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Average age of a Tesla Model S owner?
Average age of a Tesla Model S owner?
63... My signature should arrive ~ Dec/12 (CDN S#146)
22, but I am getting it for my dad using my first signing bonus. He got me through college and he has always joked that I could pay him back by getting him a sports car.
Oh I should add he's turning 50 next May, so he should be 50 when he gets it!
What a great gesture! Does he know yet?
#442 Sig Performance St Louis scheduled for Sept
Will be 57 in late Sept.
What a nice BDay present
Love the Tech and the Electric Acceleration
Has anyone calculated the average age yet???
See prev. page. Periodically I add to the count. 45.6 last check, median 50.
#1101 expecting delivery in October. My birthday is next month so I'll be 37. Looking forward to the big day. (Car not birthday... lol)
51 - Sig#517
50 is the new 30
61 and selling my CTS-V to go electric
Turned 39 last week.
25 @ #7294!
I hope that doesn't make anyone feel old
Just turned 53 and, hopefully, I will get the cars before I have turned 54...
Sig #85EU / P #270EU
Brian H, thanks for the calcs...
However, not to be nitpicky, but, well, I guess I am being nitpicky.....
Your "50" median is more of a "midpoint" between max (77) and min (23). The median is typically defined as half of the total participants is above that point and half is below that point. There could be a case where there are many more people above the midpoint - this would give a median higher than the midpoint. There could also be a case where a few outliers could skew the midpoint one way or the other. Now, it COULD be that the midpoint is exactly the median though. My appologies if this is the case.
I had to go through this with my kids not too long ago - but I don't recall "mode" for some reason.
25 @ #4559!
Right there with ya, mrcool. ;)
(Hope this works)
Current Analysis
45 Median (The Middle)
42 Mode (Most Common)
46.87 Average
12.74 Standard Deviation in Years
Age Brackets:
Qty Age
10 20 to 29
36 30 to 39
55 40 to 49
29 50 to 59
16 60 to 69
11 70 to 79
Expect to be 41 when P10,636 is delievered next year.
Fail. And I don't believe your disclaimer! >:\
Roit UR. Been a while since I had to remember all that. The mode is just the "peak" point -- most frequent individual value. May be more than one. E.g., a bust is bimodal!
I may get busy enuf to actually spreadsheet the numbers instead of just adding and counting. Or not!
Seeing the bar graph demonstrates that I am literally "over the hill!". ;D
Yes, and I'm also literally over the "hill". But driving this car I will make me feel at least 10 years younger and it would put me in the sweet spot! Thanks Lobo for crunching the #s.
44 might be 45 at the current production rate!
40. Will be 41 when I get Model S...
I was 42 when making my reservation. I will be 46 when I get my car next spring/summer. But the wait is half the fun, don't you think? I really don't mind, but then I needed those years to save up some money.
to old for rock´n roll, to young to die
but perfect for Model S...
46.87 Average
In 61.5 days I will be exactly the average age. My MVPA (S802) says September delivery, but from what I read on these forums that's looking unlikely. I hope to still be younger than average when I actually get it.
DOH. never mind. I'm already a year older than that. But I don't feel 47!
Well done. My figures were running low because I had "n" too high by 3.
So 46.9 is correct at that point, for 150 "participants".
Mmmm. Normal distribution with a hint of positive skewing. About what I would expect.
I don't think I've ever been the mode before.
I'll be 46 next week and it won't be long after that.
More people are the mode than anything else! You're in good (bad?) company.
I'm 24, but I don't own a Tesla yet, just have a reservation :).
Although I did get the "Time to build" email, so the pressure is on.
You kids get off my lawn! Damn whippersnappers; no respect these days.
So much for being the youngest reservation holder! :'(
P8946 and I'm 33. I can't wait for my Model S
21. Model S Performance #4063 RN066014
P11,395, age 33
Ave. down to 46.3 for 164 "participants".
34 now, 33 when I reserved, and 35 when I take delivery.
62 now, 63 on Sept 25, 2012! Sig 692! Hope to get my Model S Perf on my birthday!!! Will see...
I wonder who the youngest Model S owner is.
#3853 - 31
Didn't sargun say he was 21? Or did I misread his post?


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Original Limited Edition Museum Quality Canvas Photograph Organical Imagery by Christian Slanec HighResolution Fine Art Photograph Title: Petal Chips
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Where to ring in the New Year around Australia
With New Year's Eve just around the corner, it's now or never to book in your plans. Across Australia there's no shortage of options and a party on offer for all, from festive fireworks exploding across breathtaking backdrops to blissed-out beach parties and bubbles.
Here's our pick of the best New Year's Eve parties taking place across the country to ensure you ring in 2019 in style:
Sydney - The iconic New Year's Eve
Sydney is undoubtedly one of the most iconic places to spend New Year's Eve, so why not do it with prime view of the action. Right on Sydney Harbour, Trippas White's Portside Sydney will treat guests to free-flowing champagne, beer and wine, as well as gourmet canapés and food stations. Unobstructed views of glittering fireworks over Sydney Harbour will make the perfect backdrop for a midnight kiss, while house, disco and nostalgic mashup beats from Sydney's best DJs will see you dancing into 2019. Click here for more information, tickets from $795pp.
Melbourne – The luxe New Year's Eve
Touted as one of Melbourne's most luxurious New Year's Eve parties, 'Level 55 New Year's Eve' at the city's famed Vue de Monde is a lavish way to celebrate 2019. Take in the Melbourne skyline and brilliant fireworks while perched atop one of the city's highest points, over bespoke canapés, flowing champagne and wines and matching cocktails. Click here for more information. Tickets from $350pp.
Brisbane – The cosmopolitan New Year's Eve
Live it up poolside in the heart of Brisbane city this New Year's Eve at W Brisbane's NYE BrisVegas Baby party. Soak up all the electricity of one of the city's newest five-star venues - W's exclusive rooftop pool will be open for business, offering front row seats to two epic firework displays over the Brisbane River, flowing Belvedere Vodka cocktails, molecular canapés and live beats from Sydney DJ/Producer Emily Scott. Click here for more information, tickets from $220pp.
Adelaide – The winery New Year's Eve
Ring in 2019 amongst the vineyards, at Barossa Chateau in Lyndoch, about an hour out of Adelaide. The evening will feature gourmet, chef-prepared food, including canapés on arrival and a long-table feast, a carefully selected menu of craft beers and wines, and live music and dancing. All within the grounds of a stately, European chateau and its famed rose gardens and vineyards. Click here for more information. Tickets from $165pp.
Perth – The beachside New Year's Eve
Farewell 2018 with one last sunset over the Indian Ocean at the quintessentially West Australian, beachside venue, Coast Port Beach. Located right on Fremantle Beach, Coast Port will transform into a Beach House to round out the year. The ticket includes a glass of bubbles and canapés upon arrival, and beats from live bands and DJs into the night. Click here for more information. Tickets from $25pp.


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LAC-MÉGANTIC — Its first demand ignored, the struggling town of Lac-Mégantic has sent a second lawyer's letter to the rail company whose exploding oil-filled tankers destroyed the centre of town, insisting it foot the bill for the multi-million-dollar cleanup.
A stoic Mayor Colette Roy-Laroche stopped short Tuesday of accusing the Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway of shirking its responsibilities, and refused to comment on what would happen if the beleaguered company declared bankruptcy.
"We have assurances that the town and taxpayers won't be paying for this," she said at a news conference Tuesday.
MMA, which laid off five employees Tuesday from its Farnham office, bringing the total to 24, or just over one-quarter of its Quebec workforce, hasn't yet responded to the town's first legal letter, sent last Tuesday.
It originally demanded that the company reimburse $4 million in cleanup costs already paid by the town. The town's most recent letter, sent Monday, asks for the original price tag, plus an additional $3.7 million.
MMA lawyers have told the town's legal department that they would meet with insurers Tuesday, Roy-Laroche said.
The money is to cover the salaries of employees of eight companies hired by MMA to clean up the site, which was drenched in 5.7 million litres of oil when a train derailed in the middle if the Eastern Townships village July 6. The ensuing explosion and fire killed 47 people, five of whom have not yet been recovered from the site.
Sûreté du Québec spokesperson Aurélie Guindon said the fenced-off area, where investigators are still sifting through the incinerated debris, is no longer a crime scene.
She said it was still too early to say whether charges would be laid.
As dozens of people strolled through Ste-Agnès Church Tuesday, taking photos of the many heartwrenching photos of the victims on display amidst hundreds of handwritten notes, a bit of good news emerged from the ashes.
The Musi-Café, which was destroyed that fateful night with several revellers trapped inside, will reopen temporarily under a tent in the parking lot of the local Maxi grocery store.
"The bar, which has been a symbol of the devastation, will now be a symbol of the resilience of the people of Lac-Mégantic," said owner Yannick Gagné at a news conference Tuesday morning. "This will also give work to the people who had jobs in the Musi-Café."
A series of free concerts, to raise money and spirits for the local population, will also take place starting this Friday until Sept. 15, with acts like Sophia Vaillancourt (Aug. 20), Marie-Mai (Aug. 31), Richard Desjardins (Sept. 1) and Florence K (Sept. 15) scheduled to appear.
Roy-Laroche said she still wakes up in disbelief every morning since the tragedy that has befallen the town of just 6,000. But the solidarity seen among her constituents and good wishes she's received from people across Quebec and in Ontario and the United States have kept her going, she said.
At the church Tuesday, volunteer Thérèse Guérin spoke with visitors and fretted about the future, as the distant bucolic view of green pastures filled the open doors of the parish.
"There is a lot of anxiety and worry about the future, about how these families will recover," she said. "There are about 27 children who will be returning to school soon without one or both parents."


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Friday, June 28, 2013
Kreidler: The insurance industry faces an unprecedented risk from climate change
Commissioner Kreidler has been involved in climate change and insurance issues for years now. Currently, he chairs the National Association of Insurance Commissioner's Climate Change and Global Warming Working Group. Read his take in Climate Action on the unique opportunity the insurance industry has to prepare for the changes to our climate.
Posted by Stephanie M at 2:36 PM
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I have a struct as follows
These are delcared globally. I know this is bad but it does initilise everything if declared globally.Code:struct node{ int x; int y; node *next_nodex; } node r_table[360];
I have a function which decides which element in the array.
How would I get to the last element in one of the lists. Is it something like this.
ThanksCode:node *tmp_ptr; tmp_ptr = &(r_table[table_indx]); // Goto to end of list while (tmp_ptr->next_node != NULL) tmp_ptr = tmp_ptr->next_node; // Add new node tmp_ptr->next_node = new(node); // Step into new node tmp_ptr = tmp_ptr->next_node; tmp_ptr->x = x_anchor - col; tmp_ptr->y = y_anchor - row; tmp_ptr->next_node = NULL;


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This post introduces optionality, optionality in the context of foresight and then raises implications for education.
Discussing Optionality
A bit ago, both Tren Griffen and Nassim Taleb discussed "optionality" on their blogs.
"Optionality" refers to an investment decision where the reasonable upside is much larger than the reasonable downside.
Here are some of Tren's thoughts on optionality:
Optionality is lost when you're initial investments are so large, you cannot afford to abandon your initial plans:
"A rigid business plan gets one locked into a preset invariant policy, like a highway without exits —hence devoid of optionality.†I am at my self-imposed 999 word limit so what follows including this quotation must largely stand on its own without commentary…
"Optionality… explains why top-down centralized decisions tend to fail" …
"Like Britain in the Industrial Revolution, America's asset is, simply, risk taking and the use of optionality, this remarkable ability to engage in rational forms of trial and error, with no comparative shame in failing again, starting again, and repeating failure.†Entrepreneurs harvest optionality when they tinker and experiment as they run their businesses and as a positive externality benefit their city/region/nation/the world in the aggregate by generating productivity and genuine growth in the economy even if legions of entrepreneurs may fail. Taleb: "Most of you will fail, disrespected, impoverished, but we are grateful for the risks you are taking and the sacrifices you are making for the sake of the economic growth of the planet and pulling others out of poverty. You are the source of our antifragility. Our nation thanks you.â€
Optionality in the Context of Foresight
Unlike rigidly planned investment strategies, optionality emphasizes only maintaining flexibility and recognizing success when it happens:
"If you 'have optionality,' you don't have much need for what is commonly called intelligence, knowledge, insight, skills, and these complicated things that take place in our brain cells. For you don't have to be right that often. All you need is the wisdom to not do unintelligent things to hurt yourself (some acts of omission) and recognize favorable outcomes when they occur. (The key is that your assessment doesn't need to be made beforehand, only after the outcome.)†Being able to make decisions which do not require correctly forecasting the future is a wonderful thing. Not one of the great value investors identified in the series of posts in this blog relies on macro forecasts of the future. Instead, value investors use the optionality of cash to buy after the outcome exists (i.e., a significant drop in intrinsic value). Regarding venture capital, Warren Buffett believes: "If significant risk exists in a single transaction, overall risk should be reduced by making that purchase one of many mutually- independent commitments. Thus, you may consciously purchase a risky investment – one that indeed has a significant possibility of causing loss or injury – if you believe that your gain, weighted for probabilities, considerably exceeds your loss, comparably weighted, and if you can commit to a number of similar, but unrelated opportunities. Most venture capitalists employ this strategy.â€
"Optionality" is related to the career advise given by Jim Collins. Instead of simply cataloging your skills, and applying for high-paying jobs in which those skills are required, Collins recommended first looking at (a) what you love, (b) what you can be great at, and (c) what you can make money doing. The goal isn't to aim for some perfect job sometime later in your life, but to set yourself up in an area where you enjoy practicing and you adaptable for those opportunities that appear.
Implications for Education
Optionality is an investment choice that has a small potential downside but large potential upside. You don't need a strict plan, lots of foresight, or even great environmental awareness to look for investment choices that have optionality. You simply need to keep from making bad decisions, and need to tolerate "getting it wrong" (which means simply starting over).
So what does this mean for education?
Student loans are an anti-optionality catastrophe.
Student loans are impossible to get rid of in bankruptcy. They also require a lot of foresight and planning — and worst of all, require it of 18 year old idiots (that is, virtually all 18 year olds).
Being an idiot isn't a bad thing — if you have optionality, you try, fail, and learn from experience. But being an idiot with debt is a horrible fate.
At the very least, non-bankruptable student loans should never be offered for non-Science/Technology/Engineering/Mathematics majors. To force someone with no work history to take ten thousand, twenty thousand, or more in non-forgivable debt for a worthless English literature degree is horrid. It is the closest thing to "usury" that exists in our world outside of organized crime.
Not only do non-bankruptable student loans kill optionality by making education have a big potential downside, they make that downside more likely. Student loans for non-STEM majors encourage failure by getting students to loan up to enter a ghetto of low wages and few jobs. This is the opposite of encouraging wise investments.
We need to close the on-ramp to the ghetto by discouraging youth from making choices that don't have optionality. We need to end non-STEM student loans.
It's better for an 18 year old to be a drug dealer or go-go-dancer than to take non-bankruptable loans to study sociology. Those options may have optionality. Sociology doesn't.


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Choose A Radical Site
Radical the Book
In Radical, Taking Back Your Faith From the American Dream, David Platt challenged us to take a look at our lives and to forsake everything for the Gospel. Visit the Radical Book site for a free chapter download and other great resources.
The Radical Experiment
The Radical Experiment is a one year challenge given at the end of Radical. This site contains resources that will help you as an individual, small group or church to walk through The Radical Experiment for one year.
Radical Together
Writing to everyone who desires to make an impact for God's glory Dr. Platt shares six foundational ideas that fuel radical obedience among Christians in the church. In Radical Together he will help you apply the revolutionary claims and commands of Christ in fresh, practical ways to your community of faith.


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Another idiot behind the wheel – and the third Lost cast member to drive drunk … WTF???
Daniel Dae Kim was arrested in Honolulu this morning after attempting to kill people with his car after using alcohol. No comment so far, which is smart. Keep your mouth shut unless it's to say sorry over and over again, then plead guilty, pay your dues, and bust your ass on community service. And no more driving.
Can't these people afford a driver? If I could afford a driver, I'd be driven around all the time. I love taxis too much as it is...
Ps. are there no taxis in Hawaii? Or Los Angeles for that matter?


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Services on Demand
Related links
- Cited by Google
- Similars in Google
Acta Theologica
On-line version ISSN 2309-9089
Print version ISSN 1015-8758
DE BOER, Erik A. Augustine on election: the birth of an article of faith. Acta theol. [online]. 2012, vol.32, n.2, suppl., pp.54-73. ISSN 2309-9089.
The doctrine of divine election is part of the heritage of Western Christianity. Discussions in the reformed tradition point to the older Augustine as the one who developed the doctrine of double predestination in the controversy with the semi-Pelagians. The thesis of this study is that the birth of this doctrine can be found in the writings of the young Augustine in the early years of his episcopacy. Personal explorations into St. Paul's letter to the Romans and written questions from Simplician of Milan prompted him to write on Chapter 9. Augustine's reading of Romans 9 is compared with the preceding works of Marius Victorinus and Ambrosiaster. The account of Augustine's conversion in his Confessiones document indicates his involvement in Romans. Especially his Ad Simplicianum documents "a veritable revolution in his theology" towards a fully developed doctrine of grace. The concept of God's foreknowledge of human acts no longer sufficed to understand the diverse fates of the twins Esau and Jacob.
Keywords : Augustine Predestination Election.


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Tagging Comes to Linux App Finder
Submitted by chadm on Fri, 2006-12-08 11:57.
Tagging is now supported at Linux App Finder. If an app has tags associated with it, they will appear just below the program's title. Clicking a tag will display all apps that share it. A search box is also available to further narrow down the results within a specific tag.
If you are a registered user and logged in, it is very easy to add a new tag. A text box will appear just below where you can already rate the app. Type in the new tag, hit submit, and the page will reload with the new tag displayed.
Please feel free to add any pertinent tags that you think makes a program easier to find. I started adding some, but most remain untagged so far.


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WASHINGTON | There's been a lot of talk lately about debt. The student-loan ombudsman for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has just released a report analyzing complaints the watchdog agency has received from private student-loan borrowers.
WASHINGTON | There's been a lot of talk lately about debt. The student-loan ombudsman for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has just released a report analyzing complaints the watchdog agency has received from private student-loan borrowers.
Many borrowers said they encountered problems trying to pay off their debt early.
Outstanding education debt hit the $1 trillion mark in 2011. By last May, it was approaching $1.2 trillion, making student loans the second-largest form of consumer debt after home mortgages, says Rohit Chopra, the ombudsman.
In looking closer at the outstanding student loans, the CFPB estimates that 7 million student loan borrowers are in default on federal and private student loans. It's important to know the difference — federal student loans have many benefits including fixed interest rates and repayment options including income-based repayment plans. Private student loans typically have higher and variable interest rates and don't have as many repayment options.
Many student-loan borrowers can't refinance their student loans or have limited options. So to reduce their borrowing costs, they make extra payments. However, many said that when they tried to make extra payments on the private loans, their payments weren't processed the way they wanted.
Some borrowers say they have trouble verifying if payments are appropriately applied. Others noted that after submitting additional payments, the money was earmarked for future amounts due. Or they complain that extra payments intended to reduce their principal were instead applied for outstanding fees and interest.
Paying more than is required is often complicated because borrowers have three or four loans bundled into a single account. The CFPB analyzed more than 3,000 complaints.
Other complaints included problems with getting accurate payoff information from loan servicers. Some consumers said they received conflicting payoff amounts from different customer service representatives. Others reported obtaining a payoff balance, submitting the payment amount and assuming their debt was paid in full, only to find out that their payoff balance was incorrect and their account remained open.
The CFPB said loan payers should send a letter to their loan servicers clearly stating more money than is required is being sent and then tell the servicer how the payment is to be allocated.
If you have several loans with the same loan servicer and you don't provide instructions, your servicer will generally decide how to allocate your payments. The result might not be in your best financial interest.
The letter can ask that any money over the minimum amount due be applied to the principal of the loan that is accruing the highest interest rate. If you have multiple loans with the same interest rate, tell the loan servicer to apply the additional amount to the loan with the lowest outstanding principal balance.
Borrowers have an advocate. The legislation that created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau also established an ombudsman for student loans. To submit a complaint, go to www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint. For additional questions about repaying student loans, the agency has a tool, "Repay Student Debt," which lists several options for both private and federal loans. The URL for the sample letter is www.consumerfinance.gov/blog/category/student-loans.
Michelle Singletary is a columnist for The Washington Post.


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We have a team of dedicated self-employed sales consultants that work from home all over the country and earn high levels of commission by offering the most competitive vehicle leasing offers to local business and personal users.
This is a great opportunity that really works … Join us, learn and earn from a well-established brand and team.
Many of our sales consultants started on a part time basis, whilst either in other employment, full or part time, building up levels to go full time with us, others to just compliment existing business ventures or part time work they are involved in. Either way is fine with us, we give you all the support and resources to be successful, you decide how busy and successful you want to be.
You don't need to have had an extensive sales background, either in this industry or elsewhere just the knowledge and aptitude that offering the most competitively price products in a clear and professional manner is the most vital requisites.
We will set you up with your own mini website, displaying your contact details, mirroring the deals on our main websites, the website domain will be setup something like http://www.leaseline-(your local town or area).co.uk your own personal shop window.
We will set you up with a Voice over IP phone and system that integrates into our phone system, giving you an extension number, so calls can be passed internally from our office and help is always on hand. (You will need your own home broadband connection to do this) all business phone calls would be paid for by us (fair usage applies). We will give you some virtual local and national phone numbers to help you with your marketing and to show you are a local.
We will supply you with a local business database for your area, which will include, contact names, phone number and email details to work on.
We can send out mass email marketing broadcasts on your behalf to your database if you wish.
We will supply you with the best special offers in the market and access to some of the largest car leasing company's systems with full training, to generate user chooser quotes.
We will set you up with personalised stationary, business cards etc and email addresses presenting you as part of a professional organisation.
We will give you full setup support and ongoing industry training
We will pay you the highest level % of all commission sold by you. Enquire for details.
We will give you full ongoing admin support – you take a customer order and proposal form locally, send it to our Head office, we will process the credit, documentation and delivery, (keeping you informed all the time) when the vehicle has been delivered and commission paid we will transfer your share to your account, so we take care of credit control too. We can give you full holiday cover, so when you aren't here your deals are still processed and delivered and can even take new orders for you if you wish. We have a couple of sales managers that have holiday homes around the world and take their IP phone and conduct business from those locations too.
We give you full access to many online systems and your own (LCM) client and supplier manager, enabling you to work your database to the full.
Where do we get our leads and enquiries from? - Each Sales consultant is responsible for generating leads and marketing is down to each individual for your area, so working and adding to your database with leaflet drops, e mail marketing, networking with local suppliers and groups, coupled with cold calling, joining local Networking breakfast meetings are proving extremely fruitful and because we are a whole of market broker and constantly loading the best offers in the market to your websites that self generates too over time. We are planning to do some group lead generating schemes where each sales consultant pays a small monthly amount into a central fund in return for enquiries, but there will be no obligation to use or join. Occasionally we are offered some exceptional manufacturers deals and heavy central e mail marketing follows, these again will be handed out to the field sales consultants, but these are a bonus.
Do we charge any set up costs? - Yes the is a small fee, which includes website, stationary, telephone and email setup charges. Enquire for details.
All we ask from you is to enjoy being your own boss, reap what you sow and follow our sales mangers agreement so looking after our good name.


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'BLACK AND WHITE' IN PIECES. CTU Analysis of charter schools shows curriculum failure, test prep mania, and huge teacher turnover and lack of continuity
The massive Chicago Teachers Union study of Chicago's schools has been under-reported in all of the major media, and is likely to continue to be so. After examining the report in total, Substance has decided not only to report on its overall content, as we did on December 1, but to do a separate analysis and report on each of the pieces.
The 53-page report compiled by the Chicago Teachers Union ends claims by Chicago Public Schools that nearly 20 years of mayoral control have been a success.One of the most dramatic facts uncovered by the CTU researchers is the turnover of charter school teachers that results from the treatment of those teachers in non-union and anti-union charter schools. Despite claims to the contrary, Chicago charter schools are generally (not unanimously) test prep factories, as the report documents.
The introduction to the report in outline establishes the CTU critique of Chicago's charter schools:
"The Educational Failure of Charter Schools: One of the biggest myths about charter schools is that as a whole, they outperform CPS neighborhood schools. However, in addition to insignificant average differences, certain populations of CPS students have better outcomes when they attend neighborhood schools instead of those run by charter operators. Charters have performed worse even in high-need areas. Among elementary schools with a 90 percent student population that qualifies for a FRL and are at least 90 percent black, charters average at the 33rd percentile in reading test score gains. Their neighborhood school counterparts score at the 43rd percentile, outranking charters by 10 percentile points on reading test score gains. CPS magnet elementary schools also significantly outperform comparable charters on CPS' accountability measures. On average, non-selective magnet schools outrank charters by 12 percentile points in reading and two percentile points in math.
"Test Prep Network: The Noble Network has a laser-like focus on ACT scores despite a lack of predictive validity for college success. Freshmen and sophomores take quarterly "Hedgehog" exams (written by teachers) that utilize ACT style questions and power standards. Juniors are required to take a "collegiate seminar" twice a week after school that is really just an intensive ACT prep course. Since pay is linked to test scores, Noble teachers are forced to spend a large portion on test prep. According to a Noble teacher, "There is a lot of individual pressure by the teachers since it's tied to pay, which I think makes a significant difference in the mentality for the teachers. I must teach these kids how to do X, Y and Z or else I won't get my bonus. It's a much more corporate style atmosphere in general." Instead of actual teaching, students are drilled to prepare for test questions.
"Teacher Diversity and Churn: In CPS, the percentage of students of color far exceeds the percentage of teachers of color across CPS. However, this diversity gap is especially prominent at charter schools. At charters, more than 95 percent of students were black or Latino/a, while only a combined 30 percent of teachers identified as either black or Latino/a, resulting in a diversity gap of 65 percent across charter schools. The UNO Charter Network has a student population that is 95 percent Hispanic but only 11.6 percent of its teachers identify as Hispanic or Latino/a. The Noble Street Network is composed of 95 percent students of color, but only 19 percent of their teachers identified as black or Latino/a. Annual staff overhaul is a systemic feature of charters. While age and experience certainly play a role in teacher turnover, charter school teacher attrition cannot be explained just by the fact that their teachers are younger and less experienced. While 67 percent of CPS first year elementary teachers returned to their school, only 54 percent of all teachers returned to their UNO campuses. A similar retention gap exists in high schools, with 75 percent of first year CPS high school teachers returning but, for example, only 65 percent of all teachers at Noble. This large turnover in charters influences teacher experience—charter teachers average about four years of experience, compared to 14 years for CPS teachers.
"Reclaiming Real Innovation in Neighborhood Schools: In 2010, Bill Gates said, "Charter schools are especially important right now because they are the only schools that have the full opportunity to innovate." Charter "innovation" has not produced broad achievement gains, and what we do know about their practices indicates that rapid charter proliferation has compounded and amplified the most egregious forms of educational apartheid found in CPS. The supposed 'bureaucracy' that holds back innovation in neighborhood schools is not an inherent feature of public neighborhood schools but an intentional policy of disinvestment that withholds resources for innovation in neighborhood schools and gives additional funding and autonomy for charters. There are many innovative approaches that neighborhood schools can use to improve instruction and learning through collaboration and professional development. The Children's Literacy Initiative (CLI) focuses on building capacity for ongoing professional development for K-3 teachers and reducing class sizes. Lesson Study, which focuses on teacher collaboration, is another innovation that warrants expansion. The Responsive Classroom format aims to develop social skills of cooperation, responsibility, and empathy in concert with the acquisition of deep subject knowledge, decision making and motivation for learning. These are just a few proven alternatives to the regime of test-based accountability. They can replace our rigorous but meaningless standardized testing practices with assessment systems built on challenging, subject-specific tasks, a wide array of demonstrated knowledge, extensive documentation and active learning.
"CPS must end the failed policy of closing or otherwise acting against neighborhood schools and replacing them with charter schools. Instead, CPS should provide neighborhood schools with the resources needed to give students and parents the schools they deserve."
The general failure of Chicago charter schools, more than 15 years after they were first proclaimed in Chicago as the solution to the "crisis" in urban schools and the way that America will bridge the so-called "achievement gap" is exposed at a time when Chicago officials, led by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, have been hailing charters, and the leaders of CPS, appointed by Emanuel, have pledge to increase the current number of Chicago charter schools and "campuses" by 60. The CTU report debunks the claims of the charters and challenges everyone to rethink the privatization strategy that has dominated the debate over the solution to the supposed crisis in public education.
The critique comes as a particular challenge to the Obama administration, since privatization and the closing of urban public schools based on test-based "failure" has been the underpinning of the "Race To The Top" national education reform strategy for four years, since the appointment of Arne Duncan as U.S. Secretary of Education in 2009. Duncan's claim to the job, while in some trivial accounts was supposedly based on his basketball games with the President Obama, has actually been based on the false claims of his success in transforming Chicago's schools through a massive program of school closings and charter openings that began less than one year after Duncan succeeded Paul Vallas as Chicago Schools "Chief Executive Officer" in July 2001. Duncan's first school closings were announced in April 2002, when he slandered Dodge, Terrell and Williams elementary schools. One of the schools (Dodge) became the first so-called "turnaround" school controlled by AUSL (the Academy for Urban School Leadership). A second (Williams), was turned over to a variety of experiments, at one point hosting inside its building three schools, one of which was a KIPP school that is still moving around Chicago without a permanent home. The third (Terrell) was turned over to a charter school (one that involved the city's unions in its activities).
By: Jay Rehak
Students need stability
The real tragedy is that our students need stability in their lives and huge turnovers of staff and/or destroying school communities via closing schools and re-opening them as charters all serve to disrupt children's lives.
We all know this to be true, and still, unelected government officials keep pushing for privatizing schools and the subsequent frequent huge turnover and churning of burnt out staff.
How long before society realizes that stability is the cornerstone of a solid education?
By: Hugo gonzalez
The media are to blame
If anyone is wondering were all the lack of information i blame the media. How many of you have ever seen an ad that supports ctu not many.


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These conceptual drawings of the Bobcat Depot in Baker University Center show what students returning to campus in the fall should expect to see.
Graphic courtesy of: FRCH Design Worldwide
FRCH Design Worldwide
Graphic courtesy of: FRCH Design Worldwide
Bobcat Depot logo
Apr 29, 2014
By Gretchen Gregory
Students returning to the Athens Campus in the fall will see two major changes in Baker University Center when Bobcat Essentials and Tech Depot merge into one location with a new name – Bobcat Depot.
The newly designed Bobcat Depot on the first floor of Baker will feature all the services offered by both Bobcat Essentials and Tech Depot. The new location will allow students and guests to receive in-store hardware or software troubleshooting and repair, purchase textbooks, school supplies and OHIO apparel in a unified retail environment.
"Bobcat Depot has truly been a collaborative effort between Ohio University Auxiliaries and OIT," said Dan Pittman, assistant director of auxiliary sales. "We can't wait to open the new venue's doors to the campus community later this summer."
Preliminary construction for the combined operation began in mid-April, and the new store is scheduled to open in late July.
In mid-June, Bobcat Essentials will close to allow construction crews to begin renovations to the space, which will be the new home of the expanded Allen Student Help Center.
According to Allen Student Help Center Director Jenny Klein, the extra space will create a more cohesive environment to assist students in determining the right major and explore minors and academic certificates.
"For students who are struggling academically and not sure why they aren't doing well, we can help," she explained. "We can help with general academic advising and assist with finding programs to help improve the success of the undergraduate student."
Each year, the Allen Student Help Center assists to resolve more than 6,000 questions or concerns from students, she added.
A name contest was held among students to determine the new name of the Bobcat Depot, and 13 of the 186 submissions suggested the winning name of Bobcat Depot. Contest organizers conducted a random drawing to decide which of the winning submissions received the grand prize. The winning participate was Hayley Heminger, who was awarded a 16 GB iPad Mini. The 12 runners up received an OHIO T-shirt.


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Managing Director & Partner
Nicolas de Bellefonds joined Boston Consulting Group in 2006. He leads BCG's work in digital and data-driven consumer engagement, and he is a core member of our Consumer and Marketing, Sales & Pricing practices at BCG.
Nicolas specializes in leveraging digital, data, and advanced analytics to encourage revenue growth through digital marketing, targeted advertising, CRM, e-commerce, and omnichannel distribution.
His recent projects have included the transformation of the digital marketing capabilities of one of the world's largest FMCG's (including the transition to data-driven and programmatic marketing); the acceleration of top-line growth of a European Airline through personalized offers and digital marketing; and the personalization of pricing through advanced analytics for a B2B retailer.
He is also a member of BCG's GAMMA team, which creates competitive advantages for organizations by unleashing the power of signals hidden deep within large and complex data sets. BCG's GAMMA team conceptualizes, builds, and deploys advanced analytic solutions that can transform the trajectories of organizations in 12 to 24 months.
Prior to joining the firm, Nicolas worked in financial auditing and transaction services at Ernst & Young and with Baracoda, a start-up specializing in wireless devices.


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Geneabloggers are asking for posts on Christmas Memories. Today's is "Did you like fruitcake? Did your family receive fruitcakes? Have you ever re-gifted fruitcake? Have you ever devised creative uses for fruitcake?"
I like fruit, I like cake, but Fruitcake – yuk. Why are all Christmas "goodies" made of booze, dried peel, currants, sultanas and raisins? Christmas cake, mince pies, Christmas pudding – crammed full of the awful stuff. Mum made all the traditional British Christmas fare, including the Brewed Up For Months Pudding. She had to hide it from my Dad in between its liberal dousings of brandy, and one year she couldn't find it in time for Christmas Day. I wasn't sorry except that I didn't get to see Dad setting fire to the abomination!
Given my disgust of Christmas puddings, Mum would make a trifle or a strawberry mousse, and meringues stuck together with whipped cream. I didn't like cream either, but loved meringues, and conveniently my brother liked the cream but not the meringues. We had quite a little factory going at the dinner table, with him licking the cream off and passing me the meringues 🙂
I'd definitely re-gift a fruitcake, and as for creative uses, I believe it is excellent bait in mouse traps….
Visit Geneabloggers to read other Advent Calendar postings or to add one of your own.


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Flawless Skin Wax Studio
Serving Tampa, FL
First Time Guest Specials
Flawless Skin Wax Studio is the premier waxing salon of Tampa, Florida. I provide professional waxing and hair removal services for those seeking desirably smooth skin. I specialize in Brazilian Waxing and Eyebrow Waxing for both men and women in the South Tampa area. I am so confident in my services I'd love for you to check me out with these wonderful First Time Guest Specials:
- First Time Guest Bikini Line Special $19
- First Time Guest Brazilian Special $29
- First Time Guest Manzilian Special $45
- First Time Guest Underarm Special $12
- First Time Guest Full Face Special $29
High quality service
I just moved to Florida a month ago and when businesses started to open back up due to the covid 19 I found this wax studio. I came in the shop is so cute and professional. Amanda was quick fast and made me feel comfy. Haven't been waxed in about a month and she did her thang lol she's good at what she does and super nice. My wax was clean nice and smooth! I left out skating lol
Highly recommend if you're pregnant!
She was very professional, fast and clean. I went in for a Brazilian wax nine months pregnant and I felt very comfortable. I was in and out in about fifteen minutes and left feeling amazing! No irritation, bumps or redness what so ever! So glad I got this done before healing up post partum! Definitely going back!
Best Experience
I did drive from two hours away and you bet it was worth it. The service was awesome and yes customer service was above and beyond. I'll be coming back most definitely. Prices are reasonable. Thank you.
Awesome experience. Small amount of pain but nothing major. very friendly service comfortable place. I'll definitely return. Highly recommend
My flawless wax!
The wait time wasn't long, she was very professional, explain everything, very gentle, her prices are fabulous and affordable. I will be returning for many more flawless waxes. Thank you Amanda Nicole!
Professional and Friendly
Wonderful experience. I was nervous on the way to the salon and when I arrived I was welcome with a friendly smile. She explained what she was going to do and prepared me step by step. She was very Professional, courteous, gentle and the setting was soothing. I am looking forward to my next appointment.
High quality service, very informative, professional and friendly.
Amanda was amazing. She made me feel so comfortable being that it was my first time and I am a little self-conscious about my body. She made the experience a good one. She was very informative about everything, super friendly and interpersonal.. The pain was to be expected but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Overall my experience has made me schedule my next appointment in which I can't wait for. Thanks Amanda!!!!!!
First timer let me just say that and Ananda was amazing she made my first time a breeze it was painful but tolerable because kept your attention off of it. I definitely recommend her for your wax service if your skeptical or having doubts. When i tell you I'm waiting on my follow appt I'm waiting and I'm excited because the after feel is amazing baby smooth. Thanks Amanda for the professional friendly service and don't let me forget to say her studio is cute and clean and welcoming.
First time and couldn't have been more positive!
Amanda was great being my first time and being a male I didn't k ow exactly what was going to happen she made me feel at home prices are fair and end result is more than I could have asked for I will definitely be returning! And would recommend her to anyone and everyone that wants to try or become a regular!
The absolute best
Amanda was the best I have been to. I highly recommend her services.
Best wax in South Tampa
Amanda is top in her field and she is super-friendly and puts everyone at ease. No wonder she is so popular!
Professional and efficient
Great 1st time experience! I will be returning for my brow tenting. She's very thera and very professional!
Amanda has been my wax girl for a few years now. I love how she works and makes the prices quick and smooth!! I'm always satisfied with my results!!
First and Only Place for Manzilian
I wanted something longer lasting than shaving and decided to try waxing. I was apprehensive to have some "areas" waxed, having had waxing done on a much less sensitive area. I was very happy to know that Amanda does not use wax with cloth strips for the Manzilian - she explained what she was doing and understands the concerns a first time visitor may have. The experience was excellent from start to finish, Amanda is very professional and personable. The results were great and the process getting all smooth was quick and, obviously not completely pain free, but far more tolerable than I expected. I plan to be a regular for sure!
Very professional
Got a manzilian for the 1st time , Amanda was excellent! Very informative, comforting and quick. Nice and very clean business.
High quality service
Wow what a great experience! I was visiting from NJ and came to get serviced here and had great quality service! I would definitely come back!!
Great Service, Friendly Smile, professional
I've been seeing Amanda for a few months now. Her technique is by far the best in the industry and uses an amazing wax. I've seen various estheticians througout the years and she is by far the best. Keep coming back , the more you come the easier it gets. Amanda is friendly , professional and her smile makes you feel welcome. Quit looking for a waxing specialist , this is your new home! The studio looks fabulous as well!
Best Brazilian
She was great! I've had many Brazilians and because I wasn't always happy with the results, I started doing it myself. I bought a Groupon one day and now I'm putting my home kit away!
Amanda made me feel so comfortable! This was my first time getting a wax. She explained everything. Before and after care. I've already made my follow up appointment. It's definitely an experience...however the results are worth it. Your skin will feel like a babys bottom!
New to the area so was having a difficult time searching for someone that is experienced in waxing. She was recommended to me by a friend. I love that she does by appointments which means she's not rushing. The atmosphere was relaxing, she was very nice easy to talk to. I highly recommend her to all my friends back home. The best in the Tampa Area
My wax with Amanda was a very good experience..quick and clean. I love that Amanda is a young woman working hard to have her own local business. Another plus is that it is located very close to my home. I will return!
Very professional, great service.
I had an appointment with Amanda. It was my first time having anything waxed other than my eyebrows. She was polite, professional, and quick. She never made me feel uncomfortable and would always tell me what sue was going to do. I would highly recommend going to see her.
This was my first time being waxed so I was a bit apprehensive. Amanda was fantastic. She is an independent owner which I really like (support your local small business owners). You make an appointment so you are not waiting with other people. Her studio is stylish and very clean. She took the time to explain the process, describe the product being used and the after care. This experience could not have gone better. Amanda has a repeat client in me and I have already recommended her to several of my friends and will continue to do so.
Extremely friendly, beautiful atmosphere
I went for my 1st Brazilian and she was absolutely amazing, she made me feel comfortable, told me what to do for now on before. I was scared, but after that 1st time i will be returning back to her for now on. The location was easy to find, very nice and comfortable and quiet and atmosphere was relaxing.
Always professional and pleasant.
I love Amanda. Very knowledgeable. Very professional. Studio is discrete and spotless. She is on time and delightful. You will never feel uncomfortable. She knows her stuff. I highly recommend.
Beyond amazing
I've been looking for ever to find someone who made me feel like as smooth as a babies bottom. And I finally found her. Amanda is amazing at what she does. I'm glad I found her!!! I highly recommend her. She know the end and outs of waxing! 😍😍😊
Friendly, Informative, High Quality
I was, understandably nervous about my first ever brazilian wax. However, my experience with Amanda was fantastic. She was very understanding of my slowness to undress and get onto the table (car accident), explained the process to me before and as we went through it, and answered all my questions. I didn't feel judged for my body, my abilities, and the experience was FAR less uncomfortable than I imagined. I'm 1000% continuing my beauty routine here, I wouldn't trust anyone else after my experience here!
Quality of Service
My experience at this facility was absolutely amazing. Ms Amanda was very polite & thoroughl. The facility was immaculent, the vibe was pleasant & welcoming. My services were excellent and precise.
Overall a Great Experience
I got a Manzilian from Amanda 5 or 6 weeks ago and it was great. She does a wonderful job in making sure you are slick and clean and more importantly makes you feel comfortable with the experience. She has a super personality, clearly enjoys her work and cares about doing a good job and getting repeat business. I was very pleased and just booked my next one with her.
Amanda is amazing!!!
I got a Brazilian wax done by Amanda and she's awesome. I was in and out very quickly and my wax was done perfectly. It was my first time getting one in a while, and I was nervous, but Amanda did amazing. Prices are also super super reasonable!!! Definitely go here!!!!!
Manzilian and back
I got my back, butt, manzilian,and eyebrows done by Amanda, and she was great! I have had male and female waxologists before, and none have been as good as Amanda. She puts you it ease, and does a great job. I usually have lots of strays after getting my junk waxed and have to pluck them myself. Didn't have to do that with Amanda. She did such a super job, and her personality is totally awesome. So if you are a guy looking for some manscaping (or a woman whose husband needs some), I highly recommend going to her. People think waxing is painful (and there is a little pain), but she makes it a pleasant experience not to be feared!
Great Service
I go to Amanda for Brazilians. She is really personable, very clean and gets me in and out. I have tried out many people since moving to Tampa and I will continue going to her on a regular basis.
Best facial
Amanda was amazing, I've gone to her twice now, I have problematic acne on my face and back and I have noticed a great difference since starting to see her . She is sincere and wants to help your skin as much as you want it cleared up . She is knowledgeable and always has a new tip for me to use when I go home , she never pushes products like big companies and you can tell she is looking out for your best interest . If you haven't already , go see her !
Amazing facial
Amanda was absolutely amazing and very knowledgeable about the products. She took her time and made me feel very comfortable. I was very relaxed and can't wait for my next facial!!
Best Facial
Amanda is extremely knowledgeable and professional. I was so impressed with my facial and eyebrow tinting, I've recommended her to several family members, who were also very impressed with the high quality facial.
Awesome service
Amanda was awesome and treated my nether regions with great care.
The best Facial
Amanda gave me the best facial I have ever had. She was courteous, and professional and did all the right things. And didn't talk the whole time so I could relax and enjoy the whole time.
Great 'bedside etiquette' and very professional
As a first timer, I was anxious and unaware of what to expect. Her personality was calming and she exuded confidence. Definitely helpful for me as a first timer. I would recommend Amanda to anyone as she knows how to speak to her clients and was extremely professional. We laughed through the pain ;-)
Quality services for great prices.
I was referred to Amanda over a year ago by a friend. She is One of the most useful referrals I've ever received. I drive 40 minutes for her services. She's young and professional, her pricing is fair and her services are detailed. You will never feel rushed. When you're with her, you are her only client. Im especially fond of her waxing services. They are bar none, the best!
Great Service, Knowledgeable and Friendly
I scheduled an appointment with Amanda because I had a Groupon. Amanda fit me into her schedule quickly. She is knowledgeable, professional and very friendly. I would definitely recommend her to others.
Amanda is Amazing!
I have been Amanda's client for about two years now. Getting waxed is a very personal and Amanda makes you feel very comfortable. She's sweet, patient and knows her stuff!!! Whenever she's done she always ask if you like it and are happy!! This place is clean and very professional. Go see Amanda! You'll never go to anyone else!!
Great experience
I recently started to get my eye brows done with Amanda. I would recommend her to everyone. I've been to other people in the past but I can honestly say she is one of the best I've been to. I look forward to trying her other services soon.
Great experience!
I've never had a facial. As a man I didn't think I needed it. Was I wrong! The entire experience was wonderful. Amanda was gentle and explained the process. It was very relaxing and felt invigorating. My skin looked 10 years younger and felt super smooth. Looking good and feeling good is important for business and a good way of taking care of yourself. It was a nice little "pick me up'". I highly recommend it.
High quality and very professional
First I would like to say I have received the best services from Amanda! I would highly recommend anyone for their waxing needs and facials. She is very professional, kind and gentle. I was extremely nervous for my first Brazilian wax and she made me feel so comfortable and did everything she could to make it a pleasant experience. Since then I have been going to her for everything from Brazilians to arm pits and eye brows. Also her facials are just amazing! I always look forward to my appointments. I would recommend to anyone looking for great service! She's the best!
#flawless skin forever
I love Amanda! If you want quality services at a reasonable price look no further. Amanda is the BEST at what she specializes in. Great atmosphere and professional environment.
Limited Time Offer!
Get your first Brazilian for $29
Flawless Skin Wax Studio
3422 South Dale Mabry Highway
Tampa, FL 33629813-280-5012
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Offer Ends July 30, 2020
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Oman Air, the national carrier of Sultanate of Oman which is 82 percent owned by the Government, is scheduled to launch its inaugural flight to Riyadh and Jeddah this month. It will be stepping in to fill the gap in the market left by Gulf Air when it stopped flying direct flights to these destinations from Muscat earlier this year.
"We will be flying two times a week from Seeb International Airport in Muscat the Omani Capital, to both Riyadh and Jeddah. Everything is ready: Our maintenance crew, pilots, and flight attendants," said Ziad Bin Karim Al Haremi Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air.
He Said, "The opportunity for us was granted to establish direct air links with one of the Middle East's key destinations. Riyadh the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia is one of the region's most impressive cities, and one of the biggest airports in the world. Jeddah is the commercial hub and a major centre of trade and industry. The city has a vibrant market for both business and cultural passengers; also, it is the principal gateway to Makkah, the holiest city in Islam. We look forward to growing trade and tourism links between Oman and KSA by providing the opportunity to the people in and around Riyadh and Jeddah to travel to the Sultanate for the first time or just more often.
Riyadh and Jeddah are Oman Air's first destinations in Saudi Arabia and the 13 in the Middle East. Other key destinations in the region include Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Bahrain, Doha, Kuwait, Cairo, Amman, and Beirut.
"The launch falls in line with the airline's 2007 strategy, initiated to expand its services in the Middle East moreover increase its leisure travel focus catering to Arab nationals, western expatriates and the returning Asian migrant work population. We are always looking for new opportunities to enhance our operations to the Middle East and other international overseas destinations. Adding new destinations and increasing frequencies to the region is a vital component of our strategy." Al Haremi stated.
By adding new destinations and increasing frequencies to our services at Seeb International Airport, we are creating a long haul network and profile that will further build and enhance our reputation in this market." He concludes.
Oman Air's Corporate Communications and Media Department informed that from September 21, the service will operate every Wednesday, Friday, with WY 665 departing Seeb International Airport in Muscat at 1130 hours and arriving to King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah at 1330 hours. The return flight, WY 666, departs Jeddah at 1630 hours, arriving in Muscat at 1840 hours. As for Riyadh, the service will operate every Saturday, Monday from 24 September, with WY 667 departing Muscat at 1610 hours and arriving at King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi capital Riyadh at 1710 hours. The return flight, WY 668, departs Riyadh At 1830 hours, arriving into Muscat the Omani Capital at 2130 hours.


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Here is a quick trivia question. Among all major league hitters with 250+ plate appearances not named Jose Bautista, who leads in ISO? No it is not Miguel Cabrera (.304), Albert Pujols (.276), Luke Scott (.278), Adam Dunn (.294) or a Rangers corner outfielder. It is none other than Old Man River himself, 40-year old Jim Thome (.316). The same Jim Thome who the White Sox passed up last offseason, despite a sub-$2 million dollar salary, because a rotating DH and the incorrigible Mark Kotsay seemed like a good idea at the time. The same Jim Thome who last year posted the second-lowest ISO of his career since 1994 (.232 versus a .155 MLB average) and walked "only" 15.9 percent of the time (8.9% MLB average). The very same Jim Thome who was nonetheless the fourth-most-valuable designated hitter in baseball, whom I ranted and raved about plenty in the offseason. …
August 21, 2010
THT Fantasy on Jim Thome
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With fewer than three weeks until the start of the NBA's 41st season, we're previewing all 25 teams. Whatchu say? Twenty-five teams? Yup. We're looking at every franchise in addition to shining a light on the new Eastern Conference expansion Charlotte Hornets and Western Conference expansion Miami Heat. And if Charlotte's more East than Miami, I'll apparently be previewing the new United States map. From now until the start of the season, we're bringing you the 1988-89 Fantasy Team Previews, which will focus on each team in order to paint a clearer fantasy picture. Razzball's got all the ins-and-outs of the season covered. Who's new to each team, who's old (Kareem!), and how are you possibly going to compete with whoever takes Jordan with the first pick of your draft? Unless the first pick in your draft belongs to you, in which case, turn off your IBM PS/2, kick up your feet and put your fantasy roster on cruise control. Next up – The Portland Trail Blazers (I miss him already).
Gained – Adrian Branch, Danny Young
Lost – Maurice Lucas, Mike Holton, Kevin Gamble
Probable position depth –
PG – Terry Porter, Jerry Sichting
SG – Clyde Drexler, Craig Neal, Brook Steppe
SF – Mark Bryant, Adrian Branch, Kiki Vandeweghe
PF – Jerome Kersey, Steve Johnson, Richard Anderson
C – Kevin Duckworth, Caldwell Jones, Sam Bowie, Rolando Ferreira
Surprising Team Fact From Last Season – New owner, computer mogul and philanthropist Paul Allen, purchased the Blazers from Larry Weinberg for $70 million earlier this year. Eighteen years ago, Weinberg, Herman Sarkowsky and Robert Schmertz paid $3.7 million to secure the then-expansion team.
Number of Top 20 Fantasy Players (par 0-1) – 1, Drexler
Number of Top 50 Fantasy Players (par 1-2) – 2, Porter
Number of Top 75 Fantasy Players (par 2-3) – 3, Kersey
Number of Top 100 Fantasy Players (par 3-4) – 0,
Number of Top 200 Fantasy Players (par 6-7) – 6, Duckworth, Johnson, Vandeweghe
3 Concerns Heading Into the Season
1. If I was trying to come ensure a last place finish in my league, do I draft Bowie or Ferreira as my starting center?
Neither. Just crush the tooth with the cyanide and be done with it already. Seriously, you add Pops Jones to that mix and you have over 20 feet of terribly ineffective centers. Bowie is the one you're going to want to draft the most because you'll hope he's just a slow learner. You'll hope this is the year Bowie "gets" it. And although he'll produce more than Ferreira, you'd have to be a lad insane to pick Bowie. Nothing is hunky-dory with this guy (I know Sam emphasizes the "Boo" sound, I did too when I saw the "The Glass Spider" tour). Oh, and I haven't mentioned the worst of it yet. The worst of it is that Bowie's being paid $1.08 million this year to average 9/5/2. That's $880k more than Terry Porter.
2. Will Vandeweghe be aweghe all season, or will the injured forward make a fantasy impact at some point in the season?
He's supposed to be out until at least Christmas and when he returns he's still supposed to lack defensive ability or the willingness to do anything besides bailout threes and drives through the lane. I'd hope that people forget about him until after the 13th round and target him as a sleeper pick.
3. Take me through the roadmap of how Clyde Drexler can improve on his 27/7/6 line from last season.
Brooke Steppe totaled 244 mp/103 pts and Neal managed fewer than 250 points in his final year with Georgia Tech. Drexler averaged 39.3 mpg last season and he could easily clear 40 in '88. There. It was a short road.
Rookie Review! – Mark Bryant (no.21 overall), Rolando Ferreira (no. 26 overall), Craig Neal (no. 71 overall). Bryant is the only one of Portland's rookie trio worth considering. He has a decent outside shot and is as good a bet as Branch to take the starter's minutes at the three while Vandeweghe is laid aweghe. The other two players? Honestly, I'm pretty sure Weinberg's crew drafted them as a prank to the new owners. Senior Week!
Fantasy Disappointment in '11 – Kevin Duckworth. I more or less think it will be business as usual for Portland's top three. They haven't made any significant improvements and have lost Mo Lucas for good and Kiki Vandeweghe for a third of the season. This should be where Duck waddles to prominence. He'll be 24 this season, entering his third year. He should be comfortable, ready. He leaped from 5/3/0 as a rookie to 16/7/1 last season in just 29 mpg. He'll average 34-36 and improve mightily, right? He should make another jump to 21/10/2 by this rationale. But I just don't see it. I don't think he's a double-double guy. He's not athletic enough. He doesn't block, doesn't steal, he got outrebounded by a guy 12 years his senior on a per-minute basis. He's a big body, but it's an unathletic body. I don't think he'll necessarily regress, but a lot of people are expecting him to make a leap I just don't see the guy making, mostly because the guy doesn't leap all that well. That's the problem.
Biggest Fantasy Contributor in '11 – Clyde Drexler. If you have to ask … well, you shouldn't have to ask.
Fantasy Sleeper – Kiki Vandeweghe. If you want to argue a better sleeper pick than Kiki, go ahead. But I have three rules when drafting fantasy players from Portland: 1) This is not Sam Bowie's year. It will never be Sam Bowie's year. 2) Never own a Blazer who doesn't start. Your team will never recover. 3) … Unless you're passed the 13th round and Kiki Vandeweghe is still available.


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Dickson Mounds Museum, a branch of the Illinois State Museum and a National Historic Site, is one of the major on-site archaeological museums in the United States. It offers a unique opportunity to explore the world of the American Indian in an awe inspiring journey through 12,000 years of human experience in the Illinois River Valley. Visitors to the museum, in west-central Illinois, encounter innovative interpretive exhibits; exciting hands-on activities; archaeological sites; and a variety of special events in a rural setting.
The museum is open year-round, daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Closed New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas). There is no admission charge.
Click here to view a copy of the Dickson Mounds Museum Brochure.
What's Happening Right Now?
The museum was recently featured in a Peoria WMBD Channel 31 Road Trippin' segment.


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Ardis Health, LLC v. Nankivell, 2011 WL 4965172 (S.D.N.Y. October 19, 2011)
Defendant was hired to be plaintiffs' "video and social media producer," with responsibilities that included maintaining social media pages in connection with the online marketing of plaintiffs' products. After she was terminated, she refused to tell her former employers the usernames and passwords for various social media accounts. (The case doesn't say which ones, but it's probably safe to assume these were Facebook pages and maybe Twitter accounts.) So plaintiffs sued, and sought a preliminary injunction requiring defendant to return the login information. The court granted the motion for preliminary injunction.
The court found that plaintiffs had come forward with sufficient evidence to support a finding of irreparable harm if the login information was not returned prior to a final disposition in the case:
Plaintiffs depend heavily on their online presence to advertise their businesses, which requires the ability to continuously update their profiles and pages and react to online trends. The inability to do so unquestionably has a negative effect on plaintiffs' reputation and ability to remain competitive, and the magnitude of that effect is difficult, if not impossible, to quantify in monetary terms. Such injury constitutes irreparable harm.
Defendant argued there would not be irreparable harm because the web content had not been updated in over two years. But the court rejected that argument, mainly because it would have been unfair to let the defendant benefit from her own failure to perform her job responsibilities:
Defendant was employed by plaintiffs for the entirety of that period, and she acknowledges that it was her responsibility to post content to those websites. Defendant cannot use her own failure to perform her duties as a defense.
Moreover, the court found that the plaintiffs would lose out by not being able to leverage new opportunities. For example, plaintiffs had recently hopped on the copy Groupon bandwagon by participating in "daily deal" promotions. The court noted that the success of those promotions depended heavily on tie-ins with social media. So in this way the unavailability of the social media login information also contributed to irreparable harm.


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The integrity, coherence, and quality of advanced degrees are determined in part by currency of content. Rapid advancements in knowledge, in professional practice, in analytical structures, and in technological applications to scholarship and professional practice require continuous adaptation and change in undergraduate programs. University undergraduate programs accord emphasis to preparing skilled, systematic, and informed practitioners equipped both to employ contemporary methods, techniques, and technologies and to systematically assess emerging methods, techniques, and technologies.
Consequently, admitted undergraduate students are expected to complete their degree programs within five years of the onset of study. Students continuing beyond five years may be required to repeat previously completed course work or to complete course work not required at the time of their initial admission. Students are cautioned that, ordinarily, the applicability of undergraduate course work to graduate degrees awarded by the University expires five years after completion.
Waivers of the Five-Year Rule may be made by the Academic Dean upon the recommendation of the appropriate undergraduate program director should special circumstances be established to exist. These special circumstances relate only to the currency and applicability of work completed.
Updated 3/27/2012


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My name is Lorajean Gudmundsen, and this is my magazine. This is where I post about things that inspire me, and give updates on what I am working on for my shop Little Lola's on Etsy.com.
Showing posts from March, 2012


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by Schoenhut
FREE SHIPPING within Contiguous U.S.
Item #: SCH-6637B
Ship Weight: 33.0 lb
10+ in stock
Schoenhut Piano Company takes the concept of pianos for the very young a step further with this three-octave Traditional Deluxe Spinet. With a keyboard almost half the size of that on an adult piano, this model is designed for the three-to-nine-year-old. The Deluxe Spinet is not "just a toy," but a fine musical instrument, and lovely addition to your home, as well. Chromatically tuned, the lovely chime-like notes are produced by small hammers striking precision-ground, German steel music rods (versus the conventional taut wires used in full-sized models).
Schoenhut's patented Learning System, with its play-by-color teaching method, makes playing simple and fun. A removable color strip fits behind the keys to guide small fingers from chord to chord. The chart will also work on adult keyboards, since keys on Schoenhut® toy pianos are of corresponding width. This teaches children proper "finger stretch" from the very beginning. The accompanying Songbook contains a collection of familiar tunes. This Learning System has been specially designed to build a child's confidence and develop basic playing skills.
- Model: 6637B
- Color: Black
- Product dimensions (LxWxH inches): 23 x 11 x 24
- Package dimensions (LxWxH inches| Cube): 26 x 14 x 28 | 5.85
- Weight in lbs: 32
- Ages: 3 Years and up
Dimensions23" x 11" x 24"
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In the North of Rio de Janeiro is the miserable slum of Manguinhos. It is a stubborn place. Again and again the local government tries to evict the residents in urban cleansings that sweep into the favela with instruments of construction assigned to destruction. The demolitions have grown more desperate as Brazil prepares to play host to the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016. Bulldozers and jackhammers and backhoes shear off sides of buildings, revealing staircases that go nowhere. Exposed to the elements are the red, turquoise and yellow walls that were once living rooms. But many of the people refuse to move. They jerry-build electricity and water supplies to maintain themselves even as rivers of sewage run past the front of what they still call home. Under the rubble, the streets remain visible. They were named for saints.
In miserable Manguinhos is the even more miserable neighborhood called Varginha. Its tenacity has increased because the Pope is coming to visit. The last Pope to visit a Brazilian favela--John Paul II in 1980, on the first of several trips to the country--helped save it from a similar demolition plan simply by paying it attention. The authorities relented; the bulldozers went away. The people of Varginha are praying that Francis will perform the same miracle. On the front of one house, someone has painted in light blue, "The Pope is coming to Varginha to visit the poor. The poor will be very happy!"
They know that Francis is the Pope of the poor. Did he not name himself for the son of the rich man from Assisi who gave up everything to walk barely shod, a saint in sackcloth? Has not this new Pope refused to live in his palace? And did he not say that the shepherd of the faithful must smell like his sheep? The astonished whispers are everywhere, not just Brazil, before his first scheduled foreign trip since his election and his first return to his home continent. A Pope for the forgotten; a Pope for the godforsaken. And not just among Catholics: Anglicans are thinking of a compact of churches to fight poverty, and evangelicals see Francis as a Pontiff they can deal with. Atheists are gob-smacked that he has said some of them might merit heaven. A Pope for everyone?
Brazil may prove to be a showcase for the powers of this humble Pope and the fresh face he is putting on the ancient papacy. In this, the most populous of Catholic countries on the most Catholic of continents, he faces in microcosm the challenges the church is confronted with around the world: the magnetism of Protestant evangelism and the temptations of secular culture. And it is in this enormous Latin American nation that the Pope of the poor may just begin to have the destabilizing influence that John Paul II had in Eastern Europe: to turn the tide against the rivals of the church and re-establish its primacy in places where it once held incontestable sway. Already Brazil wonders if Francis might exacerbate the protests that swept its cities last month. President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner of Argentina is probably grateful that the Pontiff, whom she used to deride when he was a Cardinal, decided against visiting his native land as it prepares for a crucial round of elections.
A Gentle Cunning


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Best known for blockbuster hits including World of Warcraft® and the Warcraft®, StarCraft®, and Diablo® series, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment software renowned for creating some of the industry's most critically acclaimed games. Blizzard Entertainment's track record includes fourteen#1-selling games and multiple Game of the Year awards. The company's online-gaming service, Battle.net®, is one of the largest in the world, with millions of active players.
Our headquarters, where all game development takes place, are located in Irvine, California. In addition, we have offices in several other locations around the world to support players of our games in those regions. Check out some of the jobs located around the world.
We're currently hiring qualified applicants for a number of positions. Please check our jobs page or our university relations page for full details.
Boxed copies of our games can be found at many gaming and electronics retailers. Alternatively, you can purchase copies digital copies from the Battle.net Shop and a variety of other related products from the Blizzard Gear store.
At this time, we're only able to offer tours for Blizzard HQ in Irvine, CA. Tours typically run once a month with a limited number of spots. For more information, please check out our Tours FAQ and contact us at email@example.com.
BlizzCon is a gaming festival celebrating the communities that have sprung up around our games. It offers hands-on playtime with upcoming titles, developer panels, tournaments, contests, and more. To learn more about BlizzCon, visit our BlizzCon website.
We've seen some very polished and fun mods and conversions for our games, and have no problems with them, so long as they are for personal, non-commercial use and do not infringe on the End User License Agreement included in our games, nor the rights of any other parties including copyrights, trademarks or other rights. If you have any other legal questions regarding Blizzard Entertainment or our products, please see our Legal FAQ.


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Squadron 5 Sweatshirt Blanket
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Product Description
This classic fleece blanket is soft and warm and color-coordinates with our popular PC78 sweatshirts and PC54 tees.
- 7.8-ounce, 50/50 cotton/poly fleece
- Air jet yarn for a soft, pill-resistant finish
- Mitered V corners
- Fully hemmed
- Dimensions: 50" x 60"
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Core Image Group has a highly developed production and shipping system and we make every effort to ship your order in a fast and effecient manner.
Most apparel orders will be completed within 7-10 working days of placing your order. Orders requiring custom artwork, design proofs are normally sent out within 3 working days. If artwork is not approved within 48 hours of our scheduled print date, overall delivery time may be affected. Delivery times for promotional products vary depending on the size and complexity of the order. Signs and banners generally take 7-10 working days to produce, again depending on the size and complexity of the order. Most completed jobs can be picked up at the location at which you ordered your items, or shipped via FedEx SmartPost or FedEx.
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Utah, Western counties mull legal assault on BLM policy
Utah and Wyoming counties are considering a legal challenge to an Interior Department policy ordering field personnel to inventory roadless lands and consider interim protections.
The counties, backed by the state of Utah, are meeting in Salt Lake City today to discuss strategies for opposing Interior Secretary Ken Salazar's "wild lands" policy issued in late December, which orders the Bureau of Land Management to consider wilderness qualities in its resource planning and project-level analyses.
After public input, BLM may designate certain areas as wild lands where motorized recreation and industrial activity is banned to protect recreation, ecological values or solitude.
The county strategies, according to a Denver-based attorney whose firm has represented a Utah county, could include an amended complaint to an October 2010 lawsuit by Uintah County alleging that Interior had imposed de facto wilderness that stifled oil and gas development on 385,000 acres.
"We are definitely seeing if we can't work on amending our old complaint," said Michael Marinovich, an attorney for C.E. Brooks & Associates PC.
The Uintah case was rendered moot, some say, when Salazar introduced the wild lands policy. But others argue the order actually strengthens the county's case that BLM has illegally prohibited oil and gas development on lands included in a wilderness bill known as "America's Red Rock Wilderness Act" (Land Letter, Jan. 6).
Connie Brooks, the lead attorney in the Uintah case, said in December that Salazar's order also illegally overturned resource management plans completed under the George W. Bush administration.
Six of those plans are tied up in litigation filed by the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, which is currently in settlement negotiations with BLM (E&ENews PM, Dec. 6, 2010).
"That is probably the biggest concern that local elected officials have," said Rep. Rob Bishop (R-Utah), chairman of the House public lands subcommittee. After meeting with BLM Director Bob Abbey last month, Bishop said he was not given a clear signal for how the agency plans to address management plans in Utah and fears the agency is sending the wrong signal to businesses.
Today's meeting in Salt Lake City will include input from the Utah Association of Counties, the Wyoming County Commissioners Association and members of Utah Republican Gov. Gary Herbert's staff, according to an itinerary obtained by Greenwire.
Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch (R) will also attend the meeting, and Bishop will address the group by speakerphone, he said.
Meanwhile, Wyoming counties are raising funds to help pay for public meetings and legal planning, according to the Sublette Examiner in Pinedale, Wyo.
Their efforts come less than a week after Herbert said he was "up for the fight" and was willing to use litigation to stop BLM from implementing the order, according to The Salt Lake Tribune.
'On very solid grounds' -- Salazar
Congressional Democrats, environmental groups and several dozen elected officials in Colorado have praised the wild lands policy for reaffirming BLM's mandate to consider wilderness qualities on par with other resources such as motorized recreation, mineral extraction and grazing.
Salazar last month told E&E the policy was "on very solid grounds" and was supported by the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (E&E Daily, Jan. 27). He has also rejected claims that the policy is designed to lock up Western lands and emphasized that wild lands are designated with input from the public and can be overturned in subsequent planning.
"Secretary Salazar's order restores wilderness as a high priority, in his words, for the BLM, and gave wilderness quality landscapes a path forward for protection by BLM and then ultimately permanent protection via congressional legislation," said Heidi McIntosh, an attorney for SUWA, which is campaigning for the Red Rocks wilderness bill.
According to a 2009 letter signed by 55 law professors, all administrations since the Carter administration -- except the George W. Bush administration -- had recognized that BLM's land-use planning authority under Federal Land Policy and Management Act includes the authority to designate wilderness study areas and protect those areas from development until Congress decides whether to legislatively protect them.
The Bush administration in 2003 struck a settlement with former Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt (R) that ended the use of study areas and essentially abandoned BLM's wilderness guidance. "The agreement itself was not consistent with existing law," McIntosh said.
Others this afternoon are scheduled to speak out in favor of Salazar's policy in a teleconference. Among them: Frank Hugelmeyer, president of the Outdoor Industry Association; David Lien, co-chairman of Colorado Backcountry Hunters and Anglers; the Rev. Warren Murphy of the Wyoming Association of Churches; and Jennifer Hobson, former deputy secretary for tourism in New Mexico.
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He Ran for Her: An Interview with Alyssa Esposito, The "Gardner Girl"
On May 15, 2009 Brett Gardner made history. In a game he wasn't even originally part of (thank Johnny Damon for getting himself ejected) he raced 360 feet around the Yankee Stadium bases in a dashing 14 seconds for an inside-the-park home run against the Minnesota Twins.
Yes, 14 seconds. The Flash and Sonic the Hedgehog can eat their hearts out.
Many people are familiar about the real story behind the home run. A young lady by the name of Alyssa Esposito had given Gardner a bracelet earlier in the day, claiming that if he held onto the bracelet he would hit a home run.
Her premonition came true.
Gardner became the first Yankee since Ricky Ledee to hit an inside the park home run. Ledee accomplished the feat on Aug. 29, 1999 vs. the Seattle Mariners. The speedy Gardner finished the night 3-for-3 with the in-the-parker, and even led off the ninth inning with a triple that sparked the Yankees' come-from-behind rally.
The Yanks went on to win the game 5-4 on a Melky Cabrera walk-off single.
Gardner left the Stadium that day, not only with an inside-the-park homer, but with a lifelong friend–Esposito. The 18 year-old (now 19) was waiting for four months for a heart transplant and received it the night of Gardner's amazing show of speed.
The courageous young lady recently spoke to Yankee Yapping about her experience, what she is up to now after her successful surgery, and how she made it to the back of Gardner's baseball card.
Yankee Yapping: Were you always a Yankee fan, or did your experience with Brett Gardner make you one?
Alyssa Esposito: I was never a Yankee fan, but I also was never a baseball fan in general either. I guess I was raised a Mets "fan" until I met Brett Gardner at the hospital. Now I watch every game on TV, and root for the Yankees. I never realized how cool and exciting baseball was until after Brett hit the inside the park homerun.
YY: What was Brett's initial reaction when you gave him the bracelet?
AE: Overall Brett is a really sweet and humble guy. He really connected with each patient after he read a book at the hospital event, provided by Project Sunshine. When I gave him the bracelet he gave me a really big smile that just made my day. I could tell that he was hesitant about the fact that I said it would help him hit a homerun, but like I said, that's the humble guy inside.
YY: After your heart surgery you found out Gardner hit the inside-the-park home run. What were your thoughts after it happened?
AE: It's actually a pretty funny story. Supposedly my family told me Brett hit the inside-the-park home run right before I went into surgery, but the heavy duty drugs the doctors give me to put me to sleep must have gotten to my memory which made me not remember.
But I was reminded as soon as I woke up from my surgery.
My family also showed me the replay after my transplant but apparently I had to watch it several times and I was told I had said "He's running for me", which brought tears to my Mom's eyes. At that time the medicine from surgery and also the pain medicine was still wearing off.
YY: A number of publications and media outlets called you Gardner's good luck charm that night. Can you explain how that feels?
AE: I smile whenever I hear or read that I am Brett's good luck charm but honestly I really think God just set it all up. He took two unlikely circumstances and made them into two miracles. As of this day whenever I think about what has happened, I get the chills.
YY: After the May 15 win over the Twins, the Yankees went on a stretch where they went 17-9. Did you at all feel you really were their good luck charm?
AE: I like to think that I am their good luck charm in a way that they just got a boost from the inside-the-park home run Gardner hit. Maybe they felt that anything is possible and that just made them want to try even harder.
YY: It's every little boy's dream to have his face printed on a baseball card. You are on the back of Brett Gardner's card. How did that happen?
AE: I didn't know about the story being on the back of Gardner's baseball card until a mother of a girl I graduated high school with asked me on Facebook if I knew about it.
Her son has a collection of baseball cards and his mother was looking through them one day and came across Brett's. She had said her son wanted me to have it, which I thought was the absolute sweetest thing. She mailed it to me and when I went to a Yankee game, Brett signed it for me.
YY: After your transplant you reunited with the Yanks and Gardner. How special was it to see Brett again and was it an emotional experience?
AE:The first time I saw Brett after my heart transplant was at a press conference at the hospital. It was very emotional seeing all of my doctors there to support the hospital.
Brett and I spoke for a few minutes to just catch up and talk personally. It was just an overwhelming feeling being there with the healthy new heart inside of me and reuniting with Brett. I thought it was a special day because I got to meet him when I was actually healthy and full of energy.
YY: The other Yankees gave you some pretty cool gifts when you went to your first game after the operation, huh?
AE: The first Yankee game my family and I went to after my heart transplant was the most fun I have had in a long time. The stadium is amazing and it was my first time going there. Each one of the Yankees I met are extremely nice and they were all concerned about how I was feeling after my surgery.
Nick Swisher was full of excitement and energy and I loved his huge smile on his face. He referred to me as "The Gardner Girl" when he came up to me, and I absolutely love that nickname!
Alex Rodriguez had signed both of his gloves he had just used for batting practice and gave them to me. He was very sincere about it and did not want to make a big deal at all in front of the cameras.
I got a baseball signed by a few players as well and have it in my room along with the batting gloves inside a case. I also have a signed jersey by some of the players that I wore on the field the day I went to the game. I plan on making a scrapbook with the hundreds of pictures my family and I took that day as a beautiful memory.
YY: The Yankees capped off the 2009 season with a World Series title. When the last out was made– the Shane Victorino groundout to Robinson Cano–like most Yankee fans you were probably very excited. Was it especially a sweet win for you, considering what you went through earlier in the year?
AE: It was for sure a sweet win for me and it was so great to see the excitement. Every bit of hard work they put in playing, was worth it.
I look back all the time and realize how much I have gone through and I truly believe the Yankees deserved every bit of that title with their hard work. Just like every bit of strength and fighting power I gave in to survive, was worth the gift of life I received. I continue to thank God for my precious donor who gave me a priceless gift.
YY: Now that you have had the successful heart surgey, what are you doing in terms of your future?
AE: I am in college right now. I took one semester of courses all online and I plan on continuing to do that until I feel it is time to attend the actual classrooms. I have to be careful because my immune system is suppressed. I love the online classes because it is convenient and if I have a visit to the hospital it won't interfere with them.