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Hanan Taiber necesitaba un nuevo diseño de página web y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 76 diseños de 24 diseñadores freelance.
We are a software vendor selling a single product - InsFocus BI. The product is a business intelligence suite targeted mainly at insurance companies.
The application itself gives executives in the company insight into their data, using visualizations such as grids, charts and gauges to drill down into their data.
We are looking for design which is:
- Very clean
- Modern yet conservative
- Original (we have too much text on the home page and need original ways to make it look less cluttered)
The focus is on insurance executives, including marketing managers, claims people, underwriters, etc.
As insurance carriers are large companies, they tend to be on the conservative side.
I am looking for an entirely new design for our web site. However, all pages will have to have the same URLs and same texts. Internal ordering within the page is not important. The goal is to have a new look but keep the SEO scores high.
We are not confined to any graphic element in the existing site, but we do need our logo.
1. No flash or cleverly animations - only simple pictures and texts.
2. Most if not all text should be real text and not graphic - to keep SEO scores high.
3. The site structure is a three-level hierarchy (home page, category pages, content pages).
4. Site should have a main navigation bar (Product, Insurance Content), and a sub-navigation bar (press, videos).
5. We can use drop down menus to save on the amount of navigation bar entries.
6. The graphic "language" should be enterprise friendly, yet fresh. This means we don't want to look as boring as SAP, but not as "webby" as animoto.
7. We like simplicity.
1. Home page
2. Content page w/ navigation
3. Content page w/o navigation page:
The main objective of the page is to keep people on-site. It has two main purposes - first, to communicate what we do as clearly as possible, and second, to show the customer stories (another customer story on the way).
Content w/navigation:
This is like all the "InsFocus BI Product" and "Insurance Content" pages. Those are pages that have a lot of textual content, along with some graphics (screenshots, etc). They should have a sub-navigation bar.
Contact page w/o navigation:
This will be used for contact us, press releases, etc. Those are basically content pages that don't have a navigation bar.
What we like: not a lot.
What has to stay: logo (but its color can change).
What can change - all internal ordering in the page, not the main structure of the site.
Sites I like:
This is an enterprise company, and the site is full of text - yet it looks quite modern.
Even though the color choice is questionable, the site is a good example of communicating the message straight to the point.
Even though it uses flash, which I dislike, it still is very clear and inviting.
Sites I don't like:
Full with nonsense graphics. Rotating texts. Bolds.
Gives me a headache!


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GregWilborn needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 98 designs submitted by 14 freelance designers.
HikerBiker.com is a social networking based site targeted towards persons involved in hiking and biking activities. Our participants upload and share their video and photo experiences of participation in hiking and biking activities with other members of the HikerBiker community.
HikerBiker.com is a social networking based site targeted towards persons involved in hiking and biking activities.
It is generally targeted towards a younger demographic (early 20's to 30's) although there will be users of all ages.
The resulting design(s) should be flexible enough to work for a web site logo and embroidering on a shirt/hat. We will also use for the side of a large automobile (RV) possibly 15-20 feet in length. We want to ensure specific details do not get lost in embroidering for the smaller application but still looks good for the larger application – may or may not be two separate designs. We are also launching a separate but related project later today for long sleeve and short sleeve t-shirt design. We encourage designers to submit for both projects.
Colors should be outdoor themed – possibly forest green and/or brown, but we are open to designer creativity.
The logo should provide an edgy, "hip" theme in fonts, colors, and design since it is targeted towards a younger demographic (early 20's to 30's).
Be aware that our second contest for a t-shirt design (mentioned above) will require a design that is appropriate on a black and/or grey background.
Some good suggested examples that may provide insight into what we are looking for are the designs used for Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and/or outdoor apparel. An "old wood" theme for the lettering or even a "splatter" component are some suggestions that might fit as well.
The design must be be unique to create a distinctive brand that will not be confused at all with another logo.
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.

subset: commoncrawl


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The Cuero Regional Hospital takes pride in making every attempt we can in ensuring your privacy. For more information on your rights, please review the following: Privacy Documentation
Cuero Regional Hospital ER Renovation Unveiling
Cuero Regional Hospital is pleased to announce the scheduled opening of the newly renovated Emergency Department (ED) in early August. The new space features an enlarged waiting room space, additional private patient registration areas, as well as an upgraded nurses' station to improve patient flow through the ED. Prior to the renovation, three existing ED patient rooms were curtained off, but have now been transformed into private exam suites with partition walls and doors to increase privacy and comfort. The renovated ED features a total of six fully private patient rooms.
Is the Doctor in after hours?
They are now! Introducing the Urgent Care Clinic at Cuero Medical Clinic.
Patients in Cuero and surrounding areas no longer have to travel far for urgent care. Patients are seen between the hours of 5 – 7 p.m. with the last patient being seen at 6:30 p.m. Monday – Friday.
"This enables urgent care patients to seek care at Cuero Regional Hospital if additional or more advanced care is needed. This broadens the scope of services offered by Cuero Health and serves the best interests of the patients and the communities we serve," said Lynn Falcone, Cuero Health CEO.
"Listening to our patients is key and we know medical care is often needed after our clinics have closed, so we are thrilled to now provide afterhours walk in urgent care. This move increases access to quality, compassionate care for all of those who depend on us in the many communities we serve," said Lynn Falcone, Cuero Health CEO. "This provides an important addition to our continuum of care."
While appointments are not necessary, patients may call 361-275-3466 in advance of seeking urgent care attention.
Urgent Care at Cuero Medical Clinic
2500 N. Esplanade, Ste. 102
Cuero Regional Hospital's Emergency Department is available every day of the year 24 hours a day, to meet the emergent and urgent medical needs of our community and the surrounding area. The Emergency Department is staffed with highly trained emergency physicians and registered nurses experienced in treating patients with emergent and urgent medical conditions and dedicated to providing expert, caring and timely treatment.
Cuero Regional Hospital is pleased to announce the scheduled opening of the newly renovated Emergency Department (ED) has been set for 7 a.m. on Thursday, August 2. The 1.5 million renovation project features about 1,000 square feet of additional space, six fully private treatment rooms, additional private patient registration areas, as well as an upgraded nurses' station and new triage area to improve patient flow through the ED as well. Prior to the renovation, three existing ED patient rooms were curtained off, but have now been transformed into private exam suites with doors to increase privacy and comfort.
Take a Digital Tour of our Newly Renovated Space: http://bit.ly/WaitIsOvER
The Emergency Department will be operational and taking patients starting 7 a.m. on Thursday, August 2. Patients are asked to please drive to the back of the hospital and use the main exterior ER entrance to access the new Emergency Department.
At Cuero Regional Hospital, we connect with our patients and make them our top priority. Our goal is to help them heal quickly and return to better health. We are with them every step of the way, offering our support, knowledge, and experience in a comfortable environment close to home.
Our childbirth suites are state-of -the art, close to home, and staffed with caring professionals, to provide family centered maternity care. What more could a new mom ask for? How about Childbirth Classes to help prepare for the Big Day!! Free to patients delivering at Cuero Regional Hospital. (Class Schedule)
Our secure Childbirth Center offers five comfortable, home-like rooms to accommodate our patient's needs throughout labor, delivery, and hospital stay at Cuero Regional Hospital. We provide a comprehensive range of obstetrical care. Our surgical suite is available for C-Section as needed. Certified and skilled nursing staff, some that have been with our staff for over 20 years and many with at least 10 years experience are readily available to care for you and your baby before, during and after delivery.
If special post-delivery care is needed, your baby will remain in the skilled hands of our OB staff within the security of our nursery. Our nursery is located within the Childbirth Center so Mom can remain as close to Baby as possible. Cuero Regional Hospital wants to make your delivery a special experience for you and your family.
Cuero Regional Hospital Outpatient Department offers diagnostic and surgical services in a convenient, cost-saving manner. The unit provides the same full range of the high-tech service and care as inpatient programs.
Outpatient services include
The Day Surgery Unit at Cuero Regional Hospital offers diagnostic and surgical services combined with the highest level of care, experience, and support possible. A private and comfortable waiting area is close by for convenience. In consideration of time, pre-admission testing is performed prior the day of surgery to facilitate admission and treatment.
Wellness is an on-going lifestyle that encompasses physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wholeness. The BFit Wellness Center focuses on the well being of the complete person, not just a place to exercise. Our friendly staff of Health Technicians and certified Personal Trainers, can help you achieve wellness at your own pace and provide you with the encouragement needed to reach your health and fitness goals. In addition, the BFit Wellness Center offers: educational programs, one-on-one personal training sessions, massage therapy, fitness classes, water aerobic classes, yoga, body composition analysis, swimming pool, dry sauna, racquetball court, indoor track, Fitness on Demand, and much more. For more information call the Wellness Center at 361-275-WELL (9355).


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Carolinas HealthCare System has asked an S.C. Administrative Law Court judge to reconsider his decision to give permission to Piedmont Medical Center to build a Fort Mill hospital.
Carolinas HealthCare filed its 23-page motion Wednesday, alleging the court, "unconstitutionally engaged in economic protectionism that violated the dormant Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution and the basic tenets of the free market system."
Carolinas HealthCare, which operates Carolinas Medical Center hospitals and clinics in the Charlotte region, wants the court to grant its motion for reconsideration "in its entirety" and to issue a stay of the order.
Judge Phillip Lenski cited potential economic harm to PMC, combined with the hospital's commitment to York County as the leading factors in why he awarded a certificate of need to PMC on March 31.
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In its petition for review, Carolinas HealthCare said the court elevated the adverse economic impact criteria beyond what the state Department of Health and Environmental Control intended. DHEC ranked adverse impact near the bottom of the 33 criteria it used to evaluate applications for a certificate of need for a Fort Mill hospital.
In his opinion, Lenski wrote that PMC could not challenge the priority of the criteria which was set in 2006.
Nonetheless, Carolinas HeathCare argues, the court "elevated adverse impact over all other criteria" with the purpose of protecting PMC from out-of-state competition.
Further, Carolinas HealthCare argues that the court's opinion has numerous errors, including the court relied on "testimony that does not exist," the court misapplied the current S.C. Health Plan, the court "erroneously admitted and relied upon" witnesses "closely affiliated with Piedmont," and the court failed to "weigh and balance any adverse effects of a new CHS hospital with the increased accessibility such a hospital would offer the majority of northern York County residents who presently seek healthcare from CHS."
Carolinas HealthCare officials did not elaborate Wednesday on their petition for review.
Bill Masterton, PMC's chief executive officer, said Wednesday, "While we knew this was a possibility, we remain committed to our plans to provide high quality healthcare at Fort Mill Medical Center."
Lenski's decision, released on April 1, overturned a 2011 decision by DHEC to award a certificate of need to Carolinas HealthCare System.
10-year battle
Carolinas HealthCare's appeal is the latest step in a nearly 10-year battle over who gets to build a Fort Mill hospital.
Much of that time has been spent in court. After DHEC initially awarded a certificate of need to Piedmont in 2006, the case was appealed to an administrative law court judge, who ordered that the case be returned to DHEC. That ruling was appealed to the state Supreme Court, which sent it back to DHEC.
Before Carolinas HealthCare asked Lenski to review his decision, PMC officials had said they were moving forward, updating construction plans. Masterton said Piedmont's Fort Mill hospital could be open by 2018.
Lenski's decision followed 15 days of arguments in April and May 2013.
In his 40-page opinion, Lenski agreed with Piedmont's argument that a Carolinas HealthCare hospital in Fort Mill would cause PMC economic harm, reduce the number of Piedmont patients and affect the Rock Hill hospital's ability to provide quality health care. The judge also agreed with Piedmont that a 100-bed Fort Mill hospital would better serve the area for the present and future. Carolinas HealthCare proposed a 64-bed facility, which is what the state called for in its initial determination nearly 10 years ago that the area needed a hospital.
Carolinas HealthCare argues the court misinterpreted the state's Health Care Plan to justify a 100-bed hospital, saying that state has reduced, not expanded, the need for beds at PMC. Carolinas HealthCare argues the 2004-2005 plan called for 64 beds and that a 2012-2013 plan calls for 16 additional beds at PMC.
Carolinas HealthCare argues the change is the direct result of PMC's drop in patients and and its corresponding patient gain. Carolinas HealthCare estimated that more than 50 percent of people in northern York County get their medical care from one of its hospitals or providers.
In considering economic harm, Lenski said the loss of patients would adversely affect Piedmont and independent physicians in York County. The result could be the loss of specialty services such as heart surgery, neurosurgery, vascular surgery and specialized women's and neonatal care.
If Carolinas HealthCare's application were approved, "consequently there would be no hospital in York County providing many of the high quality and tertiary services that Piedmont provides," Lenski wrote.
The judge also said that awarding a certificate of need to Carolinas HealthCare would not stop the migration of patients to facilities in North Carolina and that CHS has no way to shift patients from CMC-Pineville to CMC-Fort Mill, as it had proposed.
Carolinas HealthCare had argued that many York County patients already travel to its hospital in Pineville, N.C.
The "court finds CHS's assumption that it would not take patients or market share from Piedmont by operations of CMC-FM unreliable," Lenski wrote, adding that "to the extent that CHS can control where patients go for service, the court finds that there is little incentive for CHS to simply shift existing patients to CMC-FM. ... Merely serving the same patients that CHS already serves does not reflect sound business or healthcare planning principles."
Lenski, basing his opinion on expert testimony, estimated that if Carolinas HealthCare built the Fort Mill hospital, Piedmont would lose between 1,600 to 3,000 patients per year and between $12 million to $22 million in income annually.
In its request for review, Carolinas HealthCare argues the court placed too much reliance on Piedmont's expert witnesses and that the judge also relied on hearsay testimony.
Carolinas HealthCare argues these actions are legal errors that require correction.


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NEWINGTON, NH -- Planet Fitness co-founder Marc Grondahl has been named chairman of the company's board of directors.
Grondahl, 44, had served as the chief financial officer of the Newington, NH-based company until April, when Jayne Conway took over that role.
"I don't think my role is really changing that much," Marc Grondahl told Club Industry. "I think it's given me a little bit of recognition, to be honest. I may be a little bit more focused on the big picture as opposed to the day-to-day [operations]."
Marc Grondahl, along with CEO Mike Grondahl (Marc's brother) and fellow owner Chris Rondeau, has helped Planet Fitness grow to 352 locations that are either in operation or in pre-sale in 36 states.
"Marc's tremendous vision has always been a key to our growth, and we want to retain that for the long term," Mike Grondahl said in a statement. "His financial expertise and steady hand guided us through the challenges of our early days, and he laid the groundwork and helped establish the culture that's put us where we are now."
Planet Fitness was eighth on Club Industry's Top 100 Clubs list this year after generating $129.5 million in revenue in 2009. It was the second consecutive year that Planet Fitness cracked the list's top 10.
"I think Planet Fitness is in a great position right now," said Marc Grondahl, who had been an accountant for a manufacturing firm before he helped launch Planet Fitness in 1992. "We have the management, infrastructure, and of course, the business model to become the leader in the industry. I look forward to helping it continue to grow."
Conway, who previously worked for Dunkin' Brands and Gulf Oil LP, added, "Marc maintaining such an important leadership position is absolutely critical to the next stage of the company's growth."
In addition to Marc Grondahl, Mike Grondahl and Rondeau, the other two members of the Planet Fitness board of directors are Jeff Majkrzak and Shennen Saltzman.


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After reading the accompanying background information, students create an ice core using a tennis ball container and an assortment of dyes and craft supplies. Students measure the thickness and determine the age of each layer. As an extension... (View More) activity, students write a story about their ice core. (View Less)
Materials Cost: 1 cent - $1 per student
Students simulate the process of remote sensing by using common materials to represent Earth's different ground coverings and a light meter to represent satellite instruments. The concept of albedo and its importance in Earth's radiation budget... (View More) are introduced. The lesson uses the 5E instructional model and is part of the book, "Tour of the Electromagnetic Spectrum." (View Less)
Materials Cost: $1 - $5 per group of students
This is an activity about satellite design. Learners will create a satellite model to determine which shape will provide a steady minimum current output from solar panels, given a fixed position light source. After, as a group, they will assess... (View More) whether their satellite model would work in real life and how their actions were similar to what engineers do. This is the fifth activity as part of the iMAGiNETICspace: Where Imagination, Magnetism, and Space Collide curriculum. Instructions for downloading the iBook educator's guide and the associated Transmedia book student guide are available at the resource link. (View Less)
This is a lesson about the solar wind, Earth's magnetosphere, and the Moon. Participants will work in groups of two or three to build a model of the Sun-Earth-Moon system. They will use the model to demonstrate that the Earth is protected from... (View More) particles streaming out of the Sun, called the solar wind, by a magnetic shield called the magnetosphere, and that the Moon is periodically protected from these particles as it moves in its orbit around the Earth. Participants will also learn that the NASA ARTEMIS mission is a pair of satellites orbiting the Moon that measure the intensity of solar particles streaming from the Sun. (View Less)
This is an activity about the rotation of the Moon. Learners use a penny and a quarter to model that the Moon does indeed spin on its axis as it orbits the Earth. They find that the Moon keeps the same face toward the Earth, but receives... (View More) illumination from the Sun on all sides in turn. This activity is part of Explore! Marvel Moon, a series of activities developed specifically for use in libraries. (View Less)
Materials Cost: Free
In this activity, teams of learners will model how scientists and engineers design and build spacecraft to collect, store, and transmit data to Earth. Teams will design a system to store and transmit topographic data of the Moon and then analyze... (View More) that data and compare it to data collected by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. (View Less)
Materials Cost: Over $20 per group of students
Learners model how the Moon's volcanic period reshaped its earlier features. The children consider that the broad, shallow impact basins contained cracks through which magma seeped up. A plate in which slits have been cut is used to represent an... (View More) impact basin and a dish of red-colored water is used to represent the pockets of magma within the Moon's upper layers. When the model impact basin is pressed into the "magma," "lava" fills in the low areas through the same process that produced the dark patches, or maria, on the Moon. Children may examine a type of Earth rock (named basalt) that is also found on the Moon and that would have been shaped by the processes explored here. This station investigates the Moon's "teen years," when it was one to three billion years old. This activity is part of Explore! Marvel Moon, a series of activities developed specifically for use in libraries. (View Less)
Materials Cost: $1 - $5 per group of students
This activity is a short engineering design challenge to be completed by individual students or small teams. A real-world problem is presented, designing buildings for hurricane-prone areas, but in a simulated way that works in a classroom, after... (View More) school club, or informal education setting. Students are given simple materials and design requirements, and must plan and build a tower as tall as possible that will hold up a tennis ball while resisting the force of wind from a fan. After the towers are built, the group comes together to test them. If there is time after testing, which can be observational or framed as a contest between teams, students can redesign their towers to improve their performance, or simply discuss what worked well and what didn't in their designs. (View Less)
Materials Cost: $1 - $5 per group of students
This is a lesson about the robotic arm on the International Space Station. Learners will build a robotic arm to grapple (grab onto) a spacecraft and then use it to grapple different classroom objects. This is technology activity 2 of 2 found in the... (View More) ISS L.A.B.S. Educator Resource Guide. (View Less)
International Space Station LABS: Engineering Activity 2 Mass and Speed: Protecting Space Suits from Orbital Debris
Learners will investigate the relationship between mass, speed, velocity, and kinetic energy in order to select the best material to be used on a space suit. They will apply an engineering design test procedure to determine impact strength of... (View More) various materials. This is engineering activity 2 of 2 found in the ISS L.A.B.S. Educator Resource Guide. (View Less)


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FCC Chairman Kevin Martin Suspects "Astroturfing" By Cable Companies
It seems that nearly everyone wants
la carte cable, so where is it? FCC Chairman Kevin Martin gave a speech in which he suggested that most of the "grassroots" opposition to
la carte cable is really the result of a well-organized lobbying effort by the cable companies.
According to Ars Technica, Chairman Martin quickly came under attack by minority groups who "felt their views were being unfairly dismissed." Martin apologized, and in his apology made a very convincing argument for why
la carte cable would help promote more diversity in programming.
He referenced a report from the Center for Public Integrity that shows that cable companies fund minority groups in order to shift the debate about
la carte cable. (The idea being to scare people into thinking that with
la carte cable, minority programming would all but disappear.)
In his statement, Martin says:
According to a Neilsen Media Research report, the average cable subscriber is paying for more than 85 channels that she doesn't watch in order to obtain the approximately 16 channels that she does.
While I believe that all consumers would benefit from channels being sold in a more
la carte manner, minority consumers, particularly those living in Spanish speaking homes, might benefit most of all. Currently, cable and satellite providers often require subscribers to purchase dozens if not hundreds of channels in order to get Spanish language programming for which they must pay an additional cost. Under
la carte, however, Spanish speaking homes could purchase only Spanish speaking channels."
Martin also cites a report about the Black Family Channel, which recently had to discontinue broadcasting via cable because it could not find enough distribution in order to attract advertisers. The channel presented a satellite provider with a leather bound book full of 4,000 signatures from people who said they would like to view the channel, but the provider still refused.
Martin also states:
Indeed cable rates have more than doubled in the last 10 years. Cable companies often point to the increased number of channels being offered as an explanation for the increase in prices. This explanation, however, ignores the fact that the channels are not actually being watched.
We personally watch, like, 4 channels. We must watch Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe, Weeds, WGN baseball, and a certain football team. For this we pay way, way, way too much.
Read Kevin Martin's Letter (PDF) [FCC]
Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.


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Hello, September. How quickly you arrived. It feels like August was just yesterday…
Now that we have turned the corner and are sneaking up on fall, what better time to pass along some home theater equipment so you can get ready for those rainy days on the couch.
Football season is here, Netflix has recently announced a new deal to bring even more movies into your home, and there are some great movies coming out on DVD and Blu-ray. What better way to enhance your viewing experience then with some new home theater speakers from Bowers & Wilkins?
Speaker Specifications
2.5-way vented-box centre system
Frequency range(-6dB):
55Hz and 42kHz
Power handling:
120W into 8Ω
9 kg / 19.8 lbs.
8Ω (minimum 3.0Ω)
H 175mm W 460mm D 305mm H 6.9" W 18.1" D 12.2"
9 kg / 19.8 lbs.
To enter for a chance to win a pair of Bowers & Wilkins LCR60 S3 speakers, all you have to do is tell us what you would watch on a lazy day on the couch. That's it!
Leave a comment below and you will be entered into the competition (make sure you enter your email, so we can reach you)
USA only
Contest runs 9/1/10 to 10/1/10


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(c) Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Deerfield MA. All rights reserved.
Contact us for information about using this image.
This article from the Greenfield, Massachusetts, "Gazette and Mercury" advises the Whig party to remain undivided during the 1840 election. There was an effort by some of the abolitionists in the Whig party in Hampden County and other towns to split the party and run an abolitionist candidate. The writer of this article feels that abolition would be a good thing, but that it could not succeed at this time and having more than one candidate would only serve to take votes away from the party and help re-elect Martin Van Buren.
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See Also...
"The American Anti-Slavery Almanac for 1838"
The Election article poublished in the Greenfield Gazette and Mercury newspaper
"Exhibition of the Young Men's Lyceum"
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Before the echoes of the gavel signifying defeat of a U. S. House of Representatives farm bill proposal that has been years in the making died out, representatives from both sides of the aisle began the inevitable and inexcusable finger pointing that promises to make reworking the bill even more difficult.
The Republicans blamed the Democrats for trying to protect the nutrition program; the Democrats blamed the Republicans for cutting too deeply into nutrition programs and for a failure of leadership. Apparently lost in the debate is what would be best for America's farmers and ranchers, public-funded research and the nation's food security.
The final vote tally on the bill was 195 for and 234 against, with 171 Republicans voting for the bill and 62 against. Twenty-four Democrats voted for the bill and 172 voted against it.
Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Okla., chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, expressed disappointment in the vote on a bill his committee has worked on for several years. "I'm obviously disappointed," Lucas said in a statement following the vote, "but the reforms in H.R. 1947 - $40 billion in deficit reduction, elimination of direct payments and the first reforms to SNAP since 1996 - are so important that we must continue to pursue them. We are assessing all of our options, but I have no doubt that we will finish our work in the near future and provide the certainty that our farmers, ranchers, and rural constituents need."
His Democrat counterpart, Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., House Agriculture Committee ranking member, was less optimistic and a bit more accusatory in remarks following the vote.
"The farm bill failed to pass the House today because the House Republicans could not control the extreme right wing of their party, Peterson said. "From day one I cautioned my colleagues that to pass a farm bill we would have to work together. Instead, the House adopted a partisan amendment process, playing political games with extreme policies that have no chance of becoming law.
If you are enjoying reading this article, please check out Southwest Farm Press Daily and receive the latest news right to your inbox.
"This flies in the face of nearly four years of bipartisan work done by the Agriculture Committee. I'll continue to do everything I can to get a farm bill passed but I have a hard time seeing where we go from here."
Farm group reactions
Cotton organizations expressed disappointment in the House's failure to pass a bill many felt would be of significant benefit to the industry.
National Cotton Council Chairman Jimmy Dodson, a South Texas cotton producer, said, "U.S. farmers need a stable, long term policy in order to continue to make the substantial investments necessary to continue to adopt new technology necessary to provide safe, affordable food and fiber to U.S. processors and consumers and to maintain competitiveness in world markets.
"The U.S. cotton industry is deeply disappointed that the House failed to approve the legislation approved by the Agriculture Committee on a strong bipartisan vote after two years of extensive debate and consideration of hundreds of amendments."
"This legislative package adequately met the needs of cotton producers across the Cotton Belt, and was the best we could have expected in this budgetary climate," Plains Cotton Growers President Craig Heinrich, a cotton grower from Slaton, Texas, said. "This bill saved money, reformed and streamlined programs, and gave farmers assurance that they could continue to grow food and fiber to feed and clothe this nation and the world, and it is a shame that it could not make it to conference where some key differences could have been resolved."
PCG Executive Vice President Steve Verett expressed appreciation to the House Agriculture Committee on both sides of the aisle for their efforts. "… Chairman Frank Lucas, Ranking Member Collin Peterson, Subcommittee Chairman Mike Conaway and the entire House Ag Committee have done everything they could to cut the deficit, reduce the size and scope of government, and achieve necessary reform through the creation of this farm bill," Verett said. "They are to be commended, and we will continue to stand behind them as we all work to pass a five-year bill that works for agriculture to support America's economy."
Other commodity groups also expressed disappointment.
Texas Farm Bureau President Kenneth Dierschke said, "Congress must not give up on this vital legislation. Texas Farm Bureau will continue working with the House Agriculture Committee and Texas delegation to complete this bill and ensure essential risk management tools are in place to allow farmers certainty both now and in the future."
The United Fresh Produce Association said the defeat of the bill "leaves questions as to future of farm programs.
"We felt we had a very strong bill for specialty crops that was supported by members from both sides of the aisle," said Robert Guenther, United Fresh senior vice president of public policy. "We strongly encourage the House Leadership and the House Agriculture Committee to get back together and bring back to the House floor a bill that can pass before the current extension expires at the end of September."
NSP disappointed
National Sorghum Producers Chairman Terry Swanson, a sorghum farmer from southeast Colorado, said: "National Sorghum Producers is proud of the hard work and leadership put forth by Chairman Frank Lucas, Ranking Member Collin Peterson and their staff in putting forth a fair and equitable bill. We are disappointed the House was unable to come to an agreement resulting in its passage, but NSP will continue to work with leadership to eventually pass a five-year farm bill."
The Dairy Farmers of America called the defeat "a blow to dairy. Despite the agriculture community's best effort, with a vote of 195–234 the U.S. House of Representatives failed to pass a farm bill."
The dairy industry had already taken one blow when the Goodlatte-Scott amendment, authored by former House Agriculture Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, stripped the Dairy Market Stabilization Program from the underlying bill.
"Regardless of the loss on Goodlatte-Scott, Dairy Farmers of America remained supportive of final passage of the farm bill to keep the momentum going on a bill that is vital to so many aspects of the American agriculture sector," said John Wilson, senior vice president. "Farm families across the nation rely on the provisions in the farm bill, and that they will continue to operate under outdated and inadequate policies is truly disappointing."
No plan B
The National Association of Wheat Growers called the defeat "stunning and calls into question how long-term farm policy will be enacted before a current one-year extension of the 2008 farm bill expires on Sept. 30. After the vote, both House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas, R-Okla., and Ranking Member Collin Peterson, D-Minn., vowed to press onward in their chamber, though neither offered a plan B for the bill. Like most in the farm community, NAWG is in the process of evaluating legislative options and determining how best to support lawmakers in the coming weeks and months of debate."
The American Soybean Association encouraged both parties to find a way to pass a farm bill. "It is incumbent on both Republicans and Democrats to find a way forward for American agriculture."
ASA President Danny Murphy, a soybean farmer from Canton, Miss, issued the following statement: "Today's failure leaves the entire food and agriculture sector in the lurch. Once again, the nation's soybean farmers and the 23 million Americans whose jobs depend on agriculture are left holding the bag.
"This bill would have reinforced the farm safety net, promoted our products in foreign markets, strengthened the fast-growing biodiesel industry, (and) enhanced conservation programs."
ASA also noted the advantages of a "stable, affordable and safe supply of food, feed, fiber and fuel that it would have ensured for all Americans. Now, none of those benefits can be realized and a debilitating uncertainty extends from farmers to consumers as we all face the expiration of farm bill programs on Sept. 30."
On the other hand
Not all response to the farm bill defeat has expressed disappointment. Heritage Action for America said passage of the bill would have rewarded "the unholy alliance that has long dominated America's agriculture and nutrition policy." Heritage Action CEO Michael A. Needham said:"Today is a victory for the taxpayer and the free market. Now is the time for the House to recognize what so many others have: The unholy alliance…must end."
The National Taxpayers Union likened the farm bill proposal to Soviet-style farm programs and applauded the defeat as a victory "for the nation's taxpayers.
"The saying goes: you reap what you sow – and opportunistic politicians found out the hard way that the massively expensive, subsidy-stuffed, farm bill was not a viable crop," said NTU Federal Affairs Manager Nan Swift. "Taxpayers, as well as fans of open, accountable government, will be glad to see this command-and-control boondoggle wilt."
An NTU statement said: "In addition to opposing the basic premise of the Soviet-style farm bill, NTU backed reform efforts to split the food stamp and farm management portions of the legislation, delete wasteful programs like the Sheep Industry Improvement Center (taxpayer loans for sheep farming), and reduce and means-test crop insurance windfalls."
Wildlife weighs in
The National Wildlife Federation said if passed the bill would have been the worst in 25 years. In a statement released Thursday, NWF said, "The House bill failed any test of responsibility that taxpayer dollars wouldn't be spent in ways that harm our land, water, wildlife and the public good. It's critical to enact a five-year farm bill this year that protects conservation."
"The House farm bill failed commonsense conservation standards, and it failed to get enough votes to pass," said NWF president and CEO Larry Sweiger. "Reasonable measures to protect taxpayers and natural resources must be included in a farm bill. The National Wildlife Federation will continue to fight for a farm bill that includes a link between conservation compliance and crop insurance and a National Sodsaver program."
NWF singled out a "loophole" the organization says would have "lead to draining 1.5 to 3.3 million acres of wetlands and greatly increased soil erosion and nutrient pollution into our lakes, streams, rivers and coastal waters.
"It is outrageous that the House Agriculture Committee leaders opposed this wholly reasonable, basic conservation provision to protect the public good," Schweiger said.
Earlier in the week, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack had encouraged passage of the bill during a trip to Lubbock, Texas. He pointed to several aspects of the proposal that would benefit agriculture and the nation.
"It has something for everyone," Vilsack said, "and it's important to say that in order to be able to encourage, urban and suburban legislators to understand that this is a bill that impacts their constituents just as much as it impacts somebody on a farm or ranch."
He pointed out the economic protection for farmers the bill would have provided.
"There is a strong safety net commitment built on crop insurance and supplemented with a revenue protection program that will replace the direct payment system that has come under a lot of criticism," he said. "There's the credit—the ability of our work at USDA to provide credit assistance to farmers who might have a difficult time otherwise getting credit.
"There is the conservation title. There's no question in my mind farmers and ranchers are the best stewards of our land, water and air, but they need help and assistance especially in this difficult time with the variation of climate that we're confronting."
Marketing, too, is an important aspect of the farm bill, he said. "The ability of producers not just to market in a commodity-based market operation, where sometimes larger operators have a bit of an advantage, but allowing that producer to have a direct relationship with the consumer by selling directly at a farmers market or in a grocery store or to a local school," is important.
Funding agriculture research is a crucial aspect of a sound farm program, he said.
"There's a research title that expands research and a commitment to research. In this particular bill there's an opportunity to create new and leveraged resources for research by creating a foundation."
For the moment, none of those positive aspects of the farm bill is going anywhere. The Senate Agriculture committee passed a farm bill earlier this year and committee Chairman Debbie Stabenow suggested that the House could put that proposal up for a vote.
Some observers believe work on another House bill could begin as early as next week. Others, like Peterson wonder where they can find common ground for the extreme factions in each party.
You may also like:
House farm bill fails on 195-234 vote
Drought, damaging storms create conundrum for High Plains cotton
Cotton and corn production estimates lower in latest WASDE report


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Taunton's Brewhouse theatre to go into administration
The Brewhouse Theatre and Arts Centre in Taunton is to go into administration tomorrow following cuts to its public funding in recent years.
The centre is expected to confirm that it will be closing from tomorrow (February 21) while all options are considered.
It currently employs 55 people – 20 full time, 35 part time – and 21 volunteers and is expected to announce tomorrow that all staff will be made redundant.
Arts Council England withdrew its regular funding to the Brewhouse in 2005, which preceded an annual funding cut of 25% from Taunton Deane Borough Council.
Somerset County Council then removed its funding to all cultural organisations, including the Brewhouse, in 2010.
The 352-seat theatre venue and gallery is expected to release a statement tomorrow.


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Twenty-five of SCHS's Talented and Gifted leaders attended the Girls Lead the Way Conference in Louisville on March 20. The girls selected a variety of sessions to attend. Other sessions included classes in financial planning, dressing for success and emotional intelligence. The keynote speaker was Dominique Dawes, who was the first African-American girl to medal in gymnastics at the Olympics. Students participating were (from left) Lauren Dale, Claire Dale, Kim Tharpe-Barrie and Rachel Dove.
Cassie Wells, Andrew Bates and Trenton Davis listen to a song performed by Mitch Barrett at Shelby County High School. The Kentucky storyteller and musician was the guest attraction for lunch and learn, when students sign up to eat pizza and enjoy a guest speaker in the library. These students, however, were part of an advanced-placement class who came to hear how stories lead to songs.
Cornerstone Christian Academy junior Jacob Tipton has been accepted to the 2013 Governor's Scholar program.
Governor's Scholar students are selected on the basis of outstanding academic performance, honors and awards, leadership and service, essay and recommendations.
May 13 through 17
Students from Shelby County High School, Collins High School and West and East Middle schools took part in the University of Louisville Engineering Expo in March. Students entered competition in bridge building, water bottle rockets, and Rube Goldberg machines. The Rube Goldberg machine competition required students to build a machine to pop a balloon that used at least two simple machines and at least five steps. The team from Collins High School won the best construction award for their balsa wood bridge in the high school competition.
Kick Butts day is celebrated across the country in March. Thousands of youth are standing out, speaking up and seizing control against big tobacco, which spends nearly $1 million an hour marketing its products. The Tobacco Industry Graveyard at Collins High School, constructed by Shelby Prevention Youth Council, is a visible reminder of the lives lost due to tobacco use in Kentucky
The following students enrolled at the Shelby County Area Technology Center have received the Student of the Month for March, which is a student who is exemplary in the academic areas of the classroom. They were Ebenezer Alvarez, automotive technology; Dalton Thompson, health science; Jordan Holt, office technology; Luke Dove, information technology.
Adwin McDuffus, Azana McDuffus, Jack Stewart, Hannah Welch
All A's: Maya Baker, Savannah Doyle, Ava Edwards, Aubrey Glass, Edison Hendricks, Alexis Kuhn, Christian Ladner, Lucy Quinn, Avah Raymond, Anna Riggsby, Lyndell Shepherd, Mary Taylor, Jaxon Warford, Waylen White, Jacob Wright
First honors:
Shelby Cooley, Bethany Griffin, Samantha Hosein, Gabriel Rock
Second honors
Copyright © 2019
The Sentinel-News is your source for local news, sports, events and information in Shelby County and Shelbyville, KY, and the surrounding area.


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Dream Building A '39 Ford Sedan
In our travels, we come across our fair share of possible project cars ranging from bare bodies to running drivers and everything in between. Unfortunately, we can't buy and build them all, although some of us try. What we decided to do instead was to gather enough photography of various odds and ends at swap meets and car shows throughout the country and sit down and do a "virtual build" of sorts. We gave Josh Shaw at Shaw Hot Rod Designs a half dozen photos and a little bit of inspiration and left him free to knock out a rendering representative of what a guy could build with the provided items and a little bit of hard work.
For this build, we chose a '39 Fordor that was resting on a lot in Nebraska as the foundation. While there are numerous options when it comes to suspension components for these cars, both original parts and aftermarket, we chose to install a dropped axle up front and keep the stock transverse spring, wishbones, and drum brakes. We found a Dodge Red Ram Hemi at the Scottsdale Goodguys' show and figured that'd make a perfect powerplant, backed by a manual trans. Out back, we imagined rebuilding an original 9-inch Ford rear we found at Pomona to handle the weight and power of the sedan.
While the mechanical side of the build is pretty straightforward stuff, Josh really captured the vibe of what we're trying to do when it came to the appearance of the '39 in his rendering. Drawing inspiration from the push cars of drag racing and Bonneville, the Fordor has plenty of power to get that modified roadster or streamliner up to firing speed, all the while hauling the crew across the course in style. A Moon tank up front adds a bit of racecar aesthetic, while the push board and spare tire roof rack is pure function. Sat on Torq Thrust mags all around, the little '39 is part work horse, part hauler, and all hot rod. Built with functionality in mind, the sedan is completely economical and the overall idea can be built on a real-world budget
The point of this article and the subsequent following dream builds is to show you guys that the stuff is still out there to build a bitching ride, you just gotta hunt for it. And while the quality of parts and bodies available these days can be moderate at best, that shouldn't stop anyone from building their dream car, even if it is a bit of wishful thinking. For with a little bit of blood, sweat, and a few well-earned bucks, a guy can still build a cool hot rod, even in today's economy.


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Mascoma Corporation
Mascoma Corporation is a provider of leading technology for the conversion of biomass to fuels and chemicals. Using its proprietary consolidated bioprocessing, or CBP, technology platform, Mascoma has developed bioengineered yeasts to reduce costs and improve yields in the production of renewable fuels and chemicals. Mascoma's first commercial application of its technology platform are its Mascoma Grain Technology, or MGT®, yeast products, which are drop-in substitutes for existing yeasts designed to improve the economics of corn-based ethanol production. Mascoma is pursuing other commercial applications of its CBP technology and is partnering with companies that operate or plan to operate facilities that produce cellulosic ethanol.


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The utility vehicle market continues to draw more equipment manufacturers, including Kioti. The utility tractor maker recently introduced a utility vehicle called the Mechron UTV (Ultimate Transport Vehicle).
The Mechron is designed for utility work and recreation with its 22-hp, 3-cyl. Daedong diesel engine. It is equipped with 4-wd, a MacPherson strut-like suspension up front, and independent dual-A arm wishbone with adjustable coil springs in the rear. Other features include a two-speed continuously variable transmission, a 56.2-in.-wide dump bed with 1,600 lbs. of payload capacity, four wheel disc brakes, and a bench seat. It offers 12 in. of ground clearance. Many options, attachments and implements also are available.
Suggested retail price for the Mechron is $11,956. For more information, call 877/465-4684 or visit www.kioti.com.


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">(CNN) -- Scientists and health officials are able to track flu outbreaks down to the county and determine much about an outbreak's severity and how the virus is spreading.
But there's still much that's unknown about influenza. Here are three things we still don't know about the flu:
When flu seasons begin and end. Seasonal flu activity can begin as early as October and continue to occur as late as May, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The average flu season lasts for 12 consecutive weeks, or three months. The 2011-2012 flu season began late and was relatively mild, with cases remaining low through February.
In early December 2012, Dr. Thomas Frieden, CDC director, told reporters an increase in cases suggested flu season had begun. "This is the earliest regular flu season we've had in nearly a decade, since the 2003-2004 flu season," he said. However, every flu season is different
When flu cases peak. Generally, flu activity peaks in January or February, but there are variations. For instance, flu activity peaked twice during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, once in the spring and again in the fall. The CDC considers the second peak, in October, to be the peak of the 2009-2010 flu season because the April peak occurred after the flu season had ended.
Frieden told reporters on Friday that officials won't know for a week or two if we are over the peak. While it does appear the peak may have hit some areas, such as the South, the flu will likely continue for the next few weeks and the virus is unpredictable.
What next year's flu strains will be. Seasonal vaccines protect against three influenza viruses that research indicates will be the most common in the upcoming season, according to the CDC. These include one influenza A virus and one influenza B virus. Based on international surveillance and scientists' estimations about which strains will circulate, the viruses in the vaccine can change each year.
Frieden said in December, "This year's strains look to be a great match with this year's vaccine."
The World Health organization recommends specific viruses be included in vaccines, but each country makes its own decision about which to include in vaccines in that nation. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration determines which viruses will be used.
Within the next few years, vaccines will be available that have room for four strains, officials said Friday, but a four-strain vaccine is not available for the 2012-2013 season.


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Doug was very available throughout the buying of my home in Placerville - had to be creative with the seller & he came through - made the sale of my home in Fairfield very smooth & as timely as possible - delays were never because of Doug. I highly recommend his services
Ernest Harrison
Feb 24, 2016
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Douglas Zeller
Real Estate Professional
Realty World - Sierra Properties
Sierra Properties
Placerville, CA 95667
CalBRE #01128501
Feb 8, 2019
Teri Cladianos
Doug was #1. We were so lucky to find him to help us sell our old property and match it to a wonderful buyer. I was expecting it to possibly take many months to sell, but he found us a buyer within weeks. He went out of his way to help us out and avail himself with his very admirable years of knowledge, experience, and personal and professional contacts; and not only with selling our old place and finding and purchasing our new home, but finding us options we wouldn't have been able to find ourselves for moving and storage. He's got 5 stars from us!
Jul 10, 2018
Brad Ostermann
Happily Retired
Doug was a pleasure to do business with.
He met with us on short notice and showed us a piece of property that checked all of our boxes. He helped us construct an offer, counteroffer and close the sale over a long weekend.
Doug kept us informed during the escrow process. He answered all of our questions and did considerable research to get us the best information available. He continues to stay in touch and help us with questions about the area post-sale.
Jan 13, 2018
Donna Ellis
Doug is a very straight forward person who will help you in every way possible and what he doesn't know he will find out for you. He is very knowledgeable and goes beyond to find what you need from beginning to end. I wouldn't trust anybody but Doug with my realty needs.
Jan 3, 2018
Shannon Silveri
Shannon Silveri
Team Zeller is the way to go! From submitting our offer to close of escrow, Doug made the process fly by. All of our concerns were addressed immediately and it felt like he anticipated questions and already had an answer before we even asked! Professional, knowledgeable, and incredibly patient and friendly! Highly recommend.. I would give Doug 11 stars if I could!
Oct 14, 2017
Becky Holt
Doug assisted us with the sale of our home and the search for a new one. We appreciated his upbeat attitude when there were bumps in the process. He is very honest and professional in his dealings and has a fun sense of humor. Nicole was always right there with support and keeping things on track. Thanks to you both!
Oct 5, 2017
R. Austin Wiswell
A-10 Driver
Worked hard for us in selling one house and acquiring a second one. I would use him again, and recommend him to a friend.
Jul 25, 2017
Spencer lawhon
Business owner
My wife and I and her parents decided to simplify and buy a property together. We had very specific needs to accommodate both families. Doug spent countless hours looking for just the right property within our budget. After several months of looking and Doug found us the perfect property to fit all of our needs. I would highly recommend Doug for the sell of, or to find a home for anyone. He was always willing to meet us somewhere to look at a property even if it was not very convenient for him. He went the extra mile.
Jul 14, 2017
Rick Burnham
Doug did an outstanding job assisting us in moving from Southern California to Cameron Park. He is extremely knowledgeable of the area and excellent at sizing up properties that best fit his client's needs and desires. Doug also is extremely helpful in finding good, local people to help his clients settle in to their new home. I would highly recommend Doug to anyone looking to buy or sell properties.
Jul 14, 2017
Deb jones
I highly recommend Doug to anyone buying or selling a home. Doug helped us purchase our home 18 years ago and recently worked tirelessly to help me prepare to sell the house recently. Without his help, along with Nicolle, a lot of things would have been impossible for me to accomplish. Thanks Doug for your continuous support and friendship.
Jul 5, 2017
Jill Burnham
Retired educator
We have worked with Doug over the past eighteen months. Making the move from southern California to Cameron Park has been tedious and exhausting but Doug has always been available for our timeline. He is very professional yet warm and personable. He knows the area well and its fair in appraising a piece of property.
I would highly recommend Doug to anyone seeking a well rounded real estate professional.
Jun 13, 2017
Jacob Flowers
Home Buyer
We had a heck of a time finding a place due to the hot market. Everything was bought up whithin a day. But we found this one house and got a chance to see it before anyone else. Doug pulled some strings and got it done. Top Notch!
They know the area very well and give good advice. We would work with him and his wife again I'm sure in the future. BTW they also got my wife's aunt and uncle a place as well. Get what you pay for. Hire Doug!!
May 2, 2017
Stan Bryant
Doug Zeller and company did an excellent job helping me understand the Marketplace prior to listing the house. Doug gave me many ideas to upgrade our home prior to sale. Doug is a true proffessional and very helpful. Thank you
Mar 13, 2017
D. Bridgeman
Electronics Technician
Doug is a great guy. Always there for you when you have a question or concern. He helped us buy our house several years ago. Then just had him sell our house so we could relocate. I will recommend Doug for all your Real Estate needs.
Feb 6, 2017
Diane Merritt
Court Reporter
My husband and I just recently purchased a home in Cameron Park. We never could have accomplished this dream without Doug and Bud Zeller's help. They were always available and made the process, even though carried out from out of town, work so seamlessly! They both had a great attitude throughout the whole process, even when the stress seemed overwhelming. With buying a home and selling another at the same time, they kept us focused and were so helpful. I would definitely recommend them for any real estate need in the future. They are true professionals!
Dec 7, 2016
Penny Cerveny
We just purchased a home in Cameron park. Alone the way we had some problems with the house, trying to work long distance made it a little hard but working with Doug was great. He went out of his way to have
A roofer & a contractor come out to let us what we were looking at in repairs. He was always in touch by
E-mail & phone. If I left him a message he always called back in a short amount of time. I would call him for the next move in a heartbeat. Doug is one of the best. Could not be more friendly to work with. Best of all he really knows what he's doing. He looks out for his clients best interest.
Oct 13, 2016
ken radtke
home owner
Doug worked tirelessly over a long period of time to sell my short-sale house, at times encountering unforeseen difficulties which he always solved.
Sep 13, 2016
Lovell Clevenger
Doug was great. Very helpful and professional. Would definitely recommend.
Aug 31, 2016
Alex and Ashleigh Cunningham
Vdc engineer
Doug is awesome!! We've bought and sold 2 homes now with his help. We will purchase again and he's already on top of it. We can't thank him enough for making sure we are taken care of!!
Jun 14, 2016
R. Berry
If you're looking for an experienced professional who works hard to get your property sold, Doug Zeller is your agent.
Mar 29, 2016
Alex Cunningham
Douglas Zeller has helped us buy and sell our first home as well as buy our second home. He left no question unanswered and provided the very best advice possible. I highly recommend working with Douglas Zeller in purchasing or selling your home.
Feb 24, 2016
Ernest Harrison
Doug was very available throughout the buying of my home in Placerville - had to be creative with the seller & he came through - made the sale of my home in Fairfield very smooth & as timely as possible - delays were never because of Doug. I highly recommend his services
Jan 6, 2016
Eddie D Simmons
Doug Zeller Really listened to us whats better is that he was good about emails.Kept us well informed and pointed out our wants and needs.Hes a great realtor.
Dec 29, 2015
Tim Howard
I highly recommend Doug as your agent to sell your home. He sold mine and conducted all phases of the short sale in a professional manner. I doubt any other agent could have performed his duties as well as Doug with the sale of my home.
Dec 12, 2015
Joyce Cox
Good work Doug! Thanks for making things run smoothly and finding me a handyman, yardman, great termite guy, etc. Can't tell you how helpful that was!
Sep 30, 2015
Sue Howton-Stich
I would, without hesitation, recommend that you reach out to Doug Zeller for guidance and support when selling your home. Doug was immediately available to answer our questions, calm our fears and guide us through a quick and painless sale. With Doug's guidance, our home sold in just 27 days from listing and we couldn't be more pleased with the results he generated for us. I would definitely recommend Sierra Properties and Doug Zeller to anyone who's looking for a trustworthy and solid real estate broker. Thank you again Doug!
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Sammy Hagar Answers Barrage Of Fan Questions Via Facebook
As a Christmas present of sorts, Sammy Hagar decided to open the floor to his fans via Facebook, and to respond to any questions the red rocker's devotees may have.
Ask and ye shall receive, Sammy. "Within about 30 seconds, we had about 30,000 questions!' Hagar said via a video post on his You Tube page before joking, "I'm gonna blow through 'em. It's gonna be like a deposition, a lot of 'yes' 'no,' 'yes' 'no'."
In response to a question asking if Sammy had ever considered doing a duet with a country singer, Hagar's response was immediate, "Yes I have, as a matter of fact, I think I'm going to do one... If I do another record I'm going to do a couple duets, and it will probably be more country than rock because, you know, all my country buddies." We can only hope his John Deer tractor stays under 55 m.p.h.
Other such topics tackled included his favorite drink, whether he has thought about doing a Christmas album and who he would most like to meet and or jam with. The answers to the aforementioned are Mai Tai or Margarita, yes and Eric Clapton, Keith Richards and Jimmy Page.
In addition, Hagar says he has ideas for another book or two and in response to the cryptic question, "What can anyone do to spread the light?" Hagar meditatively replied, "Just be nice to people, when you look at people you smile at them," adding, "don't let anyone make you mad...don't let them bring you in."
Well said, Red!


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Originally from New England, Sean Kelly has been the frontman for the Samples since the band first gained attention in the late 1980s in Boulder, Colorado. The Samples, a name derived from when the band members would take care of their nutritional needs by eating the free food offerings handed out at local supermarkets, have a new CD out titled America. Kelly talks about what it's like to still be steering the Samples bus and how his drive to keep the music going is as strong as ever.
How would you describe the sound of the Samples these days?
That's difficult. Our new album, America, includes blues, reggae, country and other styles. It's not so much about a sound. It's more of a concept. I was watching a Saturday Night Live documentary on TV the other day and it made me think that the Samples is kind of like SNL. There have been good and bad years and changing casts. I've been the person guiding it, but the sound reflects a whole package of time and people. The new sound is a little different. Every tune is strong on its own. Each song it true to the genre that it covers. It touches on different genres including blues, rock and reggae. It's been getting good reviews from the people who are buying it.
You're from Vermont, how did you end up in Colorado?
I was born in Connecticut, but I grew up in Vermont. I moved to Colorado in 1987. At that time I had been dealing with brutal winters in Vermont. You don't get the sun there and out here it was so mild in comparison. That did it for me.
What's your favorite venue in the Denver area?
That would have to be Red Rocks. The history of it is incredible. Check out the museum there. The place hasn't changed that much from before it was a performance venue. It comes with this amazing geological history. There's a feeling that you can't get anywhere. They have been very good about working around the natural setting. My memories of all the shows I've seen there are amazing. I remember sneaking into the venue in someone's trunk to see the Grateful Dead in the '80s. I heard them play "Terrapin Station" from on top of the hill behind the venue.
Who are some of your favorite artists these days?
I don't know as many as I should, but I like Highway 50, which is a band that my friend James Hambleton is in and which is led by Al Laughlin, who was the original keyboardist of the Samples. James and his brother Charles (original member of the Samples) were the reason I moved to Colorado.
When is the last time you got together with the original members of the Samples and are those reunions fun?
It was about four years ago for the Mile High Music Festival in Denver (at Dick's Sporting Goods Park). It was cool enough to see everyone, but I really wanted to play with the guys who I had been playing with more recently. The promoters were adamant that it had to be the original members, so that's what we did. For all of us it was kind of like having to hang around with an old girlfriend for a few days. It was kind of awkward. We did it, but it wasn't necessarily fun. It was a toxic blend back then and it's still toxic.
What do you think about the legalization of marijuana in Colorado?
I think it's fantastic. I've seen the bad end of alcohol for too long now. To think that alcohol has been legal for so long is crazy. I'm not an anti-alcohol person. I still like to have a drink now and then, but to me pot is a better option. Whereas drinking can lead to Jekyll and Hyde behavior. For me pot opens up creativity and nurtures the more childlike side of my personality.
Where does the reggae and ska influence that can be heard in your music come from?
Interestingly, it's not from me. I did play some reggae oriented stuff in a few bands I was in leading up to the Samples. I used to cover some Bob Marley and Burning Spear songs when I was playing in Vermont. But the reggae influence amplified when we brought on our drummer Jeep and also from our original keyboardist Al Laughlin.
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By Russ Britt
Not readily apparent in Thursday's earnings report from UnitedHealth Group Inc. was the notion that the company faces cost concerns over expensive new treatments for hepatitis C, an issue that is likely to rear its head as more insurers report earnings in coming days.
UnitedHealth /quotes/zigman/258846/delayed /quotes/nls/unh UNH mentioned it in passing in its earnings release, but the potential problem captured the spotlight on the company's call later in the day.
UnitedHealth said it spent $100 million in getting Sovaldi to its policyholders. The first of several wonder drugs that are expected to profoundly affect treatment of the disease, Sovaldi is made by Gilead Sciences Inc. /quotes/zigman/72849/delayed /quotes/nls/gild GILD and costs $1,000 a day for a 12-week treatment, or $84,000.
Sovaldi is considered the most promising of a class of hepatitis C drugs, and was found in tests to have a cure rate well above 90%. But Gilead has come under fire in recent weeks for pricing Sovaldi out of reach for many of the patients that need it.
Further, Sovaldi was put on the market just this year, and already its pricing effects are announcing their presence.
Dan Schumacher, UnitedHealth's chief financial officer, indicated on an analyst call that the costs associated with the drug took the company by surprise.
"In terms of its relation to our expectation, I won't cite that specifically other than just saying that it's a multiple of what we had expected," Schumacher said. Schumacher added, however, there may have been some pent-up demand that compounded costs for UnitedHealth, and that could dissipate as time goes on.
Shares of UnitedHealth fell 3% to $75.78 in Thursday trades while Gilead added 1% to $70.
Follow Russ Britt @russbrittmktw.
Follow Health Exchange @MWHealthBlog.
More health-care news from MarketWatch:
President asks Republicans to stop fighting Obamacare; enrollment at 8 million
California Obamacare enrollment comes in at 1.4 million


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Sacario Feels Justice After Joe Budden Gets Jabbed In The Face! (Speaks About Joe Taking Shots At Him On His Record)
HipHopGossipSite talks to Sacario
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Financial literacy is the ability to use knowledge and skills to manage one's financial resources effectively for a lifetime of financial security. Financial literacy is a continuum of evolving abilities, subject to variables such as age, family, culture, and residence, that individuals use to respond to every-changing personal and economic circumstances.
Financial Literacy Education (FLE) in Indiana describes the academic standards (knowledge and skills) financially literate students should have achieved at two benchmark levels, the end of 8th grade and the end of 12th grade.
Indiana's academic standards for FLE are organized around six areas of study. Skills for thinking, inquiry, and application of these standards are integrated throughout. The six areas of study include:
- Financial Responsibility and Decision Making;
- Relating Income and Careers;
- Planning and Money Management;
- Managing Credit and Debt;
- Risk Management and Insurance; and
- Saving and Investing.
Please review the following information to learn more about FLE.
- See the Middle School FLE Standards to review the standards students are expected to achieve by the end of 8th grade.
- See the High School FLE Standards to review the standards students are expected to achieve by the end of 12th grade.
- See the Personal Financial Responsibility course framework for the course description and content and process standards.
- Review the Guidelines for Personal Financial Responsibility approved by the State Board of Education in 2009.


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Astros post four-run ninth in Cosart's final start
SEATTLE -- Astros pitcher Jarred Cosart, a Houston-area native who's a huge fan of the NFL's Houston Texans, was leading the chorus of yells inside the visiting clubhouse at Safeco Field on Monday night when the Texans rallied to beat the Chargers in San Diego.
"There was a lot of screaming going on," he said.View Full Game Coverage
SEATTLE -- Astros pitcher Jarred Cosart, a Houston-area native who's a huge fan of the NFL's Houston Texans, was leading the chorus of yells inside the visiting clubhouse at Safeco Field on Monday night when the Texans rallied to beat the Chargers in San Diego.
"There was a lot of screaming going on," he said.View Full Game Coverage
Only a few minutes before the Texans punched home the game-winning field goal, Cosart found himself cheering on another impressive late-game comeback by a Houston team on the West Coast -- this one by his teammates in orange and blue.
The Astros rallied for four runs in the ninth inning, including an RBI single by Jimmy Paredes and a two-run single by Jonathan Villar, to snap a three-game losing streak with a stirring 6-4 win over the Mariners in what turned out to be Cosart's final game of the season.
Astros manager Bo Porter announced after the game the team was shutting down Cosart for the final three weeks after throwing a career-high 153 innings combined between his time in Triple-A Oklahoma City and in 10 impressive starts with the Astros.
"Honestly, I don't have much left," Cosart said. "My body is tired. This is new for me. Missing time last year with the blisters gave me an extra blow, almost a two-week break for my arm. It's kind of like starting over and I missed no time this year, which was a huge plus for me. That was one of my goals this year, to stay healthy this year and be able to come in next year."
The Astros improved to 3-82 when trailing after eight innings by scoring four times in the ninth on three hits, a pair of Seattle errors and one well-positioned crouch by outfielder Trevor Crowe, who inadvertently blocked a relay throw to the plate after popping out to first base.
It was that kind of night for the Astros, who begin their ninth-inning rally with consecutive one-out walks by Marc Krauss and Carlos Corporan against closer Danny Farquhar. Paredes singled to score pinch-runner Jake Elmore from second, and Villar shot a single up the middle past a drawn-in infield to score pinch-runner Marwin Gonzalez and Paredes, putting the Astros ahead, 5-3.
"I worked for that," Paredes said. "I say to Marwin, 'I want to hit this inning. I want to change the game.' I worked for that. It was a big hit."
Villar scored the fourth run of the inning when he darted home on an errant throw by first baseman Justin Smoak following a foul popup. Smoak's throw to the plate struck Crowe, who had crouched a few feet down the first-base line to avoid the throw.
"That was a crazy play," said Crowe, who went 2-for-5. "I saw Smoak catch the ball, and I was kind of like, 'Oh my God, did I just foul out right there?' I put my head down and I felt something hit me, and I looked to the right and there was the baseball, and I see Villar scampering home."
The rally was huge for the Astros, considering they had runners at second and third and no outs in the eighth and couldn't score. They were 3-for-15 with runners in scoring position.
"Those two walks pretty much got them going, then the two ground balls got through," Farquhar said. "Without those walks, those two hits mean nothing. But putting those two guys on base was pretty much the game right there."
Cosart threw five innings Monday and allowed only an unearned run, two hits and pitched around a career-high six walks that could have been the product of a pitcher with nothing left in the tank.
"I'll get it fixed going into next year," he said. "That's the No. 1 thing that I need to improve on. Everybody makes goal sheets for this offseason in our end-of-the-year meetings, and that's something we'll get ironed out. I was happy to keep my team in the game today and have a chance to win, and now I'm done and get to take a little break and hit it hard in October."
Cosart, 23, positioned himself to be a huge part of the Astros' rotation going forward. He went 1-1 with a 1.95 ERA in 10 starts, allowing 46 hits and 13 earned runs in 60 innings. He did walk 35 batters, which he admitted he'll have to improve next year.
"It's all looking forward to next year for me," he said. "I'm still going to stay here and support these guys, and we want to finish out strong so we have some stuff to look forward to going into next year. I've got a lot to work on, I know that. I'm going to do everything I can in the offseason to get myself in better shape than I've ever been and refine some stuff on the mound to get ready for next year."
Kevin Chapman threw a scoreless eighth inning for his first Major League win after Chia-Jen Lo gave up a two-run homer to Abraham Almonte that allowed the Mariners to take a 3-2 lead in the seventh. Josh Fields picked up his fourth save despite allowing a solo homer.
Brian McTaggart is a reporter for MLB.com and writes an MLBlog, Tag's Lines. Follow @brianmctaggart on Twitter.


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Charleston Daily Mail
Last Widow of War of 1812 Is Dead at Home Near Franklin
Mrs. Lydia Ann Graham Dies at Age of 97; Led Simple Life in Rural Residence
April 2, 1936
Last Widow of War of 1812 Is Dead at Home Near Franklin
Mrs. Lydia Ann Graham Dies at Age of 97; Led Simple Life in Rural Residence
(Photograph on Page Twelve)
Franklin, April 2 (AP)
Mrs. Lydia Ann Graham, who would have been 98 years old in May, last surviving widow of the war of 1812, died at her home at Brushy run, near Franklin, yesterday of infirmities incident to her age.
She had been in fair health until the last few weeks. Her home was in a rural area, minus the conveniences and comforts available in modern times, and her manner of living was suited to her circumstances. Until illness forced her to curtail her labors, she attended daily to chores about the place.
She was the widow of Isaac Graham, born in the 1790's, who served as a musician's boy in the war. She was 32 when she married the war veteran. He died in 1881, leaving her a family of three children who still survive, Mrs. M. D. Calhoun, with whom she made her home; Mrs. William G. Calhoun, of Pendleton county, and Mrs. George Kesner, of Cresaptown, Md. Her husband by a previous marriage had reared 11 children, all now dead.
During the recent winter severities she consented to pose for photographers who sought her out when she was established officially by the government as the lone surviving widow of the war of 1812. They found her with a tot in arms, the child perfectly content. Her son-in-law, Down Calhoun, said Mrs. Graham retained striking cheerfulness of manner throughout her advanced years, always welcomed callers and never grew impatient except when efforts were made to "hurry" her in her work. Then she showed, he said, sharpness suggestive of a much younger person.
Funeral arrangements had not been completed this morning.
Military and Wartime


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If finding Earth-size planets orbiting other stars at distances hospitable for life is the holy grail for planet hunters, teams of astronomers are uncovering a lot of potential chalices.
One team, associated with NASA's Kepler mission, announced Monday that they have identified 1,781 planet "candidates" as they peer at a patch of sky covering more than 156,000 stars, in the constellation Cygnus.
Of those 121 appear to be orbiting in the habitable zones of their host stars – a region of space around the star where a planet's temperature would allow liquid water to pool on the surface. Some of these habitable-zone objects appear to be so-called super Earths, which tip the scales at between roughly twice Earth's mass to 10 times the mass of the Earth.
The Kepler team calls the objects candidates because they still require confirmation from ground-based astronomers using other techniques for detecting them. The team announced the latest update to its planetary census at a conference in Moran, Wyo., near Grand Teton National Park.
Kepler, a spacecraft trailing behind Earth in the planet's orbit around the sun, stares at its target stars simultaneously. It uses the so-called transit method to find planets, looking for the telltale dimming as a planet passes in front of its host star. To confirm that the observed object is a planet, ground-based astronomers look at the impact of the planet's motion on the star's spectrum. Of the 1,781 candidates Kepler has detected, 27 have been confirmed as planets so far.
Although the detection method Kepler uses allows scientist to make some broad inferences about a planet's size, temperature, or whether the planet is rocky or a ball of gas, the planets are too far away to make direct measurements of any atmosphere they might have.
The stars Kepler looks at are roughly 600 to 3,000 light-years away.
That is why other teams are looking much closer to home.
A group using a planet-hunting spectrometer bolted to the back of a telescope at the European Southern Observatory's La Silla Observatory in Chile reported at the same conference finding a super Earth orbiting just inside the inner edge of the habitable zone of a star labeled HD 85512. It is in the constellation Vela some 6.2 light-years from the sun.
The planet, with 3.6 times Earth's mass, orbits the star once every 58 days. By comparison, Mercury orbits the sun once every 88 days.
The team detected the planet with a technique that uses the wobble in a star's spectrum to track the planet's gravitational tug on its sun. The discovery was part of a project to see if upgrades to the spectrometer they are using, dubbed HARP, was up to the task of detecting planets with masses comparable to Earth's in the habitable zones of near-by stars.
The planet has the lowest mass of any yet detected in a star's habitable zone, according to Lisa Kaltenegger, a planetary scientist who divides her time between the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy in Heidelberg, Germany, and the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge, Mass.
The detection was one of 50 new confirmed planets – including 16 super Earths – HARP has added to the roster of what is now 645 planets astronomers around the world have discovered.
While the number of planets approaching Earth's mass and within a star's habitable zone is increasing, distance alone does not make for a comfy planet, researchers caution.
In August, Dr. Kaltenegger and Dimitar Sasselov, with the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, published basic calculations that could be applied to the Kepler data to give a first-cut estimate of whether a planet candidate in a habitable zone could indeed be habitable.
The breadth of a star's habitable zone depends as much on the planet itself as it does on the star, the scientists point out.
Among the key factors they cite: the intensity, mix of wavelengths, and steadiness with which the star's light hits the planet; the amount of starlight the planet reflects; the concentration of heat-trapping greenhouse gases; and the range of geophysical processes, from volcanism to wind patterns, that move energy around.
Since most of those characteristics are not observable, researchers by necessity have to make some assumptions about the traits, especially those the planets display.
When the two applied their model to Kepler data, they found fewer desirable neighborhoods than initially estimated.
In February, the Kepler team announced that the latest update to its planetary census revealed 54 planet candidates falling within their stars' habitable zones.
But based on the traits Kaltenegger and Dr. Sasselov identified, the duo estimated that many of the 54 planets actually fall outside of the habitable zones. Of the six likely rocky planets in that sample, four fell within the zone, with two others on the inside fringe. Think Venus.
Close, but no microbe.


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WASHINGTON, D.C. — In what he said is a victory for consumers, Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., has authored legislation that will allow Americans to switch wireless carriers while keeping their cell phone or tablet.
The process, known as "unlocking," affords consumers more freedom to choose the wireless carrier and mobile device that best suits them.
On Friday, President Obama signed the legislation, formally titled the Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act.


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Addabbo has been a strong state senator, although some think he may have eyes on the U.S. House of Representatives. If Anthony Weiner had become mayor, Addabbo may have taken a run at the seat. But history has not shaken out as such, and now Addabbo will be defending his seat against a strong GOP opponent in 2010.
Anthony Como announced last week that he is running against Addabbo in the district. At first glance, there are the similarities between them. They have both been in politics in this district for a long time, and they are still pretty young candidates. Both are former City Council members. Both have a political pedigree; Addabbo being the son of storied Congressman Joe Addabbo, Sr. and Como being a protégé of Maltese. Both men are attorneys by trade.
Como was slated to be the next commissioner of the New York City Housing Association (NYCHA). That never happened, and Como decided to jump back into politics. It's been two years since he has been a ouncilman (following a special election), which was followed by a loss to Liz Crowley in his re-election bid a few months later. However, 2008 was a year juiced with heavy voter turnout and an unsatisfied national electorate. Como is still the Republicans' best hope for a seat such as this.
Como would have some advantage in the upper part of the district near Glendale. Addabbo is better known in the lower half of the district, but he is the incumbent and probably has inroads throughout the district. Voter turnout will not be what it was 2008. Addabbo has the advantage of a professional staff and a campaign team that has been relatively unchanged and pretty strong over the last few years.
Como might not have access to everyone that worked for him in the City Council because people just move on when their boss leaves office. But what Como does have to his advantage is all of Maltese's people, as well any other GOP campaign people that might want to help him. That could be a large group when you consider that there are just not many winnable horses in the Republican stable right now, so it's all hands on deck in the 15th.
What I have mentioned before in other columns about the Bayside area holds true here as well: the talent pool is heavy in this part of the city. Addabbo, Ulrich, and Como have all been effective public servants. Even the candidates that have lost in this area were impressive, such as Geraldine Chappey, Lew Simon, and Joann Ariola. Because the talent pool is strong, the races are tougher.
This is going to be a real race for both Como and Addabbo, although in order to challenge an incumbent like Addabbo, most candidates would have needed more time to get a campaign rolling. Most importantly, however, the issues are the priority. Albany is dysfunctional, the economy is not yet back on its feet, and I bet some people want to know if there are taxes on the horizon. This will be a fun race, and both candidates are very good politicians. But keeping this district special will be what matters most in November.
Algae – The Next Small Thing
Our energy future will consist of hybrid blends of biodiesel fuel, made from soybeans, corn, and cooking grease that later gets refined into burnable fuel. These are cellulosic biodiesel fuels, and the government, through renewable fuel standards, encourages its production and use. So maybe we are never going to drive cars run on corn, since corn really does not give us the energy bang for the buck. But there is a fuel source that may change that.
Algae, which grow in brackish (salt) water, can be used as a clean burning fuel source. There are algae growers in New Mexico that are pressing congress to change the current fuel standard to allow algae to be included in the standard. According to Congressman Harry Teague of New Mexico, the current standard calls for 16 billion gallons of our fuel to be cellulosic by 2022.
That is great news, but why should we limit ourselves to cellulosic biofuels, when we can grow algae in salt water (there is plenty of it) and use that in combination with regular gasoline and other biofuels? Algae is not a biofuel that competes with food production, and there is no other use for it really. This particular algae does not grow in fresh water, so it will not interfere with our need for fresh drinking water.
There is no reason why we cannot open the market and make these alternative fuels compete. In the end, we will see a drop in consumption of fossil fuels and an increase in cleaner burning, home grown, biofuels. This is the time to push for real hope and real change. This is a win-win for the environment and the economy.