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There are times when we need a little help getting started in life. Doing something like adding your child's name to your credit card can help them build credit quickly if you pay it off every month.
It's a big decision to cosign a loan for someone because you're taking on a lot of responsibility if things go south. If you're the one getting a mortgage with a cosigner, there are factors and restrictions that go along with the transaction.
The Responsibilities of Being a Cosigner
Cosigning can really help someone out, but it's also a big responsibility. When you cosign for someone, you're putting your name and credit on the line as security for the loan.
If the person you cosign for misses a payment, the lender or other creditor can come to you to get the money. The late payment also shows up on your credit report.
Because cosigning a loan has the potential to affect both your credit and finances, it's extremely important to make sure you're comfortable with the person you're cosigning for. You both need to know what you're getting into.
Applying for a Mortgage with a Cosigner
Let's say you're looking to apply for a mortgage and you found a cosigner who's willing to give you a little extra boost to help you qualify. While it's definitely doable to apply for a mortgage with a cosigner who's not occupying the property, there are some restrictions.
Whether or not you can apply with a cosigner will depend on the type of loan you're trying to get. Non-occupant co-borrowers are most commonly seen on conventional loans and certain types of FHA loans.
Conventional Loan Requirements
In order to apply with a non-occupant co-borrower for a conventional loan, the cosigner has to sign the loan, but they don't need to be on the title of the property. The co-borrower's credit will be pulled, and the score will be used along with the occupying client to determine loan qualification.
With conventional loans, things start to diverge based on who owns the loan when looking at debt-to-income (DTI) ratios.
At Quicken Loans, the occupying client DTI ratio can only go up to 70% if a client has a down payment of 20% or less. If the down payment is greater than 20%, there's no cap to the ratio. Different lenders may have different policies.
The non-occupying co-borrower's income and debts are added to the housing expense- to-income ratio (HTI). A client's HTI is the percentage of their monthly income that goes toward housing expenses including principal, interest, taxes and insurance. This also sometimes includes homeowners' association dues. Taken together, these five elements of a mortgage payment make up the acronym PITIA.
FHA Loans
If you're looking to get an FHA loan with a non-occupant co-borrower, there are a few other special restrictions.
First, you can have a maximum of two non-occupying co-clients. Their primary residence needs to be in the U.S. If you're occupying the property, you can have a maximum DTI of 70% with a down payment or equity of less than 20%. If you have a higher down payment or equity stake, your DTI is unlimited. Finally, non-occupant co-borrowers are required to be on both the title and the mortgage.
In order to take full advantage of the FHA program and only bring a 3.5% down payment to the close, there are a couple of additional guidelines.
The property you're buying must be a single-family residence. The non-occupant co-borrower must be a relative or a close friend as well. For the purpose of your mortgage, the following are considered relatives:
- parent or grandparent (step, foster and adoptive)
- child (step, foster and adopted)
- sibling (step, foster and adopted)
- aunts or uncles
- spouse or domestic partner
- in-laws
If the non-occupying co-client is a close friend, you'll have to provide some extra documentation describing the length of your relationship and their interest in helping you.
There are a few instances in which you must have a down payment or an equity stake of at least 25%:
- The non-occupying co-client is not family or a close friend
- It's a non-arm's length transaction (the co-client is also the seller)
- A two-unit property is being purchased
Before cosigning on a property with anyone, be sure you both understand what you're getting into.
Do you still have questions about applying for a mortgage with a cosigner? Leave them in the comments below.
If so, subscribe now for tips on home, money, and life delivered straight to your inbox.
This Post Has 210 Comments
Is there a minimum down payment required on a conventional loan with a non-occupant co-borrower that is not related to the primary borrower?
I am looking to co-sign an FHA loan for my son because he is newly self employed. He has decent credit but not a great work history. Will my employment and debt to income be the determining factor? Also wondering if it would be better to pay down some of my debt or save more toward a down payment. Thank you
I kind of want to piggy back off of Barbara's situation because i too want to be a co-borrower for my son as well but what i wanted to know was will my (DTI) ratio be affected after becoming a co-bower for my son not a co-signer when i pursue another home purchase?
I am looking to refinance my home, but long story short I am not in great standing with my current mortgage company (have some missed payments over last two years). My father has said he is willing to co-sign on the refinance if it means a possible lower rate and I can finally get away from the nightmare that I have had to deal with my current mortgage provider. My credit is under 600 but I know my Father's is very good. What do we need to do to get this process started and how will my poor credit and history with the current mortgage effect the outcome?
I'm buying my parents house they are retired can they co-sign my loan if they are selling me their house? And can they co-sign if they are retired? How much do they need to make to help my loan?
I am purchasing my first home & have someone in my family co-signing for me. I am wanting to know what forms the co-signer has to receive & what they will leave with, if any. It is an FHA loan if that makes any difference.
I am specifically wanting to know if they will have to sign/see/receive paperwork showing my debt/liabilities…I know that we will have to sign these forms, however I don't know if we will individually sign & receive them, or if we sign ours personally as well as the other persons.
After originally applying & getting pre-approval letter, I was sent 15+ documents to sign before the loan could go to underwriting. One of the documents was a "Uniform Residential Loan Application" form..this listed all of my assets & debts/liabilities..but it only showed mine, it did not show the co-signers, he got one as well that showed only his. So just wondering if at closing they will be individual or if we will have to sign our own as well as the other persons & be sent home with those forms. Any insight is appreciated!
I have a similar scenario in Illinois.
I own a home with my fiancé and we have a homeowners exemption. His mom needs help buying a home. We could cosign for her to get her approved, but we won't live there, she will. Since it will be her primary residence, we want her to be able to get the homeowners exemption, but are we at risk of losing ours? We don't want to be on the title if if means we won't lose our exemption.
Hi Kevin!
In the process of applying for a mortgage and we're getting some conflicting information. We are purchasing a house from my fiances uncle, which will include around 25k of gifted equity. My fiance does not have a stellar credit score so we've decided to leave him off of the application. He will be on the title to allow for the gifted equity. My mom has agreed to cosign my application. Here's where it gets weird:
If my mom cosigns, she must be an occupant or else we lose the gifted equity. Also, we would be required to pay a higher interest rate since the house would be considered an investment property. From what I read above, it sounds like you're allowed to have a non-occupant person co-sign your loan but why is Bank Of America telling me otherwise? Are you familiar with our circumstances?
Am I able to co-sign a mortgage loan for my daughter if I live in PA but the home she is buying as her primary residence is in CT? I've been reading some things on the net that say lenders may require the co-signer to reside in the state of the property that she is co-signing for.
My boyfriend (of 7 years) and I want to buy a home in North Carolina. We both have great credit scores and each of us makes around $50k income. We lived in Virginia in his house which is now on the market. His new job is in NC and my job is still in VA while I look for work in NC. The mortgage company made a mistake and told us we were approved for a $265k home and we put a contract on the home. Now they are saying they cannot approve us because I work in Virginia. I have no debt, he has a very low mortgage in Virginia until the house sells. Can I be a regular co-signer or a non-occupying cosigner? And can we do this on a conventional loan in NC and only pay 5% down? I will reside in the new home either once I get a job in North Carolina or once the house in Virginia sells.
Hi Kimberly,
If I purchase my own property, can I still co sign my girlfriends loan(FHA) not long after? She needs the extra income to qualify for a higher mortgage.
Together right now we qualify for $300k+ however I am planning on buying my parents property. So I was going to just co sign as a non occupant borrower.
My child was preapproved for a fha Liam in Kentucky but the mortgage company say her debt to ratio is 10 points off so he wants her to have a co-signer . Her credit score is good but mine is 540 but make 80,000 a year and no car loans just a mortgage and 15,000 in small bills. Will I be able to co-sign ???
I am in the process of applying for a mortgage and wish to have my brother as a co-signor on a FHA loan. The mortgage service company I am going through is indicating that he knows of no lenders who will do a mortgage in this way. Is that correct? Are there mortgage lenders out there that you know of that do a FHA co-SIGNOR type mortgage?
I've had my home for 19 years now without refinancing and only taking out equity to finish the downstairs. I have about $155K in equity. However, I've had many bad things happen in life in the last 8 years, and my DTI, credit score and income aren't very good. My house and all bills are current (with assistance I'd rather not talk about online). I'd like to tap into about $70k of this equity to pay off all the debts (except 1st mortgage) and current 2nd and get a decent car with significantly lower mileage than my current car at 400K miles. I've checked mortgage calculators and the approx. $340 per month possible payment would be a dream and would enable me to turn my life around. I've also learned how easy (and scary) it is to slip into consumer debt, so I've learned I've got to be much more careful and would have this friend or family member there to help reinforce new habits as well, so that I don't get into this situation again. I'd like to leave the primary mortgage completely alone. Is there a way I could have a friend or relative cosign on a new second mortgage so I can pay off my current 2nd, all of my debts and get a decent vehicle?
If I co-sign on a loan for my son and he lives in the house with 2 friends (and the 2 friends pay him rent) is it a rental? which interest rate does he qualify for?
I would like to know what loan would apply best to my situation i am married but i would like to take out a loan by my self and use my mother as a non occupying co borrower so she can help me qualify for a higher loan amount and get the house that i want, my question is can i apply for a conventional loan with my mother or do i have to do an fha loan? would i benefit from lower rate from a conventional loan or an fha loan? and my last question will be for either the conventional loan or the fha loan do the lenders take into consideration my spouse debt even though he will not be on the loan we live in north carolina?
Does a non-occupying cobuyer have a right to move in?
Looking for a loan
Hi! My son is looking to buy the condo he currently renting. I (his mother) will be co-signing. What is the difference between non-occupant and occupant co-signer as far as loan details? A lender has told him conventional is the only way to go but are there any first time homebuyer programs available to him even If I own a home with my husband?
I was almost approved for a FHA loan, but was off on my income by $400!!! I was told that I could use a cosigner, but the only person I can find to qualify with the credit is my children's father. Is he not qualified to be able to be used as a cosigner?? I was told they had to be strictly family only! & To me, he technically is being he's the father of my children. So can he really not be used??
My net to debt is not good. My sister will cosign a loan for me. We both have good credit. I would like an FHA /first time home buyer loan. IS this possible ?
I would like to cosign for a mortgage for my granddaughter in south Carolina I live in new York state and have been told I need to own a property in south Carolina before I can cosign but I vcannot find what the time frame is -from the time I close on another property to cosign jhers… or is there a time frame like 6 months or a year as a property owner before I can sign with her?
My husband and I are both Traveling Union Electricians. We work large jobs around the country making great money and take time off while collecting unemployment. We both have over 800 credit scores and a sizable savings for 20+% down. We wish to buy a home Where we will spend our vacation and unemployment time. The problem is that the unpredictable nature of the construction industry may lead to us not being employed through out the home buying process. Would a co-signer such as my Mother, who has a very steady good salary and also 800+ credit, allow us to qualify if my husband and I are not currently employed? We will have unemployment income, currently $900/ wk. We can swing a down payment of over 20% if need be.
We (myself and my husband) are wanting to purchase a home soon. We own a rental property in another state, both work full time w2 jobs here in TX, and also each have some self-employment income that shows as very minimal after tax deductions. We have enough down for an FHA loan, but our DTI comes back high because of the self-employment income reported AND the new rules on how student loans are calculated (I am on an income based plan, and the new rules state that the lender has to count my debt at 1% of the loan, vs the actual payment which is a $400 difference). Without the student loan issue, we are at 45% dti, with it we are at about 50%. Our credit scores are both near or over 700.
My brother in law said he would cosign if necessary. He has very little debt, doesn't own a home, and has good credit.
Do we just proceed with him as a cosigner? One lender stopped working with me because of our complicated self employment and another said that my student loans are the problem, but she was leary about putting single guy in his 30s as a cosigner.
I am a first home buyer in Florida. My income is 40K after deductions. 5 part time jobs. 3 of it more than for 2 years. My credit score is 723. Have 20K cash. Only debt is a car 380/month. Would like to buy a nice house or townhouse, but when I punch in numbers in Zillow it is saying I can buy only under 100K. My target is 160-220K range home. One of my part time job's owner offered me to co-sign for me. I am from Europe have no idea how it goes here. Is this an option for me to buy a nicer home than I supposedly can afford but someone co-sign for me and I still own it and I pay the mortgage?
My husband and I would like to purchase the condo we are now renting. Our credit scores are around 525. My son said he would like to co-sign for us. Would a conventional mortgage be possible as FHA is not accepted by the Homeowners Association here ? My son already had his home mortgage thru Quicken ,


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Join scifi greats Cory Doctorow and Rudy Rucker, with io9 editors Annalee Newitz and Charlie Jane Anders, in San Francisco Monday night at a benefit for high tech civil liberties organization Electronic Frontier Foundation.
Doctorow will be reading from his new novel Little Brother, and hopefully Rucker will read from the sequel to his novel Post-Singular, called Hylozoic. Charlie Jane will be reading something brilliantly weird, and I'll be reading something about why I love piracy.
I worked for a few years at EFF as their policy analyst and media outreach geek, and I'm still their lifelong fan for all the amazing work they do with civil liberties for the digital age. They educate the public about technology policies that harm consumers; fight for privacy and free speech online; agitate for hackers' rights to innovate; and litigate to protect fair use, anonymity, bloggers' rights to be treated as journalists, and many other things related to Great Justice. I'm delighted to participate in this event and promise it will be a smashing good time.
Here are the details, according to the EFF website:
Join EFF on Monday, March 23rd, for a fundraising event featuring award-winning writer Cory Doctorow. Cory will be reading from his novel, "Little Brother," a story of high-tech teenage rebellion set in the familiar world of San Francisco. As he currently calls the UK home, this is a rare opportunity to to hear Cory read from his work in person. He will be joined by fellow writers Rudy Rucker, Annalee Newitz and Charlie Jane Anders reading from their latest works.
7pm on Monday March 23, at the 111 Minna Gallery in San Francisco.
Admission is $25. No one turned away for lack of funds. Must be 21 or older to attend.
via EFF

subset: commoncrawl


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My students are also blogging here:
Today was more context and a bit of a caution for my developmental biology course. I warned them that we'd be primarily talking about animals and plants (and mostly animals at that), but that actually, all of the general processes we're describing are found in bacteria and other single-celled organisms — that in a lot of ways, microbiology is actually another developmental biology course. Yes, I went there: developmental biologists tend to be imperialists who see all the other sciences as mere subsets of the one true science. Of course, you could also take that as developmental biology being a synthetic discipline that steals bits and pieces from everywhere…
So the primary lessons today were reviews of stuff these students should have gotten in cell and molecular biology, with bits of biochemistry and microbiology thrown in. We talked about genes getting switched on and off, and the example I used was the classic: the lac operon in E. coli. What? You don't know about it? It's a beautiful system, in which the bacterium switches on the genes needed for digesting the sugar lactose only when the sugar is available in the environment. I showed this nice little 3 minute video:
Switching genes on and off? That's development! It gets a little more intricate in multicellular animals, but all of the fundamental logic is right there in E. coli: activators and repressors, positive and negative feedback, the boolean logic of gene regulation. I also mentioned that when we're reading Carroll's Endless Forms Most Beautiful, he's going to make a big deal out of exactly this kind of regulation, but I want them to remember that it's not unique to butterflies or fruit flies or frogs, it's a common theme in all kinds of diverse cells.
We then talked about cell signaling. How does a cell know which genes are supposed to be off and on? It interacts with its environment (as in the lac operon) or its neighbors to make decisions about activity. To illustrate that, we went through quorum sensing and biofilms — again, cell signaling is not unique to animal development, it was all worked out in principle in single-celled organisms. I gave them a little foreshadowing and mentioned that we'd be discussing Sonic Hedgehog and Notch and Delta later in the course, classic examples of signaling in multicellular systems, but in bacteria we have things like hapR and AHL signaling.
Finally, I raised the issue of a phenomenon we'll be talking about on Wednesday: patterning. Why aren't your arms growing from your hips, why don't you have fingers on your feet instead of toes, why are your eyes paired and on the front of your head? Because there is positional information in the embryo that can be read by cells and tissues and lead to development of appropriate structures in their proper places. But once more, this is not unique to multicellular animals. A paramecium, for instance, is not a generic blob, but has a definite shape and orientation; it has organelles in predictable places, and is covered with a nearly crystalline lattice of cilia with specific axes of orientation. I showed them choanoflagellates and pointed out that these protists, representing a multicellular precursor, had a specific shape and a collar organ in a specific functional location: how do they know how to do that?
That's the question we'll be asking next. I warned them too that I won't be lecturing at them on Wednesday, so they'd better have their morning coffee. I'm expecting them to read a review paper on positional information in embryos (pdf), and I'm going to make them explain it all to me for a change.
For Wednesday:
Kerszberg M, Wolpert L (2007) Specifying Positional Information in the Embryo: Looking Beyond Morphogens. Cell 130(2):205–209.


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I recognize that postings to the ol' blog have been sparse lately. Quite franky, my sewing time has been sparse, too. I've had a few new commitments pop up lately that have eaten into my evenings and I'm trying to figure out how to balance it all. My to-do list is nagging at me, and I find myself thinking three projects ahead of what's on my cutting table. Does this ever happen to you?
I've been trying (mostly unsuccessfully) to at least keep up with my quilting bee commitments. I've always prided myself on returning people's blocks back on time, but it's all finally caught up with me. I still (embarrassingly) have one October block that isn't done yet (sorry, Tasha!), and a couple of November blocks to complete. Fortunately, December's an off month for many of the bees and I desperately need the time to catch up. 'Cause, you know, there's nothing else happening in December to occupy our time.
OK, so here's what I was able to complete for October:
First up are some mini neighborhood blocks for Dee for the SewConnected swap. There have been many great blocks and quilts popping up on Flickr inspired by this wonderful Ingrid Press quilt. Dee sent some soft pink fabric for her background and a selection of pinks and yellow to construct the houses. I was able to make both a house ...
First, I decided to put my new embroidery skills to use and stitch up some whales inspired by the work of one of my favorite artists, Kurt Halsey. I bordered the embroidered piece with some prints from Tula Pink's Neptune line.
Yes, that's right ... after so many months of resisting the urge, I finally took the plunge and taught myself how to paper piece. I am so happy to have finally gotten over my fear and apprehension, and I feel like a whole new world of possibilities have been opened up for me.
I was motivated to tackle paper piecing because I really wanted to make the Color Wheel block for Julie for her Buzz Cuts block. Julie sent fabrics from the Neptune line and they seemed to me to be great candidates for the swirling geese in this pattern. It reminded me of a whirlpool, which fit nicely with the nautical theme of Julie's blocks. I am THRILLED with how it came out!
I have a few more things to blog about soon, including the Pillow Talk swap (for which I both made and received a homemade pillow lately) and the conclusion of the Craftster Tea Towel Tour swap, since I also received my completed towel back.


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This is a genuine Handmade Highly Detailed Luxury Skull Ring encrusted with a Gemstone on the forehead of your color choice, handcrafted by World Renowned Award Winning Master Goldsmith Marcus Platrides on the Greek Island of Cyprus in Europe.
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Ring is OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED and HALLMARKED Sterling Silver .925 of Highest Quality, comes in Luxury Packaging and Certificate of Authenticity is included.
If you have any Inquiries or Special Custom made requests regarding this product, then please do not hesitate to either contact us directly before you checkout or leave your request during checkout.
3-5 business days
I'll do my best to meet these shipping estimates, but can't guarantee them. Actual delivery time will depend on the shipping method you choose.
Buyers are responsible for any customs and import taxes that may apply. I'm not responsible for delays due to customs.
But please contact me if you have any problems with your order.
Everything is Possible. Make sure you tell us about any customization and personalizations before you order. Alternatively, like many of our celebrity clientele, you are welcome to book an appointment with Marcus Platrides himself either in Cyprus or Abroad. Email us for info at firstname.lastname@example.com
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|32GB (2x16GB)
|Limited Lifetime Warranty
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Technip is a key contributor to the development of technologies and sustainable solutions for the exploitation of the world's energy resources.
Understanding umbilical crush behavior in detail is critical to ensuring product integrity, establishing load limits, and designing out failure.
Utilize Abaqus to analyze highly nonlinear, dynamic behavior and provide the ability to customize scripting tools.
Successfully deliver an analysis in a reasonable amount of time. FEA accurately simulated complex loading conditions involving multiple component contact and nonlinear material behavior.


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Study: Changing the Color of Your Plate Can Help You Eat Less
Selecting the right size and color of the plates you eat on could help you eat less, according to a new study in the Journal of Consumer Research.
Study researchers asked 225 students to pour a specific amount of tomato soup into one of seven different sized bowls. Three smaller bowls, three larger bowls and one "control bowl."
Researchers noticed that the participants poured less soup than the suggested serving size, into the smaller bowls and they poured more into the larger ones.
The authors of this study, Koert van Ittersum of Georgia Institute of Technology and Brian Wansink of Cornell University, said that the size of dinner plates has increased by nearly 23 percent since 1900, and eating a mere 50 calories per day could result in a weight gain of five pounds each year.
"The bigger your dinnerware, the bigger your portion. If you use larger plates, you could end up serving 9 percent to 31 percent more than you typically would" the authors said.
Follow-up studies, researchers also showed that selecting the correct size bowl, is almost impossible to eliminate among people through awareness, education, or practice.
Results of the study also convey that selecting the right color plate or table cloth, can successfully eliminate what researchers refer to as "bowl bias". In a separate field study, participants were asked to serve white-sauce or red-sauce pasta on either a large white or a large red plate.
It was shown that by changing the color of the plate, and by reducing its high contrast, allowed people to serve 21 percent less. It was also shown that by changing the color of the tablecloth reduced how much people served themselves by 10 percent.
"In the midst of hard-wired perceptual biases, a straightforward action would be to simply eliminate large dinnerware, replace our larger bowls and plates with smaller ones or contrast colors," the authors concluded.


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If you've been looking for a reason to replace your aging device with something a tad more contemporary, your local
pawnshop GameStop is happy to oblige. According to Gadget Experts, the games retailer is looking to bolster its Android offerings with Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, Nexus S and Samsung Infuse 4G trade-ins at select GameStops this summer, expanding to all locations by the end of the year. Have a device that's not on this short list? Don't worry, Gadget Experts says the firm plans to fill out its touchable trade-in inventory with more devices in the future. So, what's a Galaxy Tab worth to gaming's favorite pawn star? We'll let you know when GameStop drops the official details.
GameStop to offer Android tablet and smartphone trade-ins, give you another excuse to upgrade originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 29 Apr 2012 04:46:00 EST.


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12 Best Fall Foliage Trips
It's that time of year again. We'll be deep in the heart of leaf-peeping season before you know it and the leaves, they are a-changin'. Whether you're a fall foliage fanatic or just in the mood for a scenic drive—or train ride—through the fabulous fall scenery, you won't want to miss these great seasonal spots.
It's the most colorful time of the year! Here in the northeast, we're surrounded by beautiful shades of orange, red, and yellow as leaf-peeping season kicks into full swing—but you don't have to be in just one region to appreciate all the fall foliage. We've got 11 great seasonal spots around the country—and one in eastern Canada—where you can see the leaves in all their colorful splendor, whether by car, train, boat, or by going for a nice, long walk in the crisp fall air. If all else fails, you can always choose to live vicariously through our Fall Into Foliage board on Pinterest.
It goes without saying that Vermont is one of the most well-known places in the U.S. when it comes to fall foliage—especially in the central and southern parts of the state, the Lake Champlain Islands, areas near Burlington, and in the beautiful Green Mountains. As of right now, most of the state is already seeing the first hint of fall colors, with late, more subtle changes in color still slated to happen over the weekends of October. Up for a scenic fall foliage drive? Vermont's Tourism website offers a printable list of more than 20 drives around the state ranging anywhere from 30 to 210 miles long, as well as regional and historical points of interest, apple orchards, and popular local attractions you shouldn't miss along the way.
WHERE TO STAY Eddington House Inn, an adorable B&B located in Bennington, Vermont. Rates from $159 per night thru Oct. (from $139 per night Nov. thru June), include complimentary WiFi, breakfast, parking, and sweet treats like locally made chocolate truffles.
Whether you're planning to venture upstate in search of fall fun or opt to stay in the big city, New York gives you plenty of options—visit this website for a detailed list of all the great spots within the state to view fall foliage as peak levels tend to change depending on where you are. Baseball fans will want to visit Cooperstown, home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, while other outdoorsy leaf-peeping activities include renting kayaks on Lake Otsego or hiking among the gorgeous fall colors at Glimmerglass State Park. For an exciting day trip, bring the family to Barton Orchards now through Nov. 2nd, located about a 90-minute drive north of the City in Poughquag, New York, and home to hayrides, train rides, a corn maze, haunted house, and the chance to pick perfect farm-fresh apples, pumpkins, corn and other seasonal vegetables to take home as delicious fall souvenirs. Don't miss the Farm Bakery & Market where you can pick up maple syrup, seasonal mixes and spices, baked pies and desserts, fudge, and best of all, cider donuts. (Activity wristbands are available for $12.50 and include a $3 general admission fee. Prices for fresh-picked apples, pumpkins, and veggies vary by quantity. Please note that no outside food or beverages are allowed on the farm, but feel free to bring your own wagon). Or if you'd rather stay in the heart of the Big Apple, go for a stroll around Central Park, Prospect Park in Brooklyn, or Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx in the fall for vibrant color changes during the last few weeks of October into November—pick any spot in the park for a fall picnic, just don't forget to bring your camera!
WHERE TO STAY The Wyndham New Yorker Hotel has a great vacation package now thru Dec. 29, 2015, that includes overnight accommodations from $169 per night, continental breakfast, and free tickets to the Empire State Building.
While there are definitely enough places in Canada to warrant its own fall foliage report, we'd like to point out one of our favorite spots in Québec for the purposes of this story: Mont Tremblant, an exquisite ski town roughly two hours outside of Montréal that always has something fun going on no matter what season we're in, and fall is no exception. Hop a quick flight on Porter Airlines from Newark, Washington D.C., Burlington, Chicago, Myrtle Beach, or from any of 12 connecting Canadian cities to reach this beautiful ski town nestled in the heart of Canada's Laurentians (they even serve wine onboard—for free!). In Tremblant, there are plenty of outdoor activities to keep you busy while you're admiring the fall colors showcased on the mountains around you: play a round of golf on one of the area's two championship golf courses, treat youself to a 60-minute cruise on the 7.5-mile long Lake Tremblant ($24 for adults; $19 for seniors ages 60 and up; $8 for children ages 2-12, free for children two and under), rent a bike for the afternoon (prices vary), explore the mountain on one of 12 hiking trails, or take a ride to the summit on the panoramic gondola (Adults pay $19.99 per ride; children ages 6-12 pay $15.99; children ages 3-5 pay $4.19, and those under age 2 ride for free; Gondola tickets must be purchased online at least two days in advance). After a long day outside, try your luck at the Casino de Mont-Tremblant (a free shuttle is available every 30 minutes between the casino and the pedestrian village), relax your tired muscles at the nearby Scandinave Spa Mont-Tremblant (access to the Scandinavian Baths for $48 per person; 60-minute Swedish Massages from $130 per person including access to the baths. Take advantage of their fall special—$35 Scandinavian Bath access or $95 for a 60-minute massage with baths), or check out one of the special fall sales happening at Tremblant's many boutique shops.


text: Some say that the Carnegie Museum of Art was the first museum of modern and contemporary art in the U.S. It is true–as far as American institutions go–the Carnegie has been around the block. It opened in 1895 and a year later started an annual exhibition to bring work by the best and most talented artists to Pittsburgh. We inherited this model of an exhibition and hence thought it pertinent to reflect back on how it all went over these 117 years. Now, enter the archive: a visual history as told through installation photos and films (some seen for the first time), a few choice artworks, and a good amount of text. It opened over the weekend and will be up through the run of the 2013 Carnegie International.


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Diabetes and the Body: Pancreatic Function
The pancreas is a small organ located just behind the stomach. It produces insulin in just the right amount to keep constant glucose – also called sugar – levels in the body constant.
What the Body Needs
The body's cells function best when there is a certain amount of glucose in the fluid that surrounds them. Too much glucose in the body will turn the fluid that surrounds the body's cells into a bath of sugar that hinders many normal functions of these cells.
Why we need glucose
Although glucose is not of much use to the body in the bloodstream, or in the fluid that surrounds the body's cells, it is still something that we need. In fact, glucose is the body's main source of energy. But glucose must get inside cells to create the energy that the cells need to function. The problem is that cells have a membrane or covering around the outside that will not let glucose in. This is where insulin becomes important, it is insulin that opens up cells to glucose.
Keeping a constant level of glucose is a delicate process that is controlled by the pancreas and the insulin it produces. Under normal conditions, this process is almost like a dance. Glucose levels in the blood lead the pancreas to release just the right amount of insulin to keep the amount of glucose in the blood stream and surrounding the cells at an even level.
Learn more about the important role glucose and insulin play in diabetes below!
Normal Pancreatic Function
After you eat, the digestive system breaks down carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Through this process, nutrients become smaller and simpler molecules that can be absorbed into the blood stream. One of these nutrients is glucose. As the concentration of glucose in the bloodstream rises, the pancreas receives a signal to release insulin.
Insulin attaches to a place on the cell much the same way a key would fit into a lock. This opens the door for glucose to enter the cell. In a muscle cell, this means that the insulin will open up the muscle cells to allow glucose to enter and eventually create the energy needed for the muscle to contract.
Abnormal Pancreatic Function
Insulin Resistance
Insulin resistance causes the pancreas to function abnormally in diabetics. Insulin resistance is when the cells stop responding to insulin, meaning the door that allows glucose to enter will not open. Because the cells are not allowing glucose to enter, the amount of glucose in the blood gets higher and higher.
As long as there is too much glucose in the blood, and too little glucose in the cell, the pancreas will continue to produce insulin until the glucose level goes down. However, if the cells in the body have become insulin resistant, the amount of glucose in blood will never go down. The pancreas will continue to try to lower glucose levels by producing more and more insulin. Eventually, it will wear out.
Often this is the first cause of diabetes.
What Happens When the Pancreas Stops Working
The increased production of insulin can some times help the cells to allow glucose to enter, but eventually the pancreas wears out and cannot match the body's demand for insulin. When the pancreas fails to produce any insulin, blood glucose levels rise above normal. Eventually, with insulin failing to open cells so glucose can leave the bloodstream, glucose begin to build up in tissues such as the:
- kidneys
- eyes
- heart
- and around nerve endings.
This build-up has very serious short-term and long-term complications.
Hope Through Research – You Can Be Part of the Answer!
Many research studies are underway to help us learn about eye diseases. Would you like to find out more about being part of this exciting research? Please visit the following links:
- NIH Clinical Research Trials and You
- Diabetes Studies
- NetWellness Research Center
- ClinicalTrials.gov Explained and Find Studies on ClinicalTrials.gov
- ResearchMatch Explained and Join ResearchMatch
More features about Diabetes:
- Diabetes Overview
- Symptoms and Tests for Diabetes
- Treatment Options for Diabetics
- Complications of Diabetes
- Avoiding Diabetes
- Diabetes and Heart Disease
- Studying Diabetes and Heart Disease: The ACCORD Study
For more information:
Go to the Diabetes health topic.


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Connectivity, always connected
Everything you need to get connected – and take your devices to the max
Link up different media and devices for an enhanced experience that places you totally in control. Cables, connectors, adapters, splitters, switches and more – all ready to deliver the ultimate experience straight out of the box.
Turn on, plug in and satisfy your senses
- Watch your favourite film from your own personal home cinema
- Strap on that guitar and hook up with musical friends to create live
music with concert-quality sound (and some stunning visuals to match)
- Listen as your favourite songs spring to life from your speakers
- Feel the roar of the crowd as the football hits the back of the net


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text: http://gcmd.nasa.gov/r/l/TermsOfUse9.1.52020-06-26 13:53:40 PLANKTON NETS A plankton net is a device for concentrating small marine organisms for closer examination. The small organisms collected in a plankton tow will be plants and animals that go unnoticed by most people. A microscope is needed to identify many of these organisms, but you see can see some of the larger zooplankton with your naked eye, and even better with a magnifying glass. A net with very fine mesh is used in the plankton net because many of these tiny organisms would pass through an ordinary dip net. The plankton net is essentially a cloth funnel that allows water to pass through, but retains the living organisms. The collected organisms will be found in the small glass or plastic bottle found at the bottom of the net. Additional information available at "http://seagrant.gso.uri.edu/G_Bay/Ecosystem/Plankton/plankton_net.html" [Summary provided by the Rhode Island Sea Grant]


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16 July 2009 00:45
SoulPancake | Chew On Life's Big Questions
founded in part by Rainn Wilson (a.k.a. Dwight from The Office), this site challenges us to participate in open, non-judgmental discussion about religion in order to get us back to actively thinking in today's world about what our spirituality means to us.
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Leading Yourself and Others Through Change
Wednesday, February 21, 2018 at 12pm (Central)
Change is inevitable. Successful professionals must navigate unforeseen challenges and opportunities to succeed in their roles.
In this webinar, you'll learn tools to confidently work through uncertain and challenging situations in order to adapt to change in creative and unexpected ways. You'll learn how to use the improvisational idea of "Yes, And" to co-create new processes and practice reacting to new situations with little or no preparation time. Overall, you will learn how to practice "bouncing back" from failure to learn from new and uncomfortable professional situations where some level of imperfection is inevitable.
About the Presenter:
Dave Collins is the Founder and CEO of Oak and Reeds, a corporate training firm dedicated to using the tools of improvisational comedy to train clients on everyday soft skills useful for growing through change. Dave is an award-winning improvisor, coach, speaker and corporate strategist with over a decade of experience performing and coaching improv. Along with his teammates, Dave won the National Collegiate Improv Tournament, headlined shows across the country, and individually has coached hundreds of students and professionals in the art and practice of applied improvisation. Prior to founding Oak and Reeds, he worked as a change management expert at AECOM. As part of AECOM's workplace strategy team, Dave worked with clients to examine the relationship between workspace and productivity, enabling people to break old habits and embrace change. Dave has a B.A. in Communication and Economics from Northwestern University with a specialization in Team Leadership.
Mind Your Career Webinar Information
Date: Wednesday, February 21, 2018 at 12pm (Central)
Cost: Complimentary
Location: Online Click here to register!
Location: Online Click here to register!
Event Contact
Rachel Birkhahn-Rommelfanger
Assistant Director, Career Development
UChicago Alumni Association Contact


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The letters to the editor section of a newspaper is its most widely read section. In the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks, this section has been a battleground for pro- and anti-Muslim views. This is why it's important for all Muslims, no matter what their level of writing skill, to know how to write a letter to the editor.
If that doesn't convince you of the importance of using this section as a forum in which to present correct information about Islam and challenge stereotypes, for instance, consider four other reasons:
1. You have a diverse audience within easy reach
Who reads the letters to the editor section? While sports buffs will read the sports section and stock traders the business pages, both are likely to check out the letters to the editor page(s).
That means you've got a diversity of audience you would not have if you published something in one of the paper's specific sections. By writing a letter to the editor, you have the power to send a message to all sorts of people. You won't be preaching to the converted.
2. Letters to the editor have credibility
Your letter carries a certain authority because it is coming from an average citizen. It is not coming from the newspaper's journalist, who is essentially there to promote the newspaper's interests. Your voice is the voice of the people. Use it.
3. Easy publicity for your cause
Printing an advertisement in the newspaper to promote your cause can run in the high thousands. Writing a letter to the editor costs less than a dollar (locally): the cost of a postage stamp or sending a fax.
4.The more letters, the more influence
Have you tried writing letters in the past only to find them not published? If so, don't think this was a waste of time.
While publications may only be able to publish a few of the letters they receive (often due to space constraints), editors are influenced by the amount of mail they get on a given topic. An article or editorial that many readers respond to is more likely to be followed up with future articles on the same topic. Keep the debate going on an issue by continuing to send in letters!
Letter-writing tips that can help you get published
Now, if you've never written a letter to the editor before or have had yours repeatedly rejected, don't despair. Here are six tips that can increase the likelihood of your letter getting published:
1. Respond right away
Too often, we tend to wait until over a week has elapsed after an event or an article was published to respond with a letter to the editor. This makes it less likely it will be published. The sooner you send in your letter the better.
2. Feel the emotion behind it
Writing is often an emotional exercise, and some of our strongest and best expressed thoughts are those driven by the engine of emotion. Try to feel strongly about what you are writing about, whether the feeling is positive (i.e. happiness) or negative (i.e. anger). This can add emphasis to your letter and help you focus better.
A word of caution though: avoid sounding too angry, outraged, etc. It could make you look like a ranting lunatic. Be strong in expression, but moderate. As the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) regularly advises letter writers, "be firm but polite".
3. Go back to the source of the letter
Refer back to a specific article in the newspaper which was your original reason for writing. This should include the date, page number and overall topic. Newspapers are looking for responses to their material, so be as specific as possible in providing the reference for it in your letter.
4. Keep it short
Most publications have limits on the length of letters to the editor. If you don't find this information in the letters section, call or e-mail and ask for their guidelines. The shorter the better. Remember, most people today have shorter attention spans, so you need to say what you've got to say quickly. Keeping your letter short (i.e. under 400 words) is likely to lead to your letter being published and more people reading it.
5. Keep it simple
In line with keeping it short is keeping your letter simple. Speak simply and at a level most people can understand. Using complicated words and phrases will not increase the clarity of your message.
6. Stick to one or two main points
It's hard not to go off on a tangent, but this must be done if a letter is to remain short and concise. Pick one or two points to discuss in your letter briefly and concisely.
7. Include the information you are asked for
Along with how long a letter should be, most publications expect certain information to be added to letters to the editor. These include full name, daytime telephone number and your signature. Follow these instructions precisely otherwise your letter may be rejected.
8. Get someone else to read it
Find someone to proofread your letter. This will allow someone who is not so close to the issues you're discussing to look at it with fresh eyes. Take advantage of this opportunity to improve your letter in its content and format. Incorporate what you feel is useful.
9. Type it and fax it
Typing your letter makes it easier to read. Faxing it gets it to the newspaper faster than snail mail and about 70 percent of editors say they prefer faxes.
Other Points
1. Call if your letter is not published
Many times, if a letter is to be published, a newspaper will call the writer in advance by a few days to confirm that they have written the letter.
If two weeks have elapsed since you sent the letter, give the person responsible for letters to the editor at the publication a call and see what happened. If they have the time, perhaps ask them quickly why your letter was not published, or if they can send you a more detailed e-mail about this if possible.
2. If you don't get published, don't lose heart!
Even if your letter has not been published, there are three good things which will result:
a. you will improve your writing skills.
b. you will have communicated a message that will, in most cases, be read and affect the mind of a reader in favor of your opinion.
c. you're one step closer to being published, Insha Allah, (if Allah wills).
d. If media outlets get letters from a dozen people raising the same issue, they will most likely publish one or two of them. So even if your letter doesn't get into print, it may help another one with a similar point of view get published.
Precisely written to polish the writing skills. Written in steps helps boost up the confidence and shows different ways to interact with the newspaper agencies. WONDERFUL.
Excellent - really well-written and very effective! :)


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|STS-117 Shuttle Mission Imagery
high res (2.1 M) low res (129 K)
|S117-E-08032 (19 June 2007) --- Backdropped by a blue and white Earth, the International Space Station moves away from the Space Shuttle Atlantis. Earlier the STS-117 and Expedition 15 crews concluded about eight days of cooperative work onboard the shuttle and station. Undocking of the two spacecraft occurred at 9:42 a.m. (CDT) on June 19, 2007. Astronaut Lee Archambault, STS-117 pilot, was at the controls for the departure and fly-around, which gave Atlantis' crew a look at the station's new expanded configuration.
Curator: JSC PAO Web Team | Responsible NASA Official: Amiko Kauderer | Updated: 11/09/2012


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"If the conflict is to be wound down, real compromises will have to be made on the constitution, women's rights and civil liberties." These are the words of an editorial comment in Afghan Scene, a magazine written by and mainly for the international community in Afghanistan.
After years of fierce fighting and numerous counterinsurgency initiatives, the Afghan government and some of its international allies seem to have reached to the peak of desperation. They are now even exploring whether Afghan women's rights can be sacrificed in order to declare "mission accomplished".
The idea of subsuming women's rights so that the war can end has come in formal and informal talks between some parliamentarians, government officials and is also reported to be part of cynical discussions among some of the international diplomats in Kabul gatherings.
Many women activists believe the growing Talibanisation of the Afghan government will not only bring further instability, as it could upset the diverse ethnic composition of Afghanistan, but also predict that they will pay for this political settlement with their rights.
Despite receiving promises from the members of the international community and the Afghan government about the so-called "red lines" of talks with the Taliban, women activists are concerned that recent developments are step-by-step moves towards the loss of women's rights.
The Afghan peace jirga earlier this month legitimised criminal aspects of the insurgency by referring to offenders merely as political "angry brothers". It ensured that impunity will continue – for example, through the formation of a commission to review the cases of militant prisoners.
In the past two weeks, according to Afghan national television, around 15 ex-combatants have been released from two prisons in Parwan and Kabul. The longest trial that took place was four hours.
Women activists fear that the judiciary is not equipped to distinguish between the guilty and the innocent. As a result, notorious war criminals and human rights violators will be released under this political settlement, including the men that threw acid in the faces of girls in Kandahar, those who assassinated the senior police officer, Malalai Kakar, and those militants who continue to target girls' schools.
The same peace plan also allows the militants to keep their guns even though they embrace the reintegration mechanisms. This is of great risk for the women of Afghanistan, who have been oppressed, killed and tortured by the power of guns during the civil war and afterwards.
It appears that the government is over-ambitious in this talk of political settlement with the militants, and the new commission is more political than legal, so it will serve political agendas. The president has used his powers to pardon prisoners, as we witnessed in the past – including criminal elements of the insurgency who were responsible for kidnapping rackets. It is questionable whether the commission will be just and transparent amid the corruption and growing nepotism of the state.
The former chief of the Afghan intelligence services has shared his concerns over the political pressure of the quick release of militants in the past few years. He called the Pul e Charkhi central prison a "terror camp" where militants and terrorists are too easily freed to go back to militancy.
Women activists are concerned that this short-termist approach to "peace" will not only be a threat to justice but will also create further opportunities for more corruption and nepotism within the Afghan government.
The overarching concern is the impact of such a strategy in the short and long run. If dangerous criminal militants are easily freed, what does this mean for societal welfare and security in the first place? Does it not call into question the overall "counterinsurgency" operations?
While these developments reflect looming threats for the women of Afghanistan, the argument of sacrificing their rights has been created for purposes of the peace programme. But Afghanistan has the second largest maternal mortality rate in the world. More than half of school-age girls are not able to go school and those who dare to go are too often threatened by insecurity and school attacks.
Women in politics are taking risks with their lives (those who threaten or kill them rarely go punished), while the new election law gives their seats to a man if they don't run for office due to security reasons. The media rarely covers the conditions for women in the central and northern provinces who are plagued with hunger and poverty because they do not relate to the counterinsurgency initiatives.
It is in these circumstances that we are being asked to sacrifice. As one activists from the Afghan Women's Networks said: "We have sacrificed for the past 30 years with our lives and rights and the men were the ones who killed and ruined. We are also not so privileged that our government will fight for us – therefore it is time for them to sacrifice their powers and give up creating more violence and injustices for women."
There is a humanitarian call for the international community members struggling for stability and governance in Afghanistan to unify their voices as the plight of women gets murkier. There is a stronger need for further accountability on the part of the Afghan government before we end up in the same Afghanistan that we were in 10 years ago.


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ASU Literary Journal Available
May 29, 2014
A product of the Department of English and Modern Languages, Volume 28, No. 1, can be purchased for $10 per copy or by annual subscription of $17. Published twice a year, the Concho River Review includes more than 150 pages of fiction, nonfiction, poetry and book reviews.
In the newest issue, fiction selections include the tale of a self-righteous woman's encounter with the divine by Raymond Arcangel, the story of a murderous encounter on the Texas back roads by Robert McGuill, a lonely encounter with a mysterious woman in the desert written by Michael McGuire and a fictionalized account of the 1950s drought by Paula Starche.
Fans of nonfiction can read Jan Seale's essay about the perspective and history of Texas poets laureate, J. Michael Mumme's often hilarious account of his own arachnophobia and his begrudging acceptance of spiders, and John Robinson's travel narrative about his time in Spain reading the writings of Marcel Proust.
Poetry entries include works by Jane Blanchard, Robert Cooperman, Matt Dennison, Colin Dodds, Mark Goad, Lynn Hoggard, Mary Soon Lee, Simon Perchik, Brittany Tacconi, David Vancil and Harold Whit Williams, among others.
The journal also includes an expanded book review section edited by Dr. R. Mark Jackson, ASU assistant professor of English. The reviews focus on the works of Texas writers published by university and small presses. Those writers include Rick Bass, Stephen Harrigan, Peter Josyph, Linda King, James McWilliams, Anca Vlasopolos and Betty Holland Wiespape.
Edited by Dr. Erin Ashworth-King since 2012, the literary journal was founded in 1987 by Dr. Terry Dalrymple. Both are members of the ASU English faculty.
For more information or to purchase copies of the Concho River Review, go online to http://conchoriverreview.org/.


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Loner lizards don't light up - the social side of lizards
22 January 2014
One of the first studies conducted on young reptiles reared without contact with their siblings is challenging the assumption that only mammals and birds are shaped by social interactions.
"Our results demonstrate that rearing these animals in different environments strongly affects their social development," saidCissy Ballen, a PhD candidate in theSchool of Biological Sciencesand lead author of the paper published inAnimal Behaviour.
"These chameleons catch insects using a 'ballistic' rapid fire tongue movement and use dramatic colour changes to signal dominance. The lizards raised in isolation were more submissive, were slower at attacking certain food and displayed darker and duller colours than those raised with their siblings."
Most people know that to rear a baby on its own would have devastating consequences for its development. Until very recently, scientists have believed that only the 'social' species, such as birds and mammals, were disadvantaged by being reared in isolation.
It has been assumed that reptiles, as 'lower' animals, are non-social, so their behaviour is determined by their genes, not by their interactions with members of the same species.
The research was conducted using young veiled chameleons (Chamaeleo calyptratus), large tree-dwelling lizards native to Yemen and Saudi Arabia that are popular as pets and in zoos. While their mother usually leaves after giving birth, they often encounter their brothers and sisters as they grow up.
The chameleons were raised alone or in groups of four.
In addition to their slower food attack times and duller colours when young isolated chameleons had contact with siblings, they fled and curled into balls. In contrast, those reared in groups interacted and exhibited their colours in a competitive display.
"Young chameleons, like many reptiles, often engage in intense combat with each other. The absence of this opportunity appears to slow the development of behaviours that help the lizard intimidate rivals and succeed in acquiring food."
Early research assumed that reptiles' behavioural traits were highly stereotyped and fixed, differing between species but not changing in response to the conditions that an individual experienced during its lifetime. However, there is emerging evidence of complex social systems among some lizards, including the ability to solve cognitive tasks, exhibit social learning and demonstrate specific variations in mating behaviour.
"The idea of lizards as machine-like creatures who do not respond to local conditions is being replaced by a new appreciation of the subtlety and flexibility of reptile behaviour as influenced by their local environment and genetic factors," said Ballen.
"Future research could explore the possibility that some reptiles are far more responsive to social cues than we expect.
"Our results also have obvious implications for the captive rearing of reptiles. These animals are commonly raised by zoos, private keepers and pet owners in social isolation, under the assumption that social cues are irrelevant to their development. Our results call that into question and suggest that for many reptiles, an environment rich in social interaction may provide important benefits for their wellbeing."
Contact: Verity Leatherdale
Phone: 02 9351 4312
Email: 422c00280e3e57071c3115200208154a2f2a783d562508012f7f0f223f76313b


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Katharine McPhee might have won over America's heart as the runner-up pop-singing sweetheart on Season 5 of "American Idol," but the 25-year-old is unleashing her inner-rebel with a bold new look, to coincide with the release of her second album.
"I was feeling rebellious. That's when I knew I wanted something big," Katharine, who is now sporting a new short blonde hairdo, told SHAPE Magazine in its February issue. "So I said to my stylist, 'Just chop it all off and make me a blonde!'"
The singer/actress said she felt empowered by her new look – and she was even inspired to get new threads to match her new 'do.
"I felt edgy and playful," she explained. "I went out and bought new clothes for the new me. It was definitely a good thing to do."
In addition to her new look, Katharine – who has struggled with bulimia for seven years – told the mag she is doing better than ever through some hard work and a little perspiration.
"The more I focused on my weight, the worse my bulimia got," she explained. "Now I'm more easygoing. I stopped fighting myself and became more forgiving of my body. Ironically, the weight came off naturally through exercise but no dieting."
She's even been given a clean bill of health.
"At my last physical, the nurse took my vitals and said, 'Wow, you must be taking care of yourself! Your blood pressure is perfect. You're very healthy,'" Katharine told the mag. "Hearing her say that made me feel better than seeing an ideal number on the scale."
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MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: Katharine McPhee - Movies - Music - Style - TV


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OKON is a manufacturer of low-VOC, water-based sealers and coatings for concrete and masonry applications, including cast-in-place, tilt-up, pre-cast, stucco, smooth, split face and fluted block, concrete and clay brick, stone and more. In addition, OKON's product line features two types of water repellents designed to reduce water absorption and protect concrete block and brick from structural and cosmetic damage caused by moisture infiltration. It also includes sealers for flat surfaces, such as driveways and patios, as well as graffiti protection systems.
Phone: (800) 237-0565Website: http://www.rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/okon/
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Our Mission & Values
1. Maximizing Our Client's Recovery. We recognize that our legal system only allows injury victims to seek one type of recovery from those who injured them: a monetary award. Therefore, when we take a case, we do everything we can to achieve the maximum recovery possible to compensate our client and his or her family for the injuries they have suffered. Our goal is to tilt the playing field in favor of our client, who would otherwise be at a distinct disadvantage going up against well-financed corporate defendants and/or insurance companies.
2. Repairing Shattered Lives. We understand that a personal injury can be devastating to a family, so we seek to do more than just legally prosecute a client's claim. We try to make sure that our client gets necessary attention from medical specialists, psychological counselors, financial advisers and other professionals who can help repair the damage to our client and his or her family, as much as possible. We seek to be more than mere legal counselors to our clients; we want to be their beacon of hope during the darkest days of their lives.
3. Going To Trial When Needed. We are not a "plaintiff's mill" that takes on a volume of cases, only to settle as many as possible for modest money and minimal effort. We are not mere "middlemen" seeking to take a piece of an easy settlement. When we take a case, we take it as zealous advocates, aggressively preparing it for trial and willing to go the distance for our clients when defendants do not offer full and fair compensation for the injuries they caused or for which they are liable.
4. Winning a Client's Loyalty. We seek not just satisfied clients, but loyal clients who will remember us for having helped them put their lives back together. At the end of every case, we want a client who will enthusiastically and unhesitatingly recommend us to others.
Our Values: We are not only committed to achieving our mission on behalf of clients, but we are committed to doing it in a manner that is consistent with our values. Thus, when a client hires us, they can expect we will act with:
1. Honesty. Consistent with our professional duty, we will be honest with the client, the court, the opposing party and their counsel, as well as all others involved in the judicial process. Sometimes, this means telling a client something that is hard to hear, but it always means protecting our reputation for honesty and integrity in dealing with others.
2. Promptness and Courtesy. We will return every phone call as promptly as possible, and we will treat our clients with courtesy and respect. We also believe that anyone calling our office for any reason – as a client, a referral source, or an opposing lawyer – deserves a prompt and professional reply.
3. Patience. We know that dealing with personal injuries can be frustrating and difficult, and so we pledge to act quickly and zealously on behalf of our clients. But we are also committed to being patient with them when they need explanations of legal, medical or other relevant information, or when they just need someone to be a committed listener during difficult times.
4. Compassion. We do not forget why we are here – to help others. So, if we can get an insurance company to promptly fulfill its obligations to provide our clients the medical care and other attention that they need, then we will prioritize that over fighting about money. We have, in fact, succeeded in persuading insurers to pay for our clients to get top-flight medical care without necessity of trial (e.g. getting a hip fixed by the same doctor who attended to a famous sports star) in order to eliminate our client's future physical pain and suffering.
5. Thoroughness. We pay attention to every detail for our clients, from the start of a case to the very end. Thus, even after a defendant has agreed to settle a case, we don't just accept a written settlement agreement from opposing counsel, no matter how it is worded. We will advocate for the best possible wording to insure that our client's rights are not hindered with respect to future claims or related issues. At case end, we also contact and negotiate with any entities (medical, governmental, etc.) that have asserted liens against our client's recovery. We customarily provide this assistance at no extra charge to our client, regardless of the time expenditure required.
In summary, the representation of injured clients is not just business for us – it is personal. It is not just a job – it is a mission. We believe we are here only to serve others, and that is why we are dedicated to serving our clients completely and to getting them more than monetary compensation. We try, whenever possible, to help repair the damage to their bodies, their families and their broken spirits.


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UNI-DS6 is a full-featured universal development environment for seven microcontroller architectures via the use of removable plug-in modules. The board is equipped with many on-board peripherals for you to use in your design and testing.
You may never need another development board again! There are currently eight mikroBoard plug-in CPU modules available. Each one has a built-in USB programmer, so you don't even need to worry about having the right programming hardware or interface.
The picture to the right shows the UNI-DS6 with a mikroBoard module installed. One is not included; you can choose which mikroBoard module(s) you want to start with using the option checkboxes below. You will need to buy at least one mikroBoard in order to use the UNI-DS6.
The 16×2 LCD and Graphical LCD shown in the picture also are not included but can be added as options at the bottom of this page.
UNI-DS6 User Manual UNI-DS6 Schematic UNI-DS6 Software Examples Timer Calculator Application which generates PIC/dsPIC/AVR/ARM code for setting up MCU timers easily


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BRIGHTON (AP) -- A former youth football coach faces jail time for striking a fellow coach during a youth football game in Livingston County.
Jonathan Michael White pleaded guilty to assault and battery last Thursday in Brighton District Court. The 36-year-old admitted he slapped another coach during an Oct. 16 scrimmage at the Bennett Park football field in Hamburg Township.
White is expected to receive five days in the county jail and be required to undergo anger management treatment. He's scheduled for sentencing on Feb. 19.
Police say White used vulgar language during the game and struck the other coach after each accused the other's team of dirty play.
White says the football league has suspended him for a year.
Defense attorney Darin Weinberg says his client has apologized to the children's parents.
Published: Mon, Jan 28, 2013


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Last week there were a couple of awards ceremonies in London, where some suited and booted celebrities of the music world got to slap the backs and shake the hands of other neatly dressed types who frequent our gossip pages as often as they do the charts. Will she or won't she? Is he or isn't he? Show up or retire? Hold it together long enough for one song, let alone two?
Insert zzzzs. Does anyone care?
With both the MOBOs and the Vodafone Live Music Awards* going off like slightly dampened firecrackers and already faded from memory like Nizlopi's mainstream career, now comes the question: why are there so many award ceremonies these days, and do they truly matter? Patrick Watson won the Polaris Prize earlier this week and two readers chose to comment on our story. Not a big deal? Just another cheque in a series? Sure, the awards in question are Canadian, but Canadian music is A Big Deal, right? You're telling me you don't dig Arcade Fire and Wolf Parade, but you're reading DiS? Get outta here.
The Mercury Prize, awarded to Klaxons earlier this month for their worthy Myths Of The Near Future, attracts a great deal of attention from the wider media, yet this year's event was marred, rather, by the winners' incoherent and near-nonsensical blathering in front of BBC cameras. "An advert for the horrors of coke" said one text, buzzing my mobile minutes after the announcement by Mister Jools. (DiS is not stating, factually, that the winners were on any sort of substance that might be somewhat illegal, but gosh weren't they bouncy?!) The party might've been a lot of fun, but few involved came across with any decency so far as the televised coverage went: Young Knives, Fionn Regan and Natasha Khan, take a bow. Basquiat Strings: if modesty was the best policy you'd have pissed it.
With last year's winners also a chart-conquering act of an already established nature too – that'd be Artic Monkeys, slow kids at the back – has the Mercury become just another awards ceremony, stripped of the prestige it seemed to have in its Portishead-triumphant halcyon days? It blurs into the Brits, which in turn mixes it up with the MOBOS, and then various mobile phone-sponsored run throughs of Virgin Express till rolls come on board and all of a sudden the likes of me – hello – get ever so confused. Who is supporting who here? Is Band X getting free wireless out of this deal? What the heck are The Stereophonics doing back on my television?
Are you buying records by the Best Newcomer at the Fones4Fools New Music Awards For Customers On 12-Month Contracts? Doubtful. Does an act winning any prize these days alert you to their talents, or have these things become a) predictable and b) swallowed with a healthy dose of scepticism? Probably not: chances are you knew 'em before, downloaded the album and dismissed it as soon as the second single was A-listed. £50 man gets something to forget about in his glove compartment.
Of course, not all awards ceremonies are a waste of money, time and flashbulbs. The BT Digital Music Awards are just around the corner, October 2 to be precise, and DiS is nominated in a pair of categories. Loosely structured go-nowhere DiScussion piece to plug our own brilliance and beg you lovely, wonderful, gorgeous readers to vote for us at some evening of homogenised small talk, vague titillation and, probably, crushing defeat? You betcha. Click here and do, or don't, the right thing.
Or DiScuss: regardless of your take on anything penned above, are there too many awards ceremonies, recognising and congratulating musicians of a very similar level (often the very same bands!) in today's marketplace, and has the spread of them led to a depreciation of value in what are perceived to be the originals? Does a Brit award mean more than one voted for by customers of some high street store? If the Arctics don't show up to the Vodafone awards, does it mean they don't give a shit about it? If DiS won an award for this here website, would you all leave 'cause we'd crossed over into some sort of digital mainstream? Would we be that CD, abandoned beneath Chris Rea's The Road To Hell because of a chance channel hopping over to BBC Three and a column's coverage in a broadsheet o' choice? Are any award ceremonies GOOD?
Is this about 700 words too long? DiScuss…
* Interestingly, this do features the 'Freddy Mercury Lifetime Achievement Award'. Who is Freddy Mercury, Freddie Mercury's double in some tribute band? Oh tsk, Vodafone. Tsk. And Mika: best live male? We're not talking anymore, you and I...


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1God remembered Noah and all the animals, wild and tame, that were with him in the ark. So God made a wind sweep over the earth, and the waters began to subside. 2The fountains of the abyss and the floodgates of the sky were closed, and the downpour from the sky was held back. 3Gradually the waters receded from the earth. At the end of one hundred and fifty days, the waters had so diminished 4that, in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat.* 5The waters continued to diminish until the tenth month, and on the first day of the tenth month the tops of the mountains appeared.
6At the end of forty days Noah opened the hatch of the ark that he had made, 7* and he released a raven. It flew back and forth until the waters dried off from the earth. 8Then he released a dove, to see if the waters had lessened on the earth. 9But the dove could find no place to perch, and it returned to him in the ark, for there was water over all the earth. Putting out his hand, he caught the dove and drew it back to him inside the ark. 10He waited yet seven days more and again released the dove from the ark. 11In the evening the dove came back to him, and there in its bill was a plucked-off olive leaf! So Noah knew that the waters had diminished on the earth. 12He waited yet another seven days and then released the dove; but this time it did not come back.
13* In the six hundred and first year, in the first month, on the first day of the month, the water began to dry up on the earth. Noah then removed the covering of the ark and saw that the surface of the ground had dried. 14In the second month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, the earth was dry.
15Then God said to Noah: 16Go out of the ark, together with your wife and your sons and your sons' wives. 17Bring out with you every living thing that is with you—all creatures, be they birds or animals or crawling things that crawl on the earth—and let them abound on the earth, and be fertile and multiply on it.a 18So Noah came out, together with his sons and his wife and his sons' wives; 19and all the animals, all the birds, and all the crawling creatures that crawl on the earth went out of the ark by families.
20Then Noah built an altar to the LORD, and choosing from every clean animal and every clean bird, he offered burnt offerings on the altar. 21When the LORD smelled the sweet odor, the LORD said to himself: Never again will I curse the ground because of human beings, since the desires of the human heart are evil from youth; nor will I ever again strike down every living being, as I have done.b
22All the days of the earth,
seedtime and harvest,
cold and heat,
Summer and winter,
and day and night
shall not cease.c
* [8:4] The mountains of Ararat: the mountain country of ancient Arartu in northwest Iraq, which was the highest part of the world to the biblical writer. There is no Mount Ararat in the Bible.
* [8:7–12] In the eleventh tablet of the Gilgamesh Epic, Utnapishtim (the equivalent of Noah) released in succession a dove, a swallow, and a raven. When the raven did not return, Utnapishtim knew it was safe to leave the ark. The first century A.D. Roman author Pliny tells of Indian sailors who release birds in order to follow them toward land.
* [8:13–14] On the first day of the first month, the world was in the state it had been on the day of creation in chap. 1. Noah had to wait another month until the earth was properly dry as in 1:9.
b. [8:21] Sir 44:18; Is 54:9; Rom 7:18.
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Last Saturday the University of Hawaii Hilo Student Paper, Ke Kalahea, along with numerous community organizations sponsored a Media Symposium that was held in a few rooms of the University of Hawaii Hilo's Campus Center.
I have to give credit to the Ke Kalahea Advisor and Big Island Chronicle founder Tiffany Edwards-Hunt for her hard work in putting this together.
I guess I have to write good things about the symposium since my fee to it was waived because I was going to write a blog post about the symposium. How ironic is that… considering I get so much grief given to me at times for taking freebies? Now I get a freebie to a "Media Forum" because I'm going to blog about it later… the irony of that, makes me laugh a bit.
I arrived as the Introduction to Blogging/New Media Journalism Panel was beginning, a panel that I had been asked to speak on but declined for my own reasons. Ian Lind, John Temple (Civil Beat) and Andy Parx were talking about the use of blogs and how blogging has changed the way folks receive information.
I'm still a bit confused about the following statement that Andy Parx made on his post following the symposium:
…The "Old Media versus New Media" panel contained the mucky-mucks of Hawai`i journalism… and Andy Parx- who almost didn't get to go because one of the sponsors said with an upturned nose "he's just a blogger…"
I'm not going to worry about that too much, although it does show in a sense that us bloggers are still disrespected as viable sources for information.
There were numerous topics discussed throughout the day from the Sunshine Law, to Ethics in Journalism, to Current Trends which my favorite quote of the day was when West Hawaii Today Journalist and All Hawaii News publisher Nancy Cook Lauer stated that she gets most of her news from twitter.
The Citizens Rights and Responsibilities class lead by UH Professor Dr. Rick Castberg got me emotionally involved due to the topic matter as Dr. Castberg spent a good time discussing my legal case which I didn't know he was going to do until right before the class .
One of the last subjects covered during the day was "Fair use in the age of new media" moderated by Stephanie Salazar.
Here are some of the other posts that were generated from the symposium:
- Andy Park, Got Windmills – "A Little Traveling Music Sammy"
- Ian Lind, "Notes from the UH Hilo Media Symposium"
- Big Island Video News – "Video: Journalists, Bloggers Gather at UH Hilo Media Symposium"
- Andrew Cooper, Darker View – "A Media Symposium"
- Tiffany Edwards-Hunt, Big Island Chronicle – "Not Just About the UHH Media Symposium…"
Tiffany has already mentioned possibly having another one next year that I already have a bunch of ideas tossing around in my head that I'll be passing onto her if she does have another symposium next year… one of them being to spread it out over two days as there is just so much information to be taken in and one day is hardly enough time for everything.
*I will eventually find out who that sponsor was that didn't want Andy Parx to attend because he was a blogger!
Related articles
- Some Interesting Links – Mahalo for Your Support (damontucker.com)
Filed under: aloha, Blogs, Education, Hawaii, Newspapers, UH Hilo | Tagged: Andy Parx, Blogger versus Journalist, Dr. Rick Castberg, Hugh Clark, Ian Lind, Ke Kalahea, Media on the Big Island, Media Symposium, New Media versus Old Media, Rights and Responsibilitie of the Media, UH Hilo Student Paper | 4 Comments »


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Botanical Garden Design Guidelines Landscaping has often been likened to the portray of how to design a botanical garden . Your artwork-work...
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On Monday 27th February 2012, Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy won Pakistan its first Oscar for her documentary-film 'Saving Face'.
For a country that is virtually a pariah state, a nation which has, since the last decade, only occasionally been conferred reasons of rejoicing or relief, and is terribly misconceived, known for nothing more than a people who snuggle in the tight wrap of terrorism – Sharmeen and her win, go beyond the conventional significance of the Oscar and the scope of pride and joy for Pakistan.
Her achievement, sent out a reverberating message that read; as prominent Arab Blogger Bassem Sabry put it, in regard to Iran and Pakistan's Oscar wins:
"There is much more to these countries than just clichés of bombs and terrorism."
As an educated, talented woman, successfully juggling her profession and family with a balance, and with a brave and laudable attempt to bring out the subject of a repulsive and sickening practice in many parts of Pakistan; Sharmeen clearly toppled the perceptions that most hold about the country and its women.
Through her work and her speech, she overturned the generalizing stereotype that all women in Pakistan are locked up in the four walls of their houses, provided no access to education or the freedom to pursue a profession, and are forcefully draped in yards of a dull cloth, from head to toe.
For the Pakistani people, she truly shone in defining an example of representing their country: replete with poise, and with a cause.
Most importantly, her commitment and ardor to bring out the plight of the innocent and defenseless victims of acid-attacks, who are fettered to their fatalities, and elicit and raise awareness against this sickening practice in many areas of Pakistan, is wholly praiseworthy.
Contrary to the view being held by most Pakistanis, 'Saving Face' doesn't only accentuate this social disease but also includes the positive aspect of hope, resilience and the possibility of a difference, all in response to this.
"Saving face is a testament to the fact that ordinary people can come together to achieve extraordinary things.
The film revolves around Dr Jawad, a renowned Pakistani British plastic surgeon who has been traveling to Pakistan for the past decade to perform surgeries, free of cost for people who are unable to afford treatment. Giving back to his country, Dr Jawad was able to transform these women's lives through his generosity and commitment.
Over the course of shooting this film, a historic bill was passed by the Pakistani parliament that strengthened the punishments awarded to perpetrators of such attacks. This law was brought into existence by testimonies of survivors and the incredible will and dedication of Marvi Memon.
Similarly, a female lawyer took up the case of Zakia, a survivor who was attacked by her husband. Offering her services pro bono, this lawyer won Zakia's case, and her husband was given two life sentences.
So, even though "Saving Face" deals with difficult subject matter, it is infused with hope and is a telling tale of the great things that can happen when people come together."
Although already planned before, and now propelled by international support, wide acclaim and nation-wide interest, Sharmeen will be launching a national educational campaign about Acid Violence, in March.
A 2010 article in Time mentioned:
'Accurate statistics on acid attacks in Pakistan are hard to come by … The perpetrators are most often relatives or rivals, sometimes for one woman's affections, or, in non-gender-based attacks, opponents provoked by property disputes or other disagreements.
Shahnaz Bokhari, chief coordinator and clinical psychologist at the Progressive Women's Association in Rawalpindi, says her organization has counted 8,000 victims burned by acid as well as kerosene and stoves since 1994. "And that's just from Rawalpindi, Islamabad and a 200-mile radius. I am not talking about in Pakistan [as a whole]," she says. Activists believe that only some 30% of acid cases are reported.
Acid is a readily available and inexpensive weapon; it costs less than a dollar a liter and is often used for household cleaning or for cotton processing in rural areas.'
One hopes that Sharmeen is as fortunate she has been in being rewarded the most prestigious of awards for her efforts, she will be as lucky in the accomplishment of her aim of changing peoples' mindsets towards this physically, mentally, emotionally and psychologically jarring barbarity, and moving them into action in opposition to this. And that Pakistanis will react to this, with the same zeal with which they celebrated the Oscar for it.
As the 'Saving Face' website states in their 'Mission':
'Our goal is to leverage Saving Face as a pivotal tool in the campaign to end acid violence in Pakistan and beyond. As Co-Director Daniel Junge expressed, "the film must be more than an expose of horrendous crimes — it must be a recipe for addressing the problem and a hope for the future."
Saving Face is uniquely positioned to advance awareness, education and prevention efforts.'
At the end, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy needs to be hailed once again. For being an outstanding representative of the Pakistani people, their capacity to attain great heights and their goals, their strength and their capabilities – especially Pakistani women.
Columnist Huma Yusuf writes in her article for the International Herald Tribune:
'For once, Pakistan is making headlines for a positive achievement, not another terrorist attack, political squabble or natural disaster.
For Pakistanis who have been struggling to restore their country's flailing image, it's a relief to see a talented, young Pakistani woman receiving a coveted international award.'
For showing that there is, a Pakistan, apart from the picture that majority across the globe, holds of it.
For chosing to cast light upon a cruelty and the healing of its scars, by the existence of hope and better likelihoods.
For raising this forlorn nation out of its abyss of dejection, even if for just a little time.
Thank you Sharmeen!
~ Hafsa Khawaja


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Salinas Events, Coupons, Reviews!
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Watch Ya Mouth
143 Cards. 10 Colored Mouthpieces. 4 Straws. 4 Noisemakers. 2 Throwdown Balls. All components pass US, EU, Australian, and other safety certifications. Mouthpieces are dishwasher and boil safe. Colored mouthpieces help you keep track. Open the box, get your gear, and let the good times roll!
100 THROWDOWN Cards and 42 Phrase cards combine to create an amazing variety of gameplay. Thick, laminated, and durable cards printed in full color ensure years of fun. Phrase and challenge cards easily stand out and each set is uniquely color coded so they are easily sorted.
The challenges and phrases in the Throwdown edition can be used alone or with one of our other great products, making for endless possibilities. With over 1,000 phrases available across our expansion packs (sold separately) the fun is nearly endless! Expansion packs range from family-friendly to adult only. Our phrases have a great balance of humor, difficulty, entertainment and diversity. Some are two words, some are ten. Many are created through our Community Card Program, which are submitted online by our wonderful fans from around the world.
We are a small, but mighty group of hard working people who just want to make people laugh. At Watch Ya' Mouth, our goal is to provide our customers and community with a source of hilarious entertainment that brings people closer together. We are especially committed to safety and quality in our products. As a family company, we want to ensure all of our game pieces are made to last. We also spend time playing (I mean, coming up with hilarious ideas and ways to market those new products).
Have you seen the movie 'The Boss' starring Melissa McCarthy? There's a scene where she's getting her teeth whitened, wearing the infamous mouthpiece and struggling to speak. From this one scene, the idea for our game was born.
Got all that/ Now for my opinion. This game is a lot of fun. There are tons of throw down cards and lots of fun phrases to try and say. I truly believe that you can play this game hundreds of times and it will still be fun and different every time.
I also love that there are expansions! How great is that? Now for the down side, that really isn't all that bad. I make sure to wash all of the pieces that were used before putting the game away so that it stays clean and we stay healthy. Also the mouth pieces might cause problems for the younger players which is why the game is for ages 8 and up but if someone has a small mouth it may be a tight fit.
I also love that most of the pieces are easily replaceable if they break or wear out. Straws and party horns are easy to find even if they aren't as good a quality as comes with the original box. I also like that you can order a new set of mouth pieces if needed.
Over all I would definitely recommend this game. It is super fun and you can pick it up at