text:
Video games can be boiled down to one familiar phrase this holiday season: Give the gift of music.
Music and rhythm games -- which require users to sing or play in time to songs, following on-screen prompts -- are seemingly everywhere and for every gaming system. They also are a huge draw for parties, big or small.
The genre's reigning franchise, the guitar-driven "Guitar Hero," was upstaged last year by "Rock Band," which added bass, drums and singing to the mix. This year, not only do we have the hot "Rock Band 2," but the original champ has been revamped to include the entire band, as "Guitar Hero World Tour."
The latter has an edge because its bundled version -- guitar, drums, microphone, game -- is available now for all home consoles ($190). There are even fun portable versions -- "Guitar Hero on Tour" and "Guitar Hero on Tour Decades" -- for the Nintendo DS ($35 to $50, depending on extras).
The "Rock Band 2" bundle ($190) is available now for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PS2, but the Wii version won't be available until after Christmas (Dec. 30). The good news is that if your gift recipients already have the original "Rock Band" bundle, you can give just the game ($50-$60; PS2 and Wii versions coming Dec. 16) and they can use the old instruments to play.
Nintendo's flagship console also has a new exclusive title in the genre: "Wii Music" ($50). By manipulating the Wii's motion-activated controllers in different ways, users can "play" more than 60 musical instruments and even record and mix their results. Is it really a game? Not so much, but it can quickly enliven a roomful of spectators.
Another flagship series -- this one in the singing-only subgenre -- has returned with "Karaoke Revolution Presents American Idol Encore 2" ($50 for 360, PS3 and Wii), with many songs made popular by the hit TV show. But PlayStation owners have many more karaoke choices thanks to several new releases in Sony's engaging rival series: "SingStar, Vol. 2" ($60 for PS3), "SingStar Legends" and "SingStar Country" ($30 each for PS2) and, capitalizing on the "Mamma Mia" craze, "SingStar Abba," coming Dec. 2 ($30-$40 for PS2 and PS3).
For tweens, the most popular karaoke choice might be "Disney Sing It" ($40-$60 for all home consoles), which features songs from Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana, the Jonas Brothers, "Camp Rock" and "High School Musical." Disney also has a casual version of the rock-band games for the Wii that uses virtual instruments, "Ultimate Band" ($50), with a companion DS version ($30) that can join in wirelessly.
Finally, dancing games -- which have players move their feet on a floor pad in time to the music -- aren't as popular as they used to be, but the top franchise has some new moves. They include "Dance Dance Revolution Universe 3" ($70 for 360, with dance mat) and "Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party 2" ($70 for Wii, with dance mat).Other gift ideas among new video games:
For mature gamers: The shooters "Gears of War 2" ($60 for 360) and "Resistance 2" ($60 for PS3) are sure to thrill, especially for their invigorating online play. But don't forget the apocalyptic epic "Fallout 3" and the space-bound horror tale "Dead Space" ($60 each for 360 and PS3).
For youngsters: "Animal Crossing: City Folk" ($50-$70 for Wii) presents a wide-open virtual world where players can explore and interact, even talking to other players using the optional Wii Speak microphone. DS fans will enjoy nurturing the animal denizens of "Viva Piñata: Pocket Paradise" ($30).
For sports fans: The can't-miss pick for football is "Madden NFL 09" ($40-$60 for all systems), which is just as well since it's the only option for pro football. For pro basketball and hockey, the consensus picks are "NBA 2K9" ($30-$60 for 360, PS3 and PS2) and "NHL 09" ($30 to $60 for home consoles).
For trivia fans: "Buzz! Quiz TV" ($60, including buzzers) is a blast for up to four players on the PS3, or play online against the world. For 360 gamers, "Scene It? Box Office Smash" ($40; $60 with buzzers) is the new offering.
For adventurers: The acclaimed "Fable 2" ($60) continues the story for fans of role-playing games on the 360. For more open-ended play, the PS3 has "LittleBigPlanet" ($60), whose reputation continues to grow as gamers explore its many wonders.
Randy A. Salas 612-673-4542
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Eddie Nelson not only pitched a complete game Thursday, but also played one, as the Rock Falls Rockets clinched at least a share of the Big Northern West title with an 18-3 victory in Oregon.
Nelson (4-2) struck out four and walked five on the mound, and he helped his own cause with a home run and three RBIs at the plate.
Dusitn Huycke drove in four runs for the Rockets (16-7, 9-2), and Austin Donoho added three RBIs. Rock Falls scored in every inning, highlighted by an 11-run fourth.
Alex Cain homered and had two RBIs for the Hawks (8-14, 4-7). Joey Rowe took the loss, allowing 13 runs – seven earned – on nine hits in
3 2/3 innings.
Streator 11, Dixon 1,
6 inn.: John Thomas had a rough game on the mound, but collected the Dukes' lone RBI in a NIB- 12 West loss at home.
Thomas allowed 10 runs – eight earned – on seven hits in four innings. He struck out three and walked three for the Dukes (7-19, 3-11).
Ottawa 10, Sterling 7, 9 inn.: The Golden Warriors took the NIB-12 West leaders to extra innings at Gartner Park.
Princeton 17, Newman 7, 5 inn.: Dillan Heffelfinger and Colin McGinn each had two hits and an RBI in a run-rule road loss.
Kyle Moore and Matt Wagenecht also drove in runs for the Comets. Heffelfinger took the loss.
Raiders sweep Broncos:
AFC picked up a pair NUIC East wins by beating Orangeville 8-4 and 7-3 in Ashton. The second game was called after five innings because of rain.
Andrew LeFevre had six hits and three RBIs.
Paul Rod earned the win in Game 1, allowing three runs and two hits. Tyler Shugars and Blake Murphy each had two RBIs.
Graye Freeman had the win in Game 2, allowing two hits while striking out six.
Eastland 11, Stockton-Warren 3: Ramsay Truckenmiller picked up an NUIC West win for the Cougars (11-6, 7-4), who bounced back after Wednesday's 18-11 loss to East Dubuque.
West Carroll 10, East Dubuque 3: Tyler Westerman drove in three runs as Thunder earned a NUIC West win in Thomson.
Trevor Jones struck out 11 while allowing six hits and only one earned run in 6 2/3 innings.
Thursday's stars
Eddie Nelson, Rock Falls, complete game, also HR, 3 RBIs
Andrew LeFevre, AFC, six hits, three RBIs in doubleheader
Trevor Jones, West Carroll, winning pitcher, 11 SO

subset: commoncrawl


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|2007-10-18, 14:54
|Link #761
Lost Soul
Join Date: Oct 2004
|2007-10-18, 17:14
|Link #762
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Monterrey, México
Age: 37
Bokurano. Snowscape
The-Triad did it! They promised and delivered. At long last, the final two episodes, but I won't see the two of them in just one day.
I have come this far with the fansub releases, and I'm planning to last this thrill for as long as possible.
Episode 23 finished, and, indeed, tied all loose knots regarding to our Earth.
From here on what happens next....
|2007-10-18, 21:50
|Link #763
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2003
Well, i'm happy the show was at least subbed to completion. Though I did not like some of the later story arcs, the show ended on a decent note and the first half was pretty good. I still am in love with Bokurano's premise and hope with a completely subbed anime more people will watch it, and perhaps even read the manga afterwards.
|2007-10-19, 21:59
|Link #764
Born to make history
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Shibuya Psychic Research
For what Machi did in 23, that was awesome. Right there she became my fav character. I liked the ending, thought it fit well. I really enjoyed Bokurano and very glad Triad stuck with it and finished it
|2007-10-20, 16:04
|Link #766
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Paris, France
Age: 28
I enjoyed this show overall, although i didn't liked how they showed all powerful people being that corrupted but when you live in Japan and see that corruption everyday, it's understandable to want to denounce it.
Seems like the manga has yet to end ? I wonder how the story is depicted in it, probably a better and stronger story, I'll probably read that manga sooner or later.
Anyway i have one question:
In episode 18, Komoda plays a piano songs for her family (the girl whose father is a politician). That song is not on the OST, so i was wondering if it was a famous piano piece maybe ?
I would like very much to know more about that song if anybody knows, thanks.
|2007-10-20, 17:35
|Link #767
|2007-10-21, 13:18
|Link #770
Join Date: Dec 2005
|2007-10-21, 14:51
|Link #771
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Monterrey, México
Age: 37
Bokurano. The Story
Final Thoughts. Finally, my trek for this anime has ended, as of today I have concluded Bokurano.
Certainly, when I started watching the first episode picked a slow pace, but the storyline started to get interesting from episode two and onwards.
I really appreciate how they designed and drew the characters. I was just a little fed up watching anime featuring characters with shining colors and cool features. Bokurano went for a realistic aim.
But still I'm as well felt that major plotholes were left unresolved like the greedy bureaucrat's urban contract revival projects and others as such.
The plotline referring to the masterminds is out of consequence, because as Kanji said they were out of their league and could not be stopped. In fact, the main storyline never intended to have the children fight against the masterminds. It simply told the story of the 15 fifteen who rode Zearth to protect their Earth.
I read as well that the director of the anime was very displeased with the content featured in the manga, and thus made drastic changes to the direction and the way the anime was handled.
In fact, he requested to the manga-ka that if it was possible to save the children. The manga-ka agreed but only on the condition that their salvation would never include a DEUS EX-Machina or any other sort of magical solutions.
At the end, someway or another the director fullfill the manga-ka's wishes, and thus the children were not revived, and I praise him for that decision because had they been resurrected then it would had cheapened the values of their sacrifices as well to the characters.
Overall, the last episode actually felt as the ending of an ordinary episode and not a closure. But analyzing the broad picture it is befitting because this one out of many thousands tales from different Earths out there.
I guess that if there's any theme or moral is it that the moment we are borned our struggle starts to cling to life as much as possible and not to be left behind.
Anyways, I give thanks to The-Triad for their fansubs and give special thanks to GONZO for delivering storyline and treating the audience with a humble but immersive ending.
This has been the fifth title I have finished for the spring season.
|2007-10-21, 17:40
|Link #772
I refuse to die dammit!
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: UK
Age: 41
I strongly recommend that if you enjoyed the Anime you should check out the source material for the show; the Manga by Mohiro Kitoh. Its currently ongoing and is unlicensed, it is being scanslated by mangascreener.
|2007-10-22, 03:29
|Link #773
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2003
This sort of comes down to my problem with the Masterminds, too. I do feel that this show had many good episodes and had a great deal of potential. One line could have had the potential to serve as the show's lynchpin, if they'd put it together better and focused on saying one clear thing:
Last edited by Aquillion; 2007-10-22 at 03:59.
|2007-11-22, 00:49
|Link #774
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2003
Aquillion, I think you should read the manga, if only because a lot of the differences that made the anime so flawed are not in the manga, for instance:
BTW with all of the speculation of how the anime director was going to make some of the kids live, anyone else find it ironic that the manga is potentially going to see more kids survive than the anime?
Last edited by Diedrupo; 2007-11-22 at 01:02.
|2008-01-02, 05:07
|Link #776
Join Date: Dec 2006
If you have time, I recommend the manga.
|2008-01-14, 02:35
|Link #777
ISML Technical Staff
Graphic Designer
So yes, simple. From the perspective of someone who has never read the manga, this show was a masterpiece, 10/10. People always said the ones that you like best are the ones that leaves you speechless. This is one example. I can't begin to explain why I like this series, but I enjoyed it more than most other things I've watched.
One thing I do know about the manga is the difference in endings. I'll say I prefer the anime ending, because throughout the series I was hoping for that ending, because well, I thought it was be the least depressing one.
Yes, I did enjoy episode 23 more than episode 24, but nothing is perfect. It was enough to conclude the story, unlike Mahoromatic's ending, which was the worst thing that could've happened. The fact that I could love a mecha series is amazing enough in itself. The only real flaw was the battle scenes themselves. Except for the last, there was never any fear that our Earth would lose.
I love it, and I will never watch it ever again.
|drama, mecha
|Thread Tools


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Several of you have emailed to ask me to update to my earlier post regarding Obama's likely approach to fulfilling his campaign pledge to remove all combat troops from Iraq within 16 months of his election. As most of you know by now, he is not going to fully honor this pledge, although he will draw down U.S. troop levels significantly, but not until three months after the campaign deadline, and even then he will keep up to 50,000 troops in Iraq for a period that might last until the 2011 deadline for removal of U.S. troops negotiated by the Bush administration. Moreover, many of the troops that he has pledged to remove from Iraq will in fact be shifted to Afghanistan. Leaders of the Democratic party, including Nancy Pelosi, as well as the netroots, are not happy with this decision, suggesting that Obama has reneged on a campaign promise. Because this is a complicated and important issue, I want to spend some time responding to Obama's critics, but let me be clear here: I think that the criticism from the Left underestimates the constraints that Obama faces in fulfilling what has turned out to be a somewhat naive campaign pledge. In fact, I want to suggest that his actions are not only predictable, they are also the mark of a president who has put the national interest above politics. Unfortunately, since I am on deadline for finishing another article, I ask for your patience before I develop this argument in more detail. To whet your appetite, however, let me suggest that the decision to modify his campaign pledge reflects not only the difference between campaigning and governing – it also is a reminder that presidents do not command the military – they bargain with them.
I appreciate your patience while I am on what I hope is a short hiatus until early next week to finish this article.


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Somewhere along the way I picked up this definition of a good sermon: "A good sermon has a good beginning, a good ending and the shortest distance between the two."
Somewhere along the way I picked up this definition of a good sermon: "A good sermon has a good beginning, a good ending and the shortest distance between the two."
The good folks of Fairmont Presbyterian would deny that I know this and would say that if such a definition is true, I have never preached a "good sermon!" Perhaps that is true.
What would you say defines a "good sermon?" Length? Depth? Simplicity? Illustrations? Relevance? Biblical literacy? Prophetic? Pastoral?
Many of these things are going through a pastor's head, either on a conscious or subconscious level, as he or she works on a sermon. I remember the phrase from my seminary preaching course that we are called to "disturb the comfortable and comfort the disturbed." Some good sermons get preachers fired. Other good sermons get preachers hired. This I am sure of: Some of the kindest compliments are in response to, in our own minds, our lousiest sermons and vice versa. We are our own worst judges and critics.
Words matter. Sometimes the message can become lost in the words. When at our very best we are economical with our words. Some of the most important documents, theories and speeches are sparing in that way. Pythagoras' Theorem has 24 words. The Lord's Prayer has 66 while Archimedes' Principle has 67. The Ten Commandments, so influential upon our world and culture, has 179 words. The Gettysburg Address had 286 words. Two of our nation's founding documents are only a bit wordier: The Declaration of Independence has 1,300, and the Constitution (with amendments) has 7,818. Conversely, the FDA regulations on the sale of cabbages has 26,911 words.
I recently forwarded an email to friends that was filled with pictures and "wisdom sayings" associated with each picture. The response was amazing. People seem to appreciate a small saying that captures a large truth. Here are some of the sayings (credit given when available) in that email:
• You cannot hang out with negative people and expect to have a positive life.
• Live your life and forget your age.
• Spending time WITH children is more important than spending money ON children. — Anthony Douglas Williams
• Putting your phone away and paying attention to those talking to you? There's an App for that. It's called RESPECT.
• If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present. — Lao Tzu
• Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think. — Albert Einstein
• We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.
• It's better to walk alone than with a crowd going in the wrong direction.
• One of the hardest decisions you'll ever face in life is choosing whether to walk away or try harder.
Less words can have more impact. What do you remember about Jesus' teachings? Isn't it those short stories he told? We call them parables. Many Christians have what are called "life passages" that are something like a mantra that returns them to a focal point of faith. Do you have one? Please let me know at firstname.lastname@example.com.
There are two sayings of Jesus and two phrases from John that form the foundation of my own faith. First, Jesus gave us the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Second, "Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. And love your neighbor as you love yourself." From John, there is what is called "the gospel in miniature," John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that God gave God's only begotten son, that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." Lastly, there is that wonderfully simple and simply wonderful phrase from John 1: "God is love."
Please be patient with us preachers. We're doing what we were trained and called to do in digging into the word of God to discover and share the truth of God. Sometimes we get it right. Sometimes we'd be better off just getting out of the way.
The Rev. J. Randy Hall serves as pastor of Fairmont Presbyterian Church and is author of "Images of Sorrow, Visions of Hope."


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confused much?
everyone is planning something, but what? can Edward figure it out?
1. Chapter 1
Rating 4.5/5 Word Count 803 Review this Chapter
Bella.....MY BELLA! My body, my thoughts, and my dead heart, yearned for her touch. She had a way with me. A way that would make my thoughts travel to a place where they did not belong. I knew I had a way with Bella. I just wish I could read her mind to know how much I effect her. She did say that I dazzle her. Haha! I love it! The thought brought that horrid grin I hate to my lips.(the one bella loves)
"Edward can you please not look for things in my mind or anyone else's for one moment!" Alice squeaked.
"Alice please, I can't help but be nervous! There's something going on and your not telling me! Which makes me nervous!" I moaned agitated.
Alice jumped up and took my hand and lead me to her and jasper's room. She had that devious smile on of hers so I knew she planned something. She threw open the door and sat me on the bed. I knew I was screwed.
" Jasper, Emmett, Carlisle! I got him!" Alice whispered.
They all came into the room at the same time. Dammit! They are counting.......I don't know what to expect now!
"Nervous Edward?" Jasper roared with laughter.
"I'll get you later! I will!" I growled angrily. Jasper looked down a little nervous. I suspected he felt my sincerity. So I didn't bother to say anything further.
"Damn, Edward slow your roll. Its not going to kill you." Emmett laughed.
"Edward, what do you think about a boy's only hunting trip? After that we are going somewhere else. What do you think?" Carlisle asked wholeheartedly. Finally, someone saying something rational.
I thought it over a moment. I was wondering what time I'll see my beloved Bella.
"Well, fine. I guess I'll go get ready." I huffed.
"No need to get ready you look fine." Carlisle said soft. Carlisle normally tells me to change. Now I'm scared. Jasper looked at me right when I said that in my mind. I growled and he looked away. Alice, Rosalie, and Esme were practically pushing us out of the house. If Rosalie was involved; it was big! We went out the back and took Emmett's truck. We arrived in record time because of my great driving skills.
"Edward, hurry, Kay?" Carlisle said softly. "Ok." I said wary. That's when I gave myself over to my senses. I smelled the air and caught the scent of mountain lion. Normally two mountain lion satisfied my hunger. After hunting we drove to a tux place.
"Why are we at a tux shop?" I asked completely confused.
"Little man we are getting you a new tux!" Emmett said to low and fast for human ears.
"Why am I getting a tux?" I asked still confused.
"You'll see Edward." Jasper said slow. We walked in and of course the person at the desk was jealous.
"We need a really nice tux....for a special occasion." Carlisle said trying to daze the person. I found one I really liked and bought it. Little did I know I had to wear it out of the store. Emmett caught me, spun me around and sent me back to the dressing room once again. I sighed. I changed into the tux and waited for Carlisle who was still sweet talking the clerk. In the end he won. We were on our way home now im guessing. Emmett got to drive the way home. It was twilight now with the moon shining over head. Well, I guess were not going home. For we were heading to a clearing in the forest.
Emmett stopped the truck and told me to get out. When I did I seen the most moving site. Bella all dressed up in a big gazebo. Her hair was curled and falling into her beautiful face. Her eyes sparkled in the moonlight like deep brown pools. I ran up there and hugged her close to me.
"What's the occasion?" I breathed against her soft porcelain like skin.
"I thought you knew." She said shocked. At that point I knew it was all my family. I grabbed bella's warm soft hand and began to twirl her and dance.
"Edward there's no music playing." She said lightly.
"There's the music of our love playing right now." I said trying to dazzle her.
"Emmett you better do something and say something that romantic to me!" Rosalie growled from behind the bushes.
Alice then said "Jasper start thinking right now!"
"Carlisle when are you going to do something romantic with me again?" Esme said hard. All the guys sighed.
"Edward did you hear something?" Bella asked worried.
I picked her up and twirled her in my arms. "Nothing but our love."
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text:
Honorable Alexis M. Herman
Remarks as Delivered
U.S. Secretary Alexis Herman
National Press Club
February 17, 1998
Its an honor to be here to talk about helping Americans make the noble passage from welfare to work--and to share some experiences from a national tour Ive just concluded on this issue.
Ive spent much of my life working on this challenge. My first full-time job was with Catholic Charities helping young men find work in the shipyards of Pascagoula, Mississippi. Since then, I have seen the ebb and flow of many waves of welfare reform.
But today we are in the midst of something entirely different and completely new. It isnt a wave- -its a sea of change. The welfare reform law is one of our nations biggest social policy changes in the last fifty years.
Its been one and a half years since President Clinton signed the law. Thats not long enough for final conclusions, but it is enough time to step back and see where we are.
So what do we know about the end of welfare as we know it?
First, we know that we may be in new territory, but we build on solid ground. The Presidents economic plan is working. More than 14 million new jobs in the last five years. The lowest unemployment rates in 25 years. Inflation is in check. A balanced federal budget. In short, the strongest economy in a generation. Now is the time for comprehensive welfare reform.
Second, we know that caseloads are dropping. Welfare rolls have had their sharpest decline in history. Since President Clinton took office, welfare caseloads have fallen by more than 30%. And in the first 13 months since the law took effect, 2.4 million left the rolls.
Third, we know the welfare reform law didnt just end the old system, it is ending the old debate. On one extreme, we had critics who simply declared people dont want to work. On the other, there were those who said any change to a 60-year-old policy would bring catastrophic results. One and a half years later, communities--and individuals themselves--are proving both assumptions wrong.
So welfare has been reformed, but how is it being replaced? What are some models to highlight? What are the challenges ahead? And what does it all mean to real people?
Last fall, the President asked me to travel the country to help answer those questions, report back to him, and share my findings with my Cabinet colleagues who are also working on these issues-- including Secretary Shalala, Secretary Cuomo, Secretary Slater, Secretary Glickman and SBA Administrator Alvarez.
All together, I visited ten cities to put a human face on welfare policy. I had straightforward conversations about the real world impact of welfare reform -- because this isnt about changing laws, its about changing lives.
I spoke with young mothers in Delaware and young fathers in Los Angeles. I met with Native Americans in Phoenix and rural Americans in Wichita. I reached out to the faith-based community in Milwaukee and the small business community in Cleveland.
I saw progress. I saw problems. But most of all, I saw hope.
I saw hope in the eyes of a woman in Tampa who had been on welfare for 25 years with seven children. She used to find it hard to get out of bed. Now shes living her dreams, starting a new job and a new life.
I felt hope from a woman in Cleveland who told me she gets up early every morning to practice job interviews in front of the mirror. Now when she looks in that mirror, she sees the future.
And I heard hope from a group of pre-schoolers at the West End Neighborhood House in Wilmington, Delaware who sang I Believe I Can Fly--as their mothers were upstairs doing just that, taking classes, climbing higher.
In the end, this isnt about my journey, its about theirs. Its about the obstacles that people face navigating from welfare to self-sufficiency. And its about the challenges we must confront as a society to see that every American who takes responsibility has real opportunity.
When I present my findings to the President, I will identify six core challenges that emerged throughout this mission--along with recommendations to meet them.
Today I want to talk in plain terms about those challenges. About what I heard, where Ive been and what I believe we need to do to make welfare-to-work a lasting success.
The first step--the first challenge--is to end the stigma of welfare.
People want to work. Their hearts and hands ache for the dignity and respect work brings. They want to show their children that they are achieving. And they want to be recognized for what they are--not old welfare recipients, but what I call new workers.
Time and again, in community after community, individuals told me about how the stigma of being on welfare didnt end even after they began a job. They were labeled. They were stereotyped. They were boxed in by prejudice. Can I really trust this person? Are they up to the job?
The fact is, people on welfare are just like you and me. They deserve the dignity, respect and title of workers. And we must demand that they receive the rights, benefits and protections of workers. That includes a fair wage, equals opportunity on the job, a safe and healthy workplace, and every other labor safeguard that is theirs by right and by law.
That is why the Presidents call to raise the minimum wage is so important because we must make work pay and improve the living standards of millions of working families.
The second challenge is understanding that success is not just about getting a job, but keeping a job.
We need to focus on the to in welfare-to-work. And that means taking a hard look at the barriers between a welfare recipient and a job. In order to get work, you need to get to work.
For many on welfare, that means getting up before the sun--waiting for the bus, getting on the train, praying that the car will start one more time. Sometimes it means a two-hour commute each way because thats where the jobs are.
It means finding quality child care for the kids. A place thats affordable and safe. And even if youre lucky enough to find and pay for it--the center may not be open when you leave for work or it may be closed long before you get back.
These challenges arent necessarily unique to new workers. The difference is in degree. For many of us, a dead car battery is a hassle. It may mean taking a cab to work. For those on welfare, it could mean losing a job because you dont have cab fare.
What can we do to help new workers manage the change and clear some of the hurdles on the path to success? One solution is after hours child care. A facility I heard about when I visited Delaware provides care day and night. There needs to be others like it around the country.
Child care is vital. And thats why the President has proposed the largest investment in child care in our nations history. That includes after school care which is something parents across the country told me they need.
I saw a number of other creative initiatives. In Milwaukee I saw the success of the Jobs Access Loan program which provides short term, no-interest loans to meet emergency needs. Car repairs. Money to buy uniforms for the job. Moving expenses to relocate near a job.
For a worker just starting out, this small help can mean the difference between success and failure. And the repayment rate is more than 80%--significantly higher than most consumer loans.
The Administration has also proposed a $100 million welfare-to-work plan to bridge new workers to jobs through flexible transportation alternatives--such as van services. Two-thirds of new jobs are in the suburbs but three out of four welfare recipients live in rural areas or central cities.
And the Vice-President has established a community-based Welfare-to-Work Coalition to Sustain Success that is designed to address the broad sweep of issues related to helping welfare recipients hold on to jobs.
Strategies that include the to in welfare-to-work will be critical to its long-term success.
The third challenge is for employers to acknowledge that welfare reform is good business and good for the economy.
Just as we need a change in mind set about new workers, we need a change in mind set about a new inclusive workforce. A strong economy depends on well-trained, educated workers. Successful businesses understand that.
How do employers incorporate these valuable new resources into their workplace?
By mentoring. Investing in training. Providing health care--pensions--and a real stake in the companys future. Because after all, the success of a business depends on the success of its workers.
Perhaps no one understands that better than Michael Shaunessy, President of the Colormatrix Corporation--a small business in urban Cleveland that I visited on my tour. Mr. Shaunessy is here with Lisa Pate, a Colormatrix employee.
Colormatrix is a 24-hour manufacturing facility with over 150 employees. Most of the workers are from the inner city. Most have never worked in a plant. Most have had numerous barriers to employment in the past.
But Mr. Shaunessy has teamed up with Cleveland Works, a non-profit employment initiative that helps train and link new workers to local businesses. Once on board, his new workers start with on-the-job training. Good salaries. Health benefits. A 401K plan. And tuition reimbursement. New workers also interact with senior management and have a real sense of ownership. Over 90% of those hired through Cleveland Works are still on the job today.
And thats why Michael Shaunessy can take the day off to be with us. He knows his plant is in good hands.
During my tour, I also visited the Cessna Aircraft Company in Wichita, Kansas with President Clinton. Cessna established a state-of-the-art facility to train welfare recipients for production jobs. About 200 graduates of the program are now working there and earning an average wage of $12 an hour. And they are gaining the tools to keep flying high.
I also spent time at the Culinary Training Center in Las Vegas which is a joint union-management partnership between the hotel industry and the Culinary Workers Union. It provides both pre- employment and advanced training so workers can keep climbing the ladder. And the main training center is in the heart of downtown Las Vegas within easy access to public transportation. Its a common sense idea thats making a real difference in peoples lives.
These three employers do different things in different places, but they all understand its good for the bottom-line to have a skilled and involved workforce. And its good business to help workers move from dead-end jobs to life-long careers.
This isnt charity--its economic self-interest.
The fourth challenge is recognizing the hardest work remains because the hardest to serve remain.
We know welfare caseloads are dropping. We dont have precise data on where everyone is going. But we do know that as the caseloads go down, the real challenge is coming into sharper focus.
Many long-term recipients, for example, remain on the rolls. Although overall caseloads are declining, weve seen a small increase in the fraction of those who have been on welfare 3 years or longer. Weve also seen a slight rise in the fraction of those who have been on welfare before.
Its no surprise that those who are having the most trouble leaving the rolls are those with the most barriers to employment. Long-term cases. Those with limited math and reading skills. Poor work histories. Or those struggling to overcome problems with substance abuse.
These are the toughest cases. We knew they would be. But we also know that welfare reform wont succeed unless they do.
The President recognized this and together with Congress provided $3 billion in last years Balanced Budget Act to help address it.
The Department of Labor is charged with investing those funds in local areas around the country that are serving the roughly 20-30 percent of welfare recipients who face the most significant barriers to employment. Our resources dont go to distant bureaucracies, but to the local level.
And if you want to see what an initiative that focuses on the hardest to serve can do, take a trip to Harlem like I did and visit STRIVE--which stands for Support and Training Results in Valuable Employment. It is a no-nonsense program that prepares individuals for the culture of work.
And it stresses support after youre on the job--such as frequent phone contacts and individual counseling sessions. They teach life skills--things we may take for granted. Showing up to work on time. Dressing appropriately. Calling in when youre sick. Displaying a good attitude.
STRIVE is helping to instill core values. And the job retention rate of STRIVE graduates after two years is 80 percent.
There are no quick fixes here. No silver bullet solutions. Were in uncharted territory and this is pioneering work. But there are successful ideas and initiatives out there and all of us can learn from them.
The fifth challenge is to focus on fathers.
The objective of welfare reform is to help parents raise their incomes so they can raise their kids. Usually that parent is the mother. Unfortunately, usually she is also alone. But Mom and Dad both have a responsibility to be there for support--both emotionally and financially.
We know that kids have the best chance to succeed when both parents are involved and responsible. Thats why this Administration is deeply committed to beefing up child support enforcement.
But you need a job to pay child support. And so one of the ways to help kids is to increase the earning potential of fathers so they can meet their obligations.
Last week in Los Angeles, I visited the Parents Fair Share program which is partially funded by the Ford Foundation. This innovative initiative provides fathers with training for higher incomes and counseling for higher self-esteem. It promotes parenting skills and provides a strong support network.
I listened to fathers tell me they want to support their families. They want to re-connect. They dont want to be Deadbeat Dads. They want to be Dedicated Dads. They want to be good fathers and good role models. And thats what this initiative is helping them do.
One father told me that he was ashamed he didnt earn enough to pay for support. When he used to visit his children he would go in depressed and come out angry. Now, hes working and earning. When he sees his kids now said, I smile going in and smile going out.
This is an aspect of welfare reform that hasnt received much attention--but its fundamental to strengthening families and building better futures for kids. And we at the Department of Labor are going to make it a priority to look for model programs to help these fathers help their families.
My sixth and final challenge is a call to action at every level.
We have gone from a single federal program to 50 separate experiments around the country. Our success will depend in large measure on our new partnerships with Governors and local officials. State plans are at various stages of development. And as Ive traveled the nation, Ive seen first- hand how some are working better than others.
Some states, for example, will reduce cash benefits as soon as someone gets a job. Ive also heard many personal stories of individuals who lost their child care subsidies when they started work. But other states, such as Delaware, provide transitional assistance for up to 18 months.
Some states may create unintentional barriers. New workers may have to go to one office to let their caseworker know they have a job. Then another day in the month, take time off to pick up a transportation voucher. Another day--their child care stipend.
Think about it. Thats like having to go to the Department of Motor Vehicles three times a month to register your car.
We have to connect the world of welfare to the world of work in every way. And that includes implementing practical, common sense steps to help workers on the job.
I want to commend state and local officials for their creative ideas. But I challenge them to do more. To take a hard look at their programs and see where theres room for improvement--and to sit down with those directly impacted because theres nothing like talking with the people who are actually being served.
I want to commend businesses for getting involved, providing jobs, and creating opportunity. But I challenge them to do more. Join creative initiatives such as the Welfare-to Work Partnership-- headed by Eli Segal--which has taken a leadership role in linking businesses with new workers.
It was little more than an idea one year ago. Today, its an alliance of over 3000 companies-- large and small--reaching out to local partners like Goodwill Industries, the National Urban League, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, to move people from lives of dependence to lives of independence.
I want to commend labor unions for their good efforts to help new workers, such as what I saw in Las Vegas. And the faith-based community, foundations and other labor market intermediaries for working together and making a difference. But I challenge all of them to do more.
And I would say this even if I werent at the National Press Club. But I want to commend the press for the articles youve written about the lives of families on welfare. I challenge you to do more. America needs to hear those voices. Keep working to shed light and shatter myths.
Successful welfare-to-work takes work. And it takes us all. No one has all the answers but theres a lot we can learn from each other.
And I believe thats what we need to keep doing to meet these challenges Ive outlined today. To take welfare reform to the next level, and make it a success for the long-term.
Since Ive been Secretary of Labor, Ive made it my mission to get out of Washington to talk with real people. And as I conclude this tour, I can tell you that those who I met on this welfare-to- work mission are no different than the high tech workers I met in Minneapolis...or the coal miners I met in West Virginia...or the small businesswomen I met in Houston.
They all want to come home after a hard days work with a fair days pay. They want to be self- sufficient. They want to be good role models for their kids. They want to contribute to society. They just may need a helping hand up.
The President and his entire Administration are committed to seeing welfare reform succeed for our families and our future.
It takes time. Its complicated because the lives of people on welfare are complicated. If it was easy, it would have been done years ago. So we need to be flexible. Learn from mistakes. Highlight best practices. Thats our responsibility.
But it is also our responsibility to remember that its not programs--its people. Its not just about work--its about dignity and hope.
Its about all of those who wake up in the still of the morning to practice job interviews. Its about parents who want to be proud role models for their kids.
Its about people who had forgotten how to dream--who are now achieving. And its about those still struggling to lift their families up, reaching out their hand to each of us.
Now is the time to extend that hand. The economy is strong. But we cant forget that for those struggling to get off welfare, the most important employment statistic is not 14 million new jobs. Its one job. Its their job. And its our job to help guide them there.
And I firmly believe as long as we work together toward this goal, we will be able to look back a generation from now and say: We made America work for all Americans.


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Finder: Voice continues to be one of the most talked about books of 2011, and word of its story and artwork has spread far and wide. So far, in fact, that Carla Speed McNeil has been awarded the prestigious Los Angeles Times Book Prize in the Graphic Novel category for Finder: Voice!
Praise for Carla Speed McNeil's Finder:
"I love Carla Speed McNeil's Finder, and I imagine the reason I love it is the same reason it doesn't get more attention in the comics press: it's simultaneously straightforward and labyrinthine, genre-based and uncategorizable . . . For me, and for other readers who have gotten pulled into McNeil's weird and woolly far-future world, Finder is one of those comics."—The Comics Journal
"It's been entirely too long since we were able to experience Carla Speed McNeil's unique brand of sociological science fiction with its emphasis on character, class and culture. Once again McNeil immerses you in her meticulously detailed world and you're immediately caught up in a beautifully drawn and deftly written story."—ICv2
"You'll keep turning the pages in Voice to put the pieces of the puzzle together and to see what Grosvenor does next. It is an intricate tale, and Carla Speed McNeil is a master storyteller—with her words and art."—ScienceFiction.com
"McNeil conveys more emotion and depth through the slick line of a raised eyebrow than most can with an entire book, played out in a world that is unquestionably familiar and unshakably alien."—Bleeding Cool
"McNeil excels at tying her many character and story elements together and anchoring them in the same increasingly familiar universe, making her fictional world, its inhabitants and their issues and experiences all the more real to the invested, gratified reader."—No Flying No Tights
Awards and nominations:
Unshelved Book Club's Book of the Month, February 2012—Unshelved
#1 on Comics Worth Reading's Best Graphic Novels of 2011—Comics Worth Reading
#2 on Comics Bulletin's Top 10 Best Graphic Novels of 2011—Comics Bulletin
#4 on Publishers Weekly's Best Books of 2011, Comics—Publishers Weekly
#4 on ComicsAlliance's 11 Best Comics of 2011—ComicsAlliance
#29 on Comic Book Resources' Top 100 Comics of 2011—Comic Book Resources
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Don´t be silly
- 31 Articles
- Age 23
Hello guys! Today there is something very special I want to talk about DON'T BE SILLY! Many things that have happened to me through the last couple of weeks that have shown me this little lesson; but let me explain what I mean when I call you not to be silly : )
Have you ever done team work in which you have to work with someone you dislike and you end up doing a horrible job?
Have you ever had a family member who remains sick for months because they think there's nothing going on with their health but it turns out to be deadly?
Have you ever gotten mad about your parents' nagging and then regret not hearing their advice and wishing you made the mistakes they warned you about?
Or have you simply just hurt someone you love based on your own side of the story, but then felt horrible because when you talk about things you pretty much feel like the ogre of the story?
That is what I call being silly. We expect things to happen, but not build the foundation for those things to finally come to terms with. We demand our governments to act according to principles and values we don't practice ourselves. We defend some rights as a "privilege" and totally forget some "less important others." We want to end war with another war.... the list could go on and on but I think you've already realized that you – just like me - are a bit silly and we both live in a silly world.
But hey! The solution is simple > get smart! By getting thoughtful, I don't want to live at a library but I want to be kinder, I want to understand people, I want to literally be the change I want to see out there.
Why? Because I´m getting tired of TV showing the new Kardashian mansion and being silent about Gaza, (or giving distorted information). I'm sick of football scandals knowing that there are people being exploited at manufacturing centers. I sincerely don't care which celebrity took pictures at an exotic island, and I would rather read Orwell or Huxley and enrich myself a little more.
Do you want to know why governments continue to trample people? Why there is labour exploitation to migrants and why human trafficking and human slavery still exists? Because we are silly. Don't get me wrong we should live our lives to the fullest and enjoy ourselves as well as the lovely things around us. But we definitely need a bit more "humanity", the one that makes us think as one species, not as Colombians, Chileans, Taiwanese, woman, men, young, professional or student but HUMAN.
Think for a minute that Palestine is your city, that the death penalty is being applied to one of your family members or that you´re taking a shower with water full of petroleum - did you like that? Sure you did not, but if you want big things to happen start by changing the little things that might be causing them to develop.
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me.


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Microsoft's announcement this week that it's cutting retail prices for some editions of Office XP--and that the upcoming Office 2003 will likely carry the same price tags--may end up antagonizing big business customers stuck with volume pricing.
At least that's the view of Paul DeGroot, analyst with Directions on Microsoft. He questions Microsoft's publicly stated reasons for chopping prices by about 15 percent for Office XP Standard and Office XP Professional, and approximately 30 percent for stand-alone applications such as Word and Excel.
The company said it was all about "a commitment to make it easier for consumers and small businesses to obtain" the popular productivity suite. But there may be more to it, and that may rub some business customers the wrong way.
DeGroot sees the cheaper Office XP Standard for Students and Teachers edition as a possible reason behind the dropping prices.
"The success of Students and Teachers showed Microsoft that people are interested in a full-featured office suite--if the price is right," DeGroot said. "It's shown them there is a demand for high-quality and powerful desktop applications, but that their pricing has not been right in the past."
Students and Teachers, which theoretically can be purchased only by educators and families with children at home, costs $149, $330 less than the older price of Office XP Standard at retail, and still $260 under the just-trimmed cost. Students and Teachers includes the same four applications found in the much more expensive Office XP Standard: Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
With its more attractive price, Students and Teachers has undoubtedly strayed from its intended audience. "I wouldn't be surprised if there aren't businesses out there that are using it," DeGroot said. "The chances that Microsoft's going to bust into someone's home office to check on whether they have kids in the house is extremely small."
But while the drop in retail prices for Office is good news for businesses buying in small quantities, the move is likely to further rile Microsoft's corporate customers, DeGroot said.
"This isn't going to make businesses happy if Microsoft keeps reducing retail prices but maintains the current volume costs. There are already a lot of people who see Microsoft's volume licensing efforts as a way to squeeze more money out of them," he said. "Watching Microsoft drive down prices in retail while they maintain prices in volume is not going to improve that feeling at all."
Alvin Park, a research director at Gartner who covers Microsoft's licensing and pricing, offers a different take.
"I was disappointed to see that Microsoft didn't also reduce volume prices, but I don't think it's going to have a big impact on businesses. Corporations can still get Office cheaper through their licensing agreements than through retail."
Before any reseller discounts, companies pay between $445 and $454 for a copy of Office XP Professional, he added.
"I don't see it as much of an issue for enterprises," Park said. "I think they'll just tell themselves that the retail version of overpriced."
DeGroot thinks there's a good argument for Microsoft to reduce the price of the upcoming Office 2003 in volume. Whether it's enticing corporate customers who have little or no intention of upgrading to do so, or as a way to drive sales of other Microsoft software, especially its server-based software, such a move would be smart, DeGroot said.
"They have to make Office 2003 attractive to drive a lot of other sales" to big businesses, said DeGroot. "If I have Outlook 2003, I need Exchange 2003 for some of its features. And then I need Windows Server 2003 to run Exchange 2003." Other features important in Office 2003, particularly those that deal with collaboration, require Real-Time Collaboration Server and SharePoint, he added, noting the domino effect that boosted sales of Office 2003 could provide for Microsoft.
But DeGroot optimistic that Microsoft will take his advice. "I think the odds are less than even that they'll do it," he said.
On this point, Park agrees. "The fact that Microsoft announced this drop in retail prices now tells me that most likely they won't reduce Office 2003's volume prices," he said. If Microsoft was going to have a reduction in volume pricing, "I think they would have gone ahead and done it now, or waited to announce this change in retail when Office comes out later this year."
*This story courtesy of Techweb.com.


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Important Info:
- Please email us @ email@example.com if you have any questions or need to submit necessary details for a personalized product order.
- Visit http://DrageynDesigns.com for other design styles and product types!
- Design is Copyright Drageyn Designs ™, All Rights Reserved.
Product Details:❘❘❙❙❚❚ ON SALE ❚❚❙❙❘❘
My Favorite People Call Me Daddy, Father's Day Gift, Mug For Dad, Travel Mug, Coffee Cup, Stainless, Insulated, 14oz, Typography, Not Dishwasher Safe, Not Microwavable
If a rush order is needed, please contact me PRIOR to placing your order. Additional costs may be required on orders that require expedited preparation and/or shipping.
Custom orders and design changes are VERY welcome! Rarely are we not able to satisfy custom requests. Please contact me PRIOR to placing an order if you desire to make any changes to the listed mug design. Changes to listed mug design may require additional charges.
Each mug design is custom made and professionally created in Graniteville, SC.
Each mug is made after the order is placed. Due to the handcrafted design, mugs may vary slightly from picture. Monitor display settings may cause colors to appear differently that of actual item.
Each design is processed to permanently bond to the mug. Designs will not crack or peel. Travel mugs are not dishwasher safe or microwavable..
* 14 oz. travel mug. White or Stainless
* Design/text will be on BOTH sides of mug (many shops only print on 1 side).
* Ink is permanently bonded to the mug using a high temperature heat press to produce a brilliant and vivid design that will not crack or peel.
* Not dishwasher safe or microwavable
* Insulated
Materials: 14oz,stainless,typography,white,insulated,travel mug,custom mug,coffee cup,not dishwasher safe,not microwavable,custom travel mug,coffee mug,custom coffee cup


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Want to remind yourself or a friend about this program? Fill out this simple form and klru will email you a reminder on the day that it will air.
Superhero Sheep / Pirate Ship
series: Wordworld
air date: 11/16/13 6:00 AM
Superhero Sheep: Sheep becomes Word World's first superhero, saving the day with the letter "S"! Duck is eager to be her trusty sidekick, but Sheep repeatedly points out that "superheroes don't need help." But Sheep learns that everyone needs help sometimes when she gets stuck on top of Pig's barn and it's up to Duck to save her. Pirate Ship: While playing on the beach, Sheep, Duck and Shark find a message in a bottle. It's one of several rhyming clues that will lead them to a special treasure! Like hearty pirates, the trio follows the clues and rhyme their way across the sea-if only they had a ship!
WARNING: Email reminders for this program have already been sent out. Your reminder may not reach the intended address in time for this program's airing.
Back to TV Schedule


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Scanning into Evernote is a great way to bridge your physical and digital worlds. If you're anything like me, then you probably have pieces of paper, business cards, documents, and precious napkins thrown across every available surface. Unlike me, you probably don't have a compulsive urge to scan everything within arm's reach. But you could! All you have to do is set up your scanner just right, and you too will be one click away from having all your stuff in Evernote.
Scan to Evernote utility
Just in time for partner month, the great folks at Fujitsu created a nifty configuration utility that will set your Fujitsu ScanSnap Scanner to the optimal settings for use with Evernote. For now, it's Windows-only. We hope to have a Mac version soon. Download the utility »
Setup is quick and easy:
- Make sure you have the ScanSnap Manager software installed
- Next, download and run the utility
The utility will create two profiles in the ScanSnap Manager: a "Document Scan" profile for created PDF scanned documents and a "Notes Scan" profile for everything else, including anything with handwriting.
Manual setup instructions are available here: http://evernote.com/fujitsu
No ScanSnap? No problem.
If you don't have a ScanSnap, there's a good chance that you can still configure your scanner to work with Evernote. The general idea is to have your scanner send scans to Evernote.exe (PC) or Evernote.app (Mac). The step-by-step instruction may vary from device to device.
Win a scanner at MacWorld
On a related note, for a chance to win a Fujitsu ScanSnap scanner – come see Evernote at MacWorld in the Fujitsu booth (Booth #853).


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TSTC Police Department receives vehicle from DA's office
The Texas State Technical College Police Department in Sweetwater recently purchased a 2009 Ford Police Interceptor. The vehicle was provided by the Nolan County 32nd Judicial District Attorney's Office and was purchased utilizing drug seizure funds. TSTC Police Chief Mike Keller reported, "On behalf of the entire TSTC Police Department, I would like to personally thank District Attorney Ann Reed for her valuable contribution to our department."Shown from left to right are Mike Keller, Ann Reed and Charles Armstead.


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All Soul's Episcopal Church
Gerry Gardner of Compelled by Grace Ministry will present "Hearts that Matter Much," today, Feb. 23, at All Soul's Episcopal Church, 14640 N. Cleveland Ave., in North Fort Myers.
The program runs from 8:30 a.m. top 4:30 p.m. (lunch on your own). To register, visit www.comelledby-grace.com or email firstname.lastname@example.com
For additional information, call 239-543-7831.
Cape Alliance Church
Cape Alliance Church's current sermon series is "Journey with God; cure for a wasted life."
Cape Alliance Church is located at 4307 Skyline Blvd., Cape Coral. Telephone: 239-542-7844. On the Web: Cape4Christ.com. Sunday worship celebration is at 9:30 a.m. - family atmosphere, casual dress. Nursery care through age 4; Children's Church for children age 5 through 5th grades.
Cape Baptist Church
Hey kids! Join Cape Baptist Church each Wednesday from 6:30 - 8 p.m. for Awana youth clubs! Awana is an energetic youth club for kids ages 3 years old through 6th grade. Kids have an exciting time playing games, winning prizes and learning about Jesus Christ.
Ladies are invited to attend the weekly Bible Study Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Currently the group is studying the amazing life of Joseph.
Visit the church's website at www.capebaptist.org. For more information about Awana, call 239-242-8022 and ask for Pastor Rod. Cape Baptist Church is located at 435 S.E. 10th Terrace in Cape Coral.
Cape Coral Community Church
Cape Coral Community Church will hold a GriefShare recovery seminar and support group Tuesday 6-8 p.m.from through May 7. The church is located at 811 Santa Barbara Blvd.
GriefShare sessions include a video, featuring nationally recognized experts of grief, and group discussions focused on those who have lost a loved one through death. Seminar sessions include "The Effects of Grief," "Why" and "Stuck in Grief."
For more information please contact Susan Johnson at 239-541-9099 after 5 p.m. or 239-728-7982.
Cape Coral First United
Methodist Church
GriefShare is a special seminar and support group for people grieving the loss of someone close. During small group discussion time, you'll have the opportunity to interact with others who have experienced a recent loss, learn about their experiences and share your own. GriefShare is a nondenominational group and features biblical teaching on grief and recovery topics. The group meets from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Contact Pastor Dennis Ball at firstname.lastname@example.com
DivorceCare is a special weekly seminar and support group for people who are separated or divorced. CCFUMC will be offering this Biblically based 13-week support group. Divorce Care meets from 6-8 p.m. Child care is available upon advanced request. This class is open to everyone regardless of church affiliation. Questions? Contact Pastor Dennis Ball at firstname.lastname@example.com
Alpha started Jan. 23. It is a 12-week course to learn about the basics of Christianity. We will explore the meaning of life, faith and God in a relaxed setting. The class time will be from 6-8 p.m. Childcare will be available upon request. More information to come!
Foundations Early Learning Center provides childcare; preschool and afterschool care for children from infants to 4 years old in a new facility as part of the growing family and youth programs at Cape Coral First United Methodist Church. The preschool's website is www.foundations-elc.org. For information, contact email@example.com or call 239-542-4051.
The Intersection Youth Ministry of Cape Coral First UMC meets from 5-7 p.m. All Middle and High School students gather in The Intersection Youth Center. All students, 6th -12th grade are welcome!
Cape Coral First is located at 4118 Coronado Parkway, Cape Coral. Phone: 239-542-4051. www.capecoralfirst.org . Sunday services are at 8:45 a.m. - Traditional Service and 11 a.m. - Casual Service. Come as you are!
Cape First Congregational Church
First Congregational Church is a small church with a big heart that Gathers in Faith, Worshiping in Freedom and Living in Fellowship. Open to all, Worship Service is held every Sunday at 10 a.m., Bible Study is the first and third Saturday of each month at 9 a.m.
First Congregational Church is located at 312 Santa Barbara Blvd., Cape Coral. Call 239-574-6184. Please visit our website at www.firstchurchcape.org.
Crosspoint Christian Church
The Story continues at Crosspoint Christian Church. The Story is a journey through the story of the Bible from beginning to end. The story will help you see the Bible in a new and inspiring way. If you have struggled to understand how the Bible fits together, this series will help put it all in focus.
A safe, enriching program for children birth through fifth grade is available during all of our Sunday worship experiences.
Crosspoint meets at 204 S.W. 11th Place in Cape Coral. It has three worship services every Sunday at 8:30, 9:50 and 11:10 a.m.
Everyone is invited. To learn more visit our website at crosspointcape.com or call 574-1422.
Evangelical Presbyterian
Church of Cape Coral
Women of the Word began an exciting new Bible study Tuesday, Jan. 15. The women will be studying the book of Galatians. Two sessions are being offered, 9-11 a.m. and 6:30-8 p.m. If you have small children, bring them along, the church will have exciting activities planned for them! (Note: only in the 9-11 a.m. session.) Registration is open! Call 549-5556.
The church offers counseling services to individuals, couples and groups. Colleen Shue is the director of counseling. Call 549-5556, extension 18, to make an appointment. No fees for church members and a sliding scale fee for non-church members.
Sunday morning worship service starts at 10:25 a.m. to noon. Adult and Youth Sunday school classes, ages 2 through 8th grade, are offered starting at 9:15 a.m. During worship service and Sunday school hour, director Stacey Lakes provides a loving place for infants to Pre-K. Sunday evenings at 5:30, dinner is served in the Fellowship Hall followed by a time of praise and worship at 6 p.m. The children's program and youth group meet on Sunday nights as well.
Evangelical Presbyterian Church is located at 701 Mohawk Parkway. For additional information, visit www.epchurch.net or call 549-5556.
Fort Myers Shores
Seventh-day Adventist Church
Currently a revival is in progress, leading to a crusade, scheduled for June 1, "My City - God's City" with Pastor Maddox.
Tickets are still available for the fund-raising banquet to be held Feb. 24, at 4 p.m. Come and enjoy the food and program. Tickets are $25 for adults $10 for children, with youngsters 10 years and under under 3 years old - free.
Starting May 11, a Creation Health Seminar will be held with a time to be posted at a later date
Starting Saturday, Feb. 16, at 2 p.m., "Speak Out," an open forum, Give it to God" will be held. Ask questions on issues, problems, desires, burdens, concerns and by all means Testimonies welcome. This will be a quarterly event.
The Community Garden Experience is held Sunday from 9 a.m. to noon. The reaping is tasting great.
For more information, call Pastor Robert Ferguson at 239-878-6750. The church is located at 14830 Palm Beach Blvd., Fort Myers.
Grace Community Church
Please join Grace Community Church for its 2nd Annual Pet Expo today, Feb. 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Grace Community Center, 4152 Hancock Bridge Parkway, North Fort Myers.
The event will feature local rescue shelters with animals seeking forever homes, a number of pet-related vendors, veterinarians, groomers, animal sitters and more. There will also be craft and food vendors, and pet contests. Face painting, tattoos and bounce houses will be provided for children.
Admission is a donation of dog or cat food to help stock the shelves of our Feed the Pack Pet Ministry. For more information, contact Carol at 574-7161 or visit our website at www.egracechurch.com
Trinity Reformed Church
Trinity Reformed Church of Cape Coral will hold the following services:
9:30 a.m. - Sunday School for children and adults.
10:30 a.m. - Sunday morning worship service - sermon: True Knowledge, the key to increase of Grace and Peace" (2 Peter 1:1-11)
6 p.m. - Sunday evening worship service - sermon: Temptation, Facing the Giants through Prayer" (Matthew 6:5-13)
Feb. 27 - 11:30 a.m. - Women's Luncheon - starting a new study called "Pleasing God," by R.C. Sproul.
March 10 - Missionary Dr. Neal Hegemen will be leading the morning worship service and after a fellowship luncheon, he will be giving a presentation of his work with MINTS.
March 16- 10:30 a.m. -Church Picnic at Paul Sanborn Park
The church's "Missionary of the Month" is the Dr. Neal Hegeman. He is academic dean of Miami International Seminary (MINTS). He supervises distance education for pastors around the world. He himself travels extensively throughout Latin America teaching classes to pastors of churches who lack a desirable level of education. Regular seminary-level courses are offered in all areas, and degrees are awarded as the students advance to higher levels of learning. The pastors then teach others courses so that the program is growing exponentially.
Trinity Reformed Church is a member of the United Reformed Churches of North America, a federation of churches located throughout the United States and Canada. We are part of the wider Reformed and Presbyterian family of churches.
Listen to the church's sermons every week for free at www.sermon-audio.com/trinityreformed.
Trinity Reformed Church is located at 2220 Hancock Bridge Parkway.


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Feb. 3, 2010
Complete Release in PDF Format
The Schedule
Saturday, February 2, 2010
No. 14 UC Santa Barbara Gauchos (4-3, 0-0) vs. No. 16 Indiana (1-2), 12:00 p.m.
No. 14 UC Santa Barbara Gauchos vs. No. 11 UC Irvine (1-1) or No. 17 Cal Baptist (4-1), TBD
Sunday, February 3, 2010
No. 15 UC Santa Barbara Gauchos vs. TBD
The Week Ahead
After dropping games to three of the top-four ranked teams in the nation and recording wins over Sonoma State and Santa Clara, the Gauchos travel south to La Jolla, Calif. to play in the UCSD Triton Invitational this weekend. UCSB will open tournament play on Saturday against No. 16 Indiana University in the East Pool of the Canyonview Aquatic Center. Should they win, the Gauchos will play the victor of the 10:40 a.m. game between UC Irvine (1-1) and Cal Baptist (4-1). In the event of a defeat, UCSB will face the loser of that same match. On Sunday, UCSB squares off in two more games. The opponents and times of those matches will be determined by day one of tournament play.
For The Record
After a trip to Northern California, in which the Gauchos played five games in three days and competed against the three of the top-ranked teams in the nation, UCSB carries an overall record of 4-3. UCSB also ranks 14th in the Collegiate Water Polo Association Top-20 Poll, one spot up from last week's No. 15 poll position.
Hammering the Hoosiers
Saturday the Gauchos face No. 16 Indiana. The Hoosiers opened their season with a 13-7 victory over Colorado State, but are coming off two straight losses. Indiana last played on January 23, when it suffered a 12-6 loss to No. 5 UCLA (3-1) and an 8-6 loss to No. 8 San Jose State (7-0). The Gauchos last faced the Hoosiers on February 8, 2004, when they were narrowly defeated, 7-6. Saturday, the Gauchos look to advance to the winners' bracket of the UCSD Triton Invitational by handing the Hoosiers their third straight loss of the season.
Anteaters or Lancers?
If the Gauchos succeed in defeating Indiana, they will move on to play the winner of UC Irvine-Cal Baptist on Saturday evening. If they falter, they will play the loser of that game. UC Irvine currently carries a record of 1-1 and sits at No. 8 in the national rankings. The Anteaters have defeated the Gauchos in their last nine meetings dating back to February 12, 2005. Cal Baptist goes into the tournament with a record of 4-1 and has lost to UCSB in four straight contests.
Jammin' Juniors
The Gaucho offensive machine has been driven by three juniors: Christie Clark, Katie Kepner and Claire Buchanan. Clark leads UCSB in total shots (25) and goals scored (8). Kepner has notched six goals and five assists, including a hat trick against No. 4 Cal (1/29). Claire Buchanan has grabbed seven goals of her own, ranking her second on the team in scoring. Also adding to the Gaucho firepower has been sophomore Elle Quane. Quane has tallied five goals and three assists, including a hat trick against Sonoma State (1/30).
Featured Freshman
After playing in all seven games, attacker Shelby Haroldson is tied for fourth on the team in scoring with five goals. Haroldson posted two goals in a 6-5 victory over No.19 Santa Clara (1/28) and two against No. 3 Cal the following day. Nancy Ruano has picked up three goals and two assists this season, including a two-goal performance in the 12-6 victory over Pomona-Pitzer (1/23). Kacey Creek and Kilee Dreyer have each recorded three goals of their own.
We're Going Streaking
Three Gauchos are currently amidst scoring streaks: Christie Clark. Claire Buchanan and Kathryn Nelson. Clark is now on a seven game streak, having scored a goal in every game this season, including two against Cal State Bakersfield (1/23) to open the season. After carrying her scoring streak over from last year and bringing it to eight straight games, Buchanan failed to score against Santa Clara and Cal. However, Buchanan went on to record two goals against Sonoma State (1/30) and one against top-ranked Stanford (1/30), starting her scoring streak anew at two games. Junior Kathryn Nelson also had a hot hand on Sunday, recording a goal in each game (Sonoma State and Cal) and beginning a two game streak.
Goalie Gossip
Freshman goalkeeper Ruth Milne has logged the majority of the time in the cage this season. Milne has played in six of the Gauchos seven games, posting 54 total saves with an average of 9.8 per saves game. Chelsea Carillo and Sarah Zuziak have also each seen limited time. Carillo has 11 saves on the season, while Zuziak grabbed six against Pomona-Pitzer.
After returning from La Jolla the Gauchos will take a three week break from play. This will give UCSB sufficient time to recover from its early road schedule before the Gauchos head to Irinve, Calif. on Feb. 27 for the UC Irvine Invitational.


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Telescope Facelift II [1]
Like most modern technology, a telescope needs occasional upgrades to keep it at the cutting edge. So engineers are getting ready to upgrade the giant Hobby-Eberly Telescope at McDonald Observatory. It'll help astronomers hunt for evidence of dark energy -- a subject that's at the cutting edge of modern science.
As part of the upgrade, the engineers will replace the mirrors, electronics, and instruments at the top of the telescope. The new package will provide a clearer, sharper view of the universe.
It's not an easy job, though. The new package weighs five times more than the current system. And it has scores of mechanical parts to allow the telescope to track its targets with high precision, explains John Good, the engineering manager for the upgrades.
GOOD: Our optical tolerance is less than a spot that is about 10 microns in diameter -- well under a thousandth of an inch. When you're looking at small-scale dimensions like this, to that precision, the world becomes very springy and shaky. We like to think of it as a big, shaking Jell-O mold. You can actually walk up to the present telescope, that's a hundred tons, while it's focused on a star, and you can push it with your hand and you can actually move that telescope off of its track. It gives you a respect and appreciation for how difficult it is to make a big, heavy machine track something that's hundreds of millions of light-years out in space -- very difficult.
The telescope is expected to return to service by the end of the year, with the dark energy search beginning in 2012.
Script by Damond Benningfield, Copyright 2011
Grade Level:
Subject Areas:
- Science [7]


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July 2, 1947 - March 15, 2013
Warwick, NY
Stephen J. Morgiewicz of Warwick, NY, entered into eternal rest surrounded by his loving family on Friday, March 15, 2013. He was 65.
The son of the late Stanley and Sophie Pikul Morgiewicz, he was born July 2, 1947 in Goshen, NY.
He was a retired truck driver at Roadway Express for 36 years. He was also a self-employed produce farmer. He was a proud member of the Teamsters - Local 445, an active member of the Southeastern Beekeepers Club, and a lifelong parishioner of St. Stanislaus R.C. Church.
Steve was a one of a kind man. He loved people and talking to them. He always had a handshake, a "Hey, how are you doing?", and a smile. He could strike up a conversation with anyone about anything. If you had to go someplace, he could tell you how to get there without a map and he could tell you every sign, crossroad, and diner along the way. He loved farming and grew beautiful vegetables. Seeing the morning dew on his bushels of spinach, the size of his butternut squash, his rows of lettuce made his day. After retiring from Roadway, he took up the hobby of beekeeping. He loved his bees and if you had a "minute" he would tell you all about it. God called him home to Heaven because He needed a farmer. He will be deeply missed by all.
He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Mary Jane Krawcyk Morgiewicz, at home in Warwick; son, Stephen J. Morgiewicz Jr. and his wife, Kristie of Goshen, NY; daughter, Jessica Morgiewicz-Sauka and her husband, James of Florida, NY; daughter, Justine Lysack and her husband, Keith of Florida, NY; grandson, Matthew Morgiewicz; granddaughter, Faith Sauka; and grandson, Jameson Sauka. Survivors also include his sister, Eileen Morgiewicz of Waltham, MA; sister, Susan Wierzbicki of Chester, NY; sister, Janice Morgiewicz of Florida, NY; sister, Rosanne Morgiewicz of Malibu, CA; brother, Ralph Morgiewicz of Florida, NY; sister, Joyce Ingram of Los Angeles, CA; brother, Gary Morgiewicz of Warwick; and brother, Stanley Morgievich of Randolph, NJ; as well as several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his brother, Paul and his sister, Karen.
Visitation will be held on Monday, March 18th from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the T.S. Purta Funeral Home, 690 County Route #1, Pine Island, NY 10969. The Rosary will be recited at 8 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 19th at St. Stanislaus Church, Pine Island, NY. Burial will be in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Pine Island, NY.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Stanislaus R.C. Church, 14 Glenmere Ave., Florida, NY 10921.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the T.S. Purta Funeral Home.
To send a condolence online, or for directions please go to www.purtafuneralhome.com .


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Interested? Watch our videos, check out our degrees and majors, or better yet, visit us and see the Euler Science Complex!
In this video, Dr. Jeff Cramer, Professor of Computer Science, discusses how the department has a great history of preparing students for their careers or graduate school… including heavy recruitment on campus from employers like Chick-Fil-A and Eli Lilly.


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Inza Allen celebrates her 100th birthday
Living life to the fullest is the secret Inza Allen shares with all as she celebrates her 100th birthday on March 15.
She is a lifelong resident of Hendersonville and the daughter of Thomas and Ella Allen, who were from Mills River. Inza is the youngest of 11 children; 7 sisters and 3 brothers.
Inza is a 1937 graduate of Hendersonville High and graduated from the Biltmore Hospital School of Nursing.
She spent 63 years in the nursing profession working 39 years for the St. Joseph Hospital in Asheville, then 24 years at Cranston Print Works as a nurse.
Back in the days of limited means of transportation, she rode her bicycle from Hendersonville to the school in Asheville. She stayed active with dancing, bowling, bicycling, and walking. Inza has been a member of the First United Methodist Church for 91 years.
Her travels took her to Greece, England, France and Italy.
All her friends and the staff at Emeritus at Pine Park (a resident there since 2002) wish her a Very Happy 100th Birthday.
Dental Society award winners announced
The winners of this year's Henderson County Dental Society Awards were announced at The Cedars of Hendersonville on Mar. 14.
Dr. Pete Richards won the Best Dentist of the Year award. He has been practicing in Hendersonville since 2004.
Diane Pack won Best Assistant of the Year. Pack works for Dr. Ty Hornsby. She is also the coordinator for the Carolina Mountain Dental Education Club and serves as a liaison between the study club and its members.
Mollie Fennimore won Best Hygienist of the Year. She is a hygienist for Dr. Joe Cowart and Dr. Bart Van Oostendorp at Carolina Smiles in Brevard. She often volunteers in classrooms in the county teaching kids the importance of brushing and flossing. She also volunteers with cancer charity events and is an advocate for breast cancer survivors.
Teresa Heffner was named Best Office Staff Member of the year. She is office manager for Dr. David Chapman.
Justus joins staff at Ardenwoods as residency counselor
Tara Justus has joined Ardenwoods Retirement Community as residency counselor. Tara is a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill. A native of Flat Rock, she began her career in broadcast journalism in Los Angeles before returning to N.C. to work in public relations, advertising and sales. She has been working in the healthcare industry for the past eight years and is a current resident of Hendersonville.
Ardenwoods is a private, residential community offering apartment homes in a mountaintop setting. Ardenwoods' services and amenities emphasize flexibility and choice. Ardenwoods is a Life Care Services Community.
Community News: March 28
Inza Allen celebrates her 100th birthday


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Kaneland is still searching for an identity without the services of starting junior point guard Drew David.
Sycamore unleashed a disruptive full court press throughout Saturday night's Northern Illinois Big 12 East Division matchup, forcing the Knights into 23 turnovers.
The host Spartans built a 19-7 first quarter advantage and kept Kaneland at arm's length the rest of the way, securing a comfortable 60-46 victory.
"We have to stick to what our philosophy is in beating those types of presses, and we didn't do it," said Kaneland coach Brian Johnson. "It led to a lot of turnovers and easy buckets for them."
"It's tough without Drew because we're missing an experienced ballhandler to take care of the ball," said Knights senior forward Matt Limbrunner, who delivered a solid all-around performance with 19 points and 9 rebounds.
With no timetable set for David's return as he recovers from a wrist fracture suffered during the Class 5A football playoffs, the Knights (1-4, 1-1) need a collective effort to fill the void.
"These guys play really hard whether the outcome is a win or a loss," Johnson said. We still have 20 games left and regionals so we need to keep getting better and take baby steps."
Sycamore junior Devin Mottet scored 10 of his team-high 17 points in the opening quarter and the Spartans were on the verge of a rout, holding a 27-11 lead midway through the second quarter.
However, Kaneland ended the half on a 9-2 run, sparked by Limbrunner's putback off a missed free throw along with a soft jumper from the top of the key. Bailey Harvell and Ty Carlson each connected on a pair of free throws.
The momentum was short-lived as Jacob Winters and Mottet connected on 3-pointers early in the third quarter to give the Spartans their largest lead of the game at 41-22.
Kaneland responded once again with an 11-2 spurt as John Pruett scored in transition on a nice feed from Dan Miller and Cole Carlson hauled down an offensive rebound and knocked down a baseline jumper.
"Getting more than one shot on a number of possessions helped get us back in the game," Limbrunner said, as the Knights enjoyed a 28-18 advantage on the boards.
Sycamore scored the next five points to push the advantage back to 48-33 with 5:22 left and the Knights never got closer than 10 points the rest of the way.
Miller finished with 9 points and 5 rebounds for the Knights while Ty Carlson contributed 8 points.
David Compher added 13 points and Ben Niemann had 8 for the hot-shooting Spartans, who connected on 21 of 39 shots from the field and went 15-for-16 at the line.


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DR Congo coach Claude Le Roy says he is bitter his preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations
Posted: 19 January 2013 Time: 11:15
Claude Le Roy says he is bitter his preparations for the African Nations Cup finals have been derailed by a strike by his Democratic Republic of Congo players over broken promises around bonus payments.
But the veteran coach says he never had any plans to quit the job just days before the Congolese play their first game at the tournament in South Africa.
Players refused to train on both Thursday and Friday in an attempt to get the Congo federation and government to pay over bonus money, which they have since been promised.
CLICK HERE for more on the 2013 Afcon
"This is crazy, it is devastatingly damaging to our preparations," Le Roy wrote on his blog.
"My players have been treated like children because the officials have not met their commitments to the players and to my staff. The players have refused to train in solidarity with those staff members who have not been paid," he explained.
"The players are very disappointed not to be taken seriously because they had been promised things that did not materialise.
"We need people to understand that footballers are no longer children. When they come to the Nations Cup they lose money that they would be getting in bonus payments at their clubs and they risk losing their place in the team. But they come because they are proud to wear this jersey," Le Roy wrote.
The team was now back in preparation for their opening Group B match against Ghana in Port Elizabeth on Sunday and Le Roy will take charge at a record-breaking seventh tournament.
"I never announced my resignation. I went to lock myself in my room. It is football that interests me. This is what keeps me going. Obviously, when you cannot train, I'm in morally abyss."


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"So close no matter how far.
Couldn't be much more from the heart.
Forever trusting who we are.
And nothing else matters."
- Metallica
A client recently asked me if a popular paint color she saw would work in her Living Room. My response was, "Well, do you like it?" You don't have to look far these days for those trying to sell you the latest trend. I have been known to follow a trend or two. Unfortunately, my Lady Diana haircut back in the 80s didn't really turn out like I had hoped! What I've learned is that it really has to come from within to mean something. I can understand trends that relate to statistics, but not to design. Design is personal. And, good design is timeless...never a trend or a fad. It doesn't try too hard. It speaks for itself. And I'm a big believer that your style should shine through in the end! I've been told, "Well, people hire designers because they don't really know what they want." Really? I believe that most people do have great ideas about what they want, but they just don't know how to get there.
Whether you're working on your own or have help, consider the following to narrow down your own personal style and create interiors you can enjoy for a lifetime:
- What's Your Lifestyle? How do you really want to live? Be true to yourself. Are you a minimalist? Purge. Do you love to read? Create your own library. Make it personal. Think about your space and what's necessary for your lifestyle. Bothered by something every time you walk by it? Move it to a better place or get rid of it!!! You know yourself and your house better than anyone. What matters most to you? You should live in a style that's your own and that works for you!
- Consistency is Key. Your exterior and interior should complement one another. What year was your home built? Is it modern or traditional? This can help narrow down your options for materials and furnishings.
- It's All In The Details. Details are so important to me...down to the lamp finial! Matching finishes & styles throughout and proper scale planning make a huge difference in your end result. And don't scrimp on your workman. A messy paint job is noticed. You really do get what you pay for.
- Educate Yourself. Get inspiration. This will help you gain more insight into what you really want and need. Below are some of my favorite online sources for home design, including a few free online magazines. Do the research so that you can convey your needs with confidence to a designer, a workroom or a vendor. You'll have fewer mistakes & misunderstandings, and the end result will more accurately reflect your style and the way you want to live. Always yield to the education and experience of a good designer if you have one. It's invaluable to the process!
Stay Tuned...What's Trending? You Are! - Part 2 will provide tools that can help you complete your task!
Published on Sep 07, 2012


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Polls indicate concern about the Madigans
I think a lot of people believed that if Bill Daley ran for governor, his campaign would be as bland and vanilla as his public persona has been over the decades.
Instead, he's turned into the most fiery candidate in the race so far.
Daley is even "out-angering" wealthy Republican financier Bruce Rauner, who has tried to position himself as the "We're not gonna take it any more!" choice for 2014.
He's attacked Gov. Pat Quinn's pathetic leadership, slammed the General Assembly for its ridiculous inaction, and has made it clear that he's not afraid to go on the attack against the Madigan family by releasing unflattering poll results earlier last week which showed that the House speaker could harm his daughter's potential gubernatorial bid.
Daley has been selectively releasing responses to a poll taken in April for his campaign – back when few thought he would actually run. All of the responses released so far have dealt with Attorney General Lisa Madigan and her father, House Speaker Michael Madigan. None of the numbers released so far have showed any actual Daley strength.
For instance, Attorney General Madigan has a 54 percent favorable rating, according to a poll conducted by Anzalone Liszt Grove Research for Daley's campaign, and she leads Republican Treasurer Dan Rutherford 50-34 in an initial head-to-head matchup.
But after voters hear a statement about possible "major conflicts of interest" if both Madigans are at the top of two branches of government, that support falls, and she moves into a 41-41 tie with Rutherford.
Fifty-three percent say it's a "serious concern" that a Gov. Madigan and a Speaker Madigan "will put too much power in one family's hands and break the system of checks and balances that is supposed to keep power in government separated." Another 17 percent say it's "somewhat of a concern," putting the total number at 70 percent.
According to the poll, 23 percent say they "like Lisa," but would have a "hard time" voting for her if her father continues as House speaker. Another 26 percent said they wouldn't vote for her regardless. That means a total of 49 percent are in the reticent/refusal category.
The day after releasing those numbers, Daley's campaign leaked yet another result which won't go over well with the Madigan clan.
"If Lisa Madigan ran for governor," respondents were asked, "do you think her father, Mike Madigan, speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, should: retire and not run for re-election as speaker; run for re-election as speaker but commit to resign from office and retire if Lisa Madigan is elected governor; continue to serve as speaker even if Lisa Madigan is elected governor?
According to the campaign, the poll found that 42 percent of likely general election voters said Speaker Madigan should retire if Lisa runs for governor. Another 22 percent said he should commit to resign if Lisa is elected. Just a quarter, 25 percent, said he ought to continue to serve as speaker even if Lisa is elected governor. Twelve percent were undecided or refused to respond.
These poll numbers aren't designed to run Attorney General Madigan out of the race. She undoubtedly has her own polling data and has done some focus groups. She's fully aware that she'll be subjected to endless misogynistic "daddy" attacks, and that every deal her father has ever cut will be run through the filter of her candidacy.
Instead, the idea here is to frame the debate before the debate even begins.
So far, there has been no real response from Team Lisa. The speaker's people bristle at every mention of a "conflict of interest" regarding her potential governorship, and their constant refrain is to challenge reporters to define the term. The reporters don't seem to feel the need to do that because voters appear to already pretty much get it in their guts. This is an easy story to write and an easy story to understand, so the stories will continue unless she comes up with an effective response.
So far, the overriding media theme is that she'll either be completely controlled by her father or that the two of them will collude to rule the state unchecked. That's a tough mindset to break, as the polling clearly shows.


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Tallahassee, Fl
series: Body Electric
air date: 1/03/14 6:00 AM
Wake up the deltoids, obliques, hamstrings and gluteal muscles Body Electric style. Margaret promises, "It's an honest workout that you can do at home with guaranteed results."
WARNING: Email reminders for this program have already been sent out. Your reminder may not reach the intended address in time for this program's airing.
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text: Keira left yesterday afternoon to go to Mall Of America with her BFF. They stayed in a hotel last night and will spend the day at the MOA amusement park. Due to the weather ( we are getting a ton of snow dumped on us) they will be staying over another night and she won't be home til Saturday. So it's just Collin and I and it's way too quiet. I'm so happy that she has this chance to go. This is her 4th time going to MOA with this family and she always has an awesome time, I just miss her so much. It's so quiet here I'm not sure what to do with myself lol.


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By definition, this is progress.
Before 2014, only two college football teams were selected for the right to play for a national championship. From 2014 through the ensuing 12 years, that number jumps to four, thanks to the sport's commissioners and the university presidents including Northern Illinois University's John Peters that approved a four-team seeded playoff on Tuesday. More access. More excess. Progress.
It's been easy to complain about the BCS and all it's gotten wrong since its inception in 1998. Declining TV ratings and attendance at BCS bowl games underscored that. So to see the current system end, it's a great day for college football.
In reality, not much will change with only four teams in the playoff, especially for the teams that aren't in current automatic qualifying conferences like the Mid-American Conference.
Instead of polls that included voters who don't watch all of the games helping to determine the championship game participants, a selection committee will choose the final four teams. Again, a big improvement, but it's tough to see how the end result in terms of access changes much from the current landscape. The SEC, the dominant conference the past six years, can lay legitimate claim to even more of its teams worthy of playing for a title. The Big Ten will have its say, not to mention the Pac 12, Big 12 and ACC.
The details of that committee and the criteria used to select teams remain to be worked out, but Peters told me Tuesday that it will be broad-based, every conference will have representation and it could be 15 people, modeled after the basketball NCAA tournament selection committee.
Among the factors for playoff teams discussed Tuesday: win-loss record, strength of schedule, head-to-head results and whether a team won its conference championship. One of those will have to stick out if you're in a non-AQ conference.
The three letters that fans of non-AQ conference teams used to blame for a lack of access to the biggest games – BCS – will be replaced by another, more specific three: SOS, as in strength of schedule.
The MAC traditionally has been one of the bottom four conferences in college football in SOS, making the road that much tougher for a good MAC – or WAC, or Conference USA, or maybe even Big East – team to convince a selection committee it is worthy of inclusion.
If a MAC team wants access to the playoff, its non-conference schedule is going to have to resemble an NIU-in-2003-type schedule: At least three games against power-conference teams, a couple of those on the road or at neutral sites against ranked teams, and they'll have to win every one of them. That, and an undefeated regular season and conference title game win might (ital) be enough to sway a selection committee for a No. 4 seed. Even the Boise States and TCUs of the world had to build for years, racking up double-digit win seasons, to even approach a top-four BCS ranking.
That's how college football always has been, and until the playoff grows to eight or even 16 teams, it's how it will stay. This system eventually will lead to a bigger playoff. It will have to. Once everyone realizes how much money this playoff is worth, there will be no choice but to expand.
For now, make no mistake, this was a way for college football's elite to get a little bit of everything, and a whole lot of money.
Their precious bowls remained intact – the same bowls that promote themselves as charitable organizations but give so little to those they say they help while enjoying a tax-free existence. If anything, the six bowls that rotate as hosts of the semifinals will make even more money once the new TV deal is signed in time for 2014.
And, oh yes, nothing Tuesday from media, presidents or commissioners on whether all of this extra money means college football's employees, er, student-athletes, will finally get a stipend for the insane wealth they generate.
Tuesday was a great day for college football, but it's only one step in a system that needs serious overhaul. This wasn't a revolution, or even a revolutionary idea. It's progress, and that's not a bad thing.
• John Sahly is the sports editor of the Daily Chronicle. Write to him at firstname.lastname@example.com and follow him on Twitter @JSahly.
VIEWS: Slow progress for college football
By definition, this is progress.