text:
Quality CareFind out why Mayo Clinic is the right place for your health care. Make an appointment.
Meet the StaffFind a directory of doctors and departments at all Mayo Clinic campuses. Visit now.
Research and Clinical TrialsSee how Mayo Clinic research and clinical trials advance the science of medicine and improve patient care. Explore now.
Visit Our SchoolsEducators at Mayo Clinic train tomorrow's leaders to deliver compassionate, high-value, safe patient care. Choose a degree.
Professional ServicesExplore Mayo Clinic's many resources and see jobs available for medical professionals. Get updates.
Give to Mayo ClinicHelp set a new world standard in care for people everywhere. Give now.
Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations.
Subscribe to Housecall
Our general interest e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.
At Mayo Clinic, we take the time to listen, to find answers and to provide you the best care.
Kidney stones (renal lithiasis, nephrolithiasis) are small, hard mineral deposits that form inside your kidneys. The stones are made of mineral and acid salts.
Kidney stones have many causes and can affect any part of your urinary tract — from your kidneys to your bladder. Often, stones form when the urine becomes concentrated, allowing minerals to crystallize and stick together.
Passing kidney stones can be quite painful, but the stones usually cause no permanent damage. Depending on your situation, you may need nothing more than to take pain medication and drink lots of water to pass a kidney stone. In other instances — for example, if stones become lodged in the urinary tract or cause complications — surgery may be needed.
Your doctor may recommend preventive treatment to reduce your risk of recurrent kidney stones if you're at increased risk of developing them again.
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.
Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic.
Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below.
A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.


text: Want to make it all about YOU? Metal stamping jewelry supplies, metal blanks and charms will help you create your own personalized jewelry masterpiece. These components are blank canvases that can also be painted, antiqued, colored, rubber-stamped or decorated with resin. Read our handy metal stamping materials list to learn about tools & supplies needed!

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Discover a selection of top forums busine blogs on the internet. Come to share your passion on forums busine blogs and meet other fans of busine blogs. Then, why don't you create your own forum of busine blogs ?
entertainment/literature/blogs. HENA entertainment/literature/blogs
Free forum : Friendly place to chat about anything really. . .
blogging, friends, recipes, education, robert, pattinson, books, live, chat, movie, #blogs, discussion, blog
A place for BC members to continue our daily blogs
For blogs, confessionals, whatever
survivor, imdb, #blogs, confessionals
Reviews, Blogs, and Random thoughts of Poser in conveyance here!
bowtie, #blogs, reviews, random, thoughts, conveyance, here!
For documentation and external blogs
space, cookies, documentation, external, #blogs
Welcome to Elastic Love Designs your ultimate source for HQ design for forums and blogs.
design, elastic, love, rockerka, sophia, designs, your, ultimate, source, forums, #blogs, eaten, heart, colourless, color, house, teenage, dream
Free forum : easy forums will help you easy. The main topics in the forum is blogs, technology, pc, android. The answers found in this forum is easy
Free forum : A Collection of Opinions and Information Covering a Wide Range of Topics Including But Not Limited to Current Events, Politics, Religion and Sports
news, sports, religion, media, politics, christianity, conservatism, liberalism, current, events, twitter, facebook, social, #blogs, barack, obama, hillary, clinton, donald, trump


text:
Philips SHE3590WT/10 In-Ear Headphones (White)
The Philips SHE3590 In-Ear Headphones are offered in distinctive colors to match for all occasions. The ultra small in-ear design conforms to ear shape for best fit, and the earphones come with soft caps for comfort and compact fit. With small efficient speakers for dynamic bass and clear sound, these in-ear headphones are ideal for your listening enjoyment.
XTZ EarPhone-12
The new XTZ EarPhone-12 with a dedicated iOS app for DSP sound correction will blow your mind! The EarPhone-12 is our first earphone ever! Obviously, as you could expect from XTZ, we went for something completely new. The idea behind this project was not only to create a good earphone, maybe with an excellent price/quality ratio, but to build something revolutionary, something that expresses...


text:
We have rolled out a completely new website and you have tried to access a page has been recreated, improved and moved elsewhere.
Please visit our new home page or use our sitemap to find what you're looking for.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
© Copyright 2016 Hulcher Services Inc. - All rights reserved.
Hulcher is Close to You!
Click map to view our locations
Our Services:
Industries Served:
Connect With Hulcher
More About Hulcher


text:
Forgot Password? | Not a User? Sign up
Your browser does not support iframes.
HOPE should
inspire others
My name is Rosemary and I am from a small town called Apalachin on the N.Y.,PA. border. I
You are invited (and your help is really needed) on July 7 when the Grant County Little League is holding a benefit at Grant County Park in Crittenden to raise money to rebuild its field house/concession stand.
The structure at Bobby Gibson Memorial Field at Grant County Park in Crittenden was destroyed May 21 due to suspected arson.
Kentucky State Police are still handling the investigation and a $1,000 reward is available for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the suspect(s).
(Editor's Note: Ron Kennedy of Mt. Zion was a frequent contributor to the editorial pages of the Grant County News. He dropped this letter to the editor off for publication last week. Sadly, Ron passed away on Nov. 13. He was not afraid to share his opinion or to have people disagree with him. His voice will be missed.)
The Grant County News' Web site has gotten a much needed, much improved facelift and we hope you'll like its new look and additional features.
The new Web site format is not only visually more appealing, but also the news content and information are easier to find. We've also made it much easier to submit photos and news items, including engagement, wedding, birth and anniversary announcements, community events, letters to the editor, news tips and sports news.
Around October, I start mixing my recipe for the holidays.
I begin with Christmas music, and if I don't have a good portion of Bing Crosby, mixed with Rosemary Clooney and dashes of Frank Sinatra, Burl Ives and Johnny Mathis, I become Grinch-afied. A smidge of the Davis sisters, Skeeter and Betty Jack, singing "Christmas Boogie," is just icing on the cake. Most of these artists were popular in the 40's, before I was born, but I listened to Skeeter, as a love-sick teen in my West Virginia home, in the 60's.
Ruben Lewis Baker was a handsome man at 19 years old. He's what the girls called "a looker" with his wavy dark hair and mischievious grin. It probably didn't hurt that he drove a Chevrolet Malibu, which was also the cool car to have back in 1967.
He had just graduated from Walton-Verona High School and had his whole life ahead of him, but when Uncle Sam called in 1968, he answered the call because it was his civic duty.
This is in response to a letter written by John Waltz. Congressman Geoff Davis has been very helpful to myself and all of the soldiers that I have referred to him since our deployment to Afghanistan in 2007-08. He continues to be a strong asset to our unit and, he has also helped other units in this area. Congressman Davis came to my unit's deployment ceremony and he was at our welcome home ceremony.
Copyright © 2017
The Grant County News is your source for local news, sports, events, and information in Dry Ridge, KY and the surrounding area.


text:
Communication not an issue for Central softball
LA CROSSE, Wis. - The Central softball team was supposed to open the season Thursday against Logan.
Instead, like so many other teams, they practiced indoors.
The reigning MVC champs return one of the top pitchers in the state, Topanga Skiles, and two of the fastest players in the Coulee Region: twins Brooke and Brittany Baldwin.
The Baldwins were stars on Central's basketball team and were each named first team-All Conference in softball last season. This year, Brooke is moving from second base to right field, where she'll be next to her sister Brittany in center. Safe to say, communication won't be an issue between them.
"It is a little bit of chemistry," said Central Head Coach Kevin Colburn. "I've always worried about them running into each other because they both have good speed, but they both kind of understand who has the ball and they've been really good with that this year."19741844
"If one of us calls it, I think the other one will back off, so I think it will be good communication with both of us," Brooke said.
Whenever Central finally hits the field, it will be almost a year to the day since Molly Wichelt underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL. The Red Raiders' starting short stop tore it playing basketball last year and missed softball season. Now, after nearly 12 months of rehab, she says she can't wait to play.
"It's tested me a lot. It's shown me how strong I actually am, how far I actually have to dig deep to reach goals. My goal was to get back to play senior year and I did it," Wichelt said.
Central is scheduled to play Onalaska April 15, one of four games scheduled next week.


text: At the very first Halal Food Tour by Sameer's Eats that took place in Irvine, CA I met some of the most amazing and humble people who I liked the instant I met them. The night before the tour, Sameer invited all of the volunteers and myself to dinner at MAS Islamic Chinese Restaurant in Anaheim. I had no idea ...Read More »


text:
By Tiernan Ray
During the second keynote of the first day of Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, host Caroline Hyde, a television host with Bloomberg, led a discussion about "disruption" in mobile technology that featured an appearance by the $19 billion man of the hour, WhatsApp founder Jan Koum. WhatsApp is being acquired by Facebook (FB), in case you've been in a cave the last week.
The program features a keynote by Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg this evening, at 6 pm, Barcelona time, 12, Eastern, so you get to hear from both social geniuses in the same day.
Koum shared the stage with several others whose mandate seemed to be winning followers by giving stuff away: Sirgoo Lee, the co-CEO of Kakao, a popular South Korean messaging service; Mats Granryd, CEO of competitive European telco Tele2; Hans-Holger Albrecht, CEO of another challenger, Millicom; and Joe Lunder, the head of VimpelCom.
Granryd was the first speaker. He threw up a slide talking about how the company's motto is "born to be cheap." He said is focusing on data and is giving away voice and text services for free. "Sorry, Mr. WhatsApp," he said, "We're giving away all the text messages."
In addition to its base is Sweden, the company serves the Baltic nations and Kazakhstan. It has nearly a hundred percent of its Swedish subscribers on 4G network services, and is rapidly upgrading its networks in Latvia, Estonia, and elsewhere. Granryd started and ended his talk with humorous videos: a goat named Mr. Frank who wanders away from the herd to be different; a runner showing his determination to go faster, even when literally on fire.
Granryd opined that the rise of disrupters such as himself and WhatsApp and Kakao is a sign of the maturing of the telecom industry.
Albrecht said his company wanted to move away from being a telco to being a "lifestyle" company. The slogan in his video presentation was "Millicom: The Digital Lifestyle."
Millicom has 50 million subscribers and $5 billion in annual revenue. He said the company needs to move fast, "very, very fast" to newer services such as mobile banking, because its subscribers' habits are changing quickly. He hopes to double revenue to $9 billion in the five years from 2012. The company is spending a lot on mobile banking and on entertainment, especially for markets such as Africa and Latin America.
Albrecht said "we don't think we can stop Facebook, or that we can stop WhatsApp," and instead "we want to partner with them." In some markets, Millicom has offered access to Facebook as part of a data contract for which the company can charge. Hyde asked Albrecht how he would respond to disrupters in electronic payments. He said it would be a while until newer "over the top" payment services come to places such as Africa where his business is really one of facilitating payment via much simpler SMS text message transactions. But he anticipated some day a way his company can partner with e-payment challengers.
Albrechf was followed by Lee, who introduced Kakao: it was started in 2010 by just 4 engineers. It has evolved beyond basic texting to photo sharing and them like and is available in 17 languages and has 130 million users around the world, who send 5.5 billion messages per day. Of the 73% of the South Korean population that have mobile phones in South Korea, 93% are Kakao users. The app is the most popular service in South Korea, he said, and has even become a verb "Ka'Talk," meaning to chat. The company's photo sharing service, akin to Instagram, has 55 million users. Among that top two dozen or so apps in South Korea on Apple's (AAPL) iPhone and on Google's (GOOG) Android are games for Kakao.
Lee said Kakao came out of a uniquely Asian approach to relationships, where most people have a more complex relationship to the group and society, and more of a sense of the "we" rather than the individual.
Kakao disseminates content of all types from content providers to its users, and is working with 16 large commercial banks to bring novel financial services, he said. Lee said the company are pioneers, rather than being focused on disruption. He ended his talk with the analogy of a large Korean family, suggesting perhaps the disrupters, or innovators, such as his company, could ultimately get along with the carriers and build things together.
Koum started his talk by saying "last week we added a new Facebook friend," to scattered laughter among the assembled. He noted February 24th, today, is the anniversary of the company's founding in 2009. The product back then, he said "sucked." But the company was passionate about building something that would be easy to use and would connect people and be uncluttered. He said the company would continue to focus on its main mission, the simple, direct means of connecting people.
Koum provided an example of the mission of the company: A young woman in 2010 begged him for access to the then-unreleased beta version of the BlackBerry version of the software, because she was alone in Australia and couldn't afford the tariffs to call home to relatives. That impressed upon him the importance of connecting people.
Koum reflected on growing up in communist Russia. He said WhatsApp will add voice calling in the second half of this year.


text:
Gorilla Ears AT5
" Company Name: Gorilla Ears Company Website: http://www.gorillaears.com Gorilla Ears FAQ: http://www.gorillaears.com/faq.php Headphone Model: Gorilla Ears AT5 Headphone Style (Open, Closed, On-Ear, Over-Ear, IEM, CIEM): Custom In Ear Monitors Frequency Range: 20Hz-18Khz Impedance: 25 Ohms @ 1Khz Sensitivity: 117db @ 1Khz Isolation: 28db ± 2db Material: Acrylic Warranty:..." --whitedragon551
Ambient Acoustics AM4 Pro
his is the top model of individual stage ear monitors lab Ambient-Acoustics! This model was designed for the most accurate study of the entire frequency range! Three-band crossover was set up so that this model has a neutral (monitor) audio feed! There is no bright dominance of a particular frequency band. However, it can not be called "disembodied" or "boring"! Qualitative...


text:
- Sort:
- Most Popular | Most Recent
Shot from the Arizona side of Lake Mead during the late afternoon; lighting wasn't optimal, but sometimes you just have to make the best of what's available to you. All in all, I'm pleased with the result.
David Pivin beat me to this one, and got more pixels and richer color to boot (www.gigapan.org/gigapans/49832/). All I can claim is a little wider field of view.


text:
The Story of Change
Posted by Admin in Building Positive Alternatives, Fair Trade, Guest Posts, World News & Events on 18th July, 2012 | No Comments
2012 Human Rights Award honoree, Annie Leonard from the Story of Stuff Project has launched another groundbreaking on-line video called The Story of Change. A guest post by Annie Leonard.
Read More...


text:
You are here:
Answers by Expert:
I have been in the HVAC field for the past 18 years. I can help with most HVAC questions. I work on commerical buildings for the most part, and have yet to find anything I could not troubleshoot and repair, when repairable. I work on small 1 ton units to a 2500 ton chiller. Troubleshoot air flow, elect, and control problems. I attend regular classes to keep up with the latest and greatest.
I work on commerical sites, hospitals, gov't buildings. I can troubleshoot just about anything in the HVAC business.
5 years trade school, VFD training classes, Liebert factory training, some York and Trane factory training.
©2017 About.com. All rights reserved.


text:
By Brad Locke/NEMS Daily Journal
As John Cohen ponders his pitching options this weekend for the Starkville Regional, he's not concerned so much with the starting rotation as who he'll bring out of the bullpen.
No. 14 Mississippi State (43-17) is hosting South Alabama, Mercer and Central Arkansas starting Friday. The Bulldogs open the double-elimination affair with UCA, and each team presents a different challenge for Cohen's pitching staff.
"You know, our club is so different, our pitching staff is so different, from a standpoint of our starters are not necessarily irrelevant – (they're) very relevant," Cohen said. "But at the same time our matchup out of the bullpen is the most important thing to us.
"So more than the starter, we'll spend a lot more time talking about who our first guy out of the pen will be, and those types of discussions."
MSU has had starting pitching issues all season. The starters are 15-13 with a 3.96 ERA, while the relievers are a combined 28-4 with a 1.64 ERA.
Sophomore left-hander Ross Mitchell, who's often the first one out of the bullpen, is 11-0 with a 1.61 ERA. He's logged 772⁄3 innings, second-most on the team.
"I think when you have a deep bullpen, you have the Ross Mitchell, a Myles Gentry jumps to the forefront, a (Jonathan) Holder at the end and certainly a (Chad) Girodo, I think it makes it a lot easier," Cohen said.
Senior righty Kendall Graveman (5-5, 3.04) leads the Bulldogs with 912⁄3 innings, and he's been the most consistent of the starting pitchers. Graveman had a strong stretch earlier this season when he tossed three consecutive complete games, but he hasn't won since beating Texas A&M on April 13.
bats go cold
A lack of run support has hurt Graveman's record. Over his last six starts, MSU has averaged 4 runs per game, more than two runs less than its season average.
After hitting a rough patch, Graveman has been solid in his last two outings. He exited after 41⁄3 innings against Texas A&M in the SEC Tournament last week, despite allowing only two earned runs.
"He's certainly very capable of six or seven innings in a ballgame," Cohen said. "The one thing – and I think Kendall clearly understands this – when you have a bullpen as good as ours in college baseball and you have matchup situations in the middle of a ballgame, you're going to take advantage of those."
Graveman, who's has normally been the No. 2 starter on weekends, understands the philosophy.
"We have the most faith we've ever had in our bullpen," he said. "If I come out of a game, I have the faith that somebody's going to come in and get outs for me if I leave them in a tough situation."
Starkville Regional
No. 1 Seed: Mississippi State Bulldogs (43-17)
Conference: SEC
Coach: John Cohen (169-128, fifth season)
RPI rank: 10
Last 10 games: 7-3
NCAA appearances (last appearance): 18 (2012)
Quality wins: Central Arkansas, LSU, Arkansas, South Alabama, Florida (twice), Ole Miss (twice), Texas A&M (four times), Alabama (three times), South Carolina (three times)
Offensive stats: .296 BA, 28 HR, .393 SLG, 55 SB, 6.1 rpg
Pitching stats: 2.77 ERA, .224 opp BA, 1.18 WHIP
OF Hunter Renfroe, .352 BA, 15 HR, 54 RBIs
SS Adam Frazier, .352 BA, 16 doubles, 54 runs
LHP Ross Mitchell, 11-0, 1.51 ERA, 1.03 WHIP
No. 2 Seed: South Alabama Jaguars (42-18)
Conference: Sun Belt
Coach: Mark Calvi (65-52, second season)
RPI rank: 17
Last 10 games: 5-5
NCAA appearances (last appearance): 25 (2006)
Last meeting: MSU won 6-4 in Mobile on April 2
Quality wins: Southern Miss, Troy (three times), UL Lafayette (twice), Florida Atlantic (twice)
Offensive stats: .302 BA, 30 HR, .412 SLG, 28 SB, 6.9 rpg
Pitching stats: 4.21 ERA, .258 opp BA, 1.34 WHIP
Jordan Patterson, .360 BA, 49 RBIs, 67 runs
Dustin Dalken, .329 BA, 8 HRs, 39 RBIs
Matt Bell, 6-1, 3.52 ERA, 1.17 WHIP
No. 3 Seed: Mercer Bears (43-16)
Conference: Atlantic Sun
Coach: Craig Gibson (282-228, 10th season)
RPI rank: 29
Last 10 games: 6-4
NCAA appearances (last appearance): 2 (2010)
Last meeting: MSU won two of three in Starkville, March 9-11, 2012
Quality wins: Georgia Tech, East Tennessee State (twice)
Offensive stats: .301 BA, 56 HR, .449 SLG, 70 SB, 7.4 rpg
Pitching stats: 4.06 ERA, .288 opp BA, 1.44 WHIP
3B Chesny Young, .394 BA, 61 RBIs, 55 runs
1B Nick Backlund, .322 BA, 13 HR, 65 RBIs
RHP Brandon Barker, 7-1, 2.35 ERA, 1.28 WHIP
No. 4 Seed: Central Arkansas (39-20)
Conference: Southland
Coach: Allen Gum (87-79, third season)
RPI rank: 62
Last 10 games: 6-4
NCAA appearances: First
Last meeting: UCA won two of three in Starkville, March 8-10
Quality wins: Mississippi State (twice), Kansas, Wichita State, Oklahoma State
Offensive stats: .268 BA, 21 HR, .356 SLG, 90 SB, 6.9 rpg
Pitching stats: 2.78 ERA, .248 opp BA, 1.14 WHIP
OF Forrestt Allday, .383 BA, 56 runs, 15 SB
C Michael Marietta, .315 BA, 56 RBIs, 44 runs
RHP Caleb McClanahan, 10-5, 2.17 ERA, 0.89 WHIP
Compiled by Brad Locke


text:
Warhawks fall in WIAC Tournament
Await NCAA Tournament announcements
UW-Whitewater was unable to solve the puzzle that was UW-La Crosse. For the second time in two days the fourth seeded Eagles defeated the top seeded Warhawks in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament. Sunday the Eagles won 12-2 in seven innings to eliminate UW-W from the tourney. Saturday the Eagles defeated UW-W 6-0. UW-W, now 34-7 overall, will await the announcement of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III national tournament field on Monday at 9 am on NCAA.com.
The Eagles opened up posting a five spot in the bottom of the first and kept building. They added a run in the third to make it 6-0 but the Warhawks answered in the fourth when hit a solo homer to right field, his third of the season, to make it 6-1.
The Eagles notched two more in the bottom of the fourth to go ahead 8-1, but UW-W tallied a run in the top of the fifth to inch closer at 8-2.
The Eagles answered with a run in the bottom of the fifth, two in the sixth, and one more in the seventh to close the game out by virtue of the WIAC's run differential rule.
Kevin Johnson, 6-2, pitched the full seven innings for UW-L to earn the win. Johnson gave up just four hits in the game and struck out three. The La Crosse offense was led by DH Adam Cordova and third baseman Josh Rowles, both with a 3x4 game. Seven Eagles had a multiple hit game. UW-W totaled four hits.
Over the two games against La Crosse in the WIAC Tournament, Whitewater totaled three runs and six hits.
UW-La Crosse, 20-20, advances to the championship game of the WIAC tournament where they will face-off against UW-Stevens Point. The Eagles will have to defeat UW-SP two times to earn the crown because of the tournament's double-elimination format.
UW-W won the WIAC championship to earn the tournament's number one seed.


text:
Latest Headlines
NFL'13 Cherry Picks WK1
Posted on 5 Sep 2013 by Steven Keys.
Thank you, George Halas (d. 1983). Thank you, and all the other APFA pioneers who conceived & nurtured what would come to be known as the National Football League (1921). Thanks to those visionaries in leather helmet and fedora who kept their experiment in professionalism alive through the lean & mean early years (Depression / WW2), offering America an alternative to the campus frolic o...


text:
One of the terrific things about owning an electric fireplace, is that there is almost little to no maintenance compared to traditional fireplaces. As we…
Sunpentown SH-113F $39.10
Portable Hand Warmer
$48.88 Save: $9.78
+ FREE Shipping
Hurry, sale ends Tuesday!
List Price: $48.88
Save: $9.78 (20% Off)
$39.10View More Details
Description & Highlights
Sunpentown Portable Hand Warmer
Don't let cold weather slow you down. With the Sunpentown Portable Hand Warmer (SH-113FB, SH-113FW, SH-113FP) you're free to pursue your favorite outdoor activities all year long with the convenient comfort of safe, portable warmth. Parades, football games, and hunting and camping trips are all at your fingertips.
This portable warmer device can provide heat up to 113°F and up to 10 hours. Compact and light weight, keep it in your pocket or hold it in your hands. Powered by rechargeable Li-battery, and complete with USB/AC adapter charging.
Perfect for hunting, fishing and camping:This compact, long-lasting unit goes with you wherever you need warmth
Long lasting:Keeps you cozy for up to 10 hours on a single charge
Versatile Temperature:Stay in control with a temperature range from 100 - 113 degrees
- Models: SH-113FB, SH-113FW, SH-113FPSunpentown Portable Hand Warmer
- Brand: SunpentownLi-batteries are rechargeable up to 500 times
- Approximately 7 - 10 hours of heating timeAC charger or USB power
- High and Low heat settings3.57"L x 2.6"W x 0.8"H
- Length: 3.57"
- Width: 2.6"
- Height: 0.8"


text:
Binghamton University Cinema Department sponsors visiting film artist series
Binghamton University's Visiting Film Artist Series will feature three contemporary filmmakers this semester. All artists will be on hand to discuss their work.
The schedule of screening events is:
Tuesday, October 19
Films by Nina Fonoroff, including The Eye in the Mask, Department of the Interior and Some Phases of an Empire.
For twenty five years Fornoff has been making experimental films that have been screened at numerous showcases, festivals and museums in the United States, Canada and Europe as well as on cable and public television. Recipient of the Guggenheim Fellowship in 1998, she is an assistant professor of media arts at the University of New Mexico. Her most recent film, The Eyes in the Mask, was featured at this year's New York Film Festival.
Tuesday, October 26
Films by Phil Solomon, including Nocturne, The Exquisite Hour, The Snow Man, Psalm III: Night of the Meek, and Seasons.
As a professor at the University of Colorado at Boulder teaching film aesthetics and film production, Solomon has produced a number of films including several collaborations with colleague Stan Brakhage. He has been honored at a host of festivals including the Black Maria and the Oberhaussen International Short Film Festival. A recipient of the John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship, Solomon has exhibited his films in every major venue for experimental films in Europe and the United States, including the San Francisco International Film Festival and the Art Gallery of Ontario.
Tuesday, November 16
Film by Ariana Gerstein titled Layette.
Gerstein began making experimental films in the 1990's as a graduate of the Cinema Department at Binghamton University. She received her master's in filmmaking from the School of Art Institute of Chicago. Her independent works have included digital video, sculpture, collage, and performance. Gerstein's work has been screened and awarded prizes at festivals in the United States and internationally.
The Visiting Film Artist Series is sponsored by the Filmmakers' Coop in New York City and funded in part by funds from the Experimental Television Center, which is supported by the New York State Council on the Arts. The series is co-sponsored by Harpur College Dean's Office.
All screenings are at 8 p.m. in lecture hall 6 on the Binghamton University campus. Admission is free. For more information, call Vincent Grenier at 607-275-3348 or the Cinema Department at 777-4998.


text:
methods matching the water
hello all. i did not want to hijack the insight thread started by Shaq so i simply started another. i suppose it would be accurate to view this post as a pet peve of mine and also a vent.
gillie, sorry to nitpick earlier but i think there is a tendancy here to lump any & all together whenever there is a mention of weight. i certainly agree with you that one on the swing provides an added thrill.
already just the word weight instead of shot is less offensive. is it better to use a sink putty type product or maybe a match stick twist on designed for fly tackle?
i think some of the differance of opinion here is in what method is employed. by popularity, swinging.... vs... all others.
there is an active parallel thread concerning dead drifting a fly. i suppose i could have squeezed in a reply there but i don't feel qualified with my fishing being confined to the three great lakes tribs of michigan, huron, and superior. there was a great one made there by moose [thank you] that i thought appropriate for my local. i'll try to place it below.
#4 Yesterday, 09:39 PM
5150 Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Baja Oregon
Posts: 235
Here's why!
On the river I regularly fish, beadhead nymphs are dead drifted in the current for steelhead quite effectively. The idea is that these flies represent the nymphal life stage of aquatic insects that opportunistic trout find naturally drifting along on or near the bottom with the flow of the current, usually along seams. If any action other than the dead drift of these immitations were imparted, the trout would refuse it as unnatural. These insects will rise through the water column when hatching, but not against or across the current. Rather, they tumble along with the current. The flip side of this is that predatory trout will chase a swung fly as well, so rather than dead drifting under an indicator (bobber ) an angler can cast the fly upstream of a desired piece of water, letting it sink (mend big here) and dead drift it though a likely looking holding area where a fish may lie, and then when the dead drift has run it's optimum length, given the amount of line out, current speed, etc. and a dead drift can no longer be managed, the fly can be swung around under control (mend!) to the dangle. We use caddis pupa, flashback pheasant tails with a turn of partridge, birdsnests, etc.. It should be noted that this is in a river and at times (much of the year, actually) where the steelhead are not big, often referred to as half pounders, and behave much like regular old trout.
the point of this new thread is mostly to point out differances in water[here anyway] isn't it true that the water dictates the method to a large degree?
i find myself crowding into back woods difficult to access areas on smaller tribs with a much lower fish count than many of the bigger popular and more desirable ones. almost all wild fish with an occasional stray. the attraction is in the solitude. a big part of what i crave and seek on most outings. its an improv game, playing in pocket water and wood infested slow pools. i often use the dead drift into a swing tactic described above so well. chances are that there might be a micro shot or two added in addition to the bead head. these fish don't come easy and you can't help but appreciate them. no chance of becoming jaded.
i have ran a couple of searches on the words weight & weighted among others. its surprising to see where they turn up...........
just having trouble with opinions that this is "not really fly fishing". maybe i'm part of a minority here, but doubt it. not on the great lakes board.
thanks for your time. SG
methods match the water
Great post, I also do some smaller tribs, yet I use the single handed rods for this. WHen I fish a bigger trib, I also change lines and techniques frequently. Move throught the pools on the swing, then through the pockets with a nymph or egg, then back through the next pool with a sink tip and a swing ect. I cover alot of water and have connected with many fish, I don't see anything wrong with it.
I had the pleasure of fishing with ShotGunner this week. He certainly knows how to handle a two-handed rod and, I would say, is a real student of the sport. The flies he ties are beautifully done and, IMHO, their precision exemplifies his approach to the sport in general -- well thought out and carefully executed.
BTW, neither of us caught a steelhead on our trip, but, for me, it was a blast regardless. I almost gave ShotGunner a chance to practice his life-saving skills when I stepped onto the upstream edge a pretty deep hole while wading on the Big Manistee. Had I not been able to regain my footing (it seemed to take forever to do it), I am sure he would have excelled at pulling me out as well.
I'm not much for cold weather, but I am looking forward to fishing with him again before the snow flies too heavily.
cold weather, ice and snow
I use egg flies, I use shot, I use bobbers, I use a floating line and I use a 2 handed rod.
The only stares I get are from inside the passing cars wondering why that nut case is fishing in January, in the middle of a snow storm with a below 0 wind chill.
There is something special about sliding a steelie onto shelf ice to remove your fly and watching her swim back out.
P.S. CD is not in my vocabulary, unless you mean cold drink.
Great Lakes Steelhead Methods
FWIW - I just posted the following on the similar thread in the Techniques section of the SpeyClave:
David Dornblaser
I definitely do appreciate the skill required to dead drift with minimal weight through stack mending and line control. It should not be lumped in with fly rod drift fishing.
I also agree that the water you are fishing dictates the method required. There are certainly runs where the fish are held within slots and the water is too cold to expect them to move to a fly. (Although as an aside there are mentions of wild fish on the Bulkley rising to dries while the water temp is in the 30's- but those are a unique strain of wild fish). But rather than the water I fish dictating my technique, I have decided that my technique will dictate the water that I fish.
I do not disapprove of true nymphing. I was earlier answering Shaq's request to try to understand why some of us have abandoned the technique or at least use it sparingly. I have many friends who fish the Salmon River with a nymph, a few micro shot and no strike indicator and are far more talented at handling a rod and controlling line.
The truth is that one of the reasons I like swinging flies so much is it requires less line control in some ways. I firmly beleive that once the initial mending is complete a wet fly swing should not be disturbed. Just follow with the rod tip and wait for the fly to stop.
It was not long ago when indicators were a coreless 2" piece of flyline, a red mono butt section of the leader, a small pinch on piece of foam. Today it is common to see 5/8" to 3/4" lil' corkies(hell........I have them), ice fishing floats, enough yarn to make a sock. It went from a indicator to a float rig.
The scenario about the nymphs natural dead drift, the mention of Trout, almost a "match the nymph hatch type thing" sounds very May or June'ish(makes me want to tie some emergers,grin) and is a bit melodramatic for me. All though I use to say and sound the exact same when nymphing for Steelhead. These days if I drift I drift and make no bones about it.
It's November look under the rocks what do you see..............not much. There are not many bugs now. A few stone flys if your real,real lucky. And if it's a shale type trib even less. Then I would use the.............when the Steelhead were par & smolts they would feed on nymphs in the stream, when they re-enter the stream they remember these traits. Sounds good but again its November and I never mentioned the fact that for months these now large fish have been feeding on schools of baitfish. Then the streams are to small, to fast, to many chutes, not enough swing water.............etc. Yet, come Trout season or even on a Brookie stream anglers will swing a soft hackle, wets, streamers,etc. on even smaller or more gradiant water.
Steelhead fisheries get more pressure these days from anglers than ever. They get pounded.................C & R............over & over again as they make there way up river..........each fall & winter. The more pressure from anglers.........the more line & drift shy they become.........less likely to pursue. Then there is the whole "egg" thing. It's a vicious cycle that spins downward(slower drift,smaller flies,lighter line,.........spookier & spookier presured fish) which is why hardwear and drift fishing is outlawed on some Steelhead waters. It's fine if your in the middle of nowhere's.........say maybe Iceland (certainly is not any "nowhere's" left in the lower states) but it's devastating from a conservation standpoint everywhere else. At somepoint you have to take a look at the fishery as a whole. It's about pressure. I fish a Trout tailwater from a drift boat when water temps. are only in the 30's.........yes 30's. Big Browns chase sz. 2 / 6x long streamers cast with a 200 grain streamer express and striped as FAST as we can strip then. There is no pressure .......................on that water.
Those Steelhead were not drift shy untill they became pressured from getting pounded down low. They are meat eaters..............just as most Trout over 20" are...............even in May.
You can avoid the chuck and duck and still fish deep enough by finding the balance between a fly's weight and your style of outfit, in my humble opinion. I prefer to tie flies with heavy hooks sparsely dressed, or weight the hooks with a few turns of lead or a tungsten bead. On a spey rod and long belly floating line many small to med sized nymphs and wets can be fished on a long leader without the adverse C&D effects. The flies, that are not too heavy but just heavy enough (#10 beadhead birdsnest, #6 purple peril hairwing on a heavy english salmon hook) to want to sink on their own, are cast just upstream enough to allow for enough of a sink to fish the depth you desire. If you need to get deeper tie em bigger and/or heavier and/or use a short belly with sink tip. You can then adapt the depth and fishing style (dead drift, swing) to meet the immediate situation.
The end of your flyline is as good an indicator as any bobber, and to approve or not of another's style of fishing is to apply your world view to another individuals world; one of the classic root causes of conflict in the history of civilization.
I often dream of walking thru the trees to the waters edge, the sound of water getting stronger and the long rod threading through the last of the path to the gravel shore. The lie is not deep nor shallow, fast nor slow and lined with stones that any man would labor to carry, but he could. Between these stones lie gravel of varying granularity, from pea to baseball, shifting into scallops and ridges with every freshet and creating a diversity of chutes and slots, pockets and lies.
And in some of them lie the alpha trout, the realizations of chrome daydreams, the wily hardbodies home on leave from searun bootcamp - the wild steelhead of the legendary variety, hard to have but dear to hold even if just for a minute.
Now I could fool them with roe, or tempt them with metal. In fact I have in the past. I could play the numbers high with slinkies tapped on the gravel with a level-wind reel on a trigger handled drift rod, or float a bobber on a centerpin reel for 75 yards of seam standing on the same rock all day. But while some are quite happy with all that, my personal choice is not any of those because I don't fish for numbers, or even so much fish - I fish for satisfaction and I get that from seeking to perfect Spey casting and fishing the swing. The more 'pure' the swing, the better the casting, the more satisfaction I bring to hand. No split shots, no bobbers, no egg flies for me but I use sinktips because they let me swing through the winter months with reasonable (sometimes ridiculous) success. And summer greased-lining can be purely indulgent when the fish get to thinking it's time to torpedo a surface bug.
I am quite happy with the results of a season of swinging flies even when a particular day might be less productive than another method. But a day is not pivotal in an entire lifetime of swinging flies for steelhead and salmon, and a lifetime's worth of swinging fish to the fly is worth much more to me than many times the fish fooled by roe.
I am convinced that when my arms and legs fail me and I contemplate the days I have logged in my journal, it will be the fish I took by most honorable means (again, in my own humble opinion and perspective; very subjective) that I will remember as the accomplishments of my angling life.
Strip-strip-strip, switch. Hmmm... I stare into my Wheatley at the creations from the night before at the no-tell motel with fluff and feather flying about the room, spitting out bronze mallard bits floating in 20 year single malt in a tin cup. Weather channel in an infinite loop, and losing sleep over the excitement of being in steelhead country on a mission. And here I finally stand, and a black heron spey tied with a signal light tag makes the grade and gets the double turle nod.
The leader is fresh; the line mended as the first swing of the day begins. For me, there is simply no other way to seek the grab. Again, I fish for satisfaction, and sometimes that means a fish. When all goes right it means several in a day. But it always means satisfaction as long as I am surrounded by beauty, making good casts, and playing the numbers to move a fish to my fly on any given day.
Very nice Juro :smokin:
juro, very nice read. tough act to follow, but that seems to be your M.O. writing or casting. still i need to try, like the long awaited furlough of a days fishing that sours with poor weather. at least put forth an effort.........
"I stare into my Wheatley at the creations from the night before at the no-tell motel with fluff and feather flying about the room, spitting out bronze mallard bits floating in 20 year single malt in a tin cup". borrowed from juro.
this i can relate to. tell me though, is there no life in a small perfect black bead head pheasant tail? or an intricate flash bodied partridge & philoplume tied on a small heavy wet fly hook? if not then i've been decieved..........
even within your post above there seems somewhat of an undertone that anything other than a swing is done to hedge the bet or stack the odds, and never out of necessity. the small numbers of fish i play, or even less that come to hand would test the patience of any mortal.
"But rather than the water I fish dictating my technique, I have decided that my technique will dictate the water that I fish" borrowed from Gillie.
this i can understand easily and makes good sense. i too have my reasons for choosing some of the water i fish as i stated earlier.
a last quote by a man who gave the credibility to a method that i've been searching for here on this site, concerning my little corner, the great lakes area.
"Another case in point are small streams with fast currents and/or exceptional depth. Such watercourses are too narrow to actually produce any real sort of "swing", whether it be to initially "trigger" a steelhead to take, or to work the fly down deep enough to attract a fish's attention. The narrow, confined aspects of such streams makes "traditional" approaches of flyfishing almost impossible." borrowed with great thanks from Riveraddict.
In my annual pilgrimages to the great steelhead rivers of the pacific northwest; and in my dreams to fish more of the great atlantic salmon rivers of the world - I envision more suitable swing water than I could cover in a lifetime (though I would like to try). With every cast, mend and swim of my fly, I see more opportunity to refine and improve every aspect of what I am doing and have no doubt that I will never even come close to learning it all.
However, if one deploys other means to find satisfaction in their home waters more power to these crafty anglers I say. I hope I did not come across as anything other than one voice from the perspective of the dedicated swinger, just as some have effectively put nymphing and indicators, et. al. into perspective in other threads.
In fact I have a lot of respect for the capable drift fisherman, savvy plug puller, and spoon/spinner angler as they really have figured out a lot about fishing and catching. Not my choice to fish that way, but there is no wrong or right, just many rights to each his/her own and we are all fortunate to have the opportunities to explore and indulge in these pursuits.
Ed Link, seasoned 30 year veteran guide on the Salmon River Idaho and an acquaintance I am glad to have made recently might say... "A good guide needs to know all 5 disciplines of steelhead fishing to make a living. One day you need to use Skagit casts to work down a tight bank, and the next day you'll place a boat rod in the hands of a cigarstore Indian and row steady down the center aisle just like you're in church on Sunday, sideways into the seventh row, over and stop at the pretty lady and place the hotshot underneath her petticoat without her knowing it." It's his mastery of so many angles that impressed me the most. Besides, Ed's shore lunch is so legendary that even an off day is worth the boat ride and the stories are as good as any you'll hear in a lifetime of river bull. Somehow I am left thinking there was no bull in Ed's b/s, or at least not enough to matter. Ask him about the rocks that line the canyon near Shoup.
I never knew that elk steaks and slow roasted red onions with a dutch oven cobbler could be so good by the campfire. Tom, Keith, and the gang sure put on a mean dinner I won't soon forget!
Anyway my point is, it's all good and each technique requires it's own brand of study, discipline and mastery.
After reviewing, I would just like to appoligize for my previous reply. It did not come off the way I intended it to................sorry.
There are some conservation issues, here on my local Steelhead waters, which are on the back of my mind when posting.
On smaller tribs I love to fish soft hackles sz. 6 to 10 slightly weighted or bead head, cast 45% upstream, drift and then swung out. I use a floating line, hand tied mono leader with a good butt section, a small size b or bb split shot or two when needed, etc. This is about the only way they(smaller streams) can be fished. A RIO 7' sinking leader only comes into play if the flows are high and in a couple certain pools.
I fact I do the same on larger rivers when the Steelhead won't chase much,slots,chutes,etc. or if every indicator nymphing egg fisherman and centerpiner is hooking up and because of pressure, cold water, what ever........I can not get a fish to pursue a streamer,bugger,etc. on a sink tip.
I very much enjoy tying and fishing my soft hackles for both Steelhead & Trout...............always have, always will. Very simular to what you "spoke of".
The only problem I have with "how people fish" is...........................how it effects the fishery from a ethics and conservation standpoint and how it effects the fish being pursued from a respect and conservation standpoint. Unfortunately on some waters the great Steelhead & Salmon become a numbers game and get about as much respect as catching buckets of panfish from a boat with bait.
Day of the swinger
Unfortunately you might find it tough to find a place to swing your flies.
The Deschutes has been my home river.
When you fish it today you might want to bring you own autographed flat rock to stand on. Even then you may not find a suitable place to swing a fly. The only sure method I have found is get there EARLY. Be standing on the rock you brought long before its time to fish. So its 2:30 AM get up drive two hours to the river, stand in the river for two hours trying to hold your spot then hopefully no one low holes you and you get to fish the run.
When I get there, and there is no suitable water to swing, someone is already fishing it. I tie on a nymphing rig and fish the water no one wants. One of the local fly shop owners asked me why I would nymph. I told him simply, I dont get up and drive eighty miles to watch other people fish.
Shooting ducks on the pond gaurantees you will get a few ducks. Is that not what it is really all about? :(
|All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:53 PM.
vBulletin Security provided by vBSecurity v2.2.2 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2017 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Copyright Flyfishingforum.com (All Rights Reserved)


text:
Baking | Sinful Chocolate Cake with Dulce de Leche … chocolate + toffee = heavenly!
"In today's world, when many of yesterday's fashionable habits are today's misdemeanors, we should rejoice that a chocolate dessert can bring so much innocent pleasure."
Marcel Desaulniers
Chocolate Cake with Dulce de Leche … a sweet beginning to 2014. Always fun to end a year decadently {Dark Chocolate Kumquat Amaranth Mousse Cakes}, and begin the next one on a clean slate. As in my case, maybe with a dose of some more decadence? Actually, it's more of a ritual because the daughter was born on the 2nd of Jan. Every year begins with a baking frenzy, and of late, chocolate is being demanded more than ever before!
It was more frenzied when she was young as there had to be cookies, brownies, dips too. The works! As they grow up, the pressure here falls … increases everywhere else I have to add! This year was the big 18 and most of her day went with friends as expected. For me, it was a situation which reminded me of Driving Ms Daisy … I drove her up and down all day long! Since I love driving, I cannot complain!
The previous day was busier than I could manage. The cake became a rushed affair. I did have this fancy fondant cake in mind, the colours that she would have loved, with stuff on top which might have knocked her breath away etc… that remained in my dreams! Instead, between racing around like a headless chicken for two whole days, I threw in one genoise after another. Cakes baked, frosting was the next challenge. Thankfully I had a tin of dulce de leche made from an earlier batch when I did this Banoffee Pie.
Dulce de leche," meaning candy of milk or milk jelly in Spanish, is a rich and decadent sauce or syrup, similar in flavor to caramel. Unlike caramel, however, which is made by heating sugar, dulce de leche is prepared by heating sweetened condensed milk. Dulce de leche is especially common in the desserts of various South American countries, including Argentina and Uruguay.
Might work I thought. Well it had to because I had cut it too fine. While she had a friend over to ring in her birthday at midnight, the poor mother stood in freezing January temperatures trying desperately to fill a chocolate genoise with a hair brained 'toffee inspired' filling idea. Fast approaching the Cinderella hour, I ended up using an adjustable dessert ring {one of my best buys in Sydney many years ago} and gelatin to stabilize the filling.
Thankfully it turned out fine and 'set' overnight, else I might have wept copious tears. Chocolate and toffee are a wonderful combination. With less than an hour in hand, I did a quick dark chocolate ganache to frost the cake, and made some shards to garnish. There was just enough time to give it a dusting of powdered sugar, take a few snaps …
… and the rest is history! I didn't get any shots of a slice as the cake went pretty quick after the 18 year old did the honours. I am however sure I will make this again soon. Maybe as soon as I get those cans of condensed milk into the pressure cooker again!
[print_this]Recipe: Chocolate Cake with Dulce de Leche
Summary: Chocolate and toffee are a pairing made in Dulce de leche heaven. This Chocolate Cake with Dulce de Leche makes a fab special occasion cake. It needs a little advance planning though, like all good things in life do!
Prep Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 2.5 hours plus setting time Ingredients:
- Chocolate Genoise Cake {x 2; I made 2 cakes and cut them horizontally each to get 4 layers}
- 4 eggs
- 90g granulated vanilla sugar
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 50g all-purpose flour
- 45g dark cocoa powder
- 20g butter, melted
- Filling
- 3/4 thick portion dulce de leche from 1 tin condensed milk
- 500ml low fat cream, chilled
- 2 tsp gelatin powder
- Frosting
- 200g dark couverture chocolate
- 200g low fat cream
- 25g honey
- Dulce de leche sauce
- Remaining dulce de leche 1/4 portion from above
- 15g salted butter
- 100g low fat cream {or as required for pouring consistency}
- Chocolate Genoise Cake {I made 2}
- Preheat the oven to 180C. Line, grease & flour 2 X 8-inch round cake pan.
- Sift the flour and cocoa together three times; reserve.
- Bring some water to a boil in a large pan & reduce to simmer. Place eggs, vanilla & sugar in a large bowl. Place over pan of simmering water, and beat constantly until tripled in volume.
- Take off heat and continue to beat for another 3-4 minutes until the mixture cools a bit.
- Sift about one-third of the flour and cocoa over the whipped eggs. Use a rubber spatula to fold in the mixture-quickly but gently-until combined. Fold in half the remaining flour and cocoa, then fold in the rest.
- Scoop about 1 cup of the batter into the bowl with the melted butter and fold together until completely combined. Use the large rubber spatula to fold the butter mixture completely into the remaining batter. Turn the batter into the prepared pan and level with a spatula.
- Bake until the cake beginning to shrink slightly around the edges and the top springs back when pressed with your finger, about 40 minutes. Cool the cake completely in the pan on a rack. Cut horizontally into 2.
- Repeat for second cake. Total 2 cakes and 4 layers.
- Filling
- Mix 50ml cream and gelatin in a bowl. Keep over simmering water to dissolve. Mix well.
- Whisk in 100 ml low fat cream into the 3/4 portion of the dulce de leche to loosen it
- Beat the remaining cream to medium stiff peaks. Fold in the dulce de leche mixture gently, followed by the gelatin.
- Assemble
- Place 1 layer of genoise on serving platter and place adjustable dessert ring around it. Top with 1/3 of the filling. {If the cake is dry, brush it with a simple sugar syrup first {1/3 cup sugar + 1/4 cup water + 1 tbsp liqueur if you like}
- Repeat with the next few layers and cover and allow to set overnight.
- Frosting
- Dark chocolate ganache
- Place chocolate and cream in a heat proof bowl. Microwave for 1 minute at a time. Stir and repeat as necessary. Once the chocolate has melted, add the honey and whisk well to combine until glossy and smooth. Cool before using.
- Unmold the cake and give it a slight crumb coat with a little ganache. Set in the fridge for 30 minutes, then use the remaining ganache to frost the cake.
- Dulce de leche sauce
- While the ganache is setting, gently simmer the ingredients in a heavy bottom small saucepan. {Begin with half the cream and add as required. The amount will depend on how thick the dulce de leche is. Mine was considerably thick}
- Reserve in serving jug and cool until the ganache sets.
- Pour along the sides of the cake, allowing drips over the sides.
- Finish
- Finish the border with dark chocolate shards and a dusting of powdered sugar.
Don't miss a post
Also find me on The Rabid Baker, The Times of India


text:
I hate OpenOffice with my guts.
I hate OpenOffice with my guts.
I could not help but add my little contribution to the fantastic Hot-Babe debate.
I gave a talk about writing portable multimedia applications at SUCON. Not many attendees, people were probably tired (too bad, they missed a lot of hairy pussy), but I had enjoyable talks with MPlayer and Xine developers afterwards. And remember, kids, the autotools rule!
IBM rules
The IBM Thinkpad service fixed my laptop's broken motherboard within two days. They even changed the whole LCD screen because I reported a faulty pixel and a little stain. Wow.
Slackware is probably the only modern Unix where you cannot run command foo as user bar. Of course, su bar -c foo seems to work, but only to a point: -c foo is not a flag for su, it is passed to the user's shell. And unlike on FreeBSD, Debian, or even Solaris, there is no way to bypass this! You have to run your own wrapper around setuid(), or change the user's shell. If the user's shell is not, well, a shell, all sorts of weird things happen, and you simply cannot execute commands as a given user in a reliable way.
Why didn't they keep the su from Slackware 3.1 ?
Got my first program working with FLESSD: Super Mario War, a game similar to the amazing jump'n'bump. Admitedly, it only uses four functions from the FMOD API, but it's nice to have something working. Only 221 functions to go!
My new toy project is a free inplementation of the FMOD audio processing library. Its author is extremely reluctant to opensourcing it, but I spent several evenings testing free games and a huge amount of them seemed to be using FMOD. I usually just comment out the FMOD stuff from the code, but enough is enough, so I started the FLESSD project! Muahahaha.
Misc stuff
I thought my Ethernet card was broken, but it was only my cat who ate the cable. Everything is fine.
I did a cool sticker for my laptop, from free samples of self adhesive foil.
Debian AMD64 GR
I am really disturbed by this one. Voting would be acknowledging the fact that a GR can be used for ludicrous purposes, and not voting would mean that it has a chance to pass and set a dangerous precedent that a GR can be used for ludicrous purposes. Hopefully there is a third possibility, such as adding an amendment demanding that the ftp-master crew all shave their heads.
At last. After a 2-month wait, my new laptop has arrived. It's a nifty T41p which replaces my broken T20. I can already feel its magical powers: I wrote more lines of code for me this weekend than in the past two months.
VLC in sarge
VLC has entered Debian testing yesterday. It was a real nightmare due to the GNOME/KDE/Mozilla/whatever build dependencies, but it eventually did it. The last update was more than two years ago!
I finished migrating the VideoLAN CVS repositories to SVN. Since a lot of people were still using the anonymous CVS to retrieve the code, I had to write post-commit scripts to reinject SVN commits back into the CVS repository. I finished my SVN to CVS and back again HOWTO which still has limitations but already works pretty well.
Went to a concert by The Distillers tonight. California punk rock rules!
New HTML Parser: The long-awaited libxml2 based HTML parser code is live. It needs further work but already handles most markup better than the original parser.
Keep up with the latest Advogato features by reading the Advogato status blog.
If you're a C programmer with some spare time, take a look at the mod_virgule project page and help us with one of the tasks on the ToDo list!


text:
- Richard B. Goldbloom, OC, MD, FRCPC, Dlitt(Hon), Professor and Former Head, Department of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine; Former Physician-in-Chief and Director of Research, The IWK Grace Health Centre for Women, Children, and Families, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Pediatric Clinical Skills, 4th Edition, by renowned author Richard B. Goldbloom, is your ideal guide to mastering necessary, often complex and challenging pediatric clinical skills. Written in a clear, informal tone, this book explains the nuances of the child/family interview and history, pediatric physical exam, crucial interpersonal skills, and important issues such as cultural sensitivity, chronic conditions, and athletic participation. An indispensible learning tool for in-training physicians, this book is also a valuable resource for pediatric and family practice physicians, nurses, physician assistants, and all healthcare personnel who work with children.
New to This Edition
- Perfect the latest approaches for approaching the adolescent, clinical evaluation for possible child abuse, palliative care, examining the head and neck, evaluating gastrointestinal symptoms, surgical assessment of the abdomen, and other rapidly evolving areas.
- Navigate growing areas of concern including obesity, autism, TV-watching, and video games.
- Access the complete contents online at studentconsult.com, with Integration Links to related content in other Student Consult resources…videos demonstrating different aspects of the neurological exam, including assessing cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy…additional content and images to complement Ch. 21, Clinical Evaluation for Possible Child Abuse…and full-color inserts that complement Ch. 8, Examining the Visual System, and Ch. 19, Assessing the Skin.
- Study efficiently with the aid of Case Histories, Key Points, and Recommended Readings.
Key Features
- Discover the best approach and demeanor for interviewing patients and their families.
- Elicit cooperation and gain the maximum value from physical exams of patients of all ages, including preterm and low-birth-weight infants.
- Enhance cultural sensitivity and capably navigate issues associated with chronic conditions, athletic participation, and more.
Note: Only Platinum member can download this ebook. Learn more here!


text:
Couldn't you also just link the two via TX/RX and reset lines, reset the target and read and transfer a Hex file from an SD card, via the target bootloader?That would require the equivelent code as the AVRDUDE PC based program that knows how to talk to the bootloader. Maybe not impossible but I haven't seen anything trying that method, ICSP is the normal method used.That's an idea we had for allowing a user to perform a firmware update on our devices, although we've not tested it yet.
Please enter a valid email to subscribe
We need to confirm your email address.
To complete the subscription, please click the link in the
email we just sent you.
Thank you for subscribing!
via Egeo 16
Torino, 10131


text:
The New Midwest Vacation
Changing travel styles
Surveys say many of us are shifting our travel priorities by:
-- Trading one long trip for several short ones
-- Focusing on food
-- Traveling by car
-- Staying in the Midwest
-- Seeking authentic experiences
-- Looking for bargains
A review of some classic Midwest destinations reveals a lineup that connects perfectly with the new traveler. Check out a few of our favorite getaways that will suit your tastes today.
Authentic crafts and a slower pace: Iowa
Travelers consistently say they're seeking something--anything--that feels authentic. In a green east-central Iowa River Valley along Interstate-80 (100 miles east of Des Moines), the seven Amana Colonies have clung to their roots with German steadfastness since 1855.
"Oh, there's a lot of history here," Deb Heitmann says as she pours beer at the Millstream Brewing Company in Amana, the largest colony (population: 2,000). "I live in my great-grandparents' house."
Most proprietors begin stories this way; 400 buildings appear on the National Register of Historic Places. Though the commune became a private land-owning corporation in 1932, more than half of current residents are descendants, and inns, restaurants and shops draw heavily on traditional foods and handicrafts.
The area makes a few mainstream concessions, including the Wasserbahn water park at the Holiday Inn Amana Colonies along I-80. But heritage and history dominate, as in the Wiener schnitzel-heavy menus at the Ronneburg and other restaurants.
Amana Colonies Convention and Visitors Bureau
More to do in Amana
Amana Heritage Society Museum Not just a museum, this spot offers guided bike and wine-tasting tours. The society also operates the High Amana Store (left).
Amana Meat Shop and Smokehouse As old as Amana itself--this store was established in 1855.
Colony Inn Amana's oldest restaurant serves up hearty classics.
Fireside Winery Enjoy an afternoon picnic in the vineyard, or gather around the fire pit.
Hahn's Hearth Oven Bakery Try homemade breads and pastries baked in the only original hearth oven in the Amana Colonies.
Old Creamery Theatre The oldest professional theater company in Iowa brings in actors from across the nation.
Ox Yoke Inn Amana Farmers started the tradition of enjoying hearty, family-style meals at this classic eatery.
Colony Inn 319/622-3030
Hahn's Hearth Oven Bakery 319/622-3439
Amana Meat Shop and Smokehouse
More authentic getaways: Ohio and Indiana
Traditional crafts and foods are a way of life for the region's largest Amish communities centered on Holmes County in central Ohio and northern Indiana's Elkhart County (left). For acres of fresh food and artisans' works: Indiana's new American Countryside Farmers Market in an Amish-crafted barn. Smaller Amish enclaves flourish elsewhere, including around Arthur and Arcola in east-central Illinois.
Ohio Amish Country Holmes County Chamber of Commerce
Big-time thrill rides and quiet beaches: Ohio
Plenty of Midwesterners chase thrills at theme parks, 10 million of us at last count, in fact. We're almost 30 percent more likely than other Americans to vacation at theme parks. And if you're looking for the next hot ride, all you really need to know about is Sandusky's Cedar Point Amusement Park.
America's second-oldest amusement park, set along Lake Erie west of Cleveland, holds one of the planet's great collections of roller coasters. Out of the park's 75 rides, 17 are roller coasters (left). The Millennium Force tops out at 93 mph. This screamer and its kin all stand within an hour of Cleveland, two hours of Detroit and Columbus and an easy day's drive from Milwaukee, Chicago and Indy.
If you get woozy just by walking through a revolving door, relax. A half-dozen golden beaches stretch about 90 miles along this shore from Vermilion (40 miles east of Cleveland) to Maumee Bay State Park outside Toledo. Perhaps the best sand beach on Lake Erie unfolds just beyond the lobby doors of The Breakers, Cedar Point's glorious white wedding cake of a 1905 hotel. And for visitors who like quieter surroundings, ferries regularly depart for peaceful offshore island.
Cedar Point Amusement Park and lodgings
Lake Erie Shores and Islands Visitor Center
Kelleys Island Chamber of Commerce
Put-In-Bay Chamber of Commerce
More to do on the Western Lake Erie shore
Great Wolf Lodge Only guests can use the indoor water park.
Kalahari Resort This kid-pleaser claims to be America's largest indoor water park--bigger than three football fields.
Maumee Bay Resort Set in a 1,850-acre state park, the modern lakeside lodge features 120 rooms and a restaurant that serves expertly prepared fresh fish. A campground, beach, wildlife walk and 18-hole, Arthur Hills-designed golf course provide enough fun to make the area a vacation destination in its own right.
New Sandusky Fish Company This is the best bargain in the region for sandwiches of freshly caught perch and walleye.
Toft's Dairy At the Sandusky dairy plant, the ice cream parlor, decorated with Holstein-accented murals, serves 51 flavors, including Bare Foot Brownie and Howly Toledo.
Offshore Islands Ferries based in Sandusky and Port Clinton and on the Marblehead Peninsula link the mainland to South Bass island and neighboring Kelleys Island.
Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial More than 300 feet above South Bass, an expansive view opens atop this tribute to the leader of an 1812 Lake Erie battle.
The Boardwalk In South Bass' touristy village, Put-in-Bay, try the famous lobster bisque in the main restaurant with indoor and open-air seating.
Kelleys Island This quiet getaway (left) offers miles of hiking trails, long stretches of pristine beach, Native American pictographs and camping at Kelleys Island State Park.
New Sandusky Fish Company 419/621-8263
Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial
More beaches: Wisconsin
Thirty beaches dot some 300 miles of Lake Michigan coast along the Door Peninsula on Wisconsin's east side (155 miles north of Milwaukee). But most visitors end up splitting time among this area's other attractions: five state parks and pretty fishing villages full of lodgings, restaurants, shops and art galleries featuring local artists' work.
Big adventures on a budget: South Dakota
For those with modest budgets and a tolerance for driving across the prairie, the mountainous Black Hills still provide the stuff of family-vacation legends.
Up-close views of Mount Rushmore (free, except for $10 for parking) and the Crazy Horse Memorial ($10 each, or $27 per carload) alone make the trip worthwhile. Everyone should walk Rushmore's Presidential Trail. This one-mile paved path loops under the presidents' noses and provides outstanding places to snap photos. Some rocks you pass still show drill marks from carving in the 1930s.
The storied Iron Mountain Road winds around corkscrew bridges to connect Rushmore with Custer State Park ($15 for a week's pass). About 2,000 bison, the nation's largest remaining herd, roam part of the 70,700-acre park. Seeing them can be as easy as driving the Wildlife Loop. Trails throughout meander to overlooks and creeks perfect for wading.
Each of four affordable, family-friendly lodges at Custer State Park offers unique character. Three bucks buys a day pass on the George S. Mickelson Trail, a converted-railbed bike trail running 109 miles through the Hills beside streams, over trestles and through tunnels.
Your Custer State Park pass gets you one of the Hills' best views at the end of a drive up Mount Coolidge, encompassing Crazy Horse, Rushmore and the Badlands. And that scene, as you probably guessed, is priceless.
Black Hills, Badlands and Lakes Association
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
More to do in the Black Hills
Custer State Park lodges We especially love the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Sylvan Lake Lodge on a rock-rimmed pool that starred in the recent movie National Treasure II. Blue Bell Lodge offers a Western feel in the heart of the park. Legion Lake Lodge, right on the water, is perfect for fishing, swimming or boating. State Game Lodge and Resort claims stays by presidents Coolidge and Eisenhower.
1880 Train This historic rail line travels through splendid scenery with views as far as Harney Peak, the highest mountain in South Dakota.
Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway The 68-mile byway passes along jutting granite cliffs, serene lakes and pine-clad mountains.
Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway Meander past rock formations and pull over to splash in Spearfish Creek (left), known for its trout fishing.
Wind Cave National Park Take a candlelight tour of one of the world's longest and most complex caves.
More adventure: Michigan and Minnesota
Majestic wilderness, the sort crowded out by development elsewhere, survives on Michigan's Upper Peninsula, a 250-mile-long wedge of forests, waterfalls, lakes and rugged Great Lakes coasts. Whether it's a hike on 90 miles of trails in Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park or a trip along the storied Tahquamenon River (left), the experiences of a lifetime await.
Canoe and camp in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, the chain of lakes and streams along the Minnesota/Canada border. Or check into an area lakeside lodge for a not-too-rugged adventure (canoeing and fishing by day; fine dining at night).
Upper Peninsula Travel and Recreation Association
Beach getaways close to home: Michigan
Midwesterners rank a beach getaway as their top vacation choice, but many find themselves with less time and money to travel to the coasts. Fortunately, "beach" doesn't have to mean "far-off ocean." The southwest Michigan shore claims miles of blue water and white sand within a half-day's drive of Chicago and Detroit.
Sand spreads north from the Indiana line, interrupted only by harbors crowded with pleasure boats, lively towns that make summer their business and piers perfect for walking into legendary sunsets. Inland, the lake-tempered climate nurtures vineyards and fruit farms.
Just across the Indiana line, New Buffalo, Michigan, qualifies as a straight-out-of-a-painting beach town with a main street that stretches almost right onto a sun-toasted beach.
Tree-shaded Ludington, 175 miles north, anchors the north end of the most accessible coast. Here, a carefully tended beach unfolds beside a miniature-golf course, a new skateboard park and a shady, Frisbee-friendly boulevard of picnic spots, with hotel options such as the comfy, value-priced Four Seasons.
Saugatuck, South Haven, Holland and Grand Haven each has its own unique graces, such as Saugatuck's legendary Oval Beach (left). The towns also share a new energy infused by chefs cooking in unlikely places and entrepreneurs remaking the resort scene. Saugatuck's Bella Vita Spa and Suites, for example, offers romantic, contemporary suites appointed in Scandinavian style.
Holland Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
Ludington Convention and Visitors Bureau
Saugatuck/Douglas Visitors Bureau
Southwestern Michigan Tourist Council
More to do in southwest Michigan
Chestnut House Bed and Breakfast Cozy up with Lake Michigan views from your window.
CityFlats Hotel Stay in one of Michigan's first LEED-certified hotels, in Holland.
Gordon Beach Inn/Timothy's Restaurant Swim from the private beach near New Buffalo; also, an inventive, upscale menu.
Kamp Across from the Dunes Park your RV across from scenic Warren Dunes State Park and Lake Michigan.
Marina Grand Resort In New Buffalo, luxurious rooms and condos look out on a Lake Michigan harbor.
Round Barn Winery and Distillery (left) Try the specialty wines, fruit brandies, vodka and microbrews.
Saugatuck Brewing Company Schedule a brewing session with friends and make your own beer to bring home.
Silver Beach County Park Fish or swim in Lake Michigan at this local park.
Tabor Hill Winery and Restaurant Bring friends along for group tours and wine tasting.
Weko Beach A campground and a summer concert series make this better than your average Lake Michigan beach.
Windmill Island and Gardens In Holland, visit with the only female Dutch-certified miller in North America.
Chestnut House Bed and Breakfast
Gordon Beach Inn/Timothy's Restaurant
Round Barn Winery and Distillery
Tabor Hill Winery and Restaurant
Surprisingly hip small towns: Wisconsin
The lush farm country south and west of Madison aligns perfectly with travel trends toward fresh food and active, green, artsy pursuits.
Outsiders started noticing the area when Mineral Point, a historic mining town, reinvented itself as a center for the arts. Cool really crept in when Madison chefs set up shop in The Bank Restaurant and Wine Bar in Spring Green and in The Dining Room at 209 Main in tiny Monticello.
Active travelers from Chicago and Milwaukee have started coming for a great trail network and bike-able backroads (kept in good condition for dairy trucks). Places are popping up to serve these newcomers, including the new, ecofriendly Earth Rider Inn on the Sugar River Trail.
The new is settling seamlessly with the old. The classic tourist attractions remain, including House on the Rock. Monroe still pumps out the cheese and beer that give the state much of its identity. Spring Green traces its artsy vibe to Frank Lloyd Wright's home and studio, Taliesin, and the acclaimed open-air American Players Theatre.
Mineral Point Chamber of Commerce
Wisconsin Department of Tourism
The Bank Restaurant and Wine Bar
More to do in Wisconsin
Baumgartner's This combination cheese store and tavern on the square in Monroe takes local flavor to the extreme with a famous Limburger cheese sandwich--just as stinky as you'd expect, but surprisingly good.
Cave of the Mounds Near Mount Horeb, the hour-long tour of this family-owned cave (left)--discovered by accident on a family farm in 1939; now a National Natural Landmark--provides fascinating, up-close looks at delicate crystal formations and spooky lights-out time.
Chalet Landhaus Inn The Sugar River Trail runs past this nicely kept Swiss-theme motel in New Glarus; also an easy walk to restaurants and shops.
Glarner Stube Locals get their Swiss fix at this cozy New Glarus eatery. Try roesti, a sort of Swiss hash browns but with Swiss cheese!
House on the Rock Resort Rooms look out on a 27-hole golf course at this first-class resort in Spring Green, near the American Players Theatre and House on the Rock.
Little Norway Along with other historic buildings filled with a fascinating collection of Scandinavian settlers' artifacts, a stavkirke (Norwegian church) nestles in a green valley near Mount Horeb.
Alp and Dell Cheese Store In Monroe, watch cheese-makers at work, and buy samples in the store.
More hip small towns
A green, artsy attitude comes naturally to Cottonwood Falls, Kansas, a tiny Flint Hills county seat surrounded by the world's largest remaining tallgrass prairie (80 miles southwest of Topeka). Equally natural in this prime cattle-grazing country is an appreciation of beef and fresh local ingredients like those served in the dining room of the AAA Four Diamond Grand Central Hotel and Grill.
Artists offering classes in painting, mosaics and fiber arts bring a new creative spirit to Nashville, Indiana, a southern Indiana artists' enclave (left), 60 miles south of Indianapolis). The forested hills that have staved off development and inspired generations of painters also bring outdoorsy types. Nearby Brown County State Park, the state's oldest and largest, and vast Hoosier National Forest offer miles of trails.
First, antiques and specialty shops resurrected historic Galena, Illinois. Then, artists and foodies began to infuse their own brands of inspiration into this 1800s river port and lead-mining boom town. Now, galleries and studios, several with hands-on art experiences, mingle with other shops, and chefs teach cooking classes. Meanwhile, antiques shops and B&Bs are flourishing.
(A version of this story appeared in Midwest Living® March/April 2009.)
Chase County Chamber of Commerce (Cottonwood Falls)
Brown County Convention and Visitors Bureau (Nashville)


text:
Crossing Borders
Program Dates
Spring break 2015
SPA 3750: Crossing Borders (aka Convivencia: Journey to al-Andalus) 4 cr.
A study-travel course throughout Spain to examine "la convivencia" (co-existence) of Jews, Christians, and Muslims in Medieval Spain (711-1492). Students explore the sites, history, and art of these three religious groups, and learn how they understood one another and interacted. By visiting places such as the Jewish quarters and synagogues, the Muslim mosques and tea houses, and the walled Christian cities, we observe how these diverse flavors still intermingle on the Peninsula. Included are visits to the Alhambra, Mezquita, the Giralda, and other historical and cultural sites. Lectures given during the Spring semester. Travel takes place during spring break. Taught in English. No prerequisite. Open to all students.
Students may receive Religious and Theological Studies credit with special permission. Course satisfies the X(Experiential Learning) in the LS Core, a JCM minor requirement, or a Spanish major/minor requirement with permission from instructor.
As we explore this formative period in the history of Western civilization, we visit Cordoba, the center of Islamic rule in Spain; Sevilla, the favored city of Christian monarchs; Granada, the city of the Alhambra built by Nasrid kings; and Toledo, a center of creativity – the old capital of pre-Islamic Christian Visigoths, which in the 11th and 12th centuries became the intellectual capital of Europe. We visit Ronda, a dramatically sited town in the mountains of Sierra de Grazalema and walk the surrounding pueblos blancos - white villages that dot this magnificent mountain region.


text:
Your shopping bag is empty!
We heart Miss Maven AKA Teni Panosian's how-to-videos and are delighted that in this clip she's showcasing our newest launches.
Check out her take on our NEW Eyeko Mascara Wardrobe and Eyeko Skinny Mini Liquid Eyeliner Trio featuring Black, Brown and Navy which looks stunning on Teni.
It's one of our personal favourites too as that dark inky blue really helps to brighten and whiten our eyes for a wide-awake look!
We love seeing your videos and pics wearing Eyeko so please share them with us on our Facebook page.
Liner & Lashes by Miss Maven from Eyeko on Vimeo.


text:
"For everyone to whom much is given, of him shall much be required." -- Luke 12:48
Raven - Moneybird's Black Magic Marker***
(Esprit's Power Play x Trumarc's Lean Cuisine)
Mick - Moneybird's Jumpin' Jack Flash***
(Clubmead's Road Warrior x Oakdale Whitewater Devil Dog)
Peerless - Moneybird's Sole Survivor
(Two River's Lucky Willie x Moneybird's Black Magic Marker)
My first trial dog was a very good blind running dog and I have to say I thought he remembered those blinds... Maybe he would have remembered them anyway... Len thought it worked with his dogs...
Bill Davis
Am worried about stealing thread but I do enjoy hearing some of your experiences and plans for your dogs. Maybe not for this forum or even for the retriever forum. I h talked with Franco, RK and Buzz and Hunt about their dogs and plans via PM's but that is really cumbersome. I would like to know what all of you are doing with your dogs and plans. It also gives me the opportunity to plan training and test trips and look you up.
Any suggestions, I am game
I want to get back to the topic of this thread, but first ... the HRC Grand is in Iowa next year? Where? I've only seen one HRC test. I used to train with some HRC guys around here and went out to work one of their tests. Would like to go check out the Grand.
Anyway, just an FYI about paying union dues, to put it in perspective for those who think its an unreasonable imposition.
Years ago, we (UAW) tied our dues rates to wages earned, so that we no longer have to deal with adjusting dues periodically as costs go up (or down). Our members pay 2 hours of earnings per month. So the more you earn, the higher your dues. The exception to this is if you work less than (if I remember correctly) 20 hours in the month, then dues are waived. This pertains to those who are off work sick or injured or laid off, etc.
So if youre paid a flat rate of $18.50/hr, your dues that month will be $37. If your flat rate is $21.25. you will pay $42.50. Production workers ... those who work directly machining and producing parts, assembly, testing, etc., as opposed to maintenance, material handling, trucking, etc. ... are paid according to an incentive system (piecework, so to speak) so their hourly earnings will fluctuate, but their dues are still 2 hours of their average earnings for that month.
So what do they get for that? You can spend the rest of your day researching that if you like but here is one BLS link that indicates union wages are roughly $150/week higher than non-union wages for comparable work.
Other sources will show numbers up to $200/week difference.
So, assuming $150 - &200/week, the guy working with a union contract is earning around $7,500 - $10,000 MORE per year. If he/she wants to refuse to pay $40 or so per MONTH for that benefit then, YES, I will call him a leech. Or, to coin another term, a part of the Something-For-Nothing crowd.
Our members happen to think its reasonable too, as we have a miniscule number who choose to scab.
Now, for those who believe good wages are bad for the country, thats another issue altogether, with all sorts of arguments either way. This thread is about Right-to-Work laws and paying your share of the cost of your contract.
Dont wave your phony patriotism in MY face! If you really love America, open your wallet and hire an American kid to build what you buy. Doug Fraser (paraphrased) 1980
Real Americans buy American.
So as to not suggest that the almighty $$$ is the only thing a union is concerned with, I remind you there are literally hundreds of working conditions spelled out in a labor agreement. And remember, a contract of any kind WORKS BOTH WAYS. Its an agreement negotiated by 2 parties that defines the rights AND the responsibilities of EACH. Both the company AND the workers. And in the case of labor contracts, it is always the practice that all rights and decisions that are not stipulated in the agreement are the discretion of management.
Without exception, all those work rules contained in union contracts, have come about as the result of a past disregard for the working conditions of the workers. If workers are satisfied with the terms of their employment and believe it is equitable, there is no need to write language addressing it.
As an example off the top of my head; we once had a common practice of notifying employees on very short notice, that we would be working on Saturday. Because of some unforeseen circumstance the supervisor could come to you at 2 PM on Friday afternoon and inform you the line would be running tomorrow and you WILL be here. No concern that you may have planned to take the kids camping for the weekend or that one of them had a Saturday morning football game. This was never an everyweek occurrence but it happened way too often. Furthermore, when you got there on Saturday morning, you would often find there was only enough material available to work a couple hours and were then sent home! Made the employees really happy and willing to go the extra mile for the company!
We raised the issue in negotiations (thats referred to as a union demand ). Long story short, the company insisted they needed the flexibility to respond to short-notice production needs. We dropped it.
For the next three years (3-year contract) the practice continued and the next negotiations it was a higher priority issue. Again, the company dug in their heels on the right to schedule production as they saw fit, but at the eleventh hour, we did get a letter of agreement pledging that they would endeavor to plan further ahead and minimize these last minute notifications. (I have not forgotten that ratification meeting! Not popular with the rank & file! )
The situation did improve a little but was still an issue. We processed a number of grievances during the contract period ... basically just to document the problem, as the pledge letter was weak and not binding. At the NEXT negotiations, we were successful in getting resolution that notification of weekend overtime must be given by the preceding Wednesday and that the overtime would first be offered as voluntary to the most senior qualified employee and go down the list until they filled the need. If they got to the bottom of the seniority list and still needed more people, they could start back up the list and assign it as mandatory.
There were further restrictions on mandatory weekend overtime but, guess what??? Once the language was in the contract, the issue went away! Supervisors discovered they could easily avoid the problem by doing their job and properly planning ahead. Rarely was there any Saturday production after that ... (wonder how much that saved the company in overtime pay because the managers involved, had to start doing their job). And when there WAS an unforeseen need, there was never any problem getting enough qualified workers to volunteer. It has never been a hindrance to the company and employees can plan a family weekend just like anyone else.
And this is one single, simple benefit that the freerider gets right along with the rest of the members. There are hundreds.
Dont wave your phony patriotism in MY face! If you really love America, open your wallet and hire an American kid to build what you buy. Doug Fraser (paraphrased) 1980
Real Americans buy American.


text:
Now we've all paid our taxes and, hopefully, avoided those automobile accidents that only make tax day worse. And even if you're one of the lucky few expecting something back, the whole ordeal is still a big headache. Tax regulations are on a nonstop march into baffling complexity and the political chatter around the so-called Buffett Rule is more theater than policy. Nor has Romney's latest specifics about the deductions he'd cut generated much other than the predictable partisan banter. But it's mostly the future which is so worrisome. If you look at the inevitable 21st century trend where more and more Americans will be over 60 -- that longevity we achieved in the 20th century combined with increasingly low birth rates -- tax and spend policies will have to profoundly shift if we are to avoid burdensome, confiscatory rates on those in the traditional working population.
Here's where we are today: For every dollar we spend on a child, we spend $2.40 on an over 65er. And if the $68 billion budget on education seems generous, it pales next to the $480 billion annual price tag for Medicare. According to the Brookings Institute, this lopsided spending is only going to increase in the coming years, "rising to 7 to 1 if looking just at the federal budget."
That does not compute against 21st century demographics, unless we profoundly alter the policy approach. 700% more spending on the elderly than children? Of course, you justify 700% more spending on seniors than children if you are operating on paradigms that posit the aging as dependent, needful and socially and economically obsolete. If Boomers want to continue the proud national tradition of handing off a better America to each generation, then it's time to rethink what it means to age. If Boomers are going to take from their grandchildren at a seven-to-one clip, then there's not much prosperity on the horizon. Especially if we continue to assume a growing tax burden on those who are traditional working age.


text: So this jack a-- is on national TV talking football and doesn't mention the NYG. U work in NY, the TV show ur on is in NY. How do u talk abt EVERY OTHER team in the playoffs, but not the giants? Carton is a baboon and Boomer is right there too. I'm sick of these jet fan hosts. Thier hatred for the giants is on display every morning. I dnt care that they are jet fans, what I do care about is how UPSET they sound, and how rude they are to GIANTS fans. Rant over. Sorry.


text:
What can it do for me?
CitizenView is a quick and easy to use web-based system that provides public sector users with instant online access to Experian's extensive consumer and business information databases to help improve fraud detection, boost revenue collection and aid debt recovery.
How can we help you?
Designed in partnership with local authorities, the solution can also be used by other public sector organisations to support address level due diligence checks in the processing of applications for benefits, or in support of tracing, recovery and enforcement action or enforcing statutory tax or duty.
A few key facts
- Low cost, high value.
- Access to unrivalled data sources.
- Secure information sharing.
- Audit and compliance management.
In addition to the data sources returned within the first three search types, a comprehensive financial search provides the user with access to:
- Experian's unique consumer credit database containing over 400 million records of credit agreements held by UK citizens
- A file of house repossessions supplied by members of the Council of Mortgage Lenders
- The UK's largest file of previous search records
- The full Electoral Register, fully updated annually and on a rolling monthly basis
- Residential telephone numbers
- Employment telephone numbers recently supplied by the citizen on applications for credit
- Director's information, including current, previous and dissolved directorships and disqualifications
- Goneaway information for the Gone Away Information Network (GAIN).
CitizenView, developed specifically for use by the public sector, delivers a range of benefits, including:
Low cost – high value
CitizenView is highly cost-effective. It reduces the cost of revenue recovery actions and helps to improve operational efficiency. The product is simple to access and no additional software beyond Internet Explorer is required.
Provides access to unrivalled data sources
Experian's databases contain more than one billion records on citizens, businesses, insurance, motor vehicles and propensity profiles. These are updated in real-time, daily,
monthly and annually. The system has the ability to deliver address and data of birth corroboration, as well as home and work telephone numbers.
Instant responses
As an online system, CitizenView provides instant responses, which are needed to make fast and informed decisions. This enables a more efficient and effective approach to the conduct of due diligence checks and revenue recovery actions.
Helps to reduce the levels of fraud through better prevention and detection
To assist each other with investigations and risk management, local authorities can opt to securely share details of previous case records and additional data files, creating a citizen-centric view through a single search.
By sharing previous case records for homeless housing across local authorities, departments can identify citizens attempting to make multiple applications and therefore prevent the misappropriation of resources.
Other areas within the public sector can limit exposure to fraud by sharing experience of fraudulent and suspect cases.
Increase the amount of debt recovered
By sharing recovery experience across local authorities, users gain an understanding of the most effective strategy for individual citizens, to enable them to maximise the amount of debt recovered and collect it more quickly.
Locate goneaways more quickly
By sharing goneaway details within and across local authorities via a public sector closed user group, users can implement a more joined up approach to tracing goneaways, reducing duplication of effort and thereby locating debtors more quickly.


text:
Aubrey Boren had an important phone call to return earlier this week.
Tupelo Christian Preparatory School's athletics director and head football coach called the Greenville O'Bannon football coach to discuss the possibility of playing a home-and-home game against the Delta school, beginning this season.
"We'd like to play here this year and would have no problem coming to your place the next year," Boren explained to the coach.
After a few minutes, their conversation ended.
"We should know something later today," Boren said, then smiled.
Boren has been in communication with a lot of schools since TCPS learned last month it could leave the Mississippi Private School Association to join the Mississippi High School Activities Association for the upcoming 2009-10 school year.
Because the MHSAA has expanded from five to six classifications, and schedules have been set, the Eagles' varsity football and basketball programs will compete as independents the first two years.
However, TCPS's other programs – baseball, cheerleading, fast-pitch softball, swimming, tennis and track and field – will be eligible to compete for division, north state and state championships immediately in Class 1A.
Cross country is expected to be added this fall, while the addition of slow-pitch softball and boys and girls soccer is in the discussion stages, Boren noted.
"Anytime you change and change to the unknown, it raises questions," he said. "We're grateful for the way the MPSA treated us and appreciated all that they've done.
"Everything's been very positive in the move to the MHSAA. The public system has received us very well."
The MHSAA's executive director, Dr. Ennis Procter, expects other private schools to join the MHSAA in the future.
"We have some things they don't offer," he said. "We have speech, debate, music and some of the best band programs in the country."
While Boren continues to work on filling a 10-game football schedule, one that kicks off with a road game at Mantachie, he had very few problems with his basketball schedule.
"We've been in invited to play in a lot of tournaments. We even got a call from the Hotbed Classic. I told them we're not ready for that," he said, then laughed, referring to New Albany's annual boys tournament that features many of the top area teams as well as top-flight out-of-state programs.
TCPS will be one of the smallest schools competing in the MHSAA with its enrollment of between 85 and 90 students in grades 9-12.
Still, the athletes are looking forward to the challenge of competing against the public schools and building area rivalries. As a matter of fact, they experienced play against public schools in football and basketball this past season. The Eagles played Houlka and Wheeler in football, while the basketball teams battled Mantachie and Smithville.
"This is an opportunity to play new people, new teams and start new rivalries," said football and basketball player Braxton Melancon.
"To be the best you have to play the best," said Bettina White, who plays basketball and runs track and cross country. "This was a step to make our school and athletic programs better."
Gene Phelps/Daily Journal