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On a recent trip to Europe, BC OSS enthusiast Gef Tremblay pieced together something he calls KindleBerry Pi from minimal kit he brought along on his journey. He's networked a Kindle with a Raspberry Pi over USB and is multiplexing a terminal using GNU screen. The nice thing is that, since he's basically using the Kindle as a dumb terminal, he's able to use an actual QWERTY keyboard. It doesn't seem like he got the 3G working on the Kindle, for a truly mobile experience, but It's still an impressive hack and shows off top-notch on-the-go ingenuity and improvisation. [via HN]
KindleBerry Pi


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|System: Xbox 360, PS3, PC
|Dev: Saber Interactive
|Pub: Konami
|Release: March 22, 2011
|Players: 1
|Screen Resolution: 480p-1080p
|Blood, Language, Violence
No matter how powerful this Rambo-style ammo stockpile makes you, the bullet physics are too screwed up to make it really matter. Hit detection is horrible, and you can rarely tell when you are actually putting bullets into the aliens you are fighting. This makes the game mostly spray and pray. You only really fire in an enemy's general direction and hope to god your bullets hit.
Grenade physics are wonky too. Your character must have been a baseball star because grenades shoot out of you like you used a grenade launcher. This means that you frequently underestimate your throws and eventually realize that you should be targeting your enemies with grenades the same way you target them with your gun: by pointing straight at them. That makes no sense!
The game follows the movie pretty much perfectly. Sometimes you are escorting civilians to safety; other times you cover Staff Sergeant Nantz (the main character from the movie) as he does something crazy; and yet other times you are trying to blow up enemy air craft with a rocket launcher. You even get to play the big finale where you call in a missile strike on the enemy command center, and that's pretty cool.
The game's biggest problem is its length. The game is a little over thirty minutes long. That's it. And in those thirty minutes, the game actually manages to hit every major scene from the movie. This just makes me hate the movie more! What sort of epic pacing fail do you have to accomplish for a thirty-minute video game to tell the exact same story your two-hour movie did? That means the movie was an hour-and-a-half of padding and trailers.
Outside of my movie-induced rage, the game itself runs the spectrum from slightly bad to outstandingly mediocre. The best parts of the game are really just missions that other FPSes have done better, but the worst parts are pretty much the same thing. The game never goes into the zone of outright horrible; it's just that there's nothing special here either.
Think about this for a second. You have the option of spending ten dollars on a mediocre thirty-minute shooter or a bad two-hour movie. In the long run, I think I would choose the shooter over the movie, even though it was obviously made for fans of the movie. If I had a third option, I would probably choose burning my ten dollars and watching the flames over either of these experiences, but if you really want to experience the story of an alien race invading the earth for its water via L. A., Battle: Los Angeles is about as good as you'll get.
Angelo M. D'Argenio
CCC Freelance Writer
Game Features:

subset: commoncrawl


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Campaigning against the influence of creationism in the UK Science Classroom
Moderator: Moderators
a_haworthroberts wrote:http://donboys.cstnews.com/dawkins-the-atheist-made-a-monkey-of-himself-again
"Dawkins took to Twitter last week to declare that, though he makes it a habit not to hate ideological opponents, there's an exception when it comes to young earth creationists. He opined, "I said I'd never despise individuals, just their views," Dawkins added, "But there are limits, and YE Creationists who refuse to look at evidence pass mine." Richard, while professing to be a scientist willing to look at every side of an issue, refuses to look at the case for a young earth!" He already did, dumbo. (And the fool Boys also claims that the sun is 'shrinking'.)
But this silliness is being flagged here:
The liar Sorensen actually refers to "examples of scientific truths inconvenient to notions of an old earth/darwinism" in the Boys piece (which is full of claims that have been debunked). Well er no, Bob, the sun is NOT shrinking: https://answersingenesis.org/astronomy/ ... shrinking/
" ... it is clear that the sun derives its energy from fusion of hydrogen into helium and not from gravitational contraction. Therefore, we urge creationists not to use the shrinking sun as evidence that the sun is young." Any shrinkage is imperceptible: https://creation.com/is-the-sun-shrinking
Do try to keep up!
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text: i'm new to java programming and so i am having quite some difficulty with one particular problem. in this code i'm supposed to ask the user to enter an integer value. then using a while loop, i am supposed to display this integer value entered by the user but in reverse order. so, as an example if the user enters the number 54321 the completed program must display 12345. also, the completed program must treat both the number entered by the user, and the number it produces, as integer values. please keep in mind that so far in class we haven't learned anything beyond using conditional statements (if,else...) and loops (while, for...). also this program requires a while loop. any help would be appreciated.


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About Workplace Resource
Workplace Resource is a woman-owned business that provides high-performance interior work places. As part of the Herman Miller Certified Network, Workplace Resource has access to resources and information giving us a clear competitive advantage.Learn More
A successful workspace is more than just office furniture. It's about having the right office design ideas that support new ways of working, changing technologies and high performance. Whether healthcare, education or in a corporation a modern environment will adapt to changing business needs.Learn More
We offer expertise in specialized environments. Understanding the complexities of each client we provide solutions in clinical healthcare, learning and for government procurement requirements.Learn More


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Genuine Encounter Moments (GEMs) with your child
Learn about: Genuine Encounter Moments (GEMs) with your child from Kim DeMarchi, MEd, CPE,...
Related Videos
Expert Bio
More from Expert
Kim DeMarchi, MEd, CPE
Parent Educator
Kim has been an educator for more than 20 years. She has worked as an elementary school teacher in the independent school sector as well as an Assistant Director of Admissions. She had the pleasure of working with and teaching teachers, assistants, students, and parents. Kim is most proud of being a wife and mother of "tween" boy/girl twins. Being an effective parent is Kim's passion in life. She says, "every day I try to be mindful of each decision I make in regards to parenting with the end in mind". Besides Kim's experiential background, she holds her bachelor's degree, her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, a master's degree in Education, and is a Certified Parent Educator in multiple programs. Kim is the Co-Founder of Empowered Parenting, which offers courses, workshops, and one-on-one coaching to parents, teachers, grandparents, healthcare workers, counselors, corporate America, and anyone who relates to children. Kim's knowledge and experience coupled with her enthusiasm, humor, empathy and compassion, has helped thousands of people worldwide with their daily interactions with children. Kim's goal is to help reduce conflict, foster mutual respect, and create deeper communication and connections between loved ones.


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by Lou Mancinelli
It was during the spring season four years ago that West Mt. Airy resident Pamela Washington's son, Calvin, now 21, was going to his senior prom at Central High School. (She also has a daughter, Rachel, 16, who will graduate from Central High next year.) Calvin's girlfriend needed a dress. Washington had seen an ad in a local publication about a Prom Fair. It featured thousands of new formal dresses and accessories, and the dresses were a mere $5 apiece.
"I figured, 'Why not check this out,'" said Washington during a telephone interview in mid-January. "I liked the idea so much that I volunteered the next year."
Each spring, members of Fairy Godmothers, Inc., and volunteers host a Prom Fair at the Cheltenham Square Mall, located at 2385 W. Cheltenham Avenue.
The group's mission is to provide young ladies with the opportunity to purchase quality dresses, shoes, handbags, make-up and jewelry they might not be able to afford otherwise. Prices have gone up in the past six years, but prom dresses are still just $10, and a girl can buy a dress and accessories for about $20.
"The whole event of the prom is huge," said Washington. "It's a major social event. Prom gowns can be expensive. This gives young ladies a chance to buy them who may not be able to afford them any other way."
This year, members of Fairy Godmothers are in need of new and gently-used formal wear, sizes 14 and larger during its Prom Drive on Saturday, Feb. 26. The Prom Drive is where Godmothers (volunteers) collect gowns. If someone in the area is interested in donating a dress but cannot make the Drive, Washington will pick up the dress from the donor's home. The actual Prom Fair occurs the last three Saturdays in March. All events are at the Cheltenham Mall.
Girls must be juniors or seniors in high-school and have valid school identification in order to purchase a dress, according to the organization's Web site. Other people may not shop for a girl unless the girl is physically present. The girls are asked to wait for the assistance of a "Godmother." Only one dress per girl is allowed. Small children are not permitted in the shopping area.
Fairy Godmothers, Inc., was founded by Doylestown resident Joyce Jesko 11 years ago. She was at her winter home in Arizona when she saw a picture in a magazine of a woman in a garage surrounded by gowns. The picture accompanied an article about an Arizona woman who had collected gowns from friends and started Fairy Godmothers to help local girls get dresses for their proms.
"When I read the article, I really liked the idea," said Jesko. "I said that Philadelphia could use something like this."
Jesko owns Cobra Wire and Cable, Inc., an independent producer of industrial wire and cable with her husband, Paul. She organizes Cobra Wire's Charity Golf Outing, the proceeds of which benefit the Laurel House and Fairy Godmothers. (Laurel House is a comprehensive domestic violence agency that assists individuals, families and communities throughout Montgomery County. In 1980, it was founded by the Women's Center of Montgomery County to serve as a domestic violence shelter for abused women and children.) In 2001, she was named one of Pennsylvania's top 50 women in business and received an award from then-Gov. Tom Ridge.
The Fairy Godmothers Prom Fair has provided almost 1,500 girls with dresses and accessories over the past two years, according to its president Lisa Marie, 43, who began as a volunteer with the organization in 2004.
Jesko stressed the need for sizes 14 and larger. David's Bridal provides the group with thousands of gowns, but the majority are sizes zero through nine. Jesko said a lot of larger girls also come to the fair.
"You need to give back," said Washington, 45, the mother of two, who is also active in the New Covenant Church in Mt. Airy. "It's not necessarily that people are less fortunate, but it's good for the human spirit. It's important to me to volunteer with organizations I'm passionate about and believe in like women, the community and youths."
Washington, who has lived in Northwest Philadelphia for 39 years, will also give back to the community in the form of teaching "Understanding Your Healthcare and Insurance Benefits," at the Mt. Airy Learning Tree in March.
"It can be confusing to a lot of people, and I have the skill set and the knowledge," said Washington, a registered nurse who has worked in the insurance industry for 16 years. "So I figured I should teach a class about it."
Regarding the Prom Fair, Washington insists that "the girls are so grateful. … I have reason to believe some of them don't have a mother figure." Washington also volunteers as a Godmother at the Prom Fair, walking around with girls to help them find just the right dress and accessories. If necessary, gowns can be altered at the fair.
For more information about Fairy Godmothers, Inc., or to get involved, visit mypromdress.org or email Lisa Marie at email@example.com. For information about having dresses collected by Washington, email email@example.com. The Prom Fair occurs Saturdays, March 12 and 19, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, March 26, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information about the MALT course "Understanding Your Healthcare and Insurance Benefits," call 215-843-6333.


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SmartClock How often do you wish you could be notified of the time, only to find yourself in a difficult situation? You could be caught up at work or busy driving your car or reading an important news story in the paper or just too lazy to look at your alarm clock. It can happen to the best of us. This is where SmartClock factors in...Read more


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RSBS Digest: Blowing Up
Whether we're talking about getting drunk and hitting the Taco Bell drive-thru at 4 a.m. or the state of my phone after a fast-movin' night at the Roxbury, this much is known: things blow up.
This much is ALSO known: nothing blows up quite like the internet. I had a front row seat to the Twittersphere when Michael Jackson died (for real that time) and was amazed at how far-reaching this convoluted series of tubes really is.
And, as my melancholy and oft addled colleague Mr. Krause recently pointed out: proper internet explosions get a lot of fuel from fumbling politicians intent on keeping their multiple wives inside the three-ring trappings of a Trapper Keeper.
But the REAL explosion has yet to come. Hopefully, it will come tonight — Friday night. Hopefully the Cardinals will wrap up the San Francisco Giants' futile efforts, kick back and wait for those cute little kitties to come to town.
That's right, my fellow US Americans. An RSBS World Series is on the horizon…
Happy Friday!


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MILPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ:SNDK), a global leader in flash storage solutions, today announced the SanDisk Ultra® Dual USB Drive, a USB flash drive featuring both a micro-USB and a USB 2.0 connector in a sleek and sturdy form factor. The SanDisk Ultra Dual USB Drive is designed for Android™ smartphone and tablet users who need an easy way to move content such as photos and videos from their mobile devices. The drive allows users to safely store and backup files, free-up space, or simply transfer multimedia between their smartphones, tablets and computers.
"The SanDisk Ultra Dual USB Drive provides a simple, convenient way to offload and backup files from smartphones and tablets – with the peace of mind that comes with the trusted SanDisk brand," said Dinesh Bahal, vice president, product marketing, SanDisk. "This new drive integrates with SanDisk's Memory Zone app to make freeing up space on mobile devices simpler than ever, improving the user experience."
The SanDisk Ultra Dual USB Drive provides a convenient way to transfer content via an Android-powered smartphone or tablet's micro-USB port and a computer's USB connection. While other methods of transferring files from a mobile device to a computer require wires, applications or a wireless set-up, the SanDisk Ultra Dual USB Drive simply needs to be connected to a mobile device supporting USB on-the-go (OTG)1 to access up to 64GB2 of 'plug and play' storage capacity. Additionally, the drive's dual USB ports feature a retractable cover, meaning no caps to lose while still keeping the connectors safe.
SanDisk is making content management even easier with the SanDisk Memory Zone app, available for download on Google Play™. With the SanDisk Memory Zone app, users are able to better organize files stored on internal and external phone memory for management, viewing, copying and backup – further easing the hassle of freeing up the memory on their mobile device.
Pricing and Availability
The SanDisk Ultra Dual USB Drive is available worldwide and on www.sandisk.com in 16GB to 64GB capacities carrying MSRPs of $19.99 to $49.99.
About SanDisk
SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ:SNDK), a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company, is a global leader in flash storage solutions. For more than 25 years, SanDisk has expanded the possibilities of storage, providing trusted and innovative products that have transformed the electronics industry. Today, SanDisk's quality, state-of-the-art solutions are at the heart of many of the world's largest data centers, and embedded in advanced smart phones, tablets and PCs. SanDisk's consumer products are available at hundreds of thousands of retail stores worldwide. For more information, visit www.sandisk.com.
1 See www.sandisk.com/dualdrive for a list of compatible devices. USB on-the-go (OTG), part of the USB 2.0 specification
2 1GB=1,000,000,000 bytes. Actual user storage is less.
© 2014 SanDisk Corporation. All rights reserved. SanDisk and SanDisk Ultra are trademarks of SanDisk Corporation, registered in the United States and other countries. Android and Google Play are trademarks of Google Inc.
This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, including expectations for markets and customers that are based on our current expectations and involve numerous risks and uncertainties that may cause these forward-looking statements to be inaccurate. Risks that may cause these forward-looking statements to be inaccurate include among others: the market demand for our products may grow more slowly than our expectations or our products may not perform as expected, be available in the capacities or at the price that we expect, or the other risks detailed from time-to-time in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings and reports, including, but not limited to, our most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q and our annual report on Form 10-K. We do not intend to update the information contained in this news release.


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And here are the top five, all of which can be accessed by clicking on the names:
That Jimmy Page semi-interview-semi song was a fave with many of you, not least reader and friend AB who waxed lyrical in a mail way back in January when it came out. Then "Messi is a dog", Spanish with English subtitles, is the only non-music video to make the top five list. It's also wonderful and just the thing for any non-football fan who wonders what all the fuss is about.
Third place comes Paco de Lucia playing a buleria from heaven, the chemistry between him and the cajón player is a marvel, too. Then the runner up is Miss Philippi....ah no, the runner up is the OT from just a couple of weeks ago, Tom Waits hitting your festive chords.
And the winner, the most popular Friday OT of the year, is richly deserved. My own personal musical discovery of the year (but only because I'm slow, he's been around for at least 15 years), I've never heard anything quite like the amazing and deeply beautiful music of Jon Hopkins.
*nah, not really


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Symantec has won every gold medal we've given in this category—until now. Though the defending champ collected plenty of votes, Barracuda Networks Inc. and Sophos Ltd. both got more in this year's polling.
Barracuda Networks Inc. is a provider of security and storage solutions. Products span three markets: content security; networking and application delivery; and data storage, protection, and disaster recovery.
Symantec provides security, storage, and systems management software for businesses and consumers. The company's applications handle such functions as virus protection, PC maintenance, data backup and recovery, intrusion detection, data loss prevention, spam control, content filtering, and remote server management.


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Wednesday, February 18, 2009
1967 Olds Cutlass... damn good looking design, nothing fancy, but it's really eyecatching
Labels: Cutlass, Oldsmobile, Pixdaus
2 comments:
Thanks - don't see enough of these. When I was 13 , 14 - this was the car I wanted. Prob. not in white but still ...ReplyDelete
I have one of these... with the original 330, a TH350, 13 inch slotted rotors with 4 piston front and 2 piston rear discs... flowmaster 2 1/2 inch exhaust and 17in Cragar S/S wheels mated to 275/40/ZR17 Goodyear GS D3 Rear and 225/40/ZR17 Goodyear GS D3 front.ReplyDelete
Oh and cool thing is that I'm only 20... haha.
LS3 (480 hp with the hot cam), AirRide A Body Street Challenge kit, new crankshaft and rear end.
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


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Consider reusing while following the trail from curb to new products
They're all around � recycled products.
While it's taken years for recycling to become a household word, not everyone participates.
Government mandates and high landfill costs have been the needed push to get the recycling cycle rolling. And more people are learning how important it is to use and reuse, rather than using valuable land to pile up mountains of garbage that may take thousands of years to disintegrate while leaking toxic chemicals into the ground and aquifer.
But what happens to all that stuff people drop into the recycle containers?
The process begins in homes and businesses. The most common items households recycle are paper, plastic, aluminum and glass. Cardboard is recycled separately.
In communities such as Kinston, La Grange and Snow Hill, recyclables are placed in a small bin or larger roll-out cart and placed at the curb for pickup day. Cardboard must be dropped off separately at special container sites, even if there is curbside pickup.
County residents may pay for curbside pickup, but they generally carry their regular garbage to one of several nearby county-run convenience sites, which also have containers for the common recyclables, as well as for cardboard.
These items are then picked up by solid waste trucks and taken to a site that separates the various materials.
The paper, plastic, aluminum and glass are mixed together and called comingles. But they have to be separated so each type of material can be made into new products. The basic process involves at least three steps.
Step 1: The pickup
Snow Hill Town Administrator Dana Hill said the town contracts to have recyclables picked up on Mondays for no extra cost to residents. The town uses 18-gallon bins.
"You don't have to separate it," he said. "They do that at the transfer station."
In La Grange, pickup is on Wednesdays, Tyrone Morgan, public services director, said.
"We have our own sanitation department," he said.
The town has been recycling for five years. Prior to that, it contracted the work.
"We were able to perform services with inmate labor," Morgan said.
But that service is no longer available.
In July, La Grange began automated pickup to keep providing service, while maintaining costs, he said.
The city of Kinston also maintains its own automated trucks and picks up recyclables the first three Wednesdays of the month.
The city has been collecting them since the 1980s, Ruth Tanner, environmental superintendent, said. That's when federal laws started requiring recycling, she said. Kinston began picking up the small bins.
"Recycling at that time was very new to everyone," Tanner wrote in an email. "It wasn't known at that time how big recycling would become. Over the years, as more and more customers started to understand the importance of recycling, we moved to larger containers for the customers."
In November 2006, the city began using 95-gallon carts.
Cardboard should be flattened and taken to a designated container where Waste Industries picks it up.
Step 2: Sorting
The comingles are trucked to a materials recovery facility, or MRF (pronounced merf), to be separated. Paper, plastic, aluminum and steel cans and glass, as well as cardboard, are brought to the MRF, said Patrick McDonald, plant manager at Sonoco Recycling in Raleigh.
"And then our equipment basically breaks that stream down into it's individual components," he said, "so our finished products will be things like a bale of cardboard, a bale of newspaper, aluminum, steel cans and various types of plastics."
Like a river of water, the one stream of comingles branches into various tributaries of individual materials.
"It's a fairly advanced processing facility with a number of mechanical separating components, as well as manual labor," McDonald said, "to separate all the components, or all the single stream into the individual components."
About 10 percent of the material trucked into the plant is considered residue, or not recyclable, he said.
"Unfortunately, we are seeing that (percent) grow as municipalities and counties expand the roll-out carts for homes," McDonald said.
He called it a "double-edged sword" because the bigger carts encourage more recycling � which is a good thing � but there is less visibility by workers at the curb to ensure non-recyclables are not dropped into the cart.
Placing only allowable recyclables in the cart or bin benefits everyone. MRFs have to haul non-recyclables to the landfill at a cost that is ultimately passed down to the consumer.
Residents should rinse containers before putting them into a bin or cart, but they don't need to wash them spotless. However, less food, grease or other residue makes less work and cost at the plant.
Waste Industries picks up subscription curbside recyclables in Lenoir and Greene counties, Mark Myers, director of sales and marketing, wrote in an email.
�The commingle,� he wrote, �after being collected, is dumped at our Transfer Station in Wilson and then loaded into a 53-foot trailer and transferred to Sonoco in Raleigh. The cardboard is taken to our Wilson Branch, baled and then sold to a buyer.�
Step 3: New products
"In Sonoco's case, we're a little bit unique," McDonald said, "because we are our own customer for a lot of our fiber products."
Sonoco Recycling is a subsidiary of Sonoco Products, which operates paper mills and other production plants. So the Raleigh MFR sells bales of newspaper and cardboard to its parent company for paper manufacturing.
"In addition," McDonald said, "we also do sell some of that material to the open market."
One of those companies is Unifi in Yadkinville.
The company buys clean, chopped plastic flakes from the No. 1 PET plastic bottles, said Bett Anderson, Unifi's marketing and communications manager.
�The chopped plastic bottle flake is melted down and run through a series of filtration processes," she said, "and the resulting REPREVE recycled polymer is in chip form."
REPREVE, a sustainable product, is spun into polymer yarn to sell to various manufacturers for products made by such companies as Ford, The North Face, Patagonia and Haggar. It's what you might find in clothing made of polyester and polyester blends.
"REPREVE can be found in multiple consumer products," Anderson said, "from automobile interiors to home furnishings and apparel.�
Another Sonoco market is Reflective Recycling in Wilson. The company recycles glass, which comes in as broken bottle pieces or whole bottles, Supply Manager Carl Massey said. But it's not ready to use.
"The first thing we try to do is separate it from the other materials," he said.
Reflective uses the amber, clear and green glass, which has to be separated, cleaned and broken into .5-inch to 2-inch pieces.
All of this is done on $8.5 million machinery, Massey said.
"We turn it around and market that to make new bottles," he said.
Reflective serves a niche market in Wilson mainly because its primary market is located there � Verallia, which makes bottles and jars, Massey said. Other uses include counter tops, concrete additives and abrasives for sandblasting.
Massey said people often throw away bottles, but the company could take in more.
"The good thing about glass is," he said, "it's infinitely recyclable."
Benefits of recycling
In the past year, Kinston picked up nearly 628.5 tons of recyclables.
Tanner said recycling is convenient and economical if people recycle the correct items.
"Recycling is one of the best ways you can protect the environment," she wrote. "Recycling saves our natural resources, keeps reusable items out of our landfills and provides the materials needed to make recycled products."
Morgan said he estimates about 65 percent of La Grange customers recycle.
"They get more bang for their buck, for sure," he said. "Recycling, of course, it helps the environment. The more you recycle, it helps on the tipping fees and what you dump on the environment. It helps everyone."
Margaret Fisher can be reached at 252-559-1082 or email@example.com. Follow her on Twitter @MargaretFishr.
State regulations for recycling
Source: City of Kinston
How to prepare your recyclables
Source: City of Kinston


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Another person has filed a sexual abuse lawsuit against Bryan Singer and entertainment executive Gary Goddard.
According to the L.A. Times, an anonymous person from the U.K. filed a suit in a federal court in California that claimed he was 14 when first contacted by Goddard. The plaintiff says that Goddard persuaded him to send him nude photos and engage in nude webcam sessions. Then, when he was 16, Goddard invited him to London where he was given alcohol and had sex with him. The suit also claims that Goddard introduced him to Singer, who then sexually assaulted him when he was 17.
Bret Easton Ellis: I Knew About Bryan Singer's Underage Parties
Jeff Herman, who filed lawsuits on behalf of Michael Egan against Singer and Goddard last month, is also representing the anonymous plaintiff. In an emailed statement, Singer's lawyer says "Mr. Herman's desperation has led him to fabricate these new anonymous accusations against Mr. Singer, which we will also prove to be completely false."
Last month, the X Men director was first accused of sexually abusing Egan in 1999. Singer has vehemently denied the claims.


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Bill introduced to allow firearms in schools
Sen. David Burns proposes school employees be allowed to carry weapons
A Washington County senator has introduced legislation to allow qualified school employees to carry a concealed weapon on campus.
Sen. David Burns, R-Washington County, said he considered the bill for more than a year after a police officer asked him to consider similar legislation.
Following the mass shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Burns said he decided the bill needed to be presented to the Legislature.
"My goal with this legislation is to provide one option to protect our schools and children by ensuring they are no longer without defense," Burns said.
The bill would allow school districts to establish rules, procedures and guidelines for staff that completes a firearms training course to carry a concealed handgun on school property while working. They would also need the approval of the school board, the district superintendent and the school principal.
Participants would also be required to be re-certified annually and undergo a psychological exam.
After being submitted, Burns' bill will likely go before the Legislature's education and cultural affairs committee before being considered by the full Legislature.


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MSFC gets ear of next White House, Huntsville Times
"Rex Geveden, president of Teledyne Brown Engineering Inc. and a former Marshall deputy director, along with Shar Hendrick, a former Marshall liaison to Congress, met with transition team members in Washington."
Editor's note: One of the DIRECT guys is supposed to have met with the Transition Team at NASA to talk about their Powerpoint rocket as well. Word has it Buzz was going with them. Contrary to rumoured intentions, the job of the NASA Transition Team is not to pass judgement on everything at NASA - but rather, to collect data. At some point, someone will ask if they have heard of one engineering idea or another - or heard the concerns of one field center vs another. Or paid attention to a prominent ego or vocal advocacy group. They cannot listen to everyone, but it is worth their time to try and do their best in that regard such that the largest population feels that they have had a shot at providing input and advice.
It is the Transition Team's job to have covered all the bases - even if some of the input is of marginal or mostly pro forma value in the grander scheme of things. If you look at Change.gov you will see that the Obama effort is erring on the side of being inclusive and transparent. Contrary to its popularly rumoured closed door activities, the Transition Team members onsite at NASA are not making engineering or programatic decisions. Nor are they selecting the next NASA Administrator. They are collecting data for others to use. The really hard work - by others - starts on 20 Jan 2009.
Previous Transition Team Updates
Editor's update: Oh no: all the DIRECT fanboys are upset with me again - including bodily function puns. (Sigh). Others are throwing hissy fits about how awful I am when it comes to their pet rocket - yet at least a dozen reader posts here today mention DIRECT and/or Jupiter. Oh well. I certainly hope they conducted their discourse in a more adult fashion with the Transition Team.
NASA Renegades Pitch Obama Team New Post-Shuttle Plan, Popular Mechanics
"We were received well, but they were very clear they are offering no opinions at this point," says Ross Tierney, a collectible space model kit designer from Florida who presented the alternative plan. "To get what is essentially a presidential level meeting is an honor and privilege for us. We hope something comes of it." .... During today's meeting, the Jupiter Direct team presented a copy of the February issue of Popular Mechanics that profiles the origin and spread of their alternative idea."
Editor's update: a "collectible space model kit designer" made the presentation? They couldn't even find a real engineer? Oh well, now the Transition Team can check that box off their list.


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Majors Junction
Rich textures created by the band have been described as "Plush Lonesome Western Blues". Attracting a listener base whose musical taste transcends different genres, Majors Junction produces a diverse meld of country honky-tonk blues with folk undertones and hints of bluegrass pickin' and good old rock & roll. It is a unique sound that celebrates individuality and hard work, two qualities the band shares with its hometown of Chicago.


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They are based on the antibacterial activity and pharmacokinetic characteristics of this drug. They take account both of the clinical studies to which it gave rise and of its place in the range of antibacterial products currently available.
They are limited to infections caused by organisms known to be sensitive, in particular to certain situations where the bacterial species responsible for infection can be multiple and / or resistant to the antibiotics currently available.
< Br>
On this basis, this medicinal product is of particular interest in the following indications:
· Acute otitis media of the adult
· Acute maxillary sinusitis and other forms of sinusitis
· Superinfections of acute bronchitis of the patient at risk, in particular chronic ethyl alcohol, tobacco, elderly, over 65 years, in case of evolutive risk or in second;
· Exacerbations of chronic bronchopneumonia
Acute pneumonia of the at-risk patient, in particular chronic ethyl alcohol, tobacco, over 65 years of age or with swallowing disorders
Acute recurrent cystitis, uncomplicated cystitis of the woman and pyelonephritis, uncomplicated acute from germs, sensitive
· High gynecological infections, in combination with another active antibiotic on Chlamydiae (see section CAUTIONS AND PRECAUTIONS for safe use)
· Periodontitis
· Severe stomatal infections: abscess, phlegmons, cellulitis
· Relay treatment of the injectable route.
Official recommendations concerning the appropriate use of antibacterials should be taken into account.
Posology expressed in amoxicillin
ADULTS (weight ≥ 40 kg)
In the patient with normal renal function
· 2 g / day in 2 taken in the following indications
O, acute maxillary sinusitis
O superinfections of acute bronchitis of the patient at risk, in particular chronic ethyl, tobacco, elderly, over 65 years, in case of evolutive risk or in second;
O Exacerbations of chronic bronchopneumonia
O, periodontitis.
· 3 g / day in 3 taken in the following indications
O other forms of sinusitis
O, otitis media acute
Acute recurrent cystitis, uncomplicated cystitis of the woman and pyelonephritis, uncomplicated acute germs, sensitive
O, high gynecological infections, in combination with another active antibiotic on Chlamydiae (see section CAUTIONS AND PRECAUTIONS for safe use)
O: severe stomatal infections: abscess, phlegmons, cellulitis
Acute pneumonia of the patient at risk, in particular chronic ethyl alcohol, tobacco, over 65 years of age or with swallowing disorders
O, relay treatment of the injectable route.
In patients with renal insufficiency
Clearance of creatinine
Greater than 30 ml / min.
No, dosage adjustment required
Between 10 and 30 ml / min.
1 g / 125 mg every 12 to 24 hours.
Less than 10 ml / min.
For patients treated or not by hemodialysis, the conditions of use have not been established.
In the elderly patient
No dose adjustment unless creatinine clearance is ≤ 30 ml / min. (See Posology in patients with renal insufficiency).
Administration mode
Oral use.
At each dose, the 2 tablets must be taken at the same time.
Take the medication preferably at the beginning of the meal.
Pharmacotherapeutic group, ANTIBACTERIANS FOR SYSTEMIC USE, ATC code, J01CR02.
This drug is a combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid, a potent, beta-lactamase inhibitor. Clavulanic acid rapidly and irreversibly inhibits most beta-lactamases produced by Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
Critical concentrations separate sensitive strains from strains of intermediate sensitivity and the latter from resistant strains
S $ 4; mg / l; and R> 16; mg / l
MIC, pneumococcus: S £ 0.5, mg / l and R> 2 mg / l
The prevalence of acquired resistance may vary according to geography and time for some species. It is therefore useful to have information on the prevalence of local resistance, especially for the treatment of severe infections. These data can only provide guidance on the probabilities of the susceptibility of a bacterial strain to this antibiotic.
When the variability of the resistance prevalence in France is known for a bacterial species, it is indicated in the table below
Frequency of resistance, acquired in France (> 10%) (extreme values)
Gram-positive aerobes
Corynebacterium diphtheriae
Enterococcus faecalis
Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae
Listeria monocytogenes
Nocardia asteroids
Staphylococcus méti-S
Streptococcus bovis
Streptococcus pneumoniae
15 - 35%
Gram-negative Aerobes
Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans
Bordetella pertussis
Branhamella catarrhalis
Burkholderia pseudo-mallei
Citrobacter koseri
Escherichia coli
10 - 30%
Haemophilus influenzae
Haemophilus para-influenzae
0 - 20%
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Neisseria meningitidis
Pasteurella multocida
Proteus, mirabilis
10 - 20%
Proteus, vulgaris
0 - 40%
0 - 30%
Vibrio cholerae
Frequency of resistance, acquired in France (> 10%) (extreme values)
Propionibacterium acnes
(In vitro sensitivity, intermediate)
Gram-positive aerobes
Enterococcus faecium
40 - 80%
Gram-positive aerobes
Staphylococcus meti-R; *
Gram-negative Aerobes
Citrobacter freundii
Morganella morganii
Proteus; rettgeri
Yersinia; enterocolitica
* The frequency of resistance to methicillin is approximately 30 to 50% of all staphylococci and is found mainly in hospital.
Not applicable.
This medicinal product should NEVER be used in cases of
· Allergy to antibiotics of the beta-lactam family (penicillins, cephalosporins): take into account the risk of cross-allergicity with the antibiotics in the group, cephalosporins
· Allergy to any component of the drug
· A history of hepatic involvement related to the association of amoxicillin / clavulanic acid
This medication is GENERALLY NOT RECOMMENDED for use in combination with methotrexate (see section Interactions with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction). Code>
Special warnings
The occurrence of any manifestation, allergic necessitates the cessation of treatment and the setting up of a suitable treatment.
Immuno-allergic reactions, of which severe and sometimes fatal hypersensitivity reactions (anaphylaxis) have been observed exceptionally in patients treated with beta-lactam antibiotics. Code>
Their administration therefore requires an examination for discovery.
In the face of a history of a typical allergy to these products, the contraindication is formal.
Allergy to penicillins is crossed with cephalosporin allergy in 5 to 10% of cases. This leads to the proscription of penicillins when the subject is a known allergic to cephalosporins.
Precautions for use
As with all beta-lactams, regularly check the blood formula when administering high doses of amoxicillin
The administration of high doses of beta-lactams in patients with renal insufficiency or in patients with predisposing factors such as a history of seizures, epilepsy, treatment or meningeal involvement may exceptionally lead to convulsions
For renal insufficiency, for creatinine clearances less than or equal to 30 ml / min, adjust dosage (see section Dosage and Mode of Administration). >
The risk of occurrence of a hepatic adverse effect (cholestasis) is increased, with treatment greater than 10 days and all, especially after 15 days.
In case of prolonged treatment, it is recommended to monitor the liver and kidney functions.
The combination of amoxicillin / clavulanic acid should be used with caution, in case of hepatic impairment
This medicinal product contains 12.27 mg (0.31 mmol) potassium per tablet (24.54 mg per dose): take this into account in people on a diet, hypokalaemic.
Examinations, paraclinics
Impact on biological parameters
A positivity of the direct Coombs test was obtained during treatment with beta-lactams. This may also occur in subjects treated with amoxicillin / clavulanic acid. False positivations of this test linked to the presence of clavulanic acid have also been observed.
A very high concentrations, amoxicillin tends to
· Decrease the results of blood glucose measurements
· Interferes in the determinations of the total serum protein by color reaction
· Give a false positive color reaction in the glycosuria assays by the colorimetric semi-quantitative method
Associations, deprecated
+ Methotrexate
Increased hematological effects and toxicity of methotrexate by inhibition of renal tubular secretion by penicillins
Associations to be taken into account
+ Allopurinol (and by extrapolation, other inhibitors of uricosynthesis)
Increased risk of skin reactions
Special Problems of the INR imbalance
Many cases of increased oral anticoagulant activity have been reported in patients receiving antibiotics. The marked infectious or inflammatory context, age and general condition of the patient appear as risk factors. In these circumstances, it is difficult to distinguish between infectious pathology and its treatment in the onset of INR imbalance, although some classes of antibiotics are more involved: these include fluoroquinolones , Macrolides, cyclins, cotrimoxazole and certain cephalosporins.
Not applicable.
The manifestations of overdose may be neuropsychic, renal (crystalluria) and digestive. Treatment is symptomatic by monitoring, particularly balance, hydroelectrolyte. Amoxicillin and clavulanic acid can be eliminated by hemodialysis
For amoxicillin there are no reliable data for teratogenesis in animals
In clinical studies, epidemiological studies have not revealed any malformative or fetotoxic effects related to the use of amoxicillin
For clavulanic acid, studies in animals have not shown any teratogenic effect. In the absence of teratogenic effect in animals, a malformative effect in the human species is not expected. Indeed, to date, the substances responsible for malformations in the human species have been found to be teratogenic in animals in well-conducted studies of two species
Clinically, the use of clavulanic acid in a limited number of pregnancies has apparently shown no particular malformative or fetotoxic effects to date. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the consequences of exposure during pregnancy.
Accordingly, the combination of amoxicillin / clavulanic acid may be prescribed during pregnancy if necessary.
The passage of amoxicillin-clavulanic acid into breast milk is low and the amounts ingested are much lower than the therapeutic doses. Accordingly, breast-feeding is possible if this antibiotic is taken.
However, discontinue breast-feeding (or medication) in the event of diarrhea, candidiasis, or rash in the infant.
· Digestive symptoms: nausea, vomiting, possibility of digestive superinfections, Candida, diarrhea, loose stools, dyspepsia and abdominal pain. Some cases of pseudomembranous colitis and haemorrhagic colitis have been reported.
Allergic manifestations include urticaria, eosinophilia, angioedema, discomfort, respiratory disease, serum sickness, vasculitis, exceptionally anaphylactic shock.
· Maculopapular rash of allergic origin or not
Very rarely, some cases of Lyell and Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme, and exfoliative dermatitis have been reported.
These cutaneous manifestations may be more frequent and / or more intense in patients with infectious mononucleosis or leukemia, the evolving lymphoid.
· Other manifestations have been reported, more rarely
O cases of hepatitis, usually cholestatic, or mixed, have been occasionally reported.These cases appear to occur more readily in elderly and male patients and in treatment of more than 10 days and in particular For treatments, greater than 15 days. Symptoms, such as jaundice which appears to be constant, appear during or at the end of treatment, but may occur a few weeks after discontinuation. The histopathological examination of the liver usually reveals a centro-lobular cholestasis. The evolution is generally favorable but can be extended by a few weeks.
Some extremely rare cases of fatal evolution have been observed:
O moderate and asymptomatic increases in ASAT, ALAT or alkaline phosphatase
O interstitial nephritis, acute
Leucopenia, neutropenia, agranulocytosis, haemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, reversible
Cases of seizures have been reported exceptionally (see Warnings and Precautions for Use).
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
The reporting of suspected adverse reactions after authorization of the drug is important. It allows continuous monitoring of the ratio, benefit / risk of the drug. Health professionals report any suspected adverse effects via the national reporting system: National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (Ansm) and network of Regional Centers, Pharmacovigilance - Website: www.ansm .sante.fr.
They are based on the antibacterial activity and pharmacokinetic characteristics of this drug. They take into account both the clinical studies to which it gave rise and its place in the range of antibacterial products currently available, and are limited to infections caused by organisms recognized as sensitive, The bacterial species responsible for infection may be multiple and / or resistant to the antibiotics currently available, and on this basis this drug is of particular interest in the following indications: acute otitis media in adults • acute maxillary sinusitis and other forms of sinusitis • superinfections of acute bronchitis of the at-risk patient, especially chronic ethyl, tobacco, elderly, over 65 years of age, Exacerbations of chronic bronchopneumopathies • Acute pneumonia of the at-risk patient, including chronic ethyl alcohol, tobacco, over 65 years of age or with swallowing disorders • Recurrent acute cystitis, uncomplicated cystitis Women and pyelonephritis, uncomplicated acute germs, sensitive, • high gynecological infections, in combination with another active antibiotic on Chlamydiae (see Warnings and Precautions for Use Precautions; • Periodontitis • Severe stomatal infections: abscesses, phlegmons, cellulites • Treatment of relay of the injectable route • Official recommendations regarding the appropriate use of antibacterials should be taken into account. >


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From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...This post really should begin with a trumpet blast or drum roll. According to Google.com the recipe for this humble hearty bread is the most popular in the world. The recipe, found here, was posted by Gerald Norman on Food.com where it has been reviewed by over 600 amateur and professional cooks. A bread quite similar to this one is also featured in Rebecca Rather's cookbook, The Pastry Queen. The bread is, of course, delicious, but what makes this version of the loaf so singular, is the ease with which it comes together. No special equipment is required to make it, and if you have a bowl, a wooden spoon and a loaf pan you've darn near got yourself a loaf of bread. People tend to complicate simple things, so as you read reviews you'll find treatise-like discussions of what types of beer or flour should be used. Heed them only if you choose. Truth be told, any and all work well, so choose your favorite. I use whatever I have on hand, sometimes that's imported and sometimes it's one of our more humble domestic brews. While I'm presenting a bare bones version of the recipe, finely grated cheese, chives or chili peppers can also be added to the mix. The bread is mildly sweet and hoppy and has a crust that is memorable. Its color and final flavor will depend on the type of beer you use. The loaf is ridiculously easy to make and I think you'll enjoy it as a sometime replacement for corn bread. I also thought it would be the perfect way to introduce a series of ridiculously easy, but simply scrumptious dishes that I'll be featuring this coming week. Here's how the beer bread is made.
Beer Bread...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite inspired by Gerald Norman courtesy of Food.com
3 cups flour (sifted before measuring and spooned into cup after sifting)
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons sugar
1 (12-oz.) can beer
6 tablespoons melted butter
1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease an 8-1/2 x 4-1/2 x 2-1/2 loaf pan. Set aside.
2) Sift flour, baking powder, salt and sugar together in a large bowl. Add beer and mix just until combined. Spoon mounds of dough into prepared pan. Do not level top. Pour melted butter over dough. Do not stir or poke. Bake in middle of oven for 1 hour. Remove from oven and place pan on a cooling rack for 15 minutes. Remove bread from pan and serve while still warm. Yield: 1 loaf.
One Year Ago Today: Mulligatawny
Two Years Ago Today: Orzo and Rice Pilaf with Pignoli and Parmesan Cheese
Three Years Ago Today: Roasted Red Pepper and Sun-Dried Tomato Spread


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(CNN) -- Jenny Sanford said Thursday that her husband Mark Sanford's political career is "not a concern of mine" and that she'd be just fine -- regardless of whether their marriage survives.
Jenny Sanford, here with her husband, was a Wall Street executive before she married Mark Sanford.
She would not speculate whether her husband would resign as South Carolina governor.
"His career is not a concern of mine," she told reporters as she departed the family's vacation home in Sullivan's Island, South Carolina. "He's going to have to worry about that. I'm worried about my family and the character of my children."
She added that she would be fine, with or without her husband.
"I have great faith and great friends and great family. We have a good Lord in this world and I know that I'm going to be fine and not only will I survive, I'll thrive," she said.
"I don't know if he'll be with me, but I'm going to do my best to work on my marriage because I believe in marriage. I believe in raising good kids is the most important thing in the world," she said.
After disappearing from the public eye for nearly a week, Gov. Mark Sanford, 49, admitted to having an extramarital affair with an Argentine woman.
He also admitted Wednesday that he had not hiked the Appalachian Trail during his absence -- as his staff had said earlier -- but had been in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Jenny Sanford would not reveal whether she was headed back to the family's home in Columbia. "Right now we're taking it a day at a time. Right now we're going out on a boat." Watch more of Jenny Sanford's comments »
Gov. Sanford, leaving the family home in a different car, was in a far less talkative mood. "I'm going back to Columbia," he said.
The State, the Columbia-based newspaper that acquired what it said were e-mail exchanges between Sanford and the woman in Argentina, acknowledged Thursday that there would likely be people who would call for the governor's resignation.
"We are not ready to join them at this point," its editorial said.
All About Mark Sanford • South Carolina


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Awesome Business Opportunity - Sneak Preview!Posted by aussienwealthy, May 28 2009, 08:32 AM
An Entrepreneurs Dream Come True!! All you need is a minimum of $2,500 to invest and a BURNING DESIRE to create a 6-7 figure income in your first year!!
If you are seriously looking for a business and have considered a Franchise, you absolutely need to take a closer look at what we do!
We offer an alternative to a Franchise that provides:
Low Start Up fees
20-25 hour work weeks
Mobile Business
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Ongoing Training & Support
An opportunity to work from the comfort of your home.
We market high-end, self-empowerment products that change peoples lives.
You will have the opportunity to create wealth for your and your family by helping others create wealth for themselves by building your own sales team and be reaping the rewards of their production. Get a world class education on wealth creation and personal development with a business that offers:
Executive-level income potential - opportunity to have positive cash flow within the first few months
Low overhead- less than $200/month
A unique and proven business model
Products that appeal to the masses
Stable, growing and long-term demand
No territories- you can market your business wherever you want.
No inventory to keep
Massive Support Network
No employees- you wont have to worry about payroll headaches
A fun, challenging and extremely satisfying opportunity
We only work with dedicated, upstanding and honest individuals.
Desired Qualities:
* Integrity
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* Self Starter who Appreciates/Supports Teamwork
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* An optimistic person
* Out of the Box Big Thinker
So, if this sounds like you then submit your expression of interest to Bec Stewart at email@example.com today.
Alternatively take a look at my website www.aussienwealthy.com today and submit your contact details. Either myself or
one of my associates will be in touch within 24 hours for a brief interview.


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Veneran MobiliVeneran Mobili | Contemporary Bedroom Furniture | Upholstered Beds ( For inquiries on the items shown below, please contact us, providing your address and contact details for an individual quotation. )
Veneran Mobili
Boccioni's idea of ''unique forms of continuity in space'' perfectly fitted and brought through to life by talented designers of Veneran brand. Veneran's furniture liberates a space and clarifies forms
Italian factory Veneran was founded in the first half of the 60s. Since its inception to the present day, Veneran is a family-run company. After a series of successful achievements of the company, Veneran has grown and captured a large segment of the furniture market in Italy and around the world. The range of the factory includes bedroom and living room furniture, such as wardrobe systems, cabinets, shelving system, tables, chairs.
Veneran is ambitious company. Factory's vision encompasses an uncompromising focus on continuous growth, technological improvement of designs and unparalleled craftsmen.
In the age of global market, dynamics and tough competition, Veneran is doing everything possible to remain the undisputed leader in the world of high-end furniture.
Furniture by Veneran is modern, light, fashionable, innovative. Interiors are simple, clean and positive. In order to find new design solutions, the company Veneran pays close attention to the study of new materials and advanced technologies. In addition to the constant innovation, the company has a stable well-regulated production, the highest standards of product quality, professional management staff and focus on environmental protection.
In the manufacturing, Manufacturer uses exclusively high-quality materials: oak, hazel, teak, glass, leather, fabrics.
Modern and functional home, according to the company's designers Veneran, - a blend of minimalism and refined taste. Factory Veneran boycotts any kind of decoration, the main character is a light and space.
Special Offers (15)


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I've had 2 experiences adopting queens in my city with 2 separate GAN participants.
I found the whole adoption process efficient and easy. A few emails back and forth with someone at AntsCanada and you'll be ready to meet up with your local GAN person. They always tell you to meet in a public place to ensure safety. It's a very small thing, but I think it's great that the team at AntsCanada think of that and put it in the email.
Both GAN folks I met were friendly and talked to me for a few minutes on the care they recommend for the particular queen, and sharing some experience on what type of places to look to find queens in the area.
I would absolutely adopt through the GAN program again, and recommend it to anyone interested.
GAN Program
Share your experiences with us, our customer service, our informational videos, and/or products. Please be kind but do be honest. If you have any issues/concerns with an order, product, or service, please contact us through email firstname.lastname@example.com for quicker support.
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Re: GAN Program
I'll post some pics in a week, when these ladies have time to settle into their new home.
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Start Slideshow
- Edogawa Garage Club-Junichi ItoAn outdated garage club in Tokyo was in need of some serious upgrades, but instead of bulldozing it and building a new one, local firm Jun'ichi Ito Architect & Associates gave the Edogawa Garage Club a facelift with the help of a woven metal screen. The new shade screen gives the building a distinct and modern appeal, while also keeping it cool and ensuring privacy and security. Jun'ichi Ito's goal was to minimize CO2 emissions while also letting the garage club reflect nature and its surroundings.1
- Edogawa Garage Club-Junichi ItoLocated in Edogawa, Tokyo, the Edogawa Garage Club is a renovated warehouse with a modern new perforated metal screen skin.2
- Edogawa Garage Club-Junichi ItoThe owners with the help of Jun'ichi Ito Architect & Associates decided to update the building rather than tear it down as a way of reducing CO2 emissions.3
- Edogawa Garage Club-Junichi ItoInspiration for the facelift came from rippling water and nature itself. The metal screen reflects nature and its surroundings and responds to the changing light throughout the day.4
- Edogawa Garage Club-Junichi ItoThe new metal screen exterior is composed of a series of modular perforated metal panels that weave back and forth. Offset from the building slightly, the new facade provides many benefits for the building.5
- Edogawa Garage Club-Junichi ItoFirst, the screens allow breezes to blow through and around reducing the building's temperature and the need for additional cooling. Second, natural daylight can still pass through the screen and into the windows. Third, the screen provides additional security for the warehouse and keeps prying eyes from knowing what is inside. Finally, the screen is more aesthetically pleasing than the original warehouse facade and improves the look of the area.6
- Edogawa Garage Club-Junichi ItoThe original warehouse before the facelit.7


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"Greece, because my mother reminds me of 'Shirley Valentine' without the Greece vacation. I would let her sit by the sea, drink some wine, and enjoy the peace." —Kim Kurylo
"I'd take my mom to England. She has an semi-unhealthy obsession with everything that has to do with the Royal Family. She would love every museum, landmark, and just the atmosphere in that country. She helped me to see almost all of western Europe, I want to fulfill one of her dreams." —Geraldine Delos Santos
"My Mom was in the Peace Corps in the Philippines in the early 1960's. I'd love to go there with her and see where she worked and hear more of her stories." —Diana Wisler Beckmann
"I would take my mother to Italy—she has never been. We would visit Rome, Florence, Venice, Pompeii and Cinque Terre. We would see everything we could, but also make time to sit on the piazza and enjoy a drink. We would go shopping and eat something different and yummy for every meal!" —Becky Ellzey
"I would take my daughter to Australia. She is studying to be a veterinarian in University all because of Steve Irwin and his love of animals." —Nellie Cross
"Egypt. I remember sitting on my mother's lap, looking through what I think were National Geographic books about the country and it's history. We would talk about what life must have been like in ancient Egypt and look at the big glossy beautiful pictures. I'm almost 40 and those memories of special times with mom are still cherished!" —Lori Goodwin
"Took my Mom to Oahu after her cancer treatments & she's always wanted to go back to the Big Island." —@Luv2Trvls via Twitter.
"I'd go with my daughter to Paris. We haven't been there together for a dozen years. We'd visit museums, shop, eat, drink and stroll through the neighborhoods!" —Diana Bustamante
"I would take her to Monaco. I rave about it and she would love playing posh for a day!" —@WhatDoesLisa via Twitter.
"My Mom has been to Turkey several times, and she is an amazing "negotiator." I would love to go to the Turkish bazaars, rug shop, and of course eat yummy food, and explore ruins. My Mom is gutsy and can get the price of anything down." —Abby Gramling Garland
"I would go to London with my mom. I know it may sound boring, but her whole entire life she has dreamt about going there and seeing all the Beatles sights. I would love to make that happen for her!" —Crystal Wishart
"New York City. She lived there for a while and I would love for her to be my tour guide." —Joanne Zambo
"It might sound weird, but I'd take my mom to see Garth Brooks in Las Vegas. He is her all time favorite performer and I know she'd love to see him in concert. Also, she's limited to a walker or wheelchair and I know that a city like Las Vegas is handicap accessible. Plus, there's fun restaurants and beautiful hotels!" —Jenni Kelly
"My daughter is going to college for the first time in the fall. I would love to go on safari with her. That has been dream of mine and hers. She is my only child and I've been a single mom since 18, this is a big moment for us." —Candice Caceres-Mendieta
"I would take my 2 daughters on a road trip across america in an RV." —Jeanne Delcastillo Hammer (before you go, some helpful tips: 5 Road-Tested Tips from an RV Rookie.)
"I'd take my Mom to Austria to see where our family came from. The Old Country, if you will..." —@suchabooknerd via Twitter.
"I did one with my Mom to Bangkok & Sukhothai in Thailand. Perfect combo of history, culture, spas, food, & shopping!" —@TheDealMommy via Twitter.
"We went to Costa Rica on a high adventure trip for 10 days and did all those wonderful things in Monteverde, zipline, hanging bridges, etc. She's now 25 and we try to do something each year for our birthday month, November." —Sharon Hahn
"Netherlands, to see the tulips flower." —@daniek258 via Twitter.
"I would take my mom to Sweden to visit her relatives before she can no longer travel. She has found them on Facebook and they chat back and forth, but she has never been there to visit." —Jennifer Littler
"My daughter is 18. I would take her to Sanibel Island, Florida. It is quiet, beautiful, warm, the ocean is gentle, full of seashells, lots of little shops to explore, many restaurants to try, bikes to ride. All designed for a peaceful time to be together before she ventures off again into the hustle and bustle of the world." —Fern Ricci
"I would love to take my mother on a trip to the South, specifically Atlanta, Savannah, the sea islands off the coast of Georgia. We would see every old Southern mansion, wade in the ocean, and breathe in the smell of the flowers. I think there would be time for some good meals and antique shopping as well." —Cynthia Blixt
"I would love to take my daughters to the Yucatan. We love history and exploring the Mayan ruins would be a fantastic experience together." —Amy Schnoor
"Mom and I are dreaming of an Alaska cruise." —Catherine Skidmore
"Country driving in few of European countries would be our dream. By the time we reach Southern Italy, we would take a cooking class, making various pasta and enjoying the best view from Amalfi Coast." —Maria Sukrisman
"I would choose the beach, especially in Bali, Indonesia, where you have a peace mode and romantic sunset view...and it is your chance to talk/discuss [about] what's going on on her life & give her advice on how to become a good girl/lady/woman. I'm from the Philippines but I love Bali, Indonesia very much." —Leizelle Celeste
"Poland. As a second-generation American, I would love to be able to show my daughter our ancestry and discover the culture, food, and language together. I've never been so it would be the trip of a lifetime." —Dawn Giba Edwards
"I'd take my mom back to Nova Scotia. It was the last vacation she and my dad went on and by far one of her favorite. She's often said she'd love for us to see it the way my dad showed it to her—I'd like her to have that chance!" —Wendy Wilder Andrews
"Best mother-daughter getaway would be an animal safari in Botswana. We could have professional guides take us out in the mornings and evenings to spot lions, gazelles, and an assortment of other beasts & hang out pool side sipping on fresh fruit juices and get some spa treatments during the day." —Rhonda Hankins
"A few years ago my mother and I tagged along with my daughter to a conference in St. Petersburg, Russia. My mother especially enjoyed all of the lavish royal palaces. Since we grew up in the Cold War we had preconceived notions of Russia but the city was beautiful and the people were friendly. It was quite an adventure!" —Carol Landry
"I would take my step-daughter to New Orleans in October. She loves history and the supernatural and what better place to enjoy both! Cemetery and plantation tours, a ghost hunt, and maybe a visit to a voodoo fortune teller. Can't forget a daytrip to the French Quarter (she's too young to go at night), and a ride on a steamboat to round it all out." —Steph Klett
"We've already done a wine tour of the Okanagan Valley [in British Columbia, Canada]--she was five at the time! There was a lot of other stuff to do there besides visit wineries: horseback riding, nature walk, orchards, picnics, watching migrating salmon, etc." —Yuki Hayashi
"I would take my mom and my daughter to Bermuda. My mom used to live there when her father was in the service. My four year old would have to go because she loves the beach." —Arin Norris
"My mom, her sister (my aunt), and I did a tour of Tuscany, the Italian Riviera, and all over northern Italy after I completed a year abroad in Germany. We are all in the same sorority and had a blast driving through the gorgeous countryside singing Alpha Xi Delta songs. What a hoot!" —Laurie Nason Zeck
"My daughter's a vegetarian and she loves food, so we would go to India to explore vegetarian cuisine!" —Laura Barta
"I want to take my girls to Western Europe so they can see the castles, cathedrals and the real locations that they read about in their history books." —Rebecca Eli Parks
"Italy, to visit our ancestral home. Specifically, Palermo, Sicily. My maternal grandfather was from there and we would love to see whether other relatives from our generations are still there. Fascinating!" —Wynne Gavin
"I'd take my daughter back to Uganda. She and I spent two weeks there five years ago, and it was the best two weeks of my life. Such a special time in my life." —Debbie Brader Travis
"I took my mom to a small village in Hungary (Onod) to meet her long lost family. Staring into the eyes of people who looked just like us was one of the most powerful moments I've ever experienced. It didn't matter that we couldn't speak words to each other (due to language barrier). The tears of joy were the only words any of us needed." —Becky Larson Sulfridge
"I would take my daughter on Semester at Sea: ten countries, one hundred days sailing around the world. One can take classes while on the ship and go to different field trips while docking. It is truly a chance of a lifetime." —Victoria Petra
"My mama and I bond over wine and cooking. I would love to take a culinary retreat with her anywhere!" —@KVtravels via Twitter.
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I cannot believe I have been blogging for FOUR years!
My baby is big! Yayie! Have a cupcake y'all!
Since I am in a great mood (though I do not know how many comments I will actually receive on this one :D) I feel like giving away return gifts for all the birthday wishes on my blogs behalf! :) I have made the comment section private, added anonymous users, will not be publishing any of the comments - anyone who wants a return gift handmade by me, please leave your address (you may or may not write your real name, its ok to be She/He/Ms. A/Mr. Z AND you can be from ANY continent. yes Dallas even you can wish me to expect a gift! :P) and I will courier it to you NOW! Goes without saying, all information will be completely confidential, and really I swear, I am very harmless, my handwriting is readable, and I wont send you crap! :)
Thank you sooooo much guys for the comments! :D :D I will now make the comments public again, and everyone who gave me your addresses, you lovely people - Your gifts will be on the way soon! :D :)
P.S: Hakuna Matata | Lion King :)


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This board uses the SHT21 humidity sensor and provides both digital relative humidity and digital temperature information via an I2C interface. The SHT21 measures relative humidity from 0 to 100% with ±2% accuracy, and temperature from -14 to +125 °C with 0.3 °C accuracy.
The connection pinout of this module allows it to plug directly into the E-blocks Sensors Motherboard. The 0.1" pitch of the pins makes it easy to add this module to any standard breadboard also.


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- The 1840 World Anti-Slavery Convention in London "refused to let the women delegates speak," inspiring delegates Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton to start a movement for women's rights;
- On a book tour of England after Uncle's Tom Cabin was published in 1852, Harriet Beecher Stowe "sat silently in the the 'women's gallery' of the crowded auditoriums, while her husband read her speech from the stage;"
- "pro-slavery hecklers claimed [Sojourner] Truth was really a man--an accusation frequently thrown at women who spoke in public," and demanded she show her breasts to women in the Indiana audience to prove her gender before she spoke. (She did it to the entire assembly instead.)
In Sojourner Truth's case, the effort to embarrass her didn't keep her from speaking--in fact, she was already before the audience, and used the situation to make her point clearer. Rosa Parks wasn't so lucky. And today, even though social norms have shifted and women are in a better position to speak in public, some of the forces that may keep them from speaking are harder to identify and confront, because they happen behind the scenes or as silent assumptions. It reminds me of an observation I heard from one of the attorneys who teaches at the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School. She was teaching our group business negotiation skills, but at lunch, was talking about tough international negotiations between partisans with longstanding conflicts. "Which is more difficult to negotiate?" I asked. The answer came quickly: Business settings, because none of the cards are on the table. With historic rifts, the issues are well known and out in the open. Which is better for you as a speaker? What barriers do you see, if any, today? (Photo of British suffragette from the Library of Congress collection on Flickr.)


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Guidelines for Drug Therapy of Hypertension: Closing the Loop
|The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Read our disclaimer for details.
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00012636
Recruitment Status : Completed
First Posted : March 16, 2001
Last Update Posted : April 7, 2015
- Study Details
- Tabular View
- No Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
|Condition or disease
|Procedure: Computer generated statements about guideline concordance of drug therapy deliver to clinicians
|Not Applicable
Hypertension is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Evidence-based guidelines support the use of specific drugs for patients with specific comorbidities to maximize the decrease in cardiovascular risk; yet, many physicians do not follow these guidelines in choosing drug therapy.
The goal of this project was to evaluate methods of implementing clinical practice guidelines, using hypertension as a model. We hypothesized that providing patient-specific recommendations to clinicians at the time of clinic contact with hypertensive patients would substantially improve guideline concordance of drug therapy without adversely affecting (possibly improving) blood pressure control. Our long-term goal is to develop and evaluate methods of implementing clinical practice guidelines that build on current knowledge about the most effective approaches to changing clinician behavior, and to extend those methods to other cardiovascular diseases.
This project, known as ATHENA, included two major components: (1) We conducted a randomized controlled trial of patient-specific recommendations about drug therapy for hypertension, delivered to primary care clinicians at the time of primary care clinic visits. The recommendations were based on VA Hypertension Guidelines. The trial included 36 clinicians and 4500 hypertensive patients enrolled in primary care clinics at VA Palo Alto Health Care System. We compared a general intervention to an individualized intervention. Both the general and the intervention groups of clinicians received extensive guideline education, as part of a VISN-mandated hypertension guideline implementation. Clinicians randomized to the individualized intervention received, in addition, computer-generated patient-specific recommendations about drug therapy of hypertension, delivered to the clinics with the encounter forms for each visit. (2) In the 2nd major component of the study, we collaborated with Stanford Medical Informatics to develop a hypertension decision support system (ATHENA DSS). ATHENA DSS combines detailed patient information from the VA electronic medical record (VistA) with hypertension guideline knowledge based on the VA and JNC 6 hypertension guidelines. A special feature of ATHENA DSS is that the knowledge in the system can be easily browsed and updated by clinician-managers, so that knowledge can be kept up to date with emerging clinical trial findings about best treatments. We developed an infrastructure to implement the system in a pop-up window in the CPRS-GUI in the primary care clinics at VA Palo Alto. We also conducted an offline test of the program logic by comparing the ATHENA DSS recommendations with those made by a physician for 100 randomly selected VA patients.
In the past year, we have completed the data collection and data analysis for the randomized trial, and testing for ATHENA DSS, and we are preparing manuscripts. A new project evaluating implementation of guidelines with ATHENA DSS at 3 VA medical centers began in October, 2000.
|Study Type :
|Interventional (Clinical Trial)
|Estimated Enrollment :
|36 participants
|Intervention Model:
|Parallel Assignment
|Official Title:
|Guidelines for Drug Therapy of Hypertension: Closing the Loop
|Actual Study Completion Date :
|September 2000
|Arm 1
Procedure: Computer generated statements about guideline concordance of drug therapy deliver to clinicians
Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.
|Ages Eligible for Study:
|Child, Adult, Older Adult
|Sexes Eligible for Study:
Inclusion Criteria:
Subjects were primary care clinicians, both physicians and nurse practitioners, at a large VA medical center. Patients were not subjects in this study.
Exclusion Criteria:
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT00012636
|United States, California
|VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA
|Palo Alto, California, United States, 94304-1290
|Principal Investigator:
|Mary K. Goldstein, MD MS
|VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA
|Responsible Party:
|US Department of Veterans Affairs
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
|Other Study ID Numbers:
|First Posted:
|March 16, 2001 Key Record Dates
|Last Update Posted:
|April 7, 2015
|Last Verified:
|February 2007
Vascular Diseases
Cardiovascular Diseases


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Eurasia Research provides professional conference and management services to scholarly associations, institutions and professional bodies.
International Conference on Bioinformatics, Biomedicine, Biotechnology and Computational Biology which will be held
Cuenca,Ecuador during
26th Feb 27th Feb 2020.
COVID-2019 Update
On March 11, the WHO(World Health Organization) has declared the assessment of the risk of spread and impact of COVID-19 to very high at the global level and Characterized as 'Global Pandemic'.
As your safety is our top priority and concern, the Organizing Committee added the online/Video presentation for presenters in addition to the oral presentation and poster presentation. If you cannot attend the conference because of the COVID-2019, you are recommended to choose online/Video presentation.
We suggest that you review the information on the WHO site which has more detailed statistics.
The Conference is still ON and ONLINE
We are delighted to inform you that Zoom as our sponsor to deliver our online conference!.
|Submission Deadline
|08th Feb 2020
|Registration Deadline
|12th Feb 2020
|Conference Date
|26th - 27th Feb 2020


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Official Website of the City of Milwaukee
CALL for Action (414) 286-CITY | Click for Action
On behalf of the City of Milwaukee Ethics Board, we would like to thank all city employees and board/commission members for their willingness to file their Statements of Economic Interest annually. Filing of these Statements allows the Board to meet its mandate to pursue ethical behavior in city government.
Click here to access the form. You may have to right-click the link and save the file to your computer before you can fill it out and submit it. The form may be emailed as an attachment to email@example.com.
There is a 10-day grace period to file, but for any statements filed March 11, 2020 or after, there will be a late-filing fee (which begins at $25 and increases thereafter). Per the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances, late statements will NOT be accepted without payment of the late-filing fee.
In 1977 the City of Milwaukee adopted an ethics code for its elected officials, supervisory personnel, boards and commissions. The ethics code provides the best vehicle to assure the community that its officials recognize that the holding of public office is a public trust. Ethical conduct is truly a matter of performing one's duties and responsibilities in accordance with established rules and guidelines of good, sound judgment. Showing strict regard for ethical conduct is essential in order to maintain high public esteem. Our public officials are very concerned with this issue. The community, in turn, should be equally concerned with the rights and reputation of its dedicated public officials. Public cooperation is required to assist the Ethics Board in maintaining Milwaukee's reputation for high ethical standards and conduct.
The major concern of the Ethics Board is the preservation of the high ethical standards of the City of Milwaukee. The Ethics Board addresses this concern by:
Issuing confidential advisory opinions to covered persons with respect to their own situation or plans. A factual summary will be issued annually deleting all personal references.
Investigating sworn complaints. The board provides a format and process for filing complaints. While a complaint and the findings of the Board may become matters of public record, only the complainant's name will be released until the Board has concluded its review.
Requiring annual financial statements. The Board reviews a simple form which asks for information on the issues that could give rise to conflicts of interest. No detailed financial disclosure is required. The individuals required to file such statements are listed by position in the Positions Ordinance.
The Ethics Ordinance of the City of Milwaukee specifically covers:
Office holders or candidates for public office
Employees in the classified service.
Exempt employees.
Citizens serving on boards or commissions.
The major concern of the Ethics Board is to maintain the high ethical standards of Milwaukee's city government. The ordinance prohibits business associations, financial interests or other activities which could give rise to conflicts of interest in fact or appearance.
For more information or to request a complaint form, please write to:
Ethics Board
City Hall, Room 205
200 E. Wells Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Phone: 414-286-8641
Patricia Hintz
Since April 2005
Milwaukee Bar Association
Bradley Kalscheur
Since May 2013
Public Policy Forum
Joanne Barndt
Since October 2007
League of Women Voters of
Milwaukee County
Michael Kruse
Since 2019
Interfaith Conference of Milwaukee
Whitney Maus
Since 2019
Metropolitian Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce
Clarence Nicholas
Since 2019
Design by City of Milwaukee


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Two Troubled Teens and The People Who Failed Them
October 11, 2007 · Print This Article · Email This Post
"It can happen anywhere," said Darnell Rodgers, a senior at Cleveland, Ohio's SuccessTech Academy, after he was shot in the elbow by 14-year-old Asa Coon while at school yesterday. Coon shot two students and two teachers, but the only fatality was Coon, who shot himself in the head and committed suicide in a classroom. A .22-caliber revolver, a .38-caliber revolver, three knives and a box of ammunition were found near his body. He had worn an empty gun holster on his ankle to school on many previous occasions. What we are wondering is, why did no one question his gun holster apparel? Wouldn't that be a major tip-off that something was amiss in the mind of Asa Coon? No students, teachers or parents noticed this unusual attire?
As it turns out, there were many warning signs. In addition to Coon's general history of violence and threats to commit suicide, we learn that:
Classmate Demar Tabb, 15, had heard Coon's threats. "I thought he was just kidding." Tabb said. "I probably should have said something, but I didn't think anything would actually happen."
Rasheem Smith, a 15-year-old sophomore at SuccessTech, saw Coon changing clothes in a fourth-floor bathroom, just before the shooting rampage began. He left when he saw Coon load a gun…but didn' tell any teachers. Why? "I don't know what I was thinking…I didn't want him to shoot me." According to The [Cleveland] Plain Dealer, Smith was eating lunch about 15 minutes later and heard a loud noise. Thinking it was a book being dropped, he still didn't react. (This is supposed to be a magnet school for gifted students.)
Interviewed on CBS' Early Show this morning, Smith said that the shootings could have been prevented and that he and other students tried to warn principal Johneita Durant about Coon's threats, but (according to Smith) the principal said she was too busy. "I told my friends in the class that he had a gun and stuff," Smith said. "He was talking about doing it last week. I don't know why they didn't say nothing…We talked to the principal. She would try to get us all in the office, but it would always be too busy for it to happen." Not surprisingly, calls to Durant went unreturned.
Not 24 hours later, we learn of another 14-year-old sick puppy, arrested Wednesday evening near Philadelphia, PA in Plymouth Township, as he allegedly planned a Columbine-style attack on Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School. He tried to recruit another student, who tipped off police. Among the items found were a 9 mm assault rifle, bought for the boy by his mother at a gun show, seven hand grenades (four of which were operational), knives, air guns, copies of The Anarchist Cookbook and Hitler's Second Book: The Unpublished Sequel to Mein Kampf, and video of the April 1999 Colulmbine High School attack in Littleton, Colorado. In that incident, gunmen Dylan Klebold, 17, and Eric Harris, 18, killed 12 students and a teacher and wounded 23 others before committing suicide.
Police found no ammunition for the assault rifle. Montgomery County (PA) District Attorney Bruce L. Castor, Jr. said: "I do not think an attack was imminent and I am not certain that an attack was going to occur at all…It could have simply been big talking by a kid who thought that he was bullied previously and he was going to exact his revenge." Looks like a pretty convincing arsenal to us. What normal kid would have all this in his bedroom? What parent would allow a child to own these items?
According to National School Safety and Security, Inc. of Cleveland, there have been more than 60 shooting incidents in U.S. schools in the last 10 years. As SuccessTech student Aaron King said while walking home from school after yesterday's shootings: "In the end, you never know who is going to snap."
Read another recent post about school shootings.
Photo credits: AP and WPVI-TV.
Copyright © 2007 pajamadeen.com


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I always knew I could be a surf dude. And I particularly like the ring of the Spanish handle, surfista.
Fred Martines, 27 years old, was my surf instructor from Coco Surf, underneath the aptly named Pirata Bar (Pirate Bar), in Las Pinitas, Nicaragua, a haven of tanned, nubile, dreadlocked 20-something hippie types. Some local, some vagabonds from far off places. The Jolly Roger flag flew overhead as I grabbed my board.
There was minimal dryland instruction. Then it was into the surf.
I didn't seem to be able to re-create the instantaneous explosion, going from flat on the board to a balanced stance, ready for action, that Fred wanted. Mine was more lumbering than explosive. I did get on my knees easily enough, but then the climb mostly ended in only a fleeting nanosecond of triumph until I tumbled into the sea. Only to come to the surface to Fred's grinning face yelling, "Vamos! Ariba!" (Let's go! Up!)
The next command was "nada, nada" (swim, swim), the idea being to be travelling faster than the wave as it rolls in. Sadly, I always seemed a little too early or a little too late. Too early and I was tossed into the churn of the washing machine-like surf. Surfista Fred smiled when I cursed his "ariba" commands with expletives as I struggled to climb onto the board yet again while the ocean surged around my waist.
Another important word was "abajo" (down) — as in duck down under the wave as you head out. Otherwise you get a face full of ocean surf. Not just in your face, but your mouth, your eyes and your nose, as if blasted through a firehouse.
Sadly, it wasn't the Hawaii Five-O theme running through my head. It was that Toby Keith song, I'm Not As Good As I Once Was.
But you couldn't beat the grin on Fred's face as I surfaced, progressively more scratched and beaten up each time. His surfista life looked like a good one to me.
I had tried surfing before a couple times in Costa Rica, with similar agonizingly incremental improvements.
Here's a metaphorical comparison of the two countries. In Costa Rica, my teacher spoke English, they gave us wetsuits and it was a mellow break splashing onto a wide, clean beach fronted by trendy bars and restaurants. But Nicaragua isn't Costa Rica. Here, much like the country, the waves were disordered. They crashed onto a haphazard shoreline of ramshackle buildings and overgrown vacant lots. Fred spoke not a word of English and down the beach the red flag flapped in the wind, signalling dangerous water.
This village was called Las Pinitas, down the road from the beautiful colonial city of Leon. It was a fascinating mixture of idyllic and post-apocalyptic. Our best guess, my girlfriend Reneta and I, was that the area had been slammed by a hurricane years earlier and was only being rebuilt in dribs and drabs. For better or worse, it was still on the ground floor of development.
Down the Nicaraguan coast at Playa Madera, near the more developed tourist town of San Juan Del Sur, I gave it a second chance. At Las Pinitas, it was just Fred and I. Playa Madera attracted a much more committed crowd, with various surf camps spread through the rough and scruffy surrounding hillsides.
And the waves were bigger.
Sometimes, if I missed a wave and it broke in front of me, the sound was like a freshly poured glass of soda water, with a drizzle of mist coming off the back of the wave. A stream of ridiculously tanned and fit young Nicaraguans, 100 pounds including their dreadlocks, gyrated along the crests of the waves like they were born on a board.
After trying in vain to catch a few of these big waves, I switched tactics and decided to ride in on the surf after the wave had already broke. And, lo and behold, it worked. I was up. For five triumphant seconds.
Sixty waves, one five-second ride. But I came out of the water humming, "I'm as good once as I ever was."


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Nokia Lumia 928 full review
The Nokia Lumia 928 is a budget Windows Phone 8 smartphone that doesn't stand out from the company's other recent mobile offerings. The bad news for us UK users is that as things stand it will be available only in the US. The good news is that you may not care. The Lumia 928 offers specs similar to those of the Lumia 920 in a less chunky and less colourful package that makes the whole package less appealing. In the US it is retailing for $100, which is a shockingly low price, however. See Mobile Advisor.
The Lumia 928 does have advanced camera software and hardware, too, and runs the latest iteration of Microsoft's Windows Phone 8 mobile operating system. But the Lumia 928 feels dated compared to the competition and does little to advance the Windows Phone platform as a whole. See also: what's the best Windows phone?
Nokia Lumia 928: Slim and boxy
Nokia phones are known for their flamboyant colours and unusual shapes, making the Lumia 928 look uninspired by comparison. The phone is available in just two colours, white and black, and your choice affects only the back of the handset's chassis. The phone's face and sides have the usual assortment of buttons and ports, most of which feel unpleasantly spongy. While the Lumia 928 is slimmer and lighter than the Lumia 920, it's still thicker than other smartphones such as the Galaxy S4 and iPhone 5.
The Lumia 928 is easier to hold than the 920, and it fits much more comfortably in a pocket. In contrast to the Lumia 820, the 2000mAh battery on the Lumia 928 is nonremovable, and the phone lacks a MicroSD card slot--strange considering that support for removable storage was one of the key features that WP8 introduced. In my tests, the phone's battery lasted for about 6.5 hours of normal use, which included playing a few games, streaming music, and updating my Facebook and Twitter statuses. The Lumia 928 supports wireless charging out of the box, but you'll need to buy the charging pad separately.
Nokia has outfitted the Lumia 928 with a high-performance loudspeaker that pumps out sound at a much higher volume than any other smartphone speaker we've tried so far--including those of the HTC One. But even though the Lumia 928 was louder, its speaker audio lacked the depth and clarity we got out of the One's Beats-enhanced speakers. If you're looking to use your phone as a makeshift boom box, you're better off going with HTC's handset, as the songs I played on the Lumia 928 sounded hollow and tinny.
Nokia Lumia 928: Performance jitters
The phone's gaming capabilities are likewise disappointing: Although the Lumia 928 runs buttery smooth while browsing the Web or switching between apps, the phone has issues playing games with advanced 3D graphics. In my tests, games such as Asphalt Heat 7 and Modern Combat 4 took a considerable amount of time to start up, and weren't as responsive as they were on other platforms. Even simple games like Angry Birds caused the Lumia 928 to heat up, obviously taxing the antiquated 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor. Gaming fans, this isn't the phone for you.
Calls sounded clean, with very little static, and the Lumia 928 managed to get reception in places that had previously been dead zones. Apps and music downloaded with haste over LTE, though I generally had better results when I used the phone over our office's Wi-Fi connection to stream videos or download large apps.
Nokia Lumia 928: What ecosystem?
Speaking of apps, the Windows Phone app store still feels inferior to Apple's and Google's digital storefronts. There is no Instagram. There is no Vine. The Fitbit app that's currently featured prominently in the store is an unofficial beta app developed by someone other than Fitbit. You'll find an official Twitter app, but the Microsoft-built Facebook app is embarrassing and is missing many of the functionalities included in the official Facebook app on other platforms. Most of the apps you encounter in the marketplace are, for a lack of a better phrase, crap with a nice coat of paint.
Granted, a few gems hidden here and there offer experiences greater than anything you'd ever find in the App Store or Play Store, but those apps are so few and far between that you'll need to spend a considerable amount of time hunting them down. Windows Phone 8 looks and performs beautifully, but with so little developer interest surrounding the platform, you shouldn't be too surprised when that hot new app everyone is talking about isn't available for your phone.
Nokia Lumia 928: Camera
Nokia claims that the Lumia 928 is the best phone for taking low-light photos, and after spending some time with the phone's 8.7-megapixel camera, I'm inclined to believe them. I took several test photos in our building's basement, and was impressed by how clear the images turned out: I saw minimal noise around my subject, and colours looked surprisingly vibrant.
What's weird, however, is that I captured those good-looking photos with the camera's flash set to 'off'. When I turned the flash on (or set it to 'Auto'), my subject ended up looking like an irradiated demon. The camera has a few settings that you can tweak to lessen the effect, but if you find yourself taking photos in dark places, I recommend that you leave the flash disabled.
The pictures I took outside of our basement weren't as impressive: The Lumia 928 has an especially slow shutter speed, so you'll need to hold it extremely still when snapping a photo. Even the slightest bit of movement can cause the camera to lose focus, leaving you with a fuzzy image. This probably isn't the phone for snapping a photo at a moment's notice.
Nokia Lumia 928: the bottom line
The Nokia Lumia 928 is a painful reminder of the miserable state of Windows Phone. While the handset boasts a few improvements over the Lumia 920, the Lumia 928 lacks a must-have feature that isn't already done better on competing platforms. The phone's $100 price tag and lower-light photography capabilities will be enough to pique the interest of some more budget-minded buyers, but the Lumia 928's overall raw mediocrity and lack of third-party apps keeps it from being truly memorable. See also: what's the best Windows phone?
Nokia Lumia 928: Specs
- Processor type Dual-core, 1500MHz processor
- 4.5in 1280-by-768 pixels
- 32GB storage
- Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
- 3G/4G, 802.11b/802.11g/802.11n
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