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"TinySoles is a shoe store dedicated to providing the most complete selection of stylish, comfortable shoes for babies, infants, toddlers and kids. From sandals to rain boots, we offer footwear for all seasons and carry your favorite brands such as pediped, Robeez, See KaiRun, KEEN, SmartWool, Rileyroos, and BabyLegs. We specialize in age appropriate footwear and offer the best collection of flexible, soft sole shoes for little feet."We receive this adorable pair of Keen sandals from TinySoles. They are the Keen Newport H2 in pinecone. Theses sandals allow me to let my boy be a boy outside. With there quick drying webbing, when he decides a water puddle is meant for him to step in, I do not have to worry about having to change his shoes. They are very easy to put on and take off with elastic cord laces and adjustable velcro straps the top. This is a must have summer shoe, these will be packed when we go to our fishing camp since he will be in and out of the water but also can be worn a a great looking shoe when he is not.
TinySoles is offering one of my readers a chance to win a pair of Pedipeds original soft sole shoes. From their site:
"Pediped Originals provide the benefits of a true soft sole, yet are ideal for both indoor and outdoor use. Soft soles enable babies to sense the ground beneath their feet as they learn how to walk and develop foot strength as they grasp with their little toes."
TinySoles is also offering my readers a discount code for 10% off with purchase of $30 or more just enter code "HOUSEOFBLUE" which is valid until April 30,2009 and can not be combined with any other offer.
- Visit TinySoles and tell me one other product you love.
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- Home
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HILLSVILLE –– Carroll County girls' soccer coach Wayne Edmonds will have to hold on to that fiery pre-overtime speech he was working on for another time. Cynthia Arellano and Laken Hall laid it to waste.
Hall's goal off of Arellano's feed with about a minute left in regulation helped the Cavaliers avoid what looked like a certain overtime as Carroll County edged Marion 3-2 in the Southwest District tournament quarterfinals Monday at Tommy Thompson Field.
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subset: commoncrawl


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Search Results: fry
Apple Fritters
Apple fritters warm from the fryer are the perfect little autumn treats!
"Battered" Fried Chickpeas
Bored of plain chickpeas? The nutritional yeast and seasonings give the chickpeas a thin coating and a ton of flavour, perfect for popping into your mouth. Keep in mind that the chickpeas don't get crispy, but they do firm up a bit. I used garlic powder instead of fresh garlic in this recipe because...
Baked Bloomin' Onion
Copycat bloomin' onions, baked or fried with a decadent dipping sauce.
Bacon Coffee Chocolate Chip Cookies
What's better than cookies? Bacon in cookies.
Bacon Fried Tofu
There's nothing like the finding a vegan alternative to bacon! Now it's not exactly the same but it really satisfies that craving for crispy bacon. I've used tofu to recreate that bacon flavor using liquid smoke. Eat it plain, with a piece of of toast or on a sandwich like I did here.
Bacon Cheddar Cauliflower Fritters
Pan-fried fritters with bacon, cheddar cheese, jalapenos and scallions.
Bacon & Egg Breakfast Fried Rice
With just a few ingredients, it's easy to make this Bacon & Egg Breakfast Fried Rice! Who says breakfast has to be boring? Great for dinner, too!
Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts
Yes brussels sprouts! Don't judge this recipe by its name... Consider the fact there is bacon in it. Bacon saves anything, EVEN little lettuce balls.
Bacon and Asparagus Fried Couscous
This quick and simple bacon and asparagus fried couscous is pan fried in bacon fat for a delicious spin on fried rice.
Bacon Breakfast Burger
Because sometimes it's necessary to have breakfast for dinner....
Baked Mexican-style Poutine
A healthier, at-home version of a Canadian signature dish.


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Two inertial frames K and k' are considered. They are in relative uniform motion along the x-x' direction with relative speed =v. In the frame K' we have a cuboidal piece of dielectric [at rest wrt K']with a flat face perpendicular to the x-x' direction, that is, this particular face is parallel to the y-z direction.The dielectric is homogeneous and isotropic within itself. We now consider Maxwell's equations [in a medium] wrt the dielectric in the rest frame of the dielectric,ie,K'. If these equations are transformed, they should retain their form in K[according to the first postulate of SR]. But the individual values of the variables may change
With this information we proceed into the paradox.
Speed of light in the dielectric as observed from k'=nc [n is a positive fraction less than 1]
Relative speed between the frames, v=cn'[n' is also a positive fraction less than 1]
For normal incidence: Speed of light in the dielectric as observed from K[From Velocity-Addition Rule of SR]: $v=\frac{nc+n'c}{1+nn'}$ ------------------- (1)
For oblique ray inside the medium at $\theta$ degrees degrees with respect to the x' axis in the K' frame:
$v'_x=ncCos (\theta)$
$v'_y=nc Sin(\theta)$
[$v'_z$ has been taken to be zero for the convenience of calculations]
Observations from K:
$v_x=\frac{nc Cos(\theta)+n'c}{1+nn'Cos (\theta)}$
$v_y=\frac{nc Sin(\theta)}{1+nn'Cos(\theta)}\sqrt{1-n'^2}$
$v_z=0$ Therefore,
$v=\sqrt{[\frac{nc Cos(\theta)+n'c}{1+nn'Cos (\theta)}]^2+[\frac{nc Sin(\theta)} {1+nn'Cos(\theta)}\sqrt{1-n'^2}]^2}$ ------------------- (2)
The results from (1) and (2) are not identical , though from the invariant Maxwell's equations[in a medium] we understand that the speed of light should be the same in all directions inside the dielectric as observed from K. What would be your answer to this paradox. [My assessment:This paradoxical situation arises from the fact that we have applied SR in an incorrect context.It has been applied in an anisotropic and inhomogeneous configuration. You could of course have a different assessment] [The dielectric within itself is homogeneous and isotropic. But the overall space being considered is not homogeneous and isotropic]
If Maxwell's equations change their form wrt the Lorentz transformations,Gauss Law,Div B=0 etc may change if a piece of dielectric is loaded into a moving train!


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A few weekends ago I went pumpkin-picking and ended up bringing home a nice 10-pounder. I've been trying to think of a good way to cook it, so I decided to go through my archives to get re-inspired.
Here are some of my favorite easy and fun pumpkin recipes over the past few years. What have you made with pumpkins so far this season?
1. Pumpkin Hummus (above) - One of my favorite ways to make hummus, using roasted pumpkins and pumpkin seeds.
2. Tea-Scented Pumpkin Soup - Recently featured on The Kitchn's Pumpkin Soup round-up, my tea-scented pumpkin soup is a simple blend of roasted pumpkin, stock, Ceylon tea, and nutmeg.
3. Pumpkin Fried Rice - It's a great east-meets-west seasonal side dish.
4. Taro and Pumpkin Tofu Puffs - This one is a little more challenging, but it's still pretty quick to put together and makes for a great, impressive vegetarian appetizer.


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Common Questions
Where do you fabricate/get your parts from?
All our parts are fabricated here in Concord, California and we are proud to say "Made in USA" for all of our Sneezeguard lines.
Do you offer dealer discounts?
Yes, please call for information on our dealer discount program. (1-800-690-0002)
What are the available finishes?
PDF Flange Layout:
Do I have to order over the internet?
No… Placing orders over the internet is only for your convenience.
If you prefer, our knowledgeable and friendly staff is here to assist you. (1-800-690-0002)
Is custom Glass Sizing offered?
Yes… we can custom order glass to any length, lead time on Custom Glass is 4-5 Business days. (1-800-690-0002)
See below for our sizing recommendations.
How do I determine Glass Length?
To detetmine glass length, take the center to center dimension of your posts and subtract 1 7/8" inches.
Additional Glass sizing information is located under the "Post Dimension" button in each product category.
How far can I span each sneezeguard post?
Using: 1/4'' glass, don't exceed 42''
Using: 3/8'' glass, don't exceed 54''
Any length beyond the above noted sizes will exceed the physical glass limitations. To span further apart, may cause the glass panels to bow & even explode!
Caution: Companies that offer "Cross-supports to span long openings" are improperly exceeding the glass panel/s tensile-strength and posing a danger to you and your clients.
How can we offer such low prices?
We have the ability to manufacture all of our own products in house through the use of :
..... CNC mandrel bending machines
..... CNC machining stations
..... CNC turning centers
..... CNC Swiss screw machines
..... Full state of the art, glass production and tempering facility
..... State of the art automated production tracking system
..... Full Powder-Coating facility
..... Full finishing / polishing facility
..... Automated order processing and confirmation system
All of these above capabilities under one roof; plus .....
..... Every part and process manufactured to its absolute highest quality
..... Large ready-to-ship inventories
We take pride in passing all savings that comes with being an industry leader. In-fact, we thank every order we receive by shipping it on time.
Can my Express Food-Guard be modified for my application?
Yes… We do limit our modifications to certain models, call for assistance.
Do you have any additional models or custom units available?
Our Express Food-Guard line of sneezeguards are designed to be fast-track, in-stock & ready for immediate shipment program. In order to maintain this program, we must restrict the number of models and modifications to this line.
Custom sneezeguards: are available from our parent company at: www.sneezeguard.com Here you will find various shapes, styles and sizes; all with numerous options and made-to-order specific requirements.
Custom Dept. Telephone: 1-800-805-1114
Email: email@example.com
To save or print we need you email address and you will also be added to our mailing list for future sales, discounts and new products.....
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Thursday, December 17, 2009
Choose your weapons
Illustrations often key on different aspects of picture making, and I think it's important to recognize those keys as early as possible. It's like setting up a plot line or genre before starting the serious work of writing. In a sense, it's what the painting technique is about.
Your dominant keys are technique, design, color, and storytelling. I want every painting to have some bits of all these elements, but I want to dominate the piece with one or two then downplay the others. If I do a painting about storytelling then I may want to de-emphasize the colors or rendering. This way the storytelling takes center stage and the painting doesn't feel heavy or exhausting to the viewer.
My design here is simple, and there isn't much storytelling beyond the character's bad ass attitudes, so this is all about color and technique. With a special accent on color.
Here's my color range for this piece. I'm not cheating in extra colors here but I'm more splitting my tertiary colors. So I'm using… septiary colors? Not sure if I'm not making that up, but don't try it at home. All my yellows will lean slightly towards green (lemon yellow) and my oranges will push slightly red.
This color range is my Bible for this painting and I will religiously adhere to it.
Editors note: I consider myself an agnostic leaning towards atheism, so I reserve the right to bail at a moments notice.
Posted by brian at 10:13 AM
Labels: color comp
3 comments:
- davejohnsonart.com said...
We have the same religious beliefs! :)
Nice to see you post again, B!
Check out my new stuff on my blog, if you have a moment!
- December 17, 2009 at 12:18 PM
- Chris said...
Congrats for this blog!
- December 17, 2009 at 3:17 PM
- samax said...
good stuff!
- December 17, 2009 at 9:44 PM
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


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Having the "Money Talk"
Last week our theme was engagement rings, the week before was about creating special and inexpensive Valentine's Day memories. So let's go with the flow here…marriage, houses and babies! How should each of these significant events affect your approach to money and finances?
Prior to your wedding is the time to have the "Money Talk." Hopefully you'll find you have common ideals about saving, debt, paying bills, investing, budgeting, merging finances, college funds, wills, etc. If not, this is the time to find a middle ground or even acknowledge that one of you is better suited to take the lead in any those areas.
Let's start with marriage. At some point before the big day, create a budget to help you live within your means and reach your goals (and pay for the honeymoon!). This is also the time to implement the first phase of your Money Talk Manifesto, such as how much togetherness you'd like to institutionalize—things like merging finances and designating each other as beneficiaries.
We'll stay with the Ozzie and Harriett scenario and assume that house hunting comes next. Hopefully during the Money Talk, you've agreed on how much house you want and where it fits in your priorities. You know…getting the big house vs. living on a single income vs. early retirement. Family finance at this point is often about trade-offs.
Next come kids! It's time to implement the next phase of your Money Talk resolutions: things like revising your wills to account for guardianship contingencies if you both die (sorry to add that downer)…and setting up the college fund (downer #2).
Life has many stages and phases. You can't predict every turn and twist—positive and negative. But what you can do is get in sync with your partner early on so that you can weather the storms and enjoy the sunny days as a team! So have the "Money Talk" sooner rather than later!


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Regional Policy Issue Forum #2
On Wednesday June 27th, in San Antonio, Texas, the Mental Health America Regional Policy Council conducted the second in its series of nation issues forms on topics related to the Affordable Care Act. The panel of experts from academia, industry, economics and the peer leadership community addressed a regional audience on the topic of Accessing Treatment and Services People Need and Want. Panelists included Certified Peer Specialist Charles Willis of the Georgia Peer Support Resiliency Project; economist Dr. Howard Fleeter, author of a widely cited study on the costs of prior authorization; Marianne Burdison, LCSW, the Director of Product and Business Development at Cenpatico speaking about the cost effectiveness and outcomes of peer services in Medicaid managed care; and the renowned Dr. King Davis, from the University of Texas at Austin, School of Social Work, outlining the policy implications of what was presented, and providing a call to action. Download the full Executive Summary of the Meeting.
Preceding the Issue Forum, David Doman, MS, RPH, of Johnson and Johnson, led a discussion on the need for expanded behavioral health quality measures. Mr. Doman also serves in several leadership roles on the National Quality Forum (NQF).
Charles Willis, Executive Director of the Georgia Peer Support Resiliency Project, set the tone for the issue forum by sharing a deeply personal story that was at once inspirational, and also a rallying cry for the imperative for peer support, self-determination and whole person perspective in the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Charles went on to explain that real health care reform must come by supporting self-determination, which begins by asking people what they want, and what they need in order to be productive in the community.
Dr. Howard Fleeter, Principle Economist of Fleeter and Associates, Economic Analysis and Public Policy Research, explicitly demonstrated how Prior Authorization policies, contrary to what they are purported to do, not only do not save money, but they actually increase the usage of the most expensive services, such as crisis, emergency and inpatient, and substantially shift costs to other even more expensive systems like courts, jails and prisons.
Marianne Burdison, LCSW and the Director of Product and Business Development at Cenpatico, offered her presentation A Managed Care Perspective on Funding Services and Supports in the Public Sector. However, before Ms. Burdison did so, she took a few minutes to say how moved she was by Charles Willis's recovery story, and that for her too, the work that she does is very personal. She went on to explain that her goal is to create programs from the perspective of people working towards recovery. Marianne stressed that health care services must be whole-person focused and person- centered. She explained that the impact of mental health and physical health conditions is bi-directional. Ms. Burdison's presentation can be found here.
Dr. King Davis, Directors of the Institute for Urban Policy Research and Analysis at the University of Texas at Austin; Professor and Robert Lee Sutherford Chair in Mental Health and Social Policy at the University of Texas at Austin, School of Social Work, discussed how his experiences are reflected in the panelist presentations, beginning with the undeniable fact that the provision of mental health services is big business. It is incumbent on all of us, Dr. King urged, to create mental health literacy and to advocate that policy reflect a public health perspective.
The Issue Forum was sponsored by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Mental Health America
Healthcare Reform Toolkit
Parity Toolkit
Enroll America
Kaiser Health News
For more information about how you can get involved with the Regional Policy Council or attend an upcoming issue forum, contact Debbie Plotnick at email@example.com.


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Behind the Obamacare surprise
There was a word White House officials had for Monday, the final day of Obamacare enrollment: "S—t-tastic."
"S—t," because they couldn't believe that the website had crashed again, and they couldn't get it back for hours. "-Tastic" because this time, the problems were actually because of traffic so high that it caught even the most optimistic people in the White House by surprise.
Story Continued Below
They were a long way from October.
( Also on POLITICO: Full health care policy coverage)
The administration overcame a disastrous start to actually hit 7 million enrollees. They lost two months — and all the political capital they won from the government shutdown — to a broken website that seemed to prove every one of their critics' complaints, and fed the most negative coverage and worst polls President Barack Obama's ever gotten.
They've done nothing to settle the political objections, and know May 1 is going to be a whole new kind of trouble trying to educate the newly insured on how to use the plans they've now got. But Tuesday, in private meetings in the Oval Office and his triumphant speech in the Rose Garden, there was no missing the bounce in the president's step.
The story of how the administration turned around a historic management failure surprised even many of the people involved, according to current and former administration officials, advocates, industry executives and supporters on the Hill.
And it had a lot to do with Bradley Cooper.
(Also on POLITICO: Enrollment caveats will keep ACA counting)
Back on Feb. 11, Cooper was at the White House for the state dinner in honor of French President François Hollande. Before he got to his fingerling potato velouté, the actor met with Obama senior adviser Valerie Jarrett in her office to brainstorm ideas about how to help get the word out on Obamacare. Enlisting the website Funny or Die had come up before, an administration official said, but Cooper was pushing hard for them to think about "Between Two Ferns," the mock-interview web show hosted by his friend (and "The Hangover" co-star) Zach Galifianakis.
Cooper pulled out his cell phone, got Galifianakis on the line and put him on speaker. He was ready to help.
Now they just needed to sell the idea to the president.
The next day, at the end of a non-Obamacare briefing in the Oval Office, Jarrett, communications director Jennifer Palmieri and press secretary Jay Carney made the pitch. Obama had never heard of the show before, but he liked the idea.
"Zach Galifianakis and Bradley Cooper are going to do this for me?" a very pleased Obama asked.
( WATCH: Bill O'Reilly says Lincoln wouldn't have done 'Two Ferns')
Um, not exactly, they said.
Administration officials don't know if Obama ever clicked the links they sent him to previous shows. They don't know how he stayed so calm trading insults with Galifianakis. But they know what happened next: 11 million views of the video, and Healthcare.gov showed a 40 percent spike in traffic from the day before.
"We didn't make a hard sell," Obama said Tuesday, celebrating the enrollment numbers. "We didn't have millions of dollars in commercials like some critics did."
That's not quite accurate. Ahead of the president's remarks, White House officials were touting just how extensive their campaign had been during the last six weeks: more than 300 radio appearances by the president and others in the administration, 5,000 events on the ground and 33 million views on the specialized online content they produced.
Most of what the administration had been doing was far from Washington and not aimed at the D.C. press corps. But "Between Two Ferns" and all the attention it generated got people talking, and the resulting numbers shook many of the Beltway doubters into thinking that the White House could actually drive traffic and positive word of mouth on Obamacare.
( Also on POLITICO: Obama on ACA: 'Armageddon has not arrived')
By early March, Obama staffers thought 6 million was realistic based on the activity they were seeing on the ground. They felt certain they'd get there after the week of March 10, when "Between Two Ferns" and the LeBron James ad went live — starting a new flow of support from celebrity athletes, who'd been wary of getting burned like the NFL stars who endorsed the law back in the fall.
"This was not a 24 or 48 hour phenomenon," said Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA. "It was a crescendo that was building and building and it was unmistakable. … The crescendo really occurred in March."
The people they needed to sign up were the same groups that got Obama elected — African-Americans, Latinos, young people. The question being asked at White House was whether getting people enrolled would work like a get-out-the-vote effort.
Their answer Tuesday morning, now that it's behind them: kind of.
By the time that Obama left for his week-long trip to Europe and Saudi Arabia the Sunday before last, they knew they were going to get to 6 million ahead of the deadline. Aides debated whether to go public, scared of stoking more skepticism in the press and goading their political enemies.
The press office was wary. But David Simas, the White House political director and a former top campaign official, and Marlon Marshall, the deputy field director for the re-election whom the White House brought back to manage the Obamacare outreach, said that the benefits outweighed the risks.
"Do you want to show momentum? Do you want to manage expectations?" Palmieri said Tuesday afternoon. "The overriding principle was, 'Do what the field guys say.'"
Six months in, the administration feels like the infrastructure it put together on the fly is now in place to help with the next enrollment push for the Nov. 15 deadline. Aides feel confident that a combination of people starting to actually take advantage of the benefits and realizing that all the horrors Republicans predicted didn't come true will, over time, change the conversation about Obamacare.
"Many of the tall tales that have been told about this law have been debunked. There are still no death panels," Obama said to laughs Tuesday afternoon in the Rose Garden. "Armageddon has not arrived. Instead, this law is helping millions of Americans, and in the coming years, it will help millions more."
Substantial challenges remain: There's no longer an immediate deadline to get people organized and motivated. Education and implementation are never going to be as compelling as the straightforward, directed pitch to just sign up. And they're about to enter the thick of campaign season, with many millions of dollars already coating the airwaves with ads demonizing the program they're still trying to get people to like.
With the economy still weak and the very real fatigue any second term president faces in the midterms, the challenge for Democrats in November is whether they can get more people to focus on "-care" than "Obama."
What's in a number?
The White House didn't come up with the 7 million number. That came from the Congressional Budget Office, and endorsed by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius last June as a "realistic target," and again in September as what "success looks like."
Also in September, Marilyn Tavenner, who heads the HHS agency responsible for implementing the Affordable Care Act, circulated a memo projecting the monthly enrollment targets: 500,000 in October, 706,000 in November and 2.1 million in December for a total of 3.2 million by the time coverage began Jan. 1. The ramp up would continue at a pace of about 1.2 million a month until enrollment hit 7 million in March, the memo stated.
In the fall, when the panic that they'd cost themselves his biggest achievement was evident among administration officials, the depression was clear in the West Wing. The website was in big trouble, the enrollment numbers were dismal, and there were serious doubts internally on how quickly the administration could recover.
In October and November, just 137,000 people enrolled in health plans in the 36 states where the feds were running exchanges. After the Dec. 1 relaunch of HealthCare.gov, federal enrollment surged to 29,000 during the first two days of December, a pace that wasn't going to cut it.
Republicans used every opportunity to trot out the administration's original projections and point to how far it was off the mark. That continued, even after Tuesday's announcement.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said the law is a "catastrophe for the country."
"We don't know of course, what they've actually signed up for. we don't know how many have paid," McConnell said. "What we do know is that all across the country our constituents are having an unpleasant interaction with Obamacare, whether they can sign up for a policy or not."


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Testing is hugely important to us at Canonical. We all strive to have Ubuntu reliable, consistent and fast. But we're human, and we make mistakes. Sometimes a bugfix will break something else, and for something as complex as a desktop shell, it's easy to miss these breakages. While manual tests can help reduce these regressions, realistically we need an automated system to emulate the users inputs and verify our software works as it should – and scream bloody murder if it doesn't!
In Unity 2D (my project!), we have just introduced an automated User Experience testing system, based on a test framework called Testability Driver (I'll just call it 'Testability' from now on). First off, a clarification:
Testability is for Qt-based applications only!
A limitation: yes, but this requirement comes with a great reward: Testability allows inspection of the tree of QObjects in a Qt application while it is running!
It can read and write object properties, call methods and slots, verify signals are emitted, as well as fake mouse/keyboard/gesture inputs, grab visual outputs, and measure performance.
And best of all, Testability is open source and maintained by Nokia! That means everyone can run and contribute tests! 🙂
To show it off, here is a screengrab of the Testability Visualizer application which allows you to connect to a running application, dig into the QObject tree and investigate what's going on (here, the Unity 2D Launcher – it will be good to zoom in):
On the left is an interactive snapshot of the UI, in the centre is the QObject tree which you can navigate, and on the right is the list of the selected QObject's properties, methods and signals you can interact with.
On display in that screengrab are some of the attributes of the QDeclarativeImage object which draws the Terminal icon in the launcher (this is defined in QML!) – you can read off the source of the image, the x,y coordinates, width & height, and a whole lot more.
All these properties, methods, signals, etc, are scriptable via Ruby. Thus we can emulate every interaction that a user can make with the application, and determine the reaction matches our expectation.
And all this power comes with almost no changes* to the source code! (* = just need to add object names, see later)
This forms the foundation for the Unity 2D User Experience testing suite.
How Testability Works
First some definitions:
"target" = the machine with the software being tested
"host" = the machine running the test suite, and controlling the target
Testability works as follows
- any Qt application using Qt4.6+ can be tested by executing it with the "-testability" switch.
- a standalone server "qttasserver" runs in the background.
- With the -testability switch, the Qt library tries to load a "libtestability.so" plugin which establishes a connection between the application and qttasserver, giving qttasserver access to the root node of the QObject tree.
- qttasserver then climbs the QObject tree, reads all the info it can and converts it to an XML format. It also can receive commands and cause the application to react upon them (click here, type, etc..).
- A series of Ruby scripts connect to qttasserver, receive and parse this XML and allow us to script tests and interactions with the application.
Note that there is a clear divide between the machine of the target and of the host.
This means Testability is great for testing software on embedded devices too. (Indeed Meego has been using it for that exact task!). It also reduces the risk that packages used to run the test suite could interfere with the software being tested.
However there's nothing stopping you having the target and host the same machine.
[The Unity 2D test framework also includes an extra helper library to control the X server, to control the mouse and keyboard, and to manipulate windows on the desktop. As far as X is concerned, a human is controlling it.]
With the ability to fake any form of user input, and directly read the output from the shell applications
themselves, we can test almost every behaviour of the desktop shell. And as a result, the quality of the user's experience will only go up.
How to get Testability and start writing tests
Unfortunately Testability is not available in Ubuntu's repositories just yet, but I have it packaged in a PPA. Installation takes a few steps, so I suggest that interested people consult this wiki page.
Tests are just Ruby scripts, so running tests is just a matter of running a Ruby script!
I think it easiest to show how to use Testability with an example:
# Example test for Unity 2D with Testability Driver. # # Note: this probably won't succeed on your installation. Only works # on unity-2d trunk *right now*, something that will change soon.# This is only a taster!require 'tdriver' include TDriverVerify # Establish connection to 'qttasserver' on target @sut = TDriver.connect_sut(:Id => 'sut_qt') # Execute the application to test, supplying '-testability' flag @app = @sut.run( :name => 'unity-2d-launcher', :arguments => '-testability' ) # ------------- Start of Testing Code ---------------- # Check Launcher is 65 pixels wide verify_true(1, 'Launcher is not 65 pixels wide') { @app.LauncherView()['width'] == '65' } # Check that Terminal tile is using correct icon source verify_true(1, 'Terminal icon in Launcher is wrong') { @app.LauncherList( :name => 'main' ) \ .QDeclarativeItem( :name => 'Terminal' ) \ .QDeclarativeImage( :name => 'icon' )['source'] == 'image://icons/utilities-terminal' } # this is a bad test, as the name "Terminal" can be # localised, meaning a fail if you're using a non-English # installation. Choosing good objectNames is important! # ------------------- Clean up ----------------------- # This closes (kills actually) the launcher when we're done. @app.kill
There is some boiler-plate code there, but the bits I want to point out are:
This causes Testability to search for an object of type "LauncherView()" in the QObject tree, and if found reads its "width" property and returns it. Then in Ruby, we can check this value matches what we expect (65).
The second test does a similar operation, but needs a little more help. As there are many tiles, we need to help Testability to find the exact tile we want. We do this by adding some object names ("main", "Terminal") to the C++/QML.
By consulting with the Visualizer image above, maybe you can see how Testability navigates the tree to find the icon source for the Terminal tile!
Once you can track down objects uniquely, you can then start interacting with them, send mouse clicks, set properties, call methods, etc. This power gives you great flexibility in testing your application!
As a demo, here is a video of a part of the Unity 2D test suite in action. On the right is Ubuntu Oneiric running inside VirtualBox, where the Launcher will be tested. On the left is my host machine terminal running the test suite.
Various hide/show tests are being performed, with windows in the way, mouse being controlled, keyboard shortcuts being pressed etc.
Our policy is that every new feature and bug fix in Unity 2D will now be tested like this. You can see our growing test suite here. This will ensure Unity 2D remains reliable, consistent and fast. Thanks to Testability!
Tests will improve your project's quality too. Will you give it a try?
– Gerry Boland


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Remember when Hideo Kojima jokingly told Kotaku readers to petition Konami so that he didn't have to make Metal Gear Solid anymore? Good times. But as the stunning debut trailer for the newest Metal Gear Solid, the open world game MGS: Ground Zeroes, proves, yes, Hideo Kojima does have to make Metal Gear Solid.
That's not a bad thing! Just don't ask the guy about Project Ogre.
For months now, Kojima has been trumpeting a new title, which is codenamed Project Ogre. Is Metal Gear: Ground Zeroes this game? Um, no. Apparently, it's not. What's more, the game creator is sick of people asking him if Ground Zeroes is Project Ogre. But who could blame them?
Previously, Kojima said that in Project Ogre, he will "deal quite a few issues that are pretty delicate and taboo." In December 2011, a CNN piece surfaced on Project Ogre, saying that it was Kojima's next game and that the game is "set in a very open world where players can wander around and explore freely", and that "players should still be able to find new sights and worthwhile adventures after having played the game for as many as 100 hours".
While at the PAX event in Seattle, Kojima tweeted: "While I am happy to know people liked MGS Ground Zeroes, I'm sick & tired of people keep asking me like 'is that project Ogre?' here in Seattle everyday. Project Ogre is what the project that Ogre appears. Ogre does not appear in MGS Ground Zeroes trailer."
So...what's Project Ogre? (And don't you dare say the project that Ogre appears.) From what Kojima said earlier and knowing that Ground Zeroes is a MGS5 prologue, Project Ogre sure seems like it's Metal Gear Solid 5 — a title nearly given to Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker.
While I Am Happy... [TwitLonger via VG247]


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Danny Dietz hockey event at Hyland Hills to honor fallen Navy SEAL
When I make the double trips to Pepsi Center on Avalanche gamedays (morning skate and game), I drive north on Sante Fe on the "Danny Dietz Memorial Highway" — a stretch from C-470 north to Interstate 25. I often think I'd like to learn more about the late Navy SEAL from Littleton, whose life and death was depicted in the best movie I've seen this year — "Lone Survivor" starring Mark Wahlberg.
I'm learning more about Danny Dietz through the Hyland Hills (youth) Hockey Association, thanks to midget minor AA coach Mike Driscoll and longtime Hyland Hills coach Doug Smail, the former Quebec Nordique who played with Joe Sakic, Mats Sundin, Owen Nolan, Valeri Kamensky, Adam Foote and others before the franchise moved to Colorado in 1995.
Hyland Hills on Saturday is devoting its "Back-to-Hockey Day" in memory of Dietz and his family, with a charity hockey game in the evening. Driscoll came up with the idea after watching the movie, learning about Dietz's training and wanting to incorporate that training to his hockey players. The Jaguars are dedicating their season to Dietz, and it all starts Saturday afternoon at the Ice Centre at the Promenade in Westminster. The Dietz family will be in attendance along with Navy Special Warfare and former Navy SEALs, and Driscoll will introduce the Danny Dietz Military Salute Jersey.


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I've seen a lot of Drum Core International soloist videos that have awesome quality of sound. Optimally I figured there would be one mike for the top and one for the bottom to get the full range of sound. Rim clicks and rim shots tend to have different projections, and I want to capture as much of the range of sounds as possible Any good tips about mike placement, distance, etc.?
migrated from avp.stackexchange.com Jan 24 '14 at 20:00
This question came from our site for engineers, producers, editors, and enthusiasts spanning the fields of video, and media creation.
I'd suggest one on top, a few inches above the head, only slightly turned to the surface of the snare. Then one on the bottom, also a few inches from the bottom of the drum. Basically you just have to try different positions and distances, because that varies depending on the specific type of snare you're trying to record.
If you're going to hold the drum while standing, you obviously can't use an overhead mic. But if you have it on a stand, I'd suggest adding a third mic overhead so you can get a bit more ambience.
I think one on top and one on the bottom are enough. Use good quality dynamic mics, and they should pick up everything.
If possible, run the signals from the mics thru an oscilliscope to make sure that the signals from the top and bottom are not out of phase - if that's not possible, use your ears.


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This worktop saver not only saves your worktop counter and tabletops, it also provides a hygienic, odor and stain resistant work surface for all of your food preparation tasks. Unfortunately, counter and tabletops often house harmful germs and bacteria. When food comes into contact with these contaminates, food becomes tainted and tainted food can make us very ill. Plus, using knives on stone, wood or laminate countertops, is never a good idea. Joseph Joseph's Worktop Savers save your worktops and save you. Plus, this worktop saver is made of toughened glass; it does not retain odors and stains and it will not break. Joseph Joseph is so sure of this that they offer a lifetime warrantee against breakage. They are that sure. The unique deigns is a Joseph Joseph original; not only will the Worktop Saver's functionality impress you, so too will the signature design. Corn design. Saver measures 12 by 16 by 1/4-inch. Made in the UK.
Joseph Joseph 12 by 16-Inch Worktop Saver with Corn Design
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im still alive xD
why have i not posted anything on my blog?
good question.
I have plenty of things to post xD
1. i took photos at my high school football games and have some good ones
2. i have some film photos i developed that i scanned and will post.
3. we moved and now have a beautiful house and yard and park across the street so im going to be taking more pictures soon :D
so if anyone still checks my blog
expect great things.
Ashleigh Zach Engagement
4 years ago


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Hands On a Hardbody, a 1997 documentary about contestants vying to win a brand-new pickup truck, is now available in digital format for $10 (remastered and DRM-free, no less).
In S.R. Bindler's 1997 cult classic, Hands On a Hardbody, two dozen small-town Texans compete for a brand-new "Hardbody" pickup truck at a local car dealership. The event is a contest of endurance and sleep-deprivation — whoever can remain standing the longest with one hand on the truck will get to drive it home. Capturing several days of lunacy, laughter, struggle and heartbreak, Hands On a Hardbody is more than a documentary about winning a truck. It is a remarkable study of competition, camaraderie, faith and determination-the ultimate human drama.
For an extra $5, you get 90 minutes of bonus material. The film has been unavailable in any format for years. I still have an original DVD in my squirreled-away DVD collection…it's one of my favorite documentaries. (via @gavinpurcell)


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Montana Gov. Steve Bullock's 2013 State of the State Speech
Read a transcript and view a word cloud illustrating Montana Gov. Steve Bullock's 2013 State of the State address.
The following is a word cloud and text transcript of Montana Gov. Steve Bullock's 2013 State of the State speech, delivered Jan. 30
View a complete list of 2013 State of the State addresses
Lieutenant Governor Walsh, Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, members of the 63rd Legislature and honored members of the judiciary. My fellow statewide officials, tribal leaders, members of the Cabinet and my fellow Montanans. My wife Lisa our three children, Caroline, Alex and Cameron.
My name is Steve and I work for the state. I, like my 12,000 co-workers, arrive at the job site each day to serve the people of Montana. It is an honor and pleasure to be the public servant entrusted with delivering this address.
Any change of administration naturally brings change to the Governor's mansion — changes in substance, style, and perspective.
With the Bullocks moving into the neighborhood, some of that change is unavoidable. It's been 40 years since the predominant noise emanating from the Governor's mansion has been the sound of young children — children playing, laughing, just being kids. That noise will be a daily reminder to me ... and I hope to all of us ... of the reason we were sent here. Montana voters sent us here to make all our children's and grandchildren's futures brighter, more hopeful and more prosperous here in the state of Montana.
If we are genuine in our concern for our children's future, we'll be as careful with the state's money as we teach our children to be with theirs.
If we accept that this is more about their generation than ours, we will enter this building every day committed to creating even greater opportunities than we had.
If we are truly committed to making our children's future brighter, we will invest in our education system. From before they enter kindergarten to the time they leave higher education, we must prepare them to succeed in a 21st century economy.
And if we are sincere in our concern for the next generation, how we deal with one another matters, not only during this session but also throughout the campaigns that bring us to these positions of public trust. Every day, our kids watch what we do and learn from our example.
Members of the 63rd Legislature, I ask you to join me. What I ask of you tonight is simple and straightforward:
First, be responsible with our budget, because I won't allow you to spend more than we take in or make cuts that undermine our long-term stability.
Second, join me in focusing on creating jobs, investing in education, and making government more effective; and
Lastly, act in a manner that we're not ashamed to have our children watching… because they are.
I am taking these principles to heart, and we've hit the ground running to create better jobs, better schools and a more effective government.
A company recently came to the state of Montana and said they'd like to locate a manufacturing facility in Great Falls, but they needed a workforce ready for the high-tech welding and fitting they do. These high-paying jobs are exactly the kind that Montana should be attracting. That's why we've already been working with Great Falls College. They will begin training workers to fill these jobs, and this company is now committed to investing in the Electric City.
As part of this new program, we'll also ensure that students at the high schools in Great Falls can graduate with the certificates that will make them attractive candidates for these great jobs.
Not only is that better jobs, but it's better schools, too.
I've pledged to bring a more effective government to Montana — and we're doing that already, too. This Thursday, for the first time ever, Montana's checkbook will be online. We'll have a searchable database so that any Montanan — or anyone in the world, for that matter — can look at how we are spending the taxpayers' money. It's the right thing to do and it'll lead to a more effective government.
While there are some things I can accomplish without your active engagement and partnership, there are other areas where we need each other if we are going to make progress.
Crafting a budget is one of those areas where we need each other. Montana is the envy of other states: our unemployment is lower and our economy sounder. While nearly every other state's budget is awash in red ink, thanks to good fiscal management, Montana has amassed a half-billion-dollar budget surplus.
Our state is strong and we're growing stronger.
To continue improving our position, Montanans want us to take a balanced approach: Let's save some, invest some and give some back.
Saving some ought to be simple. I have asked that you leave this legislative session with a rainy day fund, enough money in the bank so I don't have to call the legislature back to Helena eight months or a year from now.
That means that we're going to have to prioritize, just like families do in your districts. Our priorities must start with addressing the essential services Montanans need and the long-term liabilities those before us created. Keep in mind that if I pull out my veto pen, it might not be personal, it might just be fiscal.
We can also invest some. I ask you to join me in prioritizing job creation, education and a more effective government.
The first step you should take in creating jobs and investing in education is to put politics aside and pass the J.O.B.S. Bill.
Montanans have earned a reputation for working harder than our counterparts in any state in the country. The quality of our workers attracts businesses to invest here.
But we can't expect to develop a 21st century workforce in 20th century conditions. The next generation of plumbers and welders, nurses and imaging techs, diesel mechanics and carpenters are learning their trades in substandard facilities.
The Missoula College was built in 1956 for 700 students and now has an enrollment approaching 3,000.
Last week, I visited the Automotive and Diesel Program at Havre. It has 200 students, a 100 percent placement rate, and some graduates earn a starting salary better than a governor. But without our investment, this program cannot grow.
And it's not just Missoula and Havre; many of our facilities are outdated and operating beyond their capacity. The young Montanans who are willing to invest in higher education deserve better.
That's why Rep. Galen Hollenbaugh and I — along with the Montana Chamber of Commerce, the Montana Contractors Association and others — have joined together to propose record investments in our educational facilities.
It's called the J.O.B.S. Bill, which stands for Jobs and Opportunity by Building Schools. We can take advantage of historically low interest rates and immediately create thousands of jobs across the state — and do it without raising taxes.
Stand with me and the over 2,500 construction workers we want to put to work building world class schools for our world class workforce.
And while we are at it, let's make sure that those 2,500-plus construction workers newly employed by the J.O.B.S. Bill are our friends and neighbors.
Right now, we have a law on the books that is supposed to require that at least half of the workers on any construction project funded by state or local tax dollars be Montana residents, but it's riddled with loopholes and not enforceable. When taxpayer money is funding a project, let's put Montana companies and Montana workers first.
Let's work together to close these loopholes and expand this requirement to all projects — not just construction. And let's also significantly increase the proportion of Montana workers required on any state or locally funded project. I hope you will join Rep. Amanda Curtis and me to pass this measure so we can put more money into the hands of Montana businesses and create more jobs for Montana workers.
And as we put Montana companies and workers first, we must not forget the First Montanans. In my budget I proposed full funding for Indian Country Economic Development. I also insisted that the funding become permanent, so year-after-year American Indians don't have to come, hat in hand, asking for these job-creating funds. Unfortunately, in the first few weeks of this legislature, that funding has already been cut in half. I ask that this body — if you're serious about job creation for all Montanans — restore full funding for Indian Country Economic Development and make that funding permanent.
Investing in our students and educational institutions requires more than bricks and mortar that are in our J.O.B.S. Bill.
For generations, the quality of our education system has been recognized as the key to economic growth and job creation. But our public schools are even more than that — they are, truly, the great equalizer. Regardless of where we are born or how wealthy our parents are, our public schools open the doors of opportunity to all Montanans. They even helped a kid who couldn't — and still can't — sit still become the governor of the greatest state in the country!
As the father of a fifth and second grader, and a kindergartener, no issue is more important to me than extending the opportunities afforded by a good education to Montana's next generation.
Our schools and the incredible teachers who educate our kids, give us much to celebrate. Montana 8th graders outperform every other state in the nation in reading and math, and are second in science. Our high school graduation rates are up and our dropout rates are down. And we are increasing the rate at which Montana residents are getting college degrees faster than any other state in the nation.
But we're not done.
It's not where we start, but where we finish. We know an educated workforce is the foundation for a prosperous economy. So let's commit to increasing the number of Montana adults with a post-secondary degree or professional certificate to at least 60 percent over the next decade. Given that we are now at about 40 percent, this is an ambitious goal. The future of this state will be shaped by whether we rise to meet it, and I have asked the Commissioner of Higher Education to join me in committing to this goal. And I ask the same of you, because we can't do this without you.
I have included proposals in this budget that move us in this direction.
• Offering college classes to more high school students will help them recognize that higher education is within their reach and will give them a jump start on earning college credits. That's why I am asking that you help our two-year colleges expand and enhance dual credit programs.
• If a student starts at Dillon they shouldn't have to reapply and get different financial aid packages if they choose to take classes at or transfer to Butte. We can make it easier for students by creating a universal enrollment system, so students at Miles Community College have access to courses at Montana State University, and so we can also bridge the hundreds of miles between rural Montana and our universities.
• We aren't going to produce more college graduates if the cost of college is beyond the reach of Montana families. Let's not kid ourselves — as cautious as this body is about raising taxes, when tuition increases because higher education isn't adequately funded, that's a tax on tens of thousands of working families across our state. My budget includes an agreement to freeze tuition across the university system. I urge you to honor it.
• Many college students today have recently returned home from serving our country in the armed forces. These soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen and women must know that our state will do everything we can to help them succeed. This morning, I went to the airport and welcomed home 45 soldiers from the Montana National Guard who had just spent a year in Afghanistan. I told them our commitment was strong and Lt. Gov. Walsh and I would ensure that we live up to the promise all of us made the day they signed up.
That's why I asked this legislature to invest in our university system and make certain that we are providing the services and the space to meet veterans' needs — the wrap-around services that will reintegrate these heroes back into civilian life and on our college campuses. When I got back from the airport, I found out that, while I was gone, a legislative committee cut the funding for these critical services for returning vets. I urge you to restore these funds, live up to the promises we've made and welcome these warriors home with more than just words.
If we are serious about training tomorrow's workers, our commitment must begin not when our kids first enter college or the workforce, but rather when they first enter the world.
We can't wait until kindergarten before we take an interest. The evidence is compelling: every dollar we invest in early childhood education returns up to $9 to our communities. Early learning programs work. Children involved in early education do better in math and English, are much more likely to graduate from high school, and are a third less likely to be arrested as a juvenile.
Unfortunately, Montana is dead last in the nation — 50th out of 50 — in state investment in early childhood education.
That's unacceptable.
We can't expect the federally funded Head Start program to carry the entire burden. Some local communities have stepped in to make sure these youngsters are given a better chance. Great Falls saw that a modest investment in pre-K programs led to a dramatic shift in kindergarten readiness, setting these students — and our state — on a much better path for the future. Other communities have seen the same.
As a first step, I urge this body to expand the proven "Stars to Quality Program" and make the long overdue investment in school readiness. I've laid out a plan that will create 100 more high-quality early childhood programs, getting 600 more families and 1,000 more children ready for school, annually. It's a proven high-return investment that will produce long-lived benefits for the students and our economy.
And our commitment and investment must continue throughout their schooling.
In the 1980s, voters created the Montana Lottery specifically to help fund Montana schools. But, by the 1990s, the legislature began raiding that fund for non-education projects. It's time we did right by our bosses and their kids. I ask for your support of my proposal to return the profits from the Lottery to the public schools they were intended to support.
My budget also includes additional funding for the highly successful Jobs for Montana's Graduates program. I first learned about this program from former Gov. Marc Racicot, who brought the program to Montana. The graduation rate for at-risk teens involved in this program is an amazing 98 percent. The vast majority of these graduates then go on to jobs, military service, or higher education. After just 14 months on the job, the taxes these kids pay have already repaid the cost of their participation in the program.
Technology has pushed Montana into a global marketplace, but far too many of our schools are lagging behind. The phones in our pockets have better Internet access than many of the classrooms in our state. That's why I also support further investing in our schools, and using state resources to help school districts modernize and acquire today's technology.
We can and we will work together to invest in and improve our public schools.
In making even modest investments in early childhood education and technology improvements for our schools, I am asking that you look beyond the immediate, beyond this session or even the length of time you and I will be entrusted with serving the public.
It isn't always easy investing now for later returns, but that's what leaders do. I'm asking you to look beyond the immediate in other areas, too, including transforming the way we deliver healthcare, so we can create jobs and take care of those who need our help the most.
To have a healthy economy, we need healthy citizens. For those of us with health insurance, we're paying too much and getting too little. And for the tens of thousands of Montanans who don't have insurance, the Emergency Room has become a primary care facility, pushing costs for all of us even higher. The fact is, subsidizing expensive ER care for the uninsured costs Montanans $300 million a year. That makes no sense when there is a smarter, cheaper way to provide better care.
Through Access Health Montana, we are proposing a made-in-Montana solution designed to increase coverage and access to health care for more Montana families. It will also create a patient-centered delivery system that focuses on coordinating care and improving health, rather than simply treating illness. Implementing these measures will allow us to better control and ultimately lower the costs of health care — slowing the annual rate hikes that hit all of our wallets.
This is an opportunity to reduce costs and expand access to quality care for nearly 70,000 more Montanans.
And it's more than that. Access Health Montana will create more than 5,000 new jobs next year alone, by bringing millions of dollars of new economic activity to Montana. It will cut costs by improving preventative care and because those with insurance are more likely to visit a doctor instead of a high-cost hospital emergency room.
Medicaid expansion is federally funded, so if Montana doesn't expand its Medicaid program, then our tax dollars will be used to help patients in states like Arizona, Nevada and North Dakota — states where Republican Governors are leading the effort to expand Medicaid. Let me make this point abundantly clear: if we fail to act, Montana taxpayer dollars will be used to provide health care to the citizens of states thousands of miles away, while our rates will continue to go up year after year.
It's time we set the politics aside on this issue. Politics won't treat diabetes. Extremism won't create jobs. And intransigence won't provide health care for those who can't afford it.
Under Access Health Montana, I also propose increasing by 25 percent the number of seats in the WWAMI program, which allows Montana medical students to attend medical school with other students from the Northwest. This program has been extremely successful in encouraging doctors to come back to our cities, towns and rural areas to practice. But there hasn't been an increase in the number of positions open to our students through WWAMI in over two decades.
Tonight, I ask each and every member of this legislature to take the longer view, and lead the way by focusing on the health and welfare of our neighbors. Let's work together to put Montanans first and use their hard-earned tax dollars wisely.
It's that same longer view that will allow Montana to help lead America to energy independence. With the responsible development of our coal, wind, oil and gas, hydropower, biofuels and geothermal capacity, we are creating jobs and strengthening our rural economies.
But for some communities in Eastern Montana, the rapid growth associated with the energy boom is creating immediate infrastructure problems. That's why I've proposed creating a grant program for communities affected by oil and gas development. I ask that we invest $15 million in providing matching funds to affected cities and towns that do not get a share of the increased revenues that county governments and school districts receive from oil and gas development.
We must also meet our responsibility to fix a long-term problem created by our predecessors. I have outlined a detailed plan that will shore up our retirement systems and do so without raising taxes.
I look forward to working with this body to ensure we craft a plan that honors our commitment to Montana's public servants — a plan that doesn't go back on the promises we made to the snowplow drivers, prison guards, teachers and other middle-class workers who are our friends and neighbors.
As I've already described to you, saving some for a rainy day is simple. I also believe that we can wisely invest our resources to create jobs and improve education.
Giving some back ought to be equally simple. I believe we're more likely to create jobs if we invest in working families, small businesses, farmers and ranchers, and students. In my book, an investment on Main Street is an investment that will pay off, right here in Montana.
Some disagree with me. They believe we'd be better off if we focused on helping multi-national corporations that have their headquarters in Pennsylvania, a post office box in Delaware, bankers on Wall Street, and lobbyists in Helena and Washington.
Don't get me wrong; other than when they're spending their shareholders' money in our elections, I like the out-of-state corporations that are investing in, and employing, Montanans. I welcome them and want to work with them to create jobs and invest in our state.
But when Montana is already ranked as having one of the country's best tax climates for business, let's never allow misinformation to be the motivation for missteps — let's evaluate tax rebates and cuts with our eyes wide open.
I propose returning $100 million back to the pockets of Montana homeowners. I recognize that others have suggested we should use that $100 million and provide property tax cuts, instead. The difference between the tax rebate and tax cut is simple: who stands to benefit?
Giving $100 million back in the form of a tax rebate will return $400 to everyone with their primary residence in the state. When you put a check in the hands of Montana taxpayers, they're going to take that money downtown and spend it at the small businesses along our Main Streets.
If you take the $100 million and use it to cut property taxes, instead, the average Montana homeowner would receive just $44 this year, not $400. Think about that — it will take 10 years for the taxpayer to get as much money back as they'll get this year with the rebate.
Yet, if you are a company like PP&L, the proposed tax cut would reward you with over $1 million this year alone — 23,000 times more than what the average homeowner would receive.
If we consider who stands to benefit from our actions, the path we should take becomes clear. We have the opportunity to return money to hardworking Montanans and create $100 million of economic activity — in Montana. This rebate won't blow long-term holes in our budget and it won't saddle future legislatures — or future generations — with the Washington, D.C.-style deficits that Montana has avoided during this recession. Let's not miss this chance.
The same goes for cuts to the Business Equipment tax, which is a tax on the market value of equipment a business owns. The last legislature reduced this tax rate, across the board, for every company in the state.
Let's take the next step and eliminate that tax for 11,000 Montana businesses — two-thirds of the companies that pay it.
Doing so will directly benefit the Main Street businesses in your communities. The Parrot Confectionary has been making and selling candy on Last Chance Gulch in Helena since 1922. Under my proposal, the Parrot would no longer pay this tax. Chinook Windows in Great Falls manufactures and distributes windows made for the harsh Montana climate. They can use the business equipment tax dollars they've been paying to further invest in their business. Under my proposal, the Iron Horse in Missoula would also have a little more breathing room in their bottom line.
From manufacturers to restaurants and taverns to service providers, 11,000 Montana businesses will no longer pay this tax, freeing up thousands of dollars they can invest in their businesses or employees. We have the opportunity to stand with the vast majority of small and medium sized businesses in this state — let's not miss that chance.
As we focus on creating jobs, investing in education and making government more effective, let's behave in a manner that will make our children proud.
I have already been trying to change the tone in the halls of this building. I hope you'll join me in doing so.
I hope you will also help me preserve the integrity of our elections.
One hundred years ago, our ancestors came together — not as Democrats or Republicans, but as Montanans — to take control of their destiny.
Those forward-thinking Montanans knew that our elections — the cornerstone of our democracy — should be about our principles, our ideas, our beliefs and our plans for the future. Our campaigns should be vigorous debates about the problems we face and the opportunities that lie ahead.
And they knew that our government should be about the people — lending a hand to those who need it, bettering this place we love, ensuring that the next generation has opportunities even greater than we enjoy.
Since then, our leaders have always been our friends and neighbors, and they have looked out for our interests. In the century following the passage of the Corrupt Practices Act, Montana has benefitted from a strong citizen democracy.
In the past several years, however, more money than ever before has been spent on political campaigns — both at the national level and in Montana. As attorney general, I fought to preserve our citizen democracy and stem the tide of this corporate money in our elections.
We have seen the rise of so-called "dark money" groups that target candidates, yet refuse to tell the voting public who they really are and what they really represent. They hide behind made-up names and made-up newspapers. They operate out of post office boxes or Washington, D.C. office buildings. They falsely proclaim themselves the guardians of Montana's traditions.
These groups believe they can violate our laws and corrupt our government in order to create a system that benefits their special interests.
Montanans deserve better.
The entire nation is looking to us to continue our fight to preserve our citizen democracy. We can show those who believe elections can be bought and sold what democracy really means — government of the people, by the people and for the people.
Help me reform our laws, so that any organization spending money during the course of an election reveals the amount it spends and the source of its money. Help me make sure that, as voters and as investors, we know who is spending and how much.
Together, let's guarantee that our elections will never be auctions, controlled by anonymous bidders. We owe nothing less to our ancestors who reformed our government a century ago and we owe nothing less to our kids who will inherit the government we run today.
There's an old saying — if you don't know where you're going, any road will get you there. But we know where Montana must go: better jobs, better schools, a more effective government.
We have a lot of work to do, but tremendous opportunities lie ahead. Let's use our time in office wisely. Let's build on — but not be constrained by — the progress of the past. Let's be resolute in keeping our focus forward and to the future.
At the end of any one of our terms ... yours or mine ... we will be measured by the progress we have made. And the true measure will be taken not by the politicians or pundits, but by our children. Let us not forget that it is to them we are most accountable.
God bless Montana's children and families, God bless Montana, and God bless America. Thank you.
We invite you to discuss and comment on this article using social media.


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- $10 for 100 photo credits ($29.98 value)
Well-suited as a gift, stocking stuffer, or teaching tool, each photo credit can be used to download one completed coloring page made from a selected photo and is primed for crayons, colored pencils, paint, or markers. Bright, crisp, and sharp photos work best. Each completed page is also sent to your email inbox. Once you have your coloring pages, for a small additional fee, you can make your own custom coloring books with free shipping.
The Fine Print
Promotional value expires 90 days after purchase. Amount paid never expires. Limit 2 per person, may buy 3 additional as gifts. Valid only for option purchased. Online only. Once voucher is redeemed, there is no expiration on photo credits. May be repurchased every 30 days. Merchant is solely responsible to purchasers for the care and quality of the advertised goods and services.
About ReallyColor
ReallyColor allows users to upload their own photographs—a family snapshot, pets, cars, nature scenes, just about anything—which the company then turns into coloring pages. The images are transformed from solid pictures into outlines awaiting crayons, markers, or paint, and users can print their pages. These coloring pages make good birthday or classroom gifts or allow users to try out different hair colors without a trip to the salon. The pages can also be used for autism therapy, Alzheimer's therapy, and for adults who want to color their photos for quick and easy stress relief. ReallyColor's founder, Dieter Marlovics, was inspired by his daughter's desire to color on any and everything. Wanting to spare the wall she had just begun to draw on, he took a picture of the wall, printed it out, and told her to color that instead.


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Kosmic is the perfect place to find your new guitar. We stock the big brands like Fender, Gibson, Ibanez, Maton, Cole Clark, Martin and more.
For players just starting out, we have a variety of affordable electric, acoustic and bass guitars and packages. Choose from Squier and Yamaha to name a few.
For experienced players, we have a vast range of USA Gibson, Fender and PRS. Check The Vault for all the best in high-end custom shop models.
There is also no shortage of accessories, with a large selection of quality string brands like D'addarrio, Ernie Ball and Elixir at very competitive prices.
We have all the cases, stands, tuners, straps, cables, pickups and parts you could ever want. Enjoy browsing our inventory and if you don't see what you want, then please ask.
We are also happy to price match so if you do find it cheaper feel free to contact us.
Happy guitar shopping!


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Meet Joan Pena-Ferrick
Joan Pena-Ferrick is a people person. "I really enjoy dealing with all types of people, whether they are students, management, faculty or staff," Pena-Ferrick says,who has worked in Admissions and Records for 26 years. "I'm inspired knowing I have provided help and direction for them to achieve their goals."
Veronica Aparicio, her nominator and senior evaluation specialist in A&R, says Pena-Ferrick is an outstanding employee. "I can't say enough wonderful things about Joan," says Aparicio. "Ask anyone who has worked with her or has been in contact with her about what a hard working, dedicated employee she is."
Aparicio admires her patience and compassion, too. "Even when she is swamped with work and has to work weekends, she never complains," she says. "Just this past Christmas break, Joan was busy at work trying to get grades posted to student records so they could view them as promised."
Pena-Ferrick knows how important her work is to students, having been a De Anza graduate herself. "I started taking classes in the evenings when I first began working here," she says. "I know what students need." Pena-Ferrick also says she enjoys working with her co-workers. "We make a good team."
Aparicio says, "Joan is an asset to De Anza College, and we are very lucky to have her."


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Brussels, 9 June 2008
Commission adopts single passport and matching chip for horses and other equidae
The European Commission adopted a Regulation that will help improve the health of horses, donkeys and other members of the "equine" family, as it creates a better and clearer identification system. All equidae will now have to acquire their individual passports within six months after their birth. At the same time, when the passport is issued, the animal will be tagged with an electronic chip that would be injected to its neck. The chip will match the passport. The proposal modernises the identification system of the equidae, which today are recognised via a hand-drawn outline diagram.
EU Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou said: "The current system of identifying horses is outdated. It needs to be adapted to the new identification technologies. The regulation adopted by the Commission addresses this issue. It creates a better identification system that in the end will help us fight possible animal diseases."
The aim
The aim of the Regulation is to improve the system for the identification of equidae as laid down for different categories of this family of animals in Commission Decisions adopted in 1993 and 2000 respectively. The new system will build on a single identification document –one passport– issued for lifetime when the animal is born or imported. The document will be linked to the animal by an electronic microchip (radio frequency identification – RFID) and the fact it was issued will be recorded in a database under a unique life number for the animal that will remain the constant reference even when its name is changed.
Identification is not only required for animal health reasons, but also to ensure compliance with certain public health requirements, because equidae may be slaughtered for human consumption. A specific derogation was granted in Directive 2001/82/EC on the Community Code relating to veterinary medicines for the off-label use of certain veterinary medicines in equidae. The Regulation provides for a standardised format to exclude an equine animal from the food chain if a certain medicinal treatment was applied or to suspend its slaughter for human consumption for 6 months if treatment was carried out with a particular set of listed medicaments.
Main elements
The new Regulation, foreseen to enter into force on July 1 2009, introduces or details the following main issues:
For more information please visit:
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Welcome to Acotis
Your One Stop Shop for Designer Jewellery for Women, Men and Children
Acotis Jewellery is a leading provider of stunning designer jewellery and accessories in the UK. We source our products from some of the region's most-respected designers, and we make them available here for our customers across the UK. Browse our selection of fine jewellery and accessories, and don't hesitate to contact us should you have any questions. Our huge selection of quality women's and men's jewellery is sure to contain many pieces of interest so take as much time as you need when viewing each category and bookmark anything that catches your eye. If you already know exactly what you want, you can, of course, simply add each piece to your shopping cart and check out using our secure payment facility.
Browse Our Stunning Selection of Designer Jewellery
We work with some of the most sought-after jewellery designers in the UK and greater Europe here at Acotis Jewellery. Our selection of necklaces, bangles, pendants and accessories include pieces by some of your favourite designers:
- Thomas Sabo
- Links of London
- Hot Diamonds
- Swarovski
- Trollbeads
- Nomination
All of the products in our various collections have been made from the finest materials, including silver, gold and rose gold. And each piece has its own style and individual flourishes. We're confident that you'll love the designer jewellery you find here. If there is a particular designer whose work you admire and you cannot see any of their pieces in our online store, please do not hesitate to let us know. We are always adding new designer bangles, necklaces, earrings and other jewellery to our collection and may well have plans to stock what you are looking for in the near future.
Acotis Makes Shopping for Designer Jewellery Easy
Our online shop makes it easier than ever to shop for beautiful designer jewellery online and without the need to pay exorbitant High Street prices. Whether you're looking for an elegant pendant to share with a loved one, a one-of-a-kind accessory to add to your collection or even a piece of children's jewellery, you'll find it here. Our speedy and secure delivery service ensures your purchases will arrive without delay and makes this a far more convenient way of buying designer chains and other items of jewellery than visiting high street stores.
Women's Jewellery from Acotis
We're a leading provider of women's jewellery in the UK – and for good reason. We stock an extensive selection of pendants, bangles, necklaces and accessories that represent the pinnacle of high fashion and feminine elegance. Hover over the 'Women' section of our top-level menu to see the designers and collections that we represent in this area.
We Also Offer Men's Jewellery and Accessories
Acotis Jewellery is also a provider of jewellery and accessories for men. Our various collections include distinguished rings, understated cufflinks and classic watches. Our leading designer in this department is Fred Bennet, famous for rings, pendants and more. And if you're looking in particular for jewellery for men, you can also use our online shop's search filters to limit your results specifically to masculine pieces.


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Colleagues Create Scholarship in Memory of Ellie Maslowski
Ellie Maslowski was as devoted to the development and success of students as she was to her colleagues at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh for nearly two decades.
As her friends in the UW Oshkosh community describe her, she treated them like extended family.
After Maslowski's unexpected passing in January, coworkers and friends within the University staff ranks (formerly Classified staff) at UW Oshkosh have developed a scholarship in honor of her – a scholarship designed to fuel the academic journeys of those colleagues pursuing their educations here.
"Ellie was much loved and a well-respected colleague, and I think there will be many people wanting to honor her memory," said Cindy Schultz, academic department associate in the UW Oshkosh journalism department.
The Ellie Maslowski Memorial University Staff Scholarship was established in February at the UW Oshkosh Foundation. Maslowski's friends and colleagues created it, with the Foundation's guidance, as a reflection of Maslowski's long-lasting contributions helping create the Classified Staff Advisory Council on campus. Now known as the University Staff Council, that group's formation in 2001 immediately became a model for similar employee groups that formed at institutions throughout the UW System.
The new scholarship honoring Maslowski will support part-time and full-time "permanent University staff (or equivalent) at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh." The University Staff Council Grants Committee will help coordinate selection of the recipient and determine the number of scholarships awarded annually. Applicants must achieve a "C" grade or better on applicable courses.
UW Oshkosh has approximately 400 University staff within the 1,700-employee institution.
Maslowski, 65, was well-known in the UW Oshkosh community. She worked in the Dean of Students office, helping organize the annual Odyssey program, an integral program designed to welcome incoming students, acclimate them to campus life and prepare them to take the first steps on their academic journeys at UW Oshkosh.
Within the last year, Maslowski received multiple honors for her 19 years of dedicated service to fellow employees and UW Oshkosh students.
She earned the 2011 Wisconsin College Personnel Association's Support Staff Recognition Award and a 2012 UW Oshkosh Outstanding Performance Award, given to the University staff members whose activities, accomplishments and service are most deserving of acknowledgement.
It was her deep commitment to and support for friends and family that made Maslowski extra special to colleagues in the UW Oshkosh community.
"Ellie was a friend, an educator, a proud mother and a grandma," said Susan Fojtik, academic department associate in the UW Oshkosh Department of Kinesiology. "She loved her family, adored her husband, loved to travel and spent summer vacations watching her children create family feasts and grandchildren swim in the lake. Ellie was an amazing seamstress, an avid reader and willingly shared her knowledge– from cooking to computer programs."
"She was a dear friend who will long be remembered, as staff benefit from this educational opportunity," Fojtik said. "This scholarship is a perfect way to recognize the many talents that Ellie shared with all of us over the years."
To contribute to the fund, visit the Foundation's online giving page and enter "Ellie Maslowski Scholarship" in the notes box.