text:
There's an old American proverb (you probably first heard it in grade school) that says: "You can't fight city hall." According to this dictum, you shouldn't try even try to confront the Powers That Be ... because "you can't win."
"I guess I never learned that proverb," says John A. Kolezynski of Long Valley, New Jersey," Beacuse when the creameries — and the Department of Health — in my state conspired to me out of the dairy bussiness, I was 'dumb' enough to fight back. And when I did, I found out something interesting about the American system of justice: It still works. Sometimes."
On April 15, 1974, I received a summons to appear in court. I was being sued by the state of New Jersey.
Specifically, I was charged with violating a state law which read: "No person shall sell or distribute to the ultimate consumer any milk, cream, or other unpasteurized dairy product that is not certified." On May 10, 1974 (the summons said) I was to appear before his honor, Judge Robert H. Muir, Jr., at the Morris County Superior Court, to receive a "cease and desist" order.
To Begin at the Beginning
I'm a dairy farmer. (Have been since 1947.) And I enjoy what I do ... but I've never harbored any desire to become a giant in the world of agribusiness. I've never wanted to become a "big-time" dairy farmer ... although when I was younger, that was what I thought I had to do to keep my business profitable.
Back in the fifties, my wife and I expanded our operation from 13 to 50-some-odd cows (and mortgaged the better part of our lives to buy 123 acres of land). At our peak, we managed a herd that produced a ton of milk per day.
What we couldn't understand at the time, though, was why — in the process of becoming bigger — we'd also become poorer . We were in debt up to (and beyond) our ears, and while most of the rest of the nation enjoyed prosperity, we lived in a depression ... as did millions of other farm families who were trying desperately to hold onto their land.
We were luckier than many of the others, though. We got out of debt ... by selling most of our land. (Notice that it was not our production — our milk — that paid off our debts, but our means of production: our cows and our land.) A funny thing happened, though, when we became smaller: We also became more efficient.
The System, however, doesn't reward efficiency (on a small scale) ... as I learned on February 28, 1972, when I received a registered letter from my creamery stating that — because of my herd's small output (250 pounds daily) — they would no longer pick up my milk. I had 60 days (the letter said) to find another market for it.
The Battle Begins
Upon receiving my "layoff" notice from the creamery, I immediately began to get in touch with other creameries. And, to my amazement and dismay, they all told me the same thing: "Make more milk, and we'll take you on."
I wrote to New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Phillip Alampi to see if maybe he could find a market for my milk. He wrote back to say that he couldn't locate a creamery that would pick up such a small volume. A few days later, I wrote Mr. Alampi again to ask whom I could contact with regard to having my milk certified (so I could sell it myself) ... and he was kind enough to send me a list of names. I contacted everyone on the list, but the answer was the same: my production was too small to bother with.
As a last resort, I wrote to the Governor and explained my situation. His answer (which I received via the Secretary of Agriculture) was, "It's distressing that we in government do not have a solution to the problems that you are now facing, but don't you dare sell raw milk."
My 60 days were nearly up at this point and — as yet — I had found no new buyer for my small farm's product. "I guess we'll have to go on welfare pretty soon," I told my wife. "Because after May first, we aren't going to have an income."
The Welfare Experience
Around the middle of April, my wife and I did go down to the Morris County welfare office, where we filled out a large application form. When we turned it in, the clerk told me to sign up for work at the New Jersey Employment Security office ... which was where we went next.
Now, when you sign up for employment you have to list your occupation on a card ... and a clerk then has to find the proper code number to match the occupation you've indicated. Naturally, I put down "farmer" as my occupation ... but — and here's catch-22 — after searching through two gigantic code books, the clerk who waited on me said "There's no code number given for 'farmer.' What else can you do?" He ended up putting me down as a maintenance man's helper (or some such). Here I was, a farmer — top man in the agrarian system — reduced to low man in the industrial class by some cockamamie law. I couldn't believe it.
But there's more. When I went back to the welfare office, the clerk there told me: "Sell your cows, and when you've used that money up, then we can help you."
Needless to say, I did a lot of deep thinking at home that night. More than anything, I was stunned by the sheer irony of the situation. New Jersey officials are supposedly "concerned" these days about the state's losing what few farm families it has left ... yet here I was — a small farmer being forced out of business, pleading for help — and no one, from the Governor on down to the lowest welfare office clerk, seemed to give a damn. "Incredible," I thought to myself. "Just incredible."
Farming in the USA
May 1 finally came. And as I watched the milk tank truck pull out of my farm for the last time, I saw go with it a life's work. For I now had no market for my milk, no income, no job, no unemployment benefits, no welfare... nothing, except a six-acre farm, 13 cows, 50 chickens, a wife, three children, and a dream I'd first dreamed when I was eleven years old.
At this point, I was faced with a hard decision: Should I buckle under to Big Business and Big Government ... or should I hold my ground, stand up for my rights, and risk the consequences?
Well, it seemed to me that the creameries had no right to dictate the size of my farm (which — in essence — is exactly what they were trying to do), and the state had no right both to forbid me to sell uncertified milk to the consuming public AND refuse (simply because my output was "too small") to even consider certifying my milk (which was exactly what the Department of Health had done). I felt fully justified, then, in taking the only course of action that seemed right to me ... which was to begin selling my cows' milk on the open market (that is, direct to consumers.)
So I began selling 100 percent natural raw milk on my farm, and — thanks to word of mouth advertising — I enjoyed surprisingly brisk business for over a year. One day, however, the inevitable happened: Department of Health officials appeared at the door and told me to stop.
"What else can I do?" I asked them. "This is the only way I have to make a living — an honest living-from the land, raise a family, and pay taxes. I've contacted everyone in this state from the Governor on down and no one will lift a finger to help me. This is all I have. I have absolutely no other choice ... no other way to live."
But the officials who visited us were not interested in hearing about the Kafka situation we were in. They didn't care. They had a job to do. I was violating a state law. They had to shut me down.
And, of course, there wasn't any way I could shut down ... not if I wanted to keep feeding my family. So the officials came back, again and again. And every time they visited my farm, they cranked the pressure we were living under up another notch. The whole power of the state of New Jersey, in short, was increasingly brought to bear on my little farm. And, finally, I was sued by the state and told to appear in court.
My wife, unable to cope with the strain we were under, committed suicide. And that left me really alone ... alone with three children to raise and a whole state treating me like a common criminal. And all because I was merely trying to make a small living in the only way I could ... by selling a natural and unadulterated product to people who were eager to buy it.
Legal Aid
When it'd become evident that the Department of Health was taking my case seriously, I started to look for legal help.
First, I contacted the American Civil Liberties Union ... and was told I didn't have a chance. Then I went to the Morris County Legal Aid Society ... but — because I wasn't a card-carrying welfare recipient — they too refused to help me. More catch-22's.
Finally, some neighbor-friends of mine got in touch with their lawyer, who in turn recommended that I contact an attorney by the name of George J. Benson. I went to see him, and took with me a bagful of letters I'd accumulated over the past year.
Mr. Benson seemed skeptical at first when I told him that the state intended to sue me ... but when I produced fistfuls of correspondence (from the Governor's office, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Medical Milk Commissioner, the Milk Program Project Coordinator, the Department of Health, the Welfare Department, and the Employment Security office), his eyes immediately lit up. I think he knew then that we had a case.
Without further ado, I set about informing the local media of my situation. And before long, I was swamped with newspaper reporters. (I hit front page in many papers, and was even interviewed for an eight-minute spot on a local TV news program.)
Of course, most people thought I was tilting at windmills. Well-meaning friends and acquaintances told me: "John, you can't fight government. You're wasting your time and money. They'll only wear you down." Maybe ... but if you believe in basic human rights, you stand up for those beliefs just as Washington, Adams, and others did two centuries ago. ("Eternal vigilance," as Jefferson — I believe — said," is the price of liberty.")
For one reason or another, my trial date was postponed three times (so that instead of going to court in May of 1974, I was to appear — finally — on January 6,1975). And, in between postponements, I wrote many letters to the editors of New Jersey newspapers. The following example — dated December 29, 1974 — is representative of the letters I sent, and of my feelings at the time.
To the editor,
On January 6, 1975, my constitutional right to sell the organic product made by the cows on my farm will be on trial.
I am a small dairy farmer with an increasing market for my natural milk. The state of New Jersey, however, tells me that I may only sell my milk to designated buyers: that is, to the creameries they license to pasteurize milk. These are the same creameries that laid me off in 1972 on the grounds that I didn't produce enough milk for them. In other words, then, the creameries are dictating the size my herd must be. I contend that they are violating my right to sell my product on the open market.
I am engaged in the production of food, a lawful business that all governments recognize. There is no law stating how large a farm must be in this country, but the creameries (a part of the private sector) have taken it upon themselves to try to force me to expand ... even though my farm is already at the proper size (six acres) for optimum economic efficiency.
The laws that guarantee the creameries (the processors) the power to control dairy farmers (the producers) in this way are overriding the Constitution ... and it this power is not challenged, the Constitution itself is weakened and thus in danger of losing its meaning.
I believe I may be the first farmer ever to go on trial over the right to be a farmer. If the court says that I am committing a crime against the state by selling natural milk (for which there is a real demand) to people who want to buy it, then we have a dictatorship form of government and NOT the kind of democracy established by our founding fathers. If the courts dictate who can or cannot be a farmer, then this is the beginning of the end of our democracy.
This is what I am on trial for and fighting to preserve ... our Constitution, and individual rights.
John A. Kolezynski
My Day in Court
Finally — on January 6, 1975 — I went to court to defend my rights. Also there for the occasion were the state's Deputy Attorney General in charge of the case, representatives for the milk industry and the Department of Health, and my lawyer.
Mr. Benson (my attorney) had prepared a good case. He was ready to argue — among other things — that the so-called "state law" which forbade me to sell uncertified milk was, in fact, nothing more than a Department of Health edict (dating back to 1913) that had never been enacted into law by the New Jersey legislature. The state, in other words, had no power to force me (or anyone else) to apply for certification before selling milk.
As it turned out, though, there was no hearing. Mr. Benson — after meeting in private with representatives of the state and the dairy industry — returned to his chair and told me that all charges had been dropped. The state had agreed (out of court) to allow me to go on selling raw milk. I had — in effect — "won" the case.
So: Although the Department of Health edict concerning the certification of milk is still on the books (and will be until a judge declares it illegal) ... I am now the only dairy farmer in New Jersey who is allowed to sell natural (raw) milk.
Poetic Justice
It's funny: Millions of farmers were forced out of business in the 50's by the very same "get big or get out" tactics that the creameries had applied to me in the 70's. But when they tried to put the squeeze on me , I challenged the legality of what they were doing ... and won .
Unfortunately, mine is just an individual case. Since I settled out of court, the Department of Health's antiquated and illegal "laws" still stand, and any farmer who wishes to escape their tyranny must — as I did — wait to be taken to court, then fight his own battle.
I like to think, however, that I've shown that it is possible to fight such a battle. That — contrary to what everybody told me, and what everyone seems to believe these days — you CAN fight city hall. Believe me, you don't know that you can't until you try.
Most people who come to my place tell me they feel the "inner peace" and "strength" and "energy" that (apparently) radiate from me. All I know is, I'm content to live the lifestyle I've chosen to live ... the way of life that I've successfully fought to protect.


text:
adjective; satisfied, contented, happy, pleased.
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subset: commoncrawl


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On a sunny mid-November afternoon, the Mattson Gin is in the final two days of ginning the 2012 crop of 50,000 bales — the second largest number ever. Harry Flowers is pleased that the gin plant has completed the season without a hitch, that the cotton crop was "our best ever," and that the gin crew added another year of safe operation to their longtime excellent record.
In the decades since he first started working the graveyard shift at the gin for his uncle Roy Flowers, he's been a participant in an evolution in farming and ginning — from the first early-day mechanical cotton pickers to today's on-board module machines, from a 1950s gin that creaked out 4 bales per hour to a modern plant that can whiz through 1,000 bales in a day.
For his contributions to the cotton and ginning industries during his career, he has been chosen as the Southern Cotton Ginners Association Ginner of the Year, and was honored at the group's annual awards banquet held in conjunction with the Mid-South Farm & Gin Show.
"During his career in ginning and farming, Harry has been in the forefront of adapting new technologies and innovative practices," says Tim Price, SCGA executive vice president. "He and his gin management team have continually sought ways to enhance the safety of their operation."
It is of the gin's safety achievements that he is particularly proud. He remembers all too well the long-ago accident that could have been fatal for his brother, Dick.
"In about 1973, sometime around 2:00 in the morning, I got a call that Dick had been caught in the rollers at our Robinsonville, Miss., gin. He probably would live, I was told, but could lose an arm. Thankfully, he lived, and he didn't lose his arm. But he had to go through painful skin grafts and a long recovery, and he bears the scars to this day."
In the years that followed, he says, "We made safety our No. 1 concern. And in that same era, manufacturers began focusing on ways to make gin equipment safer, with additional emphasis on guards and other devices to reduce the potential for accidents.
"Anything that makes our operation safer, we've done it," Harry says. "I don't want to ever know that one of our employees has been hurt because we didn't do everything possible to provide a safe workplace."
He has praise for the SCGA's safety programs for gins. "They have a wide range of videos, posters, and training materials for employees and managers to create an awareness that safety is an every day, every hour necessity. Larry Davis, SCGA safety director, has done a first class job of assisting gins with their safety programs and with a yearly awards program that recognizes gins for their outstanding safety work.
"We have weekly safety meetings for all our personnel. We're very proud of our safety record and we want to do everything possible to maintain that record and insure that none of them is hurt on the job.
"When we shut down at the end of the season, we begin a systematic program of going through the gin to inspect all the equipment, to see what needs repairing or replacing, and getting everything in tip-top shape and in the best possible operating condition for the next year."
The 2012 ginning season started September 12 and finished November 15, Harry says. "It was one of the best seasons ever, due in large part, I think, to the more efficient harvesting with round module pickers and the handling of those modules. It was our second biggest ginning year ever; the record was in 2006, when we ginned 53,000 bales.
"We operate six days a week, with three 8-hour shifts, and we shut down for Sunday. I'm just not comfortable with a round-the-clock 7-day operation — I think it just increases the odds of an accident. I'd rather shut down and give our people some time to rest and recharge. I think this helps us to maintain a safer working environment."
"We may be one of the few gins that operates entirely with local labor. We're fortunate to be able to get good people in this area, many of whom have been with us for years.
"We have 12-15 employees in the gin, plus a manager for each shift crew. Steve Logan, our main manager, has been with us 30 years, and Todd Logan has been here for 10 years. Our newest manager, Patrick Williams, has been with us two years." All hauling of cotton and cotton seed is by custom operators.
Gin built in 1950s
"The gin was built in the 1950s and was originally two gins, each running about 4 bales per hour," Harry says. "It was owned by my uncle, Roy Flowers, who came to this area in 1910.
"When I started working at the gin, Uncle Roy would stay in the office until midnight. I'd come on duty at 10 p.m., work until 7:00 the next morning, then pull cotton trailers to the field. I'd go home and sleep until 1 p.m., then go to the field where they were picking, stay there until they quit, then go home for some dinner and a bit of rest before going back to the gin at 10 p.m. The gin manager had a cot at the gin and would sleep there."
In 1970, the two old gins were taken out and a single modern gin installed.
"At that time, Uncle Roy, who was near 90 years old, gave me a half interest in the gin. My brothers, Richard (Dick) and Taylor Graydon (Sonny) had gins at Dublin and Robinsonville, but over the years those were shut down and they became owners with me in this gin. We all farm separately, but we share ownership of the gin.
"We've continually upgraded and improved it, and we now have a modern facility than can turn out about 1,000 bales per day. When it's running well, we can do 60 bales an hour.
"We have three Lummus gin stands and Stover equipment for unwrapping and handling round modules. We felt the Stover equipment was the strongest and best, and we've had no problems in handling the round modules.
"Since 1997, we've ginned over half a million bales, and over the lifetime of the gin at least 1 million. We ginned a bit over 50,000 bales in 2012, with 75 percent to 80 percent being from round modules. About 85 percent of the cotton we gin is from Flowers family farms.
"We have two John Deere round module pickers and rent a third, and one of our customers also has one. The rest of the cotton we gin is from conventional modules. I don't foresee conventional modules going away anytime soon, because some of our customers can't justify the cost of the new pickers.
"We were concerned at first about the higher cost of wrapping for the modules and the equipment to unwrap and handle them at the gin. But everything has worked out, and we really like the round modules. Handling in the field is much more efficient and they store well.
"The Deere pickers are very efficient — you never have to stop. We can easily pick 60 acres to 70 acres per day. A major efficiency/cost savings is in not having tractors tied up with boll buggies and other operations; they're freed up for stalk cutting and other work. And transporting the pickers and support equipment from one area to another is much easier."
On his farming operation, acreage in 2012 was split about 50/50 cotton and grains, Harry says, "But unless there is a significant change in the grains/cotton price relationship, I look for a dramatic downturn in cotton acres in 2013. We could be looking at a 50 percent decline in the number of bales we gin this year."
About 70 percent of their land is classified as Cotton 1 or Cotton 2 soils, he says, and they try not to put cotton on their heavy land.
"We soil test all our land on a rotating basis every three years. The acres that come out of cotton on our better land this year will probably go into corn. 2012 was also the best-yielding cotton year ever on our farm, with an average of 1,325 pounds. I think the increases we've seen in recent years have been due to a number of factors — the excellent varieties available to growers, our doing a better job of irrigation, more effective defoliants, and better, more efficient equipment.
"I've been fortunate to have witnessed some of the major evolutions in cotton production and ginning — from cotton trailers to module builders to the new module builder pickers. In the early days of module builders, I think we were the first in this area to actually put cotton modules on the ground instead of on pallets. It happened because we had a good cotton year and a long harvest, and we ran out of pallets for the modules.
"I asked Joe McCann, who was a cotton gin equipment salesman, if we could put them on the ground, and he said yes. 'OK,' I said, 'but then can we get them off the ground?' I telephoned Barry Reynolds out in Texas — he developed the module retriever — and he said he had a relift machine down in Louisiana that he would send to us, along with two men to show us how to use it. If we liked it, he said, it was $25,000, and if we didn't, we could send it back. It worked fine, and we kept it.
Increased gin yard
"Our next problem was storage. We didn't have a large enough gin yard to hold as many modules as needed to keep the gin operating. So, we increased our gin yard area; now we have two big yards that are adequate to handle the inventory needed to keep the gin running. We could now store probably 700 modules on our gin yards."
Over the years, Harry says, "We've had a continual program of landforming on our farm, and probably 95 percent of our land has now been put to grade. About 85 percent of the land is irrigated, mostly furrow, and the landforming has allowed us to handle and use water more efficiently."
With the transition to grains in recent years, they have installed storage bins with a total capacity of 315,000 bushels.
"With the efficiency of modern combines, trying to move corn to an elevator, where there are often long lines, is just too time-consuming," he says. "These bins allow us to harvest and market our corn more efficiently."
Although cotton acreage will be reduced on their farm this year, with the expectation of a much smaller crop nationally, Harry says it's important that cotton maintain a production level sufficient to support the industry infrastructure.
"We don't need to lose that," he says. "A lot of gins have closed over the years, and we need to try and keep an adequate ginning infrastructure so we can handle the volume when we work through the current surplus and cotton demand picks up again."
When he first started farming, he says, "Cotton was 24 cents to 26 cents a pound. The next year, it went to 28 cents, then 30 cents, then 32 cents. We thought 32 cents was just great, so we booked a lot of acreage — and cotton went to $1. That was a lesson learned, about selling too soon."
Harry was born and grew up here in this small community and has never moved. "My mother, Mary Helen Eggleston, was born here in 1910 and lived in the same place her entire life," he says. "My father, Taylor Graydon Flowers, grew up in the Cockrun community near Olive Branch, Miss., and came here following his graduation from the University of Mississippi.
"After I got my business/accounting degree at Ole Miss, I spent a year on active duty with the Mississippi Air National Guard, training in California as a navigator. I actually thought about living in California, but my father had some health problems and asked me to come back and take over the farm. It has been a great life and I've never regretted a minute of it.
"Counting my part-time work on the farm in my growing-up years, I've been involved in our family's farming operations for 55 years, and have been actively farming on my own for 44 years.
"In my ginning career, I've been fortunate to have been guided by our gin managers and programs and training made available through the Southern Cotton Ginners Association, the National Cotton Ginners Association, and the USDA Cotton Ginning Laboratory at Stoneville. It has been a continual learning experience, and I'm always interested in what's new and improved in the industry."
Now, Harry and his brothers have sons or grandsons who are active in their farming operations, continuing the long family tradition. Harry's sons, Scott and Graydon, farm with him; Dick's sons, Bowen and Mattson farm with him; and Sonny's grandson, Taylor, farms in his operation.
Harry and his wife, the former Lassie Cooke, have four children, Charles, Amelia, Scott, and Graydon, and six grandchildren, Allie Harris, Gray, Gaines, Jonathan, Anna, and Mattson, with another due to arrive in June.
In addition to his farm/gin business interests, he is a board member of Clarksdale First National Bank, and has served on the board of the former United South Bank and the Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center, as treasurer of St. George Episcopal Church. He has served as a delegate to the National Cotton Council and as an alternate Cotton Board delegate, was on the board of the Staple Cotton cooperative for 20 years, and was a Delta Council vice president and director.
In 1998, he was named winner of the Farm Press/Cotton Foundations High Cotton Award for the Mid-South states, in recognition of his environmental stewardship.
"I've been going to the Mid-South Farm & Gin Show since the 1970s," he says, "and I'm always impressed by the outstanding show that our association puts together each year. It's a great opportunity to learn what's new in the ag industry."


text:
FineMark National Bank & Trust has been made aware of a major credit and debit card security breach regarding national retail store, Target. Target Corp confirms hackers have stolen data from up to 40 million credit and debit cards of shoppers who visited the store between approximately November 27th and December 15th. This breach involves Target stores across the country.
FineMark has been working diligently to identify all clients who made purchases at Target with their FineMark debit cards, during the time in question. We will be contacting each client we have identified and will cancel their current card and re-issue a new debit card.
If you believe you made a purchase at Target during this time, with your FineMark debit card, please call us during regular business hours to expedite the process.
Fort Myers: 239-461-5900
Bonita Springs: 239-405-6700
Naples: 239-405-6700
Palm Beach: 239-461-5900
Scottsdale: 480-607-4860


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Sun's solution with the internal JDK logging could not be enforced across the board. The reasons for this are certainly the lack of configurability and flexibility. For simple projects the JDK logging is certainly a solution, but not for enterprise applications.
Now, in addition to log4j a new implementation that is more powerful, faster and more flexible than log4j has entered the market: logback. Ok, in fact logback was started in 2006, but version 1.0 was released in Nov. 2011.
logback has been created as a successor to log4j by the same developer and is now available after many years of testing and development in a version 1.0 (current version is 1.0.1). To avoid misunderstandings due to the small version number it should be said that logback is already in use for years in business and the version number does not reflect in any case a statement about the stability or functionality.
logback provides several advantages over log4j. Among other things:
- Much faster implementation
- Automatic reloading of logging configuration
- Better filter
- Automatic compression of archived log files
- Stack traces with information about the manufacturing Java Package (jar file)
- Automatic removal of old log archives
For the developer a switch from log4j to logback is very easy. Just switch a dependency in your Maven POM and you are ready to go:
Thanks to the transitive dependencies you now also have the logging facade slf4j added to your project.
A "Hello World" example using slf4j looks like this:
package demo;
import org.slf4j.Logger;
import org.slf4j.LoggerFactory;
public class HelloWorld {
public static void main(String[] args) {
Logger log = LoggerFactory.getLogger(HelloWorld.class);
log.info("Hello World");
All that remains is a configuration file to control log output.
With log4j it is usually called log4j.xml. With logback it is called logback.xml or logback-test.xml for testing environment.
In Maven projects the file logback.xml must be placed into $PROJECT_HOME/src/main/resources. The file logback-test.xml must be placed into $PROJECT_HOME/src/test/resources. A simple configuration looks like this:
<appender name="STDOUT" class="ch.qos.logback.core.ConsoleAppender">
<!-- encoders are assigned the type
ch.qos.logback.classic.encoder.PatternLayoutEncoder by default -->
<pattern>%d{HH:mm:ss.SSS} [%thread] %-5level %logger{36} - %msg%n</pattern>
<root level="debug">
<appender-ref ref="STDOUT" />
The complete manual for logback is very detailed and available here.


text:
Chevrolet Monte Carlo Review – Research New & Used Chevrolet Monte Carlo Models | Edmunds
Used Models
The Chevrolet Monte Carlo traces its roots back several decades to the height of the muscle car era, when Chevy sought to entice customers with a sporty, upscale rear-drive V8 coupe that provided a balance of performance and comfort in a stylish package. From those early years — which included big-block SS (Super Sport) editions — the Monte Carlo evolved toward a more luxury-oriented persona, saw significant downsizing (to optimize fuel efficiency) and soldiered on as a popular rear-drive sport coupe until 1988, when it was replaced by the Lumina coupe.
Following a lengthy hiatus, the Chevy Monte Carlo emerged once again in 1995. However, by then it had been softened and saddled with a carryover front-wheel-drive platform and V6 engines that barely hinted at the performance of years gone by. It was, in essence, a Lumina coupe.
The current-generation Chevrolet Monte Carlo coupe debuted in 2000 with more distinctive styling and updated underpinnings from the Impala sedan to better meet the needs of today's buyers.
Significant changes in 2006 helped the Monte Carlo come nearly full circle back to its original mission with sportier chassis tuning, improved driving dynamics and more power in SS models, while freshened interior and exterior styling offer a sculpted and pleasing contemporary appearance. In spite of those updates, sales remained sluggish and the Monte Carlo was gone after the 2007 model year.
Although much improved in its latter years — including a return to available V8 power in SS trim — we feel that other performance sport coupe competitors like the Mustang offer a more satisfying choice as long as you don't mind giving up some interior room. In reviews, our editors felt that the Monte Carlo was primarily a comfortable cruiser more at home in the fast lane than on twisty mountain roads. If the latter is your preferred driving environment, you may want to consider other brighter, more focused alternatives.
Most Recent Chevrolet Monte Carlo
The Chevrolet Monte Carlo received a major update for the 2006 model year and it remained a midsize two-door coupe that came in three trim levels: the base but reasonably well-equipped LS, the more upscale LT and the performance-oriented SS. Under the hood of LS and LT models is a 3.5-liter V6 with 211 horsepower, while the SS boasts a responsive 5.3-liter V8 with 303 hp. Impressive numbers, yes.
But they would've been even better if they powered the rear wheels like Monte Carlos of years ago, especially in the case of the SS. A front-engine/rear-drive layout is typically preferable for optimum weight distribution and balanced handling, especially when the engine is a heavy V8.
Overall, this version of the Chevy Monte Carlo, which only lasted through '07, was a spacious sport coupe that offered buyers a reasonably good comfort/performance trade-off for a relatively low sticker price. Although quick in a straight line, the V8-equipped Monte Carlo SS suffers from a nose-heavy feel. If quick reflexes are on your wish list instead and you don't mind tighter passenger quarters, we suggest you consider a smaller but more nimble sport coupe, such as an Acura RSX or Mitsubishi Eclipse.
Past Chevrolet Monte Carlo Models
Used-car shoppers interested in a late-model Monte Carlo will likely encounter the previous-generation model, which was available from the 2000-'05 model years. Based on the then-new Impala platform and wearing fresh, distinctive (some said ugly) sheet metal with heritage styling cues, the Monte Carlo was originally offered as an LS with a 3.4-liter V6 engine making 180 hp, or an SS with a 200-hp 3.8-liter V6.
A driver side airbag — as well as traction control and OnStar on SS models — was added as standard safety equipment in 2001, and all models received four-wheel disc brakes, traction control and remote keyless entry in 2003. In a bid to boost its performance image, Chevrolet added a 240-hp supercharged engine option for the SS in 2004.
Previous to this model, there was the Lumina-based Monte Carlo, which became available for the 1995 model year in LS or Z34 sport trim levels. Those wishing to hit the fast lane are advised to stick with the 210-hp 3.4-liter twincam V6 in the Z34. Detail improvements carried the Monte Carlo through the next several years, though only the most eagle-eyed used-car shoppers are likely to appreciate the differences.
If you are looking for older years, visit our used Chevrolet Monte Carlo page.
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text:
Next Episode of The Politics Show is
not planed. TV Show was canceled.
The Politics Show is broadcast Sunday lunchtimes and takes a look at what has been happening in Parliament the previous week. It also discusses the issues affecting the nation in different parts of the country.
Looks like something went completely wrong!
But don't worry - it can happen to the best of us,
- and it just happened to you.
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Researching Sowdens and Northey's in Kea, Lanivet, and Kenwyn areas.
My Gt Grandparents both hailed from Cornwall and would like to find out more info especially on Juliette Honah Kaziah Northey and Albert Sowden her husband. Would be willing to share info.
Sowden's and Northey's Kea, Lanivet
Looking for your Cornish roots, long lost friends/family or just other people with the same family name then try here.
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Why Wall Street Is Scaling Back Bonuses
Bowing to regulators' concerns about the size of executive pay, seven large U.S. financial-services firms are scaling back bonuses awarded to executives who beat their performance targets, Aaron Lucchetti reports. AP Images.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... nearly five years the ... financial crisis ... deal ... with new ways to rein in risk taking on Wall Street where their latest targets ... executive bonuses that's right you're right exactly ... they're not new to the winds of change ... and machete is here with this story ... Howard grumbling going on on the street about this one and ... well it's it's come a long slow growth was going on for awhile that the Fed has been looking at this issue you medicines the financial crisis in two thousand nine thousand ten coming out ... of the debate paper in two thousand and two thousand eleven about the the the perils of ... incentive compensation how that can lead to ... very bad outcomes have been blowups financial crises and so on ... but since then it kind of the underground and that most of their time interaction just with the bank's one on one basis trying to ... get them to push to pay a little bit one way and the other ... and the thing they're trying to do in this story that we have the highlight today ... is ... take some of the leverage out of the compensation plans this means ... that ... basis other than this cat mouse game and financial companies and product more from the company's across ... corporate America ... has to change the way they've paid their top people in their valuable people of the dearest risk that stock options in the coming at what stocks went to sit with a second this is can a free lunch there ... Penney had respected stock which disorder response to that confidence in the shareholder advocates say well ... this is really just kind of freaked a free ticket like you get the restricted stock than you but I've to do anything to earn overtime ... so what came out of that with these plans call the long term incentive plans are performing shares where ... the executive gets some share grant ... that's restricted they can sell it or or do anything with it but the number of shares will fluctuate based on a performance that they are within three years after that the Fed thousand shares because two thousand in a bad period it becomes ... half of it ... found that becomes five hundred now and ... so there's a lot of built in leverage is a lot of built and ... I've been saddened that the Fed is for a dental costs in the swing for the fences ... and to great risk in the end of one of their firm and we note in the stores and a lot of firms have started changing Ryanair distorted changes policies right right so on the proxy season this year is drenched in because a lot of the mid size and larger regional banks cannot said ... we've had the water down our incentive programs ... have taken the leverage down from two hundred percent two hundred or a hundred fifty ... on that at the urging of the guidance of the Federal Reserve's of this effort to really seen ... him some of the Rubbermaid in the road on what the Fed wants to do when I'm ... capital one Discover rates among those who can discover Capital one more were big ones Discover move quite a bit next to put in a ... can of a subsidy payments to cushion the blow to the executives who are this is the money and on the upside ... on some the other banks that nowhere in there included out ... of first among its import to note that Wells Fargo and dad thank American some of the largest banks and these plans Galardi cut bloated and the unlevered app designed to think the Fed can't get their message across those larger banks earlier ... and didn't have to kind of that knocked it down but but the variety Bank SunTrust of was another one they came they came way down ... and innocent about the nine basic and down this year ... found that about ten banks that are even come to lower that the lower level has since become the kind of thing where you talk about how companies changed over time the unrealistic every time the regulator's clamp down on one idea one plan when ... companies come up with something else right that the stock options is a great example of why ... this is going to be another thing where ... if the bonuses are beamed to the elves ... live on the bonuses but they'll figure out some other way to get the money ... yet acted as a concert or shareholder advocates because if if if you're paying for performance ... and then you've been in a tweet that said that there's not as much of an upside or a big payment for performance ... to concern as it does pay for anything Aneel has set a fixed salaries to notice the pain for mediocrity or for such reforms ... I see no end in the stock before is PNC that have the appetite and ... bound to cushion the blow Discover had the same ... production


text:
This sample is ideal for use in music, web, software, games, etc.
A very laser-like sound in the high end frequencies creating a great sound with potential audio movement.
Other Info & Tips
Tip: Automate a PAN left-to-right on to this sample to create movement!
Most of my samples are offered as "DRY Samples" therefore allowing you more flexibility and opportunity to create your desired effect. (ie: Delay, Reverb, Phased, Flanged, Panning, etc.)


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Marcel77 needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 101 designs submitted by 32 freelance designers.
Dating & Partnersuche
We will start a new blog / website that contains advice, tips, news, stories, and compare dating-plattforms! We need a logo to show off the comparison aspect as also the advice aspect.
Target audience is anywhere from 18-45. Should be fun yet classy and professional yet playful
Also, once the winner is chosen, I might have minor tweeks that need to be made based on how it fits into the wordpress theme, etc. I would want formats for the websites, the wordpress themes, a favicon.
Blog Name: Dating & Partnersuche
Tagline: Singles auf Partnersuche - Der Blog rundum Kontaktanzeigen & Dating
Desired Style: Simple, Clean, Modern, Creative but not cluttered or overdone.
Main focus colors should be red, grey and with a white background. But, also open to other colors that are "fresh" or "refreshing"...it should use colors that feel light and not heavy.
Need resizable vector format
Need version with and without tagline
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


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Nashville and surrounding environs have been hit hard in the recent floods. I have had more requests for individual assistance than for institutional assistance. I have never seen or heard of more family, or otherwise "special," Bibles in need of salvage at one time. I have promised to put some links up so people can find sources of information useful to both plan for and react to disaster. I have some here, but first I a few tips that come from my experience and that I have found helpful:
- Plan. Like having insurance, an escape route, knowing your doctor's phone number, etc., a disaster plan needs to be in place before disaster hits. In most cases, 48 hours is the outside time to take action if you wish to salvage things. In some cases, it is less. A good disaster plan includes prevention and reaction/salvage.
- In the past several weeks, I have discovered that this really needed saying. Review your plan; practice your plan; and make sure everyone who needs to know it does know your plan!!! The people who were on site at my shop were supposed to call me in an emergency, but did not. Our damage was not something that I would have known about had someone else in the building not informed me. Several people told me the same thing or something similar has happened to them. Others told me they had a plan, but had forgotten where some of the things needed to carry it out were. Ooops. We got stung.
- Have a Plan B. And prioritize. Make sure you decide what is most important to get done, what resources you have available to do what tasks, and plan on what you will do if you can't get it all done. Decide what you will do if things don't work. For that matter, it can't hurt to have a Plan C, Plan D, etc.
- Plan for your plan not working! Our local church has most of its records copied on microfilm backups and kept at our conference archives in case we cannot recover the originals. Many of my family records have been copied, digitized and spread around the family so there are copies. They won't be the same as the originals, but they are better than nothing. We have also donated some items to archival repositories, both to make them available to others, and because we know the repositories have a better chance of preserving them than do we.
- Learn from your mistakes. Drill. See what happens. Get someone else to review your plan, and listen to their suggestions. (We did both, but still took a hit. It was, however, much less of a hit than it could have been otherwise.)
- Collaborate! Find out what resources you have that others need and what others have that you need. We have a list of available freezers in the area where we can freeze water damaged items. My wet-vac and fans have been borrowed by others, and I borrowed an extra dehumidifier I needed. I also took in some material to hold for others when there was no room for it elsewhere. I knew who had what before I needed it, and my colleagues knew what I had. We also share expertise. As soon as possible after the floods started, and before I started answering too many questions from those in need, I was on the phone to the Tennessee State Library and Archives to see if they would be available for conservation referrals (they were, of course,) and there were others who volunteered to help as needed. I talked to several folks that were connected through the Society of Tennessee Archivists. We made the most of available resources.
- Make a kit with emergency salvage supplies to keep on site, but have others at other places where you can reach them in a hurry. You will likely feel most foolish if your bucket of rescue materials floats away in a flood. The same is true of your disaster plan and contact numbers.
- Know who to call and make sure others know as well.
- Do take training. Do take training. Do take training.
- If it is really important, get a professional.
- Remember, mold is not your friend and it can be there when everything seems to be clean and dry.
- Vital!!! As important as it all is, as much as we value the things that preserve our history, remember: It's just "stuff." No matter what an item represents, even a religious item, it is just a piece of "stuff." If you can't save it, let it go. Don't make it an idol. If folks are alive, rejoice! If you have to let "stuff" go to help others heal, let it go. Most of us can't begin to imagine how much "stuff" we have lost over the years (okay, those of us who have been doing our family tree might be able to begin to feel it a bit; "Why didn't someone write down that name?",) or will loose in the future, without the world slowing down for a nanosecond.
Now for a few of my favorite conservation/disaster planning/disaster recovery links:
I am not a big one for promoting specific products, but the Heritage Emergency National Task Force site (FEMA and Heritage Preservation) has a neat little wheel and guide book that make designing basic disaster plans and responding to emergencies easy. It is not all one really needs, but is better than nothing and very easy to use. It is particularly useful for folks who are not trained in archives work. The wheel even has little magnets so it can be put on a refrigerator or metal file cabinet. I have used it for workshops, and ordered more to place in offices of non-archive staff who might end up being first responders. Their site is here. It has other information as well.
Salvage techniques including tables that make for easy quick reference, here and here.
Short guide to emergency drying procedures from the Library of Congress here.
Preservation leaflets for books and records here, and for photos here. (There are also links to more leaflets by Northeastern Document Conservation Center.)
Emergency stabilization and conservation procedures here.
Salvage for films here.
Conservation subjects from National Archives and Records Administration here.
Minnesota Historical Society's list of links for disaster recovery. (Dated, meaning all links may not be good, but a great resource in my opinion,) here.
The General Commission on Archives and History will help with developing disaster plans for the UMC. Be sure to check your local church, archives, museum or associations that include these for more resources.
The American Association for State and Local History, the Society of American Archivists, American Association of Museums, International Council of Museums, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation all have resources available for purchase.
Hope these are of service. We will post a bit o what we have had to deal with, including some pictures, soon. As requested and promised, we are working on some quick, "down-and-dirty-minimum-required-actions" tutorials for this blog using some actual materials. We will post more tips, and encourage others to do so through the comment section.
Tn Conf. Archivist
Jim Havron currently serves as archivist of the Tennessee Conference of the United Methodist Church. He holds a Masters in History and is a Certified Archivist, working in the public sector in addition to his work with the church. The opinions expressed, however, are his own, unless otherwise stated. His education and experience is in history with additional focus on public history, archives and museums, and with practice focusing on religious history, oral history, and user advocacy. His primary area of historical expertise is the creation, preservation, perpetuation, dissemination, and use of information and technology, as well as religious history. He can be reached at email@example.com. He also blogs at other sites (his own and as guest or designated blogger,) under both his own name and pseudonyms.


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The theme for the 2012 ASLA Annual Meeting & EXPO
is Beyond Boundaries—Design, Leadership
& Community. More than 5,000 landscape architecture professionals and
students from across the country and around the world will gather in Phoenix,
September 28 – October 1, to enjoy the fellowship of others from the profession
and to reconnect with the fundamental elements of design. Key issues such as
practice management, sustainability and stormwater management will be addressed
by some of the country's foremost experts in the field.
Each year, the ASLA Professional Awards program honors the
best in landscape architecture from around the globe, while the Students Award
program gives us a glimpse of the future of the profession. The ASLA Awards
Ceremony will be at 12 p.m., October 1 in the Phoenix Convention Center. To
learn more about the awards, click here.
Scroll down to see the collection of plant and soil programs, open
for coverage with an authorized press pass unless otherwise stated:Friday, Sept. 28
Core Concepts: Soils and Hydrology" – This full-day workshop
presents an in depth examination of sustainable soils management and hydrology
practices, as developed by the Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES). 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
the Tree to the Soil: Methods in Preservation During Construction" – Construction
damage and soil compaction are common causes of tree death and decline,
especially where wide protection areas aren't practical during construction.
Through a wide range of case studies, presenters will illustrate effective and
innovative ways to preserve both trees and soil. 10:30
a.m. - 12 p.m.
"The Art
and Science of Designing Native Meadows, Grasslands, and Woodlands" – Meadows,
grasslands and woodlands offer many environmental, managerial and aesthetic
benefits, yet designers often struggle with these complex ecosystems. This
session will provide proven design, installation and management strategies for
establishing sustained meadows and grasslands from seed and live plants. 1:30 - 3 p.m.
"Phytotechnologies: Using Plants to
Clean Up Contaminated Sites" – Cost-effective, natural cleanup
methods have a growing role in mitigating site pollution. Recent scientific
studies will highlight the advantages and limitations of
phytotechnology—whereby plants uptake and remove contaminants. 3:30 - 5
Saturday, Sept. 29
Natives Overrated?" – Greater environmental awareness has
designated native plant species as intrinsically superior choices to
non-natives. Increasing disagreement among practitioners and scientists begs
for a timely debate on the facts and opinions. This session offers a careful,
no-nonsense and open reevaluation of this contentious issue. 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
and the Post-Industrial Site" – The urgent need for practical
tree-selection processes for urban and brownfield sites warrant a careful and
pragmatic reassessment of the "need for natives." Addressing site assessment,
soil remediation, planting regimen and area-wide biodiversity, panelists will
put special emphasis on pragmatics and long-term maintenance. 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Busters: Bringing Soils Back to Reality" – Soils are an integral
element of a sustainable landscape, and this panel will present the realities
of soil design and installation. Using Teardrop Park, the High Line and the
World Trade Center Memorial as examples, the landscape architects involved will
share what they learned. 1:30 - 3
Wall Planting Design: Using Plants to Create a Living Work of Art" – Professionals
designing and installing green wall systems will discuss the aesthetics and
pragmatics of bringing artistry and creativity to the green-wall plant palette.
1:30 - 3 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 1
"Healthy Soils" – Soil
impacts plant performance. These sessions will teach basic physical, organic
and chemical soil properties for existing and proposed soil conditions for
projects of all sizes. It will serve as a basis for healthy-soil design,
developing soil solutions and writing or interpreting soil specifications, and
it will also show how to analyze existing soils and preserve, reuse or modify
them for the long term. 8 - 9:30 a.m.
(Part I), 10 - 11:30 a.m. (Part II)
"A Modern
Garden for the Sonoran Desert: Sunnylands Center & Gardens" – This
presentation features the unique 15-acre Sunnylands Center and Gardens in
Rancho Mirage, CA, an extension of a prestigious 200-acre desert retreat. The
landscape architect designed a 9-acre interpretive desert garden that expresses
the beauty, color, form and texture of the Sonoran Desert. 1:30 - 3 p.m.
Evolution of Native Plant Palette and Aesthetic: From Discovery to Design" During the past two decades there has been a
complete transformation in the plant palette and design aesthetic for
Southwestern landscapes. Learn how plant explorers, growers, educators, and
landscape architects have partnered to accomplish a widespread shift toward
sustainable and regionally sensitive landscapes. 3:30
- 5 p.m.
journalists attending the ASLA Annual
Meeting and EXPO for editorial coverage are eligible to receive
complimentary media credentials. The media credentials provide access to the
EXPO floor, general sessions, education sessions, and the working press room
with computers, internet access and refreshments.
interested in attending should contact Karen Trimbath at firstname.lastname@example.com
with their name, address, email, phone number, title and media organization.
Due to limited space, journalists are strongly encouraged to register well in
advance. All requests are approved upon a case-by-case basis, and ASLA may require
additional documentation for credentials. For any questions, contact Karen Trimbath.
About ASLA
in 1899, ASLA is the national professional association for landscape
architects, representing nearly 16,000 members in 48 professional chapters and
76 student chapters. The Society's mission is to lead, to educate and to
participate in the careful stewardship, wise planning and artful design of our
cultural and natural environments. Members of the Society use their "ASLA"
suffix after their names to denote membership and their commitment to the
highest ethical standards of the profession. Learn more about landscape
architecture online at www.asla.org.
Kevin FryDirector, PR and Communications email@example.com JR Taylor PR Coordinator email@example.com


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The Artificial Intelligence in Medicine (AIM) program is a research program of the Department of Medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. The AIM program seeks to develop software to allow computers to process and analyze three-dimensional images of the heart in much the same way an experienced human operator would. The program applies artificial intelligence techniques to the measurement of parameters critical to understanding the state and behavior of the human heart. This automated approach allows information to be obtained very quickly that is quantitatively accurate and does not suffer from intra-observer or inter-observer variability.
The software and algorithms developed by the AIM program are widely considered to represent the gold standard in nuclear cardiology. They can perform a totally automated, push-button sequence of actions relating to imaging processing and analysis.
Through the AIM program, algorithms have been developed to:
- Take raw digital data output by the gamma camera, identify where the heart is, reconstruct it into tomographic images and re-orient those images to make them perpendicular to the heart's axis - all without operator interaction.
- Take tomographic images of the heart, evaluate the signals from several hundred portions of the myocardium, comparing the strength of the signals with those expected in a normal heart and generate an exact quantitative measurement of the location, extent and severity of perfusion abnormalities of the heart. This gives the physician objective information to help select or rule out more invasive treatment.
- Analyze the dynamic functioning of the heart (i.e., the way it contracts and thickens during its cycle). A dynamic measurement of the heart cavity volume is performed from electrocardiographically gated three-dimensional nuclear cardiology images by automatically identifying the endocardial and epicardial surfaces and following their motion throughout the cardiac cycle.
The AIM programs are licensed and distributed by virtually every nuclear medicine camera manufacturer.


text:
Description:IBM eServer xSeries 345 No Processor RAM 512MB HD 0GB SCSIPart Number(s)
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Globall Stress RelieverSKU #: PL-PL-0257
Item DescriptionMore InformationAdditional Information
Stress relievers are not intended to be childrens or pets toys. Our Stress Relievers are all made by hand; no two balls are exactly the same. It is impossible to guarantee a consistent, uniform imprint. Broad imprint areas are subject to breaking up, and the imprint may not be solid We cannot guarantee PMS color matches on Stress Relievers
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text:
Notice to Members 99-79
NASD Regulation Requests Comment on Proposed Amendments to Provisions Governing Communications With the Public
NASD Regulation, Inc. (NASD Regulation®) requests comment from members and other interested parties on proposed amendments to modernize, simplify, and clarify the rules governing member communications with the public. One of the most significant aspects of the proposal is to exempt all member firm communications to institutional investors from pre-use approval and NASD Regulation filing requirements. Form letters and group e-mail to existing customers and fewer than 25 prospective retail customers also would be eligible for this exemption. Additionally, the proposal would exempt article reprints and certain press releases regarding investment companies from the filing requirements and simplify the standards applicable to member communications.
Questions concerning this Notice may be directed to Thomas M. Selman, Vice President, Investment Companies/Corporate Financing, NASD Regulation, at (240) 386-4533; Thomas A. Pappas, Director, Advertising/Investment Companies Regulation, NASD Regulation, at (202) 728-8453; Joseph P. Savage, Counsel, Advertising/Investment Companies Regulation, NASD Regulation, at (202) 728- 8233; or Laura Gansler, Assistant General Counsel, NASD Regulation, at (202) 728-8275.


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Before sending any cartoons to a publication, you must familiarise yourself with it. So you look up current copies and old copies and even vintage copies of the publication, and you begin to look for common themes. On a superficial level, you are simply trying to find out if you can work out what the Cartoon Editor of the publication likes; on a deeper level, you are conducting a close reading of the cartoons in order to imagine how the Cartoon Editor thinks, and trying to imagine what the Cartoon Editor's ideal cartoon might be. Now this is not too difficult with themed publications, like fly-fishing Monthly, the chances are you will be on target with a cartoon about fishing, but it is a dark art with more cosmopolitan and varied titles. When I was planning to send to Playboy my friend and fellow cartoonist Mike Lynch sent me a really thick envelope stuffed with pages of Playboy cartoons, which I glued together onto a lot of boards. Once I had those boards in front of me, I went over and over them, trying to think myself into a "playboy" frame of mind. When I was convinced I had done so, I created a batch of cartoons for them.
Now there are two ways of looking at this, it is either a strange voodoo-like technique that cartoonists employ to read the Cartoon Editor's mind, or it is simply a very practical example of the old adage of "being familiar with your markets". I'm inclined to think it is the latter, but it does sometimes feel a little strange when it works well. Years back, when The National Enquirer was a cartoon market, I sent a submission from the UK and the Editor sent me back a bunch of examples of the cartoons they had used; again, I used these examples to think myself into the magazine. To be honest, in that case it was more a case of realising the publication used what we call "general cartoons". But there you go, not a secret and hardly mind blowing - research your market and target the publication with work it can use.
So, having heard good things about Nickelodeon Magazine (US), I decided to get a hold of the thing and go over it with a fine tooth-comb, and try to think my way into the thing. The thing was, I had no idea what to expect, it was a kids magazine after all. Well, I was astonished when I saw it, really astonished. I'm not kidding, I was really bowled over by the magazine, I had never seen a publication more visually literate, more cartoon and illustration friendly, it was a cartoonist's delight. Imagine what was going through my mind; I was expecting maybe a gags page, or maybe a comics page or two, or maybe some sort of comic related to the Nickelodeon shows, but I was not expecting page after page after page of illustrations and gags and puzzles - page after page of fun.
As I looked through the magazine, I found myself responding to it with the same levels of wonder and delight as a cartoonist, as a parent, and as a teacher. I had never seen anything like this, and I had never seen such a range of mainstream and indie cartoonists all gathered together in one publication.
Not only that, but I could see the opportunity to get out of my funk. I wasn't feeling to great about being a cartoonist at that time, but now I could maybe recast myself as a cartoonist creating the sort of work I would like to read. In the UK a couple of my markets had dried up, there was effectively no comics industry, and here I might have the opportunity to create work that would appear alongside the work of Charles Burns, one of my cartooning heroes. What an opportunity.


text:
Donna wrote:So now I've completely transferred consciousness to the OBE and I'm having fun balancing on my arms in the absence of gravity, content to have abandoned the dream. I start to wobble my arms to simulate that it's difficult, just mucking around, when suddenly the ex-boyfriend from the dream flops an arm down from my bed (where my physical body is lying) and gives my head an affectionate rub. I'm instantly awake in my physical body from the surprise of it. So, no vibrations but a definite feeling of shifting in and out of my body. A tad confusing.
This is cool...... confusing, yes. But that is always my experience of OBEs!!
I wrote out some tips for how to astral project, which are based on what I've read from Robert Monroe and my own limited experience of this phenomenon:
I have also reviewed Salt Cube which I agree has a fantastic set of videos for inducing lucid dreams with visualizations like The OBE Exit Technique:


text:
Suri Cruise Stops For Starbucks
Suri Cruise picks up a warm drink with her nanny and a bodyguard on Tuesday (February 22) in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Earlier in the day, the 4-year-old daughter of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes read some books with her proud papa at a local library.
On Monday night, Suri and Tom grabbed dinner at Joe Fortes Steakhouse.
Katie, meanwhile, has been busy showing off the new collection for her Holmes & Yang line.
Over the weekend, the 32-year-old actress and her design partner Jeanne Yang made an appearance at a trunk show at Barneys New York in Dallas.
FYI: Suri is wearing an Eliane et Lena fur coat.


text:
Jump to navigation
Diary entries for June 5, 1755 [continued]-June 6, 1755.
Charlotte Browne diary, 1754-1757, 1763-1766.
New-York Historical Society
This digital image may be used for educational or scholarly purposes without restriction. Commercial and other uses of the item are prohibited without prior written permission from the New-York Historical Society. For more information, please visit the New-York Historical Society's Rights and Reproductions Department web page at http://www.nyhistory.org/about/rights-reproductions


text:
At age 73 and counting, I am tired of many things.
I am tired of watching television shows and reading news stories that tell me I need to have saved at least $1 million in order to retire with any assurance of having an adequate quality of life.
I am tired of hearing from those who retired to their hobbies and their travel itineraries at age 65 that I am somehow a fool for continuing to work through my 70s.
Most of all, however, I am tired of the word "entitlement," which to many mean that I am collecting money that I do not deserve to collect.
Paul Ryan and his Tea Party compatriots use the word in a way that connotes something immoral, and certainly something slightly wrong with those who get entitlements.
Ryan wants to cut Social Security and Medicare, if not for people of my generation, certainly for my children and grandchildren.
His parents ought to spank him for even thinking about it.
The major entitlements he speaks about cutting are Medicare and Social Security, two safety nets that were put in place as a result of the Great Depression, which started with the stock market crash in 1929 and lasted until the beginning of World War II in the early 1940s.
The Social Security Act was passed in 1935.
I was born in 1939, and began to work and put money into my social security account in 1958, when I began to work part time in a small department store called Bargain Town in Lawrence.
I am still putting money into that account 55 years later. My latest pay stub at the Herald shows that I put about $50 a week into the account even now, when I have been collecting a Social Security check of about $2,000 a month for 7 years. To say that after putting money into the account for more than 50 years, I have no right to get some of it back in my older age gets my dander up, to use an archaic term.
You need 40 quarters of work experience to collect a Social Security check. I have 220 quarters of work experience.
And yet, Ryan and his conservative Republican buddies continue to talk as if I am somehow misappropriating public money every time my check gets deposited directly to my bank account or when Medicare pays my doctor's bills and for my prescription drugs.
Then, there is Medicare.
Medicare is a national social insurance program, administered by the federal government since 1965, that guarantees access to health insurance for Americans aged 65 and older and younger people with disabilities. As a social insurance program, Medicare spreads the financial risk associated with illness across society to protect everyone, and thus has a somewhat different social role from for-profit private insurers, which manage their risk portfolio by adjusting their pricing according to perceived risk.
Just as I have paid for my Social Security through payroll deductions for the past 55 years, I pay for my Medicare through my public pension earned as a New York City teacher for 33 years.
I understand that many younger Americans believe that I am destroying both education and public spending by getting a pension, but in 1965, when I came out of the Navy and became a teacher, I made a deal with New York City.
That deal included two understandings: I would never get rich being a teacher – my first annual salary in 1965 was $5,900 a year and my last in 2001 was just north of $60,000 a year; and at the end of my career, I would get a pension and health care for the rest of my life. Not too much to ask from an employer.
So far, the city has kept its promise, and if doing so pushes the city toward bankruptcy, I would say that there are a thousand ways to cut the city budget, including doing away with borough presidents and all the other fluff and perks of government.
I would say the same thing to Nassau County districts that have high pension costs.
Cut someplace else. Your retired employees deserve what they bargained for when they signed on.
So, here I am at nearly 74, retired once, still working and collecting a salary, a pension and Social Security.
I am not alone.
Studies show that more than a third of workers -- 37 percent -- say they plan to retire not at age 65, but years later, up from 14 percent of workers that planned to extend their working life in 1995.
More than half the workers ages 58 to 64 say that they plan to work beyond age 64, a snapshot of the new reality.
Jeffrey Jones, the managing editor of the Gallup Poll, which did the study, said, "People who are near retirement age in their 50s and 60s are looking at the cost of living, medical costs, Social Security benefits, retirement plans and food costs have a better sense of what things might be like when they actually retire. They are more aware that early retirement might not be as much of a realistic option for people today as it was 30 or 40 years ago."
Think of what their plight might be like, considering retirement without the safety nets of Social Security or Medicare.
So, next time you hear a politician talk about entitlement programs and public employee pensions as if they were the culprits for our present fiscal problems, think of what the nation and our senior citizens would be like without them. Take a look at your paycheck and see what you are spending each week for FICA and health costs.
Then you will understand why you are entitled to those entitlements.


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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, a company started at the University of Michigan in 2004, raised $82 million in an initial public offering.
The company stemmed from research in 2003 that identified cancer stem cells in breast cancer, the first time that these cells had been found in a solid tumor. Cancer stem cells represent about 1 percent to 5 percent of all the cells in the tumor but are believed to be the cells that fuel the tumor's growth and spread.
OncoMed has licensed cancer stem cell technologies from the University of Michigan and currently has five cancer stem cell-targeting drugs in the clinic. Two more are expected to be introduced into the clinic in 2014. The U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center has been a major site for phase I trials testing these agents. The funds raised from the IPO will enable OncoMed to move these agents to phase II trials.
Max S. Wicha, M.D., Distinguished Professor of Oncology and director of the U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center, was part of the initial discovery and co-founded OncoMed along with Michael Clarke, M.D., who is now at Stanford University. Wicha is a leading cancer stem cell researcher.
"Hopefully, these trials will demonstrate the validity of the cancer stem cell model, with cancer stem cell-targeted therapeutics improving the outlook for our patients. For me it's exciting to be a part of this process and to see our discoveries translated into the clinic," Wicha says.
The University of Michigan embraces collaboration with private sector partners as a way to ensure that scientific discoveries have the opportunity to be tested as potential treatments for patients. In fiscal year 2012, U-M Health System researchers reported 117 new inventions, were issued 28 patents and over 50 license and option agreements were signed with our industry partners. Since OncoMed launched, about two dozen more start-up companies based on U-M Health System research have been formed.
"We're pleased that OncoMed continues to move products resulting from U-M research forward in the clinical process. Their IPO is a tremendous accomplishment, and we're looking forward to seeing the drugs reach the market for the benefit of cancer patients worldwide," says Kenneth Nisbet, associate vice president for research – technology transfer at the University of Michigan.
Wicha is a consultant for OncoMed; he and the University of Michigan hold equity in the company. Clinical studies have been conducted at U-M with approval by the University's Institutional Conflict of Interest Committee and the Medical School's COI Board. Wicha has had no involvement with these clinical trials.


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Geez, it's been so long since Inara had any issues with people...I really have kind of forgotten that she's HA, fear aggressive. It's become something I tell people..."no really, this is how she was!" She's been so friendly and loving towards new people lately...I just truly had been taking her for granted.
But last night...at a client's house...after dark, taking their puppy out for play and potty. Took Inara over, since she loves puppies. They were romping in the dark, when suddenly from around the house, the owner came out...backlit by the house lights, dressed in dark clothing, African-American...so just a dark silhouette...ugh.
She saw him first and let out her barkscreamofdeath...and rushed him. She *almost* nailed him, but stopped short. He of course...being a first time dog dad, and owning a lab pup...almost had a heart attack. He literally was hyper-ventilating. I called Inara...and she.......
I finally got her somewhat under control, but she had no collar on (we had just come down the street from my house...so I didn't put anything on her just to drive down a few blocks)...and I had no leash. She downed, but kept jumping up to rush over to bark at him.
We actually discussed her...and I told him the difference between labs and Aussies.... He told me..."at first I was really scared because I thought it was your pit bull." I assured him that he had more to worry about from my NON-pit bulls....the Aussies and Wiener are way more likely to bite.
I came home...and slowly recovered...


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5:00 pm
The Electric Company "Madame President" Lisa and Francine face off in the election for Book Club President. Can Lisa's campaign message win out over Francine's dirty politics?. D
5:30 pm
Cyberchase "A Whale of a Tale" With special guest star Al Roker. A trip to R-Fair City nearly turns into a monster mash when Hacker abducts Glowla, a beautiful cyberlady who generates pure energy. Hacker is able to snatch Glowla by reprogramming her trick whale, Snout. D
6:00 pm
Tommy Tang's Easy Thai Cooking "Elephant Trekking, Experience of a Lifetime/Chiang Mai" Tom Ka, a coconut milk based chicken soup, and a Shrimp Salad called Naked Shrimp are prepared.G
6:30 pm
Sara's Weeknight Meals "One Pot Asian Meals with Ming Tsai" Sara's old friend Ming Tsai shares his favorite one-pot meals with an Asian twist. His Lemongrass-Coconut Chicken Soup is a perfect showcase for a tutorial on cooking with lemongrass. Black Bean Scallops and Zucchini is cooked in a wok and delicious with Ming's signature 50-50 rice. D
7:00 pm
Rick Steves' Europe "Italy's Amalfi Coast" Rick visits the trendy resort of Positano on the Amalfi coastline, south of Naples. He also takes in the charms of Sorrento, the ancient Greek temples of Paestum, and the iridescent Blue Grotto beneath the Isle of Capri.G
7:30 pm
Travelscope "Rwanda - Among The Gorillas" Joseph follows in the footsteps of Dian Fossey when he treks into the mountain forest of the Parc National des Volcans. Within sight of the five Virunga Range volcanoes he travels in search of Rwanda's endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. As with every Travelscope adventure, the journey includes cultural experiences in a local church, living museum, market, primary school and health clinic. D
8:00 pm
GardenSMART GardenSMART visits a garden alive with the plant world's natural beauty. The lessons learned apply no matter where you live or the size of your garden. A beautiful location and a lot to learn. D
8:30 pm
Ask This Old House "Replacing a Corroded Fitting on a Water Heater; Installing a Vented Range Kitchen Hood" Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner replace a corroded fitting on his water heater. Then Richard, along with host Kevin O'Connor, landscape contractor Roger Cook and general contractor Tom Silva ask "what is it?" Afterward, Tom helps a homeowner install a vented range hood in her kitchen. D
9:00 pm
For Your Home "Backyard Makeover" Vicki helps a single mom create an oasis for her two youngsters with artificial turf grass, maintenance-free fence and top-of-the-line swing set and furnished patio. D
9:30 pm
Katie Brown Workshop "Regional Garden" In this "best-of" episode, host Katie Brown celebrates the diverse tastes of the world. In the Kitchen: French onion soup, Greek-style stuffed eggplant and Jamaican jerk chicken with citrus salsa. Projects: Planting a regional vegetable and herb garden and making creative garden stakes to mark the rows. D
10:00 pm
Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting "Quilts with a Twist" Fons and Porter demonstrate how to cut and stitch fabric to give the illusion of looking at a scene through a window. D
10:30 pm
Donna Dewberry Show "Stunning Sunflowers" Learn all the basic One Stroke techniques to create this all American favorite flower adorned with ribbons. Donna also shares important tips for creating original designs. D
11:00 pm
Cook's Country from America's Test Kitchen "Northern Cookout" Bridget Lancaster shows host Christopher Kimball how to make a state fair classic, cornell Barbecued chicken, and serves it with a side of Syracuse salt Potatoes. next, tasting expert Jack Bishop challenges Chris to a tasting of bottled barbecue sauce. Finally, Julia Collin Davison brings a Midwest favorite home and uncovers the secrets to making perfect Jucy Lucy Burgers. D
11:30 pm
Lidia's Italy In America "USA: Italy's Crowd Pleasers" NULL


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A little over a year ago I got into my first (and hopefully only) car crash. My little Honda was crushed into precarious maneuverability (wow I can't believe that's a word) mode.
I felt immediately before the crash that we'd been driving around too much anyway, and I was eager to get a bike and take a serious decline in automobile usage. Despite the scariness and overwhelming to-do list after the crash, I was happy to not have a car to drive. It was doable, though it would've been much better with a bike(my bike was stolen twice) to live a car-free lifestyle. I really couldn't complain.
That doesn't work everywhere, however. The town I live in now isn't as walker-friendly. I don't live in a part of town where I can walk to the things I need. The city isn't even biker-friendly and the public transportation isn't worth mentioning.
On with my dream of being a family on the road, I am future-tripping on motorhomes I can use eco-style. I'm very much uninterested in gas stations. I really want to live somewhere where I can walk at times, and ride a bike, preferably a cargo bike, and then when I need to leave that town, I'd like to go in my converted bus or van, or truck with camper and travel trailer.
Here's some information on alternative fuels:
- Converting the VW Jetta to Run on Veggie Oil (neatorama.com)
- An inspiring nomadic experience: an interview with Brad Florescu, travel journalist and photographer (yabbedoo.wordpress.com)
- Cargo E-Bikes Take Killer Trucks Off City Streets (treehugger.com)
- RANDOM NOMAD: Jeff Jung, American Expat in Colombia & Career Break Travel Guy (thedisplacednation.com)
- Film Life Vrs. Nomad Life (thevagabondfilmmaker.com)
- new light weight cargo bike (tingilinde.typepad.com)
- VW Vanagon's "Go Green" – Bio Diesel Seals Now Available (prweb.com)
- High gas prices fuel students' bio-diesel automotive project (charlotte.news14.com)
- BioWillie Biodiesel (stillisstillmoving.com)
- High School Student Solving The Energy Problem (business-opportunities.biz)
- Pickens Co. Bio-Diesel Project Saves Big On Fuel Costs (wspa.com)


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STANWOOD, Wash. -- Cougar sightings are concerning neighbors of a city north of Seattle, Wash., including one woman who lost her two dogs.
"My heart is broken, I don't want anyone to feel that way, it hurts," Suzanne Karelsen told NBC station KING5 after her family lost the dogs over two weeks in Stanwood.
Others have reported missing pets and many fear the cougars are responsible.
Karelsen said she called wildlife officials but that no one has come to investigate.
"It's very frustrating. All I wanted them to do is acknowledge this, maybe come and check the area," said Karelsen.
The local county has only three people available to investigate incidents like this, said Sgt. Jennifer Maurstad.
Due to budget cuts and limited staffing, it needs proof there's a sighting.
"Often times it's a cat, it's a dog. So just to weed through that process and save time we will normally only respond if it's a confirmed sighting," said Maurstad.
Julie Goforth said she came within 300 feet of a cougar. "He literally looked right at me," she told KING5.
More content from NBCNews.com:
- Samaritans lift car to rescue woman, 2 grandchildren trapped underneath
- Amber Alert for Colo. girl, 10, who vanished on way to school
- Friendly fire killed Border Patrol agent, sources tell NBC News
- Video: 'Coking' accounts for loose seats, airline says
- Unemployment rate dips for veterans, but not ex-servicewomen
- 2,000 gone in Afghanistan: Did you notice the death of Sgt. Riley Stephens?
- Teen calls 911 to report mother, sister dead: 'I hate the feeling of killing someone'
- LAPD chief: We'll stop holding some undocumented immigrants for feds
Follow US news from NBCNews.com on Twitter and Facebook


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Opinion: U.S. to China, Japan—Cool It
Editorial page editor Paul Gigot on rising tensions in Asia-Pacific, and how the U.S. role there is changing. Photo credit: Getty Images.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... I ... I ... I ... in a shiny The standoff ... hurt all Carlyle told Bloomberg over the weekend that any move by China to extend its air defences ounce ... would be seen as and I quote very provocative ... is the US finely drawn a line in the sand and telling China and Japan to cool its ... should we be paying more attention to that region ... editorial page editor Paul GBO staying with me now call ... I how you interpret this general's comments this is the right kind of message to send ... the boys warning against ... sometimes an accident happening ... given the tensions are high ... that both militaries he did say are both were hitting responsibly overall but this is a situation when you have ... competition over these islands somebody could make a mistake and ... do something that could provoke the other side you get a ... for tat ended escalates ... and that's always dangerous ... parallels here with the Wests failure is to to stop the chairman's before World War two this is something that I bring this up offering up to Hitler now well look the Philippine President Aquino has raised an analogy ... I'm a it is the isthe United States doing and not fear ... a suppression back on China to stop these kinds of confrontation with India beginning to ... think they're sending a clearer message them haven't passed up about that and I think that initially when China may the claims on Senkaku Islands ... and ... it started to send some over flights and so one I think there was a temptation to stand back and say well ... you to work it out ... the kid realizes now perfectly in the wake of the year defense identification zone and China established ... Avago was in December ... aam ... yes ever Japanese territory to it's it's in East Lyme a large part to the East China Sea now there's a lot of ... suggestions belief that there been extended over the South China Sea as well ... and if that happens out of the ASIC huge swath of of of ocean ... I think giving people are beginning to ... end the State Department offense part begin to figure out ... that stuff on this is ... we have to push back against China because if nobody dies ... then they will begin to think well you know what let's keep going ... we had an editorial in this morning's paper called of collective U S Japan defence that talked about ... how I Mr. Shinzo Ave is she wants to change Japan's constitution press ... I ... is this just the beginning of Asian nations Asian democracies ... I ... also starting to react to China in a meaningful way well yes and it's ... not just the beginning it's it's coming it's it's it's been starting for a while but this is Japan really starting to do so Good ... Ave and you know it's a Japanese nationalists that sometimes ... to a fault ... visit to the Atsuko shrine which to ... China's war criminals war criminals ... that sends the bad message but I think that ... basically making Japan a more normal nation less a pacifist want ... depended upon us Defence ... solely largely for its own defense ... is a good thing ... because ... it's China asserts itself ... I think you're going to need more of a collective defense idea ... we are obliged to defend Japan of its attack Japan under the current interpretation of its constitution is not obliged to protect United States ... so is the editorial points out if the missile state from North Korea ... flew over Japan ... and ... intended to hit a target in Hawaii or the West Coast didn't do anything they couldn't do anything about they could even use a missile at this and more about it that you have to do more than just change the constitution whether it's Japan South Korea Australia India ... these countries ... lesson two percent of GDP on defence the only rely on OS what is that when she ... well ... look if China keeps about the connection ... so I think that you'll you'll see that now look the Philippines Singapore Malaysia Vietnam those countries are not going to be able to defend themselves ... Japan ... on the guy has a great power the world's third-largest economy ... does the capacity to spend more money that'll be one of our message is true ... that they are going to have to do that and I think the the the ay ... ay well but remember you could have a ... duty to spend ten percent ... of GDP ... on defence in Japan ... under the current interpretation the Constitution aka tissues at making so so you really do have it has to be a change of mindset ... I am and in what the Chinese should take a message here ... and say look ... do we really want to energize much more assertive military in Japan ... to get ... it to keep pushing ... I didn't there are other on if they keep getting militarily aggressive ... themselves the unintended consequences of China's provocations editoral page and or Polish ago thank you so much for joining us


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Four tips for successful mediation of patent cases
Patent litigation continues to be a booming business. While that may be good news for lawyers in private practice, it presents serious concerns for in-house counsel. These hotly contested and protracted cases can cost hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars to prosecute or defend. The risks of litigation could include a large damage award for infringement, an injunction preventing use of the technology or a finding that the patent is invalid. In view of these risks, in-house counsel should consider ways to minimize financial exposure to their companies while retaining some degree of control over the litigation process. Mediation is one such option. Here are some tips for the successful mediation of a patent case.
Selection of the mediator. The selection of a strong mediator who understands the legal issues and procedural complexities of a patent case is critical to success. A mediator who tests the strengths and weaknesses of arguments can serve as a "reality check" to the lawyers and their clients, thereby facilitating settlement. It is also important to choose a mediator willing to invest substantial time before and, if necessary, after the mediation session. If a settlement is not reached at the first mediation, the mediator should work with the parties until the case is resolved. Finally, a good mediator must be willing and able to craft creative solutions to complex problems. Look for a mediator who can "think outside the box."
Timing of mediation. There are three optimum times for the mediation of a patent case. The first opportunity is after the parties exchange preliminary infringement contentions, preliminary invalidity contentions and claim construction statements. Most jurisdictions with active patent dockets have local rules that require the parties to make these disclosures at various intervals within the first three or four months after the initial case management conference. By mediating after exchanging preliminary disclosures and claim construction statements, the parties can explore settlement before incurring substantial legal fees.
The second opportunity for mediation is after the court issues its claim construction ruling. Once the parties know how the court will interpret the disputed claim terms, they can more reasonably assess the strengths and weaknesses of their arguments relating to infringement. Mediation after claim construction, but before fact and expert discovery begins in earnest, also can result in a substantial cost savings. Even if the case does not settle after an early mediation, it can lay the groundwork for subsequent settlement discussions.
The third opportunity for mediation is after the court rules on summary judgment motions. Although less desirable from a cost savings standpoint, sometimes discovery and court rulings are necessary to make informed settlement
Exchange of information. One pitfall to an early mediation is the lack of information. In order for a mediation to be productive, it is important that parties exchange relevant information in advance. The information required to make an informed settlement analysis varies from case to case, but may include prior art materials, contracts, licenses, sales data and settlement agreements with other parties.
Party representatives. The potential for a successful mediation often depends on who participates in the process. Party representatives attending the mediation, whether in-house counsel or business executives, should have full authority to negotiate and ultimately settle the case. It is also important that the party representative with ultimate settlement authority attend the mediation in person. Participation by phone does not allow the mediator to develop a personal rapport with the representative—a connection that greatly enhances the opportunity for a settlement.
In sum, a negotiated settlement through mediation can minimize the risks and expenses of costly patent litigation. Following these four suggestions will make the mediation more productive and greatly enhance the possibility of settlement.