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McKelvey to hold beach barbecue political rally
LAHAINA - Tenth District Rep. Angus McKelvey (D) and his supporters will hold a community beach barbecue political rally on Wednesday, Oct. 17, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Lahaina Jodo Mission.
"On behalf of my family and I, we invite everyone to come and join us for good food, fun and music as we celebrate the successes we've had as a community, despite the worst recession in years, and gear up for the challenges and opportunities ahead," McKelvey said.
Article Photos
The Village Galleries at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua will host a show by George Allan on Oct. 14-16. A reception will be held Oct. 14 from 3 to 5 p.m., and painting demonstrations are set for Oct. 15-16 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Village Galleries is located off the lobby. For more information, call 669-1800 or visit villagegalleriesmaui.com
The event will feature barbecue fare, including hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, mac salad, refreshments and desserts. There will be Hawaiian music performed by Lahaina's own Kory Kukahiko, great door prizes and more. A donation of $10 is suggested; call 662-0131 or e-mail firstname.lastname@example.com.
Senior citizens club to host Bazaar
LAHAINA - The Lahaina-Honolua Senior Citizens Club will hold its annual Bazaar on Saturday, Oct. 13, starting at 8 a.m. at the West Maui Senior Center, 788 Pauoa St.
There will be food, plants, clothing and household items for sale. Bazaar proceeds will benefit the club's many activities for West Maui seniors. Donations of items will be appreciated; call 661-4208.

subset: commoncrawl


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A big investment in Dell by Microsoft could jeopardize Dell's enterprise focus, according to one private equity executive.
Michael Carter, managing director of The Musser Group, a Wayne, Pa.-based equity capital firm and CEO of BizEquity.com, a website that helps businesses determine their financial value, noted Microsoft and Silver Lake, Dell's reported primary financier in a proposed leveraged buyout that could top $20 billion, have both been successful in other investments, but this one has more complicated implications.
"It seems if Microsoft participates, it's going to happen," Carter said, noting that the timing of a buyout is favorable for Dell right now.
[Related: 6 Reasons Dell Should Go Private]
"You have the banks starting to lend again. You have the tremendous track record of Silver Lake with their past transactions. With Seagate, they did pretty well, and with other firms, they've done extremely well. Combine that with a low interest environment, and it's a recipe for success for at least getting the transaction completed," Carter said.
But, both Microsoft and Dell face hurdles of becoming too entwined as Wintel partners, Carter added.
"If you close your eyes, it could be 2002 again," he said.
Both companies have to avoid a deal not being viewed as backwards looking because the biggest common denominator between them is the Wintel platform, Carter said. Most technology vendors are focusing more on mobile and big data solutions.
Certainly, being perceived as a PC-focused company would be a step back for Dell, which has made several acquisitions over the last couple years with a much-touted shift toward enterprise and data center solutions. That should continue to be Dell's strategy even with Microsoft on board, Carter said.
"Look at two of their last large acquisitions: Perot Data Systems and a storage software company [SonicWall]. They're trying to differentiate and not just be a device company. It's almost a hedge to their historic core business by partnering with Microsoft," he said.
Meanwhile, other PC vendors are left to figure out how a Microsoft investment with Dell would impact their relationships with the software giant. HP declined to comment regarding a Microsoft investment in Dell, and other PC vendors could not be reached for immediate comment.
As a private company, Dell wouldn't have to be a "slave to quarterly reporting," which could make them more nimble as a technology innovator, but it could also prevent "transformational acquisitions" for Dell too, Carter said, noting that Dell had been rumored for much of 2012 to purchase Research In Motion and its BlackBerry business.
"By going private, that will make it much harder to do an acquisition like RIM," Carter said. "Does that slow down Dell's transition from a fourth [wave company] to a fifth wave because they have to double down on their historic Wintel value chain?"


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AGS dominate Mio
Move into second place in NSL
AUGRES — AuGres-Sims moved into sole possession of second place in the North Star League on Tuesday with a 51-25 defeat of visiting Mio AuSable.
The Wolverines, who led 20-14 at the half, broke the game open with a 15-3 run in the third quarter.
"We played awesome, especially in the second half," said AGS coach Gordie Ostrander. "We got everyone a chance to play, and that kept it a little closer for awhile, but our full court press finally got to them."
Emily Lutz scored 14 points and had 10 steals and six assists, while Tasha Trombley added 10 points and 10 rebounds and Adriane Swaffield had 10 points.
Kelsie Blamer scored six for Mio (2-6, 1-4).
The Wolverines (7-3, 4-1 NSL) travel to Arenac Eastern (7-2, 4-2) for a key league match on Friday.
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text: What a great story! Your young person met a Macaw in the classroom, did more than a little research, and you joined the family! I like your bright blue and gold colors and I really like, in the picture where you have your wings extended, how I can see the pattern of the feathers on the under side. I don't know a whole lot about birds, so I sure enjoyed meeting you today! Maybe some day you too will make a visit to a classroom and inspire a future bird-parent :D Happy Pet of the Day, Lucy!


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What was Robin Williams' best movie performance?
Total number of responses: 452
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- News
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Cody Hodgson is not a big believer in rear-view mirrors.
The former Canuck centre likes to focus on what lies ahead and prefers to leave the past behind him.
That seems especially true when it comes to revisiting his rocky relationship with the team that drafted him 10th overall in 2008.
Hodgson, who is spending the NHL lockout with the AHL's Rochester Americans, paid the obligatory compliments to Canuck fans and his former teammates before the Americans beat the Heat 5-2 on Friday night in Abbotsford.
But in an interview with a small group of reporters after Friday's game-day skate, Hodgson brushed back attempts to dig a little deeper into his relationship with his past team.
"No, I try not to look back as much as possible," he said. "I am here with the Rochester Americans and the Buffalo Sabres organization now and I have moved past that. Since the summer, I haven't really looked back on it to tell you the truth. I really appreciated my time here and the people and fans always treated me really well."
There's more to the story that led to the surprise deadline-day deal last season that sent Hodgson and defenceman Alexander Sulzer to the Sabres in exchange for winger Zack Kassian and defenceman Marc-Andre Gragnani. We're just not going to hear it from Hodgson's lips.
He has turned the page on his time in Vancouver and wasn't about to debate suggestions that he should not have been surprised by the trade because he, his family and agent had sought one.
"It did take me by surprise, I can tell you that," Hodgson said. "I revisited it when I was back here (after being traded to the Sabres) and I don't want to get into it. But like I said, I am thankful for the time I had in Vancouver and the fans for the way they treated me and especially the players also. I look back on it with fond memories."
He did not mention general manager Mike Gillis or head coach Alain Vigneault.
Like so many other NHL players toiling in the AHL, Hodgson is hoping a labour deal can be struck to save a partial season. A marathon 18-hour trip Thursday from Rochester to Abbotsford that began and ended with a bus ride only served to reinforce that hope. Bring on those NHL charters and the five-star digs.
"Obviously I am following it like everyone else and as much as you guys want to see us play, I want to play just as bad," Hodgson said.
Hodgson insists he is happy playing for the Americans. He's recently returned after missing nearly six weeks and 14 games with a broken thumb.
"It was just a broken thumb so I was able to keep skating," he said. "I probably skated more being injured than I would have had I been playing."
Hodgson has played well since returning to the lineup on Dec. 15. He now has five goals and 19 points in 18 games.
"He started out a little slow, but that was just because he was out for two months basically, just with his timing and getting back to game tempo," said Rochester coach Ron Rolston. "But after that he has been exceptional for us. He's just a catalyst for us in all areas, defensively, offensively, creating power plays, faceoffs, he just does everything well."
Hodgson is pencilled in to be the Sabres' No. 2 centre should there be an NHL season. He knows the time he has spent with the Americans will serve him well if the NHL starts playing later this month.
"I think this is a huge advantage for the guys who are able to play," Hodgson said. "There are a lot of guys still at home playing shinny with their dad's men's league or out on the frozen pond and stuff like that like you are little kid. I think it is definitely an advantage to get going like this and hopefully the season does start soon."
Hodgson feels he is in the best shape of his pro career, thanks in large part to a full summer working with former player and current trainer Gary Roberts. He said he is not experiencing any more back issues.
"I had a great summer. Being off for four or five months I could really go through the whole Roberts program and I had some time to rest and let everything heal and really start from the ground up and build myself up."
The Hodgson-Kassian trade figures to be one that will be debated by Canuck fans for years to come. Like Hodgson, Kassian is spending the lockout in the AHL with the Chicago Wolves. He, too, has 18 points this season, but has played 27 games.
"I think it was a good hockey trade," Hodgson said. "Zack is a great player and is a young player as well. I think he'll do great things for the organization and I wish him the best."
ICE CHIPS: The Americans' trek to Abbotsford on Thursday included a bus ride from Rochester to Buffalo, a flight from Buffalo to Phoenix, another flight from Phoenix to Seattle and a bus ride from Seattle to Abbotsford. "I coached the U.S. program in Ann Arbor (Michigan) and we had to go overseas three or four times a year and yesterday felt like we were going to Russia maybe," Rolston said. The teams meet again Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre.


text: I have an XM Sportcaster radio that only plays when the car is hot inside from sitting in the sun. It will play for about three songs and when the air conditioning reduces the temp in the car the radio quits and displays a message "No Signal". Anyone else have this problem?


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Kerry to see Israeli envoys in push for peace deal
Kerry to see Israeli envoys in push for peace deal
Jan. 20, 2014
WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State John Kerry is to meet with Israel's top negotiators as he steps up his push get Israel and the Palestinians to agree to a framework for an elusive peace deal that would end their long-running conflict.
The State Department said Kerry and U.S. special Mideast peace envoy Martin Indyk would meet later Monday in Washington with Israel's Justice Minister Tzipi Livni and Yitzhak Molcho, a top aide to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. A Palestinian delegation is expected in Washington next week for similar consultations, the department said in a brief statement.
Kerry is trying to get the two sides to agree to the outline of a final agreement that the two sides have set a May target to reach.


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Jets are calling back GM candidates that turned them down and asking them to reconsider...
No link..Just passing what I heard on FOX pregame...
This is going to be good:o
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2
Jay Glazer @JayGlazer
While I think Jets will hire some1 quickly for GM job, they have been getting rebuffed a lot and gone back to some asking them to reconsider
heres an idea hire rex ryan as the gm and bring in a head coach and an offensive coordinator.
this would be a better scenario.
Polian. It's obvious.
Does this bother anyone else?
This is probably Heckert since he didn't get the KC GM job.
the media hates the jets is this even true?
rex cant be any worse than tanny was could he?
backend into the GM job. Woody can always say that he tried hard to get a good outside candidate.
Last edited by Stillafan; 01-13-2013 at 12:37 PM.
Inerseting tidbits:
Jay Glazer @JayGlazer
Rex isn't what GM candidates are concerned with - their cap situation, personnel, QB and the circus turned a lot of candidates off
Rich Cimini @RichCimini
Previous reports that the #Jets interviewed Russ Ball (Packers) and Jim Popp (Montreal) aren't true.


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Julia Gillard's extended election campaign has suffered another damaging blow with the shock resignation of two of Labor's most senior cabinet ministers, the Attorney-General Nicola Roxon and the government's leader in the Senate, the Higher Education Minister, Chris Evans.
Ms Gillard will announce a reshuffle of her frontbench at a press conference to be held later this morning in Canberra.
Both Ms Roxon, one of Ms Gillard's closest allies, and Senator Evans, who, as Senate leader, is the third in line to the prime ministership, will quit on Saturday morning, resigning from both their cabinet posts and, in Senator Evans' case, the leadership position immediately.
He will stay in the Senate until the September 14 poll but will not contest that election.
Ms Roxon will also stay until election day but will move to the backbench.
While Ms Gillard retains the power to choose her ministers, the leadership position in the Senate will require a ballot of the ALP caucus and is likely to be hotly contested.
The current Parliamentary Secretary for Industry and Innovation, Victorian MP, Mark Dreyfus, and also a Queens Council barrister, is hotly tipped to take over as Attorney-General.
A government source told Fairfax Media that Senator Evans had wanted to leave politics and had decided now was the right time.
"He'd just had enough," the senior source said.


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Agriculture Future of America hosted 40 outstanding college men and women in Washington, D.C., March 17-20, for the AFA Policy Institute.
Agriculture Future of America hosted 40 outstanding college men and women in Washington, D.C., March 17-20, for the AFA Policy Institute.
Held in conjunction with Agriculture Council of America's National Ag Day, this Institute experience allowed AFA delegates to join Student NAMA, 4-H and FFA students for National Ag Day activities on Capitol Hill, March 19. Students attended training sessions to help further their understanding of policy and regulations in agriculture as well as promote agriculture awareness by visiting with legislators and advisors from the students' home states.
Additionally, the AFA delegate experience was enhanced by Institute specific activities March 19-20, including visits with current and former secretaries of agriculture and a forum featuring leaders in agriculture policy. Students also benefitted from networking with like-minded students who are passionate about agriculture and the legislative process.
AFA students are able to take part in these activities due to the generosity of AFA Policy Institute and National Ag Day partners. To learn more about the AFA Policy Institute and AFA's partners, visit www.agfuture.org/agday.
The National Ag Day campaign, hosted by the Agriculture Council of America, encourages every American to understand how food and fiber products are produced, value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy and appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products.
AFA Policy Institute Delegates
Mark Avilla, Kansas State University
Michael Baird, Purdue University
Logan Britton, Kansas State University
Jon Calhoun, Oregon State University
Margaret Debrauske, University of Wisconsin- Madison
Ted Elverson, South Dakota State University
Kristen Faucon, Illinois State University
Bailey Field, Colorado State University
Carolyn Gehrke, University of Illinois
Melissa Golden, Oklahoma State University
Mara Gordon, The Ohio State University
Jenica Hagler, Washington State University
Liz Harfst, University of Illinois
Stephanie Herman, South Dakota State University
Jud Hoffschneider, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Mariah Huff, Purdue University
Nathan Johnston, Iowa State University
Madalyn Kermicle, University of Illinois
Johnita Lanni-Cradit, University of California, Davis
Emma Likens, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Ty Littau, South Dakota State University
Jacob Luna, Sam Houston State Unviersity
Kate Maertens, University of Minnesota
William Miller, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Jordan Pieschl, Kansas State University
Lauren Prettyman, The Ohio State University
Maggie Jo Pruitt, University of Arkansas
Preston Reuter, University of Missouri
John Sachse, Kansas State University
Celia Salmon, Michigan State University
Chacey Schoeppel, Oklahoma State University
David Shively, University of Missouri-Columbia
Elizabeth Simmons, Auburn University
Kaleigh Summers, University of Missouri-Columbia
Laura Sutter, University of Illinois
Jackson Troxel, Purdue University
Anbo Wang, Purdue University
Shannon Watson, Oklahoma State University
Gracie Weinzierl, Illinois State University
Abigail Woughter, Cornell University


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To reduce indoor air quality (IAQ) problems resulting from construction or renovation to promote the comfort and well-being of construction workers and building occupants.
Develop an (IAQ) management plan and implement it after all finishes have been installed and the building has been completely cleaned before occupancy.
Option 1. Flush-out1
Path 1
After construction ends, prior to occupancy and with all interior finishes installed, install new filtration media and perform a building flush-out by supplying a total air volume of 14,000 cubic feet of outdoor air per square foot (4,500 cubic meters of outdoor air per square meter) of floor area while maintaining an internal temperature of at least 60° F (15° C) and relative humidity no higher than 60%.
Path 2
If occupancy is desired prior to completion of the flush-out, the space may be occupied following delivery of a minimum of 3,500 cubic feet of outdoor air per square foot (1,000 cubic meters of outdoor air per square meter) of floor area. Once the space is occupied, it must be ventilated at a minimum rate of 0.30 cubic feet per minute (cfm) per square foot (0.1 cubic meters per minute per square meter) of outside air or the design minimum outside air rate determined in IEQ Prerequisite 1: Minimum Indoor Air Quality Performance, whichever is greater. During each day of the flush-out period, ventilation must begin a minimum of 3 hours prior to occupancy and continue during occupancy. These conditions must be maintained until a total of 14,000 cubic feet per square foot (4,500 cubic meters per square meter) of outside air has been delivered to the space.
Option 2. Air testing
Conduct baseline IAQ testing, after construction ends and and prior to occupancy using testing protocols consistent with the EPA Compendium of Methods for the Determination of Air Pollutants in Indoor Air or as the ISO method listed in the table below. Testing must be done in accordance with one standard; project teams may not mix requirements from the EPA Compendium of Methods with ISO.
Demonstrate that the contaminant maximum concentrations listed below are not exceeded:
|Maximum Concentration
|EPA Compendium method
|ISO method
|27 parts per billion
|Particulates (PM10)
|50 micrograms per cubic meter
|Total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs)
|500 micrograms per cubic meter
|4-Phenylcyclohexene (4-PCH) *
|6.5 micrograms per cubic meter
|Carbon monoxide (CO)
|9 parts per million and no greater than 2 parts per million above outdoor levels
|*This test is required only if carpets and fabrics with styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) latex backing are installed as part of the base building systems.
For each sampling point where the maximum concentration limits are exceeded, conduct an additional flush-out with outside air and retest the noncompliant concentrations. Repeat until all requirements are met. When retesting noncompliant building areas, take samples from the same locations as in the first test, although it is not required.
Conduct the air sample testing as follows:
- All measurements must be conducted prior to occupancy, but during normal occupied hours with the building ventilation system started at the normal daily start time and operated at the minimum outside air flow rate for the occupied mode throughout the test.
- All interior finishes must be installed, including but not limited to millwork, doors, paint, carpet and acoustic tiles. Movable furnishings such as workstations and partitions should be in place for the testing, although it is not required.
- The number of sampling locations will depend on the size of the building and number of ventilation systems. The number of sampling locations must include the entire building and all representative situations. Include areas with the least ventilation and greatest presumed source strength.
- Air samples must be collected between 3 and 6 feet from the floor to represent the breathing zone of occupants, and over a minimum 4-hour period.
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Jewel Legends of Atlantis lets you explore the question of whether or not Atlantis ever really existed. For millennia, adventurers have sought the sunken kingdom and its countless treasures - but who created the mystic city in the first place?
Discover the secret, erect magnificent buildings, and restore Atlantis to its former glory! Build rows of three or more of the same symbol - you will have huge chains built before you know it! Collect ancient artifacts and secret treasures that you can use to build your city.
- Restore Atlantis to its former glory in this tile-matching adventure


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29 February 2012, Geneva, Switzerland - Germany's Permanent Representative in Geneva, Dr. Hans H. Schumacher, presented the letter for the US$ 1.6 Million grant to UNITAR Executive Director, Mr. Carlos Lopes, as a contribution to support the project for "Enhancing the Capacity of African Peacekeeping Training Institutions through the Training of Trainers (ToT)."
The grant comes after the successful implementation of the pilot phase of the ToT project, and the subsequent lessons drawn, as well as a review of the programme in consultation with the partners and beneficiary training institutions in Africa. The German Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs has, through this grant, reiterated its commitment to contribute to peace in the world through enhancing the capacity of training institutions in Africa.
Based on the concept developed by the Chairman of the PTP Advisory Board, Mr. Jean Marie Guéhenno, for "Enhancing the Capacity of African Peacekeeping Training Institutions," which was prefaced by Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi, UNITAR has developed a ToT programme. The ToT methodology has proven to provide a legacy of competent trainers and full-ownership of the programme at the beneficiary institutions, thereby ensuring the programme's sustainability. The "Enhancing Capacity of African Peacekeeping Training Institutions" programme is well aligned with the recommendations of the Senior Group on Civilian Capacity, also led by Mr. Jean Marie Guehenno. This initiative will contribute to meeting some of the challenges identified in the report in terms of capacity, particularly for civilians working in post conflict zones.
In 2000, the Report of the Panel on United Nations Peace Operations, which was chaired by Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi, highlighted the pressing need for UN peacekeepers to be fully trained to face the increasingly complex tasks they are expected to undertake. Since then, the UN has been given more numerous and challenging missions, especially in Africa. The Report firmly recommended that units that did not meet the minimum standards of training and equipment should not be deployed.
Africa's peacekeepers deserve to receive the best training possible prior to deployment. It was noted by Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi that with this programme for Africa, "UNITAR is positioning itself to be uniquely qualified to provide African governments and their national, sub-regional and continental institutions with the tools they need to proudly acquit themselves of their responsibilities when they take part in peace operations."
As underlined by Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi: "African nations have commendably come to the fore when it comes to the implementation of Security Council and General Assembly resolutions to establish peace operations in conflict afflicted countries. However, the indispensable political will shown by these countries needs to be matched with much better capacities than are readily available to them. Peacekeepers need to be adequately led, trained, equipped and afforded access to new methods of operating in multicultural and multidisciplinary environments that characterize present day conflict and post conflict environments."
Photo: Dr. Hans H. Schumacher (centre) presents letter for grant to UNITAR's Mr. Carlos Lopes and Ms. Isabel Hubert.


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my 1996 outback 2.5 has been getting really bad gas mileage lately and the oil, fuel and air filters are all fresh plus there is a vibration on acceleration between 20mph and 30 mph, please shoot me some info. thanks Jeff
Welcome to Ultimate Subaru Message Board, my lurker friend!
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We offer all this information for free to everyone, even lurkers like you! All we ask in return is that you sign up and give back some of what you get out - without our awesome registered users none of this would be possible! Plus, you get way more great stuff as a member! Lurk to lose, participate to WIN*!
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Guest Message by DevFuse
bad mileage
Started by ILOVESUBARU , Sep 04 2005 12:35 AM
3 replies to this topic
Posted 04 September 2005 - 12:35 AM
Posted 04 September 2005 - 08:40 AM
Check alignment and tire pressure. Run some injector cleaner. Change the PCV valve.
Posted 04 September 2005 - 08:45 AM
Yes, I agree with Matt--alignment, air pressure etc.
What kind of "bad" MPG are you getting?
What kind of "bad" MPG are you getting?
Posted 04 September 2005 - 08:54 AM
What kind of "bad" MPG are you getting?
Yeah, I should have asked this. I would think anything over 22MPG would be ok for your car. Drive slower, don't accelerate quick, etc. There are a few threads that people have given tips to increase fuel ecconomy. I will put the links below.
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The lights are on
Update: We've included some new Ultimate Team information – including an easier way to get your team off the ground.
Original Story: The pre-season period of exhibition matches frustrates and tantalizes fans who just want to get on to the business of life and death. In the video game world it's no different; let's stop talking about the game and start playing it. While we're still a little ways off from FIFA 14's September 24 current-gen release date, we're using this run-up time wisely. We got some hands-on time with an early build of the game and culled some useful info about Ultimate Team and Career mode's new scouting mechanic that may tide you over until release.
Ultimate Team
EA Sports says that Ultimate Team is FIFA's most played mode, and this year fans can look forward to a new feature that changes the way they approach their squads.
AttackSniper: Dribbling/ShootingFinisher: Shooting/HeadingDeadeye: Shooting/PassingMarksman: Shooting/Dribbling/HeadingHawk: Pace/Shooting/Heading
MidfieldArtist: Dribbling/PassingArchitect: Heading/PassingPowerhouse: Defending/PassingMaestro: Dribbling/Shooting/PassingEngine: Pace/Passing/Dribbling
DefendSentinel: Defending/HeadingGuardian: Dribbling/DefendingGladiator: Shooting/DefendingBackbone: Defending/Passing/HeadingAnchor: Pace/Defending/Heading
SpecialHunter: Pace/ShootingCatalyst: Pace/PassingShadow: Pace/Defending
GoalkeeperWall: Diving/Handling/KickingShield: Reflexes/Speed/KickingCat: Reflexes/Speed/PositioningGlove: Diving/Handling/PositioningBasic: All keeper attributes are modestly upgraded
Legendary Players: Xbox 360 and Xbox One players can access Legendary cards for over 40 soccer superstars. These can be found in card packs and in the auction house.
Players on your UT squad confir a chemistry bonus for their loyalty. Players are loyal if they came with a pack you've opened or if they've played 10 matches in your squad.
You can once again play online single matches in the mode.
The number of divisions in UT Seasons has been doubled from five to ten.
Under the Squad Actions menu you can now change players' kit numbers and hand-pick who you want to take corners, free kicks, and penalties.
Scouts play a much more vital role for your club as part of the Career mode's Global Transfer Network.
You can hire up to six scouts who will scout existing players, and up to three for your youth system (the two scouting systems are separate). These scouts vary in salary and skill.
You can create up to six sets of scouting instructions based on the position, age, contract, and attributes you are looking for in a player. Scouts will accordingly look for players that fit these criteria in the regions of the globe you send them to.
Unlike the player search engine in previous games, you will not know concrete attribute numbers like the overall or speed rating until you fully scout a player over a period of time. Even then you will only be given a range. These reports also expire over time, which means you may have to re-scout a player if you cannot seal the deal during the current season's transfer window.
Email the author Matthew Kato, or follow on Twitter, and Game Informer.
Aw, Isn't EA cute, nickle and diming consumables for lame ultimate team mode.
You can do better FIFA! WHYYYYYYYY?!
That contract length is a big improvement ( to me anyway), I hated when I found a decent player and run out of contracts.
I don't give a F!"U# about those features!!! Why don't you talk about the NEW added leagues such as the Colombian, Argentinean and Chilenean!?!? Damn.....


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CHICAGO — As the natives like to say, this city is associated with deep-dish pizza, Al Capone, Michael Jordan, Oprah Winfrey — and, of course, the blues. Chicago has often been called the home of the blues. Such locals as Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, and Willie Dixon stand out as important influences on the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and so many other rock luminaries.
While blues clubs are declining nationally, they are still going strong in Chicago, which I confirmed on a recent pilgimage. The classic blues hit "Sweet Home Chicago'' is still heard throughout the city.
"The blues is on the upswing here,'' says Toronzo Cannon, a guitarist who backed a galvanizing singer named Ms. Peachez at Buddy Guy's Legends club when I checked in. It was the first of four club stops in a weekend stay capped by a visit to Willie Dixon's Blues Heaven Foundation, which is now a museum but was home to Chess Records when Waters, Howlin' Wolf, and others recorded there. It was also where Chuck Berry cut "Johnny B. Goode," Aretha Franklin made her first gospel album, and the Rolling Stones did one of their early albums.
But first, Buddy's Legends. Located on the South Side, it's a surprisingly modern, 500-capacity spot (his former site was much smaller) and also serves Cajun soul food, which is appropriate since Buddy grew up in Louisiana before moving to Chicago as a young man. The club is a veritable shrine to him. It houses his Grammy awards, guitars, and a host of other instruments donated by the likes of Keith Richards, B.B. King, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. And all over the room are photos of Buddy and other greats, along with lesser-known but beloved figures like Koko Taylor, David "Honeyboy" Edwards, and Bobby "Blue" Bland.
Front and center on this night, though, is Ms. Peachez, a South Side powerhouse whose old-school voice transfixes the many international fans who have come for a taste of the blues. Ms. Peachez hits on some vintage blues themes — not wanting to be treated mean by her man, not wanting to be cheated on — before climaxing with an emotional treatment of Tracy Chapman's "Give Me One Reason." Fans jump up from tables and crowd around her for photos at the end. There's a warm atmosphere in the room, no doubt thanks to Guy, who often pops up unannounced to play. Just a few months ago, he showed up with B.B. King and George Benson to jam — all for the basic cover price of $10. You don't go broke in the clubs here.
Next up is Blue Chicago on Clark Street, a more traditional, roadhouse-style club with scuffed floors, chipped walls, and a serious blues shouter in Shirley Johnson, who has played here for 20 years. She originally came from Norfolk, Va., and her grandfather ran a liquor still. She is stirring up a multi-aged crowd of dancers and a special buzz starts when she sings "Sweet Home Chicago." It feels different to hear the song in its natural setting. Johnson tours internationally — she just returned from Belgium — but she is a Chicago resource. "I'm still working as much as ever," she says.
After dusting myself off the next morning (the clubs run late here), I head to Willie Dixon's Blues Heaven Foundation at 2120 South Michigan Ave. It's a famous address — the Stones even recorded a song by this title. So, not surprisingly, I run into three British fellows who have come over for their own pilgrimage. "We love the history of the blues more than most Americans,'' says one of them. And it's hard to deny that. When we meet the tour guide, Kevin Mabry, they seem to know nearly as much as he does. The Brits are also renting a convertible to drive the entire length of the fabled blues highway Route 66. It's a trip of a lifetime for them.
A 45-minute documentary movie highlights the Blues Heaven visit. It recounts the magic of Chess Studios, and how millions of African-Americans migrated from the South seeking work after World War II. Rural, acoustic blues evolved into urban, electric blues, which was shot into overdrive at Chess. Mick Jagger is interviewed in the film, while Stone bandmate Ron Wood has some of his paintings mounted on the wall.
It's a small, unassuming building and the former studio is on the second floor, no longer functional and its equipment removed. The museum is run by Marie Dixon, whose late husband, Willie, wrote more than 500 songs including "Hoochie Coochie Man'' and "Red Rooster." There's also some memorabilia such as Waters's tour jacket and Bo Diddley's stage shoes. It could be better organized — some displays are in disarray and poorly lighted — but the historic vibe is unmistakable.
There's a gift shop, too, which I hit hard.
That night, I take a cab to the North Side to sample the succinctly named B.L.U.E.S. and, just down the street, the funky Kingston Mines (open until 4 a.m. on Saturday night). I start with B.L.U.E.S. and immediately get swept in. It's another roadhouse gem: small with a narrow, bowling-alley feel with a teeming bar on the right and a riser with tables and chairs on the left. The band is the rocking Big Time Sarah & the BTS Express. She's a veteran singer who used to be Sunnyland Slim's wife (you've got to love those blues nicknames). She's getting up there in age and sits out part of the set, but all of a sudden rips into Little Richard's "Good Golly Miss Molly'' and nearly brings the house down. A band member asks for a show of hands to see who had come to the club for the first time — and about 25 percent put them up.
"There's a lot of tourist traffic that still comes to Chicago for the blues," says Greg Kot, Chicago Tribune music critic. "It has kept the clubs very active. We call it 'tourist blues,' but it's thriving.''
My final stop is Kingston Mines, an earthy mainstay that is really two clubs in one. Bands alternate in each room and much of the mixed-age crowd follows them from room to room. It's like a mini-festival. Tonight's acts are Joanna Connor and Big James & the Chicago Playboys. Both are excellent. Connor has a more rocking feel (she adds songs by the Stones and Beatles) and Big James exudes a Marvin Gaye-like soul-blues.
Kingston Mines is as unpretentious as it gets. Drinks are cheap (there are nightly "Bucket Specials" where you can get four or five beers in an iced bucket) and food is served in back at a casual takeout counter called Doc's Rib Joint. It offers a "half slab" of ribs for $15.25 and a "full slab" for $20.75.
"There's a vibrant blues scene in Chicago,'' says Connor between sets. "It's one reason I'm not traveling as much anymore. The world now comes to us rather than us having to go to them."Steve Morse can be reached at email@example.com.


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ROCHESTER — RSA Realty upended league-leading Seacoast Kettlebell, 8-4, to highlight Rochester Men's Hockey league action Monday at the Rochester Arena.
Paul Trepanier netted two goals for RSA (9-5-4) while Matt Enman, Craig Gwynn, Tom Auger (2 assists), Jon Ellis, Logan Lachance and Peter Keilty (assist) added one each. Casey Cox made 32 saves.
For Seacoast, Ian Duffy scored twice. Bill Hopkins and Keith MacKenzie (assist) added one apiece. Derek Colwell stopped 41 shots.
Merrimack Mortgage and DeNiro Development played to a 2-2 tie.
Doug Colwell and Steve Fowler scored for MM (3-12-3). Derek Colwell stopped 26 shots.
For DeNiro (8-5-5), Lyle Marelli and matt Genest lit the lamp. Cox made 28 saves.
In the nightcap, Finishing Touches finally got back on the winning track with a 7-1 win over Towle Pallet.
Nick French had two goals and an assist to lead FT (7-8-3). Kory Brieg added a goal and two assists, while Tim Puls (assist), Trevor Brieg, Marcus Dillon and Jeff Morganella also scored. Ethan Baker made 29 saves.
Josh McGilvray scored for Towle (7-9-2). Dan Trepanier stopped 25 shots.
Tiger boys fall to Somersworth
FARMINGTON — The Somersworth boys basketball team beat Farmington in Division III action Monday, 46-34.
The Tigers (6-11) received seven points each from Tanner Gibbs, Jase Gregoire and Spencer Deland.
Farmington entertains Belmont to finish up the regular season Friday, and then will play in the D-III tournament next Tuesday.
Drouin, St. Laurent place
ROCHESTER — Two Spaulding wrestlers place in the top six at last weekend's Division II championship at Hollis-Brookline
Trevor St. Laurent was fourth at 120 pounds, while Evan Drouin was second at 195.
Both advance to the Meet of Champions this Saturday at Pinkerton Academy.
Nute boys fall to Lin-Wood
MILTON — The Nute boys basketball team remained winless with a 60-56 loss last Thursday to Lin-Wood in Division IV.
Conner Davis paced the Rams (0-14) with 18 points. Corey Wilson and Zach Garland scored nine points apiece and Reggie Pennell added eight points..
Nute girls ousted from tournament
MILTON — The Nute girls basketball team was ousted from the Division IV tournament on Tuesday at No. 3 Colebrook, 75-31.
Alissa Mitchell led the Rams (6-13) with eight points and Mariah Burke added seven.
Last Thursday, Nute defeated Lin-Wood, 49-18. Abby Flanagan scored nine points for Nute and Ashley Shipman had eight.
Lin-Wood fell 0-18.


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The camp grind is over and the school year has begun. We just completed our first fall camp with our new coaching staff with a scrimmage this past Saturday. Head coach Mark Speir has reminded us that we will have time to "get our legs back under us" before our August 30th season opener against Mars Hill. Practice has been going very well and both coaches and players have learned a lot about each other and how we work as a team. Now all that's left is finalizing the depth charts and critiquing our playbooks.
I am very excited about our team chemistry and the fact that our new players are now part of the family. We have so many new players in all positions that bring essential and huge amounts of talent to the field. We have a few new receivers that will be utilized, along with our returning receivers, as big time playmakers. I have had many "ohh" and "ahh" moments while watching some of the catches our receiving group has made during practice. We also have some new offensive linemen that are able to offer more depth than we have had on the O-line in many years.
During our night meetings, we discussed some team issues and coach spills his thoughts about our team to us. Coach Speir genuinely has our best interests in mind. His main objective is to create great men of us by the time we leave WCU. At the end of one of our meetings, we were offered Bibles from FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) that were engraved with the phrase: "WCU faith and family."
Inside, coach had written an inspirational message to all of us who accepted a Bible. I feel like our team will really benefit both on and off the field because of the coaches' aspiration of making us better men.
In our meetings we watched last year's film of WCU vs. Mars Hill and it was like we were watching some other team play. We can't wait to have a chance to prove that we are different this year.
At our last meeting we went over some housekeeping issues. Part of this was our game day and travel routines. You could feel the excitement in the air after we were finished discussing the details. We are all very excited to start this season. We feel like a completely different team compared to previous years.
We have worked harder than ever and are ready to turn that hard work into a winning season.


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The Importance of The Glad Tidings of Hazrat Mahdi (as) Being Imparted Among Muslims
By saying, "Hear the glad tidings of Hazrat Mahdi (as)," (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p. 12) our Prophet (saas) noted the importance of awaiting the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as) with fervor and enthusiasm and of preparing the way for this holy person. The love and devotion that believers must feel toward Hazrat Mahdi (as) is described as follows in another hadith:
So whoever reaches him ought to come and join him, even if crawling on the snow, since he is Hazrat Mahdi (as). (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p. 14)
Hazrat Mahdi (as) Will Definitely Appear
Even if only one day of the world remained, Allah would extend that day until he [Hazrat Mahdi (as)] takes power.(Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p. 10)
If it were the last day of life, Allah would prolong that day until He sends a man [Hazrat Mahdi (as)] from my Household.(Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p. 10)
Hazrat Mahdi (as) will come from among my community… In his time, my community will be blessed with a blessing the like of which has never been seen before. Much rain will fall down from the sky, and the plants of the ground will hold back nothing. (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p. 9)
Even if only one night remained for the world, Allah would extend it, so that one from my House would come and rule the world. His name matches mine, and his father's name my father's name. Just as the world was filled with cruelty, he will fill it with justice. (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p. 11)
Hazrat Mahdi (as) Will Begin Communicating The Religion In Hijri 1400 (1980 AD)
PEOPLE WILL GATHER AROUND HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) IN THE YEAR 1400. (Risalat al-Khuruj al-Mahdi, p. 108)
This hadith makes it clear that Hijri 1400 will be the year when Hazrat Mahdi (as) begins his work in Istanbul and people first start collecting around him. In addition, Bediuzzaman also states in his works that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will begin communicating the religion in the Hijri year 1400:
… [THEY] SUPPOSE[D] A FACT [the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as)] THAT WOULD OCCUR IN THE FUTURE OF THE WORLD ONE THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED YEARS LATER TO BE CLOSE TO THEIR CENTURY… (Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, Words, 'The Twenty-fourth Word: Third Branch, Eight Principle)
In addition, Bediuzzaman has aldo revealed that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will begin communicating the word in Hijri 1400:
COUNT TWO OR THREE DECADES AFTER THE YEAR/DECADE OF HIJRI 1400. AT THAT TIME, HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) EMERGES… (Asmal Masalik Lieyyam Mahdiyy Maliki Li Kull-id Dunya Biemrillah-il Malik, Qalda bin Zayd, p. 216)
The Walayat (Saintship) Will Come to an End With Hazrat Mahdi (as)
In his work "al-Jawab al-Mustaqim," written as an answer to questions posed by al-Hakim al-Tirmidhi in his "Hatm'al-awliya," Muhyiddin Ibn Arabi writes:
"The age of property will come to an end with him, [Hazrat Mahdi (as)], and walayat will end with him…" (Muhyiddin IbnArabi, al-Jawab al-Mustaqim amma Seele anhu al-Hakim al-Tirmidhi, Bayazid, no: 3750, sheet 242b)
Hazrat Mahdi's (As) Birth And Lineage
Hazrat Mahdi (as) Is Descended From The Line of The Prophet (saas)
Narrated by Ali (ra), the Messenger of Allah (saas) said: Even if there remains only one day for the world, Allah, the Exalted, will send a man from the Ahl al-Bayt (People of the House). (Sunan Abu Dawud, 5:92)
Days and nights will not end until one [Hazrat Mahdi (as)] from my Ahl al-Bayt rules the entire world. (Al-Uqayli, An-Najmu's-saqib fi Bayan Anna'l Mahdi min Awladi Ali b. Abu Talib Ale't-Tamam wa al-Qamal)
Hazrat Mahdi (as) is from the line of my daughter Fatima.(Sunan Ibn Majah, 10:348)
Hear the glad tidings of Hazrat Mahdi (as). He is one from the Quraysh and from my Ahl al-Bayt. (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p. 13)
Hazrat Mahdi (as) is one of my children. His face is like a star shining in the sky. (Ali Ibn Sultan Muhammad al-Qaari al-Harawi al-Hanafi, Risalat Mashrab al Vardi fi Mazhabi 'l Mahdi)
All prophets are related to one another. Hazrat Mahdi (as) will also be of that line. These descendants are popularly known as sayyid. Hazrat Mahdi (as) will also be sayyid.
Allah refers in the Qur'an to messengers all related to one another. These verses indicate that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will share that same line of descent.
Allah chose Adam and Noah and the family of Abraham and the family of 'Imran over all other beings – descendants one of the other. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. (Surah Al 'Imran, 33-34)
"Our Lord, make us both Muslims submitted to You, and our descendants a Muslim community submitted to You. Show us our rites of worship and turn towards us. You are the Ever-Returning, the Most Merciful." (Surat al-Baqara, 128)
And some of their forebears, descendants and brothers; We chose them and guided them to a straight path. (Surat al-An'am, 87)
One Characteristic That Will Establish Hazrat Mahdi's (as) Identity is His Descent From Hazrat Hassan (ra)
"HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) IS A CHILD OF FATIMA AND DESCENDED FROM HASSAN." (Sunan Abu Dawud, Hazrat Mahdi (as), 1)
Abd al-Ghafir al-Farisi in his book Majma al-Gharaib and Ibn al-Jawzi in fi Garib al-Hadith and Ibn al-Athir in al-Nihayah have stated that Hazrat Ali (ra) said this about the hadith: HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) IS DESCENDED FROM HAZRAT HASSAN.(Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p. 22)
Tammam in his Fawa'id and Ibn al-Athakir relate from Abd-Allah ibn Amr that he said: A CHILD OF HASSAN [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] will appear from the east, and even if mountains stand against him, he will crush them and use those mountains as roads. (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p. 22)
According to another hadith that has come down from Hazrat Ali, he looked at his son Hazrat Hassan one day and said: "As named by the Prophet (saas), this son of mine is a sayyid. Someone [Hazrat Mahdi (as)] known by the name of the Prophet WILL COME FROM THE LINE OF HASSAN, and will resemble him [the Prophet (saas)] in moral values, but not in his nature (physical and body features)." (Al-Taj V, 363)
Hazrat Mahdi (as) will be Born at Home
Imam Zayn al-'Abidin (as) said: "Our Qaim [Hazrat Mahdi (as)] will resemble the messengers of Allah in various ways. He will individually resemble the Prophets Noah (as), Abraham (as), Moses (as), Jesus (as), Job (as) and Muhammad (saas). He will resemble Noah (as) in being long-lived, ABRAHAM (AS) IN HIS BIRTH BEING CONCEALED [AT HOME] and away from the public eye …" (Sheikh al-Saduq, Kamal al-Din, p. 322, chapter 31, hadith 3)
Ali bin Hussain Zayn al-'Abidin (as) says: "HIS [HAZRAT MAHDI'S (AS)] BIRTH WILL BE HIDDEN FROM PEOPLE…"(Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 51, p. 135)
Hazrat Mahdi (as) will Be Born in a Big City and Then Come to Istanbul
The Messenger of Allah (saas) said: "… a man [Hazrat Mahdi (as)] of the people of Medina (a big city) will come forth to Mecca. People will bring him out against his will and swear allegiance to him between the Corner and the Maqam. … (Mari' bin Yusuf Karami Hanbali, Fawaid Fawaid al-Fikr fil Mahdi al-Montazar)
And on 69th page of Risalat al-Khuruj al-Mahdi, it is mentioned that Hazrat Mahdi (as) "will come from the village of Kara." (Risalat al-Khuruj al-Mahdi, p. 69)
The word "medina" is used in a metaphorical sense in the hadiths handed down from the Prophet (saas). In other words, our Prophet (saas) uses the word medina to mean very different things. There are many large cities or "medinas" in the Islamic world. For that reason, one can only tell in what sense the word medina is being used by looking at other accounts on the subject.
In the hadith cited above, our Prophet (saas) says that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will come from medina, whereas in another hadith he says that Hazrat Mahdi (as)"will come from the village of Kara." Imam al-Qurtubi's at-Tazkirah refers to Hazrat Mahdi (as) coming from the western part of the Islamic countries. This statement shows that the large city in which Hazrat Mahdi (as) will be born is in the western part of the Islamic nations.
In another hadith, our Prophet (saas) tells his interlocutor that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will perform the spiritual capture of medina, in other words, a big city. In the account, because there were many medinas (or big cities), the person speaking to the Prophet (saas) was uncertain which medina, in other words which big city, Hazrat Mahdi (as) would achieve the spiritual conquest of. He therefore asked the Prophet (saas) which medina (or big city) he meant.
The Prophet (saas) answered that this medina (city) was Constantinople (Istanbul).
Narrated by ibn Amr, who said: "… The Messenger of Allah (saas) said, 'Six things will happen to this community: … The sixth is the conquest of medina.' I asked, 'O Messenger of Allah, which medina?' He said, 'Constantinople [Istanbul].'" [This is the spiritual conquest of Istanbul by Hazrat Mahdi (as).]
(Al-Barzanji, Al-Isha'ah li-ashrat al-sa'ah, p. 204; Ahmad Diya ad-Din al-Kamushkhanawi, Ramuz al-Ahadith 1/296)
Therefore, the word medina is used by the Prophet (saas) in this hadith in the sense of a great city in order to refer to Istanbul. Another hadith reveals that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will emerge from the city that contains the sacred relics, including the sacred banner of our Prophet (saas). The banner and other sacred relics of the Prophet (saas) are currently kept in a special section of Istanbul's Topkapi Palace.
It is related from Abdullah ibn Shurafa that: Hazrat Mahdi (as) will have the banner of our Prophet (saas) with him. (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p. 65)
He [Hazrat Mahdi (as)] will appear with the camel hair banner of the Prophet (saas). That banner has four corners, is unstitched and black in color. There is a halo on it. It has not been unfurled since the death of the Messenger of Allah (saas), but it will be opened when Hazrat Mahdi (as) appears. (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p. 23)
As for signs, he [Hazrat Mahdi (as)] will have with him the shirt, the sword, and the banner of the Messenger of Allah (saas). That banner has never been unfurled since the death of the Prophet (saas). And, it will not be unfurled until the appearance of Hazrat Mahdi (as). (Al-Barzanji, Al-Isha'ah li-ashrat al-sa'ah, p. 164)
It appears from the above hadiths that the sacred relics of our Prophet (saas) are where Hazrat Mahdi (as) is, and that the banner will be opened up when he appears. Since the sacred relics are in Istanbul, it is clear that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will be in Istanbul, too.
However, one can also see from looking at other accounts that the city of Hazrat Mahdi's (as) birth and the city in the west of the Islamic world is a different medina or city from the one that he will spiritually conquer. For example, it can be seen from the description in this hadith that the city that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will capture, Istanbul, is one in which a dry path will be opened up in the sea, in other words, in which a bridge system will be used.
During the conquest of Constantinople he [Hazrat Mahdi (as)] will plant a standard when he goes to make ablution for the morning prayer, and the water will divide in two and withdraw from him. He will cross to the other side through this path that opens and say, "O people, learn from this. The sea has parted its waters for us, just as it did for the tribe of Israel." They will utter the takbir again and again and with twelve takbirs the twelve towers of the city will collapse. (Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi `Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntadhar, p. 57)
The hadith also states that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will plant a standard in this city, making it clear that the city is the one that contains the sacred banner of our Prophet (saas).
Hazrat Mahdi (as) Will Come From The Caucasus
Sayyid Ahmad Husamaddin (ra) added such a note about Hazrat Mahdi's (as) birthplace in his Istihracname:
An individual [Hazrat Mahdi (as)] will come from the Muslims, and the honor of that individual will shed light like the rays of the Sun from THE HIGHEST PEAK OF THE CAUCASUS. (The City with No Temple], Serdengecti Publication: VI, p. 107)
Hazrat Mahdi (as) Will Have Few Brothers
He will have few brothers … (Risalat al-Mahdi, p. 161)
Hazrat Mahdi (as) Will Be Single
Al-Mas'udi narrates: "When Ali ibn Hazm, Ibn Siraj and Ibn Abi Said came into the presence of Imam Reza (as) on one occasion Ali ibn Hazm asked the Imam: 'O son of the Messenger of Allah, we have related from you (the imams of the Ahl al-Bayt) that;EVERY IMAM WILL SEE HIS CHILD BEFORE HE DIES. (Is this true?)' The Imam (as) replied: 'Have you added this to the account? APART FROM THE QAIM [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)]?' (Al-Mas'udi, Ithbat al-Wasiyyah, p. 201)
Hazrat Mahdi's (as) Name
The hadiths of our Prophet (saas) state that Hazrat Mahdi's (as) name will be compatible with that of our Prophet (saas) and that Hazrat Mahdi's (as) father's name will be compatible with that of the father of the Prophet (saas).
According to Abu Dawud and at-Tirmidhi's accounts from Ibn Mas'ud (ra), the Messenger of Allah (saas) said: "His name will be compatible with mine, and his father's name with my father's name…" (Al-Barzanji, Al-Isha'ah li-ashrat al-sa'ah, pp. 159-160)
According to Abu Hurairah's (ra) account;
The Messenger of Allah (saas) said: Even if only one day is left to the life of this world, Allah will certainly prolong that day until the coming of a man [Hazrat Mahdi (as)] from the Ahl al-Bayt whose name is compatible with mine. (Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Musnad)
According to Abdullah Ibn 'Umar's (ra) account;
The Messenger of Allah (saas) said: "The world will not come to an end until a man [Hazrat Mahdi (as)] from my Ahl al-Bayt whose name is compatible with mine imposes his rule over all the Arabs."
According to another account, he said:
"Even if only one day remains from the life of this world, Allah will certainly prolong that day until He sends a man [Hazrat Mahdi (as)] from my Ahl al-Bayt whose name is compatible with mine. He will fill the world that was previously filled with cruelty and oppression with truth and justice instead." (At-Tirmidhi, Sunan Abu Dawud, An-Nasai, Al-Bayhaqi and Abu 'Amr ad-Dani)
Again according to Abdullah Ibn 'Umar's (ra), he said:
"The world will not come to an end until a man [Hazrat Mahdi (as)] from my Ahl al-Bayt whose name is compatible with mine establishes dominion (on earth). He will fill the world that was previously filled with cruelty and oppression, with truth and justice instead." (At-Tabarani, al-Mu'jam as-Saghir; Tirmidhi, al-Jami` and Sunan Abu Dawud)
The hadiths emphasize that these names will be "compatible with one another." In other words, one must not expect Hazrat Mahdi (as) to be directly called "Ahmad" or "Muhammad," nor his father to go by the name of "Abdullah." (Allah knows the truth.)
Ahmad Muhammad Hazrat Mahdi (as) is the name Allah gives to one who will come in the End Times. In other words, his birth name will not be "Ahmad Muhammad Mahdi." This is a name given him by Allah. Our Prophet (saas) does not say "his name will be the same as mine" in the hadiths; he says "it will be compatible with mine." In the same way, he says, "His father's name will be compatible with my father's name." There is a sign and a secret in this.
We must also consider this: If someone does not want the children in his family to be Hazrat Mahdi (as) he can supposedly prevent their being Hazrat Mahdi (as) by giving them another name. In the same way, he can supposedly guarantee that his son will be Hazrat Mahdi (as) by calling him "Ahmad Muhammad." That is obviously totally illogical. Allah has selected the person He chooses in destiny and has given him the name "Ahmad Muhammad Mahdi." Some being given or not being given that name cannot change situation in the slightest.
Our Prophet's (saas) Line of Descent
ADNAN had two sons, MAAD and 'Akk. MAAD had four sons:
NIDHAR, Quda'a, Qunus and Iyad. NIDHAR had three sons. Their names were:
MUDAR, Rabia and Anmar. MUDAR had two sons:
ILYAS and Aylan. ILYAS had three sons. Their names were:
MUDRIKA, Tabîha and Kamaa. MUDRIKA had two sons:
KHUZAYMA and Hudhayl. KHUZAYMA had four sons. These were:
KINANAH, Asad, Asada and Hun. He known as KINANAH had four sons
NADR, Malik, Abd Manaf and Milkan. NADR had two sons. Their names were:
MALIK and Yakhlud. MALIK had just one son. His name was FIHR. This person had four sons. Their names were:
GHALIB, Muharib, Harith and Asad. GHALIB had two sons. These were:
LU'AYY and Taym. LU'AYY had four sons, whose names were:
KA'B, Amir, Sama and Awf. KA'B had three sons. They were:
MURRAH, Adiy and Husayn. MURRAH had three sons, whose names were:
KILAB, Taym and Yaqazah. KILAB had two sons:
QUSAYY and Zuhrah. QUSAYY had four sons and two daughters. The sons' names were:
ABD MANAF, Abd ad-Dar, Abduluzza and Abd Qusayy, and the girls were called Tahmur and Barra. ABD MANAF had four sons. Their names were:
HASHIM, Abd Shams, Muttalib and Nawfal. HASHIM had four sons and five daughters. The sons were called:
ABD AL-MUTTALIB (SHAYBA), Asad, and Abu Saifi, and the daughters Ash-Shifa, Khalida, Da'ifa, Ruqyah and Jannah. The Prophet's (saas) grandfather, Abd al-Muttalib, had ten sons and six daughters. Since these were not all born of the same mother, we are listing them by their mothers:
ABDULLAH, Abu Talib, Zubair, Umm Hakim Baydha, Atikah, Arwa and Barra. Their mother was Fatima. Abbas and Dharar. The mother of these two sons was Nutayla. The mother of the sons Hamza, Muqawwim, and Hadhi and of the daughter Safiyya was Hala. The mother of the son called Kharis was Samra. Abu Lahab's (Abd-l Uzza) mother was Lubni.
Hazrat Amina's mother was Barra. Her father was Wahb, his father was Abd Manaf, and his father was Zuhrah. The paternal line of Hazrat Abdullah has already been shown above. His mother was Fatima, her mother was Sahra, and their mother was Tahmur. Both lines come together in KILAB.
Hazrat Ali Reveals In Al-Qasidat Al-Urjuzah That Our Prophet's (saas) Name Is Adnan
(It is narrated that following one event Hazrat Ali addressed our Prophet (saas), who gave him the title of Abu Turab, as "The Prophet Mustafa Adnan the Hadi.")
I therefore came to have two names. And there is the title I had never heard before. He gave me this title, Abu Turab: The Prophet Mustafa Adnan the Hadi…
The Titles of Hazrat Mahdi (as)
AL-MAHDI: He who has been rightly guided
AL-HADI: He who guides, leads to the true path
AL-QA'IM: He who arises for truth
AL-HUJJAT: Definitive proof that cannot be denied
AL-MUNTADHAR: The awaited one
MAHDI AL-MUNTADHAR: The awaited Mahdi
IMAM AL-MUNTADHAR: The awaited imam (spiritual leader)
KHALAF AL-SALIH: The righteous successor (spiritual leader)
MANSUR: Divinely aided
SAHIB AL-AMR: The one who is entrusted with the Divine command
SAHIB AZ-ZAMAN: The master of the age
WALI AL-'ASR: The guardian and sole guide of the era
MAHDI AL-MAWUD: The promised Mahdi
IMAM AL-'ASR: Imam (spiritual leader) of the era
SAHIB AD-DAR: The master (spiritual leader) of the abode
BAQIYATULLAH: Last guide and spiritual leader of Allah remaining on Earth
QA'IM AL-MUHAMMAD (AS): A member of the Prophet's (saas) family who would rise
AL-KHATIM: One who terminates, the last one
NAHIYAT AL-MUQADDAS: Sacred path
Abd al-Malik al-Shafi'i al-Makki al-'Isami (1111): A well-known historian living in Mecca. In his four-volume work known as the Simt al-Nujum al'awali he writes: "Among the names of Hazrat Mahdi (as) are HUJJAT, KHALAF AL-SALIH, QA'IM, MUNTADHAR, SAHIB AZ-ZAMAN AND, BEST KNOWN OF ALL, HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)…" (Simt al-Nujum al'awali, Vol. 4, p. 138)
Al-Qaraghulli writes in his Jawharat al-Kalam: "… The names of Hazrat Mahdi (as) are THE MAHDI, QA'IM, MUNTADHAR, SAHIB AZ-ZAMAN, HUJJAT…" (Al-Qaraghulli, Jawharat al-Kalam fee Madh as-Sadah al-A'lam, p. 157)
Al-Arif Abdul Rahman Sufi is the author of the Persian-language book Mir'at al-Asrar. Shah Wali Allah Dahlawi, father of Abdul Aziz Dahlawi, author of the book Ithna Ashariya, quotes from him in his Al Intibah Fi Salasil e Awliya Allah, saying this of the Imam az-Zaman [Hazrat Mahdi (as)]:
Umar ibn Zahir relates:
"Someone asked Imam Jaffar Sadik, 'Can we address the Qaim [Hazrat Mahdi (as)] as the Amir al-Muminin (Commander of the Faithful)?' The imam replied; 'No…' The man then asked, 'HOW CAN I GREET HIM?' HE ANSWERED: 'GREETINGS TO YOU O BAQIYATULLAH.'"
Our Prophet's (saas) Addresses To Hazrat Mahdi (as)
Hazrat Mahdi (as) is the peacock (adornment) of the Paradise. (Bihar al-Anwar, Vol 51, p. 105)
Hazrat Mahdi (as), one of my children, comes into being, by the blessing of Allah, upon the approach of the Day of Judgment; the weakening of the believers' hearts because of death, hunger, fitnah and the disappearance of the Sunnah; and the emergence of innovations and the loss of means by which to enjoin the right and forbid the wrong. His justice and prosperity will ease the believers' hearts, and friendship and love will settle between the non-Arab and the Arab nations. (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p. 66)
Imam Hussain (as) is reported as saying: "When Hazrat Mahdi (as) appears, people will not recognize him. Then HE [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] WILL COME HAVING A BEAUTIFUL VISAGE…" (Iqdud Durar, p. 41)
A MAN CALLED AL-HARITH IBN HARRATH (LION) WILL COME FORTH FROM MA WARA AN-NAHR (TRANSOXIANA). His army will be led by a man called Mansur who will establish or consolidate things for Muhammad's family as Quraysh consolidated them for the Messenger of Allah (saas). Every believer must help him.
(Sunan Abu Dawud, Book 36, 4277;Narrated Ali ibn AbuTalib; At-Taj al-jami' lil 'usul fi ahadith al-Rasul, Mansur 'Ali Nasif, Vol. 5, p. 617)
One of Hazrat Mahdi's (as) Names will Be "Arslan" (The Lion)
A MAN CALLED AL-HARITH IBN HARRATH (LION) WILL COME FORTH FROM MA WARA AN-NAHR (TRANSOXIANA). His army will be led by a man called Mansur who will establish or consolidate things for Muhammad's family as Quraysh consolidated them for the Messenger of Allah (saas). Every believer must help him. (Sunan Abu Dawud, Book 36, 4277; Narrated Ali ibn AbuTalib; At-Taj al-jami' lil 'usul fi ahadith al-Rasul, Mansur 'Ali Nasif, Vol. 5, p. 617)
* Haris means lion.
"O Master of believers, tell us about Hazrat Mahdi (as)." And the Master of believers said "… HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) IS A WELL-PREPARED, VICTORIOUS LION WITH AN EXTENSIVE IMPACT…" (Sheikh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Numani, al-Ghaybah al-Numani,[Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 51], Ansariyan Publications, Collected by: Muhammad Baqir Majlisi, Iran-Qum, 2003, p. 184)


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All Gamerizon's Mobile Chop Chop Games Reach Top 100 in China
By: Business Wire
Nov. 22, 2012 10:00 AM
Gamerizon, a leading Canadian mobile games developer, has seen all eight games in its portfolio reach top download positions in China's App Store mere hours after running a free promotion. On Wednesday, Chop Chop Ninja™, Chop Chop Caveman™, Chop Chop Soccer™, Chop Chop Runner™, Chop Chop Tennis™, Chop Chop Hockey™, Chop Chop Slicer™ and Chop Chop Kicker™ reached positions #56, 60, 65, 68, 70, 73, 76 and 80 respectively and at the same time on the Top Free Games chart in China.
"It's a very special achievement that truly showcases the global appeal of our Chop Chop mobile games franchise," said Alex Sakiz, CEO of Gamerizon. "China is the most dynamic mobile market in the world and the success our brand is experiencing there bodes extremely well for the upcoming worldwide launch of our newest and most ambitious game, Chop Chop Ninja World, on November 29th."
Gamerizon's eight Chop Chop games have been downloaded over 17 million times and have reached top positions in every country. A Chop Chop cartoon series co-produced by Gamerizon and Sardine Productions is also currently in development with Teletoon Canada
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Gamerizon Studio Inc. is an independent game development studio located in Montreal, Canada. It specializes in crafting mobile gaming applications with unique user interface mechanics that allow intuitive yet immersive gaming. Gamerizon was ranked as the 32nd best mobile developer in 2011 by PocketGamer.Biz and is on their list of the "Top Ten to Watch for" in 2012.
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""W do you think Grandma wants to do this every year?"
For one family the traditional Hanukkah celebration has a deeper meaning. Amidst the food and the festivities, Grandma and Great-Aunt Rose begin their story-the one they tell each year. They pass on to each generation a tale of perseverance during the darkest hours of the Holocaust, and the strength it took to continue to honor Hanukkah in the only way they could.
Best-selling author Eve Bunting's touching and joyous story about the importance of remembrance is exquisitely rendered by K. Wendy Popp's remarkable pastels. "One Candle reaffirms the values of tradition and family, but also shows us that by continuing to honor the tragedies and the triumphs of the past there will always be hope for the future.


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Thread: Requiem for the Pelosi Democrats
Results 1 to 3 of 3
#1 Requiem for the Pelosi Democrats11-01-2010, 01:39 AM
By JOHN FUND
It took Democrats in the House of Representatives 40 years to become out-of-touch enough to get thrown out of office in 1994. It took 12 years for the Republicans who replaced them to abandon their principles and be repudiated in 2006. Now it appears that the current Democratic majority has lost voter confidence in only four years.
How did this happen? And what does the increasing speed of voter backlash mean for Republicans who will likely take control next Tuesday?
For answers, I decided to chat up Rep. Brian Baird, a six-term Democrat from Washington state. Even though he's never won re-election with less than 56% of the vote, Mr. Baird is retiring because the brutal congressional commute makes it impossible for him to see his twin five-year-old boys grow up. He's not sticking around, like so many former members of Congress, to lobby inside the Beltway. That allows him to be candid about Congress and his party.
"It's been an authoritarian, closed leadership. That style plus a general groupthink mentality didn't work when Tom DeLay called the shots," Mr. Baird says. "We've made some of the same damn mistakes, and we were supposed to be better. That's the heartbreak."
Mr. Baird, 54, is a loyal Democrat who voted for all of Speaker Nancy Pelosi's legislative priorities, including the stimulus bill, cap and trade and ObamaCare. But he admits all three have serious flaws.
Mr. Baird recalls that he was "very excited" when his party took control of Congress in 2006, but he saw ominous signs early on. Before the 2006 election, he says, Mrs. Pelosi had 30 members working on a rules package to make the House more ethical and deliberative. "We abandoned all that work after the election, and leaders told us we should trust them to clean things up. I don't know a single member of the Democratic caucus who saw the final rules package before they voted on it."
Democrats also watered down efforts to practice fiscal responsibility. "We initially had numbers a bit more honest than the Republicanswe at least included war costs in the budget," he says. "Now we're authorizing programs for three years instead of five in an attempt to pretend we're saving money."
When President Obama was elected in 2008, Mr. Baird was again optimistic that Democrats could bring real reform. But fierce Republican partisanship and the White House decision not to focus on job creation as its "number one, two and three" priority dashed that hope.
"Obama decided we weren't going to have a highway transportation bill because it might have required a gas tax increase," he recalls. After passing a misdirected stimulus bill, Mr. Obama made the fatal error of pushing forward with other priorities: cap and trade, financial services reform, ObamaCare. Each became compromised quickly.
"You don't get real reform by pandering to every special interest. With cap and trade we wound up with a bill that didn't accomplish much, was enormously complicated and expensive." Mr. Baird is especially upset that "good solid members will lose this fall because they took a tough vote for a cap-and-trade bill that never made it through the Senate." He has told environmental groups that they lost sight of the goal of reducing carbon emissions by focusing on the minutia of regulation to achieve it.
For some of the shortcomings of financial regulatory reform, Mr. Baird blames the disillusioning battle over ObamaCare. "When the House had to pass the Senate version of health care unchanged, some members asked why should they invest the mental effort in mastering the details" of financial reform. Mr. Baird found parts of the bill mind-numbing.
Although he voted for it, he says he was troubled that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the entities at the heart of the housing meltdown, weren't addressed. They have clearly exercised undue influence on Capitol Hill, he notes. "When I was first elected I was puzzled why they were holding events in my honor as a mere freshman. I asked myself, why is a federal entity so involved in political activity?"
Regarding health care, his specialty, Mr. Baird gave House Democrats real heartburn. He voted against the first version of ObamaCare in November 2009, because the Congressional Budget Office and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services hadn't yet analyzed the bill's impact on insurance premiums and medical costs.
"What the hell were we doing voting on this? I had labor groups come to me and insist the bill was so important we couldn't wait to know what was in it," he recalls. "I asked them if they were handed a new union contract and told it was so important they had to agree to it without reading it, would they go along?" They continued to insist he vote for the bill and threatened him with a primary challenger.
Mr. Baird had developed his own health-care proposal that drew on his 23 years of experience as a licensed clinical psychologist treating patients with cancer and brain injuries. His plan would have provided universal health care but held down costs through vouchers for the poor, medical savings accounts for the middle class, and reform of malpractice insurance.
He admits to being frustrated that ideas like his never got a fair hearing in a Congress dominated by inertia and interest groups. "Our problems are now so grave we can't afford petty partisanship and closed thinking," he tells me.
The health-care bill experience spurred Mr. Baird to push harder for a "72-hour rule" that would require all non-emergency legislation to be posted online, in final form, for at least 72 hours before a floor vote. "Members are too often asked to make decisions on bills that can be longer than telephone books, and are given only a few hours to actually read them," he complains. "Both parties are guilty, and both should stop doing it."
Mrs. Pelosi eventually allowed a 72-hour pause before the final passage of ObamaCare, and Mr. Baird is pleased that Republicans have agreed to adopt the 72-hour rule if they take the House majority. He just hopes they honor it even when it's inconvenient.
Mr. Baird stands by his vote for ObamaCare, noting that something had to be done for those denied insurance due to pre-existing conditions. But he acknowledges that the bill carried within it the seeds of its unpopularity. These include the nightmare mandate that all companies report to the IRS all of their business-to-business transactions over $600, so the government can capture unreported business income. At a recent forum with small business owners in his district, Mr. Baird was stunned at the complexity of the rules they now must follow.
"I warned my fellow Democrats that the insurance companies they were whacking could increase premiums just before the midterm election and blame them for it," he sighs. "I pointed out that the major benefits wouldn't kick in till 2014, but the costs were up front. I asked them, where was the political win? There was no real answer."
In his new book, "Character, Politics and Responsibility," Mr. Baird argues that in order to afford caring for the needy, liberals will have to challenge "unsustainable entitlements." "I would eliminate the concept of entitlements and move to needs-based social insurance," he says. "The key is to both promote personal responsibility while lowering expenditures by not promising or giving money or other benefits to those who don't need it."
Although Mr. Baird believes that Republicans blocked compromise on ObamaCare and that tea party activists raised false fears, he acknowledges the political harm that Democrats have done themselves. "It looks like we're going to lose the House, possibly badly, and could lose the Senate," Mr. Baird laments. "We will lose a lot of centrists while the people in the party some voters are most mad at survive in safe districts."
"A lot of rethinking is needed" after Democrats take their drubbing, Mr. Baird says, especially since he anticipates "a huge number of retirements" from Democrats unwilling to serve in the minority. He proposes that the House elect an independent speaker who would help drain partisanship from the body. Britain's House of Commons uses such a model.
Democrats, he says, will also have to recognize why they lost touch with voters. "Back in September, we had pollsters and strategists from my party tell members that the mass of people didn't care about the deficit. The mind-boggling lack of reality coming from some of the people who give us so-called advice is stunning."
I ask Mr. Baird what he would tell the incoming class of freshmen Republicans if given the chance to address them before the new Congress convenes. He summarized his bottom line:
"Governing isn't as easy as you think. Many of you have taken pledges that are contradictoryto balance the budget and cut taxes, for example. You must be honest about the numbers, since our annual deficit now exceeds all discretionary spending combined. If you set as your goal to roll back the size of government, you have an obligation to answer the tough questions and show real courage, not just appeal to ideology. Treat the voters like adults."
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...pinion_LEADTopStand up for what is right, even if you have to stand alone.
11-01-2010, 05:32 AMHe proposes that the House elect an independent speaker who would help drain partisanship from the body.Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil.
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|Staffing is not a Zero-Sum Game
After the dust settled and I read the rest of the article, I had calmed down and realized that Mr. Sackett had some valid points. I do agree organizations need to find a balance between funding with regard to attracting, succession planning and training of their workforce rather than spending the most money and effort on candidate attraction.
The problem is that I vehemently disagree that we have to convince hiring managers and whole organizations that the current market is a Zero-Sum Game. The idea devalues what a true workforce solutions team does.
Companies like Microsoft and Google sprung to being in an industry that was created out of garages, through innovation and a pioneering spirit. If talent management was Zero-Sum, they wouldn't exist as they both created a previously unknown talent pool need and filled it.
Companies like Microsoft and Google sprung to being in an industry that was created out of garages, through innovation and a pioneering spirit. If talent management was Zero-Sum, they wouldn't exist as they both created a previously unknown talent pool need and filled it.
The majority of the people they initially employed were home grown talent because frankly there was no company doing what they did. It was an entirely new 'thing' created out of nothing. They may have taken some college kids out of a classroom to put them to work early, or stolen a drive-thru clerk passionate about BASIC and FORTRAN away from a fast food joint; it was hardly a Zero-Sum Game; it was a Human Development Game.
People can be developed, trained, motivated, and unmotivated. We do need to convince hiring managers of the value in taking someone that can do 95-percent of what they need now and developing the other desired 5-percent in-house. We also need to convince them that they do not have the luxury of the 3-5 year IT wizard or engineer any longer. They will have to start hiring out of colleges again; investing time in developing curricula with educators to fill their needs. Some of our most successful candidates are those '95-percenters' because they have a desire to learn the other 5-percent and have loyalty to the company that provides it.
It's not zero-sum. It's not a shell game. It's the game of life as it pertains to business and it's our job in recruiting to help companies realize the best talent to develop, and to help candidates find the next step in their path. So much more can be gained working together; with hiring managers, HR, talent development, and candidates for a mutually beneficial outcome. There doesn't have to be a clear cut winner and loser when it comes to talent management.
Here's a simple analogy to demonstrate the point further:
The Biggest Loser, a popular US television reality series, is a competition whereby, in theory, everyone comes out a winner. The goal is to get healthier through weight loss, nutritional changes and exercise. At the shows close, there is ultimately a grand prize winner but, there was no cause to which they had to take from another to come out on top. Nearly every contestant seems to walk away from the program better for it, even the non-prize-winning losers. That's kind of how how I view talent management and recruitment.
If you're engaging a 'passive' candidate, chances are they aren't engaged with their current company for any number of reasons. They are likely dragging down their current company in some way because of this sense of disengagement. In hopes of a brighter future, they are willing to talk to you about a new position with growth potential either economically or professionally.
The losing company actually wins because they have offloaded someone who was probably producing at a level below their potential. The hiring company wins because they're getting an employee who is reinvigorated and engaged. The candidate wins for obvious reasons. The recruitment firm wins because they provided value to both customers of their services and were paid for the match.
To me, calling recruitment and talent management a Zero-Sum Game; that cynicism that removes the exact value from staffing that we bring; is simply inaccurate. If you are truly invested in the job at hand, then you're looking to help the organization and the candidate grow. If you're good at filling both customers' new needs; creating a value proposition along the way; you simply cannot look at the game mathematically. There is so much to be gained from looking beyond the 'perfect' skill set to find out what real potential lies within a candidate or in an opportunity. Humans aren't dollars, or market share, and therefore can't be zero-sum.
Just ask Microsoft and Google.
Josh Kaplan writes on various subjects including management, information technology breakthroughs, healthcare IT recruitment and innovations, big data, IT staffing and recruitment, and technical news and trends.


text: Sijun Forums :: View topic - Nave Log in to check your private messages Sijun Forums Forum Index >> Gallery/Finished Work View previous topic :: View next topic Author Topic : "Nave" Painted MelodymemberMember #Joined: 25 Dec 2000Posts: 138Location: NJ, USA Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2001 6:09 pm Hey guys, posting a new piece. I used to be registered as Nightime around here, but for the majority of fellas that don't know me.. Hi! 8) Nave, 320kb. The story behind is, I wanted to depict an anti-fairy tale. A young boy on an adventure who discovered not treasure, not love -- but a big stinking shoe. Sorry, no castle in the sky here. Isn't that how life goes? Would love to hear opinions on this!! How I like to work is that I start with an underpainting -- always with a previous work I've done. In this case, I used my landscape "Home" (also on my site) so that the grassy texture shows through. From there, I build on top -- but I enjoy creating textures from the ground up. Also like to share a coloring of Francis's linework. The thread vanished, and never got to post the final. Crits welcome of course! Linework: http://www.teamgt.com/forum/page.jpg Well I guess that's it for now..please let me know what you think Ciao.. JJ ------------------ D u s t T r a c k s [This message has been edited by Painted Melody (edited January 09, 2001).] Back to top Painted MelodymemberMember #Joined: 25 Dec 2000Posts: 138Location: NJ, USA Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2001 9:21 pm If anyone's interested, grass texture tutorial is uploaded on my website, Dust Tracks. Link at sig. -JJ ------------------ D u s t T r a c k s Back to top IrulannmemberMember #Joined: 20 Nov 2000Posts: 66Location: Dallas, TX Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2001 8:58 am This is so good but I'm sure you know that, and that kind of response from someone who's just mediocre at art probably isnt a compliment :P ennyway, I love the idea of the story, but c'mon, give him a little somethin--maybe a little friend in the shoe *laughs* *shrugs* amazing work, friend Back to top FrostmemberMember #Joined: 12 Jan 2000Posts: 2662Location: Montréal, Canada Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2001 9:27 am I REALLY like your color work, I'll be looking into your stuff later tonight. Very nice indeed! Back to top GoldenBoymemberMember #Joined: 18 Jul 2000Posts: 77Location: Espoo,Finland Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2001 9:29 am I just love the painting, it's fabulous. I don't really care for your lineart coloring. Can't find words to describe painting. It's just wonderfull. Mika Back to top BizardememberMember #Joined: 22 Aug 2000Posts: 410Location: Romania Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2001 10:40 am nice images, especially the first one that remind me of BOSH pictures, nice mood. ~bizarde Back to top v1510nArymemberMember #Joined: 31 Dec 2000Posts: 611Location: London , England Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2001 10:46 am mazing !! Technique is v.cool..please explain how you did it nice deatils on the mushrooms I can't help but think after u finished doing the art u copyed the layer and did a color dodge over it ? ------------------ - Inspiration never ends ..... - email@example.com - ICQ# 47507088 Back to top Kjetil NystuenmemberMember #Joined: 19 Jun 2000Posts: 197Location: Norway Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2001 10:47 am Wonderful! I really like it! I like your story.. Reminds me a bit of life itself.... You're promised something really big, but it turns out to be shit anyway. I like the hole in the boot, clever way of descriing the space inside the shoe. The coloring of Francis linework is inredible as well. I just simply love the palette, give's you a real "metropolis feeling" -Kjetil Back to top Painted MelodymemberMember #Joined: 25 Dec 2000Posts: 138Location: NJ, USA Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2001 2:02 pm Yay, responses Irulann: Thanks! A little friend in the shoe...hmm.. perhaps a slimey little toad. No princesses here, sadly Frost: Thanks man, I enjoy your work too. Color I've always had a "flare" for, but values -- not so much. I think that's why my stuff always comes washed out a little... GoldenBoy, Bizarde: thank ya v1510nAry: Pretty straight forward technique. I've been experimenting with paths lately, on the mushroom especially, I've found they give nice hard edges. Oh and, I'm a heavy user on dodge and burn, but I've tried to minimize. Kjetil Nystuen: Yesss.. isn't that how life is! We were brought up to believe fairy tales, and live happily ever after and all that -- hah! *sigh* If only that was true... More comments? -JJ ------------------ D u s t T r a c k s Back to top robotikaljunior memberMember #Joined: 11 Jan 2001Posts: 4Location: USA Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2001 3:05 pm Nice work jj! How about adding some Burger King straws? -jon Back to top Painted MelodymemberMember #Joined: 25 Dec 2000Posts: 138Location: NJ, USA Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2001 4:40 pm hey jon, good to see you here sadly the straws didn't make it in the concept... I was considering more house hold objects other than the shoe.....but maybe next painting..... 8) jj ------------------ D u s t T r a c k s Back to top hydridmemberMember #Joined: 20 Jan 2000Posts: 193 Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2001 5:02 pm I *love* the shoe. Very cute Back to top EviLToYLeTmemberMember #Joined: 09 Aug 2000Posts: 1216Location: CA, USA Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2001 7:25 pm Love the way both of them are done... not much else to say. 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COMMERCE, TX -- An apartment manager in Commerce saved a young boy's life, after he was locked in an apartment with temperatures close to 100-degrees for more than 24-hours.
"I went to put eviction papers on the door and I always knock on the door first," said Corners at Commerce Apartment Complex Manager Kelli Sweet. "When they don't answer I'll open the door and holler in and I heard a baby screaming."
For over 30-hours, a 22-month old child was locked in an apartment with no electricity and the heat reaching nearly 100-degrees.
"He had on a Wal-Mart plastic bag for a diaper and a pair of dirty underwear on over that," said Sweet.
Sweet cleaned up the toddler and called the police. While officers were on scene the boy's mother, 20-year-old Antoinette Escalera, arrived and was arrested for endangering a child.
During their investigation, detectives found out that the child was left unattended in the apartment from 7 a.m., Wednesday, till 3:20 p.m., Thursday.
"We left our thermometer in there for about 45-minutes and the temperature was 97-degrees," said Police Chief Kerry Crews.
Sweet says she doesn't want to think about what could have happened if she hadn't found the little boy, but Chief Crews says it could have ended in tragedy.
"In my opinion, I think we would have had a deceased child on our hands," said Crews.
Police brought the boy back to the station, where officers and dispatchers also stepped up to help.
"We had officers that played with him all night," said Crews. "We provided some diapers for him, a change of clothes, baby wipes and tried to clean him up the best we can."
"He started saying thank you a lot," said dispatcher Amanda Escobedo, who took the 911 call. "Thank you was a big word for him to everybody."
Sweet says the little boy isn't the only one that needs help.
"I pray her, she needs help," said Sweet. "The baby needs help too, but she needs it also."
Escalera is being held in the Hunt County Jail on a $50,000 bond. The boy has been taken into Child Protective Services custody.