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The winner of the Deedee's Digis prize is~
Lucille K. who left this comment on Mynn's blog:
"Beautiful cards, Mynn. The colors are wonderful :)"
The winner of the Eclectic Anthology prize is~
Katarzyna Ewa who left this comment on Gracie's blog:
"WOW! Beautiful! I love the card! I Love the blog!"
The winner of the Great Impressions prize is~
Martha H. who left this comment on Emily's blog:
"Oh, what a pretty card. Love the small, delicate flowers."
The winner of the Inspired By Stamping prize is~
Flo who left this comment on Donna N.'s blog:
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The winner of the Stitchy Bear prize is~
papierelle who left this comment on Monika's blog:
"Tea time!! Da sage ich nicht nein!! Wunderschön
gestaltet ist Deine Karte. Und Deine zweite Karte lässt uns
alle vom nächsten Urlaub träumen. Viele Grüße Gundi"
Congrats to all the winners! To claim your prize, please send an email to Mynn at onastampageATyahooDOTcom. If prizes are not claimed by July 15, 2015, they will be redrawn. Stay tuned for more challenges coming July 1st! HUGS! :)


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The AAFP has released a summary(4 page PDF) of the final CMS Medicaid/Medicare parity regulation(www.gpo.gov) (33-page PDF), which was released in the Nov. 6 Federal Register. The AAFP also has created a dedicated Web page to help members better understand how the rule will affect payment for primary care and some preventive health care services provided as part of the Medicaid program.
The final CMS parity rule implements a provision in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that brings Medicaid payments for certain primary care services and some preventive health services up to Medicare levels for the next two years.
"The Affordable Care Act specifies that physicians with a specialty designation of family medicine, general internal medicine and pediatric medicine qualify as primary care providers for purposes of this increased payment," says the summary. "CMS also finalized policy to qualify for higher payment in the same designated services when provided by subspecialists related to the primary care specialists designated in the statute. These subspecialists would be recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties, American Osteopathic Association and the American Board of Physician Specialties."
The qualification of subspecialists for the enhanced payment came with AAFP objections. Including subspecialists runs counter to the health care reform act and will "only serve to perpetuate existing disparities in physician payment policies," says the AAFP.
- The AAFP has issued a summary of a final regulation that implements a provision in the health care reform law that brings Medicaid payment rates for certain primary care services and some preventive health services up to Medicare levels for the next two years.
- The AAFP summary distills the rule into digestible parts, explaining how the rule will affect family physician payment.
- In the summary, the AAFP also explains what physician groups qualify for the increased Medicaid payment.
The final rule, however, defines the several physician groups as eligible for the enhanced payment:
- practicing physicians who self-attest they are board certified with a specialty designation of family medicine, general internal medicine or pediatric medicine;
- board-certified subspecialists whose (sub)specialty categories are recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties, the American Osteopathic Association, or the American Board of Physician Specialties;
- physicians related to the specialty categories of family medicine, internal medicine or pediatrics who self-attest that at least 60 percent of all Medicaid services they bill or provide in a managed care environment are for the specified evaluation and management (E/M) and vaccine administration codes; and
- advanced practice clinicians when their services are furnished under a physician's personal supervision.
According to the AAFP summary, an estimated $5.8 billion in 2013 and $6.1 billion in 2014 in new federal funds will be available to help states bolster their Medicaid primary care delivery systems. The regulation also updates maximum fee amounts for vaccine administration. These fees have not been updated since 1994.
"State Medicaid agencies may pay physicians based on their self-attestation alone or in conjunction with any other provider enrollment requirements that currently exist in the state," says the summary. "However, if a state relies on self-attestation, it must annually review a statistically valid sample of physicians who have self-attested that they are eligible primary care physicians."
This is done to ensure that qualifying physicians are either board certified in an eligible specialty or subspecialty or that their billed Medicaid claims meet the 60 percent threshold, according to the summary. The final rule also gives states the flexibility to determine verification when Medicaid services are delivered through a managed care delivery system.
In addition, "CMS will develop and publish rates for eligible E/M codes not reimbursed by Medicare," according to the summary, which notes that CMS is likely to use the 2009 conversion factor, which is approximately $36.07, if that factor "results in rates that are higher than if the 2013 and 2014 conversion factors were used." Practices will need to update their billing systems so they are ready to start billing Medicaid at the higher fee amounts in 2013, says the summary.
CMS also will require states to submit a state plan amendment to reflect the fee schedule rate increases for eligible primary care physicians. The agency is expected to issue a template for states by the end of 2012. According to CMS, the purpose of the requirement is "to assure that when states make the increased reimbursement to physicians, they have state plan authority to do so, and they have notified physicians of the change in reimbursement as required by federal regulations."
Related ANN Coverage
Key Components of 2013 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Highlighted in AAFP Summary
AAFP Renews Calls for SGR Repeal Following Release of Medicare Payment Rule
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This fall, an estimated 13,000 children in Fairfax County will be starting their elementary school experience as they transition from home or a child care setting to kindergarten! The Office for Children partners with Fairfax County Public Schools to help families and child care programs support children's school readiness. The May 4 "Ask Fairfax" will address what families, child care programs and teachers can do to ensure a smooth transition to kindergarten and a successful new beginning for children and their families.
Anne-Marie Twohie
Welcome to the Office for Children's "Ask Fairfax" about school readiness and kindergarten! I'm Anne-Marie Twohie, the director of the Office for Children, and I'm joined by my colleague Maura Burke, who is the Fairfax County Public School's Coordinator of Early Childhood programs
Starting kindergarten is an exciting time for children and families. Children who turn 5 by September 30 are eligible to start kindergarten this fall. Spring is a great time for children and families to visit the elementary school and for parents to begin the registration process.
If your child needs care before or after school, the Fairfax County Office for Children can help you find child care programs near your home or child's school. You can search for child care on our website at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ofc.
Does Fairfax County Public Schools require students to wear uniforms, or only certain types of clothing? If so, what are the requirements and restrictions? And do clothing/uniform policies apply to kindergartners, too? Thank you.
Maura Burke
Uniforms are not required at any grade level in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). As stated in
Regulation 2601.24P, Student Responsibilities and Rights (Chapter D: pg 9), "all students are expected to dress appropriately for a K-12 educational environment. Clothing should fit, be neat and clean, and conform to standards of safety, good taste, and decency.
Renee Edwards
I know it is important for children to know their ABCs before entering kindergarten. Do they need to know ALL the letters or is it okay to know only a few? What can parents do at home to help children identify letters and know the sounds they make?
Anne-Marie Twohie
When children are exposed to a language rich environment – being engaged in everyday conversations, hearing lots of words and being read to – they have many opportunities to see words in print and begin to understand that words have letters from the alphabet, and letters have sound. You can provide many easy and fun ways to help your child to learn the alphabet and to understand that letters have meaning:
When children are exposed to a language rich environment – being engaged in everyday conversations, hearing lots of words and being read to – they have many opportunities to see words in print and begin to understand that words have letters from the alphabet, and letters have sound. You can provide many easy and fun ways to help your child to learn the alphabet and to understand that letters have meaning:
When making a shopping list, you can let your child watch you print the words and can say some together. This helps your child understand that what we say can also be written – this is the beginning of reading and writing. You and your child can find some of the letters on the list and on the items at the store as you shop.
When making a shopping list, you can let your child watch you print the words and can say some together. This helps your child understand that what we say can also be written – this is the beginning of reading and writing. You and your child can find some of the letters on the list and on the items at the store as you shop.
To help your child learn sounds, you can sing silly songs with words that begin with the same letters and words that rhyme. "Helping Your Child Love to Learn" is a helpful booklet that identifies simple ways throughout your daily routine that you support children's learning. You can read it online at: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ofc/docs/ffparentguideeng.pdf
To help your child learn sounds, you can sing silly songs with words that begin with the same letters and words that rhyme. "Helping Your Child Love to Learn" is a helpful booklet that identifies simple ways throughout your daily routine that you support children's learning. You can read it online at: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ofc/docs/ffparentguideeng.pdf
Anonymous User
My child typically naps in the afternoon, I suspect he will be very tired in the afternoon once school starts and will have a hard time getting through the afternoon. What is the best way to get him enough rest and ready for the long day?
Anne-Marie Twohie
Over the summer you might try to ease into a shorter rest time in the afternoons, and try to have these rest times correspond with the time you expect your child to return home from school in the fall. Prior to the school year, make sure to establish an evening routine and set a bedtime that allows your child to get plenty of sleep. A healthy breakfast and lunch will also help him to have energy throughout the day.
Full-day programs include a quiet time in the daily routine to allow children to re-energize while they look at books, use puzzles or listen to stories.
Rebecca Lotane
1. Will my kindergartener be tested when registering?
2. Do kindergarteners have SOLs?
3. Does my child need to know how to tie his/her shoes?
4. What happens if my child has an "accident" in school? Will they be treated with dignity?
Maura Burke
Rising kindergarten children are not tested at the time of registration. Assessments begin after they have transitioned to kindergarten. Virginia's Standards of Learning (SOL) are required in grades K-12, however, kindergartners do not participate in the state SOL assessments.
Throughout the kindergarten year, children will have many opportunities to learn how to tie their shoes.
It is not uncommon for kindergarten children to have a bathroom accident at school. The change of clothing occurs very discreetly.
Anonymous User
What are the minumim requirements students need to have to succeed in kindergarten and to be able to go into 1st grade?
Maura Burke
Children enter first grade at different levels of academic development. Fairfax County Public Schools Early Childhood Assessment is benchmarked to represent the minimum achievement children will demonstrate as they transition from kindergarten to first grade. Parents will be informed of their child's progress throughout the year as they move along a developmental continuum in the four-core subject areas in language arts (oral language, reading, writing), mathematics, science, and social studies.
what should they know
what skills or knowledge does my child need to know before they start?
Having good communication will help your child to be confident in kindergarten. It's helpful for children to have the vocabulary to ask for what they want and need, and to be able to share information about themselves. Being comfortable playing with others and making friends is also important.
Kindergarten may be their first experience in a large group, so listening skills are important, as are being able to follow two-to three-step directions, and knowing how to take turns and make choices. Basic self-help skills also provide children with confidence – such as knowing how to dress herself , use the bathroom and wash her hands independently, and open milk cartons and juice boxes. Fine-motor skills, like holding and controlling a pencil and scissors, are helpful. Practicing prior to kindergarten enables your child to use those tools at the beginning of the school year to enhance their learning.
Being emotionally ready for school is very important for school success. Helping your child to identify and regulate their emotions, and feel good about themselves and others, are important school-readiness skills.
Anonymous User
what can i do to prepare them
You can help your child to prepare for kindergarten by visiting your elementary school and becoming familiar with the setting and staff. You can take photos of the school to look at and talk about over the summer, and identify things at school that are the same as at child care or at home (such as a book area). If possible, visit with other children who will be going to kindergarten, too. If you are excited about this new step in your child's life, most likely your child will be too!
There are also many children's books about kindergarten available at the Fairfax County Public Library that you can enjoy together, such as "Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten" by Nancy L. Carlson. "The Kissing Hand" by Audrey Penn is a wonderful book that can help to reassure both you and your child that you'll be thinking of each other on that first day of school – and always.
Find other library books for children about starting kindergarten here:
Anonymous User
How will you balance play and fun activities with the academic curriculum?
Play is an essential part of the kindergarten day and is balanced with the academics. Play is valued as an important part of young children's social-emotional development. Children engaged in rich and varied play experiences help them learn to become responsible and confident participants in the classroom, encourages them to explore, investigate, create, think, and problem solve, and promotes their cognitive and language skills.
Children are not expected to enter kindergarten exhibiting a specific set of skills. Fairfax County Public Schools provide a quality early childhood education program that is adaptable to each child's needs, interests, and level of development. Kindergarten children will engage in a variety of active learning experiences to help them know and understand the Kindergarten Standards of Learning objectives and Fairfax County Public Program of Studies objectives in each curriculum area.
All but 36 schools have full-day kindergarten in Fairfax County.
Parents of rising kindergarten children can access the Fairfax County Public Schools internet website, http://www.fcps.edu/start.htm , provides a variety of information about the kindergarten program. Click on "Starting School for Kindergarten Parents" and "Program Philosophy and Curriculum" for an overview of the kindergarten curriculum. Parents can also visit their child's school and ask to see the curriculum guides.
Anonymous User
What options are there for after school care and how soon do I need to get on teh waiting lists?
Anne-Marie Twohie
Child care centers and family child care providers throughout the county provide before- and after-school care. You can call 703-449-8484 for help with finding child care, or search online at the Office for Children's website: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ofc.
The School Age Child Care program is available in most county elementary schools – you can contact SACC at 703-449-1414.
J. Kusuma
Public schools seem so much more advanced today than when I was starting kindergarten. Are children expected to already know the alphabet, their numbers up to twenty, or even more advanced skills like reading, writing and basic adding prior to entering kindergarten?
Are all kindergartens now full-day or do parents still have the option of enrolling their child for half-day ?
How can I learn about what curriculum that will be used in the classroom?
Do kindergarteners have homework these days and what is the level of parental involvement expected in terms of working what their child at home?
Do kindergarten teachers need/want parent volunteers to help with anything during the school day either regularly or occasionally? What other types of support would kindergarten teachers welcome from parents/grandparents?
Are there any SOLs in kindergarten?
How are the special needs of ADHD and ADD students met in the kindergarten classroom?
Maura Burke
Homework is not required in kindergarten. Parents are encouraged to read to their child daily. Parents and grandparents can ask their child's teacher about volunteering in the classroom. Virginia's Standards of Learning (SOL) are required in grades K-12. Teachers will use different modalities of learning for children with ADHD and ADD. Parent can also work in partnership with the schools to develop a 504 plan.
Anonymous User
Should my child know how to read before they enter kindergarten?
Anne-Marie Twohie
Your child does not have to know how to read before entering kindergarten. All children learn skills at different rates. It's helpful for children to have experience with enjoying books and print materials. Helping your child to be excited and curious about letters and reading lays the foundation for him to learn to read when he gets to school.
Anonymous User
How can I help my child prepare for school?
One of the most enjoyable and effective ways to help prepare your child at home is by reading together – every day if possible! Bedtime is a great time to do this, and establishing a regular bedtime routine that includes reading is relaxing and a wonderful way to nurture a love of reading.
Having conversations together throughout the day, singing songs, telling stories, and playing games together all support children's oral language and vocabulary development, which is an important foundation for the skills children will learn in kindergarten.
Playing with other children and family members supports children's social development, which is also important to their kindergarten experience. Matching and sorting everyday objects – like socks and shoes – playing counting games, recognizing shapes, all support children's math skills. Being outside in nature supports scientific knowledge, and learning about your community and the people within the community supports learning about social sciences.
Anonymous User
Most parents are concerned about safety and transportation with their little ones. Here are some questions I've heard lots. How do I find out where and when the bus will pick up my child? Will someone help my child find their bus after school? Do I need to take them to the bus stop (also Fairfax County will not drop a kindergartener off at a bus stop unless someone is there to get them, i.e., parent, older sibling or babysitter)? If I walk my child to school where do I drop them off? Will there be a teacher outside with my child until the bell rings? In the winter are the kids allowed inside the school before the bell rings? If I drive my child to school, where do I drop them off (kiss-n-ride)? How does the school handle allergies at lunch? What items does my child need to bring the first day or week of school? What are the rules for my child using the restroom? Is there a bathroom in the kindergarten classroom? What will my child be expected to know at the end of kindergarten? How can I help them succeed? Where can I go for ideas on how to help my child succeed? How can I, as the parent, be involved at the school or in the classroom?
Bus, walking, and driving questions are to be addressed at each child's school.
Parents are to address their child's allergies and accommodations at the school level.
At the beginning of school, kindergarten teachers will provide a list of materials for parents to send to school.
Most kindergarten classrooms have bathrooms inside the room. Rules for using the restroom will be discussed by kindergarten teachers.
Children are not expected to enter kindergarten exhibiting a specific set of skills. Fairfax County Public Schools Early Childhood Assessment is benchmarked to represent the minimum achievement children will demonstrate by the end of kindergarten. Parents will be informed of their child's progress throughout the year as their child moves along a developmental continuum in the four-core subject areas in language arts (oral language, reading, writing), mathematics, science, and social studies.
Parents can help their child succeed by reading to them daily. Use questions that ask who, what, where, why, and when. Have frequent conversations to foster oral language development and discuss words that your child may not understand. Recite the nursery rhymes and do finger plays that focus on rhyme. Have your child count how many forks/spoons are needed to set the table. Take your child on walks and discuss what is seen. Visit stores, parks, the library, or the zoo and discuss what was seen.
Parents are to check with their child's teacher about volunteering in the classroom.
I registered my daughter for SACC last summer and was told I made it into my schools program. When can I expect follow up information? Thanks.
Anne-Marie Twohie
Registration is open a year in advance, so this summer families may begin to register for the 2012-2013 school year.
For families who have registered for the 2011-2012 school year, they will receive information from SACC Registration in July (licensing forms and financial packets).
If you have any additional questions, please contact SACC at 703-449-8989 or at:
Anonymous User
Are there support options ofr children wtih disabilities?
Maura Burke
There are support options for children with disabilities. An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) indicates the support the child will receive.
What resources are available to help prepare a student for kindgarten? What does the school system expect students to know (reading, math, etc) by starting kindergarten? Thanks!
One resource available to families is the school system's booklet "Success in Kindergarten: Parent Strategies." You can read it online at: http://www.fcps.edu/DIS/OECFS/pdfs/KINDERGARTEN_WEB.pdf
The Fairfax County Public Library has a wonderful selection of books for parents and child care professionals about school readiness. You can see the list here:
Anonymous User
In general My son was born in January, I keep hearing that he will loose 1 school year because of January Birth. Is there anyway I can avoid it?
Maura Burke
Children who are five on or before September 30 of the school year are eligible to attend kindergarten.
Anonymous User
Do you happen to know the proportion of kids who are being held back at the cut off? Our son is born in September and we are planning on sending him to kindergarten. However, it seems like every person I know is holding back. I am hoping that there will be other kids in his class who have just turned 5.
Anne-Marie Twohie
There will be of a variety of ages and developmental levels in all kindergarten classes. Teachers are prepared to address the needs of all children.
What are the hours for kindergarten? My child will go to Mount Eagle. How long before the start time and end time can you drop off/pick up your child?
Maura Burke
School bell schedules vary. Contact Mount Eagle directly at 703 721-2100. The school's office staff will provide you with this information.
Kim Hale
When will the county know which if any half day kindergardens will change to full day kindergardens?
Anne-Marie Twohie
The School Board will vote on the budget at the end of May. Full-day kindergarten schools will be determined at that time.
Oakton Parent
How do FCPS Kindergarten teachers balance the wide range of skill sets and knowledge that incoming K students have? In other words, how do they challenge the academically advanced children (already reading on their own, can count to 100 and do simple math, etc.) while teaching those who are just learning their letters, sounds and numbers, without slowing down anyone's learning? Thanks!
Maura Burke
Teachers implement a variety of best practices and strategies that support meeting the needs of all children. Throughout the day children work in small and large groups and in centers to help ensure individual needs are addressed.
Anonymous User
Some parents will want to know what support the schools offer to kids who may have special needs that are not identified yet. They also may want to know how the kids are enriched if the kindergarten material comes easy to them.
Parents should have a conversation with their child's teacher to find out the type of school support that will be provided for their child.
Teachers are to meet the needs of all children –those who need support and those who need to be challenged.
Anonymous User
I would like to find out more about the curriculum including how much time is given for each subject, playtime allowed, materials used in the classroom, and discipline policy.
Our kindergarten orientation mainly focused on logistics (time of arrival, buses, etc) which could have easily been addressed through a handout and this information is also readily available on the FCPS web. It would have given me more comfort to hear more about what a typical day would be like.
Maura Burke
I encourage you to visit our website http://www.fcps.edu/DI/OECFS/KCurriculum.html for detailed information on curriculum.
Miller family
Q. Our gifted 5 yr old child has, among other skills, been reading -to us- since he was 3.5 years old... quite fluently. He will be going to Oakton Elementary School's Kindergarten program this September...
What programs do you have in place to continue to facilitate his advanced academic abilities? (Other than those specifically for underrepresented populations, which we aren't) We want him to keep moving forward and encourage his love of learning...
How -exactly- are kindergartners identified for this seemingly vague "Differentiated Lessons in Areas of Academic Strength" program, and how will said lessons be integrated into his daily or weekly school activities?
Who is the "Advanced Academic Resource Teacher" at Oakton Elementary? May we contact this person ahead of his enrollment? Thank you!
Maura Burke
I would encourage you to speak with the Advanced Academic resource teacher at your child's school. You can also access additional information about the Advanced Academic services at http://www.fcps.edu/DIS/aap/continuumofservices.html
Concerned Mother in Herndon
My two children will begin attending kindergarten in two years. We are a one-income family of four who unfortunately does not meet the income requirements to qualify for Head Start. We have decided not to send our children to private preschool because we cannot afford it along with the Virginia 529 prepaid tuition payments we are currently making. Besides continuing to participate in free weekly playgroups with other three year olds, reading to my children on a daily basis, and attending free public library events and visiting museums, how else can I prepare my children for a successful transition into kindergarten?
Thank you so much for your time and assistance.
Anne-Marie Twohie
To go along with the social interactions and community experiences, try to incorporate literacy and number activities into your daily life. You can make everyday activities into learning moments, such as: writing notes to friends and family and having your children write certain letters and their names; counting the utensils when setting the table; reading signs on the road or counting dogs on a walk.
Also, make sure your children are self sufficient and practiced in dressing themselves, using scissors and a pencil, listening to directions, and asking for help when needed. When children and families have a connection with the school before the kindergarten experience begins, then children and families can have a comfort level that can be a wonderful foundation for school participation.
Maura Burke
Thank you for joining us today. We received many more questions than time permitted us to answer. Please feel free to contact your child's elementary school or Office of Children at 703 324-8000 with your questions.
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While our core business is all about delivering exceptional service to our clients, we know that if we attract and retain the best people – and invest in them – we will deliver the best results for our clients. We pride ourselves on having the highest performing teams and want to be a highly inclusive organization that creates an engaging environment where our people can develop to their full potential.
- Supporting our communities
Building on our global commitment to building a better working world through our work with our clients and our markets, we also invest in our communities both local and in developing countries. Through our peoples' time and skills, we invest in the education of tomorrow's workforce to ensure that the skills and characteristics required to enable businesses and societies to thrive are available.
We know, too, that entrepreneurs can transform economies, drive innovation and change communities. We invest, therefore, in small- to medium-size businesses, social enterprises and entrepreneurs, particularly women, who can help restore and create economic and social wellbeing.
- Managing our environmental impact
The biggest impact we can have on contributing to minimizing the negative effects of climate change is by supporting our clients and the marketplace as they move towards a low carbon economy. That said, we have a commitment and a responsibility to manage our own operations in a way that reduces our own environmental footprint.
Please note: EY does not accept unsolicited requests for funding or volunteer engagements.
Associations and projects that we support in Russia — Learn more about how we support associations and projects in Russia.


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1z0-517 : Oracle EBS R12.1 Payables Essentials
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Jack White has a minimalistic approach to guitar playing. When it comes to music equipment Jack goes for a "less is more" approach. But the vintage fanatic White does make use of modern technology when it comes to effects like pitch shifters. Here we take a look at some of White's ideas and influences behind his guitar playing style, as well as some insight in how he achieves his very unique sound.
1. Jack White's guitar playing is often characterized by a very raw sound, and an intense delivery. When White described how he approaches the guitar to GuitarPlayer it became clear that it's every bit his intention to sound the way he does:
"I always look at playing guitar as an attack. It has to be a fight. Every song, every guitar solo, every note that's played or written has to be a struggle. It can't be this wimpy thing where you're pushed around by the idea, the characters, or the song itself. It's every player's job to fight against all of that."
2. In an interview with The Guardian, White shed some light on why old blues guitarists like Blind Willie McTell and Robert Johnson has had such an influence on his music:
"As a songwriter, even if you're singing about other people or making up characters, it's still your job to be against the world and that all began in the 1920s and 1930s with these blues singers. It was the first time in history that a single person had been recorded to tell whatever story they had to the world."
3. For Jack White, playing guitar is all about feeling the music. In an interview with Guernica White explained what he is looking for in a guitar solo:
"I'm not impressed with somebody playing a blues scale at blinding speed, but I am impressed with Son House when he plays the 'wrong' note. Somehow it's more meaningful to me when I hear him miss a note and hit the neck of his guitar with his slide."
4. Here's what Jack White had to say about what type of guitar pick he prefer, as told to GuitarPlayer:
"Any heavy pick, so I can strike the string harder. Anything other than a heavy gauge just feels wrong. I end up throwing it away, and plucking with my fingers."
5. In the August 2007 issue of Guitar World, Jack talks about how he came to incorporate the Whammy pedal in what is now his trademark sound:
"I was in a band in Detroit called the Go, and nobody at the time was doing any kind of leads. But then I got a Whammy Pedal and I thought, Okay, you don't have to do solos, but it would be nice if once in a while the guitar broke out and had a moment for itself and then went back to the band. The Whammy enabled me to get an octave higher than everybody else, so I could break through for a few seconds and do a lick and then come back to the song. And now I just want solos to be an octave higher and piercing."
6. In that same Guitar World interview Jack talks about playing acoustic guitar, particularly on his Gibson L1:
"Yeah, I played a Gibson L1 [on The White Stripes' album Icky Thump]. That's the Robert Johnson model. I have one from 1915. There are clips of me using that one all over the place on the last tour. We just put a surface-mounted pickup on it, one of those you tape on, like they use on a violin. It was hard to pull off live. But we do have songs where Meg wouldn't play so loud and it would be okay. I love that guitar a lot. It's probably my favorite.
7. Jack White was asked by Collider if he had any advice for beginners on what type of guitar to get:
"I think starting with whatever you can afford is the best thing to do. Starting with a top-of-the-line guitar won't facilitate anything. It will be less of a struggle and, especially someone who's young, should have a little bit of a struggle because they'll find their own relationship with the instrument. And, all the kinks that are in the bent neck, or the out-of-tune string, or the nut that's broken, they need to have. It has to become their own."
8. White talked to GuitarPlayer about how he achieves his unique tone:
"Your tone alone can speak volumes for you. You can also make a statement without over-thinking it. It's hard to relate that to modern guitar players, though, because they put too much gear between their fingers and the amp. Too many players feel their effects are supposed to craft their tone for them. It really comes from the fingers, of course."
9. Jack White spoke to Guitar World in their July 2002 issue about how stage presentation play a major part in a band's success; something he and Meg White used to its full potential with their red, white, and black color scheme in The White Stripes:
"Anything involved in presenting yourself onstage is all a big trick. You're doing your best to trick those people into experiencing something good, something they haven't thought about before or haven't thought about in a long time. I'm doing my best to be that vaudeville trickster, to help that happen."
10. In an interview with GuitarPlayer, White explained how come his licks and solos often have a sliding sound to them, even when he is not using a slide:
"Maybe I go up to attack the note. Also, I like to manipulate my DigiTech Whammy pedal starting with the low octave. I love low octaves. I've always loved playing octaves on the piano, even as a little kid. So when they came out with that pedal, and I heard Tom Morello use it in Rage Against the Machine, I knew I'd finally found an interesting pedal. All I used in the White Stripes for seven years was an Electro-Harmonix Big Muff and the Whammy. So you might be hearing me building up to the note with the pedal."


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Look to the Hilton Naples hotel to help you plan a perfect Naples wedding or event. Host a meeting, convention, wedding and reception, or social event in the hotel's ballroom and breakout rooms. With 16,061 sq. ft. of flexible event space and 199 guest rooms, this Naples hotel comfortably accommodates large groups. Guests will love our pool, fitness center and location less than a mile from the beach.
Naples, Florida offers cultural, shopping and dining experiences for all types of travelers. Enjoy attractions near the hotel, including championship golf, the Naples Zoo, Botanical Gardens, and much more.
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New Twists on Thanksgiving Flavors
Opt for a more modern take on classic favorites with these five delicious holiday-inspired foods.
Frontera Chipotle Pumpkin Salsa
The seasonal star gets a spicy makeover from Mexican-cuisine chef Rick Bayless. $4
Lowcountry Produce Sweet Potato Butter
Handmade, hand-packed, all natural. From South Carolina with love. $8
Jones Tofurkey & Gravy Soda
Another off-the-wall variety from the folks who brought us Green Bean Casserole and Fruitcake flavored drinks. $6/pack of four
Moonstruck Pie Chocolates
Delectable apple, pumpkin, and pecan pie truffles. Bring 'em on! $15/pack of six
Urban Best Gourmet Pancake Mix
The perfect morning-after treat for those who like a little cranberry tang with their flapjacks. $6.50
Originally published in the November 29, 2010, issue of Family Circle magazine.
This piece was accurate at publication time, but all prices, offerings, and styles are subject to change.


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The deal for Gerardo Concepcion was announced in early February, now it's official. The Cubs have agreed to a five-year major league contract with the 20-year-old Cuban prospect. The delay in officially signing Concepcion can be pinned on Concepcion establishing free agency, contract language, and physicals. Concepcion will now report to the minor league camp instead of the big league camp to get in shape, and Hoyer said that there is a good chance that he will see some Spring action near the end of camp. The contract details are as follows, Concepcion is guaranteed $6 million in the deal. There is a $3 million signing bonus with the other $3 million spread out over the length of the contract, which is five-year.
Thanks for reading,
George Cotugno


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Keeping your upholstery clean and tidy may seem like difficult work, but it's actually quite easy. There are many practical and inexpensive ways to get your upholstered furniture cleaned without having it sent to a professional cleaning service. Many homeowners in Carrollton, Texas make use of these simple techniques to clean their upholstery.
Here are some easy-to-do tips that you can do to help keep your upholstery clean and well-maintained.
You can find that a lot of noticeable dirt particles can cling to your upholstery, especially along the sides or in between the cushion cracks. You can carefully pick these out with a spatula or a spoon, or you can also use a small brush to dust off any visible particles off the fabric and cushions.
When vacuuming your upholstery, be sure that you use a dusting brush attachment to pick up those loose pieces of dirt that you couldn't scrape or dust off earlier. Make sure to go over the entire area of your furniture, and don't forget to vacuum in between the cushions as well. Vacuum in short, overlapping strokes and set the suction strength based on the material of the upholstery you are cleaning – setting it to low if you're working on more delicate fabrics like silk.
If you're faced with a fresh stain on your upholstery, immediate action is required. Quickly spread a piece of cloth over the stain to blot it out. Make sure not to wipe or scrub off the stain, since this might spread it further and make things worse. What's important here is that the affected area is contained and that the cloth should soak up as much of the liquid as possible.
You can actually make a simple yet effective cleaning solution out of household detergent. Fill a cup with warm water and use a solution with a 3:1 ratio of natural or biodegradable dish detergent. Mix the solution with a wire whisk or an electric mixer until it generates a creamy and foamy texture. Test the mixture on a small area of the upholstery, seeing if any discoloration or stains appear after drying. If it has no adverse effects on the material, then proceed to use the mixture to clean the upholstery.
Make sure to only use natural cleaners to clean your upholstery. Always check the composition of any commercial cleaners you might want to use on your furniture. Some of them have hazardous substances like acetone or can leave a sticky film that can cause dirt to adhere to the fabric. The detergent mixture we described above is a simple and inexpensive alternative to the more commercial solutions.
Also, try not to use too much water while cleaning. This can leave unsightly water stains that can seep into the fabric and eventually cause it to shrink. A small amount of moisture on a damp cloth should be enough to pick up any loose debris and dirt. Make sure to avoid wetting your furniture's metal parts as well. You wouldn't want any sensitive metal parts like a recliner's lever and gears to rust. Rust stains can also be pretty difficult to remove once it's touched the fabric.
If you're having difficulties doing your own upholstery cleaning, then we at Dalworth Cleaning are more than happy to lend you a hand. We specialize in cleaning all types of upholstery furniture in a fast and reliable manner. For more information regarding our services, you can get in touch with us by dialing 817-553-2184 or by leaving us an inquiry on our contact page.


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Santa Clara Valley Medical Center (SCVMC), a large public teaching hospital, affiliated with Stanford University School of Medicine, in San Jose CA, is seeking a full-time BC/BE pediatric neurologist to join our dynamic Department of Pediatrics.
We offer the unparalleled opportunity to gain the long-term personal and professional satisfaction of serving our patients and the public, while teaching the next generation of health care providers, in one of the best places to live in the United States.
About the organization Santa Clara Valley Health and Hospital System (SCVHHS) is the second-largest County-owned health and hospital system in California and is committed to improving the health of the 1.8 million people of Santa Clara County. As an integrated health care system, SCVHHS includes a 574-bed central hospital, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, a large primary care network comprised of 10 health centers throughout the County (including our newest center in downtown San Jose, which opened in 2016), a broad-range of specialty services, a large behavioral health department, public health, EMS, and Valley Health Plan. SCVMC itself hosts five residency training programs and partners with Stanford University Medical Center for the training of residents and fellows in many Stanford-based specialties, including pediatrics. SCVMC also features a Level 1 Trauma Center, Burn Center, Primary Stroke Center, and a CARF-accredited Rehabilitation Center. Owing to its geographic location and specialty offerings, SCVMC not only serves the County, but also the larger region.
About the community SCVMC is located in San Jose, California in the heart of Silicon Valley, offering a diverse choice of cultural, recreational, and lifestyle opportunities. Our physicians live in a range of communities, including urban (e.g., San Francisco), university (e.g., Palo Alto), high tech (e.g., many cities of Silicon Valley), mountain (e.g., Los Gatos), beach (e.g. Santa Cruz), and rural/agricultural (e.g., Gilroy). Situated in one of the most desirable regions of the country – only 45 minutes from the Monterey Bay and three hours from the Sierra Nevada – our physicians enjoy a very high quality of life.
About the Department of Pediatrics Our Department of Pediatrics has a busy 40-bed Pediatric Ward, 12-bed PICU, 40-bed level IV NICU, 170,000 outpatient visits per year, and is a key training site for Stanford medical students and pediatrics residents. Physicians who join our Department of Pediatrics are pleased to find a very collegial work environment, with robust specialty and ancillary support and an integrated electronic health record (Epic).
About the position The ideal candidate will be competent in the treatment of epilepsy and interpreting pediatric EEGs. The ability to treat sleep disorders is also desirable.
About compensation and benefitsWe offer competitive compensation, generous comprehensive benefit package (including 53 days of leave per year), paid malpractice, vibrant professional environment, opportunity for career growth, and the opportunity to serve a multicultural patient population and the community.
SCVMC is an Equal Opportunity employer.
If you are interested in joining a practice with unparalleled personal and professional advantages, then please submit your letter of interest and CV to Roya Rousta at firstname.lastname@example.com.
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Of all the gifts they received at a baby shower, moms say they most appreciate practical lifesavers and things with sentimental value.
1. Gifts from the heart
"My favorite baby shower gifts are always the handmade blankets and hats and things that were made especially for your baby with love."
— Baby Audrey3
"My mom gave us a basket filled with memorabilia – clothes I wore as a baby, toys I played with as a child, and even things she had as a child. It was so nice to get a gift that was truly from the heart."
— Maddy's Ma
"My grandmother crocheted a hat, sweater, booties, and blanket for each of my (much older) brothers, but she passed away 15 years before I was born. My mom gave each piece to a different cousin when they had their children, years before me. Now I'm pregnant with my first and was thrilled and shocked to find out that my relatives saved those treasures through the years – and are returning them to me. My baby will have a gift from the great-grandmother that neither she nor I ever met. Very, very special!"
— jnjbown
2. Gift certificates
"A $100 megastore gift certificate from my co-workers was the best gift I received. This is our second child, so we pretty much had everything we needed. The gift certificate will allow us to purchase diapers, wipes, and other necessities as we need them."
— Melodie
"The gift certificate for a local portrait studio was so nice to have for the 1-month pictures."
— sweetrysmomma
"When we needed something extra or were short on cash, gift cards were the best!"
— Anonymous
3. Taking care of mom
"The best baby shower gift I got was my parents paying for me to go see my husband for a week. He's in the Navy, so we haven't had much chance to see each other during this pregnancy."
— Mrs.Parad0xe
"The best baby shower present I got was a gift coupon for a massage and a pedicure."
— Rosa Maria
"My best gift was a date-night certificate for me and my husband to get reacquainted, about a month after our second baby was born. It included dinner for two at the restaurant of our choice and childcare for our two tots. Probably saved our marriage!"
— Jeanne
"By my fourth baby, I already had everything I needed for a girl or boy, so my friends pitched in and got me a professional one-time house cleaning. It was perfect! I felt so refreshed and so grateful for the much-needed help."
— Anonymous
"I received a pregnancy pillow from a dear friend, and it made the last few weeks of my pregnancy so much more comfortable. Definitely the best present I received. I am still using it as support to feed our baby, and I just bought another for a friend."
— Anonymous
4. Bedding and baby blankets
"After my mom died, my dad gave her yarn to another woman who also crochets. That woman gave me a baby blanket with a letter attached saying she had found this blanket three-quarters done in the stash of yarn and finished it for me. My mom made blankets for all my friends' babies, and I was devastated that I would never have one. I can't wait to bring the baby home in this blanket!"
— Kim
"We received a hand-knitted baby blanket from my aunt (the same aunt who married us). It's really special to me and will be with my son forever, just as my hand-knitted baby blanket from my grandmother is still with me."
— Lori
"As a child, I loved my blanket with satin trim. And my first daughter, now 5, carried around a pair of men's silk boxers. (Luckily we've broken her of the boxer habit, but she still loves anything silky.) This brings me to the greatest little gift I received at my shower – a fleece blanket with different types of silk ribbons and silk tags all around the edges. Everyone loved it, including my daughter and me."
— Celeste
"I like to buy a gift that's on the mom's registry (such as a baby blanket) and then personalize it by having it monogrammed or having the baby's name embroidered on it."
— Jill
5. Diapers
"My favorite shower gift was a month of cloth diaper service!"
— Anonymous
"Two family members teamed up to give me plastic tubs full of different essentials – clothes, bottles, diapers – and I had the tubs left over to store baby memorabilia."
— Anonymous
"Friends threw us a 'diaper shower.' We had enough diapers and wipes for our son for his first six months."
— Anonymous
"I've made diaper cakes before and they went over really well. I try to use larger diaper sizes, because the baby outgrows newborn and size 1 diapers so quickly."
— Anonymous
6. Books for baby and mom
"For our baby shower, we registered at our local bookstore. People loved the idea. Instead of a bunch of adorable outfits that the baby would grow too fast to wear, we got all kinds of books, from Winnie-the-Pooh to parenting books to pediatric medical guides. People love the idea of giving your child something educational, and knowledge and imagination are priceless gifts."
— Meghan
"For our firstborn, we had a book shower. Everyone brought his or her favorite book for babies or children. Our daughter had over a hundred books before she was born, and she loves to read her books. We only got a few duplicates – and we use those for the diaper bag or car, so it has been great. Now we're looking for a fabulous idea for baby number two!"
— Mama Sage
"Moms need comic relief. Look for books to help them laugh their way through moments like bad pregnancy acne or getting bitten while breastfeeding."
— Anonymous
7. Backup baby bag
"One of the best baby shower gifts I received was an emergency diaper bag. It was filled with an assortment of things to leave in the car in case you forget something at home. I made one for a friend that included an undershirt, a bottle, a teething ring, a pacifier, a small bottle of an electrolyte solution, a thermometer, gas relief medicine, an assortment of different-sized diapers, diaper cream, a small pack of powder, shampoo and lotion, infant acetaminophen, a bib, and a small can of ready-made formula."
— BabyCenter user
"The best gift I got at my daughter's shower and now give at all showers for friends is a small quick-trip diaper bag. (Moms usually want to pick out their large one.) You can have the baby's name embroidered on it and fill it with the top five things you should not leave home without!"
— tg012804
8. Meals for a month
"For a terrific and truly appreciated gift, put up a calendar at the shower and have everyone write their name down on a week starting after the baby arrives. (To really play it safe, start it a few weeks after the due date.) In their assigned week, each person brings a prepared meal or two for the new parents to eat or freeze. This is so appreciated by the parents, and it's also a way for close friends and family to come visit quietly after the baby is born."
— Rachel
"Because we already had everything we needed from our first child and from friends loaning us their children's outgrown clothes, the guests at the shower for our second child signed up to prepare a nutritious meal to bring after the baby was born. It was wonderful not having to cook for a while and still being able to eat fresh meals."
— Anonymous
9. Problem solvers
"My friend got me the best gift ever: a clear vinyl shower curtain, some bath accessories (shower gel, soap, a sponge, etc.), and a battery-operated vibrating bouncy seat for the baby. I thank her every time I take a shower – I never have to take my eyes off my baby!"
— Kaye
"I got an 'Uh-Oh' basket packed with infant pain reliever, a thermometer, a notepad and pen, clippers, nail files, petroleum jelly, diaper rash cream, and more. She told me to just put it in the cabinet as-is and wait. It wasn't long before we had an 'uh-oh,' and we had what we needed without running to the store. It was exactly what we new, inexperienced parents needed!"
— sweetrysmomma
"The best gift we received was our baby movement monitor. As new parents, you're constantly up checking on the baby. This allowed us to get some good sleep, knowing that we would be alerted to potential problems."
— Anonymous
10. Clothes in bigger sizes
"At the baby shower she hosted, my mother-in-law hung a ton, and I mean a ton, of baby clothes – from newborn all the way up to 2T – around the room as part of the decorations! My husband and I got to pick any and all that we liked."
— manda
"My favorite gift was clothes in bigger sizes (12 mo, 24 mo, even 2 and 3T). At the time I thought it was strange, but I really appreciated it later."
— Anonymous
11. Baby furniture
"I had wanted my mother to buy me a rocking chair or my stroller. Instead, I received a lightweight shirt box at the shower. Inside, I found a huge check for enough to buy the chair and the stroller and extras! That was the highlight of the shower. Everyone was crying!"
— Adrian
"The greatest gift I received was a convertible crib that can transform to a daybed and a toddler bed."
— Creative
"My favorite baby shower gift was a crib that folds and unfolds in a minute. It's perfect for traveling with babies. It's also useful for putting the baby in while doing household chores."
— Maria


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Where do millennials most want to work? 3M, according to a survey of 13,000 high school students, college students and young professionals. Last year's top-ranked company, Google, is second on the 2016 list of most desirable employers.
This year's Millennial Career Survey is the ninth annual report from the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS), an international honors organization that aims to advance the goals of high achieving students. The full report digs into employment preferences, career planning, educational goals and life choices of the millennial generation.
"The NSHSS survey helps our organization and employers understand the goals and interests of this influential generation," said Susan Thurman, scholarship director of NSHSS, in a statement. "Our survey offers important insights for employers to develop strategies to engage and retain top talent."
Respondents, who range in age from 15 to 32, ranked their top three workplace preferences from a list of more than 200 companies. The top 25 employers of choice are:
2. Google
3. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
4. Walt Disney Company
5. Local hospital (write-in option)
7. BuzzFeed
8. Apple
9. Central Intelligence Agency
10. Amazon
11. Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
12. Health Care Services Corporation
13. Mayo Clinic
14. Microsoft
15. Nike
16. U.S. State Department
17. Universal Studios
18. Netflix
19. DreamWorks Animation
20. The New York Times
21. Boeing
22. National Security Agency
23. Abercrombie & Fitch
24. Blue Cross Blue Shield
25. Samsung
Other tech companies that show up on the full list include: Intel (#37), Adobe (#38), Facebook (#39), Dell (#47), IBM (#57), HP (#74) and Cisco (#75).
When asked about salary and perks, respondents rate flexible work hours as the most important factor in choosing an employer (cited by 70%), followed by benefits (60%), base salary (46%), and performance bonuses (19%).
On the topic of employer perception and image, respondents value companies that treat employees fairly (cited by 73%), exercise corporate social responsibility (47%), have a favorable brand image (40%), and offer prestige (31%).
For job-specific qualities, respondents are nearly universally looking to gain skills to advance their careers (cited by 90%). They also value international experience (48%) as well as opportunities to work on a team (41%) and travel for work within the U.S. (11%).
When asked about the benefits of diversity and inclusion, 42% of respondents said it helps an organization generate new ideas and creative solutions, and 35% said it creates an organization that shows more respect for each individual. Other benefits of diversity include: stimulates a process of constant learning (15%), and creates a more socially responsible employer (6%). Just 2% of respondents said diversity and inclusion are not beneficial to an employer.
Other key findings from the 2016 Millennial Career Survey include:
Half of respondents will work while in college. Forty-nine percent of respondents say they do or will work while in college, up from 43% in 2015. In addition, 24% say they need to work not only to pay for their own expenses but also to help with family expenses.
Graduate school is part of the plan. Eighty-one percent of respondents plan to attend, currently attend or have already attended graduate school. The most popular graduate school programs are medical/health (41%), science and engineering (23%), and business (13%).
Community service matters. Fifty-seven percent of respondents say they spend part of their free time volunteering. The issues they most hope to impact include education (46%), health (32%), social justice (29%), and the environment (29%).
"Currently, the top career interests of this group are STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), business and arts, entertainment and media. Millennials hope to find in the workplace fair treatment, corporate social responsibility and strong company benefits, which include flexible work schedules," said James Lewis, president of NSHSS.


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The color line in comic books was broken the same year as in baseball, with Orrin Evans's All Negro Comics in 1947. Since then, comic books have become a source of inspiration for Hollywood blockbusters, generating billions at the box office.
We find ourselves today in one of those moments—a new nadir in the line of progress—when scholars, activists, and educators need to regroup, refocus, and reenergize if their work is to "bend" what Dr. King famously invoked from the abolitionist Theodore Parker as the "arc of the moral universe."
|Lesson Plans
|Country Profiles
|Focus On
|Use the Oxford African American Studies Center to bring online learning into the classroom.
|Vital statistics and reference articles on countries that have been central to the history of Africans and African Americans.
|Explore photo essays on important events, people, and themes in African American history.
Franklin W. Knight introduces the Dictionary of Caribbean and Afro-Latin American Biography.
This lesson plan explores the legacy of the Underground Railroad in Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio as well the effect it had on the nation at large.
Dr. Theresa Vara-Dannen discusses her work with high school students to create scholarly entries for the African American National Biography.
This feature allows you to scroll through the tables of contents for each of the major reference works on the Oxford African American Studies Center, including the African American National Biography, Africana, Black Women in America, the Encyclopedia of African American History, as well as the Dictionary of Caribbean and Afro-Latin American Biography, the Dictionary of African Biography, and the Encyclopedia of African Thought.


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Bit depth describes the file size of an image by orders of magnitude.
When wrangling with file size versus image quality, it's often important to minimize the bit depth of an image while maximizing the number of colors. To calculate the maximum number of colors for an image of a particular bit depth, remember that the number of colors is equal to two to the power of what the bit depth is. For example, a GIF can support up to eight bits per pixel, and therefore can have as a many as 256 colors, since two to the power of eight equals 256.Go Back to Top. Skip To: Start of Article.


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We will help you get the results you want!
Cameron Fitness
Welcome to Cameron Fitness. Our strength training program will enable you to lose those unwanted pounds, gain muscle tone, and improve your overall health and appearance. You will be completely revitalized by our program! Our unique approach will help you transform both body and mind. Let's face it, most trainers just watch you exercise. If you want to achieve real, long lasting results, you must do more than exercise your body. You need to exercise your mind as well. With our program, you will change your perceptions and attitude about exercise, fitness, and health. We will not only show you correct physical exercise techniques, we will demonstrate mental exercises as well. We will inspire you to exercise determination and maintain motivation. Breaking bad habits is one of the most challenging things that one can face. Together, we will replace bad habits with good ones. You will develop habits that uplift your spirit and bring you happiness through fitness, good health, and mental clarity.
We will help you set goals and reach them. We don't just show you how to do an exercise; We educate you in the areas of strength training, cardiovascular endurance, and proper nutrition.
We will help you:


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(Story courtesy of Birmingham-Southern College)
MILLINGTON, Tenn. - In their first-ever NCAA Division III post-season appearance, the No. 7 Birmingham-Southern Panthers defeated Illinois Wesleyan, 7-4, at USA Stadium in the first game of the NCAA Central Regional. Box Score | Central Regional
The top-seeded Panthers move to 36-7, whle the sixth-seeded Titans fall to 29-16. IWU has a rich history in the NCAA tournament, having won the national championship in 2010.
BSC will face the loser of the game between third-seeded and 22nd-ranked DePauw and fourth-seeded Emory tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. CT. The game between DePauw and Emory will be played tonight at 7 p.m.
The Titans scored in the top of the first inning to open the game, but the Panthers responded with a run in the bottom of the first to tie it up 1-1. Junior Stephen Denton led off with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by sophomore Evan Grovenstein. A ground-out by senior Jon Walker moved Denton to third, and he scored on an RBI single from sophomore Austin Justice.
The Panthers did not allow another Titan hit until the top of the fourth, and IWU scored another single run in the top of the fifth, thanks in part to a Panther error by Walker, who had previously injured his wrist when he was hit by a pitch in the bottom of the third.
A one-run bomb by junior Bruce Maxwell - who leads the nation in home runs - in the bottom of the fifth tied things up, 2-2; it was Maxwell's 15th long ball of the year.
The Titans added another run in the top of the sixth courtesy of two extra-base hits and another BSC error to go up 3-2.
The Panthers took back the lead in the bottom of the seventh, though. Denton led off with a single, followed by a walk by Grovenstein. Maxwell flew out to left for the first out, but a two-RBI triple by Walker brought Denton and Grovenstein home to put BSC up 4-3, prompting a pitching change for Illinois Wesleyan. After a swinging strikeout for the second out, freshman Zach Wagner singled up the middle, scoring Walker from third and putting the Panthers up 5-3 for their largest lead of the game thus far. After another pitching change by the Titans, a looking strikeout ended the inning.
BSC also made a pitching change, bringing in sophomore right-hand reliever Miles Nordgren for the possible save. The Titans led off the top of the eighth with a fly-out but followed that with three straight singles, the third one bringing in a run to cut it to 5-4. With the game-tying run on second and the game-winner on first and only one out on the board, the BSC defense came up huge in the next at-bat, turning a double play from shortstop Grovenstein to freshman second baseman Grovenstein to Walker at first to end the half-inning.
The Panthers increased their lead in the bottom of the eighth, with Denton reaching on an error with two down already. He went to second on a wild pitch, and a single down the left field line by Grovenstein brought him across the plate to put BSC up 6-4. An RBI double from Maxwell plated Grovenstein for the 7-4 lead. Walker recorded another single after that, but a fly-out to right-center ended the inning.
BSC allowed one runner to reach base in the top of the ninth on an error, but held the Titans hitless and scoreless for the 7-4 win.
The Panthers recorded 12 total hits, led by Denton who was 3-5. Maxwell, Walker, and Perry were all 2-4, and Maxwell and Walker led with two RBI each.
Freshman right-hander Blake Stevens - the SCAC Newcomer-of-the-Year - started on the mound and got the win to move to 7-2 on the year. He struck out nine Titans while allowing six hits and two earned runs. Nordgren got his fifth save of the year while giving up three hits and one earned run.


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Jasper County National Register Listings
Jasper County Courthouse
66 Drive-In, 17231 Old 66 Blvd., Carthage (4/02/03)
Buchanan, Lucius P., House, 3708 E. University Pkwy., Joplin (8/22/16)
Carthage Courthouse Square Historic District (map), roughly bounded by E Central Ave., S Maple, Lincoln, and W 5th Sts., Carthage (5/15/80)
Carthage South Historic District (Historic Resources of the City of Carthage MRA; map), roughly bounded by Garrison and Centennial Aves., 5th and Clinton Sts., Carthage (5/06/82)
Cassill Place Historic District (Historic Resources of the City of Carthage MRA), 500 block of W Central, Carthage (1/02/86)
Cave Spring School and Cave Spring Cemetery (One-Teacher Public Schools of Missouri, c. 1774 to c. 1973 MPDF), 4323 Cty. Rd. 4, Sarcoxie vic. (7/17/12)
Colonial Apartments, 406 Walnut Street, Carthage (8/14/01)
Downtown Webb City Historic District, Roughly N. & S. Main, E. & W. Broadway, Daugherty, E. Church, N. Tom, N. Liberty, N. & S. Webb, Webb City (7/18/14)
Elks Club Lodge #501, 318-320 W 4th St., Joplin (6/03/85)
Gentry Apartments, 318 S. Wall St., Joplin (8/08/06)
Fifth and Main Historic District (map), 501-513 S. Main St., 502-508 Virginia St., Joplin (7/05/06)
Fox Theater, 415 S Main St., Joplin (7/30/90)
Inter-State Grocer Co. Building (Historic Resources of Joplin, Missouri MPDF), 1027-1035 S. Main St., Joplin (10/24/08)
Jasper County Courthouse, Courthouse Sq., Carthage (2/08/73)
Joplin and Wall Avenues Historic District (Historic Resources of Joplin, Missouri MPDF), portions of S. Joplin and Wall Aves, W First, Second, Third Sts, Joplin (10/12/10)
Joplin Carnegie Library, 9th and Wall Sts., Joplin (7/10/79)
Joplin Connor Hotel, 324 Main St., Joplin (2/28/73; demolished)
Joplin Downtown Historic District (Historic Resources of Joplin, Missouri MPDF), S. Main St., roughly between E. 4th and E. 6th Sts., Joplin (7/16/08)
Joplin Furniture Company Building (Historic Resources of Joplin, Missouri MPDF), 702-708 Main St., Joplin (8/07/12)
Joplin Supply Co., 228 S. Joplin Ave., Joplin (7/03/07)
Joplin Union Depot, Broadway and Main Sts., Joplin (3/14/73)
Main and Eight Streets Historic District (Historic Resources of Joplin, Missouri MPDF), portions of the 800 and 900 blocks of S Main St., Joplin (4/15/11)
Middle West Hotel, 1 S Main St., Webb City (9/16/82)
Murphysburg Historic District (Historic Resources of Joplin, Missouri MPDF), Roughly bounded by S. Sergeant, S. Pearl & S. Byers Aves., W. 1st, W. 4th & W. 7th Sts., Joplin (5/18/15)
Newman Brothers Building, 602-608 S Main St., Joplin (7/23/90)
Olivia Apartments, 320 Moffet, Joplin (6/20/08)
Pennington Drug Company (Historic Resources of Joplin, Missouri MPDF), 512-520 Virginia Ave., Joplin (10/10/17)
Phelps Country Estate (Historic Resources of the City of Carthage MRA), SR 1, 10th St. Rd. approx. 4 mi. NE of Carthage (8/29/83)
Rains Brothers Building, 906-908 S Main St., Joplin (7/19/90)
Ridgway Apartments, 402 and 404 S. Byers Ave., Joplin (8/08/06)
St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad Building, 605 Main St., Joplin (10/22/02)
St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church and Rectory, 812 Pearl St., Joplin (6/28/91)
Sarcoxie Public Square Historic District, along 5th, 6th, Center & Cross Sts., Sarcoxie (10/20/14)
Scottish Rite Cathedral, 505 Byers Ave., Joplin (6/21/90)
South Main Street Historic District (Historic Resources of Joplin, Missouri MPDF), W side S Main St, between W First and W Second Sts, Joplin (10/12/10)
*Each bold-faced link in the list above leads to a word-searchable NATIONAL REGISTER NOMINATION for that resource; other links provide maps or additional context for the resource. The items may be downloaded (right-click) or viewed in your Web browser (double-click). File sizes range from 1 MB to several hundred MB, the time required for loading will depend on your connection speed. You may obtain a free copy of Adobe Reader software required to read the materials by visiting our Help page.


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|For a list of all Commonwealths in the Fallout universe, see Commonwealths.
The Plains Commonwealth was one of the thirteen commonwealths of the pre-War United States. Created in the early 21st century, it was comprised of the former states of Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri and Oklahoma.
Former IowaEdit
Dr. Constance Nichols grew up in Iowa before taking a position at the National Isolated Radio Array in Appalachia in 2076.[1]
Former KansasEdit
|The following is based on Fallout Tactics and some details might contradict canon.
Before the war, Kansas was home to several military installations and a large Nuka-Cola factory in Newton. Some time after the conflict, a major faction in the Kansas area was the technology-worshiping Reaver cult, based in Newton.
Some of the major towns were Kansas City, inhabited by ghouls who worshiped a nuclear bomb, the Junktown-like Junction City, Cold Water, famous for its casino and Great Bend, a major pre-War industrial center.
After the fall of the Master in the far west, a great migration of super mutants he created began. They traveled east to find themselves a new home, until they found a crashed Brotherhood of Steel zeppelin, which was a part of an Air Convoy that was meant to find and destroy the remains of Master's Army. Brotherhood Paladin Latham duelled the mutant's leader, Gammorin and won. As unlikely it may seem, Latham took his opponent's name and became the new leader of the mutant army, setting up the base known as Osceolla near the airship crash site.
Around 2197 and 2198, Kansas found itself in the middle of a war zone. Several towns, mostly pre-War centers of industry, including the inhabited Great Bend, and others like Scott City and Canyon City were taken over by Calculator's robots from Vault 0. It didn't go unnoticed by Latham/Gammorin, whose mutants started actively fighting the mechanical threat.
In the meantime, the Vault 0 robots progressed east and one humanoid robot even strayed to the area of Junction City, which, unlike most other towns of that region, still maintained independence from the Brotherhood. However, when the Reaver cult tried to take the robot parts from the city's inhabitants, they were forced to ask the Brotherhood for help. Soon, the Reavers themselves had to ask the Brotherhood for help after their main camp in Newton was taken by the robots.
Former MissouriEdit
|The following is based on Fallout Tactics and some details might contradict canon.
Around that time, the super mutant camp in the area of St. Louis, Missouri was taken by surprise by an Eastern Brotherhood of Steel squad. As the Brotherhood was unaware of the robot menace, they perceived the super mutants as a major threat and attacked them immediately. The mutant High Inquisitor Toccomatta took Simon Barnaky, the leader of the Brotherhood prisoner in St. Louis, and managed to escape the following Brotherhood assault that destroyed the mutant forces in that area. The Eastern Brotherhood also destroyed Gammorin's laboratory in Jefferson, Missouri and prevented the mutants from obtaining the nuclear missile worshiped by the ghouls in Kansas City. Eventually, even the main mutant base in Osceolla was taken and Gammorin was killed, and the remaining mutants were either taken to labor camps or drafted into Brotherhood forces, and the former Missouri Military Academy ended up being a Brotherhood fort.
Former OklahomaEdit
Vault-Tec Rejection Letters issued in the Washington D.C. area suggest that there are vaults in Oklahoma. Whether or not these vaults were completed by the time of the Great War remains to be seen.
The name of the Red Okie Centuria suggests that Caesar's Legion may have a presence in, or connections to, the Oklahoma region.
Later TimesEdit
By 2277, the Brotherhood presence in the region had lessened, but there is still a group of soldiers maintaining a form of peace.[2]
Known locationsEdit
- Former Kansas
- Former Missouri
The Plains Commonwealth is mentioned in Fallout 3 and Fallout 76. St. Louis' Gateway Arch also appears in the Atomic Command game in Fallout 4. Parts of the Plains Commonwealth appear in Fallout Tactics and the canceled Van Buren.


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Blondie Vegan Macaroon GiveAway!
I decided to make some Blondies and I ended up with more than I need.
Does anyone want to take a few off my hands?
I will be picking the winner randomly on Monday (10/12/09) afternoon.
Creative Comments or Entering More than One Way Score You Brownie Points in my Book.
Here's How to Enter. Please Leave a Separate Comment for Each Entry:
1. Comment here Why You Want To Win
2. Become a Follower & Follow Publicly. That's the Google Button on the right hand column of the blog right below the Averie/About Me section.
3. Facebook/Twitter this
4. Link Back on Your Bloggie
5. Add me to your Blogroll
And, if you've won something before from me, great! Enter again please and don't feel bad about being a greedy contest enter-er!
Things today were brought to you in VeganMofo spirit.


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IYA2009 Update
21 August 2009
Canada Takes IYA2009 to Space
Canadian astronaut Dr. Robert Thirsk who is presently aboard the International Space Station has recorded a "get involved in IYA2009" message which can be viewed in French or English from the CSA website (http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/images/recherche/photo.aspx?id=1700&format=&search=&l=eng) or on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiJfyevRjj8). While the message is directed primarily to encourage involvement by Canadians, his message is universal.
India and Bangladesh unite for IYA2009 star party, replacing conflict with peace
While many astronomers worldwide were focused on the total solar eclipse, a small group of amateur stargazers from India and Bangladesh used this as an opportunity to carry out an activity of peace. For the first time in the history of the two countries, whose relations are marred with cross-border firing, terrorism, kidnapping, and acts of violence, a special event was held, which had members of the armed forces of both sides of the border rubbing shoulders with amateur astronomers at the international border dividing the two countries. Read about this astonishing tale here: http://www.astronomy2009.org/news/updates/430/
Women in Astronomy and Space Science 2009
Meeting the Challenges of an Increasingly Diverse Workforce (Oct 21-23, 2009, College Park, MD, USA): http://wia2009.gsfc.nasa.gov/
Space & Time
"Space & Time" is a play for the International Astronomy Year 2009, written by the experimental work group "Cidadania". It is a multidisciplinary event which faces the questions of science, philosophy, religion and art. The goal is to call attention to the close relationships between astronomy, natural sciences, philosophy, and civilisation, and their influence in the shaping of our future. A mind-boggling performance combining video projections and live music at an unconventional stage. See a preview here: http://www.astronomy2009.org/news/updates/429/
400 Years of the Telescope earns Best Director at the 2009 SCINEMA Festival of Science Film
400 Years of the Telescope director Kris Koenig has earned the Best Director award at Australia's 2009 SCINEMA Festival of Science Film. The prestigious science film festival will screen across Australia from August 15-23, 2009. This year's theme includes the International Year of Astronomy and the Darwin anniversary. The details are here: http://www.astronomy2009.org/news/updates/428/
Galileoscopes donated for astronomy competition
A lucky Brazilian student will soon be whizzing their way to the Kennedy Space Centre and National Aerospace Centre in the USA, as part of a competition run by the US Consulate in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Planetarium Foundation, State Department of Education, and Gávea Planetarium. 100 Galileoscopes will also be donated to participants, by chief executive of the American Astronomical Society, Kevin Marvel. To be in with a chance of winning, contestants must answer astronomy questions as part of an Olympiad quiz, with early rounds being online, eventually building to a finale in Gávea Planetarium. Read the full story (in Portuguese) here: http://odia.terra.com.br/portal/rio/html/2009/8/estudante_podera_fazer_jornada_nas_estrelas_28119.html
The University College London is hosting events to celebrate IYA2009
The University College London is hosting events from 20 - 23 August, to bring IYA2009 to an even greater audience. The family-friendly activities include talking to young scientists working at the forefront of astronomy research, holding in your own hands rocks that are older than the Earth, using telescopes to safely observe the Sun and Venus, and much more. For more details, see: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/youruniverse/
Shoppers across the U.S. to experience "The World at Night"
An exhibit of stunning photographs of the night sky as viewed over many of the most beautiful natural, historic and cultural landmarks in the world is being shown at 24 shopping centres across the United States from now through November 8.
Search IYA2009 Updates
National Nodes: 148
Organisational Nodes: 40
Organisational Associates:33
National Websites: 111
Cornerstone Projects: 12
Special Task Groups: 11
Special Projects:16
Official Products:8
Media Partners:22


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Hartford #62 Miter Clamp
The Hartford Miter Clamp is the only clamp that allows you to hold the joint tight after installation. If you have ever trimmed a door or window casing, you know that the joint can separate even if you glue and biscuit. After the casing is installed, simply lock the clamp in place flush with the casing and leave while the glue sets.
This is the quickest, finest clamp made to set and clamp a miter. The work is held exactly square with this specially designed clamp. Used largely for making window and door casings either in production or installation. The eccentric lever pulls the work together giving the tightest possible joint. The small holes made by the pins are hardly noticeable and are easily filled.
This illustration shows the ease with which door casings are compactly and securely stacked with miter clamps attached. Clamps are quickly and easily removed without disturbing stack.