text:
All photos: Andrew White/WIREDGo Back to Top. Skip To: Start of Article.
Skip Article Header. Skip to: Start of Article.
Microsoft announced its second-generation Surface tablet PCs and a handful of accompanying accessories today. Here's a closeup view of all the new products, from the new silver-encased Surface 2 (pictured on the right), to its thicker and more powerful counterpart, the Surface Pro 2 (pictured on the left). The Surface Pro 2 didn't get many external changes. It even has the exact same measurements and weight as the first-gen Surface Pro. Instead, most of its updates are inside, including a new Intel Haswell chip for power enhancement. A profile view of the Surface Pro 2, which is still a bit too thick and heavy to use comfortably in tablet form. But for an ultrabook replacement, it's very thin and light. The biggest external change to the Surface Pro 2? A kickstand that bends further back. The new kickstand has two angles, one for using on a desk, and another that is much better for in-lap use. The Surface 2 sports the same new kickstand as the Surface Pro 2. The former got a lot more external changes, however. It's thinner (0.35 inches) and lighter ("less than 1.49 pounds"), according to Microsoft. The Surface 2 also received a new, white-silver casing and bold Surface logo. The profile of the Surface 2 with the Touch Cover 2 attached. The Touch Cover 2 is also thinner than the original, making for a super sleek package when the two are connected. The Type Cover 2 got a makeover as well. It comes in more vibrant colors. More importantly, it's thinner and designed to make it easier for you to type accurately and quickly. Both the Touch Cover 2 and Type Cover 2 now have backlighting. The Surface Pro 2 with its many accessories: a stylus, the Type Cover 2 and the Surface Dock. When the Surface Pro 2 or Surface 2 are connected to the Surface dock, they get several extra ports including a Mini DisplayPort, Ethernet, audio in and out, one USB 3.0, and three USB 2.0. The Surface Pro 2 connected to an external display thanks to the Surface dock. Going forward, both the Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 will get more unique and niche accessories. For example, this is the Surface Remix Project, a DJ tool attachment.


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Manufacturer / StyleShirley of Hollywood 278Product NameSatin and Denier Crotchless PantiesCurrent StatusOut of production / no longer available.Alternative Styles
DreamgirlChantilly Lace Open Crotch Lace Up Panties$12.00 Now: $8.95
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text:
World Chess Hall of Fame
Saint Louis, Missouri
The World Chess Hall of Fame is proud to present the Phil Dunlap Quintet as part of the 2014 monthly music series—in partnership with Jazz St. Louis.
Phil Dunlap Quintet featuring Clay Jenkins, Jeff Campbell, Marty Morrison, and Jason Swagler
6:30 p.m. Doors Open
7:00 p.m. Concert
Tickets for Purchase
$10 General Admission
$5 Members, Students, Seniors, and Military Personnel
Complimentary Valet
Seating is limited, please contact Claire Grothe at email@example.com or (314) 367-9243 ext. 105 for ticket reservations or click here for tickets.
About the Phil Dunlap Quintet
Phil Dunlap (piano), A native of Iowa, Phillip Dunlap currently resides in St. Louis, MO where he is active as a musician and educator. He holds Bachelor of Music degrees in jazz performance (piano) and music theory/composition and a Masters of Music in jazz performance from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. While there he studied with renowned pianist and educator, Reginald Thomas.
As a musican, Dunlap performs throughout the United States and abroad with his own group, the Phil Dunlap Quintet, and as a sideman having performed with musicians such as Jimmy Cobb, Terell Stafford, John Pizzarelli, Houston Person and many more. Recent performances include Jazz at the Bistro, the Saint Louis Art Museum, and Powell Symphony Hall.
When not performing, Dunlap is the Director of Education for Jazz St. Louis, a not-for profit organization dedicated to the thriving of jazz in America. Dunlap also manages the extensive portfolio of education programs, which are available to all schools, students and teachers in the greater St. Louis area. Phil is also a faculty member of American Voices. In 2009, Dunlap traveled to Afghanistan where he was artist in residence at Kabul University's School of Music and at the National Institute for Music. Dunlap teaches courses in jazz history as well as music business at the University of Missouri - St. Louis and Webster University. In 2011, Dunlap was named "30 Under 30" by the St. Louis Business Journal.
Jeff Campbell (bass), Jeff Campbell has carved out an impressive career as a bass player, fluent in both the jazz and classical idioms. Campbell maintains an active schedule performing with Marian McPartland, Gene Bertoncini, Rich Perry, and many more. Campbell has performed at prestigious European musical events as the Nice, Montreux, North Sea, Riga, and Parnu Jazz Festivals.
Campbell also acts as a jazz educator with a keen interest in bass playing of the past, present, and future. As a full-time professor at Eastman since 1997, Campbell's teaching duties include jazz bass, jazz history, jazz theory and aural skills.
Campbell's music education began at an early age under the influence of his professional-musician parents. As a young musician, Jeff received much of his musical training working with local professional musicians in a myriad of musical styles and venues. Campbell holds degrees in double bass performance and music educationfrom Brigham Young University and the Eastman School of Music.
Marty Morrison (drums), Marty Morrison was exposed to music at an early age by his father jazz organist and pianist Billy Morrison and has been playing the drums since he was five years old. In 1993, Morrison joined the Unified Jazz Ensemble working as an artist in residence for the National Endowment for the Arts Rural Arts Initiative program. In 1997, Morrison relocated to the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area where he continued to perform and teach with the Unified Jazz Ensemble for the next ten years. The east coast music scene offered Morrison the opportunity to perform and freelance not only around the east coast but also around the globe. Morrison has performed with Wynton Marsalis, Marcus Roberts, Phil Woods, Gary Thomas, Rick Margitza, John Faddis and many more. Morrison has toured Japan, England, Germany, Belgium, Korea, Azerbaijan, Canada, and Mexico.
In 2007, Morrison returned to St. Louis area and earned his Masters of Music Degree at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville. Currently, Morrison is a professor of jazz studies at Missouri State University.
Clay Jenkins (trumpet), Clay Jenkins' career as a jazz artist has covered a wide range of musical experiences. Jenkins earned his Bachelor's Degree in Music Theory from the University of North Texas and studied trumpet with John Haynie. Upon completion of his degree, Jenkins went out on the road, playing the jazz trumpet chair with the Stan Kenton Orchestra. He recorded three live albums with the Kenton Band, Artistry in Symphonic Jazz, A Time for Love, and The Lost Concerts, Volumes I and II.
Jenkins moved to Los Angeles in 1978, where he continued playing in live performaces and in studio recording sessions.Jenkins also studied with the renowned trumpet teacher, James Stamp for the next two years. From Los Angeles, he toured with the big bands of Harry James, Buddy Rich, and the Count Basie Orchestra.
Jenkins earned his Master's Degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Southern California in 1993, studying trumpet with Boyde Hood. Jenkins began teaching at several schools, including The Foundation for the Junior Blind, The University of Southern California, California State University at Northridge, ad the California Institute of the Arts. Jenkins has also served as the Chairman of the Music Theory Department at the Colburn School of Performing Arts from 1988 through the summer of 2000, and co-authored the theory textbook being used there and in other schools.
Currently, Jenkins is an Associate Professor of Jazz Trumpet at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. He has performed and presented clinics all over the United States, Canada, Japan, Italy, Korea, Germany, Portugal, Russia, and South Africa. Jenkins is a charter member of the trumpet section of the Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra.
Jason Swagler (alto saxophone), Jason Swagler is an Instructor of Music of Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. A member of the faculty since 2000, his teaching duties have included jazz saxophone, concert jazz band, lab band, combo, jazz history, music history, and music theory. Swagler maintains as active performing career, playing between 100-150 dates a year under his own name and as a freelancer.
Swagler is the founding member of the soul jazz group. CommonWealth. Locally he has performed in nearly every major venue in the St. Louis area, including Jazz at the Bistro, UMB Bank Pavillion, the Fox Theatre, the Pageant, and many more. Swagler has toured extensively throughout Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, and the United States. Swagler has also taught for Washington University, Southwestern Illinois College, and Greenville College. Swagler is a product of the SIUE's Music Program, earning Bachelor of Music Education, Bachelor of Jazz Performance, and Master of Jazz Performance degrees from the university.


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1. My house has been taken over by someone who weighs a mere 7 (and something) pounds...how has this happened? Walk in our front door and you'll find her stroller, car seat, diaper bag, activity mat, bassinet, bouncy seat, and a changing station all in our formal living room-glamorous, huh? We are turning into Babies R Us around here.
2. Weather in Nashville has been absolutely amazing...we took little bit on another walk around the neighborhood this weekend, which was a success, and Jeff and I plan on doing it as much as possible. We may not be able to take her out to "public outings" yet {our doctor recommended no mass public interaction for 4 weeks}, but we can certainly take little drives/walks here and there to get some vitamin D.
3. The house has smelled like a florist ever since we came home from the hospital...from friends, family, and work colleagues sending such gorgeous arrangements, it has been so pleasant to have happy flowers all around our abode as of late.
4. I am itching, and I mean itching to get back into the gym. I've got hand weights that I try to use every other day or so to keep my arms in check, but my legs are ready to be put back into motion. I am hoping I can inch my way back there soon because I need some 1-on-1 meditation time with the treadmill...gosh I have missed it so much!
As for those of you that have inquired about the pound lossage so far, as of this morning, I have lost 20 of the 29 pounds I gained with little bit. Honestly, I can't believe it has fallen off so quickly...some I blame to my lackluster appetite and my inability to eat when I have a free moment, but I am happy with the progress so far. Everyone keeps telling me the last 8-10 pounds are the hardest to get off so we'll start working on that soon!
5. Opry Mills has officially reopened! Bring on the spring time shopping...JCrew Outlet, BCBG, Michael Kors, Janie and Jack, Off Fifth-good thing someone's stroller has more than adequate storage space for shopping bags!
6. DVR is my new best friend..once I get peanut down for naps, I get to catch up on all my favorite shows that I'm not able to watch during regular hours-thank you technology for keeping this non-sleeping mother semi-sane ;).
7. Another Monday, which means another new week of my new "routine". I'm excited about all sorts of activities this week...my grandparents coming over to watch Caroline so I can get my hair done, CC's 2 week checkup, my new blog design being installed, and then Easter weekend!
Have a great one my friends ;)
- 30 Comments
Reading this post makes me want a baby :) Those walks sound like such a sweet time for you guys! Congrats on your weight loss already - that's awesome!ReplyDelete
Loved this post! It's exciting to hear how well you are doing- I can't believe you have already lost 20 lbs! You go girl. I bet the last 9 will come off faster than you think. Have a great week!ReplyDelete
Woah congrats on the weight loss! That is great!!ReplyDelete
That is awesome on the 20 lbs!! Wonder if it is that easy for everyone...hmmm... ha! :)ReplyDelete
Wow 20 pounds!!! That is incredible!ReplyDelete
Sounds like you are doing great :) I'm so glad she is finally here :) You sound super happy :)ReplyDelete
I'm so jealous of your 20-lb weight loss! You can TOTALLY do 9 lbs girl! Hope I'm as lucky as you one day!ReplyDelete
20 pounds?! I bet those 9 lbs melt right off in no time!ReplyDelete
Don't believe everything you hear about weight! Mine fell right off by week 3ish I was UNDER my per-preg weight. On the gym I was very excited to get back but I couldn't do my full work out until the baby was sleeping longer periods ... So dont get discouraged if after 30min your exhausted it's hard to function on little sleep!ReplyDelete
Go you girl, 20 pounds?! You're impressive :) I'm sure the other lil' bit will be gone in no time!ReplyDelete
Can't wait to keep hearing more updates and getting more pics of lil miss!
Hi! I found your blog from where someone else linked up for the Wedding Week last week. I am getting married June 2013. Congrats on the baby and even bigger congrats on losing that baby weight, you go girl!!ReplyDelete
20 pounds is awesome!!! That gives me hope!! You'll lose the rest in no time. So glad things are going well... and that the weather is nice! That makes all the difference!! :)ReplyDelete
20 pounds is awesome!!! That gives me hope!! You'll lose the rest in no time. So glad things are going well... and that the weather is nice! That makes all the difference!! :)ReplyDelete
20 pounds is awesome!!! That gives me hope!! You'll lose the rest in no time. So glad things are going well... and that the weather is nice! That makes all the difference!! :)ReplyDelete
20 pounds already?! Go you! That's so great!ReplyDelete
And I'm LOVING the good news about Opry Mills! I was beginning to worry that it would be closed forever. Looks like it's better than ever, too! And I'm secretly jealous of women with strollers at the mall, all that SPACE to hold your bags! Sigh.
Isn't it just amazing how much stuff little one's use? Just wait till it's toys. My 18 month old has trains, cars, blocks, you name it spread throughout my house. It looks like a jungle!!!ReplyDelete
Congrats on the weight loss. You are doing FABULOUS :)
Sounds like a fun week and weekend ahead. Have a great Monday!
Its such a thrill to see the weight disappear, isn't it? Owen is 11 weeks and I'm still carrying about 7 extra pounds, but it has been so hard to get to the gym--I mean who has the time or energy??ReplyDelete
Hope you have a great week and that your little one continues to nap so you can get some rest and relaxation!
it sounds like you are doing an awesome job!ReplyDelete
Okay, so I must ask... Are we calling her CC or Caroline? I see CC a lot and think it's darling, but love the name Caroline. Maybe CC is just a mama/baby nickname. If so, it's absolutely precious!!! I love reading about this journey of yours :)ReplyDelete
I CANNOT believe you have lots 20 lbs in no time at all. That is wonderful! :)ReplyDelete
20 pounds?!? Congratulations! Can't wait to see more pictures of baby caroline!ReplyDelete
With your motivation, you will lose those 10 pounds quickly, I'm sure!ReplyDelete
20lbs already, you GO girl!!!!ReplyDelete
wow, natasha... it sounds like you are really are tackling this mommy thing with such ease!!! i am so impressed with your weight loss (and with the fact that you didn't gain that much!)ReplyDelete
did you work out during pregnancy? i don't have kids yet, but i am hoping for them in the next year or so.... but i have set a goal for myself to lose 25 more pounds before i get pregnant. i want to be in tip top shape BEFORE i get pregnant so i can work out during pregnancy.
You go girl! 20 lbs already?! You are super woman :)ReplyDelete
You are doing great! I know the last few pounds will come off in no time!ReplyDelete
it sounds like you're doing great! so happy for you!ReplyDelete
I'm glad things are going so well for you! I can't wait to see the new design.ReplyDelete
Glad you are back blogging, and I too am pumped Opry Mills is reopened!! Woohoo!! Let the shopping begin!ReplyDelete
Wow! I bet you look fabulous already even after that baby :) Make sure and fill us in on your workouts for that last 10 pounds! :)ReplyDelete


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McDonald's to expand breakfast Dollar Menu in 2010
By Lisa Baertlein
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - McDonald's Corp will debut a breakfast Dollar Menu across the United States in January, as it fights to sustain traffic and galvanize sales hit by cut-throat competition and a 10 percent jobless rate.
U.S. sales at established McDonald's restaurants fell for the second month in a row in November and executives had been signaling that it would take the breakfast Dollar Menu national as high unemployment means fewer morning commuters swing by for food or coffee.
The world's largest hamburger chain, which dominates the U.S. fast-food morning meal category and is still outperforming its peers -- has offered breakfast items for $1 each at restaurants in Chicago and other markets for several months.
Many investors have worried what impact unemployment would have on McDonald's high-margin breakfast business which accounts for around 25 percent of U.S. sales, and Chief Executive Jim Skinner said in October that the high jobless rate had "some impact" on morning sales.
"It's defensive ... They're trying to hold on to what traffic they do have," Oppenheimer restaurant analyst Matthew DiFrisco said of the new breakfast Dollar Menu.
When the U.S. recession officially started in December 2007, there were 7.5 million people unemployed. By November this year, that number had more than doubled to 15.4 million, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
As diners have less and less money to spend in restaurants, discounting has become rampant.
Falling prices for meat, cheese and other key menu ingredients have made it easier for restaurant chains to protect profits, but the race to offer the best deals is beginning to take a bite out of margins at many chains. Continued...


text:
Seen it all now, my church was closed on Christmas, can you believe it? I never heard of such thing. The day the Christian church celebrates the birth of our Savior. My pastor decides call off church. I'm going to ask him "who gave you council on that decision?"
My daughter called on Christmas, and I told her they called off church. She couldn't believe it, her church added a third service, and it was standing room only.
I'm going to ask my Pastor what's his next move, call off Easter Sundays service as well?


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UPDATE 10 a.m. 8/26/2013:
Kenan Kinard Adams was arrested by police at around 3 a.m. on August 26.
Original story below…
Police are still searching for Kenan Kinard, the Washington teen wanted as a suspect in the killing of 88-year-old World War II veteran Delbert Belton.
Here's what you should know about this young fugitive.
Delbert 'Shorty' Belton, Murdered WWII Vet: Top 10 Facts You Need to Know
An 88-year-old vet who survived the Battle of Okinawa was beaten to death by two teens in the parking lot of his Eagles Lodge.Click here to read more
1. He is Still on the Run
Again last night it was believed that Adams Kinard was driving a stolen vehicle, not sure where he may be now. @KHQLocalNews
— Alex Rozier (@AlexRozier) August 23, 2013
Kenan Adams Kinard is still being sought by police. Authorities currently do not know where Kinard is or where he may be going, but there is speculation that he left town in a stolen car late last night.
2. He is Wanted in the Connection with the Murder of Delbert Belton
On Wednesday evening 88-year-old Delbert Belton was sitting in his car outside of the Spokane Eagles lodge when he was attacked by two young men, suspected to be Kenan Kinard and Demetruis Glenn. Belton was brought to a local hospital unconscious and bleeding and died of his injuries early the next morning.
That day police released what they believed to be security camera pictures of the two suspects.
3. His Alleged Accomplice Demetruis Glenn Has Already Been Arrested
When Demetruis Glenn was taken into custody after turning himself in he had cuts on his knuckles and fingers. #DelbertBelton @KHQLocalNews
— Alex Rozier (@AlexRozier) August 23, 2013
The second suspect in the murder of Delbert Belton, Demetruis Glenn, turned himself in to police and was arrested on sight. He is being tried with first degree murder and first degree burglary.
Glenn reportedly has a criminal history that includes third and fourth degree assault.
Demetruis Glenn, Delbert Belton Murder Suspect: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know
Glenn is the first of two suspects to be arrested in connection with Delbert Belton's murder in Spokane, Washington.Click here to read more
4. He Likes Chief Keef
Like Glenn, Kinard is also a fan of rapper Chief Keef, according to his Facebook.
Keef has been under media scrutiny lately since a number of high profile crimes have committed by outspoken fans of his. Most recently, the three suspects implicated in the murder of Australian college baseball player Christopher Lane in Oklahoma.
Since long before the Columbine High School shooting in 1999, politicians and public figures have attempted to find a correlation between certain veins of popular culture and heinous violent acts but have yet to prove that hypothesis.
Chief Keef: Top 10 Facts You Need To Know
Last Friday's murder of Australian baseball player Chris Lane by 'bored' Duncan, Oklahoma teens has been reported as being influenced by Chicago rapper Chief Keef.Click here to read more
5. He Could Be a Father
Kinard appears several times in his Facebook pictures with at first, a young pregnant woman, and then a new-born baby. Is it possible that the young, possible 15 or 16-year-old mam could be a father?
PHOTO GALLERY: An American Hero & His Alleged Teen Killers
Here are all the pictures you need to see related to the tragic murder of WWII veteran Delbert Belton, who was beaten to death, allegedly by two teen boys.Click here to read more
88-Year-Old WWII Vet Beaten to Death by Teenagers: Top 10 Saddened Tweets
Delbert Belton, an 88 year-old WWII veteran, was brutally murdered by two teens in Washington. The news sparked outrage on Twitter — with passionate calls for action.Click here to read more


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saw one in person the other day. damn beautiful car. nice seats; even with cloth it felt upscale. i had my kid with me or else I would have driven it and the focus ST. hopefully I'll have a chance to go back this weekend. glad to hear it drives nice. I really want to check out the manual as well, and the 2.0T.
I have a mk5 jetta and I was really impressed by the rear seat in the fusion I think it felt bigger than the jetta and numbers confirm this:
mk5 jetta:
Rear head room: 37.2 in.
Rear leg room: 35.4 in.
Rear shoulder room: 53.1 in.
2013 fusion:
Rear hip Room: 54.4 in.
Rear head room: 37.8 in.
Rear leg room: 38.3 in.
Rear shoulder room: 56.9 in.
also, trunk size is exactly the same as mkv jetta: 16 cu. ft.
OP: did you notice the numbers to unlock it that appear on the driver's door?


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The mining and commodity trading giants Glencore and Xstrata have just one regulatory hurdle left before they consummate their £56 billion mega-merger, after South Africa's competition authorities gave the green light.
The transaction, which has also received backing from its investors, now only needs clearance from China, which the companies expect to secure in the coming months.
Elsewhere in South Africa, tensions in the mining industry continued to mount as Gwede Mantashe, secretary general of the ruling African National Congress, accused the FTSE 100 giant Anglo American of "stealing our money". It owns 80 per cent of Amplats, the platinum miner which is cutting 14,000 South African jobs as it seeks to slash costs.
Mantashe said South Africa needs to take "a bigger interest and control" of mines. Last year South African mineworkers staged a series of wildcat strikes that led to more than 40 deaths.Reuse content


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Newbury, MA, USA < change city >
Florists (30)
DJs (23)
Bands (23)
Caterers (22)
Wedding Day Beauty (20)
Cakes (16)
Limos (10)
Wedding Fashion (9)
Officiants (9)
Coordinators (8)
Videographers (7)
Bartenders & Beverages (6)
Invitations (6)
Rentals (6)
Tuxedos (5)
Ceremony Sites (37)
Reception Sites (24)
See All Vendors >
Vinwood Caterers
3 Union Street
Ipswich, MA, United States
7 ratings, 6 reviews, 7 weddings
Vinwood catered our wedding at Castle Hill and rehearsal dinner at Stone Mansion....
Harborside Catering
19 Inn St
Newburyport, MA, United States
2 ratings, 2 reviews, 2 weddings
Fantastic caterers. Were great to work with from start to finish. Food was excel...
Dockside Guest Quarters
22 Harris Island Road
York, ME, United States
Hotels/Accommodations, Cate...
1 rating, 1 review, 4 weddings
A total wedding package blessing for us! Everything from Food, Rooms, Ceremony, a...
North Shore Bartending S...
11 D Russell Drive
Salem, MA 01970
Bartenders & Beverages, Cat...
1 rating, 1 review, 1 wedding
Excellent customer service during the planning process. Also, they did a great jo...
Marblehead, MA, United States
1 rating, 1 review, 1 wedding
The food is absolutely amazing and so are the people who work there. Shubies has ...
Galley Hatch Catering
8 Merrill Industrial Drive
PO Box 1113
Hampton, NH 03843, USA
Bartenders & Beverages, Cat...
1 rating, 1 review, 1 wedding
They provided appetizers, the cake, and our bar service. Well coordinated servic...
Boston's Best Bartending...
28 Fox Rd.
Wakefield, MA 01880
Caterers, Bartenders & Beve...
1 rating, 1 review, 1 wedding
What can I say about these folks. I didn't have to think about a thing. Diane h...
Affairs Catering
237 Dodge Rd
Rowley, MA, United States
1 rating, 1 review, 1 wedding
Mitch and crew were dreams to work with and delivered in a classy and professiona...
Mojo's Bbq Grill And Tavern
95 Brewery Lane
Portsmouth, NH, United States
1 rating, 1 review, 1 wedding
Delicious BBQ options with fantastic sides.
Chive Events
252 Rantoul Street
Beverly, MA, United States
1 rating, 1 review, 1 wedding
Amazing. Jennifer Frost and her team catered our night-before picnic at the Seawa...


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Partially finishing basement
I'm looking to semi-finish my basement. I'll admit I don't know a lot about remodeling/construction but I'll have help throughout the process from one of my friends who has done construction all his life. What I'd like to do is put studs on the walls, paint the ceiling and be done with it. Nothing fancy just make it look nicer than concrete walls with no outlets. I bought some foam insulation from HD the other day and cut it all to size for around the walls. I've been doing some research about moisture in basements and it sounds like it can turn into a pretty nasty problem. I have never had a problem with moisture on the walls in my basement (the walls are poured, house was built in the 50's). In the summer we keep a dehumidifier running because the water main does get a little wet without it (with it running its bone dry). I guess my question is this; I was planning on sealing the foam to the concrete walls to create a moisture barrier, then putting studs up. Some posts I've read (not sure if it was from this site or another) say that you should leave it loose and allow a gap to let the concrete breath. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
You can place the foam directly against the concrete without any problems, however, you can't leave the foam exposed, it must be covered i.e. drywall on the walls.
What Chris said...
If I can do it, anybody can. :laughing:
Do whatever Atlantic says. He's an expert. I'm one of his groupies. :laughing:
I suggest that you use PT lumber. Attach the rigid foam with liquid nail (construction adhesive) to the concrete.
Install no vapor barrier.
Install paperless Drywall.
If framing the walls with a space between the concrete foundation walls, then you can install the rigid foam to the concrete, the same way, using const. adh.
For the walls, you can use PT sill plates and KD studs.
I still suggest that you use paperless drywall on at least the lower 4' of the walls (In case of a plumbing leak, Hot water tank failure, etc...).
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text:
OOver the past years, institutions in general are increasingly interested and involved in sustainability and social responsibility. In addition, social and political pressures have led to the creation of new regulations and policies that support new business opportunities around global sustainability. Considering sustainable manufacturing, a number of indicators have been proposed and currently being researched. The aim of this paper is to explore and discuss the impact of energy measurements as an indicator for sustainable manufacturing. The main question to be asked is, can energy measurement be used for optimization the machining level process. Based on energy monitoring during two Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining case studies, the significance of energy cost based on different CNC machining strategies and parameter settings is examined and discussed. The preliminary results from the energy measurements on the case studies indicate that potential cost savings in energy will be minimal in CNC operations. Based on the case studies, the potential energy savings in monetary value do not necessarily justify a company's investment in implementing real time energy tracking technologies; however the results were limited in scope with regards measuring energy as an indicator for evaluating other performance outcomes.
Proceedings Title: Proceedings of the ASME 2010 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences & Computers and Information in Engineering Conference (IDETC/CIE 2010)
Conference Dates: August 15-18, 2010
Conference Location: Montreal, Quebec, -1
Pub Type: Conferences
Download Paper
sustainable manufacturing, energy measurements, machining operations


text:
Artist Gallery
What's New
CMA Awards Display
Celebrating country stars such as Roy Clark, Dolly Parton, and Mark O'Connor with vintage performance footage and instruments used on thousands of recordings.
Tito Puente
"The King of Latin Music," bandleader and timbales virtuoso Tito Puente (1923–2000) is now celebrated in MIM's Artist Gallery thanks to recent loans from the Puente family.
Celebrate music's most influential artists! In every time and place, there are musicians whose art deeply touches the lives of many. MIM's Artist Gallery highlights these personalities with ever-changing exhibits that span sound, style, and era. See and hear instruments played by icons such as Elvis Presley®, Johnny Cash, Pablo Casals, John Lennon, "King" Sunny Adé, Taylor Swift, Clara Rockmore, Maroon 5, and many others from around the world.
Taylor Swift is one of the most successful musical artists in the world. She is also a multi-instrumentalist and an extraordinarily talented songwriter. MIM is honored to showcase some important artifacts from Swift's career and hopes this exhibit inspires guests of all ages to play an instrument and make their own music.
MIM curator Colin Pearson and Pablo Casals Museum director José Delannoy talk about legendary cellist Pablo Casals and introduce us to his cello, currently on display in the Artist Gallery at MIM. This exhibit is presented in cooperation with the Pablo Casals Museum and the Musical Arts Corporation of Puerto Rico.
The "First Family of Country Music" and the "Man in Black" have arrived at MIM. The exhibits give guests an overview of their musical careers and historical impact. The trio of A.P., Sara, and Maybelle Carter is widely recognized for helping launch country music's commercial beginnings, while Johnny Cash bucked music industry norms, singing of America's marginalized population, and later going on to achieve superstardom.
Maroon 5 is one of the most successful groups in music today, writing hits that combine distinctive vocals with elements of rock, soul, funk, and more. The display features instruments from five band members, including lead singer Adam Levine's rare Ibanez electric guitar and lead guitarist James Valentine's Fender Telecaster Deluxe guitar.


text:
Pop Pop Pop Pop! Bubbling Popping sound, useful for animated projects and children's videos.
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Brilliant warmth with the freedom to move makes the women's Andreson Hybrid the perfect style active days outdoors. The body is insulated with Warmloft technology which has the soft touch and feel of natural down, yet performs even when wet...
And the hood, arms and sides panels use Extol fabric so the jacket stretches with you as you move. Complete with a showerproof finish and breeze blocking thumb loops this active fit style makes light work of unpredictable weather days.
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· Standard UK – FREE for orders over £75
. Standard UK - £4.95 for orders under £75
- We aim to deliver Standard parcels within 3 - 5 working days from date of despatch.
· Next Working Day – £8.95. Order Monday-Friday by 5pm for delivery the next day* (Monday to Saturday)
*Terms & conditions apply. Click here for detailshttps://www.rideaway.co.uk/delivery/


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Broncos QB Kyle Orton vs. Colts DE Dwight Freeney: Orton is a mobile quarterback and the Broncos like to move him around in the pocket. Freeney, who had a pair of sacks and two forced fumbles in last week's win over the Giants, admits that he enjoys playing in Denver with the Broncos' game-day atmosphere.
Colts RB Joseph Addai vs. Broncos S Brian Dawkins: Addai is the Mr. Do-Everything for the Colts offense — runner, pass blocker, and pass receiver. Dawkins plays a similar leadership role on the Denver defense.
Broncos WRs Brandon Lloyd and Demaryius Thomas vs. Colts CB Kelvin Hayden: Lloyd already has a NFL-best four catches of 25-plus yards and Hayden has so far proven vulnerable to the deep ball, drawing a long pass-interference penalty vs. Houston's Andre Johnson and getting beaten down the sideline for a TD by the Giants' Hakeem Nicks.
Thomas is the wild-card here, though. He subbed for Lloyd in his league debut last week and put up eight catches for 97 yards with a TD. The size of Brandon Marshall gave the Colts fits last year to the tune 21 catches, and while Thomas is a work in progress, he has the same kind of size (6-3, 229) that could prove bothersome for the smaller DB (6-foot, 195).
Broncos CB/S Nate Jones vs. Colts TE Dallas Clark: The Broncos problems healthwise at cornerback nothwithstanding, Clark is a true wild card working the middle of the field. SS Brian Dawkins doesn't have the foot speed to match Clark and other than perhaps ILB D.J. Williams, the options at linebacker aren't appealing, either. Williams is athletic but doesn't have the change-of-direction skills needed to combat someone who can get downfield as quickly as, and possesses the shiftiness of, Clark.
That leaves Jones or FS Renaldo Hill as the most likely possibilities. Denver used to use a third safety to cover the elite AFC West tight ends, and if McBath plays, that's a possibility, too. But Jones is the team's regular nickel back and a part-time safety and at 5-foot-10, 185 pounds, he has the physical demeanor to handle the challenge.
COLTS GAME PLAN: The Colts want to control the clock while getting off to a quick start offensively on Sunday. While the running game showed improvement in the win over New York last week, Indianapolis will need a similar effort against the Broncos.
Defensively, the Colts can't let the Denver quarterback create plays on his own. Indianapolis has to get after the quarterback and force him into turning the ball over. The team's run defense will be tested by the Broncos once again.
BRONCOS GAME PLAN: The Broncos will have to be judicious in their blitz packages against the cerebral Manning. Denver will instead likely attempt to send four man pressure from different angles out of a 3-4 front, borrowing a blueprint from Houston, which had some success giving the Colts QB happy feet with various stunts. Communication on the back end also is being stressed to help offset the fast-paced, no huddle Indy will implement.
The Broncos offensive objective is to get off to a fast start to counterbalance the quick-strike ability that Indianapolis brings to the table. But the bottom line is having at least some success with the running game to be able to successfully work the play-action game. McDaniels has pointed out to his team that Indy has led in 61 of their last 65 games and must be prepared to play from behind at some point. Denver fell behind 21-0 at Lucas Oil Stadium last year but then held the Colts without a first down for 22 minutes, 39 seconds with four three-and-outs and three Manning interceptions. Chances are the Broncos don't defer this year in hopes of squeezing out an extra offensive possession.
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Halloween Concert
The USNA annual Halloween Concert is a spectacular event of music, light, drama, and dance. This electrifying concert features Monte Maxwell, Chapel Organist with the multi-faceted talents of midshipmen in a presentation that has drawn record-breaking crowds into the Naval Academy Chapel. A wide variety of music from multiple genres are featured in this concert celebrating the triumph of good over evil and All Saints' Day. Don't miss it!
ECA WEBSITE: www.usna.edu/Music/signature/halloween.php


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Is the "war on Christmas" really an invention of the paranoid right wing? Paul Joseph Watson Prison Planet.com December 23, 2013 The Obama family Christmas card contains no mention of Christ or Christmas in yet another example of how politically correct sensitivities have eclipsed common sense. It's not like we were expecting Obama to... »
Archive for December 23rd, 2013
Obama Family Christmas Card: No Mention of Christ or Christmas
Despite The Propaganda, The US Economy Is Collapsing
KingWorldNews.com December 23, 2013 With continued uncertainty around the globe, today a man who has been involved in the financial markets for 50 years, and whose business partner is billionaire Eric Sprott, told King World News that despite the propaganda, the US economy is collapsing. He also discussed what this means for investors around... »
Seismic shake-up: string of earthquakes rumble across U.S.
TheExtinctionProtocol.com December 23, 2013 KANSAS – The Kansas Geological Society is investigating whether a recent earthquake in southern Kansas might have been caused by oil production practices in the area. But KGS interim director Rex Buchanan said it might be difficult to determine if the 3.8 earthquake on Dec. 16 near Caldwell was man-made... »
Iran Plans to Launch an Electro-Magnetic Pulse Nuclear War Against the US
GovtSlaves.com December 23, 2013 Ayatollah warns U.S. needs punch on the mouth. Iran's spiritual leader says nuke plan to continue. The spiritual leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is warning the U.S. to stay out of his country's business and, in particular, its nuclear program, which is set to resume this week. Speaking on... »
U.S. Marines poised to enter South Sudan
By Marie-Louise Gumuchian. Barbara Starr and Antonia Mortensen CNN.com Mon December 23, 2013 About 150 U.S. Marines are poised to enter turbulent South Sudan to help evacuate Americans and provide security for the U.S. Embassy, two U.S. military officials said Monday. The troops are moving from Spain to Africa, probably to the nation of... »
100 Years of Financial Terrorism
Stephen Lendman Activist Post.com Monday, December 23, 2013 December 23, 1913 will live in infamy. Three days before Christmas, House members passed the Federal Reserve Act (FSA). On December 23, Senate members did so. President Woodrow Wilson was a tool of big money. He was JP Morgan's man in Washington. He signed FSA into... »
New armored tank for town police sparks fear, war of words
by Joe Saunders BizPacReview.com December 22, 2013 A war of words has broken out over police force in California getting a new armored vehicle built more for a state of war than patrolling in the Golden State. The Salinas Police Department recently issued a news release proudly announcing the arrival of the armored truck... »
US Getting Dragged Into South Sudan Civil War
Rebels Blamed for Shooting US Warplanes by Jason Ditz AntiWar.com December 22, 2013 US warplanes were sent to South Sudan to evacuate American citizens caught up in a failed coup and growing civil war in the nation, and came under fire, injuring four. The rebels were immediately blamed. President Obama reported the deployment of... »
Obama Administration Claims "State Secrets" to Block Judge's Ruling on NSA Spying
Madison Ruppert Activist Post.com Monday, December 23, 2013 In an attempt to prevent a federal judge from ruling on the constitutionality of surveillance programs operated by the National Security Agency (NSA), the Obama administration told the court that litigating the case would endanger state secrets. This comes after a different federal judge ruled that... »
Reports: "You can expect an enormous amount of cancers" around Pacific — "We're all at risk, this radiated water is going to hit right here" in U.S. — We're at top of food chain, so we get highest radiation dose — 35+ people now suffering cancer after U.S. rescue mission off Fukushima (VIDEO)
ENENews.com December 23rd, 2013 New York Post, Dec. 22, 2013: three years after their deployment on a humanitarian mission to Japan's ravaged coast crew members on the aircraft carrier and a half-dozen other support ships are battling cancers, thyroid disease, uterine bleeding and other ailments. The fallout... »


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Notes from the June 2014 Meeting of the Board of Trustees
The June 19, 2014 Board of Trustees meeting was held in Freehold. If you have not visited the Freehold campus lately I encourage you to do so – it has undergone a transformation. In fall 2014, over 1900 students took over 13K credits; new students will soon be able to complete their English, Psychology and Criminal Justice options there. There will be hybrid learning communities in ENG 122, PSYC 106, and SPCH 115 in spring 2015, and other innovative programs under consideration include post-bachelors certificates for students entering medical or law school. The parking lots have been upgraded; new windows are being installed (finally!); the Scroll and Pen Bookstore has a permanent location and is now selling Rutgers merchandise as well. There is a Paddock Café and new signs. The staffing continues to evolve under the able leadership of Dean Dave Stout, and it is thrilling to see that location realizing the promise of the fully functioning campus envisioned many years ago. Kudos to the many folks who help realize this dream and who work daily to continue to improve our student experience at ALL our locations.
The Board held an executive session prior to the Workshop meeting where we discussed the Administrative Association's ratification of their contract and the anticipated Professional Staff Association's ratification, the Police department's reorganization, and a new lease for the second floor of the Neptune Higher Education Center. I briefed the Board on the Cabinet's work over the past few weeks (a BOT version of my Thursday Transition Updates). With the revised FY15Budget on the agenda for approval, there was much discussion about the unknowns facing the college financially, and how we're working to redesign our college to serve students efficiently and effectively. The Board reinforced their request to me to see preliminary plans for balancing our budget this September. Sorry, Cabinet members – this will NOT be a restful summer.
In the Workshop, Trustee Karcher asked the Board to respond to him asap on their thoughts on my evaluation; he also emphasized that all Board members should attend two special Board meetings scheduled on July 22 and August 11 to discuss the Board's self-evaluation and goals for the next year. His comment, "The President and Cabinet are poised to take some giant steps for Brookdale; I want to make sure our Board is totally engaged which means we all have to move a little bit faster and more consistently in the same direction," resonated with the Board members.
Trustee DiBella reviewed the Finance items on the agenda which included the monthly financial report, purchases, one change order (for more information kiosks at Lincroft – go VP Lawrence!) and several important FY15 Budgets, notably – Auxiliary Services and Event Management (this budget will be revised Fall14, anticipating a reorganization); the Associated Students of Brookdale Community College (ASBCC) (big shout out to the Student Life staff who assist the students in developing this budget), and the revised FY15 Operating and Capital Budget. Numerous changes have affected the FY15 budget since January 2014 – personnel retirements and resignations, increases to contractual obligations, and health benefit and pension costs. This budget will see a significant revision in October 2014, following the realignment and reorganization recommendations we're currently drafting for college review in September. The Board also discussed shared services with the County of Monmouth, and unanimously expressed their support for the expansion of our lease in Neptune. I look forward to great things happening in Neptune.
Trustees Abby-White and Jones updated the Board on the Policy and Education Committee meeting held June 9, 2014. They spoke glowingly of the presentation by Professor Cathy Goode and Assistant Professor Marlena Frank on the counselors' online advising program. They recommended the Board approve three Board Policies revised to ensure the college's compliance with the Violence against Women Act, the SaVE provision; and the discontinuance of the Humanities AA Speech Communication Option and the Credit Certificates in Horticulture, Floral Design and Landscape Design. Student interest in these options is not what it used to be; however, a Communications Disorder option instituted in 2013 has proven popular, and Business and Community Development continue to offer courses in horticulture.
The Consent Agenda was reviewed and all items were then approved in the Public Meeting.
The Public Meeting was a bittersweet one; the presentation by Professors Kathleen Kennedy and Associate Professor Marie Maber, with student Rachelle Miller, on the 2014 Collage was a joyous celebration of the talents and enthusiasm of our students and faculty. The award-winning Collage is an excellent example of the powerful partnerships between our faculty and our students and has proven an excellent portfolio piece for everyone involved.
The Board unanimously approved the Administrative Association contract. Our collective experience in Interest Based Bargaining (IBB) has proven a success, with honest discourse leading all involved to a deeper understanding of just how complex our college and our relationships within it, are. I hope to announce similar news concerning the Professional Staff Association contract which is scheduled for a ratification vote by members on June 26, 2014; the Executive Committee of the Board has pledged to approve it when it is presented to them in July at a special meeting.
And last but not least, it was sad to bid a fond farewell to Dr. Webster Trammell, Vice President of Governmental Affairs and Community Relations, and Barbara Brennan, who has served three different Presidents in her role as Queen Bee and Keeper of the President's Calendar, or whatever her title is! Both had very kind words to say about their time with Brookdale, and both will be very much missed.
Karyn Arnold enthusiastically acknowledged her colleagues in the Administrative Association and the great work they do, specifically Mary Ehret, Stephanie Fitzsimmons, Tim Zeiss, Laurie Salka, Kelly Parr, Janice Thomas, Richard Morales-Wright, Cheryl Cummings, Shannon Ventre, Shawn Noel, Bruce Marich, Carl Wiltsee, Katie Shea, Kristin Worthley, and Reve Anderko. Karyn also thanked us for providing the opportunity for Allison Fitzpatrick and herself to travel to Salt Lake City, Utah, for the 2014 Leaders Institute of the American Association of Women in Community Colleges, and announced that she was re-elected for a second two-year term as President of BCCAA. I couldn't be more pleased.
Change is as much an opportunity as a disrupter, and we need to keep our focus. We are transforming our college to serve our students now and into the future. That is the reason. The occasion is our budget deficit. We have the best people, who have the talent to do the work, and we are at a defining moment in Brookdale's history. All of us must continue to work in concert: the Board of Trustees, administration, faculty, and staff.
Enjoy these summer days.


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In mid-1980s, Abdul Qadeer (AQ) Khan - Pakistan's infamous Nuclear scientist - provided the design for the P-1 (P stands for Pak) nuclear plant to Iran. A plant that contained 5,832 P1 centrifuges in 38 individual cascades, four sets of cascades would be producing enriched uranium in stages up to weapon-grade. Iran called these IR-1. The plant was built in Iran with parts smuggled through the networks. For example, in 2002, B.S.A. Tahir - AQ Khan's protege - was using SMB Computers as a cove … [Read more...]
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Afghan Student at UC-Irvine meets his look-alike who is Half-German/Half African-American (Pic)
For an entire year, an Afghan student at University of California at Irvine in Engineering, was hassled because people were mistaking him for another guy. He finally met the guy and posted their picture online on Reddit. The post has already gotten close to 1500 comments and over 2500 likes in just 9 hours.This student is Afghan, while his look-alike is "Half German / Half African-American". Yet, they look so much alike. First of all, it is tough to find someone who looks so much like you h … [Read more...]
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Badam Zari, courageous woman from Northwest Tribal area in Pakistan running for elections
Most of the news coming out of Tribal Pakistan is usually pretty sad and negative. Sometimes, one needs to also acknowledge news which shows these guys as "somewhat" normal people. Badam Zari is a lady from Bajur, part of Pakistan's semiautonomous tribal region bordering Afghanistan. The area is populated by the Pashtun tribesmen. Conservative and medieval in their mindset.It is not far from this area that Malala was "put in place" by the Taliban. Now, Zari, a 40-year old housewife is beco … [Read more...]
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India's role in Afghanistan and Pakistan
http://storify.com/drishtikone/india-s-role-in-afghanistan-and-pakistan … [Read more...]
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Imran Khan backs Taliban, says its Jihad is just and Islamic
At Drishtikone, we have asserted that Imran Khan is even more of a Jihadi than the other parties in Pakistan. Those who think that he is God's gift to Pakistan and that his becoming the next head of state for Pakistan may solve any problems, are living in lala-land. Pakistan is fast and furiously headed to Talibanization of the worst kind. Notwithstanding the solidarity with Malala, there are enough who suggest that Malala is a proxy for the Western powers and a prop erected by them to push Pa … [Read more...]
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text: Slimming World was founded by Margaret Miles-Bramwell, back in 1969 and is one of the country's more advanced organisations today. The way that it works is via group meetings of members where consultants provide guidance. Each week about 500,000 members get together in 11,000 groups in various local communities and proceed to lose weight via the Food Optimising plan based on satiety and energy density. You can lose weight online or in a group, and get the free 7 day menu to start slimming. read more


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Empty Netter Assists - Western Conference - 12-20-08
Central Division
-Duncan Keith's overtime goal gave the Blackhawks a 3-2 win at Calgary. Nikolai Khabibulin made 32 saves in the win while Chicago defenseman Brian Campbell recorded two assists. Rene Bourque led Calgary with a goal and an assist against his former team.
-The Blue Jackets recalled forward Mike York from Syracuse of the AHL and demoted defenseman Clay Wilson.
-Could Columbus goaltender Steve Mason be the top candidate for the Calder Trophy?
-Blues forward Paul Kariya (right) has resumed skating. A hip injury has sidelined him since Nov. 5.
-St. Louis demoted goaltender Ben Bishop and defensemen Jonas Junland and former Penguins prospect Cam Paddock to Peoria of the AHL.
-For playing his 1,000th career game recently, the Predators got forward Jason Arnott an all-terrain vehicle.
Northwest Division
-Niklas Backstrom made a "whopping" 15 saves for the Wild in a 4-1 defeat of the Islanders. New York forward Kyle Okposo played his first game after missing 13 due to a wrist injury.
-Minnesota defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron suffered a "lower-body" injury last night.
-Wild forward Eric Belanger did not play last night. Former Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins forward Krys Kolanos was recalled from Houston of the AHL to replace him.
-Canucks defenseman Sami Salo is dealing with a rib injury.
-Gary Bettman is apparently on a "Get (BLANK TEAM) a new arena" tour. He was in Calgary lobbying for a new building for the Flames.
-The playing career of former Avalanche forward Steve Moore is officially over.
-Check out this hit by Oilers defenseman Ladislav Smid on Ducks forward Corey Perry last night:
(Bless those throwback jerseys.)
Pacific Division
-Corey Perry's shootout goal gave the Ducks a 3-2 win at Edmonton. Anaheim goaltender Jonas Hiller tied a franchise record by making an insane 51 saves in the win. Edmonton's Dwayne Roloson made 34 in the loss.
-Ducks forward Teemu Selanne suffered a leg cut last night.
-The Stars are starting to feel good about life again.
-Kings defenseman Kyle Quincey might be the waiver pick up of the season.
-Don't look now, but the Coyotes have moved into the top eight of the Western Conference's standings.


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PSFK's Gift Of The Day: Programmable LED Glasses
Bright Eyes is a DIY technology kit that can be programmed to show graphics, play videos.
Looking for holiday inspiration? PSFK ushers in the festive season with a selection of 25 of the best presents from our Gift Guide.
The Bright Eyes kit is a pair of DIY LED glasses that aims to inspire people to learn programming. Created by Technology Will Save Us, which calls itself "a haberdashery for technology and education," the glasses feature 174 programmable LED lights. These can play back graphics and videos off a micro SD card or be controlled using any microcontroller platform. They are also Arduino compatible, so people can add a microphone or ambient light sensor to make them more responsive.
All of the code will be open source and freely available, and there will be easy-to-understand tutorials for programming the glasses in various ways, such as creating animations, having the glasses respond to music, or connecting them to a Twitter account and sharing tweets.
The DIY kit is currently raising funds on Kickstarter, where you can get one delivered in time for Christmas for a pledge of £150 ($240). Check out the campaign video below to learn more:
And check out the minds behind Technology Will Save Us speaking to our audiences at PSFK CONFERENCE LONDON about how anyone can understand technology simply by taking it apart.


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Stocks: The Wired and the Tired
Competition from cable and wireless outfits continues to plague wireline telecom service providers, which have had to slash prices of their offerings. The stocks in this group have declined 5.1% in the year ending July 31, vs. a 2.6% gain in the S&P 1500 Index, says Todd Rosenbluth, who follows telecommunications stocks for Standard & Poor's Equity Research Services.
Although Rosenbluth has a negative outlook overall for the traditional telecom carriers, he still thinks some stocks are worth buying. CenturyTel (CTL ) is his only strong buy recommendation in U.S.-based telecom services.
Rosenbluth is particularly optimistic about a few companies that supply equipment for billing and customer care for the telecoms, such as Alvarion (ALVR ), a play on the development of WiMax, and Dycom Industries (DY ), which he expects to benefit from Verizon's (VZ ) commitment to deploy its fiber-based initiatives. Billing and customer-care providers that he favors include Amdocs (DOX ) and CSG Systems (CSGS ).
Among the larger companies in the sector, S&P likes Motorola (MOT ) and Cisco Systems (CSCO ), Rosenbluth says.
These were a few points Rosenbluth made in an investing chat, presented on Aug. 2 by BusinessWeek Online on America Online, in response to questions from the audience and from BW Online's Karyn McCormack. Edited excerpts follow. AOL subscribers can find a full transcript at aol.businessweek.com/chat.
Note: Todd Rosenbluth is an S&P Equity Research analyst. He has no ownership interest in or affiliation with any of the companies under discussion in this chat. All of the views expressed in this chat accurately reflect the analyst's personal views regarding any and all of the subject securities or issuers. No part of the analyst's compensation was, is, or will be, directly or indirectly, related to the specific recommendations or views expressed in this chat. For required disclosure information and price charts for all S&P STARS-ranked companies, go to spsecurities.com and click on "Investment Research" and then on "Required Disclosures & Standard & Poor's STARS vs. Closing Prices Charts."
Q: How have telecom stocks performed lately? A:
Q: How have telecom stocks performed lately?
A:For the telecom services [wireline] subindustry that I follow, we remain negative. The stocks in this subindustry have declined 5.1% in the year-to-date period ended July 31, vs. a 2.6% gain in the S&P 1500 Index. In the last three months, the subindustry has also trailed the broader market, rising 3.9%, vs. the 7.7% gain in the 1500.
Q: Why have they been down this year? A:
Q: Why have they been down this year?
A:Well, we believe these telecom stocks reflect the competitive pressure from cable and from wireless competition that has lead to a reduction in local phone lines and forced the telecom carriers to respond with aggressive pricing initiatives. Although we expect this trend to continue, we believe there are some stocks worth buying in this group, which I'm sure we'll get to, as well as some sell recommendations in this telecom subindustry.
Q: What's your outlook on the regional Bells, and do you think they will be viable competitors with cable companies? A:
Q: What's your outlook on the regional Bells, and do you think they will be viable competitors with cable companies?
A:We cover all four of the regional Bell stocks at Standard & Poor's. We have a buy recommendation on the shares of Verizon Communications (VZ ), a hold recommendation on the shares of SBC Communications (SBC ), and sell recommendations on the shares of Qwest Communications (Q ) and BellSouth (BLS ).
We believe that Verizon has the strongest fundamentals, due in part to the strength of its wireless unit and its ability to keep its EBITDA [earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization] margins relatively stable and above its peers despite the cable competition you referred to. We believe the cable carriers will provide sizable competition in most of the markets the regional Bells operate in.
Q: Where do you see Verizon in the near future -- say, three years? What's your view of Verizon's broadband strategy to enter the video/TV market? A:
Q: Where do you see Verizon in the near future -- say, three years? What's your view of Verizon's broadband strategy to enter the video/TV market?
A:We believe the company is gearing up for an intense fight with cable carriers, and that its fiber-based broadband initiative has some unique features related to a video high-speed data integration.
However, we believe, given the early stage of development, there are still challenges ahead for the company. We have a 12-month target price of $42 and believe the pending acquisition of MCI (MCIP ) will help the company to compete nationwide in both the consumer and enterprise markets.
Q: Do you see any more consolidation for the telecom-services group? A:
Q: Do you see any more consolidation for the telecom-services group?
A:Well, we believe it has been a busy period for M&A activity, given Verizon's pending deal for MCI and SBC Communication's pending deal with AT&T (T ), as well as previously mentioned wireless deals. However, we expect that the approval process for these two large wireline deals will result in the selling of overlapping assets, including local phone lines.
We think smaller telecom companies, such as CenturyTel (CTL ), will be interested in increasing their customer count over the next 12 months. CenturyTel is the only strong buy recommendation within our U.S. telecom services coverage.
Q: Where will WiMax technology take this sector? A:
Q: Where will WiMax technology take this sector?
A:We believe that WiMax is a focal point in the telecom services industry and have positive recommendations on the shares of both Alvarion (ALVR ) and Airspan Networks (AIRN ).
We believe these companies will benefit from ties to select wireless suppliers as partners and the overall commercial rollout of WiMax. As for Alvarion, we expect fixed WiMax equipment sales to begin to accelerate with the incorporation of a lower-cost Intel Premise chip, expected in the third quarter.
Q: What are your top plays for the balance of this year and 2006? A:
Q: What are your top plays for the balance of this year and 2006?
A:In telecom services, CenturyTel is our only U.S. 5-STAR, or strong buy, recommendation. However, broadening the universe to include companies that supply equipment or billing and customer care for the telecom space, we have strong buy recommendations on the aforementioned Alvarion, a play on the development of WiMax; Dycom Industries (DY ), which is rated as a strong buy due to our view of Verizon's commitment to deploy its fiber-based initiatives; Amdocs (DOX ), which provides billing and customer care for telecom customers and is ranked as a buy; and CSG Systems (CSGS ), which provides billing and customer care for the cable companies that are rolling out telephony offerings and is ranked as a buy by S&P.
Other buy recommendations in this broad space include Motorola (MOT ) and Cisco Systems (CSCO ), which is ranked as a strong buy.
Q: Do those companies you just mentioned pay dividends? In the past, that's what attracted investors to telecom stocks. Is this still the case? A:
Q: Do those companies you just mentioned pay dividends? In the past, that's what attracted investors to telecom stocks. Is this still the case?
A:Many of the names that I mentioned are telecom-equipment stocks, and thus a dividend payout isn't where they put their free cash flow.
However, in telecom services, the payment of a dividend is a sign, in our view, of the stability of its cash flow. Among the dividend-paying telecom stocks we favor are Verizon, CenturyTel, and another rural telecom company, Citizens Communications (CZN ), whose dividend yield is above 7%.
Q: Now that you have mentioned the strong buys and buys, how about the sells? A:
Q: Now that you have mentioned the strong buys and buys, how about the sells?
A:We have sell recommendations on BellSouth, which is trading above our 12-month target price of $25; a sell recommendation on Qwest Communications, which reported results today (we have a $3 target price on Qwest); and we have a sell recommendation on Alltel (AT ), with a $60 target price. We believe the recently completed purchase by Alltel of Western Wireless will create challenges for Alltel.
Q: What's your take on Nokia (NOK
Q: What's your take on Nokia (NOK )?
A:We have a hold recommendation on the ADRs [American depositary receipts] of Nokia. We think the company's succession plan for its president and CEO is positive from a corporate governance and shareholder viewpoint. While we see long-term competitive challenges for Nokia, with the shares priced below peers on p-e and other metrics, we have a 12-month target price of $17.
Q: May I ask your opinion on Motorola? A:
Q: May I ask your opinion on Motorola?
A:Sure. My company follows Motorola and has a buy recommendation on the shares. We believe Motorola's challenge is to balance the expanded distribution of low-end handsets in developing countries against its goal of being a wireless innovator with high-end devices. We also believe Motorola is on track to benefit from WiMax and other hybrid planned wireless broadband networks.
Q: Can you give your 12-month outlook for Nextel Communications (NXTL
Q: Can you give your 12-month outlook for Nextel Communications (NXTL )?
A:My colleague covers Nextel shares and has a buy opinion on the company. Recent results from Nextel were driven by customer additions and one of the industry's lowest customer-turnover rates. We have a 12-month target price of $39, but recognize that Nextel has agreed to be acquired by Sprint (FON ) in a deal, pending approvals, that could close in the third quarter of 2005.
Q: Is it too late to buy stocks in the wireless area? A:
Q: Is it too late to buy stocks in the wireless area?
A:We believe that there's upside potential for some stocks in this space. We have a buy opinion on the shares of both Nextel Communications and Sprint. As mentioned, these two companies are awaiting approval to complete a merger.
Q: Which outfits do you see benefiting the most from Voice over Internet Protocol? A:
Q: Which outfits do you see benefiting the most from Voice over Internet Protocol?
A:We believe that VoIP will be a disruptive force in the telecom-services industry, as it will take away traditional voice-service revenues from the Baby Bells. We believe that cable companies, many of which have rolled out their cable telephony services, will be among the winners in this space.
However, we've seen regional or Baby Bell companies, such as Qwest Communications, offering their own VoIP service. And we believe that if its acquisition of AT&T goes through as planned, SBC will be a large provider of VoIP in the coming years.
Q: What's your opinion of Lucent Technologies (LU
Q: What's your opinion of Lucent Technologies (LU )?
A:My colleague at S&P has a hold recommendation on Lucent shares. We believe the company's cost-control focus should lead to gross margins of 43% to 45% for the next two years. With the shares priced below peers, using our forward sales estimate, we would hold Lucent shares.
Q: Do you think investors have recovered from the scandal at WorldCom? A:
Q: Do you think investors have recovered from the scandal at WorldCom?
A:We believe that telecom investors need to learn the lessons from the aforementioned WorldCom and look closely at a company's fundamentals and, in particular, its debt load. For example, we have concerns about Qwest Communications, which carries, in our view, a relatively high amount of debt, which will make growth a challenge over the next few years. However, we aren't suggesting that Qwest will need to undergo a similar bankruptcy process to WorldCom.
We still believe there are telecom services stocks worth buying, and believe investors need to look for a company with strong fundamentals, like some of the ones we mentioned earlier.


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Personal Information
Personal Bio
Hey there...Lia-chan here~
I'm a 14 year old Cosplayer located in Newcastle UK.
I'm Ginger, deal with it
I love Music, Italy, Russia, Video games and hiding under your bed <3
I hate Bad Grammar, lack of Communication and Spelling errors...and Spiders 3
Have a Nice Day~
Cosplay Bio
I've been an active cosplayer since January 2010 and my first proper con was NemaCon 2011. I got interested in cosplay through Youtube and the wonder that is Demyx Time.
I have many cosplays. Only a few are up on here, however, as I am my photographer and I only have limited space. I'm very camera shy and I would never ask my parents to take my picture. So it's either me or my friends and they're lazy.
Rainbow Sensation is mine and my friends cosplay group. We're all named after our colours(I'm orange). I'm the main organiser of the group, organising meets and cosplay ideas. Ironically, I'm the youngest in the group but c'est la vie.
Ivan Braginski-Axis Powers Hetalia
Zexion(Casual)-Kingdom Hearts
Luka Megurine(Matryoshka)-VOCALOID
Kurorori Lolita
Contact Information
Skype: HybridKitten
DeviantArt: Paranoid-Confidence OR xTheValentineSaintx
Email: Please ask
FanFiction: Lia-Naomi
Music / Art / Italy / Russia / Anime / Reading / Photography / Writing / Moshing / Sleeping / Eating / Cosplaying / Science / The modern world / Technology / things that glow


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There is no doubt that one of the highlights of our season so far was the 2-1 win at Manchester City.
To score twice at the Etihad is some feat but then to defend that lead the way we did was brilliant.
We even managed to keep Sergio Aguero off the scoresheet that day — and believe me, that takes some doing.
We know full well how tough it will be against City at our place tomorrow. They have top players everywhere in their team but perhaps the most special is Aguero.
He is one of a rare breed — he is world class. Everyone has their own ideas of what makes a player world class and, indeed, how many of them there are in the game.
Deloitte Football Money League Top Twenty
Deloitte Football Money League Top Twenty
1/20 Real Madrid: £439m
2/20 Barcelona: £426.6m
3/20 Manchester United: £395.2m
4/20 Paris Saint-Germain: £365.8m
5/20 Bayern Munich - £360.6m
6/20 Manchester City - £352.6m
7/20 Arsenal - £331.3m
8/20 Chelsea - £319.5m
9/20 Liverpool - £298.1m
2015 Getty Images
10/20 Juventus - £246.4m
2015 Getty Images
11/20 Borussia Dortmund - £213.5m
12/20 Tottenham Hotspur - £195.9m
13/20 Schalke - £167.1m
2016 Getty Images
14/20 AC Milan - £151.5m
15/20 Atletico Madrid - £142.3m
16/20 Roma - £137.2m
17/20 Newcastle - £128.8m
18/20 Everton - £125.6m
19/20 Inter - £125.4m
20/20 West Ham - £122.4m
If you say there is an absolute maximum of 10 strikers who you would categorise in this way, then definitely he is among them, probably even in the top five.
He has everything a top, top striker needs. He is quick, he is always there, he is a great finisher, he is useful in the air and he's cool and calm in the box.A top striker always makes the difference. That is why they cost the most money and that is why the whole world is looking for them.
Big clubs, even Barcelona, are trying to find them — Real Madrid and Arsenal are the same.
If he stays fit for the rest of this season, he will play a big part in City's title ambitions. Before the season began most people, including myself, picked the same clubs as possible contenders for that.
For me, it was between Chelsea and Manchester City, and I slightly favoured City because they didn't win it the previous season and I thought they would have the attitude of, "okay, we screwed up last season but this season we're going to do it".
However, with the sort of season it is, they should by rights be even firmer favourites because clubs such as Chelsea, Liverpool maybe and even Manchester United have had their struggles.
Basically it appears now that it's a three-way race between our opponents tomorrow, plus Arsenal and Leicester City. Okay, mathematically Spurs can still do it — we can even do it — but realistically it's between those three clubs.
Right now, I would go for City to win the title. There are some doubts, though. Away from home they have not always been that impressive. They win some of those games with something to spare but in between there are draws, even defeats.
The same goes for Arsenal. Just when you think they will open up a gap at the top, they also draw or lose a game. To be fair, the most consistent team is Leicester.
On the negative side for City, Vincent Kompany has been a huge miss for them. He's a great defender but he's more than that.
Okay, they have other good players in that central position who have cost a lot of money but Kompany is a symbol for City and sorely missed by them, and football in general, because you always want to see the best players.
There is also an opinion that it is difficult for Manuel Pellegrini and his players because the speculation is that Pep Guardiola will take over as their manager in the summer.
The reality is that nothing is certain yet. Guardiola has apologised for what he has said about wanting to coach in England next season, and I think Pellegrini himself is above that situation. He is a dignified man.
As for ourselves, we have been criticised for starting slowly in our last two games, at Bournemouth and Newcastle.
I would say that is correct as far as Newcastle is concerned but against Bournemouth we started well enough but then two things happened in a very short time. First Andy Carroll was injured and then they scored.
You must give credit to Newcastle last weekend but we helped them with the amount of balls we gave away in the first half especially. We gave them a big helping hand.
Yes, many teams who, like us, played away on Tuesday and then Saturday, lost the second game but I have told the guys that, if we want to make this a really successful season, then we can't go down in performance, as we did against Newcastle.
We are the team who never give up but most of the time you can't come back from being 2-0 down.
- More about:
- Manchester City
- West Ham United
- Arsenal


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This aboveground tank at a Colorado gas station is painted black for one reason; to heat the gasoline or diesel any time the sun shines. Hotter fuel expands and gives you less energy in the tank. Read more about how to stop the motorist rip-off below.
When the temperature of gasoline rises above 60 degrees, gasoline expands but gas pumps don't account for the bigger volume, so consumers receive less gasoline than they should.
Federal estimates say motorists in California, with average fuel temps of 74 degrees, are overcharged about $450 million a year by sales of hot fuel. State regulators have certified a temperature adjusted pump, but the oil industry is lobbying to prevent its sale and use.
Get your own Oilwatchdog 'Hot Fuel Ripoff sticker: Don't let
ExxonMobil's mealymouthed pump sticker be the last word! Put
Oilwatchdog's sticker on your car or anywhere it will be seen by many.
Not, of course, on gas pumps, which could be construed as posting
without permission.
• Sen. Barbara Boxer Urges Temperature Adjustment In California
• Rep. Dennis Kucinich demands that oil company executives explain their opposition to temperature adjusted fuel.
• OilWatchdog To California Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown: Investigate why California Can't Get Temperature Adjusted Pumps.
• Congress Takes Reins on "Hot Fuel" Ripoff of Motorists;
Expert series by the Kansas City Star's Steve Everly, explaining what
"hot fuel" is and how oil companies take advantage for more profit:
1. Hot Fuel For You, Cold Cash For Big Oil
2. Hot Fuel Triggers Investigation
3. Highway Funding Shortchanged, Loophole Enhances "Hot Fuel" Profits
4. Retail Dealers Who Once Opposed Hot Fuel Now Favor It
Los Angeles Times:
Getting All You Paid For At the Pump?
Click on the link below to view the most recent blogs on Hot Fuel:


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Archive for category Tobacco Abuse
Dangers of Teen Smoking and What Parents Can Do to Intervene
Posted by Drug Free in Tobacco Abuse on May 16, 2016
According to the 2015 World Health Organization (WHO) Global Report on Trends in Prevalence of Tobacco Smoking, tobacco use is accountable for the death of approximately 6 million people across the world each year. This figure includes the estimated 600,000 people who are also likely to die from the ill effects caused by exposure to secondhand smoke.
Cigarette smoking poses serious health risks, as attested by several studies. Among these risks are certain cancers like mouth, throat, larynx, lungs; coronary heart disease; and respiratory ailments.
The onset of medical conditions related to tobacco use is affected by the duration of exposure to its dangers. The earlier in age the smoking begun, the sooner the health complications develop. Medical research shows that those who started tobacco use in their teens are more likely to develop nicotine addiction and become heavy users upon reaching adulthood. The longer the use, the more challenging it is to quit.
This is why teen smoking is a grave public health threat. However, adolescents continue to stubbornly ignore the statistics and the health warnings. For instance, in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) collated data show that more than 3,200 teens ages 18 and below have been initiated to cigarette smoking.
These figures show that despite pervasive health education, prevention propaganda, and government bans, smoking remains tremendously popular among young people.
It is worth noting that the term "tobacco use" is not limited to cigarettes but includes other tobacco-related products such as e-cigarettes, hookahs, cigars and low-tar products. Use of multiple tobacco products is also common among teens. According to the information gathered from the CDC surveys on Tobacco Use Among Middle and High School from 2011 to 2015, an average of 3.3% of middle school children and 13% of high school students admitted to use two or more tobacco products in the past 30 days.
Why Teenagers Smoke
There are several factors that affect a teenager's decision to begin smoking. Among the major contributing elements are the following:
Media and advertising campaigns
Because surveys show that heavy smokers begin the habit between their pre-teen to teenage years, tobacco manufacturers have devised strategies to redesign their advertising to target this particular age group. A popular example is the marketing strategy of Camel cigarettes in the late 80's which utilized the cartoon character Joe Camel. The marketing strategy was so effective that it significantly increased the sales of Camel cigarettes in the United States to about $466 million in 1992.
Similar promotional tactics – which include hiring famous celebrities to endorse cigarette smoking – are being used by other leading tobacco companies to portray smoking as "cool," "hip," "romantic," and "pleasurable." Some of these ads also associate smoking with independence, rebellion, glamor and popularity.
In addition, the proliferation of film, television, music videos and magazines that feature teenage characters who smoke sends out the message that this is a good trend to engage in. These entice the young generation to light up and smoke their first cigarette.
Familial exposure
Children who are exposed to parents, family members or guardians who smoke are also likely to take up the deadly habit. Kids look up to their parents and elders as primary role models and mimic their behaviour. Failure by the parents to emphasize the harmful effects of smoking creates the perception that it is "normal" or "acceptable" and lessens the impact of health advisories.
Peer pressure
Peer pressure is also a major contributing factor. During their adolescent years, children feel a compelling need to belong and to be accepted by social circles. Smoking may provide as avenues for developing friendships or strengthening bonds among peers.
It is during these formative years that teenagers struggle for a sense of self-identify and independence apart from their parents. It is a crucial phase and their coping mechanisms will determine whether or not they will succumb to the societal pressure to light and smoke their first cigarette. Parental absence or neglect coupled with lack effective school regulations of cigarette use on school campuses will negatively impact their decisions.
Rebellion or social image
Teenagers also go through the transition period from being a child to an adult and during this stage, they experiment with their choices. This is also the time when several differences between the parents and the teenagers arise. This can spark defiance and rebellion, which are also motivating factors for teens to pick up smoking as a habit, either to deliberately challenge their parents or to seek much-wanted attention.
They may also be driven by the desire to build an image of being independent, cool, gothic or bad as when they identify with a character from a movie or an anime cartoon and they start practicing the bad habits portrayed in the film.
Sense of invincibility
In a certain way, most adolescents feel immortal and invincible. In their teenage years, they view life ahead as a series of never-ending adventures that would somehow stretch on through eternity. For them, the concepts of aging, sickness and health are so far off in the future. Thus, public health warnings on the perilous effects of smoking are easily ignored. Besides, they always tell themselves the biggest lie that most smokers believe – that they can quit anytime.
Dangers of Teen Smoking
The younger a person is initiated to tobacco use, the more likely he is to develop nicotine addiction in his adult years. Nicotine poisons the body over time and dependence on the substance places a smoker at a greater risk for developing serious health problems at an earlier age. Among these are: coronary heart diseases; stroke; emphysema; several cancers; lung diseases; respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia; osteoporosis; decreased fertility and impotence.
Smoking in teenage years causes reduced lung growth. As a result, the lungs are undeveloped and become incapable of functioning properly. Thus, teenage smokers are most likely to have respiratory illnesses throughout their lives.
Nicotine addiction occurs hastily in adolescents, making cessation and withdrawal more challenging.
Tobacco use doesn't only impact the health of the smoker. It is equally dangerous to those who are exposed to second-hand smoke which contains several chemicals proven to be carcinogenic. Prolonged exposure can trigger conditions such as asthma, allergies, heart disease. In worse cases, it may even cause lung cancer.
Warning Signs
It is important to know the warning signs of teen smoking. Spotting them early on allows for an opportunity for timely intervention that can delay the occurrence of nicotine dependence. Here are some warning signs that parents should watch out for:
Smoke smell
This is one of the most telling signs that a teenager is smoking. It is also easy to detect because the strong smell of cigarette smoke attaches to clothing items and even to the skin.
Use of cologne sprays or air fresheners
Sudden or increased use of cologne sprays or body mists could indicate that the teenager is attempting to conceal or obscure the scent of cigarette smoke on his clothing. The same goes for sudden use of air fresheners or incense in his bedroom especially if he has not used these items in the past.
Lighters and matches
Parents should watch out for unnecessary acquisition of lighters and matches by their teenage children. There may be several lighters or matchboxes hidden in their desk drawers, backpacks, purses or clothing pockets and these are strong indicators that they are smoking.
Breath mints or breath fresheners
Another sign of teen smoking is the sudden or increased use of breath fresheners, mints, chewing gums, candies or mouthwash. The teenager could be using these products in attempts to camouflage the smell of tobacco on his breath.
Disappearances from the house
If the teenager is frequently leaving the house on short notice or suddenly goes out without seeking prior permission, for no valid reasons, it could be that he is sneaking off somewhere to smoke a cigarette. These instances of his disappearances, especially when under questionable circumstances as when they occur at night, should be investigated and addressed promptly.
If these signs or behavioral changes are noticed, it may be time to for the parents or other family members to intervene. It is imperative that tobacco use is stopped immediately in order to diminish its chances of progressing to nicotine addiction.
How Parents Can Intervene
Be a positive role model
The best way for parents to keep children away from smoking is for them to set good examples. They are the most influential people in their children's lives. Their employed parenting techniques will reflect on their kids' choices.
There should be open discussion in the home as to the negative impacts of smoking followed by a firm stand against it. It should be discouraged. If parents are themselves, struggling with tobacco use, they should seek professional help and cessation programs.
Take active roles in their lives
Smoking is only one of the many vices teenagers may take up as a result of parental neglect. Parents should keep open channels of communication with their children and be take active roles in their lives. For instance, show genuine interest in their hobbies, encourage family activities, and get to know their friends. Children who feel emotionally secure in the home and who know they can turn to their parents for advice and guidance are less likely to cave into peer pressure.
Be patient, not judgmental
Should parents find that despite all their efforts, their kids have started smoking anyway, they should sit down to dialogue and to listen. It is important that teenagers don't feel attacked or cornered. Rather, they need to be assured that their parents are coming from a place of concern and affection. Parents should avoid issuing threats or imposing punishment outright. On the contrary, they should strive to listen and to understand the reasons why their children started smoking.
The addictive nature of nicotine will make quitting very difficult and confusing for teenagers. They will need their parents' support, motivation and encouragement especially during the rough periods of withdrawal.
Encourage sports and physical activities
According to several studies in the past, there is evidence that physical activities can delay smoking initiation among the youth. Team sports and aerobic activities are also recommended as part of smoking cessation programs, to help distract both the mind and body from the cravings for tobacco use.
Counselling intervention
It will definitely help to seek professional medical advice and enroll the teenage smoker in individual counselling or support group therapy. A report by the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP) supports the position that counselling is especially effective for adolescent smokers as it doubles long-term abstinence rates compared to other approaches that do not involve behavioural treatment.
Parents may also encourage their children to register for smoking cessation programs whether at school clinics, treatment facilities, or community health centers.
The harmful and life-threatening effects of teen smoking, as well as the adverse implications of the relevant statistical data, are widely known. While prevention of cigarette initiation appears to be the best solution to this public health issue, timely intervention methods are likewise effective alternatives. The importance of intervening early and swiftly as soon as the issue is discovered cannot be sufficiently underscored.
Whatever factors compel teenagers to begin this addictive pattern, all hopes to salvage their future are not entirely lost. They must have the resolve to begin the journey towards recovery, through the guidance and support of family and friends. Clearly, overcoming tobacco use or dependence is a battle that no ordinary adolescent can win alone.
Chicago Mayor's Proposal on Stricter Smoking Regulations Opposed By City Council Committee
Posted by Drug Free in Tobacco Abuse on February 9, 2016
Implementing more stringent measures against cigarette smoking may sound like a heroic act for any mayor, but it doesn't seem to be the case in Chicago.
After Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel announced plans to update the legal smoking age to 21 (from the current 18) and increase taxes on tobacco products, members of the City Council Finance Committee doused water on the mayor's proposal. According to some aldermen in the committee, the latest move by Emanuel may lead to more harm than good. Here are some of the opposing views on the matter:
- According to one alderman, the high taxation against tobacco may increase the sale of tobacco products in the black market and lead small tobacco businesses to shut down.
- Chairman Edward Burke (14th) spoke in behalf of aldermen, saying that the mayor's plans would worsen the situation on loose cigarettes in the black market.
- Ald. Leslie Hairston (5th) said in a news release that the change in legal smoking age was without basis, considering that people who are 18 years old are allowed to get married. "An 18-year-old is not a kid," according to Hairston.
Emanuel seems unfazed by the criticism on his proposal. "Mayor Emanuel has stood up to the tobacco industry countless times throughout his career to reduce youth smoking, and he's not about to back down now", a statement from the mayor's office said. He seems to be banking on his effective five-year campaign against teen smoking, the rate of which has dropped to 10.7 percent in the city.
Kids Exposed To Secondhand Smoke Have Higher Risk of Obesity and Poor Brain Functioning
Posted by Drug Free in Tobacco Abuse on January 29, 2016
If you want your kids to do better in school and keep their weights in check, you should quit smoking.
This was the theme of the study by researchers from the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, after looking into the cases of 220 children between the ages of 7 and 11 diagnosed as overweight or obese. The study proponents asked parents about their children's exposure to secondhand smoke, and tested the kids for presence of the nicotine metabolite cotinine in their bloodstream. Data on levels of physical fitness of the children were also collated.
The results of the study were clear as day: Children exposed to secondhand smoke were more likely to be overweight or obese, and develop poorer cognitive functioning. "All the bad things fat does to us, passive smoking makes worse," according to study co-author Martha S. Tingen in a news item. "Children who were exposed to second-hand smoke scored poorer on all cognitive tests." Tingen works at the Cancer Center at Augusta University as Tobacco Control Program director.
Exposure to cigarette smoke leads children away from their potential to live better lives. "We are talking about a recipe for an unhealthy child who becomes an unhealthy adult who cannot reach their full potential," Tingen mentioned. She also stated the long-standing belief that secondhand smoke is as harmful as firsthand use of the tobacco product. "If you are breathing in second-hand smoke, it's almost as bad as if you were smoking the cigarette yourself," Tingen added.
Non-Smoking Teens Still Exposed To Secondhand Smoke, Says Study
Posted by Drug Free in Tobacco Abuse on January 10, 2016
Your teenage child may refuse to smoke cigarettes, but it doesn't mean that they're free from the health hazards associated with smoking.
In a startling discovery by a research team from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), close to half of teenagers in middle school and high school who don't smoke are exposed to secondhand smoke. The findings were based on inquiries on more than 17,000 kids back in 2013.
Much like smoking tobacco, secondhand smoke is considered by the CDC to be an equally dangerous substance. "These findings are concerning because the U.S. Surgeon General has concluded that there is no safe level of secondhand smoke exposure," said study lead author Israel Agaku via a news report.
What's more surprising is that roughly 25 percent of the kids exposed to secondhand smoke said that they get exposed on a daily basis. However, the study wasn't able to determine the exact duration of exposure of these children to secondhand cigarette smoke.
In addition, the rate of secondhand smoke exposure was higher in teenagers who engaged in smoking, the study team added.
Results and details of the CDC study were published in the journal Pediatrics.
TV Advertising Exposes Too Many Kids To E-Cigarettes
Posted by Drug Free in Drug Abuse Prevention, Synthetic Drugs, Tobacco Abuse on January 5, 2016
As the world becomes increasingly aware of the hazards of electronic cigarettes, more studies and investigations are continuing to deal with this worsening issue. This recent statement from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) seems to support the campaign against e-cigarettes.
The agency recently released survey results saying that children in the U.S. are exposed to e-cigarette advertisements on TV. Results revealed that roughly 70 percent of kids admitted to have seen an e-cigarette ad on television. The survey was conducted with about 22,000 students in high school and middle school, who were asked if they saw an ad on e-cigarettes in TV, movies, magazines, retail stores, or online.
The agency fears that this trend may lead more teenagers to engage in e-cigarette smoking, which may also translate to tobacco use. "Unfettered marketing of e-cigarettes has the potential to compromise decades of progress," said CDC representative Brian King in a news item.
CDC's statement, however, wasn't met with unanimous acceptance. For instance, the Smoke-Free Alternatives Trade Association said that the agency's statement shouldn't be taken as it is. "The CDC continues to mislead the public about the benefits of vapor products as far less harmful alternatives to smoking… The CDC also fails to mention that teens are exposed to many other adult issues on the Internet, TV and movies, such as violence, sex, and alcohol," said group executive director Cynthia Cabrera.
Study: E-Cigarette Use Leads To Cell Damage and High Cancer Risk
Posted by Drug Free in Other Addictions, Tobacco Abuse on December 29, 2015
Many people look to electronic cigarettes as a way to quit smoking traditional tobacco cigarettes, but several studies have confirmed that e-cigarettes are no better. Another study recently added to the list of researchers against e-cigarettes.
Researchers at the Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System revealed via a news release that electronic cigarettes may lead to cellular damage. This occurrence increases the risk of developing cancer. "Our study strongly suggests that electronic cigarettes are not as safe as their marketing makes them appear to the public," the researchers said.
The research team conducted lab experiments on human cells by exposing them to e-cigarette vapors from two specific brands. Whether the product was free from nicotine or not, the damage was evident in cells exposed to the vapor, compared with untreated human cells. "We found that other variables can do damage as well. It's not that the nicotine is completely innocent in the mix, but it looks like the amount of nicotine that the cells are exposed to by e-cigarettes is not sufficient by itself to cause these changes. There must be other components in the e-cigarettes that are doing this damage. So we may be identifying other carcinogenic components that are previously undescribed," said study co-lead Dr. Jessica Wang-Rodriquez.
Results of the study were published in the journal Oral Oncology.