text: Gene therapy carries the promise of cures for many diseases and for types of medical treatment that didn't seem possible until recently. With its potential to eliminate and prevent hereditary diseases such as cystic fibrosis and hemophilia and its use as a possible cure for heart disease, AIDS, and cancer, gene therapy is a potential medical miracle-worker. But what about gene therapy for children? There's a fair amount of risk involved, so thus far only seriously ill kids or those with illnesses that can't be cured by standard medical treatments have been involved in clinical trials using gene therapy. As those studies continue, gene therapy may soon offer hope for children with serious illnesses that don't respond to conventional therapies. About Genes Our genes help make us unique. Inherited from our parents, they go far in determining our physical traits — like eye color and the color and texture of our hair. They also determine things like whether babies will be male or female, the amount of oxygen blood can carry, and the likelihood of getting certain diseases. Genes are composed of strands of a molecule called DNA and are located in single file within the chromosomes. The genetic message is encoded by the building blocks of the DNA, which are called nucleotides. Approximately 3 billion pairs of nucleotides are in the chromosomes of a human cell, and each person's genetic makeup has a unique sequence of nucleotides. This is mainly what makes us different from one another. Scientists believe that every human has about 25,000 genes per cell. A mutation, or change, in any one of these genes can result in a disease, physical disability, or shortened life span. These mutations can be passed from one generation to another, inherited just like a mother's curly hair or a father's brown eyes. Mutations also can occur spontaneously in some cases, without having been passed on by a parent. With gene therapy, the treatment or elimination of inherited diseases or physical conditions due to these mutations could become a reality. Gene therapy involves the manipulation of genes to fight or prevent diseases. Put simply, it introduces a "good" gene into a person who has a disease caused by a "bad" gene. Two Types of Gene Therapy The two forms of gene therapy are: Somatic gene therapy, which involves introducing a "good" gene into targeted cells to treat the patient — but not the patient's future children because these genes do not get passed along to offspring. In other words, even though some of the patient's genes may be altered to treat a disease, it won't change the chance that the disease will be passed on to the patient's children. This is the more common form of gene therapy being done. Germline gene therapy, which involves modifying the genes in egg or sperm cells, which will then pass any genetic changes to future generations. Experimenting with this type of therapy, scientists injected fragments of DNA into fertilized mouse eggs. The mice grew into adults and their offspring had the new gene. Scientists found that certain growth and fertility problems could be corrected with this therapy, which led them to think that the same could be true for humans. Although it has potential for preventing inherited disease, germline gene therapy is controversial and very little research is being done, for technical and ethical reasons. Possible Effects of Gene Therapy Currently, gene therapy is done only through clinical trials, which often take years to complete. After new drugs or procedures are tested in laboratories, clinical trials are conducted with human patients under strictly controlled circumstances. Such trials usually last 2 to 4 years and go through several phases of research. In the United States, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must then approve the new therapy for the marketplace, which can take another 2 years. The most active research being done in gene therapy for kids has been for genetic disorders (like cystic fibrosis). Other gene therapy trials involve children with severe immunodeficiencies, such as adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency (a rare genetic disease that makes kids prone to serious infection), sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, hemophilia, and those with familial hypercholesterolemia (extremely high levels of serum cholesterol). Gene therapy does have risks and limitations. The viruses and other agents used to deliver the "good" genes can affect more than the cells for which they're intended. If a gene is added to DNA, it could be put in the wrong place, which could potentially cause cancer or other damage. Genes also can be "overexpressed," meaning they can drive the production of so much of a protein that they can be harmful. Another risk is that a virus introduced into one person could be transmitted to others or into the environment. Gene therapy trials in children present an ethical dilemma, according to some gene therapy experts. Kids with an altered gene may have mild or severe effects and the severity often can't be determined in infants. So just because some kids appear to have a genetic problem doesn't mean they'll be substantially affected by it, but they'll have to live with the knowledge of that problem. Kids could be tested for disorders if there is a medical treatment or a lifestyle change that could be beneficial — or if knowing they don't carry the gene reduces the medical surveillance needed. For example, finding out a child doesn't carry the gene for a disorder that runs in the family might mean that he or she doesn't have to undergo yearly screenings or other regular exams. The Future of Gene Therapy To cure genetic diseases, scientists must first determine which gene or set of genes causes each disease. The Human Genome Project and other international efforts have completed the initial work of sequencing and mapping virtually all of the 25,000 genes in the human cell. This research will provide new strategies to diagnose, treat, cure, and possibly prevent human diseases. Although this information will help scientists determine the genetic basis of many diseases, it will be a long time before diseases actually can be treated through gene therapy. Gene therapy's potential to revolutionize medicine in the future is exciting, and hopes are high for its role in ;curing and preventing childhood diseases. One day it may be possible to treat an unborn child for a genetic disease even before symptoms appear. Scientists hope that the human genome mapping will help lead to cures for many diseases and that successful clinical trials will create new opportunities. For now, however, it's a wait-and-see situation, calling for cautious optimism./p> Back to Articles Related Articles Cystic Fibrosis Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder that affects the lungs and digestive system Kids who have it can get lung infections often and have trouble breathing. Read More Birth Defects Some birth defects are minor and cause no problems; others cause major disabilities. Learn about the different types of birth defects, and how to help prevent them. Read More When Your Baby Has a Birth Defect If your child has a birth defect, you don't have to go it alone - many people and resources are available to help you. Read More Prenatal Genetic Counseling Genetic counselors work with people who are either planning to have a baby or are pregnant to determine whether they carry the genes for certain inherited disorders. Find out more. Read More Genetic Testing Advances in genetic testing help doctors diagnose and treat certain illnesses. The type of test done depends on which condition a doctor checks for. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.


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Finger string games are a wonderful opportunity for today's children to practice meaningful movement, explore space, interact with others, and exercise their creative spirits. They are also great fun!
String games can be especially useful to children who struggle at school or are dyslexic, and for those who are learning the concepts of "left and right" and "up and down." Finger Strings contains games that will delight all children, from the very young to those with greater dexterity.
Michael Taylor has many years of experience working with children and has shared his string figures at schools and camps throughout the world. Finger Strings contains more than eighty inventive, imaginative string games and stories, all clearly illustrated with step-by-step, color diagrams. This book is designed especially to require minimal page-turning while making string shapes.
Ringbound to lie flat. Includes two brightly colored strings to get you started. 8 ¼ x 9 inches, 144 pages, 600+ color illustrations.
Michael Taylor is a teacher at Michael Hall (Waldorf) School in the UK. He promotes traditional childhood games of movement and agility for the classroom, playground, and gym, and is often called the "String Man." In addition to string figures, Michael collects and teaches clapping games, finger games, jump-rope activities, ball bouncing, and beanbag games. He always carries a string with him, and has been known to share string patterns with strangers on trains and airplanes. He is the author of Finger Strings; Pull the Other One! and Now You See It...

subset: commoncrawl


text: Chris Wood, President/Chief Executive OfficerBefore coming to Trout Unlimited in September 2001, Chris Wood served as the senior policy and communications advisor to the Chief of the U.S. Forest Service where he helped protect 58 million acres of publicly owned land. Chris began his career as a temporary employee with the Forest Service in Idaho and also worked for the Fish and Wildlife program of the Bureau of Land Management. He is the author and co-author of numerous papers and articles and three books including, Watershed Restoration: Principles and Practices (AFS 1997), From Conquest to Conservation: Our Public Land Legacy (Island Press, 2003), and My Healthy Stream: A handbook for streamside owners (TU and Aldo Leopold Foundation, 2013). Matt Renaud, Chief Financial OfficerMatt Renaud joined Trout Unlimited as its Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in March 2016. Before joining Trout Unlimited, Matt was the CFO at ACDI/VOCA, an international development nonprofit. Prior to his role as CFO, Matt worked at ACDI/VOCA as its Controller and spent time as the finance director for a community development project in Serbia. He has also worked as a tax accountant specializing in individual, nonprofit, trust, and small business clients and served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Turkmenistan, focusing on small business consulting. Matt currently serves on the finance committee for the National Peace Corps Association. He earned his MBA in 2003 from the Monterey Institute of International Studies and his Bachelor in Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame in 1999. Matt grew up in Santa Barbara where he spent time hiking and backpacking in the mountains and pier fishing in the ocean. Robert J. Masonis, Vice President for Western ConservationBased in Seattle, Washington, Rob is responsible for management of TU's five western conservation programs: Sportsmen's Conservation Project, Western Water, Western Restoration, Alaska and California. Prior to joining TU, he ran the Northwest office of American Rivers as its Senior Director. Rob received his undergraduate degree from Bucknell University, and law degrees from Boston College Law School and the University of Washington School of Law. He is an avid fly-fisher with a particular interest in the Pacific Northwest's wild steelhead.Keith Curley, Vice President for Eastern ConservationKeith leads TU's eastern conservation efforts, working from Minnesota to Maine to protect, reconnect, and restore habitat for native and wild trout and Atlantic salmon. Keith came to TU as an intern and has served TU in several capacities, most recently as Director of Government Affairs. Keith received a B.A. from St. Lawrence University and an M.S. in environmental science and policy from Johns Hopkins University. He grew up in New Hampshire, and now lives in northern Virginia—a place with few trout, but with outstanding fly fishing for other fun fish like carp, shad, and gar.Beverly Smith, Vice President for Volunteer OperationsBeverly is responsible for the Volunteer Operations Department which supports 36 state councils and 378 local chapters across the country by delivering a suite of applications, trainings and resources aimed at helping volunteers more easily and effectively accomplish TU's mission in their local communities. Her responsibilities also include managing TU's youth education programs, veterans services partnership, and women/ diversity initiative. Beverly joined TU as the Volunteer Operations Coordinator in 2007, was promoted to Director in 2009, and Vice President in 2014. Prior to joining TU, Beverly worked for the Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance and the South Carolina Coastal Conservation League. She currently serves as Secretary on the Board of Directors for the Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance and on the Community Focus Committee for the National Museum of Wildlife Art. Beverly grew up in Charleston, S.C. and received a B.A. from the University of Virginia. She lives outside of Jackson, Wyo. with her husband, daughter and springer spaniel where—as you might imagine—she enjoys fly fishing and bird hunting.Bryan Moore, Chief Intergovernmental OfficerBryan began working for Trout Unlimited as the program manager for the Potomac Headwaters Home Rivers Initiative in September, 2005. He became director of Eastern Project Development in May 2007, and moved to his current position in October 2007. He was previously self-employed in the insurance restoration industry for eighteen years as a property restoration specialist. Bryan is a fifth-generation native of West Virginia where he grew up fishing the trout streams in the east. After a nineteen year stay in the west, partially dedicated to exploring western trout waters, he returned to his home waters and became an active TU volunteer and leader advocating for stream protection and restoration. In addition to exploring trout streams, he enjoys bowhunting, backpacking, and family camping. Steve Moyer, Vice President for Government AffairsSteve serves as TU's senior advocate on Capitol Hill and with the federal agencies. He works with TU's local chapters and state councils to help them with their state and local advocacy efforts and develops and implements TU grassroots advocacy campaigns. He has worked for TU for 19 years. Prior to joining TU, Steve led advocacy efforts at the National Wildlife Federation on behalf of fisheries, and wetlands, and related appropriations legislation. He holds a B.S. in Wildlife Management from the University of Maine and an M.S in Fisheries from Virginia Tech. Kirk Deeter, Vice President of Trout MediaKirk Deeter is the editor of TROUT magazine. He is also an editor-at-large for Field&Stream, and the editor-in-chief of Angling Trade. A lifelong angler, he has produced award-winning stories from the tip of Tierra del Fuego in Argentina, to north of the Arctic Circle in Russia. His work has appeared in WIRED, Garden & Gun, The New York Times, and elsewhere. He co-authored the best selling Little Red Book of Fly Fishing. He lives in Colorado with his wife of 25 years (Sarah), and son (Paul). Helen Neville, Senior ScientistDr. Helen Neville has been with Trout Unlimited since 2006. She received her undergraduate degree in Biology from Brown University, a Master's degree in Ecology, Behavior and Evolution from the University of California, San Diego, and her Ph.D. in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology from the University of Nevada, Reno. She specializes in applying genetic tools to improve our understanding of the ecology and conservation needs of salmon and trout. She has used genetic approaches to characterize natal homing in Chinook salmon; determine the effects of fire, culvert isolation and hybridization on native redband trout; measure fish passage and population responses to habitat reconnection in cutthroat trout; determine genetic attributes of historically-stocked non-native brook trout; and uncover adaptive variability related to growth and temperature tolerance in Lahontan cutthroat trout. Currently she oversees a multi-faceted program working to recover the federally-listed Lahontan cutthroat trout, and collaborates with TU scientists and other colleagues on research evaluating population viability and climate change impacts in trout. She is also an active participant in TU's Climate Change Working Group. Helen lives in Boise, ID, with her husband and two daughters, and loves having wonderful, wild Idaho as her back-yard.


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We're getting some cold weather here in New York for Autumn, temperatures are in the thirties – a perfect day for soup. This recipe is an oldie but goodie, one I make quite often and grew up eating as a kid and since I was making it today, I thought I would highlight it for those of you who haven't tried it.
Both my parents loved to cook and no doubt that has rubbed off on my brother and I. My Dad's style of cooking was very different from my Mom's since he was born in Prague, Czech and she was born in Colombia. As you can imagine, the meals we group up with were pretty eclectic, but one of the simplest recipes my Dad made was this soup.
As a kid, we had a cup of homemade soup almost every night before dinner. I wasn't always happy about this, because believe it or not, I was pretty picky. But on the night's we had this soup, I never complained.
My father lost his vision a few years ago, so sadly he no longer cooks. But thankfully he is still with us, and I've been trying to learn some of the dishes he once cooked. This one is EASY, only 5 ingredients and you have yourself a warm, delicious bowl of soup that is so light you can serve this as a first course for dinner or with a half sandwich for lunch.
There is no cream added, the silky texture is simply from pureeing it. Dad used water and chicken bouillon which I often do (I use Better Than Bouillon) but here I used chicken broth instead; use whatever works for you. Sometimes I add some diced carrots, or even celery – there are no rules here.
Creamy Cauliflower Soup
Servings: 4 servings • Size: 1 1/2 cups • Old Points: 1 pt • Points+: 2 pts
Calories: 80 • Fat: 3 g • Carb: 11 g • Fiber: 4.0 g • Protein: 4 g • Sugar: 0
Sodium: 494 mg (without salt) will vary by brand of broth • Choles: 8 mg
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp unbleached flour (all purpose is fine too)
- 1 medium head cauliflower – chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped onions
- 4 cups fat free chicken broth (vegetarians can use vegetable broth)
- salt and pepper to taste
In a medium saucepan, make a roux by melting the butter on low heat. Add the flour and stir about 2 minutes.
Add the chicken broth, onions and cauliflower and set heat to medium. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer over medium-low heat until vegetables are tender (about 20 minutes.) Puree with an immersion blender until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.


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Yeah, I know. But you can't hit it out of the ballpark every time, okay?
Let's Answer Some Reader Questions
Jax: I just have to hear your opinion on one of the most important aesthetic questions in the art of cowboy watching: Wranglers or Levis?
Depends on the ass being covered. "Wrangler butt" is traditionally one of the great attractions of any rodeo. However, I find that on the wrong derrière (mine, for example) the effect can be flattening rather than flattering. So you'll almost always find me in Levis. However, if you're actually riding, Wranglers are softer. A full day in the saddle in Levis can wear the skin off your legs.Ellen in Conn: How does one discern the sexual orientation of any particular cow-person?
If it's a hot cowboy, the best way is to go to bed with him. Failing that, participation in a gay rodeo (which is where all my rodeo photos are taken) is a generally reliable (though not infallible) indicator.Cheryl: Maybe this is just a bi-cowboy.
Hey, whatever gets you through the night, babe.Daisy: A friend is contemplating raising sheep and I mentioned the miniature sheep you had rhapsodized about on your blog. We can't find that post now. Did I hallucinate that entry? Was it just a dream?
No. The entry (with link) is here. On the larger question of hallucination versus reality, my roommate is an imaginary talking sheep who wears bifocals, so maybe you better ask somebody else.Taphophile (regarding the Knit Knaked design): And the fourth needle is where?
Don't hassle me with your sick fantasies.dhi: Could you please confess to the group something that you DON'T do well? Paper-quilling? Balancing the checkbook? Folding laundry?
Actually, you picked out exactly three things at which I am dreadful. Thanks for pouring salt into open wounds. And in public, no less. What did I ever do to you?Stephen Fry: I have tried so hard to resist, but I've fallen madly in love with you. Please leave your nasty job on the bitterly cold plains of America and come live with me in my cottage in Derbyshire where I will bake homemade scones and be your love slave. I will send Jake Gyllenhaal to C's apartment in order to ease the transition. Please, my darling scrumptious boy, will you be mine forever and ever?
Yeah, fine, whatever. Just stop whining. I hate it when they whine.


text:
Some idiots never learn.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) – Israeli troops fired on Gazans surging toward Israel's border fence Friday, killing one person but leaving intact the fragile two-day-old cease-fire between Hamas and the Jewish state.
Hundreds of Palestinians approached the border fence Friday in several locations in southern Gaza, testing expectations Israel would no longer enforce a 300-meter-wide no-go zone on the Palestinian side of the fence that was meant to prevent infiltrations into Israel. In the past, Israeli soldiers routinely opened fire on those who crossed into the zone.
In one incident captured by Associated Press video, several dozen Palestinians, most of them young men, approached the fence, coming close to a group of Israeli soldiers standing on the other side.
Some Palestinians briefly talked to the soldiers, while others appeared to be taunting them with chants of "God is Great" and "Morsi, Morsi," in praise of Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi, whose mediation led to the truce.
At one point, a soldier shouted in Hebrew, "Go there, before I shoot you," and pointed away from the fence, toward Gaza. The soldier then dropped to one knee, assuming a firing position. Eventually, a burst of automatic fire was heard, but it was not clear whether any of the casualties were from this incident.
Gaza health official Ashraf al-Kidra said a 20-year-old man was killed and 19 people were wounded by Israeli fire near the border.
Mansour, the Palestinian U.N. observer, said Israeli forces fatally shot Anwar Abdulhadi Qudaih in the head and injured at least 19 other Palestinian civilians in a border area east of Khan Younis.
During the incidents, Hamas security tried to defuse the situation and keep the crowds away from the fence.
Moussa Abu Marzouk, a top Hamas official at the ongoing negotiations in Cairo, told The Associated Press that the violence would have no effect on the ceasefire.
The crowds were mainly made up of young men but also included farmers hoping to once again farm lands in the buffer zone. Speaking by phone from the buffer zone, 19-year-old Ali Abu Taimah said he and his father were checking three acres of family land that have been fallow for several years.
"When we go to our land, we are telling the occupation (Israel) that we are not afraid at all," he said.
Israel's military said roughly 300 Palestinians approached the security fence at different points, tried to damage it and cross into Israel. Soldiers fired warning shots in the air, but after the Palestinians refused to move back, troops fired at their legs, the military said. A Palestinian infiltrated into Israel during the unrest, but was returned to Gaza, it said.


text:
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Lainey- Hands Free
Who makes sure that her husband has someone on staff specifically to hold her bag while she watches him at work? This is the employee's only job responsibility. This person does nothing else but hold the bag. There's no multitasking here. Because the bag can't be put away in a room or on a table. It must be held. But not by her. Because she photographs much better when she has her hands free. This is Status. This is Respect. This from a woman who claims she's down with down home living. Not high maintenance? Please.
Update 1/13 - Lainey has eliminated Nick Cannon, Jennifer Garner.
* Our top suspects: Katie Holmes, Nicole Kidman.
72 comments:
- duffgrl said...
- January 12, 2010 at 4:09 PM
- Anonymous said...
It's everyone's favourite Nashville Princess... Carrie Underwood.
- January 12, 2010 at 4:10 PM
- Anonymous said...
neither angelina or carrie underwood are married....read through the blind thoroughly before guessing since it refers to husband.
- January 12, 2010 at 4:25 PM
- Anonymous said...
sounds like posh...
- January 12, 2010 at 4:33 PM
- Anonymous said...
Nicole Kidman!
- January 12, 2010 at 4:33 PM
- Anonymous said...
julia roberts
- January 12, 2010 at 4:34 PM
- Anonymous said...
Yep, sounds like Nicole Kidman to me too.
- January 12, 2010 at 4:40 PM
- Anonymous said...
Nicole isn't THAT pretentious...sounds like our favorite stuck up wife, Victoria Beckham...though I don't know that she stands around watching David at soccer practice....
- January 12, 2010 at 5:04 PM
- Anonymous said...
Victoria is often photographed showing off her handbags
- January 12, 2010 at 5:07 PM
- Anonymous said...
Gwyneth Paltrow. Why not her? She's into down home living. And not high maintenance. And, she's someone who would go see her husband work.
- January 12, 2010 at 5:09 PM
- Anonymous said...
Jennifer Lopaz?
- January 12, 2010 at 5:38 PM
- Anonymous said...
has posh ever claimed that she's down with down home living? that seems like the opposite of posh. plus, she is often photographed with a hermes bag . . . she has a different heremes bag for practically every color of outfit she wears.
- January 12, 2010 at 5:39 PM
- Anonymous said...
what about mariah carey?
- January 12, 2010 at 5:40 PM
- Anonymous said...
For some reason I thought of Kelly Ripa.
- January 12, 2010 at 5:44 PM
- Anonymous said...
- January 12, 2010 at 5:55 PM
- nae said...
Mariah! She has a person to carry her bottled water and umbrella, too, from what I've heard.
- January 12, 2010 at 6:08 PM
- Anonymous said...
Am I crazy, or does anyone else think this might be Katie Holmes? The "watch her husband work/makes sure her husband has on staff" comments seem to be a huge clue. And now I can't remember ever having seen her carrying a bag. Suri? Yes. A bag? No.
- January 12, 2010 at 6:49 PM
- Gabby said...
I thought it was Victoria too, but she's never photographed without a bag in her hand. So it can't be her. I think Nicole Kidman is a good guess. Down home living seems like a hint about "Down Under" aka Austraila.
- January 12, 2010 at 7:03 PM
- Brittany said...
You're not crazy Anonymous, I think this is Katie Holmes as well.
- January 12, 2010 at 7:13 PM
- kmt said...
Faith Hill?
- January 12, 2010 at 7:20 PM
- Anonymous said...
x-tina aguilera
- January 12, 2010 at 7:28 PM
- duffgrl said...
I like these guesses: Nicole Kidman, Katie Holmes, Gwyneth...and why don't we throw in J Garner too?
So not Posh...as someone above mentioned-she doesn't pretend to be low-maintenance.
By bet is on GF Kidman - January 12, 2010 at 7:29 PM
- Meghan said...
The Nicole Kidman guess reminds me of a blind item from Lainey a long time ago about a mother, who claims to be so happy about parenthood, never taking care of her child. She leaves the baby with the nanny almost all of the time, and there are no bottles in her trailer while they're everywhere in the nanny's.
So yeah, I think Nicole Kidman is a good guess. - January 12, 2010 at 7:34 PM
- Anonymous said...
michelle obama
- January 12, 2010 at 7:42 PM
- Anonymous said...
I think it is J-LO. She always talks about how she is still "jenny from the block" and not a diva at all.
- January 12, 2010 at 9:27 PM
- Anonymous said...
Lainey has an old post about Katie Holmes not carrying a purse because she photographs better without it.
- January 12, 2010 at 9:46 PM
- Anonymous said...
Link to Katie Holmes article is:
http://www.laineygossip.com/Katie_Holmes_goes_out_for_dinner_in_New_York_while_shooting_The_Romantics.aspx - January 12, 2010 at 9:46 PM
- Anonymous said...
I second the Michelle Obama guess.
- January 12, 2010 at 10:12 PM
- Anonymous said...
I vote for Nicole Kidman. The "down home" is a reference to hubby Keith Urban's country fans.
Michelle Obama? No way. I doubt a tough former attorney would be that vain, AND there is no way there is a White House staff position for purse holder. - January 12, 2010 at 11:22 PM
- Anonymous said...
While I do not think this one is about Michelle Obama, it is not because there isn't a person to do it for her. She has decided she's so important, she uses your tax dollars to pay a staff of 23 people to do menial tasks for her. In contrast, Hilary Clinton had 3, and Laura Bush and Nancy Reagan each had 1. Just sayin...
- January 12, 2010 at 11:34 PM
- Amanda82 said...
What about Eva Longoria Parker? I immediately thought of her.
- January 13, 2010 at 12:06 AM
- Anonymous said...
Regarding the comment about Michelle Obama's staff in comparison to previous First Ladies, those numbers are way off. Hilary Clinton had up to 19 people on her staff and Laura Bush fluctuated between 18-24 people on hers.
- January 13, 2010 at 4:02 AM
- Anonymous said...
THis is your FIRST LADY!
QUEEN Michelle!!!!! - January 13, 2010 at 8:32 AM
- Leanne said...
Since when did this blog become a place for your political rants? Ugh.
- January 13, 2010 at 9:16 AM
- Anonymous said...
Jennifer Lopez!!!!
- January 13, 2010 at 9:35 AM
- Anonymous said...
Seriously. Did you people read that link to Lainey Gossip's past article.
It's KATIE HOLMES. Lainey all but spelled it out for us.
http://www.laineygossip.com/Katie_Holmes_goes_out_for_dinner_in_New_York_while_shooting_The_Romantics.aspx - January 13, 2010 at 9:41 AM
- crila16 said...
I can't open the Katie Holmes article. I don't think it's her. I think it's Mimi or La Lopez.
- January 13, 2010 at 10:02 AM
- crila16 said...
I take it back. I found the Katie Holmes article. It is most definitely her. That's a surprise too. She seem like such a nice person.
Straight from the article..."Katie Holmes never has to walk 2 blocks. You'll note, she's also not carrying a wallet or a purse and simply has a phone in her hand. Makes for a better photograph."
Link to the entire article.... http://www.laineygossip.com/Katie_Holmes_goes_out_for_dinner_in_New_York_while_shooting_The_Romantics.aspx - January 13, 2010 at 10:06 AM
- Anonymous said...
- January 13, 2010 at 10:06 AM
- Anonymous said...
Jenny from the Block.
- January 13, 2010 at 10:08 AM
- Cynthia said...
Some clarification on Michelle Obama's staff from FactCheck.org.:
"The chain e-mail's author claims that "[t]here has never been anyone in the White House at any time that has created such an army of staffers whose sole duties are the facilitation of the First Lady's social life." The author claims that "even Hillary, only had three; Jackie Kennedy one; Laura Bush one." But the counts for those first ladies are incorrect – and they're way off.
Stephen Plotkin, reference archivist for the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, told us in an e-mail that Jacqueline Kennedy's office was "headed" by one person, but said that there were "at least 9 people working for Mrs. Kennedy, with the promise of a great many more" during her time at the White House.
Kim Coryat, an archives technician at the William J. Clinton Presidential Library, told us it can be difficult to nail down a precise count of staff considering "White House staffing for all offices ebbs and flows with time." But she said in an e-mail that White House telephone directory records indicate that Hillary Clinton had at least a staff of 13 as of October 1993; 18 as of April 1997; and 19 as of March 2000.
Lelyveld said that Michelle Obama's staff was actually no different than that of her predecessor, Laura Bush. "[W]e have exactly the same staff number as Mrs. Bush and our office organization reflects a similar staffing model, so insinuations otherwise are wrong," she said. Lelyveld said that the White House's "personnel records indicate" that there were 24 staffers for Laura Bush at some point. We were able to verify at least 18 staffers for Laura Bush, as of June 30, 2008, via the 2008 White House staff list published in The Washington Post's White House Watch column. Sixteen people were specifically referred to as a "first lady" staffer, and Amy Zantzinger and Dorothy Thornton served as White House social secretary and deputy social secretary, respectively. It's possible that someone with the title of "staff assistant" was assigned to the Office of First Lady as well, as is the case with Michelle Obama's staff."
So, suck it~ and stop reading chain letters for your 'news'. - January 13, 2010 at 10:24 AM
- Anonymous said...
"So, suck it~ and stop reading chain letters for your 'news'." Yes, becuase that's just as helpful and mature as the person your responding to.
This is gossip, people, not politics. Ignore those that are baiting and get back to real guessing.
It sounds like Katie Holmes may be the winner. Although Nicole Kidman really seemed like she was it. I never really thought of Katie Holmes pretending she could kick it with regular folk after being with Tom Cruise. She seemed to buy into the whole "Tom Cruise's wife" thing. - January 13, 2010 at 10:45 AM
- Brittany said...
Okay no more Obama posts!
This is Katie Holmes. Okay. Solved. - January 13, 2010 at 11:26 AM
- Anonymous said...
I don't think it's Katie Holmes. I looked back at Lainey's and checked out the pictures posted there. She has had bags with her several times.
But I will say that there were pics of them at a zoo in Spain. In earlier shots she had a bag, in later ones it was gone. So I dunno. It cracks me up how they appear to have "family" time just the 3 of them when you know there are so many of people surrounding them. - January 13, 2010 at 12:13 PM
- Anonymous said...
So Katie Holmes went out in a strapless dark blue cocktail, love it, without a coat. Rich people don't need coats. You and I need coats because we have to walk to the restaurant. If you're like me and your husband can't be bothered to drop you off as close as possible, you definitely need a coat because it'll be at least 2 blocks. We fight about this all the time. Katie Holmes never has to walk 2 blocks. You'll note, she's also not carrying a wallet or a purse and simply has a phone in her hand. Makes for a better photograph.
November 9 -- about Katie Holmes in NYC while shooting the romantics - January 13, 2010 at 12:43 PM
- blurry vice said...
Oh this is totally Katie Holmes! I am always reading how she goes and watches Tom Cruise work. He films a movie and she goes and watches him film it. How pathetic!
- January 13, 2010 at 1:56 PM
- Gabby said...
It's definitely NICOLE KIDMAN! When's the last time she worked...she's always with Keith now, because she's not getting any work herself.
Katie Holmes' isn't high maintenance enough. She doesn't even carry a bag and the ones she is photographed carrying are usually baby bags for Suri. - January 13, 2010 at 6:13 PM
- Anonymous said...
Katie Holmes; I read the article.
- January 13, 2010 at 6:38 PM
- Anonymous said...
Katie Holmes is a good answer. She looks dowdy most photographs anyway...carrying a purse could make her look worse.
- January 13, 2010 at 10:19 PM
- Anonymous said...
The top guess is Katie Holmes?
No way.
I really think this is Nicole Kidman. - January 14, 2010 at 7:15 PM
- Anonymous said...
Okay the Katie article is pretty convincing. Concede.
- January 14, 2010 at 7:22 PM
- Anonymous said...
However, Katie Holmes doesn't seem to pretend she's "down home". Her best friends are Posh and Karl Lagerfeld! If it is her, then I think the clue itself is misleading. She and Tom live the high life, and make no secret of it. Nicole Kidman, on the other hand, married a country music star, has a plantation in Nashville... my money's on Nicole. --Emmabear
- January 14, 2010 at 7:33 PM
- duffgrl said...
I kind of agree with above...Katie doesn't try to be "down home"...sounds like Nicole Kidman who lives "down south". The article does sound like katie but I think there are prob more stars than you realize who have "people" for this stuff(remember all the stars in US weekly w/ PUHs? personal umbrella handlers ha ha)
-Also Cynthia save the political facts and figures. We all know Lainey wouldn't be writing about Michelle O. - January 15, 2010 at 9:19 AM
- mj said...
what about Beyonce? down with down homeliving--immediately thought of Beyonce and her Popeye's chicken thing.
- January 15, 2010 at 1:46 PM
- Unknown said...
Nicole Kidman or Jennifer "Jenny from the Block" Lopez are my two choices.
I don't think it's Katie Holmes. There are quite a few shots of Katie Holmes holding a purse or bag. - January 16, 2010 at 3:50 PM
- Brittany said...
I like how people are basing their guesses for J.Lo only because she sang the song "Jenny From the Block." Do you guys really think she writes her own lyrics?
- January 16, 2010 at 4:33 PM
- Unknown said...
Just a note for Brittany -- no, I don't think she writes her own lyrics. However, ithe song was written for her to sing because she was being labeled as a diva and she wanted to downplay that.
And the more I think about that the bag "must be held", it's weird...like Katie weird or Nicole weird. Gee, surprise...both married (now or formerly) to the weirdest man on the planet. - January 16, 2010 at 11:44 PM
- Brittany said...
Maybe J.Lo used to try to downplay being labeled a diva, but now shes singing about wearing shoes that most women wouldn't be able to afford. Don't take offense to what I wrote, I was merely commenting on the lack of argument those who were guessing her were providing. I never thought that this could be J.Lo purely based on the fact that her husband rarely works so that eliminates her within the first sentence.
- January 17, 2010 at 3:00 PM
- Amanda Mungal said...
It's Nicole - I'm sure of it - Lainey just posted about Nicole and Keith and upcoming tour and posted this "hand holding and bagholding from city to city"
And Nicole totally tries to pass herself off as down home. - January 20, 2010 at 10:42 AM
- NickSoluri said...
it's gotta be Granny Freeze Nicole, Lainey mentions bagholding in her story about Keith Urban/John Mayer teaming up..."down home living" must reference Nicole living in TN and Nicole is all about the status, respect sort of thing and anyone who has that much crap in her face is probably too off balance to hold her own bag
- January 20, 2010 at 10:46 AM
- robertsmom said...
I think Lainey just revealed it this morning. In a post re: Keith Urban possibly touring with John Mayer: "Please. Gran is gonna freeze that buzz. Handholding and bagholding from city to city, Keith will be chaperoned by a Third Lip. And if she can't be there herself, she will install a spy. Trust."
So, I'm guessing Granny Freeze Kidman. - January 20, 2010 at 10:54 AM
- Darla said...
I would take Laineys article this morning as a reveal.
It doesnt surpise me at all that this is Nicole. - January 20, 2010 at 11:45 AM
- Brittany said...
You should also consider what Lainey wrote about Katie Holmes on Monday:
"...Katie Holmes never has to walk 2 blocks. You'll note, she's also not carrying a wallet or a purse and simply has a phone in her hand. Makes for a better photograph."
I think this is more of a hint than what was written about Nicole Kidman. - January 20, 2010 at 12:24 PM
- blurry vice said...
It seems that Lainey is dropping hints for this for both Katie Holmes AND Nicole Kidman. For both she has not hinted about bagholding. They both fit.
For now I have added both of their names to our post. Wouldn't call it solved though because Lainey has dropped hints for both women. - January 20, 2010 at 12:32 PM
- blurry vice said...
Nicole Kidman touring with hubby and bagholding comment - 1/21/09 (after the riddle) -
Katie Holmes hint about not holding purse makes for a better photograph - 11/9/09 (before the riddle) -
Which is more convincing for this? - January 20, 2010 at 12:36 PM
- Barda Free said...
Which is more convincing for this?
The one that appeared after the blind. - January 20, 2010 at 3:25 PM
- Unknown said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- January 20, 2010 at 4:21 PM
- Unknown said...
AHHHH my first post, My guess is Nicole "third lip\2 Kidman on this - that bagholding comment today sealed the deal for me!
- January 20, 2010 at 4:23 PM
- Brittany said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- January 20, 2010 at 5:22 PM
- Anonymous said...
It's Nicole Kidman. Lainey all but confirmed it at the bottom of today's article.
http://laineygossip.com/What_will_Nicole_Kidman_do_when_Keith_Urban_goes_on_tour_with_John_Mayer_20jan10.aspx?CatID=0&CelID=0 - January 20, 2010 at 6:34 PM
- Cas said...
Hey guys,
Lainey posted an Anna Paquin post called "Free hands, no pockets" that doesn't seem to have any purpose except to show she had her hands free while jogging. Might be an option? - February 3, 2010 at 6:26 PM
- lulu said...
yes, this is definitely granny freeze - she must be the vainest, (I'm an Aussie and Toni Collette, when she first went to the States as a newbie, saw granny=freeze at en event and waved. Apparently, granny-freeze saw her wave and totally ignored her. Toni told one of the magazines back here and I'm glad she did as it tells a lot about her and her third lip.) most self-important star there is. Sometimes you see a star act all stuck up and you know they are naturally like that but Ms granny-freeze pretends in public that she is all geewhizz, shucks, ' we jes pluck feathers out of the chickens all day in our little farm in the woods with the two bairns' and is so different behind the scenes. But ve haf our sources, don't we? She is such a bullshit artist as we aussies say. ove to hear more goss on her though.
- January 15, 2012 at 7:56 AM


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The Cairo University professors and experts in the faculties of engineering and agriculture have formed a group called "Group of Nile Basin" {GNB} and this group prepared extremely important report about the Ethiopia's great Renaissance Dam.
The report was published in Arabic on Facebook by Dr. Nader Noor El Din , a member of the GNB and it was republished once again by famous Kolena Khaled Said Page.
Thanks to Mr. Ashraf El Shehat , this report has been translated to English. Without his help I do not know what I could have done. This report represents the Egyptian objections based on science not based on politics or any other thing.
Group of Nile Basin (GNB) at Cairo University to Support Egypt
A series of external challenges have suddenly appeared on the surface forming major threats to securing the water supply to Egypt. The sources of these threats are the new plans by the Ethiopian Government to construct four dams on the Blue Nile (Figure 1).
However, the major threat was the sudden unilateral announcement of the Ethiopian Government to divert the course of the Blue Nile marking the actual start of construction of the Great Ethiopia Renaissance Dam (GERD) without consultation with the downstream countries; Egypt and Sudan. This act in the eyes of the majority of Egyptians amounts to a flagrant assault on all the basic fundamental laws and the international norms.
Figure 1- Plan of construction four new dams in Ethiopia endangers the only water supply to Egypt.
Considering the major threat to the people of Egypt, a group of professors from the Department of Irrigation and Hydraulics, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University formed a group titled "The Group of the Nile Basin" (GNB). The purpose of the group is to support the effort of Government and the decision makers facing these serious escalating water threats. The scope of GNB shall include analytical studies of the Ethiopian Dams, prepare and implement numerical water models to study the side effects of these dams and collecting all recent scientific studies in this field.
The GNB Activities
The members of the GNB include – among others - four Professors who were involved and still directly involved in the review studies of the Ethiopian Dams and assessing their effects in cooperation with the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation (MERI) since the year 2010. The GNB shall be also working closely with both the National and International Committees involved in studying the consequences of the construction of GERD.
On 16th April 2013, the GNB has conducted two workshops at Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University about the technical, political and legal consequences of constructing the GERD. The attendees included numerous University Professors and Experts in different fields of specializations. Representatives of MERI, some Political Parties, management of Engineering Syndicate in addition to numerous media channels. The purpose of the workshops was to spread the awareness among the people and the Government bodies about the challenges and threats facing the country.
The last few days have witnessed a series of escalating and accelerating steps adding to the tensions including the unilateral decision of Ethiopia to divert the Blue Nile, and the subsequent objections of some of the Egyptian Politicians during an aired meeting with the President. On 13th of June 2013, the Ethiopian Parliament ratified the Nile River Cooperative Framework Agreement opposed by Egypt which ends the veto granted to both Egypt and Sudan on all projects constructed by the upstream countries of the Nile Basin.
Major Comments from the Trio Committee
An international committee – called the Trio Committee – was formed based on the proposal of the Ex. Ethiopian Prime Minister M. Zenawei about two years ago to reduce the tension. The committee concluded its work that took around a year and half and issued its report on the review of the studies presented by the Ethiopian Government. The trio committee consisted of 10 members; 2 from each of Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia, and four international experts approved by the three countries. The committee has recently concluded its review and issued its report with the following conclusions:
- There are no sufficient structural studies.
- There is a lack in the hydrological investigations.
- There are no environmental impact assessments on the two downstream countries; Egypt and Sudan.
In addition, the Ethiopian Government failed to submit advanced studies reflecting the details and reliability analysis to meet the minimum requirements of the international standards for similar size of dams. Such lack in information and the weakness of the studies formed an obstacle in enabling the Trio Committee to assess the structural safety of the dam and the negative impacts on both Egypt and Sudan.
Areas of Concern to be considered by the Egyptian Government
The GNB draws the attention of the members of the Egyptian Government to the consequences of the Ethiopian Dams which constitute a series of tough social, economical and political nature that are hard to be controlled or to tolerate. Some of these consequences are:
- The plan for the 4 dams on the Blue Nile aims at total control of the water in the Blue Nile which is the main supplier to the Nile. As such, this plan shall subsequently include total control of the share of Egypt's share of the water in the Nile and the possible redundancy or at least dwarfing the role of the High Dam in securing the future supply of water to Egypt.
- The current design capacity of GERD of 74 Billion cubic meter will have harsh negative impact on the share of the water reaching to Egypt and also on the production of electricity from the High Dam and the Aswan Dam during the filling period of the lake of GERD and during its operation. This negative impact shall escalate during the drought period wherein the water supplies to both Egypt and Sudan shall conflict with the water needed to produce the electricity from the GERD.
- Reduction in the water share of Egypt will result in abandoning huge areas of agricultural lands and scattering millions of families. It would also result in increasing the pollution of the water streams and creating problems in the supply of water for drinking and industry. There will also be problems in river transportation, Nile tourism and threats to the fish farms.
- Collapse of GERD will result in catastrophic effects in both Sudan and Egypt. This includes failures of dams, drowning of major towns and villages and exposing millions to the dangers of death and relocation.
Target of Negotiation: Mitigate the Damage
Basically, it should be understood that negotiation with Ethiopia has been drastically delayed. The ideal target for the negotiation from Egypt's point of view would be to prevent constructing the dam. However, this is no longer a valid option considering the current circumstances. Ethiopia has managed to place the dam as a fact and no longer a theory. As such, the purpose of the negotiation at this stage would be aiming at mitigating the damages.
Considering the above, the following are the suggestions:
- Request stopping the construction at once until completing the negotiation and assess the effects through scientific means and agree on them. We need to highlight here that there are other alternatives that can be studied to fulfill similar advantages to Ethiopia without causing major damages to the downstream countries.
- The minimum requirement for the Egyptian Government should be the maximum size of the Dam not to exceed 14 billion cubic meter as per the proposal prior to the January 2011 Revolution. This capacity would enable producing 60% of the proposed electricity from GERD and with efficiency exceeding double the efficiency of the huge GERD and with much less cost and much less negative impacts that can be lived with. In addition, the proposed design of 14 cubic meters would fulfill most of the advantages of Sudan from GERD and as such, unifies the points of views of both Egypt and Sudan.
- Ethiopia to commit officially not to use the water behind the GERD for the agricultural purposes as previously announced.
- Ethiopia to commit for the advance notice for any future projects including their executing procedure in light of the Framework Agreement of the United Nations of 1977 for the common rivers.
- The design of the GERD to be reviewed thoroughly by Egyptian Experts after amending the technical dimensions to ensure its structural safety.
The GNB further urges all non-specialized personnel to avoid getting into issuing irresponsible statements that justify the illusionary benefits of the GERD, issuing statements with no real value, or statements that may underestimate the serious side effects using unfounded methods. All the positive and negative impacts are actually a result of intensive, thorough and specialized engineering investigations. Some of these investigations have been carried out be the members of GNB and some are still being conducted. The results at this stage agree broadly with the international studies and to some extent with the Ethiopian studies presented to the International Trio Committee, even though the latter are incomplete.
Main Focus: Downsizing
We would like to warn the Government not to limit the scope of negotiation to secondary issues and ignore the major problem; the size of the dam. The people in Egypt should be aware that focusing the negotiation on the number of years to fill the lake of the dam or the operation policy of the dam including participating with the operation of the dam are of no prime importance. The major threat is the result of the magnified size of the dam. Without reducing the dimensions of the dam itself, the major negative impacts as indicated above are unavoidable.
It is not a secret that throughout the history, Egypt has never been an obstacle preventing the development in the African Nations in general and the countries of the Nile Basin in particular. Egypt has always been supporting the projects of common benefits to the people of the Nile Basin including building Owen Dam for the benefit of both Uganda and Kenya, has shown no objection for building Tecjizy Dam and Tana Plus Tunnel in Ethiopia, and also has not objected the building of Marwe Dam or increasing the height of Roserus Dam in Sudan. All of these projects and others help to improve the revenue of the brothers and sisters of the African Nations. Egypt has always maintained and is willing to keep the Nile as a uniting force for the people of the nations and not a source of disperse or dispute. Egypt is willing to maintain the Nile basin to remain an oasis for peace and not a battlefield.
Members of the GNB
- Mohamed N. E. Allam – Ex. Minister of Water Resources & Irrigation
- Mohamed S Bazarah – Prof. of Irrigation and Drainage
- Alaa Al-Zawahry – Prof. of Hydraulic and expert of dams and member of the National Committee of GERD.
- Mohamed S. El-Manadily – Prof. of Hydraulics – Chairman of Department of Irrigation and Hydraulics, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University.
- Nader Nour Eddin – Prof. of Water Supplies and Lands, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University
- Ahmad E. Hasan – Prof. of Hydrology, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University.
- Khaled H Hamid, Prof. of Wter Supplies, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University – Member of the Trio Committee
- Ashraf M Ghanim, Prof. of Hydraulics, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University.
- Mostafa A Gheith, Pro.f of Irrigation & Drainage, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University.
- Mohamed H Algamal, Prof. of Hydraulics, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University.
- Hesham B Mohamed, Prof. of Water Supplies, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University. Member of the National Committee to study GERD.
- Mohame E Abol Hagag, Prof. of Hydraulics, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University.


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Roosevelt Island FDR Four Freedoms Park Commemorates 70th Anniversary Of President Franklin D Roosevelt's Death Sunday April 12 - Volunteer Open House Too
The Roosevelt Island FDR Four Freedoms Park Commemorates the 70th anniversary of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's death tomorrow, Sunday April 12.
According to FDR Four Freedoms Park:
Drop-in workshop, 12pm-4pm; Ceremony, 2pm-3pm
Throughout the day, visitors of all ages will have the opportunity to construct red paper roses. These roses will be "planted" to form a rose garden on the Park lawn, facing the bust of FDR. Roses decorate the Roosevelt Family Crest (pictured above), and appear in some of Kahn's initial sketches of Four Freedoms Park.
At 2pm, a commemorative wreath-laying ceremony will take place. Visitors will be invited to place flowers at the Bust, while folk musicians, The Falling Stars, perform an acoustic rendition of "Going Home" and other ballads from the Roosevelt-era. All visitors are welcome to bring flowers to lay at the bust of FDR.
Looking forward to hearing @harveyjkaye speak at our commemorative ceremony for the 70th anniversary of FDR's death! http://t.co/QgPDtGf5O7
— Four Freedoms Park (@4FreedomsPark) April 10, 2015
The FDR Four Freedoms Park adds:Volunteer Open House
Sunday, April 12, 10am – 2pm
Volunteer Greeters play an important role at the Four Freedoms Park – welcoming visitors, leading guided tours and assisting in public programs.
As we prepare for expanded hours in the Spring, we are seeking volunteers to join the dedicated and enthusiastic group who have helped us welcome more than 325,000 visitors from around the world since the Park opened in 2012.
All greeters receive in-depth training that allows them to discuss the Roosevelt era and the Four Freedoms speech; Louis Kahn's design principles and philosophies; and the story behind the building of the memorial.
Additionally, we offer our greeters a number of opportunities to attend workshops, lectures and private receptions. Last year we took a tour of the United Nations and visited Franklin D. Roosevelt's home and Library in Hyde Park.
UPDATE 3/12 - Video of the commemoration here.


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I don't have a compter or typewriter at home and my handwriting is pretty good. Is there a reason I should go out of my way to type my manuscritp before sending it to publishers.Well, most people would respond, "Because it's more professional," but... that's not the reason.
The only handwritten manuscripts publishers get are from children and incarcerated felons.
That's the reason.


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If there's sibling rivalry in the nearby cosmos, the Moon must be feeling a lot of it these days. Last week, Mercury was the big story, with the discovery of ice and organic molecules on its sun-blasted surface. This week it's Mars, thanks, maddeningly enough, to the non-discovery of signs of life by the Curiosity rover. Even the hoary Voyager 1 space probe, whose official mission ended three decades ago, is making news simply by leaving the building.
But now, finally, the Moon is getting some love. Three separate studies of Earth's cratered companion are being published today in Sciencexpress, the online version of the journal Science, and they're revealing the moon's geography and geology (or more properly, selenology) with a precision that's never been seen before — including a totally unsuspected web of subsurface cracks that crisscross the entire lunar body. It is, exults MIT's Maria Zuber, lead author of the main paper, "absolutely transformative."
(LIST: Top 10 Space Moments of 2012)
That transformation comes courtesy of the GRAIL lunar probe — or rather, probes, since the Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory is actually a pair of satellites, informally known as Ebb and Flow, which have been orbiting the Moon in tandem for almost a year now. When they fly over a larger mass of moon below — a mountain, say, or even even a dense concentration of rock beneath the surface — the excess gravity pulls the lead satellite a little harder, widening the gap between the two. When they come across a deficit of material, such as a crater, the lead satellite slows a bit and the gap shrinks.
These changes are almost absurdly tiny. "We're measuring changes in velocity of .05 microns per second," says Zuber, who serves as the mission's principal investigator. "That's five times better than we expected, and I calculated that it's about 1/20,000th the speed of a snail."
(PHOTOS: Window on Infinity: Pictures from Space)
The GRAILs whip across the Moon's surface at an average altitude of 34 miles (55 km), and sometimes as low as six (9.7 km). Proximity to the ground lets the satellites make extraordinarily high resolution maps of the Moon's surface features — and surprisingly, those features account for about 98% of the gravity anomalies the satellites picked up, with only 2% coming from subsurface density variations. "That's unlike anything we've measured for other terrestrial [i.e., rocky] planets," says Zuber.
What it suggests is that the Moon's surface was so violently bombarded by asteroid impacts in the first billion years of the Solar System's history that the crust was thoroughly pulverized and homogenized to a depth of several miles. "We knew it was a violent period," says Zuber, "but now we can quantify that pretty precisely." The same bombardment must have affected the Earth. "It makes your head spin," she says, "thinking of the implications for the development of life [at around that time]. The more you look, the more respect you have for biology"
(MORE: The Moon's Peculiar Dust Gets More Peculiar Still)
The 2% of underground gravity variation GRAIL saw was in large part due to a network of enormous subsurface cracks up to 300 miles (483 km) long and up to 25 miles (40 km) wide. "They're amazingly straight," says Jeffrey Andrews-Hanna of the Colorado School of Mines, lead author of the second paper. "We've never seen them in any other data set."
The cracks, like the homogenous surface, are artifacts of the moon's earliest days, but they formed in an entirely different way. According to the leading theory of our satellite's origin, Earth was slammed by a Mars-size planetoid eons ago. The impact vaporized the smaller object along with a significant chunk of Earth's surface, creating a ring of rocky material orbiting our young —and now wounded — planet.
As the Earth healed, the ring gradually coalesced to form the Moon — at first comparatively gently, as chunks of rock and dust banged into each other, but with increasing violence as the growing Moon's gravity got stronger and stronger. The interior was relatively cool to start, while the collision-heated exterior was hot. But then the outside cooled and the core warmed up under the pressure of all that overlying rock. "The interior starts to expand," says Andrews-Hanna, "and the exterior cracks."
(MORE: Special: The 40th Anniversary of the First Moon Landing)
In a final formative step, the cracks filled with magma, which was denser than the surrounding rock and thus would have a different gravitational tug — a tug which would be detectable in the event that, four billion years later, a species on the nearby Earth sent up a pair of spacecraft to study such things. "We didn't predict these at all," says Andrews-Hanna. "That's an important part of science — you don't send out a probe to confirm what you know. You send it to be surprised. You expect to see what you don't expect."
It doesn't always turn out that way, of course. The third paper in the trio uses GRAIL data to characterize the overall properties of the Moon's crust, and here, the observations do confirm what planetary scientists think they know. The giant-impactor theory of the Moon's formation implies that both Earth and Moon should be made of pretty much the same stuff. The Moon's overall crustal density suggests that in fact they are.
Impressive as these findings are, these are likely to be just the first of many extraordinary discoveries GRAIL will be making. "We're really just in the initial stages," Zuber says. "Our understanding of the Moon is starting to fit together, and we've added something to the story. But there's a lot to come."


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Year | Country | Song | Role |
1995 | Portugal | Baunilha E Chocolate | backing |
There are lots of roles at the Eurovision Song Contest and plenty of people have taken on more than one – not least every songwriter who's delivered their own song on stage. But which two people have performed the most roles at Eurovision?
Read moreThis site is a labour of love (and compulsiveness) so I'm happy to put in the hours for free. But if you find it useful and want to say thanks, feel free to email me corrections or suggestions or get me a coffee (or send me a tweet!).
Buy me a coffee


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Diamondbacks - 101 110 001 - 5 12 2David Ortiz belted a two-run home run in the third -- and reached base four times -- but Daniel Nava was the hero of the late innings.
Red Sox - 102 012 02x - 8 10 1
Nava doubled to start the fifth and scored on Marco Scutaro's dobule. He singled in the middle of the sixth inning rally -- and a throwing error on the play increased Boston's lead from 5-4 to 6-4 -- and he had an RBI double in the eighth. Scutaro drove in three runs; and Beltre singled and walked twice.
Lackey hung on long enough to get a W (6-8-4-2-5, 112), but was not particularly sharp.
The Yankees lost 7-1 and the Rays lost 3-1 -- New York and Tampa Bay each managed only four hits each -- so they remained tied for first, with the Red Sox now only 2 GB. Boston has not been this close to first place since April 15 (after G8).Dan Haren / John Lackey
At 7 PM:Scutaro, SS
Pedroia, 2B
Ortiz, DH
Youkilis, 1B
Martinez, C
Drew, RF
Beltre, 3B
Nava, LF
McDonald, CF
Yankees/PhilliesJune 17:
1880: John Montgomery Ward of the Providence Grays pitches a perfect game against the Buffalo Bisons (5-0). It is the second perfect game in National League history and the second in six days! Lee Richmond of the Worcester Ruby Legs beat the Cleveland Blues 1-0 on June 12. It will be 84 years before another NL pitcher throws a perfect game (Jim Bunning, June 21, 1964).
1915: Zip Zabel comes out of the Cubs bullpen with two outs in the first inning against Brooklyn. He pitches 18.1 innings -- the longest relief appearance in major league history -- and wins 4-3. (Another likely unbreakable record.)
2005: The Arizona Diamondbacks give up 10 runs in the third inning of a 13-6 loss to Cleveland. In their previous game, June 15 against the White Sox, they had allowed 10 runs in the sixth inning. The last team to suffer 10-run innings in consecutive games was the 1969 Mets, who did it in both games of a doubleheader, July 30 against the Astros (11 runs in the ninth inning of G1 and 10 runs in the third inning of G2).


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For the final component of my turkey dinner I wanted something green. I had recently realized that I had not done anything with brussels sprouts so far this season and I had been wanting to do something with them. While searching for brussels sprouts recipes I came across this one for a brussels sprout gratin which sounded really good. How can you go wrong with smothering vegetables in cream and cheese? Even better, the brussels sprouts were roasted first to bring out their flavour. I had been hoping to find a texmex take on brussels sprouts but once I came across the roasted brussels sprouts gratin I just couldn't get them out of my head and they went into the dinner anyways. The gratin was pretty simple to make and turned out great! The panko bread crumbs and gruyere formed a nice crunchy and cheesy golden brown layer on top and the creamy roasted brussels sprouts underneath were so good!! Despite the fact that the rest of the meal was really good, it was these brussels sprouts that stole the show and I reached for seconds of them before anything else.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts au Gratin
- 2 pounds brussels sprouts (trimmed and cut in half)
- 1 tablespoon oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoon butter (melted)
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs (or regular bread crumbs) (gluten free for gluten free)
- 1 cup gruyère cheese (grated)
- Toss the brussels sprouts in the oil, salt and pepper.
- Place the brussels sprouts in a 13 by 9 inch baking pan in a single layer.
- Roast the brussels sprouts in a preheated 425F/220C oven until tender, about 20-30 minutes.
- Pour the cream over the brussels sprouts and continue to cook for another 10 minutes.
- Mix the butter, bread crumbs and cheese and sprinkle on top of the brussels sprouts.
- Broil until golden brown on top, about 3-5 minutes.


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This blog post was posted in 2012. The website is no longer available. All of the resources are in FamilySearch.org.
There is a measure of confusion about the FamilySearch.org websites. First there has been a site with the address "FamilySearch.org" for years. This I will refer to as the "old" website. Here is a screen shot so we are all talking about the same old website:
Now, there is also a site called "New" FamilySearch with the URL, "New.FamilySearch.org." This site isn't exactly "new" it has been up for years also. This site is entirely different than the FamilySearch.org website and I probably have to explain that difference at least once or more times a week.
So we are still on the same page, here is a screen shot of the "New.FamilySearch.org" website.


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- Brian Norris
When first moving to Washington, D.C., I didn't know many people outside of the office. InterNations has changed that with some exciting events.
InterNations - A Place for Russians in Austin
Privet to all Russians in Austin! Would you like to meet fellow Russian expats in Austin? Would you like to get insider suggestions from other Russians, e.g. where in Austin your hometown team's next match is shown on TV or where to get borscht?
We would like to invite you to become a member of InterNations Austin. As a member of InterNations, you will have access to an active group of Russian expats, hailing from Moscow, Yekaterinburg, Saint Petersburg and all regions of Russia.
Meet fellow Russians at our events in Austin
Attend our monthly events and activities and join various interest-based groups to get to know like-minded expatriates and fellow Russians in Austin.
Want to meet other Russians at our events?
Meet other Russians in Austin
Our Global Partners
Find other Russians to share your hobbies with
Russian Expats in Austin Help You With Their Advice
With InterNations, Russian expats in Austin are able to find both the help they need as well as lots of valuable information. the "Live Music Capital of the World" and former "Silicon Hills" offers so much for expats to explore - our community helps you enjoy your stay to the fullest.
- Look through our Members Network to connect with Austin's Russian expats.
- Become active in our Expat Forums in order to find insider tips and suggestions from fellow Russian expats in Austin.
- Make full use of the Expat Guide for Austin to obtain important information on your temporary home abroad.
Mix and Mingle with Russians in Austin at Our Events
Our Austin community is also lively and welcoming offline. The InterNations Ambassadors host regular get-togethers and a range of expat activities, e.g. a chic dining experience in Austin's trendiest restaurant or a get-away with fellow Russian expats to discover the picturesque landscapes of the South. These activities make it easy for you to get to know other expats from Russia in your local community and meet Russians in the USA in a comfortable setting. If this sounds interesting to you, simply sign up for membership – we are looking forward to welcoming you among our Russians living in Austin!


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Chapter 5
Jesus preaches the Sermon on the Mount—Its teachings replace and transcend some aspects of the law of Moses—All are commanded to be perfect like their Father in Heaven.
1 aAnd seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
3 aBlessed are the bpoor in spirit: for theirs is the ckingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that amourn: for they shall be bcomforted.
5 Blessed are the ameek: for they shall inherit the bearth.
6 Blessed are they which do ahunger and thirst after brighteousness: for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the amerciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the apure in bheart: for they shall csee God.
9 Blessed are the apeacemakers: for they shall be called the bchildren of God.
10 Blessed are they which are apersecuted for brighteousness' sake: for ctheirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall arevile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of bevil against you falsely, cfor my sake.
12 aRejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your breward in heaven: for so cpersecuted they the prophets which were before you.
13 ¶ Ye are the asalt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14 Ye are the alight of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a acandle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your alight so shine before men, that they may see your good bworks, and cglorify your Father which is in heaven.
17 ¶ Think not that I am come to adestroy the blaw, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the alaw, till all be bfulfilled.
19 aWhosoever therefore shall bbreak one of these least commandments, and shall cteach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and dteach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say unto you, That except your arighteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the bscribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
21 ¶ Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou ashalt not bkill; and whosoever shall kill shall be cin danger of the judgment:
22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is aangry with his brother bwithout a cause shall be cin danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, dRaca, shall be ein danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be areconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
25 aAgree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid athe uttermost farthing.
27 ¶ Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit aadultery:
28 But I say unto you, That whosoever alooketh on a bwoman to clust after her hath committed dadultery with her already in his heart.
29 And if thy right eye aoffend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into bhell.
30 And if thy right ahand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into bhell.
31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of adivorcement:
32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall aput away his bwife, saving for the cause of cfornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
33 ¶ Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not aforswear thyself, but shalt bperform unto the Lord thine coaths:
34 But I say unto you, aSwear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's bthrone:
35 Nor by the earth; for it is his afootstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the bcity of the great King.
36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
37 But let your acommunication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh bof evil.
38 ¶ Ye have heard that it hath been said, An aeye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not aevil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right bcheek, cturn to him the other also.
40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
42 aGive to him that asketh thee, and from him that would bborrow of thee turn not thou away.
43 ¶ Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt alove thy bneighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, aLove your benemies, cbless them that dcurse you, do egood to them that fhate you, and gpray for them which despitefully use you, and hpersecute you;
45 That ye amay be the bchildren of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth crain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if ye alove them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
48 aBe ye therefore bperfect, even as your cFather which is in heaven is dperfect.


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Alien Spidy
E (Everyone)
After losing contact with his explorer friend Virgi, our fearless alien hero Spidy heads to Earth in his spacecraft to find her. While entering the Earth's atmosphere, his spacecraft suddenly fails and starts to break up, causing Spidy to crash-land on the strange planet, with his craft scattered across forests, throughout ponds and into dark caves. Spidy finds himself alone on an alien world and faces the epic challenge of tracking down Virgi, battling strange new enemies and finding the missing pieces from his spacecraft in order to repair the damage and make their escape home.
- 9/26/2012
- Enigma
- Kalypso Media
- Action & Adventure, Platformer
- Dolby Digital
Online features
- Content downloads
- Leaderboards
Get it here. Play it there.
Buy Xbox content on Xbox.com. Your Xbox 360 console will automatically download the content next time you turn it on and connect to Xbox Live.
Learn More


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Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation job in Russellville AR
Company: LifePoint Health
Location: Russellville
Posted on: April 1, 2024
Job Description:
Lifepoint Rehabilitation Services is dedicated to Hope, Healing,
and Recovery for our patients. We are in partnership with Saint
Mary's Regional Medical Center and are currently seeking a
physician to serve as the Medical Director in Russellville,
Arkansas. This is a 20 bed unit that serves patients in need of
rehabilitation services, including physical, occupational, and
speech-language therapies. Your career growth begins when you join
an interdisciplinary team, where doctors, nurses, therapists and
other experts work together to form individualized care plans for
our patients and residents. The goal of our team is to focus on
each patient as an individual to ensure that we are meeting their
clinical needs and creating a fun and dynamic healing environment.
The Medical Director position will collaborate with the Program
Director (or CEO) and the entire clinical team to provide medical
direction in conformance with the facility's policies and
procedures, state and federal laws and regulations, including the
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and The Joint
Commission. Why partner with Lifepoint Rehabilitation Services as a
Medical Director?
Keywords: LifePoint Health, Conway , Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation job in Russellville AR, Healthcare , Russellville, Arkansas
here to apply!


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What is a supplement?
A supplement is a concentrated ingredient that is added to a diet for either a nutritional or a therapeutic effect. Examples of supplements include ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, herbs, botanicals, and enzymes. There is a great deal of confusion that surrounds the terminology of food additives, and sometimes terms are used interchangeably. For clarity, the following terminology will be used in this handout series.
Dietary supplements or dietary nutrients are substances that are added to a food, usually to make it nutritionally complete and balanced. Therapeutic supplements, also called nutraceuticals or animal health supplements, are foods or food nutrients that are taken orally to provide a health benefit, either for the prevention or the treatment of disease. To have this therapeutic effect, a therapeutic supplement is usually taken in a larger dose than the daily requirement of that same ingredient when used as a nutrient.
What are the benefits of giving supplements to my older pet?
Aging is defined as the degenerative changes that occur after maturity in various organ systems, leading to decreased ability of the organism to meet the challenges of its environment. Degenerative conditions may affect the musculoskeletal system (muscles and bones), gastrointestinal tract (including the teeth), skin, heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, nervous system and specialized organs of sense (especially hearing and sight). Complaints arising from degeneration of the kidneys, eyes, liver, musculoskeletal system, and nervous system are particularly common in geriatric dogs and cats.
"It may be possible to slow the progression of degeneration by the appropriate use of supplements."
It may be possible to slow the progression of degeneration by the appropriate use of supplements.
Effective use of supplements requires the consideration of patient factors, such as the organ system that needs support, and product factors, such as dosage, safety, efficacy and balance.
"Age itself is not a disease..."
Age itself is not a disease, but aging pets may have reduced ability to digest nutrients due to altered metabolism and decreased ability to resist infections due to an impaired immune system.
Dietary requirements change according to activity level, ability to digest and absorb nutrients, and ability to eliminate by-products and toxins. Dietary levels of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, fiber and minerals may need to be adjusted according to the individual patient. Nutritional supplementation to help facilitate these adjustments may improve longevity and quality of life in the older animal.
What are some of the most commonly recommended supplements for older pets?
Vitamin B complex, including Vitamin B1, B2, B6, and B12, is often recommended as a supplement. Risk of toxicity is low because excess levels of B complex beyond the body's requirements will usually be excreted in the urine. Vitamin B complex is used to help counter fatigue and improve appetite. Vitamin E is recommended as an antioxidant and for its positive effects in inflammatory skin disorders.
Coenzyme Q-10, Alpha Lipoic Acid, DMG (dimethylglycine), and L-carnitine may all improve overall physical performance or reduce the incidence and severity of age-related illness. Coenzyme Q-10 and carnitine help improve the strength of heart muscle while DMG is often recommended as a metabolic enhancer or anti-inflammatory for the joints. Alpha Lipoic Acid may be recommended to promote ocular (eye) health and to help slow degenerative neurological conditions.
Increased fatty acid intake, especially omega fatty acids, helps maintain healthy skin and coat and may modulate inflammatory reactions and help with joint pain.
Digestive enzymes and probiotics may enhance the availability and absorption of dietary nutrients.
What about other supplements for specific disease conditions?
"Some disease conditions are responsive to treatment with specific supplements."
Some disease conditions are responsive to treatment with specific supplements. Supplements that may be of use in geriatric pets with specific disease conditions include, but are not limited to, glandular therapy or whole tissue supplements for degenerative processes; digestive enzymes or probiotics for gastrointestinal disease; chondroprotective agents (supplements that protect integrity of cartilage) such as glucosamine to improve mobility and delay progression of degenerative joint disease; and milk thistle for chronic liver problems. If you are giving these supplements to your pet, it is wise to inform your veterinarian, so that any other treatments that may be required can be effectively integrated.
How do I know whether a supplement is effective?
Very few supplements and herbs have been subjected to scientific trials to determine their efficacy, especially in animals. Indeed, much of the information about the use of supplements comes from anecdotal or testimonial evidence (someone tells you about their personal experience or about another patient who showed some benefit when taking the product). Supplements are also often used because of their effects in humans or laboratory research. Although this information may be of help, it is incomplete, and may not give a realistic indication of potential benefits to your pet.
With respect to geriatric pets, enhanced appearance (especially of the skin and coat), improved mobility, and increased activity levels are all beneficial outcomes potentially observed through the use of supplements. There may even be an observable dose-related response, where improvements are noticed when a supplement is given, but then diminish when the supplement is discontinued. In these situations, the benefits of the supplement become obvious to both owner and veterinarian.
In other cases, it may be more difficult to perceive a benefit, especially if supplements are given to a patient in conjunction with other treatments or lifestyle changes. It can be difficult to sort out exactly what effects can be truly attributed to the supplement and what may be attributable to other factors, especially if they were made simultaneously. For example, if a patient starts to take supplement Y, changes their diet to include a higher level of unprocessed food, and starts an exercise program, the observed changes may be due to any one of the factors, to a combination of all three, or even to a placebo effect.
"...some supplements are only effective after they have been given for a period of time..."
To further complicate the issue of effectiveness, some supplements are only effective after they have been given for a period of time, and the patient may continue to show some of the positive effects for a few weeks after the supplement has been discontinued. An example of this is the use of glucosamine to ease the symptoms of arthritis. It may take from 4-8 weeks to show its effects, and can take the same period of time to 'wear off' after it has been discontinued.
How do I know if a supplement is safe for use in my pet?
Veterinarians have been trained about the anatomy and physiology of animals, and are expected to be knowledgeable about the treatments they prescribe, including toxicity and predictable side effects. Therefore, the best source of information about the safety of supplements in domestic animals is your veterinarian. However, some veterinarians may not have an advanced knowledge of alternative treatments, in which case a referral to another practitioner with a reputation for knowledge of the use of supplements may be recommended. Some privately maintained websites, such as www.ahvma.org, can also provide brief information and links to other relevant sites. The website www.consumerlab.com is an independent site that provides information about vitamins, herbs and other supplements.
Quality of supplements can vary depending on the source and the manufacturer. Reputable manufacturers will provide detailed information about the product on the label or in a package insert. Your veterinarian should be able to advise you about quality issues for individual products, or direct you to appropriate information.


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Estate planning on your own can be complicated and costly. And the list is endless... state taxes, bureaucracy, probate courts, unfair appraisals, health care concerns, eligibility of heirs, life insurance, IRA's, 401K's, annuities, burial or cremation costs, and intent regarding death-postponing treatment to name a few. Not knowing your legal and financial rights often ends up costing you more in the end. Thoughts of estate planning often bring more questions than answers: Could an heir be too young to inherit?
Should the inheritance be given at a certain age? Is the intended beneficiary in a shaky marriage with divorce as a
possibility? Are there children from a previous marriage? Should inheritance be protected from potential creditors of
the heir? Are there taxes that can be avoided? Are you able to avoid the probate court rules, delays, and


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Israeli airstrike kills Hamas military chief, sets off offensive
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel killed the commander of the Hamas military wing in one of some 20 airstrikes on the Gaza Strip Wednesday, the worst barrage on the Palestinian territory in four years in retaliation for renewed rocket fire on southern Israel. Gaza's health minister said 10 people were killed, two of them young children.
The Israeli military said it was the beginning of a major offensive and warned that it could escalate with a ground attack.
''All options are on the table. If necessary, the (Israeli military) is ready to initiate a ground operation in Gaza,'' it said.
The killing of Ahmad Jabari marked a dramatic resumption of Israel's policy of assassinating Palestinian militant leaders. He was the most senior Hamas official to be killed since the last war in Gaza ended in early 2009. He has long topped Israel's most-wanted list, blamed for a string of deadly attacks, including the kidnapping of Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit in 2006.
The offensive followed a weekend exchange of rocket fire from Gaza on southern Israel and Israeli airstrikes. Seven Palestinians were killed and several Israelis were wounded.
The military said its aircraft targeted more than 20 facilities that served as storage or launching sites for rockets. Among the weapons destroyed were rockets that could hit as far as 40 kilometers (25 miles) into Israel.
Plumes of black smoke wafted into Gaza City's skies following at least five airstrikes there. Sirens blared as people ran in panic in the streets and militants fired angrily into the air. Hamas police cordoned off the area around a hospital where at least one body from the strike was taken. It was draped in a white sheet, with a burnt leg poking out.
Gaza Health Minister Dr. Mufeed Mkhallalati said a total of 10 people were killed, including Jabari, and 45 wounded, 10 of them in critical condition. Among the dead were three civilians, including an 11-month-old and a 6-year-old.
Palestinians called for harsh retaliation. Hamas, which rules Gaza, announced a state of emergency in the territory. It evacuated all its security buildings.
Outside the hospital where Jabari's body was taken, Hamas official Khalil al-Haya eulogized the commander and threatened Israel.
''The battle between us and the occupation is open and it will end only with the liberation of Palestine and Jerusalem,'' he said.
Thousands of angry Gazans chanted ''Retaliation'' and ''We want you to hit Tel Aviv tonight.''
Witnesses said Jabari was traveling in a vehicle in Gaza City when the car exploded. Crowds of people and security personnel rushed to the scene of the strike, trying to put out the fire that had engulfed the car and left it a charred shell. The Israeli military released a grainy, black-and-white video of the airstrike. It shows a sedan moving slowly along a road before exploding in a powerful blast that sent a large piece of the car flying into the air.
Fearing a long war in Gaza, Palestinians rushed to buy fuel, bread and other food supplies.
''We are working under fire to protect our people and to back the resistance,'' said Islam Shahwan, a Hamas interior ministry spokesman. ''We have a full emergency plan that we are adopting now.''
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was meeting with his senior Security Cabinet after sundown, officials said.
The chief military spokesman, Brig. Gen. Yoav Mordechai, said ''at this stage'' there are no plans for a ground offensive. ''We're focusing on an air operation,'' he said.
The military said the assassination was just the beginning of an operation codenamed ''Pillar of Defense.''
''After a couple of days on ongoing rocket attacks toward Israeli civilians, the (Israeli military) chief of staff has authorized to open an operation against terror targets in the Gaza Strip,'' military spokeswoman Lt. Col. Avital Leibovitch said.
She said Jabari had ''a lot of blood of his hands'' and that the military chief ''authorized different targets'' as well.
Advocates say targeted killings are an effective deterrent without the complications associated with a ground operation, chiefly civilian and Israeli troop casualties. Proponents argue they also prevent future attacks by removing their masterminds.
Critics say the killings invite retaliation by militants and encourage them to try to assassinate Israeli leaders. They complain that the strikes amount to extrajudicial killings.
Dovish Israeli lawmaker Dov Hanin condemned the killing.
''Assassinating leaders is never the solution. In place of the leaders killed, other will grow, and we will only get another cycle of fire and blood,'' he said.
During a wave of suicide bombings against Israel a decade ago, the country employed the tactic to eliminate the upper echelon of Hamas leadership. During that period, Israeli aircraft assassinated the previous commander of Hamas' military wing, Salah Shehadeh, the movement's founder and spiritual leader, Sheik Ahmed Yassin, his successor, Abdel Aziz Rantisi, and dozens of other Hamas military commanders.
That set off a wave of criticism from rights groups and foreign governments, particularly the strike that killed Shehadeh — a one-ton bomb that killed 14 other people, most of them children.
Israeli opposition leader Shaul Mofaz, a former chief of staff who has supported targeted killings, welcomed the strike.
''We need to continue this policy, to find them in every place,'' he told Israel's Army Radio. ''Israel needs to determine the agenda, not Jabari.''
Mofaz warned that Israelis should expect an escalation of violence in the coming days following the assassination.
Jabari was known in Israel as the man who accompanied Schalit when the high-profile prisoner swap took place last October. Schalit, who was captured in a cross-border raid from Gaza that killed two other soldiers, was swapped for more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, including more than 300 convicted killers.
Jabari, nicknamed Abu Mohammed, was born in 1960 in the eastern Gaza neighborhood of Shejaiya. In 2006, he became the acting commander of the military wing of Hamas after his predecessor, Muhammad Deif, was seriously wounded in an Israeli attack.
Jabari began as a member of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party, but switched his allegiance to Hamas after serving 13 years in an Israeli prison.
He survived four previous attempts by Israel to kill him. In one attempt in 2004 his eldest son, his brother and three other relatives were killed.
He was said to have led the bloody 2007 takeover of Gaza from Fatah forces, developing Hamas's military arsenal and its networks in Iran, Sudan and Lebanon and for his planning of the Schalit kidnapping. Hamas has ruled Gaza with an iron grip since then, and repeated attempts to reconcile with Fatah have failed.
The assassination threatened to further damage Israel's relations with Egypt, which is governed by Hamas' ideological counterpart, the Muslim Brotherhood.
On its official Facebook page, the Freedom and Justice Party, the Muslim Brotherhood's political arm, called the assassination a ''crime that requires a quick Arab and international response to stem these massacres against the besieged Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.''
It accused Israel of trying to ''drag the region toward instability.''
Israel and Egypt signed a peace accord in 1979. Relations, never warm, have deteriorated since longtime Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was ousted in a popular uprising last year.