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Senior District Executive of the Evansville Boy Scouts – Ryan Bieler – Charged with Child Pornography
Thirty-three-year-old Ryan Bieler, who resides in Vanderburgh County but is from Ireland has been charged with possessing child pornography, according to 14 WFIE. What makes this even more horrific is that Bieler most recently employed as Senior District Executive of Boy Scouts Buffalo Trace Council based in Evansville and includes five counties: Warrick, Spencer, Perry, Pike, and Dubois.
The United States Attorney announced Tuesday, "These types of cases are troubling, but they are made even more disturbing when the individuals charged are those who occupy positions of trust with our children. Today's announcement marks the beginning of our investigation, not the end, and our Office will not rest as we seek justice for those who may have been victimized by these alleged acts."
During a search warrant issued for his home, photos and videos of minors engaging in sexual acts were discovered. Bieler admitted to to authorities that he is sexually attracted to minor boys.
Authorities say the Boy Scouts of America are fully cooperating with federal law enforcement in their efforts.
The Buffalo Trace Council released this statement:
The safety of our youth members is of paramount importance to the Buffalo Trace Council and the Boy Scouts of America. Along with the rest of the community, we were shocked to learn about the allegations against this individual. The behavior included in these allegations runs counter to everything for which the Boy Scouts of America stands. Upon learning of these allegations the council immediately terminated his employment and the BSA revoked his membership and permanently barred him from Scouting. The council has been working closely with the U.S. Attorney and law enforcement officers in their investigation of this matter. The BSA has a comprehensive youth protection program which includes education, chartered organization leader selection procedures, criminal background and other checks, barriers to abuse and prompt mandatory reporting. Because these allegations are currently under investigation, further questions should be directed to local authorities.
Bieler is awaiting trial. He faces a possible 30+ years for his multiple crimes. For more information and updates, please visit 14WFIE.


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County Championship: Division Two guide
Click here for Division One guide
Last Updated: 03/04/14 1:26pm
Captain: Wayne Madsen
Head Coach: Graeme Welch
Ins: Stephen Moore (Lancashire), Scott Elstone
Outs: Dan Redfern, Alasdair Evans (both released)
Overseas: Shivnarine Chanderpaul
Derbyshire's first season back in the top-flight ended in disappointment and fans will be hoping a coaching reshuffle will result in an instant return.
Karl Krikken's departure as head coach came as somewhat of a surprise and a coaching team of former players - fronted by Graeme Welch - will now look to revive fortunes at the East Midlands county.
Financially, things are looking up. Often looked at as one of the minnows of the county game, Derbyshire returned a profit for a seventh year in eight in 2013.
On the pitch, things didn't quite go to plan. Preserving their Division One status always looked a tough ask and, after losing seven and drawing three of their first 10 fixtures, they were effectively down by August.
While Shivnarine Chanderpaul didn't hit the heights expected in 2013 - he still averaged a shade under 40 - he will return to Derby this summer and could fill his boots in the second tier.
Transfer activity has been at a premium in the off season but the signing of Stephen Moore looks a potential gem in all formats, the right-hander arrives with a point to prove after a disappointing spell at Lancashire.
Key player: Shivnarine Chanderpaul Derbyshire have pulled off quite a coup by luring the eighth highest Test run scorer of all-time back to the County Ground this summer. In amongst an inexperienced batting line-up, Derbyshire will be hoping Shiv can hold it together and put Division Two bowling attacks to the sword.
David says: "I think they'll find it tough to go straight back up even though Graeme Welch, their new coach, is highly-rated. They put up a good fight in the battle to avoid relegation last year but ultimately it wasn't to be and I don't see them scoring enough runs this time, especially if Wayne Madsen doesn't fire consistently. They've got some good young players and I think they'll be there or thereabouts but I don't quite see them earning promotion."
One to watch: Tom Knight "Tom's a left-arm spinner who has got a good pedigree having played for England U19s. There's all to play for if you're a young spinner at the moment and it will certainly do his cause no harm to put in some decent performances."
Captain: James Foster
Head Coach: Paul Grayson
Ins: Monty Panesar (Essex)
Outs: Maurice Chambers (Northamptonshire)
Overseas: TBC
Sky Sports exclusives:
Cook: I can't discuss KP
The 2013 season did not go to plan for Essex. They finished outside the promotion places in the County Championship again, their cause not helped by being bowled out for 20 - a new low for the county - by eventual champions Lancashire.
With no joy in the limited-overs competitions either, although they did make it to Finals Day in Twenty20 cricket, the pressure is surely on director of cricket Paul Grayson ahead of the new campaign.
Hopes should be high considering the squad at Chelmsford, particularly now Monty Panesar has signed permanently. The left-arm spinner fills a glaring need in the squad, while he will hope a fresh start will help rekindle his international career. Essex, though, won't mind if England go with someone else as the long-term replacement for the now-retired Graeme Swann.
The pace bowling looks strong - Graham Napier enjoyed a stellar season, and just not just with the ball either, making plenty of runs down the order to help bail out the miss-firing batsmen, and the evergreen David Masters continues to torture top orders up and down the country.
Reece Topley wasn't far behind the senior seam duo in terms of number of wickets taken, but fellow left-armer Tymal Mills needs to turn his obvious potential into consistent performances. Essex also boast plenty of all-rounders in their squad, so there is no over-reliance on just a couple of players.
Ravi Bopara should be available for decent stretches of the summer and his runs could be crucial - no batsman last year topped four-day skipper James Foster's 883 first-class runs. This year, Ryan ten Doeschate will take over leadership duties in the limited-overs competitions.
Key player: Ben Foakes: It would be easy to pick one of the more established names at Essex such as Bopara or Masters, but Foakes is someone who the county needs to have a good year. He has been tipped as a future international due to his abilities behind the stumps, so will want to do better than last year's haul of 639 runs at an average of 35.50.
David says: "They've been a real force in one-day cricket but this could be the year they go up in the Championship. New recruit Monty Panesar did OK in the game against the MCC and you know what you're going to get from him, but I just wonder if England are looking past him - perhaps to Scott Borthwick or Simon Kerrigan - as they start this new era."
One to watch: Reece Topley "There's been a lot of talk about Tymal Mills because of his pace but Topley is a very fine, tall young bowler who swings it and is quick enough. He won't blow people away as Mills might but he adds the sort of variation to the attack that England could probably do with and has won Under 19 honours."
Captain: Mark Wallace
Head coach: Toby Radford
Outs: Simon Jones (released)
Overseas: Jacques Rudolph
Sky Sports exclusives:
Morris targets Glamorgan success
Much has changed at the SWALEC Stadium since the end of 2013, with a new coach in Toby Radford, a new director of cricket - former ECB chief Hugh Morris - and a new overseas player in experienced South African batsman Jacques Rudolph.
But after last season's Division Two effort, changes were needed. Glamorgan finished eighth, with only hopeless Leicestershire behind them, despite getting nearly 2,500 runs from James Allenby and Murray Goodwin.
Thankfully both return this season and, along with Rudolph who will be arriving later in April, runs at the top of the order should not be a problem. If they get bigger contributions from 'keeper-captain Mark Wallace and a couple of their less-experienced players, they should be competitive.
Michael Hogan took more than 100 wickets last season but he is in desperate need of some support, especially with seamer Mike Reed out for the first two months with a knee injury - his 2013 performances were enough to earn an England Performance Squad call.
Allenby and Hogan impressed in the Yorkshire Bank 40 as well, with Glamorgan finishing second in their group and making it to the final, only for their batting to flop against the pace of Stuart Broad and Ajmal Shahzad.
The Twenty20 captaincy goes back to Allenby this season, and he should be their most valuable player across all formats after a brilliant 2013 which ended with him signing a new four-year deal.
Key Player: Jim Allenby. Tough to ignore Michael Hogan, but Allenby's 2013 season was up there with the best you will see. Eight fifties and a couple of centuries as he tallied 1,116 runs in a struggling four-day team and he took 26 wickets to go with them. The pattern was exactly the same in 40 and 20-over cricket as well, clearly making him one of the country's leading all-rounders.
David says: "It's all change off the pitch with Hugh Morris coming in as chief executive and Toby Radford taking over as coach but when you look at the squad on paper you can't see them being a massive force and may have to settle for mid-table. They had some success in one-day cricket last summer and I suspect that will be their route to a decent season. Jim Allenby and Graham Wagg remain good cricketers and Dean Cosker is still a canny one-day performer."
One to watch: Chris Cooke "At 27 he's not a spring chicken but he's a guy who can really put bat to ball and be quite belligerent. They've got a lot of senior players and a few young guns with it all to prove and Cooke is at the right age to be right at the heart of things."
Captain: Michael Klinger
Head coach: John Bracewell
Ins: Tom Smith (Middlesex), Will Tavare
Outs: Richard Coughtrie, Paul Muchall, Ed Young (all released)
Overseas: Michael Klinger
Gloucestershire are banking on the same personnel as last season to show some improvement in 2014, with little having changed at Bristol since their 2013 disappointments.
Struggles in the four-day game were mixed in with some awful limited-overs results, most notably in the Twenty20 format, where they were among the worst teams in the domestic game.
Scoring runs should not be a big problem with Michael Klinger returning as overseas player looking to add to the 1,105 he compiled in Division Two last season. Alex Gidman and Hamish Marshall also finished in the top 15 in the averages.
Add in the power of Chris Dent, who was their fourth batsman to pass 1,000 runs, and 'keeper Gareth Roderick and they have a line-up that can cope with any team in Division Two.
Tom Smith comes over from Middlesex as their only permanent senior addition, and he has plenty to prove after an up-and-down loan spell with the county last season.
But their deficiencies with the ball have not been dealt with and it could be a long season if Will Gidman is unable to reproduce his 2013 heroics, when he took 50 wickets, and teenager Craig Miles suffers any kind of sophomore slump.
Key Player: Will Gidman Last season saw a series of impressive seam-bowling performances last season from Alex's brother, taking 50 wickets in 13 games, including a career-best 6/15 and 10 wickets in a match for the first time. A few more runs would have been handy but you can't have it all and his batting remains decent for a bowling all-rounder.
David says: "The ground has been redeveloped but the squad is little-changed. They haven't had much of a budget which I know has been frustrating for John Bracewell but it has given some younger players a chance. I don't think they'll go up - or returning to the days when they were winning one-day trophies - but I can see them becoming increasingly competitive over the next two years."
One to watch: Liam Norwell "A six foot six inch fast bowler who has got a bit about him, he's impressed me the couple of times I've seen him. Like David Payne, the left-armer who has been around for a bit now and done well in patches, he needs to put his head above the parapet and have a consistent season. Watch out for the Gidman brothers, Alex and Will, too."
Captain: Jimmy Adams
Head coach: Dale Benkenstein
Ins: Matt Coles (Kent), Joe Gatting (Sussex), Will Smith (Durham), Ruel Brathwaite (Durham), Lewis McManus, Tom Barber
Outs: Dimitri Mascarenhas (ret), David Griffiths (Kent), Hamza Riazzudin (ret), Adam Rouse, Jack Sheppard, Michael Roberts, Jake George (all released)
Overseas: Kyle Abbott
After winning the two limited-overs trophies in 2012, last season was a distinct disappointment for Hampshire. There were some fine performances in one-day cricket and two semi-final appearances. But the County Championship campaign was a damp squib - they were never in promotion contention.
The main issue was wicket-taking. James Tomlinson was the only bowler who can look back at 2013 with any pride. But he should get much more support this season. Kyle Abbott, the South Africa Test fast bowler, and Matt Coles - who looked the real deal after he joined on loan from Kent at the tail-end of last summer - arrive.
On the batting front, Hampshire need one or two players to step up. Sean Ervine, by his standards, had a poor 2013, scoring less than 500 runs and taking just 17 wickets in the Championship. He is usually the rock of the middle order, but he went missing last year.
Two Durham old boys will also be looking to make an impression on the south coast as new first-team coach Dale Benkenstein and former title-winning captain Will Smith reunite.
Joe Gatting - an unfulfilled batting talent - is another new signing, given a fresh start after falling out of favour at Sussex. The key man with the bat, though, is new vice-captain James Vince - this could be a massive season for a young man with genuine potential to play for England.
Promotion to Division One is a realistic target, but in one-day cricket Hampshire will - as usual - be serious challengers, particularly with the brilliant Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell returning for the T20 Blast.
Key player: Matt Coles The powerfully-built Coles is deceptively quick and brings some real aggression to the team. He can score useful lower-order runs too. If he maintains a level head, and his discipline (he was once sent home from an England Lions tour) then he can be a big star for many years at the Ageas Bowl.
David says: "They've struggled to win games at the Ageas Bowl in the last couple of years - their wickets appear to have got quite flat - and that's a problem for them because when they first played there they were always result pitches. They've strengthened their bowling attack and I quite like the signings they've made, particularly Matt Coles from Kent - I think that's a real coup and Kent will be kicking themselves to have lost him. They've got a chance of going up and one-day trophies aren't beyond them."
One to watch: James Vince "He's a class act and a young guy who could put his hand up in this new era for England where batting spots are up for grabs. James looks like an England player in all forms of the game to me; now he has to fulfil that potential."
Captain: Rob Key
Head Coach: Jimmy Adams
Ins: Mitch Claydon (Durham), David Griffiths (Hampshire), Matt Hunn, Charlie Hartley
Outs: Matt Coles (Hampshire), Michael Powell (retired), Charlie Shreck (Leicestershire), Benedict Kemp (released)
Overseas: Doug Bollinger
Kent need their much-vaunted crop of young stars to take the workload off their established veterans if they are to bounce back from a disappointing 2013 campaign.
Rob Key, Brendan Nash and the evergreen Darren Stevens all passed 1,000 runs for the season last year, but the likes of vice-captain Sam Northeast, Daniel Bell-Drummond and Sam Billings were not consistent enough to back-up the senior brigade.
Kent will be looking for these three in particular to provide a solid foundation for the coming summer and beyond, while it will be interesting to see if Fabian Cowdrey - grandson of Sir Colin - can cement a regular place and do his illustrious family name proud.
The bowling lacked penetration last year, but the signing of Australian seamer Doug Bollinger should be a bonus in all formats of the game, while Calum Haggett, Adam Ball, David Griffiths and former Durham quicks Mark Davies and Mitchell Claydon give Kent's attack plenty of depth.
Ivan Thomas has drawn comparisons with Chris Tremlett and could be one to watch as he looks to atone for an injury-hit 2013, and Charlie Hartley could be another to break through after a winter of Grade cricket in Sydney while spinner Adam Riley will be keen to step out from the shadow of England star James Tredwell.
Perhaps the most important news for Kent over the winter involved off-field matters, with former county stalwart Matt Walker joining Mark Ealham and Min Patel on Jimmy Adams' coaching staff, while Stevens was cleared of corruption charges in Bangladesh.
Key player:Darren Stevens Like a fine wine, Stevens is just getting better, and better. He topped the run charts with 1,300 runs - including an unbeaten 205 on the final day of the season - and also claimed 32 wickets with his medium-pacers. The 37-year-old will look for more of the same now an anxious year is behind him.
David says: "Darren Stevens is a massive player for them so it was good news in every sense when he was cleared of involvement in corruption in last year's Bangladesh Premier League and is available for them. Doug Bollinger is a decent signing and will create rough for James Tredwell, but how much is he going to play? If it turns out to be little, Adam Riley can step in who is very decent. If Kent can score runs and the likes of Sam Northeast and Daniel Bell-Drummond fire, they'll be there or thereabouts. They've probably got more of a chance going up in the Championship than winning a one-day trophy."
One to watch: Adam Ball "The England U19 captain has always been a bit of a bowling all-rounder but I think he's a better batsman than bowler. I reckon he can turn himself into a real hard-hitting number six who is also capable of producing useful overs. He's got a great attitude and is a real competitor, so I'm backing him to emerge this season."
Captain: Ramnaresh Sarwan
Head Coach:Ben Smith
Ins: Charlie Shreck (Kent)
Outs: Matthew Hoggard, Claude Henderson (both retired)
Overseas: Ramnaresh Sarwan
Sky Sports exclusives:
High hopes at Grace Road
The last season for the Foxes was an "annus horribilis", a Latin term HRH The Queen once used in one of her Christmas speeches. Other words that could describe the campaign are - shocking, dreadful and expensive, as they announced five-figure losses for the financial year to deepen the gloom at Grace Road.
The future off the field now looks a little brighter with the local council lifting a restrictive covenant on their home, opening up the possibilities of redevelopment to aid their income.
There is dramatic work needed on the field, too. Leicestershire have a new, well newish, captain in West Indies batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan following the retirement of former England seamer Matthew Hoggard. Spinner Claude Henderson, another experienced old head, has also hung up his boots.
The only way is up in the County Championship for the Foxes - they finished rock bottom last time out in Division Two and even a solitary four-day triumph this summer would be an improvement. Eight losses and eight draws meant they finished 70 points back of nearest rivals Glamorgan.
Their 23 batting bonus points was the lowest in the country, despite a stellar effort from Ned Eckersley that saw him manage 1,307 runs. Much was hoped of Shiv Thakor, but the young all-rounder was hampered by a finger injury that has since been operated on. He will not now be back in action until the middle of the campaign, his last under his current contract with the county.
Charlie Shreck's signing should boost a bowling attack that saw only three players manage more than 20 first-class wickets in '13, and none of that trio did so at an average of under 35.
Key player: Ramnaresh Sarwan The Guyanese right-hander needs to lead from the front with the bat, and also must use all his captaincy experience to get his squad to punch above their weight. The county needs to start showing some green shoots of recovery.
David says: "The only way is up but I think they will struggle again this season. I look at the signing of Charlie Shreck, who is a lovely bloke, but I just wonder if it is a forward-thinking move. Let's wait and see if Phil Whitticase and Ben Smith have any aces up their sleeve because they need some young players to emerge."
One to watch: Shiv Thakor "Shiv could miss a large chunk of the season because he's having an operation on a finger but I still think he's the stand-out young player at the club. He had a bit of a blip last year with finger injury problems having really announced himself the year before. I've only heard good things about the lad. If he can get himself on the park and playing, he won't be far off the Lions."
Captain: Graeme Smith
Head Coach: Graham Ford
Outs: Jon Lewis (Sussex), Zander de Bruyn (released)
Overseas: Graeme Smith
Surrey will be hoping for a fresh start this year after a miserable 2013 that saw them relegated in the LV= County Championship. They couldn't even console themselves with a bit of one-day glory, losing to Northamptonshire at Finals Day in the Twenty20 competition.
In a bid to turn their four-day form around they have placed in charge a legendary name and a South African with experience of English domestic cricket. Alec Stewart remains on the staff having taken on a role midway through last season following the departure of Chris Adams, while former Kent boss Graham Ford has arrived as their new head coach.
An ankle injury saw captain Graeme Smith return home early last season, but now he will be fully focused on the job of leading Surrey after announcing his international retirement. South Africa's loss is certainly Surrey's gain.
They will also benefit from Kevin Pietersen's very public departure from the England set-up. He has signed a deal to play in the NatWest T20 Blast, yet could we see him in first-class action?
Whoever does bat in the top order should find runs a little easier to come by in the second tier (no batsman managed to get into four figures last time out), while the seam trio of Chris Tremlett, Jade Dernbach and Stuart Meaker will all be hoping a re-laid Oval square will offer a little more pace and bounce.
And while experienced old pros Vikram Solanki and Gareth Barry are still around, Ford will be focused on helping some of the young talent, including teenage batsman Dominic Sibley, who became the youngest player to hit a double century in Championship cricket last September, develop further.
Key man: Graeme Smith The fact he is free to play county cricket for the entire summer is a massive boost for his English employers. As well as runs at the top of the order, his leadership skills should help Surrey push for an immediate return to the top tier.
David says: "Looking at the talent in their squad, I expect Surrey to go straight back up. That said they looked too good to go down last season! Graeme Smith's availability, fitness and motivation is key for them. Can he pick himself up after all of those emotional Test match farewells, though, to bat the required length of time on a cold April morning to give Surrey good starts when he's done so much in the game? Surrey will be a force in all forms and if Smith does fire, they're my favourites to go up alongside Hampshire or Essex."
One to watch: Dominic Sibley "He finished last season on a high after becoming the youngest double centurion in County Championship history. He was out of sorts when I watched him play for England U19s during the World Cup but he has the ability to score big in the Championship and he'll learn quickly given the opportunity to bat with the likes of Smith and Solanki. He is still doing his studies so won't be available for the whole season."
Captain: Daryl Mitchell
Head coach: Steve Rhodes
Ins: Saeed Ajmal
Outs: Alan Richardson (ret), Richard Jones (Warwickshire), David Lucas (ret) Michael Johnson, Aneesh Kapil, Neil Pinner, Steve Leach (all released)
Overseas: Saeed Ajmal (Pakistan)
Rhodes: Someone will step in
Worcestershire fans are about to find out what life is like without Alan Richardson, and potentially Moeen Ali.
The prolific fast bowler Richardson has retired to take up a coaching role at Warwickshire and Moeen looks destined to spend most of the summer with England. The duo took nearly 100 Championship wickets between them last season. That is a lot of wickets to find. Then add in the fact that Moeen scored 500 more runs than the next best in the team, skipper Daryl Mitchell.
Whichever way you look at it, it is hard to see grounds for optimism in any format - both men are simply irreplaceable. And to make matters worse, the highly promising seamer Richard Jones has also left for Edgbaston.
The only ray of sunshine is the return of Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal, who will supply wickets and endless enthusiasm when he is available.
The slippery Jack Shantry is rather under-estimated, whilst Gareth Andrew will provide steadiness with the ball, and some fireworks with the bat. Graeme Cessford, the ex-RAF bowler, has genuine pace and showed real promise last season. Worcestershire badly need him to kick on.
It is hard to see anything but a battle with Leicestershire to avoid finishing bottom of the table in the Championship, and there is no case to suggest they will be anything but also-rans in one-day matches - where they will be known as the Rapids. It could be a long summer at New Road.
Key man: Daryl Mitchell The skipper needs a mighty season with the bat to help the likes of Matt Pardoe and Jack Leach develop. His right-arm medium pace is awkward and he may be needed more frequently than usual to stem the flow of runs.
David says: "I fear for Worcester a little having lost so much talent in recent years. Moeen Ali could be playing quite a lot for England and Alan Richardson has retired, so although I've got a lot of time for Steve Rhodes and for Worcester as a club, I can easily see them propping up the Championship."
One to watch: Brett D'Oliveira "It would be a great story if he could burst on the scene. He's a leg-spinner with a wrong 'un who has good one-day potential. But bowling well and nailing down a place in the Championship team is very different to bowling in Twenty20 when the field is out. But anyone who can bowl decent leg-breaks and bat and field has got to be worth a watch."


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After a three-month test period, City of Lexington officials have asked the N.C. Department of Transportation to remove the temporary traffic pattern permitting left turns on Main and Center streets at the Square.
After a three-month test period, the N.C. Department of Transportation has decided not to allow left turns on Main and Center street at the Square. City of Lexington officials asked the NCDOT to remove the temporary traffic pattern permitting left turns, and the no turn signs reappeared Wednesday.
Officials with the City of Lexington met with traffic engineers and emergency response agencies to evaluate the temporary traffic pattern and determined that permanently allowing left turns would negatively impact the overall safety and mobility at the Square.
"It was the general consensus from all involved that the previous traffic pattern was safer for motorists and pedestrians alike," said Lexington City Manager Alan Carson. "The DOT knew the paving project was coming up, and they decided to look into the possibility of allowing left turns at the Square, and after the testing period was completed we agreed it wasn't going to work."
Problems observed during the testing period included a significant increase in congestion resulting from the back-up of motorists waiting to turn left. City officials also worried about an increased probability of pedestrians being struck at the Square by motorists focused on making the left turn.
"People were sitting through two and three cycles of the light waiting for people to turn left," said Mark Crook, Davidson County maintenance engineer for the NCDOT.
Another issue concerning turning left at the Square is the interaction between motorists who are driving and those who are using street parking. There is an increased risk with parallel parking and people exiting parked vehicles as people use the right lane to avoid the line of cars waiting to turn left, city officials said. Also there is an increased probability of sideswipe accidents, as motorists make quick lane changes to avoid the back-ups in the left turn lanes
"Main Street just isn't wide enough for a left turn lane and to keep the street parking," Crook said. "If you have to decide between turning left or parking on the street, I think most people would choose the parking."
Another issue the city identified was the increased probability of collisions as motorists turn left in front of two lanes of oncoming traffic, particularly when trying to "beat" the light.
The original project to consider allowing left turns happened in a strange turn of events. Tim Ragan, president of Uptown Lexington, said that the question of the left turn came about when a group of students from North Carolina A&T State University were researching refurbishment of the town Square this spring.
"The students asked why there was no left turns allowed about the same time the DOT planned to repave Main Street," Ragan said. "They decided to go ahead and lift the restriction and see what would happen."
Ragan said the students had suggested that allowing a left turn would be easier for truck drivers coming up Main Street trying to make deliveries on Center Street. The research from the three-month testing period determined that the increased safety risk in the area was more relevant than access for truck deliveries.
"At least now I know the answer to why they don't allow left turns at the Square," Ragan said.
When NCDOT completes the Main Street resurfacing project, traffic will return to the previous configuration, which did not allow left turns at the Square.
"We knew we were going to be repaving Main Street, and if we needed to change the road signage, this would be the time to do it," Crook said.
In a related topic, the Main Street repaving project that was slated to end Friday has been put behind schedule due to a traffic accident involving a subcontractor's vacuum truck. Slurry Pavers out of Richmond, Va., is the overall contractor who is doing the paving project.
"The vacuum truck was totalled last week," Crook said. "They have to find another one to get up all this gravel before we can start putting down the pavement markings."
Crook said that the gravel that has remained on Main Street is part of the paving process to allow motorists to still drive on the new pavement while it in the "curing" process. The vacuum truck was to remove the gravel last week to allow the new pavement markings, but it was demolished Thursday.
Crook said that the vacuuming of the gravel will resume Monday night, and the new marking should be completed by next week.
"Between the rainstorm and the accident, we have had some significant delays," Crook said. "But I think we should be pretty close to our original completion date."
Sharon Myers can be reached at 249-3981, ext, 228 or at email@example.com.


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Success in Synchronicity: The Reunion of Payton and Brees
On March 14, 2006, a bond was forged in relative anonymity by NFL standards. A bond between the NFL's most fearless head coach and the NFL's most captivating leader at quarterback. Sean Payton and Drew Brees took a chance on New Orleans, the Saints, and each other. To say that this gamble has paid off would be an egregious understatement. The Brees/Payton union has delivered the following since its inception:
- NFL Coach of the Year Award (2006)
- 4 winning seasons
- 3 NFC South Championships
- 5 postseason wins including 2 NFC Championship appearances
- 6 Pro Bowl appearances (Brees)
- Super Bowl XLIV Championship and Super Bowl MVP (Brees)
Drew Brees has set the following records:
- NFL's All-time single season passing yard leader (5,476)
- Most consecutive games with a passing touchdown in NFL history (54)
- Saints All-time leader in career wins, pass attempts, pass completions, passing yards, and passing touchdowns
Let that all sink in for a moment, it's almost incomprehensible. This unlikely pairing, the damaged-goods quarterback and the unproven head coach, reversed the fortunes of a franchise and resurrected the hopes of a city. It's quite obvious that expectations were exceeded by leaps and bounds. This bond achieved the impossible, they made the New Orleans Saints relevant and respectable. They made the Saints contenders and champions.
On April 16, 2012 this remarkable bond was temporarily severed and Drew Brees was left to carry the fortunes of the franchise on his shoulders. How did he do? Well, in hindsight, stunningly well. Without his innovative head coach and backed by statistically the worst defense in NFL history, Drew Brees won seven games on offense alone. Think about that, any pre-Brees Saints team and QB would've folded under such pressure. Three wins would've been a delight under such circumstances.
There Brees stood though, in the spotlight and under pressure for the duration of a trying season, but he was worth, at the very least, six wins on his own. His leadership, his skill, his determination, combined with six seasons of tutelage under Sean Payton provided the silver lining in the dark cloud of the 2012 Saints season. Granted, Brees had some terrible games in the mix, but all things considered, he was the difference between a disappointing season and an abject failure of a season. Whether Sean Payton's presence and influence is worth the other six wins needed to be considered elite remains to be seen.
Drew Brees' place in Canton is secure, and much of that is owed to Sean Payton. For Brees, all of the raw materials for excellence were in place before he connected with Payton. The skill-set was there. The desire to win was there. The instinct to lead was there. The drive to be elite, to be a champion was there. But it was Sean Payton who channelled and honed all of these intangibles into an undeniable reality. This combined with Drew's experiences through his career-threatening injury helped make him what he is today.
Drew Brees was great before Payton and likely would've been great under Nick Saban, Norv Turner, or Mike McCarthy. Brees may have very well continued to be an All-Pro for years to come under these other coaches and other systems, but it is Payton that has wielded Brees with flawless execution and surgical precision to create a Hall of Fame quarterback, a record-breaking offense, and a championship team. Drew may have never truly tapped into his potential greatness without Payton. Much like Tom Brady and his fortune in New England, circumstances and timing were crucial for Drew's success.
Take a look at Brees' career stats without Coach Payton:
The pre-Saints stats are solid, but nothing to lead you to believe Drew was capable of achieving the greatness he has. Now look at 2012 without Payton, Drew has clearly mastered his craft and was able to run the Saints offense with efficiency even without the architect Payton there to keep it together. But as you can see, even though the yards and TDs are high, higher than any of his Charger seasons, so are the interceptions and passing attempts.
Sean Payton has the effect to simultaneously reign-in and unleash Drew Brees, and having Payton back on the sidelines in 2013 will help Drew not just with the gameplan but coach's presence will take a lot of pressure off him on the field. Much like his experiences before teaming with Payton, maybe Brees will be even better reuniting with his head coach, having learned some valuable lessons in his Payton's absence.
On the other side of this same coin, Payton is better for having Brees. In nine seasons as an assistant coach, Payton's teams only made the playoffs three times, albeit the first time was with the 2000 New York Giants who were thoroughly dismantled in Super Bowl XXXV. Payton never had a quarterback approaching the caliber of Drew Brees, and although he may have hypothetically succeeded with QBs like Daunte Culpepper, Tony Romo, or Aaron Rodgers, it is Brees who has brought out the best in his offensive vision and helped him learn to be a leader himself.
We've seen Drew Brees without Sean Payton and unfortunately the day will come that Payton will have to soldier on after Brees retires and take the next phase of his career to Canton. One can only hope that Payton will be a better coach for his experiences with Brees. Drew Brees and Sean Payton are in the same conversation with Brady/Belichick and Montana/Walsh, and to dispute this would be disingenuous. Their work ethic combined with their belief in self and each other is arguably unparalleled in the NFL. Who Dat Nation is currently reveling in the golden age of the New Orleans Saints thanks largely in part to these two men.
On January 22, 2013 this remarkable bond was allowed to forge on once more and the NFL is better for it. Payton and Brees, like many other masters of their craft, Lennon and McCartney, Graffin and Gurewitz, individually have had success and struggles without the other, but combined they have created something transcendent. Drew Brees and Sean Payton will be forever linked and they will be forever indebted to each other. They have enjoyed success on their own, but they found greatness together. Let the greatness return to New Orleans this season.
Success in Synchronicity: The Reunion of Payton and Brees - Canal Street Chronicles
Re: Success in Synchronicity: The Reunion of Payton and Brees
The boys are back. !
Re: Success in Synchronicity: The Reunion of Payton and Brees
He forgot Brees' record of the most overlooked player for MVP.
Re: Success in Synchronicity: The Reunion of Payton and Brees
I love this quote from the article.
"On January 22, 2013 this remarkable bond was allowed to forge on once more and the NFL is better for it."
When I read that statement I automatically thought about metal forging......lot's of heat.......lot's of pressure applied through force......lot's of hard work and sweat creating a hardened strong product. Then that piece of metal is sharpened and refined until you have a surgically sharp sword that is stronger by far than their opponents blades.
The Saints sword has been forged Who Dats! It's time to carry the sword into battle again! The battle field is ours! Who Dat!:bng:
Re: Success in Synchronicity: The Reunion of Payton and Brees
I don't know why we don't see more articles like this from the national media. Just look at the numbers. The next record will be for number of records broken I think. The NFL has never seen the likes of these two.
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My Carrier FE4ANB005 Fan Coil has 10K and a 5K heater pack, the 10K is fed by a 60 amp circuit the 5K is fed by a 30 amp circuit, but the fan coil has two 10K (60 amp) breakers.
The reason Im asking is the 30 amp breaker on my load center that feeds the fan coil/5k Heater has tripped about 10 times this winter.
I replaced the 30 amp breaker Saturday, today the installer ran an electric heat test and inspected the wiring, he said he didnt find any problems, but he also didnt take any current readings.
This system is less than one year old.


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Story highlights
- Diwali is a Hindu festival that takes place between mid October and mid November each year
- Lights are lit to commemorate the legend of the return of the Hindu god Rama to his kingdom after 14 years in exile
- Hindus also believe Lakshmi, goddess of wealth, enters their homes during this period
- In Indian villages Diwali is more a celebration of the end of the harvest and many months of hard work
Diwali is one of the most important Hindu festivals in India -- but the colorful customs and meanings associated with it can vary dramatically depending on whether you reside in the countryside or the city.
On the streets of densely populated conurbations like Mumbai, Diwali -- popularly known as the Festival of Lights -- is often a raucous affair, marked by a cacophony of firecrackers on the streets and a flourish of ceremonial gambling in the home. The wealthier urban dwellers splurge on gold, jewelry, clothes and expensive gifts such as electronics, which they buy for themselves and their loved ones.
In the quiet tribal villages, such as those dotted around the vast state of Maharashtra in the west of India, the celebration is generally a more simple affair, defined by humble offerings and wholesome feasts. Few, if any, firecrackers are burst and many follow their own particular tribal traditions. Most villagers try and buy new clothes, but few can afford gold, jewelry or elaborate gifts.
Common traditions
There are some Diwali rituals common across most of the subcontinent. In both city and countryside, small clay oil lamps (or diyas) are placed at the thresholds of homes, shops and offices throughout the five-day affair to celebrate the legend of the return of the Hindu god, Lord Rama, to his kingdom after 14 years in exile. According to mythology his people lit diyas to welcome his return.
Hindus in cities and villages also believe that during Diwali the Hindu goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, will visit their homes if they are lit, clean and beautifully decorated.
Windows and doors are left open to let the goddess in and homes are cleaned from top to bottom.
Brightly-colored rangolis are drawn using fingers on the ground at the entrances to homes and offices. These geometric designs are usually symbols of nature and their purpose is to welcome guests and to encourage Lakshmi inside.
Gambling card games are often played in both villages and cities, as it is generally considered auspicious to gamble during Diwali.
This springs from a legend that a Hindu deity played a dice game with his consort on the fourth day of Diwali and she won. Some Hindus believe Lakshmi can be invoked through gambling.
Place your bets
Gambling parties are an especially popular pastime during Diwali in Mumbai. The parties typically start at 10pm in bungalows and farmhouses and continue until 5am.
"Bets can start as small as Rs 20 (40 cents) and as big as Rs 5,000 ($93). In a night people can lose up to Rs 50,000 ($930)," explains Vikram Mehta, 30, founder of Red Om Entertainment in Mumbai.
"People don't mind losing -- it's part of the ambiance and people are having fun. Everyone dresses up, everyone is on holiday, everyone is inviting each other to their homes, there is a lot of warmth."
A range of games are played, the most popular being Teen Patti (three-card brag) with Blackjack and poker also favorites.
"People sit on mattresses on the floor. There are rooms where the kids play for fun and then other rooms with the higher stakes," Mehta says. The houses are decorated with diyas, people dress in traditional Indian dress, servants wander round with platters of kebabs, biryani and Indian sweets, he adds.
Across the country Indian sweets -- known as mithai -- are exchanged and people have large family gatherings in their homes.
New year, new accounts
Diwali also marks the start of the new Hindu financial year and many businessmen, traders and shopkeepers, open new accounts books. Businessmen in certain states, particularly Gujarat, worship their accounts books.
There are various other rituals celebrated in towns and villages on each of the five days. For example, on the last day of Diwali in many parts of India, a sister cooks for her brother and he bestows gifts on her in celebration of the love between siblings.
"The modern world is changing and festivals are the only way to keep our culture and traditions alive. For us Diwali is the victory of good over evil, the returning of good back into our lives and starting a new year with a positive approach and forgetting all the bad that has happened," says 45-year-old Mumbai housewife Heena Damle.
"You have tables ready with sweets to offer if someone comes to your home," adds her nephew Pranav Damle, 29.
Lighting up the night
Typically fire crackers are set off from dusk, often throughout the night. The noise is believed to herald the defeat of evil and catch the attention of the gods.
19-year-old rag picker Santosh, whose family migrated from a Maharashtrian village to Mumbai, says: "People in the villages have limited means, so it's not very spectacular. In Mumbai, the rich celebrate it with a lot of pomp. We witness huge fireworks and can get such fancy crackers."
Some, however, are concerned that the original traditions of Diwali are being lost in cities.
Inir Pinheiro is managing director of Grassroutes, which promotes responsible village tourism, and will take 60 urban Indians on trips to three tribal villages in Maharashtra this Diwali. He says many of them want to "see an unadulterated way of celebrating Diwali, a less noisy place and to reconnect with the people."
"I think people in the cities are beginning to realize there is a lot of show in the way it is celebrated and a large materialistic aspect to it. People want to see if there is something more to the celebration," Pinheiro says.
Hopes for the harvest
In the 500-person village of Purushwadi in Maharashtra, one of Pinheiro's selected rural destinations, families of five typically live in two-bedroomed stone houses. Dutta Kondar, 27, a farmer from the Mahadeo Koli tribe, says that Diwali is a "celebration of the end of the harvest of kharif (rain-fed crops)."
Since harvest is when the villagers make money, villagers carry out Lakshmi puja (prayer ritual) on their assets at Diwali, giving thanks and praying for a good harvest to come.
"We conduct a small puja of our cattle, grain and cash," Kondar says. Family members hold a plate of offerings to the gods and chant prayers while rotating the plate around the assets, he explains.
"To make sure our bodies are prepared for the winter, we eat lots of oil and sweets," Kondar adds.
"Whenever anyone enters their house, the villagers offer each other sweets. But they don't buy presents for each other - money being a big constraint," Pinheiro says.
Village values
Like many rural villages across India, Purushwadi has its own particular rituals. Pinheiro says one of the most popular is the local singing ceremony.
"This is when children go round the houses holding hand-made lanterns made of sticks and twigs and they sing Marathi songs for the benefit of residents of the homes. In return they are given oil and grain," Pinheiro says.
"The difference in how Diwali is celebrated in the villages is that it is done with more simplicity. It is the rare occasion when they buy clothes and eat nice food and they are celebrating after many months of hard work.. In the cities it is less community-oriented, noisier and more about spending money and showing off," Pinheiro adds.
Join CNN to document the events that bring us all together. With your help we'll showcase celebrations from Halloween to New Year
Send us your best photos: www.cnn.com/celebrates


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What You'll Get
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- $10 for a one-year 6-issue subscription to Cesar's Way (a $19.99 value)
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In each issue of Cesar's Way, celebrity dog-whisperer Cesar Millan imparts tips on how owners can better connect with their canine companions. Articles cover topics such as pet-friendly travel, training, and making homes more comfortable for dogs.
Blue Dolphin Magazines
With a barrage of consumer-friendly magazine titles catering to all interests, Blue Dolphin Magazines' e-store boasts an array of subscriptions ideal for gift-giving or personal enlightenment. The magazine curators line their virtual shelves with more than 1,000 titles in 28 different categories. They vend glossy pages devoted to subjects from the outdoors to scientific breakthroughs to current events, helping each of their titles fit nicely into any reading room, whether it houses couches, barstools, or ornately decorative porcelain chairs. By maintaining direct relationships with the publishers, they are also able to present their customers with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
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In Spoiler-Talk, we take a no-holds-barred look at some of the biggest games and discuss what the future holds for these franchises. Expect many, many spoilers.
One of the most talked about games of 2012 was Mass Effect 3. BioWare made good on its promise to finish the fight and end the trilogy and finish Shepard's story. Unfortunately, many fans were disappointed by the ending--so much so that one fan even filed a complaint with the FTC. The controversy forced BioWare to go back and make an "Extended Cut" of the ending, one that promised to "give fans seeking further clarity to the ending of Mass Effect 3."
A Look Back
With the furor surrounding Mass Effect 3's ending, it can be hard to remember some of the bigger moments that ME3 offered. There were some very big decisions to be made in the adventure, perhaps none more nail-biting than the resolution of the battle between the Geth and Quarians. This conflict exemplified one of the main themes of the trilogy: the conflict between synthetic and organic life. In that one moment, players were forced to question if artificial intelligence could be considered actual life. While some will be able to wrangle a truce between the two warring species, others had to witness the destruction of an entire race. In my game, seeing the Quarians get wiped out was unexpected and haunting.
Many of the game's critics say that--largely due to Mass Effect's ending--the game fails to recognize player choice. Others, like myself, believe the journey is more important than the destination and found Mass Effect 3 riddled with a number of heart-wrenching decisions.
The Ending
Ultimately, players have to deal with the Reaper threat. And unsurprisingly, the Crucible, which looks likes a giant laser weapon, ends up being a giant laser weapon that can destroy the Reapers. Critics called it a deus ex machina, given its sudden appearance in Mass Effect 3. Still, it's hard to imagine how else the conflict against the Reapers could have been resolved, given the overwhelming force they represented. BioWare uses the Crucible's construction as an obvious player goal, much like the "suicide mission" from Mass Effect 2. From the very beginning of the game, players are reminded that every action will add to the Galactic Readiness level--essentially, how successful building the Crucible will be.
Depending on your Galactic Readiness, you'll have a number of options available at the end. There are essentially three choices: to destroy the Reapers, to control the Reapers, and to "synthesize" artificial and organic life, each of which results in a different colored laser shooting across the galaxy. (There's also the option to avoid using the Crucible altogether.)
Many were disappointed by how similarly these three endings played out. The Extended Cut DLC adds epilogues to each of these choices, making them more unique, appeasing some fans. Others were disappointed that in all but one ending, Shepard is forced to die.
The Indoctrination Theory
Perhaps more contentious than the ending itself is a fan-created argument for the "indoctrination theory." Conceived before BioWare announced and released the Extended Cut DLC, it argues that the end moments of Mass Effect 3 aren't exactly what they seem. Essentially, the indoctrination theory posits that Shepard has been indoctrinated by the endgame, and that the final decision represents Shepard's ability to fight the Reaper influence. For example, the Catalyst suggests controlling the Reapers, much like the indoctrinated Illusive Man does. While the Catalyst's argument is convincing, the indoctrination theory adds a sinister wrinkle to Mass Effect's ending--suggesting that the happy end of the Control and Synthesis options are ultimately a Reaper illusion.
Fans have spent hours poring over the evidence. This two-hour video offers just a small glimpse of the theory's rabbit hole. There have been over 2000 pages devoted to the theory on BioWare's official forums.
So What's Next?
There is at least one more bit of DLC for Mass Effect 3. "It's all hands on deck for this one. Pretty much every Mass Effect 3 DLC writer here in Edmonton is involved," wrote BioWare's Jos Hendriks. Given the scope and scale of this expansion, could it be the long-rumored post-ending DLC? Believers of the indoctrination theory are still looking for vindication, whereas others would just like to see a more fully-fleshed out epilogue to the game's endings. Given how different the Extended endings are from one another, a post-game DLC will definitely be tricky to pull off.
Mass Effect 4
BioWare has already confirmed that they're working on a new game in the Mass Effect franchise. The new game promises to be a pretty radical departure from the original trilogy, with a new developer taking the helm, and a new engine powering the experience. The direction of the new game promises to be different as well: "We don't want to make 'Shepard 2', or Mass Effect 4 with like, 'oh there's no more Shepard but you're a soldier in the universe'. So this will be a very, very different context for sure," BioWare Montreal producer Fabrice Condominas said.
Perhaps the biggest question surrounding the next Mass Effect game is its setting: will it be a prequel, or a sequel? Producer Casey Hudson asked fans for their input, and the response has been overwhelmingly in favor for a sequel. "Definitely after the trilogy. Would be fun to see how things are re-defined in a post Reaper galaxy," one fan commented. "After the trilogy for sure. I want to see where the galaxy goes, not where it's been."
But the problem of having a sequel is that BioWare will have to choose a canonical ending. As one fan joked, "I'd rather have a canon ending so at least I know which color I'm supposed to like." Forcing a canon option onto players will probably further aggravate fans who felt betrayed by the ending they received in Mass Effect 3--a prequel could avoid that complication, while exploring the rather rich world BioWare has created.
The Hanar Spectre, Blasto, proved to be one of the fan-favorite surprises of Mass Effect 3. Teasers for Blasto 6: Partners in Crime on the Citadel proved to be one of the most entertaining side-stories in the game. A fully-fleshed sequel has been occasionally requested by fans, as it would certainly make good on BioWare's promise of making a very different game. But, will such a quirky character command as wide an audience as BioWare's original trilogy?


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If you're anything like me, you're a devil worshipper.
There's just something glorious about a truly demonic demon, one that embodies the spirit of the classics -- a big, red, horny, behooved, gleefully evil beast-man from the flaming depths of Hell. Who doesn't love demons? Well, Christians, I suppose. Some of them, anyway.
Videogames have all sorts of demons, but only a few of them are proper demony demons. The kind of demon you can look at and say, "That sure is a demon!" These are the demons that you think of when you think of demon stuff, which I do pretty much all of the time.
Here are the best ones.
Lucifer (Ghosts n' Goblins)
The classic Capcom title Ghosts n' Goblins scores points by going straight to the top of the food chain. It doesn't get more demonic than Satan himself, and this isn't your post-modern, social commentary, Al Pacino take on the character -- this is proper Satan, sitting on a proper skull throne, being a proper demon.
As is an important requisite for being a real demon, Lucifer's skin is as red as the blistering fires that will melt the endlessly regenerating flesh from our bones for all eternity. However, he places last on the list due to the lack of horns, hooves, or other defining traits that would make him a truly demony demon. With the hair, pointy nose, and generally washed-out color of his skin, he looks more like a cross between a Super Saiyan, a witch, and that woman out of Hellraiser II: Hellbound.
Nevertheless, he is still a good demon.
Lucifer (Dante's Inferno)
Like Capcom, Visceral Games decided to pick the big guy himself when creating an ultimate baddie for Dante's Inferno. He's a solid example of a demon done justice. The horn-to-head ratio is tilted firmly in favor of horns, which is always great to see in any demon.
Speaking of horns, this particular Lucifer has a gigantic penis that flops around when he walks. This is often a cause of humor to some, but folk like me take our demon penises incredibly seriously. It is not mandatory that a demon have a penis, but if it's going to have one, it's got to be huge and massive and capable of hammering a nail into plywood. They did a great job on all counts with this particular penis, and I'm grateful that Visceral takes a good dick as seriously as I do.
Diablos (Final Fantasy series)
Diablos is a pretty damn good demon. His face is basically made out of spikes, he's got a giant pair of wings that look more suited to putting holes in things as opposed to flight, and he's sporting a classy red and black color scheme that is both demonic and fashionable.
Square Enix did a great job with Diablos, giving him a modern look to make him appealing to the youth of today while still retaining a lot of classic demoniness that will never go out of style. Fans of the satanic, young and old, can come together and celebrate their love of the blasted wasteland that shall host their lives in oblivion, united by a shared appreciation of Diablos. The Dreadful Mother whispers her knowledge where no ears are there to hear them.
Eidolon (Hexen 2)
Now we're really cooking (cooking like in Hell with fire ha ha). Eidolon has got it going on, with a dark red color pattern, black claws, and even a pair of hooves. We're getting into serious demon territory with these bad boys. Extra marks are had for the goat-like nature of its horns and beard. Since the dawn of time, goats have had an affinity with the damned, due to the fact that they can eat clothes, which humans use to hide their sinful boobs and anuses. This is where we get the term "scapegoat" from, "scape" being Latin for, "chewing my pants."
The snake-like face is a bit offputting and a reason why the Eidolon didn't rank higher, but any disturbance had from that feature is offset by the brass nipple ring located on the demon's left teet. This is a nice touch, and adds flavor to the design.
Flame Demon (Castlevania series)
The Flame Demon has almost got it all. Fire, teeth, horns, wings, nearly every incarnation of the Flame Demon throughout the Castlevania series has been a fantastic look at what goes into making a truly demony demon.
That said, the Flame Demon from Symphony of the Night really lets the side down, and can eat balls as far as I'm concerned. First of all, it's green. Green! Demons aren't green, they are almost ALWAYS red, and maybe sometimes grey or black with some red on them somewhere. They're not red and green like they're made out of fucking Christmas! Those pathetic little points on its head do not look like horns. They're more like a snail's eye stalks. Frankly, the whole mess resembles some sort of stupid insect and I honestly hope whoever designed it is homeless now and can never improve his social standing -- also, the bastard can never die, so he is stuck homeless forever and really hungry and thirsty but waking up every morning so he can keep being poor and homeless and generally having a bad time.
That little issue aside, great work on the Flame Demons!
Samael (Darksiders series)
Despite a voice that makes him sound like he should be selling suspicious car stereos at a covered market in East London, Samael is an incredibly demonesque demon who demons really nicely. This guy wears horns so well that he's managed to fashion a bunch of them into a beard. Samael has a hornbeard! That's how you know you're hitting the grade-A hardcore demon shit.
Top marks also go toward a pair of wings that look like they're made out of steak, as well as armor that's pointy enough to be badass while small enough to showcase at least one tit. Demons are at their best when they're wearing only a slight amount of clothing, so we can see how red they are. Samael is pretty damn red, which makes him really good at being a demon.
They're coming for you, you fucking worm. They're scratching the inside of your skull with their barbs and they'll break free at night to drag you, bleeding, from your rancid little cot.
Horned Reaper (Dungeon Keeper series)
Did you think we'd do this article without mentioning Dungeon Keeper? What's wrong with you, you pathetic little idiot!? It doesn't get much better than the Horned Reaper, that scythe-wielding nightmare from Bullfrog's short-lived series of simulation games. Tough to unlock, and tougher to keep satisfied, these devilish bastards bleed pure demon.
They're red. They're horny. They've got hooves. They are classic demon, through and through. I prefer the original design over the sequel's overhaul, due to it having better teeth and no pupils in the eyes, but both versions are pretty ace-potatoes. Abuse.
Diablo (Diablo series)
After the thirteen black sacraments have been performed, the matriarch of spiders descends from an icy haze of withering deceit and the judgement of those that have wreaked their rusted vengeance upon their deniers. She will ask you a question, and you must answer this pressing inquisition with honesty in your heart, no matter the perversity of her accusation, for your secrets collect on her entangled web like dew drops in the spring morning, and she has grown fat on your life of lies and wicked deeds. Know now that she sees all, her eight unblinking eyes possessed of the spirit sight, and her words cut like jagged glass dragged upon the flesh of your soul. With a single query she can reduce a man to a gibbering, wretched thing, and only the steeliest of resolve can shield itself from her accusatory spite.
The first of the keys to the locks to the door are yours upon your completion of this task. Only when the door is open will you free yourself of the torment you have knowingly invited. You, who began your quest in pursuit of power, will end it in pursuit of peace. I warn you, beseech you, do not tread this path. Though I am bound by my own misdoing to instruct you, whoever you may be, I am free to tell you that you must not, cannot, do this.
What have I done?
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And the winner is…
Of course we can't tell you just yet. But we can tell you that, for those who didn't watch Tuesday's show, you won't have to wait an entire two hours to find out.
After a Monday night filled with amazing performances, Will Champlin, Jacquie Lee and Tessanne Chin will finally learn whether all of their hard work this season paid off.
Starting off the night on a high note, the top 20 came together to perform "Tonight is the Night" and remind us all why this has been one of the best seasons to date.
Each contestant had one bring-back performance. They were able to get together with four of their friends from this season and sing a song of their choice.
Jacquie Lee banded together with Matthew Schuler, Cole Vosbury, Caroline Pennell and James Wolpert to perform the Queen classic, "Bohemian Rhapsody." (Although I was on edge about the performance, they were able to pull it off completely.)
Will Champlin joined forces with Cole Vosbury, Caroline Pennell, Austin Jencks and Jonny Gray for "Wagon Wheel." Tessanne, never to be outdone in the voice department, enlisted some of the competition's biggest voices --namely Wolpert, Preston Pohl, Olivia Henken and Grey -- to perform Sam and Dave's "Hold on, I'm Coming."
It wouldn't be a finale if "The Voice" didn't bring on some of today's biggest talent to perform throughout the show (while giving the final three a min to catch their breath).
Mentor Ryan Tedder and his band One Republic, no strangers to the show, performed their newest single, "I Lived." Celine Dion and Neyo moved the audience with a performance of their newest duet, "Incredible."
And for the first time ever, Lady Gaga took to "The Voice" stage for her smash hit, "Do What You Want," with surprise guest, coach Christina. Their performance added a lot more "girl power" to the night, creating a version of the song that we all hope will be available on itunes soon.
But it wasn't only international superstars who performed while the top three rested. Matthew Schuler, Preston Pohl, Ray Boudreaux, Nic Hawk and Josh Logan performed "Treasure," giving Bruno Mars a run for his money and making for one of the night's biggest moments. Shelbie Z. Tamara, Stephanie, Kat and Amber returned to perform the Kelly Clarkson hit, "My Life Would Suck Without You." Their appearance reminded us all how much we missed all their talents in the final parts of the competition.
Giving the contestants a moment to get personal, the final Voice Confessional gave each finalist the chance o say what it would really mean to win the competition. To each one of the top three, it was summed up in one word…Everything.
Jacquie, Will and Tessanne each took the time to thank their coaches and families, as well as the fans who voted for them each week, for supporting them. Coaches Adam and Christina didn't even mention how winning would work out in their favor, but stressed how the result would change the life in the best way for one of their contestants.
Tessanne, Jacquie and Will each had a chance to sing with an artist who had influenced them during the competition. Jacquie got a chance to rock out with Paramore and premiere their newest single, "Ain't It Fun." Tessanne was moved to tears when she found out she'd be performing with Celine Dion; together, they sang a beautiful rendition of "Love Can Move Mountains." Will got the chance to sing one of his favorite songs, "Wake Me Up," with Aloe Blacc.
After all of the night's excitement, it was finally time to announce the winner of season five of "The Voice." After surviving blind auditions, battle rounds and knock out rounds, and gaining record-breaking votes each week Jacquie, Will and Tessanne finally learned their fate.
Will Champlin won third place, leaving the competition in either Jacquie or Tessanne's hands.
And the winner of "The Voice" is Tessanne Chin! And Coach Adam gets his second win.
It was amazing to see Tessanne win. In between tears and her amazing reaction of disbelief, she got a chance to hold her trophy, hug her husband and her mother and make Jamaica proud. She sang the song that Ryan Tedder wrote just for her, "Tumbling Down."
I am proud that Tessanne Chin won, a favorite from the beginning of the competition. There was no disappointment this season … except maybe for coach Blake Shelton, who had his reigning champion title taken away by Adam Levine.


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I think, therefore I brand
Sam and I just got back from a trip to Las Vegas. While there we had a chance to enjoy a bit of nature at Red Rock Canyon, which inspired this illustration. Unrelated: we saw WILD BURROS. Awesome.
I feel like I saw this on a blog before, but I never connected it to a specific person. Turns out it's Merijn Hos, who incidentally also created the artwork for my favorite Verkade Tin (that and the above piece in greater detail, after the jump).
Check out these awesome paper sculptures. Thanks for the tip @dazezuli!
Embroidered typography? How cool. These are by twin designers Maricor and Maricar.
You may have noticed the blog was down for a bit today-thanks to a pesky computer virus (like this little guy, but less adorable, OBV). Everything is fixed now. Thanks Sam!
Two posts in one day! Marimekko on Google, how could I resist?
Last week we had the pleasure of meeting Louisa from Bernstein & Andriulli. The video above is a piece by Greg Barth, one of their artists.
Love this 3D type exhibit Words Can Fly created to raise money/support for Fukushima, Japan.


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July 20, 2009 | 11:11 pm
Puts a smile on your face, no? Everyone loves a cute, fuzzy kitten. Which should leave you in a good frame of mind to read a few more notes on my weekend in Vegas (for Summer League, it should be noted) concerning Lamar Odom and more.
- Nobody I spoke with, from coaches to agents to other members of the media, expects Odom to leave the Lakers, though one Western Conference GM said with a laugh that a lot of his brethren wish he would. (If LO is getting unsolicited mail on the virtues of life in south Florida, those guys are a likely source.) All part of the (not terribly surprising) consensus that losing Odom would have a major impact on LA's ability to repeat. Clearly Odom isn't LA's best player, but almost to a man he was described as a key component to what makes the Lakers such a unique challenge for the opposition on both ends of the floor. It's a skill set the Lakers can't replace.
- Even while wondering if Odom's agent Jeff Schwartz has perhaps overplayed his hand over the course of negotiations, one agent I spoke with understood why Camp Odom would be looking for security in a longer deal, even if it comes with a smaller yearly rate. It is a dangerous thing to assume future earnings, he told me, especially for a player entering his 30s. Economics and injury are fickle and unpredictable. I'm sure there are other agents who would take the opposing view, but it was an interesting conversation.
- I still expect a pleasing conclusion to the L.O.C.O. Odom doesn't have a substantially better offer to which he can turn, and while Dr. Buss is a tough, shrewd businessman, he's also reasonable enough to see that refusing to re-open negotiations on similar terms amounts to cutting off his nose to spite his face. Yeah, he proves a point, but it costs the team dearly.
- If the NBA is evolving into a point guard's league, Summer League is a Shangri-la for floor generals. Under normal circumstances, it's tough to keep guys out of the lane. In SL, where there's a large range of on-floor talent and for all practical purposes guys introduce themselves to each other then take the floor, it's nearly impossible. I haven't seen so many young people playing in paint since I stopped teaching Kindergarten.
- Blake Griffin is a sick, sick athlete, and one of the rare dudes so big and squared off around the shoulders he actually looks shorter than he is.
- SL is a strange combination of compelling matchups for the hoops junkie, human drama (there are dudes out there working to find even the smallest bit of a home in the NBA), and totally unwatchable basketball.


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Humble Beginnings
Just now really getting into my yard. I live on 200 acres so I really have no boundary around the house which I find challenging. Right now all my beds are up against the house. Working with a tight budget so I try to be creative. It really helps that 90% of my flowers were gifts. My mother in law ships us flowers for our anniversary every year. :0) Most of the stones around my flower beds were left over from construction sites. (My brother has a construction co.) I just installed the pond for my husband. I am waiting on stones to put around it. Also just started the Hydrangea bed. Will update as I get more things.
Flower Close-ups Garden Huge (Half Acre Plus ) Large (5,000 - 10,000 sq ft.) Pond Stone / Rock
1 of 16: Near the front entry. Society garlic and a Dahoon Holly in the background. Some Shasta Daisys will be popping up soon and a Lilly or 2.
2 of 16: Pond I just installed for my sweet hubby. Waiting on rocks and flowers to put around it. Next to the back porch.
4 of 16: This is the walkway from the drive up to the front porch. Lots of different flowers here. All were gifts. (My Mother-in-law buys me, I mean US, lots of flowers for our Anniversary and has them shipped to me) Catnip, Hollyhock, Alyssum, Geranium, Asparagus Fern & Dipladenia. Two VERY large Hibiscus will be popping up soon here near the stake. They get about 4ft tall within a month.
9 of 16: Finally got some flagstone left over from a pool installation. Placed it around the pond. Now I will need to get a flower or two in it.
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Four years ago today, President Obama gave his first speech abroad. In Prague, he announced a bold vision for a "world without nuclear weapons." Four years on, it is fair to ask: How is that working out? Assessing all the positives, and all the negatives, are we closer to the president's aspiration — or further from it?
Former Senator Sam Nunn, a leading advocate for pursuing a nuclear weapons-free world, compares this undertaking to climbing an unscaled mountain. Standing in the valley, it may be impossible to see the peak. But as one reaches successive base camps, new vistas appear.
In a recent op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, Nunn, along with former Secretaries of State Henry Kissinger and George Shultz and former Secretary of Defense William Perry, applauded Obama for having led the climb to two important "base camps" in the past four years: the New START treaty with Russia to reduce the number of deployed strategic nuclear warheads and the Nuclear Security Summits in 2010 and 2012 that focused on the real threat of nuclear terrorism.
But as mountain climbers know, scaling unconquered peaks is much more difficult than climbing a ladder, on which each rung represents a further step toward the goal. Instead, it requires finding ways around crevices and snow packs without triggering an avalanche that could push the climber back down the mountain, perhaps even fatally.
How do the risks of avalanches compare with the prospects for progress toward the goal of a world free of nuclear weapons? Implementation of New START will subtract at least 1,600 nuclear weapons from current arsenals. But the potential for catastrophic failure appears to be growing on at least three fronts: Iran, North Korea, and Pakistan.
Despite unprecedented economic sanctions that have cut Iran's oil exports in half and reduced the value of its currency by two-thirds, Iran stands closer to its first nuclear bomb than it did four years ago. At the time of Obama's speech in Prague, Iran had enough low-enriched uranium, after further enrichment, for one bomb. Today, it has enough for six. Then, it had 4,000 centrifuges operating. Today, it has 10,000 spinning and is installing another 3,000 advanced centrifuges.
Obama has drawn a clear red line declaring that Tehran will not be permitted to acquire a nuclear bomb. But if Iran proceeds, the United States will face a fateful choice between two unacceptable options: attacking to stop Iran or acquiescing to a nuclear-armed state. Whichever of these options one drills down on leaves one with a sense that the other might be better than originally thought.
Over the past decade, North Korea has demonstrated that one of the poorest, most isolated states on Earth can build its own nuclear arsenal. Defying five rounds of UN sanctions and repeated, explicit demands from the United States and China, it now has under its belt enough plutonium to build six to 10 bombs, a new uranium-fueled pathway to additional bombs, three nuclear tests, and a successful long-range missile test. North Korea also has a history of selling nuclear material and technology to whoever will pay. Could its next customer be a terrorist group like Al Qaeda or a state like Iran?
While Iran and North Korea combined have likely produced enough nuclear material for no more than 16 bombs total, Pakistan is now producing enough nuclear material for that many additional bombs every year. It is also actively developing battlefield nuclear weapons to support its doctrine that threatens nuclear use to defeat a conventional Indian attack. Moreover, Pakistan is a frail, if not yet failed, state that is home to several insurgencies and multiple state-sponsored militant groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, which conducted the terrorist attacks on Mumbai in 2008. And while the military and its intelligence arm, the ISI, appear to exercise control of the country's nuclear weapons, both were unaware that Osama bin Laden was hiding for years in Abbottabad, a mile away from Pakistan's equivalent of West Point.
No president since JFK has had so vivid a sense of nuclear danger as Obama. But examining the harsh realities in 2013, it is hard to avoid the conclusion that, on our present trajectory, the likelihood of a nuclear avalanche is greater than the prospect of reaching the peak. Avoiding that tragic fate will require not just climbing faster on our current course, but making substantial strategic adjustments.Graham Allison is director of Harvard Kennedy School's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs and author of "Essence of Decision: Explaining the Cuban Missile Crisis" and "Nuclear Terrorism: The Ultimate Preventable Catastrophe."


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William K. Lindenpitz, 67
William K. Lindenpitz, 67, Reynoldsville, died Friday, Feb. 1, 2013, at home.
He was born June 28, 1945, in DuBois, a son of the late Clifford J. Lindenpitz and Madeline Kirkwood.
Aug. 14, 1965, he married Betty L. Siple, who survives.
Mr. Lindenpitz was a member of the First United Methodist Church. He was a Worshipful Master of the John M. Read Lodge No. 536 F&AM of Reynoldsville, and a Worthy Patron of the Eastern Star of the Reynoldsville Chapter 220.
He was a retired diesel mechanic, after working for Penn Traffic for 20 years.
In addition to his wife, surviving relatives include four daughters, Carol J. Wolfe (Tyrone) of Punxsutawney, Beverly A. Grant (Timothy) of Mechanicsville, Va., Betsy L. Koehn of Harrison City, Pa., and Billie J. Beck (Michael) of Reynoldsville; nine grandchildren; two brothers,
John E. (Arlene) of DuBois and David A. (Judy) of Reynoldsville; and a sister, Ruth A. Harris (Robert) of Reynoldsville.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013, at the Bernard P. Snyder Funeral Home, Reynoldsville. Masonic services will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 4, 2013, at the First United Methodist Church, Reynoldsville, with the Rev. Thomas Carr officiating.
Interment will be at Reynoldsville Cemetery.
Memorial donations in Mr. Lindenpitz's name may be made to First United Methodist Church, 504 Jackson St., Reynoldsville, PA 15851.


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User:^^Upper Hands^^
From Iron Chariots Wiki
Revision as of 05:51, 16 October 2007 by ^^Upper Hands^^ (Talk | contribs)
I am a Christian and did not read the whole point of this website before making a name began editing here and there. I thought it was for apologetics in general, not just a website for bashing God.
Either way, I shall leave you misguided people be. But first, let me point out a major Straw Man that you have here; Judges 1:19. If you look in context the Book quotes that it was Judah, not God, who couldn't take down the Iron Chariots. Look up the verses just before and after and you'll see that I am correct on this issue.
But I doubt that you care, do you?
-- Jordan L.


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* Mercury is used to separate gold from ore, spreads
* 120 nations to meet in Geneva to work out anti-mercury
* Mercury can cause brain damage in children
By Environment Correspondent Alister Doyle
* Mercury is used to separate gold from ore, spreads
* 120 nations to meet in Geneva to work out anti-mercury
* Mercury can cause brain damage in children
By Environment Correspondent Alister Doyle
OSLO, Jan 10 (Reuters) - High gold prices are driving up the
use of toxic mercury in small-scale mining in developing
nations, spreading a poison that can cause brain damage in
children thousands of miles away, a U.N. study showed on
Negotiators from 120 nations will meet in Geneva next week
for a final round of talks meant to agree a treaty to reduce the
use of mercury. It is mainly emitted by gold mining, where it
helps separate gold from ore, and by coal-fired power plants.
A leap in gold prices to almost $1,700 an ounce from $400
less than a decade ago has spurred a surge in small-scale gold
mining in South America, Africa and Asia which employs up to 15
million people, the U.N. Environment Programme (UNEP) said.
Workers risk acute poisoning and, released to the air or
washed into rivers and the oceans, mercury emissions spread
Mercury, a liquid metal also known as quicksilver, can cause
harm especially to the brains of foetuses and infants.
"Exposing infants and mothers to mercury is a cruel and
increasingly unnecessary risk," Achim Steiner, head of UNEP,
told Reuters by telephone from Nairobi, adding that there were
cleaner alternatives to mercury in mining.
"A Chinese baby born today, just like an American or a
Japanese or a Brazilian one, really shouldn't be condemned to
have neurological damage as a result of mercury," Steiner said.
"The very high gold price has ... brought more people,
especially at the poorest end of society, into the gold mining
sector," Steiner said. UNEP said damage to health and the
environment was increasing as a result.
Emissions of mercury from artisanal and small-scale gold
mines more than doubled to 727 tonnes in 2010 from 2005 levels
and now made up 35 percent of the global total, UNEP said.
Part of the surge reflected better data - some mines in
operation for years had been unknown, such as in West Africa.
Eating fish is the main way mercury builds up in humans. It
enters rivers and the oceans and accumulates as methylmercury in
the bodies of fish, especially big predators such as swordfish,
shark, king mackerel, tuna and sea bass.
The report estimated that human emissions of mercury
totalled almost 2,000 tonnes in 2010, mostly from Asian nations
led by China. It said that level had been roughly stable for the
past 20 years despite efforts for deeper cuts after a peak in
the 1970s.
Mercury also comes from natural sources such as volcanoes.
The U.N. plan is to hold an international conference in late
2013 in Minamata, Japan, the site of one of the worst industrial
releases in the 1950s, to approve a new convention to restrict
mercury based on texts to be agreed in Geneva.
Steiner expressed hopes that a U.N. convention would spur
innovation by companies to cut mercury use. Technologies include
filters for coal-fired power plants or substitutes in products
such as thermometers, lightbulbs and dental fillings.
Many nations have tightened laws - the United States barred
exports of mercury from Jan. 1, 2013. The European Union, until
2008 the main global exporter, barred exports in 2011.
UNEP's study did not provide an estimate for the overall
health and environmental damage caused by mercury.
UNEP spokesman Nick Nuttall said that limiting dangerous
metals such as mercury could have huge benefits.
He noted that one study in 2011 put the benefits from
phasing out another poison - lead in gasoline - at more than $2
trillion a year by reducing pollution linked to heart disease,
diminished intelligence and even high crime rates.
($1 = 0.7667 euros)
(Reporting by Alister Doyle; editing by Jason Neely)


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Not only is there free tax help available to those who qualify, it's also accurate.
"People don't seem to realize that something that is free is also the best out there," Britta Anderson, a representative of Goodwill Northern Illinois, said at a press conference Jan. 25.
The purpose of the press conference was to discuss Goodwill's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program. The VITA program offers free tax preparation to anyone who meets income guidelines: a maximum annual income of $25,000 for a single person or less than $57,000 for a family. In DeKalb County, the 2013 VITA program is supported by the DeKalb CASH Coalition, the Northern Illinois University Accountancy Department, the Kishwaukee United Way, AARP, NCTC and the Internal Revenue Service.
Goodwill of Northern Illinois President Sam Schmitz said the program assisted 1,499 individuals and families last year, saving them more than $300,000 in tax preparation fees. About 1,200 of those helped were seniors, AARP coordinator Dave Leifheit said.
According to Anderson, VITA had an accuracy rate of more than 90 percent in 2012.
"Our volunteer tax preparers are IRS certified and assist community members in claiming special credits and deductions for which they may be eligible," Shannon Halverson, Goodwill of Northern Illinois marketing manager, said.
People can walk in or make an appointment at one of the two VITA sites offering help through April 13. Those who qualify for assistance should bring a Social Security card, photo ID, all wage forms, college expenses, if any, a property tax bill and bank account information for direct deposit.
Brad Cripe, assistant professor of accounting at NIU, said about 20 college students have volunteered to help out.
"This makes for a good learning tool," he said.
AARP volunteer tax aides will also provide free help with tax preparation. Although there are no financial limitations for seniors, Leifheit said they must bring a photo ID, a tax form and last year's tax return.
Although they already have 20 certified tax volunteers and two greeters, Leifheit said anyone interested in helping should call him at 815-757-1800.
"We'll take anyone willing to help," said Jackie DiNatale, coordinator of outreach and finance for the Kishwaukee United Way.
Those wishing to file a simple tax return by themselves, Anderson said, can use the computers at the DeKalb County Community Outreach Building, 2500 N. Annie Glidden Road in DeKalb, on Thursdays between Feb. 7 and April 11. This can be done by appointment only; call 815-758-3910 for an appointment.
Those who qualify for the VITA program can also get help filing online at home by going to www.goodwillni.org.
Schmitz said Goodwill also provides mobile tax help for scheduled sites outside DeKalb County. For more information, call 815-987-6200.
VITA Tax Sites
Help available weekly through April 13. Maximum income for an individual is $25,000 or less than $57,000 for a family. Walk in or make an appointment by calling 815-987-6200.
• Goodwill Store, 1037 S. Annie Glidden Road, DeKalb
3-8 p.m. Tuesdays and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays
• Founders Memorial Library Student Lounge, 217 Normal Road, DeKalb
4-8 p.m. Wednesdays
AARP Tax Sites
Help available Feb. 2 to April 13. This service is targeted toward seniors; no income restrictions.
• DeKalb County Community Outreach Building, 2500 N. Annie Glidden Road, DeKalb
9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Thursdays, by appointment only (815-758-3910)
• DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St., DeKalb
9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturdays
• DeKalb Senior Service Center, 330 Grove St., Suite 3, DeKalb
1-4 p.m. Tuesdays, by appointment only (815-758-4718)
• Sycamore United Methodist Church, 160 Johnson Ave., Sycamore
Noon-4 p.m. Wednesdays
• Ideal Industries Product Training Room, 1122 Park Ave., Sycamore
9 a.m.-noon Saturdays
• Kirkland Municipal Building, 511 W. Main St., Kirkland
1-4 p.m. Tuesdays, by appointment only (815-522-3557 or 815-784-6040)
• Resource Bank, 310 S. Route 23, Genoa
9 a.m.-noon Fridays and Saturdays
To get a ride to any location, call 815-758-6641 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.


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Wanda Redman, 98, of Van Wert died Jan. 6, 2014, in Pella.
Services were 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 10, at Kale Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Osceola. Terry Roberts officiated. Interment was in Van Wert Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Van Wert Community Center. Online condolences may be left at www.kalefuneralhome.com.
Wanda Edith Redman, daughter of Flora Mable (Fox) and Frances "Frank" Wesley Cole, was born Sept. 4, 1915, in Grand River.
Wanda received her early education at Grand River Country Schools and then graduated from Van Wert High School.
On Dec. 31, 1934, Wanda married Horace Clair Redman in Osceola.
Horace died Jan. 13, 2004.
Wanda was a lifetime resident of Decatur County.
Wanda was a member of Van Wert United Methodist Church and Ladies Aid.
Wanda is survived by her sons, Danny (Carolyn) Redman of Burwell, Neb., Dave (Jane) Redman of Leon and Dick (Ronda) Redman of Pella; grandchildren, Kelly (Mike) Max of Burwell, Neb., Robin (Dennis) Brockman of Burwell, Neb., Casey (Angela) Redman of Burwell, Neb., Chris (Karyn) Redman of Waukee, Sarah (Todd) Middleton of Shawnee, Kan., Jeanna (Shannon) Hoekstra of Crystal Lake, Ill., and Ryan (Bridgette) Redman of Olathe, Kan.; eight great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchildren; as well as other relatives and many friends.
In addition to her husband, Wanda was preceded in death by her parents, three infant daughters, one infant grandson; and sisters, Arlene (Kenneth) Holmes and Thelma (Lawrence) McDowell.


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Hi everyone, in case you missed it the gold medal winner of the GABF pro-am was Jeff Gladish for "Poblano", made by Cigar City Brewing. He's known on the forum as jeffy.Congratulations Jeff!
Just saw it in my email about the GABF - congrats to you, Jeff. The Cigar City guys seem pretty cool (saw the brewery featured on a "Drinking Made Easy" show IIRC
How'd the interview go? I looked online but didn't find anything.


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I'm Vegan: Julia – now online!
August 11th, 2010 in profiles by Eric
Julia is an 11-year vegan who was living in Springfield, MO at the time this profile was shot, where she studied social work at a Christian college. She's 26 years old.
In this video, Julia discusses her relationships with others as a vegan, gives advice to people considering veganism, and talks a little about her reasons for being vegan.
Better know a vegan! Press play.
Direct access to various resolutions (or use resolution switcher in the embed above):


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Really. The title says it all even in Vista it lacks....
1. A decent office suite (No wordpad is not a proper word processor and it lacks the ability now to open .DOC files in Vista)
2. Out of the box .ogg support (A FREE and patent free alternitive to MP3
3. Read support for Linux partitions (Although Im not sure about Vista because my sister won't let me install Linux on her computer)
4. Protection from Viruses (Why isn't the OS virus resistant)
And there are many many more things. Why does Microsoft limit their PCs like that? I can download a 700 MB ISO for Ubuntu and have all of that, plus much more for FREE if you going to be paying $200 for software shouldn't it at least not get a virus for visiting a website? Im hoping Windows 7 changes this (Not that Im a Windows fan but I fix computers and am tired of Microsoft's refusal to hardly make a decent OS (I still can't convince some people to switch to Linux...) I realize that its closed source so we can't improve it but shouldn't by PAYING for an OS you get a better one? Right now on Ubuntu Im posting on this forum while Guild Wars (A WINDOWS 3-D MMORPG is downloading updates running on WINE) Ubuntu can read just about anything Windows but why can't Windows read Linux's stuff? It just doesn't make sense.


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Detroit won the final game of the season against Kansas City, 1-0, but the real story of the night was Detroit third baseman Miguel Cabrera.
Cabrera became the first player in 45 years to win a Triple Crown, as he finished the season with a batting average of .330 along with 44 home runs and 139 RBI. He finished tops in the AL in all three categories while leading the majors in home runs and RBI.
It's the 14th time in major league history that a player has accomplished the feat.
He went 0-for-2 on Wednesday and exited after striking out in the fourth inning. Cabrera got a standing ovation from the Kauffman Stadium crowd as he departed and came out for a curtain call.
Cabrera became the first player to take home the Triple Crown since Carl Yastrzemski turned the trick in 1967 with the Boston Red Sox. The Hall of Famer hit .326 with 44 homers and 121 RBI that season and won his first and only AL MVP.
Austin Jackson drove in the only run of the game for the Tigers (88-74), who won the AL Central for the second straight year on Tuesday and will host Oakland on Saturday to begin the ALDS.
Max Scherzer pitched four innings for Detroit and gave up just three hits. Luis Marte (1-0) got the win after he pitched 3 1/3 innings and gave up just two hits and two walks with two strikeouts.
Alcides Escobar and Johnny Giavotella each had two hits for the Royals (72-90), who finished a ninth straight losing season. Luis Mendoza (8-10) gave up the one run on six hits over seven innings.


text:
Goblins, ghouls and ghosts will be out and about this weekend -- along with plenty of kids and adults looking for an enjoyable Halloween weekend. Let's make sure all the scares are in good fun, and that everyone who ventures out makes it home safely.
One of the great things about living in a small community is that we all look out for each other, and this weekend should be no exception. If you're on the roads, keep an eye out for trick-or-treaters, and if you're planning to take your kids door to door, make sure they're dressed for the weather and know the rules for staying safe.
Local public safety officials recommend trick-or-treaters stick to the well-lit areas in the more heavily-traveled portions of town. They suggest families establish a meeting place and a meeting time, just in case kids are separated in the crowds.
If you have older children, make sure you know where they're planning to go, who they're planning to go with and what they're planning to do when they get there.
A few other tips for kids and adults to stay safe this Halloween:
* Go trick-or-treating with a parent, guardian or a grown-up that's been approved by your parents.
* Wear reflective clothing.
* Wear warm boots and warm clothing. It is usually cold this time of year.
* Watch out for cars. Drivers may not be able to see you very clearly.
* Walk on the sidewalk, unless there isn't one. If not, walk on the side of the roadway.
* Always carry a flashlight or reflective chemical light.
* Don't go inside a stranger's home.
* Don't walk across people's yards. Use their pathway or walkway.
* Don't run. Running is a dangerous thing on Halloween night because costumes don't always fit right and you may trip and fall.
* If you are wearing a face mask, be especially careful. Masks can make it difficult to see and hear.
* Walk in groups of people for personal safety.
* Don't accept unwrapped candy or baked goods.
* Have your parents look at your candy before you eat any of it.
If you're headed to a party for grown-up ghouls, whether in a private home or at a public establishment, use common sense. If you're planning on drinking, call a cab or designate a driver. If fellow partygoers have had too much, do what it takes to make sure they get home safely. If you need to, stay the night.
While Halloween falls on Monday, festivities are planned throughout the weekend, and police and state troopers no doubt will be busy. There will be plenty of people who don't normally go out to bars mixing with the regular crowd. A little understanding and patience can make the night fun for all.
Halloween can be great fun for everyone, from our kids trick-or-treating in our neighborhoods to adults enjoying some grown-up fun.
In short: Please, look out for each other and make sure Halloween doesn't turn into a nightmare.


text: i usually watch cnbc, good interviews with the movers & shakers without the histrionics of the ridiculous msnbc or the goofy fox bullshit...damn those morning fox 3 stooges are irritating as shit. found bloomberg yesterday & seems to be even better than cnbc, i've had it on in the office all day & is pretty good. plus bloomberg doesnt have that loudmouth no nothing mad money jim cramer. that guy is so full of horseshit that anyone taking his advice needs their head examined.. he's a joke of the industry. anyone watch bloomberg?