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Design Group: Pixelscrapper & Scraptwist
Themes: Retro Holly, and Thinking of You
Designer: The Rush Ranch
Reset. Renew. Restore. Revive. Refresh. Reenergize. Refill. All of those things, I am gifting to myself in January.
The days and weeks seem to pass at an incredible speed, especially when we transition into the Holidays. I don't participate in "Black Fridays" and "Cyber Mondays", because – to me – the holidays aren't about shopping and gifting "things". They are about giving and gifting of myself, my time, and most importantly, using and sharing the gifts that the Lord has blessed me with. Volunteering, crocheting baby blankets for the Women's Shelter, chemo hats for the hospital's cancer unit, etc……….I have a desire to fulfill these needs as a part of my own personal "ministry" during the holiday season.
I have opted to take a break from several blogs in January of the new year. Those blog trains are:
– Pixelscrapper
– Scrapping Your Heart Out
– We Believe
I will pick those back up in February. I will continue to participate in the January Scraptwist Blog Train, and the Scrap Designer's Blog Train.
The Pixelscrapper Blog Train theme for this month is "Retro Holly Jolly". It would have been a perfect opportunity to put together some 50's and 60's papers and elements for you, but – I put together what I could. If you visit the Pixelscrapper Blog Train Forum, you'll find a wealth of creative kits that reflect this month's great theme.
We have a lot of fun in the Scraptwist Forum every month. It's a great place for learning and sharing – and getting free stuff! This month's theme is "Thinking of You", and I had to try my hand at drawing a bear with my shape and warp tools. I have a lot to learn about forming animals in my photoshop program, but I hope with practice I will improve. I also tried my hand at designing "flat" elements, like flowers. Normally I stick with more realistic items, but I liked the creativity that went into designing what my own world of flowers might look like, in the flat style. Hey, please visit the blog train role for the Scraptwist Designers, at the end of my download links.
Marniejo's House of Scraps
Nellie Bell
Songbird Scraps Designs
The Brown Owl
Moore Blessings Digital Designs
LEA Art Designs
The Preacher's Gal
Lady Digiscrap
If you participate in my December challenges over at the Scraptwist Forum, you will receive these free corresponding mini-kits:
And finally, I ask if you have any opinion about writing or receiving Christmas Letters. Do you write a letter to distant friends and relatives, summarizing the happenings of the year?


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Chan Koonchung's dystopian novel The Fat Years has caused an uproar in China and been translated into many languages, including a U.S. edition. In The Fat Years, everybody in China forgets everything that happened during a six-month period, and meanwhile the country becomes more propsperous, based on denial and selective amnesia.
Talking to the Wall Street Journal, Chan explained why a political novel about the Chinese people's complicity with state oppression had to be science fiction:
I put the events in the not-too-distant future so I could come up with some fictional events to help me to explain what I felt about China in 2009. It's a guise that I use to write the story. But almost as a second thought or inadvertently it became science fiction along the lines of a dystopian novel in the tradition of "1984" and "Brave New World."
Chan also has some stuff to say about China's actual future:
China now has 90% freedom when it comes to consumer choices and some personal decisions. Now it's easier than 20 years ago. But since 2008, there are more crackdowns on dissidents and more intolerance on freedom of expression. It's not a utopia for sure. Without political freedom, all other freedoms can be taken back by the state at a moment's notice...
In the medium term China's rise is unstoppable. This year there is lot of talk about how China should move forward - even within the party, those close to the party and the ruling elite. They have different views on how China should move on.
In the long run I am quite pessimistic. I am not optimistic that China will be more tolerant of dissidents or that it will reform its political system to accommodate more liberal elements.

subset: commoncrawl


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Pursuant to the requirements of division (B)(2) of section 1347.15 of the Revised Code, this rule contains a list of valid reasons, directly related to the board's exercise of its powers or duties, for which only employees of the board may access confidential personal information (CPI) regardless of whether the personal information system is a manual system or computer system:
(A) Performing the following functions constitute valid reasons for authorized employees of the board to access confidential personal information:
(1) Responding to a public records request;
(2) Responding to a request from an individual for the list of CPI the board maintains on that individual;
(3) Administering a constitutional provision or duty;
(4) Administering a statutory provision or duty;
(5) Administering an administrative rule provision or duty;
(6) Complying with any state or federal program requirements;
(7) Processing or payment of claims or otherwise administering a program with individual participants or beneficiaries;
(8) Auditing purposes;
(9) Licensure [or permit, eligibility, filing, etc.] processes;
(10) Investigation or law enforcement purposes;
(11) Administrative hearings;
(12) Litigation, complying with an order of the court, or subpoena;
(13) Human resource matters (e.g., hiring, promotion, demotion, discharge, salary/compensation issues, leave requests/issues, time card approvals/issues);
(14) Complying with an executive order or policy;
(15) Complying with an board policy or a state administrative policy issued by the department of administrative services, the office of budget and management or other similar state board; or
(16) Complying with a collective bargaining agreement provision.
(B) To the extent that the general processes described in paragraph (A) of this rule do not cover the following circumstances, for the purpose of carrying out specific duties of the board, authorized employees would also have valid reasons for accessing CPI in these following circumstances:
(1) Employees of the board conducting an investigation may review CPI of individuals who are subject to investigation for alleged misconduct that may result in licensure discipline. Such employees may review CPI of individuals who are not the subject of the investigation, but who otherwise may be witnesses with information related to the investigation. CPI may be reviewed by such employees and members of the board in professional conduct matters that become the subject of an investigation or administrative hearing.
(2) Employees of the board may review CPI of students who apply for or participate in the board's intern development program fee reimbursement program for the purpose of carrying out those programs.
(3) Employees of the board may review CPI of persons who hold or are applying for or renewing a license issued by the board for the purpose of carrying out the licensing program.
(4) Employees of the board may review CPI of persons who are applying to take the "Architect Registration Exam" or who are in the process of taking the "Architect Registration Exam" for the purpose of carrying out the licensing program.
Five Year Review (FYR) Dates:
12/29/2015 and
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 4703.02
Rule Amplifies: 1347.15
Prior Effective Dates: 09/01/2010
Prior History: (Effective:
R.C. 119.032 review dates: 09/01/2015
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 4703.33
Rule Amplifies: 1347.15)


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CORONAVIRUS ALERT: Nicklaus Children's Hospital is closely monitoring updates related to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Click here for the latest information.
Nicklaus Children's Hospital has several outpatient and urgent care centers throughout South Florida, including on-demand, virtual care.
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Serving as your child's primary doctor's office.
Pediatric specialty consultations available closer to home.
A full range of comprehensive services all under one roof.
Connect with providers from the comfort of your own home.
With over 700 pediatric physicians on staff, we're dedicated to helping you connect with the right specialist for your needs.
We have expertise in treating children and educating families on hundreds of different conditions.
We use cutting-edge, specialized treatments and procedures to ensure the best care for your child.
Hydrocephalus is a brain condition that happens when cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) — the clear, watery fluid that surrounds and cushions the brain and spinal cord — cannot drain from the brain. It then pools, causing a buildup of fluid in the skull. Hydrocephalus gets its name from the Greek words for water (hydro) and head (cephalus), and sometimes is called "water on the brain."
Hydrocephalus can cause babies' and young children's heads to swell to make room for the excess fluid. Older kids, whose skull bones have matured and fused together, have painful headaches from the increased pressure in the head.
If it's not treated, hydrocephalus can lead to brain damage, a loss in mental and physical abilities, and even death. With early diagnosis and timely treatment, though, most children recover successfully.
When everything is working normally inside the brain, CSF flows through narrow passageways called ventricles and exits the brain through a small reservoir at the base of the brain called the cistern. CSF delivers nutrients to the brain; it also takes waste away from its sensitive areas to be absorbed into the bloodstream.
If there's a blockage in any of the ventricles, CSF backs up and causes hydrocephalus. This excess of fluid in the brain also can happen when the choroid plexus (the area of the brain that produces CSF) is in overdrive or if the waste products aren't properly absorbed by the bloodstream.
Congenital hydrocephalus means a baby is born with the condition. This is often due to problems like spina bifida (abnormal development of the spinal cord) or aqueductal stenosis (the narrowing of a small passageway, the "aqueduct of Sylvius," that connects two major ventricles in the brain).
Acquired hydrocephalus happens after birth and can affect people of any age. It's usually caused by bleeding in the brain. This can happen in premature babies or people who've had traumatic head injuries. Some kids can develop hydrocephalus due to a tumor or infection in the brain. Some cases have no known cause.
Symptoms of hydrocephalus vary depending on the age of a child.
Babies under the age of 1 year will have heads that appear very swollen. Their skull bones — thin, bony plates that have not yet fused together — are connected by fibrous tissue called sutures. These sutures, or "soft spots," have not yet hardened and therefore stretch and expand to store the excess CSF. As a result, a baby with hydrocephalus will appear to have an oddly shaped head — usually much larger than other babies the same age.
Other signs to look for include:
Depending on how severe the condition is, babies also may seem excessively sleepy, fussy, and vomit or have seizures. Young children with hydrocephalus also may miss developmental milestones or may revert to earlier developmental stages. In extreme cases, a child also may experience "failure to thrive" and miss growth milestones.
Older children will not have the easily recognizable symptom of an enlarged head because their skull bones have fused together and can't expand to make room for the excess fluid. In these cases, added pressure on the brain can cause severe headaches that may wake a child in the middle of the night or early in the morning.
Kids also might have:
Changes in personality, loss of new developmental abilities (like speaking or walking), and memory loss can happen in more advanced cases.
A child who shows any of the signs and symptoms mentioned above should see a doctor right away. The doctor will perform examinations, which may include a medical history and diagnostic tests — like ultrasound, CT (computed tomography) scan, or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) — to get a clear picture of the inside of the brain.
It is important to treat hydrocephalus right away. Untreated hydrocephalus can get worse and cause further problems in the nervous system.
Treatment for hydrocephalus varies depending on the age of the child, the cause of the CSF buildup (whether from a blockage, overproduction of fluid, or another problem), and the child's overall health.
Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) with choroid plexus coagulation (CPC) is a relatively new procedure that is becoming common for kids who need surgery. This minimally invasive approach involves placing a small, lighted camera (called an endoscope) inside the brain so that surgeons can see the surgical site on a computer monitor. Then, using very small instruments, surgeons make a tiny hole in the bottom of the third ventricle of the brain.
This creates an "evacuation route" that lets fluid drain from the brain and bypass any blockages that are causing a backup. The body then absorbs the CSF back into the bloodstream as it normally would.
After the ventriculostomy, surgeons cauterize (burn slightly) parts of the choroid plexus, the area of the brain that produces CSF. This is done to reduce the amount of CSF that the brain makes.
This surgical approach has a higher success rate than shunting (implanting a tube in the brain to drain the fluid), which used to be the standard surgery for kids with hydrocephalus. It's performed in kids ages 1 and up, but may be available to younger kids in the future.
Kids who have ventriculostomies and coagulation need to follow up with their care team often. If they develop hydrocephalus again, doctors usually have to do a shunting procedure because a repeat ventriculostomy is not likely to work.
Shunt procedures, which have been done for decades, involve surgery to place one end of a catheter (flexible tube) into a ventricle of the brain and place the other end in the abdominal cavity, chambers of the heart, or space around the lungs. Fluid drains from the brain into these places and is absorbed by the bloodstream. A valve (flap that opens and closes) in the shunt system regulates the flow to prevent over-draining and under-draining.
While shunting has been an effective treatment for hydrocephalus, the long-term success rate of a shunt isn't great. There is a high chance of failure and complications after a shunt is implanted, with almost half of all shunts failing to work well within the first year. When this happens, a child needs to have surgery again to replace a catheter or valve or replace the entire shunt. Most kids who undergo shunting will require future operations over their lifetimes to deal with shunt problems.
Infections are another side effect of shunting. Most infections develop within the first few months after a shunt procedure and require temporary removal of the device while a child receives IV (given through a vein) antibiotics for up to 2 weeks.
Because of the drawbacks of shunting, these procedures are done less and less these days. Doctors use shunting as an alternative when ventriculostomies and coagulation can't or don't work.
With timely treatment, many kids with hydrocephalus go on to lead normal lives.
Those with more complex medical problems, like spina bifida or bleeding in the brain from prematurity, may have more health problems due these conditions. In these kids, early treatment by developmental specialists, physical therapists, and occupational therapists can make recovery much more likely and greatly improve their outcomes.
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
© 1995-2018 KidsHealth® All rights reserved.
Images provided by iStock, Getty Images, Corbis, Veer, Science Photo Library, Science Source Images, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com


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#RSL Tweets of the Day (@RealSaltLake)
WATCH: post-game locker room reax #RSL 0 : 1 at LA ... @tonybeltran23 :: //www.realsaltlake.com/video/2013/11/04/rsl-la-galaxy-postgame-reactions-tony-beltran … & @natborchers :: //www.realsaltlake.com/video/2013/11/04/rsl-la-galaxy-postgame-reactions-nat-borchers …
Content from #RSL's Leg 1 loss at LA: Recap: //www.realsaltlake.com/news/2013/11/playoff-recap-rsl-0-1-la-galaxy … Highlights: //www.realsaltlake.com/video/2013/11/03/highlights-rsl-la-galaxy-western-conference-semifinal-1st-leg-november-3-2013 … Quotes: //www.realsaltlake.com/news/2013/11/quote-sheet-rsl-0-1-la-galaxy …
Not our best but we'll be better in the second half at the RioT. Thanks to our #RSL fans who came out to support us here in Carson.
@espn700bill boys should be proud of their efforts and looking forward to being better Thurs
We take care of bizness at the RioT!! #AllOut
RealSaltLake.com: Highlights: RSL at LA Galaxy | Western Conference Semifinal 1st Leg - November 3, 2013
RealSaltLake.com: RSL at LA Galaxy, Postgame Reactions: Jason Kreis
RealSaltLake.com: RSL at LA Galaxy, Postgame Reactions: Nick Rimando
RealSaltLake.com: RSL at LA Galaxy, Postgame Reactions: Nat Borchers
RealSaltLake.com: RSL at LA Galaxy, Postgame Reactions: Tony Beltran
MLSsoccer.com: Highlights: Houston Dynamo 2, New York Red Bulls 2
MLSsoccer.com: Conference Semifinals Talking Points and Questions | Playoff Central
MLSsoccer.com: Vote now for the AT&T MLS Goal of the Year: Groups I-L
Real Salt Lake News & Notes
RealSaltLake.com: Playoff Recap: RSL 0-1 LA Galaxy
RealSaltLake.com: Quote Sheet: RSL 0-1 LA Galaxy
The Salt Lake Tribune: Galaxy get a leg up on RSL
The Salt lake Tribune: Insight into RSL's 1-0 loss at L.A.
Deseret News: RSL loses opening round game to Galaxy 1-0
KSL.com: Real Salt Lake falls to Los Angeles in first leg of West semifinal playoff series
Los Angeles Times: Galaxy gets a leg up on Real Salt Lake in conference semifinals
MLSsoccer.com: Real Salt Lake freely admit they dodged a huge bullet in escaping LA with 1-0 loss
MLSsoccer.com: Despite formation shift to stress defense, Jason Kreis says Real Salt Lake still not good enough
MLSsoccer.com: LA Galaxy 1, Real Salt Lake 0 | MLS Cup Playoffs Western Conference Semifinal Match Recap
MLSsoccer.com: Armchair Analyst: Three things we learned from LA Galaxy, Real Salt Lake and defining moments
SI.com: Three thoughts on the Galaxy's 1-0 opening triumph over Real Salt Lake
Soccer by Ives: Franklin blast gives Galaxy 1-0 edge over RSL
Pro Soccer Talk: What we learned from LA Galaxy's one-goal win over Real Salt Lake
Pro Soccer Talk: LA-RSL Man of the Match: Nat Borchers? Or Chris Schuler?
For the Fans, By the Fans
RSL Soapbox: RSL drops first leg at LA Galaxy 1-0, remains strong for home leg
RSL Soapbox: Player Ratings, RSL v LA Galaxy: Central defenders, Rimando keep series safe, subs make impact
Real Nation: Still Alive After Leg 1
RSL Soapbox: 2013 Player of the Year: Javier Morales returns to form, leads RSL
MLS & Other News and Notes
MLSsoccer.com: Kick Off: First-leg talking points, comebacks and near misses set up massive midweek MLS Cup Playoff ties
MLSsoccer.com: Momentum swing gives Houston Dynamo hope in leg two at New York: "We gave ourselves a chance"
MLSsoccer.com: Jamison Olave's suspension leaves giant backline hole, but New York Red Bulls have faith in replacements
MLSsoccer.com: Home sweet home: Disappointed New York Red Bulls recognize their "favorable position" for second leg
MLSsoccer.com: Self-inflicted wounds sting New York Red Bulls in Houston draw: "They hurt us from our own mistakes"
MLSsoccer.com: Frustrating year melts away for Omar Cummings after clutch playoff goal for Houston Dynamo
MLSsoccer.com: Armchair Analyst: Three things we learned from a tale of two halves in Houston
MLSsoccer.com: Houston Dynamo 2, New York Red Bulls 2 | MLS Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinal Match Recap
MLSsoccer.com: Missed opportunity for LA Galaxy? "We'll have a lot more chances" in 2nd leg, says Landon Donovan
MLSsoccer.com: How good was Sean Franklin's winning goal for LA Galaxy? "I opened my eyes, the ball was in"
MLSsoccer.com: American Exports: DaMarcus Beasley & Puebla out of Liga MX playoff race
SI.com: Three thoughts on Houston's rally to tie the Red Bulls 2-2
Soccer by Ives: Dynamo use impressive comeback effort to draw ten-man Red Bulls


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Cashew Turkey Casserole
One of my favorite things about Thanksgiving dinner is the leftovers. That beautiful turkey that serves as a centerpiece to Thanksgiving dinner keeps on giving throughout the holiday weekend. After preparing a feast for our celebration it is a delight to anticipate the leftovers to be enjoyed with little additional investment.
I look forward to Turkey Sandwiches with Cranberry Relish accompanied by my choice of several favorite side dishes just waiting in my refrigerator. Even after sandwiches have worn out their welcome there are lots of easy dishes to prepare with the leftover turkey meat.
This casserole is an appealing example. My sister-in-law shared the recipe with me many years ago. It works equally well with chicken or turkey and has withstood the test of time even though it includes a few dated ingredients. The crunch of water chestnuts and chow mein noodles add interest to the more familiar ingredents while golden cashews provide a contrasting texture and rich flavor. It is a simple way to dress up Thanksgiving leftovers.
Cashew Turkey Casserole
from Pat's kitchen
2 cups diced cooked turkey or chicken
1 5-ounce can chow mein noodles
¾ cup chopped celery
½ cup sliced green onions
1 can cream of mushroom soup
½ to 1 cup cashew nuts
¾ cup turkey or chicken broth
1 can water chestnuts, chopped
Set aside ½ cup of the chow mein noodles. Combine remaining ingredients and spread the mixture in a 2-quart casserole. Sprinkle reserved noodles over top. Bake at 325 degrees for 30 minutes.
Serves 4-6
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Ladies Cashmere-lined glovesKeep your hands wrapped in warmth and comfort with these stylish leather gloves made from Italian leather and lined with the finest cashmere. The gloves provide an extra soft inside that caresses your skin gently, while keeping you warm at the same time. To make things even more comfortable, the gloves come with extra 3-button length and an elastic inner wrist. The gloves also go beyond their functional purpose to serve as the perfect fashionable accessory. Mix, match or contrast them with your coat to get that star-studded look. The gloves are available in a wide range of colors to suit your specific tastes. Learn More


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Stuart is a hacker, author, and speaker living in the UK and working for Canonical building online services. Code and writings and (the occasional) rant are to be found at kryogenix.org; Stuart is to be found outside in the rain looking for the smoking area.
For information on exhibition and sponsorship opportunities at the conference, contact Sharon Cordesse at firstname.lastname@example.com
Download the OSCON Sponsor/Exhibitor Prospectus
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For media-related inquiries, contact Maureen Jennings at firstname.lastname@example.com
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The art of being in your body, expanding your sensory awareness, and connecting to other bodies. With a focus on body image, sexuality, chronic illness, and disability issues.
Amber DiPietra is a community practice artist, poet, performer, disability rights advocate, intimacy coach, and a Certified Sexological Bodyworker/Somatic Sex Educator.
*Now I imagine
— amber dipietra (@thebodypoetik) July 2, 2019
*Now I imagine


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Consider this the start of the movement that will culminate with the Cubs single A affiliate becoming the Kane County Cougars. Today the Peoria Chiefs announced a PDC that will begin next year, thus confirming the Chiefs and Cubs split. So we now hate the Peoria Chiefs, I'm kidding, there are a lot of good people who work with the Chiefs and I wish them nothing but the best.
The Peoria Chiefs and St. Louis Cardinals have announced that the two clubs have reached a four-year PDC agreement which reunites the former affiliation partners. The Chiefs were a Cardinals affiliate from 1995 to 2004 making the playoffs four times and winning their lone Midwest League Championship in 2002. The two organizations will hold a press conference on the agreement on Tuesday, September 25 at Peoria Chiefs Stadium. Details of the press conference, including the start time, will follow later in the week.
"This is a great day for baseball in Peoria and Central Illinois," said Chiefs President Rocky Vonachen. "We are thrilled to bring the color red back to the ballpark with one of the greatest organizations and fan bases in baseball. We hope that with all the great young talent the Cardinals have produced the last few seasons to bring another MWL Championship to Peoria as they continue to bring World Series trophies to St. Louis."
Stay tuned for details about the Cubs new Single A affiliate, we should get some sort of announcement soon.
Thanks for reading,
– George


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George Beverly Shea loved music. Moreover, he loved sharing his faith in Jesus Christ through song.
Evangelists, songwriters and musicians from across the nation gathered in Montreat last Sunday to attend his memorial service.
I joined the 1,500 mourners, accompanied by my mother Diane Allen who also respects Mr. Shea�s legacy.
Over the years, I wrote Mr. Shea several times. He always replied with a few words of encouragement. At 104 years old, his penmanship was remarkable.
He was such a great role model for me. I always wished I could sing that well. Music is in my heart.
Mr. Shea once shared one of his favorite verses with me, Psalm 28:7.
�The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth ; and with my song will I praise Him.�
Mr. Shea was more than just a gospel singer and composer. The music he sang touched the hearts of millions and helped the Rev. Billy Graham deliver powerful messages at crusades worldwide.
His renditions of �How Great Thou Art� and �I�d Rather Have Jesus� speak to the souls of Christians. This work is a large part of his legacy.
Billy Graham also attended Mr. Shea�s memorial service. His son, Franklin, pushed him into the large auditorium in a wheelchair.
For a moment, every eye in the house was focused on them. You could feel the respect that Billy Graham has earned. I was in awe of the �Pastor to the Presidents� who has retained a headful of white hair.
His longtime associate Cliff Barrows spoke eloquent words about Mr. Shea and their partnership over the years. They helped lead so many people to personal relationships with Jesus.
Acclaimed singer and songwriter Gloria Gaither, who is also a Grammy winner, attend the service. Her star power could be felt as she walked into the room, sending hundreds of heads turning simultaneously.
She sat on a pew near gospel singer Guy Penrod .
Televangelist Jan Crouch also attended. Donning the huge blond and pink hairstyle that is her trademark, she entered the room and sat about five pews ahead of where I was seated. I immediately recognized her as co-founder of Trinity Broadcasting Network.
After the service, I spoke with Gloria Gaither. It was such a thrill. Her talent is humbling; a giant in the world of Christian music ministry.
She and her husband Bill Gaither have written and composed many familiar hymns including �The King Is Coming,� �Because He Lives,� and �He Touched Me.�
Billy Graham did not speak at the memorial service. The work of six decades in ministry alongside Mr. Shea seemed to speak for itself.
I left feeling encouraged that we appropriately honored a man who worked tirelessly for the Lord. And my prayer is that the service touched the hearts of those in attendance and others watching it on television.


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Biblical History and Ideas at Centre
On Wednesday, April 17, the Manifold Greatness display arrived at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky. To kick off the exhibit, the college hosted a talk by Professor Bart D. Ehrman, entitled "Misquoting Jesus: Scribes Who Changed the Scriptures and Readers Who May Never Know." The talk was a great success, attended by an estimated audience of 700 people, and students and community members began to observe the exhibit in Centre's Grace Doherty Library.
The exhibit also offers many teaching moments in the life of the college. My religion course, entitled "Biblical History and Ideas," explored the exhibit. The course examines the historical context surrounding the composition and reception of the Bible, and the translation of the King James Version directly relates to elements in the course.
After studying elements of the original Hebrew text that were "lost in translation," such as Jerome's translation in his Vulgate of Exodus 34:29, the radiant face of Moses (cornuta esset facies), the students were able to witness the legacy of such translations on the original title page of the King James Version, featuring a Moses with "horns." The exhibit is able to visually express details involving biblical translation in a vibrant and memorable way.
Lee Jefferson is Assistant Professor of Religion at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky.
See this announcement and this list of programs for more information on Manifold Greatness at Centre College.


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TUE, DEC 1, 2009 at 7:40 AM
A Form of paying Attention December 2009
It's that time of year again where we get to tell you our favorite things from the year 2009. There were going to be some novelty entries like "Top 10 Rudest People in the Office" and "Top 10 Top 10 Lists" but then I realized that these lists are only marginally interesting anyway, so why beat a dead horse by throwing in a bunch of office in-jokes. Anyhow, I've taken it upon myself to offer up a package of all of Sub Pop's 2009 full length releases to a random lucky commenter who adds his or her very own Top 10 list in the comments section, fancy bullet points not required. (Bonus points to whoever comes up with the Top 10 Form of Paying Attention Columns of 2009. Just sayin'.) It's been a nice year, see y'all in 2010!!!! *UPDATE! WE'VE PICKED A WINNER AS OF 12/15/09. THANKS FOR PLAYING!*
Sasha Barr
- maserati/ zombi split
- alela diane to be still
- big business mind the drift
- elton john tumbleweed connection
- ben nichols the last pale light in the west
- black moth super rainbow eating us
- sleepy eyes of death dark signals
- fungi girls seafaring pyramids
- wilco ashes of american flags
- the sound all fall down
- no age losing feeling
- mark sultan hold on
- Coraline
- Up
Andy Kotowicz
- Blues Control Local Color
- Fuck Buttons Tarot Sport
- Pissed Jeans King of Jeans (can't help it)
- Akron Family Set 'Em Wild, Set 'Em Free
- Moritz Von Oswald Trio Vertical Ascent
- VA 5 Years of Hyperdub
- Demdike Stare Symbiosis
- Black to Comm Alphabet 1968
- Reigning Sound Love & Curses
- Disrupt The Bass Has Left the Building
Sasha Morgan
- Phosphorescent To Willie
- Abner Jay The True Story of Abner Jay
- The Feelies The Good Earth (re-issue)
- V/A Mata La Pena (Mississippi Records world music comp!)
- Girls – Album
- Kurt Vile Childish Prodigy
- Neil Young Archives – Volume 1: 1963-1972
- Strange Boys The Strange Boys and Girls Club (new favorite as of this week)
- Michael Hurley Ida Con Snock
- Fletcher C. Johnson – He hasn't released a full length, but I may as well count this as an album of the year for me based on how many times I've listened to his songs on Myspace
Sam Sawyer
- Animal Collective Merriweather Post Pavillion
- Girls Album
- Devandra Banhart What Will Be
- Sonny & the Sunsets Tomorrow is Alright
- Best Coast (I liked it all)
- Vetiver Tight Knit
- Woods Songs of Shame
- Fruit Bats Ruminant Band
- Comet Gain Broken Record Players
- Bill Callahan Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle
- Stone Roses Stone Roses Reissue
Stuart Fletcher
- Chef Raekwon Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… Pt 2
- Vijay Iyer Historicity (probably the best record of 2009, ya know, imho & all)
- quitting caffeine at doctor's orders & living to tell about it
- moving to an apartment without mice
- car totaled [by a nun?! -Ed.] (no injuries, it was parked/unoccupied; all considered this is probably the best thing that happened to me in 2009)
- reading Good Calories, Bad Calories by Gary Taubes; changed up my whole scene
- discovered that I like bleu cheese (I'd been trying, this year it worked)
- getting back on my bicycle (not really related to totaled car but it helps)
- discovering the television show MI-5 (called Spooks in the rest of the world)
- seeing early Melvins open for Green River and "Houdini"-era Melvins
Ruben Mendez
- Spider Spider (Thriftstore)
- The Beets Spit in the Face of People That Don't Want To Be Cool (Captured Tracks)
- Strange Boys Strange Boys and Girls Club (In the Red)
- Reigning Sound Love and Curses (In the Red)
- Eat Skull Wild and Inside (Siltbreeze)
- Obits I Blame You (Sub Pop)
- Talbot Tagora Lessons in the Woods or a City (Hardly Art)
- Kurt Vile Childish Prodigy (Matador)
- Jacuzzi Boys No Season (Florida's Dying)
- Moon Duo Killing Time EP (Sacred Bones)
- Nobunny Raw Romance cassette (Burger)
- There were/are so many more though… Intelligence, Dan Melchior, Thee Oh Sees put out a few (many) full lengths that I can get behind as well. I also want to throw in Christmas Island and the Dutchess and the Duke, too. There were a ton of great albums out in 2009!!! I'd also like to add Jason Smith stage diving during the Mummies while wrapped up in toilet paper.
Nick Heliotis
- Talbot Tagora Lessons in the Woods or a City
- The Beets Spit in the face of people who don't want to be cool
- Christmas Winter 7"
- The Strange Boys Strange Boys and Girls Club
- Thee Oh Sees Help / Thee Hounds of Foggy Notion / Dog Poison / Sub Pop Singles Club 7" / Singles comp / playing outside on the patio at the Funhouse / etc
- The Intelligence Fake Surfers
- Phosphorescent To Willie
- Audacity Power Drowning
- Dum Dum Girls Longhair 7"
- Wooden Shjips Dos / Contact EP
- Marc Sultan Hold On 7"
- Love Tan Miscellaneous Night Feelings
- Children's Hospital S/T
- German Measles Wild EP
- Honorable Mentions – Arthur & Yu and the Moondoggies collaboration over the spring / summer…Rosalie Sorrels If I Could Be The Rain (not a new record but I discovered this 1967 LP this year and probably listened to it more than anything else in 2009 — seriously)… Muswell Hillbillies by the Kinks (for my money their best record and sorely overlooked, at least by me until this year…)…Familiars reunion show at the Funhouse… Party Weekend 09 – Labor Day weekend when Davila 666, Ty Segal and the Beets were all in town. That was so much fun
Andrew Sullivan
- mika miko we be xuxa
- thomas function in the valley of the sickness
- spits school's out
- vivian girls everything goes wrong
- paul baribeau new demo tape
- Thee Oh Sees help
- seeing where the wild things are on mushrooms
- Quintron on Halloween in New Orleans
- Riding my bike from my living room to California
- our new haus
Lacey Swain
- Chuy Pancakes the dog
- Coconut Coolouts/Personal & the Pizzas/Tyvek summer tour
- Loan modification success
- All my 2009 baby friends (Billie, Paloma, Oscar)
- Being married for one year
- The Oh Sees Help
- Dutchess & the Duke Sunrise/Sunset
- Obits I Blame You
- Lots and lots of good shows, records, and friends
- Seeing Tyvek play the Paramount
- The Mummies and The Brentwoods at Budget Rock
Megan Jasper
(Top 10 Sub Pop things other than good records)
- Baby Billie!
- Tony and Sonya's wedding!
- Dean and Lauren's engagement
- The introduction of Chuy Pancakes
- Our amazing Sub Pop scholarship winners
- Lavaman with Carly
- Fleet Foxes on SNL!!
- Mudhoney in Warsaw
- Going to Willie Nelson's house with Band of Horses!
- Willie biting the mean mailman
Sue Busch
(Songs…..there are more than 10. Sorry.)
- Memory Tapes "Bicycle"
- Dum Dum Girls "Hey Sis"
- The Big Pink "Count Backwards from Ten"
- Mayfair Set "Desert Fun"
- The Horrors "Scarlet Fields"
- Animal Collective "In the Flowers"
- Crystal Stilts "The Dazzled"
- Micachu and the Shapes "Calculator"
- Pains of Being Pure At Heart "Higher Than the Stars"
- The XX "Crystalised"
- No Age "You're a Target"
- Male Bonding "Pumpkin"
- Girls "Morning Light"
- Real Estate "Fake Blues"
- Best Coast "When I'm With You"
- Atlas Sound "An Orchid"
- Grizzly Bear "Two Weeks"
- Veronica Falls "Found Love In a Graveyard"
Angelina Saez
- The Link Light Rail (yes I'm the only one in the office benefiting from this thing)
- Flying Squirrel Pizza
- High waist jeans (bye bye muffin top!)
- Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 7 (the Seinfeld reunion is to die for)
- Animal Collective Merriweather Post Pavilion
- East Bound and Down
- Cougar Town (Courtney Cox is hilarious)
- Success with Ref 71 (we won!)
- Modern Family
- Le Loupe Family
- Flight of the Conchords Season 2 / the Australian episode
Richard Laing
- New songs: Woods "Rain On", Fuck Buttons "Flight of the Feathered Serpent", Ganglians "Valient Brave", Animal Collective "My Girls", Demdike Stare "Jannisary".
- Reissues – Stone Roses, Beatles reissues and Beatles Rockband, The Feelies, Neil Young – Archives, Ghana Special, Hyperdub comp, Nirvana Live at Reading CD/DVD.
- Live – Pissed Jeans at the Sub Pop CMJ Showcase – eyes and ears, heavier than Andre the Giant.
- Boomkat – A fantastic British online music store. It's mainly electronic music but there is some other cool stuff on there too.
- Old stuff I've been excited about – Folky (Pentangle Jack Orion (instrumental)/Faro Annie, Roy Harper – Stormcock, Bert Jansch – Jack Orion) Dubby (Jacob Miller and Fatman Riddim Section – Heavyweight Dub/Killer Dub, King Tubby and Roots Radics – Dangerous Dub) Garnett Mimms – As Long As I Have You, Sharon Tandy – Hold On, Steve Reich and Phillip Glass.
- "Hot" records that were actually really good – The XX, Camera Obscura, Flaming Lips, Wild Beasts…..
- Snorkelling: It's the best, get in there.
- Anvil: The Story of Anvil
- Great new Sub Pop jams for 2010. Beach House "10 Mile Stereo", Happy Birthday "Subliminal Message".
- Places I liked to eat in Seattle in 2009: Bakery Noveau, Buddha Rushka, Monsoon, Matt's in the Market, Senor Moose, Skillet, Circa, St Andrews Bar and Grill, Flying Squirrel, Taqueria La Fondita #2 and Tacos Guaymas.
Gabe Carter
Top Ten Things I Discovered this year that other people have know about for thirty years:
- Ike Turner & The Kings of Rhythm A Black Man's Soul Song : "Philly Dog"
- The Feelies Crazy Rhythms Song: "Moscow Nights"
- Motörhead On Parole Song: "On Parole"
- Roxy Music Country Life Song: "Prairie Rose"
(Re-embracing my love of NWOBHM especially)
- UFO Strangers in the Night Song: "Let it Roll"
- Small Faces Deeram LP Song: "Own Up Time"
- V/A Progressivo Italiano Song: Quella Vecchia Locanda "Il Cieco"
- Serge Gainsbourg Histoire De Melody Nelson Song: "Melody"
- Mott The Hoople Mad Shadows Song: "Thunderbuck Ram"
- Bobby Gentry Song: "Fancy"
Dean Hudson
- Rusted Shut Hot Sex EP
- Mark Sultan "Hold On" b/w "I Hear a New World"
- Spider Spider
- Tiny Vipers Life on Earth
- Tyvek & Personal and the Pizzas at many, many shows
- King Tuff at the Longbranch Inn, SXSW
- Happy Birthday at the Silent Barn
- The Hunches Exit Dreams
- Dum Dum Girls C/T EP
- Pissed Jeans King of Jeans
- Thee Oh Sees Help
- Charles Albright "I'm on Drugs"
- Beyond the Implode Atmosphere EP
- Getting engaged


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Chanhassen, Mn — Like many public companies, Life Time Fitness has seen its stock price fluctuate wildly over the past several months. With a drop to as low as $7.07 in March from a 52-week high of $41.50 last September, Life Time's stock price steadily rose to more than $27 after the Chanhassen, MN-based company released its second quarter results last month.
The rise in Life Time's stock has coincided with the company's change in plans to scale down its expansion agenda over the next two years. Life Time has already completed its new club openings this year after its third new club of 2009 opened last month. The company plans to open only three more clubs in 2010.
Life Time CEO Bahram Akradi admitted during an earnings call with analysts last month that he was changing his personal focus from the company's growth in clubs to internal operations, such as cutting costs and member retention. Akradi said he has spent more time working with the company's marketing and sales teams.
"We look at these last six or eight months as an amazing opportunity for our company to readjust to be much more efficient in the way we do things," Akradi said. "My expectation is that many of these cost-saving improvements are here to stay even if we ramp growth significantly in the future."
The reduced expansion plan does not mean Life Time is done thinking about future locations, Akradi told analysts.
"We have not dismantled our development team," Akradi said. "We have many, many deals in the pipeline. As you can imagine, many developers have no other option on the land that we had under contract with them. So they're giving us the opportunity to extend and extend and extend. I do not expect us to have any trouble growing at the rate we want to grow as long as we remain cash-flow positive."
Once Life Time enters new markets over the next two or three years, the company's large club format will remain the same in those markets, Akradi said.
"We have focused for about 18 to 19 years building a brand that is not confusing to the consumer," Akradi said. "It's not necessarily about all the different things we offer in one particular club. It's about whatever we do offer, we do it first class. I do not intend to enter new markets with a product that is significantly less in amenities. I think we would lead into markets with the appropriate-size standard club and formats."
Life Time reported a 10.5 percent revenue growth in second quarter 2009 to $212.5 million from the $192.4 million the company generated in second quarter 2008. For the six months ended June 30, 2009, revenue grew 11.2 percent to $419 million from $376.9 million during the same period in 2008.
Same-center revenue, however, was down 4.4 percent in second quarter 2009 from second quarter 2008, and revenue per member was down 2 percent.
Net income dipped in the second quarter to $18.3 million from $19.8 million in second quarter 2008. Net income for the first six months of this year — $33.4 million — also was down from the $37.2 million the company posted during the same time last year.


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It never fails…..every year goes by and there are always a ton of albums I end up missing. There are so many new albums released every year that it's almost impossible to keep up. Usually I spend the first two months of the new year acquiring all the albums I didn't buy the previous year before all the new releases start to flood the market. 2010 was no exception as I missed more than a few notable Hard Rock and Heavy Metal albums. The following is a list of albums I missed in 2010 that I picked up in 2011…..some of the albums I just didn't buy until 2011, some I bought but never got around to listening to and some I just forgot about! As many of you collectors know, if you acquire a lot of albums, they tend to pile up, and my pile kept growing! The more the pile grows, the more albums get pushed to the bottom of the pile. With all the submissions coming in and all the albums out there to buy, things can get lost in the shuffle quick. The following list of albums are CDs that were either in a pile on my desk waiting to be listened to but I never had the opportunity to listen to or albums I picked up at some point in 2011.
Airbourne – No Guts, No Glory (Special Edition) (2010): I was a huge supporter of Airbourne when Runnin' Wild came out in 2007 and I thought they were a breath of fresh air playing simple barroom boogie Hard Rock like their countrymen AC/DC. Airbourne impressed and I looked forward to a follow-up. When NO GUTS, NO GLORY was released I had every intention of buying it but then I found out there were multiple versions: the regular 13 song CD, the Japanese pressing with 4 bonus tracks, this special edition with 5 bonus tracks and another pressing that included the 18 song special edition and a bonus live DVD. Overwhelmed with the choices, and the various prices, I waited until I found the special edition with all the bonus tracks (no DVD) at a decent price. By the time I ordered it on Ebay and it was delivered it was already July, close to 5 months after it's release, and my pile of 2010 albums was already large.
Avantasia – The Wicked Symphony (2010) and Angel Of Babylon (2010): Just like the Airbourne album, I had to shop around to get these two albums. Both of these new Avantasia records were released in Europe before the U.S. so I had the choice of buying each CD separately as an import, buy the special edition that had both albums in digipaks with an expanded booklet for a lower price or wait for the inevitable U.S. release. I opted for the special edition on Ebay and spent about the same money I would have if I'd waited for the U.S. releases. WICKED and ANGEL are parts 2 and 3 of The Wicked Trilogy (part 1 is 2007's THE SCARECROW, my favorite album of 2008) and I wanted to hear these so bad but by the time I bought these in May 2010 and they got into the pile, they ended up getting lost in the shuffle. These two albums are so good I have no reservations that they would have made my 2010 Year End Awards had I gotten around to listen to them.
Dream Evil – In The Night (2010): I've been a fan of Dream Evil since DRAGONSLAYER (2002) so this new record was on my radar when it was announced in early 2010. Here's another case of my collector's disease running wild because I wouldn't settle for the regular CD version in the record store, I needed the limited edition digibook with the two bonus tracks and patch. That meant searching online, ordering on ebay, waiting for it to arrive and slotting it in my "neatly" ordered pile on my desk. I did get to listen to the album here and there but I didn't give it enough proper spins to actually come to any conclusion about it's merits. Of course, I took the time to give it a fair listen this year but too late to qualify for any of 2010's awards.
Helloween – 7 Sinners (2010): Talk about missing a major album! I've listened to 7 SINNERS this past year and I'm kicking myself for not giving it proper time in 2010 because this would have easily made my 2010 Year End Awards! The problem here was that I was lucky enough to receive a promotional copy from the record label/PR people but that's a completely separate pile. With all the CDs coming in from bands, labels and PR firms, not to mention the daily emails with promotional downloads…..I got overwhelmed by the sheer volume of music at my fingertips. Helloween has always been one of my favorite bands, and I have really enjoyed their last few albums, but they got lost in the shuffle of promos and it was definitely my loss last year.
Holy Grail – Crisis In Utopia (2010): I picked this up at the beginning of the year when I was burning all of my Xmas gift cards but this ended up getting lost in the shuffle with all the 2011 releases coming out early and often. I did spin this for awhile this past year and it's a really good Power Metal record from another solid new band…..the lineage here is that Holy Grail is an off-shoot of White Wizzard (one of my favorite new bands) s0 this was going to get more interest albeit late interest. I'm not sure if this would have made any of my year end lists but it was definitely a solid album and I'm looking forward to hearing more from Holy Grail in the future.
Issa – Sign Of Angels (2010): I ended up accidently deleting the digital promo I received from Frontiers Records after one spin but that was enough to put Issa on the want list. I ended up waiting to buy SIGN OF ANGELS because of the high import price at the local record shop, buying online would have cost more with shipping. Plus I had the digital promo but once it deleted, I had to have it. Really solid Hard Rock with a Pop sensibility, the songs are melodic and catchy and Issa has a great voice with looks to match! Compared to other bands on this list, this album is almost a little out of place but it was a really good break from the harder side of Metal. Actually, if this album was released 20 years ago, it would have easily charted and sold…..definitely an album I should have explored more when it first came out.
Lillian Axe – Deep Red Shadows (2010): I have no idea what my problem is with new albums from Lillian Axe but I buy them and I never get around to them! The same thing happened with the last two Lillian Axe releases…..I buy them immeadiately, give them an initial play and they get put in the pile only to be lost for months. DEEP RED SHADOWS was another casualty of the ever growing pile of CDs on my desk and I actually feel kind of bad about it because I've listened to more classic Lillian Axe than I have the new stuff and the new stuff is really great! There's another new album coming in 2012 and I swear that this time I'm not going to make this band a pile casualty.
Yngwie Malmsteen – Relentless (2010): RELENTLESS is the second Yngwie album in a row that was released late in the year and ended up getting no airplay until the new year. Is there a reason why Yngwie has to do this to me? The same thing happened when PERPETUAL FLAME came out late in 2008 and I totally missed it! RELENTLESS is the second album in a row where Tim 'Ripper' Owens offers his talented pipes to Yngwie's guitar arsenal and it's another great match, one I hope Yngwie keeps for more new records. I was able to listen to this over the course of this year and it's one of the better Malmsteen albums of recent years, definitely a record that would have made some noise on my 2010 lists.
Y&T – Facemelter (2010): Another pile casualty! I picked up FACEMELTER a few weeks after it came out because the prices online were too steep for this Frontiers release and my local record store didn't have it stoced. I found it in stock at another store about an hour from my home and I decided I couldn't pass it up when i found it. I gave the album one listen and piled it. I have to get a lot more spins in because Y&T is scheduled to play a show in Rhode Island in early March 2012 and I want to know some of the new tunes to go along with all those Y&T classics!


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No. 4 Michigan State pushes past Illinois, 78-62
CHAMAPIGN (AP) — Gary Harris scored 23 points and Denzel Valentine pulled down 11 rebounds to lead No. 4 Michigan State past Illinois 78-62 on Saturday night.
The Spartans (17-1, 6-0 Big Ten) stayed on top of the Big Ten with their 10th straight win. With the victory, Michigan State is also off to the best start in team history. No Spartans team has ever won 17 of its first 18.
After opening conference play 2-0, Illinois has now lost four in a row.
Michigan State owned the boards early against the Illini (13-6, 2-4), outrebounding them 24-10 over the first 20 minutes. The Spartans used that edge to open up a 10-point lead by halftime and held the Illini at arm's length the rest of the night.
Valentine and Keith Appling each added 15 points for the Spartans. Tracy Abrams led Illinois with 15 points.
The win moved Michigan State coach Tom Izzo past Illinois' Lou Henson and into fourth on the list of career Big Ten wins with 215.
Illinois closed to within six at 59-53 with 6:11 in the game on a pair of free throws by Abrams.
But almost as quick as those shots sparked a little hope for Illinois, Appling snuffed it out with a long 3-pointer from the top of the arc.
Michigan was up 62-53 with 5:43 to play, and with the Illini shooting a tepid 37.7 percent and unable to drum up many second chances, Michigan was comfortably out front.
The Spartans played without 6-10 center Adreian Payne, out for a third consecutive game with an ankle injury. But against an Illinois team with little inside presence, they didn't seem to need him.
Michigan State outrebounded Illinois 38-25. Valentine was at times dominant, particularly in the first half. He had nine rebounds by halftime and held Rice to 12 points. Rice entered the game as the conference's second-leading scorer, averaging 17.7 points a game.
The Spartans also made the most of their shots, sinking 55.8 percent of them.
Illini big men Nnanna Egwu and Maverick Morgan had a combined five rebounds and four points. Egwu hasn't scored a point in his past two games in spite of starting both and playing 55 minutes.
Illinois coach John Groce's frustration has been growing with the losing streak. After Wednesday's loss to Purdue he charged toward officials to complain about calls.
Early in the first half Saturday night, he shouted across court at his own team after a miss, "I didn't want that!" He then turned and slammed his fist into the scorer's table in front of the Illinois radio crew.
Late in the game, after several confrontations with officials, he threw his suit jacket and was called for a technical foul.
Illinois has a tough road ahead with its next four at No. 11 Ohio State, at Indiana and then at home against No. 14 Iowa and No. 3 Wisconsin.
The Spartans play their next two at home, Tuesday against Indiana and Jan. 25 against Michigan.


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Nice spoiling, Neobie. Wow, betting on his underwear....now that's serious! BTW, we're all caught up in "BB7 Fever" over here, so TAR may be on the back burner for a while.
I spotted the teams in Paris.. YES, PARIS.. In Eiffel tower. I saw the clue box and camera crews on the top of Eiffel tower.. It was Friday, 23 June 2006, in the morning..I could post some pictures if you guys want them.. Actually the crews warned me twice not to take photos of the teams..
Big Boob 7? Wha that?
Here are the pictures that I managed to get in Paris, Eiffel Tower.. It was Friday, 23 June, around 9 to 11 am..
since im half asleep how maney teams are in this pic? and crow is yummy puddin
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|Katie Bell
|Biographical information
|Blood status
Pure-blood or half-blood (possibly)[1]
|Physical information
|Hair colour
|Eye colour
|Skin colour
|Family information
|Family members
|Magical characteristics
- "I know you're going to ask me Harry, but I don't know who cursed me. I've been trying to remember, honestly. But I just can't."
- —Katie Bell to Harry Potter in 1997.[src]
Katie Bell (born c. 1978-1979) was a witch and a Gryffindor student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from 1990 to 1997. She was a Chaser for the Gryffindor Quidditch team. During her Hogwarts years, she became close friends with Angelina Johnson and Alicia Spinnet. In her sixth year, she joined Dumbledore's Army, an organisation founded and led by Harry Potter. During her seventh year, she was tortured by a cursed opal necklace and recovered at St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. She graduated from Hogwarts in 1997, but returned in 1998, in order to fight at the Battle of Hogwarts against Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters. Her life after the Second Wizarding War is unknown.
Hogwarts yearsEdit
First yearEdit
Katie Bell started her education at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in 1990. During the Welcoming Feast, Katie was sorted into the house of Gryffindor. Her Head of House was Minerva McGonagall.
Second yearEdit
In her second year, the famous wizard Harry Potter arrived, and he was likewise sorted into Gryffindor. Katie joined the Gryffindor Quidditch team the same year, to play the position of Chaser. During her first ever Quidditch match she was hit in the head by a Bludger, but did not sustain any serious injuries.
Third yearEdit
In her third year at Hogwarts, Gryffindor captain Oliver Wood lectured his team on their performance. Before any practice actually took place, the team was removed from the pitch by the Slytherin team. Katie was then witness to Draco Malfoy calling Hermione Granger a Mudblood, a term which shocked her. She also was a member of the Duelling Club and she attended the first gathering with Alicia and Angelina. At the Duelling Club, the three of them fought for Gilderoy Lockhart's cloak that he tossed into the crowd before duelling with Snape.[2] That year, Katie caught the Mumblemumps and was often seen resting in the hospital wing, complaining that she was bored. She also taught fellow Gryffindor team-mate Harry Potter the Full Body-Bind Curse.
Fourth yearEdit
- Angelina: "He's that tall, good-looking one, isn't he?"
- Katie: "Strong and silent."
- — Angelina Johnson and Katie on Cedric's looks[src]
In Katie's fourth year, Wood became more competitive, as Gryffindor had not won the Quidditch Cup in over seven years and he wanted to break the losing streak. During practice, Wood commented on his chasers playing "superbly". Gryffindor had originally planned to play Slytherin first, but due to Draco's injury, they faced the Hufflepuff team instead, captained by Cedric Diggory. When Wood spoke of the Hufflepuff Captain Cedric, Katie, Angelina and Alicia started giggling and commented on Cedric's good looks. The game itself did not go too well, as the players struggled against the terrible weather, and Harry, Gryffindor's Seeker, had passed out in the presence of a Dementor and fell from his broom, leaving Cedric to catch the Snitch and Gryffindor to lose the match.
Katie and her team later played Ravenclaw, and she scored the first goal and soon after Gryffindor were up by eighty points. Ravenclaw started to make a comeback but Harry caught the Snitch, and Katie kissed Harry on the cheek afterwards. The final match of the season, against Slytherin, was loaded with brutal play, and when Gryffindor was up by twenty points, Graham Montague had gripped Katie's hair and made her do a cartwheel in the air; she managed to stay on her broom but lost possession of the Quaffle. As a result, Madam Hooch awarded Katie a penalty and she scored. Gryffindor won the match and the Quidditch Cup. At the end of Katie's fourth year, she and her fellow players would bid farewell to Wood as he graduated from Hogwarts.
Fifth yearEdit
In Katie's fifth year, all Quidditch games had been cancelled due to the school hosting the Triwizard Tournament. When Harry was selected as the fourth champion, alongside Cedric Diggory, Fleur Delacour of the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, and Viktor Krum of the Durmstrang Institute, Katie, like all the Gryffindors, was ecstatic. She was excited that Harry could pay Hufflepuff back for losing against them in their previous year by beating Cedric. Harry won the Triwizard Cup, but no one expressed happiness, as the school was in mourning over the death of Cedric Diggory. At the end of the school year, Albus Dumbledore held a memorial service to Diggory and he openly voiced the rise of evil and the start of the Second Wizarding War.
Sixth yearEdit
In Katie's sixth year, Angelina was named the new Gryffindor Quidditch captain, and was no less demanding than Wood had been. During the term, Hogwarts was under inspection from High Inquisitor Dolores Umbridge, who had a disliking for Harry and put him in detention several times, disrupting the Gryffindors' Quidditch practice schedule. During one training session, Keeper Ron Weasley passed the Quaffle to Katie rather quickly, causing it to hit her square in the face. Fred Weasley passed her a small purple something from his pocket to staunch the resulting nosebleed, but it actually increased the blood loss to the point that practice was cancelled and Katie was taken to the hospital wing by the twins. Later on in the year, Hogwarts was under rebellion from both students and staff alike.
In an attempt to defy Dolores Umbridge, Harry, with the help of Hermione, set up an organisation called Dumbledore's Army, where students could practice how to defend themselves in a practical manner. Katie and her friends joined the D.A. and attended several meetings. She then had a run-in with Peeves, who spilled an entire pot of ink over her head. In the opening match against Slytherin, the Gryffindor team were being taunted by Malfoy and his crew due to the poor quality of play by Ron Weasley. Gryffindor won after Harry caught the Snitch, but during a post-match fight between Malfoy and Harry, the three Chasers had to forcibly restrain Fred from attacking Malfoy after he insulted his family. At the end of the year, Katie had to bid farewell to Angelina and Alicia.
Seventh yearEdit
- Goyle: "HEY! You losers, from the Gryffindor team of ...losers."
- Katie: "That's imaginative; did you think of that, or did Malfoy?"
- — Katie speaking to Goyle.[src]
In Katie's seventh and final year, she was the only original member of the Quidditch team left alongside Harry. When Harry held try-outs, Katie told Harry that she did not wish him to favour her because she was an old player, but to hold a fair trial and not put friendship first, which he had ironically done with Ron. Katie managed to keep the position of Chaser, working alongside newcomers Ginny Weasley and Demelza Robins.
- "At once, Katie rose into the air, not as Ron had done, suspended comically by the ankle, but gracefully, her arms outstretched, as though she was about to fly. Yet there was something wrong, something eerie...Her hair whipped her by the fierce wind, but her eyes were closed and her face was quite empty of expression...Then, six feet above the ground, Katie let out a terrible scream. Her eyes flew open but whatever she could see, or whatever she was feeling, was clearly causing her terrible anguish. She screamed and screamed..."
- —Katie Bell after touching the cursed opal necklace[src]
In October 1996, whilst on a trip to Hogsmeade, Katie was put under the Imperius Curse by the Three Broomsticks innkeeper, Madam Rosmerta (herself under the Imperius Curse). Katie was made to take a cursed opal necklace, which she found inside the girls' bathroom, to Dumbledore in an assassination attempt. However, as she argued with her friend Leanne, the package ripped and Katie came in contact with the necklace. Fortunately, as she had only touched it through a small hole in her glove, it only caused her terrible pain and not death. She was sent to St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries and spent six months recovering. Dean Thomas temporarily replaced her as Chaser but she was healthy enough to return for the final against Ravenclaw, and helped Gryffindor win the Quidditch Cup for the third time since she was on the team. Harry questioned Katie on whether she had any recollection of who had given her the necklace, which she didn't. However, Malfoy, who was responsible for the incident, overheard their conversation and believed she had actually implicated him, and therefore fled into the girls' bathroom to hide from Harry, who had eventually cast "Sectumsempra" on Malfoy in the washroom in self-defense.
After HogwartsEdit
Battle of HogwartsEdit
- "Your efforts are futile. You cannot fight me. I do not want to kill you. I have a great respect for the teachers of Hogwarts. I do not want to spill magical blood."
- —Voldemort to all those preparing to fight him.[src]
Later lifeEdit
Katie ultimately survived the Second Wizarding War . Her life following the war is not known.
Physical appearanceEdit
Katie was described as a blonde with brown eyes.
Personality and traitsEdit
Katie was a friendly person who was very interested in Quidditch. Furthermore, she disliked those who had a pure-blood obsession, such as Draco Malfoy, and believed that there were no differences between pure-bloods and Muggle-borns, as she was angered when Malfoy called Hermione Granger a "Mudblood", as were Angelina, Alicia, Fred and George. She was also brave, as she was sorted at Gryffindor house, and was a member of Dumbledore's Army in order to oppose Dolores Umbridge. Also, she fought at the Battle of Hogwarts in order to help defeat the Death Eaters and win the final battle.
Magical abilities and skillsEdit
Quidditch: Katie played the position of Chaser on the Gryffindor Quidditch team, indicating that she is a skilled flyer and Quidditch player.
- Duellist: Katie learned how to duel at the Duelling Club in her third year, and was taught duelling spells at the meetings of Dumbledore's Army.
- Transfiguration: Katie was apparently skilled in Transfiguration as she took the subject on to N.E.W.T. level.
Gryffindor Quidditch teamEditKatie was a member of the Gryffindor Quidditch team during her years at Hogwarts. There, she became best friends with fellow members Angelina Johnson and Alicia Spinnet, who were both a year older than her. Katie, Alicia and Angelina were also the only girls on the team. She was also a good friend of the twins Fred and George Weasley. Fred and George liked doing pranks and teasing the others, but defended their friends. When Fred and George were kicked off from the team by Dolores Umbridge, Katie was angry with them, as their loss at the team would cost them the Quidditch Cup.
Another friend of hers was Lee Jordan. Although he wasn't a member of the team, he was the Quidditch match commentator, and strongly supported the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Lee liked doing pranks, too.
Katie was also a close friend of Oliver Wood, the captain of the team. However, they argued several times, and Katie thought Oliver wanted to win the Quidditch cup "too much".
Other members of the team were Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. Harry, the Seeker, was extremely good, but Ron had a lack of confidence, due to the Slytherins making fun of him. Eventually, Ron was proved to be very good, as the members of the team, including Alicia, supported him and advised him not to be bothered by the Slytherins. She was also a good friend of Harry. Katie also became a member of Dumbledore's Army, in order to be taught Defence Against the Dark Arts by Harry, and she later fought at the Battle of Hogwarts, alongside Harry and the other members of the team. Furthermore, when Katie was tortured by the opal necklace, Harry helped save her, by calling Rubeus Hagrid. He also wanted to learn who gave the necklace to Katie, but she wasn't able to recall it.
Dumbledore's ArmyEdit
Katie became a member of Dumbledore's Army in her sixth year. It was an organisation founded by Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, and led by Harry, in order to teach students Defence Against the Dark Arts and oppose Dolores Umbridge.
Katie was a friend of Hermione Granger, a Gryffindor girl who was a year younger than her. Katie and the other girls from the Gryffindor Quidditch team were angered when Draco Malfoy called Hermione a "Mudblood." When Katie was tortured by the opal necklace, Hermione helped save her, showing that she cared about Katie. The two girls fought together during the Battle of Hogwarts.
Katie may have been friendly with fellow Gryffindors Neville Longbottom, Seamus Finnigan, Dean Thomas, Lavender Brown, Parvati Patil, Ginny Weasley, Colin and Dennis Creevey. Other members of the army were Justin Finch-Fletchley, Susan Bones, Terry Boot, Anthony Goldstein, Michael Corner, Zacharias Smith, Padma Patil, Ernie Macmillan, Hannah Abbott, Cho Chang, Marietta Edgecombe, and Luna Lovegood. Katie possibly disliked Marietta Edgecombe, who betrayed the army to Umbridge, and Zacharias Smith, who abandoned the army during the Battle of Hogwarts.
- Katie is derived from Katherine, which itself is derived from the Greek name Αικατερίνη, from the name of the goddess Hecate (who is, perhaps coincidentally, the goddess of magic). It could be related to Greek αικία (aikia), meaning "torture", which is relative as Katie was tortured during her seventh year.
- Bell is an English name with various meanings: (1) a person who lived by a town or church bell; (2) a bell-ringer, as in a church; (3) beautiful or handsome.
Behind the scenesEdit
- Katie Bell was portrayed by Emily Dale for both Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets films. For Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Dale was replaced by new actress Georgina Leonidas.
- Katie can be seen briefly in the Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban film. Her broom is struck by lightning and set on fire during a Quidditch match, and she is lying on a bed in the Hospital wing afterwards[3]. However, her face cannot be seen and the role is uncredited.
- In the sixth film, Katie and Leanne are seen in a Potions class with Harry, but in the books, she's one year above him. However, this could be due to Horace Slughorn becoming the Potions master and requiring a lower grade than Severus Snape to take the N.E.W.T. Potions class. This would have allowed Katie and Leanne to take it in their seventh year, when they might not have had the required "Outstanding" O.W.L.s to take Snape's classes in their sixth year.
- Katie Bell can be seen sitting with Cho Chang and Padma Patil on the Hogwarts Express in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 despite both Katie and Cho having been seventh years in Half-Blood Prince. This error is repeated the second part of Deathly Hallows where Katie is seen as a student.
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (First appearance)
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)[3]
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film) (Appears on Parchment)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game) (Mentioned only)
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (video game)
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
- Harry Potter:Quidditch World Cup
- LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
Notes and referencesEdit
- ↑ As Katie wasn't imprisoned in Azkaban by the Muggle-born Registration Commission in 1998, it is possible that she isn't Muggle-born.
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 File:GQT refPoA.PNG
Harry Potter | Hermione Granger | Ronald Weasley
Harry Potter | Neville Longbottom | Luna Lovegood | Ginny Weasley
Katie Bell | Lavender Brown | Colin Creevey | Dennis Creevey | Seamus Finnigan | Angelina Johnson | Lee Jordan | Parvati Patil | Alicia Spinnet | Dean Thomas | Fred Weasley | George Weasley | Nigel Wolpert
Terry Boot | Cho Chang | Michael Corner | Marietta Edgecombe | Anthony Goldstein | Padma Patil
Hannah Abbott | Susan Bones | Justin Finch-Fletchley | Ernie Macmillan | Zacharias Smith | Unidentified Hufflepuff girl
Luca Caruso | Alice Tolipan


text: The Mopar Underground folks are prepping a 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T for unveiling at this year's SEMA show. They've got a plan: make the car as long and lean as possible, with inspiration from the 1970 Challenger T/A; what they don't have is a name. The folks at Automobile are helping out by photographing the build process and offering up commenting space for suggestions. Since we're sure our faithful readers can do better, drop your naming ideas for Mopar Underground's SEMA Challenger in the comments below the fold. [Automobile]


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Forty-six percent of user organizations realized travel savings of more than five days per employee annually. Sixty-eight percent of user organizations reported productivity improvements between geographically-dispersed functional groups.
Just as unified communications applications are gaining increased presence in the workplace, so too are the benefits surfacing in more areas throughout the organization. The results from research conducted by Chadwick Martin Bailey on behalf of Cisco plainly demonstrates that unified communications users experience a multitude of benefits – both in terms of employee time savings as well as direct financial savings. Not only do unified communications applications bring productivity improvements for mobile employees, they can also favorably change ways in which all employees communicate as well as reduce the necessity of travel.
This slideshow highlights six time and cost savings identified by Chadwick Martin Bailey.
Selling Agile to the CFO: A Guide for Development Teams Seven tips to get your CFO on board for agile development.
Accelerating the Enterprise Adoption of Public Storage Clouds Seven key attributes public storage cloud must possess to earn the confidence of enterprises.
11 Guiding Principles for a Successful Business Intelligence Implementation Steps for effectively deploying business intelligence.
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City of Grand Forks, NDHome Menu
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Board of Adjustment
Historic Preservation Commission Attorney/Legal
- Type:Committee/Commission Openings
- Salary/Pay Rate:Volunteer
- Posted Date:07/31/2019 3:00 PM
Historic Preservation Commission (Attorney position)
Type: Volunteer
Salary/Pay Rate: Volunteer
Posted Date: 7/29/2019
Position Details:
The Grand Forks Historic Preservation Commission seeks a member who is either a practicing attorney or other legal credentials with a Juris Doctorate to join the Commission in this specialist position. This person should have exhibit a significant interest in historic preservation and be prepared to attend at least one evening meeting a month (second Tuesday at 6:30 pm) and one state-wide meeting a year. Meetings frequently require some preparation, either reading material or on-site review of properties.
This Grand Forks Historic Preservation Commission member will serve a two-year term.
Note: This is not the County Historical Society, which is sometimes confused with the Commission.
Application Process:
Please submit a letter of application telling us why you wish to serve on the Historic Preservation Commission and what skills you bring to support the continuing work of the Historic Preservation Commission.
The mission of the Grand Forks Historic Preservation Commission is to foster Grand Forks' unique identity and economic vitality by preserving, protecting, and promoting its architectural and cultural heritage.
To apply, click here.
1. Powers and DutiesThe board of zoning adjustment shall have power to grant variances in any exceptions to any of the provisions of this chapter to the extent of the following and no further.
To vary or modify the strict application of any of the regulations or provisions contained in this chapter in cases in which there are no practical difficulties or unnecessary hardships in the way of such strict application. No variance or modifications of the uses permitted within a district shall be allowed.
To permit the extension of a district where the boundary line thereof divides a lot in one (1) ownership at the time of the passage of this chapter, but such extension of any district shall not exceed one hundred (100) feet.
The granting of the variance shall be in harmony with the general purpose and intent of the regulations imposed by this chapter on the district in which it is located and shall not be injurious to the neighborhood or otherwise detrimental to the public welfare.
There must be proof of unique circumstances. There must exist special circumstances or conditions, fully described in the findings, applicable to the land or buildings for which the variance is sought, which circumstances or conditions are peculiar to such land or buildings and do not apply generally to such land or buildings in the neighborhood, and which circumstances and conditions are such that the strict application of the provisions of this chapter would deprive the applicant of the reasonable use of such land or building.
There must be proof of unnecessary hardship. It is not sufficient proof of hardship to show that greater profit would result if the variance were granted. Furthermore, the hardship complained of cannot be self-created; nor can it be established in this basis by one who purchases with or without knowledge of the restrictions; it must result from the application of this chapter; it must be suffered directly by the property in question; and evidence of variance granted under similar circumstances shall not be considered.
That the granting of the variance is necessary for the reasonable use of the land or building and that the variance as granted by the board is the minimum variance that will accomplish this purpose. The report of the zoning board shall fully set forth the circumstances by which this chapter would deprive the applicant of any reasonable use of his land. Mere loss in value shall not justify a variance; there must be a deprivation of beneficial use of land.
That the proposed variance will not impair an adequate supply of light and air to adjacent property, substantially increase the congestion in the public streets, increase the danger of fire, endanger the public safety, or substantially diminish or impair property values within the adjacent neighborhood.
That the granting of the variance requested will not confer on the applicant any special privilege that is denied by this chapter to other lands, structures, or buildings in the same district. The board may prescribe any safeguard that it deems necessary to secure substantially the objectives of the regulations or provisions to which the variance applies.
2. Organization and Terms A board of adjustment is hereby established.
The board shall consist of five (5) members appointed by the mayor and approved by the city council each to serve for a term of three (3) years. Vacancies occurring in said board shall be filled in a like manner. Vacancies for the unexpired term of any member shall be filled for such unexpired period only. Upon the request of the board, the city council shall appoint an alternate member who shall sit as an active member when and if a member of the board is unable to serve at any hearing.
The board shall choose its own chairman and in the chair's absence an acting chairman. All meetings of the board shall be held at the call of the chairman and at such other times as the board may determine.
Such chairman may administer oaths and compel the attendance of witnesses.
All meetings of such board shall be open to the public. Such board shall keep minutes of its proceedings showing the vote of each member on every question. If any member is absent or fails to vote, the minutes shall indicate such fact.
The concurring vote of four (4) members of the board shall be necessary to decide in favor of the applicant any matter upon which said board is required to pass under the provisions of this chapter.
3. Members
- Kent Anderson
Term Expiration - June 24, 2022
- Tom Behm
Term Expiration - April 17, 2021
- Stacey Kemp
Term Expiration - June 24, 2022
- Mark Peterson
Term Expiration - June 24, 2022
- Del Scholer
Term Expiration - May 3, 2021
- Lyn Vreeland
Term Expiration - June 24, 2022
Mayor- Brandon Bochenski
Bev Collings Email
Inspections Department - 746-2631


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WINSTON-SALEM, NC — Attracting more teenage girls is the driving force behind YWCA of Winston-Salem's new $15 million, 90,000-square-foot sports complex.
"This project represents a unique departure for YWCAs in the Southeast region and even on a national scale," said Robin Ervin, director of marketing and development for the YWCA. "[There are] only one or two YWCAs of its kind in the country."
The $15 million Girls and Women's Sports and Wellness Center will feature a cyber café, aerobics studios, a cycling studio, child resource center, an eight-lane competition pool, an indoor track, four volleyball courts, a family water park, and a tournament basketball and sports arena. To draw in more teens, the YWCA will build a fitness center specifically for girls aged 16 and older. The Y is designing a separate area for girls aged 10 to 14 years old.
The Y will be located in the city's 42-acre development, which will feature condos and retail establishments and feature village concept living.


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Export 155 results:Author [ Title] Type Year
Filters: Author is Michael Stadler [Clear All Filters]
"Plug in Electric Vehicle Interactions with a small office Building: An Economic Analysis Using DER-CAM." IEEE 2010 Power And Energy General Meeting. Minneapolis, MN, 2010. LBNL-3555E..
Plug-in Electric Vehicle Interactions with a Small Office Building: An Economic Analysis using DER-CAM. Berkeley: LBNL, 2010. LBNL-3555E..
"Policy Strategies and Paths to Promote Sustainable Energy Systems - The Dynamic Invert Simulation Tool." Energy Policy 35.1 (2007) 597-628..
"Power Systems 2.0: Designing an Energy Information System for Microgrid Operation." International Conference on Information Systems (ICIS 2014). 2014. LBNL-6911E..
Pushing a least cost integration of green electricity into the European grid, GreenNet. Dynamics and basic interactions of RES-E with the grid, switchable loads and storages, work package 1. 2003..
"Radical Rethinking in Building Energy Forecasting - The Open Source Stochastic Building Simulation Tool SLBM." 2008 Behavior Energy and Climate Change Conference, November 16-19, 2008. Sacramento, California, 2008..
Rational Use of Energy and Renewable Energy Sources – A Review of Current Policy Strategies and Promotion Schemes, Work Package 1 of INVERT. 2004..
"Regional Analysis of Building Distributed Energy Costs and CO2 Abatement: A U.S.–China comparison." Energy and Buildings 77 (2014) 112-129. LBNL-6678E..
"Rural electrification and capacity expansion with an integrated modeling approach." Renewable Energy 115 (2018) 509-520..
"Security-Constrained Design of Isolated Multi-Energy Microgrids." IEEE Transactions on Power Systems 33.3 (2017) 2452 - 2462. LBNL-2001061..
"Simulation der Wärmeerzeugung für Bonusmodell und Einsatzpflicht", im Rahmen des Projekts "Eckpunkte für die Entwicklung und Einführung budgetunabhängiger Instrumente zur Marktdurchdringung erneuerbarer Energien im Wärmemarkt." 2006..
"Simulation of the GHG Abatement Potentials in the U.S. Building Sector by 2050." 29th USAEE/IAEE Annual North American Conference, October 14-16, 2010 2010. LBNL-4013E..
"Smart buildings with electric vehicle interconnection as buffer for local renewables?." Researching the Intelligent City: Key Challenges of Integrating Urban Energy and Mobility Systems Research Symposium. Berlin, Germany : LBNL, 2011. LBNL-4921E..
"Software-as-a-Service Optimised Scheduling of a Solar-Assisted HVAC System with Thermal Storage." 3rd International Conference on Microgeneration and Related Technologies 2013. LBNL-6127E..
"The Stochastic Building Simulation Tool SLBM and its New Energy Forecasting Approach." Fifth Annual California Climate Change Conference, September 8-10, 2008. Sacramento Convention Center, 2008..
"Stochastic Programming of Vehicle to Building Interactions with Uncertainty in PEVs Driving for a Medium Office Building." 39th Annual Conference of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society . Vienna, Austria, 2013. LBNL-6416E..
Storage Viability and Optimization Web Service. Berkeley: LBNL, 2010. LBNL-4014E..
"Strategien und Softwaretools zur effizienten Förderung nachhaltiger Energiesysteme." Zeirschrift Energy Number 2 (2005) 32-34..
Supervisory Controller for PV and Storage Microgrids. 2015. LBNL-1002273..
"Thermal Energy Storage for Electricity Peak-demand Mitigation: A Solution in Developing and Developed World Alike." ECEEE 2013 Summer Study 3–8 June 2013, Belambra Les Criques, France 2013. LBNL-6308E..
Tools for the efficient design of RES & RUE promotion schemes: Recommendations derived from the project Invert, Working Paper of Phase 7 of the project INVERT. 2005..


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Almost immediately after accepting Dean Benveniste's invitation to speak at this commencement, I began to have second thoughts and to wonder whether my acceptance was such a hot idea. After all, what could someone like me, who has spent most of his career at the Federal Reserve in public policy, offer that would be meaningful and valuable, that would resonate with business school graduates looking forward to careers in the private, for-profit sector? From one perspective, answers to the question I just posed are not easy to come by, because the two worldsfor-profit business and public policyare distinct, with different objectives, responsibilities, accountabilities. And while I don't view myself as a bureaucrat, I can understand if bankers or prospective bankers out there see it differently. When our bank examiners show up at your institution, it is probably not comforting to hear we're from the Fed and we're here to help.
But the two worldsgovernment policy and the private sectorintersect, and one of the legitimate and significant roles for government is to establish the rules of the game and make sure they are followed. Where they are not, the consequences can be severe, and fortunes, but more importantly reputations, can be lost. The government may be an effective, after-the-fact policeman, but we all would do well to remember the importance of reputation in considering our business practices and decisions.
Let me continue these remarks with some perspectives on the role of government in our market economy. It may not be widely recognized, except by those of us who study macroeconomic data, but the U.S. economy has turned in a truly remarkable performance over the past 20 years, both absolutely and relative to the other major industrial economies around the world. Economic growth here has far surpassed that of Western Europe, Japan, the United Kingdom and Canada. Our standard of living is well above those of these other nations. Our unemployment rate is generally well below theirs. I don't point this out to sound at all self-congratulatory, but rather out of a sense of deep appreciation of what is possible in the United States. America still is, by almost every metric, a land of great opportunity.
But why has the United States outperformed these other significant economies for the past 20 years? It is tempting to answer this question by pointing to the amazing advances in technology over the period, but that, by itself, can't be the answer because the technology is available worldwide. Another appealing answer is the quality of American higher education, which is clearly the envy of the world and also something I am particularly pleased to acknowledge here. But higher education has been outstanding in the United States for a long time. No, there must be something unique about the American system which has emerged relatively recently and produced these results. Along these lines, I would suggest that a growing commitment in the United States to competitive, market-determined outcomes is part of the explanation for this performance.
Put another way, over the past 20 years or so, government has come to play a somewhat diminished role in the U.S. economy than it had formerly. There are numerous, relevant illustrations of this. For example, there has been a growing commitment to free international trade, and, on balance, trade restrictions have been reduced meaningfully in the United States. Moreover, a wide variety of domestic industries have been deregulated during the past 20-plus years and permitted to compete far more freely for customer business. And there has been a largely hands-off attitude toward merger and acquisition activity; not that all deals have worked well, but the government did not often prejudge their success or failure.
This experience might suggest that when it comes to government, less is more; less regulation, fewer obstacles to trade, diminished concerns about mergers strengthened productivity and U.S. economic performance. But I don't think we should stretch this point too far. The government has important responsibilities in a capitalist, market economy.
We often think of the appropriate role of government in terms of provision of so-called public goods like national defense, the interstate highway system, some aspects of health care and support for education and research, and so forth. These functions are important to be sure, but equally important is provision or regulation of what I call the soft-infrastructure in the economy: adherence to the rule of law, honoring of property rights, assuring equal access to credit, transparency of accounting standards. We generally can take the quality of this soft infrastructure for granted in the United States, which is a tremendous luxury and advantage. We assume that the rules of the game are in place and will be adhered to. In much of the rest of the world, and especially in many developing economies, this infrastructure is only partially in place at best.
Recently, of course, we have had several glaring examples of accounting, and more fundamentally, business ethics gone awry. The rules of the game have been violated. And it has been amazing to observe how quickly a firm can collapse once its reputation is called into question, as in the case of Enron. As Enron's business and accounting practices became suspect, it lost the ability to obtain funding in the financial markets and from banks and other traditional financial intermediaries and was forced to bankruptcy.
Make no mistake; if Enron-type problems are or become commonplace, they pose a serious threat. Confidence in financial reporting could be undermined, and this would adversely affect asset values, especially in all likelihood equity values.
Fortunately, an Enron-type problem should be largely self-correcting. Incentives are such that if I were a senior executive at a publicly owned corporation today, I would act quickly and aggressively to disclose as much information about my business as possible, without giving away competitive secrets or violating any laws, of course. The intent would be to get out in front on the disclosure issue so as to maintain and to bolster confidence. The last thing I would want is to have information, even if innocuous, dragged out in some sort of adversarial proceeding. Meaningful, voluntary increased disclosure strikes me as a very good idea at this point.
While Enron may recover and operate at a scaled-down level post-bankruptcy, its senior officers are unlikely to ever recover their reputations. This is a sobering observation, because at the end of the day none of us has much without our good name. And if you think about it, a solid reputation is absolutely essential in business, where so many transactions are concluded with a handshake at the end of a meeting or an OK over the telephone or the click of a mouse.
In the Federal Reserve, we pay a lot of attention to what we call reputational risk. We mean by this term risk to the Federal Reserve as an institution from the failure to fulfill our responsibilities well and to manage our resources responsibly, or the embarrassment we might cause the organization by the failure to conduct ourselves ethically. Our obsession with reputation risk is one factor which makes us a conservative organization; but so much of what we do in the Fed depends on our credibility, both as an institution and as individuals, and we cannot afford to compromise it.
Recent leaders of the Federal Reserve, namely Paul Volcker and Alan Greenspan, are I think widely and deservedly perceived as men of unquestioned integrity and ethical standards. Having served and worked with both, I sincerely commend them to you as models. They are very different personalities to be sure, but both are dedicated to public service. Both are uncompromising when it comes to intellectual and ethical commitment and both have gone beyond the call of duty in the interest of public policy. There is an old saying to the effect that the harder you work the luckier you get and I think there is something to it.
As you proceed in business, in whatever career, eventually you will have some tough decisions to make. Most, if not all, are likely to have an ethical component, and many will affect your reputation. I have found that difficult decisions really are not so daunting and complex once I can articulate the decision and the reasons for it clearly and convincingly, and in a few words or at most in a few sentences. If I can't pass this self-imposed test, then I need to think further, and perhaps consult further, before deciding.
And let me offer one other piece of advice as I conclude these remarks. Most of you have a 30- or 40-year business career ahead. This means that for at least five days a week, 200 plus days a year, for say 30 years, you will get up in the morning and go to your job. Given the required time and effort, make sure you do something you genuinely enjoy and find of value. I realize that real world responsibilities may interfere with this admonition for a time, because income has to be earned and bills have to be paid. But if you are going to do it virtually every day, make sure you like it. Look forward to going to work, not just because it makes life far more pleasant, although it does, but also because you will find that with enthusiasm and commitment, you will do a better job and will, almost automatically, be rewarded.
In closing, let me extend sincere congratulations to all the graduates and their family and friends here today. In many ways, graduation is just a beginning, but it is also a significant accomplishment. So I hope you will celebrate the occasion, because you deserve to.
Thank you.


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Definition from Nolo's Plain-English Law Dictionary
Suffering in response to an experience caused by the negligence or intentional acts of another; a basis for a claim of damages in a lawsuit brought for such an injury. Originally damages for emotional distress were awardable only in conjunction with damages for actual physical harm, but recently some courts have recognized a right to an award of money damages for emotional distress without physical injury or contact. In sexual harassment and defamation claims, emotional distress can sometimes be the only harmful result. Professional testimony by a therapist or psychiatrist may be required to validate the existence and depth of the distress and place a dollar value upon it.