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RDP support financed a series of restoration and basic works on a historic monument church in rural Romania.
Projects & Practice
Tularù is an organic and multi-functional closed-cycle farm born that began life as a centre for sustainable production. It offers an alternative approach to solving current environmental, social and economic issues for farms.
A LEADER measure grant helped purchase film and photography equipment and training for a rural arts festival community project.
LEADER funding enabled the purchase of specialist equipment for training students in the use of modern and sophisticated archaeological surveying techniques.
unique military fortress complex, listed as the national cultural monument, was turned into an attractive recreational and relaxation centre Kortina.
The largest inter-territorial cooperation project in Finland for 2014-2020, aims to promote cultural heritage as a vehicle for tourism development.
A cooperation project was set up between 4 LAGs and 1 FLAG to promote local heritage and stimulate the local economy around a lake area.
A bottom-up project that mobilised the inhabitants of a small town to create their own development plan.
The project considered built heritage as a development lever for a rural area and relied upon the younger generation to raise awareness about it and to take care of it in the longer term.
An intercultural youth event that allows young people from neighboring countries to learn about each other's language and culture and to exchange experiences.


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Barbie's Had It Up To HERE
"And next we have a post-modern commentary on the restricting nature of societal expectations and chauvinistic stereotypes on the modern woman:
Good luck explaining that to the 6-year-olds, Roz W.
Note: That's a "Make Me Pretty Barbie Styling Head" on top there. Seriously. The jokes almost write themselves, don't they?

subset: commoncrawl


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Largest IronKids Race at IRONMAN UK
Over 4,250 IRONMAN athletes and IronKids have converged on Bolton for the iconic IRONMAN UK. The weekend of IRONMAN racing in the UK takes place with the World's largest IRONKIDS race on Saturday followed by IRONMAN UK on Sunday. A record 2,250 kids aged three to 14 will participate in this sold out 'fun run' in and around the town center.
Held in partnership with Bolton Council, IRONKIDS has grown in popularity since its inception in 2012 and offers different distances according to the child's age, ranging from 500 metres to 2,500 metres, ending under the iconic IRONMAN Finish Arch in Victoria Square.
IRONMAN UK Preview
On Sunday IRONMAN UK will get underway at 6 a.m. at Pennington Flash, Wigan, and as part of the 10 year celebrations, three-time IRONMAN World Champion Craig Alexander will be on hand to start the race, inspire and cheer on over 2,000 athletes from around the globe.
Featured men: Scott Neyedli will be looking to continue his success of 2013 and improve on his 4th place at Bolton last year. Other UK athletes set to be in contention include Paul Hawkins, who has local knowledge in his favour and 2013 bronze placed Joe Skipper. If Mike Aigroz (SUI) and Cyrille Viennot (FRA) race to form, they are certain to be putting the Brits under pressure for the title.
Featured women: 70.3 UK and 2013 IRONMAN UK podium placed athletes Jo Carritt and Amy Forshaw are the firm UK favourites and looking to improve on last year's performance against foreign athletes, including relatively new comer Katja Konschak (CZ) looking to put her mark on UK soil.
Join the conversation using #IronmanUK while following the action on IRONMAN.com and via Twitter @IRONMANLive.
Full pro preview
Event website
IRONMAN 70.3 Racine Preview
Athletes will start their day point-to-point swim off North Beach on Lake Michigan and then tackle a 56 mile rolling bike course on the rural roads of Racine County. The 13.1-mile, double out-and-back run course runs through the Racine Zoo and the beautiful Lake Michigan coastline as athletes make their way toward the Racine Lighthouse to the turnaround at Shoop Park.
Featured men: Richie Cunningham, Lionel Sanders, Josh Amberger, Andrew Starykowicz, Paul Ambrose, Chris McDonald, Patrick Evoe and Santiago Ascenco.
Features women: Magali Tisseyre, Mary Beth Ellis and Ashley Clifford.
Join the conversation using #IM703Racine while following the action on IRONMAN.com and via Twitter @IRONMANLive.
Complete pro start list
Mission Apolo: Apolo's Wake Up Call
IRONMAN in the News
- Washington Post: Visually impaired women set to take on the Ironman world championship
- Ohio.com: Push-chair combo unable to finish half Ironman competition, cite improper equipment
- Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Lalley: Dialing down before the Ironman gauntlet
- KREM.com: Kootenai Co. Safe Kids program gets $4.5K grant from IRONMAN
- Houston News 98 FM: Local IRONMAN Athlete Raising Money for Cancer Research
- The Star Press: Ironman Muncie gives back
- The Press Democrat: IRONMAN 70.3 Photo Gallery
We Recommend
- Runner's World: Mayo Clinic Study Finds Sitting Negate Workouts
- ESPN: Fitness helps drive Jimmie Johnson
- Triathlete Europe: Hydration & Nutrition To Fuel Your Rides
- Training Peaks: How to Safely Reach Your Optimal Race Weight
- Quartz: The Complete Guide to Working out Before Work
In Case You Missed...
Video: SwimSmart I—Prepare Early
The key to a successful race is practicing open-water swimming well in advance of your race. In the video above, IRONMAN world champion Greg Welch enlightens us all on why training in a lake, river, or ocean as often as possible is such an important of racing.
Follow the links below for more resources on how to prepare for racing in the open water—useful reminders no matter what level a triathlete you are. And check back on Saturdays for our Swim Smart Saturdays video series.
The IRONMAN Swim Glossary
Stroke Mechanics for the Open Water
The IRONMAN Beginner's Swim Checklist
2014 IRONMAN Coeur d'Alene: Race Day
Pro Kona Points Ranking Standings
Starting with IRONMAN Japan on August 31, 2013, professional athletes began earning points for Kona Qualifying correlating to their finish position. The top 50 male pros and 35 female pros in the KPR at the end of each qualifying year will qualify to race in Kona.
* = Fulfilled requirement of scoring in qualifying full distance event
Q = Athlete awarded IRONMAN World Championship slot


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Singles Schmooze
Tuesday, June 11, 2019
Whether you are single by choice or by circumstance, here's an opportunity to socialize over food and music with a goal of finding new friends. Light fare, lively conversation, and dancing. BYOB (beer and wine only). The Schmooze group will usually eat out the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month, but please call the Welcome desk to confirm.Members only.
The Center


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Rae Dawn Chong, who co-starred with Oprah Winfrey in The Color Purple, has blasted the talk show queen, calling her "vile" and comparing her to a slave.
During a recent interview with Matty P's Radio Happy Hour, Chong said Winfrey was "lovely" to her on the set of The Color Purple, but things changed after Chong made Commando.
The biggest celebrity feuds
"I starred in Commando. And she just wasn't having me. She's competitive. She didn't like me. She just wasn't having me," Chong said in the audio clip obtained by TMZ. The actress then attacked Winfrey's looks, invoking slave imagery. "If you look at the way [Winfrey] looks, she looks like 60 years ago she would have been a housekeeper luckily. She would have not been a house n-----; she would have been a field n-----," Chong said.
Chong added that even though Winfrey has "all the power in the world ... she only wants something that is only chemical, purely impossible": to be beautiful. The actress also included a barely veiled backhanded compliment, saying, "The thing that's really great about Oprah that you can't take away from her is that she's a great brown-noser."
Listen to the interview below. [WARNING: Contains offensive language.]
Former Co-Star Lays Into Oprah Winfrey - Watch More Celebrity Videos or Subscribe


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Driver Update: Download The Latest Nokia N8 Firmware PR 1.1
The latest Nokia N8 firmware PR 1.1 is now available for download however, previous Nokia users will find it a big disappointment since it doesn't offer a new browser, portrait QWERTY and overlaid keyboards options.
Although it doesn't meet much of your expectations, you can expect vast improvements compared to the phone's old driver. It is also compatible with C6-01 and Nokia C7, all packed with improved performance for fixing bugs and tweaks from the previous driver. When downloaded, your phone will be updated with a web version of 184.108.40.206, plus an updated 6.4.166 QuickOffice software version. This will allow you to edit documents, as well as offering an improved zooming features.
What the firmware PR 1.1 has to offer
The PR 1.1 basically, is a minor update of the recent N8 firmware that offers new user interface features, and other functions that makes the phone perform at its best. Below are just some of the updates brought about by the PR 1.1 firmware.
You can download the Nokia N8 Firmware PR 1.1 by following the steps below:
- Using your phone's WiFi or internet connectivity, open the Nokia Ovi Suite to download the Nokia N8 Firmware PR 1.1 update
- After successfully downloading the software, use the Nokia Software Updater to install the latest Nokia N8 Firmware PR 1.1
Aside from updating your N8 driver, you also need to constantly update your computer drivers. This can be done easier if you have a tool that will check for automatic updates, and download the software for you. Interested? Click on the link for free download.


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Westcott Erin Manning Home Studio Lighting Kit
Westcott Erin Manning Home Studio Lighting Kit
- (2) uLite Constant Lights
- (2) 85-watt Fluorescent Lamps
- (2) 20" Collapsible Softboxes
- (2) 6' Light Stands
- (1) Educational DVD featuring by Erin Manning
Meet Erin.
Erin Manning is a professional photographer, teacher and television personality. She helps people understand photography and technology by translating technical mumbo-jumbo into everyday words with a friendly teaching style. Her down-to earth teaching approach makes learning studio lighting fun and easy. She walks you through every step of capturing incredible images all while explaining the dos and don'ts of studio lighting.
Award-winning educational DVD.
This award-winning DVD hosted by Erin features setup, usage and how to get creative with the Home Studio Lighting Kit. Join Erin as she takes a head shot for online profiles, creates a pizza party invitation, captures a play date with 3-year old twins and more.
The collapsible all-in-one uLite.
The uLite is one of the first collapsible softboxes designed to give you the amazing light quality of a traditional style softbox, without the tedious set up. With one simple push, your softbox takes form and locks into place.
Broad coverage.
Although the uLites are designed to be compact in nature, they project an extremely broad area of light coverage. Basically, you can light a larger area with a smaller box. This is achieved by placing the removable diffusion front flush with the outer edge of the softbox. A simple 2-light setup can properly light up to a 10' x 10' (3.04m) area.
Cool lamps.
This amazing kit comes complete with two 85-watt daylight-balanced fluorescent lamps. Daylight is the most flattering and requested light source by both photographers and videographers. This soft and natural lighting will stay cool to the touch and run for more than 8,000 hours at consistent color. 5500-degrees Kelvin (+-/200 degrees)
Tons of power.
The daylight-balanced 85-watt lamps each put out 340 equivalent watts of power making the kit 680 total watts of power. (Based upon Tungsten Halogen Equivalent)
Ideal for child photography.
Due to the cool nature of these lamps, this kit is ideal when working with children or pets as they keep your subjects cool and comfortable.
Simple to use.
With constant lighting, what you see is what you get. That makes this kit extremely easy to use as you can visually see exactly where the light patterns are falling (and don't need any additional cumbersome cords or remote triggers). Combine this with the included educational DVD that explains everything you need to know about studio lighting, and you'll be creating professional quality images in no time.
Safety first.
Unlike most manufacturers, the uLites have undergone extensive testing making them both CE and CSA certified.
Get on their level.
The uLites each feature a tilter bracket allowing the units to be tilted in a vertical position. This is ideal when photographing babies and children.
Durable light stands.
The included lights are both durable and lightweight. They can be adjusted up to 6.5' (1.98 m).
What's in the box
(2) uLite Constant Lights
(2) 85-watt Fluorescent Lamps
(2) 20" Collapsible Softboxes
(2) 6' Light Stands
(1) Educational DVD featuring by Erin Manning


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" Journeymen Wrestling puts on a great event. We've been here from the begin (2002) and it simply gets better and better every year.
Head Coach - Oklahoma University"
- Mark Cody[ MORE TESTIMONIALS ]
" The Northeast Duals was a great event; very well run, excellent facility, impressive public participation, adequate seating for fans as well as teams, really enjoyed the event.
U of North Carolina Head Wrestling Head Coach"
- C.D. Mock[ MORE TESTIMONIALS ]
" I have to tell you that Friday and Saturday was one of the best wrestling experiences I have had as a coach and the kids (John Jay High School) unanimously agree. Thank you for your Herculean efforts to pull this off in what seemed to be a flawless event. Count us in for next year!
High School Coach at John Jay Wrestling (Section 1 NY)"
- Bill Swertfager[ MORE TESTIMONIALS ]
" Great crowd here - it's a family oriented event. You get to see some of the very best wrestling in the country right here in Albany, NY.
UFC Legend and MMA Hall of Famer"
- Randy Couture[ MORE TESTIMONIALS ]
" It is obvious this event promotes our sport in an area where it is much needed. However, from a logistical perspective, it is the perfect set up to help your student athletes improve their skills through top notch dual meet competition. I love the format of the event and feel strongly that this atmosphere is tough to match .
U of Virginia Head Coach"
- Steve Garland[ MORE TESTIMONIALS ]
" I just wanted to drop you a line to say well done. Journeymen did it again - One of the best events of the year.
Keep up the good work.
Head Wrestling Coach University of Maryland"
- Kerry McCoy[ MORE TESTIMONIALS ]
" The Northeast Duals has been a mainstay on our schedule for the past seven seasons. We have started the season with great competition at this event including dual meets with Iowa, Minnesota, Lehigh and many teams from conferences that create great cross regional matchups that fans would not otherwise see." What a wonderful opportunity for wrestling fans in the New York Capital region!
Central Michigan Head Coach"
- Tom Borrelli[ MORE TESTIMONIALS ]
" This was the second time that Michigan has attended the Northeast Collegiate Duals, and it was a great experience. It's organized, well run, and a great opportunity for my wrestlers to get some quality dual-meet competition early in the season.
Head Coach University of Michigan"
- Joe McFarland[ MORE TESTIMONIALS ]
" Journeymen Wrestling does a great job with the Northeast Duals. It's such a great early season event. They treat everyone right. Plus, 4 duals in a day is better than 1.
University of Iowa Head Wrestling Coach"
- Tom Brands[ MORE TESTIMONIALS ]


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hair(redirected from Curly hair)
Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Encyclopedia.
hair(hār), [TA]
hair(hār) pilus; a threadlike structure, especially the specialized epidermal structure composed of keratin and developing from a papilla sunk in the dermis, produced only by mammals and characteristic of that group of animals. Also, the aggregate of such hairs.hair´y
hairDermatology A threadlike epidermal appendage consisting of keratinized dead cells that extrudes from a dividing basal layer. Related terms are Anagen hair, Bamboo hair, Bayonet hair, Bundled hair, Catagen hair, Corkscrew hair, Green hair, Paintbrush hair, Pubic hair, Ringed hair, See-through hair, Telogen hair, Terminal hair, Vellus hair, Whisker hair.
hair(hār) [TA]
Synonym(s): thrix.
A hair is a thin, flexible shaft of cornified cells that develops from a cylindrical invagination of the epidermis, the hair follicle. Each consists of a free portion or shaft (scapus pili) and a root (radix pili) embedded within the follicle. The shaft consists of three layers of cells: the cuticle or outermost layer; the cortex, forming the main horny portion of the hair; and the medulla, the central axis. Hair color is due to pigment in the cortex. See: illustration
Hair in each part of the body has a definite period of growth, after which it is shed. In the adult human there is a constant gradual loss and replacement of hair. Hair of the eyebrows lasts only 3 to 5 months; that of the scalp 2 to 5 years. Baldness or alopecia results when replacement fails to keep up with hair loss. It may be hereditary or due to pathologic conditions such as infections or irradiation injury. Cytotoxic agents used in cancer chemotherapy may cause temporary loss of hair. See: alopecia
auditory hair
bamboo hair
beaded hair
burrowing hair
gustatory hair
ingrown hair
kinky hair
lanugo hairSee: lanugo
moniliform hairMonilethrix.
moth-eaten hair
pubic hair
sensory hair
tactile hair
taste hairGustatory hair.
terminal hair
twisted hair
hairThe filamentary keratin secretion of follicles in the skin. The outer layer, or cuticle, of each hair is made of overlapping flat cells arranged like roofing slates. Below this is the thick cortex of horny cells and the core of softer rectangular cells. The hair colour comes from pigment cells (melanocytes) of uniform colour present in differing concentration. Very curly hair comes from curved follicles.
- (in plants) a filamentous outgrowth from an epidermal cell that may have a secretory function (in glands), an absorbing function (in root hairs), or a function in trapping and preventing air movement of the leaf surface, so lowering the rate of TRANSPIRATION.
- (in animals) a filamentous structure of mammalian skin formed of cornified epidermal cells that multiply in the hair follicle.
hair(hār) [TA]
Patient discussion about hair
Q. i am 12 and my hair is falling out what do i do? there is like a hair ball in my tub
Q. What medications cause hair loss? I have RA, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, allergies and depression for which I take medication. Which of these cause hair loss?
Q. I went to a new hair dresser a to get my highlights done. and I think something is terribly wrong with my scalp. After washing the color away I already felt my scalp is tender, so he put some natural mask on my hair which he said will make it soft and nice, and calm the roots. A couple of days has past now and I still feel as though my scalp is a bit burning, and I think I am losing more hair than normally. So I am a "BIT" bit panicking here. Did he damage my scalp? How can I make the burning feeling go away? My friend said it is probably an allergic reaction to the active materials in the coloring or the natural mask, but I am usually not allergic to anything. Should I see a doctor?HELP!!!!


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Nathan Outlaw to open Outlaw's Fish Kitchen in Looe featuring 'very exciting chef'
Planning permission has been granted to convert a local fish merchants unit into a 50-60 cover restaurant serving locally caught seafood, opening in early 2013.
"This is something I've been working on for almost two years now," Outlaw told BigHospitality. "Looe is the place that I've always bought my fish from. And I've always had a really close relationship with the person who ran the fish merchants, Tim Alsop.
"Outlaw's Fish Kitchen is not going to be anything like the two restaurants in Rock. It's going to be like the Polpo style of restaurant but serving British seafood; it will be much more relaxed, serving smaller sharing plates in a more informal environment.
"It will have an open kitchen and a big bar area, which will offer a lot of shellfish dishes as well as the drinks. It's located on the quay at the end of the market, so customers will be sitting next to the port where fishermen will be."
'Very exciting chef'
Outlaw went on to reveal that the restaurant's kitchen will be run by a 'very exciting chef' who will be 'a big attraction to the area'.
"He's probably one of the best fish chefs I know. He's one of my former teachers - but it's not Rick Stein. He taught me when I first got into the industry and he's a great friend of mine."
As well as Outlaw's Fish Kitchen, the 34-year-old chef is also currently preparing to open his first restaurant in London after agreeing to take over the restaurant space at The Capital hotel in Knightsbridge.
But despite previously telling BigHospitality that being adjoined to a hotel has been key for his other restaurants' continued successes,Outlaw has confidence in what will be his first standalone venture.
"We've had so much great support from local people; lovely letters and emails saying that they would love a restaurant in Looe, so it seems that it could be successful just based on that interest alone. With the chef that's going in there, I think it will be a big attraction for the area.
"It's also funded from my own money which we generated from the two restaurants at the St Enodoc Hotel over the past four years. So I'm not under pressure from an investor or a bank, which makes it a lot easier."
Owning a hotel
Outlaw also reaffirmed an interest in moving into the hotel sector for his next business venture, adding "The biggest thing I really want is to own a hotel, but not The Capital in London!
"The next stage for me is to look at hospitality as a whole, not just in the kitchen. I've got a bit of time now to put my roots down firmly in one place."
Speaking of how he will divide his time between the four restaurants, Outlaw said: "The fortunate thing about the two-Michelin-starred restaurant (Restaurant Nathan Outlaw) is that it only does five dinners, so that gives me a lot of gaps in my day to do other things. I'll also be spending two days a week at the site in London."
An opening date for Outlaw's Fish Kitchen in Looe has not yet been confirmed but it is planned to open early next year. Outlaw's Seafood Grill at The Capital will open on 2 October.


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• This Week
Game No. 22
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.
UC Santa Barbara Gauchos at UC Irvine Anteaters
at UCI's Bren Center
Radio: AM 1290 KZSB in Santa Barbara
On-Line Audio: UCSBgauchos.com
On-Line Video: Big West TV
Game No. 23
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. (PST)
UC Santa Barbara Gauchos at Utah State Aggies
at Utah State's Smith Spectrum
Radio: AM 1290 KZSB in Santa Barbara
On-Line Audio: UCSBgauchos.com
On-Line Video/Television: ESPN3.com and ESPN Fullcourt
• Gauchos Play At UC Irvine Before Traveling To Utah State For BracketBuster Game
Because of Sears BracketBuster weekend, UC Santa Barbara, and most of the Big West for that matter, will play a Wednesday-Saturday schedule this week. The Gauchos will play at UC Irvine on Wednesday before returning home for a few hours. They will then turnaround and leave late Thursday for Logan, Utah where they will play at Utah State in a Sears BracketBuster game on Saturday, Feb. 18. The Gauchos-Aggies tilt has been picked up for ESPN3 and ESPN Fullcourt. Utah State was a longtime member of the Big West before jumping to the Western Athletic Conference. The teams also met in a BracketBuster game in 2008 with the Aggies posting a 72-59 victory. 2012 marks the eighth year that UCSB has played in the BracketBuster series.
• The Gaucho Record
UCSB is 13-8 overall and 8-3 in the Big West Conference, tied with Cal State Fullerton for second-place. On Saturday, Feb. 11, the Gauchos came from behind to beat UC Riverside at the Thunderdome, 60-52. The victory over the Highlanders was the fourth in the last five games for Santa Barbara.
• ...And Then There Were Three
Looking back at UCSB basketball schedules throughout the years, few, if any, compare with the 2011-12 schedule. Not only have the Gauchos played one of their roughest schedules in terms of opponents, they have also had one of the most challenging because of the travel. After beginning the season with six-straight home games in November, two of which were against nationally ranked teams, UCSB did not play a home game in December. The Gauchos departed Santa Barbara on Dec. 12 for a game at the University of San Diego and returned home on Dec. 23 after also playing games at Washington, Cal and BYU. UCSB then opened league play on Jan. 2 at Cal Poly before playing four of five games at home. After playing Long Beach State at the Thunderdome on Jan. 21, the Gauchos began a stretch that will ultimately see them play seven out of eight games on the road. The Feb. 11 home game against UC Riverside will have been the only home game over a 34 day period. While this road has not been as bleak as The Road that Cormac McCarthy envisioned, UCSB will be glad to return home for its final three games of the regular season.
• Williams Approaches 700th Game As Head Coach
UCSB head coach Bob Williams has already hit two milestones this year. On Jan. 2 at Cal Poly, he won the 223rd game of his Gaucho coaching career, breaking Jerry Pimm's previous mark of 222 wins. On Jan. 12 at UC Riverside, he coached his 400th game at UCSB. Now, he is approaching one more career signpost. On Feb. 22 at Long Beach State, Williams will coach the 700th game of his career.
• Johnson Becomes Fourth Gaucho Over 1,600 Points, Moves Into Third All-Time
On Feb. 4 at Cal State Fullerton, senior guard Orlando Johnson became the fourth player in UCSB history to score more than 1,600 points. He also moved past Chris Devine and into third place on the all-time scoring list in that same game. On Feb. 11 against UC Riverside, he scored 12 points and now has 1,627 in his career. Johnson enters this week's games needing 70 points to pass Carrick DeHart (1,687 points from 1986-90) and Alex Harris (1,696 points from 2004-08) and become the school's all-time leader.
• Probable Starters - Quick Fact
F 0 Jaimé Serna - Averaging 13.4 points per game over the last five games.
G 11 T.J. Taylor - Has best assist to turnover ratio-to-turnover ratio on the team at 2.2-to-1.0.
F 15 Alan Williams - Grabbed six or more rebounds 10 times in the last 11 games.
G 21 James Nunnally - On Feb. 11, became sixth Gaucho over 1,500 points and now has 1,506.
G 33 Orlando Johnson- Needs 70 more points to become UCSB's all-time leading scorer.
• Probable Reserves - Quick Fact
G 1 Nate Garth - Has had two or more assists 14 of 21 games.
F 5 Keegan Hornbuckle- Second on team in steals despite ranking ninth in minutes played.
G 10 Kyle Boswell- Collected a career-high six assists in Feb. 11 win over UC Riverside
F 12 Lewis Thomas - Since playing 16 total minutes over two-game span, has played one in last four.
F 24 Christian Peterson - Played 17 minutes vs. UC Riverside, his highest total since Dec. 16 at UW.
C 55 Greg Somogyi - Equaled his season-low by playing six minutes on Feb. 11 vs. UC Riverside.
• The Opponents
The Gauchos and UC Irvine have tangled on the hardwood 76 times since the series between the schools began in 1968. With its 74-56 win on Jan. 14 in Santa Barbara, UCSB now holds a 46-30 all-time edge. The Anteaters, however, have given the Gauchos fits at the Bren Center, winning the last two. Last season, UCI beat UCSB in Irvine, 66-63. Santa Barbara and Utah State have played 61 times in a series that began in 1971. The Aggies hold a 39-22 all-time advantage and have won the last six in a row. The last time the teams met was on Nov. 17, 2008 at the Thunderdome with Utah State posting a 61-59 win. The teams last met in Logan, Utah in a BracketBusters game on Feb. 22, 2008 and the Aggies won that game as well, 72-59. UCSB last won in Logan on Jan. 16, 1999, 66-65 in overtime.
• Roadies
UCSB is 5-5 in road games in 2011-12, including 4-2 in Big West games. After winning at San Diego on Dec. 13, the Gauchos fell in three straight road encounters. They lost at Washington, Cal and BYU, but then won three straight and four out of five. UCSB had its three-game road winning streak ended in its last road game, a 99-86 loss at Cal State Fullerton on Feb. 4.
•Gauchos Equal Last Year's Big West Win Total
UCSB defeated UC Riverside on Saturday, Feb. 11, 60-52. The win over the Highlanders moved the Gauchos' record to 8-3 in Big West play and it equaled their conference win total of 2011. Last season, Santa Barbara finished fifth in the Big West with an 8-8 record.
• What A Difference A Week Makes
On Feb. 4 at Cal State Fullerton, the Gauchos fell under a barrage of three-point baskets. The Titans set their own school record by making 17 three-pointers in 26 attempts, 65.4%. It also tied a UCSB opponent record. The same night, the Gauchos made a season-best 11-of-18, 61.1%. Combined, the teams were 28-of-44, 63.6%. A week later at the Thunderdome, it was a completely different story. On Saturday, Santa Barbara and UC Riverside put on one of the worst three-point shooting displays in recent memory as they made a combined 4-for-28 from outside the arc, 14.3%. The Gauchos were particularly bad in the first half, missing all nine attempts. The teams went a combined 1-for-19 in the first 20 minutes. UCSB finished the night 3-for-15, making a respectable 3-of-6 in the second half. Riverside missed all three of its second half attempts and finished 1-for-13 for the game. The last time the Gauchos gave up one three-point basket was at UC Riverside on Feb. 10, 2011.
• Defense Does Matter
In its last game, UCSB allowed 52 points to UC Riverside, the second fewest points the Gauchos have allowed this season. On Nov. 11, they gave up 48 points to Chapman. In 21 games this season, UCSB has allowed fewer than 70 points 12 times, winning each time. The 12-0 record is in stark contrast to the 1-8 record the team has when allowing 70 or more. Actually, the only win in those nine was an 85-70 win at Cal State Northridge, so the Gauchos are 13-0 when allowing 70 or fewer points.
• That 80s Show
UCSB scored 86 points in its loss at Cal State Fullerton on Feb. 4, equalling its third highest point total this season and marking the eighth time it has scored 80 points or more. The last time the Gauchos scored 80 or more in eight or more games was in 1989-90 when they achieved the mark 10 times.
• For Starters, Variety Is The Spice Of Life
Through the first nine games this season, UCSB's starting lineup joined death and taxes on the list of things that are automatic. In those first nine, the Gauchos started Orlando Johnson, James Nunnally, Jaimé Serna, Nate Garth and Christian Peterson. Beginning with game No. 10 things went off kilter. If you include game No. 9, which had the original starting five, UCSB has started seven different lineups in the last 13 games. Over that span, only two lineups have started more than once. One of those two lineups has started each of the last five games and includes Johnson, Nunnally, Serna, Alan Williams and T.J. Taylor Finally, If you don't include freshman John Green, who broke a bone in his foot in the first regular season game, all 11 Gaucho players have started at least one game this season. Johnson and Nunnally are the only players on the team to start all 21 games this season.
• UCSB Takes Aim At School Blocks Record
UCSB blocked two shots in their Feb. 11 win over UC Riverside and the Gauchos remain well on their way to breaking the school record for blocked shots in a season. Through 21 games, UCSB has 117 blocked shots, an average of 5.6 per game, first in the Big West. The school record was set by last year's Gauchos and stands at 133. With at least seven games remaining, Santa Barbara would need to average just 2.3 per game to set a new standard. Senior Greg Somogyi, who ranks second in school history with 170 blocks, leads the way this year with 34. Somogyi, however, is getting a run for his money from freshman Alan Williams who has 29 swats, including 23 in Big West games. Orlando Johnson (21) and Jaimé Serna (20) are also in double-figures. Also, Somogyi, Williams and Serna have each blocked at least five shots in a game this season
•Johnson Makes His Points
Orlando Johnson, who was recently named to the John R. Wooden Award Midseason Top-25 List, scored 12 points in Saturday night's win over UC Riverside. A week earlier, at Cal State Fullerton, he had 28, his highest total since we went for 36 against UNLV on Nov. 30. He leads the team in scoring (19.7 points per game) and assists (3.1 per game). If he maintains his lead in those two categories, he would become the first Gaucho since 2004-05 to lead the team in scoring and assists. Johnson has led the Gauchos in scoring in eight of the last 10 games and 14 times this season. In the game at Fullerton, he tied his season-high with four three-point baskets (in six attempts), had a season-high seven assists and pulled down nine rebounds. In his previous game, at Cal State Northridge, Johnson scored 25 and attempted a season-high 10 three-pointers. He also added three blocks and three steals against the Matadors. Johnson has scored in double-figures 20 times in 21 games and 81 times in 83 games during his career. He's scored 20 or more 13 times this season and a record 42 times in his career. The Seaside, Calif., native tallied a season-high 36 points to go along with 10 rebounds, four assists, three steals and a pair of blocked shots in UCSB's double-overtime loss to nationally-ranked UNLV on Nov. 30. The 36 points were his second highest total ever and the double-double was one of four that he has recorded this season. In addition to UNLV, he had double-doubles against Washington (24 points and 10 rebounds), Portland (26 points and 12 rebounds) and Westmont College (20 points and 12 rebounds). The 12 points that Johnson scored in the Gauchos' last game pushed his UCSB career total to 1,627, third all-time. He needs 70 more to move past Carrick DeHart and Alex Harris and into first in school history. If the 383 points that Johnson scored as a freshman at Loyola Marymount are factored in, he has now tallied 2,010 in his collegiate career. Among every thing else, he leads the team in three-point baskets with 41 and now has 153 in his career, ninth in school history.
• The Flying Nunnally
James Nunnally scored 15 points, grabbed six rebounds and had three assists in Saturday's game against UC Riverside. He had 19 points in the Gauchos' Feb. 4 game at Cal State Fullerton, his highest total since he had 22 on Dec. 22 at BYU. Nunnally is second on the team in scoring at 15.0 points per game and second in rebounding at 6.0 per game. He has been in double-figures 20 times in 21 games this season and has scored 20 or more four times, including a season-high 24 on Nov. 15 against Santa Clara. Also, by scoring 15 in the last game, Nunnally moved past the 1,500 point mark, becoming the sixth UCSB player to do so. He now has 1,506 points and needs 75 to move into fifth in school history. He has had five or more rebounds 16 times this season and he collected a season-high nine on Jan. 14 against UC Irvine. He is also playing the part of playmaker these days, averaging 2.4 assists per game. He has passed off for two or more 16 times, including the last 14 games in a row. Finally, he has made two three-point baskets in three straight games for the first time this season and now has 30 on the year. In his career, Nunnally has 160 three-pointers and ranks eighth on UCSB's career list. He needs just four more to move into sixth-place all-time.
• A DisSERNAble Difference
Jaimé Serna really helped save the Gauchos bacon on Saturday night against UC Riverside. While almost everybody else but James Nunnally struggled on the offensive end of the floor, Serna shined, making 7-of-10 shots and scoring a game-high 19 points, including 10 in the last five minutes. Serna also had a game-high nine rebounds in the victory. Overall, he is averaging 9.7 points per game, third on the team, but in the last five games he has averaged 13.4 points per game. In the last weekend of January, he had, arguably, the best regular season weekend of his career. On Jan. 26 at UC Davis, Serna scored 18 points and did so by making 9-of-10 shots, his best shooting performance as a Gaucho and the best by any UCSB player since Mike Vukovich was a perfect 12-for-12 in a win at Pacific on Feb. 3, 2001. He also had five rebounds and a blocked shot. On Jan. 28 at Pacific, he scored 15 points and collected a career-high 12 rebounds for his second double-double of the season. For his efforts, he was named Big West Player of the Week. He remains fourth on the team in rebounding at 4.9 per game, but he has averaged 7.2 in the last four games. He is also fourth in blocks with 20. By making 24-of-35 shots in the Gauchos' last five games, Serna is now shooting a sparkling 66.4% from the field for the season. In his career, he has made 308 out of 544 shots, 56.7%, the third highest mark in school history. Also, he now has 826 career points. Finally, with 20 blocked shots this season, he has 76 in his career, eighth in school history.
• Not The "Other" Williams For Long
Freshman forward Alan "Don't Call Me Bob" Williams had five points in 20 minutes on Saturday against UC Riverside. The five-point game came on the heels of consecutive double-figure games. He had a career-high 19 points on Feb. 2 at Cal State Northridge and then 14 on Feb. 4 at Cal State Fullerton. Williams has started the last 10 games and he has responded in a big way, averaging 9.9 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.2 blocked shots over that span. He has two double-doubles on the season. On Jan. 2 at Cal Poly, he came off the bench to scored 13 points and grab 10 rebounds and on Jan. 26 at UC Davis, he had 14 points and 12 boards. Overall, he has scored in double-figures five times, including four of the last six, and he has had 10 or more rebounds four times, all in the last 11 games. While Williams is averaging a team-leading 6.5 rebounds per game overall, that figure is at 8.6 per game in league games, third in the Big West. Williams is also averaging 9.9 points per game in league, third on the team. Despite averaging just 16.1 minutes per game, he has had five or more rebounds in 14 out of his 20 appearances. Williams had a career-high 13 rebounds, to go along with nine points and four blocked shots, in UCSB's Jan. 14 win over UC Irvine. In fact, he is the only player on the team with more offensive rebounds (67) than defensive rebounds (61). In the team's Jan. 12 overtime loss at UC Riverside, Williams had nine points, 11 rebounds and five blocked shots, tying Greg Somogyi's record for blocks by a freshman. He repeated the five-block performance on Jan. 26 at UC Davis. Overall, he now has 29 blocked shots on the season, third on UCSB's all-time freshman list and he is within 10 of Doug Muse's record of 39. Williams currently has 130 rebounds on the season, sixth most by a freshman in school history. His field goal percentage of 51.6% would rank eighth on the freshman list.
• Who's The Bos?
Guard Kyle Boswell scored five points and attempted just two shots in Saturday's win over UC Riverside, but he set a new career-high with six assists. Boswell is averaging 7.1 points per game, fourth on the team. He's scored 10 or more points five times this season, most recently going for 12 on Jan. 26 at UC Davis. He scored a career-high 15 on Nov. 18 against Westmont. In the game at Davis, he also made a career-high four three-point baskets. In the next game, at Pacific on Jan. 28, he scored eight, including a three-point basket with 29 seconds left to break a tie and push UCSB to victory. Boswell is second on the team in three-point field goals with 35 and he is tops in three-point percentage at 40.2%. In the last five games, he has made 11 out of his 22 three-point attempts, 50.0%. Boswell has made at least two three-point baskets in four of the last five, five of the last seven and 11 times overall. He has hit at least one three-pointer in 16 straight and 20 times in 21 games. Finally, in six games since playing a season-low six minutes in a Jan. 14 win over UC Irvine, Boswell has averaged 23.0 minutes per game.
• Tall Tales
While he is averaging 11.8 minutes per game this season, Greg Somogyi has totaled just 41 minutes in the last five games, 8.2 per game. He equaled his sesaon-low with six minutes in Saturday's game against UC Riverside and, for the second straight game, was scoreless. Somogyi is averaging 3.0 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocked shots per game. The five-game stretch with just 41 minutes played has come immediately on the heels of a Jan. 21 game against Long Beach State in which Somogyi played a season-high 19 minutes, made 5-of-6 shots and scored a season-high 10 points. The 10-point performance against the 49ers came one game after he had a career-high 10 rebounds in a win over Cal State Northridge. Somogyi has had four or more rebounds 11 times this season. He has also had at least one blocked shot in 14 games and two or more nine times. Somogyi recorded six swats on Nov. 26 vs. San Diego State, two shy of his school record. He has 171 blocks in his career, second all-time.
• Taylor Made
Freshman T.J. Taylor has started the last five games for UCSB, the first starts of his career. In the Gauchos' last game, against UC Riverside, he played just 11 minutes and really had issues on the offensive end of the floor. Taylor was just 1-of-8 from the field, including 0-for-5, the win over the Highlanders. It was his worst shooting performance of the season. On the year, Taylor is averaging 3.5 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. In the last three games, he has six assists and just one turnover. On the season, he has 41 assists and a mere 19 turnovers, a 2.2-to-1.0 assist to turnover ratio, best on the team. Also, despite missing all five of his three-point attempts in the last game, he has 15 on the season, fourth on the team. Prior to Saturday, Taylor and had made four of his last eight attempts from outside the arc.
• Buckle-Up
Sophomore Keegan Hornbuckle scored two points and had two rebounds in 12 minutes vs. UC Riverside. A week earlier, he had six points, on two three-point baskets, in 15 minutes at Cal State Fullerton. It was the most points Hornbuckle has scored since he started coming off the bench five games ago. In fact, the six points were just one shy of his combined total of seven in the previous four games. Hornbuckle is now averaging 4.4 points and 1.9 rebounds per game. Despite ranking ninth on the team in minutes played, he is second with 18 steals. He had nine of the steals in a two-game stretch against UC Irvine and Cal State Northridge on Jan. 14 and Jan. 19 respectively. Hornbuckle has scored in double-figures twice, on Dec. 16 at Washington when he had 11 and on Jan. 14 vs. UC Irvine when he recorded a career-high 14. When he nailed two three-pointers at Fullerton, it was the second time he has made a pair in one game. He also did so against Irvine.
• The World According To Garth
Nate Garth played 12 minutes in Saturday's game against UC Riverside. In the previous game, he logged a season-low four minutes at Cal State Fullerton. Garth is tied for second on the team in assists at 2.4 per game despite seeing his playing time shrink. After playing 20 or more minutes in the first eight games of the season, he has not done so in the last 13. Garth had a season-high six assists on Nov. 22 against Portland and he's had four or more eight times. He continues to have one of the best assist to turnover ratios on the team at 2.0-to-1.0.


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WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 (UPI) -- U.S. President Obama granted clemency to 21 people Thursday in the form of eight commutations and 13 pardons, the White House said.
Obama's clemency decision commutes prison terms of several people serving life sentences for drug crimes.
In an accompanying statement, Obama said many of the inmates who will be released would have received lesser sentences if they had been convicted of the same crimes today.
"Today, I am commuting the prison terms of eight men and women who were sentenced under an unfair system," Obama said. "Each of them has served more than 15 years in prison. In several cases, the sentencing judges expressed frustration that the law at the time did not allow them to issue punishments that more appropriately fit the crime."
Three years ago, Obama signed the Fair Sentencing Act, which he said "dramatically" narrowed the gap between penalties for crack cocaine and powder cocaine offenses.
"Commuting the sentences of these eight Americans is an important step toward restoring fundamental ideals of justice and fairness. But it must not be the last," Obama said. "In the new year, lawmakers should act on the kinds of bipartisan sentencing reform measures already working their way through Congress."
"Today the president of the United States made a significant and major breakthrough in the unfair mandatory sentencing disparities for crack cocaine offenders in this country," said the Rev. Al Sharpton, a civil rights advocate. "President Obama gave a holiday gift that many of us have labored to see, and we celebrate this step towards a more just judicial system."


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1 patisserie honey bun
lamp shade
big sheets of paper
quilt basting spray
perle cotton thread size 8 in ecru
decorative trims, rick rack &/or buttons
yours will overlap like mine, it's supposed to.
this will make a paper foundation for your strips.
{just trust me!!!}
and sew your first strip on.
i use a completely separate needle for paper foundations.}


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HAGSOC Education Activity: Military records course
Event Information
26 May 2012 2:00pm - 5:00pm
- HAGSOC Education Room, Cook Community Hub, 41 Templeton Street Cook
- Cook
- Australian Capital Territory
Other Information
- Cost: HAGSOC members $10; non-members $20
- firstname.lastname@example.com
- 02 6251 7004
- The Heraldry & Genealogy Society of Canberra Inc
- The Secretary The Heraldry & Genealogy Society of Canberra Inc GPO Box 585 CANBERRA ACT 2601
HAGSOC education activities: Military records course
The Heraldry & Genealogy Society of Canberra (HAGSOC) is running an education activity on Saturday 26 May 2012 at 2pm in the HAGSOC Education Room, Cook Community Hub, 41 Templeton Street Cook (6251 7004) on Military Records. There will be two talks:
- Barbara Moore: British Military in Australia to 1850: "I'd rather be a private in Sydney than a general in India" - a British soldier in 19th century Australia; and
- Rhonda Kerr: Australian Military - the women in uniform – including the Women's Land Army and other volunteer organisations.
You need to book for this course and the booking forms are in the HAGSOC Library. If you cannot get to the Library but wish to attend, telephone (02) 6251 7004 during Library hours and the volunteer on duty will put your name down. There can be restrictions on the numbers able to attend some sessions, so early bookings are advised. Fee: HAGSOC members $10; non-members $20. Please check Calendar page on HAGSOC website (http://hagsoc.org.au) in case of last minute changes or cancellations.
The Heraldry & Genealogy Society of Canberra Inc was founded in 1964 'to promote and encourage the study and preservation of family history, genealogy, heraldry and allied subjects, and to assist members and others in research in these areas.' The Society is run entirely by volunteers, who give generously of their time, expertise and goodwill to provide a service for all members.
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text: Asthma & Pregnancy: Management Make an Appointment Refer a Patient Ask a Question Reviewed by David Tinkelman, MD (April 01, 2012) Early awareness of asthma symptoms and peak flow monitoring can help you and your doctor respond quickly to worsening of your asthma during pregnancy. It is important to identify and treat your asthma when the symptoms are still mild, so as to reduce the risk of a more serious episode. Common asthma symptoms may vary from person to person and include: Cough Shortness of breath Tightness in the chest Wheeze Shortness of breath Many of these symptoms are common during pregnancy, and it sometimes may be difficult to tell if the cause is the increasing size of your baby or your asthma. A peak flow meter may enable you to tell the difference. A peak flow meter measures the airflow out of your lungs and can sometimes show a decrease hours or even a day before other asthma symptoms appear. Ask your doctor about using a peak flow meter to help monitor your asthma. Asthma Action Plan for Your Pregnancy An asthma action plan is a written plan based on changes in asthma symptoms and peak flow numbers, customized to your needs by your doctor to help you manage asthma worsening. It will give you information about when and how to use long-term control medicine and quick-relief medicine. It is a reminder of what to watch for and what steps to take so you will be able to make timely and appropriate decisions about managing your asthma during your pregnancy. Print a copy of our Asthma Symptom Action Plan (PDF) for you and your doctor. Severe Asthma Episodes During Pregnancy When asthma symptoms and low peak flow numbers indicate your asthma is worsening, it is important to take action to ensure you and your baby receive enough oxygen. A severe asthma attack is a true medical emergency and you should seek medical assistance immediately. A small number of women with asthma may have an asthma episode severe enough to be hospitalized so that you and your baby can be closely monitored. A severe asthma attack is a true medical emergency and you should seek medical assistance immediately. Your treatment may include oxygen, frequent inhaled medications, and IV steroids, all of which can be given without risk to your baby. Asthma Management During Labor and Delivery It is important to continue long-term control medicines and have quick-relief medicines available throughout labor and delivery. Your breathing will be closely monitored as will your baby's heart rate with a fetal monitor to make sure that he or she is not showing signs of distress. Plan ahead and discuss these decisions and potential problems with your healthcare providers. This will help decrease fears and problems that may arise once labor begins. Bring your own medications to the hospital, so everyone will understand what you have been taking. The hospital will then provide whatever medication is needed. Talk with your healthcare provider about pain control during delivery before your delivery date. If anesthesia is required, spinal anesthesia is preferred to general ("gas") anesthesia. If you receive anesthesia of this form, you may be able to use your inhaled medicine as directed by your doctor. If a Cesarean-section is required you may need IV steroids. Breastfeeding When You Have Asthma Research shows that breastfeeding for the first 6-12 months of life may help prevent or delay the development of certain allergies. The decision to breastfeed should be based on what you desire and your baby's needs. The medicines safe for use during pregnancy are generally used while breastfeeding without problems. Because your blood stream absorbs less medicine with inhaled medicine, less medicine passes into your breast milk. It is important to discuss your use of any medicines with your baby's doctor. Read more about asthma medications during pregnancy. Asthma & Pregnancy: Medications Clinical Trials Link Between Reflux & Pulmonary Disease Help researchers predict which pulmonary diseases are predisposed to reflux. Our researchers are recruiting healthy individuals and people with pulmonary disease to undergo an esophageal stress test. Learn More View More Clinical Trials


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Actress Michelle Williams is taking a break from Hollywood.
The Brokeback Mountain star's latest movie Oz the Great and Powerful is due for worldwide release in March and Williams hasn't stepped foot on a movie set since wrapping the fantasy film.
Williams admits she is already enjoying the hiatus.
"I haven't worked since I made this movie, which is over a year ago," she told E! Online.
"Really I don't know (what is next), I don't know. I'm really happy to not have anything looming - except my hair. I'm really working on my hair growing out.
"I think I'm ready. It's on its way, slowly but surely. I think I'm ready. That's why I've stayed with short hair for so long - the mid-stage is insufferable. It's really hard on your self-esteem."
The blonde beauty previously admitted she kept her pixie cut in honour of her late fiance Heath Ledger, who died in January 2008, insisting, "I cut it for the one straight man who has ever liked short hair and I wear it in memorial of somebody who really loved it."


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Protester at party conventions could be armed
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- The thousands of protesters expected at the Democratic and Republican national conventions can come armed with a lot more than signs and slogans: State law in Florida and North Carolina allows concealed weapons, including guns.
In Tampa, where the RNC will hold its festivities this fall, officials are starting to worry about people toting guns in such a politically-charged environment. The City Council voted Thursday to ask Republican Gov. Rick Scott to help them temporarily ban concealed weapons. Charlotte officials have yet to publically voice concern, but with both cities trying to balance public safety with First and Second Amendment rights, it's likely the host city for the Democratic convention will also have to address the issue.
The Tampa City Council wants Scott to issue an executive order, preventing people with concealed weapons permits from carrying guns.
"We believe it is necessary and prudent to take this reasonable step to prevent a potential tragedy," council member Lisa Montelione said in a draft letter to Scott.
Tampa city leaders have already proposed a host of banned items (lumber, hatchets, gas masks, chains and "super soaker" water cannons) -- but they are prevented from outlawing concealed guns. Florida and North Carolina have laws prohibiting local officials from pre-empting state gun statutes.
Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn said the state law has made the city "look silly," particularly because officials can ban water guns but not real ones.
"We're kind of constrained by the state law," he said.
Charlotte officials also believe they are hamstrung.
"We can't change what the state legislature has in place," said Mark Newbold, an attorney with the police department.
Tens of thousands of delegates, journalists and political junkies will stream into the mid-sized cities for the multi-day conventions. Republicans hold their event at the Tampa Bay Times Arena during Aug. 27-30. The Democrats' party is a week later at the Time Warner Cable Arena. Inside the arenas, the Secret Service has banned civilians from carrying guns.
Both cities have hosted large gatherings before -- Tampa has held four Super Bowls and Charlotte has entertained the Atlantic Coast Conference basketball tournament and the National Rifle Association convention -- but neither has really experienced an event such as this.
In the last 50 years, political conventions have become a magnet for protesters, and they have sometimes turned ugly.
In 1968, demonstrators tried to disrupt the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Scenes of police clashing with protesters on the streets played on TV screens in living rooms across America. Four years later, anti-war demonstrators disrupted the Republican National Convention in Miami Beach.
More recently, thousands of protesters descended on St. Paul, Minn., in 2008, when the city hosted the Republican National Convention. Some demonstrators smashed cars, punctured tires and threw bottles in a confrontation with pepper-spray wielding police. Hundreds of people were arrested over a few days.
"Everything we are doing is based on something that happened at another convention or another national security event," Tampa City Attorney Jim Shimberg said.
The federal government has given $50 million each to Charlotte and Tampa to help them pay for new security-related equipment, training and officer salaries.
Tampa is proposing a "Clean Zone" protest area with portable toilets, water, a stage and a microphone for protesters. Outside that area, people will be allowed to march down an official parade route as long as they have a permit.
The exact location of the protest zones and security perimeter will be decided by the city commission in the coming weeks.
Joyce Hamilton Henry, the director of the mid-Florida office of the American Civil Liberties Union, said her organization is concerned about protests that will be limited to 60 minutes, and a ban on masks.
"We feel it's totally unrealistic, especially if groups are coming in with large numbers," Hamilton Henry said.
The Tampa Police Department is expected to rotate most of its 1,000-officer force into convention security during the event, which could draw up to 45,000 people. An additional 3,000 officers from other agencies around the state will help.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department plans to add 2,400 to 3,400 officers from outside departments to its force of more than 1,750.
For the convention there, a coalition of groups has formed because they said they are angry the city has refused to share information about where they can gather.
The Coalition to Protest at the DNC has threatened to gather without permits, and promised a massive demonstration Sept. 2 in what they call the Wall Street of the South.
Charlotte, a city of 760,000 people, is home to Bank of America Corp., one of the nation's largest banks.
"This is something we have to do. They can't stop our right to protest," said Ben Carroll, a coalition spokesman.
Members of the coalition said they're still angry about how police in February disbanded an Occupy Charlotte tent city on the lawn outside the old City Hall. Protesters had been camped there since October.
The move came one week after Charlotte adopted an extraordinary event ordinance restricting political demonstrations ahead of this year's convention. The new rules give police more power to stop and search people when the convention comes to town. And people won't be allowed to carry backpacks and other items in designated areas.


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For its new Chinese headquarters, the industrial vehicle manufacturer Zoomlion commissioned for the building a special facade that actually moves and transforms, its two sets of steel-and-glass wings mounted on hydraulic frames.
The winged design is meant to mimic butterflies and eagles—symbols of fagility and leadership in Chinese culture. When folded down, the shape is meant to resemble a swimming frog, which is china represents prosperity.
The robotic facade was designed using parametric modeling tools, which rely on statistical or proven data and mathematical equations to improve the accuracy of modeling otherwise uncertain or unfamiliar project situations. The four-story building, when complete, will host exhibitions and product displays—though, the building itself seems like a rather impressive attraction on its own. [Inhabitat]


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Loyola believes that the cost of a high-quality education should not be a deterrent to prospective applicants. In recognition of the concern students and families have with finding adequate resources to meet these costs, our financial aid program is designed to make Loyola affordable to those students we admit. Approximately 85 percent of all undergraduates receive some form of aid from federal, state, institutional and private sources.
Loyola is willing to share the financial responsibilities of attending college with students and their parents, but we expect the primary or maximum effort to pay for college to come from students and their families. The system used to determine the family's ability to pay contains the following assumptions:
In the administration of need-based financial aid programs, "demonstrated financial need" is considered to be the difference between the cost of attending a college or university and the total family contribution toward that cost as shown in the following simple formula:
Cost of Attendance (COA)
- Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
= Financial Need
Colleges and universities construct student expense budgets which include standard allowances for tuition, fees, room, meal services, books and supplies, transportation, and personal/miscellaneous expenses. A student's cost of attendance is based on the enrollment status (full or part-time) and housing status (on-campus, off-campus, or with parents). The following chart lists Loyola's current student expense budgets based on full-time enrollment for the 2019-20 Academic Year:
As indicated above, the parents of a student are expected to make a maximum effort to assist the student with college expenses. Additionally, students have a responsibility to help pay for their own educational expenses. The information provided by families on the PROFILE Application form of the College Scholarship Service and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used to assist the financial aid office in determining an expected family contribution according to standard federal formulas and institutional policies. In general, the family's income and assets are considered to produce a comprehensive index of family financial strength and capacity to absorb the costs of a college education.
If the full cost of attending Loyola is beyond reach, students are first expected to take advantage of assistance available through federal and state government programs, in addition to scholarships and grants available from private organizations. When these outside resources, combined with the student and parental contributions are still inadequate to meet the cost of attending Loyola, the University will assume its role as a partner in meeting college costs. It is assumed that families will make individual decisions about how to finance their share of educational costs using a combination of assets, current income and borrowing against future income.
Where will your experiences at Loyola take you? How will they impact the people you meet, the career you pursue, the path you take after you receive your diploma?
Manage My Financial Aid


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Facilitating the spread of knowledge and innovation in professional software development
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Kavya Joshi explores when and why locks affect performance, delves into Go's lock implementation as a case study, and discusses strategies one can use when locks are actually a problem.
Bernd Rücker talks to Daniel Bryant about Microservice Orchestration, CQRS and Event Sourcing
José Valim discusses how Broadway connects multiple stages and producers, how it leverages GenStage to provide back-pressure, and other features such as batching, rate-limiting, partitioning and more.
The book Agile Leadership in Practice - Applying Management 3.0 by Dominik Maximini is an experience report of the agile transformation journey of NovaTec. Maximini shares his experiences from applying principles and practices from Management 3.0, success stories, failure stories, and learnings from experiments.
The book "Continuous Delivery in Java" by Daniel Bryant and Abraham Marin-Perez was released nearly ten years after the original "Continuous Delivery" book by Dave Farley and Jez Humble, and more than 20 years after Java's first release.
Q&A with the authors to better understand from their experience why a book on Continuous Delivery specifically for Java and the JVM ecosystem was needed.
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The color blue is often used to refer to depression. In economics, a blue flash on the economic indicator signifies a recession. The Council for Economic Planning and Development announced a few days ago that the nation's monitoring indicator flashed blue for the seventh consecutive month, marking the fourth-longest such period in history. Another worrying development is that the economic growth rate is unlikely to reach the forecast 4 percent, with each new forecast lower than the last.
A wide range of negative predictions have been made.
On Thursday last week, the Polaris Research Institute updated its economic growth estimate for this year to 2.5 percent, a downward adjustment of 1.38 percentage points compared with its March forecast.
Taiwan's economic growth is dependent on foreign trade, with total exports accounting for more than 60 percent of GDP.
The Ministry of Finance announced last month that in May exports totaled US$26 billion, 6.3 percent less than during the same period last year. For the first five months of this year, exports were worth a total of US$122 billion, a drop of 5 percent from the previous year. When compared with Japan, South Korea, Singapore, China and the US, Taiwan is the only country to register negative growth. The nation has posted negative export growth for the past three months.
Many financial experts have said the European sovereign-debt crisis will not be resolved in the short term. Europe is a major destination for Chinese exports and economic growth in China is slowing as a result of the crisis.
In addition, China is a major destination for Taiwan's exports, with exports to China accounting for 40.3 percent of total exports last year.
However, it is going to be extremely difficult for Taiwan to increase its exports. With leading indicators increasing for the ninth consecutive month in May, officials believe the economy could gradually recover. As a result, they have projected economic growth for the second, third and fourth quarters of 0.77 percent, 4 percent and 6.65 percent respectively.
Unfortunately, the nation's problems were not caused overnight and are far-reaching. Former vice president Vincent Siew (蕭萬長) was right when he said that apart from domestic and international economic factors, the main reason for domestic recession and falling competitiveness is the vicious spiral of internal strife and political inaction that defines Taiwanese politics.
For a long time now, the pan-blue and the pan-green camps have had narrow party interests. They have ignored Taiwan's development and as a result, many believe the economy is treading water. The other members of the four Asian Tigers — Hong Kong, Singapore and South Korea — are gradually surpassing Taiwan and, if things continue, they will have left us in the dust a few years from now.
Faced with these internal and external problems, it will be very hard for the nation to increase its exports, eliminate the obstacles that are hampering trade and to substantially increase economic growth over the short term.
However, there are a number of things that can be done. When it comes to the economy, the focus should be the restoration of consumer confidence and increased private and public investment to spur domestic demand in the hope of promoting economic recovery. Increasing industrial competitiveness is also very important.


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why do men's clothes have buttons on the right,
while women's clothes have buttons on the left?
when buttons were invented, they were very expensive and worn primarily by the rich. because wealthy women were dressed by maids, dressmakers put the buttons on the maid's right! since most people are right-handed, it is easier to push buttons on the right through holes on the left and that's where women's buttons have remained since.


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After spending 8 years in the classroom teaching Middle School Math, Math Intervention and 4th grade, I am currently working from home as a curriculum designer creating resources for teachers across the country! I absolutely LOVE my job and feel so grateful for the opportunity to help teachers and students near and far.
I believe in a structured, organized and comfortable classroom where students don't hesitate to ask questions, work together and try their best!
Presenter at the 1st Teachers Pay Teachers Conference in Las Vegas - July 2014 Presenter at the 2nd Teachers Pay Teachers Conference in Las Vegas - July 2015 Panelist at the 3rd Teachers Pay Teachers Conference in Orlando - July 2016
I have a B.S. in Elementary Education (K-8) with a Minor in History. I am highly qualified to teach Middle School Mathematics.
I'm a wife, mom, teacher and writer. I love creating fun materials for the classroom that guide teachers away from the textbook!
2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, Homeschool, Not Grade Specific
Specialty, Math, Algebra, Applied Math, Basic Operations, Fractions, Geometry, Graphing, Measurement, Numbers, Order of Operations, Other (Math), Science, Math Test Prep, For All Subject Areas, Classroom Management, Statistics, Word Problems, Study Skills, Problem Solving, Holidays/Seasonal, Back to School, Thanksgiving, Christmas/ Chanukah/ Kwanzaa, Autumn, Mental Math, Halloween, Winter, The New Year, Valentine's Day, Decimals, St. Patrick's Day, Place Value, Tools for Common Core, For All Subjects, Summer, Test Preparation, End of Year


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8x10 Signed Print of "Trouble" the Cat
8x10 Signed Print of "Trouble" the Cat
This is a portrait of Trouble the cat! His name is quite fitting for a cat, don't you think? It's hard not fall in love with this handsome kitty. If you love Trouble or just love cats in general, then you can hang a signed print by Pawblo Picasso on your wall!
This is a professionally printed digital reproduction of the original painting. It is 8x10 inches in dimension, which means it will pop into any standard sized frame and the white borders eliminate the need for professional matting. The print comes in a polyethylene (plastic) sleeve with acid-free cardboard backing that includes a short bio about Pawblo Picasso. The backing is archival and can go into the frame with the print!
Each print is signed by yours truly, and if you'd like me to write the name of a pet to the left of my signature, you can fill out a form during checkout to let me know (no extra charge). Yay!


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HILTON HEAD ISLAND — The Hilton Head Choral Society will close its 35th concert season with a program of all-American music in commemoration of Memorial Day.
"America Sings!" has proven so popular with local residents and visitors, it will be presented twice — May 29 at First Presbyterian Church and May 30 at Holy Family Catholic Church. Both performances are at 7 p.m.
"People are always looking for a patriotic way to celebrate the holiday," said Choral Society Artistic Director Tim Reynolds. "This concert is all about the red, white and blue. We even have a special musical salute to the Armed Forces."
The cost is $10. Choral Society Full Chorus concerts are usually $20.
"What else can you do these days for $10?," Reynolds said. "And it's island casual so you don't have to dress up."
As is tradition, the Town of Hilton Head Island Fire Department Honor Guard will present the colors while the choir and audience sing "The Star-Spangled Banner."
After the introductory anthem, the 60-singer ensemble will perform a series of colonial-era songs: William Billings' "Chester," the Shaker hymns "Simple Gifts" and "Followers of the Lamb" and the classic "America."
The evening program also will include "Gentle Annie" written by Stephen Foster, known as the "father of American music," and the compelling "Blades of Grass and Pure White Stones."
The women in the group will take the spotlight to perform the Appalachian folk tune, "He's Gone Away." The men will get their turn singing solo on the romantic, "Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair."
Then the tempo will pick up with Irving Berlin's "Alexander's Ragtime Band" and "Play a Simple Melody." Also on tap, the classic "Sentimental Journey."
In the second half of the evening concert, Reynolds will ask for a moment of silence in honor of our fallen soldiers, leading to a solemn arrangement of "America the Beautiful."
The big military salute follows. Veterans and active-duty personnel will be asked to stand as the choir sings the anthem of their branch of the Armed Forces.
The one-hour concert will close with "American Anthem", a song featured in the PBS-TV documentary, "The War."
Tickets to "America Sings!" may be purchased online at www.hiltonheadchoralsociety.org, at various Hilton Head Island and Bluffton outlets and at the door. For more information on the concert call 341-3818.


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I would like to welcome our new members and guests
to the ALLdownunder Community.
Pam and I are the owners and admins of this forum ...
My lovely wife is the designer, researcher and publisher of our website ALLdownunder.com. The forum is my baby. I do all the research and posting of new articles and quizzes in the forum.
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|photo credit: dogbomb
It's tough to please everyone, but who knew that Chron bloggers would be heartless enough to slam Houston's first Museum blog in its initial week? You would think they'd give the new kid on the blog block a break!
Want to check it out? Their critique was of the 2008 band lineup for Mixers, Elixirs, & IMAX.
Have they ever been? I'm not sure, but I know you have! So what do YOU think? What bands do YOU want to see up there? What do you think of the lineup and what's Mixers really about for you? We want to hear it all so leave us a comment and let us hear your opinion! If you feel like it, head on over to HandStamp to let Sarah and Joey know what you think, too.


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The concept of the Europa League has come under fire in recent years as clubs from the so-called bigger leagues often field their reserves, and a number of recent reports have suggested that the competition could disappear completely, while the Champions League could be extended to 64 teams.
Platini had previously revealed that UEFA is looking into reforming both competitions, and he has now made it clear that a decision will be made in 2014.
"It is something that we are discussing," Platini told Ouest-France when questioned on the subject of shutting down the Europa League in favor of a 64-team Champions League.
"There's an ongoing debate about the concept of the European competitions between 2015 and 2018. It's being discussed and a final decision will be made in 2014. Nothing has been finalized yet."
Platini also took the time to discuss the possibility of a European superleague organized outside of UEFA, and stressed that he' was not too worried about the idea.
"This is a matter that regularly comes up, but it does not worry me to be honest. I can't see how it would work outside the framework of UEFA," Platini said.
He added, "Who would referee the games? Where would the games be played? Do a lot of people really want it? I don't think so."


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Software AG HQ - Map and travel description
(PDF Document, 101 kb)
Software AG
Uhlandstraße 12
64297 Darmstadt
Tel. +49-6151-92-0
Fax: +49-6151-92-1191
How to get there:
From Frankfurt Airport
Take suburban train from Frankfurt Airport:
Take the S-Bahn (suburban train) number 8 or 9 to "Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof" (Frankfurt main station) and change there for "Darmstadt Hauptbahnhof" (Darmstadt main station).
Or take a taxi to:
Software AG, Uhlandstraße 12, 64297 Darmstadt-Eberstadt. Costs: approx. 50 EUR, time: approx. 30 min.
From the Darmstadt Main Station
From the Darmstadt train station:Take the train to Darmstadt-Eberstadt station,
then bus line "P" to "Walther-Rathenau-Straße".
Take bus line "F" to "Neckarstraße,"
then take tram number 6, 7 or 8 to "Wartehalle" (depot),
and then bus line "P" to "Walther-Rathenau-Straße".
Arrival by car
Drive to Darmstadt-Eberstadt via motorway ("Autobahn") A5.
- Coming from north (e.g., Frankfurt): On junction ("Autobahnkreuz") Darmstadt follow "A5" in the direction of Heidelberg, then use exit "Darmstadt-Eberstadt"; Note: The A 67 Autobahn (from Cologne/Mainz) intersects with the A 5 at the Darmstädter Kreuz (Darmstadt junction) - watch the signs!
- Coming from south (e.g., Karlsruhe, Basel): Make sure you stay on A5 or get onto A5, then drive via Heidelberg to Darmstadt. Before coming to junction ("Autobahnkreuz") Darmstadt use exit "Darmstadt-Eberstadt";
- Coming from east (e.g., via Würzburg): Stay on A3 until you reach junction ("Autobahnkreuz") Frankfurter Kreuz; there take A5 in the direction of Basel, Karlsruhe, Heidelberg; then follow directions above "Coming from north";
After you leave the Autobahn:
- At the traffic lights turn left onto the Karlsruher Straße
- At the next traffic lights turn right onto the Pfungstädter Straße
- Then at the next traffic lights (Shell gas station on the left) turn right into Uhlandstraße
There are no tolls.


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Robinson: Late skirmish helped fire up Wolverines
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) Glenn Robinson III drove to the basket, the ball was knocked out of bounds – and then players on both teams had to be separated as last weekend's Michigan-Michigan State game became increasingly testy down the stretch.
A few minutes later, it was Wolverines coach John Beilein who was being restrained by one of his players during a dispute with an official.
"I knew from then on we were going to win that game, just because of the mentality that we have," Robinson said. "I've never seen a group of guys so committed and bonded with each other as this team."
Sure enough, Michigan went on to an 80-75 victory, taking over first place in the Big Ten with that emotional win. The 10th-ranked Wolverines host Purdue on Thursday night – and although a letdown is certainly possible for Michigan, Robinson expects he'll be fired up to play the Boilermakers, as usual.
"I think that's something that's going to continue – being from Indiana, my dad played there, and there was a lot of talk about maybe I should have went there," Robinson said. "No doubt in my mind I'm at the right place, but I love playing against Purdue, IU, those Indiana games."
Robinson's father was a star at Purdue, eventually becoming the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft in 1994.
Robinson struggled against Michigan State, scoring only nine points on 2-of-8 shooting and contributing one rebound and one assist. After Robinson had a shot blocked out of bounds by Michigan State's Russell Byrd with 7:49 to play, Robinson and Byrd were nearly nose to nose for a brief moment. Robinson walked away quickly from the ensuing skirmish, but Michigan's Jordan Morgan and Michigan State's Keith Appling received technical fouls.
With 4:01 remaining, an irate Beilein was held back from an official by Michigan's Nik Stauskas in another example of how tense this game between two rivals had become.
Beilein was back to his more subdued self Wednesday, looking ahead to the game against Purdue. He was asked if he knows any date when big man Mitch McGary might start rehab from his back injury.
"No, not that I'm going to share," Beilein said. "It's not going to be exciting when I say to you guys, `Oh, he was stretching today."' … I don't think it's going to be anything that's going to be earth shattering."


text: Monday, January 30, 2012 New NIH Fact Sheet Explains AIC Test to Diagnose Diabetes, Prediabetes A new resource from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) explains the A1C test to diagnose type 2 diabetes and prediabetes, and to monitor blood glucose levels of people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The A1C Test and Diabetes fact sheet covers a wide range of information, including: how the test works other blood tests for type 2 diabetes and prediabetes accuracy of blood tests where to learn more about A1C tests in people with hemoglobin variants A1C targets Originally, the A1C test had been recommended only for monitoring diabetes. But in 2009, an international committee of experts convened by the American Diabetes Association, International Diabetes Federation, and European Association for the Study of Diabetes recommended expanding the use of the test to include diagnosing type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. Because the A1C test does not require fasting, experts hope more people will be checked for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. The standard blood glucose tests for diagnosing type 2 diabetes and prediabetes—the fasting plasma glucose test and the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)—measure blood glucose in a person who has not eaten anything for at least 8 hours. The OGTT also measures blood glucose 2 hours after a person drinks a glucose-containing beverage. To confirm positive results, people should return on a different day to repeat the tests. The A1C test should also be repeated to confirm a diagnosis. Physical therapists who manage patients with diabetes can find APTA's Pocket Guide: Physical Fitness and Type 2 Diabetes on the Physical Fitness for Special Populations Web page. Comments Can you tell me whether or not a fasting condition is required before the A1C test is administered? Thank you Posted by Keith Wharton on 8/16/2012 9:40 AM


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LONDON (Reuters) - Women who drink even moderate amounts of alcohol while pregnant may risk lowering child's intelligence levels, according to a study by British scientists.
Advice to pregnant women about drinking is contradictory, with some guidelines recommending no alcohol at all and others suggesting the odd drink now and then is safe.
But in a study described as "hugely important" by one expert, researchers using genetic analysis of more than 4,000 mothers and children found that drinking between one and six units of alcohol a week during pregnancy can lead to lower Intelligence Quotient (IQ) scores by the time a child is eight.
"Even at levels of alcohol consumption which are normally considered to be harmless, we can detect differences in childhood IQ which are dependent on the ability of the fetus to clear this alcohol," said Sarah Lewis of Bristol University, who led the study. "This is evidence that even at these moderate levels, alcohol is influencing fetal brain development."
This study used genetic data from women and children who were part of another study called the Children of the 90s study.
Since the individual genetic variations that people have in their DNA are not connected to lifestyle and social factors, this kind of study avoids potential complications.
Most previous studies have used observational evidence, but experts say this can be misleading because, for example, mothers who drink in moderation while pregnant are typically also well educated, have good diets and are unlikely to smoke - all factors linked to higher IQ in children and which could mask any negative effects of alcohol.
A U.S. study published in July found that older, educated women are more likely to drink while pregnant.
This study, published in the journal PLOS ONE on Wednesday, used a new technique analyzing the genetic variants which modify the effects of alcohol exposure levels.
When a person drinks alcohol, ethanol is converted to acetaldehyde by a group of enzymes, the researchers explained.
Variations in genes that 'encode' these enzymes lead to differences in a person's ability to metabolize ethanol, so in "slow metabolizes", alcohol levels may be higher for longer than in "fast metabolizes". Scientists think fast ethanol metabolism protects against abnormal brain development because less alcohol goes to the fetus.
The mothers were asked to record their alcohol consumption at various stages during pregnancy, and one drink was specified as one unit of alcohol.
The results showed that four genetic variants in alcohol-metabolizing genes among the 4,167 children were strongly related to lower IQ at age eight. The child's IQ was on average almost two points lower per genetic variation they had.
The effect was only seen among children of women who were moderate drinkers and there was no effect evident in children of mothers who abstained during pregnancy. This strongly suggests it was exposure to alcohol in the womb that led to the difference in child IQ, the researchers said.
"This is a complex study but the message is simple: even moderate amounts of alcohol during pregnancy can have an effect on future child intelligence." said Ron Gray of Oxford University, who was part of Lewis's team.
David Nutt, a professor of neuropsychopharmacology at Imperial College London who was not involved in the research, said it was "a hugely important study from the best UK cohort that can study this question".
"Even though the IQ effects are small, if at all possible women should avoid ethanol in pregnancy as it's a known toxin," he said in an emailed comment.
Editing by Paul Casciato


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Grabagun.com200 E. Beltline RdSuite 403Coppell, TX 75019
Contact Customer Service (972) 552-7246 FAX: (972) 304-6214
We are available:Mon - Fri 9:30AM-5:00PM CST
Copyright © 2018 GrabAGunAll rights reserved.
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Our Resorts
10 Oceanfront Resorts
Beach Palace
Playfully chic and gloriously unpredictable - this is Beach Palace. Located in the heart of Cancun, Beach Palace is a luxury all-inclusive resort for families and couples. Will your kids build a sand castle on a perfect beach, or cool off in one of two rooftop pools? Will you watch the lagoon sunset from the Sky Lounge rooftop bar, or the evening show under a dramatic arch? Only you know for sure and here you can keep them guessing.View more
Cozumel Palace
Dive into the luxury of Cozumel Palace, the best all-inclusive resort in Cozumel for families, couples, and a heaven for divers. If water sports are your passion, you will love everything Cozumel Palace has to offer. Head out for a scuba dive, or snorkel right off our dock. An ocean of fun is waiting for you. Plus, enjoy the countless activities we have for you and your family. Soak up paradise above water and below.View more
Isla Mujeres Palace
Ease back in your hammock and gaze out at swaying palms. Sip ice-cold, top-shelf cocktails under a thatched-roof hut. Share a candlelit dinner on the beach as the sun sets. Feel the sand between your toes. Feel the wind in your hair. Feel like the only two people in the world. An all-inclusive, couples-only, luxurious paradise in Isla Mujeres, Mexico. This is the life.View more
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Playacar Palace rests beside the glistening turquoise waters and powdery white sands of Playa del Carmen, a destination known for its laid back charm. This picturesque resort is just steps away from the town center, on the famed Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue), a bustling strip of shops, restaurants, and bars. Playacar Palace is ideal for anyone seeking culture, shopping, and Mexican hospitality at its finest.View more
Sun Palace
Bask in sun, love, and luxury at this couples-only oasis in Cancun. As TripAdvisor's Top Hotel for Romance, Sun Palace is made for couples made for each other.View more
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Moon Palace just got even grander, with The Grand at Moon Palace Cancun. New luxe accommodations. World-class dining and nightlife. A luxurious spa. Your kingdom is now an empire.View more
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From sun-up to sun-down, Moon Palace Cancun sizzles with energy and possibility. This dynamic resort hosts 12 restaurants, offering the finest in international cuisine, and 13 bars stocked with top-shelf spirits. Enjoy pristine beaches, a 27-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, our world class Awe Spa, exotic tours, the finest in upscale nightlife options, and state-of-the-art kids and teens areas.View more
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This is your invitation to the heart of Jamaica to experience the vibe of island life, and the soul of luxury. Enjoy the Jamaican cuisine, Jamaican music and Jamaican warmth—not to mention the largest spa on the island. Moon Palace Jamaica is an all-inclusive paradise for families and couples.View more
Le Blanc Spa Resort Cancun
Welcome to a realm of breezy elegance and boundless pampering. Le Blanc Spa Resort exudes a sensation of intimate escape—each room a stately oasis, every experience an indelible memory. Nestled near the most immaculate of beaches—and very accessible to local flavor—let Le Blanc Spa Resort be your ideal private Cancun paradise. Bask in resort luxury and authentic Mexican flair with elegance and ease. This is an adults-only playground in paradise.View more
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This jewel of paradise is located at the Southern tip of Mexico's Baja California Peninsula, where the Pacific Ocean meets the Gulf Of California. Visitors come from all over to Los Cabos to enjoy the region's breathtaking coral reefs, the magnificent whales, "El Arco"—the natural stone archway suspended over Los Cabos' turquoise waters—as well as inland pleasures such as golf, shopping, and a thriving nightlife atmosphere.View more


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At Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom, head veterinarian Mark Stetter demonstrates the 5-foot contraception tool for a procedure that he hopes will help control Africa's elephant population: vasectomies.
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- At Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom, head veterinarian Mark Stetter demonstrates the 5-foot contraception tool for a procedure that he hopes will help control Africa's elephant population: vasectomies.
The theme park's plan is the latest attempt to deal with what African officials say is overpopulation, although conservationists dispute that. While those who live far from elephants may think they are endangered, thousands of them have been killed in Africa because of concerns that they had overwhelmed certain areas.
Eating up to 600 pounds of vegetation a day, they can destroy their environment if too many are in a confined space. In South Africa's Kruger National Park alone, more than 16,000 were culled from 1966 to 1994, when a moratorium was enacted due to public pressure. Some parks like Kruger are still lobbying for that option.
"I think that obviously everybody would agree that culling has caused a lot of social issues with the elephants," Stetter said. "Part of our hope is that there will be less culling in the years ahead if we are able to use this tool."
But some African wildlife experts and advocates say the vasectomies plan is ill-conceived, blaming the problem instead on elephants in parks being confined to small areas that don't resemble the natural ecosystem.
"When it comes to conservation, we excuse ourselves and deal with the symptoms instead of the causes," said Rudi van Aarde, director of the Conservation Ecology Research Unit at the University of Pretoria in South Africa. He advocates linking parks together to create larger ecosystems that will naturally limit elephant populations.
The vasectomies plan was devised to help solve problems with culling and transplanting elephants, which can adversely affect the animals' families.
Experts say younger elephants who grow up without discipline from their dominant fathers can suffer developmentally. An increase in elephant attacks on humans has been seen in parts of Africa where they live side-by-side.
With a three-year, $60,000 grant from Disney's Conservation Fund, Stetter developed his procedure with help from an animal anesthesiology expert from the San Diego Zoo and a laparoscopic horse surgeon from Colorado State University. Stetter trained several African vets in the procedure this summer.
The two biggest challenges: elephants are the size of semi-trucks, and their testicles _ the size of a "respectable cantaloupe," Stetter said _ are behind 2 inches of skin, a foot of muscle and 4 inches of fat.
"What we want to do is get to the middle of something that's in that semi-truck, and we want to do it without emptying out everything that's in the truck," Stetter explains.
Using the tools doctors use for arthroscopic knee surgeries on humans _ a laparoscope and a video monitor _ Stetter can perform what he says is a two-hour procedure to sterilize male elephants without disrupting their important testosterone production.
The elephant must first be shot from a helicopter with an anesthesia dart, guided to an open area, and propped up by a crane truck so that he can stand while sleeping.
Stetter said field tests, as recently as July in South Africa, have revealed no postoperative complications for the elephants.
But Jason Bell, southern Africa director for the International Fund for Animal Welfare, wrote in an e-mail he is concerned about the practicality and safety of vasectomies.
"This is only viable in small, confined and thus easily monitored populations," Bell wrote.
Humans have chosen to place elephants in confined areas for a number of reasons.
"People have put elephants on a pedestal for a long time, more so in Europe and America than Africa because you have to remember that livelihoods are affected here," van Aarde said. "They have become a symbol of conservation success. If you fail to take care of elephants you fail in conservation, therefore politically it has become extremely important."
Stetter realized when he started the program that he was subjecting himself to heated debate.
"One of the biggest learning curves that I've been on is that there are many different groups over there with different agendas so there is no clear-cut answer," he said.
Source: Associated Press
Contact Info:


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Fighting metal theft in Minnesota
Across Minnesota, communities have been facing a rash of robberies. But these thieves aren't your common thugs stealing TVs or computers — instead they're going after high-priced metal from businesses, homes and even veterans' graves, and selling it to scrap dealers to make a quick buck.
In Rochester, I met with a local business that has been robbed by metal thieves 12 times in just the past two years and suffered more than $150,000 in losses. During one of these robberies, thieves even stole a truck with the company logo on it, and then used that truck to rob other construction sites without raising suspicion.
In St. Paul, metal thieves stole $20,000 worth of copper pipes from the Phalen Ice Rink, causing the rink to temporarily close until local businesses offered to pitch in for repairs. And in Isanti County, in an act too callous to comprehend, criminals stole more than 200 brass stars from veterans' graves over Memorial Day weekend.
This crime can also threaten public safety. Metal thieves have caused explosions in vacant buildings by stealing metal from gas lines and they've caused blackouts by stealing copper wiring from streetlights and electrical substations.
What's more, the problem is getting worse. The worldwide price of copper has increased significantly. As a result, thieves are eager to steal copper and resell it to scrap metal dealers. In recent years, metal theft has jumped nationally by more than 80 percent, with an estimated cost of up to $900 million each year for copper wire theft. It's is clear we need to take action.
This is a national problem that will require a national solution with federal, state, and local officials working together. While some states like Minnesota have tougher metal theft laws, that doesn't stop thieves from stealing metal from one state and selling it in other states.
That is why I introduced legislation with Republican Senators Lindsay Graham from South Carolina and John Hoeven of North Dakota to crack down on metal thieves nationwide and make it harder for them to sell their stolen metal.
Our bill makes it a federal crime to steal metal from critical infrastructure and ensures we have tough penalties for those who break the law. The bill also contains a "Do Not Buy" provision which bans scrap metal recyclers from buying certain items unless the sellers establish with written documentation that they are authorized to sell the scrap metal in question.
Under our legislation, scrap metal dealers will be required to keep detailed records of metal purchases for two years and make them available to law enforcement agencies. Finally, the bill would require that purchases of scrap metal over $100 be done by check instead of cash to help law enforcement track down thieves.
In order to stop these thieves from wreaking havoc on families' homes, businesses' bottom lines, and even veterans' graves, we need to take swift action to crack down and force these criminals to pay a heavy price when caught. I will continue to work with law enforcement, local communities, and my colleagues in the Senate to get this done.


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Stem Cells Restore Sight For Corneal Disease Patients
Sean0michael writes "Australian scientists have restored the sight of three human test subjects using stem cells cultured in contact lenses. All the patients were blind in only one eye. Two were legally blind, but can now read the big letters on an eye chart. The third could read the first few lines, but is now able to pass a driver's test. The University of New South Wales reports that these patients all had damaged corneas, and the stem cells came from each person's good eye. The best part: the procedure is inexpensive, raising hopes for being able to push this to the third world sooner than other, more expensive medications."
Read more of this story at Slashdot.