such a wonderful person at Southwestern. From the accolades offered of his friends he gained over the years, it seems they also see what...Read More »
29 of 54 | Posted by: Carleton Wilkes - Austin, TX
"I have known few as kind as Bill, my best memories of him are with a bucket and sponge...he made washing a car fun and interesting. Ma God hold you...Read More »
30 of 54 | Posted by: Robert Keegan - Houston, TX
"I am so saddened to hear about Bill. He was one of my favorite people at Southwestern. He was always sweet to me, and is a person that I think of...Read More »
31 of 54 | Posted by: Paula Kelley Buls - Brenham, TX
"May your memories help sustain your family at this challenging time. We are sorry for your brother's premature passing. Please know that you have our...Read More »
32 of 54 | Posted by: Cheryl Nelsen - Walker, IA
"Susan and family, we were so sorry to hear about Bill's passing! Hope you are able to hold your memories close at this difficult time. I'll have...Read More »
33 of 54 | Posted by: Annette Zuck - Jesup,, IA
"My God Bless all who grieve over this terrible loss! Mr. Bill will be MISSED! He's with his angels, and smiling big and bright!
34 of 54 | Posted by: Leticia Hernandez - Austin, TX
35 of 54 | Posted by: Amanda - austin, TX - co-worker
You're a truly classy guy, Bill. You'll be missed.
36 of 54 | Posted by: Steve Mittel - Austin, TX
"Mr. Bill had a kind and gentle heart. I got to know him when when he came over to speak to my cubile mate. He always greated me with a cheery good...Read More »
37 of 54 | Posted by: Gloria Garcia - Austin, TX
"Mr. Sheldon was the first friend I met when I moved to Austin from NYC twenty years ago. At that time, he worked at Continental Cars where I brought...Read More »
38 of 54 | Posted by: Bill Vandersteel - Austin, TX
"I've been working at the Comptroller's office for 6 years and delivering unclaimed property mail and output to Bill every morning. He always was...Read More »
39 of 54 | Posted by: Terry Hughes - Taylor, TX
"I worked at the Comptroller's Office in Unclaimed Property will Bill for about 15 years. He and I shared a love for chocolate and he always shared...Read More »
40 of 54 | Posted by: Linda White - Austin, TX
"Bill - You were such a kind and friendly man. You were always there every day with a "good morning" to start the work day. I will miss you. My...Read More »
41 of 54 | Posted by: marilee ellis - friend
"Mr. Bill was my tennis playing friend and SU friend for many years. He was always so kind and wonderful to me. I will miss his gracious spirit. May...Read More »
42 of 54 | Posted by: Jeanne Clifford Weiss - WA
"I met Bill a couple decades ago at a Classic Chassis event. I was most impressed by his broad automotive knowledge and enthusiasm at numerous...Read More »
43 of 54 | Posted by: Marc Leitman - car club friend
"What a shock to hear about Bill. He was a very kind and gentle person and always took such pleasure in "Frannie", his wonderful '62 Special. When I...Read More »
44 of 54 | Posted by: Pete Phillips - Leonard, TX
"Bill was one of the nicest people to ever walk the planet! He always had a smile on his face and made you feel like you were the most important...Read More »
45 of 54 | Posted by: Rick Payton - AUSTIN, TX - friend
"I only knew Bill for a short time, but I will cherish, forever, the time I was blessed to be around him. He was always more than willing to assist...Read More »
46 of 54 | Posted by: Coleman W. Akridge - Cibolo, TX
"My deepest condolences to his family. Mr. Bill will be greatly missed.
47 of 54 | Posted by: Nelda Todd - Austin, TX
"Mr. John and Mrs. Agga My deepest condolences go out to you.
48 of 54 | Posted by: Leticia Sanchez - New Braunfels, TX
"Bill was quite knowledgable in many fine details of car manufacturing and was so excited to discuss facts and specifiations to educate many of the...Read More »
49 of 54 | Posted by: Edmund Rader - Austin, TX
"On behalf of the North Texas Chapter, Buick Club of America, I extend our deepest condolences to Bill's family and extended family of friends and...Read More »
50 of 54 | Posted by: Willis Bell - Weatherford, TX
"What I remember most about Bill, was the total surprise of his sharp wit and fun sense of humor. He presented a first impression much like his '62...Read More »
51 of 54 | Posted by: Paul Sumrall - Johnson City, TX
"On behalf of the Buick Club of America, I would like to send my condolences to Bill's family.
On behalf of my family, we will miss Bill bringing us...Read More »
52 of 54 | Posted by: Mike Middleton - Austin, TX
"He was such a caring soul and his presence made you smile. While I only knew him for a few years, I immediately felt his genuine warmth and his...Read More »
53 of 54 | Posted by: carol Jones - Cedar Creek, TX
"Rest in Peace, Mr Bill, We love you!!
54 of 54 | Posted by: Lillian Rector - Austin, TX
William Knowles Sheldon, Jr. "Bill" passed away Saturday, March 24, 2012. Born on April 1, 1954, he is survived by his mother and stepfather Agnes and John Tynan of Canyon Lake, sister Susan Sheldon of Waterloo, Iowa, nephews Ryan, Luke and Paul, and stepsisters Carey and Kaye. He also leaves behind a large and devoted group of friends.
Bill graduated from Southwestern University in 1976 and was employed at the Texas Comptroller's office in the unclaimed property division. He was an avid classic car enthusiast and was a member of the national Buick Car club in addition to the local Buick Club and the "Classic Chassis". His pride and joy was his 1962 Buick Special "Frannie". He was also a devoted runner and was a member of the Capitol City Front Runners.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 30th at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home on North Lamar.
Donations in his memory may be made to AIDS Services of Austin at P.O. Box 4874, Austin, Texas 78765 or at www.asaustin.org.


text:
For worse, not better
Divorce is rarely kind to women. You knew that already.
But women—even wealthy women like Tipper Gore—face special risks when a long-standing marriage falls apart.
"The biggest assets later in life are usually the couple's home and retirement accounts," says Jeffrey Landers, a certified divorce financial analyst in New York.
After years of saving and building household wealth together, how do you a) get your fair share now and b) protect your future security?
Yours, mine, ours
The first thing is to get clear on marital property laws in your state, as we covered here.
Most states have community property laws, which means that there is a "fair and equitable" distribution of assets. Alas, says Landers, that doesn't mean your share will be fair.
For today, we'll focus on the true value of household assets; retirement (a complicated calculation all its own) is next week.
Landers gives the example of an investment account worth $500,000 versus a house that's worth $500,000. They're not worth the same.
"The house has certain expenses: property taxes, fuel costs, maintenance," Landers says. "And if you sell the home, you could get hit with a big capital gains tax bill."
If you make $400,000 on the sale of your home, after subtracting the $250,000 capital gains exclusion for a single person, you would have to pay tax on $150,000. "At next year's capital gains rate of 20%, that's a $30,000 tax bill," Landers says.
Bottom line
You may not relate to Tipper Gore, but like millions of women, she invested decades of her life in her marriage and family. Know your financial rights so that you can recoup what you invested.
Question: If a man supported his family financially for 25 years, while his wife supported them domestically, is a 50-50 split of assets fair? Should he get more? Discuss here.
Jeffrey Landers is hosting a free seminar on June 15: Smart Financial Strategies For Pre-Divorced Women, in midtown NYC.


text: I suppose it stands to reason. You didn't reference it specifically, but I assume you were born here. Chances are you were reared in a home with some sort of Christian background. Even if you were reared in an atheist home, 99.9% of atheists come from Christian backgrounds as well. I did the atheist thing for a while. It just didn't do it for me. Funny thing is, in all those years, I never ever met an atheist that was once Buddhist or Muslim....weird, huh.


text:
Emma von Brömssen et Linda Brink are two Swedish designers who met in the sandbox during their maternity leave. The encounter has resulted in this pretty collection of wallpaper and textiles, sold under their own brand My Mika. The collection is meant for kids rooms, but could just as well work in other parts of the home too! The wallpaper can be ordered by mail here.
Photos My Mika/Martin von Brömssen via Kurbits


text:
Full-Disclosure Security List Suspended Indefinitely 162
I never imagined that request might come from a researcher within the 'community' itself (and I use that word loosely in modern times). But today, having spent a fair amount of time dealing with complaints from a particular individual (who shall remain nameless) I realised that I'm done. The list has had its fair share of trolling, flooding, furry porn, fake exploits and DoS attacks over the years, but none of those things really affected the integrity of the list itself. However, taking a virtual hatchet to the list archives on the whim of an individual just doesn't feel right. That 'one of our own' would undermine the efforts of the last 12 years is really the straw that broke the camel's back.
I'm not willing to fight this fight any longer. It's getting harder to operate an open forum in today's legal climate, let alone a security-related one. There is no honour amongst hackers any more. There is no real community. There is precious little skill. The entire security game is becoming more and more regulated. This is all a sign of things to come, and a reflection on the sad state of an industry that should never have become an industry.
I'm suspending service indefinitely. Thanks for playing." The archives are still up on seclists.org, gmane, and Mail Archive. For now at least.


text:
If you dont believe me, then watch some Goals against this season on NHL.com, I know what I am talking about here.
2. You really insist on using Skewed/irrelevant statistics for a hockey argument?:
-ALL top 4 defensemen average 20+ minutes a game. And he's 4th in active defensemen in minutes. 4th. Carle is 1st, so he must be the best on this team.
-Leading the team in goals as a defensemen has NOTHING to do with his performance as a defensemen on this team. Its just a bonus.
-Mez IS NOT a physical player, he may be 3rd on this team in hits, but he just takes common hits in the corner. A "physical defensemen" physically moves people out of the way.
If you want to just use stats, thats cool, why does he have the least amount of blocked shots of this teams top 6 defensemen? Matt Carle almost has double. Lesson here, do not bother with stats. Actually watch the games, and dont just realize what the announcers say. Actually watch the players. You'll see who has "it"


text:
UFC's Lightweight Future: The Next Generation of ContendersApril 17, 2013
Don't look now, but there those who believe that the UFC's lightweight division has a bleak future. Or even a bleak immediate future.
I don't think that's the case.
It's true that no lightweight fighters have ever stepped up to fill the void left by B.J. Penn, but let's face it: those are some pretty big shoes to fill. Penn was one of the UFC's legitimate superstars and a gigantic fan favorite; it's a tough thing to find someone else with the same combination of charisma and fan appeal that Penn carried into the Octagon.
Frankie Edgar couldn't do it, and he beat Penn two times before drawing and winning in two scintillating battles against Gray Maynard. And yes, I fully realize that Maynard and Edgar have fought three times, but it's the latter two that count.
If those fights couldn't make Edgar a UFC superstar, well, then nothing could. Edgar was plenty likable as champion; he was the scrappy featherweight who was constantly given underdog status, yet somehow managed to overcome the odds when the odds looked as long as they could possibly get.
That was Edgar; a pint-sized Rocky, constantly and consistently felling his larger foes. And yet he still didn't connect as a pay-per-view draw, not even after turning in one gutsy performance after another.
But perhaps the problem in all of this isn't Edgar, so much as it is our own perception. Perhaps we need to stop fretting about who becomes a pay-per-view draw or who connects with the public. Why do we consider that stuff for even a moment, anyway? It doesn't benefit me in any way, shape or form if someone sells millions of pay per views or if they're buried on the undercard of a Fuel TV card, and I'd suspect it doesn't affect your bottom line, either.
So why do we care? Why don't we just focus on the one thing we SHOULD be interested in as fight fans: the fighters and the fights? Isn't that what drew you to your television for three-plus hours a few times per month in the first place?
Let's leave the discussions of buyrates and superstars and yearly projections to the guys who actually find themselves affected by such things—and by that I mean Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta and the other guys in suits in that glass office over on Sahara in Las Vegas—and let's talk instead of fights and fighters and who might be a future lightweight championship title contender.
We're looking at three different categories here, and I'd like to break them down for you before we get started.
THE PERENNIAL CONTENDERS: These are the guys who could conceivably contend for the title on numerous occasions over the years to come. These are pretty much the names you'd expect them to be.
THE DARK HORSES: Fighters who can inch their way into contention sooner than you'd think. Actually, this would just be the singular, since I only have one fighter listed in this category.
THE ONE WHO MOVES UP: This is self explanatory, and I'm sure you can already guess who falls under this one. But let's just go with it, okay?
Sound good? Let's go.
Gray Maynard: He's dropped off the map since his last fight, but Maynard is returning at UFC 160 in May to face T.J. Grant. More on Grant in a few minutes. But needless to say, with a win over Grant, Maynard will be right back in title contention, particularly since Edgar is no longer the champion; it would've been a tough sell trying to convince folks that Maynard would beat Frankie the third time around. A bout with Henderson or Melendez represents something new and fresh, and that alone might be enough to get "The Bully" back in the title picture before the end of 2013.
Anthony Pettis: He's moving down to 145 to challenge Jose Aldo this summer (in Milwaukee, no less!), but there aren't a lot of people out there who give Pettis much of a chance to dethrone the featherweight champion. You can consider me in that same boat. I like Pettis and I think he's great and dynamic and all of that, but let's be real with each other for a second: Pettis isn't beating Aldo. Nobody's beating Aldo at 145.
Which means it'll be back to lightweight for Pettis, and that's okay. He's probably better off with the 155-pounders anyway. And you can rest assured that he'll be a contender in this division for as long as he decides to fight, which could be a very long time.
T.J. Grant: Don't laugh. T.J. Grant is one bad dude. And don't look now, but he's undefeated since dropping to lightweight after a less-than-spectacular run at welterweight. With the exception of Carlo Prater, Grant's lightweight wins were over tough (and yet unheralded) opponents.
If Grant can beat Gray Maynard at UFC 160—and let me assure you that I'm not the only one who thinks that's a distinct possibility—he's one win away (or less) from a title shot. He's got all the tools to be a serious player in the division. You're probably laughing at me now, but I'll be the one laughing in 12 months or less when this guy is contending for the belt.
Jose Aldo: This one is inevitable, and you know it. Aldo is getting bored at featherweight, and he's making more and more noise after each of his dominant featherweight wins about how he wants to move up and challenge for the lightweight title. Eventually, his coach and team are going to let him make the jump, and he's going to be deadly just like he is at 145 pounds.
Don't believe me? Just watch.
Jose Aldo is the future lightweight champion, and it's only a matter of when he decides to make the switch in weight classes.
All apologies to Benson Henderson, who is a fantastic fighter and a truly great sporting fighter, but that belt already belongs to Aldo.
You just don't know it yet.


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Customer Assistant - Part time - Lochee - Dundee
For our Customer Assistants, quality is not just a passion, it's a way of life! Putting the same care and attention into the little tasks as they do with big ones, our Store team know how important their hard work is to the success and growth of our business.Working as part of a diverse and dedicated team, you will love the buzz and energy of a fast-paced retail environment. You thrive on a challenge so you will love the fact that there is never a dull moment in store and always tasks to be done.Above all else, our Customer Assistants are the face of our business, providing great service to our loyal customers. If you have a natural flair for providing outstanding customer service and are looking to become part of strong team with varied shifts, this could be the perfect opportunity for you!As part of your application, you will be asked to complete 2 psychometric tests, including a behaviour questionnaire (known as a situational judgement test), and a numeracy test. The application process as a whole should take you 30-45 minutes.The interview process is a one stage process consisting of a structured interview and role play exercise.
What will you do?
- Assist the Deputy Store Manager and Store Manager with all areas of store operation
- Operate the checkout and handle cash
- Make sure our shelves are well-stocked at all times
- Carry out regular freshness checks to ensure we offer the freshest produce
- Unpack daily stock deliveries
- Rotate stock
- Ensure the store is clean, both on the shop floor and behind the scenes
- Keep the store clear and ensure any potential hazards are dealt with quickly and efficiently
- Help with merchandising stock and preparing for promotions and special offers
- Assist with baking in our in-store bakery
What will you need?
- A can-do attitude and excellent customer service skills
- The willingness to go the extra mile for our customers
- To be responsible and reliable
- The ability to be flexible
- To enjoy working in a fast-paced, varied environment, hitting targets and meeting deadlines
- To work well in teams and take pride in a job well done
- Preferably, previous experience in a customer facing role but this is not essential provided you have the right attitude
What do we offer?
- £8.25 - £9.64 per hour (subject to experience)
- 30 days holiday per annum (pro rata, including Bank Holidays)
- A contributory pension scheme
- 10% discount on all Lidl products, in all stores throughout the UK
- Access to corporate discounts on a range of products and services (including holidays, home and garden products, leisure activities and more)
- Initial training and on-going development from an experienced team member
- Brilliant opportunities to take on more responsibility and long term career prospects


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2013-2014 US Youth Soccer National League Boys Preview
November 18, 2013 01:29 PM
Video: US Youth Soccer National League
History and Records
2013-2014 College Commitments
FRISCO, Texas (Nov. 18, 2013)
— The seventh season of
US Youth Soccer National League
play kicks off Thursday, Nov. 21 in Wilson, N.C., when all 80 boys teams in the Under-14 through Under-18 age groups meet to begin the season. Last year featured several outstanding
team and individual performances
as the league continues to grow in both size and competitiveness.
The 2013-2014 season will mark the addition of a new age group, as the Under-14 Boys and Girls squads will compete in National League for the first time. Several new squads will join returning National League teams this season as they look to follow up last year's standout play.
In 2012-2013, Sunrise Elite 97/98 (FL) became just the fourth boys team to finish a National League season with zero losses or ties, as the Florida side went 7-0-0. As Sunrise enters the Under-16 age group, it will look to become just the fourth boys team to win multiple National League division titles. Another team that can get its second title is OBGC Rangers (MD), which has scored a league-record 22 goals in each of the last two seasons.
Other defending National League title winners are GSA Phoenix 97 Premier (GA), CCV Stars 97 Black (AZ) and CUP Gold 95/96 (OH-S). GSA, which has three teams in the league, will have a few chances to win the club's fourth National League title. GSA's three titles are currently tied with Dallas Texans for the most by one club in league history.
West Coast FC (CA-S), which defeated CUP Gold 95/96 in the final at the 2013 National Championships, is one of two National Champions in this year's National League field, along with Smithtown Arsenal (E-NY). After qualifying for Nationals through National League, West Coast is looking forward to returning to the league this season.
"One of the things of the National League that I like is the way it's run," said Neil Armour, head coach of West Coast FC. "We had never done it before and when we went to North Carolina the fields were great, the competition was fantastic and the organization was very professional. When we ended up qualifying and going to the National Championships and went to Kansas, the level of professionalism was fantastic."
National League boys teams claimed two of four possible National Championships in 12-13 and 26 national qualifiers are among the field in this year's National League. Once again, the top two finishers in each division of each age group will receive an automatic bid to Nationals. The four National League representatives will join the four Regional Champions in Germantown, Md., July 22-27 at the 2014
US Youth Soccer National Championships
. Winning 26 of a possible 38 National Championships through the first six seasons, National League teams enter the season knowing it could be the beginning of a run to the National title.
As a defending National Champion, Smithtown coach Tom Lips is excited for his team's chance to earn a trip back to Nationals through the National League, but he knows it will be no easy task.
"It's the most competitive league in the country," Lips said. "Soccer is a funny game. If you're not on, you might be able to pull it off sometimes. In the National League, if you're not on, there's a good chance you can't pull it off. There's no room for error. It's either you're on or you're not. We love the reffing, the facilities, we like the game rules, the subbing situation. Everything about it, we like. It's a top league for us."
For a preview of each age group…
Under-14 Boys
Under-15 Boys
Under-16 Boys
Under-17 Boys
Under-18 Boys
Ohio South Youth Soccer
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KLRU has partnered with CASA of Travis County for their Superhero Run on Sunday, Sept. 19, at The Domain. KLRU will have children's activities plus SuperWhy will be there to congratulate participants in the Kids 1K.
There will be a superhero costume contest including super kid and super pet categories, a moonwalk obstacle course, create your own superhero mask, a photo booth and much more.
Check out the photos from fun event.


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Darling Quarter is a true integration of urban design, architecture, and landscape architecture toward the creation of a public place within the City. We have sought to enhance the joy and beauty of Darling Harbour, one of the most popular public places in Australia, and to do so in a way that imbues it with a sense of quality and permanence. Darling Quarter is where the western edge of the City and the Park meet and is celebrated in a series of defined public spaces, including a pedestrian boulevard, parklands, gateway, children's playground and activated edges lined with cafes and restaurants.
This is a very different type of office building in a very special location. It is an architecture of human scale, natural materials and of a warmth of character appropriate to this very public parkland location. The long gently curving facade defines and enhances the public realm with a warmth and transparency unusual in any commercial building. The mullions are made of natural timber and irregularly spaced like rows of trees in a forest. The different scales of the east and west wings respond to and reflect the varying scale of the park and city, united and resolved through the curved roof that draws natural light to the interior.
These long forms of timber and glass, capped by the gentle curves and scalloped apertures of the roof, create a background to the parkland and a foreground to the rising city beyond, uniting the two in a new public place, Darling Quarter. The project extends its sustainability objectives beyond the achievement of credits to focus on occupant well-being and the creation of an enabling, supportive and ultimately inspiring place to work, generate and exchange ideas.
Craigieburn Library
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Fire investigators are working to pinpoint the cause of the Doce Fire, which has now consumed more than 6,700 acres as it continues to grow.
Flagstaff Fire Captain Bill Morse said the fire started south of Iron Springs Road near Doce Mine and a target-shooting area.
Morse told CBS 5 News that officials have not ruled out target shooting as a cause of the wildfire. Morse said there was no lightning in the area, so they have no reason to think natural causes started the fire.
The wildfire is 10 percent contained, and has burned 6,732 acres as of Friday morning, according to U.S. Forest Service.
Fire officials said residents in the Granite Park Ranch and Levi Estates area would be notified of a scheduled burnout operation in Mint Creek Wash by the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office reverse 911 system, but that it would not be an evacuation order, even though flames from the operation might be seen.
Members of the community took advantage of a meeting at Prescott High School on Thursday evening to thank fire and forest crews for their heroics, but they still have got a long way to go.
People packed into the school's auditorium hoping for good news, and they got some.
"We have not lost a life. We have not lost a structure," said Yavapai County Sheriff Scott Mascher, who was then applauded.
Crews have been able to keep the flames away from homes. So far, 605 personnel are on top of the fire, and efforts have cost $2.24 million, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
But these people didn't just come here for numbers. Half of the auditorium was full of people who had to evacuate.
"So you're concerned about the important stuff ... 'When do I go home?'" incident commander Tony Sciacca said.
And there was no answer. Crews have been working around the clock removing brush, digging into the ground and using water to fight this fire.
"We're doing nothing. It's awful. You feel hopeless," resident Kathy Bryan said. She evacuated Tuesday.
"The DC-10s were flying over the tops of the houses and dropping the slurry, the fire was coming down, the smoke was coming down and it was the scariest thing I've ever had in my life," Bryan said.
"That's the hard part, what do you bring?" Carol Sutton asked. "Nothing looks important."
Bryan forgot her hairbrush, and Sutton left socks at her house. And though they may be missing the comforts of home, they've gained a little something through this disaster.
"It says a lot. There's not too many people staying at the shelter," Bryan said. "In this community, people have been offered homes."
Several of the large air tankers have been diverted to another wildfire in New Mexico, but they still have helicopters. While it's been very dry and windy these last few days, weather conditions may improve over the weekend.
Most crews are working 12-hour shifts, with the day crews spending nights in tents, in a field and night crews sleeping in a gymnasium where it's quiet and there's air conditioning. Food caterers are feeding approximately 700 people each day.
Earlier this week, Gov. Jan Brewer declared a state of emergency, which allows for additional funding for Yavapai County.
The National Guard has not been called in at this time.
Stay with cbs5az.com for updates on the fire.
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I've been a fan of Seattle filmmaker Lynn Shelton's work since I saw her first feature, We Go Way Back, at a screening way back in 2006. I was entranced by Shelton's approach to storytelling—which seemed simultaneously impressionistic and incisive. I also appreciated her firm grasp of how people actually speak to each other—probably a result of her reliance on loose script outlines and improvised lines. And I loved her sense of humor, which she brought to the fore in My Effortless Brilliance (2008), another intriguing look at the tricky balancing act that is the intimate human relationship. She transported her humor and fascination with male friendships to her breakout film, Humpday (2009)—a hilarious, cringe-inducing and ultimately touching tale of two straight men whose bravado lands them in the awkward position of making a gay porn movie together.
And now she brings us another funny story of complicated interpersonal dealings, called Your Sister's Sister. AND IT'S SO GOOD! Recently purchased by IFC and due to be released in theaters this summer, this is Shelton's strongest work yet. I was lucky enough to see a screening last fall, and I left the theater marveling at her talent. Starring Emily Blunt and Rosemarie DeWitt as sisters, and Mark Duplass (from Humpday) as Blunt's best friend, the movie is romantic and a comedy, sure, but it has nothing in common with the insipid rom-coms Hollywood attempts to force feed audiences. Like all Shelton's work, the film is subtle and pleasantly drifty (maybe that's her Seattle upbringing shining through), punctuated with laugh-out-loud comedy (based in awkward interpersonal maneuvers) and genuine shock and sadness. I won't reveal much, since the plot twists and turns are so much fun to experience first-hand, but I will say that the characters seemed so real, when the movie ended I felt like I wanted to go grab a beer with them.
If you can't wait until the summer release date, head to the Sundance Film Festival—Your Sister's Sister is screening there January 20-28. Trust me, it'll be worth the trip.
Originally posted November 10, 2011.


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Miguel Cotto was in pure predator mode, bringing his hellacious left hook from 2007 back, and using it to smash Delvin Rodriguez in the main event at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida on Saturday night, and on HBO.
Cotto, coming off back to back losses, to Floyd Mayweather and then Austin Trout, which had him if only briefly consider retirement, needed to get past the solid journeyman Rodriguez, or the retirement issue would loom that much larger. That he did; in the first he started with hooks to the body, and he didn't let up. He had him buzzed to end the second, and a left hook finished Del in round three.
The end came at 2:42 of the third, with ref Frank Santore deeming Del done. Cotto outlanded Delvine 55-16, according to CompuBox.
Cotto, age 32, from Puerto Rico, was 153.2 on Friday, while the Dominican-born Del, age 33, living in Danbury, CT, was 154. Cotto was cornered by Freddie Roach for the first time, for the record. Del is helmed by Fernely Feliz.
In the first, Cotto ripped a left hook on Del, who wanted to peck and slide. The Cotto left hook, like sexy, was back, in round one. Roach called the first "beautiful" after the round. In the second, Cotto's right landed early. Del hadn't yet landed on Cotto enough to put him off. Del got buzzed at the end of the round, off a right hand-left hook follow.
In the third, Cotto sent him down and the fight was halted.


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It's the hot new fashion in school reform. One state after another is seeking to link teacher merit pay to student performance. A much diluted version will now be concocted in the educational disaster area of Chicago after a nasty teachers' strike there. Such reform is the centerpiece of Gov. Chris Christie's school-improvement efforts. The state is trying to reach a deal with the Newark Teachers Union for a teacher-evaluation plan tied at least partly to student performance, which is to say, to achievement test scores.
The Newark Teachers Union, an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers, is listening to the state's sales spiel for the plan and is not saying hell no, no way. The state's biggest teachers' union is, though. From the sidelines, the N.J. Education Association, an affiliate of the National Education Assocition, says it'll have no parts of any such plan, no way, Jose.
NJEA spokesman Steve Wollmer has been quoted as saying that such reforms are "destructive of morale, they create a competitive and confrontational and negative environment within schools. And there's never enough money, and it's usually administered unfairly. Other than that, it's a great idea."
The NJEA is an obstructive, reactionary outfit that irritatingly postures as a professional organization concerned about quality education, when actually it its self-interested agenda — and legitimately so — is getting the best deal it can for its duespaying members. Thus, we are somewhat shocked to find ourself sympathetic to the NJEA's position on trying merit pay to student performance.
Every profession and occupation has people who aren't up to snuff, and there's no convincing evidence teaching has more than its share. Poor performance in schools is largely the result of socio-economic factors. Inept or indifferent teachers are much less the problem than inept or indifferent parents. A popular culture more inclined toward the TV couch potato than the bookworm also is a factor for which teachers can hardly be held answerable.
Merit pay linked to student performance is vulnerable to erratic subjectivity, or worse — to petty favoritism or petty hostility. In short, it's an overblown reform with little data to support the hype in its behalf.
Reform efforts would be more wisely focused on school choice, especially on vouchers for private schools. Private schools are free to promote "values," as they define them, and are able to insist on parental involvement. They have to deliver results or else lose "business." And they can serve as a motivating, competitive goad to public schools. The worthiness of this reform is best demonstrated, perhaps, by the almost hysterical resistance it prompts from BOTH the AFT and NJEA.