text:
|2007-12-24, 00:36
|Link #201
Ultimate Coordinator
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: San Francisco
why is kyuubi powers being disreagarded while bloodline limit isnt
it is like saying 'psh if sasuke didnt have bloodline limit he would suck cuz naruto works harder......'
i guess people are considering that because naruto wasnt born with it to begin with so it doesnt count
was ninjutsu there when they were born? didnt they have to aquire it by learning/practice so they can be bada$$ ninjas?
aquiring power? isnt that what sasuke is doing to......so its ok to add technique to your arsenal but its not ok for naruto to add other means to his arsenal.....
everyone has thier traits to be a bada$$ ninja, if they can use it then its part of what they can do and part of what makes them that kinda ninja.....
bloodline vs kyuubi vs prodigy vs hardworking vs experience vs etc ....
if your disregard kyuubi powers then disregard all that and what u have left is a human
|2007-12-24, 08:04
|Link #202
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: London (UK)
Age: 37
|2007-12-26, 15:07
|Link #203
epic hero
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: In a place in the mountins of Europe, a place where legends still spring in the world of modern man.
|2007-12-26, 15:22
|Link #204
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
stronger then the hokage's no. maybe strong in raw power but not in allround by a long shot
I will never accept that 1st 2nd 3rd 4th hokage's with a damn load of crazy arsenals skills should be inferior then kage bunshin and rasengan and an further evolved rasengan
and allround wise the hokages had intelligence and were creative and smart in making own skills.
I dunno how naruto will become hokage but it will need to be something drastic. Maybe if forexample kyubbi gets exxtracted or removed naruto apears to be a 120% skilled ninja because kyuubi messed up his concentration etc and suddenly he can do all the badass stuff. But atm he aint there at all.
|2007-12-26, 16:27
|Link #205
Join Date: Apr 2007
I think naruto can be stronger than a hokage if something happen like he had a spilt personality. The other personality can like a genius or something that can use any jutsy if he see it one, while the naruto right now is thw weaker personality, and the reason the 9th tail is in him is to seal away the other naruto.
|2007-12-26, 16:57
|Link #207
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
|2007-12-29, 14:38
|Link #208
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: In your closet.
I think that for Naruto to be truly a strong hokage he must rescue his freind sasuke. Even if Naruto looses an arm a leg all of his limbs. Even if he only has a head he will keep trying. Even if he is dead he will not die he will not die until his best freind is by his side again. Naruto enkurages others to live and with this he shall live. And if you haven't noticed naruto had missions in other contry's and by being there made bonds in those contrys. That is why I believe Naruto will surpass all other hokages.
|2007-12-29, 15:18
|Link #209
Join Date: Dec 2006
I think that by the time we get to Hurricane Chronicles (shippuden) he will have exceeded the Hokages. Kikashi says that Naruto is stronger than he is now.
And Kikashi is at a Kage level in chakra and in jutsu that he knows.
I don't know if Naruto knows 1000 Jutsu that was what Kanaramahugh's sensei said that you have to know to be a Hokage.
I think Naruto will be a Hokage but not anytime soon.
I actually want to see Naurto and Sakura take up the Hokage role together.
Naruto being the one who goes on missions and Sakura being the one who does the governmental side of the Hokage. Kind of like Jeriya and Tsunade.
But it will be Naruto's face that will be added to the mount of hokage.
I want to see Sasuke completely out of the picture meaning dead.
But I think that Naruto will be the one to kill him using the perfected reaper seal.
Where he doesn't use his own Chakra but the Chakra of the fox to seal Sasuke up inside of that.
Or who know's Sakura may die at some point.
I can actually see when Naruto and Sasuke battle again
Sakura may be in the middle agian but with out a Kikashi there
Sasuke may kill Sakura, making Naruto go full 9 tails on his ass.
Naruto may be able to transform again but this time into a nine tailed fox (as apposed to the one tailed fox in the battle with Garra) or who knows he may not even need to use Gama to do it the next time he does it.
And then while he is in 9tf mode do the reaper seal Jutsu.
Takins Sasuke in with the fox, killing him self the 9tf and Sasuke.
And wam everything dissappears again.
|2007-12-29, 16:17
|Link #210
Konoha's ANBU
Join Date: Dec 2005
Age: 32
Well here's what Naruto needs to change or to do if he wants to surpass all the previous Hokages:
- First of all knowlegde...lots and lots of knowlegde. [for example about Nin/Tai/Gen/Kin jutsu]
Knowlegde about the world and elements. Basic/Advanced strategies to encounter certain types long, mid and close range types. Naruto needs to spend 10 years in the library. And he has ways to do that within weeks/days.
- Second, he really needs to change mentally. I believe he needs to be able to handle situations where he can stay cool at all times. Actually if he can always keep himself cool like against Zabuza/Gaara. He'd do fine.
- Third. Skills. Lots of skills. I believe an Hokage should completely master atleast 2 elements, be an expert in long,mid and close range. And ofcourse be a master in nin, gen and taijutsu.
- Fourth. A true unique specialty and a name/status.
The Shodai was known for his unique abilities such as: Mokoton ninjutsu/ability to control Bijuu. Even before he became Hokage he was one of the men who formed and united the clans. The
Nidaime Hokage was known for his water elemental jutsu's and was the founder of certain important facilities in Konoha.
Sandaime was at a young age informed that he'd be the future Hokage. Talent which was already reckoqnized so early. He was known as a man who mastered almost every jutsu in the village.
Yondaime was known as the Yellow Flash and was already feared before he became Hokage.
He was known for his speed.
Godaime was already legendary before she became Hokage. She is known for her unrivalled medical skills.
Actually if he only improved these 4 things. He'd already surpass most of the hokages.
Naruto is known for it's Kage Bunshins and the Rasengan. But both arent unique.
I think he needs to develop an completely new jutsu that for example needs his blood/chakra/kyuubi. So it cant be copied. Or taught to anyone else except his sons or daughters.
|2007-12-29, 18:23
|Link #211
"I'll cut them off..."
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Washington
Age: 32
Or... he could just bypass all of that and use the Kyuubi, go ninetails, and out of some miracle that only one person out of a trillion people in the entire world could ever do in the entire universe and return back to his former self by using the love of his friends as a path back to his normal self.
And then he just does it all the time until it gets boring.
And when enemies get stronger, Naruto can then do a kyuubi 9 tailed naruto mass kage bunshin where each pair of kyuubi 9 tailed narutos each do an uber genki dama rasengan! And they all dominate the opposition. With the exception of Sasuke, who is Narutos all time rival who now has the cursed seal over 9000!! And he can now just point his sword in the air which will act as a lighting rod which summons a bolt of lighting to his body in which he creates a Chidori straight from nature itself, requiring no chakra... Add in his new MegaManGecko Sharing Gun and he is just as unstoppable as Naruto.
Then they fight again when all of the villages are in chaos, and it ends in a draw and they agree the it's a tie and they both become Hokage because Naruto seems to mirror the past alot, therefore since they have been compared to the first and second hokages(not to mention Sasuke and Naruto have also been compared to Orochimaru, Jiraiya, Kakashi, Tsunades brother/boyfriend(?), Gaara, Itachi, Yondaime, and everyone else you could ever think of) they basically have their entire story mapped out for them.
No but seriously... It's a fact that Naruto is going to be stronger than the hokages. Hell I'd even say he's stronger than all of them except for the yondaime right now. And that's only because of the seal. Without the seal, Yondaime wouldn't even stand a chance a against the angry Kyuubi Naruto. And it's already stated that Naruto's seal is getting weaker, so it's only a matter of time before that happens. =P
|2007-12-29, 19:27
|Link #212
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Location is all relative.
Let's try the Hokage in order (assume that they are alive for the time being):
-Shodaime Hokage: Chances of success are about 30% due to Shodaime's unique Mokuton and Bijuu manipulating abilities.
-Nidaime Hokage: Chances of success are about 50% considering Nidaime is barely unique outside of his ability to create water out of thin air (a skill Kisame also has).
-Sandaime Hokage: Chances of success are 50% again since Sandaime was tricked and caught off guard by Naruto twice. Then again Sandaime knows a lot more jutsu than Naruto does.
-Yondaime Hokage: Chances of success are non-existant since Naruto would be beheaded before firing off even one Rasengan. The Hiraishin is the major deciding factor here.
-Godaime Hokage: This is the only one that is in his favour, my estimate being 80%. For the most part Tsunade is all about healing and super strength. Naruto can avoid her deadly taijutsu just by spamming Kage Bunshins all over the place and his Fuuton: Rasenshuriken damages on a cellular level preventing Tsunade from healing her wounds. Of course, one direct hit from her fist and he will fly to the stratosphere before plummeting down.
|2007-12-29, 20:06
|Link #213
Join Date: May 2006
Age: 33
If he wants to be a competent Hokage, he should hold nothing back against traitors.
|2007-12-29, 21:30
|Link #214
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: In your closet.
|2007-12-29, 22:16
|Link #215
Join Date: May 2006
Age: 33
|2007-12-29, 22:33
|Link #216
So Like A Rose
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Foxglove
Age: 30
|2007-12-30, 00:44
|Link #217
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: earth
|2007-12-30, 00:57
|Link #218
Join Date: Jul 2007
I don't see Naruto being stronger then any hokage. Since he couldn't even defeat diedara by himself and he is near or maybe weaker then the hokage. His battles aren't even near the type of battles like hokage's. Most enemies toy with him and that is what causes there defeat or they let him have a small chance by there own will and die from cockiness. If they would go full out on naruto he would die. Even orochimaru plays with him constantly even in kyuubi mode and Naruto can't win. Naruto is still pathetic.
He can't win versus the 1st hokage because he could probally control naruto or keep his power at a minimal. More experience and overall better.
He can't win vs the NIdiame because he can just drown him. Overall better more experience.
He can't win vs the 3rd because the third would just spam all his high ranking jutsu on him.
He can't win vs the 4th because he can just omnislash so to say Naruto.
Even with the kage bunshin they are no match for high ranking ninja. I would list off the reasons why the bunshin wouldnt work but that'd be overkill.
|2007-12-30, 01:20
|Link #219
"I'll cut them off..."
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Washington
Age: 32
It's like a fight with Vash the Stampede vs a regular human in a fight to the death. Vash is, in most cases, going to be stronger, but since he doesn't kill anyone, there's no way for him to win.
|Thread Tools


text:
Written by Elizabeth Barrett Thursday, 02 June 2011 19:29
Activities director displaced.
Seth Ryker doesn't mind fumbling around in his dust-filled office in the Community Building trying to find things with a flashlight.
Ryker, who is activities director for Gothenburg Public Schools, moved from the Community Building into the high school office but occasionally needs things from his first workplace.
In the high school office, he has set up shop while approximately 12,000-square feet of the cafeteria, kitchen, concession area and rest rooms are renovated and the weight room and rest rooms remodeled.
Last week, found Ryker in front of his laptop computer in the high school office as he scheduled referees for athletic events next year.
The $1.1 million renovation project is moving along, according to superintendent Mike Teahon, who said most of the demolition work is finished.
Rain last week actually helped propel construction.
"They (Paulsen Inc.) were able to commit to more manpower inside for demolition," Teahon said.
Workers began demolition in earnest once students were dismissed for summer break which was May 18 and 19.
Nonetheless, students and the public still have access to both gymnasiums for basketball camps and other activities. They are to enter the east door of the high school for the south gym and the northwest door of the Community Building for the north gym and weight room.
Since Teahon became superintendent in 2001, he has overseen four construction projects—the demolition of the old junior-senior building and building of the new junior high, renovation of Dudley Elementary and the high school track and the current project.
Teahon complimented maintenance supervisor Jay Holmes who is the local representative involved in what comes up daily in the renovation project.
"He brings things to me as needed," he said.
Teahon noted that the district is financially able to do this renovation and others because of long-term planning by the school board.
"It all starts with the financial part," he said, noting that the board and administrators use a school improvement model which includes the long-range planning of facilities.
He described how things have come together in recent building projects as the perfect storm.
Enrollment grew which meant more money in aid from the state and decreased pressure on the district's general fund.
"We were then able to fund the building fund and look toward long-range planning," Teahon said. "The board is also comfortable, generally, in working with the financial pieces of all of this."

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Blacks See Growing Values Gap Between Poor and Middle Class
African Americans see a widening gulf between the values of middle class and poor blacks, and nearly four-in-ten say that because of the diversity within their community, blacks can no longer be thought of as a single race, according to a new Pew Research Center survey.
Modern Marriage: "I Like Hugs. I Like Kisses. But What I Really Love is Help with the Dishes."
What makes a marriage work? A new Pew survey finds that "sharing household chores" has moved way up on the charts.
Fewer Mothers Prefer Full-time Work
In the span of the past decade, full-time work outside the home has lost some of its appeal to mothers. This trend holds for both those who have such jobs and those who don't.
As Marriage and Parenthood Drift Apart, Public Is Concerned about Social Impact
At a time when nearly four-in-ten births in this country are to an unmarried mother, the public says unwed parenting is a big problem for society. But Americans are far less inclined now than a generation ago to say children are important to a successful marriage, according to a new Pew Research Center survey.
Muslim Americans: Middle Class and Mostly Mainstream
The first-ever, nationwide, random sample survey of Muslim Americans finds them to be largely assimilated, happy with their lives, and moderate with respect to many of the issues that have divided Muslims and Westerners around the world.
Motherhood Today: Tougher Challenges, Less Success
From managing busy schedules to dealing with outside influences, mothers have their hands full these days – and middle-aged women are their sharpest critics. At the same time, fully 70% of the public says it's harder to be a mother today than it was 20 or 30 years ago; somewhat fewer (60%) say the same about being a father.
Americans and Social Trust: Who, Where and Why
Just under half of Americans say most people can be trusted, while 50% say you can't be too careful, a new Pew survey finds. Whites are more trusting than blacks or Hispanics. High income folks are more trusting than those with low incomes. The married are more trusting than the unmarried. The old are more trusting than the young. And rural folks are more trusting than their city cousins.
What Americans Pay For – and How
Bill-paying is a different experience now than it was a generation ago. A sizable minority of adults pay by click. And a sizable majority pay each month for one or more of the big three Information Age staples that didn't exist or were in their infancy a few decades back — cell phones, internet service and cable and satellite television.
We Try Hard. We Fall Short. Americans Assess Their Saving Habits
Despite a negative national savings rate, three-in-four Americans still think of themselves as savers. But a majority also acknowledge they don't save enough, according to a new Pew survey.
A Portrait of "Generation Next"
A new generation has come of age, shaped by an unprecedented revolution in technology and dramatic events both at home and abroad. They are Generation Next, the cohort of young adults who have grown up with personal computers, cell phones and the internet and are now taking their place in a world where the only constant is rapid change.


text:
Get the Recipes
- Ultra-Crispy Roast Potatoes
- Sauced: Cilantro Pesto
- Scallops with Pea Puree and Vermouth Sauce
- Dry-Aged, Sous Vide, Torched-and-Seared Bone-In Ribeyes (a.k.a. The Ultimate Steak)
- Pizza with Fresh Clams, Garlic, Mozzarella, Romano, and Basil
- Extra-Smooth Pumpkin Pie
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Roll-Up Cookies
Father's Day is many things. Some of them sweet and sentimental, yes, but also a whole lot of holy-crap-what-do-I-DO anxieties. I'm the only child of divorced parents, so making Father's Day a special occassion falls squarely onto my shoulders. And let me tell you, Atlas ain't got nothin' on me. First of all, my dad's birthday consistently falls on the same week as Father's Day. No fair, right? Considering that he's pretty hard to shop for to begin with, finding a way to treat him not once, but twice in the space of a single week is a pretty overwhelming prospect. Which is why I try to pull out all the stops and whip up a master meal as a gift unto itself.
We culled the Serious Eats team to see what they would make for their fathers—an approach we took for Mother's Day last year. While we sent an almost comically dessert-heavy menu mom's way, we actually wound up with a cohesive, totally well-rounded, (relatively) seasonal menu for dad. I know I'll be putting more than a few of these recipes to good use come Sunday. Now I just have to find him that birthday present...
What ultimate Father's Day dish would you make for dad? Tell us in the comments below!
Ultra Crispy Roast Potatoes
"When it comes to warm weather eating, my dad is a tried and true grill beast. Actually he's a grill beast year-round, and I'll often find him in the dead of winter with his Russian fur cap and his Weber grilling burgers in the snow because "they don't taste right inside." (Love you, Dad.) This year we're going out for father's day to let someone else do the cooking, but on more casual nights, I'm in charge of the steak-y sides. When I roast potatoes, it's a sort of lazy slow-roasting process, but Kenji's recipe for ultra-crispy spuds looks like an improvement." —Max Falkowitz
Get the recipe for Ultra Crispy Roast Potatoes »
Cilantro Pesto with Fresh Pasta
"My dad is a pesto freak. Admittedly, I might be shooting myself in the foot with this one, because he makes an absurdly delicious mortar-and-pestle pesto that's virtually impossible to beat. But his preparation is also kind of traditional; shaking things up gives me a little wriggle room and lets me incorporate cilantro, which he loves almost as much as pesto. With some light, tender fresh pasta, I think he'd be pretty blissed out." —Niki Achitoff-Gray
Get the recipe for Cilantro Pesto »
See our guide to making fresh pasta, or just substitute dried instead.
Seared Scallops with Pea Purée and Vermouth Sauce
"My dad is a big fan of scallops, though for some reason we really only have them during the summer when we're on Cape Cod. He also likes peas, and they're in season, so that's another bonus. But what made the dish the obvious Father's Day choice is the vermouth sauce. It's not something I'd make all the time and it gives it that 'hey, it's a special day' feeling. —Carrie Vasios
Get the recipe for Seared Scallops with Pea Purée and Vermouth Sauce »
Ultimate Ribeye Steak
"My dad is a steak guy, what can I say? He likes steakhouses, when he sees a steak on the menu he orders it, he has extra helpings of prime rib at Christmas dinner, he even convinces himself that he's still on the Atkin's diet because it's healthy, and not because it's an excuse to eat more steak.
So what would I make for him? The ultimate steak experience, which, IMHO, is my 61-Day Dry Aged, Sous-Vide, Torched-And-Seared Ribeye. Beef don't get much better than that." —J. Kenji Lopez-Alt
Ge the recipe for 61-Day Dry-Aged, Sous-Vide, Torched-and-Seared Bone-in Ribeyes »
Dry-aging and sous-vide not in your wheelhouse? Try regular ol' ribeye steaks on the grill, instead. Get the recipe for Perfect Grilled Ribeye Steaks »
Pizza with Fresh Clams, Garlic, Mozzarella, Romano, and Basil
"My dad loves clams, and his favorite is steamers, so I'd probably make him a big pot of those with plenty of drawn butter. But to round out the meal, this clam pie would do nicely. But, with apologies to Kenji, I'd leave out the mozzarella. I don't always agree, but Steve Fishner is a staunch believer in the seafood-and-dairy-don't-mix rule." —Ben Fishner
Get the recipe for Fresh Clam Pizza »
Extra Smooth Pumpkin Pie
"I know it's not the right season, but my dad loves pumpkin pie, so I'd make him one of these if he was nearby. I especially like pumpkin pie when it's had a day to really solidify, so I might make it the day before. Lots of whipped cream on top!" —Maggie Hoffman
Get the recipe for Extra Smooth Pumpkin Pie »
Peanut Butter and Jelly Roll-Up Cookies
"When I was growing up, one of my dad's signature late-night snacks was a triple-decker (yes, he lives on the edge) peanut butter and jelly sandwich on toasted white bread. What can I say? The man takes pleasure in the classics. To honor his lifelong love of both PB&J and anything cavity-inducing, I'd make these peanut butter and jelly roll-ups, served, obviously, with a glass of milk. As he would say: 'Brilliant.'"—Jamie Feldmar
Get the recipe for Peanut Butter and Jelly Roll-Up Cookies »
Get the Recipes
Ultra-Crispy Roast PotatoesView Recipe »
Sauced: Cilantro PestoView Recipe »
Scallops with Pea Puree and Vermouth SauceView Recipe »
Dry-Aged, Sous Vide, Torched-and-Seared Bone-In Ribeyes (a.k.a. The Ultimate Steak)View Recipe »
Pizza with Fresh Clams, Garlic, Mozzarella, Romano, and BasilView Recipe »
Extra-Smooth Pumpkin PieView Recipe »
Peanut Butter and Jelly Roll-Up CookiesView Recipe »


text:
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- California's 58 counties are reporting that they have nearly 1 million outstanding ballots to process from this week's primary election.
The secretary of state's office reported Friday that there are 991,699 unprocessed ballots. The figure comes from county-by-county estimates as officials wade through ballots dropped off at polls and provisional votes cast on Election Day.
The registrars have so far counted nearly 3.4 million ballots that were cast Tuesday, which puts turnout at 19.2 percent.
With the outstanding ballots, turnout could near 25 percent, which would be a record low for a regular election in California, but better than some forecasts.
The previous low for a non-presidential primary was 33.1 percent in June 2010. Turnout was 28.2 percent in June 2008 when the state split the presidential and primary elections.
All contents herein copyright San Diego Source ® 1994-2018


text:
It was three days before they were ready again to try the road to Thetos. Ankhrabi sat before the King on Hirvuiloth while Lord Faramir carried Ma'osiri before him. Legolas rode by Gimli's pony while Amon'osiri led that ridden before by his brother. Nefirnerini rode with Hasturnerini and Rustovrid's younger two daughters behind where her mother rode between her sister and Lady Ghansaret. Melian rode by Elfwine with Owain and Ruvemir on each side and Lady Avrieth behind them, her husband at her side.
Elboron and Eldarion rode in their mother's arms as Lothiriel, Arwen, and Éowyn rode side by side, all singing together a weaving song popular among the ladies of Gondor, while Éomer rode at the Farozi's left and described, in a mixture of broken Haradri and Westron, the battle of the Pelennor Fields.
An'Sohrabi listened with interest, but always his eyes strayed to the two forms before King and Steward. Six soldiers sent by Afraim went before them; those serving as guards of honor were ranged on each side; behind were three more of his own nephews sent by Amonrabi. Alongside where Benai rode was the oldest daughter of Rustovrid and Ghansaret, speaking somewhat awkwardly as Benai answered the young lady's questions in his uncertain Haradri.
They were both alive, his son and his grandson. And from the little the King had told him, it appeared the gods themselves had sent Ma'osiri back to them, deciding that he was needed here in the mortal lands yet. The boy was quieter, although that was to be expected, considering where he'd been injured. But his courage and determination to save his father had earned him the respect and honor of all, and for far more than his position by birth.
Ankhrabi often dozed in Aragorn's arms, and the King was glad for it. He would not have wanted to take him on this journey yet, but both he and his father had been insistent. Only if he agreed to this position would the King agree, and there was a pavilion on the cart that followed them that would be erected immediately if he saw the slightest sign either he or the boy was beginning to flag. So far, however, both dozed frequently, but did not appear uncomfortable and showed no signs their lungs or wounds bothered them overmuch. Now and then Ankhrabi coughed up more phlegm black with old blood, but not as he'd done the first two days when it had been fairly constant. Their lungs were clearer by the hour, it seemed, and the dryness of the desert ride seemed to aid them, somehow--at least for the moment.
The King looked across at the boy in Faramir's arms, smiled at the brooch which held closed the neck of the boy's desert robes.
Last night as sunset approached he and Benai had been summoned to the temple of Neryet, where the high priest of Amon and the high priestess of Neryet had awaited them. Mablung and Sa'Amonri had accompanied them this time, and Sa'Harpelamun again sat before his master's feet when they arrived.
The light fell full on the faces of the tall black Man and the pale-skinned King of Gondor, both now dressed again in pilgrim white. As they entered the court all eyes went first to the pool, where now seven golden lilies lay still open, seven blue ones, and one great white one.
Aragorn had looked down on them, and found himself murmuring, "Seven Stars and seven Stones and one White Tree."
"Which signified what, great Lord?" asked the high priest.
"It is part of the rhymes of lore regarding the return of Elendil's people to Middle Earth.
"Tall ships and tall kings, three times three.
What brought they from the foundered land, over the flowing sea?
Seven stars and seven stones
And one White Tree."
"And one of the ships that followed that of Elendil the Tall came to land here, South of Far Harad."
"So it has proven."
"And what do the seven Stars and Stones symbolize?"
"The Stars are the Elven Jewels worn in the circlets indicating our nobility, worn by Elendil, Isildur, Anárion, and the other princes of their house. I often wear the Star of Elendil--now the original gem, for Gimli found it for us in the treasure closet of Saruman in his keep a few years back when we went through Orthanc at the last."
"What of the others?"
"They are kept close, those whose locations are known. The Stones are the palantiri, the seven Seeing Stones by which the princes of Elendil's house could keep in communication with one another over far distances. Only two now remain in Middle Earth, that kept once in Orthanc, and the Amon stone which Lord Denethor held at his death. One other there may remain, but if so Lord Elrond carried it back to Aman with him when he sailed. The Ithil stone was lost at the last in the fall of Barad-dur, and none wishes to dig for it, if it was not smashed, for it lies in the midst of the ruins of the tower, which themselves were swallowed by the earth itself in the great earthquake that followed the destruction of the Ring."
"I doubt Geb will look happily on any who seek to find such a token in the ruins of the tower built by the traitorous Death Eater."
"So we, too, believe."
"And the White Tree?"
The King smiled. "Sa'Harpelamun will see this with his own eyes when we return to Minas Anor, for its descendant blooms before the Citadel. Its ancestor grows in the midst of Tol Eressëa. A seedling from it was given to the Lords of Númenor, and Isildur brought one of its descendants with him on his ship."
"And this is that tree?"
The Lord of Gondor and Arnor shook his head. "That tree was lost, and others since. I found the current Tree as a seedling and replanted it in the Court of the King. It has ever symbolized the line of the Kings, our fortunes and our relationship to those in the Undying Lands." His smile was solemn and gentle. Much meaning, the priests realized, was attached to this tree.
A flight of white doves left the roof of the temple as the sun touched the horizon to the West, flew over the two Dúnedain, then circled both, the King three times, the black Man twice, before they flew Northwest, a few breaking away to fly Southwest. A golden falcon of Horubin flew out of the West to land before Benai, looked up at him, gave a call, then turned and rose into the air and flew Southwest after the smaller flight of doves. The priestess of Neryet watched after, her brows lifted, then returned her attention to Benai. "You must soon go back to your own people, see to their well-being."
"Yes, I know this." Benai had been learning Haradri, and had understood this easily enough.
"We ask only that you not lead your people against our land."
"When I am restored to my own people and we have seen to it we are no longer threatened by the G'bani people, we will make a treaty with Harad, strengthening that shared with those of Gondor and Arnor who are our kinsmen, to guard the Southern borders of your lands." He spoke that in Adunaic, and Aragorn translated it.
"I believe such a treaty would be accepted by our people," the high priest of Amon said. Benai bowed in respect. The sun sank beyond the desert, and stars were now gleaming in the sky.
The priest turned his attention back to the Lord An'Elessar. "Your dream and that of Harpelamun both appear to have come to pass." The King nodded. "How do you interpret the presence of the one you called Gil-galadrion in your dream?"
The King looked down thoughtfully. "You asked me whether I knew my brothers when they came at the appointed time. I told you I did not, not at first, but that I came to know them." He raised his eyes to those of the priest. "My mother carried two others besides me, one who was intended to be my own twin brother, and the other to have been born two years after us. She lost the both. I learned of this only a few years ago, after I was already King.
"Both had been seen originally as being as important to the downfall of Sauron and the fulfillment of the time to come as myself. I was to become King and renew all; they were to assist me to the throne, although none knew how.
"After the two miscarriages, my mother became despondent. Those who had the gift of foresight saw that in time both would be sent back again, but not to her to bear. They would be born elsewhere, to other parents, in another land, to another people than the Dúnedain."
The priest slowly nodded, and the face of the priestess became more intent.
"As a child I, too, dreamt of brothers for myself, a twin who was yet not like me in appearance, and one two years younger. These became the basis of the imaginary brothers with whom I played when I was yet a boy. In reading my mother's journal I have found she had foreseen their appearance just as I'd dreamt them to look, and she'd planned to name them almost identically to the names I'd given them.
"From what we can tell, they were born Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee, Hobbits of the Shire. Frodo, whose name among Elves is Iorhael, is the one my mother would have named Gilorhael and whom I called Gil-galadrion. Iorhael translates to Wise One; Gilorhael means Wisdom of Stars; Gil-galadrion means Son of Starlight. To me, Frodo either as himself or as my brother in my dreams is always connected with innocence and purity of intention--and is all too often sacrificing himself for others. I believe I was seeing the coming of the assault and the movement of Ma'osiri to come between those in the ambush and his father, his willingness to offer himself to save his babari."
"Why is he yet alive?" asked the priestess.
"He was sent back." He described what he had seemed to see when his spirit walked abroad to find the child, once he realized he'd not died in the desert.
"When you were there in the assault, you were certain he'd died?"
"I've never seen an arrow in the throat before that was not fatal, my lady. He looked up at me and tried to speak, told me to care for his father; then his head fell back and I thought he'd died. Arwen took him from my arms as I turned to Ankhrabi. I was barely aware of the coming of the Eagle, her mounting it with the help of Benai, carrying the child. I was mostly focused on Ankhrabi--didn't even feel when the dart struck my leg."
Priest and priestess looked at one another, and seemed to be in some quiet agreement. The priestess looked at the tall black Man. "You aided the Queen in her caring for the boy?" The King translated
"Yes, both in the desert and in our return here. When we returned they showed the child's mother and me to her side; and when she called for the athelas I went to obtain it from the King. Throughout it all she sheltered the small spark of the child's life, called him back to himself until he slipped away once more, further than she could go, for she knew not that way. Then she sent me to summon the King to come to her that he might aid in the calling back."
"I see that you wear the gift of the Lady of Stars which she sent to you through the King."
"Do you recognize it?"
He slowly nodded his head. "It was worn by one of my kin in another village. He disappeared ten years ago. He had taught me to wield a sword when I was a child, and I often served at his side in sending the slavers from our area and recovering those taken by them, both of our folk and of others from other areas."
"Nine years back a soldier of our people came to the Valley. He had been exploring the jungles South and West of Far Harad, had found one who was plainly a warrior in the keeping of slavers of the G'bani, rescued him. He had been badly injured and the wounds had become infected. Yet he insisted in returning to the camp of those who'd held him captive, freed the other slaves, regained his sword, slew those who'd taken the slaves.
"Afterward our soldier tried to aid the warrior, but he was too ill. He begged the soldier to take his sword, make certain it would not come to a place where it would know dishonor. Finally he died. Not knowing how he might protect the sword from dishonor, the soldier brought it here. The one he'd rescued had a star pattern cut into his chest, and the sword had the star set into its hilt. In consulting the omens we realized it should go into the pool, and there it remained until my dreams spoke of the need for the King to take something from the pool to give to you, and it was the sword that he drew forth."
Benai nodded his head with understanding as the King translated the words, and looked solemnly into her eyes. Finally she continued. "The Lady Neryet has given us the stars both for our delight and to give us the light we need in the darkest of times, and to guide our steps. At this time she desires that you take from the pool a gift for you to give to the King. You may approach the pool where you wish, reach into it once, and take from it what you find, and give it into his hand. He is not to watch you do this. He will know what is to be done with what she gives him through your hand."
Benai looked uncertain as the King translated the directions given him, and looked into the King's eyes for guidance. Aragorn gave a small shrug, smiled, and turned away from the pool, closed his eyes, clasped his hands behind his back.
He could hear the quiet movement of Benai as he neared the pool and as he circled it. He seemed to feel the Light of the Stars surround him, suddenly had a vision of Frodo holding in his open hands something which he looked on with delight, saw him turning to show him, to share the beauty of it with him, and he was looking into Frodo's beautiful eyes with their dark lashes, rejoicing to see him well and happy again. Briefly they shared their look, the joy in knowing they were able to do this. Then at the entreaty of those eyes he looked down and saw the great butterfly which rested on Frodo's hands, the shining of it as it caught Frodo's own Light, like a star of exceptional beauty resting on his open palms.
One finger Aragorn reached out toward Frodo's hand, and the butterfly flexed its wings, lifted off the palm of the Hobbit's hand, flapped lazily and lighted briefly on the Man's finger. It caught his own Light above its wings, Frodo's beneath them, glowed as the Stars themselves shone on it as well. At last it lifted up, and both watched with pleasure as it flew upwards toward the Stars, bearing the share of their Lights it had received.
Briefly Aragorn was able to touch Frodo's hand, and saw the tears of sheer joy in the eyes of his small brother as he touched back. And then he was being drawn back to himself by the clasp of a hand on his shoulder.
"My brother?" asked Benai in Adunaic. "My brother, what do you see?"
He looked up into Benai's face, slightly confused. "The Light of the Stars in us, given back," he murmured.
Benai saw the look of awe and joy the King's face reflected, the single tear. He smiled his own smile, flashing in the starlight. "The gift is here, then, Lord Brother." He held out his own hand, and in the starlight the King could see the paleness of its palm compared to the rest of the Man's dark skin. His own right hand was, he realized, now in front of him, the index finger outstretched as if the butterfly had just flown from it. He turned his hand and opened it, palm upwards, and was not the least surprised to see the silver of his cloak brooch pressed into it, reflecting the Light of Stars.
He'd turned then to face priests and priestess, held out his hand to show what Benai had placed there. They could see it plainly, for they could see clearly about him the glow of his Light of Being, had been able to see it from shortly after he'd turned away from them; had seemed to see the reflection of another facing him, as tall and royal as the King himself, saw that the King and the other were in communion together. The Other had become obscured as Benai took what he'd found in the pool to bring it to the one who stood turned away from them and touched his shoulder. Yet, somehow, they realized that the true gift to the King was that communion, not what Benai pressed into the King's hand.
This morning the King had fastened the star brooch at the neck of the desert robes Ma'osiri wore, just over where the healing wound lay under the bandage. He had looked into the boy's eyes as he said quietly in Haradri, "To guide you ever where you must go." Ma'osiri looked on it with surprise and some awe, then smiled up into his face.
Once Faramir was mounted on his horse, Aragorn himself had lifted the boy up into his arms. Hardorn had held Hirvuiloth's bridle for him as he mounted, and Benai had lifted Ankhrabi up to sit before him to rest in the crook of his arm.
Now they rode easily, with no feeling by any that they must take care. They passed the outcrop where the assault had come before, and there was no movement. The wind had blown new sand over the way, cleansing away the blood which had been shed there; no feeling of evil lay there, only a feeling of solemnity.
Two more hours they rode, arriving at the Western Palace at midmorning, and they slid off their horses gratefully. Amonrabi was there waiting for them, and together he and Lord Afraim aided Ankhrabi to his feet. Then his wife was hurrying him indoors to his rest. Benai and Hardorn helped Aragorn himself to dismount. His leg was stiff from the riding, and then Arwen was beside him, giving their son into his hands, smiling a bit ruefully for the child needed to be changed. But she ran her hand over the wound, and it eased for him.
An'Sohrabi stood there smiling at them, his two grandsons embraced by him, his granddaughter beside him.
Sa'Harpelamun had ridden the horse ridden out into the desert by Ankhrabi, and it was plain he was unaccustomed to such exercise, that he was stiffer even than the King. "After we have rested some," promised An'Elessar, "I will bring an ointment to you with which to rub the muscles of your legs. It will ease the stiffness."
The young priest nodded his understanding and limped into the house to see where he might rest. Aragorn watched after with a smile which faded briefly as he thought of what was to come on the morrow.
Lord Amonrabi held out a thick packet wrapped in cloth. "This came for you yesterday, great Lord," he said. "It came alone, and I was surprised, but thought I would bring it to you when I came to greet you on your return."
"Thank you, Lord Amonrabi," the King said with a brief bow as he accepted it. It was sealed, he saw, with the seal of the Houses of Healing. Inside was a second packet wrapped in parchment and a letter from Healer Eldamir. His smile returned, was delighted as he lifted the flap to see it contained a great many leaves of athelas.


text:
Come Jan. 3, all law-abiding, loyal and land-lubbing citizens are urged to be steadfast in heading to Snug Harbour's pier, as the heavily armed, 122-foot Clipper Schooner Lynx sails into the bay, expected to dock at noon.
Join the flotilla as she fires a salute from her main battery of 6-pound carronades upon her grand entrance, celebrating 200 years since the War of 1812.
"We are very excited to visit Fort Myers Beach for the first time, and want to wholeheartedly thank Rob DeGennaro with Nervous Nellie's Waterfront Eatery for hosting our visit," said Jeffrey Woods, executive director of Lynx Educational Foundation. "It is through his generous support that area residents will have the chance to walk the decks and step back in time aboard Lynx, America's Privateer, our National Treasure."
Article Photos
Photo courtesy STEPHEN DeANGELIS.
The Privateer and 1812-styled war ship Lynx was hired to train the cast and crew of the hit movie Pirates of the Caribbean.
The Clipper Schooner will be on display and available for tours and trips through Jan. 17, when it heads off to its next port, St. Petersburg. It's available for private charters, team building, receptions and school educational programs, as well.
"Lynx 'America's Privateer' has arrived on the east coast, from Hawaii and California, and scheduled for a five-year mission along the East Coast of the U.S., The Gulf Coast, The Great Lakes and Canada, celebrating the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 and the Star-Spangled Banner," Jeffrey said. "Don't miss this opportunity when Lynx makes a special appearance on Fort Myers Beach, as we relive history."
Upcoming schedule while Lynx is
along the shores of Fort Myers Beach:
Grand arrival: Thursday, Jan. 3 at noon, with a full deck gun salute. Public dockside tours, deck tours and sailaways will be available Jan. 4 to 17.
Public dockside tours: 3 to 6 p.m.
Public deck tours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Public sailaways: 3 to 5 p.m.
Pricing and more info
Public dockside tours: Adults, $6 donation. Children 12 and under, free.
Public sailaways: Adults, $65. Children 12 and under, $35.
Ship closed: Jan. 14 (crew's day off)
Jeffrey said all proceeds help support the educational programs taught aboard Lynx.
Boarding takes place at Nervous Nellie's Waterfront Eatery at Snug Harbor Marina, 1131 First St., Fort Myers Beach.
Stay tuned to the Beach Bulletin for further details. For more information, visit PrivateerLynx.org or call 866-446-5969.


text:
'Tis the season to start afresh. But what if you learned you had your list of dietary resolutions (or restrictions) all wrong? That those "bad" habits you're trying to give up or tuck in for 2014 are actually good for you? I'm not just playing devil's advocate. Turns out, there's plenty of research that shows some so-called vices are actually better for us than we think. Read on for six "bad habits" you may not want to give up.
I'll Drink to That!
'Tis the season to start afresh. But what if you learned you had your list of dietary resolutions (or restrictions) all wrong? That those "bad" habits you're trying to give up or tuck in for 2014 are actually good for you? I'm not just playing devil's advocate. Turns out, there's plenty of research that shows some so-called vices are actually better for us than we think. Read on for six "bad habits" you may not want to give up.
Dessert for Breakfast?
Here's something I can stand behind: Eat a dessert for breakfast that is high in protein and carbs and you aren't as likely to gain weight as easily as those who stick to a commendable low-carb, low-cal breakfast, according to a recent Tel Aviv University study. Over 32 weeks, the participants who consumed cakes, chocolate and cookies in a 600-calorie meal lost, on average, 40 pounds more than dieters who stayed clear of the sweet stuff. (Sign me up!) Apparently, the fatty, gooey desserts kept participants content and satiated longer than the low-cal meals, so they ended up eating less over the course of the day. Another study backs up this pro-sugar picture: In studying candy eaters, Baylor College of Medicine researchers found those who ate it often had a lower BMI, cholesterol levels and waist circumference than those who skipped the daily candy habit.
Pass the Butter!
With cardiovascular disease running in my family, I've stayed clear of fatty foods for the last few years because I was afraid they weren't good for my heart. But I may have it all wrong. Saturated fats (the ones usually connected with bad cholesterol readings) may be better than carbs for the old ticker. According to a recent British Medical Journal article, not all fats are alike. While transfats aren't good for the body, bypassing saturated fats hasn't been shown to necessarily protect your heart either. Rather, consuming whole foods that are naturally high in saturated fat (think butter, meat, coconut oil) are better for you than skipping them completely. Pass the butter!
Raise a Glass
When I'm trying to get healthy, wine and cocktails are often the first to get cut from my diet. After all, they're "empty" calories with no nutritional benefit, right? Not to mention, they don't make it easy to get up early the next morning to get to the gym.
And yet, a Harvard University School of Public Health study that followed about 14,000 women from 1976 to 2000 found that those who consumed roughly up to 15 alcoholic drinks a week had higher odds of being healthy, especially if they spread this amount over the course of the week. "Alcohol consumption seems to reduce the risk of specific diseases such as heart disease, stroke and cognitive decline (deterioration in learning, reasoning and perception)." Why? It appears that alcohol influences blood clotting, insulin levels and "good" cholesterol profiles. I'll drink to that!
You Don't Need to Go the Distance
I don't hire a trainer anymore. Instead I raise my fitness level by paying a few hundred bucks to sign up and train for a challenging athletic competition three months away. I'd always thought that running longer distances would yield bigger benefits. But according to recent Mayo Clinic Proceedings, it looks like those tough endurance challenges are just about as good for my heart as … smoking or eating fast food. What?
According to researchers, any health benefit that I'm supposed to get from running disappears if I exceed 30 miles a week (not a lot when you're training for a marathon, alas). That's because the well-known tissue damage that repetitive endurance training causes raises the risk of heart damage and large-artery stiffening. For maximum benefit, it seems, a casual run around the park a few times a week may be better than training for, and running, a marathon.
Hit the Snooze Button
At last, research to debunk the whole "early bird gets the worm" mystique. A recent Japanese study has found that those who wake up before dawn have a higher risk of medical problems, like high blood pressure or hardening of arteries. These problems can can lead to cardiovascular diseases like heart attacks and strokes so they shouldn't be taken lightly, found the researchers. The connection may be due to a disruption of our body's natural clock that regulates those hormone levels connected to vasodilation as we sleep.
Get Frisky!
And finally, some scientific research to banish any hesitations you may have about another roll in the hay. Now where do I begin? For one, it can help you handle stress better, found British researchers who compared the blood pressure activity in 23 women and 22 men based on whether they'd recently had sex. Other studies have also found that sex may protect us from the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke. And sex initiates a cascade of all kinds of feel-good hormones that protect the body and mind long after your latest bedroom session.
You Might Also Like:
Are You Getting Enough Sleep?
Kickstart Your Social Life
How Many Conversations Are You Avoiding?


text:
NEW YORK ( TheStreet) -- Churchill Downs Incorporated (Nasdaq: CHDN) has been upgraded by TheStreet Ratings from hold to buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its robust revenue growth, solid stock price performance, impressive record of earnings per share growth, compelling growth in net income and reasonable valuation levels. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company shows low profit margins. Highlights from the ratings report include:
- The net income growth from the same quarter one year ago has significantly exceeded that of the S&P 500 and the Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure industry. The net income increased by 63.3% when compared to the same quarter one year prior, rising from -$8.67 million to -$3.19 million.
- CHURCHILL DOWNS INC reported significant earnings per share improvement in the most recent quarter compared to the same quarter a year ago. The company has demonstrated a pattern of positive earnings per share growth over the past year. We feel that this trend should continue. During the past fiscal year, CHURCHILL DOWNS INC increased its bottom line by earning $1.28 versus $1.23 in the prior year. This year, the market expects an improvement in earnings ($2.07 versus $1.28).
- Compared to where it was a year ago today, the stock is now trading at a higher level, reflecting both the market's overall trend during that period and the fact that the company's earnings growth has been robust. Turning our attention to the future direction of the stock, it goes without saying that even the best stocks can fall in an overall down market. However, in any other environment, this stock still has good upside potential despite the fact that it has already risen in the past year.
- CHDN's very impressive revenue growth greatly exceeded the industry average of 0.9%. Since the same quarter one year prior, revenues leaped by 54.5%. Growth in the company's revenue appears to have helped boost the earnings per share.


text:
The lights are on
You like shooters because you like the sense of power they give you. Few games are as skilled at making you feel like a competent warrior as Infinity Ward's Call of Duty series. Every bullet has a story. Take a moment and tell us a few of yours.


text:
Shrimpers sweating on duo
Southend will leave it as late as possible ahead of their crunch clash at home to Cheltenham before making a decision on the fitness of Chris Barker and Mark Phillips although fellow defender Ryan Cresswell definitely sits out due to suspension.
Barker and Phillips both missed Saturday's 1-1 draw at Accrington with respective calf and toe injuries.
And manager Paul Sturrock's defensive dilemma deepened when centre-back Cresswell was given his marching orders shortly after the hour mark, meaning he now starts a three-match ban.
The Scot, already without leading scorer Gavin Tomlin (thigh) and midfielder Michael Timlin (broken leg), is also sweating over further bumps and bruises among his squad.
Elliot Benyon on Monday rejoined Torquay on a one-month loan deal and so will not be involved.
The seventh-placed Shrimpers go in the clash just two points and two places behind Cheltenham in the table.
Cheltenham boss Mark Yates is expected to make a number of changes to his starting line-up after a disappointing defeat to Dagenham on Saturday.
The Robins chief was not happy with his side's performance against John Still's men and he could turn to second-half substitutes Marlon Pack and Byron Harrison, who both looked lively following their introductions, as he looks to get back to winning ways.
The only definite absentee is Harry Hooman who has undergone surgery on a damaged bone in his foot and a ligament at the base of a toe.
Left-back Billy Jones came through his return to the side unscathed after recovering from a thigh injury and he is set to continue in the XI as Cheltenham look for only their second win since Boxing Day.
Southend ran out 3-1 winners when the sides met earlier this season.
Source: PA


text:
Made in the USA Films, LLC presents a full-length documentary that will explore the rise and fall of USA made products. Josh Miller will set out on a journey in which he will live off of USA made products for 30 days.
Scooped by
onto Manufacturing In the USA Today


text:
Seattle Mariners hitting coach Chris Chambliss will not return for the 2013 season.
Chambliss spent two seasons with the Mariners. A two-time World Series winner as a player with the New York Yankees, he was also on the staff of four World Series champions as Yankees hitting coach from 1996-2000.
"We will begin an immediate search for a new hitting coach," said Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik. "On behalf of the Mariners organization, I want to thank Chris for all of his hard work and dedication over the past two seasons."
The 63-year-old former first baseman was also hitting coach for the Cardinals (1993-95), Mets (2002) and Reds (2004-06).
The remainder of the Mariners staff -- bench coach Robby Thompson, pitching coach Carl Willis, first base coach Mike Brumley, third base coach Jeff Datz, bullpen coach Jaime Navarro and bullpen catcher Jason Phillips -- will return with manager Eric Wedge in 2013.


text:
Luke M. Milligan (University of Louisville - Louis D. Brandeis School of Law) has posted Congressional End-Run: The Ignored Constraint on Judicial Review (Georgia Law Review, Vol. 45, p. 211, 2010) on SSRN. Here is the abstract:
This Article identifies an untended connection between the research of legal academics and political scientists. It explains how recent developments in constitutional theory, when read in good light, reveal a gap in the judicial politics literature on Supreme Court decisionmaking. The gap is the "congressional end-run." End-runs occur when Congress mitigates the policy costs of adverse judicial review through neither formal limits on the Court's autonomy nor substitution of its constitutional interpretation for that of the Court, but through a different decision which cannot, as a practical if not legal matter, be invalidated by the Court. End-runs come in several forms, including congressional decisions to grant authority to the Executive Branch, to adjust appropriations, to modify certain contingent laws, and to reorient legislation in alternate constitutional clauses. Ignored by political scientists, end-runs undoubtedly constrain the judicial decisionmaking of the strategic Justices assumed by judicial politics scholars. This Article calls on judicial politics scholars to incorporate the end-run into their formal SOP models and related empirical studies. Such incorporation promises to give political scientists a fuller sense of how their strategic Justices interact with Congress in our constitutional democracy.
Very interesting.


text:
Republican Representative Bob Inglis was one of only a few Republicans in the House of Representatives who lost their seats to Tea Party challengers in 2010. Weekends on All Things Considered host Guy Raz spoke with Inglis, a longtime conservative, just over a year ago before he left Congress. He checks back in with Inglis to find out what he has been up to since he left politics.
Ousted By Tea Party, Rep. Inglis Looks Back
By editor • Dec 24, 2011


text:
The launch of a new professional Indian Badminton League (IBL) aims to capitalize on a massive player and fan base in the country and to transform the sport from a popular pastime to a commercial powerhouse.
The new league will be based on teams rather than individual players and have franchises in Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Lucknow and Hyderabad. There are plans for an auction between those teams to attract the world's top players.
"All of us have held a badminton racket at some point in time," said Ashish Chadha, chief executive of sports management firm Sporty Solutionz which has signed a deal with the Badminton Association of India to organize the league.
"The popularity of badminton has not translated into success in terms of tournaments, but we will change that," he said.
Badminton and soccer are the most ubiquitous sports in India after cricket. However, while it is generally the young who play soccer, people of all ages can be seen playing badminton, often in public parks with trees used as poles to support the net.
It's not just in parks that India's players are wielding their rackets.
"There are some 150 badminton academies in New Delhi alone. In Hyderabad, there are some 5,000 players playing competitively. These figures give an idea of the potential for the sport," says Chadha, who represented India in junior competitions and held a national men's ranking of No.3 during the 1990s.
"Added to that is the emergence of players like Saina Nehwal, P.V. Sindhu and P. Kashyap who are all doing well internationally," he said.
While the IBL has succeeded in attracting some sponsors, convincing companies to invest in badminton has been no easy task.
"Commercially, we saw potential in badminton even though football is more popular among TV viewers and our shooters are doing better. Saina's success at last year's Olympics [bronze] and 2010 Commonwealth Games [gold] provided a spike, but everyone was initially skeptical about investing in badminton and the kind of money we were talking about," Chadha said.
"There are leagues in the Netherlands, England, Indonesia and other countries, but they are not pro clubs like India is going to see," he said. "Also, the kind of base price the top six players are to attract during the bidding — US$50,000 — is not seen even as prize money in top international competitions."
Women's world No.2 Nehwal sees great potential for the IBL and feels badminton can compete with cricket and European soccer if marketed well.
"The popularity of badminton is surging and it's important for any sport to attract the youth and masses," Nehwal said. "The launch of the IBL comes at the right time. If implemented in the right manner it will transform the profile of our sport."
Men's No. 1 Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia agrees.
"Indian badminton players have been doing well in recent years and the IBL will help market the game better in the country," Lee said last week. "Indian players will also get to play with some of the best players in the world."
Chadha says the IBL has earmarked US$5 million for marketing and will organize an elaborate national tournament for schools to generate grassroots support.
"By holding the finals of that tournament along with the main IBL, and by bringing in entertainment from Bollywood as well, we hope to involve and engage a lot of people," Chadha said.


text:
A joint initiative between the American Immigration Council and AILA seeks to change the playing field for immigrants facing deportation.
Learn more about AILA's official statements on immigration issues.Read Now
AILA Doc. No. 02101041 | Dated October 9, 2002
Mr. Chairman, Ms. Jackson-Lee and Members of the Committee:
Thank you for the opportunity to appear today to discuss the implications for immigration policy of the Immigration and Naturalization Service's ("INS's") handling of matters involving Hesham Mohamed Ali Hedayet, the Egyptian national who shot and killed two people at Los Angeles International Airport on July 4, 2002. As detailed in the agency's testimony, Mr. Hedayet entered the United States as a visitor in July 1992. His December 1992 application for asylum, in which he claimed persecution by the Egyptian government based on its mistaken belief that he was a member of Gama'a al-Islamiyaa, was denied by the INS in October 1995. An order to show cause charging Hedayet with being deportable as an overstay was then issued and mailed, but deportation proceedings were never commenced when the charging document was returned to the agency as undeliverable mail. In January 1997, Mr. Hedayet filed an application for adjustment of status as the spouse of a diversity lottery winner. When name and fingerprint checks with the FBI and CIA failed to elicit negative information, Hedayet's status was adjusted to permanent residence in August 1997.
While the Hedayet case serves as the basis for legitimate inquiry into INS processes and procedures, it is both unfair and inaccurate to use the case to raise allegations against sound immigration policies that underlie programs involving the protection of refugees, the diversity lottery, or former Section 245(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Rather, responsible voices recognize that immigration reform can best contribute to our national security by enhancing our intelligence capacity while respecting our commitment to due process and civil liberties and facilitating the free flow of people and goods.
Needed reforms to our immigration system are included in the Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act (Border Security Act, Pub. L. No. 107-173). Specifically, the new law: authorizes increased funding for the Department of State (DOS) and the INS; requires federal agencies to coordinate and share information needed to identify and intercept terrorists; encourages the use of new technologies by authorizing funds to improve technology and infrastructure at INS, the Customs Service, and DOS, and targets much of this effort at strengthening our nation's border; implements a study to determine the feasibility of a North American Perimeter Safety Zone (that includes a review of the feasibility of expanding and developing pre-clearance and pre-inspections programs); includes provisions for a workable entry-exit control system; implements changes in the Foreign Student Monitoring Program that will fill in gaps in data and reporting; and provides for a one-year extension of the deadline for individuals crossing the border to acquire biometric border crossing cards.
This measure also poses challenges to our country, the Congress, federal agencies, and the American people. Given the Act's very ambitious deadlines, Congress needs to provide the federal agencies with the staffing and funding levels they need to implement this measure's provisions. It is important for Congress to give the federal agencies the funding they need to do a good job. In addition, some of the Act's provisions, particularly several of the mandated implementation deadlines, may negatively affect cross-border commerce and travel. Finally, the federal agencies, especially the INS and DOS, have an important role to play in enhancing our nation's security. This measure, if sufficiently funded, will give the agencies the tools they need to do their job. For their part, the agencies need to be up to the task of implementing major reforms that address our security needs at the same time they recognize the continued importance of immigration to our nation.
All of these issues, as well as the Hedayet case, pose special concerns in the context of the creation of the proposed new homeland security department that would include our nation's immigration functions. If we are to make our nation safer, any proposal to reorganize our immigration functions must recognize the delicate balance between adjudications and enforcement that is necessary for efficient, effective, and fair enforcement and adjudications. Adjudications and enforcement are two sides of the same coin and must be closely coordinated and subject to the same interpretation and implementation of the law.
The INS has been criticized for failing to follow up on the statements made in Heyadet's asylum claim that he was targeted for persecution based on the government's mistaken belief that he was a member of Gama'a al-Islamiyaa, a group later included in the State Department's list of terrorist organizations. The INS testimony includes a thorough description of the steps it has taken to ensure full FBI and CIA background checks before asylum will be approved. Indeed, each applicant now undergoes background checks upon filing the application, irrespective of the INS determination regarding grant or denial. In addition, since 1997, statements included in asylum applications that raise questions regarding membership in terrorist organizations are referred to INS headquarters for review and appropriate follow up. Thus, had Mr. Hedayet's claim been considered under current procedures, it would be reviewed for further action by the INS Headquarters National Security Office, including detention, where appropriate.
Fair procedures are critically important in making what can be life and death decisions regarding asylum. Detention is an appropriate measure for dealing with threats to our national security, but its use must be considered carefully in the cases of torture survivors, rape survivors and other asylum seekers, many of whom are still suffering from the effects of torture and persecution at the time they arrive in the U.S. Many victims find it hard to speak of their experiences right after they arrive. Often times, the shame, isolation and terror they feel is overwhelming. Even to save their lives, these victims may be unable to tell a strange person in a crowded room what they have endured. Under current procedures the failure to articulate a legally sound claim for asylum at the port of entry can result in an asylum seeker being turned away without a fair opportunity to fully present a claim. For those who are able to pass a credible fear hearing, lengthy detention is commonplace.
For many reasons, blanket detention policies are inappropriate and fail to strike a proper balance between security and humane treatment:
RECOMMENDATIONS: Congress should:
Through the implementation of the Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act,
we can increase the security of the immigration system without resorting to
simplistic and overly-broad policies that fail to appropriately discriminate
between those who seek to do us harm and those who are seeking protections from
Diversity Lottery
Before the Immigration Act of 1990 (Pub. L. No. 101-649), immigrants were primarily admitted to the United States through one of two routes: (1) through their relationship to a family member in the United States; or (2) via employer sponsorship. The 1990 Act, through creation of the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DV Program or Diversity Lottery), provided a third route by which immigrants can enter the United States.
The DV Program does not pose any inherent security problems. The lottery simply gives selected persons from countries with low rates of immigration the opportunity to apply for permanent residence. To qualify as a diversity immigrant, an alien must come from a designated "low-admission" country, and must have at least a high school education or its equivalent, or have worked at least two years in an occupation that requires two years of training or experience. Lottery winners must undergo extensive background checks, identical to those required by persons sponsored for permanent residence by family members or employers.
Security lapses can, of course, occur in this process if the FBI and CIA fail to share intelligence and law enforcement information with the INS and the State Department. However, this problem, too, was addressed by the Border Security Act, discussed above. The Border Security Act closes loopholes in our immigration system by requiring the FBI, CIA and other law enforcement and intelligence agencies to share vital information in real time, among our front-line agencies. It creates an electronic data system to give those responsible for screening visa applicants and persons entering the U.S. the information they need in real time and the tools they need to make informed decisions.
Moreover, several recent regulatory amendments to the DV Program have served to make the program more secure. For example, an October 26, 2001, State Department final rule augmented the photograph and signature requirements contained in the DV regulations, and updated the method by which consular officers make determinations regarding applicants' work experience (66 Fed. Reg. 54135 (Oct. 26, 2001)). Specifically, the amendments provided that for anti-fraud purposes, the signature on the application must be the applicant's usual and customary signature in his or her native alphabet. An initialed signature or block printing of the applicant's name will not be accepted and will result in disqualification of the entry. The rule also added a new paragraph to the regulations to address photographs. Beginning with the DV–2003 registration, the entry, in addition to containing the applicant's photograph, must also include recent photographs of the applicant's spouse and children (natural children as well as legally adopted children and stepchildren), with a separate photograph for each family member. Photographs must be submitted even though the spouse or child no longer resides with the applicant and whether or not the dependent will accompany or follow to join the applicant in the U.S.
The October 2001 regulations also clarified that under no circumstances may a
consular officer issue a visa to an alien after the end of the fiscal year for
which the alien was registered, and further, that at the end of the fiscal year,
the petition is automatically revoked. Finally, the regulations required
consular officers to make determinations regarding an applicant's work
experience based upon the Department of Labor's O*NET OnLine rather than the
previously used Dictionary of Occupational Titles.
A subsequent interim rule further refined the October 2001 amendments, and added language clarifying the definition of "high school education or its equivalent" (67 Fed. Reg. 51752, Aug. 9, 2002).
INA Section 245(i)
Much confusion surrounds this important but little understood provision of immigration law. The provision to extend the deadline to file an application under Section 245(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act that passed the House last March has been so poorly reported on in the media that some important clarifications are in order.
Section 245(i) is an important provision of U.S. immigration laws that has allowed eligible people to adjust their immigration status in this country, without having to return to their home countries where they could face bars to reentering the U.S. of up to ten years. Immigrants applying for Section 245(i) are eligible for their "green cards" (permission to permanently reside in the U.S.), but without Section 245(i) are unable to obtain them in the U.S. because they are not in a legal status. Thus, because these individuals are eligible to become permanent residents, the only thing that Section 245(i) addresses is the location in which an application for a "green card" is processed. Under the provision, when a person becomes eligible to receive a green card because of a close family relationship to a U.S. citizen or legal resident, or through the sponsorship of a qualified employer, that person will be allowed to go through the application process in the United States.
This law does not change who is eligible or when a person is eligible. It does not put a person "at the front of the line." There is only one worldwide "waiting list" for available visas, and anyone seeking to apply for a visa under Section 245(i) must await their turn in that line. This law does not provide work authorization or protection from deportation for those individuals waiting in the United States for their turn in the line to come up. Section 245(i) only pertains to where people receive their green cards. Without this law, many immigrants are forced to return to their countries of nationality to await their green cards, thereby facing separation of up to ten years from their families and leaving their employers without needed workers. Section 245(i) allows families to stay together and businesses to retain valued employees. Most importantly, it gives the U.S. government a chance to thoroughly review the backgrounds of these people who may already be living in our communities, and decide whether or not we want them to continue living amongst us. This screening process is lengthy and quite involved, but without 245(i) many immigrants would be discouraged from beginning the process and making themselves known to authorities.
Section 245(i) also is fiscally prudent. It generated nearly $200 million in annual revenues for the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) the last time this provision of the law was implemented.
Section 245(i) has been characterized by some as a loophole that will allow terrorists to get green cards and gain legal residency. It is time to set the record straight. Section 245(i) does NOT operate independently of the long-standing provisions of our immigration laws, which make known terrorists inadmissible to, and deportable from, our country. A person seeking processing under this law must prove to the INS that he or she is admissible to the United States for permanent residence. The law excludes any alien who has engaged in any type of terrorist activity, as well as any alien who the Attorney General has reasonable grounds to believe is engaged in or is likely to engage after entry in any terrorist activity. In fact, the law excludes any alien who the Attorney General has reason to believe seeks to enter the U.S. to engage in any unlawful activity.
People who apply for Section 245(i) processing can be rejected for many other reasons, including: health-related grounds (comprising both mental and physical disorders); criminal convictions; public charge issues; and participation in drug trafficking activity, prostitution, commercialized vice, smuggling or human trafficking, money laundering, document fraud or misrepresentation, to name a few.
Most importantly, Section 245(i) does not provide a person with authorization to remain in the United States, does not provide employment authorization, and does not provide any protection from deportation, unless and until the applicant's turn in line for visa processing has been reached, a visa is available, and the applicant has been approved for lawful permanent resident status.
Adjustment of immigration status under Section 245(i) is neither a right nor an entitlement—approval of any Section 245(i) application is solely at the discretion of the U.S. Attorney General and available only to those who are qualified to immigrate to the United States.
In sum, our focus in reforming our immigration laws must be targeted and meaningful—to identify and isolate potential terrorists, without compromising our values. Individuals who are otherwise eligible under our laws should be allowed to immigrate to the United States. Our actions must strike a careful balance between the need for strong law enforcement and preserving our tradition as a nation of immigrants.
Cite as AILA Doc. No. 02101041.
American Immigration Lawyers Association
1331 G Street NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20005
Copyright © 1993-2018
American Immigration Lawyers Association.


text:
Did you read today's front page stories & breaking news?
Today's Top SOA Links
From the Wires
CPA and Inner City BRZs Bring Back Holiday Parking Elves Campaign
Parking Elves are once again giving away free parking sessions in December
By: Marketwired .
Dec. 7, 2012 10:50 AM
CALGARY, ALBERTA -- (Marketwire) -- 12/07/12 -- The Calgary Parking Authority (CPA) is partnering with the Kensington , Uptown 17th and 4th StreetBusiness Revitalization Zones (BRZ) to run their second annual Holiday Parking Elves campaign. Holiday parking elves will offer two hours worth of free parking to randomly selected visitors to Kensington, Uptown 17th and 4th Street on December 8 and 15 from 11:30 am to 4:00 pm.
"Last year, our Holiday Parking Elves campaign was well received by Calgarians visiting these areas," said Troy McLeod, CPA General Manager. "It's a fun way for CPA and our partnering BRZs to provide an easy parking experience for our customers."
To qualify for two hours of free parking, visitors must approach a Holiday Parking Elf and request a free parking session before they make a parking payment. The elves will also randomly select visitors and offer free two-hour parking sessions on behalf of the CPA and BRZ.
"This campaign helps promote Calgary's unique and vibrant communities," said Jennifer Rempel, Executive Director of 4th Street BRZ. "Particularly during the holiday season, Calgarians are invited to take advantage of our excellent shopping and dining options."
A total of 1,500 free parking sessions will be given out by the elves during the campaign. Elves will record the time, zone number and license plate information for each patron who receives a free parking session. This information will be added to CPA's ParkPlus payment database.
The campaign aims to increase the number of visitors to these areas during the holiday season and spread holiday cheer from the CPA and participating BRZs.
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:
I hope folks don't mind this thread being posted here. It's not BrikWars, but it is plastic-brick wargaming:
I've scheduled another Mobile Frame Zero event at Fandom II for Sunday, the 30th of this month.
I'll be at Fandom from noon and 'till 4pm. If you're interested in a demo and don't have any Frames, I'll be supplying some 2-Frame teams for people. And I will be bringing a full Frame Company to play against anyone who brings their own Company.


text:
Monday, June 30, 2008
1) On the ring finger of my right hand, my finger nail hooks. It is the sort of thing you would never notice unless I pointed it out to you, but once you did notice, you'd think it was pretty gross. Why is my finger disfigured? Because when I was two and trying to get out of my high chair, I wiggled so vigorously that I tipped the chair over and the edge of the seat smashed off the tip of my finger. It had to be reattached at the hospital. Aren't you sorry you asked?
2) I worked for Borders Books and Music for almost two years - not because I needed the money, but because it was fun and interesting. How pitiful am I that I worked for basically free because it was sort of fun? Yeah. Exactly.
3) I have not been on a date in over two years, and I have no plans to ever date again. Most people find my way of life strange, at best. Some of my best friends secretly think I am a lesbian. I am not. I am just done experimenting with the idea of getting married and having kids - and dating in and of itself isn't fun enough to do for its own sake. So men are (romantically) invisible to me and life is good.
4) I keep my finger nails short and I don't paint them. When you rock climb, there is no point.
5) I hate hotels. A lot. I would rather sleep in my own bed - or barring that, in my sleeping bag in my own tent. Hotels - even nice ones - gross me out.
6) My bachelor's degree is in English with a writing concentration. My master's degree is also in English with a writing concentration. I am now working (mostly not) on getting my English PhD... with a writing concentration. I am a one trick pony, it seems. There is little else I can do with any effectiveness whatsoever.
7) Oh but I am good with kids. Sort of.
8) I taught myself to cook and I am pretty good at it. For some reason I got it into my head that I needed to know how to make matzo soup, and I have now perfected it. If you are Jewish and you want to challenge me to a matzo soup making contest, go ahead. But you'll lose. Mine is better.
9) I am Catholic. I hasten to add that I am not nearly as good at that as I am at making matzo soup. I make it to church (where I fidget and pick my cuticles) but I also swear a lot and I have a shabby sin-record. I find being Catholic difficult. I hear I am not the only one who has these kinds of difficulties, so I press on.
10) I am one of those annoying people who loves to work out. A day that I don't break a sweat is just not a good day. And by the way, I don't love to work out because I have this idea in my head that if I do it enough, I will look cute in a swimsuit. I do it just because I like it. (Do I look cute in a swimsuit? Probably not. But I could probably kick your ass if you said you didn't think so).
Have a great Monday.
Nina (who has no idea how her dad is because no one has called since Friday)
7 comments:
- P said...
What about using men for sex and throwing them away like so much trash? I know a few guys who would quite like that. I could make the introductions...
- June 30, 2008 at 4:49 PM
- Julie said...
I guess I should do this damn meme too. Maybe tomorrow.
- June 30, 2008 at 4:55 PM
- Avitable said...
Could you kick my ass? Maybe. If my hands were tied with freshly knitted socks.
- June 30, 2008 at 6:16 PM
- utenzi said...
90 more to go, Nina
- July 1, 2008 at 1:01 AM
- ricki said...
Wow. I thought I was the only woman on the planet who had come to an acceptance of #3.
People who have been married/involved for a while tend to forget what horrors exist in the dating world. It's just not something I could do. I'd actually rather go with a marriage arranged by someone I trusted and who knew me well than to try to find a guy by dating.
Oh, and I totally agree on #5 also. Hate hotels. I'm almost to the point of carrying my own sheets when I travel because the idea of hotel sheets ook me out so much.
- July 1, 2008 at 8:48 AM
- Finn said...
Being Catholic IS hard. Too many rules. Far more than other religions. But somehow the confession thing makes up for it. Sort of.
- July 1, 2008 at 10:04 AM
- M@ said...
3. What are you doing for hot sex?
4. I made the same mistake on the first and second degrees but won't on the third. I'm thinking I'll add to my writing BA and journalism MA with a Ph.D. in aeronautics?
- July 1, 2008 at 10:24 AM


text:
Certified dog handler Jill Reynolds wanted to create an event to benefit three fire departments. And she wanted an automatic invite for her partner, Skid the Australian shepherd.
Her idea, the inaugural Colorado Mountain Dog Festival on Saturday, Sept. 28, is "Calling All Dogs!!! It's Definitely Your Day!" and their owners to Beaver Meadows Resort at Red Feathers Lakes.
"It's designed for people to have fun and be active with their dogs all day long and enjoy that mountain environment," said Reynolds, who lives in Red Feather Lakes.
Reynolds' business, Canine Massage of the Rockies LLC, is hosting the dog festival to benefit the fire departments of Red Feather, Crystal Lakes and Glacier View, as well as KRFC, an all-volunteer radio station where she presents a weekly show about animals called "Critter Patter."
The dog festival's varied list of activities will include trail runs, hikes, Frisbee golf, lakes for dogs to take a swim and search and rescue demonstrations. Attendance at the event will be capped at 250 people.
More than 30 vendors will sell their dog-related and other products and provide information about animal welfare and community organizations.
Veterinarians will offer free health checks for dogs, and several speakers will talk on canine wellness, including physical therapy, massage and acupuncture.
"The idea is not to sit somewhere with your dog," Reynolds said. "It's to build a relationship with your dog by doing things together."
To gear up for the event, Reynolds will present "Canine Adventure and Safety in the Outdoors" programs in Fort Collins, Windsor and Wellington, sharing information about places to hike with dogs and tips on planning the trip and being safe on the trail.
The talk in Loveland was Monday at the Loveland Public Library.
"It's about encouraging people to get out there with their dogs and doing fun adventures in the mountains," Reynolds said.
During the event, dog handlers from Larimer County Search and Rescue, of which Reynolds is a member, will give demonstrations.
What: Colorado Mountain Dog Festival.
When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28.
Where: Beaver Meadows Resort, 100 Marmot Drive, Red Feather Lakes.
Cost: $20 registration before Sept. 1, $25 after; 12 and under free; register at active.com.
Info: Go to k9massagerockies.com.
Also: Canine Adventure and Safety in the Outdoors:
6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21, Wellington Library.
6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 27, Windsor Library.
6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5, Fort Collins Old Town Library.
6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11, Fort Collins Senior Center.
The handlers will talk about which types of dogs make good search dogs and how to train them, and they will present a motivational exercise on finding scent articles.
Reynolds trained Skid, 5, as a search and rescue dog to be part of the Larimer County program after donating massages through her business to dog members of the team.
She started the business in 2001 after retiring as a special education teacher in Ault and earning her certification in canine massage.
"These guys work really hard," Reynolds said, explaining that massage relieves pain, improves circulation and range of motion and clears out metabolic waste.
Impressed with what she saw during her contacts with search and rescue members, Reynolds underwent training to become part of a team, starting Skid's training when he was an 8-week-old puppy.
Currently, there are 15 dog teams in the Larimer County program, six of which are certified; the rest are in training.
"He loved it," Reynolds said. "When I put the orange vest on, he knows he's working. That's his favorite thing to do."
During a search for a missing person, the handlers present their dogs with a scent article from that person. Each dog and handler, plus a navigator, search an assigned grid, working in rows to find the scent.
"Ninety-eight percent of the areas we're sent to search, no one's in," said Reynolds, who is certified through Search and Rescue Dogs of Colorado.
If the dog detects a scent, the animal is trained to follow it and return to the handler to give an alert and take the handler to the find, Reynolds said.
"That's the main thing about search and rescue, is the drive. It's all about motivation and drive," Reynolds said.
Shelley Widhalm can be reached at 669-5050, ext. 531, or email@example.com.


text:
Iowa Lakes softball hosted Ellsworth Community College on Monday for a conference double header. In game one the Lakers were unable to come back after a big sixth inning from the Panthers and lost 10-8.
Leading the way for the Iowa Lakes was Jessica Abrahamson, Alexandria Frausto, and Amber Holmgren; all going 3 for 4 from the plate - combining for seven RBI's and four doubles. Frausto was the losing pitcher for the game; giving up 10 hits with two walks and two strike outs.
In game two the Lakers started out hot from the plate, when Abrahamson hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the first.
"As game two went on, our team started to get comfortable," said head coach Jess VanLoy. "We needed to continue to push; getting runners on and forcing Ellsworth to play our style of game."
The Lakers were unable to score after the second inning, giving Ellsworth the opportunity to take the game over and end up winning 15-7. Kristi Larson and Jess Abrahamson went 2 for 3 on the day. Alex Frausto got the loss in game two as well, giving up 14 hits with one walk and four strikeouts.
"We need to get back to the basics and play 'Laker Softball' like we know how. Our infield is making too many errors mentally and physically, which makes keeping a lead difficult. We are close to half way through our season and need to start making strides in the right direction-not backwards," coach VanLoy commented.
Iowa Lakes has games on Friday at Iowa Falls against Ellsworth again, weather permitting.


text:
LSU enters the NCAA postseason as the nation's top-ranked team in the Perfect Game College Top 25 after capturing the SEC tournament title over the weekend.
Both LSU and Vanderbilt, along with Cal State Fullerton, have very compelling cases for the nation's top spot entering the NCAA postseason, but for now, the Tigers get the edge with starting pitchers Aaron Nola and Ryan Eades leading the charge.
Virginia and North Carolina round out the top five, while Indiana and Oregon entered the top 10 this week at No's 8 and 9, respectively.
Elsewhere in the rankings, Virginia Tech and Kansas State continue their upward climb after solid weeks at their respective conference tournaments, while there were plenty of new entrants in this week's rankings.
Oklahoma, Rice, Florida Atlantic and Cal Poly entered this week's rankings, while drops that dropped out include Oklahoma State, Troy, Seton Hall and Ole Miss.
The Perfect Game College Top 25 is released each Monday morning during the college baseball season.


text:
"Skating Through the Decades of Men's Hockey at RIT," an exhibit at the RIT Museum in The Wallace Center that runs through March 30, highlights more than five decades of the accomplishments of the men's hockey team. Beginning as a club team in the late 1950s with no official coach to becoming a Division I team in 2005, RIT Archive Collections has gathered news releases, media guides and photographs documenting the timeline of our dedication to the program.
The archives staff set out to involve former RIT hockey players in creating the exhibit, and Athletic Director Lou Spiotti wrote a letter to all hockey alumni asking for donations or loans of any memorabilia from their hockey years. To our surprise, we heard from 13 former players who had held on to their hockey treasures—some from 50 years ago.
Donations started rolling in from all over the U.S. and Canada. Every player who contacted us had a unique item to contribute—jerseys from several decades past, goalie gloves, signed hockey sticks from championship teams, a custom-painted Tiger face mask, photographs, hockey pucks, skates and even a scrapbook carefully documenting one player's hockey career at RIT. We were overwhelmed by the generosity and spirit of these men. Not only were they willing to share these things with the RIT community, they also shared some of their favorite stories.
"I learned so much from the balance of school and sports and the friendships and memories," says Russ Firman, who played with the team from 1983 to 1987. "I use these to balance my career as an emergency physician now with all the difficulties I face in treating very sick people. I use the experiences to help me find compassion and to have patience in the stresses of what I do. A day doesn't go by when I don't think of my experience at RIT and the opportunities it gave me to be so successful."
Adds Alan Shepard, who played in 1961: "This was the jersey I wore in the clash against the University of Rochester hockey team that was played at the War Memorial in Rochester. We won 3–0 and claimed bragging rights, and more importantly, the win catapulted the team into the hearts and minds of the student body and school leadership. I had the good fortune of scoring the winning goal in the first seven seconds. The roar of the crowd was deafening."
The exhibit—free and open to the public—is housed at the RIT Museum, Wallace Center, third floor.