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�Is that a new tie?�
That�s what one of my co-workers asked me one day this week. I was not wearing a necktie at the time.
She was referring to the handmade paper ties that hang in my cubicle. I had just put up a new one. I now have three � two plain paper and one deluxe one that is laminated and is tied with a piece of yarn that allows me to put it around my neck and wear it.
These are the kinds of things you bring to work when you have children.
One of my kids is in kindergarten and the other goes to a church preschool two mornings a week. It�s the same church preschool the 6-year-old attended for two years.
These ties come from the yearly events held for fathers. You�re invited to hang around after drop-off time one morning to see what goes on in class, have some breakfast and socialize.
Last week, I went to Donuts with Dads with my daughter. There were seven of us dudes. A similar event is held for moms on a different day, but it�s not really the same because every day is moms� day in preschool.
We watched the kids have circle time. They had practiced a couple of songs to sing with us but, being 2-year-olds, things didn�t go exactly as planned. The teachers did all the singing while the kids looked on. My daughter, I�m proud to say, did sing one of the songs to me later, by herself.
After circle time and singing, we hear the results of surveys the children respond to that always provide a laugh. How old is your Dad? What�s your Dad�s favorite color? What does your Dad like to do for fun?
The kids usually peg their fathers as being about 5 years old and say that we love to clean cat boxes or go to the grocery store in our free time. Along with this survey, we get a portrait our child made of us.
And we wear paper ties. Some of us are wearing ties for work and then have two to wear at once, some only one.
This time, I also got a picture frame my daughter painted that has a photo of the two of us. This is also at the office.
Of the many things I�ve enjoyed about parenting so far, preschool has to be near the top of the list. There aren�t many places you can visit that are warmer or more welcoming. When I leave there in the morning I wish I could turn around and hang out all day instead of going to work. Even just being there for a few minutes puts me in a better mood for the rest of the day.
I really like my son�s kindergarten as well. It�s also fun and welcoming. But it�s also school; work needs to be done and going every day for seven hours can wear a 6-year-old out.
Preschools are pretty much run by women. Women who are almost all mothers themselves do the teaching. Moms do the majority of dropping off and picking up. Most of them are SAHMs (stay-at-home moms). In fact, I don�t think I�ve ever been anywhere in which women seem to be more in their natural environment than at a preschool. They are totally focused on their children and their fellow mothers. Dads aren�t unwelcome; they are just kind of ignored. That�s fine with me; I�ve been ignored by women for years.
There have been studies reporting that subsidized preschool programs, like North Carolina�s More at Four, don�t show much of an academic difference later in life for the kids who attend versus the mean.
I don�t see it that way. There are lots of things to fund, but I think pre-K programs should get equal attention. If you don�t want to put tax money into pre-K programs, give parents a tax break for preschools like the one we get for daycare.
There�s more to a child�s development than testing metrics. There is the kind of nourishment and socialization a child gets by interacting with other children and learning to be away from home. There is the warmth that a good preschool provides.
No matter what the tests say, kids who show up for kindergarten without ever having been in a classroom environment are at a disadvantage.
Preschool is definitely worth it. For the kids, and for the dads, too.
City editor Brent Lancaster can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com or 336-506-3040. Follow him at twitter.com/tnbrentl.


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The LocoRoco, who have been living in harmony on their faraway planet, are suddenly invaded again by the evil Moja army, who have brought with them a terrible song that sucks the life out of living things. The LocoRoco must once again save their planet, this time by making lots of sweet music.
By using the simple buttons on your PSP to tilt the LocoRoco's planet back and forth, you can manoeuvre the jelly-like blobs and help them to collect musical notes and instruments as they bounce across land, and for the first time, under water. As you collect more and more music, the LocoRoco will learn to sing and perform wonderful songs that will protect their planet's nature from being destroyed by the terrible music of the Moja.
Listen as the LocoRoco's songs become livelier and louder. Collect a musical note and listen for an extra singer; collect an instrument and listen for extra percussion. The more you collect, the more of a musical act your LocoRoco will perform, it's like composing your very own LocoRoco musical on your PSP!
Play across 25 vibrant new stages, six new mini-games, and plenty of hidden challenges, including an ad-hoc four player battle. Your LocoRoco have a variety of new actions to perform including grass-blade jumping, climbing inside shells, swimming underwater and of course singing! They'll also meet a whole new cast of secret characters, of whom they will be forced to decide: are they friend, or are they foe?
LocoRoco 2 isn't just a musical treat – the game's colourful and simple art style is a treat for the eyes too. Like the original game, LocoRoco 2 is a unique game experience; easy to play, instantly addictive and guaranteed to make you feel all warm and fuzzy while you hum along to the soundtrack!
LocoRoco 2 is currently scheduled for release in North America on Feb. 10, 2009 for $19.99.
More articles about LocoRoco 2

subset: commoncrawl


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Works on: iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad
Cost: $1.99
For: Pre-K and Kindergartners learning to read
Anyone who is a fan of the Monkey Math educational app and its ingenious number-learning activities has probably been eagerly anticipating its word-based sister app. The wait is over! Monkey Word School Adventure is another great creation from THUP Games that teaches kids everything they need to learn their letters, phonics and A, E, I, O, U (and sometimes Y).
There are different activities in the app for kids to rhyme, spell, recognize letters and identify sight words in a fun and interactive way. Whether it's helping a hamster through a maze through words, repairing a bridge with a lost letter or carving a letter into a stone wall, kids will be learning without even realizing they're doing so.
The graphics are fun and the voice in the app is encouraging throughout each activity. After a few have been completed, kids are awarded with a prize of their choice for use in their terrarium. If you have little ones who are learning their letters and learning to read, Monkey Word School Adventure is an app worth checking out.
If you have an app that you'd like considered for Screen Play, please contact email@example.com.


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Select Your State:
We do so in many ways. First, by helping optimize their market selection, we help an agency write and retain more business. Second, because of our size and scale and historic profitability with our Carrier Partners, Iroquois members share in preferred commission schedules and better profit sharing opportunities than even large agencies can earn on their own. Third, we provide an array of consulting and other services to strengthen an agency's operation and help them grow. Lastly, we use our negotiating leverage to negotiate discounts on insurance vendor's products and services for our members.


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Check out 15608 great deals for the search sniper rifle. Take a look here for other great listings such as: airsoft paintball, airsoft rifle, sniper rifle, m16 rifle or ar 15 and also look through Rifle to browse for more great Spring bargains on Sporting Goods items from HockeySandwich.com.
If you're looking for sniper rifle you might also try searching for: sniper, rifle, Airsoft, Gun, paintball and air.


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CINCINNATI - Edgar Renteria wasn't feeling good on a hot afternoon, hoping he could just stay in the background while his stomach recovered from whatever was bothering it.
No such luck.
Renteria replaced injured rookie shortstop Zack Cozart in the fourth inning on Saturday and wound up playing a pivotal role. He drove in three runs, rallying the Cincinnati Reds to an 11-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves.
Cozart hyperextended his left elbow while trying to make a tag, getting Renteria off the bench. His two-run double off Derek Lowe (6-8) started a three-run rally in the sixth inning that put the Reds ahead.
"You don't want to come in like that," Renteria said. "You don't want guys to get hurt, but I'm glad I was ready when they called me. I didn't feel good, but I had to play."
Manager Dusty Baker didn't have any other option other than Renteria, who has struggled all season. The former World Series MVP had only 14 RBIs coming into the game.
"Fortunately, Edgar was able to come in and give us three big RBIs," Baker said. "He was sick, too. Hopefully, he's feeling better tomorrow. He really came through big-time when we needed it. He's going to play a big role down the stretch."
Brandon Phillips had a pair of run-scoring doubles, and Todd Frazier doubled with the bases loaded as Cincinnati pulled away.
Homer Bailey (5-4) threw 53 pitches in the first two innings, but made it through six on a 92-degree afternoon. Lowe's bases-loaded double drove in a pair in the second.
"That was a gutty performance," Baker said. "He was in trouble from the beginning. He wasn't getting any first-pitch strikes. They were beating him to death, but it was only 2-1.
"That was pure guts out there. That was the difference. The guy's a battler, a fighter, and that's half of the game and a whole lot of pitching. He battled himself into a win."
It was Cincinnati's highest-scoring game since an 11-2 win over Pittsburgh on April 16. The Reds scored seven runs in the seventh, matching their season high. It was the most runs off Atlanta's staff in an inning this season.
The Reds remain stuck in their win-one, lose-one pattern. They haven't won consecutive games since June 14-15.
Lowe took a 2-1 lead into the sixth but couldn't get another out. Jay Bruce, out of the lineup with an inner-ear problem, had a pinch-hit double, starting Cincinnati's comeback. The Reds cobbled together five consecutive hits for a 4-2 lead, knocking Lowe from the game.
Renteria singled home another run off Scott Proctor in the seventh, when Cincinnati sent 11 batters to the plate. Frazier's three-run double made it 11-2.
Bailey routinely fell behind in the count, setting himself up for a tough time. Atlanta couldn't take full advantage, stranding eight runners during his six innings.
"That's part of the game," Bailey said. "You have to learn how to pitch with guys on base. I got a lot of practice on that today."
Jason Heyward was thrown out at the plate while trying to score from second base on Freddie Freeman's single in the first inning. Atlanta loaded the bases with one out in the second, and Lowe doubled for a 2-1 lead. Lowe leads the Braves' pitching staff with eight hits and six RBIs.
Atlanta left the bases loaded in the inning when Brian McCann flied out to the warning track in center.
Braves second baseman Dan Uggla ran before the game, testing the sore left calf that kept him out of the lineup the two previous games. He was back in the lineup on Saturday and singled in his first at-bat, extending his hitting streak to a career-high 14 games.


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University of Vermont
2011-12 Online Catalogue
Policies and General Information
University Responsibility
Many courses involve instruction in and the use of various types of power equipment, laboratory apparatus, and specialized facilities. The University takes every precaution to provide competent instruction and supervision of such courses. It is expected that students will cooperate by following instructions and exercising precaution. In case an accident resulting in personal injury does occur, the University can assume no responsibility.


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Goals, Periodization, Lessons Learned
September 20
Board of Directors Meeting.
The board requested that I take the meet directorship again for the 2010 meet. Admittedly in some ways, I would like the job again. There is a satisfaction at running a successful meet where many swimmers enjoy the meet, express gratitude and a desire to return, and do so the next year. And maybe I am afraid that someone else will screw things up, discouraging swimmers from returning again.
But on the other hand, I would like to swim in the meet as a participant. I found it mentally and physically difficult to do so a few years ago when I tried.
As meet director, I signed up to swim the breaststroke events. All three races were disasters, with the 200 breast race the worst. I was unable to do a pullout at the last turn, having run out of steam, even though there was plenty at the pool. . .
This was the year the water temperature clocked in at a tropical 88 degrees. I like to blame my poor races on the water temperature. But it was also mentally hard to run around the event ensuring things were running correctly, and then jump into the hot water warmup lane, loosen up, and swim a race. I decided to give up trying to swim and direct at the same meet.
The pool manager was told in no uncertain terms that if the water ended up this way again for our meet, we would rent another pool. One thing that Fairfax County pool managers hate more than the seniors complaining about the cold water temperature is the loss of revenue. Since then, that manager has moved on, and new managers for the subsequent meets have been very cooperative and working with us to solve problems (like the water temperature.)
Only Superman and Wonder Woman can swim in the same meet they are managing.
Updated October 21st, 2009 at 01:07 AM by Rnovitske


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I have maybe 1 day of scheme/lisp experience, and glad I found this forum.
I have a simple question.
Ok I know theres a null for detecting an empty list. However I have no idea how to find how many elements in a list. ie: (a) would return 1. Is there like a count function?


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Stephanie Thomas Skater Profile
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Iowa cows generate electricity with help from Alliant Energy
Iowa customers of Alliant Energy are getting some of their electricity from cows.
The more than 2,400 head of cattle at Sievers Family Farms near Stockton, Iowa, are among the latest to start generating renewable energy in the state. In total, Alliant Energy has partnered with 520 Iowa customers to create renewable electricity for themselves and the energy grid.
The digester at their farm uses the gas from the cattle manure as a fuel to power an electric generator. This unit provides up to 1 MW to both the farm and Alliant Energy's electrical grid. When the generator is able to run, it can create the same amount of energy that would power about 1,000 homes.
"Iowans are looking for more ways to be sustainable, and this project is one way we're helping," said Doug Kopp, president of Alliant Energy's Iowa utility. "This digester reduces the overall greenhouse gas emissions by burning the biogas as a fuel to produce electricity."
The digester is just one way renewable energy is being generated in Iowa. When added up, Alliant Energy's Iowa customers will have the ability to generate more than 23.3 MW of renewable energy this year, when conditions are right. Renewable energy requires certain environmental thresholds to work effectively. Often, these include direct sunlight, strong winds, or animals in the case of the Sievers' farm.
"By working with Alliant Energy, our cattle are able to bring even more value to Iowa families. As a farmer we're used to growing food for everyone. Now, with advancements in technology and help from Alliant Energy, we're able to effectively create renewable energy, as well," said Bryan Sievers, manager and partner with AgriReNew.
AgriReNew is a joint venture partnership with Sievers Family Farms, Sievers Renewable Energy, and Davidson Renewable Energy.
Alliant Energy works with customers through interconnection agreements. These agreements ensure a system is installed safely, and that it works together with the existing electric grid. Customers looking to install renewable energy need to first sign an interconnect agreement with Alliant Energy.


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DAYTONA BEACH -- Moving her hips from side to side with nine other first-year band trumpet students, Erica Jones yelled out "Let's Go, Wildcats" and then raised her horn to her mouth and began playing.
The 18-year-old freshman from Miami was in her first day of practice Monday for the Bethune-Cookman University marching band with about 100 other freshmen or first-year band students, up about 5 percent from last year.
National attention to hazing and the death last year of a Florida A&M University drum major has put a "negative image" on bands, especially at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), according to B-CU director of bands Donovan Wells. But it didn't deter new students from applying.
"Image wise (hazing and the death at FAMU) has had a huge impact on us and every HBCU band because of the old adage we all have been painted with the same brush," Wells said. "But when you get down to the day-to-day operations and the product on the field -- all of that will be status quo."
For Jones, she was considering both B-CU and FAMU, even though she was also accepted to other universities. She ruled out FAMU because of the death of Robert Champion, the drum major who died in the FAMU hazing incident last November after the Florida Classic football game. Her mom said going to FAMU was "out of the question."
Jones also liked the "sound" of the Bethune-Cookman band and it being "very detailed."
Jones was "scared" at first with the national attention to hazing and going from a high school band into a college band -- "but I couldn't put my horn down. When I'm performing, I feel like I'm expressing myself."
She and her family also looked into Bethune-Cookman's history and its anti-hazing policies.
Eleven FAMU band members are facing felony charges in their fellow band member's death and two are facing misdemeanor charges. The FAMU band is suspended and will not perform during the 2012-13 academic year, officials said.
The 33rd Florida Blue Florida Classic, a major fundraiser and football game in Orlando for both universities, is still planned for Nov. 17 with Bethune-Cookman's band performing during half-time. The theme for the weekend activities will be focused on anti-hazing and anti-bullying, according to officials from both universities.
Jones and other first-year members, who started practicing a week before the full band arrives, said Wells spoke to them during orientation that hazing is not tolerated.
Jasmine Green, 19, of Orlando, a sophomore who plays the clarinet and transferred from South Carolina State, said the B-CU band has "more discipline" and is "more organized" than other bands. She also said Wells "enforces rules and expects everybody to follow them."
Wells also ensures the students keep at least a "C" average.
"Mr. Wells keeps you on your feet. There's no slacking," said first-year band member Jamar Smith, 20, of Miami, a sophomore.
Charles Carter Jr., 18, a freshman from Stone Mountain, Ga., who plays trumpet, said he liked the sound of the trumpet section and the discipline.
"When you're in the stands, there's no talking. You are just playing," Carter said.
When it comes to hazing, Micheal Crane, 21, of Atlanta, one of the five drum majors, said, "We know not to do it as upper classmen."
Wells said there was an allegation of hazing at Bethune-Cookman last year that was investigated by campus officials and was unfounded, and "it was the first one we had in 16 years" that he has been the director.
"We have a zero tolerance," Wells said. "I'm not going to say we haven't had a student to come in with that idea (of hazing) or upper classmen who have tried to implement that. We have kids who have enough trust to make us aware. We've sent a strong message the last 16 years to students that if you even try to implement (hazing), your band career is over at Bethune-Cookman."
Anti-hazing policies are in the band handbook and students are also given the state law and criminal penalties dealing with hazing.
Wells, who is a 1984 Bethune-Cookman graduate who performed in the band, said his message to his students is things like hazing "don't bring results" and "tear up relationships and friendships."
"One question I pose to my kids is, 'What advantage will you have by having hazing?' There is none," he tells his students. "Anything you think hazing brings, I'll show you 10 things it will tear down,' "
As far as the Florida Classic, Wells said Bethune-Cookman is going "to show up and do an outstanding performance."
He expects tickets sales will be impacted, but to what degree "we don't know."
All proceeds from the game and related events support both schools and provide scholarships for students.
The Florida Classic Consortium, a not-for-profit made up of representatives of both Bethune-Cookman and FAMU, have been meeting about activities for the event. An announcement is planned for the end of this month.
Sharon Saunders, a spokeswoman for FAMU, said, "I know it will be exciting and entertaining for our fans."
Greg Creese, director of communications from Florida Citrus Sports, which manages the game for the two universities, said the weekend "is definitely going to be different given the absence of the Florida A&M band. But we are going to try to use it to take things in a positive direction and also celebrate the weekend just like we always have."


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Are you looking for a place nearby to enjoy the outdoors with your family, a few close friends or your civic group? Have you enjoyed hunting, fishing, or shooting in the past, but public areas close to home are crowded and there is nowhere else to go? Do you want your children to grow up with an appreciation of the outdoors?
If so, North River Retreat is the place for you!
Situated on 437 acres in Hampshire County, West Virginia, we are only a couple hours from the Washington, D.C. area and 45 minutes from Winchester, VA.
We provide a large variety of activities, ranging from sporting clays, fishing, and camping to hunting for quail, deer and turkey. We also offer several outdoor training courses. We have a small cabin with two guest bedrooms for overnight guests. Hopefully, we can offer something for you to enjoy at North River Retreat. You don't need to be skilled in the outdoors to come here. We have shotguns, fishing rods and other equipment available at no cost. All you have to do is show up!
Our Sporting Clays Range is Available for Morning or Afternoon Rental! Do you want to shoot on a clays range that is reserved just for you and your group? Do you want to want to try shooting clays but you don't have a shotgun and other equipment?
Then rent the NRR Clays Range for a morning or afternoon!
Our sporting clays range is available for a private shoot by family members or friends during the morning or afternoon. Come on out and give it a try! We have 20 gauge shotguns, vests and safety equipment available at no additional charge. You can purchase 20 and 12 gauge shotgun shells on-site or feel free to bring your own. Our sporting clays range has five automatic traps (throwers).
Five shooting platforms provide participants a variety of shots at different speeds and angles. Later in the course, shooters move from the platforms and experience shooting at targets coming at even faster speeds!
Twice a year, we offer sporting clays clinics taught by John Alexander. John is one of only 30 Level III instructors in the United States certified by the National Sporting Clays Association and he is one of the finest shooting instructors around. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, this is a great opportunity to meet John and learn more about this challenging sport.
Guided Quail Hunting with Dogs
Have you hunted quail in the past but have given up trying to find wild coveys locally? Do you love watching hunting dogs finding birds and going on point?
Then come on out and try a morning quail hunt at NRR!
NRR is a licensed shooting preserve. A 6-day non-resident shooting preserve license to hunt quail only runs $10. We normally begin hunting in early to mid-October, depending on the temperature. Quail are released from various locations throughout the property, providing an opportunity for our clients to hunt in different types of habitat.
Normally, 40-50 birds are released prior to each hunt, dispersing naturally from each release site. The shooting is fast, furious and fun!
Molly and Leila, our two English setters, are (as always) raring to go again this year. You are also more than welcome to bring your own bird dog. Just call or e-mail to reserve a date!


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After a tough first year at an Ivy League university, 20-year-old Sarah was looking forward to relaxing over the summer. Unfortunately, her parents made that impossible.
"My dad's an alcoholic, and my mom's addicted to dating alcoholics," the Stanford, California, native says. "They're divorced, and my dad is broke, so I had to help him get government assistance. Meanwhile, I needed to deal with my mom's drama about the terrible guys she chooses." Between running her mom's dating life and managing her dad's finances, Sarah was exhausted by summer's end—and relieved to return to college thousands of miles away. "I can't do much from here, so I can't feel guilty," she says.
These days countless teens like Sarah, who are coping with irresponsible parents, are forced to step in as the mature party. "When parents refuse to act like adults, it creates a power vacuum. Someone has to fill that space, and most often it's the teen son or daughter," explains Karol Ward, a licensed psychotherapist and author of Worried Sick (Berkley).
While Sarah had to take care of her mom and dad, nineteen-year-old Nicole,* in Buffalo, found herself playing guardian to her younger sister when their mother was MIA. "When I was sixteen, my fourteen-year-old sister Jen* and I wouldn't see my mom for three or four days at a time," she says. "I had to drive Jen to school and feed her because Mom wasn't around." The stress of the situation led to heated arguments that eventually destroyed Nicole's relationship with her mother: Now they are completely cut off from each other. "I'd complain about taking care of my sister, and my mom would say it was my responsibility because she was gone all the time working," Nicole says. "But her business wasn't open all hours of the night—she was with her boyfriend!"
Some of today's adults want to be young and free more than they want to be parents, explains Susan Shapiro Barash, author of You're Grounded Forever . . . But First Let's Go Shopping (St. Martin's Press). "It's like this group enters a second adolescence, and their kids have to hang on for the ride," she says. The cultural shift is clearly evidenced in current popular media. While many TV series once portrayed mostly rock-solid mothers and fathers, today's shows—like Gossip Girl, The Real Housewives franchises, and Desperate Housewives—are more likely to reflect immature parents.
The loss of a parental authority figure robs teens of the lightness of adolescence. Vanessa, 20, of Spokane, says that her dad—who has been divorced from her mom since Vanessa was in elementary school—was comfortable being her buddy but couldn't be depended on when the chips were down. "Three years ago I was in the hospital having a tumor removed," the Washington native says. "It was expensive, and when we asked my dad for financial support, he told my mom he was done with me."
Teens like Vanessa are compelled to give up the traditional luxury of dependency on their parents and may need to grow up fast emotionally, says Nina Brown, Ed.D., author of Children of the Self-Absorbed (New Harbinger). However, "to a certain extent, teens cannot be fully independent," she says. And because limiting parental contact is not feasible, children of self-centered parents often try to take responsibility for their parents' problems and feelings. But teens have to recognize that they're not to blame for the actions of their guardian, Brown adds. Though Vanessa's dad has refused to have any contact with her for more than two years now, she's learned not to take his behavior personally. "Compared with what he dealt with, growing up in an abusive home, I guess he's father of the year," she says.
It's hard to say why adults don't always act like grown-ups. "Sometimes good parents simply make mistakes," Ward says. For these moms and dads, a conversation or a carefully worded letter might be enough to do the trick. But others never got the parenting they needed and, Brown explains, "failed to make strides past adolescence" toward a healthy, mature level of empathy. For them, she adds, "everything centers around what they want," and selfish conduct is an inherent part of their pattern of behaviors and attitudes. In these cases, no amount of talking will change them, so instead of trying to improve communication, Brown suggests self-protection. "If your parent is hurting you with his or her behavior and won't change, you have no choice but to set up emotional barriers to protect yourself."
Ward also advises seeking support from a responsible adult, like a counselor, teacher, minister, or a friend's parent. That's what Sarah did. "I started attending a teen Bible study, and Kelly, the lady who led it, became like a mother to me," she says. "My mom was jealous, but I think Kelly saved my life."
"Teens who are forced to act like adults often have a hard time reaching out for help because they are so adult," Ward says. "But they need someone who can remind them that it's OK to set boundaries." Elle,* nineteen, from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, struggled with defining healthy roles within her family, especially during her parents' nasty divorce. But she says that by reaching out honestly to her mother, she was able to change the situation—while also accepting that her dad may never become the type of father figure she needs him to be. "My dad's always been more concerned about what he wants, so I don't think he understands what he's done to us," she says soberly. "I doubt anything I could say would even faze him."
"Sometimes my mom will slip up too," she continues. "But now that she knows how I feel, she'll usually catch herself, or she'll see the look on my face . . . and just stop." —GINGER RUE
*Name has been changed.


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However, both species are again at risk due to a huge surge in poaching to meet demand for illegal rhino horn, primarily in Asia. Countries and conservationists are stepping up their efforts but record numbers of rhinos are currently being killed.
African rhinos
However, both species are again at risk due to a huge surge in poaching to meet demand for illegal rhino horn, primarily in Asia. Countries and conservationists are stepping up their efforts but record numbers of rhinos are currently being killed.
Just 150 years ago, Africa's savannahs teemed with over a million black and white rhinos. But relentless hunting by European settlers saw rhino numbers and distribution quickly decline.
Poaching also escalated during the 1970s and 1980s as demand grew for rhino horn, a prized ingredient in traditional Asian medicines - leaving both species at risk.
Thanks to vigorous conservation and anti-poaching efforts and an international ban on the trade in rhino horn, some African rhino populations are now stable or increasing.
However, most of the continent's remaining rhinos are found in just four countries – South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Kenya. Very few African rhinos now survive outside of protected areas and sanctuaries.
And poaching is again threatening the survival of some populations.
Why rhinos matterRhinos have been around for millions of years and play a crucial role in their ecosystem. They're important grazers, consuming large amounts of vegetation, which helps shape the African landscape. This benefits other animals and keeps a healthy balance within the ecosystem.
Local people also depend on the natural resources within rhino habitat for food, fuel and income. As one of Africa's 'big five', rhinos are a popular sight for tourists. Ecotourism can be an important source of income for local people.
By helping protect rhinos, we're helping to conserve their habitat for the benefit of people and wildlife, helping support local communities and making sure natural resources are available for generations to come.
PoachingThe greatest threat facing African rhinos is poaching for the illegal trade in their horns, which has soared in recent years.
The number of rhinos poached in South Africa alone has increased by 9,000% since 2007 - from 13 to a record 1,215 in 2014.
Powdered horn is used in traditional Asian medicine as a supposed cure for a range of illnesses – from hangovers to fevers and even cancer.
But the current surge has been primarily driven by demand for horn in Vietnam. As well as its use in medicine, rhino horn is bought and consumed purely as a symbol of wealth.
Poaching gangs use increasingly sophisticated methods, including helicopters and night vision equipment to track rhinos, and veterinary drugs to knock them out.
This means countries and conservationists need to match this level of technology to be able to tackle the problem, alongside working to reduce demand.
Key Facts
White rhino (Ceratotherium simum), black rhino (Diceros bicornis)
Grasslands, savannas and shrublands; deserts and xeric shrublands
Near Threatened (White rhino), Endangered (Black rhino)
20,000+ (White rhino), 5,000+ (Black rhino)
Main strongholds
South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Kenya
Two species
It's thought that the name 'white rhino' is a misinterpretation of the Afrikaans word 'wyd', referring to its square upper lip. Black rhinos have hooked lips.
Both species of these armoured giants are vegetarian and need to eat large amounts of food every day.
Black rhinoAlso called the hook-lipped rhino due to their prehensile upper lip, black rhinos are the smaller of the two African species.
They were once found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, with the exception of the Congo Basin. They are now limited to protected areas in the east and south of the continent.
About 96% of black rhinos were lost to large-scale poaching between 1970 and 1992. But effective conservation efforts have seen the total number grow from 2,600 in 1997 to over 5,000 today.
White rhino
Once thought to be extinct, a population of less than 100 was found in 1895 in South Africa. After more than a century of protection and management, the species now numbers over 20,000 and has been reclassified as Near Threatened.
What WWF is doingWWF is helping to tackle the major threats by strengthening protected areas, preserving rhino habitat, and helping to stamp out the illegal trade in rhino horn. WWF is:
- Working with TRAFFIC on the Wildlife Crime Initiative to investigate, expose and crack down on poaching and the illegal trade in rhino horn – and reduce demand;
- Helping to secure protected areas and create new ones;
- Promoting wildlife-based tourism that helps fund conservation efforts and gives local communities an income from living alongside wildlife;
- Working with communities living around protected areas to help them use their natural resources more sustainably; and
- Supporting the translocation of rhinos to create new, secure populations.


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Woman set on fire in Los Angeles while sleeping on bench
LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles police have arrested a man for allegedly setting a 67-year-old woman on fire as she was sleeping on a bus bench.
Authorities say the man, who is in his 20s, was arrested early Thursday. His name was not immediately released.
Police say the attack occurred shortly after 1 a.m. outside a drug store. A witness said he saw a man come out of the store and pour something on the woman before striking a match and setting her ablaze.
The woman, who may be homeless, was taken to a hospital and listed in critical condition.
Last week, a 55-year-old man was set on fire as he slept outside a doughnut shop in southern Los Angeles County. No one has been arrested.


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New ARM® Cortex™-A8 processor-based open platform breaks power and performance barriers provides for next-generation mobile devices and applications
DALLAS, TEXAS AND CAMBRIDGE, UK - Oct. 4, 2005 – Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) (NYSE: TXN), and ARM [(LSE:ARM); (Nasdaq:ARMHY)] today announced at the ARM Developers' Conference in Santa Clara, Calif., that TI is the first licensee and ARM's lead Partner in the development of the new ARM® Cortex™-A8 processor. TI intends to use the Cortex-A8 processor across a range of next-generation, ultra-low power 3G modems and high-performance, OMAP™ application processors manufactured in 65nm processes and enhanced by TI's SmartReflex™ power and performance management technologies and M-Shield™ security solution.
The rapid convergence of digital entertainment and communications requires a new level of system performance and security, all within a low-cost, low-power, high-performance framework based on open processing platforms. The ARM Cortex-A8 processor will be a key driver, enabling handset manufacturers to deliver more than four times the performance of existing solutions for applications such as mobile entertainment, communications and gaming. The Cortex-A8 processor was specifically designed with the technical demands of these marketplace needs in mind, while still enabling TI and its customers to meet tight time-to-market constraints.
"TI has been one of ARM's lead Partners for more than 12 years, and during this time we have shipped an impressive 1.7 billion ARM processor-based chips," said Gilles Delfassy, TI's senior vice president of its Wireless Terminals Business Unit. "TI built the industry's leading baseband processing product and OMAP applications processor by combining ARM processors with TI DSPs for telecom and multimedia and by supporting micro-computing based on open standards. And now, as the first Cortex-A8 processor licensee, TI continues to be first-to-market with the most advanced wireless processing solutions. We look forward to continuing to bring new applications and devices to the mobile consumer marketplace."
"The rapid evolution of wireless and consumer products is demanding greater processing performance, combined with exceptional power efficiency and system security, to deliver exciting new features and services to end users," said Warren East, CEO, ARM. "TI was our first silicon Partner to license and implement the technology in its upcoming wireless designs."
Cortex-A8 Processor Benefits
The Cortex-A8 processor is the first applications processor based on the next-generation , and features Thumb®-2 technology for greater performance, energy efficiency, and code density. It includes the first implementation of the powerful NEON™ multimedia extensions to accelerate media codecs such as H.264 and MP3. The Cortex-A8 solution also includes Jazelle®-RCT Java-acceleration technology to optimize Just In Time (JIT) and Dynamic Adaptive Compilation (DAC), and reduce memory footprint by up to three times. Additionally, the new processor features TrustZone® technology for secure transactions and Digital Rights Management (DRM), and Intelligent Energy Manager (IEM) capability for low power.
The ARM Cortex-A8 processor is available for licensing from ARM now.
Texas Instruments – Making Wireless
TI is the leading manufacturer of wireless semiconductors, delivering the heart of today's wireless technology and building solutions for tomorrow. TI provides a breadth of silicon and software and 15 years of wireless systems expertise that spans handsets and base stations for all communications standards, wireless LAN, Bluetooth and Ultra Wideband. TI offers custom to turn-key solutions, including complete chipsets and reference designs, OMAP™ application processors, as well as core digital signal processor and analog technologies built on advanced semiconductor processes. Please visit www.ti.com/wirelesspressroom for additional information.
About Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments Incorporated provides innovative DSP and analog technologies to meet our customers' real world signal processing requirements. In addition to Semiconductor, the company's businesses include Sensors & Controls, and Educational & Productivity Solutions. TI is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and has manufacturing, design or sales operations in more than 25 countries.
Texas Instruments is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TXN. More information is located on the World Wide Web at http://www.ti.com.
About ARM
ARM designs the technology that lies at the heart of advanced digital products, from wireless, networking and consumer entertainment solutions to imaging, automotive, security and storage devices. ARM's comprehensive product offering includes 16/32-bit RISC microprocessors, data engines, 3D processors, digital libraries, embedded memories, peripherals, software and development tools, as well as analog functions and high-speed connectivity products. Combined with the company's broad Partner community, they provide a total system solution that offers a fast, reliable path to market for leading electronics companies. More information on ARM is available at http://www.arm.com.
OMAP, SmartReflex and M-Shield are trademarks of Texas Instruments.
ARM, Thumb, TrustZone and Jazelle are registered trademarks of ARM Limited. Cortex and NEON are trademarks of ARM Limited. All other brands or product names are the property of their respective holders. "ARM" is used to represent ARM Holdings plc; its operating company ARM Limited; and the regional subsidiaries ARM INC.; ARM KK; ARM Korea Ltd.; ARM Taiwan; ARM France SAS; ARM Consulting (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.; ARM Belgium N.V.; AXYS Design Automation Inc.; AXYS GmbH; ARM Embedded Technologies Pvt. Ltd.; and ARM Physical IP, Inc.
Contact details
Renee Fancher
Texas Instruments Inc
+1 214 567 7447


text:
Vauxhall plans Yeti rival
* Compact SUV on sale next year * City car to rival VW Up planned, too * Insignia and Astra 5dr to get face-lifts...
Vauxhall will launch a rival for the Skoda Yeti next year.
The compact SUV will sit below Vauxhall's Antara 4x4 and could be available in front- and four-wheel-drive versions.
Vauxhall will also unveil a production version of the Junior at the Paris motor show next year.
The upmarket supermini will be a rival for the Citroen DS3 and is planned to go on sale in 2013. Vauxhall sources say the production car won't be called 'Junior'.
In 2014, Vauxhall will launch a rival to the Volkswagen Up. The Vauxhall city car will be significantly cheaper than the Up's expected price of 8000.
Meanwhile, the five-door Astra will be face-lifted next year. For the first time the range will include a high-powered sporty diesel to take on the likes of the Seat Leon FR 2.0 TDI and Volkswagen Golf GTD.
The Insignia family car is also due a face-lift in the next 18 months. Vauxhall says the flagship VXR version will get more power than the current 321bhp version.
Over the next four years, Vauxhall will replace most of its diesel and petrol engines, with smaller, more economical units and introduce a three-cylinder engine.
Vauxhall is also keen to build its RAKe electric concept car which it unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show last month. However, there needs to be a strong business case first.


text:
A Different Life
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New podcast: Being
sectioned under the Mental Health Act: Claire Greaves recalls
her experiences of the mental health services system, in
conversation with Raj Persaud.
Being sectioned means being admitted to
hospital whether or not you agree to it. The legal authority for
your admission to hospital comes from the Mental Health Act rather
than from your consent. This is usually because you are unable or
unwilling to consent.
The term 'sectioned' just means using a
'section' or paragraph from the Mental Health Act as the authority
for your detention. A better word is 'detained'. You are detained
under the Mental Health Act. The paragraph or 'section' number is
often used so a patient may be told they are on a section 2 or
section 3.
The Mental Health Act is used about 50,000
times a year in England and Wales. This isn't 50,000 people because
some people may be detained several times within a year.
If you have, or are thought to have;
1. a mental illness which needs
assessment or treatment which is
2. sufficiently serious that it is
necessary for
a. your health or safety, or
b. for the protection of other
3. and you need to be in hospital to
have the assessment or treatment. And
4. you are unable or unwilling to
agree to admission.
If you are on a section 3, that is for
treatment, then the treatment you need must be available at the
hospital in which you're detained.
The process usually starts because your GP, a
family member, a police officer or psychiatrist is worried about
your mental health. The decision is usually made (other than in an
emergency) by two doctors and an Approved Mental Health
Professional (AMHP). One of the doctors must be specially certified
as having particular experience in the assessment or treatment of
mental illness. If possible, one of the doctors will already know
you. The AMHP is usually a social worker, but could be a mental
health nurse, psychologist or occupational therapist.
It depends on where you are.
One member of your family is known as your
'Nearest Relative'. Who fulfils this role is decided from a list in
the Mental Health Act. It is not the necessarily the same as your
next-of-kin. Your husband/wife/civil partner is the first choice.
If you don't have one then, in order, it is the oldest of your
children, or parents, or brothers or sisters and so on.
The person who acts as your nearest relative
can only be changed by that person themselves or by a court. You
can apply to the court to change your nearest relative if you don't
think the person at the top of the list is suitable.
Your nearest relative has a number of powers,
including stopping you being placed on a section 3 and applying for
your discharge from detention. Under certain circumstances, the
powers of your nearest relative can be overridden.
Yes. You would normally be taken to hospital
by ambulance, although the police will be asked to help if
You will meet members of the clinical team,
particularly the nursing and medical staff, who are
responsible for your care and treatment. Most of your care will be
the same as you would expect if you had agreed to admission. But,
in addition, you will have your rights as a detained patient
explained to you and be given a copy of these rights to
You should also be offered the assistance of
an Independent Mental Health Advocate. You will be placed under the
care of a person who is called your Responsible Clinician. This is
usually a consultant psychiatrist, although it could be a senior
nurse, psychologist, occupational therapist or social worker.
You can be held in the hospital, including
being kept on a locked ward if necessary (because, for example, you
keep trying to run away or behave in a way which suggests you need
more staff to keep you, and other people, safe). You can also be
required to take medication for your mental illness.
Yes. The choice of medication should be
discussed with you, unless you are unable or unwilling to discuss
it. But you can be forced to take it if your Responsible Clinician
thinks it is necessary.
If, after 3 months, you are still detained and
don't want the medication, or are too ill to consent to it but your
responsible clinician still thinks it's necessary, then you will
see an independent consultant psychiatrist sent by the Care Quality Commission. You can
then only be forced to take the medication agreed to by the
independent psychiatrist (called a Second Opinion Appointed Doctor
or SOAD).
No (unless it is an emergency to save your
life or prevent a serious deterioration in your health). You can
have ECT if you consent. If you
are too ill to be able to make a decision, then you can have ECT if
it is agreed by a SOAD.
Yes, but only with the permission of your
Responsible Clinician. Conditions may be put on your leave, such as
how long you can be away for, where you can go and whether or not
you are accompanied.
The first thing to do is to discuss it with
your responsible clinician or other members of the team looking
after you. It is important to remember that they would like to be
able to discharge you home as much as you wish to go home.
The moment your Responsible Clinician thinks
it is safe to do so, they will discharge you. However, if your
Responsible Clinician thinks you still need to be detained, but you
disagree you can seek discharge in three other ways:
1. The Mental Health
Tribunal. This is a body totally independent from the
hospital. A three person team - a judge, a psychiatrist
and a person with a social care background - will organise a
hearing. They will require written reports from your Responsible
Clinician, a nurse on your ward and a professional who can write
about your social circumstances. You will receive copies of the
reports written about you. Information can be withheld from you
under certain circumstances, but this decision is made by the
Tribunal, not by those writing the reports. You are entitled to
have a solicitor to represent you, at no cost to you.
At the hearing, the
Tribunal will listen to the staff and to you. You will be asked
questions by the Tribunal members. The staff will also be asked
questions by the Tribunal members. The staff can also be asked
questions by your solicitor. It is for the staff to 'prove' you
need to be detained, not for you to prove you don't.
If you are on a section 2 and wish
to appeal, you must do so within the first 14 days. You can then
appeal each time your detention is renewed.
2. The hospital
managers. Three hospital managers, usually with a
background of clinical or social expertise, can organise a
'hearing' which is very similar to the Tribunal hearing.
3. You can also ask your
Nearest Relative to discharge you, although, even
if they agree, this can be overridden by your Responsible Clinician
if they think you may be a danger to yourself or somebody else.
They are sections of the Mental Health Act
which mean you can leave the hospital, but with certain conditions.
You can be put on a CTO if you are detained on a section 3 (but not
if you are on a section 2). The decision is made by your
Responsible Clinician and an AMHP. It is initially for 6 months but
can be renewed. You have the same rights of appeal as when you were
detained. You can be recalled to the hospital if your Responsible
Clinician thinks it necessary.
All patients on a CTO must agree to see their
Responsible Clinician and, if required, a SOAD. Other conditions
will be decided by your Responsible Clinician and AMHP. The most
common is that you agree to take your medication.
Other conditions may include such things as
places you mustn't go or things you mustn't do. The conditions must
be necessary for your health or safety, or to protect other people
or to ensure you receive the treatment you need. You will normally
only be placed on a CTO if you agree to the conditions.
Generally no, not while you are in the
community. The only time you can be forced to take medication is if
you lack the capacity to decide whether or not to take the
medication, and it is an emergency. If your Responsible Clinician
wishes to insist you take medication which you refuse, then they
must recall you to hospital.
Your Responsible Clinician may recall you to
hospital to discuss the difficulties. If your Responsible Clinician
and an AMHP think it necessary, your CTO may be revoked and you
will again be a detained patient.
The staff, particularly your Responsible
Clinician, should be able to help with most questions. In addition,
you are entitled to legal advice from a solicitor and assistance
from an Independent Mental Health Advocate. You can also request to
see a Mental Health Act Commissioner from the Care Quality
Commission (an independent healthcare regulator).
In Scotland:
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland:
Guidelines and Audit
Implementation Network: Guidelines on the use of the Mental Health
(NI) Order 1986
MIND: provides information on
the Mental Health Act
Expert review: Dr Tony Zigmond.
Series Editor: Dr Philip Timms
User and Carer input: members of the RCPsych Service User
Recovery Forum and Carers Forum.
© August 2015. Due for review: August 2018. Royal
College of Psychiatrists. This leaflet may be downloaded,
printed out, photocopied and distributed free of charge as long as
the Royal College of Psychiatrists is properly credited and no
profit gained from its use. Permission to reproduce it in any other
way must be obtained from firstname.lastname@example.com.
The College does not allow reposting of its leaflets on other
sites, but allows them to be linked directly.
Was this information useful? We'd love your feedback
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text:
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Little Rock-based Heifer International is expanding into the South Asia nation of Bangladesh.
The charity works to help the world's poor become self-sufficient through agriculture, such as by helping people learn to raise their own cattle. The organization announced Friday that it plans to open a country program office in Bangladesh.
Heifer's first project there will assist 4,000 families by working through women's groups to organize savings and credit programs. Such programs have a history of effectively increasing the incomes of people participating.
The project will also assist families with raising cattle and provide technical training.
Bangladesh is about the size of Iowa and has a population of 162 million, eighth largest in the world. Nearly half of its population lives on less than $1.25 per day.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


text:
(c) Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Deerfield MA. All rights reserved.
Contact us for information about using this image.
The trolley car with the uniformed conductor and motorman belongs to the Connecticut Valley Street Railway Company, whose tracks ran from Greenfield to Northampton, Massachusetts, between 1901 and 1924. Farm regions that had never known railroad service suddenly discovered they might have the advantage of a car line. By 1904 the trolley-car corridor reached northward along the Connecticut River Valley, connecting nearly every major town. The cars offered fast, regular, cheap, silent, and safe (note the safety fender on the front) transport to the nation's rural population, the people of New England and the upper Midwest in particular. What happened to such a usable system? The automobile and the oil industry bought many of the lines and then put them out of business.
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Electric trolley
Deerfield Inn and Trolley
Reasons in Favor or Against the Trolley Route in Deerfield
Petition in favor of trolley on Deerfield's Main Street
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text: Leading Experts to Discuss Latest Developments at Annual Convention Jul 10 2002 The Latest Developments in Public Policies, Scientific Research and Breakthrough Treatments for Severe Mental Illness to be Examined by Leading Experts Washington, D.C. – The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), the nation's leading grassroots advocacy organization solely dedicated to improving the lives of people with severe mental illnesses, will host its annual convention July 15-19, 1998 in Washington, D.C. In keeping with the theme, From Discovery to Recovery, the convention will focus on dramatic breakthroughs and scientific advancements in the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of serious brain disorders that are helping millions of Americans recover from the once crippling effects of severe mental illness. WHEN: Wednesday, July 15 through Sunday, July 19, 1998 WHERE: Washington Hilton and Towers Hotel; 1919 Connecticut Avenue, NW; 202/483-3000 The sessions and activities during the convention are divided into three issue areas and reflect that day's focus: Thursday, July 16 Public Policies: The impact of advocacy and legislation on people with severe mental illness Friday, July 17 Discovery: The role of research in advanced treatments that lead to recovery Saturday, July 18 Recovery: Outreach efforts to special interest groups and the general population that lead to recovery National newsmakers, policymakers, best-selling authors, and leading medical experts in neuroscience, psychiatry and research will be available for media interviews. More than 2,000 NAMI members from around the country also will available to share personal experiences with severe mental illness. To build upon recent legislative victories, more than 1,200 NAMI members will converge on Capitol Hill to meet with their federal lawmakers to educate them about the true nature of severe mental illness and its impact on American families. Additionally, NAMI members will urge their lawmakers to increase research funding and improve access to quality medical care. Hi-tech exhibits will be featured, including the fully interactive "Science Fair of the Brain," a walk-through brain, with hands-on devices, computer games, and interactive videos, and "Video Tour of NIMH," a real-time, interactive video tour of the National Institute of Mental Health.


text:
March 16–August 29, 2010
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
The AMAM is proud to present 20 of its European and American masterworks in the galleries of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York during spring and summer 2010. The works on display, which span the 16th-20th centuries, will be integrated into the Met's galleries, giving visitors the rare opportunity to see the AMAM works with those by the same artists or from similar contexts from the Met's world-renowned collections. The AMAM's important Ter Brugghen painting, St. Sebastian Tended by Irene, will be seen with the Met's The Crucifixion with the Virgin and St. John by the same artist, and AMAM paintings by Domenichino, Sweerts, Turner, Monet, and Cézanne will hang alongside important works by those artists.
In other cases, the AMAM works on loan will provide the opportunity to add new voices to the Met's extensive holdings: the AMAM's paintings by Erhard Altdorfer, the Cavaliere d'Arpino, Giovanni Battista Gaulli, Henri-Edmond Cross, and Ernst Ludwig Kirchner—along with the AMAM's wooden sculpture by Kirchner—will be integrated into galleries with similar works, but will represent artists not in the Met's permanent collection of paintings and sculptures. The AMAM's Rothko, Gottlieb, and Newman paintings will be shown in the Met's Modern galleries; the first two were instrumental in the early definitions of the importance of abstract art in the United States in the early 1940s.
The exhibition of AMAM works at the Met is accompanied by a gallery talk series and a walking-tour brochure. For more information, click here.
For podcasts on some of the art being displayed at the Met, click here.
Download the AMAM's press release here.
Read the Met's press release here.
This exhibition was organized by Andria Derstine, AMAM Curator of Collections and Curator of European & American Art, and Stephanie Wiles, AMAM Director, and is being overseen at The Metropolitan Museum of Art by Maryan Ainsworth, Curator of the Department of European Paintings and an Oberlin College alumna (1971).
Hendrick ter Brugghen (Dutch, ca. 1588 - 1629)
Saint Sebastian Tended by Irene, 1625
Oil on canvas
R. T. Miller, Jr. Fund, 1953.256


text:
Jeremy Lin Says Race Played as a Barrier in College
Jeremy Lin believes that he would've be a Division I scholarship player in college if he would of been African-American or white, not Asian-American.
As a senior in high school, Jeremy Lin led Palo Alto High School to a 32-1 record and a state championship in 2005-06, averaging 15.1 points, 7.1 assists, 6.2 rebounds and 5.0 steals per game in the state of California.
Although Lin garnered accolades throughout his entire high school career, no Division I California schools or even division I schools in general offered Lin a scholarship.
When he got to Harvard where he ultimately ended up for school, he was a standout in the Ivy League as he was in high school.
Lin entered the NBA Draft, yet went un-drafted but after stints in summer leagues and the NBADL, he would find a roster spot with the Golden State Warriors.
Did race play a factor in why Lin wasn't drafted, too?
"I think in the true sense the answer to that is yes," NBA commissioner David Stern told Rose, according to CBSNews.com.
"In terms of looking at somebody ... I don't know whether he was discriminated against because he was at Harvard," Stern said with a laugh, according to CBSNews.com. "Or because he was Asian."
Obviously if you follow sports at all, you were introduced to "Lin-Sanity" last season in the NBA and Jeremy Lin became a household name.
But one of the main questions that needs to be answered, is the question that Lin has obviously faced, and that being are there other Asian-American basketball players not getting their own opportunity because of their race.
Lin got paid in the off-season after his tremendous 2011-2012 campaign, inking a 3 year, $25.1 million dollar deal with the Houston Rockets.
In the past, Yao Ming broke onto the scene as the most popular Asian player of all time in the NBA, but no Asian-American players have had the success on the national scene like Lin.
Hopefully as Lin would agree, that his success could be the catalyst for future Asian-American players to at least get the same opportunities of other high school, college and professional players.


text:
Baby Blood (US - DVD R1)
Gabe won't be trusting any more busty, buck-toothed women after this one...
A voracious parasite from the dawn of creation, surviving centuries in search of the one thing it needs: To be born of a human. After a very long wait (either 3,000 years or about 3.5 billion years, depending on your preference) this cunning creature slithers inside the uterus of unsuspecting and voluptuous Yanka (Emmanuelle Escourrou), a circus performer with the worst case of gapped buckteeth in cinematic history. The new womb-raider demands gallons of fresh blood to grow stronger. Now this reluctantly expectant mommy and her chatty mutant fetus are off on a cross-country killing spree where pre-natal care means violent carnage, horny men make tasty meals, and the ultimate mother's milk is BABY BLOOD!
I took most of that synopsis from Anchor Bay's press release. It was too funny to pass up. Baby Blood, known on US video as The Evil Within is an unquestionably eccentric little movie. It's also an unquestionably gory one, but that isn't necessarily its main selling point, contrary to popular belief. The thing that makes Baby Blood so weird may be the fact that it's a French B-film masquerading as an '80s Roger Corman production. What makes the film special is that it doesn't seem to get the standard B-horror formula. Either it's a work of special happenstance, or writer/director Alain Robak is some kind of semi-surrealist genius.
The synopsis reads as a bit of a Rosemary's Baby/ Shivers rip-off, but the heart of the film, the parasite's relationship with its host, is somehow reminiscent of John Carpenter's Star Man. I know, it sounds weird, but hear me out – it's a road movie starring an alien hiding in a human shell. The parasite speaks to Yanka in her subconscious, and though he wants her to drink the blood of strangers, a slight bone of contention in their early relationship, he also wants to understand humanity. He gains this understanding by asking Yanka questions about her feelings, both physical and emotional. This alone sets the film apart from other Euro-gore quickies.
I'd seen the film on VHS back in college, and the parts that stuck with me were not the violent murders, but these little existential mother/son discussions (though the version I saw was the edited for content US release). Even as we watch Yanka and her brood commit graphic atrocities against generally appealing characters, we can't help but like both of them, and understand their budding affection for each other. As in Peter Jackson's zombie splatter-fest Braindead, there's real and believable (if not entirely twisted) love amongst the carnage.
The other bizarre touch that makes the flick worth seeing is its scope. This probably the most epic 84 minute B-movie ever made. The runtime encompasses the entire pregnancy, from conception to birth, and our heroes globetrot all the way across France. Yanka (despite her massive teeth) actually develops as a character throughout. There's no fat to trim, and the in-betweens are entirely unnecessary. Do we need to know how Yanka got her waitressing job, or how many people she killed entirely? No. I almost dare calling this structure perfect. Almost. This is, after all, still a film about a bloodthirsty, in utero creature from the beginning of time. We can't praise it too much, right?
Anchor Bay's done an admirable job with what I'm going to assume were not the best materials. The whole of the film is very grainy, but I only noticed a few artefacts or scratches. Colours are well produced and bright, and black levels are spot on. Details are sharpened a hair too much, causing some edge enhancement, and contrast probably could've been softened up a bit, but all in all this is a very good transfer from Anchor Bay.
Anchor Bay supplies us with Dolby Surround 2.0 versions of both the original French, and the dubbed English tracks. I'm going to possibly enrage the purists out there by calling the English dub superior. With the exception of one character, most audiences aren't going to even notice the film is dubbed, and the English-speaking actress that dubs Yanka is a better actress than Emmanuelle Escourrou. The real reason I recommend the dub is the baby's voice. In the French version he sounds like a baby, in the English version he's voiced almost sensually by a full-grown man. It makes for a more interesting character.
The DVD sounds great, and the stereo channels actually get a pretty mean work out. The African tribal drum based theme even finds time for the surround channels, and the sub-woofer throbs quite a bit for a non-discrete channel. If you do opt for the English dub, be aware that there are a few scenes that were cut from the US release, and thus never dubbed. During these scenes the dialogue reverts to French, and the subtitles will automatically switch on, like Anchor Bay did on its releases of Argento's Deep Red and Phenomena. These sections show the improved fidelity of the English dub over the French dub.
Erm, there's a trailer. It's a funny trailer...
Good fun for gore-hounds, and anyone looking for something a little different from the Hollywood norm. I remembered liking the film when I rented it some 8 years ago, but've ended up almost loving it upon a second, and entirely uncut viewing. Kudos to Anchor Bay for a fine A/V presentation, shame for not including any extras. Maybe next time, right? At least it's uncut.
Review by Gabriel Powers
Chris Johnson Member Join Date: October 2005 Location: United States Posts: 1,465
I saw this years ago back in the mid 90s, but I don't remember much about it.
elvis68 Member Join Date: July 2006 Location: United States Posts: 54
I love Anchor Bay. They're the "blue-collar" Criterion
Chris Johnson Member Join Date: October 2005 Location: United States Posts: 1,465
I think Blue Underground gets that honor. Anchor bay is just a haven for c**ppy Sci Fi Channel movies now.
Rancid (UK) Member Join Date: November 2005 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 47
I got this on dvd already. It's been on my 'For sale' list for years - nobody wants it and I don't blme them, it's terrible.
Anyway if you must view, track down the Dragon dvd, it's fully uncut and contains a few extras like short film, trailer.
Anyway if you must view, track down the Dragon dvd, it's fully uncut and contains a few extras like short film, trailer.
This product has not been rated
Disc Details
Release Date: 10th October 2006
Discs: 1
Disc Type: Single side, dual layer
RCE: No
Video: NTSC
Aspect: 1.85:1
Anamorphic: Yes
Colour: Yes
Audio: French Dolby Surround 2.o, English Dolby Surround 2.0
Subtitles: English
Extras: Trailer
Easter Egg: No
Feature Details
Director: Alain Robak
Cast: Emmanuelle Escourrou, François Frappier, Christian Sinniger, Jean-François Gallotte,
Genre: Horror
Length: 84 minutes
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There are so many literary heroines who inspire us with their razor-sharp wits (and sometimes razor-sharp aim). Regardless of who they are or where they're from, these ladies kick butt and deserve our literary adulation. We've compiled a list of ten amazing literary heroines. There are way more than ten out there (ladies be fierce!), but these chicks are some of our favorites.
Remember reading about mythology or, if you need more special effects, the Percy Jackson series? Artemis (or Diana, her Roman name) carries a hunting bow like The Hunger Game's Katniss Everdeen, but it's not just because she's starving and needs a meal: Artemis is the goddess of the hunt and wild animals. Pretty awesome, right? While her brother spends most of his time romancing the ladies, Artemis takes her virginity seriously and makes it a priority to protect young girls. While she has shown kindness to mortals, when things she cares about are threatened, Artemis has no problem showing her wrath. The way Artemis sticks to her convictions is admirable, but if you're going to emulate our Virgin Goddess, you might want to try avoiding killing people.
Ah, Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice, the subject of many movie adaptations, including our personal favorite, Bridget Jones's Diary. Elizabeth's main task (as given to her by her mother) is to find a husband, but what makes her a fantastic heroine is that she sticks up for her sisters and what she wants. When she realizes at the end of the novel that she's been clouded by her quick judgment and prejudice all along, she is willing to change her mind and, finally, agrees to marry the slightly awkward and curmudgeonly Darcy. Lessons learned from the lovely Miss Bennet? Follow your heart, but be open to changing course when the time is right.
Now we're out West–Nebraska, to be more specific. Sure, it may be a super-long state to drive through, but a lot of things happen there. Ántonia's character (or at least how Jim views her) is embodied by the Western landscape, full of warm colors. This fits perfectly with her strong personality and her refusal to fit into traditional gender roles. Through Jim's nostalgic narration, the nature of his relationship with Ántonia is revealed (it is exactly what Avril Lavigne sings–"Complicated"), yet, at the same time, keeping it together in the face of her father's suicide and harsh winters. We like ourselves some strong ladies and Ántonia is that in spades.
Matilda is a young heroine–she's only five–but she has the independence (who doesn't love the part of the 1996 movie adaption where Matilda makes pancakes by herself?), smarts, and moral convictions of someone four times her age. Yet, she doesn't brag (or humblebrag) about it. Oh, and our book-loving five-year-old also has telekinetic powers that she uses for good and to punish those who deserve, instead of going on a crazed rampage like Stephen King's Carrie. Girl's gonna go places.
Before Zooey Deschanel and quirky chic became popular, there was Stargirl. She does her own thing, and doesn't care what other people think. Among other things, Stargirl cheers when the other team scores because she genuinely is happy for their success, even though her classmates don't like it. Stargirl is connected to the universe and ignores the people who bully her, instead choosing to be kind to everyone. Sounds pretty amazing, right? She changes for a brief while for love interest Leo, but finally finds solace (and popularity) by being herself at the Ocotillo Ball. The next time you think about changing yourself to fit in, channel your own inner Stargirl.
Harper Lee's novel starts when Scout is only six. She's a tomboy who gets into fights and figures the person who wins is in the right. Throughout the next four years, though, she matures and realizes that fighting is not so black and white anymore (even though the racism in her town would beg to disagree). While Scout is initially scared of shut-in Boo Radley, she comes to see him as a caring neighbor, though she is saddened she is not that to him. From putting herself in Boo's shoes, she learned about both him and her own self. The pint-sized heroine shows the importance of self-knowledge and empathy.
She can hack into things easily while sporting spiked hair, tattoos, and provocative T-shirts. Her obvious smarts are tempered by a likely diagnoses of Asperger's Syndrome, trust issues, and a history of promiscuity with men and women. Due to previous experiences, Lisabeth hates when men hurt women–and punishes those men accordingly. Despite her struggles, though, she keeps it together in order to carry out her moral code.
Jo (short for Josephine) is a tomboy with a wicked temper. As a teen, she would pick reading, writing, and the company of her sisters over anything–especially getting married. Even though it is unusual for a lady of her class, Jo had a job as a writer. With time (and a good measure of trial and error), her perspective shifts, and she ends up finding a man she truly loves who respects her and fits her idea of what an equal marriage could be. And then they proceed to be ridiculously adorable and open a school for ragamuffin boys. Jo March, you are the best.
Celie was handed a tough life: she was raped by her father several times and becomes part of an abusive marriage. She's passive–except when people she loves are threatened, like her sister Nettie. Despite a considerable amount of hardship, Celie successfully stands up for herself and the people she cares about and ends up finding someone to care for who saves her. When you send love out into the universe, the universe responds with love–as Taylor Swift knows, love makes the world go round.
Esperanza narrates The House on Mango Street in a series of stories in which she isn't always the central character. Throughout the book, the reader gets a sense of Esperanza's character: she struggles with loneliness and wants to fit in (who hasn't felt this way?), in addition to experiencing shame about being poor. Instead of letting it bubble up (we're talking to you, Hamlet), she uses writing as a productive method to sort out her feelings and experiences. Esperanza illustrates that anyone can have access to their own personal catharsis whether it involves blasting music, decorating cupcakes like a pro, or something completely different.
Is your favorite lady not on the list? Let us know who your favorite lit lady is in the comments!


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Band Puts All Its Music (Plus More) Into A $3 iPhone App
from the more-experiments dept
There have been a few other bands that have experimented with similar "album in an app" type models before, and it's certainly an experiment worth watching. However, by itself, I'm not sure how scalable the model really is. If other bands do this using different apps, then you have to run each one separately and you lose out on the benefit of a central control system for all your music. And, if it really does involve DRM, then bands may just jump on this and alienate fans yet again. Still, if a "standard" and open way of doing this was established, such that bands could have their own apps easily interoperate, and the music wasn't locked down, you could see some interesting models emerge. For example, imagine getting an app that actually kept you updated on a band? Every time they release a new song or add new artwork, it automatically is added to your collection across different devices. That would be a useful application. Unfortunately, this particular app only seems to be a tiny step in that direction (and due to DRM, perhaps a step in the wrong direction).


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Fran McKee
The following biographical sketch was compiled at the time of induction into the Academy in 1979.
Rear Admiral Fran McKee, a native of Florence, Alabama, was commissioned an Ensign in December, 1950, and reported for duty at the Office of Naval Research, Washington, D. C. in June, 1951, following five months of Officer Indoctrination at the General Line School, Newport, R. I. At the Office of Naval Research she was initially assigned as Assistant to the Director, Physical Science Division. She subsequently assumed the duties as Administrative Aide to the Chief of Naval Research.
In May, 1954, she was transferred to the Navy Recruiting Station and Office of Naval Officer Procurement in Boston, Massachusetts where she served as Women Procurement Officer. Following her tour in Boston she attended the General Line School, U. S. Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California. In September,1957, she was ordered to her first overseas tour where she was assigned as Personnel Officer, Naval Air Station, Port Lyautey, Morocco. Subsequently, she reported in September 1958 as Training Coordinator, Damage Control School, Treasure Island, San Francisco, California. During the period January, 1962, to May, 1965, she served on the Staff of the Chief of Naval Air Reserve Training as Classification/Mobilization Officer.
In June, 1965, she assumed duties as Officer-in-Charge Naval Women Officers School, Newport, R. I., where she served until October, 1967. She was then assigned to her second overseas tour and reported as Personnel Officer, U. S. Naval Station, Rota, Spain. While at Rota, she was one of the first two women selected to attend the regular curriculum at the Naval War College in Newport, R. I., where she reported in August, 1969. Following graduation from the School of Naval Warfare in June, 1970, she reported to the Bureau of Naval Personnel as Head, Special Inquiries and Publication Section, Officer Distribution Division. In September, 1972, Rear Admiral McKee was reassigned as Deputy Assistant Chief of Naval Personnel for Human Goals where she served until August, 1973. From September, 1973, to May, 1976, Rear Admiral McKee commanded the Naval Security Group Activity, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland. She was the first woman ever to head an activity of the Naval Security Group Command.
In February, 1976, Rear Admiral McKee became the first woman line officer in the history of the Navy to be selected for flag rank. Upon assuming her present rank she reported on June 1, 1976, for assignment as Director of Naval Education Development at the Naval Education and Training Command, Pensacola, Florida. In this capacity she advised and acted for the Chief of Naval Education and Training in all matters pertaining to primary, secondary, undergraduate, and graduate education programs for military personnel and designated dependent schools.
On June 1, 1978, Rear Admiral McKee assumed the duties of Assistant Chief of Naval Personnel for Human Resource Management with additional duty as Assistant Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Human Resource Management).
Rear Admiral McKee holds a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in chemistry from the University of Alabama, a Master of Science degree in International Affairs from George Washington University, and an honorary Doctorate in Public Administration from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy.
She has been awarded the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Senice Medal, the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, the Expert Pistol Medal and the Sharpshooter Rifle Medal.
Rear Admiral McKee died in 2002.