text:
Bengals claim Skelton from Cards
Cincinnati, OH – The Cincinnati Bengals claimed quarterback John Skelton off waivers on Wednesday, two days after the onetime Arizona Cardinals starter was cut loose by his former team.
Skelton was waived as a result of Arizona's acquisition of veteran Carson Palmer from the Oakland Raiders. The three-year pro started 17 games during his tenure with the Cardinals, but produced a subpar 2-to-9 touchdown-to- interception ratio this past season and lost five of his six starts.
The 25-year-old has thrown for 3,707 yards with 15 touchdowns, 25 interceptions and a 53.2 percent completion rate over 20 career games.
Skelton will compete with recent free-agent addition Josh Johnson for the backup role behind Andy Dalton. Bruce Gradkowski, Cincinnati's No. 2 quarterback last season, signed with fellow AFC North member Pittsburgh last month.
The Bengals also announced that linebacker Vincent Rey, an exclusive rights player, has signed the team's tender offer.


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Triangle (Tie Saam Gok) (UK - DVD R2)
Reviewer Marcus Doidge checks out Triangle on this new Manga release...
Triangle (Tie Saam Gok) is directed by three different directors, Tsui Hark, Ringo Lam and Johnnie To. Told in three thirty minutes segments, the movie looks at three just-about friends Fei (Louis Koo), Sam (Simon Yam) and Mok (Sun Hong Lei) who are all very much in need of some cash. With the idea of a bank heist being just beyond their comfort zones, a mysterious man approaches them in a local bar and sends them down a path that leads to buried treasure under the nearby council building.
Everything up to this point makes sense, but everything beyond makes Triangle one of the most abstract movie experiences I've had all year. For starters, Triangle isn't noticeably split into three segments with different directors at all. It runs its course with a normal three act structure and other than the different settings and different problems to solve, the segments never feel artistically different to one another. Never mind all that though, as the movie makes no sense anyway, and I don't mean in an experimental film sort of a way, as the story is a fairly simple one really. There's just no development or focus to what is going on or the characters involved and nothing really held my interest because of it.
At the core of the tale are the three 'friends', which is a loose term at best here. They hardly know each other at all. They have nothing in common outside of money worries and none of them grabbed me as one to root for. Their relationships are never explored or expanded and frankly I didn't like any of them. As for the actual story - it's all over the place. At first it feels like an almost goonies-esq adventure story about lost treasure but then it becomes a gangster story and even a goofy heist bit of fun. It then trips into a pretty dark drama about Sam's wife, Ling (Kelly Lin), having an affair with dodgy cop, Wen (Lam Ka-Tung), and a sense that they plot to off Sam. Seriously this element gets crazy dark, even having crooked cop Wen running over a passerby and leaving him to die, which is never resolved.
This is really Triangle's biggest problem. There is so much going on within each character's set up, as well as the treasure through-line, that you just don't know what to feel about it. I had no idea what I wanted to happen, who I wanted to win or lose, or even if winning or losing was even an option. I didn't know if the treasure was important, I didn't know if Sam loved his wife or if he was a nut. I didn't know if what Fei was doing was funny or weird and I had almost no clue how we even arrived in the closing scenes, which consist of our main characters, some gangsters, a passerby cop and the craziest of tyre salesmen, all running around a field taking pot-shots at each other. Seriously, I couldn't for the life of me work out if this was being played for laughs or if I'd missed something in the translation. Mainly because what preceded this was one of the kookiest standoffs I'd ever seen and I wasn't sure how to perceive the closing events after.
Don't get me wrong, I know what happened in the film. I understood the unravelling events but what all of it meant or what could be learnt from all of this is a mystery to me.
A pretty grainy image overall with very little in the way of good points. The image is a noisy one with darker scenes really suffering with blue tinting and muddiness.
Daytime exterior shots look okay, with some of the brighter colours showing themselves off, but generally it's a quite muted affair that really isn't a transfer that feels or looks as if it's had much thought put into it.
The best option on offer here is 5.0 and as with a lot of 5.0 tracks, Triangle comes with that slightly hollow effect to it, despite making pretty good use of the five speakers.
Dialogue is clear, if not a little echo-y in places and music and atmospherics are all handled quite well, even though the mix often has problems with being a little piercing when things get a little too loud.
None for Triangle, but a wad of trailers including Dead Space, Death Note, Bleach, Hellsing Ultimate, Tokyo Zombie, Karas and even one for the upcoming free-running action game, Mirrors Edge.
I'm sure there will be people out there who'll find something in Triangle, but I just found it a bit of a mess. As with many movies with multiple directors, Triangle suffers from not quite being sure what it wants to be and because of that it totally lost my interest despite just about managing to hold my attention.
In fact, the only thing in this entire movie that I will probably remember in a year's time, other than that I didn't really like it, is that bat-shit crazy tyre salesman shaking his head about, yelling 'morning' and giving his prices for replacement tyres. Which is almost enough for me to recommend you check the movie out—almost.
Review by Marcus Doidge
Worst Nightmare Senior Member Join Date: July 2002 Location: Australia Posts: 6,716
A 5.0 track? I haven't heard of one of those before...
Chris Gould Editor Join Date: May 2001 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 7,171
More common than you'd think.
Suitable only for persons of 12 years and over
Disc Details
Release Date: 20th October 2008
Discs: 1
Disc Type: Single side, dual layer
RCE: No
Video: PAL
Aspect: 2.35:1
Anamorphic: No
Colour: Yes
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.0 Cantonese, Dolby Stereo 2.0 Cantonese
Subtitles: English
Extras: Trailers
Easter Egg: No
Feature Details
Director: Tsui Hark, Ringo Lam, Johnnie To
Cast: Louis Koo, Simon Yam, Sun Honglei
Genre: Crime, Drama and Thriller
Length: 89 minutes
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
Certainly the concepts have been covered repeatedly in countless articles, books or papers you can imagine, digging into the territory of Web development: server-side and client-side programming. While nowadays these areas are clearly differentiated and stand on their own in distinct scenarios, the requirements of modern websites demand heavy interaction between them. From database-generated navigational menus, to server-based CSS style manipulation, examples of server-client programming interaction are truly vast and numerous.
In most situations, this interaction is bi-directional. You might see either server-side languages, such as PHP, generating client-code, that means JavaScript/(X)HTML, or JavaScript functions building up data to be processed in the server. Either way, the process is often a two-way street. Particularly, if we take into consideration the first half of the equation, where PHP (or the server-side language of your choice) performs some kind of quick client-program generation, we rapidly end up storing some temporary data directly in the client computer's memory.
Of course, here we're discarding any other well-known client-side storage process, such as cookies, image-based data tracking, data coming in from local cached files or even from XML files. This issue immediately brings to mind a question that has caused several heated discussions: is it good to store data in the client this way? The range of opinions varies widely from a rough complaint to a resounding yes. The truth is that the answer is hard to give, since it relies strongly on several factors, such as amount of data, type, user hardware (remember we're using client system resources) and particularly data relevance.
Definitely, we'll agree that no critical data will be stored in the client, even if this sounds like common sense stuff. If you ever thought that critical information should be stored in the user's environment, please change your mind right now! However, regarding my personal experience, when building applications that heavily eat up a client's computer resources, difficulties can easily appear, causing browser crashes or complete system hangs.
But, all is not lost. As hardware rapidly evolves, and it's widely available to average users, there are certain cases where it is possible and even desirable to have a small application directly using the client's memory to store temporary data.
That's where this article series comes in. We'll demonstrate how to use this approach to store data in the client and noticeably reduce the client-server transferring process, developing a couple of applications useful for implementation on any project of your choice. Let's get ready to try out a combination of PHP and JavaScript.
{mospagebreak title=Lord of the Arrays}
Historically, one of the most common methods employed by developers to store data in the client for faster processing, is the use of JavaScript arrays. This aproach has been used for years in diverse aplications, where PHP generates the necessary code to create a JavaScript array structure and stores data either from files or, more infrequently, from database records. Let's consider, for instance, the following example, which shows a rough approximation to populate a JavaScript array with database information:
var rows=[];
$db=mysql_connect('dbhost','username','password') or die('Error connecting to the server');
mysql_select_db('mydatabase') or die('Error selecting database');
$result=mysql_query('SELECT * FROM mytable') or die ('Error performing query');
while($row=mysql_fetch_array($result, MYSQL_ASSOC)){
rows[rows.length]=<?php echo '"'.$row['name'].'"'?>;
In the above example, we're declaring a JavaScript "rows" array. We then use interspersed, procedural PHP code to connect to the MySQL server, extract some records from a sample table, and finally store the contents of a hypothetical "name" table field in the array. Despite the fact that the aproach is quick and dirty, it shows in a nutshell that storing server data using a PHP – JavaScript interaction is really simple.
However, the topic is not as unfavorable as it seems. There are cases where we can take advantage of JavaScript arrays to build up a less demanding application, which hopefully will run smoothly in the client's computer, avoiding unnecessary requests to the server. That sounds fairly good, doesn't it?
{mospagebreak title=Building JavaScript Arrays with PHP: the "createJavascript()" function}
In a moment of inspiration, I named the function "createJavaScript()". Let's see how it works. First, the function accepts two incoming parameters. It takes a generic $dataSource argument, which, as the name suggests, represents the source of data to be populated in the JavaScript arrays. Since the function must be flexible enough, I decided that it will accept either a flat text file or a database result set as possible data sources.
The second parameter is the name of the JavaScript array to be generated. So, if we ever need a JavaScript array named "news," which stores news headlines from a flat file called "news.dat," our function might be defined basically as following:
function createJavaScript($dataSource,$variableName){
// function code goes here
And, at any time, it may be invoked as shown below:
Having explained the meaning of each incoming parameter, it's time to list the code for the function. Here is its definition:
function createJavaScript($dataSource,$arrayName='rows'){
// validate variable name
die('Invalid variable name');
// initialize JavaScript string
$javascript='<script>var '.$arrayName.'=[];';
// check if $dataSource is a file or a result set
// read data from file
// build JavaScript array
// read data from result set
// check if we have a valid result set
die('Invalid result set parameter');
// build JavaScript array from result set
foreach($row=mysql_fetch_array($dataSource,MYSQL_ASSOC) as $column){
$tempOutput.=$column.' ';
// return JavaScript code
return $javascript;
The function code is really easy to follow, so take it slowly while you look at what it does. As I mentioned previously, the function accepts the two parameters $dataSource and $arrayName, respectively. Please notice that I've specified a default "rows" array name for the last parameter, which, as usual, might be easily changed to generate another JavaScript array.
The first step to be followed is to check whether the name of the array passed as the argument is a string type data. If it's a string, then a $javascript variable is set, assigning to it the initial code for building the <script> opening tag, and initializing the proper JavaScript array. Otherwise, the function is simply killed, by calling a regular die() statement.
The following lines execute the process above described:
// validate array name
die('Invalid variable name');
// initialize JavaScript string
$javascript='<script>var '.$arrayName.'=[];';
The next task to be performed within the function is verifying whether the supplied argument $dataSource is either a text file or a database result set. Using the "is_file()" PHP built-in function, the checking process is quickly done.
If the function determines that the argument passed as a data source is a file, then each line of the corresponding file is read and stored in the dynamically generated JavaScript array, whose name was specified as a function argument. How is this done? Just by looping through the file lines and assigning their possible values to the JavaScript array, in the following way:
// read data from file
// build JavaScript array
Now, the function pieces are fitting nicely, because at this point the JavaScript array has been dynamically generated, storing the contents of the source file specified. Now, the data resides in the memory of the client's computer, waiting to be processed in any way possible. Probably, you'll have your own ideas about how to take advantage of such a useful data structure.
But, wait a minute! What hapens if we've passed a result set to the function? Don't worry. We'll cover that in the next section. Keep on reading!
{mospagebreak title=Dealing with result sets}
By now, we're halfway home. We've already seen how to build a JavaScript array from data files, right? Now, the function should be capable of working with database result sets, at least at a basic level. Fortunately, our function checks to see what type of data source has been provided. If the parameter $dataSource is a result set, then table records are extracted with a regular loop, and stored in the proper JavaScript array, following the same method aplicable in flat data files. The lines that extract table records and create the JavaScript array are listed below:
// check if we have a valid result set
die('Invalid result set parameter');
// build JavaScript array from result set
foreach($row=mysql_fetch_array($dataSource,MYSQL_ASSOC) as $column){
tempOutput.=$column.' ';
Luckily, we've stored database records in the dynamic array. Before we move on, a little explanation is in order here. Notice that inside the loop process we've retrieved each table field, separating them with a single blank space. Why did we do it that way? The reason is quite simple: by doing so, we can access each table field value later, by simply splitting the string of data returned by the function.
However, possible additions are probably valid too. We could have stored field values in a bi-dimensional JavaScript array, for further access. The flip side is that we'd be taking up even more client memory, making the overall storage a crash prone process. So, to keep things simple, we're using the first aproach.
Still following the function explanation? Good, because we're almost done.
Once the function has done its thing building the JavaScript array and populating it either with flat data files or database records, it must end up completing the code, adding a </script> closing tag, and returning the output, just like this:
// return JavaScript code
return $javascript;
As I told you before, we're almost done. Our function takes a file or database result set, generates an array structure with the values obtained, and finally returns the complete JavaScript code, ready to be included in any application for further processing.
Okay, it's time to test our function. Let's show a practical example to see how it can be used.
{mospagebreak title=Getting practical: putting the "createJavaScript()" function into action}
In order to see the practical uses of our newly developed function, let's create an example to illustrate its functionality. Say we need to read information from a simple text file that contains some information about music albums, and store that data in a JavaScript array, which will be processed at later time. Our "album.dat" file might look as simple as this:
Tales of Mystery and Imagination
The Best of The Alan Parsons Project
I Robot
Eye In The Sky
The Turn of a Friendly Card
The Definitive Collection
Vulture Culture
The Instrumental Works
Pop Classics
Now, we can call our function in the following way:
echo createJavaScript('album.dat','album');
That's really simple, right? In this example, we've invoked the function to read data from our "album.dat" file, specifying that the information has to be stored in a JavaScript array named "album." So, what's the point of that? Well, if we take a look at the document source code, we find that the function has nicely created the array structure, storing each file line as array elements, as listed below:
var album=[];
album[0]="Tales of Mystery and Imagination";
album[1]="The Best of The Alan Parsons Project";
album[2]="I Robot";
album[3]="Eye In The Sky";
album[4]="The Turn of a Friendly Card";
album[6]="The Definitive Collection";
album[7]="Vulture Culture";
album[8]="The Instrumental Works";
album[9]="Pop Classics";
I think that you understand now the capabilities of the function. With a few lines of code, the data is now available to us in a JavaScript array. Undoubtedly, we're really storing data in the client. Let's think about its possible uses and build an application to manipulate this data, without loading the server with unnecessary requests.
In this first part of this series, we've implemented a simple mechanism to make PHP and JavaScript interact, creating a function which, once fed with a data source (i.e. files of database records), builds an array structure and stores the information in it. This allows for programmatic data manipulation without server interaction.
However, we must be fair about this method and show its pitfalls too. The major issue is, definitely, its strong dependence on JavaScript. The second problem is the limited amount of stored data allowable in the client's machine, without compromising the system's stability.


text:
Canada, Italy ready for Davis Cup quarterfinal battle
Vancouver, BC – Canada and Italy will square off this weekend in a best-of-five Davis Cup quarterfinal tussle in Vancouver.
Friday's opening singles matches will pit 18th-ranked Italian Andreas Seppi against Vasek Pospisil and world No. 16 Canadian star Milos Raonic versus Fabio Fognini on an indoor hardcourt at Thunderbird Sports Centre.
Saturday's doubles has a Canadian duo of Pospisil and veteran doubles great Daniel Nestor taking on an Italian tandem of Daniele Bracciali and Paolo Lorenzi, while Sunday's reverse singles pit Raonic versus Seppi and the world No. 31 Fognini against the 140th-ranked Pospisil.
The Italians are captained by Corrado Barazzutti, while team Canada is led by Martin Laurendeau. This is the first-ever Davis Cup meeting between the two nations.
The Canada-Italy winner will meet the Serbia-USA victor in the semifinals in September.


text:
Where there's smoke arising from a free-speech matter, you're likely to find the fiery attorney Floyd Abrams. He's blazed a trail for freedom of the press from the Pentagon Papers case to protecting reporters' sources. He's just as incendiary when he's fighting forced warning labels on cigarettes and championing the Citizens United court decision. Abrams' memoir, "Friend of the Court," arrives as news media and government are again at loggerheads over reporters' phone records and revelations-by-leak of widespread domestic surveillance — all burning issues for him.
What do you think about the NSA leaks?
It's good to have a public debate. There's no arguing with the proposition that, as the president stated, you can't have 100% security and 100% privacy. But the administration is not focusing sufficiently on the loss of personal privacy imposed by the NSA activity, which we now know is major.
Are the NSA revelations bigger than the Pentagon Papers, as Daniel Ellsberg has said?
In some ways. The papers were a historical study [that] showed government misconduct that the NSA [reporting] does not. The impact on American society of the NSA surveillance may well be greater than the impact of the Pentagon Papers study.
In the scandal over the seizing of phone records of Associated Press and Fox News reporters, the Obama administration is being compared to the Nixon administration.
I don't think President Obama is like President Nixon. He doesn't have an enemies list. However strongly I feel the policy has gone astray, [it is] not aimed at people who disagree [with Obama].
That said, it's troubling to the point of being dangerous, particularly about Fox. What the government said in its filing was that simply asking questions of someone in the government who had access to classified material can be deemed a crime under the espionage law. [But the crime of espionage] requires proof that the accused engaged in this activity for the purpose of harming the U. S. or helping a foreign country. There's nothing which would suggest that was true, or that the government would even argue that.
Is that a post-9/11 provision?
No, that's a 1918 provision. The Espionage Act is one of those relics. We're stuck with the same overbroad language written at the conclusion of World War I. The 1918 law ought to be changed. My only concern is whether Congress would make it worse.
The president has seemed shocked that anybody would think his administration was criminalizing reporting.
But that's what they were doing. There are lots of things we don't do even though they might help accomplish an end; that's especially true of the government.
Do you think this is an aberration or something more symptomatic?
The administration has become so overzealous in leak investigations that it seems to have lost sight of the need for vigorous journalism. At the same time we try to protect national secrets of real moment. Sixty years ago, as Secretary of State Dean Acheson was about to leave office, he wrote to New York Times columnist James Reston and said: "Your job is to pry. Mine is to keep secrets."
That doesn't mean the press ought to publish everything; the AP played it by the book. They had information which dealt with national security. They went to the government to ask if it would do harm if they published it. Only when the government was about to release the information did the AP [publish] it. That's the way the system ought to work. If the press learns some things that could do some harm, we hope and trust they don't reveal those — but we don't allow the government to make all the decisions.
The Washington Post published just four, out of 41, NSA PowerPoint slides. In the case of the Pentagon Papers, the press was also a discerning intermediary. Compare that to WikiLeaks.
I have been very critical of WikiLeaks. I don't believe WikiLeaks behaves the same way the New York Times did or that Daniel Ellsberg did — he withheld three volumes from the New York Times because they contained information about negotiations to try to end the war; [releasing that] would [have] hurt the cause of resolving the war. That's not the way Julian Assange and WikiLeaks behave. They release so much information that could do harm to national security that I think they shouldn't be viewed as heroic but as, often, reckless. That said, we can't pick and choose among speakers who gets 1st Amendment protection.
The constitutional scholar Ronald Dworkin argued that you can't turn the 1st Amendment into a pointless mantra that subverts rather than sustains democracy.
I disagree significantly with his view. It would constantly require an [official] assessment of whether certain speech benefits or does not benefit "democracy." I don't want government officials deciding what furthers democracy. What furthers democracy is freedom of speech. When you're talking about political speech, virtually anything goes and should be legally protected — that's at the core of the disagreement over Citizens United. The point is we take the benefits and sometimes the harms of living in a free society.
You argued for the plaintiffs in Citizens United. A lot of people put an asterisk by your name because of that.
I know! As a matter of principle, the Citizens United case was rightfully decided. A lot of people have no idea it was rooted in the 1st Amendment. We can argue about the impact of the case, but saying it can be a crime to put a movie denouncing Hillary Clinton on TV when she was the leading Democratic candidate is inconceivable and utterly inconsistent with the 1st Amendment.
Has Citizens United made you a hero on the right?
Mini. It does get me a few fans I'm a bit uncomfortable with.
Is technology changing our sense of the 1st Amendment?
The cliche —– like a lot of cliches, not totally wrong — is that everyone is a publisher [now]. That changes the dynamics of 1st Amendment protections. It's inconceivable that the law is going to protect everyone on the Internet who promises [a source] confidentiality. We will deal with that by looking at the function of the speech at issue, if someone on the Internet is performing what has always been a journalistic function, [applying] the 1st Amendment [with] some reconciliation with a new form of communication.
I have no doubt if Julian Assange had been the recipient of the Pentagon Papers, he would have lost that case. It was fortunate for the protection of freedom that the New York Times and other papers were the litigants.
Would you defend Julian Assange or Edward Snowden, the NSA leaker?
I would tell Assange: You really ought to get someone who thinks better of you. [As for Snowden:] I'm not joking when I say he really needs a criminal lawyer. He has all but confessed to one serious crime: misusing classified information.
The president has proposed a federal shield law for journalists.
I'm in favor of it. It's not clear what the impact would have been in these cases involving the AP and [Fox's] James Rosen, because the draft legislation leans over backward in the direction of protecting national security information. But at least it requires the government to go before a judge.
In your book you write about presidents coveting more power. Didn't the Obama administration take a huge preemptive step in that direction?
That's true. We can hope that having been burned to some degree, the administration will have learned a lesson.
Why do Americans have such an ambivalent relationship with free speech?
Because the 1st Amendment is counterintuitive. It's tough to accept that we should let people say things that are dangerous or harmful.
Think of the terrible anti-gay, anti-American military demonstrations [by the Westboro Baptist Church] at funerals of American soldiers, that were held protected under the 1st Amendment. The films of animals being tortured and killed, protected by the 1st Amendment. And both of these by an 8-1 vote. If you gave the public those cases, [they'd say,] like the woman on the jury in "My Cousin Vinny": "Fry 'em!"
When you read the 1st Amendment for the first time, was it an epiphany?
I came to the 1st Amendment in a tortured way, in college. I wrote my senior thesis supporting the English system, quite a free country but without a 1st Amendment. I thought, if there's a criminal trial going on, why should the press be able to publish a confession unless it was introduced in court? Why should the press be able to publish a prior criminal record of a defendant when it could interfere with a fair trial? In England, journalists go to jail when they publish that.
What changed my mind is that I started to meet journalists. I came to a law firm that represented NBC during the Nixon administration; a good deal of what journalists were doing seemed to me admirable, and I engaged in a rethinking. The American system answers the problems I mentioned without imposing limits on the press. But it took a while for me to get there.
On the 200th anniversary of the Bill of Rights, people read from the Constitution in New York City. They let me read the 1st Amendment, and people applauded. Then the next person read the 2nd Amendment and was booed. Only a New York audience!
Were you on the Nixon enemies list?
No, I didn't make it. I was sort of young. I always felt left out!
Follow Patt Morrison on Twitter @pattmlatimes
This interview was edited and excerpted from a taped transcript. An archive of Morrison's interviews can be found at latimes.com/pattasks.


text:
Welcome to the Disney Maniacs Forum. We're glad to see you stop by. The DM forum is where everyone can come discuss their favorite Disney movies and characters. We've been on the net for over a year now, and we welcome anyone to come join our fantastic forum.
A big thanks to Jessica at Glamorous Banners for our Banner and buttons!
coding help: rcr


text:
JM's Nicaraguan RobustoView details
JM's Nicaraguan cigars- the only cigar I've ever seen where the manufacturer practically GIVES you the cigar. It's unlike anything we've ever seen here. These stogies are stuffed with Nicaraguan tobaccos, bound in a Connecticut broadleaf, and wrapped in a rich maduro leaf. Now, you could buy a box of 24 Gordos, but you can super size it to a box of 50 in any other size for as little as $13 extra. For under $2 a stick, you're getting prizefighting flavor from this underdog. Get yours now!


text:
Well I've had to change desktops for the 3rd week in a row. This is an old standby, hopefully it has some wins left in it.
For those of you that don't live there, this is the view when you break out of the southbound viaduct tunnel from downtown Seattle with a view of the waterfront and both stadiums.
Sorry for it being a bit oversize. trying to hurry here and get ready to be the guy at the door for trick or treat.


text:
This was no ordinary classroom, and these were no ordinary teachers. Monday afternoon I found myself in the office of the Vice President of the United States surrounded by four of the best role models any parent could hope for: The winner and three runners up of the National Teacher of the Year contest. Second lady of the United States Dr. Jill Biden hosted the intimate roundtable.
Their classroom expertise touches on everything from preschoolers with autism to high school physics, their passion and dedication from East Coast to West. Meet our new school rock stars:
Teacher of the Year: Jeffrey Charbonneau, a chemistry, physics, and engineering teacher at Zillah High School in Zillah, Washington. Charbonneau also founded and oversees the Zillah Robot Challenge, where teams compete to assemble and program robots, is a yearbook advisor, and drama assistant director.
Finalist: Rhonda Holmes-Blankenship, an English teacher at Rising Sun High School in North East, Maryland. Holmes-Blankenship sees her greatest contribution in building relationships with students who need support to bridging the gap between their family backgrounds and college and career aspirations.
Finalist: Alex Lopes, a pre-K special education teacher at Carol City Elementary School in Miami Gardens, FL. A Brazilian by birth, Lopes is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese. He embraces the opportunity to educate children who come from diverse backgrounds and are also English language learners.
Finalist: Heidi Welch, a music teacher at Hillsboro-Deeing High School in Hillsboro, New Hampshire. A former "Music Teacher of the Year," Welch has conducted the Boston Pops orchestra and both her chorus and band programs perform at Disney World.
Clearly they know their way around smart boards and periodic tables.
But a bigger challenge for this crew is the need to educate moms and dads. When it comes to communication, "we've learned that it's not what works for us as teachers, but what works for the parents," explains Lopes, who strives to "create a bridge between the classroom and home."
Welch notes that although her job is in the band room, she reaches out to algebra and English teachers to create a support system for her students, so multiple team members are working together to keep them on track, even when they might not have the support at home.
It's this sort of extra effort that Dr. Biden—a lifelong teacher herself who was back in the classroom just days after her husband's inauguration—hopes to promote. "I know how hard teachers work. The national conversation around teaching has to change. We've been hearing more negatives than positives. It's time to celebrate them and their profession," she emphasized.
Plus: Discover Waht a Day in the Life of a Teacher is Really Like
National Teacher Day is coming up on May 7. What do these four classroom wizards want parents to do to show their appreciation? Don't panic—no late-night baking or math skills are required.
Here are four simple homework assignments for you. And remember to thank a teacher:
- "Don't limit the possibilities for your children. Allow them to try things you think they might not be good at, and when the going gets tough, convince them they have the ability to do it." —Jeffrey Charbonneau
- "Remember that it's not just about good grades. You want to foster a love and appreciation of learning something new." —Rhonda Holmes-Blankenship
- "Expose them to cultural and linguistic differences, to help them learn from and with each other." —Alex Lopes
- "Give them all the love you can at home. That love and support will give them the confidence they need to succeed." —Heidi Welch
Plus: Learn More About How to Work With Your Child's Teacher
Do you have any inspirational teacher stories? Let us know.


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New Car Review
2014 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class: New Car Review
Not too long ago, the 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class would have been unimaginable among the Stuttgart brain trust. The carmaker offered the military-derived G-Class for SUV customers, of course. But Mercedes families drove station wagons with rear-facing third-row seats, and that's just the way it was.
Fast-forward to America in 2014, however, and it's obvious that wagons have been superseded by high-riding 3-row crossovers. Indeed, Mercedes already conceded this point with the first-generation GL-Class. But they've really taken the gloves off this time around, bidding a decisive auf Wiedersehen to the good old days with the second-generation 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class.
It's hard to exaggerate the epic scale of this vehicle. The 7-seat GL has the passenger space of a minivan, the ride of an S-Class luxury sedan and the acceleration of a sports car. It has every techno-gadget in the book. There's even a completely absurd AMG version that makes 550 horsepower.
Not for the faint of heart, this Benz.
But then, that's kind of the point. Truth be told, the new GL is less a modern Mercedes wagon than it is a Cadillac Escalade with a thick layer of German performance, refinement and quality on top.
It may not be what Stuttgart traditionalists would prefer, but there's no denying the excellence of the automaker's latest crossover creation.
What's New for 2014?
Following the GL-Class model's complete update for the 2013 model year, the 2014 lineup carries over with only minor packaging and color/trim changes.
What We Like
Outstanding gas and diesel engines; sumptuous interior with all the toys; adult-friendly third row; excellent highway manners
What We Don't
Desirable option packages inflate cost; massive size isn't for everyone; items such as keyless go, which are standard on lesser cars, cost extra
How Much?
Fuel Economy
The GL350 BlueTEC is powered by a 3.0-liter turbodiesel inline 6-cylinder that cranks out 240 hp and a beastly 455 lb-ft of torque. This is truthfully our favorite GL engine, as it whisks the nearly 3-ton crossover around effortlessly while returning an impressive 19 miles per gallon city/26 mpg hwy.
The GL450 switches to a gasoline-powered, twin-turbocharged 4.7-liter V8 rated at 362 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. You get more outright speed with the 450, and the twin-turbo V8 is amazingly refined, but fuel economy dips precipitously to 14 mpg city/19 mpg hwy.
If you want a gasoline engine, you may as well go all-out and get the GL550, which cranks up the turbo boost on that 4.7-liter V8 to the tune of 429 hp and 516 lb-ft. Fuel economy is barely affected at 13 mpg city/18 mpg hwy.
Finally, if you simply can't abide with less than 500 hp, the GL63 AMG will save the day with a 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 that pumps out 550 hp and 560 lb-ft of torque. The AMG version's fuel economy is nearly identical to that of the GL550, at 13 mpg city/17 mpg hwy.
Standard Features & Options
The 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class comes in four variants, from a (relatively) modest clean diesel model to an over-the-top high-performance AMG version.
The GL350 BlueTEC ($63,000) has a 240-hp 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 that produces an impressive 455 lb-ft of torque. Exterior options include a lighting package ($1,390) with adaptive bi-xenon headlamps, a panorama roof ($1,090) and illuminated running boards ($670), as well as several wheel/tire combinations. The Premium 1 package ($3,680) offers a long list of extras, including an 80-gig navigation system, a 10-gig music hard drive, SiriusXM audio with traffic and weather, voice control, a 14-way adjustable driver seat, a power-adjustable steering column, power-folding mirrors, heated and cooled cup holders and a 115-volt rear power outlet. Additional comfort and convenience options include multicontour front seats ($1,100), ventilated front seats ($570), heated second-row seats ($620), a Harman Kardon sound system ($850), a rear entertainment system ($1,950), keyless go ($650) and rear side window sunshades ($380). Though the GL-Class has a comprehensive list of standard safety features, options include a Driver Assistance Package ($2,800) with adaptive cruise control, blind spot and lane-keeping assists, a Lane Tracking Package ($875) with blind spot and lane-keeping assists, a self-parking Parking Assist Package ($1,290) with surround view and a la carte Parktronic ($970).
Opt for the GL450 ($65,475) and you'll get a gasoline-powered, twin-turbocharged 4.6-liter V8 variant with more horsepower (362 hp) but less torque (406 lb-ft) compared to the entry-level GL350 BlueTEC diesel model. An Appearance Package ($1,340) adds 20-inch wheels, illuminated running boards and chrome exhaust tips, while the aforementioned Lighting Package ($1,390) is also available. The same interior comfort and convenience package options are available as on the GL350, and the safety options are, too.
The GL550 ($88,600) goes for brawnier performance with a twin-turbo 4.6-liter V8 that's tuned to produce 429 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. The GL550's more generous standard items make the only major exterior option, on top of the usual wheel/tire combos, a panorama roof ($1,090). Inside, the Premium 1 package comes standard, while options include heated second-row seats ($620), a rear entertainment system ($1,950) and rear side-window sunshades ($380). A driver-assistance package ($1,950) adds adaptive cruise control and blind spot and lane-keeping assists.
The top-line GL63 AMG ($118,160) packages even more standard items along with an outrageous 550 hp 560 lb-ft twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V8. A wood and leather steering wheel can be added for $1,050, or a more modern-looking AMG performance steering wheel runs $500. The AMG model offers an available Bang & Olufsen sound system ($5,400) and several of the rear comfort items available in lesser GL variants.
The 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class comes with standard stability control, 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes and no fewer than 13 airbags, as well as a list of available driver aids, including active blind spot assist and lane-keeping assist.
Neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has crash-tested the current Mercedes-Benz GL-Class.
Behind the Wheel
By all rights, the GL-Class should drive like a school bus, because that's approximately how large this crossover is. But Mercedes has worked some magic with the GL's driving character, employing a light yet accurate steering system to great effect. We're not saying the GL is nimble -- far from it -- but it's not intimidating to drive either, and that's the important thing.
As for cruising comfort, well, this is where the GL really excels. The standard air suspension takes the bumps out of almost any surface, and the cabin remains library-quiet at speed. Off-road, meanwhile, the new dual-range transfer case makes the GL a legitimate 3-row Range Rover alternative for more adventurous families.
Not surprisingly, upgrading to the V8-powered GL450 or GL550 will deliver commensurately more satisfying acceleration, but the ultimate expression of big crossover performance comes with the GL63 AMG, which offers positively mental levels of performance from this plus-sized sport 'ute.
Other Cars to Consider
Cadillac Escalade -- Think of the $67,970 Escalade as the GL's boisterous American cousin. It's a relatively cheap date, and you'll have a lot of fun inside its plush, well-appointed cabin.
Infiniti QX80-- Based on the capable Nissan Patrol SUV produced for overseas markets, the $62,550 QX80 is a legitimate off-roader with a luxurious interior, clad with distinctive (and controversial) exterior styling.
Lexus LX 570 -- The $81,780 LX 570 is getting on in years, but it still brings a wonderful V8 and spacious 3-row seating to the table, bundled with pricing that fuels its status as an exclusive, low-volume product.
AutoTrader's Advice
The impressive breadth of powertrains within the Mercedes-Benz GL lineup makes this a big crossover with something for (nearly) every person seeking a premium sport 'ute. While there's something tempting about the big power of the GL550 and GL63 AMG versions, real-world demands make the GL350 BlueTEC's impressive torque and surprising fuel economy figures of 19 mpg city/26 mpg hwy the one we'd order. Tick the Premium Package box and add a few other extras and you have a spacious, comfortable and luxurious 7-passenger car that's ready for almost anything.


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Cheap Suv Car Rental in Iasi Airport- Have you got to rent a car in Iasi Airport, Romania from suv class? View the cars in our fleet listed below and our wide selection of inexpensive rental cars from economy car rental to luxury car rental. If you want to change the rental location, use the corresponding filter, then go to the desired class, car brand or save your favourite low cost cars.
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Iasi International Airport
Iasi International Airport, has a modernized terminal, ensuring direct flights with Bucharest, Bologna, London, Rome, Turin, Vienna and seasonal with Antalya and Heraklion; this is one of the oldest accredited airports in Romania.
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Although Iasi does not dispose of a public transportation line to make the connection between the city and the airport, customers being thus forced to resort to taxi service, the number of tourists who chose to land at the airport, has increased by 2011.
Let our driver take you around, whether you are in Iasi, Romania for your holiday or your business trip, browse through our website to view our car rental offers and get in touch with EuroCars Iasi to hire a car. Apart from regular rent a car services, we can also offer our clients several services that will allow them to enjoy the scenery or rest in a comfortable atmosphere. One of them is the airport transfer in Iasi and it is meant to help you get from the airport to the hotel you are staying or to a city/town outside of Iasi. You can choose to do just one way or a round trip. Our Customer Service operators are here to offer you more details.
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A performance like the one Dixon�s Malik Simmons had last week is hard to forget.
A performance like the one Dixon�s Malik Simmons had last week is hard to forget.
And why would the senior running back want to forget his 350-yard, 3-touchdown effort in the Bulldogs� 62-57 win over Croatan last week?
It was one of the most impressive offensive outputs I�ve ever seen in a high school football game, and it was a performance that Dixon coach Brandon Iseman had never seen.
�I don�t think I�ve ever been apart (of a game) where someone rushes for that many yards,� Iseman said. �It definitely was a first for me. He has great vision . H e�s very explosive , and he gets to his top-end speed very quickly.�
Simmons� career -best game put him at the top of leading area rushers with 1,110 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Still, the 17-year-old speedster is taking his effort with a grain of salt. While he was happy to play well and help the Bulldogs (5-2, 1-0 East Central 2-A Conference) win entering tonight�s game at Northside, Simmons isn�t looking back.
He wants to move on. He wants to get better.
�It hit me Friday night and I understood what I did, but every week you have to forget about the last game and move forward,� Simmons said. �I look at what I can do better.�
There wasn�t much that the 5-foot-9, 178-pound Simmons did wrong against Croatan. He averaged 11.6 yards per carry and scored touchdowns on runs of 56, 62 and 29 yards to stand out in a game that saw the two teams combine for 1,197 yards of offense.
But Simmons was quick to reply when I asked him what he can do better.
�For myself, maybe I can have more intensity for my team,� he said.
Simmons said he changed his approach to the sport entering the Croatan game. He recalled going into games with a lot on his mind, but he adjusted his demeanor last week. Simmons came in wanting to have fun and didn�t worry about outside factors.
�Before other games I was stressful, but last Friday night I had a chilled attitude,� he said. �I wanted to have fun and I wanted to do whatever it took to get yards and to get touchdowns.�
That approach certainly worked.
Now for the panel
The Daily News sports page designer Mike Boaz still leads the JDN high school football forecasting panel at 47-10 after going 5-2 last week.
Second is WCTI-TV 12 sports anchor Brian North, who went 6-1 last week to move to 46-11. Third is Halifax Media regional desk chief Richard Clark (6-1 last week) at 45-12, followed by me (44-13) after I went 6-1. Next is JDN sports editor Rick Scoppe (7-0) who now sits at 43- 14 , followed by Kinston Free Press editor Bryan Hanks (4-3) at 39-18.
This week�s games
East Duplin at Southwest
Boaz boasts: SWO 27-13
Clark cites: SWO 26-20
Hanks honks: SWO 28-12
Miller mentions: SWO 28-14
North notes: SWO 14-13
Scoppe says: SWO 24-10
Dixon at Northside
Boaz boasts: NS 28-10
Clark cites: NS 32-14
Hanks honks: NS 24-21
Miller mentions: NS 34-13
North notes: NS 28-17
Scoppe says: NS 35-14
West Craven at Richlands
Boaz boasts: WC 21-7
Clark cites: WC 14-12
Hanks honks: WC 34-22
Miller mentions: WC 35-17
North notes: WC 30-22
Scoppe says: Rich 28-26
Havelock at White Oak
Boaz boasts: Have 42-0
Clark cites: Have 44-14
Hanks honks: Have 42-0
Miller mentions: Have 49-7
North notes: Have 42-7
Scoppe says: Have 47-7
North Brunswick at Croatan
Boaz boasts: NB 21-7
Clark cites: NB 26-0
Hanks honks: NB 38-20
Miller mentions: NB 35-20
North notes: NB 45-38
Scoppe says: NB 35-21
East Carteret at Lejeune
Boaz boasts: Lej 28-7
Clark cites: Lej 26-20
Hanks honks: Lej 35-7
Miller mentions: Lej 35-21
North notes: Lej 32-24
Scoppe says: Lej 41-10
Swansboro at West Carteret
Boaz boasts: WC 17-14
Clark cites: Swans 30-20
Hanks honks: Swans 35-34, OT
Miller mentions: Swans 27-21
North notes: Swans 18-17
Scoppe says: Swans 28-21
Prep sports writer Chris Miller can be contacted via email at firstname.lastname@example.com or by calling 910-219-8472.


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Lemonade Mouth - "Don't Stop The Revolution" Video!
Adam Hicks, Naomi Scott, Hayley Kiyoko and Chris Brochu aren't stopping the revolution. In fact, they're heating it up.
The four Lemonade Mouth stars came back together for a new track to promote Mark Peter Hughes' sequel, "Lemonade Mouth Puckers Up."
"I'm very grateful to the cast of the movie, who were not only kind enough to make a new song and video just for the new LM book (which comes out TODAY!) but they also made these special photo & video messages for me. What nice people, huh? (Stay tuned… more on the way!)" Mark wrote on his website.
Grab the book, and the song and watch the music video below!
Lemonade Mouth – "Don't Stop The Revolution" Video
Posted to: Adam Hicks, Chris Brochu, Hayley Kiyoko, Lemonade Mouth, Naomi Scott


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Lessons in the Art of Mix & Match from Our House Tours
If there's one mantra pervading the entire shelter industry, it's avoid matchy-matchy at all costs. After all, variety is the spice of life. Well, a jog through the homes I've photographed for you over the past year revealed some of the most important lessons in mastering the art of the mix.
• Mix style eras. In both Angelique & Dan's Feminine Vintage Harmony (picture 1) and Saule & Chris's Clean Eclectic Family Home (picture 3), the owners mix iconic mid-century modern seating in with traditional pieces for a look that's collected, fresh, and interesting.
• Don't be a slave to bed sets. In their East Coast Yuppie Bungalow (picture 2) Aaron and Shannon created a warm and eclectic vibe in their bedroom with an uncommon and upbeat mix of patterns and textures on the bedding. Hallie and Mark of Hip Slice of History house tour fame employed a similar tactic in their guest bedroom (picture 4), creating a layered and casual bohemian feel by combining orphaned bedding items in a variety of prints and styles.
• Throw in an unexpected accessory. The feminine ruffled pillows in the understated rustic living room of Meredith's Historic Farmhouse Dream (picture 5), is a great example of using something "off" to keep a neutral room from becoming too mushy. Likewise, in their Layered and Luminous Arlington Retreat (picture 6), Marya & Rick's used animal print inspired upholstery on a single arm chair, which shakes up the whole feel of the otherwise neutral and traditional living room) It can be a piece of art, an accent color, or a throw, but one small "off" factor influences the whole feel of a room.
• Counter-balance strong styles. Every room in both Zoe and Trey's Refined Eclectic Georgetown Digs (picture 7) and Allison's Playful Chinoiserie Modern (picture 8) could be a lesson in variety, but their living rooms deserve special attention. Zoe counterbalances the rustic exposed brick and stag hags with a mix of plush and polished furniture which gives the whole room an air of collected sophistication. Allison plays down the formality and daintiness of chinoiserie inspired pieces with a bold striped rug.
Images: Leah Moss for Apartment Therapy


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IT Management Slideshow: Test Your Brainstorming Chops
So, you think you're the master of brainstorming? You believe you're the diva of ideation? Take our quiz and see if you know the right questions that will lead your organization to successful, executable ideas. First, though, let's debunk some myths about what makes for good brainstorming. Myth 1: There are no bad ideas. Well, yes, actually there are. Especially if they're not rooted in connecting innovation with a clear customer need, either internally or externally. Myth 2: If you sit in a room with people and simply list every single idea that comes into participants' minds, it will be productive because at least one great idea will emerge. No, not quite. This kind of scattershot approach too often clouds clear, focused thinking. In the book Brainsteering: A Better Approach to Breakthrough Ideas (HarperBusiness/available now), sibling authors Kevin P. Coyne and Shawn T. Coyne reveal a refined approach to the familiar concept of brainstorming. The authors are both former consultants with McKinsey and Company, and now run The Coyne Partnership, a business consultancy. The book demonstrates how powerful it can be to ask the right questions. We devised this quiz to test your brainstorming know-how based on examples from the book. See if you can match these six questions to the companies that really asked them—and how they were answered with great market success.


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Tell Congress to enact the Arbitration Fairness Act now to protect the rights of employees and consumers.
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- Forced Arbitration Letter to the Department of Education
to receive regular updates on our campaigns for access to justice and consumer protection.
The Forced Arbitration Rogues Gallery highlights just some of the corporations using fine print contract clauses to keep consumers from holding them accountable. Learn More.
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The International Humanoid Robotics Exposition went well and so did the software and hardware interfaces. So far, the HIS Humanoid International Study has extended to the USA, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and China. I'm looking forward to additional travel to new countries to continue this project.
WIN XP is now handling at least one humanoid platform for programming and motion control. One humanoid was down with an ankle problem requiring some maintenance which went smoothly. Due to a high volume of use, this humanoid has had approximately 12 mechanical repairs involving arms, legs, ankles, and shoulders.
At least 35 projects are all going on at the same time to accelerate the accomplishments per unit time. However, not all projects are updated in the projects section. I'll try to get to this in time. Some of the newer projects are hardware related. At this time the majority of the projects involve extensive software.
Some thought is being placed into the concept of a book to document the rapid development of humanoid inventions. I will need much of my laboratory equipment and will have to pick that up during another trip to the laboratory which may happen later this year.
Some time was spent on a new invention for the observatory, i.e. a new kind of telescope. Additional time was spent on the world's famous remote robotic telescope. I hope to have some clear weather after the rainy season passes to get some clear proof of concept images through the scope. A third invention was designed which directly involves accelerating the capabilities of Otis Observatory and establishing its perimeter to new countries.
Some work was aimed towards developing a safety device for world wide use. In addition to a hardware product, a virtual product is in the design that encompasses the humanoid robot. It will be interesting to measure the results once the VR programming is completed.
A small amount of time was spent studying a computer cam and examining the potential range in imaging applications. Another study was imaging software related to gain numerous functions for vision and clarity. A lens study was completed that compared various EFLs using several virtual oculars. This went excellent, and the gain, in addition to optical, produced some exquisite results, worthy of paper publication.


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All US orders will be shipped using either Fedex or USPS priority mail. A tracking number will be sent to the email that you provided when placing the order. Normal shipping times for US orders are around 2-3 business days after the item is sent unless you paid for faster delivery.
International shipping cost is calculated by product weight and shipping address. A tracking number will be provided, but once the item is outside of the US, it will not be tracked. Please allow 7-14 business days for international shipping as each country's system for delivering packages is different.
Payment of customs fees or duties is your responsibility, and is due at the time of delivery. For more information on customs or duty fees, please contact your local customs office.


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I've been writing a little more at Mack's Mets in the last few weeks and had just posted my thoughts on how the Mets might approach the off-season when three transactions were announced in short order last night. The additions of Frank Francisco, Jon Rauch, Ramon Ramirez and Andres Torres gives my initial projected 25-man roster a different look from the one I posted there just 24 hours before.
SP- Santana
SP- Dickey
SP- Niese
SP- Pelfrey
SP- Gee
No changes to the starting rotation. If the Mets decide at the last minute to non-tender Mike Pelfrey, they can hold an audition for a fifth starter in Spring Training.
RP- Francisco
RP- Rauch
RP- R. Ramirez
RP- Carrasco
RP- Beato/Parnell
RP- Byrdak/lefty specialist
RP- Herrera/lefty specialist
Carrasco is under contract and supposedly Byrdak is as well, even though I can't seem to find anything confirming that. Regardless, the Mets won't break camp without two lefties in the bullpen so you can pencil in two southpaws among the seven relievers. I think Daniel Ray Herrera will be one of them mostly for PR purposes, since he's the visible return from the Francisco Rodriguez trade and won't cost more than $500K in salary.
I do not understand why a financially strapped team that will struggle to reach 80 wins spends over $10 million on relievers in one night. Francisco (2 years, $12 million) is a perfectly ordinary closer who may be the difference between 80 wins and 82 wins this season. I'm just not sure whether he's going to have a positive or a negative effect. Ramon Ramirez is actually a very solid reliever who should be successful in Queens in 2012. I'm a little concerned about what he'll make in arbitration, but it can't be worse than the $3.5 million Rauch will be making in 2012. He hasn't been the same since being overworked by Washington in 2006 and 2007 and has dealt with injury issues annually. Things will not end well for Jon Rauch in New York.
It appears there's only one spot left for either Bobby Parnell or Pedro Beato now. Suffice it to say, I'm hoping it goes to Beato.
C- Thole
1B- Davis
2B- Murphy
3B- Wright
SS- Tejada
LF- Bay
RF- Duda
IF- Turner
OF- Torres
I had Pagan penciled in as the starting center fielder, but I don't think Torres automatically has a lock on the job. Andres Torres is an excellent defensive outfielder, but he's not much of a hitter. His on-base percentage is too low for the top of the order and he doesn't have the type of base-stealing ability to make a team forget about how little he actually gives himself a chance to steal. A 6-7-8 of Torres-Thole-Tejada has a certain rhythm to it, but it's also going to be a black hole of OBP. Long story short, the Mets have opened a hole in center field by making a deal that was more about acquiring Ramirez than it was about replacing Pagan with Torres.