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Classic Trucks Truck Show - Mooneyes' Xmas Show
Irwindale,Irwindale, Irwindale
It's always a good thing when a custom car show is allowed to return to the same venue two years in a row. For the folks at Mooneyes, being welcomed back (with their ever-growing Xmas Party) to the Irwindale Speedway in Irwindale, California-the gravel pit capital of the world-it was a real good thing. This is because the second-time location has proven to be a real winner, thanks to Irwindale Speedway's enormous campus that provides early attendees with plenty of room to park their customized trucks and cars. We say early because even with more space available than ever, the parking lot usually fills up by 10 a.m. For anyone who shows up afterwards, there is always plenty of parking on Speedway Drive, if they don't mind walking a little.
Since we gave a pretty extensive review of the history surrounding the Mooneyes Xmas Party last year ("Mooneyes' X-mas Party," March '07) we'll stop talking so you can get on to looking at the trucks. For more information about next year's Xmas Party, or how to get hold of some fine threads or hot rod parts, call 800/547-5422 and ask for "Big" Wally. He'll be glad to talk to you.


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By Kara Wilson
A mission trip to El Salvador with my San Antonio church when I was 14 changed my life. From the time I stepped off the plane, I knew that this impoverished Central American nation was the place where God was leading me to live in order to dedicate my life to serving the poor.
After moving to El Salvador in early 2010, I immediately began to witness a shocking reality that puts many children there in great danger.
A new law designed to reduce the large number of children living in El Salvador's orphanages returns children to their biological families without any support or services to ensure their safety. Many of these children grew up in Christian orphanages where they were fed, educated and loved. By returning them to their families, the government is sentencing them to a life of extreme poverty among family members who may be gang members, prostitutes or drug addicts.
As one of the few people to see this crisis first-hand, I felt called to do something about it. Earlier this year, I helped establish the Project RED Fund at the San Antonio Area Foundation to support services for indigent children and their families, like those forced to leave the orphanages of El Salvador.
I also created an El Salvadoran nonprofit, Asociación Puente de Esperanza (or "Bridge of Hope" in English), that is allowing our small team of psychologists and social workers to assess the children forced from the safety of orphanages and help them with:
Reintegration into a better physical environment, by physically improving the home in some way.
Educational access and opportunities by providing school supplies, uniforms, shoes, etc.
Development of healthy nutritional and hygiene habits, by providing the families with monthly supplies of staple foods and cleaning products.
Puente de Esperanza is providing the critical services these children need to safely integrate into their families and receive the education and care they need to become healthy and productive adults.
Our work would not be possible with the generous donations of individuals from San Antonio and other parts of the world. Because there are no resources in El Salvador to help the children affected by this law, the Project RED Fund is an important partner in our mission. Individuals who want to help can donate through the Project RED Fund to sponsor families or make one-time special gifts. Puente de Esperanza also welcomes groups that want to give hands-on assistance to the families we serve by building houses, constructing chicken coops, planting community gardens, installing water filters, and many other important projects.
While the primary focus of the Area Foundation is local, its donors make it possible for me and others to serve the needs of our global community. The Project RED Fund is helping vulnerable children and families living in poverty in El Salvador and providing bridges of hope that span countries and cultures.
Would you like to be a bridge of hope for children in El Salvador? Visit www.projectredelsalvador.org to make a donation or learn about volunteer opportunities with Puente de Esperanza.
Kara Wilson is Executive Director of Puente de Esperanza.

subset: commoncrawl


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Pregnancy after age 35
Women 35 and older have healthy babies every day. If you're over 35, you might worry about increased risks, and it's true that certain risks go up with age.
It's more common for older mothers to:
- Have trouble getting pregnant
- Have twins or more
- Develop gestational diabetes or high blood pressure during pregnancy
- Deliver prematurely
- Need a cesarean section
Having a baby after age 35 doesn't mean you'll have a difficult pregnancy — it just means that we'll keep a close eye on you and your little one to make sure you're both doing well.
- If you have an ongoing condition, we'll watch it more closely.
- We might need to change your medications to be more baby-friendly.
- We'll recommend prenatal testing for birth defects like Down syndrome, because the risk of certain problems is higher for older mothers.


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Need Help?
Click here for help with
the STITCHES Online
Registration System.
Registration is closed for this event...
Friday 08/08/2014, 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Skill LevelEasy
Class Hours3
TeacherJC Briar
View JC's profile
Hook Hocus Pocus with JC BriarMaybe you've used a crochet hook to bind off or to pick up a dropped stitch. But have you used one to join pieces together? To cast on provisionally? Or to stabilize an edge and provide a place from which to pick up stitches? Learn all of these techniques, plus embellishment, decorative edgings, and more.
Note: No crochet experience required.
SuppliesSmooth, plain, light colored, #4 (worsted-weight) yarn; needles of a size appropriate for your yarn; crochet hook roughly US size G (4mm).
Sharp scissors, notebook, pen or pencil with an eraser, stitch markers, blunt tapestry needles (large and small), flexible tape measure, small calculator, and needles & crochet hooks of various sizes.
HomeworkUsing smooth, plain, light colored, #4 (worsted-weight) yarn make three swatches as follows:
Cast on 20 sts. Knit in stockinette for 4". Do NOT bind off. Cut yarn, leaving a 24" tail.


text:
Some time ago I posted an article on "Christian Speak", the translation into English of crazy things Christians say. I also did one on how Christians try to give words in the Bible new meanings so as to better defend the absurd, contradictory, incongruent and irrational words of their God.
On a related note, and to round out the subject of Christians' propensity toward playing fast and loose with incongruent linguistics, I offer the following observation and analysis. I guess you could call it the third element in a trinity of religious language perversion.
A rather innocuous and inoffensive Christian fellow recently proffered that "atheism is a religion." That activist atheists / anti-theists, such as myself, Dawkins, Hutchins, Harris, Meyers, et al, are "the most religious" people he knows. Evidently the basis for this is our out spoken opposition to religious ignorance; our distain for its negative effects on society both historically and currently; and the agenda that the religious have to force their beliefs on others and intrude on our lives and freedoms. But to call atheism a religion, or atheists religious is just moronic.
I tossed him the canard about how "atheism is a religion like baldness is a hair color" and how "calling atheism a religion is to akin to calling not collecting stamps a hobby." As I feared, the analogies were lost on him.
I referred him to dictionary.com to look up the definitions of "religion" and "atheism". By definition, atheism cannot be a religion. Any educated person who can read and has the desire to use language properly knows this. I also explained that if not believing in something is a religion…then anyone who disbelieves in Bigfoot is part of the "non belief in Bigfoot religion." [His will be done!]. Wham! It went right over his head.
This theist is confusing a "position" with a religion. I have any number of positions on things. Here are a very few among hundreds, perhaps thousands of positions I embrace:
- I tend toward liberal social politics, but conservative fiscal politics and I make that position known to my congressional representatives. [the religion of "Moderatism"?]
- I have a position on my right to own firearms, and am vocal on that as well. [the religion of "Pro-Gunism"?]
- I have a position on the stupidity of conspiracy theorists, and frequently write letters to the editor deriding and exposing their idiocy. [the religion of "Dismissal of Whack-o-ism"?]
- I have a position on the non-reality of vampires, werewolves, faeries, fortune tellers, space alien visitors, etc., etc. albeit, I don't feel the need to espouse it to most thinking people. [the religion of "Non-Boogie-Manism"?]
- I have a position on the use of camel's for food. [the religion of "Non-Camel Cannibalism"?]
Unfortunately, there are a few atheists who through their own stupidity feed theist misconceptions of atheism. Some of them, the most unthinking and vapid, call for an "atheist church," or at least see no conflict with the oxymoronic term. They typically have lower IQ's than the average atheist, and don't like to look up word meanings like "church" to understand why it's as absurd as a "Muslim Synogogue." These atheists are the Uncle Toms, the embarrassing mentally deficient relatives, of the activist atheist movement.
So what causes this peculiar need for religionists to redefine words from their clearly defined meanings? What can't they understand the simple concepts that have been codified in the English language for centuries without reprocessing them to fit their personal agenda? In a word: ignorance. It's their lack of thirst for knowledge, a disregard for learning, a limited intellect.
I'm not convinced religion causes believers' this peculiar mental impairment and language perversion propensity. I think the people who are attracted to religion are predisposed toward it and that their religious training and fervor, externally imposed or self taught, simply reinforces it. That they are oblivious to it is just one more justification for my anti-religious position. I guess that makes me a congregant of the "First Church of Our Lady of No Patience for Stupidity."


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* Image source: Hankyoreh
"Kim Dong-won (right), then president of the Association of Korean Independent Film & Video, stands with members of Mediact, Kim Myong-joon, the president of Mediact, and Yu Kil-chon, then president of Korean Film Council (center) and a representative from the Culture Ministry to cut the ceremonial red ribbon officially opening Mediact in Gwangwhamun, Seoul, May 9, 2002.____________________________________________________________________
Korea Times
02-03-2010 19:41
Is Media Center Taking Conservative Tone?
* Petition informed by Makiko SATO on Jan. 31, 2010
" A Japanese group for laborers called the Labor Net is asking for petitions for the Korean Media 'MediAct '
http://www.gopetition.com/online/33662.html (English)
http://vpress.la.coocan.jp/mediact.html (Japanese)
In Tokyo tomorrow, there is an urgent meeting for supporting MediAct."
For Sign for Petition, go to HERE
Published by mediact solidarity on Jan 26, 2010
Category: Human Rights
Region: South Korea
Target: KOFIC & South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
Web site: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=273091817582
Background (Preamble):
The world has watched as South Korea has moved from dictatorship toward democracy, over the last half a century at great cost. However, democracy, including incredible advances made in the culture and media sectors, has suffered serious damage in South Korea under the Lee Myung-bak regime. This damage has been inflected by way of unilateral passage of new media and news laws, the Grand National Party's (GNP) and conservative newspapers' attempt to take-over of public broadcasting and the evening news in particular, and the replacement of major broadcasting networks' executives with pro-government figure. Furthermore, a principle of checks-and-balances among the executive, the legislative, and the judicial branches of the government has been repeatedly violated and weakened the legitimacy of democratic governance.
South Korea in the past two years has been witness to the use of the Public Prosecutor's Office to detain and question journalists critical of the government, infringing on the professional autonomy of rank-and-file reporters and threatening the development of a free and independent press. In addition, the National Tax Service has been used to mobilize politically-motivated institutional audits, while various ministries have been involved in the revocation of NGO licenses and contracts, forced personnel changes, budget cuts, imposition of a real name registration system, pressing of charges of national security violations, and investigations into family members of media movement activists and cultural sector leaders that have been classified as "Born in the Time of DJ (Kim Dae-jung), and Raised by Roh Moo-hyun."
During the past year there have been several forced resignations and/or illegal firings, many of which the Seoul Administrative Court has determined have been illegal but not reversible. While the list is extensive and include the massive personnel and budget cuts at both South Korea's Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the NHRCK that violates the latter's autonomy outlined and protected under Article 10 of the Constitution, notable incidents include:
* Arts Council Korea (ARKO) Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Kim Jung-heun
* National Museum of Contemporary Art Director Kim Yoon-soo
* Korean National University of Arts President Hwang Ji-woo
* KBS President Jung Yun-joo
* KBS Director Shin Tae-seop
* National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) Chairperson Ahn Kyung-whan
There have also been:
* many resignations made under political protest of four MBC Board of Directors members and media personality Kim Je-dong
* the parachute appointment of the YTN president
* the defunding of Migrant Worker TV
* the defunding of the Seoul Human Rights Film Festival hosted by Sarangbang
* defunding of RTV (national public access satellite cable channel/ a must-carry channel that launched in 2007)
* an attack on Article 38 of the Broadcast Law stipulating that funds are to be used for supporting viewer-produced programs and providing broadcast access to those otherwise excluded from the mainstream
* shut-down of Indie-Space
These and numerous other instances that suggest consequences of a democracy that is taking backward steps in South Korea have been drawing international attention, including from:
* Experts serving on the United Nations (UN) Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR)
* Reporters without Borders (Reporters sans frontieres, RSF) (According to its 2009 World Press Freedom index, South Korea has dropped 30 places in the past year under President Lee)
* Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
* Amnesty International
* International Coordinating Committee (ICC) of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection Human Rights
* Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions
* Asia Human Rights Commission & a Statement From Professors In North America Concerned About Korean Democracy.
In addition to calls being made to KOFIC at (02)958-7521 or 02-9587-526 and emails being sent to email@example.com ...
We now join those concerned over the regression of democracy in South Korea that has now taken the form of an attack on Mediact, South Korea's first public media center that has since its founding represented South Korea internationally as a leader in communication rights and democracy, media literacy, intellectual property rights, and public interest media.
Since 2002, Mediact has stewarded a contract to support independent film and video makers, media policy development, lifelong media education and public access. For seven years, it has provided an infrastructure focusing on the potential of creating a public media sector based on both shifting technological possibilities of access to the media and ongoing political democratization processes taking place in South Korea.
Mediact's facilities are funded by the Korean Film Council (KOFIC), what is supposed to be an autonomous organization funded by the central government to promote Korean cinema within the country and overseas, and an independent activist organization managed by the Association of Korean Independent Film & Video (KIFV). We are highly alarmed by the new KOFIC Chairman's recent decision to dismantle Mediact and force its staff to resign as of February 1.
As Mediact's counterparts in the international community, we have been long inspired by Mediact's visionary leadership in the areas of media policy, media education, media production and communication rights. We, the undersigned, urge the government of President Lee Myung-bak to recognize its responsibility for the democracy that has regressed and reorient itself as a government that respects the people's sovereignty and South Korea's continued leadership in media and communication rights. We ask KOFIC together with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to reverse this decision immediately.
* Related article
[Interview] Mediact, S. Korea's first media center turns 7:
Japan, U.S. closely watch changes occurring within S. Korea's media landscape as organization enters 8th year
Posted on : Jun.1,2009 12:52 KST
* Related blogs
Friday, November 13, 2009
Text Fwd: CESCR draws a grim picture of human rights in South Korea
Friday, September 18, 2009
Text Fwd: DSC agent caught keeping surveillance over arts organization in Japan
Friday, July 24, 2009
Text Fwd: [Analysis] Broadcasting Law revision might force MBC to privatize
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Text Fwd: Media workers stage general strike to prevent Broadcasting Law revision
Friday, May 22, 2009
Text Fwd: Government announces a ban on assemblies in Seoul


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Restoring sight to the blind has proved particularly challenging for scientists, but a new technology combining an eye implant and video-camera-enabled glasses may soon be available in the U.S.
Researchers have been pursuing the development of such a bionic eye for decades, in some cases spending hundreds of millions of dollars to tackle engineering challenges. One device designed to help people with a rare eye condition is awaiting U.S. regulatory approval. It is known as Argus II, made by Second Sight Medical Products Inc. of Sylmar, Calif. Other researchers, including at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford University, continue to work on what they believe are even more sophisticated versions.
Second Sight's product uses what is known as a retinal prosthesis that bypasses the dead or damaged cells in the eye needed to detect light. Instead, the device reroutes visual data via the implant to parts of the eye that still work. Like other similar devices under development, it uses a video camera embedded in a pair of eyeglasses to collect visual input in the form of light and transmit it to the implant as an electrical signal.
If Argus II is approved by the Food and Drug Administration, it would be the first retinal prosthesis to hit the market in the U.S. The device is already available in Europe.
The patients most likely to benefit from these devices are those with retinitis pigmentosa, a rare disease that damages and kills the cells in the retina—a tissue layer at the back of the eye—that process light. For people with the condition, their vision grows increasingly blurry until they eventually can't see at all. Some 100,000 patients in the U.S. have the condition.
Another group of patients who may find such technology useful, scientists say, is those with severe macular degeneration. This is an age-related disease that damages the part of the eye that perceives fine detail, according to the National Eye Institute. The various retinal prostheses under development all use video cameras to send light information to chip implants. Most of them use the data to trigger electrodes in the chip to stimulate pixels of light on the retina, which are then processed normally by the brain as images.
The technology tested to date lets the wearer primarily see in black and white. It is most useful for seeing sharp contrasts, such as the painted white line of a crosswalk on a dark road. But scientists hope that they can improve the detail to eventually enable color vision in its wearers.
Barbara Campbell, a 59-year-old vocational rehabilitation counselor, has had virtually no sight since her 40s. She had the Argus II implanted in her left eye in 2009 after hearing about the device through her work at the New York state Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped.
Though she was told the device was experimental, Ms. Campbell thought, "anything I gain will be a plus," she said.
Ms. Campbell had a five-hour surgery at New York-Presbyterian Hospital and two months later was fitted for the video glasses. Returning to her apartment, she could see that the light fixtures in the hallway of her building were different from how she remembered they used to be.
While her vision is still limited to discerning large objects such as furniture, she said, she can now see the pole at her bus stop instead of having to locate people standing nearby. When she goes to the theater, she can follow the actors on stage, though she cannot see their facial expressions.
Some 50 patients, including Ms. Campbell, have been implanted with the Argus II, with two-thirds of them experiencing benefits. The patients who respond the best can read large letters a few inches tall. Patients report the biggest gains are in improved orientation and mobility, said Robert Greenberg, Second Sight's CEO, who also is a medical doctor.
Designing a bionic eye has been much more difficult than developing other types of aids, such as a cochlear implant for hearing, say scientists. For one thing, visual information is two-dimensional—both horizontal and vertical coordinates must be sent to the brain—while sound waves needed for hearing are one-dimensional.
Another challenge is protecting the implant in the eye, since it essentially has to sit in a bath of organic liquid. "It's like taking your television and throwing it in the ocean and expecting it to work," said Dr. Greenberg. Scientists have spent time working out how to manufacture tiny, airtight boxes that can shield implants when they are in the eye.
A big obstacle has been figuring out how to adequately capture and stimulate enough pixels of light on the retina to produce a clear image. Normal vision is based on more than one hundred million receptors in each eye, but it is impossible to squeeze that many electrodes into a tiny device that has to lay on the retina, said John Wyatt, a professor in the department of electrical engineering at MIT who has been working on a retinal prosthesis since 1988.
Using this technology, Dr. Palanker expects to be able to fit enough light-powered panels to stimulate 5,000 pixels in a space similar to what the other retinal prostheses use. The device is currently being tested in rats and is expected to begin a human trial in a year or two, he said.


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Equalizing is probably the most important task when mixing, so you should get the best tool available!
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Automatic equalizationAnalyze your track, select what you want it to sound like and let the plugin do the magic. It will set up the equalizer bands for you! Unlike traditional spectral matching, here you have no latency and amazing sound quality!
Superb linear-phase processingOur linear-phase processing algorithm has been meticulously tweaked to provide the best quality available. It is exceptionally accurate even with low frequencies, where other equalizers usually fail.
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The most advanced user interface on the market – stylable, resizable, GPU accelerated
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MAutoEqualizer offers an outstanding versatile spectrum analyzer combined with a sonogram with
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text:
Steph Lee-Cascade of Lights Interior Design
At Design Interviews
Interview with Steph Lee : Frank Scott: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?. Steph Lee : The central idea for this work lies on the exceptionality of the original building. .Frank Scott: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?. Steph Lee : The design objective lies on restoring the nature of building by blending the environmental characteristics with appeals in the comprehensive arrangement of lighting. .Frank Scott: What are your future plans for this award winning design?. Steph Lee : I would like to participate in more outstanding international competitions with this work by any chance. .Frank Scott: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?. Steph Lee : One year. .Frank Scott: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?. Steph Lee : The structural characteristics of the original building, house owner's vital demand, and the importance of sunlight to the room have contributed to my determination of the core design concept of this work. .Frank Scott: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?. Steph Lee : No. .Frank Scott: What made you design this particular type of work?. Steph Lee : The spotlight of this work is the exceptional lighting corridor design that brings different changes of look to the room day and night. .Frank Scott: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?. Steph Lee : No. .Frank Scott: Who is the target customer for his design?. Steph Lee : The client of this work is a small family with two parents and two children. .Frank Scott: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?. Steph Lee : The spotlight of this work is the exceptional lighting corridor design that brings different changes of look to the room day and night. .Frank Scott: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?. Steph Lee : The title of this work comes from the consent of space to the existence of light, which is comparable to the importance of air to people. Simple words are used to directly convey the intent of creativity. .Frank Scott: What is the most unique aspect of your design?. Steph Lee : I believe that the use of light and respect for the nature of the building are the reason for this work to outperform others. .Frank Scott: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?. Steph Lee : No. .Frank Scott: What is the role of technology in this particular design?. Steph Lee : By adapting the creative concept of sunshine container, a large ground glass and the setback design of floor, successfully delivered plenty of light and green view to the indoor environment. The green energy concept contributed to form a comfortable living space, the extending lines within the space connected the relationship between people and nature, the space was no longer stiff, rigid and cold. .Frank Scott: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?. Steph Lee : No. .Frank Scott: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?. Steph Lee : The challenge in this design process includes how to avoid the sense of pressure and dullness of forming corridor in the building. .Frank Scott: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?. Steph Lee : I am highly satisfied with the design creativity and the full compliance to design project presented in this work. For this reason I have decided to apply for the award with this work. .Frank Scott: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?. Steph Lee : No. .Frank Scott: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?. Steph Lee : No. .
Steph Lee-Cascade of Lights Interior Design Images:
End of the article, click here to go back to previous page, or alternatively go back to Design Convention Magazine homepage.


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This pattern is for a beautiful barefoot sandals embellished with one of my sea motifs - Seahorse.
These barefoot sandals will make a wonderful accessory for the beach wedding, summer on the beach, yoga classes etc.
You will need to know how to make chain, single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, treble crochet and slip stitch to complete this project.
The pattern uses crochet US terms.
This pattern is an original design by GoldenLucyCrafts. You may not copy, rewrite, redistribute or resell this pattern in any form. This pattern is for personal, non-profit use only. You may not sell Barefoot Sandals made from this pattern.
Note: www.YouCanMakeThis.com provides this copyright & terms of use policy review as a courtesy to our site users and eBook authors. The copyright policy applies to the associated eBook and is specified and owned by the individual eBook author.
You will need crochet hook size D/3-3.25 mm, crochet hook size 1/2.75 mm, cotton crochet thread size 3 and white glass pearl 4 or 6 mm.


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- Color: Multi-color
- Size: 16 x 22
Product Details
Ines Kouidis 'Babyface II' Aluminum Art
Floating Brushed Aluminum Art
- This 16 inches x 22 inches brushed aluminum artwork is ready to hang
- The image is printed atop a one-eighth inch thick brushed aluminum composite panel
- This technique allows the brushed aluminum texture to show through, providing a brilliant effect and satin finish
- The artwork's framing material attached to the back cleanly raises the piece off the wall to give it a floating effect
- This art provides a beautiful, modern, sleek design without the bulkiness of a frame
Ines Kouidis 'Babyface II' Aluminum Art Multi-color 16 x 22
- Dimensions: 22.0 inches (H) x 16.0 inches (W) x 1.0 inches (L)
- Weight: 5.0 pounds
- Made in United States
For post-purchase inquiries, please contact customer support.
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How Now, Norm's Tao is a powerful and poignant memoir by one of the most accomplished and unique writers to grace contemporary American literature, Norm Spitzig. Far more than just an autobiography, How Now, Norm's Tao is an inspirational, insightful and deliciously humorous probing into the essential components of "the life well-lived." Along the way, Norm offers his legions of loyal fans "thirteen timeless core principles" that have guided and anchored his fascinating life's journey–a baker's dozen of pragmatic universal lessons that anyone, anywhere will find of significant value and compelling interest. As an added bonus, the book is peppered with the best of Norm's Twitter wisdom ("Twisdom")–nuggets of off-beat cleverness that have caused more than a few readers to chuckle uncontrollably at the most inopportune of times. Be forewarned: This groundbreaking book even dares to reveal "the secret of the universe." Read more
About Norm Spitzig
Norm Spitzig, MCM, is internationally recognized as a successful entrepreneur, leading business consultant, and eloquent, visionary, and humorous speaker on a variety of important business and lifestyle topics. His groundbreaking book, Perspectives on Club Management, now over a quarter-century old, continues to inspire and challenge private club owners, directors, managers, and students around the world. Norm, qua Clive Endive Ogive IV, is also the more recent author of two hilarious and insightful books, Private Clubs in America and around the World and Murder and Mayhem at Old Bunbury, both of which are available at CliveEndiveOgiveIV.com, Amazon, and fine (and not-so-fine) bookstores everywhere. Read more
Excerpt from the Book
On a business trip to Asia a few years ago, I had one of my more memorable and, dare I say, enlightening customer relations experiences. I had successfully finished up my work with the Hong Kong Football Club a day early—I was fortunate enough to have been chosen to serve as facilitator for the development of that wonderful private club's strategic plan...
Read more


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Trustee's request to review football brawl investigative materials prompts spirited discussion
An Ann Arbor school board member still has questions she would like addressed about how the district handled the Pioneer-Huron football brawl this fall.
Trustee Simone Lightfoot asked to review the investigative materials and video footage that Ann Arbor Public Schools officials used to determine how to discipline the adults and students involved in the Oct. 12 on-field fight.
AnnArbor.com file photo
"... Every picture we saw showed a bunch of adults. And in the end, it is one child, one senior, who was on his way out, who has this outcome."
Pioneer High School student Bashir Traevon Garain, 18, was charged with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, which are felonies, and two counts of assault and battery, which are misdemeanors, for his alleged part in the brawl.
Lightfoot said she realizes the legal process is outside of the district's purview, but she wants to make sure the actions AAPS took with regards to coach and student discipline were equitable.
A post-game argument between Huron coach Cory Gildersleeve and Pioneer coach Paul Test led to the massive fight in October. Both coaches received one-game suspensions from the district. Pioneer defensive coordinator Vince Wortmann, who shoved Gildersleeve and started the physical altercation, was fired as a result of his actions.
Two students under 18 also are expected to be charged in juvenile court with two counts of assault with intent to commit great bodily harm less than murder, a felony, and two counts each of assault and battery, a misdemeanor.
AnnArbor.com | Melanie Maxwell
"Like how many people were involved in this thing?" Lightfoot said. "How many of us actually know the answer to that?" she asked her fellow trustees. She said she finds out more information in the media than from the district.
Lightfoot requested that an "update" on the outcomes of the investigation be scheduled for an upcoming board meeting and for an additional discussion to take place on the district's policies for handling these matters.
Lightfoot added she would like to revisit the brawl's discipline decisions now that the investigation is complete and it is out of the district's hands.
But Green said there are limitations to what can be shared publicly.
Lightfoot asked Green what it means, then, when the media reports the investigation is complete.
"I'm not sure what the media means when the media reports that. I'm not telling them that," Green said Wednesday. "We're not continuing to investigate. If something were to come up (in the police or prosecutor's investigation) that we did not know in our investigation ... that would become part of our record."
"This is getting to be confusing," Lightfoot said, adding she just wanted a simple yes or no. "I'm not talking about the police. I am so clear..."
Green said the Ann Arbor Police Department had to subpoena the district's videos from the brawl and other investigative materials it desired to use in its legal investigation.
Lightfoot asked what kind of a time frame the administration would need to gather the materials and make them available to view.
"I would say, if you can get in touch with me, so I can get in to the right people it's not just sitting in my office. I'm going to need some time to organize it," Green said.
Lightfoot said she doesn't want the "run around" and she is trying to be courteous to administration and find out how long they need to pull the materials together for review. She said she just wants to know how long it might take — "A week? Two?"
"If you want it in a week, I'll put everything on the side and give it to you in a week," Green fired back.
Board President Deb Mexicotte jumped in and suggested the materials be made available after the holidays and the subject of the brawl was dropped.
Earlier in the conversation, the board agreed to discuss the brawl as a sort of case study on student discipline policies at its Jan. 23 Committee of the Whole meeting.
Lightfoot did not want to limit the committee discussion to only student discipline, however. She also wanted to discuss the coach discipline piece and policies for discipline investigations in general, she said.
"I also want to know about the policy that came in around the incident itself, how the staff worked on this and the policies and considerations that were taken, what led to our decision," Lightfoot said.
But other board members were not in favor of this, noting the policies already had been discussed after a presentation that took place at the Nov. 14 Committee of the Whole meeting.
On Nov. 14, the athletic directors from Ann Arbor's three comprehensive high schools talked about the athletic codes, policies and procedures that regulate coach and athlete behaviors in the district.
During the meeting, board members made several suggestions to administration for improving these policies, including adding language to ensure suspended coaches do not practice with their teams.
AnnArbor.com file photo
"We turned all that over to administration with the intent that, at some point, there'd be a review of the supporting regulations. I don't think we're at the point where administration is ready to bring that forward," Thomas said.
Board members also pointed out that Lightfoot had to miss part of the Nov. 14 meeting and came in halfway through the athletic directors' discussion.
Trustee Glenn Nelson told AnnArbor.com Friday he thought another talk about the district's adult policies would be "plowing the same ground twice."
"I think a rereview so quickly of the adult (discipline) is letting this take over our agenda more than it should," Nelson said. "We have a very full agenda around educational programming and budgeting."
Nelson said he understands Lightfoot's desire to know more about this topic and encouraged her to continue her exploration. He said he personally has no desire to review the investigative materials.
"But I hope that kind of diversity of interest strengthens us (as a board)," Nelson said. "I'm happy when a trustee does want to look into things more. And I want to know about it when they find something. But I don't feel like we all have to do those sort of 'deep dives' on every subject."
During the meeting Wednesday, Lightfoot said she plans to sit and review all of the investigative materials and she has no problem asking questions at that time, "But I want us to be very public about this issue."
At the very least, Lightfoot said she would like an update about the professional development the athletic directors recommended for coaches in the wake of the brawl. She said funding for this concerns her because the board has been told there is not enough money to provide adequate professional development for teachers.
In an interview Thursday, Lightfoot told AnnArbor.com she does not feel like she is interjecting herself into personnel or administrative matters by having these expectations for reviewing what happened. She said board members owe it to their constituents to have the same amount of information as the media and others in the public when something tragic like this happens. And she said it should be the administration's duty to keep them informed.
"The idea that the superintendent can bring (this topic) back at her will is completely unacceptable to me," Lightfoot said Thursday. "We have a new superintendent, a new cabinet and new policies that have been put into place. This would be how we make sure all of this newness is passing the muster."
AnnArbor.com requested to speak with Green about the football brawl investigation and about the conversation that took place during Wednesday's board meeting. Green declined to speak with a reporter, and AAPS Communications Director Liz Margolis issued the following statement instead:
"The district's response to the conversation at the board meeting this past Wednesday is that we always welcome Trustees to come in and meet with staff and to view documents they are interested in. We will be fulfilling the recent request from a few Trustees to view the documents from the Huron/Pioneer Football incident."
Nelson said Friday he definitely felt the "intensity and the electricity go up for a short bit" during Wednesday's meeting. He said he wasn't sure what to make of it, but was happy to see it resolved.
Trustee Susan Baskett said Thursday she hopes it was just the long meeting and the late hour that led to the frustrations at the board table.
Baskett also has questions about the way the football brawl investigation was handled and the equity of the discipline. She said she plans to review the investigative materials as well.
Lightfoot added she has concerns about Green's attitude toward her personally and about her reluctance to make the materials available. Lightfoot said she sees a pattern in Green's demeanor "anytime we're trying to do our due diligence; it's seen as micromanaging."
"Dr. Green will write requests down from some trustees and not pick up a pen with other trustees," Lightfoot said Thursday. "... I've heard concerns from our community about her approach to communication and to experience it firsthand in a very public manner, it was disappointing. ... I think it's an indication of what some of our families experience.
"I want the public to know, I feel them when it comes to Dr. Green. It's on my radar."
Danielle Arndt covers K-12 education for AnnArbor.com. Follow her on Twitter @DanielleArndt or email her at email@example.com.
Tue, Dec 11, 2012 : 3:01 a.m.
The public has a right to know, Ms. Lightfoot has the right know, what is the secret here? Hand over the information and stop arguing about it. Are we hiding something?
Mon, Dec 10, 2012 : 4:49 a.m.
Teachers and parents are saying that the way Trustee Lightfoot was treated by Super. Green is the way they too have been treated by her. This is something that the board should be very concerned about, and I hope the kinds of remarks described here will be included in the super's "need to improve" on her next evaluation. Why does she think she can treat our board members, families, and staff like this? Does the board think this cavalier behavior is acceptable?
Sun, Dec 9, 2012 : 11:14 p.m.
Well, I'm glad that finally someone on the board is getting a taste of what we're been subjected to in the classroom with Ms. Green. We (the teaching & site administration staff) cannot understand how someone so insulated from the day to day operations of schools, and someone so lacking in basic communication skills can be in the position for which she was hired. Like the saying goes: "we were here before she arrived, and we'll be here after she does her damage and then leaves." How many superintendents have fit into that statement? Answer: 4 of the last 5. AAPS has a very expensive and unfortunate habit of hiring superintendents who do damage and then leave town with their tails between their legs.
Sun, Dec 9, 2012 : 5:03 a.m.
If the reporting in this article is correct, Green's response to what seems like a reasonable request is indeed troubling. Why the hostility and defensiveness? I can think of some poor excuses but no good reasons for Green's reaction. We expect our families and our board and staff to be treated with respect. This will not do.
Basic Bob
Sun, Dec 9, 2012 : 1:44 a.m.
The school board has been reluctant to direct the administration - they think of it as micro-managing. In this case, they have not criticized the superintendent or the people who work for her. They have asked for information that is pertinent to the image and legal obligations of the school district. The superintendent should quit stonewalling and give it up. It is no ones fault but hers if the information is not in one place, or can't be gathered in an hour. There must be a "file". She is clearly trying to evade the request from the people she works for - the school board. This is insubordination. Perhaps she feels that the board can't be trusted, or that anything she sends to them might be FOIA'd and subsequently released to the public. That is not her responsibility to make that decision. What does she need weeks to prepare - a redacted version of the actual files?
Joe Kidd
Sat, Dec 8, 2012 : 3:54 p.m.
I would prefer a more common sense superintendent who would take the job for one half the current pay over one paid at this level which implies in the class of "smartest people in the world." Perhaps a more common sense board too. They hired her.
Sat, Dec 8, 2012 : 3:50 p.m.
Thank you Trustee Simone Lightfoot.
Nicholas Urfe
Sat, Dec 8, 2012 : 3:47 p.m.
I applaud Ms. Lightfoot's efforts to bring some transparency to this very hushed affair. The handling of the incident is more troubling than the incident itself, and speaks volumes about the lack of transparency in this administration.
Joe Kidd
Sat, Dec 8, 2012 : 3:47 p.m.
Two thoughts on this. One, I have no issue whatsoever with Ms. Lightfoot's request, in fact I am surprised she feels the need to make it. The board should have been fully briefed on every aspect of the investigation, after it went to the prosecutor's office. That should have been done before any decisions were made public to answer board members questions. Second to refer to high school students as "babies," or children is an indication, IMHO, that she is out of sync with the behavior issues that are prominent in AAPS schools, and how people develop. At some point students have to be taught not only academics but how they are expected to act in public.
Sat, Dec 8, 2012 : 5:43 p.m.
This comment sums it up perfectly!
Nicholas Urfe
Sat, Dec 8, 2012 : 3:46 p.m.
'"If you want it in a week, I'll put everything on the side and … give it to you in a week," Green fired back.' That is bullying, and foot dragging. Those of us who have worked in the corporate world know the pattern very well. Anyone who files a lawsuit will likely get those materials under subpoena. It should be troubling to everyone that these materials are so poorly organized that it would take even a couple of hours to produce them for a board member to review. It makes me wonder if all of the materials are properly secured against being "lost".
Sat, Dec 8, 2012 : 3:31 p.m.
Release the video, AAPS. Enough obstruction. What are you trying to hide?
Sat, Dec 8, 2012 : 3:32 p.m.
Possibly as many as three people have lost their jobs over this, plus we have a young man charged with two felonies. The public deserves transparency, and AAPS is interested only in further opacity.
Sat, Dec 8, 2012 : 2:49 p.m.
It is nice to see that the new superintendent is as arrogant and condescending to a trustee as she appears to be with everyone else. At least she is consistent.
Sat, Dec 8, 2012 : 2:46 p.m.
I have never seen a baby assault anyone with a crutch. An 18 yr old football player is no baby.
Sat, Dec 8, 2012 : 6:29 p.m.
you are RIGHT, there are no babies in high school!!!!!
David Cahill
Sat, Dec 8, 2012 : 2:41 p.m.
Good for Trustee Lightfoot! I hope she breaks through the iron curtain of secrecy that the administration has built around this incident.
Patricia Lesko
Sat, Dec 8, 2012 : 2:23 p.m.
"If you want it in a week, I'll put everything on the side and … give it to you in a week," Green fired back. Dr. Patricia Green is misleading and bullying Trustee Lightfoot, as well as the public. Is the Superintendent really telling us that only a staffer paid $275,000 per year can fill a public records request made by a Trustee? Really?!? Had Lightfoot filed a FOIA, by law that request would be filled by the lowest paid staffer capable of copying and redacting the materials. Green, off the top of her head, estimates it would take her 40 hours to gather together the requested materials from an incident that took place less than 60 days ago? Obviously, the District needs to hire someone to clean off Dr. Green's desk, tidy her office, and show a woman with a Ph.D. how to file materials alphabetically for more efficient retrieval. The Trustees saddled themselves with this somewhat arrogant woman who has repeatedly shown she not favor transparency when it comes to public records requests. To Trustee Lightfoot we might say, "Welcome to the Party." The Trustees can rectify Green's attacks on public records transparency very easily by greatly relaxing the District's policies concerning FOIA, and greatly expanding how much material will be provided free of charge to District residents who file FOIAs. Trustees can also instruct Dr. Green to put the District's checkbook and credit card statements online. Simone Lightfoot is absolutely doing the right thing in informing herself and the public.
Sat, Dec 8, 2012 : 2:13 p.m.
Ms Lightfoots heart is in the right place and it always has been, I say Thank You for this, as well as Ms Baskett! Thank You both for all you do!! Keep up the good work!
Sat, Dec 8, 2012 : 2:11 p.m.
Well at least one person now sees the empress has no clothes.
Sat, Dec 8, 2012 : 1:55 p.m.
Good for Lightfoot! She is right..a student is charged with a crime while the coaches get a couple of game suspensions. Now we hear that two more students will be charged. The school board deserves to know what happened, they should view the footage. Green's attitude is appalling!
Joe Kidd
Sat, Dec 8, 2012 : 3:51 p.m.
The coaches failure is in not teaching the players fighting will not be tolerated up front. You cannot charge them for crimes committed by another person. If the students went off the handle and broke the law, only can be charged. In order to charge the coaches you would have to prove they were complicit with the crime like telling the students to do it.
Albert Howard
Sat, Dec 8, 2012 : 1:46 p.m.
'Transparency' is not in Patricia Green's vocabulary.
Sat, Dec 8, 2012 : 1:07 p.m.
My, my, my! Would Green accept this type of insubordination from her principals? I think not! Go figure.
Sat, Dec 8, 2012 : 1 p.m.
The "baby" in question is an 18 year old adult who was the only one in the fight brandishing a weapon.
Mon, Dec 10, 2012 : 10:05 p.m.
If we don't considering all the other kids brandishing their helmets as weapons too, of course.
Sat, Dec 8, 2012 : 8:47 p.m.
Wrong! The players on both sides were reacting to what looked like a physical confrontation involving 3 coaches. AAPS needs to release the video.
Unusual Suspect
Sat, Dec 8, 2012 : 8:32 p.m.
Students may have taken that as a reason to start fighting, but that's no justification. The fact is there wasn't a fight going on between the adults, but the students did start a fight.
Sat, Dec 8, 2012 : 8:19 p.m.
Unusual, despite what the report said, angry adults who were making physical contact with each other started the brawl.
Unusual Suspect
Sat, Dec 8, 2012 : 5:03 p.m.
kms, go back and read previous articles. It was determined by the Washtenaw County Prosecutor that the adults did not start a brawl. There was a single physical action that was deemed appropriate defensive force.
Sat, Dec 8, 2012 : 2:09 p.m.
How many students are charged with serious crimes? This case deserves scrutiny. The adults started this brawl and students are being charged. Yes, everybody should be held accountable for their behavior but at least let the school board see the video.
Sat, Dec 8, 2012 : 1:30 p.m.
Hoy many times this year has she stood up for students before this? I think she's just looking for her 15 minutes.
Craig Lounsbury
Sat, Dec 8, 2012 : 12:50 p.m.
"If you want it in a week, I'll put everything on the side and … give it to you in a week," Green fired back.' Given the magnitude of public interest in this episode, (the public that funds the school system and pays Patricia Greens salary) if she needs a week of singular focus to gather the information on the incident she is either stonewalling an elected official or she is incompetent at her job.
Paula Gardner
Sat, Dec 8, 2012 : 12:37 p.m.
On the questions about the media reporting the investigation being over: Here's the story that included Superintendent Pat Green's comments (and letter to the community) about the initial phases of the investigation having been completed: http://www.annarbor.com/sports/high-school/ann-arbor-public-schools-concludes-initial-football-brawl-investigation-superintendent-releases-stat/ We'll ask the district to clarify whether there was a subsequent phase that has not concluded.
Sat, Dec 8, 2012 : 12:33 p.m.
This was a disgrace.EVERYBODY involved in the brawl and the coverup should be canned and the kids involved should be suspended permanently.
Sat, Dec 8, 2012 : 12:28 p.m.
Those pesky government regulators are at it again, but they'll be soon subsumed by the surging mob.


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I Don't Want to See It! [Snug]
On Valentine's Day of 2009, I got my "real" piercing...a forward helix in my left ear. I had a little bit of trouble with it, but overall, I absolutely adore it and it didn't take long for the fabled "piercing addiction" to attack and make me want more.
But what to get? I really wanted something that not a lot of people have, and I didn't want to stray from my ears (my family is really against all other piercings and already kind of frown down upon the total of three piercings I now have in each ear). Eventually, I stumbled upon the snug. I had never seen one before and it would fit perfectly in my ear. Of course, there had to be a downside; every account I read said it hurt A LOT and I am quite the pansy. Also, I am completely horrified of needles.
But that wasn't going to stop me.
My roommate Kari and I headed off to Saint Tattoo in Knoxville one weekend in March that we were home from school (we've made it a habit to get pierced up together, although she's quite a bit more intense about it than I am). I was super nervous, but Kari had decided to get dermal anchors in her lower back, so I felt a little lame being scared about my ear piercing.
We waited for a little while, flipping through the tattoo example books while Bryan, the piercer who had pierced both of us before, made copies of our IDs and got our paperwork together. He asked us both to explain to him exactly what we wanted before we went back to get pierced up. After verifying that we were not under the influence of anything, we headed into the back room together.
I got to go first, since I knew if I saw Kari bleeding all over the place, I would probably panic and not be able to sit still for my piercing. I had explained to Bryan earlier that I wanted my snug to be lined up with my tragus because it would drive me absolutely nuts if it wasn't all nice and symmetrical. He had to redraw the marks on my ear a few times, but he was extremely patient with me and made sure he got it absolutely exactly where I wanted before piercing, which of course made me quite happy.
I sat in the big squishy chair while Bryan autoclaved my jewelry and Kari, being the good friend that she is, distracted me by taking pictures of me looking all nervous from every unattractive angle she could find (Thanks again for that, schnookums). When Bryan returned, he explained exactly what he would do and what he would use. I covered my eyes when he pulled out needle and exclaimed, "I don't want to see it!" God, I hate needles. Now my heart was going a mile a minute. Honestly, I tuned out most of what he was saying. I trusted him to do his job, and I didn't really want to think about how much this was going to hurt.
Soon enough, I was laying on my left side in the chair with most of the right side of my face covered by a gauze sheet. I was crushing Kari's hand as Bryan made me breathe in and out slowly before sticking the needle in my ear.
I made a face preparing for the pain, but it never really came. I opened my tightly shut eyes and loosening my grip on Kari's hand considerably. I had felt a pinch, like someone lightly pressing their fingernail into my ear, and I could feel the weight of the needle ("Hey Lauren, you've got a fishhook in your ear!" my always encouraging roommate informed me), but it did not hurt. I even laughed, kinda irritated that I had gotten myself so worked up over nothing. The worst part was getting the jewelry secured after removing the needle, but even that was more mildly uncomfortable than painful.
It bled a little, but it was quickly cleaned up and I was able to hop out of the chair as soon as it was back in its usual upright position. I rushed over to the mirror and grinned at my reflection. It was absolutely perfect, and I couldn't stop looking at it for a long time.
After Kari got her dermal anchors (which are quite awesome, and certainly not anything I could ever sit through without crying), Bryan gave us our aftercare instructions (clean with saline, don't play with it, don't do anything else that would irritate it, etc.) and informed me that I could come back in when the swelling in my ear goes down to get a shorter barbell put in.
It's been almost two months since I got my snug, and so far, it's been fabulous. It is still quite swollen as I keep sleeping on it (oops), but I still love it so so so so so much!
Although it could have just been my adrenaline that made this piercing so easy to bear, it is absolutely incredible and would have been worth it even if it had hurt as much as I expected it to. If you're considering this piercing, DO IT! Also, if you're in the area, I highly recommend dropping in to see Bryan Campbell at Saint Tattoo.
submitted by: FakeLightning
on: 02 June 2010
in Snug Piercing
Artist: Bryan Campbell
Studio: Saint Tattoo
Location: Knoxville, TN


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TOPEKA, Kan. (Nov. 2, 2018) -- It was a fantastic three days of competition Oct. 19-21 at Sonoma Raceway in California during the 2018 SCCA® National Championship Runoffs®. For those who couldn't make it to the track or missed the live online broadcast of races, it's now possible to catch up on all the action with free 2018 Runoffs race videos available for viewing at SCCA.com. Later this year, certain 2018 Runoffs races will also air on CBS Sports Network.
With nearly 500 entries across 28 different car classes, this year's 24 events featured exciting competition, close racing throughout the fields, a handful of surprises and some great storylines. Video coverage, presented by Mazda, was again anchored by Greg Creamer with guests Ryan Myrehn (SportsCar365 writer), Tom O'Gorman (pro driver), Heyward Wagner (pit reporter), Andy Hollis and Larry MacLeod (SCCA Solo Nationals announcers) providing additional insight and commentary.
The SCCA National Championship Runoffs has evolved into what is now commonly agreed to be the pinnacle of American motorsports. Since 1964, the SCCA has crowned Road Racing's National Champions at the winner-take-all, single race Runoffs format through dozens of separate races over three days. As host of the 55th Runoffs, Sonoma Raceway became only the third California track to host SCCA's National Championship, joining Riverside International Raceway and WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
The Sports Car Club of America®, Inc., founded in 1944, is a 67,500-member motorsports organization that incorporates all facets of autocross, rally and road racing at both Club and professional levels. With headquarters in Topeka, Kansas, the SCCA annually sanctions over 2,000 events through its 116 Regions and subsidiary divisions. Much of the SCCA's activities are made possible with support from the following Official Partners: Chevrolet, the Official Truck of the SCCA; Hawk Performance, the Official Brake Products of SCCA; Mobil 1, the Official Oil of SCCA; Sunoco, the Official Fuel of SCCA; and Tire Rack, the Official Tire Retailer of SCCA. To learn more, please visit www.scca.com.


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CORONAVIRUS ALERT: Nicklaus Children's Hospital is closely monitoring updates related to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Click here for the latest information.
Nicklaus Children's Hospital has several outpatient and urgent care centers throughout South Florida, including on-demand, virtual care.
Walk-in urgent care with no appointment needed.
Serving as your child's primary doctor's office.
Pediatric specialty consultations available closer to home.
A full range of comprehensive services all under one roof.
Connect with providers from the comfort of your own home.
With over 700 pediatric physicians on staff, we're dedicated to helping you connect with the right specialist for your needs.
We have expertise in treating children and educating families on hundreds of different conditions.
We use cutting-edge, specialized treatments and procedures to ensure the best care for your child.
Tongue problems include pain, swelling, or a change in how the tongue looks.
Dark tongue; Burning tongue syndrome - symptoms
The tongue is mainly made up of muscles. It is covered with a mucus membrane. Small bumps (papillae) cover the upper surface of the tongue.
There are many different reasons for changes in the tongue's function and appearance.
Problems Moving the Tongue
Tongue movement problems are most often caused by nerve damage. Rarely, problems moving the tongue may also be caused by a disorder where the band of tissue that attaches the tongue to the floor of the mouth is too short. This is called ankyloglossia.
Tongue movement disorders may result in:
Taste Problems
Taste problems can be caused by:
The tongue normally senses sweet, salty, sour, and bitter tastes. Other "tastes" are actually a function of the sense of smell.
Increased Size of the Tongue
Tongue swelling occurs with:
The tongue may get wider in persons who have no teeth and do not wear dentures.
Sudden swelling of the tongue can happen due to an allergic reaction or a side effect of medicines.
Color Changes
Color changes may occur when the tongue becomes inflamed (glossitis). Papillae (bumps on the tongue) are lost, causing the tongue to appear smooth. Geographic tongue is a patchy form of glossitis where the location of inflammation and the appearance of the tongue change from day to day.
Hairy Tongue
Hairy tongue is a harmless condition in which the tongue looks hairy or furry. The disorder usually goes away with antibiotics.
Black Tongue
Sometimes the upper surface of the tongue turns black or brown in color. This is an unsightly condition but it is not harmful.
Pain In the Tongue
Pain may occur with glossitis and geographic tongue. Tongue pain may also occur with:
After menopause, some women have a sudden feeling that their tongue has been burned. This is called burning tongue syndrome or idiopathic glossopyrosis. There is no specific treatment for burning tongue syndrome, but capsaicin (the ingredient that makes peppers spicy) can offer relief to some people.
Minor infections or irritations are the most common cause of tongue soreness. Injury, such as biting the tongue, can cause painful sores. Heavy smoking can irritate the tongue and make it painful.
A viral ulcer on the tongue or elsewhere in the mouth is common. This is called a canker sore and can appear for no known reason.
Possible causes of tongue pain include:
Possible causes of tongue tremor:
Possible causes of white tongue:
Possible causes of smooth tongue:
Possible causes of red (ranging from pink to reddish-purple) tongue:
Possible causes of tongue swelling:
Possible causes of a hairy tongue:
Practicing good oral hygiene can help hairy tongue and black tongue. Be sure to eat a well-balanced diet.
Canker sores will heal on their own.
See your dentist if you have a tongue problem caused by dentures.
Antihistamines can help relieve a swollen tongue caused by allergies. Avoid the food or drug that causes the tongue swelling. Seek medical attention right away if swelling is starting to make breathing difficult.
Call your doctor if your tongue problem persists.
The doctor will perform a physical exam, to look closely at the tongue. You may be asked questions such as:
You may need blood tests or a biopsy to check for other conditions.
Treatment depends on the cause of the tongue problem. Possible treatments include:
Reamy BV, Derby R, Bunt CW. Common tongue conditions in primary care. Am Fam Physician. 2010;81(5):627-634.
Mirowski GW, Mark LA. Oral disease and oral-cutaneous manifestations of gastrointestinal and liver disease. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2010:chap 22.
Pfeiffer RF. Neurogenic dysphagia. In: Bradley WG, Daroff RB, Fenichel GM, Jankovic J, eds. Neurology in Clinical Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Butterworth-Heinemann; 2008:chap 13.
Finelli PF, Mair RG. Disturbances of smell and taste. In: Bradley WG, Daroff Rb, Fenichel GM, Jankovic J, eds. Neurology in Clinical Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Butterworth-Heinemann; 2008:chap 19.


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Economic Impact of UNCW's Volunteer Service Valued at $3.89 Million
Monday, January 28, 2013
Wilmington, N.C. - UNCW students, faculty and staff consistently volunteer in communities locally, regionally, nationally and globally, contributing more than $3.89 million in value, according to a new report by the Chancellor's Office of Community Partnerships, which was established in September of 2011.
"Our students, faculty and staff are not necessarily thinking about the economic impact of their efforts when they volunteer in a local school, build a house for a family in need, start a community garden, serve on a nonprofit organization's board or participate in activities that address regional concerns. They are focused on making a difference in our community, our state and our world," Chancellor Gary L. Miller said. "I believe it is important to underscore the value of their efforts to measurably demonstrate UNCW's commitment to our love of place."
The UNCW Community Partnerships Impact Report shows that UNCW students, faculty and staff participated in more than 178,555 hours of service through 714 documented partnerships during the 2010-2011 academic year. The study calculates the economic impact of faculty, staff and students' service by multiplying the hours served by $21.79, the nationally estimated value of volunteer time, according to the Independent Sector.
"The data we collected from 2010-2011 will serve as a benchmark and allow us to track the university's outreach efforts, identify new opportunities, and develop partnerships to fill any service gaps," said Jenni Harris, assistant to the chancellor for community partnerships. "This statistical information will help us work with community leaders and elected officials to generate ongoing support and enthusiasm for UNCW's community partnerships."
Other study results include:
- Nearly half of UNCW's 13,000 students participated in outreach efforts through service learning projects, community service projects and civic engagement activities.
- In regard to faculty service, there were 259 faculty members reporting, representing 41 departments, who contributed 19,531 hours of service to more than 600 local, regional, state and national organizations. Faculty held 238 leadership positions (such as board member, president, etc.) in the varied organizations.
- These activities took place at 1,532 different sites during 2010-2011. Nearly half the sites (652) were located in Wilmington/New Hanover County.
- Programs that focus on education account for 27% of the 714 community partnerships documented in 2010-11. Other percentages include: social services (24%); arts and culture (15%); and health services (12%).
- A full copy of the Impact Report is available on the new Community Partnerships website: uncw.edu/partnerships.
Media Contact: Andrea Weaver, Office of University Relations, firstname.lastname@example.com, 910-962-7631


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A new report on teen sex contradicts a popular notion that teens are turning to oral sex as a way to delay "real" intercourse. The government study shows fewer teenage girls are having oral sex, compared to a few years ago.
The study, based on in-depth interviews with 6,300 young men and women aged 15 to 24, shows two-thirds in that age group have had oral sex, and just about the same proportion have had vaginal intercourse. But just about 42 percent of 15 to 19-year-old girls have given or received oral sex, down from 45 percent when the last survey was done in 2006-2008.
This is good news, the researchers say, because the earlier young people start any sexual activity at all, the more likely they are to get a sexually transmitted disease or to get pregnant.
The bad news is that teenagers and young adults are still highly likely to get sexually transmitted infections or STIs. "Despite the decline in the percentage of teenagers who ever had vaginal intercourse and increases in condom use, the rate of STIs has not decreased, particularly among teenagers 15–19 and young adults aged 20–24 years," says the report, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics.
"In 2010, about one-half of all new STIs occurred among people aged 15–24."
The report shows that only 7 percent of girls aged 15 to 19 had had oral sex without ever having had vaginal intercourse. By age 22 to 24, just 2.7 percent of young women said they had given or received oral sex but not had vaginal intercourse.
"This new CDC analysis debunks many myths about when young people are initiating oral sex, and underscores the need for the kind of sex education that Planned Parenthood provides, which emphasizes not only pregnancy prevention, but sexually transmitted disease prevention as well," said Leslie Kantor, vice president for education for Planned Parenthood Federation of America.
"Although there has never been data to support it, there has been the perception that many teens engage in oral sex as a 'risk-free' alternative to intercourse. But the CDC analysis shows that sexually active young people are likely to engage in both activities."
Planned Parenthood advocates for comprehensive sex education, and the Obama administration does too. The CDC researchers who did the study declined to comment on what it might mean, policy-wise, and said they were simply gathering statistics.
But the researchers also noted that teenagers often don't understand the risks associated with sexual activity. "Research suggests that adolescents perceive fewer health-related risks for oral sex compared with vaginal intercourse. However, young people, particularly those who have oral sex before their first vaginal intercourse, may still be placing themselves at risk of STIs or HIV before they are ever at risk of pregnancy," they wrote.
"The risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including human immunodeficiency virus or HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is lower for oral sex than for vaginal intercourse or anal sex," the report adds. "However, several studies have documented that oral sex can transmit certain STIs, including chlamydia, genital herpes, gonorrhea and syphilis. Teenagers and young adults engaging in sexual activity are at increased risk of STIs or HIV."
Kantor said this calls for more sex education. "We need to make sure that young people have the skills to negotiate what they do and don't want to do in sexual relationships, as well as education about and access to condoms and birth control so that they can protect themselves from STDs and pregnancy and remain healthy," she said.
The study, based on hour-long, in-person interviews done from 2007 to 2010, also demonstrates racial disparities. Black girls and women aged 15 to 24 were far more likely than similar white girls to have had intercourse. The survey found that 74 percent of African-American females had vaginal intercourse at least once, compared to 68 percent of Hispanic females and 66 percent of whites.
And the study, meant to shed light on sexual practices, suggests that different types of sexual contact go together. "Among females aged 15–24 years, 26 percent had first oral sex before first vaginal intercourse; 27 percent had oral sex after first intercourse; 7.4 percent had oral sex on the same occasion as first intercourse; and 5.1 percent had oral sex, but no vaginal intercourse," says the report.
But fewer girls were having oral sex than before. "About the same percentage of girls aged 15–19 years reported giving or receiving oral sex (41 percent and 43 percent, respectively)," the report says. This compares to 45 percent in 2006-2008.
"A higher percentage of boys aged 15–19 years had oral sex (49 percent) than had vaginal intercourse (44 percent)," it adds. This was about the same as 2006-2008.
Related links:


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A woman pulled over by cops who suspect she was driving drunk accidentally set her car on fire when she dropped a lit cigarette, police said.
Becca Voss, 20, was pulled over by Louisville, Ky., police who saw her car speeding and weaving early Thursday, police said. When they approached her car, she dropped a lit cigarette in the driver's side door trim where it ignited papers, according to WLKY.com.
Voss flunked field tests and later blew a 0.207. She was charged with driving drunk and reckless driving, ans was also in possession of her sister's identification.


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Or rather, color print-outs of artwork cut out, glued in the right(-ish) spot on our big basement timeline, and then painted over again with glitter Mod Podge:
Masterpiece Mansion, Willow decided that she wanted to learn more art history. All of our print-outs have so far come from The Worldwide Art Gallery, although this will also be a great subject to have in mind the next time that we attend one of those used book clearance sales that happen here pretty frequently--can't you imagine how perfect a five-cent used art history textbook would be for this project?
I still have much to do to figure out other points in an art history unit study, especially since Will has also asked to learn about Ancient Egypt, and we're still doing projects about China, dinosaurs, ballet, Independence Day, cooking, and geometry, but just from our brief study so far, Willow has already achieved the hallmark of cocktail party conversation material, in that she now has a favorite artist.
Hieronymus Bosch. Oh, dear.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Masterpieces of Art in Historical Context
3 comments:
- Tina said...
I love the idea of gluing a time line to the wall. What do you do though if you have to move? Do you just start again?
- June 26, 2011 at 1:33 PM
- Teresa Robeson said...
Cocktail conversation material...heh heh!
Hey, I've dropped off some fragrances at Cake's place, so I guess she'll be in touch with you to get together. :) Enjoy!
- June 26, 2011 at 3:22 PM
- julie said...
Yay, fragrance--thanks!
Yeah, we'll just start again whenever we move, hopefully to another house that has at least as much white basement wall space. I'd like to start again, frankly, because I did not allot NEARLY enough room to the modern era--it's already getting crowded, and the girls are just five and six!
- June 26, 2011 at 7:23 PM
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Why do members join your club? What are their individual interests, needs and backgrounds? Do any two members have precisely the same interests, income levels, professional backgrounds, educational backgrounds, ethnicity, religious beliefs, political beliefs or design tastes?
We ask these questions because to improve our ability to attract and retain members in the coming decade, we will need a more customized approach than we've had in the past. So how can we adapt our facilities, programs and services in ways that will be more appealing to prospective members? More importantly, how will we be able to evolve to this customized approach without going broke in the process?
The answers lie in taking advantage of emerging trends and technologies that are both economical and readily available.
1. Take advantage of the heightened attention on health care and prevention by becoming the trusted source for health and wellness information in your community. Someone on your staff or someone affiliated with your club should have the expertise and credentials to disseminate the latest heath and wellness educational information in laymen's terms so your members see the club as the experts. Pay careful attention to which topics seem to receive the greatest member response and provide more on these topics. Use member feedback to create new, paid programs and services.
2. Stop trying to force your members and prospective members into programs, services and rate packages for the masses. Instead, develop structures and systems that allow for individualized packages. Use technology to assess member needs and wants, as well as track usage, so that members feel they are being charged more appropriately for the benefits they receive from the club.
3. Communicate with your members in ways that work best for them, whether via e-mail, phone, Web site, texting, Facebook, Twitter, in person, etc. Imagine how many more dollars in sales you would have earned in the past year had all of your members received the appropriate messages at the appropriate times. This level of targeted communication will require staff dedicated to this vital part of your business.
4. Set up your staffing structure in ways that permit health, fitness and wellness professionals to easily work for the benefit of your club without restricting them to an exclusive agreement. If you make it easier for the "pied pipers" in your geographic area to do business with you, they will each bring a following to your club. Note that you will need to be prepared to compensate them fairly or lose them to your competition.
5. Make every visit feel special to each member by using methods similar to those used by the luxury hospitality industry. Hotels call this a "guest history." They keep records on each guest pertaining to their specific interests in room type, amenities, level of service, etc. Then, each time they visit, the staff is prepared to provide them with customized service. Imagine your members' reactions when they show up and the staff recognizes them by name, escorts them to their favorite class or workout area, provides them their preferred towel or drink, etc.
6. To create "raving fans" and attract new members, recognize and reward those among your staff and members who help the club grow its revenues. The best way to attract more business is to ensure that those who contribute feel appreciated.
7. Track individual goals and results for each member. New technology allows any club to track each member's personal wellness goals and results. Members and prospective members are becoming increasingly aware of the need to monitor their own health metrics, and savvy club operators will find ways to make this easier and more user-friendly.
8. Understand that a health club or fitness center is first and foremost a social center. People can exercise on their own or at home without the need for our facilities. What attracts them to a health club or fitness center is the interaction with other people, both staff and members. Starbucks sells coffee, but that is not why people go out of their way to pay excessive amounts for a cup of java. We must find creative ways to make our facilities more social. Fitness and exercise may be the core product, but it will not be enough to attract the ever more sophisticated consumer.
Herb Lipsman is president and CEO of The Health Club Co. (www.thehealthclubcompany.com), a firm specializing in consulting and management services for the design, development and operation of upscale sports clubs, fitness centers and spas.


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Articles on Patricia Lima, Joanne Scannell, Patrick Murphy and Terry Mullen
ERA Key Realty Services in Westborough recently announced that Patricia (Patti) Lima of Northborough has joined the office as a full-time Realtor.
During her career, Lima has earned numerous real estate sales awards, including Pacesetter and Multi-Million Dollar Producer. She brings 11 years of experience to the office.
Lima holds an Accredited Buyer's Representative and Negotiating Specialist designations.
She is a member of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board as well as Multiple Listing Service. She is a sponsor of the Northborough Girls Softball, Northborough Girls Basketball organizations and Northborough Babe Ruth Baseball Inc.
CDW Consultants Inc. (CDW) recently announced that Joanne Scannell of Natick has been appointed associate principal and shareholder of the firm.
Scannell has been with CDW for more than nine years. At the firm, she oversees and manages the day-to-day business and financial operations, as well as employee relations and benefits.
Scannell has more than 25 years of experience in business finance and administration.
She holds a bachelor of arts degree in economics from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
CDW is a Framingham-based environmental and civil engineering firm.
Rockland Trust recently announced that Patrick Murphy of Mendon has joined the bank as vice president in the commercial lending division.
Serving the Greater Boston and Braintree areas, Murphy brings more than seven years of commercial lending and relationship management experience to Rockland Trust.
As vice president at Rockland Trust, Murphy is responsible for developing commercial lending opportunities, while supporting prospective and current clients in accomplishing their business goals.
Prior to joining Rockland Trust, Murphy was a middle market lender at Natick-based Middlesex Savings Bank. Previously, he was a vice president at Citibank, acting as a relationship manager, structuring and underwriting financial facilities and growing the bank's New England portfolio.
Murphy is a also board member of Junior Achievement, a nonprofit organization that works with local businesses to deliver real-world education for students in kindergarten through high school. He is a graduate of Northeastern University and earned an MBA from the University of Rochester.
The U.S. business group of Sun Life Financial Inc. in Wellesley recently announced that Terry Mullen of Weston has been named senior vice president of U.S. distribution.
As head of distribution, Mullen will be responsible for aligning and developing the sales organization across all employee benefits lines of business in the United States. He will oversee the group, voluntary and stop-loss distribution teams, as well as internal sales and relationship management.
Prior to this appointment, Mullen was senior vice president at Sun Life Financial International, overseeing Sun Life Financial's Bermuda international high net worth insurance and investment business, as well as the leadership of relationship management for global distributors.
He joined Sun Life in 2008 as president of Sun Life Financial Distributors, and was responsible for all aspects of distribution for U.S. annuities and individual life insurance products and services. Prior to joining Sun Life, he served as president and CEO of Lincoln Financial Distributors Inc., the wholesaling distribution organization for Lincoln Financial Group.


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Someone get this girl a cup of coffee. She looks like she's constantly dozing off.
well she seems as if she's on something!
I LUV your Avitar RHR .. I'm sure gonna miss VAL!!Quote from: RHR on July 02, 2010, 04:50:25 PMSomeone get this girl a cup of coffee. She looks like she's constantly dozing off.
For her sake, I hope she just has issues talking to the camera. If that is the way she looks at someone while conversing, she may have a body language problem. She appears to not be able to engage in eye contact, and is awkward in the chair as though trying to push herself back and away. Probably just camera shy though.
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