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MLB: Can Clutch Be Measured?
From Trevor "The Story" Story writing an early intro, to Gary "The Sanchize" Sanchez burning up the Bronx in the summer, to arguably the most intense Game 7 in sports history, the 2016 season was full of excitement from start to finish. The revival of Justin Verlander, the regression of Bryce Harper, the tragic loss of Jose Fernandez… it truly was a roller coaster ride for most baseball fans. Now that the award season has come to a conclusion, I wanted to take a look back at this historic campaign.
I saw an article on ESPN the other week about, in my opinion, one of the most useless "stats" in baseball: WAR, or wins above replacement.
If you are unaware of this metric, WAR is basically an attempt to summarize a player's total contribution to his team into one number. Seems nice, right? Well… problems arise due to the fact that there are many different ways to calculate WAR. For instance, back to this ESPN article I read (well, skimmed). The focus was on southpaw Robbie Ray. I would assume that most baseball fans 1. see Ray as a back of the rotation guy/long reliever, or 2. have no idea who he is. Well, depending on which calculation of WAR you use, Ray is either a "borderline elite" pitcher, or someone who is not worthy of a spot on the 40-man roster. That is a problem.
So, back to the bigger picture… I wanted to take a look back at this historic campaign, right? Alright, so, how? What is one of the most controversial terms in all of sports… no, not PEDs.
I'm talking about clutch.
As fans, we tend to generate biased opinions on players based on one or two performances. That's just how sports work. For example, many people see LeBron James as a great player who chokes in big moments, while Kobe Bryant was a great player who seemed to excel in crunch time. The same could be said for Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter, respectively. Does it mean it's true if the majority thinks it? Not necessarily, (obviously). So, the real question is, can clutch be quantified?
I checked out sites like Fangraphs in an effort to find an answer, and yeah, they did have a clutch calculation. One problem… their calculation involved a derivative of the most despised metric in MLB history (slight sarcasm): WAR. Ahh, now you see why I talked about Mr. Ray and his mystical 2016 season. I instantly found an issue with their idea of clutch, so, I decided to take it upon myself.
Who Do You Think Was the Most Clutch Player in MLB (2016 Season)?
Welcome to MLB's (Unofficial) First Annual 2016 "Clutchies"
Yeah, I rushed the name.
So, the way I see it, there are two different measures for clutch:
- Total Adjusted Clutch (TAC) – how well a player performs in a "clutch situation"
- Total Production Ratio (TPR) – how much a player's performance improves in a "clutch situation" (seen as the more general representation of clutch)
Basically, a player with a high TAC is someone that you can trust to deliver in high leverage situations, while a player with a high TPR is someone who will typically out-perform the back of their baseball card in high leverage situations. There is a difference.
To make a long story short, after analyzing the 2016 season for 145 different position players (without the use of WAR…), I came to some pretty interesting conclusions. Here's a quick breakdown:
So, to explain:
- The majority of players, in both TAC and TPR, are in the "negative" category, meaning that they are NOT clutch.
- Most players hover around the average, meaning that very few players show a drastic change in production in high leverage situations.
- No players landed in the "bad" or "terrible" categories… but that is to be expected. Players landing that low in the negative section would statistically not last very long in professional ball (I stuck to analyzing mostly full-time players).
Now, to point out these players by name.
(A player's TAC and TPR ratings have no true meaning until they are compared to the entire population. Only batting is taken into account, not fielding. Yes, the larger the number, the better; however, the mean/variance of these numbers will change from year to year, yielding different results than one may expect… so, without further ado…)
Let's start with Total Adjusted Clutch (TAC):
Perennial gold glover Yadier Molina leads the pack by a significant margin, while the strongest man in Miami, Giancarlo Stanton, is stuck in the basement. One player in particular, a Mr. World Series MVP, Ben Zobrist, landed in the top 10… coincidence? Moreover, with a simple glance, it seems as though older players tend to be more clutch than the younger generation. Could the experience and poise required for high leverage situations come with age? Maybe…
Moving on to Total Production Ratio (TPR):
Again, we see Yadier at the top, and Giancarlo at the bottom. Looking at the 'most clutch' side, we now see players like Sal Perez and Logan Forsythe; although they may not be the best in high leverage situations, they tend to represent the more general definition of "clutch." On the other side, I'd like to point out two of the NLMVP candidates: Daniel Murphy and Kris Bryant. This proves that one can have a fantastic season, but at the same time struggle mightily in the clutch (another reason why I do not agree with using WAR in the calculation for clutch).
Okay, so at this point (if you're still reading) you're probably saying, "alright, so you got numbers and analyzed them, but like, how???"
I don't want to delve too deep into my process, but for a quick explanation, I chose different situations throughout the game in which I saw to be "clutch" and other situations I saw to be "not clutch." Comparing and weighting stats between these two categories (along with season totals), I was able to throw numbers into a formula and develop ratios. Once both TAC and TPR were developed for the 145 selected players, I ran a simple statistical analysis to see exactly how clutch players were compared to one another. So, if you care, there ya go. And if you're still skeptical, you can either try it yourself, or simply trust the process #TTP.
In conclusion, I do feel as though clutch is an extremely important metric, whether you agree or disagree with the method to determine it.
And if you're still curious, here are my ratings for some of baseball's best in 2016.
Summary: Yadier Molina is clutch. Giancarlo Stanton is not clutch.
Questions & Answers
© 2016 CJ-Biondi
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[Update: Some offers mentioned below have expired. For current terms and conditions, please see card agreements. Disclosure: Cards from our partners are mentioned below.]
With the number of credit cards options continually growing, it's critical for card issuers to find any way possible to stand out from the crowd. Some issuers offer cardholders the ability to earn bonus points on specific categories, like gas stations or grocery stores. Then there are some cards that offer perks like elite status with airlines or hotels. But there is one thing that will almost always drive new applications and that's a massive signup bonus.
Earlier this year, there was a lot of hype leading up to the release of Chase's most recent personal credit card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve. The big draw was that the card offers new cardholders a signup bonus of 100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 in the first three months. Because you would be able to redeem your points through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal for 1.5 cents per point, that signup bonus is worth $1,500. There is no other credit card openly available that currently offers someone that kind of a value upon signup.
Boosting the Bonus
One of the best things about any card within the Chase Ultimate Rewards family is the different ways that you can redeem your points. A redemption value of 1.5 cents is great, but there are ways to increase that value even more, and that's with the Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partners. By strategically transferring your points to partners like Hyatt, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Singapore Airlines and others, you can book travel plans that value more than 1.5 cents per point.
As an example, a room at Hyatt property Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort costs around $514 per night in February (prices subject to change). Because this is a Category 6 Hyatt hotel, it would cost 25,000 points per night, giving it a point value of about 2.06 cents per Ultimate Rewards point.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve: What You Should Know
The signup bonus is what helps get new customers, but there are other benefits offered by the Sapphire Reserve designed to keep cardholders around for the long term. For awhile, Chase's Sapphire Preferred (see full review here) had been one of the best cards to use at restaurants and for travel because it offers 2x the points on those purchases. The new Chase Sapphire Reserve has improved on that and offers 3x the points on restaurant and travel. All other purchases on both cards earn 1x the points.
Still, there is a major factor that might make this card out of reach for some people: it comes with a $450 annual fee that Chase does not waive during the first year. However, to offset that fee, it does offer an annual $300 travel credit. That means you can book travel plans with your card and you will receive a statement credit back for up to $300.
You also receive a $100 statement credit every four years so that you can apply for either Global Entry or TSA Pre-Check. Then while you are traveling, you can take advantage of the complimentary Priority Pass membership that comes with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card. This will give you access to over 900 airport lounges worldwide. Because the Chase Sapphire Reserve card is a Visa Infinite card, you can book a hotel room through the Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection and receive automatic room upgrades when available, late checkout, complimentary continental breakfast, a $25 food and beverage credit, and more.
Of course, the long-term worth of these benefits hinges on how often you travel — and how you spend. For instance, cardholders known to carry a balance are better-served opting for a low-interest credit card or balance-transfer credit card (you can go here to learn about some of the better cards out there), since any points they earn would easily be lost to interest. The Chase Sapphire Reserve carries a variable purchase annual percentage rate (APR) of 16.24% to 23.24%, depending on creditworthiness.
It's important to read the fine print to determine what credit card is right for you. Something else to note: Premium credit cards like the Sapphire Reserve generally require good credit to qualify, so you'll want to see where you stand before you apply. Otherwise, you'll risk a hard inquiry. You can view your free credit report snapshot, updated every 14 days, on Credit.com.
At publishing time, Chase products are offered through Credit.com product pages, and Credit.com is compensated if our users apply and ultimately sign up for these cards. However, this relationship does not result in any preferential editorial treatment.
Note: It's important to remember that interest rates, fees and terms for credit cards, loans and other financial products frequently change. As a result, rates, fees and terms for credit cards, loans and other financial products cited in these articles may have changed since the date of publication. Please be sure to verify current rates, fees and terms with credit card issuers, banks or other financial institutions directly.
Image: CREATISTA

subset: commoncrawl


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Acer palmatum 'Little Princess'
Japanese Maple
from £69.50
An extremely pretty, dwarf japanese maple. It has bright green leaves, edged with red. It will grow reasonably quickly to around 1m, but then slows right down, rarely going over 1.5m in height. Excellent as a patio plant, where it will slowly mature into a small, rounded tree.
- Position: full sun to part shade sheltered site preferred out of strong winds
- Soil: all soils, but avoid waterlogged areas very dry soils will need extra watering
- Eventual Size: up to 1.5 metres, but can be pruned
- Habit: deciduous compact, upright growth
- Foliage: deciduous
- Common Names: Japanese maple 'Little Princess'
Japanese Maples are best pruned when fully dormant (November to early February), as maples bleed sap from pruning cuts at other times, weakening the tree. However, pruning is still best kept to a minimum as the most graceful shape comes from a tree that has been allowed to develop fairly naturally. As a result, just remove badly-placed or crossing shoots to encourage a good framework of branches to form. Where you do need to reduce height and width, follow long branches back to a side branch and pruning it out at this point. This is not necessary on prostrate-growing trees because they should be allowed to spread naturally to gain the best effect.
Please refer to our: Japanese Maple Growing Guide
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A comment about lynx. unless you test your site using lynx with a screen reader whether it be unix, linux, dos or windows, you may still run into stumbling blocks because some characters that look fine in lynx do not necessarily translate to screen readers as I have been discussing with someone off list who is pretty sharp on this. We were discussing using certain symbols for bullets in an marked up list and the fact that screen readers do not recognize or read correctly some of the mark up.Received on Monday, 19 February 2001 10:55:19 UTC
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Friday, 17 January 2020 20:36:00 UTC


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The alphabets were trembling before the ice-cold Major who had just recovered from diarrhea [see Paradise Party]; he was threatening them with the possibility of relocating all (except Z) to Alaska. When the tension reached its peak, he was summoned to the Chief. A NATO agent called "Otto", stationed in Rome, was killed in Switzerland when trying to contact the Major. His recorded last message was: "Send my message to Major Eberbach. 'Laughing Cardinals.' Tell the Major it's 'laughing cardinals.....'" Otto was found dead at a public phone booth in Lucerne. With no other clue, Klaus assumed that Otto had obtained some kind of crucial information in Rome, and fled to Switzerland where he was murdered. Klaus assigned his men in several spots on the routes Otto might have taken, and headed for Rome with A and B.
Eroica was in Switzerland to check the residence of a snobbish supermarket owner. The rich man and his mansion didn't impress him, but there he met and was fascinated by a beautiful, innocent young monk, Sebastianus, who came to make a direct appeal to the supermarket proprietor not to demolish their abbey in Lucerne to build another business in his chain. The landlord of the impoverished abbey had sold the property to the supermarket owner. Dorian drove Sebastianus and another monk back to their abbey to get the details.
The Major and his team started the wild-goose chase after the enigmatic keyword "Laughing Cardinals" in Rome. They realized that the KGB was already trying to stall their search. His men in Lucerne reported the KGB had been tracking Otto before his death. The three shook off the KGB and took a flight to Milan.
Eroica discovered that the abbey now owned by the wealthy snob was filled with the beauty of the medieval age. Determined to obtain the abbey for himself and protect its beauty, he set a little trick on the crucifixion so that tears came out of the Christ's eyes in front of the spectators. Things went as he planned, and the word was spread that the miracle was the Lord's lament for the abbey's demolition, which forestalled the snob's plan for the time being. Incidentally, Klaus' agents visited the abbey with Otto's picture, looking for the clue to "cardinals". A monk told them Otto had come to the abbey. The alphabets were staggered to see Eroica there; he told them there were many frescoes of cardinals in the abbey.
It was not Eroica's intention to invite Klaus and his much too realistic mission into his quiet world of past beauty. However, Klaus and his men intruded into the abbey and found a strange fresco which had five cardinals with eerie smiles on their faces. Klaus guessed Otto had hidden a microfilm somewhere inside the long crack running across the fresco, tried to dig in the crack and provoked Dorian's anger. Klaus and the KGB started shooting at each other in the abbey. Dorian hit the Major's head hard with a broken wing of an angel statue. He declared Klaus that for this one time he was absolutely determined to get in his way to protect the world he cherished. Klaus locked up Dorian in a small cell and stole the entire wall containing the fresco from the abbey.
The KGB and Eroica started chasing the Major and the fresco. The truck with the fresco and all of Klaus' men was snatched by the KGB group led by a tough agent called "Akegarasu" ("crow of dawn"), Mischa's favorite pupil. Klaus' Mercedes with himself inside was thrown into a freezing lake. Dorian attempted to help him, but nearly drowned himself and was rescued by the Major. Klaus, Dorian and Bonham ventured to retrieve the fresco and rescue the alphabet soup held as hostages in the castle Ardler high up on top of a steep mountain. They climbed the rocky cliff in the middle of the night. The following conversation occurred during the climb:
The KGB had found the microfilm inside the painting. Klaus had a close battle with Akegarasu, but Dorian's skill with a crossbow helped him knock down Akegarasu and get the microfilm. He promised Dorian that he would have the fresco fixed and return it to the abbey.
Fed up with the incompetency of the alphabets, Klaus finally ordered all of them (except Z) to go to Alaska. The indiscreet decision, however, lead Klaus and Z to suffer in an inferno of paperwork.
Dorian went back to his abbey to indulge himself in dreams of the medieval age (and the beautiful monk), but what was waiting for him was James' maddening obsession to dig out a pure gold cross buried somewhere in the abbey's lot (which was a lie Dorian had made up to convince James the abbey was worth purchasing).


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Monday, March 31, 2008
Bella's Special Day....
Posted by Rita Andrews at 7:58 AM 10 nice people had this to say
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Yesterday was a beautiful day~
Sorry for the yuck in the background....our lovely neighbor doesnt keep a clean yard...we need a privacy fence on that side!
Enjoy the Funny faces of the girls.....Tomorrow is Bella's FOREVER FAMILY ADOPTION DAY...SO STAY TUNED!
Posted by Rita Andrews at 2:08 PM 1 nice people had this to say
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Today is a VERY special day to me...
4 yrs ago today....On our 15th wedding anniversary --My husband, my son, and then my only awesome daughter and I stood at the US Embassy in Guatemala City and swore to love this absolutely precious little girl named Giovanna for the rest of our lives....We had prayed for this day for a LONG time and it had finally arrived. I just cant explain the happiness in my heart and the love for this baby then and NOW. Her Down Syndrome, terrible heart condition, cognitive delays...none of it mattered at all.....She has opened up our hearts that lead us to adopt 3 other little girls just like her....there are 4 less orphans in the world today....PRAISE our LORD JESUS CHRIST....for His love for us has made our family complete.
Attached are pictures of our first day with Giovanna in Guatemala. The one of William holding her, then one of me holding her, our FIRST family photo and more.....oh what a honor it is to be her mommy!
Then just one year and one week later we brought our Bella home...so stay tuned on the 31st for pictures of that day..
Posted by Rita Andrews at 8:31 AM 11 nice people had this to say
Monday, March 24, 2008
Easter weekend
Friday night we PIZZA with the family, the girls favorite. On Saturday, William and I took the 4 little ones to a Easter egg hunt at the park near the beach and they had a BLAST. It was put on by a group there for special needs children and their families...oh it was wonderful. They had music playing, games to play, a moon walk to play on and best of all EGGS to hunt.
Wal-Mart donated about 800 STUFFED eggs, 200 Easter basket and grass. There were only about 25 kids show up...so to say the least each kiddo walked away with about 3-4 baskets FILLED with eggs. It was so much fun, for them to be able to HUNT (well pick up off the large park grass) for eggs, without being PUSHED over by "typical" kids that know exactly what to do SORRY, I JUST DONT KNOW ANOTHER WAY TO SAY IT....ALL KIDS ARE TYPICAL, BUT MY GIRLS JUST DONT YET GRASP THE CONCEPT OF EGG HUNTING.... They just had a great time playing.
We had fun meeting other families from that area and watching them all interact with others... No one in my family wanted to go, but we did so it was just William, myself and all the girls....and we are glad we went...they had a good time. WE come home and ate lunch with one of my brothers and my only sister and their families and kiddos and then did another EGG hunt with the cousins...Man, can you say we have tons of eggs.
My son wanted to take us all to eat at Caraba's Italian restaurant and that was fantastic food!!
Sunday we got up and headed to church with my parents and then to lunch. Went back to moms and packed up to leave by 3:00
I think overall today as I open and empty all the eggs, I have lost count at over 225 eggs....That is ALOT of candy!!! Looks like we will be taking some to preschool to share...
Have a great day. I will add pictures of the weekend later tonight.
Posted by Rita Andrews at 11:51 AM 3 nice people had this to say
Friday, March 21, 2008
And the winner of the XO laptop is....
Family #5. Ciarra is a cute little girl whom this computer will help tremdously in school. Her mom is a strong advocate in the DS community and I am proud that she won......
Yes, it was a tight race....
Congrats Ciarra on winning the computer. I hope this will be just what you needs to help you accelerate in school. Once again....congrats!!!
Posted by Rita Andrews at 9:04 AM 1 nice people had this to say
Thursday, March 20, 2008
update on contest for laptop
MANY many people have emailed me about the laptop contest....Hmmm what do i say? You all tell me you watched the poll votes and we would have won,you tell me you added up all the comment votes and we would have won....and then the big BUT "the blogger putting on the contest states she got 4 emails at contest end" and that ended up giving #5 one more vote then us....so DID we win or not??? Well I dont know....I have checked her blog as well and she still hasnt posted a winner ....so who knows! All I can say is that if we win that will be great...if another family wins and actually gets it in the mail well that is AWESOME too! I think it is a very nice thing for the blogger person Sarabeth to do this contest and whomever wins.....I think any of the 5 families are well deserving!!!!
So until further notice......stay tuned.
Posted by Rita Andrews at 1:22 PM 0 nice people had this to say
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
My Pretty Princesses...
My mom had brought up the girls some Dora, Bride and Cheerleader dress up clothes....and yesterday on our BLAW of a day while Bella took her nap they wanted to dress up....so introducing..............
Posted by Rita Andrews at 8:58 PM 7 nice people had this to say
Our Adoptive Family Support group's Egg hunt
Posted by Rita Andrews at 8:46 PM 0 nice people had this to say
Isabella hunting for eggs today
The girls had a good time this morning with their Moms Day out preschool hunting for eggs. However, we had some yucky rain come through and they didnt get to do it outside...so we had a inside egg hunt....For Bella this was a First and she had fun. This past Saturday we had our Adoptive Family support group's egg hunt and I will put some pictures up of it as well. We sure are gonna get a few uses out the the overalls I made....a total of 3 egg hunts.
Enjoy my babies...I know it was fun for us.
Posted by Rita Andrews at 8:40 PM 0 nice people had this to say
Giovanna and Lily hunting for eggs today at Preschool
Giovanna and Lily at their Mom's Day Out egg hunt. Gabby was in the rear of us and Bella had already gone with her class. This was a first for Gabby and Lily and Giovanna hasnt really gotten the hang of the whole HUNT thing. Everyone else just runs all around them, and they end up with 1 or 2 eggs......so funny. I will try to post one of the other 2 girls in their "hunt for eggs"
Posted by Rita Andrews at 8:21 PM 0 nice people had this to say
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
What a day... full of memories
My girls are just so funny...every day it is something new with them all. Bella at the ripe age of 3 is such a hoot! She is coming up with something different everyday. She is such a little boss, and being the baby of the house she just trys her best to take over...the other 3 girls get so testy with her....i love watching them all play together and react to different things.
Lyndsey and Michael are the joy and I just love them to pieces. They are growing and changing every single day...They are in the adult stage of their life now, and making choices that will affect the rest of their lives....for this I sit back and watch and spend alot of time on my knees praying for them....they are both GREAT kiddos!
I just cant believe it but 4 yrs ago we were given a great and awesome gift........ Giovanna Grace!! We added her to our family on our 15th wedding anniversary at the American Embassy in Guatemala. My life has never been the same since. I am so in love with this little girl it is just unbelievable. Then getting her home and realizing that we didnt want her to grow up as basically an only child (Lyndsey and Michael were 14 by this point) we were ready to adopt again...another daughter just like her DOWN SYNDROME, heart conditions and all...so one yr and one week after bringing her home....in our arms were placed a perfect little daughter of Indian heritage and oh i cant descibe the feeling of overwhelming HAPPINESS! My God is so good...All the money, time invested and anything else we had to go through was ALL worth it!!!
Through much prayer and willingness to totally surrender our lives for our Lord, we were led to the country of Colombia South America....and there we brought home our Colombian beauties... Gabby and Lily. So in just 4 short yrs, we have been SO OVERLY BLESSED, BEYOND MEASURE, WITH NOW 6 AWESOME FUN PACKED, BELLY LAUGHING ANGELS!
What a happy Momma I am!
Posted by Rita Andrews at 1:35 PM 6 nice people had this to say
Monday, March 17, 2008
Happy ST Patricks Day
Posted by Rita Andrews at 9:28 PM 1 nice people had this to say
PLEASE go vote for us....
This is so exciting. WE are one of 5 families that have been selected for the drawing of a new laptop computer.... please everyone out there....go to the link below and vote for us....we are number 4. The poll ends on Thursday...you can only vote one time per computer so PLEASE spread the word and vote on ALL of you computers, home and at work...
Thanks so much
PLEASE EVERYONE GO VOTE FOR US.... YOU CAN ONLY VOTE ONE TIME PER COMPUTER...... so spread the word and vote on as many computers as you can....
We so need this!
And after you vote please leave a comment for me that tells us at what number we are at in the poll. I cant even look at it once I vote...
Posted by Rita Andrews at 10:26 AM 10 nice people had this to say
Friday, March 7, 2008
Boutique Easter overalls
Posted by Rita Andrews at 4:58 PM 6 nice people had this to say
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Yes I do custom orders.....
Sorry I didnt post this....but YES I do do custom orders....I love to be creative for my girls...and make them GIRLIE GIRLS, because in not the too distant future they will NOT like Momma to dress them......so for now.........Im HAVIN FUN!
I will take a picture of Bella in her complete overalls,,,, they are now DONE....now to get busy with the others....
So YES if you want something done, just email me or leave a comment and I will get back to you..My email addy is email@example.com
Posted by Rita Andrews at 4:55 PM 1 nice people had this to say
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Arent they just too cute
The pink and zebra print outfit my friend Leigh made and brought over last night for the girls....now I have to get busy and make 3 more of them...LOL. The overalls I started late last night and was TRYING to finish today, but with 4 little ones that was kinda hard...Maybe tonight when they go to bed. Im still not done with them, but this will give you a good idea so far...I think they have turned out so cute so far....Whatcha think?? I am trying to do each one of the girls a Easter pair but different..... Im so excited ...this is Bella's pair but she was taking a nap so Gabby had to try them on....
The rear will have a triple ruffle on the BUM, some bows on the shoulder and not sure what else..
Posted by Rita Andrews at 5:04 PM 7 nice people had this to say


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In Search of Bacchus – Part 2
In part 2, we talk more with George about his newest book "In Search of Bacchus: Wanderings in the Wonderful World of Wine Tourism," which cover his visits to such wine regions as: Margaret River, Australia; Central Otago, New Zealand; Rioja, Spain; Douro Valley, Portugal; Tuscany, Italy; Bordeaux, France; Rhine/Mosel, Germany; and Kakheti, Georgia. Plus, we hear from George about Napa Valley's current popularity.
Click Below to Play the Show:
Part 2
(46:13 min 33MB)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download


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There's no denying that Legos are pretty amazing. But when they're integrated into classrooms and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) learning — that just makes them even better. Sure, they're a childhood staple (and, let's face it — fun to play with as adults, too), yet the iconic plastic bricks can help teach much more than basic building techniques.
At the Queen Mary University of London, for example, the School of Physics and Astronomy offers Lego kits that teach physics concepts through a variety of activities. Three kits are available with each focusing on different aspects of physics: building the universe, fission and fusion, and particle physics.
The building the universe kit, for example, includes a display poster and a booklet that explains the sequence of events that led to the creation of the universe as we know it.
The fission and fusion kit includes red, yellow and white Lego bricks, as well as a booklet that explains the basic concepts of fission and fusion. Yellow bricks serve as protons, red as neutrons and white as electrons. From there, the booklet shows various Lego configurations that illustrate the two concepts, as well as chain reactions.
The particle physics kit is a full educational package that includes a booklet, accompanying PowerPoint presentation and a lesson plan that can help guide classroom instruction. A wider variety of Legos are used to represent various combinations like baryons, mesons and leptons. And from there, you can use Legos to explore combinations, interactions and decay, among other topics.
Although these kits aren't part of Lego's official educational line-up, they're not the first instance of using Legos in the classroom. The company offers a variety of Lego sets and curriculum guides designed for elementary, middle and high school students in an effort to get them excited about STEM education.
As engineers, we're big fans of anything related to STEM education — and Legos, too. To our way of thinking, making education fun is a great way to get kids interested in a variety of subjects, instilling a lifelong interest in learning that will carry them through their careers. And if Legos can help inspire a few engineering careers along the way, we're all for that.
Image by woodleywonderworks via Creative Commons


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A.B.C-Z member injured but more than ready for stage show
One of Johnny's Jr. group A.B.C-Z's members might be injured, but yesterday the group had showed they were staying positive for the start of their new stage show season, reports Sankei Sports.
It is the second year in a row A.B.C-Z take the lead roles in "少年たち (Shonen-tachi)", which starts its season in Tokyo on September 4.
It has been reported group member Ryoichi Tsukada, who specialises in acrobatics, had tore a ligament in his left leg during rehearsals last month. Although this means he can't perform any stunts until his leg recovers, the A.B.C-Z member said he was optimistic about the situation.
"I might not be able to do acrobatics, but I'm more enthusiastic than ever!"
Fellow group member Ryosuke Hashimoto had joked it could be worth coming to see the show while Tsukada is recovering.
"This might be the only time you'll ever see Tsuka-chan not doing acrobatics."
It has been reported Kansai Johnny's Jr. member Akito Kiriyama said their talents were worth seeing as well.
"The Kansai team have come back better than last year, I think we'll be some fierce competition for the other [Johnny's Jr. from Tokyo]," he said.
"Yeah, but one of ours is injured…," A.B.C-Z member Fumito Kawai said.
Johnny's Jr. talent Jesse Lewis gets first drama lead role
Johnny's Jr. talent Jesse Lewis will play a university student taking part in a bloody quiz show where contestants are killed off one by one, reports Cinema Today on August 23.
The cast of special drama The Quiz held a press conference on August 21, where Lewis, and other Johnny's Jr. talents Keigo Hagiya and Hikaru Iwamoto talked about their upcoming show.
The drama is based on a horror mystery novel where 10 contestants compete in a quiz show to win 100 million yen. But it is not as easy as it seems, because for every question one contestant is killed off.
It has been reported Lewis will play the lead character, Shota, a third-year university student.
"I'm so surprised I got my first lead. I hope I can convince people that I can pull off roles like this. I hope I get them sitting on the edge of their seat when they watch this show," he said.
The talent had also said he had never thought he would be able to be in so many dramas this year, from 私立バカレア高校 (Shiritsu Bakarea Koukou), Sprout, and now The Quiz.
For his co-star Hagiya, who plays a cold-hearted Tokyo University graduate student, the whole drama experience is completely new to him.
"This is my first drama. There are so many things I don't know but I've been getting through it all thanks to the advice the director has been giving me," he said.
Iwamoto, who plays a national karate champion Riku, said he had a lot in common with his character.
"Riku has a bright personality like me so it's easy to get into character. I hope we can have fun making this into a great show," he said.
The three talents also talked about what they would do if they themselves got their hands on the 100 million yen cash prize,
"I'd build a movie theatre inside my house! I watch DVDs with my family when I have a day off so I want to watch it on a big screen," Lewis sad.
"I'd build a sound-proof room at home and put a drum kit and karaoke machine there," Hagiya said.
"I'm really into designing lately so I'd like to open up my own apparel shop," Iwamoto said.
The Quiz goes on air in Japan on September 1.
Koki Tanaka's little brother gets first commercial with other Johnny's Jr. talents
Johnny's Jr. talents Jyuri Tanaka, Lewis Jesse, Keigo Hagiya, Kentaro Yasui, and Taiga Kyomoto will star in the latest commercial for Baskin Robbins ice cream, reports Nikkan Sports on July 19.
Baskin Robbin's summer snowman campaign commercial goes on air on July 21, and will show the five talents walking in a parade surrounded by snowmen.
Apart from Kyomoto, this will be the first commercial for the Jr. talents.
"Although I would like to say that the first person I want to see this commercial in my big brother, really it's my junior high school teacher," said Tanaka.
Hokuto Matsumura the next Johnny's talent to keep an eye on
Johnny's Jr. talent Hokuto Matsumura has only had one drama role to date, but now he is being given the supporting role for upcoming drama series "黒の女教師 (Kuro no Onna Kyoshi)", it was announced on June 13, reports Sankei Sports.
It has been reported actress Nana Eikura will play the lead role in the drama, a chemistry teacher at a well-respected school by day, but at night becomes a problem-solver who helps students in trouble with bullies or drugs in return for a big payout. 16-year-old Matsumura will play a mysterious new student at Eikura's character's school.
"I want to put everything on the line for this drama. I want to become a pop star who can act," he said.
The Johnny's Jr. talent had made his drama debut in "私立バカレア高校 (Shiritsu Bakarea Koukou)". It has been reported Matsumura said acting in this drama made him realise he wanted to continue acting and performing, just like his seniors Kazunari Ninomiya or Tomohisa Yamashita.
It has been reported Johnny's president Johnny Kitagawa had brought Matsumura the news without warning, saying, "I've got a huge role for you, do your best". This role was a supporting actor role in a golden hour drama playing a character with a difficult family background.
"Hearing him say that put me under pressure, and when I read the script I felt even more pressure. It looks difficult, but it's definitely worth doing," Matsumura said.
Matsumura is no stranger to working hard. Before joining Johnny's he had been a keen karate athlete, already earning his black belt and second place in the Shizuoka prefectural karate tournament when he was in the sixth grade.
"I'm used to working hard. I look at this drama like it's my next game, and winning it will lead me to bigger opportunities."
A.B.C-Z national tour and events are a desperate act to boost sales?
While A.B.C-Z will go down in history as the first Johnny's group to make a DVD debut, they are now struggling to keep sales up, reports Cyzowoman.
A.B.C-Z's DVD "Za ABC ~5 stars~" made its debut on the DVD charts at No.1 in February and their debut event had attracted more than 15,000 fans in Tokyo. A bright start, but a Cyzowoman source paints a not-so-bright journey of the group's activity since. Even though the group had started at the top, the DVD has only sold about 56,000 copies so far.
"They're going around Osaka, Sendai, Nagoya, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Sapporo right now. Following on from the Osaka leg, it had been decided to squeeze in a hand-shaking event at every other venue. Of course admission isn't free, only the people who buy a copy of the DVD at the venue get to take part. You get a free A.B.C-Z hand towel as well, but it looks more like a desperate act to boost sales.
"Of course, choosing a DVD debut was probably favoured over a CD debut. Right now the group does not have what it takes to compete against other artists. But even so, these sale numbers are disappointing… After the Osaka event, sales did go up a little, but I doubt they'll go over the 100,000 mark. If they were to make a CD debut, I think they would be the worst-selling Johnny's group to date," said one source.
It has been reported a number of Johnny's fans like to buy the debut single of groups other than the one they support, a kind of way to say congratulations. In this sense A.B.C-Z should have a large number of supporters since they have been back dancers for a number of Johnny's groups. But if the sales to date include the copies bought by these supporters, what is going to happen next? But most importantly, asking fans to buy several copies of a product might not be the best way to open up a future for A.B.C-Z.
"JOHNNY'S World" stage show to be biggest Johnny's-produced show yet
Hey! Say! JUMP, Sexy Zone, A.B.C-Z, Koichi Domoto (KinKi Kids), Hideaki Takizawa (Tackey & Tsubasa), Kazuya Kamenashi (KAT-TUN) are among the 100 cast members to be in the largest Johnny's stage show starting in November, reports Sponichi Annex and Daily Sports Online.
It has been reported Guinness World Record-holding producer Johnny Kitagawa is making his largest show yet to celebrate his records for producing the most number of concerts and most number of No.1 singles in the world.
Set to be performed in Tokyo's Imperial Garden Theater in November and December this year, "JOHNNY'S World" will feature Hey! Say! JUMP as the main characters. They will be supported by other younger Johnny's groups, as well as supporting talents including Koichi, Tackey, and Kamenashi. The story looks at youngsters going on an adventure to find a utopia in outer space, but in the process they realise how special their home on Earth is.
"I want the younger juniors to take on what their seniors have already accomplished. Maybe we'll need Higashi (Noriyuki Higashiyama) to give them some advice," Mr Kitagawa said.
Members from Kis-My-Ft2 will take turns every day as they also join the 100 or so Johnny's talent cast. Mostly all of the younger Johnny's groups will take part in what is set to be the largest Johnny's production to date.
Mr Kitagawa has said the show will feature a mash up of things seen in past stage shows like "PLAYZONE", "SHOCK", and "DREAM BOYS". These include flying stunts and water fountain sets.
"3D is in fashion right now, but I'm keen to test '4D' fragrance tricks," he said.
It has been reported Mr Kitagawa has promised every minute of the show will be exciting, and although he has plans to send the show overseas, he wants to start in Japan, the country where he managed to set his two world records.
Johnny's Jr. baseball match attracts 45,000 fans
Hey! Say! JUMP and Kis-My-Ft2 members were among the 200 Johnny's talents playing sports on March 18 to a stadium full of fans, reports Sankei Sports and News 24.
Hey! Say! JUMP, Kis-My-Ft2, A.B.C-Z, Sexy Zone and Johnny's Jr. talents were divided into two groups, J-RED and J-WHITE, who competed against one another in baseball, soccer, marathons, and relays in Tokyo Dome yesterday. In front of 45,000 fans J-RED captain Yuri Chinen (Hey! Say! JUMP) and J-WHITE captain Ryosuke Yamada (Hey! Say! JUMP) swore they would do perform their best against one another.
Special guests joined in for part of the event, including Hideaki Takizawa (Tackey & Tsubasa), Kazuya Kamenashi (KAT-TUN), and Koki Tanaka (KAT-TUN).
It has been reported J-RED won the baseball and relay games while J-WHITE won the soccer and marathon games. The game point total at the end declared J-RED the winners and the group's captain Chinen was crowned the event's best player.
"I'm excited we won. I'm happy that everyone in our team gave it everything they had. I also have the fans to thank for their support. Thank you so much," Chinen said.
"Unfortunately we lost today but it's not about winning or losing. It was great to have shared today with you all and thank you very much," J-WHITE captain Yamada said.
The best players for individual games were J-WHITE's Yuma Nakayama (NYC) for baseball, J-WHITE's Hiromitsu Kitayama (Kis-My-Ft2) for soccer, J-WHITE's Shori Sato (Sexy Zone) for the marathon, and J-WHITE's Kento Nakajima (Sexy Zone) for the relay. Shota Totsuka (A.B.C-Z) also received a special award.
It has been reported after the match, Tomohisa Yamashita and Hiroki Uchi made a special guest appearance in the live performance. After each group performed their own songs, all of the talents sung "勇気100% (Yuuki 100%)" together to finish off.


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The Graduate Research Scholars Program has offered research opportunities to over 226 graduate students with up to $25,000 a year (sometimes multi-year) awards under the guidance of some of Alabama's finest research scientists. At the GRSP Campus Coordinator's meeting in May 2015, thirty-six Round 10 GRSP recipients were chosen. Of the thirty-six awardees, twenty-two are new to the program. Congratulations to the Twenty-Two Round 10 GRSP Featured Scholars! A follow-up on previously featured scholars and current recipients can be found here.
Dipenkumar Barot
The University of Alabama in Huntsville
Alabama NASA EPSCoR, Alabama Space Grant Consortium
Objective: For my doctoral dissertation work, I plan to investigate ultra-low noise diode lasers based on optical frequency combs. I will then use these lasers to experimentally realize fiber-optic strain sensing with a strain resolution of the order of 1 femtostrain, which is a factor of 100 lower than the current state of the art.
Future Plans: After finishing my PhD, I wish to join as a postdoctoral research fellow at any good research institution. After finishing my postdoctoral research work I want to work as a research scientist or research professor.
Karim I. Budhwani
University of Alabama at Birmingham
NSF EPSCoR
Objective: Financial and productivity costs pale in comparison to the severe human and societal toll exacted by the more than 25 million lives claimed each year by cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and cancer. Further, it is estimated that over the next 5 years, lifetime probability of developing cancer will increase to 1-in-2 for men and 1-in-3 for women. In looking to the future, therefore, new treatment strategies, including safer and more effective drug delivery modalities, and better evaluation models must be developed to alleviate costs and enhance therapies. I address this head-on with my research focused squarely on enhancing efficacy of chemotherapeutic treatment modalities while reducing side effects by narrowing the area of delivery and release (localized) of chemotherapeutics and targeting (targeted) tumor tissue based on known biomarkers or factors.
Future Plans: Having already established a successful career as a founder and CEO and having served as an international trade ambassador for the State of Alabama, upon graduation, I will create new opportunities for STEM research and application in Alabama and beyond.
Semih Dinc
University of Alabama in Huntsville
NSF EPSCoR Co-Funding
Ojective: My objective is to develop a vision based trajectory-tracking system for mobile robots. This system will reduce the need for human intervention controlling vehicle motion.
Future Plans: My plan is to continue research in a R&D department for a University as a faculty member. I would like to develop more robust and stable robotic systems as they become more popular.
Grant Alexander
University of Alabama at Birmingham
NSF EPSCoR Co-Funding
Ojective: The objective of this project is to develop a novel cardiovascular stent coating to ultimately improve the clinical outcomes of patients who receive stents for cardiovascular disease. This will be done through dynamic studies in a physiological condition-modeling bioreactor as well as within rabbit iliac arteries.
Future Plans: My goal is to become an independent scientific investigator and to conduct multidisciplinary and translational research in the fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine that has the potential for immediate beneficial impact on critical healthcare needs.
Alan Hanley
Auburn University
NSF EPSCoR
Ojective: To produce Janus nanoparticles using a new synthesis method that has the potential for scalability and to use this method to produce multi-modal nanoparticles that can bond to a surface as well as attract and destroy antibiotic-resistant bacteria cells.
Future Plans: I have not yet decided on a career path following the completion of my PhD. I am ope to either a career in academia or in industry, and look forward to seeing what opportunities are presented to me when the time comes.
Jeffrey Curtis Kalagian
University of South Alabama
NASA Seed Grant
Objective: My research aims to maximize carbon dioxide adsorption in composite silica-based adsorbents for the purpose of closed cabin air revitalization in spacecraft. A silica adsorbent, SBA-15, will be impregnated with various task-specific ionic liquids to create these composite adsorbents.
Future Plans: I will complete my MS in Chemical Engineering, enroll into the DSc program in SYstems Engineering at the University of South Alabama, and continue to pursue futher research opportunities.
Petra Kerscher
Auburn University
NSF EPSCoR Co-Funding
Objective: Mechanisms of observed cardiac functional changes in Timothy syndrome patients can be elucidated through the comparison of 3D developing engineered cardiac tissues created using Timothy syndrome and control patient-derived human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) lines. This project will focus on particular changes in extracellular matrix production, force of contraction, gene and protein expression, as well as functional differences in electrical signaling and calcium handling.
Future Plans: I would like to work for a pharmaceutical company to apply my experience in mammalian cell culture, biomaterials, and background in chemical engineering.
Zhitong Li
University of Alabama in Huntsville
USDA EPSCoR and NSF EPSCoR
Objective: Investigate the various subwavelength light trapping nanostructures such as the nano-tranches and nano-rings grating. The applications of these nanostructures are biomedical sensors.
Future Plans: Investigate the nano-trench properties with different incident angles. Investigate the metal rings grating with FDTD simulation software. Fabricate the metal rings grating by using e-beam lithography.
Pengcheng Li
Auburn University
Alabama NSF EPSCoR and NSF IGERT
Objective: Design and optimize a cost-effective and environmentally-benign biorefinery process to compensate for the depletion of petroleum-derived fossil fuels using biomass as a renewable source of energy.
Future Plans: I will finish constructing the whole biomass conversion process in Aspen Plus by using single-pass Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. Then I will compare the single-pass Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis with recycle, and supercritical Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.
Zachary R. Lindsey
University of Alabama at Birmingham
NSF EPSCoR
Objective: The goal of this research is to create a multilayered thin film structure capable of emission in the mid-infrared under electrical excitation. The needed materials and structure are being grown by pulsed laser deposition and analyzed using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, atom probe analysis, x-ray diffraction, among other characterization techniques.
Future Plans: Since I joined the Department of Physics at UAB, I have been a teaching assistant for multiple sections of physics during my 4 years in the MS and PhD Physics Programs and enjoy talking with students about their future plans after finishing their degree. I have high hopes that I can play a part in reforming the educational landscape of the state of Alabama by passionately leading students to career paths in STEM fields.
Seyed Sadreddin Mirshafieyan
University of Alabama in Huntsville
NSF Track 1 Research Infrastructure Improvement Grant
Objective: To pursue a PhD degree in Electrical Engineering and optical science technology
Future Plans: To obtain a post-doctoral research position in nanophotonics and find an academic research position.
Chukwuma Nweke
Tuskegee University
NSF EPSCoR
Objective: To develop a cost-effective replacement for autoclave-processed carbon fiber reinforced bismaleimide (CF/BMI) composites presently used by the US Air Force and other industrial entities.
Future Plans: I am scheduled to complete my PhD studies and continue research on BMI composites.
Vertonica F. Powell-Rose
Tuskegee University
Objective: The main objective of this research project is to develop a bio-based nanocomposite reinforced with natural fiber that has comparable properties, i.e. mechanical and thermal, of a synthetic composite material. Further research will be performed to investigate the life cycle assessment of the developed bio-based nanocomposite.
Future Plans: I would love to work in either the automotive or other transportation based companies to incorporate my academic, as well as my research experiences in the development and implementation of 'green materials'. Through my years of research, I feel that I have developed the necessary skills to continue to help the environment in these industries.
Justin T. Roberts
University of South Alabama
NSF EPSCoR
Objective: The goal of my research is to accurately characterize the molecular differences between two related by behaviorally distinct forms of breast cancer.
Future Plans: I plan to enroll in a PhD program focusing on computational biology with a medical science emphasis.
Zhichao Shan
The University of Alabama
DOE EPSCoR
Objective: The objective of my research is to develop low cost and highly efficient electrode materials for water splitting with solar energy.
Future Plans: My future plans are to obtain a PhD degree and pursue a career in the area of renewable energy.
Jennifer Sherwood
The University of Alabama
NSF EPSCoR Co-Funding
Objective: The objective of this project is to evaluate the potential of ultrathin iron oxide nanowires for use as positive contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Iron oxide nanoparticles as MRI contrast agents could potentially replace the current, toxic, commercially available contrast agents.
Future Plans: After graduating with a PhD in chemical and biological engineering, I plan to continue my education by pursuing a post-doctoral position and eventually pursue a career in academic research.
Wesley Sims
Alabama A&M University
NSF EPSCoR
Objective: The objective of this research is to demonstrate the feasibility of a proposed light-activated biomolecular immobilization technique for sensing biomolecules, including toxins, on polymeric surfaces.
Yuxi Sun
University of Alabama at Birmingham
NSF EPSCoR Co-Funding
Objective: The objective of my research is to develop microfluidic based approaches to accomplish cell sorting to enable rapid and activation-free cell separation.
Future Plans: After completion of my doctoral education, I intend to pursue a career in academic in one of the Alabama Institutions in Biomedical Sciences/Engineering.
Abubaker Tareki
University of Alabama in Huntsville
NSF EPSCoR
Objective: To develop a platform of tunable components in the terahertz regime using liquid crystal (LC).
Future Plans: I plan to obtain a post-doctoral research position for 1-3 years after getting my PhD, and then find permanent research or teaching position.
Jason M. Tedstone
The University of Alabama
NSF EPSCoR Co-Funding
Objective: To design the optimal polymer membrane(s) to absorb carbon dioxide from post-combustion flue gas.
Future Plans: I plan to finish my doctoral degree and teach in high school or college.
Xiaoqing Wang
The University of Alabama
NASA EPSCoR
Objective: Develop relationships between process parameters and part properties in additive manufacturing of inconel 718 alloy.
Future Plans: To obtain a PhD degree and pursue a career in advanced manufacturing engineering.
Yi Zeng
Auburn University
DOE ESPCoR
Objective: The focus of my research is to study nanoscale heat conduction of the Nanostructure Enhanced Phase Change Materials (NePCM) and enhance its thermal properties.
Future Plans: I would like to join a company or university which can support my research on the theory and application of nanoscale heat transfer.


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Inspirational rider stories
Read the amazing stories of committment and dedication from participants in the MACA Ride to Conquer Cancer. If you have a story you would like to share, please contact us at firstname.lastname@example.com
MACA makes record-breaking contributions to cancer research
Woodside teams up with Perkins to conquer cancer
Macquarie riders support Perkins cancer research - David Walker
Brain cancer survivor determined to make a difference - Deni Atkinson
Philanthropic rider tops WA list - Grant Menhennett
Pedalling, persistence and positive thinking - Annie-Marie Marriott
Cancer survivor's ride for research - Ryan Dunham
Dawn rides for coffee and conversation - Dawn Metcalfe
Riding towards a healthier future - Jerome Gallagher
Alia says "just do it" - Alia Jarnicki
Rock riders trek across Australia to take part in ride - Shaun Pearce
Philanthropic rider tops WA list
Fundraising powerhouse Grant Menhennett has completed five MACA Ride to Conquer Cancer and is consistently the top fundraiser in Western Australia.
The Komatsu Major Account Manager has raised over $100,000 for cancer research at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research.
"I'm looking forward another MACA Ride to Conquer Cancer and am passionate about its significance in the vital fundraising that benefits the Perkins," Grant said.
"Since I have become aware of cancer research at the Perkins, I have contributed via fundraising, donating, raising awareness and riding in the 200 kilometre event."
"It is safe to say I am proud to be the top fundraiser as well as being part of such a wonderful cause."
Grant said his involvement has inspired other members of his family to become involved with the Ride and it has become his family's main fundraising focus.
Grant recruited family members to join him in the Ride, including his daughter Cherie and son-in-law Richard.
"My main motivation for fundraising for the Perkins is how cancer touches so many people of all ages and the need for research that makes a real difference to people's lives," Grant said.
Grant said he was grateful to the management and staff of Komatsu Australia for their support of the event, as well as his business associates such as long-time friend and fellow rider, Geoff Baker, who introduced Grant to the Ride.
"We all ride as one for this great cause."
Pedalling, persistence and positive thinking
Anne-Marie Marriott says her 8 year old son's cancer diagnosis has made her determined to participate in the Ride to Conquer Cancer and show her boys what can be achieved through willpower.
|Anne-Marie Marriott and sons
"It is going to be a huge challenge for me to complete a 200km ride, but I know I can do it. I think it is going to help me get through the tough times ahead to have a goal like this. But also to show both my beautiful boys what determination can achieve," she says.
Anne-Marie had no idea when she registered for the Ride that her son Ollie would be diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma within the year.
After Ollie's diagnosis, Annie-Marie saw an opportunity to show her boys what could be achieved through persistence and positive thinking.
"A girlfriend of mine wanted to do the Ride to Conquer Cancer in honour of her mother who died of bowel cancer twenty years ago, it was her idea to do it so I signed up with her," Anne-Marie says. "It seemed like a good idea to help people out. Then our own family was rocked when Ollie was diagnosed."
Anne-Marie said Ollie's treatment was taxing but the support her family had received made it easier.
"I'm on a team with four girlfriends. We've called ourselves Saint A's Falcon because our sons go to Saint Augustine together and the falcon represents strength."
Community support has led Anne-Marie to increase her fundraising goal several times as generous donors kept her in the top ten fundraisers for the Ride, having amassed over $6,000 for cancer research.
"Our fundraising has been going well, we've been posting it on Facebook and we've linked it on Ollie's webpage under 'how you can help'."
"The boys belong to AMAF in Victoria Park (Advanced Martial Arts and Fitness) and the club had a donation tin on the desk and raised $650 for us, and also a parent from the school that the boys go to had a craft auction on Facebook and raised $850 with donated items. Lots of lovely people are helping us out."
As the ride approaches Anne-Marie says she is picking up her training regime.
"My husband takes me out to Kings Park and makes me ride up hills. I think I'll be good on the first day, but I'll be looking forward to the massages."
Cancer survivor's ride for research
Rider Ryan Dunham is a cancer survivor who recognises the importance of the work being carried out by researchers at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research.
|Ryan and Wayne
In 2011 Ryan was told that he had cancer, that tumours had been found in every lymph node in his body, that there was no cure and that it could not be treated with chemotherapy.
The Riverton resident had just returned from a European holiday with his father, Wayne, where he had first noticed a lump in his neck. The 30-year-old had the lump checked and was subsequently diagnosed with grade 3A non-Hodgkin's follicular lymphoma.
"Even the doctor swore when he told Ryan of his diagnosis; he said it was an old person's cancer," Wayne said. "The first few months after the diagnosis, we could not look at each other without breaking down."
Doctors gave Ryan two options – two more years of life or a research treatment involving radioactive therapy.
"There was no alternative so Ryan had the treatment, which is only available in two places in the world," Wayne said.
The treatment prescribed out of Fremantle Hospital involved radioactive chemicals being flooded into his body. Three months later, Ryan received the news he was cancer-free.
Mr Dunham says that although the treatment did not cure his cancer, which may return in 5 to 8 years, it taught him that WA is making some remarkable achievements in the areas of medical research.
"I ride because I can," Ryan said. "I would not be alive today if not for the tremendous work undertaken through cancer research in WA.
"We have a culture associated around sport in which our heroes are our sports people that are applauded by thousands for kicking a goal. Yet the researchers at the Perkins are undertaking research in cancer treatment on a daily basis allowing people like myself the opportunity to live and most of this goes unnoticed.
"When I received the all-clear that I was in remission last year I entered the Ride to Conquer Cancer and this year our team is even bigger, with my father taking up the challenge," he says. "The key to curing cancer is research."
Dawn rides for coffee and conversation
Captain of the "Coffee Crew" team, Dawn Metcalfe has been an enthusiastic participant in the Ride to Conquer Cancer since the beginning.
|Inez and Dawn Metcalfe fundraise for the Ride
"My daughter Natasha encouraged me to do it. I was terrified and none of the six of us in our team were riders but we had the best weekend and managed the 200 kilometres with no problems. We never considered not making it and we raised $25,000," she says.
Dawn's enthusiasm prompted friends and family to join the team and 25 members of the Coffee Crew ultimately raised $121,000.
"I love the experience and talking to people as you go along," Dawn says. "The support along the route is incredible. Several of my team members do other events and they say there is not another event which is so well managed," she says.
Dawn says she's so passionate about cancer research that she doesn't ever want to stop.
"Every time I go to pull back I hear about another friend or family member who's been diagnosed with cancer. The only way forward is research. So many people on my team are alive today because of their treatment."
"My uncle died from cancer. My brother-in-law died from melanoma. A friend of my husband's with melanoma now has brain tumours and is going through a difficult time. Another friend has had leukaemia and breast cancer. One of our team members has had breast cancer twice."
Dawn says that her two daughters are riding with her, as well as her close friend Inez, who has also been involved since the beginning. Her husband Joe is a huge support.
As for the team's name? "We're not a corporate team, we don't take cycling too seriously, but we do take coffee seriously!" Dawn says. "The Ride brings people together."
Riding towards a healthier future
Jerome Gallagher took on the challenge of fundraising for the Ride to Conquer Cancer as a way to protect his children from deadly Melanoma, which took the life of their Mum and his wife, Vickey.
|Jerome Gallagher, his late wife Vickey and their children Jamie and Jasmine
"My reasoning behind doing this epic bike ride is, yes it is too late for my wife to be saved but my kids, who are 9 and 7, have a 50 percent chance of having a genetic disposition to this disease. That is my worst nightmare," he says. "It's good to know that my donations are going to fund medical research which will help with earlier diagnosis."
Vickey Gallagher had a melanoma successfully removed from the back of her shoulder more than 4 years ago and had been having regular medical check-ups of her lymph nodes when a lump was discovered in her groin. When doctors gave her the all clear, the family went on holidays and Jerome changed jobs. However, soon afterwards Vickey coughed up some blood and a 5 centimetre tumour was discovered on her lung as well as spots on her liver and spleen.
"It turned our lives upside down," Jerome says.
"We tried radiation and chemotherapy but they weren't successful so we hoped that Vickey might be eligible for a clinical trial.
Vickey tested positive for the B-Raf gene which produces a protein that is overactive in more than half of all melanomas and the focus of a new experimental targeted drug to treat metastatic melanoma tumours. Unfortunately, on her 36th birthday, it was discovered she had 3 tumours on her brain and couldn't participate in clinical trials. She died just 16 weeks after diagnosis.
"It is such an aggressive and fast a disease it is crazy," Jerome says. "Since I started fundraising for the Ride to Conquer Cancer I've met a number of people who lost their wives to melanoma and had similar stories. Vickey's Mum had a melanoma and Vickey never sunbaked because she had fair skin. In the 16 years we were together we hardly ever went to the beach and now I'm always worried about our children, Jasmine and Jamie going out in the sun. We need a test to find out if they have a genetic predisposition to melanoma.
"The Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research is the body in WA that does all of these clinical trials and does the research in the hope of finding a cure for this horrific form of cancer and many more types," he says.
Jerome was one of the Ride's top fundraisers, with donations flowing in after he sent an email request out on Facebook. His initial target was $10,000, but when he managed to reach that target in just 2 weeks, he increased the figure. His favourite training route is along the Kwinana Freeway and along the city foreshore and he says the physical challenge of the Ride is only a small part of what he's trying to do. "It's about the cause," he says.
Alia says "just do it!"
A friend's shock cancer diagnosis moved the Ride to Conquer Cancer from Alia Jarnicki's "to do" list to the "doing it" list.
The Millendon resident and keen cyclist was drawn to the Sunsuper Ride to Conquer Cancer after seeing it advertised on television.
"I cycle regularly so the idea of riding 200 kilometres wasn't a problem for me, but I'm not a fan of fundraising events, so when I saw you needed to raise $2500 to participate I added it as a potential "To Do" event," she says. The following day Alia received a life changing call from her friend Jackie in Canada, to say she'd been diagnosed with cervical cancer.
"I broke into tears. I was prepared to get on a plane right away to go and see her," she said.
Jackie's diagnosis spurred on Alia to register for the Ride and she proceeded to raise the $2500 in just 3 weeks.
"It's difficult asking for money, people are hard hit at the moment but it's not as difficult as having to go through cancer," Alia said. "I don't know of anyone who has not been affected by cancer in some way, a family member, even a pet. My dog was treated for cancer and any animal lover will tell you they act human most of the time."
Jackie was touched to discover she was Alia's inspiration for undertaking the ride.
"When I received an email from Alia indicating that she was going to participate in the Ride to Conquer Cancer … I was honoured that she would do that out of the kindness of her heart to help find a cure," Jackie said.
Alia has joined forces with ten colleagues to form "Team Chevron," with the collective goal of raising $34,200 for cancer research. "I'm on a team with some other people from Chevron and they're selling entertainment books and doing what they can to raise money towards cancer research," she says.
Alia urged riders to keep a positive attitude while developing their stamina. "It's all in the mind, your body can definitely achieve it. One guy at work had been cycling 20kms and came in one day to say he'd upped it to 40kms no problem, the barriers are psychological."
Rock Riders trek across Australia to take part in ride
|The Rock Riders NT had never experienced hills, or traffic lights.
A team of 8 people from the small town of Yulara made an astounding 2,000km journey from the Northern Territory to take part in the Ride to Conquer Cancer in Perth.
Rock Riders NT team captain, Shaun Pearce, said he heard of the ride while holidaying in Sydney and immediately thought about a mate who'd been diagnosed with cancer.
"I decided I wanted to do something to help him," Shaun said.
The residents of Yulara got behind Shaun and his team to help them raise an impressive $40,815.50 for cancer research.
"It was an awesome effort for such a small town. We held fundraising markets and barbeques and car washes to raise money. Artists and jewelry makers who stayed at the resort in town donated their art for raffles. Helicopter pilots donated flights and guided tours; basically all of our business partners helped us fundraise," Shaun said.
The team trained by riding around the base of Uluru and back and forth down the only highway in Yulara.
"The training here versus the real ride in Perth was chalk and cheese. Leading up to the event the weather was mid to low 40s and where we come from it is just flat red sand and no hills. Day 2 of the actual ride, coming back through Fremantle, there were hills and traffic lights. We don't have any traffic lights where we ride so that was very new to us," Shaun said
In addition to their outstanding fundraising effort, every member of the Rock Riders NT team had to organise their own flights to Perth which involved a number of stops across the country.
Despite the challenging voyage, Shaun said the experience was great and the team was impressed by how well they pulled through.
"Our recovery was awesome; we were back on the bike the following week and one member of our team signed up to do the ride again straight away!"


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We're in the home stretch now: less than one week to go until Nokia World in Abu Dhabi, when rumors claim that half a dozen or more new Nokia devices will make themselves officially known to the world for the first time. Sure, it feels like a lot of that has leaked already, but as recent development's like yesterday's rumor about the Nokia Guru make clear, there's still plenty of room for surprises.
One model in particular we've been expecting for Nokia to debut is the company's first Windows 8 tablet, presumed to arrive as the Lumia 2520. At least, this would be a prime opportunity to introduce us to the model, and we've seen an uptick in 2520 leaks over the past week, with some seemingly legit renders (as well as some of less certain provenance) turning up.
What I can't help stop wondering about, though, isn't necessarily what this new tablet would mean for Nokia, but instead what Microsoft must be thinking about this launch.
Let's not split any hairs here: the Surface RT was a dud, and Microsoft would very much like to avoid seeing history repeat itself with the Surface 2. It can talk all it wants to about this tablet dropping the RT name in order to stem user confusion, but I ain't buying it: the company's actions don't reflect its words, and I don't think we're seeing a "Surface RT 2" mainly due to a desire to distance this tablet from its predecessor.
Now, pre-orders of the Surface 2 are currently underway – Microsoft has talked about how stellar the level of interest is, and how many Surface varieties have been threatening to sell out, but that could easily be more about PR than any reflection of reality – and we won't know for sure how consumers react until the tablet hits shelves.
In case you don't recall, that's happening on… wouldn't you know it, October 22, as well.
So if we're reading this right, the same day Microsoft's Surface 2 becomes available to the public, Nokia could announce its own Windows RT tablet. If rumors and leaks surrounding the 2520 have been accurate, we could be looking at a 10.1-inch 1080p display, 2GB of RAM, and a Snapdragon 800 SoC. Choice of processor aside, that's very much in line with the Surface RT – heck, we've even heard that the 2520 could get a kickstand.
With the two so similar, it's the differences we need to put under the microscope. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 is a well-respected SoC, powering flagship after flagship this year. The Surface 2's NVIDIA Tegra 4, on the other hand, is a bit of a wild card; despite popping-up in a handful of models this year, it hasn't really developed a rep as a killer chip, and user frustrations with previous Tegra models may spill over into negative public perception of this silicon – really, kind of like the whole "RT" mess in the first place.
Everything else being equal, if you spelled-out those specs to me, I'd be choosing the Snapdragon-based tablet, easy. But most consumers don't think of things like SoCs to begin with. How will they react?
Microsoft doesn't have the best track record with mobile hardware. Even looking past the Surface RT, the next most recent Microsoft-branded entry might just be the two Kin models from a few years back. It's my understanding that some dictionaries are considering adding "Kin" as a synonym for "massive failure" in upcoming editions.
Nokia, on the other hand, is a company where it's been hard (not impossible, sure) to find fault with its hardware. Say what you will about Windows Phone the platform, but Lumia devices have generally been very well received, and we've seen Nokia successfully target both higher-end and more budget-minded markets. Again, if I'm buying a tablet and know nothing more than that one model is made by Microsoft and one by Nokia, chances are I'm going with Nokia.
We've certainly heard rumors that suggest Microsoft is aware of opinions like mine, and they've suggested that the company could have been trying to cancel Nokia's tablet plans, as part of its acquisition. From the looks of it, though, either that didn't work, didn't happen, or Microsoft changed its mind.
When it comes down to it, the tablet which comes out on top of this could easily be determined by pricing. The Surface 2 starts at about $450, for the 32GB model. While the 2520's pricing is still unconfirmed, we've heard at least one rumor looking for it to be closer to $500.
Even costing more than Microsoft's offering, that could be close enough that the idea of shelling out an extra $50 for a tablet perceived to be higher-quality seems perfectly reasonable. If, god forbid, Nokia manages to undercut Microsoft's pricing – well, that's game over for the Surface 2, right then and there.
Maybe we're missing something important here – maybe there's an aspect of the Lumia 2520's design that hasn't yet emerged in leaks – but based on all I've seen to date, the Surface 2 is going to have an uphill battle if it wants to stay competitive in the wake of the 2520.


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From the organizers:
Did you know there are dozens of urban farms in existence around New York City? They serve a variety of purposes and use several different methods & technologies to grow food.
Come check out the recently-launched AgTech X co-working lab in East Williamsburg to learn about hydroponics, one of the more popular methods for growing food in confined urban environments. You'll also receive an overview of the many opportunities to engage further in the Urban Ag community around the city, and leave with a little gift!


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- Home
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Product Description
This Personalized Golden Anniversary Plate is a great 50th Anniversary gift.
Add four lines of personalization (up to 20 characters)
And comes gift wrapped in a keepsake gold box so we can send it for you.
Just remember to fill in the gift card message too!
Please allow 14 working days for delivery


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Ang Lee's Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk
Ang Lee's $40 million camera test, Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk, ate it hardcore at the box office this past weekend, which is maybe unfair because the movie isn't THAT bad. Based on a novel by Ben Fountain—adapted by Jean-Christophe Castelli—Billy Lynn is a time-jumping story recounting the heroic action of Bravo Squad in Iraq, contrasted with their heroes' welcome back home during a Thanksgiving Day NFL game. We've all seen this on TV, the celebration of and thunderous applause for veterans and service men and women that makes up part of the pomp and circumstance of football, and Billy Lynn puts us on the field and into the memories of a soldier in order to ask us to consider how goddamn weird that is.
Billy Lynn (newcomer Joe Alwyn) is singled out particularly among his squad as a cell phone camera caught Lynn in a moment of bravery during a firefight in Iraq. In the best-structured reveal of the movie, Lynn's memories unspool in pieces until, toward the end of the movie, we get to see what that camera phone didn't capture, and there in that shot is the full tragedy of heroism during war, and the cost it exacts from everyone. Nothing else in Billy Lynn, though, works nearly so well.
And a big part of that is that you can't see this movie in the way Ang Lee intends. He shot the movie in 4K 3D at 120 frames per second—five times faster than regular film is recorded at 24 FPS. High frame rate (HFR) is incredibly ugly—remember The Hobbit in 48 FPS?—like looking through someone's window, or watching a recording of a play. But there are only two theaters, one in New York and one in LA, capable of screening Billy Lynn at its proper specs, with a few others screening in half-time, at 60 FPS. The vast majority of the audience, though, is going to watch it at 24 FPS with a 3D option.
Watching it at that speed, you have to imagine what Lee must have intended—for the brightness, the sharpness, the motion to be overwhelming, just as Lynn is overwhelmed. Still, the effect at 24 FPS is unpleasant and confusing, as shots are clearly structured to take advantage of an effect we aren't seeing. It's a disorienting experience, like we're missing half the picture—which technically we are. It also isn't helped by slipshod storytelling that seems to skip over entire scenes of information and leaves us wondering how we got at the point in the story we're at. Whether that's the fault of editing or scripting is impossible to tell, but either way Lee should have been paying at least as much attention to story as he was to technology.
Billy Lynn feels like nothing so much as a very expensive and long camera test, exploring new technology without really investing in the story being told. Lee is a student of Americana, but here it doesn't feel like he ever found a solid base for his story as he never anchors Billy Lynn in anything but the visceral. There's some interest in seeing a football game depicted as a Romanesque distraction where true horror and its battle-scarred victims are papered over with cheerleaders, fireworks, and Destiny's Child, but the grotesquerie of the football spectacle is only half-realized without the ability to see it as it's meant to be seen.
And even if you can see it at the full 120 FPS, it's still a messy story that strands its protagonist in a series of steely-eyed reaction shots, the camera often supplanting human involvement in scenes, which leaves the viewer divorced from the emotional impact of the story. For a movie that wants to be about the hidden wounds of war, Billy Lynn is long walk into a cold and disaffected room.
Gary Gershoff/ Brent N. Clarke/ Getty Images


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Crown of Midnight
Book 2 of the "Throne of Glass" series by Sarah J. Maas
Recommendations were for "teenagers/young adults depending on maturity". It is probably a correct assumption considering the style of writing and maturity is a factor if recommending to that age group.
However, my children are 21 and 13 but I am the one reading the series and by doing so exclusively (without grabbing one of the other books on my "currently reading" list) the story line must be captivating. Trust me – I am quite mature 🙂
"Eighteen-year-old Celaena Sardothien is bold, daring and beautiful – the perfect seductress and the greatest assassin her world has ever known. But though she won the King's contest and became his champion, Celaena has been granted neither her liberty nor the freedom to follow her heart. The slavery of the suffocating salt mines of Endovier that scarred her past is nothing compared to a life bound to her darkest enemy, a king whose rule is so dark and evil it is near impossible to defy. Celaena faces a choice that is tearing her heart to pieces: kill in cold blood for a man she hates, or risk sentencing those she loves to death. Celaena must decide what she will fight for survival, love or the future of a kingdom. Because an assassin cannot have it all ."
I like the fact that the writer chooses to start a new book every time Celaena's life is about to start a new chapter. It keeps the story line clean in my opinion and allows for new adventures, characters and yes shocks to enter her world (or ours as readers).
It has royalty (the good and the bad), assassins, faeries, witches, dragons, good and bad magic and demons as well. But also intrigue, betrayal, action and yes – love.
There is no dull moment in the story, but some predictability here and there.
Overall, if you are a fan of fantasy and even are a bit more mature, give it a try and see where the assassins adventures take you.
As always, let me know what you are reading xx J.


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Oh yes! The verdict is finally in. There is still some sense of sanity in our country and the legal system.
Judge Bartnoff ruled in favor of the owners of Custom Cleaners sweeping aside Roy Pearson's outrageous $54 million lawsuit filed against them over a pair of dress pants.
You can read the Findings & Conclusions of Law prepared by Judge Bartnoff here.
Essentially, she disputed Judge Pearson"s claim that a "satisfaction guaranteed†sign entitled unhappy customers to unlimited compensation. She also wrote, "A reasonable consumer would not interpret 'satisfaction guaranteed" to mean that a merchant is required to satisfy a customer"s unreasonable demands."
One thing that I found odd is that there was no verbal reprimand by Judge Bartnoff. Is it because she did not want to berate a fellow judge publicly? She probably would have gotten cheers if she ad. But, the ruling in itself says plenty.
You can find more news articles about the Roy Pearson vs. Custom Cleaners verdict by doing a Google search on "Roy Pearson verdict" and click the News section.
The Custom Cleaners Defense fund is http://www.customcleanersdefensefund.com.


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Singer Stevie Nicks shocked theatergoers at New York City's Winter Garden Theatre on Tuesday night when she joined the cast of School Of Rock for a surprise performance.
"Ladies and gentlemen, Stevie Nicks," actor Alex Brightman said as Stevie Nicks entered the stage after curtain call.
The Broadway audience gave Nicks a standing ovation a she appeared on the stage. Accompanied by the show's young and talented musicians, Nicks delivered a powerful performance of "Rhiannon" in the theater.
"I would just like to say everyone that being in the presence of these kids that are so amazing, that honestly, sometimes I close my eyes and I'm not sure that it's not Fleetwood Mac," Nicks told the enthusiastic audience after the performance. "It's very trippy. They are so good."
Nicks said that she saw School of Rock on opening night and loved the show so much that she returned to see it again.
"I have Fleetwood Mac, and then I have my solo band that I've been playing with since 1980, and now I have one more fantastic band to add to my roster, so I'm very happy," Nicks told the Associated Press backstage.
She was also at the performance to raise money for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids, an organization that offers financial support for people with AIDS and HIV.
"I want to ask you also that little bit of extra money — that five, 10 bucks you have — donate it to that cause because it's important," she told the audience after her performance. "It's the right thing to do."
After the show, Nicks also reminisced about Prince, whom she collaborated with for her 1983 song "Stand Back."
"I asked him if he would come over to Sunset Sound in Los Angeles," she told the Associated Press. "Never in a million years expecting that he would say yes, or that he was even in Los Angeles, and he was there in like 20 minutes."
Cover image via Matthew Eisman / Getty Images


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Hard-hitting reporting of higher education has been so abysmal for so long that when newspapers cut back on their coverage of it, readers seldom notice.
Too many reporters were inclined to merely parrot the press releases of the colleges and universities they cover. Now that readers can obtain this information for themselves on the internet, that approach is particularly superfluous.
More than honorable mention on this score must be given to Scott Jaschik, co-founder and editor of Inside Higher Ed.com. As well, recently I had a chance to see the formidable Amanda Ripley in action.
A contributor to Time and The Atlantic, she was very much in evidence at The Atlantic forum on The New Work Era on July 19, 2011. For one thing, she interviewed U. S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.
In the interview, she asked Duncan a question reporters should be peppering him with but aren't. The Department of Education has tried to slap a "gainful employment" rule on for-profit colleges exclusively. Under the rule, these institutions have to demonstrate that their graduates are "gainfully employed" in order to continue receiving federal funds, directly or indirectly through Pell grants.
Ripley asked Duncan why the rule was not being applied across the board to every program and discipline in for-profits and non-profits alike. Duncan's rather disingenuous response was that the Department was being tough on non-profits because the agency is demanding that they release their graduation rates.
Laudable though that may be as a means to bring about transparency in higher education, it falls well short of threatening them with income loss, as the department is doing with the relatively small for-profit sector of the higher education community.
Similarly, Ripley grilled New York University president John Sexton in another panel discussion. Sexton likened the higher education system in America to a "symphony" and claimed that the problem with it was students who aren't working "at their capacity."
Ripley then adroitly asked him what percentage of NYU grads are working "at their capacity." Sexton responded that he didn't think it was fair to ask him that question.
When Ripley pressed Sexton on the reasons for the exploding cost of education, he claimed that the high cost of education is indicative of its quality. Those paying the bill might beg to differ, particularly at NYU.
It should be noted that Ripley is hardly a right-wing ideologue. She is a good reporter, of the like seldom seen in the major media, particularly on the ever-dwindling education beats.
Malcolm A. Kline is the Executive Director of Accuracy in Academia.
If you would like to comment on this article, e-mail firstname.lastname@example.com


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Garstang Sports Club will undergo a £60,000 makeover after it was devastated by Storm Desmond.
The changing rooms, clubhouse and pitches were flooded and destroyed at the beginning of December but thanks to its hard-working staff and volunteers the club could be back on its feet by the end of the month.
The High Street club, which incorporates the football, cricket and rugby union teams, has seen all its fixtures either cancelled or moved since the deluge but Andy Walling, cricket club chairman, says things are coming together.
He said: "There was a lot of damage and it looks like a bomb site but it's actually turning out alright. The changing rooms for players and referees are all cleared and ready to use as well as the pitches and floodlights. We've got joiners, plasterers, electricians and painters all in this week to sort the clubhouse and most of it is new in for old."
Andy says that, with insurance, the clubhouse will cost £17,500, the contents will cost nearly £40,000, loss of earnings comes to £3,500 with an extra £1,000 for cricket equipment.
"The bar and carpets were really old so it'll be nice to be able to give the place a makeover and have everything new," Andy said. "We've used local tradesmen too, with some being friends of the club, so that's worked out well for us."
And football club chairman Adrian Wilding confirms the team will be back playing at home this weekend, weather depending.
He said: "We'll be back playing against Hesketh Bank as long as the pitch holds up with the rain, but that's a normal concern, nothing to do with the floods."
Both Andy and Adrian are optimistic the club will be refurbished and fully reopen by the end of the month as the clubs prepare for a fundraising party at the end of the month.
The party will raise funds for the sports club as a whole following the floods as well as being a respite from the devastation caused by the storm.
It is being held at The Wyre Bank, Garstang on Saturday, January 30 from 7.30pm until 12.30pm. There will be a DJ, hotpot supper, raffle and auction and tickets are £15 per person.
All proceeds from the night will go back into the club and for anyone interested contact Charlie Collinson on 07825 508692 or 01995 606204 for tickets.


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Truth and Consequences: Part III. Who Pays When Paternity is Disestablished?
Publication Date: April 2003
Publisher(s): Center for Law and Social Policy
Author(s): Paula Roberts
Topic: Law and ethics (Family law)
Coverage: United States
This monograph, the third in a three-part series on paternity disestablishment, addresses the fiscal consequences to the child, the parents, and the state if paternity is disestablished. Courts and state legislatures are dealing with the effect of disestablishment on past, present, and future child support obligations. Some are also addressing the circumstances under which a father who has disestablished his paternity may seek to recoup support he has provided to the child. A few states are also providing criminal penalties for those who intentionally establish the paternity of the wrong man. (Case law updated in August 2003.)


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