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Archive for Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Food prices putting strain on consumers' pocket books
March 12, 2008
Mike Smith's job isn't getting any easier.
Smith, general manager of Checkers Foods in Lawrence, recently attended a food show and found himself taking yet another bite of bad news: the price he pays for corn oil and vegetable oil had risen to $1.78 a bottle, up from $1.15 less than a year ago.
Dairy prices already had climbed, and eggs were up nearly 30 percent last year. Now it's near-record wheat prices feeding higher costs for cereals and baked goods.
Overall, the government tells him, food prices should climb 3.5 percent to 4.5 percent this year - on top of last year's 4.2-percent increase.
And not a single category will offer relief.
"It's frustrating, but you have to work within the confines of the marketplace," said Smith, whose store shuns fancy displays and other frills to keep prices low. "That's the frustrating part, I guess: I haven't seen anything go down yet."
But some northeast Kansas residents refuse to accept the financial pain without a fight.
Whether it's coupon clippers in Shawnee, a gardener in Baldwin City or buying-cooperative members in Tonganoxie, folks are finding ways to soothe the economic indigestion brought on by increasing food prices.
Cutting costs
Shawnee groceries report they haven't seen much of an increase in coupon usage, but that could be because many shoppers Continued from page 1A
already are big coupon clippers. At Shawnee Hy-Vee, 13550 W. 63rd St., the store sees evidence customers are more price conscientious.
"I'd say the trends are moving more toward private labels instead of national brands," said Kevin Thalken, store manager, referring to the Hy-Vee and Country Fresh brands the store carries.
On the soup aisle at Hy-Vee, Carol Tawney of Shawnee debated for a moment between the store brand and a name brand of chicken broth.
"My husband usually does the grocery shopping, and he's good at using coupons," Tawney said. "We definitely shop our prices; we probably spend more on gas driving from store to store to save 5 or 10 cents."
But as retirees, she said, coupons are important.
At Ball's Price Chopper, 12010 Shawnee Mission Parkway, managers reported no increase in use of coupons, though there is more interest in in-store coupons.
But as she left the store, Molly Jones of Kansas City, Kan., said she was making more of an effort to clip coupons.
"Oh, yeah, definitely," she said. "I try to grab the Sunday paper for coupons each week."
Help in a box
In the past year, Carlee Bunch, Tonganoxie, has noticed it costs about $100 more each month to feed her family of four.
"I think (grocery prices) are crazy," Bunch said. "But that's to be expected with everything else going up as well."
To help offset increasing food prices, programs such as Angel Food Ministries at Cornerstone Family Worship church in Tonganoxie offer boxes of groceries to families at reduced prices.
A $30 box of groceries includes meats, vegetables, fruits, pastas and desserts. Each month, menu items vary and may be viewed at Angel Food Ministries' Web site, angelfoodministries.com. There are no income restrictions for people ordering food and no limit on the number of boxes purchased.
"We have a very dedicated group of people that come back every month," said Bunch, who until recently was the program's director. "I've used it a lot of times. It's a great program to supplement your everyday groceries, and it's been a blessing to a lot of low-income families."
Marc and Amanda McEachron have taken over Bunch's position as the program's new directors.
Ron Swaim, Cornerstone Family Worship pastor, said they are always looking to improve service and food quality.
"It's great for people that are trying to make the best of their dollar," he said.
To participate in the program, Bunch said people need to sign up for the program at the church during any of the scheduled order days, which change monthly. For more information, contact the church at (913) 369-2600.
In addition to Cornerstone, First Baptist Church of Linwood also is a host site for Angel Food Ministries. Call (816) 835-1417 for more information.
A growing system
Bill Neuenswander isn't concerned by the high price of vegetables or even honey. His large garden and beehives take care of that.
There was a time when he "pinched pennies" by growing huge gardens and canning the produce, but it's now more of a hobby for the rural Baldwin City man.
"When my kids were young and my wife canned, it provided food for us year-round," said Neuenswander.
In addition to tomatoes, potatoes and beets, he grows cucumbers, onions and radishes. He has fruit trees and grapevines. His bees generate "the best honey you can get." But cutting costs is not his motivation.
"Gardening is just kind of enjoying God's goodness," said Neuenswander, who has been in education his entire career and is now a special assistant to Baker University President Pat Long.
Sometimes Neuenswander barters, which got him out of the corn-growing business. He smokes a ham every Christmas for a friend of his son. The friend, in turn, gives Neuenswander as much corn as he wants. He puts up 150 quarts of corn each summer.
"I don't want to give my age away, but I've been gardening for 50 years," he said. "At one time, I had 2 acres. There was a time I grew so much food that people would lock their cars so I wouldn't put stuff in it."
A military benefit
As northeast Kansas residents look for ways to slice their grocery bills, the military continues to offer more reasonable prices on food and household items to its members and some retirees.
Maj. Scott Holland, an active duty officer who lives in Lansing, said he and his wife, Kippy, have used commissaries at U.S. Army installations for years.
"It's cheaper," Holland said.
Commissaries are run by the Defense Commissary Agency - or DeCA - under the U.S. Department of Defense. Shoppers are exempt from sales tax.
"Commissaries are affected by the same market forces as commercial retailers, but because commissaries sell at cost plus a 5 percent surcharge, shoppers will always benefit from lower prices in the commissary and an average savings of 30 percent or more on their purchases," said Nancy O'Nell, a public affairs officer with DeCA West.
Between a call from his wife telling him to pick up bananas and crossing items off of a long grocery list, Holland explained that the price of some foods - milk and meat, for example - has increased recently. But for the most part, prices are steady.
Store director Glennie Morris said commissary shoppers have seen a small rise in grocery prices - but the prices still beat what nonmilitary shoppers are finding.
No good news
This year's rising food prices come on top of last year, when such costs climbed by 4.2 percent, USDA said. Rising costs for grains - ingredients in many grocery products, and feed for animals that produce other products - helped push up prices for beef by 4.4 percent, dairy products by 7.4 percent and eggs by 29.2 percent last year.
Smith's seen all of those costs rise at Checkers.
"We just react to what the market bears, really," Smith said. "Dairy was the first to go up - cottage cheese, milk. The next thing to come is anything wheat-based because of the rising price of wheat. That's flour, anything with pasta in it."
Escalating fuel costs also figure in. Buying cereal and bakery products - items particularly reliant on wheat, a commodity now selling at near-record price levels - will cost consumers another 5.5 percent to 6.5 percent this year, the USDA projects. Increases for dairy, eggs and meats will ease somewhat, according to USDA, but nobody expects any dramatic drops.
"We've been calling it an inflationary spiral," Smith said. "Inflation is coming, so we have to react to it."
- Baldwin City Signal editor Jeff Myrick, Tonganoxie Mirror reporter Estuardo Garcia, Lansing Current reporter Joel Walsh and Shawnee Dispatch reporter Caroline Boyer contributed to this report.
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Batman has been kicking some major ass for a few decades now. Even though I'm a die-hard Marvel fan, Batman is by far one of my favorite heroes. Heck, he is one of my favorite fictional characters PERIOD. DC has some strong characters but it always seems to go back to Batman. On the cusp of a revitalized DC cinematic universe and the new Justice League movie (Justice League Part One), you have to ask yourself:
Can DC do better than Batman?
Here's a guy whose superpower is simply "resourcefulness". He learned martial arts and is a bit of a ninja. He employs his knowledge of psychology to exploit enemy weaknesses. He's arguably the greatest detective, second maybe to Sherlock Holmes (though that depends on which iteration of Batman we're talking about). Oh, and he has cool gadgets that would make Iron Man blush. If you include the Batman show run from 1966 through 1968 (hey, it's canon DAMMIT), his dance skills are undeniable as well – that Batusi, though!
FUN FACT: Growing up, Julie Newmar was totally my crush.. I still say she's the most purrfect Catwoman ever.
Batman has been a compelling force in all facets of geek culture: video games, tabletop games, trading cards, comics, novels, TV, and the big screen. In my humble opinion, all of the Batman content is timeless and even the horribad stuff (say, Batman & Robin of 1997, where there was an entire competitive ice skating scene and lots of frollicking) is enjoyable to some extent. Heck, if you go back to the Sunsoft Batman games of the 80s/90s, they are still super-duper fun and hold up well in spite of the dated graphics – even if you're not a retro hipster like me! Hmmm, I smell a future #RetroFriday theme…
The Batman universe is so massive that it's spawned countless TV shows and animated series. Just to name a few, we have Batman (1996), Batman: The Animated Series (1992), The New Batman Adventures (1997), Batman Beyond (1999), The Batman (2004), and Birds of Prey (2002). Yeah, I went there on the last one and you know what? Birds of Prey had tons of potential, as cheesy as it was. We got to see what happens in a world where Batman finally gives up and others pick up the slack. Plus you get to meet his daughter, The Huntress and an older Batgirl – AWESOME!
As huge as Batman is, he's only a small part of the DC universe but it's undeniable that he overshadows everything else. I mean, the recent slew of Batman games are still kicking ass, against all odds (you know, because licensed games tend to suck). Beyond the Arkham/Dark Knight themed video games of the Xbox 360/PS3 and Xbox One/PS4 generations, there are a slew of Batman-themed puzzle and arcade-style online casino games that are strangely sticky. It goes to show that we can't get enough Batman! Now, if we can get a Batman-themed Texas Tea game, we'll be set – that particular game has paid out quite well for me during my Las Vegas excursions
Marvel vs. DC Cinematic Universe
So let's talk about the DC universe as a whole. If you ask our fellow geeks, most might say that DC is still lagging behind Marvel. On the TV front, the combined efforts of The Flash, Supergirl, Arrow, and DC's Legends of Tomorrow have created a very believable world with compelling enemies and loosely-connected story lines. On the big screen, they're not doing so hot.
DC has made it clear that they're not interested in tying in their television series with their silver screen stuff. I think that is a smart decision as it gives them more creative freedom. Some fans would like to see the TV actors do large-scale productions but that may not work as well. For example, Steve Amell is great but he hasn't done too hot in movies. Without the TV backdrop, however, DC needs to rely on their movie universe alone or risk losing people.
On the Marvel side, you have the Netflix shows like Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and the most recent Iron Fist. Let's just get this out of the way: Iron Fist is actually a really strong show but critics are slamming it because controversy and contrarian opinions garner attention. Anywho, all of these shows have fleshed out the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) nicely without getting in the way of each other too much.

subset: commoncrawl


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Number of people hit by Colombia's worse flood in decades continues to rise
The number of people affected by the flood emergency in Colombia has risen by 50,000 people in the last two weeks, bringing the total number affect to more than 2,100,000 said international agency Oxfam today. The agency is increasing its aid effort and has already reached hundreds of people in seven localities across the flood zone. The agency plans to reach 200,000 people and is appealing for donations.
Guillermo Toro, Oxfam Disaster and Risk Reduction Manager, said:
"The temporary pause in the rains over the past few days is a relief but we know the worst is yet to come – especially for the poorest people in remote areas. Access to food and loss of income due to the flooding are more and more worrying. In many cases people will not be able to plant or harvest crops for at least seven months. Nobody can hold out that long without the right amount of help."
"It is a good sign that the Government has already announced measures to raise more resources for the emergency. Oxfam is concerned that the response of the international community has not matched a similar level of funding. The delivery of resources on the ground is still far too slow."
"The image we faced on arrival in the Atlantic zone was one of just roofs above the waterline. Two days later, everything was below water – even the roofs. About 65,000 people are affected in this area. Towns have completely disappeared under water. Families fled to temporary shelters in nearby towns, where they were lucky to get food. These shelters house only 10 per cent of the affected population. The remaining 90 per cent are staying with families or friends, identifying their location with a red flag. To our surprise we found dry towns full of red flags where 90 per cent of the people affected still hadn't received any help."
Oxfam is calling for donations in order to continue with the relief effort to reach 200,000 poor people affected by the floods in Colombia. Donations can be made through the Oxfam website: http://www.oxfam.org/en/emergencies/colombia-floods. This is the first appeal Oxfam has made for an emergency in Colombia.
Notes for editors:
The number of people affected by the flood emergency in Colombia is still increasing: at latest reports, 2,171,874 have been affected in total, with 300 deaths, 289 injured, and 59 people disappeared. More than 316,114 houses have been affected in some way, and 3,000 have been completely destroyed.
Oxfam specializes in providing water, sanitation and hygiene to communities affected by humanitarian crises, a service heavily in demand in the emergency currently suffered by Colombia at this time. Since Oxfam scaled-up its response to the Colombia flood emergency, it has:
- Helped reconstruct aqueducts in the Mojana region;
- Delivered 600 water filters to the same number of families, and plans to deliver 2,900 more filters in coming weeks;
- Installed 94 potable water storage tanks in affected areas.
In coming weeks Oxfam will be working in urban areas affected by the flooding, supporting the reconstruction of water works, installing two water treatment plants in the Choco region and, together with the Colombian Red Cross, installing an additional water treatment plant in the Atlantic region capable of providing water for 100,000 people. Oxfam aims to reach 200,000 of the people most affected by the flood emergency in Colombia.
Información de contacto
Antonio Hill
Office: +57 1 288 2781
Mobile +57 316 425 0672
Antonio Hill
Office: +57 1 288 2781
Mobile +57 316 425 0672


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Jacob Kauffman / KUAR
Jacob Kauffman is a reporter and anchor for KUAR. He primarily covers the state legislature and politics beat while juggling anchoring Morning Edition Monday through Friday.
Jacob is a long-time Little Rock resident who started out working with Hendrix College's KHDX and the Arkansas Legislative Digest. His work has appeared on NPR, our other wonderful public radio stations across Arkansas, PBS News Hour, TalkBusiness.net, Arkansas Money & Politics Magazine, ArkansasBlog.com, and the Nashville News. He also runs KUAR's Arkansas Politics Blog.
He regularly appears on Arkansas Educational Television Network's (AETN) weekly roundtable politics program Arkansas Week. Jacob also served on the board of the MacArthur Military History Museum. If you see him you should ask him about the experience of German-Arkansans during World War I.
Phone: 501-683-7393


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What Is Rosacea?
Learn how to identify and treat the symptoms with a few changes to your diet, lifestyle, and skin-care routine.
People with pink cheeks are considered the picture of health. But it's one thing to have a rosy glow and quite another to have five-alarm fiery spots that just won't fade or that spread to your nose, chin, or forehead. If this sounds familiar, you could have a common skin condition called rosacea.
What's the Blush?
Experts aren't sure exactly what causes rosacea, but most believe it's an inflammatory response triggered by an overactive immune system, says Diane Berson, a dermatologist in New York City. It's most common in women over 30, in those with fair skin, and in people of northern European or British descent, says New York City dermatologist Macrene Alexiades-Armenakas. The first step in figuring out whether you have it is to identify the triggers that make your skin flare up. Common examples include the sun, alcohol, hot temperatures, and foods that cause vasodilation (blood-vessel expansion under the skin), such as shellfish, peanuts, eggplant, soy sauce, avocado, and spices like cayenne pepper. If you notice redness in response to any of these, see a dermatologist for a definitive diagnosis, and avoid the foods if you're feeling flush.
Simple Treatment Strategies
To keep skin calm and to minimize redness, use daily a gentle cleanser and moisturizer that contain soothing ingredients, says Berson. Look for aloe, chamomile, niacinamide (a B vitamin derivative), or pumpkin seed. (Dr. Brandt's No More Redness Relief, $35, drbrandtskincare.com, is one moisturizer with pumpkin-seed extract, while Olay's Total Effects Daily Moisturizer, $19, drugstore.com, has Vitamin E to hydrate the skin and niacinamide to soothe it.) Follow with a zinc oxide– or titanium dioxide–based sunscreen; these mild physical blocks won't irritate sensitive skin. Some doctors recommend also taking a fish-oil supplement for its anti-inflammatory properties. Camouflage flushing with a little makeup magic: Primers with a green tint counteract redness, and gentle mineral foundations can help even out skin tone. Try Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Correcting Primer Brush ($11, drugstore.com), which you can brush on before applying makeup.
More Intensive Options
Rosacea can progress from flushed cheeks to broken capillaries to acne-like bumps. If the measures above don't work, a dermatologist can help. Prescription topicals, such as Finacea (available by prescription only) and Metrogel, contain anti-inflammatory ingredients. Intense pulse-light lasers can painlessly shrink visible capillaries (you'll need several treatments, at around $550 a session). And in some cases, "oral and topical antibiotics, or even Accutane, may offer relief," says Richard Glogau, a San Francisco dermatologist.


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Orgono G5 Siliplant, 1000 ml- Organic Plant Silica. Dietary Supplement.
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G5 Siliplant's main component is silicic acid which utilizes silica from horsetail extract as a stabilizer to avoid malabsorption.[The common failing in all current horsetail silicas available commercially] The benefits gained have been shown in independent research: Improved calcium absorption leading to stronger and denser bones, increased cartilage production, connective tissue flexibility, increased collagen and elastin production, higher tensile strength hair follicles, stronger finger & toenails, toxic aluminum elimination and improved nerve synapse (signaling) function.*
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*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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"Butterflies are self propelled flowers."
–Robert A. Heinlein
"Butterflies are self propelled flowers."
–Robert A. Heinlein
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I must be a bit of a nerd because I love making jet pockets – so much so that I voluntarily made one this morning for a sewalong tutorial. Would you believe me if I said that a double jet pocket with a flap has only 10 sewing steps? It's true! The one I've made isn't the greatest – it certainly adds to my dislike of fabrics with polyester!
I used an old pattern of mine where the pocket opening transits the front dart and side body seam. Here are the pattern pieces:
There is a waist dart in the front body with a pocket slash, a side body with a notch that matches the slash, and three drill holes – one located 1cm below the bust dart apex, and two located 1cm inside the ends of the finished pocket. The front, side body, jets and the pocket flaps are blockfused, the pocket bag is cut in fabric, and there is a pocket bag lining and pocket flap lining.
The jets are 20mm wide, giving a finished width of 5mm. They are 4cm longer than the finished length of the pocket. The notches are located at endpoints of the pocket,with a 2cm extension either side:
The pocket flap has 1cm seam allowances, and its finished width (marked by notches) is 3-4mm wider than the finished width of the pocket – the flap is slightly eased to allow it to curve around the body (think cloth allowance).
The pocket flap lining is 2mm narrower around the curved edges, to enable the lining to turn readily to the wrong side and remain invisible:
The pocket bag is cut the same width as the jet, with matching notches:
The pocket lining is cut the same as the pocket bag, but 1cm (total width of jets) shorter:
And here are the cut and fused pieces ready to sew, the chalk dots will need to be on the wrong side, I have only marked them on the right side so they are easier for you to see:
Over to the machine…
I sew the front dart – this has a 6mm seam and I taper 1cm past the chalk dot at the bust apex (if you are not sure what I mean, check out this post on darts):
Sew the side body to the front – the notch on the side body should match the front slash:
You'll end up with a partially pre-cut pocket opening:
Fold your jets lengthwise and machine baste close to the raw edges, you should have four of these so they are ideal for chain piecing:
Trim the corners of the pocket flaps:
Back to the machine…
I'm going to stitch the jet to the pocket slash. The raw edges of the jet are butted up to the raw edges of the slash, the notches on the jet are placed 1cm outside the dots, remember the notches denote the finished end of the pocket:
I align the edge of my presser foot to the edge of the jet, as it is the correct width at 5mm:
Check that both stitching lines are parallel, the same length, and that they start and finish exactly at the notch:
This is often easiest to assess from the reverse side, if it's not quite right, fix it now or it's too late!:
Cut the slash to the chalk dots, which are 1cm from the finished end of the pocket:
Then clip diagonally into the corners. Clip to within 1mm of the end of the final stitch, never past it:
Now you can carefully turn the ends of the jets to the wrong side:
Mmm, obviously we need to go back to the ironing board!
Back to the ironing board…
Press the jets into place from the wrong side, as you can see I've given them a rather hard whack with the iron:
The right side before the ends are sewn:


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So I am taking another stab at a marathon this year. I am hoping to qualify for Boston (need a 3:20).
But I was just doing a quick calculation because I was interested to see what day of my running streak that would be. It will be day 1,021.
As it turns out, the longest streak anyone on this group has had was Darrin (Young1) at 1,020 days. So not only will I hopefully be qualifying for Boston on that day and completing my 7th marathon, I will also be passing Darrins longest streak on that day.
Thought that was kind of weird.
Actually sounds kind of cool to me! What are you going to run? Good luck with your training.
I am also going to start training for my 7th (and potentially 8th) marathon. I don't wait to BQ anymore -- just hoping for the Maniac status.
Maniac status is something I'll probably never get - two marathons so close together I think would be too much for my legs.
I am running the Baystate marathon in Lowell, MA and I need a 3:20. This will qualify me for Boston for 2012 since I turn 40 next year. this works out great because my wife and I have a deal where I only run a marathon every 2 years or so.


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Wednesday, 3 August 2011
believe in the magic
so on to my card which i am entering into the following challenges:
1.southern girls challenge - challenge 24 - photo inspiration.
2.fussy and fancy challenge - challenge 42 - christmas in july
3.craftycatz challenge - challenge 93 - christmas in july
4.sweet stampin challenge - christmas in july
5.sunday sketch and stamp - challenge 66 - sams sketch
6.simon says stamp challenge - christmas in august.
grey and white pearl card.
fab digital papers i won
stickles stardust
snowflakes from stash
circle and scallop circle nesties
ribbon from stash
debbie moore clear stamp - from a set
blush,sunkissed pink,coral
ice grey 3,4,5
blue pearl,cobalt,midnight
thanks so mcuh for popping by, means a lot :D
luv coops xx
77 comments:
- Vicky said...
Just so gorgeous Coops..! beautiful image, lovely colouring and great snowflakes too hun..
have a lovely evening...hugs Vicky xx
- 3 August 2011 at 20:49
- Paper Hearts Handmade Cards said...
aaawwww how gorgeous is your card I love it........K x
- 3 August 2011 at 20:51
- pinky said...
Sweet card Coops, love the blues, iccles and gorgeous music script background to that fabulous image!! No more uniforms for me;(
- 3 August 2011 at 20:52
- Donna Mosley said...
Hi Nic, this is a corker hun. Love the image, perfect colouring and gorgeous icy colours. Those snowflakes are so beautiful and love the sparkles. Hope you and little man have a lovely day tomorrow. Thanks for joining us at SS&S.
Donna x
- 3 August 2011 at 20:54
- Sandra H said...
This is gorgeous love the colours beautiful image nicely coloured :) Sandra H
- 3 August 2011 at 20:54
- ~ Ali Robertson ~ said...
Great card Coops, love it. Love all the sparkle :D
Ali x
- 3 August 2011 at 20:56
- Elaine Stark said...
A fab card. Love the icy blues. Elaine
- 3 August 2011 at 20:57
- lis-m said...
Love this one, coops.. the detail is just perfect...
Fab papers too..
Hugs xx
- 3 August 2011 at 21:03
- Debs M said...
wow sparkle-bling-tastic, gotta love the sparkle and snowflakes and the image is fabby too
- 3 August 2011 at 21:05
- Sarahshandmadecardsx said...
Gorgeous card Nic - I love that image and the colours you have used.
Hugs Sarahxx
- 3 August 2011 at 21:06
- Sarah said...
Gorgeous festive card Coops, love the colours, I love blue on Xmas cards xxx
- 3 August 2011 at 21:09
- Paula said...
Gorgeous card, love the colour scheme, one of my fav's, beautiful, wintery and sparkely, Love it, Paula x
- 3 August 2011 at 21:12
- downrightcrafty said...
totally gorgeous and I love the image and those papers would we all not believe in magic looking at this!!
Hugs Kate xx
- 3 August 2011 at 21:14
- sara said...
gorgeous card love the ice blues and that image is fab
hugs sara x x x
- 3 August 2011 at 21:18
- Elaine said...
Fabulous Nic!
Love this image and blue is my favourite colour so this is right up my street.
Hugs Elaine xx
- 3 August 2011 at 21:19
- Sheila said...
Ooooh, very nice Nic! Great image and your colouring is perfect - treated myself to those new PMs today - oops they just fell into my basket - so cant wait for them to arrive. Have a good day off, Sheila:)X
- 3 August 2011 at 21:23
- Sue said...
Hi hun
wow this is gorgeous, beautiful image & colouring, lovely papers & design, luv her sparkle, sue,x
- 3 August 2011 at 21:24
- Christine said...
Fab image great icy blues lush S.flakes gorgeous creation. Nic.
smiles Christine xx
- 3 August 2011 at 21:25
- Lou Mac said...
This is really beautiful!! I love the muted colours and all of the sparkle!! That ribbon is unusual! Love it! :)
I wish there would be a storm here - the air is so muggy. Yuck!! Hope you're well! xo
- 3 August 2011 at 21:27
- Catherine said...
Beautiful Christmas card!!! Love the image!
- 3 August 2011 at 21:28
- Fleur said...
Oh this is absolutly gorgeous. HUGZ Fleur xXx
- 3 August 2011 at 21:45
- Little K Smith said...
Oh this is just gorgeous and very magical Coops! Love the icy blues, a lovely image and perfect snowflakes too :)
- 3 August 2011 at 21:49
- Julie said...
Such a lovely card Coops,I love the colours andthe glitter in fact I just love the lot! Thanks also for joining the Southern girls challenge this time. Fingers crossed it's cooler tomorrow,I'm also uniform shopping. Have a good day,Julie x
- 3 August 2011 at 21:50
- MagsB said...
What a beautiful image and what lovely, cool colours! I love all the glitter, too, I think there must be a Law of Physics that a Christmas card should have glitter lol!
luv, Mags x
- 3 August 2011 at 21:51
- Delphine said...
WOW WOW WOW, Nic! Your image and papers are gorgeous and I love the icy colours and great design! I love love love your card! Hugs Delphine xx
- 3 August 2011 at 21:52
- Chris(craft) and Dave(photos) Richards said...
Lovely card nic, with just the right amount of sparkle !
love and hugs
chris richards
- 3 August 2011 at 21:53
- Kim Dellow said...
Gorgeous Coops! Lovely. Kim
- 3 August 2011 at 21:58
- Feebsy said...
Very pretty Nic, brilliant colouring and the dp's are lovely. I really like the snowflakes embellishments you've used too.
Grats on your win at "Make it Colourful" btw!
- 3 August 2011 at 22:12
- Diane's Card Designs said...
Oh Coops this is absolutely gorgeous I must get these images. STUNNING!!!
Diane :-) xx
- 3 August 2011 at 22:12
- Wendy said...
Beautiful card Coops,love the image and colours.
Wendy xx
- 3 August 2011 at 22:17
- Netty said...
Beautiful design Coops and loving the gorgeous image. A fabulous Christmas card my friend. Annette x
- 3 August 2011 at 22:25
- Sally said...
What a beutiful card! I love the all the colour & sparkle. A smashing image & I like the way you've put her outside the scalloped circle.
Sally x
- 3 August 2011 at 22:40
- Sue B said...
Ooh love this Coops! Gorgeous shades of blue and love the glitter and snowflakes. The image is really cool - love it!
Have a good day tomorrow!
Hugs Sue xx
- 3 August 2011 at 22:48
- Karina said...
I just looked through your latest creations, Nic, and I love what I saw. Such gorgeous cards. I always feel so inspired after my visit on your blog.
Hugs, Karina
- 3 August 2011 at 22:48
- Creations by Shirl said...
Luv this xmas card alot Coops!..
Great colors and the blues/grays are awesome my fav too!... awesome sparkles, and great layout...
- 3 August 2011 at 22:49
- craftycreationsbydebbie said...
wow this is stunning, love those papers! hugs Debbie x
- 3 August 2011 at 22:58
- Crafty Loops said...
Beautiful sparkly card Coops, I love it. Lee x
- 3 August 2011 at 23:02
- McCrafty's Cards said...
Gorgeous card Coop's, beautiful image and I love those sparkly snowflakes.
Kevin xx
- 3 August 2011 at 23:18
- cardmaking bird said...
Gorgeous card, Nic - I love the soft blues you've used. Hugs, Marie xx
- 3 August 2011 at 23:32
- Sue said...
Gorgeous card Nic,love all the glitter and the image is lovely.Great colour.
Sue xx
- 3 August 2011 at 23:39
- Mary J said...
Fabby colouring, fabby bling, fabby EVERYTHING! Love this coops!
- 4 August 2011 at 00:01
- Aunty Sue said...
Hi Nic another fab card and loving your downloaded paper. Thanks for joining Crafty Catz again this week
- 4 August 2011 at 00:11
- Lorraine said...
oh WOW Coops this is fantastic i just love it the papers sparkles and image its so beautifully elegant fabby card xx
- 4 August 2011 at 01:27
- xxxtglxxx said...
Woo... what a fab image! Gorgeous frosty card and your snowflakes are divine :)
Gorgeous colouring too :)
- 4 August 2011 at 01:55
- Dodici said...
LOve it,Coops!Beautiful image,papers and details!x
- 4 August 2011 at 06:32
- Jackie said...
Oh wow, what a beautiful card and so cool looking in all this heat and humidity :o)
Jackie xx
- 4 August 2011 at 07:31
- Christine L said...
Ooooh that's GORGEOUS Nic!
Christine x
- 4 August 2011 at 08:09
- Jules said...
Hi Coops
This is beautiful.
Loving the soft delicate shades of blue and your gorgeous image.
It really does look magical!
Good luck with the uniform purchasing!! We always used to leave our lads until the end of the holiday as they seemed to grow so much over the summer break!!! LOL!!!
Love Jules xx
- 4 August 2011 at 08:10
- Liz's creative corner said...
Wow coops this is stunning,love the papers, image and colour, has such a magical look to it, your colouring is gorgeous too, hugs Liz xx
- 4 August 2011 at 08:27
- Inkypinkydelights said...
Gorgeous Nic! Love the sparkke! Judy x
- 4 August 2011 at 08:38
- Squirrel x said...
Oh, wow hun, she is super! Love all the sparkle and the winter blue. Hugs Sxx
- 4 August 2011 at 08:47
- Janette said...
Hi Nic, I love this image and you coloured her so perfectly too....not seen this before, fab, the papers are brilliant , what a great Christmas card, thanks for sharing it with us at CraftyCatz this week, good luck with the challenges hun.xxxxx
- 4 August 2011 at 09:00
- Heidi said...
Love the winter blues and she's a perfect image for those teenagers in our lives. hugs heidi x
- 4 August 2011 at 09:01
- debby4000 said...
Love your beautiful card Nic fabulous image.
- 4 August 2011 at 09:34
- Fiona said...
another stunning card Nic...love those papers they are really pretty, the image is beautiful too...faberooney!!
Thanks for joining us at Sweet Stampin this week.
- 4 August 2011 at 09:48
- Shazza said...
totally gorgeous, love the sparkle x
- 4 August 2011 at 09:49
- Margarets designer cards said...
Hi Nic
Beautiful card, love the image and the colours you have used.
- 4 August 2011 at 10:09
- Whisper said...
Absolutely stunning hun, Luv Sam x
- 4 August 2011 at 10:14
- CRAZYCRAFTSHED said...
Hi Nic
A gorgeous and beautiful card love the image and colour's are wonderful thankyou for joining us at CraftyCatz
Hugs Dianne xx :)
- 4 August 2011 at 11:08
- ♥Gemma♥ said...
Gorgeous card Coops, love the papers & such a pretty image..love the glitz too :D
hugs and xxx
- 4 August 2011 at 11:49
- Guylaine Seyer said...
very cute card
thanks for playing with us at fussy and fancy friday
- 4 August 2011 at 13:53
- Debbie said...
Hi Nic, love the card. The colours are beautiful and I love the image.
Debbie x
- 4 August 2011 at 14:12
- CraftygasheadZo said...
Gorgeous - love the sparkle. Zo x
- 4 August 2011 at 14:14
- Tracey T said...
What a beautiful card, Coops. I love the frosty colours and the image is just lovely - haven't seen this one before and I really, really like it. Thank you for playing with us at Sweet Stampin' this week. Tracey x
- 4 August 2011 at 14:33
- Jessica said...
Fantastic card!!! You can't beat icy blue and glitter - gorgeous. Jxx
- 4 August 2011 at 14:44
- Shell Shearer Swinscoe said...
Gorgeous hun, love the image she is fab!
hugs shell xx
- 4 August 2011 at 15:08
- Marianne's Craftroom said...
Wow, this is lovely, so sparkly and a great image I've not seen before. Marianne x
- 4 August 2011 at 16:47
- sallysbitz2 said...
This is gorgeous x
Love the colours & glitz.
hugs sally x
- 4 August 2011 at 16:50
- nessy said...
oh coops ~ this is just stunning ~ what a gorgeous image and just perfect papers and details!!
vanessa xx
- 4 August 2011 at 20:13
- carol said...
oooh adorable colour and papers, fab image too,thanks for playing along with craftycatz this week, x carol
- 4 August 2011 at 20:16
- Rachel said...
Pretty card, love all the sparkle! Thanks for sharing at Sweet Stampin this week. Wedgie xxx
- 4 August 2011 at 20:50
- Julie said...
This is a beauty, Nic! Love the colour scheme and the snowflakes are yummy!! Hugs, Juliexx
- 4 August 2011 at 20:51
- tilly said...
loving the Debbie Moore stamp Coops, and the papers are delicious!!
- 4 August 2011 at 21:21
- XxJULESxX said...
stunning card!!!!! love the blue for winter cards!
- 4 August 2011 at 21:26
- Gabbi said...
Beautiful card. Thanks for joining fussy and fancy this week.
- 6 August 2011 at 03:55
- coldwaters2 said...
Wow Nic what a beauty this is that image is beautiful, the papers and design are just perfect, this one really does look magical.
Lorraine x
- 6 August 2011 at 04:14
- Unknown said...
Wow! This is incredibly beautiful! I love it. Thank you for joining in with us at Southern Girls this fortnight. I have some candy on my blog if you are interested in joining in.
- 9 August 2011 at 01:25


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Art Spin at the new 99
A walk along Toronto's west Queen West these days is a journey through a neighbourhood still in the throes of gentrification. With a thriving gallery scene now fully entrenched, the condos are going up, taking shape amidst the soaring cranes and massive construction pits. A little jaunt south of the main drag, a newly-renovated 99 Sudbury now holds a fitness club and event spaces, as[…..]


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Tafu Tea
Neighborhood Watch
Chicken & Beer a Chelsea Favorite; Miraculous Iced Tea From Midtown East
Astoria: Check out photos of both the interior and the baked goods at newly opened coffeehouse the Soleil Cafe, on Astoria Boulevard South near 38th Street. [Joey in Astoria] Chelsea: There goes the neighborhood: a sushi restaurant at 23rd Street has been replaced by a new spot called Chicken & Beer. "What next, 'Hamburgers and Crack?'" [Blog Chelsea] Klee Brasserie has added dishes like Lowenbrau sauerkraut with Kobe bratwurst and warm apple strudel to its menu in honor of Oktoberfest. [Eat for Victory/VV] Clinton Hill: Thirty-year-old Gourmet Kitchen closes for good on September 30. [Clinton Hill Blog] East Village: The Joy of Sake (with all its tasty bites) is this Thursday. [NYM] Lower East Side: Rosario's Pizza isn't good but should be honored because "there should always be room in every NYC neighborhood for a basic slice joint." [Lost City] Midtown East: New Japanese tea and sweet shop Tafu, on 51st Street near Third Avenue, not only serves extraordinary brews but also an imported thermos which keeps ice frozen for seventeen hours. [Mouthing Off/Food & Wine]


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The stock of social-network LinkedIn has had a heck of an IPO debut this morning, popping 90%+ above the IPO price.
That means folks like us get to write breathless stories about how much money investors are making and how everyone's partying like it's 1999.
It also means LinkedIn's underwriters, Morgan Stanley, Bank of America, et al, just screwed the company and its shareholders to the tune of an astounding $175 million. (Just the way the underwriters of another recent hot IPO, Zipcar, screwed that company).
By wildly underpricing the deal and selling LinkedIn's stock to institutional clients way too cheaply.
LinkedIn's stock is trading above $80 a share this morning. Bank of America and Morgan Stanley sold the same stock to their best institutional clients at $45 a share last night. The value of LinkedIn-the-company, it seems safe to say, has not appreciated by 90%+ in the past 12 hours. And that means that, on its underwriters' advice, LinkedIn sold its stock too cheap. It also means that the institutional investors who bought LinkedIn's stock last night are high-fiving each other this morning, celebrating their instantaneous 90% gain. (Lots of them are probably also dumping some stock).
By underpricing the stock, Morgan and BOFA gave their best institutional clients a gift of at least $175 million. And that money came out of LinkedIn's pockets and the pockets of the LinkedIn shareholders who sold on the deal.
(Specifically, assuming a fairer price for the stock would have been about $60, LinkedIn probably left about $130 million on the table. LinkedIn's selling shareholders, meanwhile, left about $50 million.)
And the best part of this screwing is the fact that LinkedIn probably has no idea it got screwed. In fact, the company is probably thrilled with the IPO result. Why? Because they've been told for so long, by so many people, that having a big "first day pop" is what every company should pray for in their IPO.
But it isn't.
Here's a simple analogy:
Imagine if the trusted real-estate agent you hired to sell your house persuaded you to sell it to her best client for $1,000,000 by telling you this was the best price she could get. And then, the next morning, the person who bought your house immediately turned around and sold it for $2,000,000 (using the agent to sell it, naturally).
How would you feel if your agent did that?
And that's EXACTLY what BOFA and Morgan Stanley just did to LinkedIn and LinkedIn's shareholders.
Now, it's true that BOFA and Morgan, et al, did a great job of marketing the company: LinkedIn's $80+ share price is a testament to that. The underwriters deserve a lot of credit and a big reward for this. (And don't worry--they're getting one. They'll be splitting up a ~$30 million IPO fee, for starters.)
And it's also true that underwriters should always try to modestly underprice deals, to the tune of a 10%-15% "IPO discount." They do this to reward institutions for taking the risk of analyzing and buying the stock of an unproven company. If there were no discount on IPOs, there would be little incentive for big investors to play ball before the offering: They'd just wait until the stock started trading and buy it then. This, in turn, would make it harder for companies to raise capital. So the modest discount, in which companies and underwriters reward investors with a good deal, makes sense.
(It's also the reason that, in hot IPO markets, individual investors get furious about not being able to "play IPOs" the way institutions do. They see all the free money institutional investors are making, and they want some of it.)
It's also true that pricing IPOs is a craft, not a science: The underwriters pick the price based on the level of interest (and the prices) they get from their institutional clients. And they can get played like anyone else.
But there's a huge difference between at 10%-15% IPO discount and a ~50% discount, which is what LinkedIn's IPO just sold for. The institutions that bought the LinkedIn stock last night are now 100% richer, just by virtue of being good clients of BOFA and Morgan. And that money came right out of the pockets of LinkedIn and the LinkedIn investors who sold on the deal.
Yes, LinkedIn will get a lot of breathless headlines this morning. And, yes, most folks will think that LinkedIn's IPO was a roaring success. And the positive halo this "amazing IPO" will cast on the company will be worth something. It will also make it easier for LinkedIn to raise more money in the future--because the investors in the last round did so well.
But having watched this game for two decades now (and played it for one of them), I don't think there's any way that this positive halo is worth a 50% IPO discount. And I think that companies have been told for so long, and so persuasively, that a "huge pop" is a sign of success that they never even give it a second thought.
They should.
If LinkedIn can sustain a price above, say, $75 a share, BOFA and Morgan should have sold it to institutions at $60. Because the stock was instead sold at $45, LinkedIn and its existing investors just got screwed to the tune of $175 million.
In other words, an IPO that LinkedIn thinks cost a "7% IPO fee" on the $400 million the company raised (~$28 million) in fact cost the company about $200 million.
That is an outrageous price. And the windfall accrued to the huge institutional clients of Morgan and BOFA. And don't think that Morgan and BOFA are going to let those clients forget it.
(And, by the way, those clients won't forget it. Which is why they'll never stop doing business with Morgan and BOFA, no matter how many examples of Morgan and BOFA "putting themselves ahead of their clients" the press and regulators dredge up. As this morning's $175 million gift illustrated, it's GREAT to be a big client of Morgan and BOFA, and the clients will always keep coming back for more.)


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The 18-year-old man who was killed in a fatal road crash near Katikati last night has been named as James Dean Miles, from Huntly.
He was killed when the Hyundai Accent he was driving collided with a Nissan Bluebird travelling in the opposite direction on State Highway 2 near the intersection with Lindemann Road. The driver of the Nissan, a 54-year-old man from Waihi is in Tauranga Hospital in a stable condition with moderate injuries.
An investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.
Police still want to hear from any witnesses to the crash or to the manner of driving of the green Hyundai Accent vehicle prior to the crash. Anyone with information relevant to this investigation is asked to contact Tauranga Police on 07 577 4300.


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Following last week's massacre at a movie theater in Colorado, President Obama has offered words of healing and condolence, including a trip to the state Sunday to meet with families and survivors. Never in any of the president's or his administration's public statements has there been a suggestion that he would use the incident to advocate for tougher guns laws.
In fact, to the dismay of gun-control supporters, Team Obama has gone out of its way to affirm the president's support of gun rights since the Colorado tragedy. When asked Sunday whether Mr. Obama might propose new policies affecting access to guns, White House press secretary Jay Carney sounded more like a spokesman for the National Rifle Association (NRA) than for a Democratic president.
"He believes we need to take steps that protect Second Amendment rights of the American people but that ensure that we are not allowing weapons into the hands of individuals who should not, by existing law, obtain those weapons," Mr. Carney told reporters on Air Force One en route to Colorado.
But gun-rights advocates are undeterred. At the NRA's special website GunBaNObama.com, there is a message the 4-million-member NRA has been promoting since before Obama took office: "Obama would be the most anti-gun president in American history."
The evidence all comes from his record pre-presidency, including a statement chiding then-President George W. Bush for not pushing to renew a ban on assault weapons and another opposing the carrying of concealed weapons.
During the 2008 campaign, there was perhaps no greater gaffe by Obama than his secretly recorded comment at a San Francisco fundraiser in which he said that people in small-town Pennsylvania, wracked by job losses, "get bitter" and "cling to guns or religion."
Now the argument by gun-rights advocates is this: If Obama is reelected, he will have no more elections to worry about, and then he will show his true colors on guns. This was the message promoted by NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre at the Conservative Political Action Conference last February.
"All that first-term lip service to gun owners is just part of a massive Obama conspiracy to deceive voters and hide his true intentions to destroy the Second Amendment in his second term," Mr. LaPierre said to thunderous applause.
In political terms, the timing of the Colorado massacre could hardly have been worse for Obama, says Richard Feldman, a former NRA lobbyist and president of the Independent Firearm Owners Association.
"It's not in his interest for more and more people, particularly undecided voters, to get nervous about the gun issue," Mr. Feldman says.
If the election is close, he says, particularly in key battleground states such as Ohio and Virginia, where gun rights are important, heightened concern about what Obama might do about guns during a second term could decide the outcome. In addition to the mass shooting July 20 in Aurora, Colo., which killed 12 moviegoers, Feldman cites three other areas that work against Obama in November among gun owners:
- Fast and Furious. The NRA has alleged that the Obama administration intentionally allowed firearms to flow into Mexico as part of a gun-walking program in order to create more mayhem on the US border – and thus build support for an anti-gun agenda. When Congress voted to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt last month for refusing to hand over documents about the operation, the NRA counted lawmakers' votes in its scorecard.
- The UN Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty. The draft treaty seeks control over international trade in conventional weapons. Aimed at impeding terrorists, the proposed treaty has alarmed gun owners and conservatives in general, leery that the treaty will impede US citizens' right to own firearms. The July 27 deadline for UN approval puts Obama in a tough position. The Obama administration says it will not allow the treaty to restrict Americans' individual gun rights, and the NRA has put the administration on notice that there must be no compromise on the issue.
- Nominations of Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court. Both of Obama's picks serve as reminders to gun-rights advocates that the high court is the ultimate arbiter on the constitutionality of gun restrictions. Justice Sotomayor joined the dissent in the court's 2010 landmark ruling McDonald v. Chicago, which overturned a ban on possession of handguns. Justice Kagan has yet to rule in a gun case, but gun supporters believe she would not defend their interests. The next president is expected to nominate at least one new justice.
In the end, Obama can't win. Dan Gross, the head of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, expresses frustration with the president's "lack of leadership" on the issue. But it's the vast gun lobby that has the political clout. And so Obama is expected to toe the line on gun rights all the way to Election Day.


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So, the debt ceiling! It's such a thing that people here seem to be worried about for some reason. The ay I see it, it has to be good for bicycling (I am myopic):
If the debt ceiling is raised:
We avoid financial collapse forestall the end of civilization and that's good because a Mad Max-situation will not be conducive the bicycles. There are no bike lanes in the THUNDERDOME.
If the debt ceiling isn't raised:
The full faith and credit of the United States will be irrepably damaged and we won't be able to afford gas, much less cars, and everyone will switch to riding bicycles all of the time. Of course, we'll have nowhere to ride our bikes since our economy will be in tatters, but there will be one bright side: Hobo Cycle Chic. I'm totally prepared for this: I have so many braze-ons, my bike has a bindle holder.
(Yes, I'm fully aware that these two scenarios are totally contradictory. If you want logic, read this instead)
I hate when you're riding in front of someone and then a car pulls out of a parking spot and you stop and then the person who's riding behind you is all opportunistic and rides past you instead of waiting for you to resume. It seems impolite. I don't know.
I'm pretty sure a pedestrian shouted "watch out" to another pedestrian (who could clearly see me, though she had headphones on) as I approached. I'm not sure if this is extra-caution or bike-paranoia. Either way, it's superfluous yelling and if there's anything we need less of, it's that.
The Key Marriott's parking lot isn't the ideal bike cut-through, but it's better than riding on the sidewalks. Sure, you have to dodge a stray tour bus or reversing-for-no-apparent-reason tourist or an angry bellhop (never actually encountered an angry bellhop. I have seen some bemused line cooks), but I'd rather to that than make a blind-ish right at the trail intersection where normally there's a stacked-up group of bicyclists and a gaggle of perma-nnoying eighth graders.
Rode behind a spandexed fellow who was "sponsored" by M & M Dental (?) and some such other organizations with .de websites. I don't know where he was heading, but he was heading there rather slowly. If you're going to the whole spandex thing, I really expect you to bike at least sort of, who do we say, kind of fast. This is why I've always been a big proponent of lycra licenses, which are given out after a written and road test administered by local bicycle shops. Just think of the cachet. (And maybe you can wear lycra if you've got a permit and you're on a tandem with someone who has a license.)
Speaking of lycra, the panoply of road-riding types were assembling from near and far at the back of Conte's to embark on their weekly ride. So many of them. I ride in the D Group, where D stands for dinner because I like to go home after work and eat and I'm fairly content with my weekday commute as my primary bicycle excursion. I wish you godspeed!
My helmet isn't fitting correctly and I plan to another comedy of errors tomorrow morning when I go to adjust the straps. I have a smallish (non-thundrous) dome and I've never quite been able to make the helmet fit in a way that's comfortable and yet attached-feeling. I suppose the only solution is taking copious quantities of HGH and relying on the "Bond's Boost" to ensure a


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Lynn, Cardinals blank Yankees
ST. LOUIS - Lance Lynn threw a five-hit shutout in his first career complete game and the St. Louis Cardinals got home runs from Allen Craig and Matt Holliday in a 6-0 victory over the New York Yankees on Tuesday night.
Holliday and Matt Adams had three hits and an RBI apiece and Craig drove in two runs. The Cardinals have won 10 of 13, shaking off a 12-inning loss in the series' opener, and ended the Yankees' three-game road winning streak that matched their best of the year.
David Phelps (1-2) pitched in his hometown for the first time and allowed three earned runs in six innings. Two infield errors contributed to two unearned runs in the Cardinals' breakout four-run third.
Derek Jeter got a standing ovation before each at-bat, just like in the opener. He was 0 for 3 with a walk.
Adams leads the National League with 22 multi-hit games, Holliday has reached safely in all 23 home games and Craig has a team-high 15 RBIs this month.
Lynn (6-2) struck out two and walked three, topping his previous career best of eight innings on April 25, 2012 at Chicago against the Cubs. He retired the side in order for the third time in the ninth inning, finishing with 126 pitches.
The Yankees were shut out for just the second time, going 0 for 9 with runners in scoring position and stranding two runners twice.
The Cardinals batted around in the third with Adams' double the lone run-producing hit. Craig reached on a bases-loaded RBI groundout when first baseman Kelly Johnson gloved an offline throw from Jeter but then lost the ball attempting a sweeping tag, and two runs scored on Jhonny Peralta's grounder that scooted under second baseman Brian Roberts' glove.
Craig's fifth homer ticked off right fielder Alfonso Soriano's glove at the wall in the fifth. Holliday greeted reliever Alfredo Aceves with his third of the season leading off the seventh.
The Yankees opened with a big play on defense, with center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury's running grab steps from the wall to rob leadoff man Matt Carpenter of extra bases in the first.
Adams stretched to full extension keeping his foot on the bag at first on Roberts' groundout to end the second. Rookie second baseman Kolten Wong made three nice plays, outrunning Ellsbury to first after fielding a grounder that Adams also chased, turning a smash by Yangervis Solarte into a double play ball in the fourth, and diving to snare Phelps' foul pop-up in the fifth.
NOTES: Cardinals Hall of Fame manager Whitey Herzog, recovering from a hip injury, was among those in a sellout crowd of 45,202, the team's 12th of the season. … Hiroki Kuroda (3-3,4.55) faces Shelby Miller (6-3, 3.18) in the series finale Wednesday. Kuroda is 0-7 in his last 11 road starts since winning at Texas last July 25, the longest drought of his career. Miller is 2-2 with a 5.79 ERA in five career interleague starts.


text:
TaT CompileJNLPprojects
Resolve References to compile JNLP projects with NetBeans 6.x
[[{TableOfContentsTitle=TableOfContent} | {TableOfContents title='Table of Content'}]]
This is a pretty simple issue that was easy to solve but took a bit of fumbling around…
I recently checked out the new Java SwingSet3 project from its SVN repo, to play around with it. It's a NetBeans project so it was simple enough to fire up NetBeans 6.0 and use its built-in Subversion support to check the project out from the repository directly…
My plan was very simple: Check out the code with NetBeans, build it, run it (using JDK 1.6.0_10 beta for the new Nimbus look/feel too) and then hack at the code.
Problem Description
Small problem: Once the project is checked out and loaded, NetBeans pops up a warning dialog:
File:Fig 0. NetBeans Reference Problems alert box
Also the Projects view shows errors, and if you drill down to them, it's because NetBeans can't find the javax.jnlp package. Hmm, I thought JNLP was included with the JDK since 1.5? How odd...
To make a long story short, the fix is to do the following steps (an explanation comes later):
- Resolve Problems by right-clicking the SwingSet3 project in the Projects view and choosing the "Resolve Reference Problems..." menu item:
- This opens a dialog listing the problem (there should be only one). Press the "Resolve..." button at the right:
File:Fig 2. Resolve Reference Problems dialog. Press Resolve... button
- NetBeans presents a dialog listing libraries and JARs. Our issue is that the SwingSet3 project has defined a library called "JavaWebStart" but if you look in the tree at left, there is no such library defined in NetBeans by default. No worries, let's make one:
- Press the button at bottom ("New Library..."):
[2] This gives you the same dialog you get via Project Properties > Libraries > Add Library > Create (in case you want to repeat this exercise later, or are starting a JNLP project from scratch...).
\ Give the new library the name that the Project wants ("JavaWebStart" in the case of SwingSet3). It'll be a Class Library.
- Now you need to tell NetBeans about the JARs that belong to the library:
[3] We need jnlp.jar, but might as well add the other Java Web Start stuff to the library too. You can find these JARs in your JDK under <JDK_HOME>/sample/jnlp/servlet. Add all the JARs form this directory (jnlp.jar,jnlp-servlet.jar, jardiff.jar): [4]
- Add your new library to your project's Compile Libraries and you're done:
File:Fig 6. Resolved, click Close button.
In the SwingSet3 project, there's also a broken reference to C:/java/jnlp1.2/jnlp.jar, but I don't think this matters (it compiles without the reference). You can probably remove it from the project.
Now, what happened? It seems that the project file I checked out in this example contained a reference to a non-standard NetBeans library called "JavaWebStart". This was probably defined by the project coders to refer to the JWS class libraries. For some reason, although the JWS JNLP libraries ship as part of the JDK since 1.5, they are in the Samples directory. Why Sun chose to distribute the libraries in the samples and not in <JKD_HOME>/lib is a mystery to me... it causes two problems:
- Development libraries for JNLP are not accessible by default, unlike other javax.* packages... so you'll need to go through this learning curve.
- If you chose not to install the samples with your JDK, you won't have jnlp.jar, and will need to add it (using the JDK installer, if you still have it), or download the Java Web Start Developer's Kit (which also mentions it's included with the JDK since 1.5...)
Anyway, problem's solved once your IDE knows how to find the library and JAR...
What about other projects?
You only have to define the library once. After you've added your "JavaWebStart" library to NetBeans, you can use the library for other projects requiring JWS/JNLP too:
- In Projects view, right-click on Libraries and select "Add Library..." from the pop-up menu
- Chose "JavaWebStart" from the library list and press the "Add Library" button.
- Observe that the new JARs are now listed under the Libraries node of your project
- Java SwingSet3 project
- Subversion support in NetBeans
- Java Web Start Developer's Kit
- Original blog post for this article


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All told, 2011 was a good reading year but not a remarkable one. I read many books I enjoyed, if few that I loved unreservedly, and not many that I hated. Most of all, I didn't read nearly as many books as I wanted, and going into 2012 there are at least a dozen books that I'd like to be my next read, and that I would have loved to have gotten to this year. Which is not a bad place to be in, I suppose. Without Further ado, then, the best books of the year, in alphabetical order of their authors' names:
- The Long Ships by Frans G. Bengtsson
Once again, NYRB Classics delivers the year's hands-down winner. Bengtsson's invented Viking saga, which follows the adventures of the sardonic, cheerfully bloody-minded Red Orm as he is kidnapped into slavery, becomes a royal bodyguard in Muslim Spain, escapes and makes his fortune pirating, and returns to his home to become a great chieftain, is an effortlessly fun adventure story, full of wonderful characters--including some memorable and prominent female characters such as Orm's mother and love interest. Bengtsson tells his story with enough of a straight face that it comes across like a Tolkien-esque recreation that chucks overboard the tools of modernist fiction in favor of plotty, adventurous fun, but he also has a sense of humor about his subject, and doesn't mind poking fun at either his characters or the conventions of their story. A thought-provoking discussion of religious conflict in the story's era, with pagans, Christians, Muslims and Jews vying, at certain points, for supremacy, and at others, for survival under an inhospitable regime, and constantly making the case for their own way of life, gives the story some heft, but even this is leavened by Bengtsson's sense of humor and Red Orm's practical approach to all matters, the spiritual included. When I started The Long Ships, I worried that I would find nothing human enough in it to grab onto and interest me, but by the time I turned the last page I was heartbroken at the thought that I could spend no more time following the adventures of its wonderful characters.
- A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
At the very other end of the genre scale, Egan's literary novel par excellence is a reminder of why I continue to read literary fiction and of the pleasures that can be found in it. A Visit From the Goon Squad is quintessentially literary--plotless and focusing on character and affect--but it uses its leaps back and forth through the lives of large cast of loosely connected characters, taking the old and dissipated back to their innocent youth, the young and hopeful forward to disappointed middle age, to land a hell of a punch. Slowly and almost obliquely, Egan drives home that point that time and its ravages spare no one, and the characters she subjects to those ravages are so human and so relatable that by the time her scheme becomes apparent the novel is nothing short of heartbreaking. The segment set in the future works less well than the ones in the present and past, but it serves as a reminder that time doesn't stop for those of us who are still young--like it or not, the goon squad is waiting for us as well, and just around the corner.
- Gullstruck Island (The Lost Conspiracy in the US) by Frances Hardinge (review)
I read a lot of YA in 2011, and enjoyed most of it, but Hardinge's novel puts the rest of her field--and a lot of novels for adults--to shame. Most YA reaches for a sense of familiarity, through the characters' worldview and reactions, if not through its setting and premise. Hardinge not only reaches for foreignness, but makes it the crux of her story. The titular setting, a tropical island, has a rich history of colonization and cultural mingling that is a pleasure to discover, and the plot revolves around cultural differences and misunderstandings. The heroine, Hathin, is as much a product of her culture as everyone else in the novel, which makes her slightly foreign to us, and her decisions sometimes a little hard to understand. Over the course of the novel she struggles, first for survival, then for revenge, and finally for the future of Gullstruck itself, but the real struggle, for her and for the rest of the cast, is to find a balance between respecting tradition and being bound by it, and between holding on to one's own culture and trampling the culture of others. It's a weighty subject, but Hardinge handles it as lightly as she does the novel's twisty plot, which sees Hathin escaping the massacre of her village and trekking across Gullstruck while other point of view characters slowly grasp the danger facing everyone on the island, and which makes Gullstruck Island an utterly engrossing read.
- God's War by Kameron Hurley - The setting grabbed me more than the plot or characters, but it is original and clever enough to make this novel a highlight of the year.
- Monsters of Men by Patrick Ness (review) - A fittingly dramatic conclusion to the excellent Chaos Walking trilogy, though it sadly fumbles the theme of gender introduced in the first volume.
- Mechanique: A Tale of the Circus Tresaulti by Genevieve Valentine (review) - Like God's War, more impressive for its setting than its plot or characters, but also a novel that does interesting things with the clichés of steampunk and its circus setting.
- The Cookbook Collector by Allegra Goodman (review) - Not as impressive as Goodman's masterpiece Intuition, but the novel's depiction of the late years of the dot com boom has stayed with me, and resonated through much of my SF reading in the last few months--pretty impressive for an Austen-tinged romance about cookbooks.
And, since you can't have the good without the bad, the worst books of the year:
- The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer
I had planned to write a long post about Orringer's well-received debut novel and why it put me off so completely, but time and the complexity of the task put that project off long past the point where I could do it justice without rereading the book. Still, I can't let 2011 come to a close without saying something about this book, which encapsulate, to me, the corner that Holocaust fiction has turned in recent years, from fiction aimed at illustrating the horror of the Holocaust to fiction that uses the Holocaust as a backdrop to an adventure, or a coming of age story, or, in Orringer's case, a romance. Orringer has the excuse of basing her story, in which Hungarian architecture student Andras falls in love with an older woman, Klara, during his studies in Paris, and brings her back to Hungary just as the war kicks into gear, trapping them both in a Nazi-friendly country, on the lives of her grandparents, but whether out of love and family loyalty, or simple tone-deafness, she has cast those lives into the mold of an insipid romance. Not only are Andras and Klara inhumanly perfect, never selfish or angry or craven or forced to do anything unsavory to survive, but Orringer so valorizes and prioritizes their love story that the awfulness of the Holocaust becomes the fact that it might tear these lovers apart. One of the most horrifying crimes of the twentieth century is thus reduced to a romance trope, the obstacle that must be placed in the lovers' path so that their inevitable happy ending feels earned, while the deaths of other characters feel like dramatic necessities, heightening tension or sweeping a now-pointless character off the board, not the crushing blows they must have been in real life. It's pretty obvious that Orringer thinks that she's honored her grandparents and acknowledged the horror of what they and their families experienced, but what she's created is so glib and so devoid of any real horror that I found it nothing short of disgusting.
- The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman
As I've already written, Rachman's implausibly well-reviewed debut feels like the antithesis of Egan's A Visit From the Goon Squad. Like that novel it moves back and forth through time and through the lives of reporters, administrators, and hangers-on at a Rome-based international paper, leading up to the paper's collapse along with the rest of its industry in the early twenty-first century. But Rachman, instead of creating human and believable characters, trades in stereotypes and in crude, too-obvious jokes, reaching for dramatic irony--a character who has romanticized their free-thinking best friend discovers that he is now conservative and small-minded, a woman strikes up a romance with an employee she's just had fired only for their connection to turn out to be a cruel prank--but landing, again and again, on clomping, leaden, unfunny endings that only stress how unlikable and unsympathetic everyone in the novel is. Rachman not only completely fails to sell the grandeur of print journalism and its vanished era or greatness, but by the time he reaches the end of his story, his elegiac tone feels so incongruous with the unpleasant, cliché-ridden stories he's been telling that one wants nothing more than to drive a final stake through the medium's corpse.
- Reamde by Neal Stephenson (review)
Strictly speaking, Reamde isn't entirely a bad novel. The early chapters have some typically Stephenson-ian excursus on the relationship between MMORPGs and economics, and the middle chapters are essentially one long action scene spread out over several days and locations, but nevertheless quite exciting. But the novel is too long, and by its end both the neat inventiveness of its beginning and the cool action of its middle have faded away, several hundred pages before the story actually shuffles to its close. Still, what's bad about Reamde is less the novel itself and more the way that its failures as a piece of fiction lay bare Stephenson's limited, self-satisfied, ethnocentric worldview, which in turn spurred a, perhaps long overdue, reevaluation of his past fiction, which suffers from the same flaws. Reamde is on this list, then, because it may very well have put me off Stephenson for good.
- Origin by Diana Abu-Jaber - What I had hoped would be a cool mystery starring a female scientist turned out to be a weepy romance with a self-absorbed protagonist and a nonsensical plot.
- Snuff by Terry Pratchett (review) - Poorly written and harping too hard on themes already worn into the ground, this latest Discworld volume turns Sam Vimes into someone who is more concerned with his own image as a class warrior than with actually being a class warrior, and treats slavery with an infuriating glibness.


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Everyone likes to solo an instance.
Some of us like to plough through a low level instance purely for the joy of decorating the floor with corpses, one-shotting Van Cleef or racing to the end of an instance in 10 minutes that used to take hours.
Others like the challenge of taking on an instance that requires more toons. Maybe a full party, maybe 3-4 toons. It's the challenge that makes it worthwhile.
The reality of these runs is the only reward (apart from low level enchanting mats) is the joy of knowing you can do it… Not a small reward admittedly.
What if Blizzard introduced some instances that were intended to be completed solo?
Edit: I started this draft post a while ago in response to a post about class only quests. Since then Larisa has asked about skill improvement and I have mooted boot camps, so on with the slightly modified post.
- Class skill training
- Player skill development
- Class quest
My Vision
I envision an instanced space, specific for each character class eg:
- Mage: a multi-dimensional Mage tower
- Rogue: sewer complex
- Paladin: cathedral training grounds
- Warrior: arena training ground
- Warlock: the many layers of hell.
These instances will unfold, additional areas will be unlocked as your character levels and your skills improve.
Think of them as levels in an arcade game. You need to score the points (levels) to progress to the next map level, but you also need to be skilled enough to make it through the screen.
Class Skill Training
In future you wouldn't just visit the trainer, hand over you 50 silver and receive training in your new skills.
No, in the world I envision, you would need to earn them.
At level 2 you would clear a room with skill specific challenges. On completion of the challenge you receive your new skills.
At level 4, you once again tackle the level 2 room, then have to complete the level 4 challenges. The level 2 room has scaled to test your level 4 abilities.
This process continues on through level 80… 85.
Player Skill Development
Already your ability to play your class is being challenged, but these instances aren't just about class skill acquisition, they are also about player skill development.
Can you nuke the boss while remaining below a threat meter… Can you do it fast enough by using your class aggro drops to pass the level?
Can your hunter control your pet well enough to make it through an obstacle course.?
Can you maintain the polymorph, counterspell the caster, avoid the void zone and DPS the boss while doing the safety dance?
The bosses you encounter in each room have mechanics similar to instance and raid bosses, so while improving your skills, you are also perfecting the tactics required to down a boss.
This is your boot camp.
Each room, each encounter, reinforces the class and player skills required to excel in both solo and group play.
All you need now is to be rewarded for your efforts…
Class Quests
Class quests have fallen out of favor, but were once bread and butter of the early levels and occasionally made appearances at higher levels.
Shamans have to earn their totems.
Mages had to earn their Polymorph: Pig.
Then there was the epic level 60 Hunter's quest which would have guilds turn out to protect the hunter and his kill, while cheering him on.
Now there are no class quests of note. So what I propose is that in addition to gaining your skills every 10 levels, you are also presented with a greater challenge, a trial of your skills which rewards you with an appropriate benefit. Whether it unlocks another skill (or option of skills) or whether it is some level appropriate loot.
Whatever the case, reward the player for achieving the level and beating the trial.
I would suggest that a part of the reward is a title. I know, another bloody title… but I have always been envious when checking in with the NPCs and discover they have different ranks.
Why can't I be an Adept, or a Master, or a Grand Master…or…
Arch Mage Gnomeaggedon of Gnomeragan, quaker of worlds, stoker of volcanoes, bringer of the Cataclysm.
Gnomer and Out!
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.


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Where can you learn more about BYOD?
Happy 2013! I'm back in the office after an extra long vacation, which involved no work and a lot of food, exercise and fun with my kiddos, husband and extended family. I hope you all had some time off as well.
Going through emails and pre-holiday to-dos, I came across some notes from the Imperial Capital Security Investor Conference from a panel discussion that took place at the very end of the conference about BYOD—that's bring your own device. The panel featured government professionals talking about how they deal with the proliferation of mobile devices, where they're useful and where they're exceedingly dangerous.
One speaker said BYOD should stand for "Bring your own disaster."
They discussed whether you secure at the device level or the app level? (The consensus was app.)
Another speaker said the only reasonable policy is "HYOD" which stands for employers saying, "here's your own device."
I'm looking forward to further discussions on this topic at TechSec 2013 (Feb. 5-6 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) One TechSec educational session, "To BYOD or not to BYOD," will address this topic specifically.
Moderated by Brivo's Charles Wheeler and featuring cybersecurity specialists, this session will examine the effect on the physical security industry, what should be included in a BYOD policy, how can BYOD comply with data protection and privacy requirements and particularly how it relates to security systems integrators and end users.
One more reason for you to come to TechSec 2013. Check out the program at http://www.techsecsol.com.


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B.Rich (Of Baltimore) - Can We Rock On [Unsigned Hype]
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after i tell people im losing my faith, people keep telling me to pray to god and hell answer me. We'll i have been and these people are getting quite annoying… anyone got any good comebacks to people with the response of somethign along the lines of..
the only way you know which one religion is right for you is to pray about it with a sincere heart mine and soul. one can not work with out the other. God will let you know which church to join. don't let websites tell you that God is fake or not real or to question your faith. that is just Satan tryint to steer you away from God. Don't worry about it. just pray about it and the answer you are lookin for will come to you. be in a sign or a warm fuzzy feelin in your heart. you will know
And…..uh…..how is that working for you?
somethign with deep thought for these simple minded dumbasses
Prayer is the great security blanket of the religious mind. A tsunami kills 300,000 people and religious folks advise everyone to pray. What a futile and deceitful waste of time. Use your imagination; surely after 2,000 years, religious leaders could have figured out some other scam to foist on the gullible masses. But why bother? - the gullibles keep coming back for more regardless.
What a sad joke the whole thing is. My dear Guest, you can waste your whole life talking to imaginary beings if you choose, but you'd be far happier just getting out there and doing something practical to help your fellow man or enrich your mind. Get off your knees man, and start behaving like a sentient being.
Just tell them you have prayed and God has answered you, and you now follow the path he has put you on, and then say God Bless you Brother, and go on your merry way.
Throw in a Hallejuah or two, put them on a christmas card list, and get on with your life. The Jehovah's witnesses seem satisfied with this.
And until we fully understand the workings of the human mind, I wouldnt say prayer is totally ineffective, however it for sure isn't causing an intercession by a holy father, more like there is some power to prayer similar to meditation.
btw any science on this? changes in brain chemistry or electrical wave output in states of prayer or meditation?
can't believe I have missed it.
There was an article in Scientific American a few months ago concerning changing brain states in meditation. It was verifiec via cat scan. I will look up the article, if I can find it.
I have found these useful:
Evangelist: Have you come to accept the Lord Jesus as your personal savior? Are you a Christiian?
Resonse: I was a Christian brother, but I am recoving nicely thank you.
Evangelist: Have you been born again?
Response: I decided to grow up instead.
Evangelist: Please join me in prayer.
Response: To which god do you pray.
Simple minded. Do you know the concept of a mental placebo?
Your thoughts are not deep. They are shallow like all those who embrace blind faith.
Because we are not religious, we are stupid?
So you want to change us with the kindness and goodness of your perfect faith but you insult us?
"I have never made but one prayer to God, a very short one: 'O Lord, make my enemies ridiculous.' And God granted it." -Voltaire
"If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him." -Voltaire
I've said it before and I'll say it again : Voltaire is the man.
nice quotes
[quote author="Anonymous"]after i tell people im losing my faith, people keep telling me to pray to god and hell answer me.
If we're supposed to obey god without question, what are we supposed to do if god orders us to disobey it?


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text:
Antoinette Menapace helped the federal government uncover millions of dollars in health care fraud. She isn't a doctor, a lawyer or a cop. She's a grandmother and former medical coder who didn't think the numbers added up. Being a whistle-blower has come with personal costs. Menapace spent a year and a half out of work. She and her husband lost their home of 25 years in foreclosure.
Antoinette Menapace helped the federal government uncover millions of dollars in health care fraud.
She isn't a doctor, a lawyer or a cop. She's a grandmother and former medical coder who didn't think the numbers added up.
Almost two years ago, she filed a lawsuit against her former employer, Dr. Mohammed Aiti, claiming he and other doctors at Premier Medical Group were billing government and private insurance companies for unnecessary heart-related tests.
The FBI and federal prosecutors took up the case, which led to Aiti's conviction, the end of his medical career and the forfeiture of close to $1.9 million. Aiti is to be sentenced Jan. 10. He faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Being a whistle-blower has come with personal costs. Menapace spent a year and a half out of work. She and her husband lost their home of 25 years in foreclosure.
Now, with the help of her lawyers, the 49-year-old Canton woman is in court with hopes of getting a portion of the forfeiture, but it's not a sure thing.
"The government is trying to encourage people like Antoinette to come forward, but at the end there might not be anything," said attorney Elizabeth Raies.
Not adding up
Menapace started working for Premier in 2004. The practice had offices in Canton, Massillon, Dover and Cleveland. Aiti, a cardiologist, ran the show, and after three months on the job, Menapace started to question his billing methods.
Before patients came to the office they were flagged for expensive heart-related tests as often as their insurance would pay for them.
"Even if they were coming in for a sore throat," Menapace said.
Most of the patients were older and didn't question the tests, one of which was a stress test involving the injection of radioactive dye. When a patient had qualms, Premier staffers would say the test was a safeguard and that they wouldn't have to pay out of pocket. Few refused.
To justify further tests, Aiti altered results.
"I kept picturing my parents, who were elderly, and a doctor doing this to them," Menapace said. "And it just wasn't right."
When employees, including other Premier doctors, questioned his orders, Aiti became irate, Menapace said. He also coerced doctors who depended on Premier to sponsor their work visas, according to court papers.
She recalled an angry exchange between Aiti and a female doctor who wouldn't order a stress test.
"The lady is pregnant. I am not going to have her have a stress test," Menapace recalled the female doctor telling Aiti. That doctor eventually left the practice.
While Menapace didn't like what she saw, she also doubted herself. Maybe she misunderstood the billing process. But when she consulted her medical billing instructor in Canton City Schools' adult education program, the instructor shared her concerns.
Menapace got a job as a medical coder in another office, although she was laid off six months later and spent the next year and a half unemployed.
During that time, she lost her home.
She also contacted lawyers who took up her case.
"When she came to us, we said, 'All right, are you sure?'" attorney Lee Plakas said.
Menapace had documents to back her claims, including altered test results she picked from Premier's trash and a sheet that showed employees how to match diagnosis and test codes to secure insurance payments.
Qui tam
"Qui tam": It's an abbreviation of a Latin phrase meaning, "Who sues on behalf of a king as well as for himself." America doesn't have kings, but in federal law, it's the government's way of encouraging citizens to sue when they suspect graft.
In return for their work, whistleblowers under the federal False Claims Act get a share of any money recovered. In fiscal year 2007, whistleblowers helped the federal government recover $1.45 billion and received $177 million for their work, according to the Justice Department.
Plakas, Raies and attorney Megan Frantz went to work on Menapace's claim.
With her help they located former Premier employees. Some would help, others wouldn't.
It took nearly a year to build the lawsuit, which remained under seal as federal agents conducted a criminal investigation. Aiti, his wife and another doctor were indicted. On the eve of trial, Aiti pleaded guilty.
Charges were dropped against his co-defendants.
Menapace was relieved. She's working again and has stopped having nightmares about her old job, she said. But the case isn't over for her.
The government could try to get more money out of Aiti through a civil action but isn't. That's a sign there isn't much left for Menapace to recover on her own, Frantz said.
So Menapace is seeking between 15 and 25 percent of the government's share of the forfeiture. Her attorneys would get part of that. Private insurance companies may also have claims for restitution.
Menapace didn't expose Aiti for money, "but it's our job to make sure she gets treated fairly by the system," Plakas said.
In court papers, Menapace's attorneys note the financial and emotional costs she incurred by leaving her job with Premier and reporting Aiti's conduct.
Whether a judge accepts her claim remains to be seen. Case law on the subject is limited, Raies said.
This week, a judge granted the federal government's request to put Menapace's claim on hold, a decision her attorneys are fighting.
She doesn't regret blowing the whistle on Aiti, she said, because he can't practice medicine anymore.
"What they were doing -- I couldn't get it through my head -- was so wrong," Menapace said.
Reach Canton Repository writer Shane Hoover at (330) 580-8338 or firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Baxton Studio Babbitt Ivory Leather Modern Sectional Sofa
Product Overview
Beautiful Babbitt is a luxurious sectional you will wonder how you ever lived without! Its large size accommodates at least 4-5 individuals comfortably. The sectional is made with a solid wood internal frame with medium-firm foam cushioning. Ivory leather provides a soft, contemporary look to your living room. Additional details include chrome-plated steel legs, fully attached cushions, and a connecting bracket to secure the chaise to the sofa. Minor assembly is required for this piece, which is made in China.
- Contemporary 2-piece sectional sofa
- Ivory leather upholstery
- High-density polyurethane foam padding
- Solid hardwood frame
- Chrome-plated steel legs with non-marking feet
- All cushions are sewn to the frame
- Metal bracket connector for chaise and sofa
- Minor assembly required
- Made in China
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