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The popular series of self-help books known as "Chicken Soup for the Soul" will be coming to the big screen.
Alcon Entertainment, whose previous projects include "The Blind Side" and the unlikely literary adaptation of "What to Expect When You're Expecting," announced that it had acquired film and television rights to the brand and would finance and produce a feature film with that name.
First published some 20 years ago, "Chicken Soup for the Soul" has grown into an enormous brand, with more than 250 titles in print and translations in more than 40 languages. There is also a line of food products as well as other merchandise.


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Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts Council is holding a Lorax Love Brownie program on Thursday, April 1 from 4;30 to 6:30 p.m. Juliette Scouts in grades 2 & 3 may register. (April 1 is an early release day for Framingham Public Schools)
Program: Love Dr. Seuss? Read The Lorax in an exciting new way! Create your own story about weird and wacky plants and animals and make your own portable "greenhouse" to take home. Troops and individual Scouts may register. Safety-wise rules apply to Troops. Adults are expected to help. Individual Scouts must attend with an adult.
This is a non-Try-It/Patch event.
Registration fee is $7 per Scout.
Leaders and adults are free.
Event will be held at the Avon First Baptist Church, 119 North Main Street, in Avon.
To register, visit the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts Council web site, click on programs. Fill out the online registration form & pre-pay with a credit card.

subset: commoncrawl


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The Mets have a second interview scheduled this week for Sandy Alderson, who is the only candidate so far with a second interview planned. He is the front runner, and arguably the name with the most potential impact.
The Mets are asking about Texas' Jon Daniels, who is a hot property, but Alderson has done it consistently and I believe would bring the highest degree of respectability to the organization. What the Mets need now is a fresh start, a sign of legitimate change and Alderson provides that variable.
The Mets have said they'd like to wrap this up by the start of the World Series. After acting decisively right after the conclusion of the season we are closing in on three weeks. Other teams have already hired quality managers and the Mets need to do the same before the end of the month.
They need to show they have a plan in place and are heading in a positive direction to show their season ticket holders before renewals and whatever free agents they might have on their radar.


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@Chickie: What a beautiful mini kit, thank you for sharing!
Mini Kit Challenge - Deadline Oct 17
Thanks so much Jiovanna! So sweet of you.
Beautiful minis! Thank you all for sharing!
Great kit Chickie!!!! Thanks
I've been busy downloading these wonderful minis, and want to say thank you once again to all the great designers who are so generously sharing their time and talents. Amazing to me that so much variety comes from such simple directions.
Nadia - great interpretation of the Wonderland theme, vibrant colors and unique elements.
Cintia - love the monkeys, cute and appealing
Amanda - your color palette gives me the chills, very appropriate for winter
Samantha- love your color palette
Jiovanna - wonderful cheery and bright colors
Kiana - the sunburst pattern papers are really eye catching
Saskia - love the gentle, restful palette. Also downloaded your In Heaven kit. Thanks.
Becky - love brown tone palettes, so hard to find good ones
Andena - cute theme and should be very popular
Priscilla - Wow! neon Halloween. That will brighten the page.
Holly - Wonderful as always. Love the bone word art
Emily - Love the monotone palette, as I said above, brownish kits are hard to come by
Elif - cute kit, love the lace frame
Linda - beautiful. Autumn colors and theme kits are so useful all year round.
Chickie - Another great kit. The eyeball paper will be especially popular with the grandkids. Can't wait to get it.
Thank you all
@Harriett: Awww.. thank you for your comment
@Harriet: i'm glad you liked it
Thank you, Harriet! I hope you'll enjoy using it!
Harriet- thanks so much!!!!
okay...pamela here, newbie to scrapbooking and to designing for scrapbooking though I've been a designer in other craft/art fields for many years...this is my first mini kit..or kit. Had a blast doing this so thank you very much Marisa for this challenge. It helped me get to the "sharing and showing" part.
I hope I did this correctly
Drats..won't let me post a pic..so here's a link to the photo..
I can't figure out how to get it to work and it also doesn't go to my download link...:(
Pamela -your mini looks great! If you click on the little arrow near the bottom right of the picture on flickr it will open up ways to share. Click the HTML/BB Code option, then select the BB Code button. You can copy and paste that code into your reply and your picture should post. Sorry, I'm not familiar with Dropbox. Hope that helps.
Thank you Amanda...Let's see if it works now...
pbdFall4Uzpreviewgallery by pamelabachmayer, on Flickr
Now let's try a download link:
Since this is my very first kit, please....tell me if there's any booboos or something needs to be resized, etc.
I'd appreciate it so I can fix it and be aware of it for next time.
Thank you!
Well Miss Nadia, I am beyond impressed. I feel like a little girl in a candy store!
Really great kits made by everyone!! And thank you for all of your lovely comments on my Alice kit. It feels nice to share it with everyone
Nadia: Your kits are very clever and creative! Great Job!
Pamela your mini is beautiful! Great job!
Great job with your kit Pamela!!! THanks
hi this is my first try at a kit hope u all like it.
@Pamela: Lovely kit, thank you for sharing
Goodness, I am just overwhelmed by the talent at Pixel Scrappers. Everywhere I look, there are really beautiful kits, pieces and layouts posted... I am new here and didn't get to jump in, but I can't wait to see the next challenge!
Kari - you can get in on our November Blog Train!!!!
Here is my mini, but since I'm having so much fun with this I am extending it to a bigger one... I'll let you know once it becomes available!
Everyone is so creative on this site, I just love visiting to see all the great work. Here is my Mini Kit. It took me the better part of the day to create. Enjoy
@Melouise - that is too cute, love the color palette you chose too!
@Cynthia - love the art journal feel to yours and a great color palette too!
Omigosh Melouise! That is so cute! Did you draw the girl yourself?
@Cynthia - I love your giant dandelion!
Thanks for all the compliments for my kit and thank you all for those wonderful minikits!
(@Marisa: really LOVE this type of challenge!)
Thank you everyone for the compliments on my kit and especially thank you for the free kits! I can't wait for the rainy day kit, that is lovely and the little girl is too cute.
I hope there are more challenges like this as I find a learn so much from challenges!


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On "The Poem as Mask"
Rachel Blau DuPlessis
Explicitly antimythological, ["The Poem as Mask"] is also an act of self-criticism, written in direct opposition to an earlier "Orpheus." The older poem, constructed like a court masque of the English tradition, uses the power of music as organizing symbol, centers on a static drama of transformation, and ends with a song of unity. The figure of Orpheus -- the poet reborn as a god, the fragments of the human reunited as the divine, a transcendent experience that gives power to the self -- is a motif of great resonance for Rukeyser. Yet, in "The Poem as Mask," she brings her earlier poem into question by deliberate acts of self-criticism, showing that the myth she had so lovingly chosen and carefully shaped is an impediment to her quest. "The Poem as Mask" states that she had censored her feelings, writing him, god, myth, when she meant me, human, my life. As a woman, she had been unable to affirm her "torn life" -- the loss of love, a dangerous birth, the rescue of self and newborn child. Her former use of the myth blunted her sense of personal reality; it was a "mask" of covering, not a "masque" of unity and joy. So she makes a vow at the end of the poem: "No more masks! No more mythologies!" But while this vow is understandably antimythological, a cry against alien patterns imposed on womens lives, the poems final lines present a renewed myth based on concrete feelings of peace, blessing, and wholeness. The new myth comes from within the self, as the orphic experiences in the historical life of the poet that offer inspiration and rebirth.
from Rachel Blau DuPlessis, Writing Beyond the Ending: Narrative Strategies of Twentieth-Century Women Writers (Bloomington: Indiana UP, 1985).
Annette Kolodny
Punning on the multiple meanings of mask and masque, the first stanza owns up to the fact that, in an earlier work (her long poem, "Orpheus" [1949], which was itself composed as a masque), the poet had employed forms of disguise, masking both experience and identity, and had thereby diminished true Orphic power. The disguise, in short, produced only an elaborate entertainment, akin to the ornate but essentially trivial court masques of the seventeenth century. The maenads tearing Orpheus to pieces is a physical sensation she knows through childbirth; but what she successfully rescued from death, through her own body, was a child rather than a lover. The storehouse of symbolic structures which we call our literary heritage, however, offered neither models nor validation for the importance of that kind of tearing and rescue; only "memory" had preserved the masked truth of the event intact.
Quite literally, then, the first stanza becomes itself a mask, at once exposing the earlier poem's masquerade and, with that, serving as prelude to the significant action which is to follow; that is, the second stanza's fuller explanation of the deception and the consequent revelation of the poet's (painful) ecstasy in childbirth. The myth's assertion of the Orphic power that comes only through the ecstasy of dying is here displaced by Rukeyser's assertion of the ecstasy of bringing forth life. And, as the closing lines indicate, this ecstasy, this "aggressive act of truth-telling" also renders Orphic power, as life replaces death and fragments become whole:
No more masks! No more mythologies!
Now, for the first time, the god lifts his hand,
the fragments join in me and with their own music.
Repossessing the significance of the "memory / of my torn life," Rukeyser is liberated from a sense of "exile from myself." No longer unable to speak,"capable now of renewed--but also different--music, Echo is returned to speech.
From "The Influence of Anxiety: Prolegomena to a Study of the Production of Poetry by Women." In A Gift of Tongues: Critical Challenges in Contemporary American Poetry. Ed. Marie Harris and Kathleen Aguero. Athens: The University of Georgia Press, 1987. Copyright © 1987 by the University of Georgia Press.
Lorrie Goldensohn
Even without the simple biographical facts to shoehorn into a readingof the poet's own charged experience of waking out of anesthesia after a cesarean birth and being told of the hysterectomy also performed on her, without her consent, at the same timethe poem reads explosively, with the famous masks and mythologies still flashing their exclamation points like stoplights. Through memory, the mortally wounded psyche is healed and rescued with the child, and the god lifts his hand as if Stravinsky himself had orchestrated it, in a new and even stronger and more disturbing mythic rite, this time from the deliberately female vantage point of that cleft speaker, regathered as Orpheus, maenad, and mother.
The poem is embedded in my own twentieth-century history as well as Rukeyser's, part of a seventies movement primed for sisterhood, but not quite ready for mothers, especially if they were ours. Reprinted in 1993, first released in 1973, Florence Howe's anthology of feminist poetry, No More Masks! chooses Rukeyser's negation of the practice of masking for its blazon. "The Poem as Mask," however, performs a series of much more complicated maneuvers of recognition and retrieval, maneuvers that hardly dismiss the adoption of masks or personae. And the famous exclamations seem more a question of which persona, rather than a dismissal of all personas: "No more masks! No more mythologies!" is one moment in Rukeyser's poem.
In an interview published in 1972 by William Packard, when asked specifically about this line, Rukeyser agrees that when it is spoken, "the myth begins again." The lifted hand becomes an acceptance of myth both paradoxical and necessary that occurs "[a]s soon as the refusal is made" (129). By the time actual memory confronts myth through the reality of the birthing female, exile from the self is undone, and under the baton of the god's lifted hand, the shattered fragments of the self enact a literal movement of recollection and raise "their own music." And their own new mythology.
. . . Her makeover of the Orpheus legend clearly had two aims: one, to reconnect poetry to its older roots in prophecy and wisdom literature, crippling discourse in favor of image; two, to provide a poetics that would acknowledge the full range of female experience as not incidental to poetry, but essential to it. Over many years, Rukeyser strove to take a male myth of the genesis of poetry and recover it for women, thereby to ground herself both theoretically and practically as woman and poet, with neither category ever to subtract energy from the other. . . . another creation myth is germinating inside the story of the origins of the female poetic voice. It is a myth that may worry the anti-essentialist feminist. In "The Poem as Mask" Rukeyser proposes the founding moment of a female self-recognition, and her simultaneous rejection of Orpheus and acquisition of her own voice, as the moment of a violated childbed, when her fertility is attacked in the instance of its expression. And yet, the female splits; gives birth; and suffering, acquires voice. In a split that also heals the gap between writing and livingbetween poetry and lifethe poem couples or splices an "actual" autobiographical memory with a fictive or mythic recognition. But Rukeyser bears down on female memory or authentic experience as that which gives rise to the new myth, in which a newer god lifts hisand it is still hisenabling hand. In "The Poem as Mask" Orpheus may be a woman finally with the right mask on, clutching the right mythology, but the deity hasn't changed his pronoun.
I can imagine critical responses rejecting the implied pronatalism of this Orpheus myth, its potentially coercive suggestion that the catalyst of female creativity be childbirth, in a remake of Freud's movie Anatomy as Destiny, this time as produced and directed by a feminist. Yet Rukeyser's imagery can also be read nonprescriptively, and as generated from the context of a particular life and history that may not be pared away from a reading of the poems. Rukeyser in the postwar years is not just scorched, but fired by the experience of birthing and raising a son in the teeth of convention and through ambiguous paternity; fighting for her right even to have this child, she rewrites her creation myth: in "The Poem as Mask" both mask and mythology are cast aside, only to be retrieved and re-shaped.
But the recuperative role that motherhood plays is clear: the self split open in self-mothering is the cloven female body, despite the male's appropriation of midwifing and control over procreation, and despite the wound to her fertility that the poet undergoes in her hysterectomy, on the way to a deliverance both psychic and actual. The new myth is this female body whose wounds produce the Orphic song, its emblem the poet-mother and child. Against the surgical knife of male cancellation, body and family become female: first mother, then tentatively, then more and more strongly, bisexual or lesbian. And perhaps a shouldering aside of the male, except as son, becomes a necessity for a strong woman poet who has just undergone four years of a global conflagration in which militarism sidelined or dismissed or victimized women.
[Editor's Note: Excerpted from a much longer essay. See the original book for the full text]
from "Our Mother Muriel" in "How Shall We Tell Each Other of the Poet?": The Life and Writing of Muriel Rukeyser. Ed. Anne F. Herzog and Janet E. Kaufman. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1999. Copyright © 1999 by Anne E. Herzog and Janet E. Kaufman.
Return to Muriel Rukeyser


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Celebrating illustration, design, cartoon and comic art of the mid-20th century.
Friday, July 03, 2009
Fred Ludekens: "...the trees grew tall enough to see."
Q: If you were to define the single quality which a good picture possesses and a poor one does not - what would it be?
A: The right content designed to communicate attractively the meaning, clearly and convincingly to people. If it doesn't do this it isn't working. This is the objective, and the way to achieve it is wide open to any illustrator. It depends on you. An illustrator, as I said before, should have more than talent. A few brains, understanding and judgement also help. These are required to make successful pictures.
Q: How carefully do you plan a picture? Is your response to a subject emotional, intellectual, or a combination of the two?
A: Very carefully. I believe composition is the most forceful part of a picture. I try to make a cohesive whole out of many elements - the idea, mood, action, arrangement, color, and so on - as I interpret the problem. If I am illustrating a piece of fiction, I believe my response is emotional, influenced by some reasoning as to my audience and the publisher. With non-fiction illustration, I believe my response is just the reverse.
Q: What satisfaction have you gotten from art as a career? Can you imagine yourself in any other profession?
A: I wouldn't trade my work or do it differently if I had another try. There are problems of self discipline, control of work, the kind of work, and so on, but, all in all, the illustrator is "out of sight" and can pretty well control his time and energy. I have managed to do so.
Q: You have said, and I quote, "You make your own luck. Timing does it, so don't get ahead of yourself." Can you explain this further?
A: I guess I mean you don't get many chances to be wrong. To use a familiar expression, an illustrator is only as good as his last job. Now that is not quite true but pretty close. In my opinion many young artists make a mistake by trying to get the big jobs before they are really ready for them. One job hardly counts unless it will produce another. The immature artist, if he fails, seldom gets another chance with the same publisher.
With limited good outlets for illustration this is hardly something he can afford. Doing well means good selection and interpretation of the manuscript's most effective illustrative possibilities. Two fundamentals are necessary. First, to know what an effective illustrative situation really is. Second, the ability to draw it, regardless of the subject, its complication, its simplicity, or the time required to do it well. Without this approach the illustrator's chance of success over a period of time is doubtful.
An illustrator never knows what he may be required to do on his next assignment. His experience as a keen observer, a person of broad experience in travel, work, sports and so on helps him bring his understanding and feeling to the job. This is a requisite to success.
Q: You have also said, "If you plant the seeds and the trees grow tall enough someone will see them.: What did you mean?
A: I'll try to explain it. Many years ago I illustrated a book of yarns written by one of my friends. I did twenty-two full-page pictures and twenty-one small chapter headings, designed the hard cover and did the jacket in full color for a total sum of just three hundred and fifty dollars. This started me on my career as a fiction illustrator.
Here I believe "the trees grew tall enough to see." Directly from this group of illustrations I received an unsolicited assignment to do an eight-part serial for the Curtis Publishing Company. This was important in numerous ways, and was directly responsible for many years of good assignments on varied subjects.
Good assignments allow an illustrator to demonstrate his consistent ability to handle effectively a wide variety of subject matter which in turn furthers his experience and broadens and extends his career.
A career isn't a career unless it lasts. An illustrator isn't an illustrator unless he's illustrating. It's that simple. It takes years to get the right opportunity. Recognize its value and its hazards. Don't throw it away.
* My thanks to Harold Henriksen for providing the scans above from The Ranch Book and to Bruce Hettema for the photo of Fred Ludekens from April 1981. Fred Ludekens, born in the year 1900, passed away in 1982.
* My Fred Ludekens Flickr set.
4 comments:
- Harry Borgman8:16 PM
Hi Leif,ReplyDelete
A great week of posts, Ludekens was one of my very favorites, a great artist. I always admired his work. He was a great advertising guy as well.
What I glean from these articles is something I think is missing from many areas of our present day: The willingness to learn to work and common sense.ReplyDelete
I agree. Ludekens design sense was his strength, I think, and it comes across just as well in his editorial work - but especially so in his W.W. II ad art ( I wish I had more examples ). I think that's what he was talking about in this interview if we read between the lines - about how the illustrator ought to be involved at the conception of the ad idea. His reference to how many ads are weaker because this is not the typical process is, I think, his roundabout way of saying, "I could have designed a stronger composition - and thus a more impactful ad!"
I would say you gleaned well! Hopefully this blog's younger readers ( i.e. those still in art college ) gleaned the same thing! ;^)


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Explode tree
Collapse tree
Ingredients: Aucklandia root, Alpinia Oxyphylia seed, Medicinal Evodia fruit, Tang Kwei root, Atractylodes rhizome, Buybane rhizome, Magnolia bark, Katsumadau Galangal, Tangerine peel, Tuckahoe root, Hare's Ear root, Pinellia tuber
Direction: 8 pills a time, 3 times a day, as a herbal supplement
Caution: Do not use if pregnant
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Content Copyright Mount Spring International


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I'm fairly sure most around here are familiar with component based/continuation passing style stateful web programming. If not, there's a reasonably decent overview of one specific framework http://www.defmacro.org/ramblings/continuations-web.html.
I've had some basic theoretical exposure to this style of programming, but how scalable is it? If memory serves, it is *very* possible for one user to use many objects, most of which would end up floating around for a while with no hope of ever being accessed (garbage collection is pretty tricky when we can't tell what the user has linked to). Of course, computer's capabilities are constantly expanding, something like AllegroCache could help handle more objects, and perhaps some sort of optional browser extension could help the site know what links may have been stored (for garbage collection).
Are there any (largish) sites that use this sort of stateful web programming?


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Microsoft's new Xbox One controller and headset are now available for pre-order at the company's online retail store.
The Xbox One Wireless Controller will cost $59.99 and features impulse trigger feedback, redesigned thumbstickers, and a completely redesigned D-pad. The unit will run on two AA batteries, which are included in the package.
If batteries aren't your style then you can grab the Xbox One Wireless Controller with Play and Charge Kit for $74.99. The package includes the aforementioned controller along with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack and USB charging cable.
If you decide to purchase the standard controller and would then like to upgrade it with a Play and Charge Kit, that will cost you $24.99. For those of you counting, that is about $10 more than purchasing the bundle together.
Last, but not least, the Xbox One Chat Headset (aka: the wired one) will cost $24.99 and features "crystal-clear" digital wideband audio. Controls for adjusting volume or muting your microphone are now at the bottom of the controller where the headset plugs in.
You can preorder the above accessories along with the new Xbox Live Gold Day One membership card at Microsoft's online store.
Now we just have to wait and see what the cost for Microsoft's wireless chat headset will be.
Source: Microsoft Store via Polygon
This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure policy for more details.


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Beyonce is the most powerful celebrity in the world.
Right … she's even a bigger deal than Lindsay Lohan.
Forbes magazine announced Monday it has determined Beyonce is the most powerful celebrity of 2013-14.
The financial magazine based its Celebrity 100 list on earnings from the previous 12 months and how often that person is mentioned in print media, TV, radio and 11 social media platforms.
They must have some time on their hands over there at Forbes.
In the category of movies, TV, music, sports, books and modeling, Beyonce finished first, followed by LeBron James, Dr. Dre, Oprah Winfrey at No. 4 and show host Ellen DeGeneres at No. 5.
Right — I didn't make it. I'm as surprised as you.
Beyonce flipped spots with Oprah, who was No. 1 last year.
Tony Hicks provides celebrity commentary for the Bay Area News Group. Contact him at Facebook.com/BayAreaNewsGroup.TonyHicks or Twitter.com/insertfoot.


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SCons / SconsToolbox
The SCons wiki has moved to https://github.com/SCons/scons/wiki/SconsToolbox
Don't put Builders and Tools here. Put them in ContributedBuilders. This is for things that integrate scons into other systems or tools to help use scons. True, some of the things below should already be in the recipes/builder pages.
- NsisSconsTool A Tool to deal with Nullsoft Scriptable Installation System scripts, and the creation of windows installers with this free tool.
- Win32Executable A win32 executable of SCons. You don't need to install Python to run SCons.
- MicrosoftPlatformTool Using the free as in beer Microsoft command line C++ compiler with SCons. (Plus Platform SDK and Direct X SDK)
- WiX_Tool A Tool to create windows installers with the open source WiX toolkit from Microsoft
- EclipsePlugin A SCons Builder Plugin for the Eclipse IDE.
- SconsTreeView A small program to display a SCons dependency tree in a GUI format.
- CrossCompileMingw32 A tool for cross-compiling for the Windows platform.
- ToolRecursiveCopy A few useful add-ons for cases where you're copying or converting the contents of some folder into some other folder.
- BashCompletion A script to enable command line completion in Bash.
- ManpagePdfConverter A Bash script that exports the SCons manpage as a PDF file
- NDDS4_Tool A Tool that provides an nddsgen Builder, and encapsulates the environment variable settings necessary to build NDDS (a.k.a. RTI DDS) applications.
- EOLScons An extension to SCons to share options and targets (especially libraries) within a source tree built from many components, both internal and external.
- Sln2SCons A script to convert Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 solution files (.sln) and the associated project files (.vcproj) into a set of SCons files (SConstruct and SConscript).
- --tree=all to .dot A very simple script for converting the output of --tree=all to .dot format, to create dependancy diagrams.


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Johns Hopkins Hospital lost its coveted spot as the nation's top-ranked hospital for the first time in 22 years, edged out by Boston's Massachusetts General Hospital in the latest analysis by U.S. News & World Report to be released Tuesday.
Hopkins still ranked No. 2, and marketing experts said falling one spot will hurt the hospital's ego more than its reputation.
"They'll survive this, I'm sure," said Roger Gray, founder and partner of GKV, an advertising and marketing firm in Baltimore. "Johns Hopkins is iconic."
Executives at Hopkins are awaiting more detailed data so they can better understand why the institution fell in the annual rankings.
"It is disappointing, of course, anytime you get knocked off the premiere position," said Ronald R. Peterson, president of Hopkins Hospital and Health System and executive vice president of Johns Hopkins Medicine. "We're going to try to figure out what we can do to reassume that throne."
Peterson said he doesn't think second place will tarnish Hopkins' reputation. After all, Hopkins was at the top for more than two decades, something that Peterson said the hospital will emphasize in its marketing.
"They can't take that away from us," he said.
Peterson pointed out that Hopkins had 15 nationally ranked specialty medical programs. Five are best in the country: neurology and neurosurgery, geriatrics, psychiatry, rheumatology, and ear, nose and throat.
There is no lack of rankings of hospitals, and some mean more than others, those in the industry said. U.S. News & World Report is considered one of the more credible ones because it looks at a variety of criteria, said Ashish Jha, associate professor of health policy and management at the Harvard School of Public Health.
Jha said when you get to the level of Hopkins, a small detail can mean the difference between first and second place.
"I personally don't think it matters whether you're No. 1 or 2 at this level, because as a group they're all terrific hospitals," Jha said.
Avery Comarow, health rankings editor at U.S. News & World Report, said the competition was tight between the top two contenders. Both had 30 honor roll points, the scoring system the publication uses to rank hospitals. Massachusetts General edged out Hopkins because it had 16 nationally ranked specialty programs compared to Hopkins' 15, he said.
"It's not as if Hopkins took a precipitous drop by falling from No. 1 to No. 2," Comarow said. "While any honor roll listing is good for bragging rights, patients need to look at how a hospital performed in the specialties relevant to their medical situation."
U.S. News & World Report uses information from the American Hospital Association to come up with its rankings. The association surveys hospitals and retrieves data from other sources. Criteria include the number of doctors and nurses, the volume of births and emergency room visits, mortality rates and the kinds of medical programs a hospital offers
Comarow said it is hard to tease out where Hopkins' weaknesses may have been because his publication doesn't analyze individual hospitals in detail. The analysis used to compile the rankings has changed in recent years, with more emphasis on clinical outcomes and less on peer review, he said. It is possible that may have affected the rankings.
The University of Maryland Medical Center saw its performance in specialty areas such as cancer and nephrology improve this year, in part because there is more emphasis on outcomes. Jeffrey A. Rivest, president and CEO of the University of Maryland Medical Center, said rankings like this help to solidify the state's reputation for strong health care.
"I think it shows people there are two national-class medical centers in this city," Rivest said. "Perhaps people take that for granted sometimes."
Peter Slavin, the president of Massachusetts General, said his hospital plans to market its new status on its website, but he's unsure whether it will make much of a difference in attracting patients or getting more research money.
"We are thrilled to be considered No. 1," Slavin said. "Having said that, we are also humbled to be included in the ranks of Hopkins, Mayo and our sister institution, the Brigham and Women's Hospital. We're honored with this recognition but need to take it with the appropriate numbers of grains of salt."
Massachusetts General was No. 2 last year.
State officials, who point to Hopkins' reputation as a selling point to businesses and others looking to move to Maryland, say they will continue to do so.
Maryland Economic Development Secretary Christian Johansson said when he has been on trade missions to India, China and other areas of the world, people always know Johns Hopkins. He said it will be hard to unravel the reputation of an institution that has won world renown for research, producing Nobel Prize winners and saving lives.
"Reputation is not built over one year, reputation is built over decades," Johansson said.
Baltimore economist Anirban Basu also believes Hopkins' reputation is solid enough to withstand the ranking challenge.
"It just means marketing language may have to be more nuanced," said Basu, head of the Sage Policy Group, a firm that consults on Mid-Atlantic economic and policy issues.
Gray said patients start to become immune to rankings because they are advertised so heavily. A person's primary-care physician is more likely to influence what specialists a patient chooses. The rankings are more likely to influence wealthy patients in other countries looking for the best care, he said.
The best measurement isn't a ranking, Peterson said, but how well patients are treated.
"It's not about winning a contest or a survey," he said. "It's about what we do every day to provide our patients with the best care."
Top-ranked hospitals
1. Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
2. Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore
3. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.
4. Cleveland Clinic, Ohio
5. Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles
6. Barnes-Jewish Hospital/Washington University, St. Louis
7. New York-Presbyterian University Hospital of Columbia and Cornell, N.Y.
8. Duke University Medical Center, Durham, N.C.
9. Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston
10. UPMC-University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Source: U.S. News & World Report


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View Basket
BBQ sauce base with a generous helping of spicy beef, sliced pepperoni, ham, pork sausage and bacon. More info..
Pizza and Nutritional Information
Thin Crust, XXL, £21.99
Thin Crust, Large, £18.99
Thin Crust, Medium, £16.99
Original, XXL, £21.99
Original, Large, £18.99
Original, Medium, £16.99
Original, Small, £13.99
Make it a Stuffed Crust for £2.50
All pizzas come with one free Special Garlic dip and a Pepperoncini.
Pizza sauce, hot Buffalo sauce, Piri Piri chicken poppers, red onions, red peppers and green chilli peppers. More info..
Chargrilled chicken, bacon, onions and drizzled BBQ sauce More info..
Hot & spicy curry sauce, double tandoori chicken, green peppers, red onions and fresh tomatoes, drizzled with mint raita sauce. More info..
Ham with fresh, juicy pineapple chunks More info..
Pepperoni and Jalapeno peppers More info..
Thin Crust, XXL, £20.99
Thin Crust, Large, £17.99
Thin Crust, Medium, £15.99
Original, XXL, £20.99
Original, Large, £17.99
Original, Medium, £15.99
Original, Small, £12.99
Tomato sauce, Real Italian cheeses, pepperoni, sausage, Italian style seasoning More info..
Chargrilled chicken, bacon, fresh tomatoes, onions More info..
Double pepperoni, extra cheese More info..
Pepperoni, sausage, ham, baby portobello mushrooms, green peppers, onions, black olives More info..
Piquant pepperoni, succulent sausage, crispy bacon, spicy beef, ham More info..
Jalapeno peppers, red peppers, spicy beef, onions and chilli powder More info..
Feta cheese, red onion, tomatoes, black olives, pepperoncini, mozzarella, oregano More info..
Red onions, green peppers, tomatoes, sweetcorn and baby portobello mushrooms More info..
Red peppers, green peppers, green chilli peppers, jalapeno peppers and onions More info..
Cheese and tomato More info..
Thin Crust, XXL, £17.99
Thin Crust, Large, £14.99
Thin Crust, Medium, £12.99
Original, XXL, £17.99
Original, Large, £14.99
Original, Medium, £12.99
Original, Small, £8.99
Vegan Sheese® and tomato More info..
All pizzas come with one free Pepperoncini in the box.
Vegan Sheese®, red onions, green peppers, tomatoes, sweetcorn and baby Portobello mushrooms More info..
Vegan Sheese®, red peppers, green peppers, green chilli peppers, jalapeno peppers and onions More info..


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Is there anybody going to La Ventana from Los Cabos Saturday 11th of February who would like to share a ride?
The cheapest seems to be around $140 according to some posts on the forum.
I also read about a bus ride then taxi on ikitesurf which is a cheaper option, but is it worth the hassle?


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- Inside Athletics
- Tickets
- Fan Zone
- Media Zone
- Social
- Shop
- Donate Now
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (April 2, 2012) – Fresh off 7-0 victories against Lipscomb and Belmont, and solidifying its spot in the 2012 Atlantic Sun Championship, the No. 72 ETSU men's tennis team will step out of the A-Sun for a Tuesday afternoon match against the top team out of the Big South Conference, Radford, at the Buddy Hartsell Tennis Center.
Tuesday's contest is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m., and will be the Buccaneers' final non-conference match of the regular season.
ETSU (8-8, 6-0 A-Sun) has reeled off eight-consecutive victories after starting the season at 0-8 to even its record at .500. The Bucs started the winning streak on Feb. 25 with a 6-1 win against Appalachian State, and have since defeated Tennessee Tech, Jacksonville, North Florida, then-No. 71 Stetson, FGCU, Lipscomb and Belmont. ETSU has also not dropped a single point through its last four wins.
Leading the Bucs through the spring season have been senior Sander Gille (Kuringen, Belgium), senior Jeremy Bonnevalle (Keerbergen, Belgium) and junior Juan Ramirez (Asuncion, Paraguay). The trio leads ETSU with 10 wins apiece through dual play, with Ramirez at 10-6 while Bonnevalle and Gille are each 10-5.
Bonnevalle also holds the team's longest active win streak, having won his last nine matches. Gille, Ramirez and freshman Rogerio Ribeiro (Sao Paulo, Brazil) are not far behind, as each of the three are in the midst of eight-match streaks.
Radford (13-3, 5-0 Big South) enters Tuesday as winners of its last six matches dating back to a victory at then-No. 45 Portland on March 9. Since then, the Highlanders have won five-consecutive home matches against South Carolina State, Coastal Carolina, James Madison, Campbell and Winthrop.
The Highlanders' only losses of the year have come against three ITA-ranked squads. On Jan. 16, Radford opened the season with a 5-2 loss to then-No. 74 North Florida, and lost back-to-back matches against then-No. 38 Oregon and then-No. 35 Boise State before defeating Portland to begin its current win streak.
Nicholas Sayer has been dominant for the Highlanders with a 13-1 dual record which includes his current 13-match winning streak. Sayer has played each of his 14 spring matches at the No. 1 position, and is 5-3 this year against nationally ranked singles competition.
Patrick O'Keefe is Radford's other 13-match winner, holding a 13-3 record this spring with an 11-3 mark at the No. 6 and a 2-0 mark when playing at the No. 3.
During the fall, Ramirez defeated O'Keefe 6-3, 6-4 at the UVA Fall Classic. Bonnevalle also defeated a Highlander in Charlottesville, Va., taking down Igor Ogrizek in the same tournament 7-6, 6-3.
For more information on ETSU tennis, please visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the tennis links.


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This is the perfect entry into the sonic world of Lautmalerei -Orchestral Wild Takes-. The 450 MB sample library provides 190 orchestral phrases and scenes plus special sound effects. It comes with a handy table documentation with 7-pages and 12 columns (PDF) as easy-to-use search tool when looking for a specific orchestral scene and effect.
Categories: Low Staccato, Mid Staccato, High Staccato, Counter Staccato, Glissando, Chords, Chaotic Orchestrals, Strange Melodies, Horn Riffs, Thrill Orchestra and more. Plus a extra sections with Orchestra Hits, Prepared Piano special effects and Construction Kits.
Audio Track demo clip, click here:
Lautmalerei Volume 1 -Orchestral Wild Takes-, Format WAV, download product
Purchase directly from the developer
Copyright Klaus P. Rausch -Back In Time Records- Sound Research & Development. All rights reserved.
All prices incl. tax (MwSt.)
Shopsystem u. Shopsoftware von store-systems.de


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caddelldesigns needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 152 designs submitted by 29 freelance designers.
We need a logo for our web design company. We like the style of the DigialAisle logo mockup #122/123 by Niktus, #102 by boss, #115 by mathzowie
Caddell Designs
We are a professional web design company dedicated to helping small to medium-sized businesses achieve their business goals using the latest internet technologies. This may include creating a new website, developing customer relationships online, or building an internal application to support existing processes.
We specialize in:
- Internet marketing services & consulting
- Professional web design & development
- .NET web application development
- Web page animations & flash applications
- a logo we can use for web & print
- professional look and feel
- clean and simple
- innovative
- high-tech
- associates the image of our agency with our logo
- version with and without the tag-line "custom web solutions" incorporated into the design
- on completion: art work submitted in hi-res .psd or .ai with original font file(s)
- cartoony logo
- too many colors
- no over sized logos as all designs must be able to fit onto business cards & invoices but still be clear and potent
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


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Can Babaoglu necesitaba un nuevo diseño de botón o icono y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 29 diseños de 10 diseñadores freelance.
*Complete Training Solution For Competitive Skiers*
We are a complete training solution targeting competitive skiers. We bring together value-adding Video Analysis Tools and easy-to-use Training Management Features.
Video Analysis:
-Slow Motion
-Frame Advance
-Split Screen
-Drawing Tools (Planned)
Training Management:
-Mass Announcements
-Easy Messaging
-Training Logs (Planned)
*A Local Community Portal for Ski Clubs*
SkiClubZ.com makes each ski club run more efficiently. It makes teaching easier and more effective for the coaches, training more interactive and enjoyable for the athletes and most importantly it keeps parents in the know but out of the way.
*A Global Network For Competitive Skiers*
SkiClubZ.com has started bringing members of the skiing community from all across the globe together under one online platform. As it grows, SkiClubZ.com will facilitate effective global communication and collaboration.
*Current Status of Project*
We are currently in Beta and our site is only being used by Ski & Snowboard Club Vail. Our plan is to start marketing and sales to other clubs for the 2010-11 season starting in March '10. Your work will be used in our quarter cards; brochures and in revamping our public pages (splash page, about us, contact us ...etc)
Competitive skiers worldwide are our target audience. Our target audience is between the ages of 10-35. They live in or close to ski resorts. Their lives revolve around skiing. They are reasonably well-off (competitive skiing is expensive). Most are social networking users (mostly facebook) and are familiar with Social Media sites and trends.
*Uses on the Website For Icons*
Attached you will find a word document and a few jpgs that illustrate how these icons will be used in the About Us page on the website.
*General Look & Feel*
We prefer a "Web 2.Oish" look and feel (e.g. twitter.com, box.net)
1) Snow Sport Athlete: Preferably something that can represent both skiers and snowboarders.
2) Snow Sport Coach:
3) Snow Sport Parent:
4) Training Management Icon
5) Video Analysis Icon
6) Club Icon: We will use this for the set-up animation. This needs to be as simple as possible (a circle, a rectangle ...etc).
7) Group Icon: This also needs to be as simple as possible. The fact that a group is lower in the hierarchy (compared to a club) needs to be conveyed.


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|Home > Screen Captures > World Wrestling Entertainment > Smackdown Live! > 2018 > October 23
|October 23
© 2015-2018 / PART OF BILLIEKAY.COM / Hosted by Fansite Host / Theme by © Being Visuals / Back to top / Homepage
Billie Kay Photos / BillieKay.com is not affiliated with Jessica McKay (Billie Kay), World Wrestling Entertainment or any company Jessica has worked for and is not trying to impersonate or claim ownership any material hosted on this gallery. This is a non-profit website, created by dedicated fans and nothing more. All photos, media and website content found on this website are copyrighted to original owners unless stated otherwise and are being used under the fair Copyright Law 107. Please let me know if you require more information, thank you! Best regards, David.


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Answer Financial is a member of the Allstate family of companies and a leading insurance comparison provider. We give consumers a single place to easily compare prices and buy insurance, both online and over the phone with an agent. Our success stems from an innovative, driven team of professionals, and our culture rewards their hard work.
If you're interested in joining our dynamic team, apply with us today! Call 1‑844‑AFI‑JOBS for more information
Recognized by Inc. Magazine as a leading job creator in the insurance industry


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Twelve Huskers Honored by Big Ten
A dozen Nebraska players were honored by the Big Ten on Monday, earning all-conference honors as announced by the league office. Three Huskers were named first-team All-Big Ten selections by either the conference coaches or a media panel.
Junior running back Ameer Abdullah and sophomore defensive end Randy Gregory were first-team All-Big Ten selections on both the media and coaches teams. Senior defensive back Ciante Evans joined Abdullah and Gregory on the coaches All-Big Ten first team.
Abdullah has put together one of the top seasons for a running back in Nebraska history. The Homewood, Ala., native has rushed for 1,568 yards and eight touchdowns this season, and finished second in the conference in rushing yards per game. His rushing total is the fifth-best in school history and the best by a Nebraska player since 1997. Abdullah recorded 10 games with 100 or more rushing yards, including seven in Big Ten Conference play.
Abdullah was honored by the Big Ten for the second straight season after earning second-team all-conference honors as a sophomore.
Gregory quickly became one of the Big Ten's top defenders in his first season in Lincoln. Gregory leads the Big Ten with 9.5 sacks, with 9.0 coming in Big Ten Conference action. Gregory also ranked second in the conference in tackles for loss at 17 and leads Nebraska with 17 quarterback hurries. He also recorded an interception for a touchdown, along with a fumble caused and fumble recovery.
Gregory's selection marks the fifth time in Bo Pelini's six seasons as head coach that Nebraska has had a first-team all-conference defensive lineman.
A senior captain, Evans has been the leader of the Nebraska defense this season. The Arlington, Texas native has intercepted four passes, while adding five pass breakups. Evans also has 44 tackles, including 11 tackles for loss and three sacks. The tackles for loss total leads all Big Ten defensive backs, and both his TFL and sack totals are Nebraska position season records.
Evans' choice as a first-team All-Big Ten performer marks the fifth consecutive year Nebraska has had at least one first-team all-conference defensive back. Last season, Evans was an honorable-mention all-conference pick.
In addition to being a first-team choice on the coaches' team, Evans was a second-team All-Big Ten pick by the media panel. Two other Huskers earned second-team accolades on Monday. Cornerback Stanley Jean-Baptiste was a second-team choice on both teams, while senior center Cole Pensick earned second-team honors from the Big Ten coaches.
Baptiste ranks among the league leaders in interceptions with four and pass breakups with 11. He also recorded 35 tackles. Pensick manned the center position for the majority of the season, before splitting time between center and guard late in the season as the NU offensive line battled injuries. The offensive line paved the way for Abdullah's outstanding season.
Six other Huskers earned honorable-mention all-conference honors on Monday. The coaches' honorable mention all-conference list included defensive end Jason Ankrah, wide receiver Kenny Bell, safety Corey Cooper and offensive linemen Andrew Rodriguez and Jeremiah Sirles. Honorable-mention choices according to the media panel were Ankrah, Bell, Pensick, Rodriguez, Sirles and place-kicker Pat Smith. Bell and Sirles earned all-conference honors for the second straight year after both being second-team choices in 2012.
Senior fullback C.J. Zimmerer was chosen as Nebraska's Sportsmanship honoree.
Quotes from Nebraska All-Big Ten Players:
Ciante Evans
"There's a lot of great defensive players and defensive backs in the conference, so it is a great honor to be selected to the All-Big Ten team. I'm not out there playing for awards. My goal is always just to be part of a team effort and provide leadership for the young guys on our defense."
Ameer Abdullah
"I have to give credit to the relentless play of our offensive line and the rest of my teammates on offense. Any success I've had or honors I receive would not be possible without my teammates and coaches. It is a great honor, but my main focus is on trying to finish off this season strong in our bowl game."
Nebraska Honorees:
First-Team All-Big Ten: IB Ameer Abdullah (Coaches and Media); DE Randy Gregory (Coaches and Media); DB Ciante Evans (Coaches)
Second-Team All-Big Ten: Evans (Media); CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste (Coaches and Media); C Cole Pensick (Coaches)
Honorable-Mention All-Big Ten: Pensick (Media); DE Jason Ankrah (Coaches and Media); WR Kenny Bell (Coaches and Media); OT Andrew Rodriguez (Coaches and Media); OT Jeremiah Sirles (Coaches and Media); S Corey Cooper (Coaches); PK Pat Smith (Media)


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Find a Science tutor (Biology, Chemistry, Physics and more) in or near Bethesda, Maryland.
This is a small sampling of our tutors. We have over 200 tutors available.
Zachary: SAT, ACT, Study Skills, Writing, Math, and Science, including Physics, Biology, and Chemistry.
|Zachary has been teaching since 2005, and worked with students from 7th grade to adult. He specializes in study skills, writing, and science. He works to build comprehension and confidence in students through a process of scaffolding and Socratic question. Zachary has spent the last five years teaching students and other tutors about the SAT, ACT, and a variety of high school entrance exams, with superb results. He tutors in Potomac, Bethesda, Rockville, and Gaithersburg, MD. He also tutors Chemistry, Biology, and Physics
|Jeff is a physician and scientist, a graduate of Georgetown University (B.S. Biology) and Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine (M.D.) who enjoys tutoring. His medical school background makes him ideal for teaching Biology, English, Chemistry, Physics, the social sciences, and most levels of mathematics including Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry. Jeff s approach to teaching science emphasizes concepts and practical applications for a better understanding of the world around us. He understands different learning styles, and tailors his teaching methods to suit the needs of every client. Jeff tutors throughout Maryland, including Bethesda, Rockville, and Potomac.
Stephen: All levels of Math and Science, including Biology, Physics, Chemistry, and Geometry/Algebra/Trig.
|Stephen is currently the Instructor of Physics at the NVCC Annandale campus and holds a Bachelors degree in Physics and a Masters degree in Physics and Science. He has also taught in the public school system and works with TFS tutoring all levels of math and physics at the middle school through undergraduate level. Stephen resides in Potomac, and is available to tutor in Potomac and portions of Northwest Washington DC.
Suresh: Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Algebra, Geometry, Calculus, Trigonometry, and SAT and ACT preparation.
|Suresh holds a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He has been tutoring for Tutoring For Success for over ten years. He tutors chemistry, biology, physics, algebra, and SAT and ACT preparation in the Potomac area of Montgomery County, MD.
Pete: All levels of Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) and Math, History, English, and Government.
|Peter is a meteorologist at Headquarters National Weather Service. He obtained a B.A. degree in Environmental Science at the University of Virginia, and a M.S. and PhD in Atmospheric Science from Colorado State University. He has tutored regularly since high school, and joined Tutoring For Success in 2011. He specializes in all levels of math and science, including Algebra, Chemistry, Biology, Calculus, Geometry, and Physics. He is also able to tutor History, English, and Government, in Potomac, Bethesda, and Rockville, MD.
Emily: Algebra, Calculus, Geometry, Statistics, Trig.
|Emily tutors throughout Washington, DC, Potomac-Bethesda Maryland, Oakton, Vienna, Fairfax and Arlington, Virginia. She has a B.A. in Chemical Engineering and English, with a minor in piano performance from the University of Delaware. She also has a M.S. in Applied and Computational Mathematics from Johns Hopkins University. She resides in Potomac.
Bob: All levels of Math (Algebra, Calculus, Geometry, Statistics, Trig), SAT and ACT prep, and Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
|Bob brings a fresh new approach to learning math. As Senior Math Instructor at the Art Institute of Washington (AIW) he has revitalized the math program over the past five years. He leverages 30 years of experience in teaching, training, and mentoring in the military, Information Technology and academia to customize the learning process for each student. Specialties include overcoming math anxiety and test phobias, preparation for SAT/ACT and other standardized tests, and a realistic approach to problem solving. Bob's teaching philosophy is that "it's NOT a math class, it's an ADVENTURE!" Bob lives in Potomac, MD, and tutors in the surrounding areas.
Patty: All levels of Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) and Math
|Patty is currently a high school math teacher in Arlington County. She tutors students in all levels of Science, Math and the math portion of the SAT. She tutors in Potomac Maryland, Rockville Maryland, Oakton, Fairfax, Vienna, and Arlington, Virginia.


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Budget Battles
Trump's Surprising New Assault on Obamacare
Democrats Move to Bolster Obamacare
States Push For Caregiver Tax Credits
The US in Decline: What Americans Fear for the Future
Health Plans for State Employees Use Medicare's Hammer on Hospital Bills
To Cut Costs, a Third of US Uninsured Don't Take Their Drugs as Prescribed
Warren Buffett's Prescription for Fixing US Health Care
Chart of the Day: A New Stock Buyback Record
S&P Dow Jones Indices said Monday that companies in the S&P 500 index bought back a record $806.4 billion worth of their own stock in 2018, up 55.6 percent compared to 2017 — and about 37...
Winners and Losers from the GOP Tax Cuts This YearBy Michael Rainey
Bloomberg's Ben Steverman and Marie Patino took a look at some representative households to see who's winning and who's losing under the Republican tax cuts this filing season. While most taxpayers...
IRS Eases Penalty for Taxpayers Who Paid Too LittleBy Michael Rainey
Taxpayers who had too little withheld from their paychecks in 2018 now have a little more room to breathe. The IRS on Friday lowered the withholding underpayment threshold to 80 percent for the 2018...
A Trump Landslide in 2020?
Despite low approval ratings, constant controversy and the perpetual peril of numerous ongoing investigations, multiple economic models with successful track records of picking presidential winners...
Individual Income Taxes Make Up Majority of Federal Revenue for the First TimeBy Michael Rainey
Income taxes paid by individuals made up the majority of federal revenue for the first time last year, according to an analysis released Wednesday by the Joint Committee on Taxation. The chart below...
Tax Law Is Getting More Popular, but Smaller Refunds Could Hurt Trump and GOPBy Michael Rainey
The size of your refund check from the IRS doesn't tell you anything about whether you got a tax cut last year – but it may affect your attitude toward President Trump and his fiscal policies. People...
Anxious and Suspicious, Citizens in Wealthy Countries Want Stronger Safety NetsBy Michael Rainey
People living in some of the wealthiest countries in the world are worried about their economic futures and don't trust government programs to provide much help if and when they need it, according to...
Trump Boom Could Go Bust Without More MAGAnomics, White House SaysBy Michael Rainey
The U.S. economy is chugging along. A new CNN poll found that 71 percent of Americans say that economic conditions are good, the highest percentage to say that since 2001. And the White House is...
Just 21% of Americans Say They See Savings from Trump Tax Law
Only one in five adults expects to pay less income taxes this year as a result of the Republican tax law passed in 2017, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll released Friday. Just 21 percent of...
Treasury Secretary Mnuchin: My Tax Rate Went UpBy Michael Rainey
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told lawmakers Thursday that the Republican tax law affected his personal tax rate in 2018. "I personally pay taxes in New York and California and my tax rate did go...
Democrats Take Aim at Capital GainsBy The Fiscal Times Staff
Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) reintroduced legislation Wednesday that would end a tax break on carried interest – the share of profits that hedge fund and private equity...
Once Again: The GOP Tax Cuts Are Not Paying for ThemselvesBy Michael Rainey
A handful of supply-side enthusiasts are sticking to their claim that the Republican tax cuts are paying for themselves, with Art Laffer making that argument on CNBC just last week, but the...
Did You Under-Withhold Last Year? IRS Watchdog Wants to Give You a BreakBy Michael Rainey
National Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson thinks the IRS should provide more relief to people who failed to withhold enough money from their paychecks in 2018. While the tax agency is offering some...
The IRS Is 'Stretched So Thin That Things Could Go Very Badly Wrong,' Watchdog WarnsBy Michael Rainey
In her testimony Wednesday, National Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson provided an update on the IRS's performance this year. Communications with taxpayers are a real trouble spot, Olson said, with only...
Did the GOP Tax Cuts Really Boost the Economy?By Michael Rainey
The Republican tax cuts have been cited as an important factor in the jump in economic growth in 2018, but a new analysis by Bloomberg Economics suggests they played a much smaller role than their...
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pastorbhc brauchte ein neues Logo Design und hat einen Wettbewerb auf 99designs gestartet.
Aus 38 Designs von 16 Designern wurde eine Gewinner gewählt.
We're looking for logos for our Middle School Youth Group - "DETOUR STUDENT MINISTRIES" - and our High School Youth Group - "HIGHWAY STUDENT MINISTRIES." Looking for a type of brand identity that will be similar for both groups (which is why we're wanting them designed together), but that will still allow for separate identities when people see each logo.
"DETOUR STUDENT MINISTRIES" and "HIGHWAY STUDENT MINISTRIES"
We are a church Youth Ministry broken up by grades - Middle School and High School. We need two logos - one for DETOUR STUDENT MINISTRIES and one for HIGHWAY STUDENT MINISTRIES. We need the logos to be visually different enough that people can tell them apart, but be similar enough to see that they are connected. These need to be sleek and stylish - not too kiddy - we want these to be something that kids would want to wear on a t-shirt or hoody. Hope that makes sense!
- 2 separate logos with words DETOUR STUDENT MINISTRIES on one and HIGHWAY STUDENT MINISTRIES on the other.
- Recognizable and identifiable logos for each (symbol).
- The words DETOUR and HIGHWAY should stand out more than STUDENT MINISTRIES on each.
- I'm picturing a logo/symbol with the words centered below it, but it's not absolutely necessary - feel free to experiment!
- Both should be able to integrated into .com logos - highwaystudents.com and detourstudents.com.
- ALSO, both should be able to drop the .com and just be seen as HIGHWAY STUDENTS or DETOUR STUDENTS.
- Logos should be able to be transferred to a t-shirt, letterhead, and look good in a solid color.
- 2 colors or less per logo. (Reds, oranges, blues, blacks are good)
- Even though I'm capitalizing the names of each ministry, they do not have to be capitalized in the logo - I'm not terribly picky about that right now.
- Something road-themed is OK, but not absolutely necessary (stay away from street signs - it's overplayed).
- Sleek, professional-looking font - but with a youthful edge (maybe incorporate youthful edge into actual symbol/logo)
- Too much gradient (I'm OK with a little, but remember, these should look good printed in a solid color).
- Street signs (it's a little overplayed and too expected).
- Cheesy, kiddy fonts - make it sleek and professional-looking with a youthful edge.
- Anything too busy - needs to be to the point!
Finden Sie heraus, wie ein Designwettbewerb funktioniert, oder lernen Sie mehr über unsere Logo-Design-Angebote.


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Location: Planet Bathhaus
Commander Redd: (over radio) do you have it yet? I've got half our army here, and I don't like being this exposed.
Omegalon Federation Army: Objective: Secure the safe, Special bonus: More Manpower
Retrieval Team captain: Yes sir, a whole safe full of black hole tek, with this, we will wipe out the DRK forever!
Omedalon Retrieval Team: Objective: Deliver Safe to commander Redd, Special Bonus: "Safe" start
Darkstorm Overseer: Well look who's here, the soon to be defeated Omegalons
Darkstorm Empire: Objective: Keep the safe out of Omegalon hands, or take it if possible, Special Bonus: Light Tank
Admiral Arial: Thanks for inviting us Darkstorm, you know we want to get our hands on that tek, and we're willing to fight for it
Space Austrian Advanced Kill Team: (SAAKT) Objective: Retrieve the safe, Special Bonus: Specialist forces
Captain: Don't let them get that safe, that tek is ours, nobody enters this room and lives!
Colonial Independence Force 3rd core: (CIF3) Objective: Don't allow the safe to leave the building, Special Bonus: Location, Location, Location
Gree: The Fifth Alliance sends its regards, and its Orks!
Fifth Alliance: Objective: Achieve a Darkstorm Victory, bonus Melee Troops?
Omegalon Federation Army: Omega Prime: Kills: 0 Alive: 12
Omegalon Retrieval Team: TheAtomikPunk: Kills: 0 Alive: 8
DRK: Darkstorm: Kills: 0 Alive: 8
SAAKT: Archduke: Kills:0 Alive: 7
CIF3: TheVengefulOne: Kills: 0 Alive: 7 (One not pictured)
Fifth Alliance: Hiremas Alkerith: Kills: 0 Alive: 7


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Haley was talking about Wheaton and he said he's way faster on the football field and game tape than his combine numbers. And then went on to say when you really like a kid, you actually root for him to put up bad combine numbers and run a slow 40.
And he seemed to get a good chuckle about Jarvis and Wheaton running so slow.
How fast is Wheaton? Haley was making it sound like his 4.45 40 was as bad for him as Jarvis's 4.9 was for him.
And if that's true, is Wheaton really faster than Austin for example?


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My friend Lindsey and I, post dash
You might be thinking: What in the world is the Warrior Dash? Well: It is a badass experience where you get to crawl through trenches, slide down hills and get absolutely covered in mud. In the words of another friend: "…the most amazing event I've ever partaken in in my life." (The person who said this is pretty amazing herself, so those are no small words.) Plus, you get a Viking hat! There are dashes nationwide and even around the world, so check the website to see if there's one near you.
I had never done a dash (or anything like it, like the Spartan Sprint) before and I will admit, I was nervous as I paid my registration fees all the way until the race got underway. My mind filled with nagging self-doubts. Will it be too difficult? Will I embarrass myself? Will I be able to finish?
Keep in mind, I'm not exactly a runner. In fact, I don't really enjoy running. I get winded and bored and I'd prefer pumping iron or punching bags if I'm going to exercise. However, I had a FANTASTIC time at the Warrior Dash and will definitely be doing it again. While I'm not the premier source for dash information, I have friends who are either signed up for an upcoming dash or are strongly considering it. So, for them (and for anyone else) here are some tips based on my experience! (For reference, my battleground was in Mechanicsville, MD.)
Don't Sweat It:
I'm putting this first, because it is highly important: try not to be nervous! Easier said than done, I know. But this is an event that you can do at your own pace, so you only have to compete with yourself and not the people around you. I think the race is more fun to run with friends than alone (unless you're running competitively), so cheer each other on and keep each other going.
Prepare if you Can:
If you're in this primarily to get muddy and have fun, I wouldn't say that you need a ton of physical training. The website, however, does suggest that if you want to prepare yourself, your best bet is to run a lot. As I was preparing, I modified this treadmill workout (I did intermediate intervals) and ran it every other day for a couple of weeks to get used to running for an extended period. (For me, 40 minutes is extended!)
There isn't much of a way to prepare for the obstacles, but if you are decently fit, they should certainly be doable. According to the official website, "Finishing Warrior Dash is more about mental toughness than being in great shape."
Pack essentials
Aside from the obvious (identification, change of clothes) here are things you should consider bringing with you:
- Cash – My event only took cash and tickets, which required cash (This may vary depending on location). There was an outdoor ATM, but the line was terrible and I didn't want to pay the fee. If you can, bring money for souvenirs and food. (Being a Capricorn, of course I price-checked my items of choice ahead of time so I'd have enough money.)
- Baby wipes – These were a gift from the gods when dealing with wretched port-a-potties. Trust me on this.
- Mini first aid kit – Nothing fancy, just a small box you'd get at any pharmacy store with band-aids and sterile wipes.
- A camera – Taking pictures during the event is probably impractical, but you'll want photos of yourself post mudslide and the event photos are expensive. Best option: bring a friend with clean hands.
- Extra plastic bags (think grocery bags) – Your clothes will be filthy afterwards. Enough said.
- A friend – This race is more fun if you're running with friends. Plus, there may be a parking fee, so carpooling is ideal.
Dress properly
Unless you plan to dash in costume (which is far more common than you may think), you want to dress for comfort and practicality. Based on my experience:
- Clothes – I came to the dash in long-sleeves and yoga pants, but ended up running in a t-shirt and mesh basketball shorts. The shirt was fine, but by the end of the race the shorts nearly fell off my ass because the watery mud soaked them through. Dress with that in mind.
- Shoes – Wear old ones. You can donate them post-race and besides, who wants to sink expensive new running shoes into thick mud?
- Other – I scraped up my knees, so consider knee pads but as they absorb mud and get heavy, (as in my friend's experience) a better option may be ace bandages.
And finally?
Have a good ass time. If you don't mind getting filthy, you probably won't regret it.
Any other questions? Has anyone ran in a dash (or something similar) and wants to add input? Feel free to share in the comment section.
xoxo, Tara


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Welcome to the Neohomes Superstore!
We have everything you might need to decorate your Neohome!
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Code of discipline for directors
From Wikimedia ZA
Approve costs
I would propose something like:
- Under 1000 ZAR: BOARD MEMBER:
- one board member has to approve this (eg. postal costs, printing, transport...)
- administrative support by SECRETARY1
- Under 5,000 ZAR: REQUESTER + BOARD MEMBER + SECRETARY three members have to approve this, this will be the requester and the (deputy) secretary
- Above 25,000 ZAR: majority BOARD approval
Important: approval has to be found before commiting to the costs. So please do not wait until the flight is booked, the computer station have been installed and the invoices comes in. Do it BEFORE you give them final go. Of course this allows for exeptions, eg. the missing your flight.
Flights, accomodation
Board members adhere to the WMF travel policy
General code of conduct
Copy paste https://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Code_of_conduct_policy
1This is due to the approval system from the bank account with Absa


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Raphael Stolt has a new blog post today with a tutorial showing how to take the Zend_Dom_Query component out of the Zend Framework and use it to scrape content from another web site.
Today I stumbled upon an interesting and reportable scenario were I had to extract information of the weekly published Drum and Bass charts provided by BBC 1Xtra. As this information currently isn't available in any consumer friendly format like for example a RSS feed, I had to go that scraping route but didn't want to hustle with a regex approach. Since version 1.6.0 the Zend_Dom_Query component has been added to the framework mainly to support functional testing of MVC applications, but it also can be used for rolling custom website scrapers in a snap. Woot, perfect match!
He includes the code for his Bbc_DnbCharts_Scraper class he's created to show how the data is pulled in (via curl) and pushed into an object to be parsed.


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Brandt needed a new other design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 100 designs submitted by 27 freelance designers.
Unda Terra
My wife wrote a book that I am having bound for her for Christmas. In the book I want to insert a painting/graphic image that represents a particular paragraph in the book.
The book will be bound in old leather and I see the painting/graphic after the style needing to be something that will help to intrigue the target market which is girls 8-12.
This is the passage (focus specifically on the first paragraph):
Kyla dipped her hand in the cool water and let it run through her fingers. Slowly from below the surface she saw a spot, a blotch of light. The fish was surfacing, coming straight toward her. She wasn't sure what to do, should she wave, should she speak to him? The fish's head broke the surface. His wet scales glistened in the sunlight. His violet eyes watched her intently. She felt like they could see into her soul.
"Hello fish," Kyla whispered. She felt a little foolish. He kept looking at her.
"Are you hungry?" asked Kyla. She noticed a crust from one of the sandwiches under the table in the gazebo. She brought it back and broke off a piece. She tossed it in the water and the fish ate it.
Children especially girls ages 8-12.
Needs to be something that can be reprinted on an fabricated "old" paper. Needs to be something we can frame.
Think of the famous children's books of all time and create a picture that illustrates the magic of the words above. If there are other questions please feel free to engage. I am happy to answer any questions.


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Vladik Scholz Skater Profile
Sponsors: Emerica, Volcom Germany, Team Titus, Beautiful Shock, Titus Bielefeld, Electric
Hometown: Bielefeld Germany, Stance: Regular, Age: 30, Status: Am
Last Update: Friday, October 22, 2010 Submit an Update
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Lithium Ion Battery for GL1800 & F6B
The most cutting edge, advanced lithium ion battery technology. Helps cut down on your overall bike weight. Lots of power to keep that Go...$204.99
O-Ring Foot Peg
Machine grooves provide a custom look. Universal Mount Folding O-ring peg fits 7/8" to 1" Higway bars.$39.95
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Rubber Inlay Footpeg
Rubber Insert. Non-slip protection. Fits 1" to 1-1/4" highway bars.$33.95


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I've never really paid attention to which figures were "rare", so when I opened my 3PO, I realized that I didn't care for it very much. I guess its a combination of the pose and the head that turned me off to it. But hey, some people obviously like the figure enough to spend over a hundred dollars on it. Good luck to you guys who are looking for it still. I traded mine for a figure I like alot moreVader!
Page created in 0.054 seconds with 18 queries.


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Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Cautious optimism over Muamba
The hospital treating Fabrice Muamba have cautioned against over-optimism despite the rapid progress made by the Bolton midfielder following his cardiac arrest on Saturday.
The hospital treating Fabrice Muamba have cautioned against over-optimism despite the rapid progress made by the Bolton midfielder following his cardiac arrest on Saturday.
It was confirmed on Monday night that Muamba has started to recognise family members and respond to their questions.
Forty-eight hours after the 23-year-old collapsed during Bolton's FA Cup quarter-final against Tottenham at White Hart Lane, it was the clearest indication yet that Muamba is winning his battle for life. However, both medical staff and Bolton officials do not want supporters to get the idea that Muamba is almost back to normal.
In situations such as this it is not unknown for patients to plateau after a period of recovery, and Muamba remains on the critical list.
"Fabrice Muamba remains in intensive care at the London Chest Hospital and is continuing to show signs of improvement," said a joint statement released by the London Chest Hospital and Bolton.
"He is now able to breathe independently, without the aid of a ventilator and he is able to recognise family members and respond to questions appropriately. These are positive signs of progress. However, his condition remains serious and our medical staff in intensive care will continue to monitor and treat him."
The confirmation followed claims from Curtis Codrington, who says he is a close friend of Muamba and is one of only 83 people followed by the player on social networking site Twitter, that he had started speaking in French and English.
Earlier, speaking for the first time since the game, Bolton captain Kevin Davies said Muamba owed his life to the support he received almost instantly.
"There is no doubt in my mind if it wasn't down to all those people, we wouldn't even be in this situation," said Davies.
Bolton have not confirmed how long manager Owen Coyle intends to maintain his own vigil for the player, although he is expected to remain in the capital for a further two days. That would throw into question Bolton's ability to fulfil Saturday's scheduled Premier League game with Blackburn at the Reebok Stadium.


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T-Rex Responds To Miles & Says Aint No Beef WIth Math Hoffa: "You Come To N.Y. I Beat You. God Bless You If You Swing On Me. You'll Never Use That Hand Again. You'll Sound Like A Whistle When The Wind Blow"
T-Rex in the studio with
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Troup County School System (TCSS) is joining a statewide celebration saluting the efforts of local school board members. Governor Nathan Deal has proclaimed March 13-17 as School Board Appreciation Week in Georgia. This weeklong observance calls attention to the contributions of local boards of education.
"Our board works together to fulfill its duties and obligations to continuously help improve learning opportunities for students in Troup County," said Dr. Cole Pugh, Superintendent of TCSS. "They visit schools each month, ask questions of our educators and employees, and provide relevant feedback as they make decisions that impact the students and staff within the system."
Read full article here.


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Mens Winter Velvet Plus Thick Warm Stylish Motor Yellow Faux Washed Leather Jackets
- Sellerwww.customiphone4scases.us
- List PriceUS$204.06piece
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Product Description
Attention: Please note that you should place your order in US size, however the tags inside the items will show in Asian size.
Poduct: Mens Motor Jacket
Fabric: ( Washed Leather ) 67% PU Leather + 33% Polyester
Lining: 100% Polyester
Collar: Stand Collar
Sleeve Length: Long Sleeve
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guide to help you select the correct size. Please take your own measurements and choose your size
accordingly.we cannot accept responsibility for incorrect purchases.
About Color:The precise color of the clothing items may vary depending on the specific monitor,the settings
and the lighting conditions.The items colors depicted should only be used as an approximate guide


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When it comes to Twitter clients on Windows Phone, we've noticed everyone has their favorite and its usually for specific reasons. Tweet It! by developer Timur Khamidov has always impressed us for standing out from the pack. The app comes with numerous unique options like a using the camera for a background, so you can see where you walking when typing, orientation lock, tweet your currently playing music and more.
Version 6.2 just went live in the Store and it's quite a colossal update. The update and changes are so big, we would have thought it was a worthy of a 7.0 designation. Let's see what's new.
Tweet It! version 6.2 changes
- Main page was redesigned – No longer tiles the Main page features a graph like layout with your stats for easy reading
- Little circle with number in the top right corner is showing you your new notifications. Tapping it opens the app's notification center
- On start-up application will track who has followed/un-followed you while it was closed
- Profile page was redesigned to show favorites
- Pin individuals to your Start screen with a gorgeous Live Tile
- Now when you are on detailed tweet page dialog and answers loads automatically on the same page. Counts of retweets (with ability to see who's exactly retweeted it) and favorites will be right under the tweet
- New Pocket API for improved read it later functionality
- More powerful compose page and drafts. Now there's visual map instead just button if you want to add location to your tweet. Autocomplete username feature on the same page. #Nowplaying feature is on the same page too. And drafts will let you save photo with tweet if it was attached.
- Tweets filter is back! And it's really cool this time! It is features filtering by apps and "Sets".
- More powerful search feature with pinnable tiles for quotes. Local trends.
- For those who post photos a lot there is Lens feature. And photo filter creator. And powerful photo editor.
Those are some substantive changes to what was already a powerful and fun Twitter client. Version 6.2 from our usage has certainly stepped up to the plate to make it one of the best Twitter clients around, should you desire more power than the built in functionality of Windows Phone.
Make sure you watch our video tour above of the new features in Tweet It!.
Tweet It! runs for $0.99 with a free trial and can be found here in the Store. Windows Phone 8 only. Highly recommended.


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The East Central University women's golf team will open the Spring schedule at the Lady Rattler Round-Up hosted by St. Mary's (Texas) at The Dominion Country Club in San Antonio, Texas.
The tournament will consist of a practice round, Sunday, Feb. 17 and two rounds of play Feb. 18-19. Monday's tee times start at 9 a.m., with Tuesday's round starting at 8:30 a.m. The 2013 tournament marks the seventh season that St. Mary's has hosted the tournament, with the first five years being called the Lady Rattler Hill Country Classic.
The Lady Tigers will be one of 15 teams participating in the tournament, but the only team from the Great American Conference. ECU will compete against six teams from the Lone Star Conference, five from the Heartland Conference and one each from the Pacific West Conference, Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Association and Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.
"I'm looking forward to seeing how we compare to the other teams," said head coach Danny Key. "We've had good weather to practice the past month and I feel our teams are in better form than previous years for our first event of the spring season."
The Lady Tigers will bring five student-athletes to compete at St. Mary's, with two seniors, two sophomores and a freshman making up the group. Senior Ashley Cardwell was the top player during the Fall schedule, with a 81.1 average in four events. Senior Emily Wharton finished the Fall with an 82 average in four events.
Sophomores Lindsey Lunceford and Shay Shaw will also be making the trip. Lunceford played in four events in the Fall and ended with an 82.5 average. Shaw played in two tournaments and had an 86.25 average.
The final member of the group is freshman Megan Gowens, who was fourth on the team in the Fall with an 82.75 average in four events.


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Thursday, May 7, 2009
Snap! Images and Photography on blogs
15 comments:
- katiedid said...
Great topic! Would love to hear more: what cameras do people use, tips and tricks to taking better pictures, etc. I have found if resolution is set too high the pictures take longer to load. Any advice on resolution?
- May 7, 2009 at 7:54 AM
- LIBERTY POST EDITOR said...
The easy answer is: only post your own original photos. The reality answer is: if we all share, we all win. Blogs are powerful publicity machines.
- May 7, 2009 at 7:59 AM
- VictoriaArt said...
You are so on top of great subjects, all what bloggers need to know....
I love to take my own pictures, I play with light (no flash) and believe me, I have a very simple Canon SD 900, and I see the limitations, eventually I would like to own a digital camera with a powerful zoom an wide angle.
You can simply pull out greater details...I love that!
Thanks you all!
- May 7, 2009 at 11:53 AM
- LindsB said...
What a great discussion. I need to take a class on taking quality photos, that was a good suggestion. While I am guilty of taking pictures with a flash on, I have to agree with Joni, I like the way I look in a picture when the flash is on :)
Have a great weekend!!
- May 8, 2009 at 9:37 AM
- Mary said...
What a great discussion! I use a Nikon D40 with an 18-55mm wide angle lens, a 55-200mm zoom, and a 60mm macro. No flash, edit in iphoto or Photoshop. There are lots of great photography websites with tutorials: Darren Rowse's Digital Photography School and Photojojo are two of the best.
I'm really enjoying The Skirted Roundtable. Thanks so much!
- May 9, 2009 at 4:47 AM
- Linda Merrill said...
Mary - thanks for pointing us to some good online photo classes online as well. I should take a refresher!
Katiedid - I always take all my pics in high resolution (300 dpi) but when photoshopping will reduce the image size down (72 is usually good for quick online loading). This gives you the option of a quick loading, yet high quality image.
- May 9, 2009 at 7:49 AM
- Susan (Between Naps on the Porch) said...
Enjoyed this post! Would love to hear more sometime about techniques/tips for getting great shots.
Another topic I'd love to hear you guys discuss would be the decision to advertise or to not advertise on one's blog...and if one chooses to advertise, how to choose which products to advertise.
Thanks for all the interesting topics you've covered so far!
- May 10, 2009 at 8:20 PM
- Lisa said...
Thanks ladies for more great listening. I agree, the blinds from Target are the best for the money. They now feature a muslin backing (sold seperately) for privacy.
Have a good week & i look forward to more great gab from you gals!
- May 11, 2009 at 6:45 AM
- Michelle said...
Great job ladies!
What about doing a segment on the diversity of design blogs? From Vincente Wolf down to little ol bloggers like me- how it opens us up to other cultural blogs; fashion, art, writing, etc?
Also, regional blogging; maybe a couple of bloggers from Atlanta or from Texas...from Australia even as guests?
I nominate Katie to be your next guest...:)Maybe Brooke could join her for a regional pow wow?
Keep it up...I look forward to having coffee with you all at the beginning of every week :)
- May 11, 2009 at 3:49 PM
- susan said...
Good discussion! I've been a fairly serious amateur photographer since I was a teenager. Used to have my own darkroom in the old days. I have tens of thousands of images for business and recreation that I have taken on my hard drive. I love photography!
I have a Nikon D300 which is amazing. I can give you a few very simple tips.
First...when taking interior shots, see that the lines are plumb and level, meaning, in most cases, you want straight lines across and straight lines up and down, so notice that in the camera before you take the shot.
Second, whether or not you have controls on the camera, always take a number of images, manipulating the camera or the light in the space so that you can choose, later on, the images with the best light.
Third, the reason for #2 is to avoid bleached out highlights. An age old rule in photography is to expose for the highlights and let the shadows fall where they may. That means that once the highlights (e.g. detail you want to save in most cases) are bleached out, that detail cannot be regained in the image later on with post processing (in the computer). Look for the possible troubled highlights before the shot is taken and adjust as necessary (your position, lighting, etc.) The simplest thing to do in this case is to adjust the camera toward a brighter area, which will let in LESS light into the camera, allowing more detail into the highlights. Multiple shots is the way to go.
Fourth...play with post processing. Exposure manipulation, constrast, color, sharpness are all wonderful tools to easily and greatly (and sometimes frustratingly) enhance your images.
This is a topic very dear to my heart. I love photography! Thus the length, sorry!
- May 12, 2009 at 5:10 AM
- Christina said...
Something that struck me, is when one of you said something about not stating who took the photos your using. Now, maybe I need some clarity on this, but to use a photo and not give credit to who took it, is to act as if it is your own, and that would be copywrite infringment. And that would be especially wrong if you are making a profit on your blog. Personally, I go to a lot of work to take nice photos and edit them and post them to my blog (or Flickr), which sees no revenu, for others to enjoy. I don't want to ask someone to take down my photos, I love that others want to use it, I would just like for them to give credit to me for having taken the photo.
As for the photographer that asked to have his name taken off of the blog, that just seems rediculous. Free advertising. And you were obviously praising his work. That seems funny to me. Obviously someones going to know your blog is not his studio website...
- May 14, 2009 at 8:10 PM
- Linda Merrill said...
Christina - thanks for your input. I agree, we should credit photographers/sources as much as possible. However, I do think that it depends on the context whether not referencing the source makes it seem like the the bloggers own work. I think if someone went to a designer show house and wrote a post about it, but used the professionally shot images from the local newspaper without credit, that would clearly be misleading. However, if one is talking about a magazine image and the style or designer of a room or product, then it's fairly obvious the blogger didn't take the image, regardless of lack of attribution.
- May 16, 2009 at 10:51 AM
- Maria Killam said...
Excellent talk ladies!
- May 21, 2009 at 6:35 AM
- The Stylish House said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- May 22, 2009 at 7:01 PM
- The Stylish House said...
Hi Ladies,
I am glad I found you and this series of discussions. I have been blogging a little over three months and have been experiencing many of these same issues you are discussing. Thanks for coming up with these great topics and sharing your thoughts. ~Cathy~
- May 22, 2009 at 7:06 PM