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Graham to be honored at Winter Meetings
O's director of player development to get Sheldon 'Chief' Bender Award
Orioles director of player development Brian Graham will be honored at next month's Winter Meetings with the sixth annual Sheldon "Chief" Bender Award, an honor Minor League Baseball announced on Thursday.
The award is presented to an individual with distinguished service who has been instrumental in player development, and Graham, who has spent 32 years in professional baseball, has exemplified that since rejoining Baltimore's organization in 2008.
In his first year as director of player development, Graham oversaw the instruction and developing process for a vastly improved Orioles farm system, and he spent the four years prior as coordinator of Minor League instruction. After serving as a Major League coach with the O's in 2000, Graham came back to Baltimore as a special assistant in '08 and has been one of the most well-respected and popular figures in the organization.
"I'm very honored to win the 'Chief' Bender Award," Graham said in an article on MiLB.com. "When you work in player development, you never expect to win awards. Our reward is seeing the players develop, make it to the big leagues and then succeed as Major Leaguers.
"I'm also very fortunate to be part of a great organization right now. We have a general manager [in Dan Duquette] and Major League manager [Buck Showalter] who take tremendous pride in player development, and we have a lot of really good staff members who do a great job. It's truly an honor to have my name associated with 'Chief' Bender and such a prestigious award."
Graham also worked for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 2002-07 as their senior director of player development, with 54 homegrown players reaching the Majors over that span. He served as the Pirates' interim general manager in '07 and had a brief stint as the field coordinator for the Florida Marlins prior to that. Graham, who served as a Major League coach with the Cleveland Indians (1998-99), managed nine consecutive winning clubs, including eight straight playoff ones, during his time as a Minor League skipper in the Indians' system.
"We are very lucky to have Brian in our organization, because an award like this isn't just for the length of service; it recognizes distinguished and quality service," said Showalter. "To be in the game as long as Brian has, you have to be good at what you do and have your work be in demand. He has made an impact on the careers and lives of so many young men without seeking attention for himself. This is a tremendous honor for a true professional."
Added Duquette: "The National Association has made a great choice of not just an educator, but a leader of men in Brian Graham. He has managed at every class in the Minors and coached in the Major Leagues with a passion for player development. We are very proud of Brian's work and grateful he is leading the Orioles."


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Honey Harvesters' Haul Hurt by Heat
COLUMBIA - Beekeepers have the unenviable task of facing thousands of stingers to get honey, and it's not getting any easier.
The scorching summer dried up water supplies and limited the amount of nectar flowers produced. Without nectar, bees can't make honey, which caused a steep drop off in production.
"At this point, it looks like anywhere from 80 to 90 percent," Walk About Acres beekeeper Art Gelder said.
With honey harvesting season almost at a halt, Gelder projects his 80 hives will have produced 500 pounds of honey. During a regular season, his hives will produce four to five thousand pounds. Despite producing at 10 percent of capacity, Gelder said he hasn't changed his price on honey products.
"So far it hasn't affected it any at all," Gelder said. "I'm assuming with the drought of honey, in the future or next year, our prices will go up."
A beekeeper for 20 years, Gelder has honey-based products from shampoos to a rainbow of ice cream flavors. Gelder hasn't felt the sting of the summer as much as other beekeepers though because he sells bees, bee equipment and bee food, too.
Other beekeepers maybe be stuck as honey problems are compounded by colony collapse disorder.
"It's the rapid decrease of bees in a colony," Missouri Department of Conservation's Robert Lawrence said. "(It's) been described as just a rapid decrease in the number of live bees. Bees are flying away from the colony and not coming back to the hive."
Researchers initially thought the problem was due to mites, but Lawrence said it is more complicated. The disorder maybe due to several components including diseases, viruses or environmental factors.
""If honey bee populations are declining, that's going to be a huge blow because of their role in agriculture and pollinating," Lawrence said.
The presence of bees is hard to overstate. Albert Einstein once said, "If the bee disappears from the surface of the Earth, man would have no more than four years left to live."
So if honey prices look bad, Gelder recommends some honey ice cream for comfort. "We have people tell us it's the best they've ever had," he laughed.

subset: commoncrawl


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Jim Thomas is the founder and president of Fitness Management USA Inc., a management consulting and turnaround firm specializing in the fitness and health club industry. With more than 25 years of experience owning, operating and managing clubs of all sizes, Thomas lectures and delivers seminars and workshops across the country on the practical skills required to successfully build teamwork and market fitness programs and products. Visit his Web site at: http://www.fmconsulting.net.
Health club owners are often so busy putting out operational fires that marketing and advertising programs tend to end up on the back burner. In turn, all health club owners tend to make the same mistakes over and over. Here are seven of those mistakes:
1. Emphasizing features in the ads rather than the benefits that can be achieved at your club. So many ads talk about what a club has—not what it does. Do people buy a 1-inch drill bit because they want the bit? No. They buy it for the 1-inch hole it will give them. That's the benefit. While prospective new members need to know about the features of your club, the potential benefit of membership is what motivates sales. Also, selling solely on features and price is a sure way to invite comparison with your competition.
2. Failing to establish a unique selling position that differentiates your club from the competition. Understanding such differentiation and creating a unique selling proposition will show how your club is special. Answer these questions: Why should I join the club? What makes it so special? Be sure that your answers are unique and not something such as "good service," which most clubs brag about and something customers should expect anyway.
3. Not tracking results of your marketing efforts. This is a significant error made by many health club owners. In many cases, club operators have no idea how to track results and adjust their advertising and marketing efforts to be more productive. Be sure and have a telephone inquiry log sheet at your front desk, and write down the source of every call. Be sure your guest register has a space for the source as well. Always determine the total dollar amount of sales that marketing generates so that you can determine the campaign's effectiveness. This will help you understand your club's cost per sale.
4. Changing your marketing too frequently. Remember that you look at your ad every day. To you, it's the most important thing in the world. However, prospective members need time to assimilate your message. It's estimated that potential members need to see an ad seven times before the marketing begins to register in their awareness. Also, don't have different campaigns running at the same time, as it will confuse your customers.
5. Failing to target former members. Your former members are one of the best resources you have. There are currently more former members of health clubs than current members of clubs. They've joined before, and there's a good chance they'll join again. Reach them through special promotions and sales. In many clubs, the former member source is right behind member referrals as the No. 1 source of new member sales.
6. Giving up on marketing before it has the chance to work. Many new clubs advertise only three to six months before deciding it's not worth the cost. But most new clubs need a year or more of well-placed, well-thought-out advertising before substantial results can be seen. About the only time we can really guarantee results is when you don't advertise or market your club.
7. Choosing wrong media to attract your target members. The majority of your new members will come from a three-mile radius around your club. As a result, most health clubs will find that TV, radio and newspaper outlets don't work at all because of the "pull" area being too far outside the target area of their club. Choose the right media or you're wasting your time and money. Such things as direct mail, door hangers, referral campaigns, local corporate programs and lead boxes will allow you to properly target your market.
Avoiding all these mistakes boils down to one simple thing: think and plan before you act. Make sure that you have identified your target market. Make sure the media you have selected will reach that market. Take one last look at your message or offer. Does it really say what you mean? Are the benefits there? Lastly, learn from the mistakes of others. Watch what advertising works and what doesn't work with other health clubs. What are other clubs doing that you can adapt or change to fit your club? Now, go market your club.


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The space tourism firm Virgin Galactic has successfully test-fired the rocket motor designed to boost a passenger spaceliner on suborbital joy rides into space.
The hybrid rocket motor would launch Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo spacecraft into suborbital space at speeds of over 2,500 mph (4,000 kph) to send ticket-carrying passengers soaring to heights of 65 miles (110 km) above the Earth.
This latest series of tests in the California desert follows flight tests for SpaceShipTwo's carrier aircraft WhiteKnightTwo, dubbed "Eve." The Eve mother ship ended up with a slight ding on its tail in April during what was then its longest test run yet.
"SpaceShipTwo, which will air launch from Eve, is largely constructed and awaiting the start of its own test flight program later this year," said Sir Richard Branson, the British billionaire founder of Virgin Galactic.
SpaceShipTwo is designed to carry eight people — six passengers and two pilots — into suborbital space and back for about $200,000 a ticket
Unlike typical rockets, SpaceShipTwo would ride into the upper atmosphere under Eve's wing before igniting its own rocket engine to make the final ascent into space. That means the rocket motor only needs to burn for a short time period.
"This means much less fuel is required — fuel which provides none of the toxins that are present in the solid rockets used by the space shuttle and satellite launches," Branson noted.
He added that the spaceship's carbon footprint for each of its passengers and crew would be just a quarter of that for a return trip from London to New York.
The hybrid nitrous oxide motor represents the largest of its kind in the world, designed by Virgin Galactic supplier Scaled Composites and its subcontractor SNC (Sierra Nevada Corporation). Safety features include the capability to shut down the system at any time, and permit the spaceship to glide back down for a conventional runway landing.
Virgin Galactic has already lined up $40 million and 300 people on its waiting lists for space tourism flights. They'll have to keep waiting for now, as flight testing for SpaceShipTwo is scheduled for later this year.
SpaceShipTwo is being built for Virgin Galactic by aerospace veteran Burt Rutan and his firm Scaled Composites in Mojave, Calif. Rutan and his firm, with backing from millionaire Paul Allen, designed SpaceShipOne, an air-launched spacecraft that won the $10 million Ansari X Prize for piloted suborbital spaceflight.
© 2013 Space.com. All rights reserved. More from Space.com.


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Sal Sabres on a roll
Someone's winning streak will be snapped this week and Sal is hoping it won't be theirs.
So far in Metro Edmonton High School Athletics play, the senior boys Sabres have claimed back to back wins against W.P. Wagner (91-12) and Lillian Osborne (55-12).
"Wagner came with only 14 guys, so that was tough for them. That's why that one was lopsided. In this past game against Lillian Osborne, we actually started really playing as a team. Guys were making great decisions, making great passes, and everyone was doing their job," said Sabres senior boys head coach, Andrew Harrison. "I have a lot of great athletes, but more than that, a lot of just great kids. They're attitudes just make it so much fun to coach them."
On Wednesday, May 15, Sal will face Beaumont, who also has have a dominating season with a 53-3 win over Lillian Osborne and a 20-0 blowout over W.P. Wagner, who later forfeited the game.
"Leading up to our game against Beaumont, we'll definitely be focusing on our defence and decision making," added the coach.
That game will take place at 4:45 p.m. on Field #4 at the Lynn Davies Rugby Park.
Either way, Sal's record has already improved since last year's one win and three losses. They were knocked out in the first round of the playoffs. About a third of the team, nine of 27 players, returned from the 2018 season and coaching staff are looking to three players to bring leadership on the field; Grade 12 Zach Duxbury, Levi Cox (Grade 10 captain), and Juan Labrador.
"Levi grew up playing rugby, so that was an easy decision after watching him play and it's been great to see him step up and lead."
Archbishop Jordan senior boys are also holding their own in the standings with a pair of wins; 33-19 over Bellerose and 45-22 over Paul Kane. Their Monday game against Sturgeon took place past publication deadline.
ABJ senior girls also landed two wins this season, 69-0 against W.P. Wagner and 35-15 over Beaumont on May 7 and their next game is scheduled for May 14 against Paul Kane at 4:45 p.m. Field #3 at Lynn Davies Rugby Field. Bev Facey senior girls have been struggling to get into the win column this season, suffering four losses against Strathcona (82-5), Sturgeon (41-5), McNally (51-20), and Bellerose (78-7). They play away this week on Thursday against Ross Sheppard. The senior Salisbury girls haven't had much luck either on the field with two losses against ME Lazerte (51-7) and Archbishop/O'Leary 24-22. They take on St. Peter the Apostle in St. Albert on May 14.


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WWS – Following the frisbee and other peculiar spells
One of the more frustrating things (at first glance) to track is how useful the frisbee/chakra/prayer of mending is being for you. Quite frankly, the author's never going to successfully extract that info because of the way it gets logged – which is related to the way it puts the heal-threat on the person healed instead of you. All thing are mixed blessings, after all… Still, you can get some idea of how effective it's been. I hope and expect that this look at tracking the PoM will give you insight of other 'special uses' – and I'll occasionally point out these opportunities during various digressions.
Open WWS and get your report — if you don't have one, either browse for one of the generically acceptable or create your own. (I recommend the latter so you have memory of what really happened to match against what you think you're seeing.) Pick your split (or the full report), and then Browse:Abilities.
Take a moment to look at this befuddling list of things that happened. Things that caused damage out, things that healed. Applied, Gains (increases in something like mana or rage), Buffs and Debuffs. Gah, what a list. But we need to start here for a couple of reasons.
The first is to notice something kind of important. We're going to look for our prayer of mending. "Well, Duh," you say, "Right there in Heals." Yep. But it also shows up in Applied. And Buffs. And you go, "Huh? Why – it's a heal, right?" Well, yes, but it works… OK, let's get a wee bit technical (not too much), because once you grasp this you'll see how you'll be tracking the path of the frisbee – and perhaps the spellfiend and the VT and, well, a bunch of other stuff that's not straight "Bam!" actions (like DoTs.)
When you do something, you do damage, heal, or "other". If it's the last, the action is "applied". Yep, that's the first three tables. Now there are a few things that don't do any of the three 'actions' but instead go directly to effects — warrior's Bloodrage being an example. These are rare and we can pretty much ignore it other than knowing it's there. Anyway, everything else is an effect OTHER THAN a change in health (mostly). Gain, Buff, and Debuff. Buffs are stickies that help the target, debuffs are stickies that harm the target. Gains are helps to the target that aren't coming from stickies.
Now here's the thing. Your PoM is applied by you. It's a buff on another player – it's beneficial, but it doesn't do anything at time of application. When it goes off, it's a heal — and due to its nature, it's "applied" by the person holding it.
Ready for the most important thing? This is all background. You don't have to KNOW it, just be aware so as to have an idea whether you can track the spell and its effects or not. Yep, I just dragged you through an unnecessary explanation. (grin) Let's get back on track, shall we?
Find the Prayer of Mending on any of the three lists, and click it. Voila – three tables. Heals, Performed, and Buffs. Heals is every time the frisbee triggered and actually healed. Performed is Applied, and it's every time a player sent it to another player. Now, I can pretty much guarantee that the "performed" count is going to be close to if not over twice as high as "heals" count. You're running into two factors here. First, remember that each tick of the frisbee is technically two applications. It's an application of the heal on the holder, and it's an application of the cast to the next holder. Of course there won't be a perfect doubling. First, your log will not catch EVERYTHING – range, lag, and such all have an impact. Second, the 'last man' will apply a heal and the frisbee fades. In the same line, you cast but don't heal. So there's a not-quite-doubling. Finally, the 'buffs' category is something else again. If the potential is sitting there but never triggers a heal, it's a buff.
So you can see how many times you cast the frisbee in the first place – your "performed" minus your "heals" and (if there) your "buffs". You can figure the average number of passes – total the "heals", divide by how many times you cast. 5 minus this number, times the number of casts, ([5-avg passes]/casts) should be pretty close to the total number of Buffs. Now you know about how many times your casts got swallowed (the buffs) AND you have an idea how often you "interrupted" the casts with yet another frisbee – intentional or otherwise. Oh – subtract the calculation you just did from the total buffs, multiply by 5 for this. Compare this number (interrupted casts) to total casts and you get an idea – not perfect, but an idea – of how effectively you're using the spell.
Wow, did I confuse you with all that? OK, let's come at it sideways. I can, with this, determine how often I cast PoM, approximately how many bounces each cast makes, and about how often I cast it again even though it's not yet done bouncing. As a bonus, I can tell who is "swallowing" my casts (that buffs table), which may help me determine some details – is it ranged or melee? If the latter, is it being swallowed because I'm interrupting too early, or is it because the mob/boss is dead while the fribee's active? Or the tank's holding aggro really, really well? Yes, I have to look other places to nail the information, but now…
I'll be chasing whether I'm using it as much as I should, but I'm going to use a different spell for that – one the shadowpriests will get more use from seeing. After my long-winded intros, I figure you deserve the smaller nuggets – besides, it gives me more days of posting…
Have fun.
2 Responses to "WWS – Following the frisbee and other peculiar spells"
Very interesting, so in my last Kara run my overall heal numbers (little over 1 million healed after 5 bosses) were a bit higher than I thought since PoM (which I cast A LOT) is not being recorded properly after the bounce? Did I get that right or do I need to study this post again? GREAT site btw


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This is Biberkor
Set in rolling pre-Alpine countryside close to scenic Lake Starnberg, Biberkor is surrounded by greenery. Our spacious grounds feature play areas, sports fields and gardens, providing a tranquil environment in which children can flourish in the truest sense of the word.
Outdoor activities, exposure to animals in nature and exploring our environment – at Biberkor these are all part of the curriculum.
In the children's house we care for children from the age of 3 through to school age, following the principles of Maria Montessori's educational approach.
Our school provides a very special atmosphere for learning, from elementary school through to graduating from high school. Our approach brings together bright, inquisitive children and those in need of support, the highly skilled, the able-bodied and the disabled. Every child is special in its opportunities for development at Biberkor.
Biberkor is a state-approved day school. Our all-day curriculum provides pupils with more time for learning and community life.
Since the school was founded, 9th and 10th year pupils have successfully graduated with the German State-recognized Hauptschulabschluss and Mittlerer Reife qualifications. In the 2006/07 year, the first Biberkor pupils achieved the general Hochschulreife qualifications.
These pupils and their successors in subsequent years have provided the proof that it is possible to qualify for an Abitur via the guiding educational principles of motivation, self-initiative and by taking pride in your own achievement.
no news in this list.
Münchner Kindertheater
Aktuelle Informationen zu Maßnahmen im Zusammenhang mit dem Corona-Virus
Europa geht uns alle an
Kommunalpolitikerin Martina Neubauer schenkt Biberkor eine Unterrichtsstunde


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Located in the Show-Me State, as of the 2010 census, University City had a population of 36,289. This makes University City the thirteenth-most populous city in the state of Missouri.
Are you looking to own your own franchise business in, or around, University City, MO? Well, you are in luck! Browse any of these multiple franchises, shown below, to request FREE information about the opportunities that interests you or click here to see the full list of franchises looking to expand throughout Missouri.
Listed below you will find population, income and education related statistics, as well as other pertinent information, for University City, MO.
|Age (median)
|Male (median)
|Female (median)
|Total Population
|When compared to the state's average median age of 38.1 years, University City's median age is 3.7 years younger.
|Individual (median)
|Household (median)
|When compared to the median income of individuals working in Missouri, University City's average income is $2,762 less than that of the state.
|No Degree and/or Diploma
|High School Diploma and/or GED
|Associates Degree
|Bachelors Degree
|Masters Degree or Higher
|University City has 9% fewer citizens, with only high school diploma and/or GEDs, than the general population's average, in Missouri.
|County Name
|St. Louis County
|City Homepage
|Visit this City's Official Site
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Lupe Fiasco Interview With Big Tigger "Im Not Impressed With Obama Speech" [Full Audio]
The now controversial interview where Lupe Fiasco says Baracka Obama's acceptance speech did not move him. Listen to Big Tigger on DC's WPGC 95.5 weekdays from 2-6pm. Shout out to Dj Heat
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Visit our U.S.A. & International site for relevant pricing, distribution and product availability information.Go to StarTech.com
2-Port USB PCIe Card - 10Gbps USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-A PCI Express Host Controller Card - USB 3.2 Gen 2x1 PCIe Add-On Adapter Card - UASP - Expansion Card - Windows & Linux
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Product ID: PEXUSB312A2
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Product Numbers
Tech Data Australia
Ingram Micro Australia
UPC Code
Technical Specifications
|Warranty Information
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|Bus Type
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|Industry Standards
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USB Specification Rev. 2.0
PCI Express Base Specification Rev. 3.0
Intel xHCI Specification Rev. 1.1
UASP (USB Attached SCSI Protocol) Rev. 1.0
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Windows Server® 2008 R2, 2012, 2012 R2, 2016, 2019
Linux® 3.5 to 4.11.x LTS version only
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|Operating Temperature
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|-20°C to 60°C (-4°F to 140°F)
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|Product Height
|2.8 in [7 cm]
|Product Length
|3.7 in [95 mm]
|Product Width
|0.5 in [12 mm]
|Weight of Product
|1.8 oz [50 g]
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|Package Height
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|Package Length
|6.8 in [17.2 cm]
|Package Width
|5.6 in [14.2 cm]
|Shipping (Package) Weight
|4.4 oz [124 g]
|What's in the Box
|Included in Package
|1 - USB 3.1 card
|1 - low-profile bracket
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Windows Server® 2008 R2, 2012, 2012 R2, 2016, 2019
Linux® 3.5 to 4.11.x LTS version only
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[ASMedia ASM2142] Windows USB 3.1 Controller Card.zip
Version: 188.8.131.52
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Data Sheets
Frequently Asked Questions
Before You Buy
Yes, it is required to use the included power connector with this card. Additional power is required above what the PCI or PCI Express slot on the motherboard is able to provide. If the power connector is not used with the card, the devices used with the card are not likely to function correctly, and the ports on the card will not be able to output the maximum amount of power USB is capable of.
USB 3.1 is the most recent version of the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard for connecting computers and electronic devices. It is capable of data transfer speeds up to 10Gbps, and while it can use the USB-C connector type, it can also use a variety of other connector types. To achieve USB 3.1 transfer speeds, your USB host connection, cables, and device must all support USB 3.1. USB 3.1 is also known as USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10Gbps).
USB 3.0 is capable of data transfer speeds up to 5Gbps. USB 3.0 is also known as USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5Gbps).
USB 3.1 is backwards compatible with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0, except in the following scenarios:
- USB-B 3.1 cables are not compatible with USB-B 2.0 ports.
- Unless you use an adapter, USB-C ports or cables will not work with USB-A or USB-B ports or cables.
- Devices that require USB 3.1 transfer speeds of 10Gbps might not work with USB 3.0 or USB 2.0, or you might experience lower transfer speeds and impacted performance.
- Bus-powered USB devices that requires more power than what USB 2.0 can provide are not compatible with USB 2.0.
For products related to this article, click here.
To transfer data at speeds of 10Gbps, you need to confirm that the following components in your setup support USB 3.1:
- The USB host connection
- The USB cable
- The USB device and any subcomponents (for example, a hard drive docking station and the hard drives in the docking station)
Note: USB 3.1 is also known as USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10Gbps). Devices that support USB 3.1 should have the USB 3.1 symbol on them. If the USB 3.1 symbol does not appear on your USB source or device, refer to the information provided by the manufacturer to confirm whether the USB source or device support USB 3.1.
Before you install the device, make sure that your operating system is current (for example, the most recent service pack is installed).
- Download the latest drivers from the StarTech.com website at www.startech.com/Support. The part number and product ID are on the product packaging.
Note: Windows usually saves the files to the Downloads folder that is associated with your user account (for example, C:\Users\your_name\Downloads).
- After the download is complete, right-click the zip folder that you downloaded, click Extract All, and complete the instructions.
- In the list of extracted files, right-click the setup.exe file and click Run as Administrator.
Note: If the Run as Administrator option is not available, you might be attempting to run the installer from within the zipped file. Complete the instructions in step 2 to extract the files.
- Complete the instructions to install the device drivers, and restart your computer when prompted to.
Your device should be ready to use.
How to
To confirm that Windows detects your expansion card, complete the following:
- Press the Windows key+R, type devmgmt.msc, and press Enter.
- In Device Manager, under the appropriate heading, confirm that your expansion card is listed and that there isn't an exclamation mark next to it. For example, a USB controller card would be under Universal Serial Bus controllers.
Your expansion card is listed according to the name of the chipset. To determine the name of the chipset of your expansion card, navigate to www.StarTech.com and look on the Technical Specifications tab for your product.
If the USB device does not work after your computer has been in extended hibernation, it is likely that Windows has automatically turned off the USB Root hub to save power.
The steps below outline how to configure the USB root hub to stay on during hibernation, to prevent this from happening.
Windows 10 / 8
- On your keyboard, press the Windows key + X and select Control Panel.
- Click Hardware and Sound, then click Power Options.
- Click Change plan settings for the plan you want to change.
- Click Change advanced power settings.
- Click the plus sign (+) next to "USB settings" and "USB selective suspend setting" to expand the options and change the setting to Disabled.
- Click OK to apply the setting.
Note: You may need to disconnect and re-connect your USB device after applying these settings to re-establish the connection.
Windows 7 / Vista
- Click the Start button and select Control Panel.
- Click Hardware and Sound, then click Power Options.
- Click Change plan settings for the plan you want to change.
- Click Change advanced power settings.
- Click the plus sign (+) next to "USB settings" and "USB selective suspend setting" to expand the options and change the setting to Disabled.
- Click OK to apply the setting.
Note: You may need to disconnect and re-connect your USB device after applying these settings to re-establish the connection.
Windows XP
- On your desktop, right-click the My Computer icon and select Properties.
- Click the Device Manager tab.
- Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers by clicking the arrow to the left of it.
- Right-click the first USB Root Hub device and select Properties.
- Click the Power Management tab.
- Clear the box next to Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
- Click OK to apply the setting.
- Repeat steps 4-7 for any remaining devices in the Universal Serial Bus Controllers section with "Root Hub" in the name.
Note: You may need to disconnect and re-connect your USB device after applying these settings to re-establish the connection.
When you troubleshoot issues with a USB controller card, there are some quick tests that you can complete to rule out potential problems. You can test to make sure that the following components are working correctly and are not the source of the issue:
USB cables
USB devices
USB controller card
To test your setup components, try the following:
Use the USB cable, device, and controller card in another setup to see if the problem is with the components or the setup.
Use a different USB cable, device, and controller card in your setup to see if the problem persists. Ideally, you should test a component that you know works in another setup.
When you test your cables, it is recommended that you do the following:
Test each cable individually.
Use short cables when you are testing.
When you test the USB device and controller card, it is recommended that you do the following:
Press the Windows key + R, type devmgmt.msc, and press Enter to open Device Manager. Check to see if your device is listed under Universal Serial Bus controllers.
If you do not see the USB controller card listed in Device Manager please see this FAQ: https://www.startech.com/support/faqs/technical-support?topic=expansion-cards#pci-pcie-cannot-boot-os-or-detect-windows.
If the device is listed with an error, follow the instructions on the website to reinstall the drivers.
If your setup components support USB 3.1 but you are experiencing slower transfer speeds than you expected, consider the following:
- A USB host connection with multiple USB 3.1 ports might not be able to support 10Gbps on each port simultaneously.
- The type of port on a device does not determine whether the device is capable of USB 3.1 speeds. A USB-C port might not support USB 3.1 speeds, while USB-A and USB-B ports might support USB 3.1 speeds.
- Any other devices that you include in your setup, such as an older hard drive in a USB 3.1 enclosure, might create a point of congestion and slow down transfer speeds.
To confirm the functionality of your USB host connection, its ports, and any other devices in your setup, refer to the information provided by the manufacturer.
Note: USB 3.1 is also known as USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10Gbps). Devices that support USB 3.1 should have the USB 3.1 symbol on them. If the USB 3.1 symbol does not appear on your USB source or device, refer to the information provided by the manufacturer to confirm whether the USB source or device support USB 3.1.
Compliance and Safety
Compliance Letters
Safety Measures
- If product has an exposed circuit board, do not touch the product under power.
- If Class 1 Laser Product. Laser radiation is present when the system is open.
- Wiring terminations should not be made with the product and/or electric lines under power.
- Product installation and/or mounting should be completed by a certified professional as per the local safety and building code guidelines.
- Cables (including power and charging cables) should be placed and routed to avoid creating electric, tripping or safety hazards.
* Product appearance and specifications are subject to change without notice.


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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As the city works on its budget for next year and closing its $32 million shortfall, Jacksonville firefighters are discussing a proposal that would avoid layoffs or demotions.
During contract negotiations Tuesday, union leaders for the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department offered up pay concessions in return for job security.
The city had been asking firefighters to take a 2 percent pay cut, which amounts to $2.2 million for the department. But now the fire union has come up with an alternative, proposing to cut even more -- $2.4 million. In return, however, the department wants a guarantee there will not be any layoffs or demotions.
"We are looking for protection for our members," said Randy Wyse, president of the fire union. "We are willing to go out to our members and tell them we are willing to give more to the city than what they are asking for protection."
It's a three-year contract, but if it's approved, it would mean firefighters would go five years without a raise. That's because they took a cut last year.
The city's chief negotiator says it's something he will try to sell to the mayor.
"We have been looking to get that 2 percent cut," said Derrel Chatmon, of the Office of General Counsel. "We were looking at the old contract to see if we can get some economic concessions. This is the first time we saw a counterproposal from the union. We want to take it back and analyze it."
Other unions will be watching as well. Firefighters say it's not only for their security, but the fact that the city would not layoff or demote firefighters means safety for the city. They argue the more firefighters on staff, the safer the city will be.
Wyse said time will tell if this is something the full union will agree to.
"We will have to see," he said. "All these guys will have to go out and educate people, the members on what we are trying to do."
Both sides are still working on details and will meet later this month.


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Twitter-Buttons.biz - you can get any of the following buttons for freeTo get button code follow these steps:
1) Enter your twitter account username in textbox below
2) Click GO button
3) Copy code for a button you like and paste it to your blog or website
Twitter-Buttons.biz has large selection of twitter buttons for any taste. Make sure to go through all pages and we hope you'll find a button which fits your design. To make it even easier to find a button you want, we created small, medium and large buttons categories. If you know what twitter button size you need, go straight to one of these categories.


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Maybe you've heard the "golden voice" of YouTube sensation, Ted Williams. He's the formerly homeless, formerly unemployed man who was hired -- literally off the street -- by the Cleveland Cavaliers for his dream job as an announcer. Other job offers are still pouring in from around the country. If you're unemployed, you can learn a lot from Ted Williams' Guerrilla Job Search.
Here's why ...
No social worker on earth would say to a homeless person, "You know what you need to do? Go stand in traffic with a sign and talk like a radio DJ to every person you meet." Ted could have followed conventional advice -- gone to his local workforce center or library, waited to use the free computers, and applied online for advertised jobs. And he would still be unemployed.
Luckily, Ted Williams is a natural born Guerrilla Job Hunter. He did four simple things, which you can do, too ...
1) Ted got out of the house and met people
If there's one advantage to being homeless in a job search, it's this: You can't avoid meeting people. By contrast, unemployed people with homes often go to great lengths to avoid people. They sit at home, in front of the computer, zapping out resumes by email and feeling productive. But that's usually a pointless waste of time.
Instead, Ted was out in the game, every day, meeting and telling people about the job he wanted. And he met just the right person -- a reporter who told his story. The rest is history. You never know who you will meet on the street. That person ahead of you in line at 7-Eleven, or sitting next to you at Starbucks, may be a VP at your dream employer. Of course the chances of meeting your dream employer on the street this week are small. But your chances are ZERO if you stay at home and never get out.
Burning questions:
* Do you know EXACTLY what job you want to do? There are plenty of homeless (and "homed") people looking for "any job" ... and they struggle for months.
* How many people have you talked to this week about your job? How do you know? What is your quota?
2) Ted didn't use an ordinary resume
You can't get much less ordinary than Ted's "resume" -- it was handwritten, in magic marker ... on a piece of cardboard. The first line read, "I have a God given gift of voice." That's ... extraordinary. Not recommended for most people, who should print their resume on paper and hand-deliver it to hiring managers, if possible. But a great idea starter. More importantly, Ted didn't waste weeks revising his resume until it was "perfect."
Burning questions:
* How many ordinary resumes have you sent to employers?
* If you're not yet ready, how much longer will you wait for your resume to be "perfect" before sending it out? And how many jobs have you missed out on in the meantime?
3) Ted didn't interview, he performed
When most job seekers get an interview, they retell success stories from their past, hoping employers will take a leap of faith and hire them. Bleh. Ted performed for anyone who would listen. His first "interview" -- the YouTube video that made him famous overnight -- didn't feature him begging for a job. No, he was DOING THE JOB in that video interview. Big difference.
Burning questions:
* How can you perform your most-employable skills at a moment's notice?
* If you're in sales, you can pick up a phone book and make cold calls.
* If you're a designer, you can draw on napkin.
* A teacher can deliver a memorable 5-minute lesson.
* A customer service manager can pose as a customer, call his target employer, and analyze their phone service.
You get the idea -- there is NO job that cannot be performed in an interview. Because, if you're hired you will have to perform anyway. Why wait?
4) Ted kept a positive outlook
Yes, your situation may be dire. You may have been jobless for months or years. You may have troubles with your finances, family, or health. But you probably won't be sleeping under a highway overpass tonight. So do what it takes to greet the world with a smile. It's the fastest way to make the best impression on anyone. And it doesn't cost a dime.
If Ted, a homeless, recovering alcoholic/addict, can be unfailingly polite and positive in his dealings with others, so can you. Just watch his video on YouTube, if you haven't already. Still not able to stay positive? Fine -- fake it for just 30 minutes tomorrow. Get out of the house. Meet one person. Talk to them about your job. Perform your skill. Do it with a smile.
After that, you can go home and scowl for the rest of the day. At least you'll have a home to go to.
Bottom line: If you get out, meet people, send an extraordinary resume, and "perform" in a positive way -- like Ted Williams -- you may find a job, too. Or the job may find you.
That's the Guerrilla way.
Kevin Donlin is contributing co-author of "Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters 2.0." Since 1996, he has provided job-search help to more than 20,000 people. For a free Guerrilla Job Search audio CD, visit MyNewJobHunt.com


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Iraq local authorities bring life back to historic Khan al-Shilan
It served as an Ottoman headquarters, a prison, an ice factory and a mill before falling into neglect. Now Najaf's historic and much loved Khan al-Shilan is getting a new lease on life -- as a museum.
Local authorities in Najaf plan to turn the structure into a museum featuring antiquities and archaeological pieces, as well as statues of rebels and some of the actual weapons they used in a 1920 Iraqi uprising against the British, during which captured soldiers were held at Khan al-Shilan.
In addition to its long history, Khan al-Shilan is significant due to the remains of drawings and dates left by the captive British soldiers, which are still visible on its walls.
According to Hassan al-Hakim, a history professor at Kufa University, Khan al-Shilan was originally intended to be a rest house for pilgrims visiting Najaf, which is home to the shrine of Imam Ali, one of the most revered figures in Shiite Islam, and visited by hundreds of thousands of pilgrims each year.
But it was used as an Ottoman military headquarters before the defeat of the empire in World War I, and then as a local government administrative building.
When the British occupied Iraq, they dispatched forces from Baghdad who took control of Najaf, and Khan al-Shilan.
But when Iraqis launched their 1920 uprising, Khan al-Shilan temporarily reverted to local control and was used as a prison to hold British troops captured in several battles.
In 1933, the first electrical generator in the city was installed at Khan al-Shilan, providing power for the old city and the Imam Ali shrine, Hakim said.
Khan al-Shilan was later used as a site to grind wheat, and then as an ice factory, he said. It was rented out in the late 1990s and parts of it were destroyed, while others were used for rubbish disposal.
Khan al-Shilan measures about 1,500 square metres (16,000 square feet) and features three cellars, as well as rooms arrayed around its courtyard. Its walls and entrance are decorated with Islamic designs.
Ahmed Kaabi, a 50-year-old who lives near Khan al-Shilan, said that "our memories are linked to it and we consider this place one of the symbols of Najaf."
The plan "to turn the Khan into a museum is a good project, despite the delay, because this place is very dear to us," Kaabi said.
After more than half a century of neglect, "this building tells a lot of the history of Najaf," said Hamza al-Khalidi, the director of Khan al-Shilan. It is of "major importance with respect to the heritage of Najaf."
Local authorities decided to turn Khan al-Shilan into a museum as part of the city's role as the Arab world's Islamic Capital of Culture for 2012.
But when the problem-plagued culture capital project was scrapped, the Najaf Archaeological and Heritage Directorate took over, and Khan al-Shilan is still slated to become a museum in 2013.
Najaf, the centre of Shiite religious scholarship worldwide, holds archaeological sites dating from a number of different periods.
But like many such sites in Iraq, not all are well cared-for, including the remains of the celebrated ancient Christian city of Hira, which lie neglected and mouldering a stone's throw from the Najaf airport because funds for excavation have dried up.
Khan al-Shilan has also suffered from a lack of attention.
It "was subjected to negligence since the departure of the British occupation until the last two years, in a way that affected the building and general structure," said Mahdi al-Saigh, a member of the Popular Heritage Committee in Najaf.
He called for the "formation of a commission to take care of Najaf's heritage, much of which has been lost."
"We have a complete list of the heritage sites and houses in Najaf and the surrounding areas," and request that the places be cared for, Saigh said.


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Community Art Show
Date & Time:
November 17th, 2019
Camelback Bible Church
Community Art Show
October 27 – November 24
This 3rd annual exhibit, hosted by Camelback Bible Church, is part of an ongoing endeavor to awaken the arts and to use the arts to bring glory to the bountiful creativity of our Maker. Our hope is that local artists will be inspired and encouraged while visitors and members alike take time to appreciate the skill and story of each piece.
Submissions are due by October 20th. Please email Karina at firstname.lastname@example.com or Johanna at firstname.lastname@example.com for more detailed instructions and information.
Exhibition Location and Hours
The artwork is displayed in the Sanctuary and may be viewed on Sunday mornings following each of the worship services (9:00 am and 10:45 am) and during the week, Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. If coming during the week, please stop by the church office so we can open up the exhibit area for you.
100 Talents
If you are an artist or are interested in the arts you are invited to attend the 100 Talents quarterly artists gatherings. Our next gathering is scheduled for Thursday, November 14th. More information here.
Questions? Contact Karina Downer at firstname.lastname@example.com or Johanna Watson at email@example.com


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Move this story off Versus and onto TruTV—the feds are getting involved and talking about witness tampering. Whoa.
Here's the report from the New York Times:
The F.B.I. has requested surveillance video from a Colorado restaurant to glean more information about a recent confrontation there between Lance Armstrong and his former teammate Tyler Hamilton, according to the restaurant's co-owner.
Jodi Larner, a co-owner of the French restaurant Cache Cache in Aspen, said in a telephone interview Tuesday that she spoke to an F.B.I. agent in the morning and that he told her she would be subpoenaed for the surveillance tape.
Federal authorities - who for a year have been investigating Armstrong for crimes relating to doping and cycling - are looking into whether the encounter between Hamilton and Armstrong on Saturday night constitutes witness tampering, said a person briefed on the matter. That person spoke on condition of anonymity because he did not want to jeopardize his access to sensitive information.
Hamilton's attorney told the Times that Armstrong went after his former teammate: "Would you feel threatened if someone said to you, 'We're going to destroy you on the witness stand and we're going to make your life a living hell?' Not a lot of shades of gray there."
But another restaurant patron said the discussion wasn't terribly heated, that Armstrong never left his stool. The question is, then, can Lance Armstrong intimidate a witness without standing up? Say what you will about seven Tours de France after surviving cancer, but that is one hell of an accomplishment.
PREVIOUSLY: Lance Armstrong Stepped To Tyler Hamilton Outside A Boys Room In Aspen On Saturday
Altercation Between Armstrong and Hamilton Interests F.B.I. [NY Times]


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Fujitsu is contributing to a safe, happy, and rich lifestyle and society by creating gentle relationships between people and ICT. The aim for an ICT society in which anyone can participate in all design activities using "Human Centered Design", which prioritizes people.
"Customer Centric Design", "Total Design", and "Universal Design" are the three main focuses for achieving "Human Centered Design".
"Product Design", "Solution Design", "Corporate Brand", and "User Experience" are the four design areas for developing specific products and services.
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The Collected Poems of Navi's Blogiversary
I have been really busy each day trying to write a line or two for each person who left me a message on my blog birthday - I did promise I would pen a verse or two! So too bad if you hate poetry, Navi serenaded you with words anyway! I sent most of these out to people and I will fix the links to the posts where they put it, but here is every poem I wrote for all my friends. Thanks guys!
Kamalia has so many alts
Their names all start with K
They're all dressed up with gorgeous mogs
It takes one's breath away.
She's also handy with a brush
Her artwork is divine
They're all so good! It's hard to choose
This one's a fave of mine.
Tyledres is my hero coz
She solos Razorgore
She even wrote a handy guide
So everyone can score!
I hope she gets her undead cat
And raid pets drop real soon.
I tried to help her out but she's
An honest kind of toon.
My dearest friend, what would I do
Without him in a raid
I always steal his innervates
And tranq when my tranq's greyed.
His company and patience when
He quests with one like me.
Would drive a normal person mad,
I guess I'm just lucky!
I wonder who this reader is
Their comment gives no clue
Do they write? Or perhaps podcast?
And are they red or blue?
A search reveals a US toon
Exactly the same name
Could that be him? Should I drop by?
What chances it's the same?
A bitch, she tells me, self confessed
Yet mellowed now with age
I wouldn't change a single thing
I've yet to see her rage!
We laugh at all the dirty jokes
We giggle at crude pics
She understands my need to vent
And need a bitching fix!
How do I keep thoughts pure and clean
When writing about Slice?
His woman Lyss likes telling me
Things naughty and things nice.
I like how you read all my fic
And nice comments you send.
I like how all your toons are girls
I love how you're my friend :)
I said it once, I'll say it twice
'bout how alike are we
In blogging and our game playing
And even clothes, I see!
It wasn't a surprise to hear
A fan gave you a pet!
I only wish I'd thought of that -
So glad that we have met :)
Doctor in Progress
Her med school days remind me of
Fun I had long ago
And peppered amongst science tests
Her thoughts on Warcraft flow.
I thank you for the note you left
When to my blog you came.
And hope in life you'll brighten lives
Much like you do in game.
A blogger and a healer who
Just wants to be insane.
She also sketches skillfully -
A night elf priest's her main.
I'm glad I got to know her more -
I read her indepth post.
So kind she let me screenshot her
She was an awesome host :)
A druid fair and oh so wise
Her knowledge is supreme
I turn to her when I need herlp
Being like her is my dream
Her guild seems like a tight knit group
(observing from guild chat)
Thrilling seeing heroic kills
Wish I could be like that!


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Are you open about your frugal lifestyle? If you've been keeping it hidden, maybe it's time to celebrate your thrifty ways. Here's why.
Sit down and grab a cup of your favorite beverage. I'm about to tell you the remarkable story of a young man who has built a successful online business; one that makes in excess of
So, why is a bald guy with no use for hair products and make-up writing about beauty secrets? Good question, right? But as an ad man, it's extremely helpful to know Hollywood secrets that I can use in the low-budget shoots I often attend. [more]
So, I can think of a few ways to turn a $1 into a $100 bill in a few minutes.
One would be to back a winning horse that has ridiculous odds. Another is to steal it. You could always ask your kind folks or other relatives for the money. [more]
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- Prayer and Worship
- Beliefs and Teachings
- Issues and Action
- Media
- Bible
- Catholic Giving
- About USCCB
Various forms of prayer are presented in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2623-2649). These various forms include prayer of blessing or adoration, prayer of petition, prayer of intercession, prayer of thanksgiving, and prayer of praise.
"Meditation is above all a quest."
Meditation is a Christian practice of prayer dating back to the early Church. As the Catechism states: "Meditation is above all a quest. The mind seeks to understand the why and how of the Christian life, in order to adhere and respond to what the Lord is asking." By meditating on the Gospels, holy icons, liturgical texts, spiritual writings, or "the great book of creation," we come to make our own that which is God's. "To the extent that we are humble and faithful, we discover in meditation the movements that stir the heart and we are able to discern them. It is a question of acting truthfully in order to come into the light: "Lord, what do you want me to do?" (CCC 2705-2706).
Meditation is an essential form of Christian prayer, especially for those who are seeking to answer the vocational question, "Lord, what do you want me to do?"
Spiritual reading of Sacred Scripture, especially the Gospels, is an important form of meditation. This spiritual reading is traditionally called lectio divina or divine reading. Lectio divina is prayer over the Scriptures.
Popular devotions are expressions of love and fidelity that arise from the intersection of one's own faith, culture and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As Saint John Paul II said in 2001:
Devotions promote the faith of the people.
"Genuine forms of popular piety, expressed in a multitude of different ways, derives from the faith and, therefore, must be valued and promoted. Such authentic expressions of popular piety are not at odds with the centrality of the Sacred Liturgy. Rather, in promoting the faith of the people, who regard popular piety as a natural religious expression, they predispose the people for the celebration of the Sacred Mysteries.
The correct relationship between these two expressions of faith must be based on certain firm principles, the first of which recognizes that the Liturgy is the center of the Church's life and cannot be substituted by, or placed on a par with, any other form of religious expression. Moreover, it is important to reaffirm that popular religiosity, even if not always evident, naturally culminates in the celebration of the Liturgy towards which it should ideally be oriented. This should be made clear through suitable catechesis" (Address to the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, September 21, 2001).Join with the Church as she expresses her praise and devotion to God through many popular devotional practices.
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solely for the user's convenience. By providing this link, the United
States Conference of Catholic Bishops assumes no responsibility for,
nor does it necessarily endorse, the website, its content, or
sponsoring organizations.


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Complete Story
Court Tosses Bundling Suit Against MSOs, DBS
By: Mike Farrell, Multichannel News
After two years of winding through the federal courts, an anti-trust lawsuit in California claiming cable and satellite TV operators and programmers harmed consumers by not offering channels a la carte has been dismissed, though the attorney for the plaintiffs vows an appeal.
"That was the plan from the beginning," said plaintiffs' attorney Maxwell Blecher, of Los Angeles. "Whichever side lost was going to appeal. That's what we plan to do and I'm pretty comfortable we're going to get it overturned."
That could take some time. Blecher said that the California federal courts are clogged with immigration cases, so an appeal could take anywhere between 18 months to 2 years.
The clerk's office for the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California confirmed that the case, Brantley v. NBC Universal, had been dismissed by U.S. District Court Judge Christina Snyder on Oct. 15.
The gist of the case is that the plaintiffs claim that cable operators and networks harm consumers by bundling programming into packages and tiers rather than making them available a la carte.
According to a report in Bloomberg News, Snyder denied a request by plaintiffs lawyers that they don't have to show competitors have been excluded to proceed with their antitrust claims.
"Plaintiffs do not seek to allege that any actual or potential competitors have been foreclosed from the tied product market," Snyder wrote in her ruling, according to Bloomberg. "It is not sufficient to allege that a desirable version of a product is excluded from the market."
Blecher said in an interview that will be the basis of his appeal.
"With all due respect I think she's [Snyder] wrong," Blecher said. "I don't think the law requires foreclosure in every circumstance."
The suit was originally filed in December 2007 and was prolonged by a ruling last June. It named programmers NBC Universal, Viacom, The Walt Disney Co., Fox Entertainment Group and Time Warner Inc., and distributors including Comcast, Charter, Cablevision Systems, DirecTV and Dish Network.
The suit claims contracts between programmers and distributors harm consumers because they force subscribers to buy programming that they don't want or watch. Bundling programming causes consumers to overpay for their video options, according to the suit.
Buttressing their argument in court papers was information from an FCC report that indicated consumers may overpay for cable by as much as $100 million annually by paying for undesirable channels. The plaintiffs sought four years worth of overcharges, $400 million, as damages.
Source: http://www.multichannel.com/article/358420-Judge_Approves_Charter_Reorganization_Plan.php?rssid=20061


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I decided to go ahead and start a new blog.
When I started this blog I didn't really know what I was doing or what I wanted from a blog. It has become something that I really enjoy.
The new site is HERE
The web address is: jessicanewmanca.blogspot.com
Here I go again.....


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Toronto comedian JJ Liberman has made it to final 24 on the fifth season of Gillette Drafted: The Search for Canada's Next Sportscaster.
The winner of the televised competition, which airs this fall on Sportsnet 360 (formerly The Score) gets a one-year contract with Sportsnet and will become a Gillette spokesperson.
Liberman decided earlier this year to take a shot at being a comedian, and he's already performed more than 200 shows.
For him, the contest is just another form of entertainment.
"I'm not going to limit myself to one avenue in life… I'm going to try to make things happen," he said.
Sportscasting isn't a goal he's dreamt of his whole life – he saw the contest as an exciting opportunity.
But Liberman isn't just acting. The 32-year-old said he loves sports, and before turning to comedy, he had spent most of his life trying to make it as a professional baseball player.
Although that didn't work out, he has spent time as a professional umpire.
To audition for the sportscasting contest, he headed down to Toronto's Eaton Centre at the beginning of June and shot a short demo that he ad-libbed.
He said right away he had a good feeling about his performance.
"There are a lot of people who can just talk sports, but a lot of it is delivery, too," he said.
The contest also tests participants' social media skills through a popularity contest. The two competitors with the most online votes will automatically make it to the Top 6, while judges will choose the other four.
Voters can cast their ballots once a day and can vote for up to six people per day until Aug. 6.
The finalists will be announced in the first two weeks of August, and the winner will be crowned during the show's finale in November.
Visit Drafted.ca to read about all 24 finalists and to vote.


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It's the month to enjoy cocido madrileño, a boiled dinner that may be the national dish of Spain. And, you thought it was paella or gazpacho! In fact, a meal-in-a-pot is enjoyed in every region of Spain. It's a family meal, perfect for a weekend or a holiday when there's time to cook, time to savor.
Through 31 of March, 37 restaurants in Madrid and the surrounding area are featuring the famous cocido in its many versions. For a list of the participating restaurants, go to http://www.rutadelcocidomadrileño.com/restaurantes-participan.php.
And, if you'd like to try this famous dish at home, here you have the recipe.
|Cocido madrileño, a meal served in tres vuelcos--first the soup, then a platter of meats and chicken and another of vegetables and chickpeas.
First off, I didn't grow up eating cocido. No abuela (grandmom) taught me the tricks. I don't have any castizo roots at all. I learned to make Andalusian cocido/puchero 50 years ago from village cooks. But the madrileño version, I learned from restaurant tastings and Spanish cookbooks.
I've tried to give you a pretty authentic recipe—but I admit to taking some liberty with the hallowed recipe! I use whole-wheat bread for the relleno, the typical dumpling that accompanies cocido. I substitute kale for some of the cabbage. And, while I always use a chunk of serrano ham and bone for the inimitable flavor and aroma it lends to the soup, I have never really liked the texture of cooked serrano ham. But, no! I would never, ever, substitute cooked smoked ham. It just wouldn't be cocido madrileño.
A cocido can be a one-pot meal, if you have a really big pot (olla or cacerola). You'll have to pay close attention to cooking times, adding ingredients to the pot so that they're all done at the same time. With experience, this is no big deal. But if, like me, you only make a full scale cocido once or twice a year, the chance of having underdone beef or disintegrating potatoes increases.
|Serve the soup first with fideo noodles.
|Then comes a heaping platter--beef, chicken, chorizo, pork belly, marrow bones, cooked ham, morcilla sausage, salt pork and relleno, fritters that are poached in the broth.
|Stewed cabbage is dressed with sautéed garlic and pimentón. I've added some (non-traditional) kale, as well.
|Chickpeas cooked with the meat and ham bone soak up lots of flavor. These are the castellano variety.
I opt to use three different pots. In the first one, the biggest, the chickpeas cook with the meats, bones and chicken. This produces the flavorful caldo, broth, that will be served as a first course. In the second pot, with an extra few pieces of meat bones, I cook the potatoes, turnips and carrots. In a third pan, I cook the chopped cabbage along with the chorizo and morcilla sausages.
You have some choices to make. Do you want the caldo—soup—to be as pale as possible or somewhat ruddy-colored? If you want it pale, cook the red chorizos and black morcilla separately. Do you like morcilla (blood sausage)? If so, will you choose the muy castellano, morcilla de arroz, sausage with rice? Or the rustic morcilla de cebolla, sausage with onion? Each has its fans. (I like Andalusian onion morcilla.)
If you prefer cocido-"light"—with reduced fat—I suggest making it a day in advance. After straining the soup, chill it overnight. Then it's easy to lift off the congealed fat and discard it. Keep the meats and vegetables covered with some of the remaining broth. Refrigerate them overnight too.
Before serving, heat the strained and defatted soup in one pot and cook the fideo noodles in it. Reheat the meat and vegetables in another pot.
|Relleno--patties of bread crumbs are fried, then simmered.
The relleno, also called bola or pelota, is a cross between a dumpling and a fritter. Made of bread crumbs, sometimes with the addition of ham or minced meat, it is shaped into small patties, fried in olive oil, then simmered in the soup pot. In households where meat was scarce, the relleno was a way of extending the meal. Now it's a cherished addition to cocido, especially liked by kids.
Stewing hen or boiling fowl adds a lot of flavor and doesn't fall apart with long cooking. If using ordinary chicken, add it after the pot has been cooking for one hour.
Put the chickpeas to soak in warm water 8 hours before cooking the cocido. Add them to the pot when the water comes to a boil. If you have hard water, use filtered or bottled water to cook chickpeas. You won't use a whole pound for one meal, but cooked chickpeas have many uses.
|Chickpeas cook in a mesh bag.
Skim off the foam that rises as the water comes to a boil. Skim again after adding the chickpeas.
If using ham and salt pork, additional salt probably will not be needed. Taste the broth after 1 hour of cooking and add salt if necessary.
Allow 1 medium potato per person or use larger ones and cut them in half to serve.
The soup, with meat, chicken and chickpeas, will be done in about 2 ½ hours.
Cocido Madrileño
Madrid Style Boiled Dinner
Madrid Style Boiled Dinner
|Two kinds of sausage, serrano ham, pork belly, salt pork, ham bone, stewing hen, beef shin and marrow bones plus carrots, potatoes, turnips, cabbage and chickpeas--cocido is a whole meal in a pot.
Serves 6, with leftovers
1 pound chickpeas
Hot water
¾ pound boneless beef shin (morcillo)
Beef marrow bones (hueso de caña con tuétano)
2 ½ -inch chunk of serrano ham bone
4 ounces boneless serrano ham
10 ounces fresh pork belly (panceta) or boneless ribs (costillas)
2 ounces salt pork
1 ¾ pounds stewing hen (gallina) or chicken
12 cups water plus additional for 2nd and 3rd pots
1 medium onion
2 cloves
1 leek
1 stalk celery
6 carrots, peeled
1-2 turnips, peeled
6 medium red boiling potatoes, peeled
Coarse salt
1 ½ pounds cabbage, chopped
3 links of chorizo (8 ounces)
6 ounces morcilla (blood sausage)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 clove garlic, sliced crosswise
1 teaspoon smoked pimentón (paprika)
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 tablespoon water
For the soup:
8 ounces fideos (vermicelli soup noodles)
Chopped parsley, to serve
For the relleno:
2 ½ cups fresh bread crumbs
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
¼ cup chopped parsley
2 eggs
¼ cup milk or water
Salt (about ½ teaspoon)
Olive oil for frying
Pickled onions as a side
Pickled green chiles as a side
Tomato sauce, to serve
Day before cooking the cocido, put the chickpeas in a large bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of salt and enough hot water (not boiling) to cover them by three times their depth. Allow to soak overnight (8 hours). Drain the chickpeas and rinse them in warm tap water.
In a large soup pot, place the piece of beef, bones, ham, pork belly and salt pork. Add the stewing hen and 12 cups of water. (If using chicken, add it after 1 hour of cooking.)
|Skim the foam from the broth.
Bring to a boil and skim off the foam that rises to the top.
Add the onion stuck with 2 cloves. Add leek, trimmed, and the stalk of celery.
Add the onion stuck with 2 cloves. Add leek, trimmed, and the stalk of celery.
|Add chickpeas to the pot.
Add the chickpeas. Bring again to a boil and skim again.
Cover the pot and reduce the heat so the liquid bubbles gently. After 1 hour, stir the pot. Taste the broth and add salt if necessary. Cook until the chickpeas, beef and chicken are very tender, about 1 hour longer.
Cover the pot and reduce the heat so the liquid bubbles gently. After 1 hour, stir the pot. Taste the broth and add salt if necessary. Cook until the chickpeas, beef and chicken are very tender, about 1 hour longer.
Allow the pot to settle for 10 minutes. Skim off the fat that rises to the top. If you've cooked the chickpeas in a special bag, lift it out and reserve the chickpeas in a bowl.
Place a strainer lined with cheesecloth or dampened kitchen towel over a clean pot. Ladle the soup into the strainer. Use approximately 8 cups to serve 6. Cool the soup, then refrigerate until the fat solidifies (overnight). Skim off the fat before finishing the soup.
In a second pan, cook the carrots, turnips and potatoes in some of the broth from the main pot or in salted water until they are tender, about 30 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to lift the vegetables out of the hot liquid immediately before serving. (If preparing the cocido a day in advance, the vegetables can be cooked and refrigerated until shortly before serving.)
In a third pan, cook the chopped cabbage in lightly salted water with the chorizo and morcilla until the cabbage is very tender, 30 minutes. While cabbage is cooking, heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a small skillet and sauté the sliced garlic. Stir in the pimentón, vinegar and spoonful of water. Drain the cabbage. Place it in a serving bowl and pour over the garlic oil.
Place the cooked chorizo and morcilla on a platter with the marrow bones, beef, pork, chicken and ham. Add the relleno.
On another platter, arrange the potatoes, carrots, turnip and leek. Drizzle them with olive oil and sprinkle with coarse salt.
Place the chickpeas in a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with chopped parsley.
Skim off fat from the strained soup. Bring it to a boil and add the fideos (noodles). Cook until they are al dente, 5 minutes.
Serve the soup as a first course. Serve the platter of meat and chicken, the platter of vegetables, the bowl of cabbage with garlic dressing and the bowl of chickpeas.
Serve pickled onions, pickled green chiles and tomato sauce on the side.
For the relleno:
|Mix breadcrumbs with garlic and parsley.
Combine the breadcrumbs, garlic and parsley. (Use a mini-processor to make the crumbs and to chop the garlic and parsley.) Beat the eggs with 1 tablespoon of water until they are foamy. Add to the breadcrumbs with milk and salt.
Form the mixture into 6-8 2-inch patties. Heat oil in a small skillet and fry the patties until they are browned on both sides. Drain on absorbent paper.
Add the relleno to the pot with the meats and cook 15 minutes. Serve the relleno on the platter with the meats.
|Serve the cocido with a red wine with denominación de origen Madrid.